Archive for October, 2009
The cuckoo clock is a celebrated part of German tradition; it’s recognized as much for its precision and timekeeping abilities as its exquisite design sense. As with any mechanical clock, problems are bound to surface sooner or later – but it’s not cause for alarm. Before you send your musical cuckoo clocks to a repair shop, see what you can do on your own. Whether you’re experiencing pendulum problems or issues with timekeeping, a do-it-yourself technique could serve you well.
Cuckoo clocks operate with the use of a precise timing train. If the chain attached to the clock’s sprocket wheel comes off, it’s easy enough to diagnose the problem. Lift one of the weights and listen for a clicking sound. If there’s no sound and no tension when pulling the weight, you’ll know the chain has come off. Don’t make any rash decisions; if you cannot replace the chain onto the sprocket without taking the clock apart entirely, it’s best to trust the process to a professional.
8 day Carved Cuckoo Clocks
8 day Carved cuckoo clocks have nature-inspired themes carved out of wood attached to the case. Eight day cuckoo clocks only have to be wound once a week because they have bigger gears inside, making them more convenient. Clocks are wound by pulling the un-weighted end of the chain until the weight moves up near the clock’s case. The outer worked wood case is usually made of beautiful dark wood that is intricately carved with folk and forest scenes.
The Deer-head or Hunter Clock is a squarish shaped box which displays a traditional hunting scene. This style is not my favorite, although it is very popular. In the center at the top of the clock is the head of a buck deer complete with carved antlers. Often there are crossed shotguns and dead game animals arrayed around the dial of the clock. As with the other cuckoo clocks the Hunter Clock has a pendulum along with weights beneath the clock.
You literally can find a cuckoo clock that will fit in any room for any taste and will truly become a focal point and conversation piece. The price depends on the quality and what materials were used in the construction of the clock. You can find 8 day carved cuckoo clocks prices starting under one hundred dollars and going up to thousands of dollars depending on the artwork, the mechanical features involved and whether or not the cuckoo clocks plays music or not.
Quality and Elegance – Hand made Grandfather Clocks
If gadgets have to be smaller to be better, hand made grandfather clocks do not have to compete for attention. They will always be cherished treasures in any time and age. The gadgets will fade away or reinvent themselves to make another go to capture people’s pockets. Thus, it becomes expensive in the long run.
When thinking about grandfather clocks, most people conjure up stuffy period furniture and impossible prices. They are surprised when they see the clocks go well with fancy furniture with splashy throw pillows, or in rooms paled down to essentials. And to the amazement of many, the prices are just right for these beautiful pieces, especially if you consider key wind movements.
Grandfather clocks come in various models to suit different tastes. You can choose contemporary hand made grandfather clocks for an up-to-the-minute look, curio style, or opt for the traditional design, my favorite. Whatever you choose, it will never go out of style.
Eight day Cuckoo Clocks
Eight Day Cuckoo Clocks work completely the same as the one day clocks. 8-day cuckoo clocks are pendulum driven, but need only to be wound every eight days. The size of the weights are much heavier in the eight day clock versus the one day clock. These will be more expensive, but in my opinion are worth the difference.
Musical eight day Cuckoo Clocks have a third weight added under the clock for the tunes that are played. On the hour the cuckoo bird will announce the hour with the correct number of calls, and then a melody plays. Two tunes are offered with the aid of a Swiss music box where the notes are plucked on a rotating drum. On the half hour the bird will “Cuckoo” one time only and then a second melody will play. Most often the melodies produced in the clock are “The Happy Wanderer”, or “Edelweis”. Musical cuckoo clocks often have animated figures which move when the music box plays. Black Forest Cuckoo Clocks from Germany are the world’s finest. These hand-carved masterpieces feature precision mechanical movements, detailed craftsmanship, moving figurines, and music to delight you.
What’s your favorite style?
CCC for u and me! Chalet Cuckoo Clocks
The word “Chalet” originates in Switzerland and describes a type of Alpine wooden hut that has been used for many years by sheep and goat herders. At the end of the nineteenth century the style of Chalet Cuckoo Clocks became very popular in Switzerland ,and they were highly prized by tourists who loved the Clocks as Swiss souvenirs.
Actually there are three basic chalet styles of Cuckoo Clocks, and two of them originate in the Swiss Alps. One is from the village of Brienz which is in the Canton of Bern, Switzerland. The other shape of chalet is Emmental which has a steep roof which has a large overhang that almost reaches to the ground. Yet another type of the chalet style is Bavarian and also has the steep roof and an overhang. The Bavarian Chalet is my favorite and by far the most popular model for the addition of a music box which plays melodies. Often the wooden case of the clock is decorated with carved leaves, birds and animal heads. On most Cuckoo Clocks the dial displays Roman numerals. Musical cuckoo clocks can be found with both one day movements and eight day movements.
More on eight day movements in my next article.
How to : Hang a Cuckoo Clock, in four easy steps
Cuckoo clocks have been around since the 17th century, a time when the villages of the Black Forest of Germany were filled with clock makers. Today, hand made cuckoo clocks are crafted using the same techniques the German clock makers used in the past.
Hanging a cuckoo clock requires special care, as they have intricate inner workings, weights and pendulums to consider. Step 1 – Choose a spot on a wall that’s far from any heating source, moisture or cold. A kitchen wouldn’t be a good place for a cuckoo clock. Step 2 – Find a wall stud and mark a spot about 6 and 1/2 feet high, with a tiny “X.” The mark should be at a height that will allow the weights to move freely below the clock. See “Resources” below for a simple method of finding wall studs. Step 3 – Insert a #8 or #10 screw into the wall stud at a 45 degree angle. Make sure the screw is secure before hanging your cuckoo clock. Do not loosen it in the process, but apply a bit of pressure. It should not move even slightly. Step 4 – Hang your cuckoo clock. Open the door if there’s a latch on the front, pull on the weights to start the timing mechanism (also follow your manufacturer’s instructions for this), and give the pendulum a gentle swing to start your clock’s ticking.
Look for another “How To” article next Wednesday
Striking the Hour with made in Germany Cuckoo Clocks
Back in the fourteenth century mechanical clocks appeared. A bell sounded every hour. These clocks did not have hands or faces. The speed of the clocks movement was driven by weights and springs. The most important event in clock making took place in the early nineteenth century. It was the introduction of mass production and interchangeable parts. Before this time clocks were only available to the wealthy.
The cuckoo clock is typically pendulum driven and strikes the hours using small bellows and pipes that imitate the call of the common coo coo bird in addition to striking a wire gong. This mechanism was produced since the eighteenth century and has remained almost without variation until the present.
The basic made in Germany cuckoo clocks today, are the railway-house form with is carved leaves, birds, deer heads and other animals, that have become a symbol of the Black Forest and recognized anywhere in the world. Cuckoo clocks are sold for all budgets, from modest pieces with little decoration to colossal works of art which demand high prices. Whether as pendants, toys, games, postcards, in movies, music and literature, the cuckoo clock has been or is used in everyday life. The cuckoo clock is part of our culture and is still one of the most familiar clocks today. Cuckoo clocks make great gifts, souvenirs and timepieces that will add charm and character to any home or office. Cuckoo clocks truly are unique artistic creations.
Look for our “How To” article tomorrow.
Works of Art – the Black Forest Cuckoo Clock
Most cuckoo clocks today are made in the “traditional style” to hang on a wall in your home or office. In the long history of clock making and time keeping, cuckoo clocks play a large role in the appreciation of art in clocks. The traditional style of the cuckoo clock is a wooden case decorated with carved leaves and animals and an automation of a bird that appears through a small door while the clock is striking. A cuckoo clock is typically pendulum driven, striking the hour and half hour, using bellows and pipes that imitate the cuckoo call. Today’s cuckoo clocks are almost always driven by weights. The weights are made of cast iron in a pine cone shape.
As early as 1650, the call of the cuckoo bird in a clock was being heard in parts of East Germany and a region of the Czech Republic. It took nearly a century for the cuckoo clock to find its way to the Black Forest. The Black Forest cuckoo clock, as we know it, comes from the region in southwest Germany, where a tradition of clock making started late in the 17th century. The cuckoo clock is a favorite souvenir of travelers in Germany, where there are several different firms making the whole clock or parts of it. The people who make cuckoo clocks are dedicated craftsmen whose products are works of art. Black Forest cuckoo clocks and German cuckoo clocks command big prices and are highly sought after in antique stores, flea markets and retail shops. They are valuable because of their elaborate hand carvings and unique artistry.
Tomorrow, we’ll look at “Striking the Hour”
Once upon a time … only the wealthy could afford a Grandfather Clock
Truly affordable for everyone! Quality craftsmanship, dependable movements and excellent woodworking all combine to create a beautiful Grandfather Clock for you or your loved ones that will last a lifetime. They are cherished heirlooms, not simply furniture and are not just for figuring out the time. Grandfather clocks are classy adornments for your home.
Over the years there have been numerous improvements to time-keeping devices and grandfather clocks are no exception. In modern times, a grandfather clock is a statement of excellent taste and firmly rooted tradition. Grandfather clocks are commonly a family heirloom that is passed down through the generations. The grandfather clocks come in various models to suit different tastes. Whatever you choose, it will never go out of style. Just ask yourself if you can pass on your laptop or portable players to your grandchildren. You can pass on handcrafted grandfather clocks with pride. These are heirlooms in the making. Your son or daughter will be proud to bequeath these to their children; therefore, a one-time investment goes a long way.
You can be among the “Rich and Famous” …. enhance your home with a gorgeous Grandfather Clock !
Cuckoo clocks originated in the Black Forest where they are still made today. Precursors of the cuckoo clock began to appear as early as the mid-17th century. Black Forest peasants used wood for all parts of the clock because it was readily available. Metal was used only for pegs or teeth in the internal mechanism. By the second half of the 18th century, craftsmen started to use brass wheels for the clock mechanism.
Cuckoo Clocks make wonderful timepieces and gifts. Their creative unique designs, various shapes, styles, and Historical German tradition sets them apart. These handcrafted wooden creations touch the hearts of their owners in special ways. Their history, quality, detail, and superior craftsmanship are unmatched. These treasured collectible clocks are handed down from generation to generation. Cuckoo clocks are magical works of art with mid-18th century tradition. German Cuckoo Clocks from the Black Forest are the world’s finest. These hand-carved masterpieces feature precision mechanical movements, detailed craftsmanship, moving figurines, and music to delight you.
Bring the sounds of an Authentic German Cuckoo Clock to your home today!