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.
Black Forest Woodcarving ''Men with pipe'' 1923
Located in Den Haag, NL
Beautiful handmade Black Forest Woodcarving . Tiroler men with Pipe . Very nice quality carving . signed with a monogram M O . and underneath the place where it was made . and dated...
Pearwood
Black Forest Wood Carving of a Mountain Goat
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A charming small ‘Black Forest’ wood carving of a mountain goat and her kids.
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...
Wood
19th Century Black Forest Carving
Located in Martlesham, GB
19th century walnut Black Forest carving of a eagle perched on a rock with a deer below, lovely crisp carving and fabulous quality, circa 1880.
Walnut
Swiss Black Forest Carved Wood Owl With Glass Eyes, Early 1900s
Located in London, GB
A delightful decorative carved wood owl. This finely hand carved Black Forest owl sculpture demonstrates incredible workmanship and attention to detail, along with his/her beautiful...
Wood
$1,875
H 10.13 in W 7 in D 5 in
Swiss Brienz Black Forest Hand-Carved Wood Bear Pipe Tobacco Holder Stand
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Black Forest hand-carved linden-wood hand-carved pipe tobacco holder stand also have seen examples of it used as a decanter or liqueur Stand with the holders being used for shot or small glasses. Modeled as hiking bear with walking stick...
Wood
$495 / item
H 10 in W 8 in D 5 in
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.
Antler, Wood
Antique Swiss Black Forest Wood and Marble Lucerne Lion Carving
By Black Forest
Located in Newark, England
Mounted on a Black Marble Plinth From our Black Forest collection, we are delighted to introduce this Swiss Black Forest Lucerne Lion Carving. The Lucern...
Marble
$3,944
H 16.8 in W 11 in D 8 in
Playful Antique Black Forest Bear Family Liquor Tantalus with Glasses & Decanter
By Black Forest
Located in Lisse, NL
All hand-carved, Victorian Era, Black Forest hiking bear and cub, liquor tantalus set. This finely carved Black Forest drinks set, dates from circa 1880 and it is both decorative an...
Glass, Wood
$1,180Sale Price|20% Off
H 12.5 in W 5.88 in D 5.75 in
Swiss Brienz Black Forest Hand-Carved Wood Grizzly Bear
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Black Forest hand-carved linden-wood hand-carved grizzly bear with glass eyes and enamel painted mouth with fangs/teeth showing on a thick base, circa 1900. See our other items for m...
Wood
Large Carved Wood Chamois Sculpture, Black Forest, circa 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Carved Wood Chamois Sculpture, Black Forest, circa 1900 An expressive naturalistic carved large chamois sculpture standing on a rocky base. It is handcarved and stainied linde...
Wood
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...
Wood
Classic Antique Black Forest Carved Bracket with Stag’s Head
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Antique black forest hand-carved stag’s mounted on the support with an oak leaf surround. With a shaped top shelf with canted corners. Excellent detailing ...
Wood
Black Forest Canterbury
Located in New York, NY
Intricately carved Black Forest Canterbury or magazine rack. Designed in a swirled leaf pattern with horned grotesque figures on each corner.
Hardwood
Pair Of Large Mounted Black Forest Chamois Taxidermy
Located in London, GB
A Pair of Large Mounted Black Forest Chamois Taxidermy – Male & Female This impressive pair of chamois taxidermy features both a male and female, beautifully preserved and displayed...
Wood
Set of Five Vintage Italian Alabaster Stone Fruits
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Set of five Vintage Italian alabaster stone fruits A assortment of five vintage handcarved alabaster stone fruits. Handcarved in Italy in the second halve of the 20th century. The s...
Alabaster
Vintage Hand-Carved Nativity Scene from Germany
By Black Forest
Located in Den Haag, NL
Vintage hand-carved wooden nativity scene from Germany. Unique set of 5 figurines. Mary with child. 1 boy kneel down 1 girl standing, all in ov...
Fruitwood
‘Black Forest’ Carving of Two Quarrelling Golden Eagles
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A ‘Black Forest’ carving of two quarrelling golden eagles, the linden wood carving with one bird attempting to displace the other bird from the top of a r...
Wood
19th Century Black Forest Bull
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
Fine quality late 19th century Black forest bull. The carver has caught the power and strength of this majestic animal, circa 1870 For similar examp...
Wood
Sold
H 10.5 in W 13 in D 0.1 in
Fine 'Black Forest' Linden Wood Model of a Standing Bull, Swiss, circa 1890
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A fine 'Black Forest' linden wood model of a standing bull, Swiss, circa 1890.
Wood
Sold
H 9.45 in W 4.4 in D 3.35 in
Antique Top Quality Carved Swiss Black Forest Land Worker / Male Sower Sculpture
Located in Lisse, NL
Best ever carved, black forest sculpture with sculptor's monogram This antique is for the collectors and connoisseurs, because the quality in the details of this relatively small Black Forest sculpture is simply phenomenal. This is the best and finest carved black forest sculpture we have ever seen and we feel that it belongs in a museum of fine arts. The details in the carved hair, in this man's facial features, in the amazing basket, in this man's hands, in the way his antique clothes...
Wood
Pair of Antique Mounted Horns
Located in Stockton, NJ
A pair of antique mounted horns. Coordinating mounts and style.
Horn, Wood
Deer Antler, Carved Wood and Metal Umbrella Stand German, 1910s
Located in New York, NY
Deer antler, carved wood and metal umbrella stand found at an estate sale in Nuremberg, Germany. Probably dates around 1910. The shaft is a beautifully carved piece of wood.
Metal
Black Forest Decorative Plate
Located in Denton, TX
Antique Black Forest wine plate with carved grapes and leaves can also be hung on the wall.
Wood
Sold
H 9.44 in W 6.5 in D 8.66 in
Antique Top Quality Carved Black Forest Bear Sculpture and Striking Deskpiece
Located in Lisse, NL
Incredible craftsmanship from the early 1900s or late 1800s. This type of detail and finesse in Black Forest carvings is a rare find. The quality of the natural poisture, the fat on...
Wood