Black Forest Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

BLACK FOREST STYLE

Although its name evokes a mountainous region in Germany, antique Black Forest–style furniture originated in Switzerland. In Brienz, during the early 19th century, wood-carver Christian Fischer recognized the market for tourist souvenirs and helped make the village into a wood-carving destination. The Brienz Woodcarving School was founded in 1884 and had its own small zoo for studying the anatomy of animals, depictions of which are a defining aspect of the style, also known as Brienzerware.

Whimsical sculptures, often depicting bears and other Alpine animals like stags, owls, deer and boars, characterize the work produced in the area. Along with folk art and decorative objects, Black Forest furniture included benches held aloft by bears, umbrella stands carved with acorns and clock cases adorned with scrolling oak leaves. While most wood-carvers adhered to a similar realism in their designs and woods like linden, maple and walnut, their aesthetics varied.

The F. Peter Trauffer family was known for their hand-carved bear sculptures that saw the furry mammals playing instruments, smoking pipes and engaging in all sorts of human activities. They were sometimes detailed with glass eyes and integrated into functional pieces of furniture, including chair backs and bench legs, which generations of cabinetmakers created from the 1880s to the 1950s. Walter Mader and his son Heinrich frequently carved Saint Bernard sculptures that they incorporated into furniture.

As the Black Forest furniture style spread around the world through exhibitions at world’s fairs in the 19th and early 20th centuries, the rusticity of these pieces resonated at a time of increasing urbanization, inspiring other artisans.

Find a collection of antique Black Forest cabinets, bedroom furniture, seating and other items on 1stDibs.

Style: Black Forest

Carved Swiss Black Forest Chalet Clock, circa 1880

Located in Evergreen, CO

Intricate, painstaking detail is featured in this rare and magnificent, hand-carved, Black Forest chalet clock, which has professionally restored woodwork...

Category

1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Walnut

Carved Swiss Black Forest Chalet Clock, circa 1880

19th Century Highly Carved French Oak Sculpture of a Man Harvesting Wine Grapes

Located in Dallas, TX

This beautiful sculpture has been carved from solid French oak during the latter half of the 19th century. The style is that of Black Forest, with realistic depictions of branches, leaves, grapes, and more. Originally a French clock, most of the timing mechanisms have long been removed. The elaborate carving depicts a man harvesting wine grapes on rocky terrain dotted with vegetation. Our gatherer, who is clad in an overcoat and large brimmed hat, is carrying a hod (hotte in French) full of freshly picked grapes. A large wooden bucket...

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19th Century French Antique Black Forest Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Wood

19th Century Highly Carved French Oak Sculpture of a Man Harvesting Wine Grapes

19th Century 'Black Forest' Carved Clock with Hunter and Hound

Located in London, GB

A black forest carved hunt clock Constructed from native Swiss Lindenwood, the clock movement denoting the hours in enamelled Roman numerals and housed w...

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19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Wood

19th Century 'Black Forest' Carved Clock with Hunter and Hound

19th Century Black Forest Clock

By Black Forest

Located in London, GB

A late 19th century walnut clock, very finely carved with four deer flanking the carved clock with roman numerals.

Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Black Forest Clock

Monumental Black Forest Carved Mantel or Shelf Clock with Hunter and Dog

Located in Milford, NH

A monumental carved walnut black forest mantel or shelf clock sporting / hunting motif. Featuring a hunter with a long rifle or musket slung over his should...

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19th Century German Antique Black Forest Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Brass

Monumental Black Forest Carved Mantel or Shelf Clock with Hunter and Dog

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Mid-19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Enamel

19th Century Swiss Black Forest Carved Walnut Mantel Clock with Cherubs and Bird

H 24 in W 23 in D 14 in

Antique Mantel Clock by Grant, Black Forest Type Design

Located in Oxfordshire, GB

Mantel clock by Grant. An unusual mantel clock with the heavy bronze case in the form of a log cabin. The clock workings by John Grant, Fleet St...

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1820s British Antique Black Forest Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Antique Mantel Clock by Grant, Black Forest Type Design

H 10.44 in W 8.27 in D 3.94 in

19th Century Louis XVI Style Mantel Clock of a Lion Signed Festeau Le Jeune

By Festeau Le Jeune

Located in Worpswede / Bremen, DE

The clock is signed by the Clockmaker Festeau Le Jeune. The case after a design of François Vion in form of a lion supporting a cylindrical case draped with ribbon tied laurel swags ...

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Mid-19th Century French Antique Black Forest Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Louis XVI Style Mantel Clock of a Lion Signed Festeau Le Jeune

H 22.45 in W 14.57 in D 8.27 in

French 19th Century Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Cherubs & Rooster Mantel Clock

Located in Los Angeles, CA

A very fine French 19th century Louis XV style gilt bronze and white marble figural mantel clock. The finely chased ormolu body, with its original two-tone mercury gilt, centered with a circular enameled porcelain clock face with Roman and Arabic numeral dials and inscribed 'A. Thomas - Fabt de Bronze - 56, Rue de Turenne - Paris', surmounted with a pair of playful seated cherubs amidst clouds and wreaths, the case crowned with a figure of a Gallic Rooster (Coq Gaulois...

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Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Marble, Ormolu, Bronze

French 19th Century Louis XV Style Gilt Bronze Cherubs & Rooster Mantel Clock

H 20 in W 19.13 in D 8 in

Large Antique Black Forest Carved Cuckoo Clock with Stag Head

Located in Berghuelen, DE

Large Antique Black Forest Carved Cuckoo Clock with Stag Head A large handcarved wooden cuckoo clock, decorated with hunting accessoires, oak leaves, hare, pheasant and a stag head ...

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Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Wood

Large Antique Black Forest Carved Cuckoo Clock with Stag Head

H 27.56 in W 16.15 in D 9.85 in

Antique Black Forest Carved Cuckoo Clock with Stag Head on Top

Located in Berghuelen, DE

Large Antique Black Forest Carved Cuckoo Clock with Stag Head A large handcarved wooden cuckoo clock, decorated with hunting accessoires, oak leaves, hare, pheasant and a stag head ...

Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Wood

Antique Black Forest Carved Cuckoo Clock with Stag Head on Top

H 20.87 in W 17.33 in D 11.42 in

19th Century Black Forest Carved Mantle Clock Spill Vase Garniture Set

Located in Forney, TX

A magnificent antique Black Forest carved three piece mantel clock and garniture set. circa 1880 Swiss or German, late 19th century, a truly extraordinary work of art, exceptionally executed, intricately sculpted and finely detailed throughout, hand carved from a single block of wood, featuring a leaping stag deer over elaborate naturalistic foliage, a pair of pheasants with inset glass eyes, wooden dial with gilt incised Roman numeral hour markers and eight day time-and-strike movement, sculptural interwoven root carvings on a conforming molded edge base, flanked by a hunting dog and mountain rescue dog, both with inset glass eyes, retaining the original pressed glass spill vases. A spill vase was typically kept on the mantelpiece and filled with spills, splints, or tapers used to transfer fire from the fireplace to candles, lamps, a pipe or a cigar. Dimensions: Complete: (approx/depending on setup) 20.25" Tall, 30" Wide, 7.5" Deep Mantle / shelf clock: 20.25" High, 14" Wide, 7.5" Deep Dog sculpture garniture: 13" High, 4.75" Wide, 4.25" Deep (each) Great antique condition with beautifully aged warm rich dark patina. Minor wear consistent with age. Currently working and keeping good time, key and pendulum included. As with all antique clocks...

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Late 19th Century European Antique Black Forest Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Glass, Wood

19th Century Black Forest Carved Mantle Clock Spill Vase Garniture Set

H 20.25 in W 30 in D 7.5 in

French 19th Century Longcase Painted Clock with Carved Crest and Classical Décor

Located in Atlanta, GA

A French parcel gilt and red painted longcase grandfather clock from the 19th century, with carved crest and classical décor. Born in France during the early years of the 19th centur...

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Early 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Metal

French 19th Century Longcase Painted Clock with Carved Crest and Classical Décor

H 99 in W 17 in D 13 in

Black Forest Cuckoo Clock

Located in Nantucket, MA

Carved Walnut Black Forest Cuckoo Clock in form of a Chalet, with applied carved wooden leaves, grapes and bird, circa 1900, with pierced res...

Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Walnut

Black Forest Cuckoo Clock

H 25.5 in W 17 in D 9 in

19th Century Rustic Black Forest Grandfather Clock

Located in New York, NY

19th century rustic Black Forest grandfather clock composed of walnut elaborately carved with oak leaves and bears in high relief (Non-o...

Category

19th Century German Antique Black Forest Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Metal

19th Century Rustic Black Forest Grandfather Clock

H 106 in W 25 in D 11 in

French Louis XV Style 19th Century Gilt-Bronze Cherub & Maiden Mantel Clock

By Samuel Marti

Located in Los Angeles, CA

An Important and Palatial French Louis XV Style 19th century Gilt-Bronze Cherub and Maiden Mantel Clock "In Search of Love", the movement by "Samuel Marti et Cie." The large and impr...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

French Louis XV Style 19th Century Gilt-Bronze Cherub & Maiden Mantel Clock

H 29.13 in W 23 in D 11.5 in

Hand-Carved Swiss Black Forest Clock Plaque by Johann Huggler

Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID

Black Forest carved clock plaque by Johann Huggler (1834-1912) of Brienz - a small town in Bernese Oberland, Canton Bern Switzerland. Signed with a sticker on the bottom that reads "...

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Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Wood

Hand-Carved Swiss Black Forest Clock Plaque by Johann Huggler

H 34 in W 24 in D 6 in

Previously Available Items

Antique Carved Black Forest Mantel Clock, circa 1885

By Black Forest

Located in Dallas, TX

This wonderful hand-carved Black Forest mantel clock depicts four birds at varying levels on branches and leaves. It dates to circa 1880s, which ...

Category

1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Wood

Antique Carved Black Forest Mantel Clock, circa 1885

H 22 in W 15.5 in D 8.25 in

19th Century Black Forest Clock

Located in Denton, TX

19th century black forest clock. Hand-carved wood with a 30 hour time only movement.

Category

19th Century German Antique Black Forest Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Brass

19th Century Black Forest Clock

H 10.63 in W 10.63 in D 4.5 in

Large Black Forest Hand-Carved Mantel Clock with Saint Bernard Dogs

By Black Forest

Located in Hamilton, Ontario

An excellent quality 19th century Swiss Black Forest carved mantel clock hand-carved of Linden wood. Very well executed with traditional theme of life saving St. Bernard dogs carrying whisky barrels...

Category

19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Large Black Forest Hand-Carved Mantel Clock with Saint Bernard Dogs

H 26.75 in W 14.5 in D 8 in

Austrian Lodge Style Antler Mantel Clock, 1900

Located in Berghuelen, DE

A rare antique lodge style mantel clock oakwood case, richly decorated with antlers from the deer and fallow deer, mountain goat horns and wildboar tusks. ...

Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Wood, Antler

Austrian Lodge Style Antler Mantel Clock, 1900

H 35.44 in W 27.96 in D 11.82 in

Black Forest table clocks and desk clocks for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Black Forest table clocks and desk clocks for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 19th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage table clocks and desk clocks created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, walnut and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Black Forest table clocks and desk clocks made in a specific country, there are Europe, Switzerland, and France pieces for sale on 1stDibs. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for table clocks and desk clocks differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $2,400 and tops out at $44,734 while the average work can sell for $9,800.