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Black Forest Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

BLACK FOREST STYLE

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.

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Style: Black Forest
Carved Swiss Black Forest Chalet Clock, circa 1880
Located in Evergreen, CO
Intricate, painstaking detail is featured in this rare and magnificent, hand-carved, Black Forest chalet clock, which has professionally restored woodwork...
Category

1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Highly Carved French Oak Sculpture of a Man Harvesting Wine Grapes
Located in Dallas, TX
This beautiful sculpture has been carved from solid French oak during the latter half of the 19th century. The style is that of Black Forest, with realistic depictions of branches, leaves, grapes, and more. Originally a French clock, most of the timing mechanisms have long been removed. The elaborate carving depicts a man harvesting wine grapes on rocky terrain dotted with vegetation. Our gatherer, who is clad in an overcoat and large brimmed hat, is carrying a hod (hotte in French) full of freshly picked grapes. A large wooden bucket...
Category

19th Century French Antique Black Forest Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Wood

19th Century 'Black Forest' Carved Clock with Hunter and Hound
Located in London, GB
A black forest carved hunt clock Constructed from native Swiss Lindenwood, the clock movement denoting the hours in enamelled Roman numerals and housed w...
Category

19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Wood

19th Century Black Forest Clock
Located in London, GB
A late 19th century walnut clock, very finely carved with four deer flanking the carved clock with roman numerals.
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Walnut

Monumental Black Forest Carved Mantel or Shelf Clock with Hunter and Dog
Located in Milford, NH
A monumental carved walnut black forest mantel or shelf clock sporting / hunting motif. Featuring a hunter with a long rifle or musket slung over his should...
Category

19th Century German Antique Black Forest Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Brass

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French Bronze Chinoiserie Clock, circa 1880
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19th Century Louis XVI Style Mantel Clock of a Lion Signed Festeau Le Jeune
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19th Century Swedish Case Clock
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Antique Black Forest hand carved case wall clock
Located in Houston, TX
This handsome clock is beautifully carved with grapes and oak leaves Around the face of the clock. It has the key and pendulum and The spring is good. The face lifts for winding. The...
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Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

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19th Century Black Forest Carved Mantle Clock Spill Vase Garniture Set
Located in Forney, TX
A magnificent antique Black Forest carved three piece mantel clock and garniture set. circa 1880 Swiss or German, late 19th century, a truly extraordinary work of art, exceptionally executed, intricately sculpted and finely detailed throughout, hand carved from a single block of wood, featuring a leaping stag deer over elaborate naturalistic foliage, a pair of pheasants with inset glass eyes, wooden dial with gilt incised Roman numeral hour markers and eight day time-and-strike movement, sculptural interwoven root carvings on a conforming molded edge base, flanked by a hunting dog and mountain rescue dog, both with inset glass eyes, retaining the original pressed glass spill vases. A spill vase was typically kept on the mantelpiece and filled with spills, splints, or tapers used to transfer fire from the fireplace to candles, lamps, a pipe or a cigar. Dimensions: Complete: (approx/depending on setup) 20.25" Tall, 30" Wide, 7.5" Deep Mantle / shelf clock: 20.25" High, 14" Wide, 7.5" Deep Dog sculpture garniture: 13" High, 4.75" Wide, 4.25" Deep (each) Great antique condition with beautifully aged warm rich dark patina. Minor wear consistent with age. Currently working and keeping good time, key and pendulum included. As with all antique clocks...
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Located in Brooklyn, NY
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Carriage clock with case. 19th century
Located in Madrid, ES
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Carriage clock with case. 19th century
Carriage clock with case. 19th century
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Located in Debenham, Suffolk
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Previously Available Items
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Located in Dallas, TX
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1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

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19th Century Black Forest Clock
Located in Denton, TX
19th century black forest clock. Hand-carved wood with a 30 hour time only movement.
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19th Century German Antique Black Forest Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

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19th Century Black Forest Clock
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Large Black Forest Hand-Carved Mantel Clock with Saint Bernard Dogs
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19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Austrian Lodge Style Antler Mantel Clock, 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A rare antique lodge style mantel clock oakwood case, richly decorated with antlers from the deer and fallow deer, mountain goat horns and wildboar tusks. ...
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Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

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Austrian Lodge Style Antler Mantel Clock, 1900
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Black Forest table clocks and desk clocks for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Black Forest table clocks and desk clocks for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 19th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage table clocks and desk clocks created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, walnut and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Black Forest table clocks and desk clocks made in a specific country, there are Europe, Switzerland, and France pieces for sale on 1stDibs. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for table clocks and desk clocks differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $2,400 and tops out at $44,734 while the average work can sell for $9,800.

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