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.
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Style: Black Forest
Period: 19th Century
Rare Folk Art Black Forest Root Wood Table Clock w. Bell Ringer Monk, Cuckoo St.
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare and great folk-art workmanship mantel clock for the collectors and enthousiasts.
Over the years we have had the pleasure of owning and selling a number of beautiful Black Forest antiques, but never did we come accross a 19th century Black Forest, Folk Art table clock of this design and subject matter and with such amazing natural organic details. This small church or chapel-like 'clockhouse' is entirely handcrafted out of all kinds of wood, but the most eye-catching is ofcourse the organic root wood. Each piece is like an abstract sculpture and depending on how you see things, they may look like one thing to you, but like something completely different to the next person. Because of all the natural materials that were used this small church has a stunning organic look and feel, but what really takes it to another level is the bell striking mechanism. Every six hours the church bell will ring many times, the door on the left will open at every 'strike', revealing the original monk sculpture inside (as shown in the attached video in this listing). With the hand carved crucifix on the right side being made of the same color and materials, it totally blends in with the entire organic design of this Christian antique. Over the many decades this good size and rare antique clock has also grown the most amazing patina and with the natural beauty and unique artisanship that it radiates people will want to stop and study its uniqueness. This work-of-art-table-clock comes with a single day clock mechanism, protected from dust by the original 'back door'. It runs and strikes perfectly and comes with an antique key for winding it. Apart from a few minor imperfections, this rare antique is in excellent condition, which makes it perfect for lovers of unique and rare clocks in general and for Black Forest and Christian Folk Art collectors in particular.
Mind you, our fair price for this sizable antique cuckoo clock...
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Clocks
Materials
Brass, Iron
Large Antique Black Forest Carved Cuckoo Clock with Stag Head
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Antique Black Forest Carved Cuckoo Clock with Stag Head
A large handcarved wooden cuckoo clock, decorated with hunting accessoires, oak leaves, hare, pheasant and a stag head ...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Clocks
Materials
Wood
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 Clocks
Materials
Glass, Wood
Antique Black Forest Carved Cuckoo Clock with Stag Head on Top
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Antique Black Forest Carved Cuckoo Clock with Stag Head
A large handcarved wooden cuckoo clock, decorated with hunting accessoires, oak leaves, hare, pheasant and a stag head ...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Clocks
Materials
Wood
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...
Category
1890s German Antique Black Forest Clocks
Materials
Steel
Antique Cabin Antler Wall Clock with Deer Head Austria ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Cabin Antler Wall Clock with Deer Head Austria ca. 1900
A large rustic antler wall clock. The wooden case is richly decorated with plaster applications, a plaster deer...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Clocks
Materials
Plaster, Wood, Antler
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 clocks...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Clocks
Materials
Wood
Antique Cabin Antler Wall Clock with Deer and Chamois Austria ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Cabin Antler Wall Clock with Deer and Chamois Austria ca. 1900
A great rustic antler wall clock. The wooden case is richly decorated with plaster applications, a plaster deer...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Clocks
Materials
Wood, Plaster, Antler
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 Clocks
Materials
Wood
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
Carved Swiss Black Forest Chalet Clock, circa 1880
Located in Evergreen, CO
Intricate, painstaking detail is featured in this rare and magnificent, hand-carved, Black Forest chalet clock, which has professionally restored woodwork...
Category
1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Clocks
Materials
Walnut
19th Century Highly Carved French Oak Sculpture of a Man Harvesting Wine Grapes
Located in Dallas, TX
This beautiful sculpture has been carved from solid French oak during the latter half of the 19th century. The style is that of Black Forest, with realistic depictions of branches, leaves, grapes, and more. Originally a French clock, most of the timing mechanisms have long been removed. The elaborate carving depicts a man harvesting wine grapes on rocky terrain dotted with vegetation. Our gatherer, who is clad in an overcoat and large brimmed hat, is carrying a hod (hotte in French) full of freshly picked grapes. A large wooden bucket...
Category
19th Century French Antique Black Forest Clocks
Materials
Wood
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...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Clocks
Materials
Walnut
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 Clocks
Materials
Wood
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 ato...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Black Forest Clocks
Materials
Hardwood
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 Clocks
Materials
Wood
Black Forest Walnut Bird Mantel Clock
Located in New York, 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 Clocks
Materials
Glass, Walnut
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 Clocks
Materials
Enamel
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
Large Swiss Black Forest Hand Carved Wall Clock Plaque with Pheasant Sculptures
Located in Lisse, NL
This large Swiss masterpiece wall plaque with clock is in perfect condition.
The realistic and detailed carving consists of a pair of pheasant, a bird's nest, fine leafs and branche...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Clocks
Materials
Wood
Large Antique Victorian Era Black Forest Wall Clock Frame w. Fruits of the Hunt
Located in Lisse, NL
Incredible size and great quality black forest hunting plaque for wall mounting.
This rare size and all hand-carved, solid nutwood game p...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Clocks
Materials
Nutwood
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
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
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...
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Clocks
Materials
Brass
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Late 19th Century Burr Walnut Mantle Clock by Lenzkirch
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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.
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