Johann Baptiste Beha Black Forest cuckoo spring table clock
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
circa 1890
This German Black Forest cuckoo spring table clock, dated circa 1890 and attributed by the auction house to Johann Baptiste Beha, stands 48 cm high in a chalet-style walnut case.
The carved wooden exterior features vine leaves, grape clusters, and three carved birds, including one surmounting the roof. The dial has carved bone hands with foliate motifs and applied Roman numerals. According to the cataloguer, the clock houses a two-train fusee movement with beechwood plates and retains remnants of a Beha label on the backboard.
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
- Cuckoo table clock
- Height
- 48 cm
- Dial Features
- Carved bone hands with applied Roman numerals
- Place recorded
- Germany
- Maker / attribution
- Attributed to Johann Baptiste Beha
- Movement Attribution
- Attributed to Johann Baptiste Beha
- Backboard Inscription
- Remnants of Beha label
- Case Style and Material
- Chalet style walnut case
Design
- Dial and Hands
- The circular dial displays applied Roman numerals and carved bone hands featuring foliate leaf accents. The auction cataloguer identifies the hands as well carved bone and remarks that the old bone hands appear to be original. The cataloguer notes alterations on the dial face, specifically that a few ivorine Roman numerals have been replaced.
- Visible features
- • A carved bird surmounts the pitched roof above a cluster of carved grapes and a small cuckoo aperture door. • Two carved birds flank the circular wooden dial, which is bordered by trailing vines and foliage. • Carved bone hands feature foliate leaf accents. • The lower portion of the case incorporates a rustic trellis-style fence design draped with carved vine leaves and grapes.
- Case Form and Carving
- The clock is housed in a chalet-style walnut case described by the auction house as measuring 48 cm high and decorated with carved vine leaves, grape clusters, and bird figures. Directly visible observations show a carved bird surmounting the pitched roof above a cluster of carved grapes and a small cuckoo aperture door, with trailing vine foliage and two additional carved birds flanking the dial. The lower section of the case incorporates a rustic trellis-style fence structure draped with carved vine leaves and grapes. According to the auction condition report, the case is in original order, patination, and finish, with no losses apparent to the carved decoration.
- Mechanism and Reported Condition
- Internal components and rear features are not visible in the front photo and rely on cataloguer claims. The movement is reported as a two-train fusee mechanism on beechwood plates attributed to Johann Baptiste Beha, and the backboard is stated to retain remnants of a Beha label. The auction condition report states that the movement is in good original order but in need of a professional overhaul, and notes that the bellows have been replaced.
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 report indicates replaced bellows and notes that several Roman numerals are ivorine replacements.
- Research required: The internal two-train fusee movement and the rear Beha label are not visible in the provided front view.