[ From the article "Neues Buch: Figuhrenuhren aus dem Schwarzwald"
 [ by Bernard Haeberle, in Das Mechanische Musikinstrument Nr. 73,
 [ December 1998.

"Figure Clocks of the Black Forest" is the title of a new book by
veteran author Herbert Juettemann, ISBN 3-87885-325-4, published by
Waldkircher Verlag, D-79177 Waldkirch, Germany, price about 49 DEM
(about 30 USD).  The book is 22.3 x 16 cm (8.8 x 6.3 inches) and is
richly illustrated with 104 color pictures, 50 black-and-white photos
and 120 line drawings.

Everyone is familiar with the simple cuckoo clock, which today is
still a widespread form of the Black Forest figure clock.  Among the
especially beloved motifs was the animated man who performed a short
funny or evocative scene.  There was also, for example, the friar who,
at the prayer hour, reminded the clock owner with a peal of the chimes.

A frequent motif was the "Knoedelfresser" -- the dumpling eater.
A rural version shows the motif of the butcher who, on the hour,
smashes the head of an oxen with a giant hammer, until at the last
strike the oxen falls over.  Today -- especially at 12 o'clock -- this
would evoke the indignation of the animal lovers!  For a really
macabre example there was the execution clock, which derives from
the biblical story of the beheading of John the Baptist.

Other examples seem to draw inspiration from the bell towers -- from
the campaniles of Italy and the clock towers of France we know the bell
ringers, who amazingly appeared also in the Black Forest clocks.  The
motif of the two billy goats, that shove each other with their horns
at every hour, is also known to us in connection with bell towers.

For affluent customers seeking a unique piece, the tinkers of the Black
Forest manufactured the musical clocks equipped with added figures which
moved to the music.  And so one sees -- not only on many flute-clocks
but also on tiny pianos and crank organs -- a definite art style of a
man about 12 cm (5 inches) tall, which mostly came from the same manu-
facturer.  In the book, rebuilt and with restored colors, are 65
figures which are especially recurrent.

Special emphasis is placed upon depicting the movements; the 120
drawings are mostly perspective views and therefore easily
understandable.

The new book isn't only a treasure house for the fan of mechanical
musical instruments -- it's also a great Christmas gift for friends
with clocks and musical items.

Bernhard Haeberle

 [ Re-printed with the kind permission of the author and Gesellschaft
 [ fuer Selbstspielende Musikinstrumente e.V.  Translated by Robbie
 [ Rhodes, with special thanks to Christof Haeberle (Bernhard's son)
 [ for his proof-reading and suggestions.  ;)