Rare Black Forest Exposed Cuckoo & Quail Mantel Clock by Samuel Kammerer of Furtwangen
This rare Black Forest cuckoo and quail mantel clock by Samuel Kammerer of Furtwangen stands as an exceptional example of late 19th-century German clockmaking, distinguished by its sculptural carving and its unusually complex movement.
The richly hand-carved wooden case features deep relief carving throughout. At the crest, two oversized cuckoo and quail birds are fully exposed within the openwork crown, flanking and guarding a nest of eggs, a highly unusual design that sets this clock apart from more typical Black Forest forms. Flowing vine and leaf fretwork surrounds the body of the case, while boldly carved roses comprise the base.
The circular wooden dial is fitted with Gothic bone Roman numerals and pierced bone hands, harmonizing with the organic character of the carving while providing crisp legibility. Powering the clock is a massive 8-day triple-fusee brass movement, featuring a quarter-hour striking on two coiled gongs, producing a resonant, complex chime sequence consistent with the clock’s ambitious construction.
Dating to the mid-1880s, this clock represents an advanced and highly individualized expression of Black Forest horology. It is believed that only three examples were ever produced with this distinctive exposed-bird crest, underscoring the clock’s rarity.
An extraordinary combination of sculptural artistry and mechanical sophistication, this rare Kammerer clock stands among the most striking and uncommon mantel clocks to emerge from the Black Forest tradition.
This clock has been restored and carries a one-year warranty.
27-½” High x 20” Wide x 7” Deep
Circa 1885