Attributed to Johann Baptist Beha Black Forest Fusee Shelf Cuckoo Clock
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
late 19th century
This Black Forest shelf cuckoo clock is attributed by Fontaine's Auction Gallery to Johann Baptist Beha and catalogued to the late nineteenth century. The clock is housed in a rosewood veneered case decorated with brass and colored inlay, surmounted by an open carved scroll cresting above an arched cornice and raised on a shaped plinth base with carved feet.
The circular painted dial displays Roman hour numerals, two winding apertures, pierced hands, and a central painted pictorial scene. According to auction records, the movement is an unsigned eight-day fusee wood-plate movement with cuckoo mechanism. The case measures 22 1/2 by 15 by 8 inches.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Date
- late 19th century
- Type
- Shelf cuckoo clock
- Movement
- 8-day fusee wood plate movement with cuckoo
- Signature
- unsigned
- Dimensions
- 22 1/2 x 15 x 8 inches
- Attribution
- Johann Baptist Beha (German, 1815-1898)
- Case Materials
- rosewood veneer with brass inlay
- Place recorded
- Germany
- Maker / attribution
- Attributed to Johann Baptist Beha
Design
- Visible features
- • Arched cornice surmounted by carved openwork scroll cresting. • Brass and polychrome foliate scroll inlay applied to the front case around the dial and across the plinth base. • Painted round dial featuring black Roman numerals, dual winding apertures, pierced metal hands, and a painted central landscape vignette. • Side panel shows a small rectangular hinged access door with latch.
- Dial and Visual Features
- Exterior observation shows a circular painted dial set into the front case. The chapter ring features black Roman hour numerals accompanied by pierced metal hands and two winding apertures. The center of the dial features a painted central landscape vignette. The auction description notes the piece "Retaines original finish and painted dial," but gives no further details regarding the pictorial scene or dial artist.
- Case Architecture and Decoration
- The clock is designed as a shelf model catalogued with dimensions of 22 1/2 by 15 by 8 inches. The case is constructed with rosewood veneer and ornamented with brass inlay, featuring an arched cornice topped by carved openwork scroll cresting. Visual observation also reveals brass and polychrome foliate scroll inlay applied to the front case around the dial and across the plinth base. A small rectangular hinged access door fitted with a latch is visible on the side panel. The auction catalogue includes a condition note stating "Retaines original finish and painted dial, minor spots of veneer lifting, not running, cuckoo functional but bird stays out with doors open."
- Mechanism and Attribution Limitations
- The auction entry records the item as "Attributed to Johann Baptist Beha (German, 1815-1898)" and dates it to the late 19th century. However, the movement is explicitly described as "unsigned," indicating that the attribution to Beha is source-reported rather than evidenced by an inscribed maker's mark. The movement is catalogued as an "8-day fusee wood plate movement with cuckoo." Because internal clockwork components are not visible in the provided exterior photograph, the internal wood plates, fusee mechanisms, and cuckoo bellows remain unverified visually.
Identification
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: Attribution to Johann Baptist Beha is source-reported; the movement is catalogued as unsigned.
- Research required: Internal wood-plate fusee movement and cuckoo components are not visible in the supplied exterior photograph.