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Black Forest Mantel 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
Antique Black Forest Clock Set with Carved Hunting Motifs, ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Black Forest Clock Set with Carved Hunting Motifs, ca. 1900 This antique Black Forest clock set, dated around 1900, includes a car...
Category

Early 1900s German Antique Black Forest Mantel Clocks

Materials

Wood

19th Century Black Forest Carved Walnut Stag and Deer Figural Mantel Clock
Located in Dallas, TX
This exceptional Black Forest mantel clock, crafted in Switzerland circa 1860 from rich walnut, showcases masterful carving and grand scale. The elaborate composition features a prou...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Mantel Clocks

Materials

Walnut

Black Forest Lenzkirch Oak Wood Mantle Clock
Located in Astoria, NY
Black Forest Lenzkirch Oak Wood Mantle Clock, circa 1893, with domed top and applied gilt metal floral and rams head accents, silvered metal clock face and stepped rectangular base o...
Category

1980s German Vintage Black Forest Mantel Clocks

Materials

Metal

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...
Category

1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Mantel Clocks

Materials

Walnut

Black Forest Walnut Bird Mantel Clock
Located in Queens, NY
Rustic Black Forest (19th Century) walnut carved mantel clock with 1 large bird and several small chicks within a floral environment. (Not working)
Category

19th Century European Antique Black Forest Mantel Clocks

Materials

Glass, Walnut

19th Century Black Forest Carved Mantle Clock Spill Vase Garniture Set
Located in Forney, TX
A magnificent antique Black Forest carved three piece mantel clock and garniture set. circa 1880 Swiss or German, late 19th century, a truly extraordinary work of art, exceptionally executed, intricately sculpted and finely detailed throughout, hand carved from a single block of wood, featuring a leaping stag deer over elaborate naturalistic foliage, a pair of pheasants with inset glass eyes, wooden dial with gilt incised Roman numeral hour markers and eight day time-and-strike movement, sculptural interwoven root carvings on a conforming molded edge base, flanked by a hunting dog and mountain rescue dog, both with inset glass eyes, retaining the original pressed glass spill vases. A spill vase was typically kept on the mantelpiece and filled with spills, splints, or tapers used to transfer fire from the fireplace to candles, lamps, a pipe or a cigar. Dimensions: Complete: (approx/depending on setup) 20.25" Tall, 30" Wide, 7.5" Deep Mantle / shelf clock: 20.25" High, 14" Wide, 7.5" Deep Dog sculpture garniture: 13" High, 4.75" Wide, 4.25" Deep (each) Great antique condition with beautifully aged warm rich dark patina. Minor wear consistent with age. Currently working and keeping good time, key and pendulum included. As with all antique clocks...
Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Black Forest Mantel Clocks

Materials

Glass, Wood

Antique Mantel Clock with Eagle and Chamois Family, ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Mantel Clock with Eagle and Chamois Family, ca. 1900 A large Black Forest wooden carved mantel clock with an eagle on top and a chamois defending her child. The clock is embedded in a handcarved wood pile. A masterpiece of Brienz woodcarvings which brightens up any chimney piece. The clockwork is cleaned and overworked by a clockmaker - working order. Soberly considered mantel clocks are small pendulum...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Mantel Clocks

Materials

Wood

Antique Wooden Mantel Clock with Eagle, Swiss 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Wooden Mantel Clock with Eagle, Swiss 1900 A great carved linden wood mantel clock with a very detailled carved eagle sitting on a rock with foliage decorations. The porcelaine clockface has handpainted numerals, handcarved in Switzerland - Brienz ca. 1900. The clockwork was overworked by a clockmaker and is in working order. It comes with original key. Measures: Width 14.17" (36.0cm) Height 24.8" (63.0cm) Depth 5.12" (13.0cm) Soberly considered mantel clocks are small pendulum clocks...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Mantel Clocks

Materials

Wood

Antique Mantel Clock with Herdsman Family, Goats and Cattle
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Mantel Clock with Herdsman Family, Goats and Cattle A Black Forest wooden carved mantel clock with a lovely herdsman family with their goats and cattles. A masterpiece of woodcarving which brightens up any chimney piece. The clockwork is replaced by battery driven one - working order. Soberly considered mantel clocks are small pendulum clocks with feet...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Mantel Clocks

Materials

Wood

Large 19th Century Carved Black Forest Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
A Large Black Forest Mantle Clock Constructed in carved linden wood, fitted with a two train eight day striking clock; mounted on a shaped...
Category

19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Mantel Clocks

Materials

Wood

19th Century Swiss Black Forest Carved Walnut Mantel Clock with Cherubs and Bird
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate your buffet or mantel with this monumental antique fruitwood clock. Crafted in Switzerland, circa 1860, the masterpiece time keeper features two hand carved seated cherubs holding a grape basket with a duck, frog and reed decor underneath. The center face has blue enamel roman numbers, and the clock mechanism has been cleaned and checked by our clock expert, and is in very good working order. This important clock...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Mantel Clocks

Materials

Enamel

Monumental Antique German Black Forest Eagle Chamois Mantel Hunt Clock
Located in Dayton, OH
Monumental 19th century antique German Black Forest mantel clock featuring carved high relief details with a winged bald eagle mounted atop...
Category

Mid-19th Century Antique Black Forest Mantel Clocks

Materials

Hardwood

Great Lodge Style Antler Mantel Clock 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Great Lodge Style Antler Mantel Clock 1900 A rare antique lodge style mantel clock. Oakwood case, richly decorated with antlers from the deer and fallow deer, mountain goat antlers ...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Mantel Clocks

Materials

Wood, Antler

19th Century 'Black Forest' Carved Clock with Hunter and Hound
Located in London, GB
A black forest carved hunt clock Constructed from native Swiss Lindenwood, the clock movement denoting the hours in enamelled Roman numerals and housed w...
Category

19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Mantel Clocks

Materials

Wood

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19th Century French Boulle Mantel Clock
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19th Century Black Marble Mantel Clock
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
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19th Century Black Marble Mantel Clock
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KIENZLE Art Deco Macassar Ebony and Oak Mantle Clock
Located in Chicago, IL
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Materials

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KIENZLE Art Deco Macassar Ebony and Oak Mantle Clock
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H 10.5 in W 15.5 in D 5.5 in
Lenzkirch Germany Wood And Dore Mantel Clock Circa 1890-1895
Located in Bridgeport, CT
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Black Forest Cuckoo Clock
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Antique Black Forest hand carved case wall clock
Located in Houston, TX
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Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Mantel Clocks

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Antique Black Forest hand carved case wall clock
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H 26 in W 21 in D 4.5 in
Previously Available Items
19th Century Twin Fusee Cuckoo Table Clock by Beha
By Johann Baptiste Beha
Located in Amersham, GB
This Black Forest cuckoo clock has a twin fusee movement complete with typical wooden plates and original bellows and pendulum. The case is made in the highest tradition of black for...
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1890s German Antique Black Forest Mantel Clocks

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Steel

19th Century French Black Forest Carved Walnut Mantel Clock
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in France circa 1860, the antique fruitwood clock stands on a thick recessed plinth decorated with leaf motifs; the clock has an arched top with volutes and finials on both s...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Mantel Clocks

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19th Century Large Hand-Carved Black Forest Mantel Clock
Located in London, GB
A large Black Forest mantle clock Constructed in carved linden wood, fitted with a two train 8 day striking clock movement; mounted on a shaped...
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19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Mantel Clocks

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Black Forest Clock with Owl Family
Located in Petaluma, CA
Offering here a wonderfully humorous and adorable Black Forest clock. The mother owl sits atop the clock with todays meal in her mouth as her little...
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Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Mantel Clocks

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19th Century Swiss Black Forest Carved Walnut Three-Piece Mantel Clock Set
Located in Dallas, TX
This monumental three-piece carved fruitwood cuckoo clock garniture set was carved in Switzerland, circa 1870, making it perfect for a mantel in the living room. The central timepiece features a beautiful rescue Saint Bernard dog at the pediment with intricate floral carvings throughout. Both vases feature hand carved bird and flower motifs and have the original cut-glass tulip flower...
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Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Mantel Clocks

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Stunning & Rare 19th Century Black Forest Carved Bears Mantle Clock Thermometer
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Wimbledon-Furniture Wimbledon-Furniture is delighted to offer for sale this stunning original 19th century black forest wood hand carved mantle clock and thermometer...
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19th Century European Antique Black Forest Mantel Clocks

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Late 19th Century Burr Walnut Mantle Clock by Lenzkirch
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Good quality burr walnut clock with Lenzkirch movement circa 1895. Lenzkirch were a clock makers in the Black Forest region of Germany, this one w...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Mantel Clocks

Materials

Walnut

Rare Original Black Forest Linden Wood Clock Garniture Set Original Candlesticks
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for salethis lovely original late 19th century Black Forest Linden wood clock garniture set with original candles Its very rare to find sets with the can...
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19th Century German Antique Black Forest Mantel Clocks

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Antique Carved Black Forest Mantel Clock, circa 1885
Located in Dallas, TX
This wonderful hand-carved Black Forest mantel clock depicts four birds at varying levels on branches and leaves. It dates to circa 1880s, which ...
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1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Mantel Clocks

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Wood

Sizable Antique & Hand-Carved Black Forest Wooden Adult Bear and Cub Table Clock
Located in Lisse, NL
Fine quality, handcrafted walnut mantel clock. This beautifully carved Black Forest clock depicts a sitting adult bear holding up a garland ...
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Early 20th Century German Black Forest Mantel Clocks

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Walnut

Monumental Black Forest Carved Mantel or Shelf Clock with Hunter and Dog
Located in Milford, NH
A monumental carved walnut black forest mantel or shelf clock sporting / hunting motif. Featuring a hunter with a long rifle or musket slung over his should...
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19th Century German Antique Black Forest Mantel Clocks

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Brass

Walnut Black Forest Mantle Clock and Candelabras, circa 1870
Located in Evergreen, CO
A nicely carved walnut clock featuring a family of three roe deer flanking a carved clock face with inlaid brass numerals. Two matching candelabras...
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Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Mantel Clocks

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Walnut

Black Forest mantel clocks for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Black Forest mantel clocks for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 19th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage mantel clocks created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with enamel, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Black Forest mantel clocks made in a specific country, there are Europe, and Switzerland 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 mantel clocks differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $7,950 and tops out at $7,950 while the average work can sell for $7,950.

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