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.
Antique Candle Stick With Real Chamois Horn, circa 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Candle Stick With Real Chamois Horn, circa 1900s An antique candle holder, made of a genuine chamois horn and a carved deer horn rose as base. The naturally curved horn is m...
Antler
Vintage Pair of Candle Sticks With Real Chamois Horn, circa 1950s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Pair of Candle Sticks With Real Chamois Horn, circa 1950s A vintage pair of candle holders, made of genuine chamois horns. The spout supports turned wooden tulip-shaped cand...
Antler
Pair Antique Candlesticks modelled as Performing Bears
Located in Montreal, QC
Superb and rare pair of zoomorphic candlesticks from the late 19th or early 20th century. Representing a circus bear holding a pole, with a cub climbing up high on the pole, ending i...
Metal
Pair of Sculptural Ceramic Candle Sticks
Located in Millbrook, NY
Pair of Pale Terracotta Handmade Sculptural Candleholders from South America. These candlesticks are hand built with a rustic yet modern sensibility. The rounded shaped footings give...
Clay, Terracotta
Tommi Parzinger Candle Stick Holder with Original Hurricane Glass
By Tommi Parzinger, Dorlyn Silversmiths
Located in Chicago, IL
Tommi Parzinger Candle Stick Holder with Original Hurricane Glass These were handcrafted brass pieces by Dorlyn for Parzinger. The long brass bar looks to be slightly eschew to the...
Brass
$5,400
H 2.76 in W 6.7 in D 4.73 in
Two Handblown Glass Candlestick Holders by Andre Thuret (sold as a pair)
By André Thuret
Located in Long Island City, NY
André THURET (1898-1965) - A pair of fine clear glass candlesticks with inclusions of metal oxides Signed on bottom with diamond point: Andre Thuret Dim...
Glass
Pair of Antique Victorian Brass Candlesticks
Located in Suffolk, GB
Pair of antique Victorian brass candlesticks having circular tops above a turned shaped column raised on a stepped shaped base. Measures: 23 x 9 x 9.5 cm. Date 1860.
Brass
$640Sale Price|36% Off
H 37.8 in W 9.45 in D 7.88 in
Japanese Antique Natural Wood Large Candle Stick 1860s-1900s / Wabi Sabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is an old Japanese natural wood Shokudai (candlestick). It was made in the late Edo period (1860s-1900s), and the material used is probably coniferous cedar wood. The texture o...
Iron
$473 / item
H 9.45 in Dm 2.37 in
Candle Sticks in Brass by Jens Harald Quistgaard for Dansk Designs, 1950s
By Dansk, Jens Quistgaard
Located in Hägersten, SE
Candlesticks designed by Jens Harald Quistgaard. produced by Dansk designs in Denmark during the 1950s. Made from solid polished brass. Good vintage condition with light age related ...
Brass
$331 / set
H 3.75 in W 3.15 in D 2.17 in
Pair of Brutalist Mid Century wrought iron candle holder sticks
Located in BELFORT, FR
Pair of mid century and brutalist style wrought iron candle holders. Perfect condition.
Wrought Iron
$532
H 37.41 in W 4.53 in D 4.53 in
Pair of Large vintage ikea floor candle sticks by Ria Falk ‘Snygg’ , 1990s
By IKEA
Located in Delft, NL
Pair of Large vintage ikea floor candle sticks by Ria Falk ‘Snygg’ , 1990s Dimensions: 95cm Height, 11,5cm Diameter Condition: Good has some small damages on paint see photos Materi...
Metal
$866 / set
H 3.35 in Dm 4.73 in
Pair of Swedish Modern Brass candle-sticks Lars Holmström for Svenskt Tenn, 1950
By Josef Frank, Gunnar Ander, Pierre Forssell, Svenskt Tenn
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Elegant pair of Swedish Modern candlesticks in solid brass, dating from the 1950s. Each piece features a central tubular element designed to hold one candle. This central element is ...
Brass
$4,000 / set
H 11.03 in Dm 4.34 in
Meissen, Pair of Antique Candlesticks, Rare Candlesticks in High Quality
Located in København, Copenhagen
Meissen, pair of antique candlesticks. Rare candlesticks in high quality. Measures: 28 cm. tall, 11 cm. in diameter. In good conditi...
Brass 5-arm candelabra, 1900s
Located in Worcester Park, GB
Bring timeless elegance to your home décor with this beautiful vintage 5-arm metal candelabra. Expertly crafted with ornate scrolling arms and graceful leaf motifs, it showcases a cl...
Brass, Copper
Pair Chinese Cloisonné Cranes as Candlestick Prickets
Located in New York, NY
This darling pair of cloisonné crane pricket candlesticks would be the perfect addition to any home. In Chinese mythology the symbol of the crane represents longevity, and the depict...
Bronze, Enamel, Gold Leaf
Vintage Boho Black Forest Carved Baird Candlesticks - a Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A fabulous pair of vintage Boho candlesticks. Beautiful Black Forest style carved from a single piece of wood. A pair of handsome birds with beautiful foliage in great detail. Acquir...
Wood
Great Carved Black Forest Horn Bowl, Germany ca. 1840
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Great Carved Black Forest Horn Bowl, Germany ca. 1840 A small table decoration consisting of two bowls with a handle. Most probably used as matche...
Antler
Pair of 19th Century Swiss Black Forest Carved Walnut Candlesticks
Located in Dallas, TX
Carved in Switzerland circa 1870, each antique candlestick rests on an oval base and features a Black Forest composition with two birds resting and grazing in front of a tree trunk a...
Walnut
19th Century German Black Forest Candlestick
Located in Chicago, IL
A charming 19th century German Black Forest wood candlestick hand carved with ivy growing over rocks.
Wood
Sold
H 10 in W 5 in D 5 in
Antique Black Forest Carved Wood Candlesticks Candleholder Lizard Insects, Pair
Located in Choudrant, LA
Pair of antique Black Forest carved wood candlesticks candleholder lizard insects ~ Direct from Europe ~ Note: This is one of several outstanding antique Black Forest pieces we acquired directly from a dealer in France that liquidated their entire personal collection! It is a rare opportunity to obtain pieces that don’t often become available such as: A Black Forest ink well...
Wood
Pair of Rustic Candleholders Made of Deer Antlers
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A pair of rustic candleholders, made of deer antlers, base and spouts made of turned wood. Executed in Germany, circa 1900. Measures: Height 10....
Antler, Wood
Vintage Lodge Style Design Five-Armed Antler Candleholder
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A decorative vintage lodge style design five-armed antler candleholder made of roebuck antlers executed in Germany, circa 1950. Measures: Height...
Antler
Austrian Majolica Dressed Bear Candelstick, circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
Austrian Majolica candelstick with a dressed bear holding a cone pine circa 1890.
Ceramic
Stylish Cabin Decor Antler Candlestick
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A fashionable rustic candleholder, made of horns from the deer and wood. Spout made of turned antler pieces. Executed in Germany, circa 1900. Me...
Antler
Set of 19th Century Black Forest Pheasant Candlesticks
Located in Haarlem, NL
Beautiful pair of finely carved French wooden candlesticks. Black Forest, Schwarzwald, candle holders with pheasants in leaves.
Walnut
Pair of Black Forest Candlesticks with Real Chamois Horns, 19th Century
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Two antique candleholders made of real chamois horns. Base and spouts made of brass, Germany, circa 1880.
Brass
19th Century Black Forest Chamois Candelstick
Located in Austin, TX
Antique 19th French Black Forest pair of carved wood candlestick with chamois.
Wood