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Black Forest Table Clocks and Desk 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
Large Masterly Carved Swiss Black Forest Nutwood Chalet with Clock and Music Box
Located in Lisse, NL
Top quality, hand carved and truly impressive antique clock with 8 music melodies. 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 clock with musical box of this size and with such amazing natural details and patina AND with the original clock and music box inside. And if that was not enough, this finest of Black Forest clocks is top quality carved from top to bottom in the form of a detailed Swiss chalet. Mind you, this very rare antique clock is entirely hand carved out of nutwood only, which is another sign of the quality of the workmanship and the richness of materials. We have added a large variety of photos so that you can see the many incredibly detailed parts of this Swiss chalet, such as the roof and chimney, the many doors, the stacked lumber outside, the doghouse, the outhouse on the side, the striking balconies, the goose sticking its head out through the balcony, the picked fence, the ladder going up to the barn loft, the clock inside the facade of the house, the music box cilinder in the base etc etc. This antique clock from the 1800s really comes with the most realistically carved chalet house you will ever see. To us, that too is a sign that this Black Forest music box...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Brass, Iron, Enamel

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 Table Clocks and Desk 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...
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19th Century French Antique Black Forest Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Wood

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 Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Wood

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1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

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19th Century Swedish Fryksdahl Painted Wood Floor Clock with Carved Crest
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19th Century Swedish Antique Black Forest Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

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Exquisite Swedish 19th Century Clock with Carved Crest and Volutes on the Base
Located in Atlanta, GA
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Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Black Forest Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

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Wall Clock Leather Brass, 1960s
Located in Hausmannstätten, AT
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Materials

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Wall Clock Leather Brass, 1960s
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H 25.2 in W 12.6 in D 0.99 in
19th Century French Antique Round Wooden Clock - Napoleon III Wall Décor
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
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Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

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19th Century Black Marble Mantel Clock
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This elegant antique French mantel clock is crafted from exquisite black marble, showcasing timeless sophistication and 19th-century charm. The clock features a circular enamel dial ...
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19th Century Black Marble Mantel Clock
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H 13.39 in W 9.85 in D 5.91 in
Vintage Black Forest Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1930s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Black Forest Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1930s A vintage roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved plaque. The plaque is edged with carved intertwined br...
Category

1930s German Vintage Black Forest Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Antler, Wood

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Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
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1920s German Vintage Black Forest Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

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Antique Carved Black Forest Mantel Clock, circa 1885
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Monumental Black Forest Carved Mantel or Shelf Clock with Hunter and Dog
Located in Milford, NH
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19th Century Black Forest Clock
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19th century black forest clock. Hand-carved wood with a 30 hour time only movement.
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19th Century German Antique Black Forest Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

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19th Century Black Forest Clock
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Large Black Forest Hand-Carved Mantel Clock with Saint Bernard Dogs
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An excellent quality 19th century Swiss Black Forest carved mantel clock hand-carved of Linden wood. Very well executed with traditional theme of life saving St. Bernard dogs carrying whisky barrels...
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19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

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

Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Table Clocks and Desk Clocks

Materials

Antler, Wood

Austrian Lodge Style Antler Mantel Clock, 1900
Austrian Lodge Style Antler Mantel Clock, 1900
H 35.44 in W 27.96 in D 11.82 in

Black Forest table clocks and desk clocks for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Black Forest table clocks and desk 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 table clocks and desk clocks created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, walnut and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Black Forest table clocks and desk clocks made in a specific country, there are Europe, Switzerland, and France 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 table clocks and desk clocks differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $2,400 and tops out at $44,734 while the average work can sell for $9,800.

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