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 Rustic Black Forest Photo Frame, Hand Carved, AT, circa 1880
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Lovely, unusual Black Forest photo frame from Austria, circa 1880. Artfully hand carved out of basswood, this frame shows a gorgeous design combined with nice protruding corners. Thi...
Blown Glass, Softwood
Marvelous and Antique Pair of 19th Century Black Forest Hand-Carved Wood Frames
Located in Lisse, NL
*Note l: Our pricing reflects the free shipping, rarity, craftsmanship, and pristine condition of this piece. Automated estimates on the platform may not accurately reflect these fa...
Walnut, Nutwood
$217Sale Price|20% Off
Hand Carved Fruitwood Black Forest Frame Germany, 1900s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning Black Forest picture frame. Striking German design from the 1900s. Hand-carved and hand-painted fruitwood frame. This wonderful hand-carved and hand-painted Black Forest ...
Fruitwood
Black Forest Rustic Photo Frame with Original Glass Plate, Austria, circa 1880
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Lovely rustic black Forest photo frame from the late 19th century, around 1880 in Austria. Elaborately hand carved out of bass wood this antique photo fra...
Blown Glass, Softwood
Large 19th Century Walnut Black Forest Painting Frame
Located in San Francisco, CA
A large 19th century hand carved solid walnut Black Forest style picture frame with traditional tree limb and foliage detail. Inner sight of the...
Walnut
Pair of 19th Century Rustic Black Forest Photo Frames, Handcarved, AT ca. 1880
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Fantastic set of two rustic, late 19th century Black Forest photo frames out of Austria. Artfully hand carved out of basswood, around 1880, these frames show a beautiful design combi...
Glass, Softwood
Pair of Carved Walnut Oval Dark Brown Wall Picture Frames with Flowers, ca. 1920
Located in Barntrup, DE
Pair of finely carved walnut oval dark brown wall picture or photo frames with flowers and leaves, Austria, ca. 1920. The impressive pair of frames is masterfully carved throughout w...
Glass, Walnut
$750Sale Price|50% Off
H 43 in W 36.5 in D 2.5 in
19th Century Italian Water Giltwood Frame, Hand Carved, 36 x 30 in
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
8-154 hand carved Italian water giltwood frame Interior rabbit size 36 x 30".
Giltwood
Sold|$375 / set
H 8.27 in W 5.32 in D 2.37 in
Pair of Picture Frame, Polished Brass, Made by J.H. France, 1900s
Located in Verviers, BE
Pair of Picture Frame, Polished Brass, Made by J.H. France, 1900s Pair photograph frame (or miniature frame) with classical Victorian design. Typica...
Brass
Vintage Palm Wood Framed Photograph from Cambodia
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
A vintage photograph from Cambodia framed in a palm wood & glass frame. Dimensions: Height 38cm x Width 27cm x Depth 0.05cm.
Glass, Wood
1900s English Brass Scrolled Picture Frame With Ornate Embellishments
Located in Tarrytown, NY
This 1900s English Brass Scrolled Picture Frame features C-scroll corners that are embossed with more intricate patterning as well as along the top portions of the frame Border edge ...
Brass
Early 19th Century French Giltwood Frame
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Early 19th century French giltwood frame. The inside dimensions 39.25 x 31.25
Giltwood
Antique Guatemalan Hand Carved Wood Picture Frame
Located in New York, NY
Antique rare Guatemalan wood frame with traditional geometric patterns, which are depicting Nature through the design. Wood backing, with metal wire to ...
Wood
19th Century Italian Carved Frame
Located in New York, NY
Finely carved and gilded 19th century Italian frame. Features continuous pierced carving decorative design. Carved out of a solid piece of fruitwood, the example is in excellent cond...
Gold Leaf
$4,500
H 22 in W 13.75 in D 11 in
Black Forest 1900s Hand Carved Wooden Buck Head Mounted on Shield Plate
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swiss Black Forest hand carved wooden buck head wall sculpture from the turn of the century, with shield plate. Born in the early years of the 20th century...
Wood
19th Century Italian Carved and Silver Gilt Frame
Located in New York, NY
Hand-carved and silver gilded Italian 19th century frame with sgrafitto and cross-hatch design.
Pair of Large Mid-20th Century Shagreen Photo Frames, circa 1960
Located in London, GB
A pair of large mid-20th century shagreen photo frames with silver corners circa 1960. This great pair of shagreen frames in a beautiful muted taupe color the silver corners are unm...
Sterling Silver
Pair of 19th Century Hanging Picture Frames
Located in Atlanta, GA
This exquisite set of two French 19th-century hanging picture frames exudes timeless elegance and charm. Crafted from gilt bronze, each frame is...
Bronze
19th Century black forest walnut casket
Located in Martlesham, GB
A good quality 19th Century black forest walnut casket, having wonderful crisp carving throughout, the hinged top lifting up to reveal a velvet lined interior, the top having a finel...
Walnut
Sold
H 7.29 in W 9.26 in D 0.4 in
19th Century Set of 2 Bavarian Black Forest Ebonised Picture Frames Folk Art
Located in Sherborne, Dorset
A beautifully carved set of two Bavarian ebonised picture frames elaborately carved in a charming traditional tree trunk design, held together with a cross-lap joint. Dating from the...
Glass, Fruitwood
Sold
H 7.29 in W 5.32 in D 0.6 in
19th Century Set of 3 Bavarian Black Forest Fruitwood Picture Frames Folk Art
Located in Sherborne, Dorset
A beautifully carved set of three Bavarian picture frames elaborately carved using the ‘notch cut’ technique, each of the wooden frames is held together with a cross-lap joint. Datin...
Glass, Fruitwood
Sold
H 8.47 in W 6.3 in D 0.6 in
19th Century Set of 5 Bavarian Black Forest Ebonised Picture Frames Folk Art
Located in Sherborne, Dorset
A beautifully carved set of five Bavarian ebonised picture frames elaborately carved using the ‘notch cut’ technique, each frame held together with a cross-lap joint. Dating from the...
Glass, Fruitwood, Pine
Sold
H 11.81 in W 9.25 in D 0.79 in
Rustic Wooden Photo Frame, Black Forest Style - Handcarved, Austria circa 1860
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Elaborately handcarved rustic Black Forest photo frame from the 19th century around 1860 in Austria. Crafted out of bass wood this antique photo frame shows a charming traditional tr...
Blown Glass, Softwood
Sold
H 11.1 in W 7.7 in D 1 in
Rare Antique Black Forest Museum Quality Carved Nutwood Table Picture Frame
Located in Lisse, NL
Exceptional Swiss nutwood desk picture frame with a rare and marvelous carvings. If you are a collector of rare and great looking Arts & Crafts antiques in general and if the acorn and other forrest 'fruits' hold a special place in your heart as well then this very rare picture frame could be yours to own and enjoy soon. This all handcrafted desk...
Wood, Nutwood, Glass
Sold
H 20.3 in W 12.1 in D 3 in
Antique & Quality Carved Black Forest Wall Mirror w Carved Eagle Sculpture Atop
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare, beautifully carved nutwood and highly decorative wall mirror. If you are appreciative of rare and sculptural antiques then this Swiss BF mirror could be yours to own and enjoy soon. The quality and the patina of this winged eagle sculpture (with glass eyes) and frame are second to none and for this antique to be in this good a condition makes it even better. It takes a special craftsman and artist to create such a piece, the kind that you simply don't find anymore in this day and age. Have you also noticed the way in which the hand-carved Swiss Edelweiss...
Mirror, Nutwood, Glass
Sold
H 14.6 in W 13.8 in D 1.2 in
Set of Four Black Forest Picture Frames/ Wall Mirrors, Austria, circa 1890
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Spectacular Black Forest picture frame set of four from the late 19th century in Austria. Impressing with a fantastic looking hand-carved design, these unique frames shows delicate tree-branch style carved bars surrounded...
Softwood
Sold
H 80.5 in W 56.5 in D 4 in
Very Large Hand Carved & Antique Sculptural Nutwood Wall Mirror or Picture Frame
Located in Lisse, NL
Exclusive and incredibly well carved, Italian floor or wall mirror frame. This rare size and all hand carved, solid nutwood frame from the second half of the 19th century is of amaz...
Nutwood
Sold
H 6.8 in W 4.75 in D 4.25 in
Antique Quality Carved Wooden Black Forest Miniature Table Picture Frame / Easel
Located in Lisse, NL
Small and beautiful quality, miniature picture frame. This miniature Black Forest picture frame is a real beauty and it is in mint condition. If you are a collector of Black For...
Wood
Sold
H 6.25 in W 4.25 in D 4.25 in
Antique Black Forest Hand-Carved Wooden Miniature Table Picture Frame or Easel
Located in Lisse, NL
Very small and all-handcrafted, miniature picture frame. This miniature Black Forest picture frame is a rare sight to see and it is in mint condition. If you are a collector of rare...
Wood
Beautiful Large Black Forest Frame, Germany, circa 1900
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
From the beginning of the 20th century comes this beautiful Black Forest picture frame. The simple but elegant design was created out of basswood, hand-carved in the typical tree tru...
Antique Antler Frame with Naive Alpine Oil Painting
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A lovely antler mirror, decorated with carved and turned horn roses and antler pieces of the fallow deer and deer. Surface with lacquered finish. Inside a naive oil painting of an al...
Antler, Wood