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.
Pair of German Cast Iron Black Forest Stylized Branch Hitching Post, Circa 1840
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of German cast iron Black Forest stylized branch hitching post, Mid 19th Century
Cast Iron
$3,160Sale Price / set|20% Off
Antique Dragon Head Wood Beams, Carved, Black Forest Style, Germany
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Set of Three Historical Dragon Head Wood Beams This set of three antique massive dragon head wood beams comes from a Bavarian half-timber house in the area ...
Wood
Pair of Cast of Iron Architectural Roses on Square Base
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Charming set of vintage ornaments in cast iron with great patina. These would look fantastic on a coffee, console or side table as well as a bookshelf.
Iron
$1,200Sale Price|25% Off
H 12 in W 7 in D 8 in
Manorial Black Forest Plaster Deer Head Adorned with Antlers- 1900s Germany
Located in Asheville, NC
Stunning 20th Century German Black Forest plaster deer head adorned with real antlers. This was likely recovered from an old German manor. Plaster has stu...
Antler, Plaster, Wood
$180
H 10.25 in W 2 in D 3.25 in
Wood Black Forest Brienz Carved Figural Gnome Nutcracker German Antique, 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1930s Black Forest Brienz wood carved Nutcracker in form of a Gnome. Nice addition to your room or just for use it on your desk. Found at an Estate sale in Nuremberg, G...
Wood
Charming Bird Viechtauer Hand Carved Wood Black Forest Folk Art Austria
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Charming Austrian 20th-century carved wooden bird mounted on its original stand, designed for wall hanging or standing. This delightful folk art piece belongs to the long-standing tr...
Wood, Paint
$680
H 11.75 in W 5.75 in D 5.75 in
Black Forest Folk Art Carved Wood Deer Head with Glass Eyes, 19th Century
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A great looking hand carved original wooden Folk Art deer head wall decoration. A great piece for a suitable ambiance in a trophy room or the office of ...
Glass, Wood
$285
H 7.88 in W 3 in D 5.5 in
Black Forest Wood Carved Bear Catchall Figure Statue German Antique 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A charming, hand-carved wooden figure statue of a lovable Black Forest Bear from the early 20th century. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail from wood and with its original g...
Brass
$960
H 12 in W 6.5 in D 9 in
Black Forest Folk Art Carved Wood Chamois Head with Real Horns, 19th Century
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A great looking hand carved original wooden Folk Art chamois head wall decoration. A great piece for a suitable ambiance in a trophy room or the office of a Hunter or Woodsman. More ...
Wood
$980
H 15.5 in W 13 in D 10.88 in
Deer Head primitive Black Forest Hand Carved Folk Art Wooden Trophy 19th Century
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A great looking hand carved original wooden Folk Art wall decoration. A great piece for a suitable ambiance in a trophy room or the office of a Hunter or Woodsman. More than likely o...
Wood
$320
H 4.25 in W 7.25 in D 4.13 in
Two Bird on Branch Viechtauer Hand Carved Wood Black Forest Folk Art Austria
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Charming Austrian 20th-century carved wooden bird mounted on its original stand, designed for wall hanging or standing. This delightful folk art piece belongs to the long-standing tr...
Wood, Paint
Art Deco Cast Iron Christmas Tree Stand, Vintage, German, 1920s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This beautiful antique green color cast iron Christmas tree stand, was made in Germany, in the 1920s or older. A nice addition for your Christmas decoration. It holds a stem up to 2....
Metal, Iron
$680
H 9.5 in W 6.25 in D 5 in
Two Bird Nesting box Viechtauer Hand Carved Wood Black Forest Folk Art Austria
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Two Charming Austrian late 19th-century carved wooden bird mounted on its original Nesting Box, designed for wall hanging. This delightful folk art piece belongs to the long-standing...
Wood, Paint
$860
H 28 in W 27 in D 7.5 in
Antique Black Forest Folk Art Alpine Devil Dwarf Wooden Carved Mask, 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful black forest Folk Art wood carved mask. This is a wonderful example of black forest carving. This can be used as a Wall decoration or as...
Wood
Brass Outdoor Door Bell on Hanging Bracket with Chain Pull
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Brass Outdoor Door Bell on Hanging Bracket with Chain Pull A very decorative piece with a delightful ring, the bell is decorated with angels and serpents it hangs on a decorative bra...
Brass
Sold
H 15 in W 17 in D 9 in
19th Century Brass and Iron Monastery Door Bell This is a very unusual item
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
19th Century Brass and Iron Monastery Door Bell This is a very unusual item, the large brass bell is housed in an attractive wrought Brass frame, it...
Brass
Sold
H 17 in W 10.5 in D 1.25 in
Antique Black Forest Carved Oak Genre Scene Wall Plaques, Port Louis, circa 1890
Located in Big Flats, NY
Two antique German oak Black Forest wall plaques offer arched form with high relief hand carved genre scenes, one interior scene and one outs...
Wood, Oak