Religious themes often decorated the clock face or shield. The example here is a very rare type of automation known as a Monk clock.

On the hour, the Monk at the cathedral portal is seen to pull a rope to toll the hour on the bell; the bell too, is automated. The clock movement is an early type circa 1830-1840 wood plate frame with brass gear wheels fixed on wooden spindles.

A variation of the Monk clock has a different striking arrangement and does not count the hours. Instead, it tolls the Angelus at the appointed times during the day.

Only a very few early 1880s Black Forest clocks bear any kind of marks to identify the maker. Occasionally, the reverse side of the face or shield has the signature of the artist or painter, often that of the student learning the trade in a local school. Trade schools were established to help create a work force of wage earners in an otherwise impoverished area of Germany. Certain styles of clock movement frames can be associated with a particular area of the Black Forest. Some clock movement frames have a number or letter pressed into the wood. The symbol identifies the source of the clock part to an individual cottage craftsman but known only to the wholesaler or jobber who contracted with the craftsman.

Many of the clocks made in the early period were bartered for goods rather than currency or script.