Black Forest Seating
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 Seating
Glass, Wood
20th Century European Black Forest Seating
Antler, Animal Skin
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Seating
Walnut
Early 20th Century Dutch Black Forest Seating
Oak
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Seating
Wood, Antler
Mid-19th Century German Antique Black Forest Seating
Walnut
Early 1900s European Antique Black Forest Seating
Oak
Mid-19th Century German Antique Black Forest Seating
Antler, Wood
1890s Swiss Antique Black Forest Seating
Linen, Upholstery, Wood
1880s Dutch Antique Black Forest Seating
Fabric, Walnut
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Seating
Wood, Oak
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Seating
Wood
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Seating
Wood, Antler
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Seating
Wood
Mid-19th Century German Antique Black Forest Seating
Antler, Wood
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Seating
Nutwood
1890s Swiss Antique Black Forest Seating
Upholstery, Wood
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Seating
Nutwood
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Seating
Antler, Fabric
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Seating
Nutwood
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Seating
Wood, Antler
1890s Dutch Antique Black Forest Seating
Velvet, Walnut
1910s German Vintage Black Forest Seating
Oak, Lacquer
Mid-19th Century Dutch Antique Black Forest Seating
Oak, Upholstery
Early 1900s German Antique Black Forest Seating
Wood
1880s Dutch Antique Black Forest Seating
Upholstery, Walnut
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Seating
Satinwood, Walnut
Early 1800s German Antique Black Forest Seating
Oak, Lacquer
1880s Dutch Antique Black Forest Seating
Fabric, Walnut
1890s Swiss Antique Black Forest Seating
Upholstery, Wood
19th Century European Antique Black Forest Seating
Wood
Mid-19th Century German Antique Black Forest Seating
Antler, Fur, Wood
Early 20th Century French Black Forest Seating
Walnut
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Seating
Satinwood, Walnut
1920s Swiss Vintage Black Forest Seating
Wood
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Seating
Satinwood, Walnut
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Seating
Metal
19th Century Antique Black Forest Seating
Wood
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Seating
Oak
20th Century Swiss Black Forest Seating
Walnut
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Seating
Upholstery, Wood
Late 20th Century Unknown Black Forest Seating
Wood
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Seating
Wood
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Seating
Antler, Oak
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Seating
Wood
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Seating
Fruitwood
Early 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Seating
Wood
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Seating
Wood
Mid-19th Century Dutch Antique Black Forest Seating
Brass
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Seating
Walnut, Fabric, Upholstery
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Seating
Antler, Wood
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Seating
Glass, Wood
Late 19th Century Dutch Antique Black Forest Seating
Fabric, Walnut
1850s European Antique Black Forest Seating
Walnut
Early 2000s German Black Forest Seating
Steel
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Seating
Hardwood
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Seating
Walnut
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Seating
Wood, Mirror