Black Forest Animal Sculptures
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 Vintage Wooden Strolling Bear Handcarved in Brienz Ca. 1930s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Vintage Wooden Strolling Bear Handcarved in Brienz ca. 1930s
A large vintage statue of a walking bear. Made of lindenwood, finely handcarve...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Animal Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Antique Salt and Pepper Bowl with Wooden Carved Bear
Located in Berghuelen, DE
AAntique Salt and Pepper Bowl with Wooden Carved Bear
Item e7277
A small salt and pepper bowl made of pressed glass with tiny carved Black Forest ...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Animal Sculptures
Materials
Blown Glass, Wood
Austrian Majolica Dressed Bear Candelstick, circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
Austrian Majolica candelstick with a dressed bear holding a cone pine circa 1890.
Category
1890s Austrian Antique Black Forest Animal Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
A Wooden Carved Black Forest Bear Desk Set ca. 1920s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A Wooden Carved Black Forest Bear Desk Set ca. 1920s
Item e7286
A nicely carved Black Forest bear desk set for small utensils. Executed in Brienz, Switzerland around 1920. Very good ...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Animal Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Early 20th Century French Black Forest Carved Walnut Bear Sculpture Composition
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a ranch or hunt cabin with this beautifully executed, antique bear sculpture composition. Hand carved in France circa 1920 from one piece of frui...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Animal Sculptures
Materials
Walnut
Black Forest 1890s Carved Wooden Umbrella Stand Depicting a Bear Climbing a Tree
Located in Atlanta, GA
A large Black Forest carved wooden umbrella stand from the late 19th century, depicting a bear climbing a tree branch. Created during the last de...
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Black Forest Animal Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Carved Wooden Horse, Black Forest, 19th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Horse in front of a trough, carved wood, work of great finesse and delicacy
Good condition, restorations (almost invisible!) on the legs
Black Forest, similar to the work of Huggle...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Animal Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Vintage Wooden Walking Bear Handcarved in Brienz ca. 1930s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Wooden Walking Bear Handcarved in Brienz ca. 1930s
A vintage statue of a Black Forest walking bear. Made of lindenwood, finely handcarved with na...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Animal Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Antique Black Forest Carved Bear Form Table Top "Butler" Display
Located in Atlanta, GA
Exquisite Antique Black Forest Carved Bear Form Table Top "Butler" Display
A captivating blend of artistry and functionality, this ...
Category
20th Century German Black Forest Animal Sculptures
Materials
Glass, Wood
Vintage Wooden Strolling Bear Handcarved in Brienz ca. 1950
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Wooden Strolling Bear Handcarved in Brienz ca. 1950
A vintage statue of a walking bear. Made of lindenwood, finely handcarved with naturalistic details in Brienz, Switzerlan...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swiss Black Forest Animal Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Fine Carved Statue of a Staghound, circa 1920
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Fine Carved Statue of a Staghound, circa 1920
A wooden carved statue of a staghound. It is carved as half relief out of one piece of nutwood. Made in Brienz, Switzerland circa 1920....
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Animal Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Finely Carved Wood Chamois with Glass Vase, Brienz, circa 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Finely carved wood chamois with glass vase, Brienz, circa 1900.
A delicately hand carved wood sculpture of a chamois standing on a rocky base with three stump which features an antique glass vase inset. A very detailed and natural carving excecuted by one of the Swiss woodcarvers from the area of Brienz, circa 1900.
The tradition of wood carving...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Animal Sculptures
Materials
Wood, Blown Glass
19th Century Black Forest Cigar Holder of a Bear Holding a Barrel
Located in San Francisco, CA
the hand-carved standing bear with forward gaze and glass eyes holding a barrel for matches in front of a larger barrel for cigar storage; all over an oval carved base fitted with a ...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Animal Sculptures
Materials
Walnut
19th Century French Dog and Rabbit Gilt Bronze Sculpture Signed P. Lecourtier
By Prosper Lecourtier
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a shelf or man's office with this wonderful antique gilt sculpture composition. Created in France, circa 1890, the detailed artwork features a realistic pointer standing on ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Animal Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
19th Century 'Black Forest' Bear
Located in London, GB
A 'Black Forest' Bear
In naturalistically carved lindenwood, having glass eyes, head tilted aloft, prowls on all fours.
From the Brienz Area.
Brienz, in the Bernese Oberland, Sw...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Animal Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Set of Three 19th Century Black Forest Carvings
Located in Martlesham, GB
A set of three 19th century black forest carvings of bears in different poses, all three bears are in very good condition and having lovely crisp carving. Circa 1880.
Category
1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Animal Sculptures
Materials
Walnut
Rustic Black Forest Walnut Barometer
Located in Queens, NY
Rustic Black Forest (Late 19th Century) walnut wall barometer/thermometer with carved bird, deer and floral carving.
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Animal Sculptures
Materials
Metal
19th Century Black Forest Carved Monkey Sculpture
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
19th century Black Forest carved monkey sculpture.
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Animal Sculptures
Swiss Brienz Black Forest Hand-Carved Wood Candle Holder
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Black Forest hand-carved linden-wood hand carved candle holder/candlestick, circa 1900.
Black Forest sculptural art originates from the small mountain town Brienz, Switzerland co...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Animal Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Extraordinary Hand-Carved from Knot of a Tree, Folk Art Sculpture "Gorilla"
Located in Buffalo, NY
Unusual hand-carved from knot of a tree, Folk Art sculpture depicting a gorilla face, head, amazing life-like image, extremely well executed.
Category
1940s Unknown Vintage Black Forest Animal Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Pair of 19th Century French Painted Iron Bird Wall Trophies on Walnut Plaques
Located in Dallas, TX
These large heavy antique trophy plaques were created in France, circa 1880. Set on oval walnut board, each wall hanging decor feature a detailed spelter carved bird in high relief, ...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Black Forest Animal Sculptures
Materials
Spelter
19th Century French Black Forest Carved Walnut Cow Sculpture Composition
Located in Dallas, TX
This stately antique Black Forest sculpture composition was carved in France, circa 1860. The sculptural fruitwood work of art features a farm s...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Black Forest Animal Sculptures
Materials
Walnut
A pair of fine Black Forest hand carved linden wood bears, Swiss circa 1900
Located in Central England, GB
This delightful pair of Swiss/ German black forest carved linden wood seated bears is rarely available as an original pair. They are beautifully hand carved and are left and right ha...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Animal Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Collection of Four Black Forest Chamois Mounts of Carved Wood Plaques Priced per
Located in Buchanan, MI
Collection of four Black forest chamois mounts of carved wood plaques. Priced per mount.
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Animal Sculptures
Materials
Antler, Wood
Black Forest Carved Scottie Dog
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Black Forest Carved Scottie Dog
A Charming piece, our little dog has a lovely face with whiskers and amber brown glass eyes, he is in good Vintage condition, slight shrinkage to the...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Black Forest Animal Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Early 20th Century French Black Forest Carved Bear Sculpture with Gun Holder
Located in Dallas, TX
This interesting antique gun rack was carved in France, circa 1920. The oak sculpture features a young bear standing up with open arms. The wooden ani...
Category
Early 20th Century French Black Forest Animal Sculptures
Materials
Oak
Pair of Swiss 19th Century Carved Wooden Cattle Attributed to Johann Huggler
By Johann Huggler
Located in London, GB
A pair of Black Forest cattle
attributed to Johann Huggler
Carved in lindenwood, the naturalistically carved Swiss cow, calf and bull stand on elliptical bases of grass and rocky...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Animal Sculptures
Materials
Wood
19th century Carved Walnut Black Forest Bear / Cigar Holder
Located in San Francisco, CA
Late 19th century Continental carved walnut bear / cigar holder. In the style of Black Forest, German, Possibly Russian. The complex form of a classic dancing bear on hind legs. Stan...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Animal Sculptures
Materials
Walnut
Pair of Swiss 19th Century Carved Wooden Cattle
By Johann Huggler
Located in London, GB
A pair of Black Forest cattle, probably by Johann Huggler
Carved in lindenwood, the naturalistically carved swiss cow and bull stand on elliptical bases.
...
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Animal Sculptures
Materials
Wood
19th Century Black Forest Bear
By Black Forest
Located in London, GB
A large Black Forest bear in the form of stick stand on a rocky base with roaring expression, stained red tongue.
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Animal Sculptures
Materials
Walnut
Black Forest animal sculptures for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Black Forest animal sculptures 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 animal sculptures created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, folk art, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, glass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Black Forest animal sculptures 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 animal sculptures, popular names associated with this style include Black Forest, Black Forrest, A.W. Goebel, and Barney Bellinger. 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 animal sculptures differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $240 and tops out at $99,104 while the average work can sell for $2,440.