Cuckoo Clocks
Cuckoo Clock Guide
Since cuckoo clocks were first built in the Black Forest, many generations
have appreciated the cheery call of the cuckoo bird as it calls out the
hour. Children, especially, find it fascinating to see the trap door
open and the cuckoo bird spring out. After it cuckoos the hour, some
clocks entertain their audiences with carved figures whirling to lively
music.
Cuckoo clocks are decorative wood wall clocks that imitate the call of a cuckoo bird when striking the hours. Sometimes known as Black Forest clocks, they were invented in 1738 by Franz Anton Ketterer, a native of Germany's Black Forest. Early cuckoo clocks were fairly primitive, using wood plates and gears in their movements. They were made as wall clocks rather than mantel clocks because most fireplaces in Germany had no mantels.
Cuckoo clocks are designed with carved wood cases, painted wood dials,
gable roofs and rear flaps for access to their clock movements.
Most cuckoo clocks are weight driven and have 30-hour movements with
an anchor escapement, a long pendulum, and pine cone shaped weights.
A cuckoo clock usually features a trap door above its clock face.
A painted wood cuckoo bird automaton emerges from behind the trap door
when the clock strikes. Some clocks feature small music boxes
that play a melody every hour and half-hour. More elaborate clocks
may even perform an animation while the music box plays its tune.
In recent years, battery powered cuckoo clocks with quartz movements
and electronically generated sounds have been developed.
CuckooClocks.us features convenient access to selected cuckoo clock manufacturers and suppliers where you can compare specifications and shop for a wide selection of handcrafted cuckoo clocks and accessories.
Cuckoo Clock Dealers and Manufacturers
- Chateau d'Cuckoo
Find an unusual selection of fine handcrafted cuckoo clocks, plus weather houses, miniature clocks, and music boxes.
www.Cuckoo-Clock.com - Black Forest Cuckoo Clock Store
Hones, Dold, and Hubert Herr cuckoo clocks, plus German gifts.
www.CuckooClock.de - Frankenmuth Clock Company
Offers a broad selection of cuckoo clocks, clock parts, and gift items.
www.FrankenmuthClock.com - Black Forest Shop
Exquisite assortment of original handcrafted German cuckoo clocks.
www.Black-Forest-Shop.de - Hubert Herr Clocks
Importer and distributor of Hubert Herr cuckoo clocks.
www.HubertHerrClocks.com - Cuckoo Clockologist
This Iowa-based cuckoo clock shop offers cuckoo clock repairs as well as new and reconditioned cuckoo clocks for sale.
www.CuckooClockologist.com
Cuckoo Bird
Related Clock Website
- Wall Clocks - contemporary and vintage clocks.
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