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.
$2,320Sale Price|39% Off
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...
Bronze, Enamel, Iron
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...
Wood
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...
Brass, Iron
$899
H 14.25 in W 6.5 in D 4.5 in
Vintage Carved Wood and Poly Chrome Painted Figural Musical Clock Figurine
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
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...
Metal
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...
Walnut
19th Century Black Forest Mantel Clock
Located in Martlesham, GB
A lovely quality 19th century black forest mantle clock, the clock dial located at the centre within a farmyard scene consisting of a cockere...
Walnut
$3,680
H 79.9 in W 27.1 in D 12.6 in
Antique Rococo Revival Grandfather Clock, Hand-Carved Wooden Case
Located in BŘECLAV, CZ
Antique Rococo Revival grandfather clock featuring an exceptionally ornate hand-carved wooden case with rich sculptural detailing. The design is dominated by flowing acanthus leaves,...
Brass
$2,555Sale Price|30% Off
H 83 in W 11.5 in D 5.5 in
Vintage Chapman Federal Revival Mahogany Longcase Grandfather Case Clock Spain
By Chapman Manufacturing Company
Located in Dayton, OH
This Rare vintage 1972 longcase or grandfather clock by Chapman (3593G Pier Case Clock) showcases a refined Federal revival or Chippendale style architectural design with elegant, sl...
Mahogany
Antique Black Forest hand carved case wall clock
Located in Houston, TX
This handsome clock is beautifully carved with grapes and oak leaves Around the face of the clock. It has the key and pendulum and The spring is good. The face lifts for winding. The...
Oak
$2,950
H 95.5 in W 25.5 in D 18 in
Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Mahogany 9 Tube Tall Case Grandfather Clock
Located in Long Branch, NJ
Antique Late 19th Century Victorian Mahogany 9 Tube Tall Case Grandfather Clock Dimensions : 95.5" Tall X 25.5" Wide X 18" Deep This stunning clock was ...
Brass
Tall Mahogany Long Case Clock by D Williams of Crickhowell
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Tall Mahogany Long Case Clock by D Williams of Crickhowell A Good English grandfather clock in mahogany, late 18th/19th century. English grandfather clock, barley twist ormolu capp...
Mahogany
18th Century English Chinoiserie Decorated Tall Case Clock
Located in Charlottesville, VA
Tall case clock with chinoiserie decoration throughout the case, including figures, pagodas, and flowering trees in gold. The hood has a pagoda top with brass finials and flanking co...
Brass
Antique Black Forest Cuckoo Clock German Wall Clocks
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Collectable Black Forest hand carved cuckoo clock Might need some renovation but structurally in great shape Some of our items are in storage so please check ahead of a viewing to se...
Wood
$25,000
H 104 in W 21 in D 18 in
18th Century Dutch 'Utrecht' Longcase or Grandfather Clock by W.V. Dadelbeek
By W.V. Dadelbeek
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A walnut, burr-walnut and inlaid Dutch longcase clock by W.V Dadelbeek, Utrecht. The case of typical form, trunk door with feather banding, bombe ...
Walnut
$5,003
H 87.01 in W 30.71 in D 8.67 in
19th Century Swedish Rococo tall case clock Mora clock Grandfather clock
Located in Boden, SE
19th Century Swedish antique beautiful Mora clock " Tall case clock " Grandfather clock from Boden,Norrbotten Northern Sweden. The Mora clock is original painted. It has a lovely b...
Pine
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...
Wood
Sold
H 82 in W 27 in D 16 in
Antique Peter Trauffer Black Forest Longcase Clock with Hand-Carved Fox & Birds
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...
Brass
Sold
H 54 in W 27 in D 12 in
Magnificent German Black Forest Spread Winged Eagle Cuckoo Wall Clock, 20th Cent
By Black Forest
Located in Charleston, 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...
Brass
Sold
H 83 in W 33 in D 13 in
Amazing Swiss Black Forest Walnut Ancient Ruïn, Palm Trees Grandfather Clock
Located in Lisse, NL
Large, antique and unique Black Forest work of time telling art. We have sold many rare and great quality Black Forest antiques, but th...
Brass
Mobier French 19th c Grandfather Clock
Located in Houston, TX
French carved oak grandfather clock with exceptional carving
Oak