Cuckoo Clocks-Wall Clocks By Any Other Name

The quirky and irreplaceable Cuckoo Clock is a design that seems pulled right out of childhood imagination.Its whimsical carvings,flapping wings,and almost comical chirpings delight many of us even today.It seems a design that has not been lost to the modern era of sleek fashions and “less is more” wall clock styling.

Cuckoo Clocks

The cuckoo clock as it is generally thought of is a descendant of Black Forest designs.The Black Forest is a region in Germany that is rich in culture and skills of days gone by.Thats right the cuckoo clock was popularized in Germany not Switzerland as  many Americans falsely believe.Even the Black Forest designs were descendants of earlier versions of this charming clock.Some designs of singing clocks have been dated back into the sixteen hundreds and it is believed there are earlier clocks then these.These would have been few and far between though as clock making was still a developing and expensive craft.Early clocks were of a flat panel design with a painted face and of course two tiny doors for the ever crowing bird to sing his song from.Later versions of Black Forest clocks were intricately detailed to match the Victorian period styling of homes and furnishings.


Of course in later years the Swiss came into the clock making trade with there own twist on the cuckoo clock.These seem to be the clocks of cartoons and tourist traps all over the world.It is a real shame that there glory has been somewhat faded by the popular culture of today.These clocks were made with loving details and meant to replicate the cottages of the Swiss homeland.As a matter of fact the Germans enjoyed them so much that they incorporated many of these design traits into there wall clocks.Even when they built some of the worlds largest cuckoo clocks they designed them as cottages of varying designs.The swiss also added the lovely feature of their music boxes.This must have brought happiness to many a home!

Modern cuckoo clocks are of course a far less hand built and quality product for the most part.Alas they have almost been exclusively delegated to the ranks of tourist traps.They are still as quirky as ever though and can now be bought at cheap prices and with a much greater variety then times of past.Indeed if you are looking for graduation presents nothing could be more expressive and creative then a Cuckoo Clock!