Rare, high-quality cuckoo clock, Beha model, 3-snail fusee, circa 1880
Key facts
- Production time
- around 1880
- Country of manufacture
- Germany
Description
Large cuckoo clock with a quail call and three snails (fusee) featuring a solid movement, possibly by Johann Baptist Beha or Fürderer & Jägler, circa 1880 The large, beautifully carved case is in good condition for its age; only the top section has been glued once (bone glue), and the cuckoo at the top is unfortunately missing a foot (see photos). The front panel is removable. The carved dial with applied Roman numerals is undamaged apart from a few minor imperfections. The horn hands are likely to be the originals. The large movement, featuring 4mm brass plates, three snails and an anchor escapement, has been fully overhauled and re-adjusted; it runs for approximately 8 days and sounds the quail call every quarter of an hour, whilst the cuckoo call is triggered by a gong at the top of the hour. A helpful eBay member pointed out to me that, based on its construction, the movement is likely to be by Fürder & Jägler (cf. Wilhelm Schneider, ‘Beha Uhren’, p. 335, fig. 531). The pipes are likely to be the originals and produce the characteristic full-bodied sound. On the back panel there are some older repair notes, as well as a slip of paper bearing the number 32/1/2 and a fragment of a manufacturer’s sticker (unfortunately illegible). Dimensions: Height (overall, including pendulum): 70 cm Width: 45 cm Depth: 25 cm Weight: approx. 14 kg