Antique Swiss Black Forest Carved Wood Bear Head Lidded Tobacco Box
Located in San Francisco, CA
Of large scale, the well-delineated and intricately carved head of a dog with hat motif lid; the expressive face with glass eyes and large snout; most likely from the Black forest ar...
Walnut
Rustic Black Forest Bear Humidor, Carved Walnut, 19th Century, Europe
Located in Queens, NY
Rustic Black Forest (19th Cent) carved walnut humidor in the shape of a bear figure standing near tree stump (with ashtray and covered container)
Walnut
Black Forest Carved Wood Figural Humidor Bear Head with Glass Eyes
By Brienz Switzerland
Located in Barntrup, DE
The Black Forest carved wood figural humidor in the shape of a bear head with glass eyes, circa 1920.
Metal
Large Antique Black Forest Brienz Hand Carved Wood Bear Humidor Sculpture
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This large antique humidor is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from Austria and date to approximately 1900 and done in the period Black Forest style.
Softwood
German Black Forrest Walnut Bear Head Hinged Humidor with Glass Eyes, 20th Cent.
Located in Charleston, SC
German Black Forrest carved walnut figural bear head hinged humidor with the original flanking glass eyes, 20th Century
Steel
Antique Hand-Carved Black Forest Tobacco Jar or Humidor & Ashtray with Bears
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
The humidor is decorated with a bear on the base, and another that functions as a handle on top of the jar's lid.
Walnut
19th Century Small Black Forest Bear Humidor
Located in Salt Lake City, UT
A late 19th century small Black Forest bear humidor with a hinged head opening to an empty canister.
Glass, Walnut
Swiss Black Forest Carved Wooden Bear Humidor from the Early 1900s
Located in Atlanta, GA
The piece has been so well carved that when closed it is difficult to know that there is a lid in the first place, and it could easily stand on its own as a decorative object, even w...
Wood
A Wooden Carved Black Forest Bear Humidor ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A Wooden Carved Black Forest Bear Humidor ca. 1900s Item e7261 Large Black Forest humidor in the shape of a bear with a clip-on head.
Wood
$1,875
H 10.13 in W 7 in D 5 in
Swiss Brienz Black Forest Hand-Carved Wood Bear Pipe Tobacco Holder Stand
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Black Forest hand-carved linden-wood hand-carved pipe tobacco holder stand also have seen examples of it used as a decanter or liqueur Stand with the holders being used for shot or s...
Wood
Early 20th Century French Hand-Carved Walnut Bear Group Sculpture
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a ranch house, mountain lodge, or hunt cabin with this beautifully executed early 20th-century animal sculpture. Hand-carved in France circa 1920 from a single block of frui...
Walnut
$1,280
H 6.25 in W 6.88 in D 8.63 in
Exceptional Black Forest Wood Carved Brienz Wild Boar Inkwell German Antique
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic 1890s Black Forest desk accessory carved from wood in the shape of a wild boar. A lovely addition to your room or just to use on your desk. Made from hand carved wood. Found ...
Wood
$1,895
H 5.5 in W 3.25 in D 5.5 in
19th Century Black Forest Carved Bear Motif Wood Box with Swing-Out Compartment
Located in Cincinnati, OH
This unusual antique Black Forest box features a pair of fully dimensional bears cavorting at the base of a tree stump. The mother and cub have been finished with a high level of det...
Glass, Wood
Vintage Wooden Strolling Bear Handcarved in Brienz ca. 1950
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Wooden Strolling Bear Handcarved in Brienz ca. 1950 A vintage statue of a walking bear. Made of lindenwood, finely handcarved with naturalistic details in Brienz, Switzerlan...
Wood
$1,045
H 6.7 in W 3.94 in D 11.03 in
Wooden Statue of a Walking Bear Hand Carved in Switzerland, circa 1930s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Wooden Statue of a Walking Bear Handcarved in Switzerland circa 1930s. A vintage statue of a strolling bear. Made of lindenwood, finely handcarved and handpainted with naturalistic ...
Wood
Large Wooden Strolling Bear Handcarved in Brienz ca. 1930
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Wooden strolling bear handcarved in Brienz ca. 1930 A large antique statue of a walking bear. Made of lindenwood, finely handcarved with naturalistic details in Brienz, Switze...
Wood
$178Sale Price|35% Off
H 3.5 in W 6 in D 3 in
Ainun Black Bear Hand Carved Wood Sculpture with Glass Eyes
Located in Van Nuys, CA
A traditional Ainu bear carving typically depicts a black bear with stylized features, often emphasizing its strength and significance in Ainu culture. The carving showcases intrica...
Wood
$375Sale Price|40% Off
H 7 in W 3 in D 5 in
19th C Black Forest Hand-Carved Swiss Brienz Bear with Brass Holder
Located in Savannah, GA
This whimsical hand carved seated wooden brown bear holds a brass cup suitable for cigarettes, matches or even a small bouquet of flowers. Very detailed carving with tiny teeth and a...
Wood
19th Century 'Black Forest' Bear
Located in London, GB
A 'Black Forest' Bear In naturalistically carved lindenwood, having glass eyes, head tilted aloft, prowls on all fours. From the Brienz Area. Brienz, in the Bernese Oberland, Sw...
Wood
Black Forest Wood Carved Brienz Bear Inkwell German Vintage, 1890s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic 1890s black forest Brienz wood carved inkwell in form of a Bear. Nice addition to your room or just for use it on your desk. Made of hand carved wood and glass eyes. Found at...
Wood
$904
H 4.93 in W 3.15 in D 4.34 in
Cute Black Forest Carved Wood Bear Match Box Holder with Ashtray Brienz
By Brienz Switzerland, Black Forest
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
Ths antique German or Swiss bear figurine is a really lovely item and a remarkable piece of craftsmanship regarding its fine carving, dating back to approximately 1880. Carved from...
Wood
$980
H 14.5 in W 10.25 in D 10.25 in
Bear Head Black Forest Hand Carved Folk Art Wooden Trophy, 19th Century
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A great looking hand carved original wooden Folk Art Bear head wall decoration. A great piece for a suitable ambiance in a trophy room or the office of a Hunter or Woodsman. More tha...
Wood
19th Century Black Forest Carved Humidor
Located in High Point, NC
19th century hand-carved humidor in the form of a dog's head. The dog is very whimsical with a hat, which lifts to reveal a compartment for storage and finished with a cigar and a bo...
Fruitwood
Large Vintage Wooden Strolling Bear Handcarved ca. 1930s, Brienz
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Vintage Wooden Strolling Bear Handcarved ca. 1930s, Brienz A large statue of a walking bear. Made of lindenwood, finely handcarved with naturalistic details in Brienz, Switzer...
Wood
$870Sale Price|20% Off
H 9.65 in W 17.72 in D 5.91 in
Hand-Carved Fruitwood Black Forest Bear Germany, 1920s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and rare Black Forest bear. Striking German design from the 1920s. Hand-carved fruitwood sculpture of a life-like bear walking on all four paws. Rare because of the hand-...
Fruitwood
$17,749
H 33.6 in W 55.5 in D 19.6 in
Antique Black Forest Bear Bench w. Five Bear Sculptures & Carved Oak Leaf Seat
Located in Lisse, NL
Large and impressive, hand carved and demountable bench with five bear sculptures. This superbly hand carved bench is entirely made of solid wood and therefor too this stunning and ...
Glass, Wood
$34,104
H 70.87 in W 73.23 in D 88.19 in
Bed Tester Spanish Baroque Carved Dark Green & Gilded Leather Superking 6ft180cm
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
Rare, Spanish Demi-Tester, Baroque Bed With Carved, Green Painted & Gilded Posts 181cm, 6ft High, Floral Painted Leather Headboard, sold with custom made box spring mattress base, ac...
Giltwood, Paint
$1,431
H 14.5 in W 17.5 in D 6 in
Early 1900 Large Black Forest Fine Carved Burling Stag / Deer Sculpture Statue
Located in Lisse, NL
Good size and beautifully carved, wooden Black Forest stag sculpture. From the posture it is obvious that this impressive stag, with his head turned up, is attempting to attract and...
Wood
Swiss Black Forest Carved Wood Owl With Glass Eyes, Early 1900s
Located in London, GB
A delightful decorative carved wood owl. This finely hand carved Black Forest owl sculpture demonstrates incredible workmanship and attention to detail, along with his/her beautiful...
Wood
On Hold|$12,591
H 32.49 in W 61.03 in D 19.69 in
Antique Black Forest Bench Hallway Swiss Bear Carved 20th Century Sofa Loveseat
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Make sure you always come home with a warm welcome with this marvelous Black Forest sofa in your hallway. Carved out of solid wood by a master carver this Black Forest bear hallway...
Oak
$1,180Sale Price|20% Off
H 12.5 in W 5.88 in D 5.75 in
Swiss Brienz Black Forest Hand-Carved Wood Grizzly Bear
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Black Forest hand-carved linden-wood hand-carved grizzly bear with glass eyes and enamel painted mouth with fangs/teeth showing on a thick base, circa 1900. See our other items for m...
Wood
Swiss Brienz Black Forest Hand-Carved Wood Candle Holder
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Black Forest hand-carved linden-wood hand carved candle holder/candlestick, circa 1900. Black Forest sculptural art originates from the small mountain town Brienz, Switzerland co...
Wood
19th Century Black Forest Carved Bear Chair
By Black Forest
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Black Forest Swiss carved chair having bear on fallen log. Carved bear on lifting seat which once had a music box. Part of the Brienz collection plate 26. Origin: Swiss Period: Las...
Wood
$2,410
H 12.6 in W 9.06 in D 10.63 in
Large antique 19th century Victorian quality carved Black Forest bear
Located in Ipswich, GB
Large antique 19th century Victorian quality carved Black Forest bear in a seated position, with the original glass eyes, fantastic carved detail throughout, his head lifts to the si...
Wood
$10,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 37.5 in W 15 in D 20 in
Early 20th Century 'Black Forest' Stick & Umbrella Stand Bear
Located in North Miami, FL
Early 20th century Swiss 'Black Forest' stick & umbrella stand in the form of a charming bear with inset glass eyes. Arms outstretched in a hug-like form the piece will fit perfectly...
Metal
19th century Carved Walnut Black Forest Bear / Cigar Holder
Located in San Francisco, CA
Late 19th century Continental carved walnut bear / cigar holder. In the style of Black Forest, German, Possibly Russian. The complex form of a classic dancing bear on hind legs. Stan...
Walnut
Black Forest Carved Bear with Pen Inkwell
By Black Forest
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Swiss bear with log pen rest and inkwell. Published in "Black Forest Bears and Swiss Woodcarvings," plate 93a. Book included. In the 1800’s the wood carving industry of Switzerland s...
Wood
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.