Human beings have always loved little birds popping out of boxes to remind us of the time. Automaton bird clocks came into fruition in the middle ages, but they gained steam in the early 18th century in the Black Forest in Germany. In the mid-19th century, expert woodcarvers created chalet-style casings with rich ornamentation carved three-dimensionally. This type of cuckoo clock--derived originally from the "Jagdstuck" design--has been popular since the mid-19th century and traditionally features hunting motifs such as deer heads, leaves, pine cones, guns, and oak foliage. The cuckoo clock has been a loved piece of kitsch for centuries.
The above cuckoo clock is a modern one in the style of the traditional clocks that was spotted in Dutch design heaven, The Frozen Fountain. Even though we want to reduce our surroundings for clean interior design as modernity almost mandates, we still want this kitschy decoration on the wall. With digital timekeeping, wall clocks are becoming irrelevant for time and relevant to interior design. The design of this clock has been stripped down so that as few details as possible are presented: wood, hunting motives, and the cuckoo bird.
The cuckoo is, of course, the most interesting part. Sound and spectacle. Why do we love to have a part come alive to remind us of the time?
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