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.
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
$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
$456 / item
H 9.45 in Dm 2.37 in
Candle Sticks in Brass by Jens Harald Quistgaard for Dansk Designs, 1950s
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
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
Pair Of Antique Brass Candlesticks Circa 1930's
Located in Bridgeport, CT
English-style brass push-up candlesticks circa 1930's. The candlesticks are made of solid brass with a substantial weight. The turned, stacked baluster design is often referred to a...
Brass
$319 / 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
$513
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
Hammered Candle Holder Copper, circa 1950s
Located in Wien, Au
Hammered candle holder copper, circa 1950s. Good original condition.
Copper
$2,700 / set
H 17 in W 3.25 in D 3.25 in
Vintage French Brutalist Candle Holders, Hand Forged Iron, Circa 1950s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage French pair of handsome brutalist iron candleholders hand forged and hammered with their original painted finish. These elegant and simple pair of candle sticks have perfec...
Metal, Wrought Iron
$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...
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
Pair of Antique Silver Plated Corinthian Candlesticks
Located in Suffolk, GB
Pair of antique silver plated Corinthian candlesticks having pretty shaped removable sconces to the top and supported by attractive circular re...
Silver Plate
Louis XVI Ormolu Figural Candlestick Mounted as a Lamp
Located in Kittery Point, ME
The standing draped female figure carrying a torch surmounted by a light locket, raised on a circular base with a laurel wreath border above a square plinth. Electrified with silk cu...
Bronze
$2,682
H 3.35 in W 3.71 in D 1.5 in
Pair of Late Functionalist Bronze Candlesticks – Sune Bäckström, Model 9040
Located in Stockholm, SE
A pair of patinated bronze candlesticks designed by Swedish artist Sune Bäckström around 1940 (model 9040). Sculptural late Functionalist design with a distinctly architectural – alm...
Bronze
$1,095 / set
H 2.76 in W 3.94 in D 1.97 in
Ivar Alenius-Bjork A set of "Lily" Candle Sticks, Brass, Ystad Metall 1950s
By Ystad-Metall, Ivar Ålenius Björk
Located in Helsinki, FI
A set of 4 very beautiful and delicate candleholders designed by Ivar Ålenius Björk in 1939 and manufactured by Ystad Metall in Sweden. These pieces are a part of a series of candle ...
Brass
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
Pair of Antique Rustic Antler Candleholders
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A pair of most decorative rustic candleholders, made of deer antlers, base and spouts made of turned antler pieces. Executed in Germany, circa 1900.
Antler
19th Century Black Forest Chamois and Trees Candlestick
Located in Austin, TX
French Black Forest candlestick with two chamois on a trunk with oak leaves, circa 1890.
Wood
Pair of Candelsticks of Deer Horns in Silver Plate
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Pair of candelsticks of deer horns in silver plate. Beginning of the 19th century. H: 62cm, D: 25cm.
Metal