Black Forest Decorative Art
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.
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Decorative Art
Brass, Zinc
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Decorative Art
Wood
1890s Austrian Antique Black Forest Decorative Art
Majolica, Ceramic
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Decorative Art
Wood
1880s German Antique Black Forest Decorative Art
Walnut, Paint
1850s English Antique Black Forest Decorative Art
Paper
1850s English Antique Black Forest Decorative Art
Paper
1890s German Antique Black Forest Decorative Art
Wood
Mid-19th Century French Antique Black Forest Decorative Art
Walnut
Mid-20th Century European Black Forest Decorative Art
Glass, Birdseye Maple
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Decorative Art
Walnut
1850s English Antique Black Forest Decorative Art
Paper
1850s English Antique Black Forest Decorative Art
Paper
1850s English Antique Black Forest Decorative Art
Paper
1950s German Vintage Black Forest Decorative Art
Wood
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Decorative Art
Oak
1850s English Antique Black Forest Decorative Art
Paper
1850s English Antique Black Forest Decorative Art
Paper
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Decorative Art
Giltwood, Canvas
1880s French Antique Black Forest Decorative Art
Wood
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Black Forest Decorative Art
Oak
Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Decorative Art
Walnut, Antler
1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Decorative Art
Wood
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Decorative Art
Wood
Early 1900s Swiss Antique Black Forest Decorative Art
Fruitwood
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Decorative Art
Oak, Wood
19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Decorative Art
Walnut
19th Century Portuguese Antique Black Forest Decorative Art
Pottery
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Decorative Art
Wood
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Decorative Art
Wood
19th Century Portuguese Antique Black Forest Decorative Art
Pottery
Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Decorative Art
Metal
1920s German Vintage Black Forest Decorative Art
Wood
Late 19th Century American Antique Black Forest Decorative Art
Canvas
1890s Japanese Antique Black Forest Decorative Art
Paper
20th Century European Black Forest Decorative Art
Iron
Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Decorative Art
Gold Leaf
1880s German Antique Black Forest Decorative Art
Wood
Late 19th Century Portuguese Antique Black Forest Decorative Art
Ceramic
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Decorative Art
Brass, Iron
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Decorative Art
Wood
Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Decorative Art
Oak
1890s Swiss Antique Black Forest Decorative Art
Canvas, Giltwood
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Decorative Art
Brass, Copper
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Decorative Art
Horn, Wood
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Decorative Art
Horn, Wood
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Decorative Art
Fruitwood
19th Century Antique Black Forest Decorative Art
Wood
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Decorative Art
Walnut
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Decorative Art
Brass
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Decorative Art
Brass