Carved Black Forest Bird
Vintage 1920s Swiss Black Forest Wall-mounted Sculptures
Wood
Early 20th Century French Black Forest Wall-mounted Sculptures
Oak
Antique 19th Century European Black Forest Mantel Clocks
Glass, Walnut
Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Sculptures and Carvings
Wood, Paint
Antique Late 19th Century Swiss Black Forest Jewelry Boxes
Walnut
Vintage 1910s Austrian Black Forest Sculptures and Carvings
Wood, Paint
Antique Mid-19th Century French Black Forest Cabinets
Oak
Vintage 1960s Austrian Black Forest Sculptures and Carvings
Wood, Paint
Vintage 1960s Austrian Black Forest Sculptures and Carvings
Wood, Paint
20th Century Austrian Black Forest Sculptures and Carvings
Wood, Paint
20th Century Austrian Black Forest Sculptures and Carvings
Wood, Paint
Antique Late 19th Century Swiss Black Forest Jewelry Boxes
Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century European Black Forest Floor Mirrors and Full-Le...
Mirror, Walnut
Vintage 1920s Austrian Black Forest Sculptures and Carvings
Wood, Paint
Antique Late 19th Century Swiss Black Forest Jewelry Boxes
Fabric, Fruitwood
Antique 1890s French Black Forest Inkwells
Glass, Wood
Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Sculptures and Carvings
Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Sculptures and Carvings
Wood, Paint
Vintage 1920s Austrian Black Forest Sculptures and Carvings
Wood, Paint
Antique Late 19th Century Swiss Black Forest Decorative Boxes
Velvet, Wood
Vintage 1920s German Black Forest Wall-mounted Sculptures
Metal
Antique Mid-19th Century Swiss Black Forest Mantel Clocks
Enamel
Antique Late 19th Century German Black Forest Wall Mirrors
Mirror, Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century French Black Forest Wall Mirrors
Bronze
Antique Late 19th Century French French Provincial Armchairs
Upholstery, Oak
Antique Late 19th Century German Animal Sculptures
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century French French Provincial Dining Room Chairs
Textile, Oak
Antique Late 19th Century Swiss Black Forest Jewelry Boxes
Velvet, Wood
Early 20th Century German Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century German Black Forest Wall-mounted Sculptures
Oak
Vintage 1920s Swiss Arts and Crafts Wall-mounted Sculptures
Brass
Antique Mid-19th Century French Black Forest Buffets
Oak
Antique Mid-19th Century French Black Forest Cabinets
Glass, Oak
Antique 19th Century Swiss Black Forest Inkwells
Wood, Glass
Antique 1880s Swiss Black Forest Mantel Clocks
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century French Black Forest Bookcases
Oak
Antique Late 19th Century French Black Forest Bookcases
Oak
Antique Late 19th Century French Black Forest Bookcases
Oak
Antique 1880s German Black Forest Inkwells
Hardwood
Antique 1860s Black Forest Inkwells
Walnut
Antique 19th Century German Black Forest Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Walnut
Early 20th Century German Table Lamps
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century French Black Forest Decorative Boxes
Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century French Black Forest Jewelry Boxes
Velvet, Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century French Black Forest Animal Sculptures
Glass, Wood
Antique 19th Century German Black Forest Animal Sculptures
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century French Black Forest Planters, Cachepots and Ja...
Metal
Antique Late 19th Century Swiss Black Forest Decorative Boxes
Walnut
Antique 1890s French Black Forest Sofas
Upholstery, Oak
Antique Late 19th Century French Black Forest Planters and Jardinieres
Pine
Antique Early 1900s French Black Forest Vases
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century French Black Forest Animal Sculptures
Oak
Antique Late 19th Century German Black Forest Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Wood
Antique Mid-19th Century French Decorative Boxes
Hardwood
Antique Late 19th Century French Black Forest Wall Mirrors
Mercury Glass, Walnut
Antique Late 19th Century European Black Forest Table Lamps
Wood, Oak
Early 20th Century Swiss Inkwells
Wood, Glass
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Carved Black Forest Bird For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Carved Black Forest Bird?
A Close Look at Black-forest Furniture
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.








