Black Forest Console Tables
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.
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Console Tables
Walnut, Tapestry
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Console Tables
Walnut, Leather
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Console Tables
Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Black Forest Console Tables
Wood
Late 20th Century Black Forest Console Tables
Walnut
20th Century American Black Forest Console Tables
Wood
1950s Italian Vintage Black Forest Console Tables
Marble, Brass
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Black Forest Console Tables
Maple, Wood
Early 20th Century Black Forest Console Tables
Elm
Early 20th Century British Black Forest Console Tables
Zinc
Early 20th Century Scandinavian Black Forest Console Tables
Gold Leaf
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Black Forest Console Tables
Wood
Mid-19th Century French Antique Black Forest Console Tables
Marble
Early 2000s Balkan Black Forest Console Tables
Horn
18th Century European Antique Black Forest Console Tables
Oak
1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Console Tables
Marble
Late 20th Century Black Forest Console Tables
Maple
19th Century Swedish Antique Black Forest Console Tables
Fruitwood
Late 19th Century European Antique Black Forest Console Tables
Walnut
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Console Tables
Wood