Black Forest 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
A Remarkable 19th Century Sculptured Rosewood & Buckhorn Hatstand
Located in Hastings, GB
A Remarkable 19th Century Sculptured Rosewood & Buckhorn Hatstand
This remarkable and extremely rare hatstand / porte manteau is quite something. Exquisitely crafted from rosewood a...
Category
Mid-19th Century German Antique Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Rosewood
Antique Victorian era Hand Carved Black Forest Bull Sculpture Wall Bracket
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning large carved wooden bull wall shelf.
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 wall bull bracket of this size and with such amazing natural details and warm patina. This marvelously handcrafted and good condition, bull sculpture wall shelf...
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Fine Art Antique Hand Carved Wooden Black Forest Trophy-Like Deer Wall Sculpture
Located in Lisse, NL
Finest quality carved, Victorian era, Black Forest deer / stag wall sculpture.
One of the main reasons for people wanting to own and enjoy antiques is for their decorative appeal an...
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Antique Carved Wooden Black Forest Standing Bear Sculpture Table / Desk Lamp
Located in Lisse, NL
Beautiful quality and perfect condition bear desk lamp.
If you are a collector of rare, very good quality and highly decorative Black Forest bear sculptures then this fine specimen...
Category
Early 20th Century European Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Glass, Hide, Wood, Paint
Black Forest Hunting-Theme Hand-Carved Wooden Wall Mounted Salt Box with Dog
Located in Barntrup, DE
Black Forest Hunting-Theme Hand-Carved Wooden Wall Mounted Salt Box.
This beautiful and compact Black Forest wall salt box depicts a masterful...
Category
1910s Swiss Vintage Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Large & Finest Quality, Antique Carved Nutwood Swiss Black Forest Bull Sculpture
Located in Lisse, NL
Museum quality and condition, hand carved livestock sculpture.
This marvelous bull is for the collectors of the rarest and best quality Black Forest sculptures. Incredibly detailed,...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Nutwood
Large Handforged Cattle Bell Made in Switzerland ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Handforged Cattle Bell Made in Switzerland ca. 1900s
Item e7309
An antique handforged cattle bell, made in Switzerland around 1900. The bell comes with its original brown lea...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Antique Hand Carved and Mint Condition Black Forest Gnome Sculpture Nutcracker
Located in Lisse, NL
Top quality carved, early 20th century, wooden Black Forest nut cracker.
If you are a collector of only the best quality and condition Black...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Swiss Black Forest Carved Walnut Stag, Circa 1900
Located in Stamford, CT
Beautifully carved black forest stag with antlers. Clearly carved by a master craftsman, the stag shown in a naturalistic striding pose. The lovely grain of the black walnut adds ano...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Walnut
19th Century Swiss Black Forest Carving of a Stag and Tree Nut Dish
Located in Stamford, CT
Sweet little Black Forest carving of a stag standing near a pine tree next to a brass lined nut or candy dish. Some writing bottom front in white is too worn for me to make out, prob...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Walnut
A Wooden Carved Black Forest Writing Set with Bear
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A Wooden Carved Black Forest Writing Set with Bear
A finely carved Black Forest desk set with a bear standing next to a wooden box for an inkwell. There is also a pen tray in front ...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Antique Swiss Black Forest Bear Sculpture Umbrella & Cane Stand by Ruef Brothers
By Ruef Brothers
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare hand-crafted entree stand. . .signed ‘RUEF’. (Ruef Brothers)
This beautifully carved Black Forest bear will always be there to greet you when you come home. It does not matter...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Exceptional Black Forest Wood Carved Brienz Wild Boar Inkwell German Antique
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic 1890s Black Forest desk accessory carved from wood in the shape of a wild boar. A lovely addition to your room or just to use on your desk. Made from hand carved wood. Found ...
Category
1890s German Antique Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Wooden Carved Ibex and Chamois Sculptures attr. to Rudolf Heissl jr. ca. 1960s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Wooden Carved Ibex and Chamois Sculptures attr. to Rudolf Heissl jr. ca. 1960s
A pair of finely carved wooden sculptures of a chamois and an ibex. Carved in naturalistic style by th...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Black Forest 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 Sculptures
Materials
Fruitwood
Antique Black Forest Bear Bench w. Five Bear Sculptures & Carved Oak Leaf Seat
Located in Lisse, NL
Large and impressive, hand carved and demountable bench with five bear sculptures.
This superbly hand carved bench is entirely made of solid wood and therefor too this stunning and highly decorative antique is as strong and stable as the day it was it was made. We cannot single out one detail that is more special than others, because the standing bear sculptures...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Glass, Wood
Rare Oversize Black Forest Swiss Carved Wooden Grazing Cow with Bell on Neck
Located in Atlanta, GA
A rare oversize Black Forest Swiss hand-carved wooden cow from circa 1880. This exquisitely hand-carved wooden cow is a pristine example of Black For...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Wood
19th Century black forest centre piece
Located in Martlesham, GB
A lovely quality 19th Century black forest centre piece, having an ornate carved trunk at the centre with a removable glass stem with out swept scalloped edge, a large hunting dog st...
Category
1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Walnut
A Wooden Carved Black Forest Thermometer with Bear
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A Wooden Carved Black Forest Thermometer with Bear
Item e7302
A finely carved Black Forest desk set with a bear sitting next to a thermometer. A great example of the art of woodworki...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Wood
A Wooden Carved Black Forest Bear with Bowl ca. 1920s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A Wooden Carved Black Forest Bear with Bowl ca. 1920s
Item e7283
A nicely carved Black Forest bear desk set with bowl for small utensils. Executed in Bri...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Antique French Wall Shelf Corbel Carved Eagle Black Forest Statue Wood c1880
Located in Shreveport, LA
Antique French Wall Shelf Corbel Carved Eagle Black Forest Statue Wood c1880.
Direct from France, a stunning antique French solid wood corbe...
Category
1890s French Antique Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Early 1900 Large Black Forest Fine Carved Burling Stag / Deer Sculpture Statue
Located in Lisse, NL
Good size and beautifully carved, wooden Black Forest stag sculpture.
From the posture it is obvious that this impressive stag, with his head turned up, is attempting to attract and...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Wood
19th century carved black forest ibex sculpture linden wood
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Fantastic black forest carving on impressive proportions circa 1890.
Features 4 european ibex of varying age and scale standing on carved rocks and foliage. We have owned many blac...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Oak
Wooden Carved Black Forest Bear with Brass Bowl, Brienz 1920s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Wooden Carved Black Forest Bear with Brass Bowl, Brienz 1920s
Item e7270
An antique statue of a sitting bear holding a small bowl made of brass. Made of lindenwood, finely handcarved...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Antique Casted Bronze Cow Bell Made in Switzerland, ca. 1930
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A large and heavy casted bronze cow bell manufactured in Switzerland around 1930. The antique bell features high relief motifs of farm animals, human heads and foliages. The bell com...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
A Wooden Carved Black Forest Bear with Glass Vase
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A Wooden Carved Black Forest Bear with Glass Vase
Item e7275
A nicely carved Black Forest bear holding a glass vase in its hands. Executed in Brienz, Switzerland around 1920. Very go...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Wood
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...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Glass, Wood
Antique Swiss Casted Bronze Cattle Bell ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Swiss Casted Bronze Cattle Bell ca. 1900s
Item e7313
An antique cast bronze cattle bell, made in Switzerland around 1900. The bell comes with its ...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
19th Century French Black Forest Carved Wood Eagle Vase
Located in Austin, TX
French Black Forest carved wood eagle vase , circa 1880.
Height / 10.3 inches.
Category
1880s French Antique Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Set of Two German Antique Black Forest Carved and Painted Birds
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Set of two antique bird sculptures from Germany's Black Forest, ca. early 20th Century.
Composed of delicately hand-carved avian forms each hand-painted with attractive colors and un...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Metal
19th Carved Wood Black Forest Chamois & Eagle
Located in Austin, TX
Antique fine 19th Black Forest carved wood chamois and eagle, circa 1880.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Large Swiss Black Forest Hand Carved Wall Clock Plaque with Pheasant Sculptures
Located in Lisse, NL
This large Swiss masterpiece wall plaque with clock is in perfect condition.
The realistic and detailed carving consists of a pair of pheasant, a bird's nest, fine leafs and branche...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Wood
19th Century black forest carving of a fox
Located in Martlesham, GB
A lovely ornate 19th Century black forest carving of a fox, sitting cross legged reading a book, the fox wearing a jacket and seems to be sitting on a rock with various foliage and a...
Category
1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Walnut
Antique Leather Strap with Six Brass Bells, Switzerland ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Leather Strap with Six Brass Bells, Switzerland ca. 1900s
Item e6991
An antique leather strap with six brass bells from the swiss Alps manufactured ca. 1900. These bells are ...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Metal, Brass
19th Century Brienz Black Forest Carved Bear with Thermometer, ca. 1890s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic late 1900s Black Forest Brienz work of art. This hand carved bear sculpture is a great example of the Black Forest craftsmanship in ...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Glass, Wood
Large Hand Carved Black Forest Standing Stag Deer Sculpture with Huge Antlers
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This quite large and well executed carving is unsigned by the artist, but presumed to have been done in Eastern Europe in circa 1900 in the period Black Forest style. This large carv...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Softwood
Large Black Forest Poacher with Chamois
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Black Forest Poacher with Chamois
A very large wooden handcarved poacher statue. The poacher is on his way back from the hunt with a hunted chamois on his back. The hand-made ...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Black Forest Wood Carved Brienz Bear Statue Desktop Accessory German Antique
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic 1890s black forest Brienz wood carved desktop accessory in form of a Bear. Nice addition to your room or just for use it on your desk. Made of hand...
Category
1890s German Antique Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Wood
A Wooden Carved Black Forest Pen Holder with Bear ca. 1930
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A Wooden Carved Black Forest Pen Holder with Bear ca. 1930
A finely carved Black Forest pen holder with a bear holdung the pencil. A great example of the art of woodworking in the B...
Category
1930s German Vintage Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Outstanding Wooden Carved Fighting Stags by K. Bach, 1946
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A grandiose handcarved wood sculpture of fighting stags. Very detailed natural carving. Carved signature of K. Bach 1946.
Measures: Width: 23.62" (60cm)
Height: 7.48" (19cm)
Depth:...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Rustic Black Forest Walnut Bear Settee
Located in Queens, NY
Rustic Black Forest style (20th Cent) carved walnut settee with bear sides suppports and center hat tree
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Wood, Mirror
19th Century black forest bear hall stand
Located in Martlesham, GB
A superb quality and finely carved 19th Century black forest linden wood bear hall stand with a cub playing in the branches above, the bear below with glass eyes looking up towards h...
Category
1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Walnut
Hand Carved Wood Bear Head Nutcracker Brienz Switzerland
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Hand Carved Wood Bear Head Nutcracker Brienz, Switzerland
A wooden carved nutcracker with a bear head. It is a fine antique Black Forest woodcarving ...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Antique Pair Black Forest Carved Chicken Vase Epergne Candleholder Sculpture
Located in Shreveport, LA
~ Direct from Europe
This listing is for a stunning pair of carved Black Forest “chicken” candleholders/epergnes. In the summer, the glass inserts were used and fresh cut flowers wer...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Glass, Wood
19th Century Black Forest Carved Wood Fish Trophy Wall Plaque
Located in Austin, TX
Oversize and spectacular 19th century Black Forest carved wood trophy wall plaque with a large fish.
Beautiful carved border with acanthus leaves.
Measur...
Category
1880s French Antique Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Wood
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...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Antique Handforged Cattle Bell Made in Switzerland ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Handforged Cattle Bell Made in Switzerland ca. 1900s
Item e7309
An antique handforged cattle bell, made in Switzerland around 1900. The bell comes with its original brown lea...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Metal
19th Century Wooden Carved Rabbit Sculpture - Black Forest - Inkwell
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A cute wooden sculpture of a rabbit, Black Forest art.
It is an inkwell, but above all it is a beautiful piece of craftsmanship from the end of the 19th century.
The rabbit is beauti...
Category
1890s German Antique Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Walnut
Antique Mantel Clock with Eagle and Chamois Family, ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Mantel Clock with Eagle and Chamois Family, ca. 1900
A large Black Forest wooden carved mantel clock with an eagle on top and a chamois defending her child. The clock is embedded in a handcarved wood pile. A masterpiece of Brienz woodcarvings which brightens up any chimney piece. The clockwork is cleaned and overworked by a clockmaker - working order.
Soberly considered mantel clocks are small pendulum...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Antique Mantel Clock with Herdsman Family, Goats and Cattle
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Mantel Clock with Herdsman Family, Goats and Cattle
A Black Forest wooden carved mantel clock with a lovely herdsman family with their goats and cattles. A masterpiece of woodcarving which brightens up any chimney piece. The clockwork is replaced by battery driven one - working order.
Soberly considered mantel clocks are small pendulum clocks with feet...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Important 19th Century Black Forest Hall Stand
Located in Dallas, TX
Magnificent rare Swiss Black Forest carved deer form hall stand with mirror. Having impeccably detailed deer and eagle carvings above rock form base and ...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Large Black Forest Model of the Lion of Lucerne Dated 1867
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A large Black Forest model of the Lion of Lucerne dated 1867, after Bertel Thorvaldsen, carved from stained linden wood, the dying lion depicted beside two c...
Category
1860s Swiss Antique Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Black Forest 1890s Carved Wooden Bear Standing on a Circular Base
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Black Forest carved wooden sculpture from the late 19th century, depicting a bear standing on a circular base. Created during the last decade of the 19th century, this Black Forest sculpture features a bear standing on his rear legs and holding a staff in his left paw. Raised on a circular base with carved rocks and flowers, this Black Forest carved wooden bear...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Antique Head of a Sicilian Puppet, ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Head of a Sicilian puppet, ca. 1900s
Antique Head of a Sicilian puppet depicting a knight. Made of handcarved and handpainted wood with handfo...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Antique Hand Carved Black Forest Bear 1920s Germany
Located in Den Haag, NL
Very nice black forest bear. Hand carved 1920s. Good condition.
Category
1920s German Vintage Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Fruitwood
Walter Mader Swiss Black Forest Hand-Carved Dog
By Walter Mäder
Located in San Francisco, CA
the hand-carved and finely detailed recumbent mother Retriever with raised head and glass eyes giving a direct gaze to a distant object; wearing a knotted leash attached to a thick c...
Category
1890s Swiss Antique Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Walnut
Antique Black Forest Carved Seated Bear Figure
Located in Barntrup, DE
Antique black forest carved seated bear sculpture
An adorable and masterfully hand-carved figure of a seated bear. Switzerland, circa 1900...
Category
Early 1900s Swiss Antique Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Large Wooden Strolling Bear Handcarved in Brienz ca. 1930
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Wooden strolling bear handcarved in Brienz ca. 1930
A large antique statue of a walking bear. Made of lindenwood, finely handcarved with na...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swiss Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Black Forest sculptures for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Black Forest 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 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 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 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 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 $2,342.