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MMD > Archives > January 2010 > 2010.01.03 > 01Prev  Next


Black Forest Shelf Flute Clock by Emilian Wehrle
By Justin Miller

I wanted to share with the group my most recent acquisition for our
private collection.  This past week I located a wonderful shelf flute
clock made by Emilian Wehrle in Furtwangen, Germany, circa 1880.
The clock was found in New York City.  It has been owned by the same
family since 1904.

During the first half of the 20th century the clock was a display piece
in the family jewelry and watch store in Brooklyn, New York.  In the
1950s it was inherited by the most recent owner in their family, now
well into his 80s.  I was able to purchase the clock for my collection
and get a written history from the owner documenting its story.

This fantastic example is in a heavily carved walnut case, 50 inches
tall -- a massive shelf clock.  There are eight live animals carved on
the case in full relief; this is clearly one of the most massive carved
musical clocks made by Emilian Wehrle.

The movement in this is a robust brass plate, three train movement that
runs for eight days.  On the hour the clock plays one of two tunes on
a rank of eight wood pipes.  During the music there are two large flute
players that come forward.

The clock is 100% complete but is in need of a musical restoration,
which I will start this month.  The clock should be back to its glory
by spring, at that time I will update the MMD with a video of the clock
playing.

I have uploaded several photos of the clock (including a photo with me
standing next to the clock to show the size of this piece) as well as
a video overview for those interested.  They can be seen on my blog at
http://www.blackforestclocks.org/ 

Best,
Justin J. Miller


(Message sent Sun 3 Jan 2010, 06:38:53 GMT, from time zone GMT-0800.)

Key Words in Subject:  Black, Clock, Emilian, Flute, Forest, Shelf, Wehrle

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