Black Forest 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.

Style: Black Forest

Creator: Black Forest

Large 19th Century Carved Black Forest Mantel Clock

By Black Forest

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 Clocks

Materials

Wood

Large 19th Century Carved Black Forest Mantel Clock

Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Black Forest Clocks

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Westminster chiming mantel clock

H 28.75 in W 18.9 in D 12.6 in

19th Century Antique Black Forest Mantle Clock

Located in Martlesham, GB

A superb quality 19th century walnut black forest mantle clock, the clock dial located at the centre within a rock face surrounded by various...

Category

1870s Swiss Antique Black Forest Clocks

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Antique Black Forest Mantle Clock

H 28 in W 16 in D 7 in

19th Century French Boulle Mantel Clock

By André-Charles Boulle

Located in Brighton, Sussex

A very good quality 19th century French Boulle inlaid mantel clock having wonderful classical brass inlay to the tortoiseshell ground, a gil...

Category

19th Century French Antique Black Forest Clocks

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Boulle Mantel Clock

H 44.89 in W 22.45 in D 8.27 in

Framed German Black Forest 19th Century Clock

Located in Baton Rouge, LA

Although this German Black Forest 19th century framed clock no longer works, the beauty of its composition gives it another life as a w...

Category

19th Century German Antique Black Forest Clocks

Materials

Metal

Framed German Black Forest 19th Century Clock

H 9.75 in W 7.63 in D 5.5 in

Large Black Forest Mantel Clock

Located in Cheshire, GB

19th century black forest mantel clock, with carved wood dial to the French eight day two train movement striking on a bell. The case with goat-herd and his dog, with an ibex on moun...

Category

19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Clocks

Materials

Walnut

Large Black Forest Mantel Clock

H 27 in W 23 in D 10 in

Mantel Clock 19th Century Empire

Located in Warsaw, PL

Figural mantel clock signed “Al. dre Destape Palais Royal” The bronze figural mantel clock depicting one of the mythical heroes - Orpheus originates from the Empire period. The cloc...

Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Clocks

Materials

Bronze

Mantel Clock 19th Century Empire

H 21.26 in W 13.39 in D 5.12 in

19th Century Chinoiserie Mantel Clock

Located in Charlottesville, VA

This is a unique clock. We love the red chinoiserie decoration.

Category

19th Century British Antique Black Forest Clocks

Materials

Metal

19th Century Chinoiserie Mantel Clock

H 28 in W 16 in D 8 in

19th Century Black Forest Clock

By Black Forest

Located in London, GB

A late 19th century walnut clock, very finely carved with four deer flanking the carved clock with roman numerals.

Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Clocks

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Black Forest Clock

H 21.66 in W 18.9 in D 11.03 in

19th Century French mantel clock

Located in Brighton, Sussex

A very good quality late 19th Century French gilded ormolu and patinated bronze mantel clock, having a seated cherub holding the rains of a winged dragon pulling a scrolling foliate ...

Category

1880s French Antique Black Forest Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

19th Century French mantel clock

H 20.87 in W 12.21 in D 5.52 in

19th Century Rustic Black Forest Grandfather Clock

Located in New York, NY

19th century rustic Black Forest grandfather clock composed of walnut elaborately carved with oak leaves and bears in high relief (Non-o...

Category

19th Century German Antique Black Forest Clocks

Materials

Metal

19th Century Rustic Black Forest Grandfather Clock

H 106 in W 25 in D 11 in

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 Clocks

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Black Forest Mantel Clock

H 23 in W 16 in D 9 in

French 19th Century Rococo Mantel Clock

Located in Brighton, Sussex

A very good quality 19th century French gilded ormolu Louis XVI style mantel clock, having wonderful scrolling foliate decoration in the Rococo style, garlands of flowers draped eith...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Clocks

Materials

Ormolu

French 19th Century Rococo Mantel Clock

H 22.84 in W 14.97 in D 8.27 in

Black Forest clocks for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Black Forest 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 clocks created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, wall decorations, folk art and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, walnut and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Black Forest clocks made in a specific country, there are Europe, Germany, and Switzerland pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original clocks, popular names associated with this style include Black Forest, and Johann Baptiste Beha. 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 clocks differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $700 and tops out at $65,000 while the average work can sell for $4,610.