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Black Forest Cigar Boxes and Humidors

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
Rare Swiss Black Forest 19th century cigar box / humidor with dog hand-carved
Rare Swiss Black Forest 19th century cigar box / humidor with dog hand-carved

Rare Swiss Black Forest 19th century cigar box / humidor with dog hand-carved

Located in Ijzendijke, NL

A distinguished 19th-century Swiss cigar box, exquisitely hand-carved and finished on all sides with dense, interlacing floral and foliate motifs characteristic of the finest Black F...

Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Cigar Boxes and Humidors

Materials

Wood

GERMANY 1870 Black Forest Oversized Cigar Humidor Box In Solid Carved Oak Wood
GERMANY 1870 Black Forest Oversized Cigar Humidor Box In Solid Carved Oak Wood

GERMANY 1870 Black Forest Oversized Cigar Humidor Box In Solid Carved Oak Wood

By Black Forest

Located in Miami, FL

A German cigar humidor box carved in oak wood. This is a fabulous oversized black forest humidor box created in northern Europe, most probably in Germany or Switzerland, back in the...

Category

1870s German Antique Black Forest Cigar Boxes and Humidors

Materials

Bronze

Antique Black forest Cigar box / Humidor 19th Century carved deer Walnut Swiss
Antique Black forest Cigar box / Humidor 19th Century carved deer Walnut Swiss

Antique Black forest Cigar box / Humidor 19th Century carved deer Walnut Swiss

Located in Ijzendijke, NL

Rare and impressive, this 19th-century hand-carved Swiss Black Forest cigar box is crafted from rich walnut, offering a stunning patina that has developed over nearly 150 years. The ...

Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Cigar Boxes and Humidors

Materials

Wood

Antique Swiss Black Forest Carved Wood Bear Head Lidded Tobacco Box
Antique Swiss Black Forest Carved Wood Bear Head Lidded Tobacco Box

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...

Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Cigar Boxes and Humidors

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Black Forest Carved Humidor
19th Century Black Forest Carved Humidor

19th Century Black Forest Carved Humidor

Located in High Point, NC

19th century hand-carved black forest humidor with a figure of a dog and cat. The cat is atop a barrel, which has a lid which lifts to reveal a compartment for tobacco. The barrel is sitting on a base with hand-carved sticks and logs and an upside down hunting hat...

Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Cigar Boxes and Humidors

Materials

Fruitwood

Rare Swiss Black Forest 19th century Humidor / Tobacco box Saint Bernard dogs
Rare Swiss Black Forest 19th century Humidor / Tobacco box Saint Bernard dogs

Rare Swiss Black Forest 19th century Humidor / Tobacco box Saint Bernard dogs

Located in Ijzendijke, NL

A superb 19th-century Swiss Black Forest humidor, masterfully hand-carved and displaying the rich naturalism and warmth characteristic of the finest Black Forest craftsmanship. This ...

Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Cigar Boxes and Humidors

Materials

Oak

Stunning Original Antique Hand Carved Black Forest Wood Cigar Box Humidor House
Stunning Original Antique Hand Carved Black Forest Wood Cigar Box Humidor House

Stunning Original Antique Hand Carved Black Forest Wood Cigar Box Humidor House

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

We are delighted to offer for sale this rather lovely antique original circa 1880 Black Forest Wood musical Cigar box Humidor with built in music box A very good looking and well ...

Category

1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Cigar Boxes and Humidors

Materials

Wood

Rare Humidor 19th Century Eagle Mounted Black Forest Hand Carved Cabinet
Rare Humidor 19th Century Eagle Mounted Black Forest Hand Carved Cabinet

Rare Humidor 19th Century Eagle Mounted Black Forest Hand Carved Cabinet

Located in Reading, Berkshire

Exquisite & Rare 19th Century Hand Carved Black Forest Humidor Cigar Cabinet Featuring Ornate Carved Floral Panel Frontage Finished With An Eagle Finial On The Top. The Two Doo...

Category

19th Century German Antique Black Forest Cigar Boxes and Humidors

Materials

Wood

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Victorian Cigar Box Humidor with Metal Dog, Glass Eyes, UK, Late 1800s
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Thuya Wood Cigar Humidor by Elie Bleu
Thuya Wood Cigar Humidor by Elie Bleu

Thuya Wood Cigar Humidor by Elie Bleu

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H 4.53 in W 11.82 in D 9.65 in

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By Elie Bleu

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Exquisite openly carved 19th century Swiss Black Forest jewelry box walnut bird
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Located in Ijzendijke, NL

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$2,016Sale Price|20% Off

H 7.5 in W 12.5 in D 8.75 in

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Located in Huntington, NY

American circa 1890 humidor.

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Located in London, GB

This is a stylish antique Victorian oak brass and cedar lined tabletop cigar humidor circa 1860 in date. The rectangular box features a lift out tray and adjustable divisions with sunken handles to the sides and a hinged lid with a central brass shield. Complete with the original Bramah lock and key. It would make a beautiful gift to any connoisseur of fine cigars. Condition: In excellent condition. As an antique items, the humidor shows signs of use commensurate with age, these minor condition issues are mentioned for accuracy and, as seen in the accompanying photographs, it displays beautifully. Dimensions in cm: Height 19.5 x Width 44 x Depth 29 Dimensions in inches: Height 8 inches x Width 1 foot, 5 inches x Depth 11 inches Humidor is any kind of box or room with constant humidity that is used to store cigars, cigarettes, orpipe tobacco. For private use, small wooden or acrylic glass humidor boxes for a few dozen cigars are used, while cigar shops may have walk-in humidors. Humidors can be used to store other goods for which a certain level of humidity is desirable; the Colorado Rockies Major League Baseball team stores game balls in a large humidor at their home stadium, Coors Field, to counteract the effects of Denver's high altitude and generally low humidity. Humidors of all sizes use hygrometers to keep track of the humidity levels. Classification of humidors Walk-in humidor - most common in cigar bars or stores. One room is built as or converted to a humidor where all the cigars are stored. Cabinet humidor - usually placed on the floor as a piece of furniture. Typically holds 1000-5000 cigars. Table humidor - often quite heavy, though portable in theory, it's usually kept in one location. Capacity ranges from three hundred to a few thousand cigars. It usually comes with a polished wood exterior, marble, leather or combination of exotic elements, and glass top. Personal humidor - semi-regular cigar smokers will sometimes keep a small humidor in their homes for personal storage, special events, or aesthetic characteristics of the humidor itself . Usually contains 20-75 cigars. This may also be known as a "Desktop Humidor". Travel humidor - portable and made for carrying cigars enough for the outing or event, usually 2 to 10 cigars. Oak is a tree or shrub in the genus Quercus - Latin "oak tree" having approximately 600 extant species. Oak wood has a density of about 0.75 g/cm3, great strength and hardness, and is very resistant to insect and fungal attack because of its high tannin content. It also has very appealing grain markings, particularly when quartersawn. Oak wood is very durable, easy to maintain and resistant to wear and tear which is why it can be easily handed to the next generations if taken well care of. Oak wood virtually lasts forever and you can still admire oak furniture in museums and palaces even if it was made many centuries ago. Oak has been prized since the Middle Ages for use in interior panelling of prestigious buildings such as the debating chamber of the House of Commons in London and in the construction of fine furniture. Bramah is London's oldest security company. Established at 124 Piccadilly, London in 1784, and today based in Marylebone, London and Romford, Essex. Bramah made their first lock in 1784 and the patent was awarded in 1787. The designer was Joseph Bramah. Joseph Bramah was a leading inventor of the industrial revolution, patenting over 18 new ideas, including a new valve for the water closet (toilet), the hydraulic pump, a fountain pen, and a fire engine. Bramah also introduced a beer hand pump for use at the bar, to prevent fluid loss when barmen went downstairs to pour a new jug! Due to the quality of his manufacturing, his name became a by-word amongst British Engineers for engineering excellence and many of his inventions are on display in the Science Museum in London. You can find one of his original toilets still working in Osborne House, Queen Victoria's home on the Isle of Wight. The Bramah lock was unique and advanced property and valuables protection enormously. Indeed it was 50 years ahead of any Chubb lock...

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1860s English Antique Black Forest Cigar Boxes and Humidors

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Oak, Cedar

19th Century, Black Forest Carved Walnut Jewelry Casket Brienz Region
19th Century, Black Forest Carved Walnut Jewelry Casket Brienz Region

19th Century, Black Forest Carved Walnut Jewelry Casket Brienz Region

Located in Atlanta, GA

A finely carved 19th-century Black Forest walnut jewelry casket, attributed to the Brienz region of Switzerland, distinguished by its lavishly naturalistic ornamentation and sculptural detailing. The exterior is deeply carved with flowing rocaille motifs and a profusion of flowers and foliage in high relief, including a central rose in full bloom beneath the keyhole escutcheon. The lid is crowned with an exceptionally crisp and dimensional bouquet featuring a central rose surrounded by rosebuds and smaller blossoms arranged upon a scalloped bed...

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19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Cigar Boxes and Humidors

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Walnut

Previously Available Items
Antique Swiss Black Forest Cigar Box Humidor, Circa 1900
Antique Swiss Black Forest Cigar Box Humidor, Circa 1900

Antique Swiss Black Forest Cigar Box Humidor, Circa 1900

Located in Dallas, TX

More information coming soon… The wonderful carvings of this Swiss cigar box are in the style of Black Forest. Dating to circa 1900, the humidor features textured ground on the sid...

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Early 1900s Swiss Antique Black Forest Cigar Boxes and Humidors

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Antique Swiss Black Forest Carved Cigar Chest, Circa 1890
Antique Swiss Black Forest Carved Cigar Chest, Circa 1890

Antique Swiss Black Forest Carved Cigar Chest, Circa 1890

Located in Dallas, TX

Black Forest accessories are highly sought-after for their inherent beauty and meticulous carvings. This cigar chest was hand-carved in Switzerland, circa ...

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Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Cigar Boxes and Humidors

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Swiss Antique 19th Century Black Forest Cat Tobacco Jar Cigar Box Humidor Carved
Swiss Antique 19th Century Black Forest Cat Tobacco Jar Cigar Box Humidor Carved

Swiss Antique 19th Century Black Forest Cat Tobacco Jar Cigar Box Humidor Carved

Located in Ijzendijke, NL

Exquisite 19th Century Swiss Black Forest cigar humidor / tobacco jar. Rare unusual model ''2 cats sitting in a top hat''. Finely hand-carved cats with glass eyes, they have just th...

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1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Cigar Boxes and Humidors

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Antique Swiss Black Forest Owl Cigar Box with Original Tin Lining Hand Carved
Antique Swiss Black Forest Owl Cigar Box with Original Tin Lining Hand Carved

Antique Swiss Black Forest Owl Cigar Box with Original Tin Lining Hand Carved

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning hand made in Switzerland Black Forest wood cigar box with traces of the original foil lining. A very...

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20th Century Swiss Black Forest Cigar Boxes and Humidors

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Antique Black Forest Casket with Antlers Decoration circa 1900s
Antique Black Forest Casket with Antlers Decoration circa 1900s

Antique Black Forest Casket with Antlers Decoration circa 1900s

Located in Berghuelen, DE

Antique Black Forest Casket with Antlers Decoration circa 1900s A marvelous rustic wooden casket or cigar box. It is made of handcarved pine woo...

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Early 20th Century German Black Forest Cigar Boxes and Humidors

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Antler, Wood

19th Century Cigar Box Walnut Black Forest
19th Century Cigar Box Walnut Black Forest

19th Century Cigar Box Walnut Black Forest

Sold

H 7.49 in W 8.27 in D 5.91 in

19th Century Cigar Box Walnut Black Forest

Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant

Beautiful antique cigar box in Black Forest style. The box is made of walnut, with beautiful, refined carvings. The interior has room for 40 cigars o...

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1880s French Antique Black Forest Cigar Boxes and Humidors

Materials

Fruitwood

Cigar Humidor, Estate Pipe Wall Cabinet, Black Forest Brienz Wood Carved Antique
Cigar Humidor, Estate Pipe Wall Cabinet, Black Forest Brienz Wood Carved Antique

Cigar Humidor, Estate Pipe Wall Cabinet, Black Forest Brienz Wood Carved Antique

Located in Nuernberg, DE

Stunning Black Forest Brienz wood carved wall cabinet. Made in Germany in the 1880s or older. Some color spots, also some old repairs to the wood and a new...

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Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Cigar Boxes and Humidors

Materials

Metal

Hand Carved Linden Wood Black Forest Cigar Box Humidor, Swiss, circa 1880
Hand Carved Linden Wood Black Forest Cigar Box Humidor, Swiss, circa 1880

Hand Carved Linden Wood Black Forest Cigar Box Humidor, Swiss, circa 1880

Located in Banner Elk, NC

Hand carved linden wood Black Forest cigar box humidor, Brienz, Switzerland, circa 1880 Jay Arenski, et al, in his book quotes Swiss Poet Heinrich Federer, who said in his memoirs...

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Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Cigar Boxes and Humidors

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Other

19th Century Swiss Black Forest Carved Walnut Cigar Box
19th Century Swiss Black Forest Carved Walnut Cigar Box

19th Century Swiss Black Forest Carved Walnut Cigar Box

Located in Dallas, TX

Crafted in Switzerland circa 1880, the carved cigar box is shaped as a castle tower. The box is decorated with carved foliage motifs and features a center door with two inside adjust...

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Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Cigar Boxes and Humidors

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Walnut

Black Forest Carved Owl Humidor, circa 1900
Black Forest Carved Owl Humidor, circa 1900

Black Forest Carved Owl Humidor, circa 1900

Sold

H 13.75 in W 7 in D 5.5 in

Black Forest Carved Owl Humidor, circa 1900

Located in High Point, NC

Hand carved humidor in the shape of an owl from Switzerland, circa 1900. The owl's head tilts back to reveal a compartment for tobacco storage.

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Early 1900s Swiss Antique Black Forest Cigar Boxes and Humidors

Materials

Fruitwood

Black Forest cigar boxes and humidors for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Black Forest cigar boxes and humidors for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Early 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage cigar boxes and humidors created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Black Forest cigar boxes and humidors made in a specific country, there are Europe, Switzerland, and Germany 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 cigar boxes and humidors differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $835 and tops out at $3,795 while the average work can sell for $1,554.