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
$900Sale Price|25% Off
Antique Black Forest Candle Holder, Antler & Boar Tusks, Germany, 1920
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Antler and boar tusks candle holder centerpiece This antique centerpiece candle holder is made of genuine deer antlers and Boar Tusks. It holds 5 candle...
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
Black Forest Carved Candle Holder
By Black Forest
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Black Forest candle holder with tree and standing chamois. Part of the Brienz Collection but not published. In the 1800’s the wood carving industry of Swi...
Wood
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
$1,280
H 6.25 in W 6.88 in D 8.63 in
Exceptional Black Forest Wood Carved Brienz Wild Boar Inkwell German Antique
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic 1890s Black Forest desk accessory carved from wood in the shape of a wild boar. A lovely addition to your room or just to use on your desk. Made from hand carved wood. Found ...
Wood
$3,237
H 11.62 in W 5.71 in D 4.73 in
Antique circa 1880 Super Rare Black Forest Hand Carved and Painted Whip Hook
By Black Forest
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this exceptionally rare, stunning, original circa 1880 Swiss made Black Forest wood, whip hooks which has the original paint This is a fine exa...
Wood
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
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
$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
$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
$900
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
Classic Antique Black Forest Carved Bracket with Stag’s Head
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Antique black forest hand-carved stag’s mounted on the support with an oak leaf surround. With a shaped top shelf with canted corners. Excellent detailing ...
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
$472 / 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
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
Sold
H 14.5 in W 9.75 in D 4.75 in
Antler Candelabra, 3-Armed with Wood Carved Enzian Flower Medallion
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Antler candelabra, 3- armed with wood carved enzian flower medallion This antique and one-of-a-kind candelabra candle holder is made of genuine deer antlers. Completely handmade and singularly designed, It holds 3 candles...
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
Black Forest Candleholder Silver with Deer Foot
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Unique black forest candle holder handcrafted from a real deer foot with silver. Stamped silver. One of a kind.
Silver
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
Sold
H 15 in W 8 in D 7 in
Antique Pair Black Forest Carved Chicken Vase Epergne Candleholder Sculpture
Located in Choudrant, LA
~ Direct from Europe This listing is for a stunning pair of carved Black Forest “chicken” candleholders/epergnes. In the summer, the glass inserts were used and fresh cut flowers wer...
Glass, Wood
Antique Black Forest Antler Candle Luster, 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A great antique antler chandelier with original antlers from the deer, fallow deer and Virginia deer. Seven spouts made of horn for candles. Executed, circa 1900. Measures: Height...
Antler
Pair of Unusual 19th Century Black Forest Candelabras
Located in Dallas, TX
This unusual pair of Black Forest, wooden candelabras have foliate motifs of branches with bunches of grapes and leaves set into a wooded ground. The grain of the wood is deep and re...
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