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: 20th Century
Masterly Carved Black Forest Wall Barometer with Fern Plants and Eagle Sculpture
Located in Lisse, NL
Hand carved, solid walnut antique barometer with maker's mark.
This rare Black Forest barometer depicting an incredibly detailed and finest quality also has the most beautiful patin...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Clocks
Materials
Brass, Zinc
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 Clocks
Materials
Wood
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 Clocks
Materials
Wood, Antler
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 Clocks
Materials
Brass, Iron
Antique Swiss or German Black Forest Styled Hand-Carved & Painted Pedestal
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique hand-carved and polychromed painted pedestal is unsigned, but presumed to be either Swiss or German and date to approximately 1920 and done in the traditional, Black For...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Clocks
Materials
Softwood
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Vintage Carved Wood and Poly Chrome Painted Figural Musical Clock Figurine
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Black Chinoiserie Georgian Style Chiming English Mantel Clock, circa 1900
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Previously Available Items
Antique German Schatz & Sohne Black Forest 8 Day Stag Hunt Cuckoo Clock 17"
By Schatz
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique German Schatz & Sohne Black Forest eight day cuckoo clock. Features hunt / game / taxidermy theme with carved deer / stag , rabbit, bird and mantel with gun and tote. Cast iron acorn weights.
Schatz Clock Company aka Jahresuhrenfabrik (Est. Mid 1850s) was founded by August Schatz and Anton Harder in the Black Forest region of Triburg, Germany. It was first registered in 1881 as Schatz & Wintermantel, and was re-structured in 1884 as Jahresuhrenfabrik A.G. It was registered again in1897 as Jahresuhrenfabrik GmbH, and finally in 1923 as Jahresuhrenfabrik August Schatz & Sohne.
The German word, ‘Jahresuhrenfabrik’ means ‘Year Clock Factory’ and is appropriate as the founders committed to producing clocks that could accurately keep time over a long period with a minimum of winding or other maintenance. In the late 19th century, August Schatz worked with inventor Anton Harder with the goal of making an accurate clock that only needed winding once a year. They almost succeeded when they made the 400-day, or Anniversary, clock but it wasn’t as accurate as they’d hoped.
Today, the company is known for two types of clocks with different ‘life spans’ for the winding: the Schatz 400-day clock and the 1000-day clock. This far exceeded the other leading clocks of the time which required winding every week or so. The 400-day clock was a sensation in part because it could be wound once yearly, often in association with a special event like a birthday or other anniversary. This made Schatz clocks ideal for gifts.
Harder sold his patent is 1884 to F.A.L. deGruyter of Amsterdam and they continued the production of Jahresuhrenfabrik clocks, but they allowed the patent to expire.
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Rare Antique George Kuehl German Black Forest Figural Walnut Cuckoo Clock
Located in Dayton, OH
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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...
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Sizable Antique & Hand-Carved Black Forest Wooden Wall Clock w. Brass Pendulum
Located in Lisse, NL
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Free Shipping
H 31.3 in W 14.6 in D 8 in
Magnificent German Black Forest Spread Winged Eagle Cuckoo Wall Clock, 20th Cent
By Black Forest
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H 54 in W 27 in D 12 in
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Black Forest Carved Wood Cuckoo Clock with Bird on Top
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A detailed hand carved wooden cuckoo clock, decorated with oak leaves, birds nest and a large bird on top. Black Forest, Germany, circa 1900. Clockwork in working condition, overwork...
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Antique Wooden Carved Wall Clock with Brass Applications
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A lovely hand carved wooden wall clock decorated with several brass applications. Manufactured in Germany, circa 1920. Clockwork cleaned and overworked - in working order.
Measure...
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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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