Information About Cuckoo Clocks
Cuckoo Clocks are very special handcrafted timepieces.
They are popular for the distinctive "cuckoo" sound that they make.
They announce every hour in a very entertaining way with small cuckoo birds popping out of the clock, accompanied by the cuckoo sound The first cuckoo clocks were made in Germany in the 1700s and since then the original ones are made in the German Black Forest.
Their design was inspired from the forest life and so until now, the traditional cuckoo clocks feature leaves, owls, and eagles.
The most traditional designs include birds nestled intricately in carved ivy leaves.
The "Railway House" design became the basic signature design for cuckoo clocks in 1850.
This was introduced by Freidrich Eisenlohr, an architect, when he participated in a clock making competition at the Furtwangen Clock Makers School.
With time, the popularity of these clocks has led to their manufacturing in other parts of the world as well.
Travelers visiting Switzerland, Germany or Austria often purchase these clocks as souvenirs.
The cuckoo clocks are mainly designed in two ways.
The first is the Railway House design and the other is the Chalet Style design.
These then are further decorated with the jungle or the German home lifestyle theme.
The designs also featured pendulums attached to the mechanism, within the body of the clock, thus the swinging of the pendulum regulated the indication of the passage of time.
Distinctive Features Most cuckoo clocks are handcrafted from good quality wood.
Traditionally, the trunk of the Lime tree, or Maple tree, is used in the clock making, as these woods can be easily carved.
All the clocks feature the famous cuckoo call.
This distinctive sound is made by air chambers, which squeeze air through a whistle.
Two bellows are used to produce both sounds, first comes the "cu" and then the "cukoo".
Many traditional clocks have the cuckoo birds with moving wings as well.
Others usually feature eagles, sparrows or owls.
The modern designs use other moving figures like dancing couples as attractions.
Some even play musicals when the hour is struck.
However, these sounds are either tape-recorded or produced electronically.
The more expensive clocks use a music box idea to produce the tunes.
Most clocks come with the sound turn off option that enables the users to shut off the sound or the music during their rest hours.
Very few also have automatic night shut off feature as well.
Things to Consider When Buying a Cuckoo Clock The cuckoo clocks, for many people, are very much the most favorite clock hangings.
Their prices are determined by the wood used in crafting, the extensive handicraft and hand painting done in the making of such a special clock, the birds or the figurines used and the number of musical options.
The price also depends on the night shut off feature, the clock's size, the dials, as well as the hands.
The cuckoo clocks are used as an elegant and classic decoration piece in drawing rooms.
They are a beautiful reminder of life's simplicity.
They are popular for the distinctive "cuckoo" sound that they make.
They announce every hour in a very entertaining way with small cuckoo birds popping out of the clock, accompanied by the cuckoo sound The first cuckoo clocks were made in Germany in the 1700s and since then the original ones are made in the German Black Forest.
Their design was inspired from the forest life and so until now, the traditional cuckoo clocks feature leaves, owls, and eagles.
The most traditional designs include birds nestled intricately in carved ivy leaves.
The "Railway House" design became the basic signature design for cuckoo clocks in 1850.
This was introduced by Freidrich Eisenlohr, an architect, when he participated in a clock making competition at the Furtwangen Clock Makers School.
With time, the popularity of these clocks has led to their manufacturing in other parts of the world as well.
Travelers visiting Switzerland, Germany or Austria often purchase these clocks as souvenirs.
The cuckoo clocks are mainly designed in two ways.
The first is the Railway House design and the other is the Chalet Style design.
These then are further decorated with the jungle or the German home lifestyle theme.
The designs also featured pendulums attached to the mechanism, within the body of the clock, thus the swinging of the pendulum regulated the indication of the passage of time.
Distinctive Features Most cuckoo clocks are handcrafted from good quality wood.
Traditionally, the trunk of the Lime tree, or Maple tree, is used in the clock making, as these woods can be easily carved.
All the clocks feature the famous cuckoo call.
This distinctive sound is made by air chambers, which squeeze air through a whistle.
Two bellows are used to produce both sounds, first comes the "cu" and then the "cukoo".
Many traditional clocks have the cuckoo birds with moving wings as well.
Others usually feature eagles, sparrows or owls.
The modern designs use other moving figures like dancing couples as attractions.
Some even play musicals when the hour is struck.
However, these sounds are either tape-recorded or produced electronically.
The more expensive clocks use a music box idea to produce the tunes.
Most clocks come with the sound turn off option that enables the users to shut off the sound or the music during their rest hours.
Very few also have automatic night shut off feature as well.
Things to Consider When Buying a Cuckoo Clock The cuckoo clocks, for many people, are very much the most favorite clock hangings.
Their prices are determined by the wood used in crafting, the extensive handicraft and hand painting done in the making of such a special clock, the birds or the figurines used and the number of musical options.
The price also depends on the night shut off feature, the clock's size, the dials, as well as the hands.
The cuckoo clocks are used as an elegant and classic decoration piece in drawing rooms.
They are a beautiful reminder of life's simplicity.
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