Only slightly bigger than this web page, this blinking eye (zwinkern) picture frame clock (rahmenuhr) is one made by Josef Sorg.

Often framing a hand painted portrait on sheet metal, the feature of moving eyes is an early form of simple animation applied to the Black Forest clocks. The style of clothing and other details in the portrait help identify the era represented. Variations include scenes embossed on thin brass sheets which were often fire gilded with a gold-mercury amalgam and highlights in polychrome. All have 30 hour running movements with weights suspended on chains.

Far more often seen are larger picture frame clocks, still with 30 hour wood frame movements. The artwork, generally oil painting on sheet metal, was often from the imagination of the artist. One wonders if the animal seen here is a leopard, a tiger, or dwarf lioness.

The larger style picture frame clocks were likely a separate cottage craft using wood frame 30 hour clock movements supplied by various other cottage craft suppliers. The motion works to give action to the eyes was an attachment to the verge arbor of the clock so that the eyes moved in synchronism with the pendulum.