Black Forest Figurative Sculptures
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.
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Style: Black Forest
19th Century German Black Forest Hunting Plaque
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Large German wooden plaque hand carved in basswood in German Black Forest style. About 1890. The hunting plaque shows a large hare figure and oak leaves in a naturalistic detailed st...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Pair of Pottery Black Forest Huntsmen Figures A very handsome pair
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Pair of Pottery Black Forest Huntsmen Figures
A very handsome pair of 19th Century Figures, 2 huntsmen with their quarry, one holding up a Hare, the other with a Stag on the ground...
Category
19th Century Antique Black Forest Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Wooden Carved Black Forest Garden Fountain Water Spout 19th century
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Wooden Carved Black Forest Garden Fountain Water Spout 19th century
A large Black Forest wooden carved water spout featuring "Ruebezahl", which is the mountain spirit of the giant m...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Antique Wooden Carved Sculpture of a Folksy Countrywoman
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Wooden Carved Sculpture of a Folksy Countrywoman
A large traditional Black Forest style woodcarving of a farmer´s wife. Hand carved in Germany around 1920. A great addition ...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wool
Antique Wooden Statue of Wilhelm Tell, Brienz circa 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Wooden Statue of Wilhelm Tell, Brienz circa 1900
A nice handcarved wooden statue featuring Wilhelm Tell and his son. It is a classica...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Black Forrest Carved Black Walnut Toothless Man Motif Hanging Match Holder
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Black Forrest Carved Black Walnut Toothless Man Motif Hanging Match Holder
Swiss, Later 19th Century
A whimsical and intricately hand-carved piece from the Black Forest region, this hanging match holder features a realistically carved black walnut portrait of a smiling toothless man, or possibly a Satyr. Dating back to the later 19th century, this piece showcases the craftsmanship and charm of the era.
The carved wood head portrait measures 3 inches wide, 3 inches high, and 2 inches deep, capturing the expressive details of the toothless man's face. Mounted on a beveled shield backplate, this match holder exudes a sense of whimsy and character. The brass ring holder adds a practical element, allowing for easy access to the matches.
This match holder is designed to hold numerous standard 1.5-inch long matches...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Walnut
Swiss Black Forest Eagle Carving 'Taking Flight'
By Black Forest
Located in Newark, England
Fine Swiss Black Forest eagle carving of substantial size. The eagle beautifully carved with exceptional detail throughout perched upon a rocky outcrop w...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
A Large Black Forest carved limewood study of a monk, Swiss, circa 1900
Located in Central England, GB
This most impressive large scale Black Forest limewood figure is beautifully carved and depicts the full standing figure of a portly monk dressed in a simple habit cheerfully enjoyin...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Naturalistic Black Forest Carved Horse Sculpture by Vitus Madl, Germany
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Naturalistic black forest carved horse sculpture by Vitus Madl, Germany.
An antique wooden carved Black Forest horse sculpture carved in naturalist...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
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...
Category
19th Century French Antique Black Forest Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Black Forest Figure of a Tavern Maid and Elk Horns
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This stylish and chic German, black forest carving of a serving maiden with elk horn-mounts dates to the 1950s-1960s. The piece is hand-carved and is finished in a warm pecan colorat...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Pair of 19th Century Black Forest Austrian Carved Wood Vases
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A beautiful pair of 19th century carved wood black forest hunting scene, shaped glass flower vases. In perfect original condition.
The dimensions are:
Height: 42.5cm (16.7in)
Width...
Category
19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Glass, Blown Glass, Cut Glass, Oak
Black Forest Male Figure with Flowers and Horns
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This stylish and dramatic German, black-forest tavern piece dates to 1930s-1940s and it represents the "May Pole" celebration. The figure is hand-carved wood, natural horns and brass...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Large Black Forest Model of the Lion of Lucerne Dated 1867
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A large Black Forest model of the Lion of Lucerne dated 1867, after Bertel Thorvaldsen, carved from stained linden wood, the dying lion depicted beside two c...
Category
1860s Swiss Antique Black Forest Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
19th Century German Black Forest’ Jardinière
By Black Forest
Located in North Miami, FL
19th century German Black Forest’ Jardinière of substantial size constructed in a profoundly dimensional carved wood, rising from round base, with ...
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Hand Carved Dark Brown Wooden Figural Nutcracker of a Man, Germany, 1930s
Located in Barntrup, DE
This hand-carved, unusual nutcracker is in the figural form of an older man with a hat, sitting and holding an umbrella.
Dimensions: Height 21.5 cm / 8.46 in, width 4.5 cm / 1.77 in,...
Category
1930s German Vintage Black Forest Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Hand Carved Wooden Sculpture Bookends Two Reading Men
Located in Barntrup, DE
These beautifully hand carved wooden bookends feature sculptures of two sitting and reading man, an older and younger man that could be a teacher a...
Category
1950s German Vintage Black Forest Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Hand Carved Black Forest Style Wooden Nutcracker, Germany, 1930s
Located in Barntrup, DE
This beautiful nutcracker in the German Black Forest style is decorated with a hand carved sculpture of a man's head with a hat. His mouth opens and closes to crack the nut.
Dimensi...
Category
1930s German Vintage Black Forest Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Hand Carved Black Forest Style Wooden Gnome Nutcracker, Germany, 1930s
Located in Barntrup, DE
This beautiful nutcracker in the German Black Forest style is decorated with a hand carved sculpture of a gnome. His mouth opens and closes to crack the nut.
Dimensions: height 22 c...
Category
1930s German Vintage Black Forest Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Hand Carved Wooden Sculpture Lamp Night Watchman with Lantern, Germany
Located in Barntrup, DE
A masterfully hand-carved wooden lamp features a beautiful sculpture of a night watchman with a lantern and halberd. The lantern is made of glass and co...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Copper
Antique Carved & Painted Troubadour or Minstrel, Nodder Figure with a Violin
Located in Nantucket, MA
19th Century carved and painted wood figure of a troubadour or minstrel wearing a hat and long coat with his trousers tucked into knee-high boots and having a violin under one arm wi...
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Black Forest Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Abalone, Gesso, Pine, Paint
19th Century Pair of Carved Relief Limewood Shadow Boxes
Located in London, GB
A pair of carved limewood shadow boxes
Finely carved in high relief, and depicting two famous scenes of an eagle attacking a man, and a poacher being shot, housed within rectangul...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Hand Carved Wood Bear Head Nutcracker Brienz Switzerland
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Hand Carved Wood Bear Head Nutcracker Brienz, Switzerland
A wooden carved nutcracker with a bear head. It is a fine antique Black Forest woodcarving ...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
German Santa Claus Figure Papier Mâché Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Large Santa Claus figure made in papier mâché with a hand painted detailed face. Holding a tree and decorated with glitter details and a real fur rim.
The Santa Claus is handmade in the original antique mold...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Other
German Santa Claus Figure Papier Mâché Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Large Santa Claus figure in papier mâché in red with a hand painted detailed face holding a tree. The Santa Claus is handmade in a original mould in Germany.
Category
2010s German Black Forest Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Paper
Large Black Forest Walnut Plaque
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
Showing a hunter being attached by an eagle as he attempts to raid its nest, attributed to Johann Fluck.
Category
1850s Antique Black Forest Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Walnut
Black Forest Swiss 1900s Carved Wooden Fragment with Bear Motif and Gilt Accents
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Black Forest period carved wooden fragment from the early 20th century, with bear motif. hand carved in Switzerland during the turn of the century, this wooden fragment features a ...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Wooden Carved Sculpture of a Saint, circa 1850
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Wooden Carved Sculpture of a Saint, circa 1850
A beautifully hand carved and hand painted sculpture of a saint with a palm-branch. It is made most probably in Armenian or Georgian a...
Category
Mid-19th Century Unknown Antique Black Forest Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Hand Carved Black Forest St. Wooden Floor Lamp of Lantern Holding & Tipsy Guard
Located in Lisse, NL
Large and beautifully sculptured, floor lamp.
If you are looking for unique and decorative antiques to bring joy and class to your interior then this marvelous, sculptural floor lam...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Copper
Large Black Forest Poacher with Chamois
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A very large wooden handcarved poacher statue. The poacher is on his way back from the hunt with a hunted chamois on his back. The hand-made sculpture was executed ca. 1900 in the ar...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Antique Wooden Carved Crib Figurine of a Shepherd
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Wooden Carved Crib Figurine of a Shepherd
A large antique wooden carved statue of a shepherd, probably from a Christmas crib. Handcarved in Germany in the second half of the...
Category
Mid-19th Century German Antique Black Forest Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Rustic Black Forest Root Wood Hunter, circa 1920
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Rustic Black Forest Root Wood Hunter ca. 1920
A rustic wooden hunter statue with deer. It was carved out of a piece of root wood. Germany, Black Forest,...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Early 1900s Hand Carved and Colored Wooden Mountaineer Sculpture / Statue
Located in Lisse, NL
Unique and finely carved sculpture for the black forest and mountaineer enthousiasts.
If you are or if you have a friend who is a mountaineering enthousiast then this hand carved mo...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Black Forest Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
19th Century Carved Wood 3rd Station of the Cross, 'Jesus Falls’, Switzerland
Located in Buffalo, NY
19th century carved wood 3rd station of the cross, 'JESUS FALLS’ carved in Switzerland, recently acquired from Holy Angels Church located in Buffalo New Yo...
Category
1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Finely Carved Wood Thermometer Stand Hunter and Staghound, 1910
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Finely Carved Wood Thermometer Stand Hunter and Staghound, 1910
A Black Forest thermometer with impressive carved hunter and staghound standi...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Whimsical Carving of a Dwarf with Snuffbox, 19th Century
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Whimsical Carving of a Dwarf with Snuffbox, 19th Century
A 19th century funny carved and painted dwarf with snuffbox. Unrestored original condition, old wormholes, partly paintloss ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Unknown Antique Black Forest Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Black Forest Carved Walnut Hunting Presentation Cup
Located in Essex, MA
A beautifully crafted Black Forest hand carved walnut hunting presentation cup, the basket weave bowl supported by the figure of a gentleman hunter l...
Category
1870s German Antique Black Forest Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Walnut
19th Century Black Forest Carved Monkey Sculpture
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
19th century Black Forest carved monkey sculpture.
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Figurative Sculptures
Black Forest figurative sculptures for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Black Forest figurative sculptures for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage figurative sculptures created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, folk art, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Black Forest figurative sculptures made in a specific country, there are Europe, Germany, and Switzerland pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original figurative sculptures, popular names associated with this style include and Black Forest. 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 figurative sculptures differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $464 and tops out at $17,000 while the average work can sell for $1,887.
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