Black Forest Desk Accessories
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
Wooden Black Forest Casket with Antlers Decoration circa 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Wooden Black Forest casket with antlers decoration circa 1900s
A marvelous rustic wooden casket or cigar box. It is made of handcarved pine wood p...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Desk Accessories
Materials
Antler, Wood
Hand-Carved Wooden and Glass Inkwell with Dog Figure, 1920s
Located in Barntrup, DE
Beautiful Black Forest style hand-carved linden wood inkwell with a realistic dog figure with glass eyes. The stand includes a designated rest for pens and accessories in the front, ...
Category
1920s Swiss Vintage Black Forest Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass, Wood
Black Forest Porcelain Figure Fox Handpainted Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Completely handmade porcelain figure with a hands-free naturalistic hand-painted fox in brown colors in the style of Black Forest. Handmade in Bavaria/Germany by Sofina Boutique Kitz...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Desk Accessories
Materials
Porcelain
Rare Antler Desk Standish with Elaborate Carvings, Germany ca. 1840
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Rare Antler Desk Standish with Elaborate Carvings, Germany ca. 1840
A rare antique writing desk set made of wood and original antlers decorated with fine carved hunting scenes depic...
Category
Mid-19th Century German Antique Black Forest Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood, Antler
Black Forest Wood Carved Brienz Bear Inkwell German Vintage, 1890s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic 1890s black forest Brienz wood carved inkwell in form of a Bear. Nice addition to your room or just for use it on your desk. Made of hand carved wood and glass eyes. Found at...
Category
1890s German Antique Black Forest Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood
Black Forest Carved Bear with Pen Inkwell
By Black Forest
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Walking bear pen holder and inkwell. Published in "Black Forest Bears and Swiss Woodcarvings," plate 92a. Book included.
In the 1800’s the wood carving industry of Switzerland started in the town of Brienz. By the end of the 1800’s it had become the driving force for this industry. Swiss wood carvers became world renown and featured at many international exhibitions.
Period: 1900
Origin: Switzerland
Size: 4" H x 7" W
Family Owned & Operated
Cisco’s Gallery deals in the rare, exceptional, and one-of-a-kind pieces that define the history of America and the Old West. Our pieces range from American Indian to Cowboy Western and include original items of everyday life, commerce, art, and warfare that tamed America’s frontier. Our 14,000 square foot gallery opened in 1996 in beautiful Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
Personal Service
Cisco’s operates on old fashioned values – honesty and integrity, and all of our items are backed by our money back guarantee. We appreciate the opportunity to earn your business. Whether you desire assistance with a jewelry purchase, choosing a gift, identification, or even selling – we hope to be your trusted source.
Black Forest, Brienz Collection, Carvings, Bears, Inkwells, Desk Accessories...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood
Black Forest Wood Carved Brienz House Inkwell German Vintage, 1890s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic 1890s Black Forest Brienz wood carved inkwell in form of a cabin. Nice addition to your room or just for use it on your desk. Made of hand carved wood and glass eyes. Found a...
Category
1890s German Antique Black Forest Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass, Wood
Hand-Carved Wooden Inkwell Desk Set with Owl Figures, 1930s
Located in Barntrup, DE
Beautiful Black Forest style hand-carved wooden double inkwell with a majestic owl figure sitting on two books. The owl has glass eyes, and the Stand has a tray for pen and accessori...
Category
1930s German Vintage Black Forest Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Antique Black Forest Brienz Hand-Carved Figural Dog Inkwell
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique inkwell is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from Austria and date to approximately 1920 and done in the period Black Forest style. The inkwell is composed of a ...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Desk Accessories
Materials
Art Glass, Softwood
Black Forest Hand-Painted Porcelain Bambi Figur Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hand painted porcelain bambi figure. Hand painted in a naturalistic style. The bambi figure is completely handmade in Bavaria.
About Sofina porcelain:
Sofina porcelain was found 20...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Desk Accessories
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Photo Album with Wooden Carved Cover, Brienz ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Photo Album with Wooden Carved Cover, Brienz ca. 1900
A great antique photo album featuring a lindenwood carved cover depicting grapes, vines ...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood
Antique French Black Forest Carved Inkwell with Oak Leaves and Birds, Circa 1890
Located in Dallas, TX
More information coming soon…
Hand-carved in France, circa 1890, this Black Forest inkwell is incredibly detailed with motifs of oak leaves and a pair of birds. The two birds (a fl...
Category
1890s French Antique Black Forest Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass, Wood
Finely Carved 'Black Forest' Pipe Stand
By Black Forest
Located in Forest Row, East Sussex
A finely carved "Black Forest' pipe stand. Carved Lindenwood with a single bear standing over a naturalistic base with the pipe holders and astray to fron...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood
19th Century Black Forest Carved Walnut Dog and Cat Head Inkwells with Pen Rest
Located in Haarlem, NL
Very cute set of two 19th century Black Forest, Schwarzwald, Forêt Noir carved walnut dog and cat heads with glass eyes and ink well with log pen rest.
Intricate carved detail to hair, teeth, eyes and paws.
The cat has green glass eyes, has painted stripes and the log is painted darker. The inkwell insert...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass, Bone, Walnut
Antique Black Forest Carved Wooden Pug Inkwell, 19th Century Dog Carving
Located in Bristol, GB
Antique Carving in the Form of a Dog
Raised up on his hind legs, the head with original glass eyes tilts back to reveal the original glass inkwell ins...
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Rare black Forest rooster inkwell 19th century Swiss glass eyes hand carved
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Gorgeous most rare Swiss Black Forest 19th century Inkwell / desk accessory fully hand carved displaying a dog wearing a hat and monocle.
Detailed carving by a master carver. Comes w...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass, Wood
Antique Business Card Tray with Deer Antler Decorations, Germany, ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Business card tray with deer horn antler decorations, Germany ca. 1900
A rustic business card tray, made of turned nut wood with deer antle...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Black Forest Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood
Antique Anglo-Indian Vizagapatam Stag Antler Horn Slope Top Writing Desk c 1800s
Located in Chicago, IL
Stag Antler Table Top Desk Secretary or rather as described by a British expert: an Anglo-Indian Stag Antler Writing Slope Table Top Desk, late 19th century from Vizagapatam, which was the headquarters of the Vizagapatam District of Madras during the British period. Stag Antler anything is rare and unusual today, especially when it is completely covered in carved strips of Natural unpolished Antler. Finding Stag Antler Writing Desks are beyond rare and in our 30-years in the Antique business...
Category
1870s Indian Antique Black Forest Desk Accessories
Materials
Sandalwood, Leather, Antler, Bone
Large Exceptional Swiss Black Forest double inkwell desk decoration 19th Century
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Gorgeous most rare Swiss Black Forest 19th century double Inkwell / desk accessory fully hand carved displaying a bird eating nuts & floral leaves / walnuts.
Carved by a master carve...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass, Wood
Set of Three Natural Antler Tips & Brass Desk Accessories
Located in North Miami, FL
This set of three (3) natural antler tips desk accessories are backed with brass base. Perfect for an executive desk, two paperweights and a letter opener. Rich natural coloring an...
Category
Late 20th Century American Black Forest Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
Rare Cigar Holder Bavarian 19th Century Terracotta
Located in Hudson, NY
Rare victorian terracotta and pipe clay cigar holder, late nineteenth century. Produced by the J&C China company of Bavaria.
Made for holding cig...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Desk Accessories
Materials
Terracotta
Black Forest Carved Bear with Pen Inkwell
By Black Forest
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Swiss bear with log pen rest and inkwell. Published in "Black Forest Bears and Swiss Woodcarvings," plate 93a. Book included.
In the 1800’s the wood carving...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood
Black Forest Carved Dog Inkwell
By Black Forest
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Swiss carved black Forest shaggy dog inkwell with pen holder. In the 1800’s the wood carving industry of Switzerland started in the town of Brienz. By the ...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood
Large Antique Black Forest Novelty Inkwell, Dog, circa 1890
Located in Bath, GB
A superbly carved figural Black Forest inkwell in the form of a Dog's head, with great detail and retaining two large glass eyes.
The hinged lid opens to reveal an inner ink chamber...
Category
1890s Swiss Antique Black Forest Desk Accessories
A Black Forest carved wood inkwell with wheat sheafs and poultry
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A Black Forest carved wood inkwell with wheat sheafs and poultry, made of ebonised fruitwood naturalistically carved with a cockerel and hen perched on a rocky outcrop, bundles of wh...
Category
1890s Swiss Antique Black Forest Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood
Late 19th Century Black Forest Carved Inkwell and Pen Rest with Bear
Located in Barntrup, DE
Black Forest carved inkwell and pen rest with a bear, late 19th century.
This antique, dark brown, linden wood inkwell is masterfully carved and features a detailed figure of a bear ...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Desk Accessories
Materials
Glass, Wood
Vintage Black Forest Bear Pen Rest, German, Bronze, Marble, Decor, Desk Stand
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage Black Forest bear pen rest. A German, bronze and marble decorative desk Stand, dating to the late 20th century, circa 1970.
Highly distinctive desk Stand with charm...
Category
Late 20th Century German Black Forest Desk Accessories
Materials
Marble, Bronze
Beautiful French Angel Face Cast-Iron Inkwell France Antique, 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1900s French metal inkwell. Nice addition to your room or just for use it on your desk. Made of cast iron and glass. Marked with a number and letters. Found at an estat...
Category
Early 20th Century French Black Forest Desk Accessories
Materials
Wood
Wood Black Forest Brienz Carved Walnut Inkwell German Antique, 1890s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1890s Black Forest Brienz wood carved inkwell in form of a walnut on a leaf. Nice addition to your room or just for use it on your desk. Made of hand carved wood and gl...
Category
1890s German Antique Black Forest Desk Accessories
Materials
Metal
Antique Antler Smoking Desk Set, circa 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
The antique antler smoking desk set is made of original antlers from the deer and the stag. It was in Germany, circa 1900.
Measures: Width 16.93" (43cm)
Height 11.42" (29cm)
Antle...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Desk Accessories
Materials
Antler
Antique Wooden Carved Horse Paper Weight, circa 1920
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A great wooden carved head of a horse. It is mounted on a wooden base - usable as desk decoration or paper weight. Made in Germany ca. 1920.
Measures:...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Desk Accessories
Materials
Walnut
Italy Set of Two Black Faux Horn Bowls in Black Forest Style
Located in Brescia, IT
Italy set of two black faux horn and metal chrome bowls in mountain style contemporary production.
Set of two decorative objects in Black Forest style....
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Black Forest Desk Accessories
Materials
Silver Plate
Antique Brass Bronze Black Forest Figural 3 Bears Desk Pen Tray Trinket Holder
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Brass Bronze Black Forest Figural 3 Bears Desk Pen Tray Trinket Holder. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 1.5" H x 12.25" W x 10" D.
Category
Mid-20th Century Black Forest Desk Accessories
Materials
Brass
C19th Carved Wood and Velvet Black Forest Inkwell with Dog
Located in London, GB
Wonderful German late 19th century carved wood black Forest inkwell. Beautifully carved with a seated dog on a naturalistic base of ferns and foliage, the cut glass inkwells retaining their original leaf carved stoppers...
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Desk Accessories
Materials
Velvet, Cut Glass, Wood
Black Forest desk accessories for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Black Forest desk accessories for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage desk accessories created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, more furniture and collectibles, folk art and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Black Forest desk accessories made in a specific country, there are Europe, Switzerland, and Germany pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original desk accessories, popular names associated with this style include Black Forest, Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel, and N. Deneffe. 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 desk accessories differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $175 and tops out at $8,052 while the average work can sell for $1,332.