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
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
Finely Carved Wood Chamois Brienz, Switzerland, circa 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Finely carved wood chamois Brienz, Switzerland circa 1900.
A delicately handcarved wood sculpture of a chamois standing on a rocky base. A very detailed and natural carving excecuted by one of the Swiss woodcarvers from the area of Brienz, ca. 1900.
The tradition of wood carving, using manual skills to make everyday objects and fine art sculptures, is found throughout Europe. The incentive to create not only useful but also aesthetically beautiful things, distinguishes the craftsman from the artist. In addition to the well-known Swiss wood carving...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Animal Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Large Group of Carved Cattles with Glass Vase Inset, Brienz ca. 1890
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Group of Carved Cattles with Glass Vase Inset, Brienz ca. 1890
A rare group of naturalistically carved cattles - bull, female cattle and young cattle standing around a stump. ...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Animal Sculptures
Materials
Cut Glass, Wood
A ‘Black Forest’ walnut plaque of the “Lion of Lucerne”
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A ‘Black Forest’ walnut plaque of the “Lion of Lucerne”, of rectangular form with a recess showing a dying lion resting on two shields, the motto “Helvetiorum Fidei Ac Virtuti dei X ...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Animal Sculptures
Materials
Walnut
Carved Wood Chamois Family by Ernst Heissl, Ebensee Austria, circa 1900
By Ernst Heissl
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Carved Wood Chamois Family by Ernst Heissl, Ebensee Austria, circa 1900
A handcarved wooden sculpture of a chamois group with buck, chamois and fawn. A v...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Animal Sculptures
Materials
Wood
19th Century Black Forest Bear Clothes Brush
Located in High Point, NC
19th century hand carved Black Forest clothes brush in the form of a bear. The bear is recumbent, and his face is so sweet - he will look good anywhere you decide to place him in yo...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Animal Sculptures
Materials
Fruitwood
19th Century Italian Carved Monkey Butler
Located in Bradenton, FL
A finely carved wooden monkey butler figure on stand, glass eyes, open mouth with teeth, made to hold a tray in its outstretched arms / hands, Italian ea...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Black Forest Animal Sculptures
Materials
Wood
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
Large Pair of Carved Black Forest Trophy Plaques depicting Deer, a Hare, and Fox
Located in London, GB
A pair of large black forest game plaques
Expertly carved in lindenwood, the shaped plaques, carved with oak leaves, depict a buck and a r...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Animal Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Black Forest Wooden Carved Begging Dog, Brienz, ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Black Forest Wooden Carved Begging Dog, Brienz, ca. 1900
A whimsical Swiss wood carving, a long hair terrier is begging with his masters hat besid...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Animal Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Carved Black Forest Style Cane Stand with Bear Figure
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A very solid black forest style bear carving serving as a cane and umbrella stand. A standing bear figure holding the open oval support for umbrellas and ...
Category
20th Century Black Forest Animal Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Black Forest 1900s Hand Carved Wooden Buck Head Mounted on Shield Plate
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swiss Black Forest hand carved wooden buck head wall sculpture from the turn of the century, with shield plate. Born in the early years of the 20th century...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Animal Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Rustic Black Forest Carved Bear Humidor
Located in Queens, NY
Rustic Black Forest (19th Cent) carved walnut humidor in the shape of a bear figure standing near tree stump (with ashtray and covered container)
Category
19th Century European Antique Black Forest Animal Sculptures
Materials
Walnut
Pair of Vintage German Carved Black Forest Mounted Deer Wall Sculptures
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Set of two similar Black Forest carved and hand-painted 'stag' sculptures with real antlers mounted to decorative 'wreath' plaques for wall hanging (ca. 1930s/40s, Germany).
One deer...
Category
1940s German Vintage Black Forest Animal Sculptures
Materials
Antler, Wood, Paint
Wooden Sculpture Cat with Rabbit Handcarved ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Wooden Sculpture Cat with Rabbit Handcarved ca. 1900s
A hand-carved wooden sculpture depicting a cat in a flowing robe gently holding a rabbit in her arms. She carries a large, drap...
Category
Early 1900s Swiss Antique Black Forest Animal Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Large Wooden Wild Boar Handcarved in Brienz ca. 1930s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Wooden Wild Boar Handcarved in Brienz ca. 1930s
This hand-carved wooden sculpture depicts a dynamic wild boar in full motion and captivates with its detailed representation of...
Category
1930s Swiss Vintage Black Forest Animal Sculptures
Materials
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
Black Forest 1900s Carved Wooden Plaque with Chamois Motif, Foliage and Mirror
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Black Forest period carved wooden plaque from the early 20th century, with chamois motif, foliage and petite mirror. Hand-Carved in Switzerland during the early years of the 20th century, this wooden Black Forest plaque draws our attention with its chamois head emerging from an oval medallion, surrounded by scrolling leaves wrapped around a branch. The lower section showcases a petite oval mirror...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Animal Sculptures
Materials
Mirror, Wood
Antique tobacco box carved wood and bronze
Located in Vienna, AT
Antique rare tobacco box carved from wood with bronze mount
naturalistic dog head
Category
1880s Antique Black Forest Animal Sculptures
Materials
Wood
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
$1,595 Sale Price
20% Off
Early 20th Century 'Black Forest' Stick & Umbrella Stand Bear
Located in North Miami, FL
Early 20th century Swiss 'Black Forest' stick & umbrella stand in the form of a charming bear with inset glass eyes. Arms outstretched in a hug-like form the piece will fit perfectly in a front foyer or boot room...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Animal Sculptures
Materials
Metal
$10,000 Sale Price
20% Off
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
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
$11,642 / set
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
$1,850 Sale Price
32% Off
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
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
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
Early Deer Antler Mount on Black Forest Carved Wood Plaque
Located in Buchanan, MI
Early Deer Antler Mount On Black Forest Carved Wood Plaque.
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Animal Sculptures
Materials
Antler, Wood
19th Century German Black Forest’ Jardinière
By Black Forest
Located in North Miami, FL
19th century German Black Forest’ Jardinière of substantial size constructed in a profoundly dimensional carved wood, rising from round base, with ...
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Animal Sculptures
Materials
Wood
$7,600 Sale Price
20% Off
Collection of Five Black Forest Roe Mounts on Carved Wood Plaques Priced per mou
Located in Buchanan, MI
Collection of five Black Forest roe mounts on carved wood plaques. Priced per mount.
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Animal Sculptures
Materials
Antler, Wood
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.
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