Black Forest Longcase Clock with Barrel Organ Movement
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
movement circa 1840
This Black Forest tall clock incorporates an 8-day bell-striking timepiece paired with a twenty-one key barrel organ movement dated by the auction house to circa 1840.
The organ mechanism features a pinned cylinder configured for eight unidentified airs, along with a single rank of wooden pipes, a vertical five-fin governor with opposing ball weights, and an actuation rod driven from a notched great wheel. Housed in a stained oak case, the structure displays an arched hood, carved floral swags issuing from an urn on the trunk door, an angel head relief, and bun feet on a plinth base.
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
- Type
- Barrel organ longcase clock
- Case material
- Stained oak
- Movement type
- Twenty-one key barrel organ movement with 8-day timepiece
- Overall height
- 94 1/2 in. (240 cm)
- Place recorded
- Germany
- Barrel dimensions
- 10 3/4 in. long by 3 1/2 in. diameter
- Organ specification
- Single rank of wood pipes
Design
- Visible features
- • The glazed hood reveals the exposed wooden barrel organ mechanism, pipework, and movement frame. • Carved relief decoration below the hood features a winged cherub head above a waist door panel carved with an urn and floral spray. • The clock stands on four rounded bun feet beneath a moulded plinth base.
- Mechanical Configuration
- This Black Forest longcase clock includes an 8-day timepiece that strikes on a bell, paired with a twenty-one key barrel organ movement. The organ utilizes a pinned cylinder measuring 10.75 inches in length and 3.5 inches in diameter, configured to play eight unidentified airs. The organ mechanism features a single rank of wooden pipes. It is operated by an actuation rod driven by a notched great wheel, with the musical tempo regulated by a vertically-arranged five-fin governor equipped with opposing ball-weight drops.
- Condition and Preservation
- The auction house dates the movement to circa 1840. While the clock dial is missing, the spindle remains present with original hands. The backboard has been renewed; however, the period original backboard is included with the item.
- Case and Exterior Description
- The movement is housed in a stained oak case. The hood is panelled with a full-arched top, moulded edges, and opposing side panels featuring raised diamond-form inserts. Exterior ornamentation includes an angel’s head relief with stylized wing scrolls. The trunk door is decorated with relief work showing floral swags issuing from an urn, while the sides and lower front include cleated fields. The clock stands on bun feet attached to a plinth base.
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: The source notes that the dial is missing, though the spindle with original hands remains present.
- Research required: The backboard has been renewed, but the period original backboard is included.