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Black Forest Grandfather Clocks and Longcase Clocks

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
A ‘Black Forest’ linden wood long case clock by Spring of Interlaken
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A ‘Black Forest’ linden wood long case clock by Spring of Interlaken, the square silvered dial enclosed behind a glazed door within an ornate case, surmounted by a carving of William...
Category

20th Century Swiss Black Forest Grandfather Clocks and Longcase Clocks

Materials

Wood

Late 18th Century Liege Burled Walnut Tall Case Clock
Located in New Orleans, LA
A stately late 18th century Belgian, Liege, tall case clock case having a period Black Forest clock workings with wooden enameled dial and hand-painted fruit decoration, the original...
Category

Late 18th Century Belgian Antique Black Forest Grandfather Clocks and Longcase Clocks

Materials

Bronze, Enamel, Iron

Unique Hand Carved Black Forest Tree Trunk Grandfather or Longcase Clock w. Bear
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning clock for the collectors of very rare and truly stylish Black Forest antiques. Tree trunk design longcase or grandfather clocks are a rare find and this 6.5 feet tall specimen could hardly be in better condition. All handcrafted and hand carved in the first half of the 1900s this wonderfully naturalistic tree trunk floor clock is the perfect home decoration for anyone with a nature or Black Forest inspired room or interior. This finest workmanship antique comes with the original dial face, weights and pendulum and they all have the same wonderful leaf and flower patterns that complement the tree or forest theme of this work-of-art tall clock. The natural aging of the carved wood has also grown this clock its stunning patina, making it even more of a gem to enjoy and to look at. The large door comes with the original, antique and perfectly beveled glass window which makes this unique clock...
Category

Early 20th Century European Black Forest Grandfather Clocks and Longcase Clocks

Materials

Brass, Iron

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Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Grandfather Clocks and Longcase Clocks

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This vintage hand carved and hand painted musical clock is unsigned, but presumed to have been made in or near Austria in circa 1950 in a Folk Art style. The carving depicts a male figure leaning against a post mounted Black Forest styled clock. The carving is quite detailed and well executed on all sides and has been hand painted in a realistic style. Both the clock and the music box are currently not working as both have been over-wound and would require servicing. The head of the carving should turn slightly left to right while the music box is playing, but in its current state it is unknown whether the mechanism functions and/or what tune the music box may play. In addition, there is currently no key for the clock, but these normally use a standard small music box...
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Large Antique Black Forest Carved Cuckoo Clock with Stag Head
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Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Grandfather Clocks and Longcase Clocks

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18th Century Chippendale Tall Case Clock with Rocking Ship Automaton
Located in Essex, MA
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Late 18th Century Northern Irish Antique Black Forest Grandfather Clocks and Longcase Clocks

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18th Century Blue Swedish Baroque Long Case Clock
Located in Kramfors, SE
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Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Black Forest Grandfather Clocks and Longcase Clocks

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Carved Swiss Black Forest Chalet Clock, circa 1880
Located in Evergreen, CO
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1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Grandfather Clocks and Longcase Clocks

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Walnut

1980s Postmodern White Wall Clock by Linden
Located in Brooklyn, NY
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Late 20th Century Black Forest Grandfather Clocks and Longcase Clocks

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Black Forest Hand Carved Black Walnut Christ Figure Sculpture
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
3-1056 hand carved black walnut figure of Christ from a tree branch.
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1930s German Vintage Black Forest Grandfather Clocks and Longcase Clocks

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Black Forest Cuckoo Clock
Located in Nantucket, MA
Carved Walnut Black Forest Cuckoo Clock in form of a Chalet, with applied carved wooden leaves, grapes and bird, circa 1900, with pierced res...
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Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Grandfather Clocks and Longcase Clocks

Materials

Walnut

Black Forest Cuckoo Clock
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18th Century Scottish Drumhead Tall Case Clock
Located in Tarry Town, NY
18th century Colin Croll Scottish drumhead tall case clock in mahogany case with banded veneer panels. The case clock has brass face 8-day time and strike movement with silvered dial...
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Vintage Chapman Longcase Grandfather Grandaughter Pine Wood Case Clock Spain
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Previously Available Items
Antique Peter Trauffer Black Forest Longcase Clock with Hand-Carved Fox & Birds
By Peter Trauffer
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique grandfather or longcase clock was done by the renowned Peter Trauffer of Switzerland in approximately 1920 in his signature Black Forest style. The case is composed of walnut which has applied ornately carved leaves along the top of the hood and sides with a pair of birds of prey under the dial and a standing fox looking upwards at the base. The clock face is done in brass as are the three weights and pendulum. The clock comes with various original bills and receipts, a Peter Trauffer catalogue, the Canada Customs...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Grandfather Clocks and Longcase Clocks

Materials

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Magnificent German Black Forest Spread Winged Eagle Cuckoo Wall Clock, 20th Cent
Located in Hollywood, SC
The Linden wood case of grand proportions has a carved realistic perched spread winged eagle with fighting stags within a wooded landscape all amongst a branched garland of oak leave...
Category

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Amazing Swiss Black Forest Walnut Ancient Ruïn, Palm Trees Grandfather Clock
Located in Lisse, NL
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Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Grandfather Clocks and Longcase Clocks

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Black Forest Carved Long Case Clock with Bears and Trees, circa 1950
Located in Evergreen, CO
A large and dynamic carved front case featuring trees and playful bears with glass eyes. The brass clock face, with Arabic numerals, brass weights and pendulum offer a stunning contr...
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Mobier French 19th c Grandfather Clock
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Black Forest grandfather clocks and longcase clocks for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Black Forest grandfather clocks and longcase clocks 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 grandfather clocks and longcase clocks created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, folk art and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with glass, iron and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Black Forest grandfather clocks and longcase clocks made in a specific country, there are Europe, and Belgium 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 grandfather clocks and longcase clocks differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $2,900 and tops out at $9,764 while the average work can sell for $6,332.

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