A Special Shelf Cuckoo by Johann Baptist Beha

This clock is a special order Beha shelf cuckoo. It is one of two known to have be made, and the only example known.

The painting is called “Auferstehung Christi” and shows the Resurrection of Christ and his ascent to heaven.


This clock was sold on April 2nd, 1860 to a Dealer in Paris France. The clock was sold for 45 Gulden, which was a extremely high price for a clock at that time.

This clock has the traditional Beha 8 day double fusee movement.

The paper on the pipes is a Beha pattern that was very seldom used.

It has also been documented in Rick Ortenburgers book, Black Forest Clocks on pg 36.

This clock is not in my personal collection but is a family piece, that has been in our family for many years....and I wanted to share it on the Blog.

Beha Shelf Cuckoo Clock with Inlays and Calendar

In the late 19th century, an argument can be made that the most prominent clock makers were located in the U.K. (for example, J. J. Elliott of London). It can also be stated with relative certainty that these prominent U.K. clock makers manufactured the most expensive clocks produced during this period placing the clocks beyond the financial reach of all but the most affluent.

This focus of the U.K. clock makers on the top-tier of the domestic clock market created an opportunity for the Black Forest clock markers to manufacture clocks that could be exported to, and marketed in, the U.K. to address the market for quality, but yet more affordable clocks. Naturally, this would mean that the German clock makers would have to adapt their clocks to suit the English market in terms of both function and style. This would necessitate the German makers to produce clocks powered with eight day fusee movements as opposed to the weight powered or 30-hour or 50-hour movements typically produced for their domestic markets. Similarly, this would prompt the German clock makers to produce clocks reminiscent of English design and formality.

As I mentioned in an earlier post, one of the most appealing aspects of collecting Black Forest clocks manufactured by the Beha families is the broad diversity of the clocks manufactured. To be sure, Beha did almost exclusively manufacture cuckoo clocks, but the wide scope of the available designs and incorporation of horological complications into the movements makes for a cuckoo collector's dream. An example of the diversity of the clocks produced by the Beha clock makers is provided by the clocks that they manufactured for export to meet the rising U.K.'s middle class's demand for quality clocks that competed with domestic manufacturers at a more affordable price. An example of the top tier of the clocks Beha's designed for this market is provided below:



This Beha shelf clock was clearly intended for the U.K.'s market with a case of ebonized wood tastefully decorated with intricate inlays of brass and natural minerals. In addition to the cuckoo and gong-strike complications, this clock was also manufactured by Beha with a simple 31-day calendar complication. Calendar complications are very seldom found in Beha's clocks and suggest that this clock was intended for a particularly demanding (and affluent) customer. The cuckoo call and gong-strike may be silenced by rotating levers accessible through the right side door.



The wood plate movement and early Johann Baptist Beha labels indicate that the clock is an early example of Beha's production.





This clock was in the Kämper's personal collection for many years until it was acquired by this blogger last year. A minor restoration and maintenance have been recently been completed on the clock. The clock is running daily on time (and date!) like the fine clock it was always intended to be.

John

A Rare Beha model #119

The case style of this Beha is done in a very traditional “Postman’s Alarm” style. But clearly it is not your normal Black Forest Clock. A life size 12” cuckoo bird is perched on top of a oak branch that extends out of the top of the dial. This cuckoo is fully automated on the Full and ½ hours.

This cuckoo strikes on a large grapefruit size bronze bell with a silvered hammer, a very unique touch to the cuckoo call that sounds more like a English tall case strike than anything out of the Black Forest.

The highly polished pendulum, has alternating steel and brass rods, giving it a look of a compensation pendulum used on fine precision pieces.

The movement in this clock is a large wood plate cuckoo movement, two train. The strike and the cuckoo are on the same train like most cuckoo clocks. (see an earlier post for our other “Maxi” Beha cuckoo with a unique striking system). Obviously this movement does not have the cuckoo perch mechanics as a cuckoo os not pushed out of a door… but has a large additional arm that lifts a wire that activates the bird with the call.

The pipes on this cuckoo are large and round, not square and turned on a lathe. They creat a cuckoo call that is so real. This same style of pipes are also on our other Beha cuckoo with life size bird that can be viewed in an earlier post.

This clock has a night shut off so the strike and cuckoo can be silenced at night… this can be activated by pulling the silvered knob that extends out of the bottom of the case.

On the back Board is a fantastic Beha Label. Above the label is No 119 hand written. We have a scan of a early and rare Beha catalog that shows this clock. (Thank you ato Dr. Schneider once again for his assistance in assisting with the documentation on this clock)

We know of another similar example that is in a collection in Germany. This other example is also a #119 but done in a walnut case (ours is Oak). This other example is documented in the Book, “Auf Der Hohe” on pg 137. This example was presented at the wedding of Johann Baptist Behas daughter, Leopoldine Beha and Andreas Nobs in 1887.

The dial is lettered AN LB to commemorate the bride and groom and their special occasion.

While our example is not the “wedding clock” it is the same model, and a very difficult Beha to locate. (In fact it is the only #119 we have ever seen come to the market) If you want to see more rare clocks by Johann Baptist Beha...check out our private museum at blackforestclocks.org.

A Beha Shelf Cuckoo and a Carl Heine Painting

This Beha cuckoo was made C. 1870 in Eisenbach, Schwarzwald. The typical wood plate 8 day double fusee movement is housed in a beautiful round top elongated walnut case.

The case is intricately done with fruit wood inlays of oak leaves and acorns both on the base and well at the top. The cuckoo door is also inlaid with flowers and leaves. What makes this Beha special is the full oil painting on zinc or tin.

While Beha frequently used paintings on his cuckoo clocks, this was rarely done on the shelf or table examples. These Beha shelf clocks with large oil paintings are prized by collectors worldwide.

The painting on the clock is well done. It shows a mother and child on the ground...quietly looking up into the tree at the cuckoo up in the branches. The mother pointing to the cuckoo.

This painting was painted by the well known Black Forest painter Carl Heine, of Neustadt (1842-1882). Carl Heine's work almost always includes the tree with the bending trunk, and cuckoo up in the branches. The subjects eyes always gaze up at the bird... and frequently pointing to the bird... as on this clock.

The book IN DIE NEUE ZEIT (which covers clocks and influential people from the Titisee/Neustadt region in the Black Forest) has several pages devoted to Carl Heine... his life, his work, and many of his paintings. This piece shows a softer side of the clocks produced in the Black Forest.

"Another Beha" Cuckoo Clock

The conventional reading of a title "Another Beha Cuckoo Clock" would be that the adjective "Another" would modify the phrase "Beha Cuckoo Clock" with the implication that the topic of the post would be discussion of a Beha cuckoo clock created either personally by Johann Baptist Beha or, in later years, in collaboration with his sons Lorenz and Engelbert. In the case of this particular post, however, the topic is a bit more unique and thus the "'Another Beha' Cuckoo Clock" title.

Approximately a year ago I acquired a "Beha" cuckoo clock that became the topic of some debate amongst experienced Black Forest clock collectors as it's wooden plate movement, movement access door knobs/latches and maker's mark did not fully conform to the characteristics typical of a Johann Baptist Beha clock.















In fact, the middle initial of Johann Beha maker referenced on the maker's mark on this clock did not appear to be a "B" at all but rather either a "C" or "G". The maker's mark does however clearly indicate that the maker is a J. Beha from Eisenbach.



The unusual "Beha" maker's mark and the small, but significant, decorative and technical deviations of the clock from other Johann Baptist Beha clocks caused some experienced collector's to question the authenticity of the clock.

Fortunately, Dr. Wilhelm Schneider has recently published a book entitled "Frühe Kuckucksuhren. Entwicklungsgeschichte der Schwarzwälder Kuckucksuhr von 1750 bis 1850" in which he includes a vast amount of new, original research regarding the history of early Black Forest clocks, clockmakers and their families (many of whose lineages have since died out). Specifically, through the research that Dr. Schneider has conducted and documented in this book it has been possible, in consultation with Dr. Schneider, to unequivocally identify the maker of this shelf clock as not Johann Baptist Beha, but rather the relatively unknown distant relative of Johann Baptist Beha, namely Johann Georg Beha (1836- ca. 1885). The maker of this clock was identified by Dr. Schneider by his comparison of the movement, pipe-paper, etc. of this clock with other documented clocks produced by Johann Georg Beha. Moreover, apparently, no other examples of Johann Georg Beha clocks with carved cases are known to have survived as the other surviving examples of this maker are Bahnhäusle with a painted tinplate and a shield cuckoo clocks.

A possible explanation for the rarity of Johann Georg Beha's clocks may lie in the facts that the clockmaker Johann Georg Beha suffered a tragic and unexpected death relatively early in life and it is believed a good many of his clocks were exported to eastern Europe (i.e. Russia). This particular clock is believed to have been produced by Johann Georg Beha ca. 1865 and the walnut case is believed to have been carved by Rupert Wehrle of Neustadt, one of the best Black Forest carver's in his time. The fine carving quality of this piece is exemplified in the detailed carving of the oak leaves in a full three dimensions. The photos (which are archive photos taken immediately after the carvings were oiled) do not relect the rich, uniform natural walnut finish of the clock when viewed in person.

Interestingly, the families of Johann Baptist Beha and Johann Georg Beha lived next door to one another in Eisenbach (an old photo including the two homes is included in Dr. Schneider's book) and the commonalities between the designs of the two clockmakers were probably not a coincidence.

In this find, it reinforced a important lesson learned long ago but since forgotten: Just because an example is different, it doesn't make it wrong. In fact, in some cases, being different may absolutely correct for a previously undiscovered, or rare, variation. Additionally, the "experts" may usually be right, they are not always right and one ultimately has to trust one's own judgement in acquisitions...

Finally, it is my opinion that one should not let minor condition problems damper one's enthusiasm for the acquisition of a rare vintage item too much. This philosophy is based upon the prospect that, if one wishes to wait for a rare 150 year antique clock in perfect condition, one may have to wait for a very long, perhaps indefinite, time. There are professional restorers who can dramatically improve the appearance of clocks with minor damage or losses at, in my opinion, a very reasonable cost.

As an example, the following professional restoration of minor carving losses was performed on this Johan Georg Beha clock by Ms. Susan Wood of Minneapolis, MN. As you can observe, the resultant carving repairs are virtually indistinguishable from the original carvings and significantly enhance the aesthetic appeal of the antique clock.


After repair of chicken's wing and tree branch, before final matching of finish


After repair and finishing of chicken's wing and tree branch



John

A Rare Look: An Early Experimental Beha Automaton

In a previous post we spoke about curious innovations made by Johann Baptist Beha, which never made it "main stream"...resulting in unique and unusual clocks left for us today.

This next post I would like to share a clock, and an innovation that did make it main stream.

This piece is a very early, and special shelf clock with automation made by Johann Baptist Beha in 1849.
First off we would like to thank Dr. Wilhelm Schneider of Germany for his assistance in researching this piece. Dr. Schneider ,besides being the authority on the Beha factory… is also a accomplished author and a good friend.

This early Beha was made in late 1849, and sold January 1850 to Mr. Spiengelhalder a dealer from Neukirch for 19 Gulden along with one other identical piece. This is the only know surviving piece of the two. The Spiengelhalder family operated a retail store out of London during that time. (As a side note worth mentioning...Johann Baptist set up his shop in Eisenbach in 1845, this clock was made within the first 4 years of the start of his business.)

The case on this piece was made by Peter Wehrle a case maker in Dittishausen. Peter Wehrle apprenticed in Vienna…building cases for fine Vienna Regulators. This explains why this case is very refined compared with many Black Forest clocks made during the period. It also closely resembles a fine Viennese shelf clock. The case is made from the finest veneers and brass inlay… the proportions also show Peter Wehrle had a well trained eye. Peter Wehrle’s early relationship helped Johann Baptist Beha secure his name and reputation as a quality BF clock maker.
The backboard on this case is hinged at the bottom, and has a locking mechanism at the top of the back board. This was done by Peter Wehrle prior to 1854.

The movement on this clock is an early wood plate, 8 day. double fusee movement…if you look at the stop wheel on the back of the movement (see pic)… it is a very crudely made and primitive… This movement predated Johann Baptist Behas integration of the fusee and cuckoo (One of Behas greatest innovations)… and a movement that would become the staple in his quality clocks in later years.

In the Beha books, Johann Baptist Beha talks about experimenting with the 8 day fusee movement…but first incorporating blinking eyes. This is one of those pieces. .. a Beha, without a cuckoo.

Shortly after the success Beha had on this piece, the cuckoo was added and the fusee cuckoo was born.

Above the dial in a small gilt frame, behind glass is a small 1.75 X 3.25 painting on zinc. In the painting a dog has cornered a rodent. The eye on both animals (no larger than the end of a pin head needle) move back and forth with the pendulum.

Rarely did the Beha factory ever mark their clocks, and to find a Beha factory label is considered unique.

The last detail on this piece that makes the package so sweet… is a clear signature “Johann Beha in Eisenbach” done by his own hand.

Since this clock was made within the first few years of Johann Baptist Beha's clock making career, and the importance this piece played in the Behas early development of the 8 day fusee movement it is a very special clock in our collection.
Also because of the documentation by Johann Baptist in the books regarding this piece being one of the first, and the Signature... it is safe to say that this clock was made not only by the Beha factory, but by the hand of Johann Baptist Beha himself.

We are very excited to be able to share this important piece of Beha history.

Best,
Justin

Was Peter Columbo a Clockmaker?

Probably not, but he would have probably been pretty good at clock restoration because oftentimes, restoring an antique clock in a historically correct manner not only requires a mandatory high level of technical skills and knowledge but also the intellectual curiosity, deductive reasoning and persistent "detective" work to understand, and faithfully recreate, the original clockmaker's design given the typical situation of incomplete information and more than a few missing parts.

Recently, I had the opportunity to acquire a rare, and very early (ca. 1876), Johann Baptist Beha Number 932 cuckoo and monk clock. This clock is rather unusual for a Beha clock in that it not only has time, strike and cuckoo complications but also an animation complication in which a monk comes out of the lower door three times a day to ring the Angelus (the monk's arm goes up and down while clock's two gongs are struck to simulate the ringing of a bell in the church's steeple). At ca. 35 inches tall, it is also one of the largest Beha clocks.









Production of these clocks were extremely limited, presumably due to the small market size resultant from the very high price of the clocks in terms of an average person's wage at the time.

The example I acquired is in remarkably good condition considering the fragility of the clock's steeples, etc. but the last ca. 140 years did take a bit of a toll: the crest above the cuckoo's door had been lost. In addition, the count wheel, which controls the timing of monk’s ringing the Angelus and the gear that drives this count wheel, was also missing.



Because of the generosity of time and information provided by fellow Black Forest clock collectors Mr. Mark Singleton, Mr. Dean Sarnell and Dr. Wilhelm Schneider (to all of which I am deeply indebted) and the photographs of a Beha 932 clock included in Rick Ortenburger's "Black Forest Clocks" it has been possible to determine the basic style and design of missing crest and Angelus count wheel and drive gear. Thus, restoring the missing crest and enabling the basic functions of the clock now appear rather straightforward. However, restoring the clock to basic function and restoring the clock to include the subtle design details it's makers' intended are not necessarily synonymous.

Upon inspection of the Angelus count wheel one notes the setting of pins that activate the Angelus ringing event. Closer inspection however reveals that, in addition to the two set pins, there are numerous other positions marked with small indentations on the outer diameter of the Angelus count wheel. Faithful reproduction of this count wheel would thus require replication of these features at the correct positions. But why are these non-functional (unpinned) positions present and what is the horological logic of their pattern? More practically, how can one precisely replicate a pattern if one can't recognize the pattern? To me, at least, the answers to both questions are not obvious and require a bit of detective work...

In cooperation with my good friend, Dr. Martin Wolk, we have been trying to analyze and understand the design logic behind the marked horological positions on the Angelus count wheel. While we are not ready to yet declare success I think we have perhaps gained some insight and have developed an initial hypothesis (theory) that must now be tested through critical analysis and peer review. Our basic hypothesis is that, in the cottage Black Forest clock industry of the mid- to late-nineteenth century, there may have been an attempt to gain economies of scale in manufacturing by fabricating clock parts that could be used in multiple applications and clocks. Accordingly, the pattern of these indentations in the Angelus count wheel might represent a series of pre-registered positions that could be drilled, and pinned, to create a wide range of time intervals over which horological-registered events (i.e. a monk ringing the Angelus, a music box playing, etc.) could be activated. Thus, a "standard" count wheel could be customized via the setting of pin positions to fabricate a multiplicity of different clocks.

According to our current hypothesis, if one lets x represent the smallest interval between two consecutive marked positions on the Angelus count wheel, it appears that there are two intervals with 1x spacing, eight intervals with a 2x spacing, six intervals with a 3x spacing and six intervals with a 4x spacing. Thus, there are a total of 60x intervals (2*1x + 8*2X + 6*3x + 6*4x) about the circumference of the Angelus count wheel. Since there are sixty teeth on the Angelus count wheel and the Angelus count wheel rotates once every 24 hours, each x interval must then correspond to 0.40 hours or 24 minutes. Thus the intervals defined by successive markings on the Angelus count wheel would correspond to 0.40 hours (for each of the 1x intervals), 0.80 hours (for each of the 2x intervals), 1.20 hours (for each of the 3x intervals) and 1.60 hours (for each of the 4x intervals). Starting from position 1 and moving counter-clockwise, the interval sequence (in hours) is approximately …0.8, 0.8, 08, 0.4, 0.8,1.6,1.6, 1.6, 1.2, 1.2, 1.2, 0.8, 0.8, 0.8, 0.4, 0.8, 1.6, 1.6, 1.6, 1.2, 1.2, 1.2…






Given this sequence, pins may then set via combinations and permutations to create all of the following time intervals (in hours): 0.40, 0.80, 1.20, 1.60, 2.00, 2.40, 2.80, 3.20, 3.60, 4.00, 4.40, 4.80, 5.20, 5.60, 6.00, 6.40, 6.80, 7.20, 7.60, 8.00, 8.40, 8.80, 9.20, 9.60, 10.00, 10.40,10.80, 11.20, 11.60, 12.00, 12.40, 12.80, 13.20, 13.60, 14.00, 14.40, 14.80, 15.20, 15.60, 16.00, 16.40, 16.80, 17.20, 17.60, 18.00, 18.80, 19.20, 19.60, 20.00, 20.40, 20.80, 21.20, 21.60, 22.00, 22.40, 22.80, 23.20, 23.60, 24.00. Additional flexibility in these intervals could obviously be gained by modifying the rotation frequency of this count wheel.

Clearly, this sequence of pre-registered positions on the count wheel would have provided the nineteenth century Black Forest clockmaker with a wide range of closely spaced time intervals for customizing animation, music, and other events registered to time.

As I indicated above, this is only our initial hypothesis and elucidation of the true significance and function of the non-functional marked positions on the Beha 932’s count wheel is a work in progress….I'll update the blog as we get smarter :-)

Comments and alternate theories are welcomed!

Johann Baptist Beha and a Unique Cuckoo Clock

John in a previous post gave us a wonderful introduction to the Beha factory. He spoke of the quality of the clocks Beha made...despite the pressure to compete in a price driven market. Johann Baptist was also a pioneer in Black Forest Horology, and was responsible for many of the modern improvements used in cuckoo clocks for years to come. Some of these improvements never took flight or became mainstream... and has left us with clocks that are unique or different.

This philosophy for improvement was also passed on to his Sons,who would later run the factory. Because of this philosoph, we can find Beha clocks with unique characteristics from the Early years to the turn of the century.
I would like to share a special piece out of my collection, that echoes many of these things.
This piece is a very special Beha cuckoo, and one of only a small handful known like it worldwide.
The quality and detail of the carving on this piece is nothing but the best, typical of Beha factory.
The vines are very delicately done. They wrap over and under each other with amazing detail...the two small carved birds that are perched on the sides of the clock look alive... but that is not what makes this clock so special, at least not among other quality Behas.

This Beha has a life-size cuckoo perched on the top of the clock... He is 12" from beak to tail, and fully automated! You can see on this piece there is no cuckoo door. The movement in this clock is also unique. It is a three train movement. Time, Strike, and Cuckoo. While other cuckoo clocks blend the cuckoo call and the strike (cuckoo-bong, cuckoo-bong) the separation of trains allows this clock to strike the hour... pause then call the hour with the cuckoo. This piece will also strike the half and full hour, but the cuckoo only calls on the full hour. The separation of the cuckoo and strike into two trains, allowed Beha to create a unique call and striking sequence on this clock.

If you look at the side view of the clock you can see that there is a large grapefruit size bell located on the top of the clock. Using a Large sized bell instead of a gong this clock creates a very loud distinct strike that is heard throughout the house.
Last but not least the pipes used in this cuckoo clock are not square, but are round. Turned on a lathe these cuckoo pipes produce a very unique sound. The call of the cuckoo generated from these pipes sound real. This Beha has been documented in several publications over the years. Its most notable publication is the 2008 Edition of Schwarzwalduhren, by Berthold Schaaf. This is the most authoritative text on Black Forest Clocks. The book is available through any German book seller or Amazon.de.
Johann Baptist was not only a quality maker, but a pioneer in Black Forest Horology and unique innovations can be seen in this very special Beha timepiece.

Odds and Ends, links to learn more...

• The Beha hotel...
  

• While you are planning your travels to Cuckoo Country, consider this...
  

• Books on automata, and an automata blog...

...and here are some more book selections to check out, consider it your North Coast Imports' Book Club reading list:

The Turk by Tom Standage

Black Forest Clockmaker and the Cuckoo Clock by Karl Kochmann

Black Forest Clocks by Rick Ortenburger

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

Connections by James Burke

Johann Baptist Beha's Clocks

Perhaps the most celebrated of the Black Forest cuckoo clock makers in the mid- to late-nineteenth century was Johann Baptist Beha of Eisenbach, Germany. The life and many horological accomplishments of Beha have been diligently researched and very professionally documented (see, for example, the excellent articles authored by Dr. Wilhelm Schneider and Monika Schneider in the NAWCC Bulletin, April 1988, pages 116-132 and Dr. Wilhelm Schneider in Antiquarian Horology, Autumn 1988, pages 455-462). Thus, the objective of this post is not to recount factual information that is readily available elsewhere. Rather, the purpose of this post is to try to convey what makes these clocks special to me 150 years after they were made in a small factory located within a town in the Black Forest (which was so tiny that the Beha label sometimes affixed to the clock would not only include city of manufacture (Eisenbach) but the larger neighboring city of Neustadt as a reference locality!).




In my experience, the vast majority of Beha clocks do not have a Beha manufacturing label affixed to the clock, either because it was never thought necessary to attach a label in the first place or it has long since fallen off. Fortunately, I have found that the presence of a label is oftentimes not necessary to identify an antique clock as a "Beha". Indeed, identification based upon the technical features of the movement (such as the design of the stop gear assembly, fusee movement, etc.) and the extraordinary high quality of the casework is often possible by an experienced collector. The easily recognizable high quality in the carvings in Beha clocks formed out of woods such as walnut and pear is what first enticed me to begin collecting these clocks and still summons me to spend numerous hours on the Internet seeking a new example to add to our collection. The quality of manufacture in Beha's clocks would extend to every aspect of the clock whether it be the quality of the oil paintings placed on the fronts of some clocks or the detailed carving and painting of the cuckoo occupant. The quality incorporated into Beha's clocks, in my opinion, was not an accident but a conscious decision to differentiate his clocks from the lower priced, mass-produced Black Forest cuckoo clocks that were produced by competitors. For me, Beha's clocks are the living proof of the veracity of the old adage that "the quality is remembered long after the price is forgotten".

Futhermore, Beha's clocks are also a most interesting category of clock to collect based upon the broad diversity of the clocks manufactured. This diversity is well documented in Beha's original product catalogs which have survived .












To be sure, Beha did almost exclusively manufacture cuckoo clocks, but the wide scope of the available designs and incorporation of horological complications into the movements makes for a cuckoo collector's dream. In the next few posts I hope to share some of the rich diversity of Beha's cuckoo clocks with you.

Until then,

John

A Brief Introduction...

Hello everyone,

Dolf and I have been sharing our mutual passion for Black Forest clocks over the last year and when Dolf recently invited me to join North Coast Import's blog I thought it would be a good opportunity to meet new collectors and share information and enthusiasm for these wonderful clocks.

My wife and I have for many years shared an interest in clocks and antique folk wood carvings. These interests have naturally evolved into an interest in the intersection of these hobbies-carved antique clocks. And of course once we were hooked on carved wooden clocks the temptation to start collecting finely carved Black Forest clocks was much too tempting to resist!

Because the scope and variety of Black Forest clocks available is very broad and diversified, we quickly found ourselves trying to restrict our active collecting of these clocks to a manageable scope. Based upon our natural gravitation toward fine wood carvings and some initial research and discussion with experienced collectors of Black Forest clocks, we found ourselves seeking out Black Forest clocks that were made in the mid-late 19th century by Johann Baptist Beha and his family of Eisenbach, Germany. As our collecting interests became more refined we found that the Beha examples that are most appealing to us are the early examples that are made with wooden clock plates and exhibit the most detailed carvings-truly magnificant folk art! I have posted a photo of one of our Johann Baptist Beha clocks that I hope to discuss in more detail in a future post.

John

NEW BLOGGERS

We at North Coast Imports and GermanClocks.org are very pleased to welcome a new member to our blogging community.  John is an expert on antique Black Forest clocks and has a wealth of information to share.

He also has a beautiful collection of rare and unusual timepieces.

Remember, these antiques are very rare and not for sale... but North Coast Imports is pleased to offer a line of new clocks built in this grand tradition of craftsmanship.  Just take a look at this modern Black Forest clock that preserves the Black Forest tradition of incredible carving:

  Ask your favorite clock dealer, or send us an email, to find out  about North Coast Imports and our wonderful timepieces.