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.
Black Forest Carved Humidor in the Form of a Monkey Head Wearing a Cap & Collar
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Black Forest figural carved wood humidor in the form of a monkey's head with a hinged lid carved as a hat, around the neck is a ruffled collar above a circular base with carved detail.
Wood
Rare large Swiss Black Forest Tobacco box with Chickens 19th century Humidor
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
A charming and finely detailed 19th-century Black Forest–style hand-carved tobacco jar. Entirely carved from wood and executed with remarkable depth and texture. A rare large size to...
Oak
19th Century Black Forest Carved Humidor
Located in High Point, NC
19th century black forest humidor hand-carved in the shape of a dog's head. His hat lifts to reveal storage for tobacco or cigars. The carving on this piece is wonderfully detailed a...
Fruitwood
19th Century Black Forest Carved Humidor
Located in High Point, NC
19th century hand-carved humidor in the form of a dog's head. The dog is very whimsical with a hat, which lifts to reveal a compartment for storage and finished with a cigar and a bo...
Fruitwood
$3,759
H 11.82 in W 10.63 in D 5.91 in
Rare Antique 4 Tier Black Forest Jewelry Box Fruitwood 19th Century Hand Carved
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
A beautiful, very finely carved antique black forest jewelry box from the late 19th/ early 20th century made in Switzerland. A large and impressive four-tiered piece with 6 swing o...
Fruitwood
$3,710
H 7.29 in W 8.67 in D 5.32 in
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 ...
Wood
French Black Forest Carved Wood Box Circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
French Black Forest Carved Wood Box Circa 1900. Flowers & leaves. H / 4.5 inches. 7 by 4.8 inches.
Wood
19th Century Dog House Cigar Box or Humidor
Located in San Francisco, CA
Charming 19th Century cigar box or humidor guarded by a metal dog with glass eyes on a short lease. These boxes are perfect for collectors of boxes...
Metal
Oval jewelry box carved walnut swiss 19th century Black forest
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
This exceptional 19th-century Black Forest jewelry box from Switzerland is a true work of art, featuring a rare oval shape. Nearly 150 years old, the walnut wood has developed a beau...
Velvet, Wood
$3,941
H 9.85 in W 12.6 in D 9.45 in
Rare 2 tier Swiss 19th century Black Forest Jewelry box hand carved Fox & bird.
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
This incredibly rare two-tier Swiss Black Forest jewelry box is fully hand-carved from a single block of wood, making it a true masterpiece. What sets this box apart is its unique de...
Velvet, Wood
$3,000
H 10.24 in W 15.75 in D 11.03 in
Exquisite openly carved 19th century Swiss Black Forest jewelry box walnut bird
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
A true work of art, this stunning 19th-century Black Forest jewelry box from Switzerland is fully hand-carved and a remarkable example of craftsmanship. Nearly 150 years old, the woo...
Walnut
Humidor in Black Polished Ebony Avana Nera
By Agresti
Located in New York, NY
Humidor for 100 cigars in ebony polished. Cedar lining. Two humidification units and hygrometer. Removable tray.
Cedar, Ebony
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
19th Century Black Forest Carved Box
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
19th century Black Forest carved box.
Wood
$1,370
H 6 in W 8.25 in D 5.125 in
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...
Walnut
Late 19th Century Humidor
Located in Huntington, NY
American circa 1890 humidor.
Brass
Sold
H 17.13 in W 13.78 in D 7.49 in
CARVED BLACK FOREST WOOD SMOKiNG PIPE CABINET BOX LATIN INSCRIBED NIL NISI CRUCE
By Black Forest
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning, hand carved Black Forest wood, smoking pipe cabinet or rack with inscribed top reading "Nil N...
Wood
Swiss Hand Carved Antique Black Forest Dog Tobacco Jar
By Black Forest
Located in Newark, England
VERY RARE SEATED DOG From our Black Forest collection, we are delighted to offer this rare Swiss Black Forest Carved Dog Tobacco Jar. The Tobacco Jar beautifully modelled with an o...
Wood
Swiss Black Forest Gnome Tobacco Jar
By Black Forest
Located in Newark, England
The Gnome stands proud wearing a green apron, hooded top with a large stein in his right hand and his left hand resting in his pocket. The jar is hinged at waistline of the Gnome al...
Wood
Oversized Swiss Black Forest Dog Tobacco Jar
By Black Forest
Located in Newark, England
The tobacco jar of unusually large size modelled as a humorous dog with its mouth open and tongue sticking out. The dog is highly detailed with individual carving lines for its hair, nose and paws finished with orange glass eyes. The tobacco jar hinges around the neckline of the dog to reveal the hollowed out centre for storing tobacco. The tobacco jar dates to the late 19th century circa 1890. Black Forest is a term used to describe the elaborate, realistic carvings of a vast array of wooden pieces such as clocks and animals. Our Black Forest collection at Jacksons Antique features varying objects of highly desirable carvings such as woodland animal Tobacco Jars. Our aim is to supply that breathtaking piece of Black Forest to add that special edge to any collection or home. Commonly thought to originate from the Black Forest in Bavaria Germany, Black Forest carvings actually originate from Switzerland. The most recogniseable Black Forest carvings are usually bears carved amongst different pieces such as hat stands, tables and whimsical figures. Black Forest products can also be seen carved into other forest wildlife as well as clocks, music boxes and furniture although these are more uncommon making them highly desirable. Black Forest items...
Wood
Sold
H 8.67 in W 7.09 in D 6.7 in
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...
Wood
Sold
H 5.91 in W 4.93 in D 6.3 in
Swiss Antique 19th Century Black Forest Dog Tobacco Jar Cigar Box Humidor Carved
By Christian Fletcher
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Gorgeous Black Forest Tobacco jar / Cigar humidor by Christian Fletcher of Brienz 1880. The patina & feeling of this carved piece are just b...
Wood
Magnificent Silver and Enamel Wild Game Scene Cigarette Case or Card Case
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
This is a delightful piece, the theme is very much one of the highlands in winter. At the centre of the painting we have the illusive Capercaillie calling, he is sitting on an almost...
Enamel