Black Forest Cuckoo Clock with Capercaillie Crest
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1900
This large Black Forest cuckoo clock, attributed to circa 1900, is designed in the chalet style. The wooden case features intricate carvings and lattice work depicting leaves and branches.
The crest is surmounted by a carved figure of a capercaillie with wings spread. The dial, measuring 16 cm in diameter, has a dark background with applied white Roman numerals and white steel hands. A small door for the cuckoo mechanism is positioned above the dial. The base is decorated with leaf carvings, from which the pinecone-shaped metal weights are suspended. The movement is a one-day, weight-driven system featuring an anchor escapement.
Access to the internal mechanism is provided via a side panel in the wooden housing. The dimensions are 76 cm in height, 48 cm in width, and 25 cm in depth.
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
- circa 1900
- Type
- Cuckoo clock
- Height
- 76 cm
- Escapement
- Anchor escapement
- Dial Diameter
- 16 cm
- Movement type
- One-day weight driven
- Place recorded
- Germany
- Maker / attribution
- W J Morris Clocks (Attributed/Seller)
Design
- Case and Design
- The clock is constructed in the chalet style, incorporating detailed wood carvings throughout the structure. The main body of the case is decorated with filigree carvings representing foliage, leaves, and intertwined branches, providing a thematic consistency across the housing. The focal point of the exterior is the carved crest featuring a capercaillie, depicted with wings extended. Below this crest, the central dial displays Roman numerals and is paired with white steel hands, sitting beneath an integrated door for the cuckoo mechanism.
- Visible features
- • Capercaillie carving at the crest of the clock case • Pinecone-shaped metal weights • Dial with white Roman numerals and white steel hands • Wooden case with carved leaf and branch decorations
- Movement and Mechanism
- The movement is identified as a weight-driven mechanical system intended to operate for a single day. The ticking mechanism relies on an anchor escapement for timekeeping accuracy. The internal components, including brass wheels, are accessible through a side panel in the wooden casing. Operational power is provided by two metal weights styled as pinecones, which are suspended from chains.
- Condition and Attribution
- The clock is attributed to circa 1900 and is of German origin. Regarding physical condition, collectors are advised to assess the integrity of the wooden joints and the attachment points of the crest, specifically looking for fractures or previous repairs. Furthermore, the functional state of the internal bellows and the acoustic performance of the cuckoo mechanism are cited as aspects requiring verification prior to acquisition, as
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: Functional status of the cuckoo bellows and internal mechanism requires independent evaluation
- Research required: Authenticity of the wood and the structural integrity of the crest connections are not verified
- Research required: Provenance and exact maker remain unidentified