Antique Clocks from Austria, Germany

Antique clocks made in Europe are considered some of the finest of all the antique clocks ever made. Antique Clocks from Vienna include regulator wall clocks, from the Empire period of 1800 to 1835. The wood was gilded, or had a fine polished casing, with traditional pendulum bottom, weights and movement. These clocks gained a reputation for accuracy, and were even used in post offices and railway stations; were timing is everything.

The Vienna regulator clocks from 1870 to 1895 are recognized wall clocks today. They are considered ornate and beautiful examples within that particular style of clock. Characteristics of this type of clock include Corinthian columns on the side casing of the clock, and the clocks elegant hands in general. Clocks were made from quality wood and polished to perfection. Fine cut glass was put in front of the clock, and added appeal to the design in general.

The German's made antique clocks starting in 1640, deep in the Black Forest, in a district called Baden and Wurttemberg. Franz Anton Ketterer made the first working cuckoo clock in 1730, after observing the cuckoo bird and its chirping whilst high up in a tree, beckoning for the coming of the spring. The clocks were unique, because they were pendulum driven, and small in stature to the traditional Grandfather clock; with its free standing box casing, and distinctive grand chime.

The cuckoo sounds every hour on the hour. A door on the clock opens, and out pops a figure of a cuckoo bird, and the "cuckoo" sound is made. This sound is formed by wind rushing through the pipes, which creates a different syllable every time. The cuckoo bird makes a sound for every hour passed. For example, if the clock strikes at one o'clock, the Cuckoo calls once.

The Black Forest cuckoo clocks were a cottage industry, literally enabling the German community to be self sufficient in the snow covered Black Forest winter. The lands could not be farmed during winter. Crafting the wooden and highly decorative Cuckoo clocks provided income, and enabled clock artisans to become quite skilled, since they had the time to perfect their craft, and the demand for their quality clocks spread.

Resources:

http://www.antiquecuckooclocks.org/

http://www.collectorsweekly.com/clocks/cuckoo

http://www.collectorsweekly.com/clocks/german-austrian