Skip to main content

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.

to
27
193
104
89
71
14
1
7
2
8
6
2
2
1
6,855
4,660
2,851
881
846
681
619
496
469
441
379
247
199
193
89
87
81
75
174
26
25
23
10
125
61
184
101
48
12
9
Height
to
Width
to
193
193
193
5
2
1
1
1
Style: Black Forest
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 Sculptures

Materials

Wood

19th Century Sculpture - Bronze - Running Hare on Marble Base
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A lively and expressive 19th-century bronze sculpture of a hare in motion, caught mid-step with its ears alert and body turned as if pausing mid-leap. The surface is richly textured,...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

Marble, Bronze

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

Swiss Black Forest Dog Group Walter Mader
Located in Newark, England
FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING SINGLE PIECE CARVING ATTRIBUTED TO WALTER MADER From our Swiss Black Forest collection, we are delighted to offer this rare Swiss Black Forest Dog Group, da...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

Wood

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

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

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

Black Forest Linden Wood Carved Swiss Bear Glass Eyes
Located in Cheltenham, GB
Black Forest Linden wood naturalistically carved strolling bear with original glass eyes, crafted in Brienz. This exquisitely carved lindenwood piece features realistic details. A...
Category

19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

Softwood

Antique Hand Carved Wood Black Forest Bear Entrance, Hall Umbrella & cane Stand
Located in Lisse, NL
Early 1900s Black Forest standing bear umbrella stand. This vintage Black Forest bear umbrella Stand is a great looking piece for any...
Category

Early 20th Century European Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

Wood

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 Antique Wooden Carved Black Forest Game Plaque with Deer
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Antique Wooden Carved Black Forest Game Plaque with Deer An antique wooden hunting game plaque with impressive carving of a deer, fox, pheasant, quail and hunting accessoires....
Category

Early 1900s Swiss Antique Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

Wood

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

Whimsical Carving of a Dwarf with Snuffbox, 19th Century
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Whimsical Carving of a Dwarf with Snuffbox, 19th Century A 19th century funny carved and painted dwarf with snuffbox. Unrestored original condition, old wormholes, partly paintloss ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Unknown Antique Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

Wood

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...
Category

1920s German Vintage Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

Pearwood

Wooden Carved Black Forest Bear, Brienz around 1920s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A Wooden Carved Black Forest Bear, Brienz around 1920s A nicely carved Black Forest bear. Executed in Brienz, Switzerland around 1920. Very good condition. Heigt of the bear: 11.02'...
Category

1920s Swiss Vintage Black Forest 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 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

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

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

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

Playful Antique Black Forest Bear Family Liquor Tantalus with Glasses & Decanter
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 e7315 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

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

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

Outstanding Wooden Carved Fighting Stags by K. Bach, 1946
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Outstanding Wooden Carved Fighting Stags by K. Bach 1946 A grandiose handcarved wood sculpture of fighting stags. Highly detailed natural carving. Carved signature of K. Bach 1946. ...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Handcarved Wood Bear Head Nutcracker, Swiss - Brienz ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Handcarved Wood Bear Head Nutcracker, Swiss - Brienz ca. 1900 A wooden carved nutcracker with a bear head. It is a fine antique Black Forest woodcarving with glass eyes. The nutcrac...
Category

Early 1900s Swiss Antique Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

Wood

19th Century French Black Forest Carved Hunt Trophies Sculptures, Set of 4
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a ranch or hunting lodge with this suite of elegant antique Black Forest wall plaques. Carved in France circa 1870, and built of walnut wood, each plaque is octagonal in sha...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

Walnut

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

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

Handcarved Wooden Nutcracker, Tyrol ca. 1950
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Handcarved Wooden Nutcracker, Tyrol ca. 1950 This finely carved wooden nutcracker features a detailed, expressive face and traditional attire, likely crafted in East Tyrol. The styl...
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

Wood

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

Late 19th Century Sculpture of a Sitting Bear - Black Forest Bronze
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Charming 19th-century bronze sculpture of a seated bear, captured in a lively, upright pose. The artist has rendered the animal’s fur with expressive surface texture and stylized det...
Category

1880s French Antique Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

Marble, Bronze

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

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 Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Black Forest Carved Walnut Bear
Located in Queens, NY
Rustic Black Forest (19/20th Cent) carved walnut small figure of a walking bear with face pointed up. (similar to BAS039)
Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

Walnut

Antique Figural Black Forest Nutcracker c.1900
Located in Bath, GB
A fabulous late Victorian Black Forest Nutcracker beautifully carved with a fabulous rich dark colour and good bright patina. The Monkey still...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

Glass, Wood

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

Hand-Carved Black Forest Bear with Aluminum Pot
Located in Barntrup, DE
Hand-carved Black Forest style bear with aluminum pot, from ca. the 1920s. This beautiful hand-carved wooden, linden-wood, seated bear is holding an alum...
Category

1920s German Vintage Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

Aluminum

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

Handcarved Wooden Dwarf Nutcracker, Swiss - Brienz ca. 1930
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Handcarved Wooden Dwarf Nutcracker, Swiss - Brienz ca. 1930 A wooden carved nutcracker with a dwarf head. It is a fine antique Black Forest woodcarving with glass eyes. The nutcrack...
Category

1930s Swiss Vintage 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

Pair of 19th Century Swiss Carved Black Forest Trophy Plaques Hunting Deer Stag
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Stunning craftsmanship! This pair of 19th century Black Forest hunting Trophy plaques from Brienz Switzerland. Fully carved from solid ...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

Walnut

Swiss Black Forest Carved Owl With Glass Eyes, Early 1900s
Located in London, GB
A delightful decorative owl. This finely hand carved Black Forest carved owl sculpture demonstrates incredible workmanship and attention to de...
Category

Early 1900s Swiss Antique 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

Large Vintage Wooden Strolling Bear Handcarved ca. 1930s, Brienz
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Vintage Wooden Strolling Bear Handcarved ca. 1930s, Brienz A large statue of a walking bear. Made of lindenwood, finely handcarved with naturalistic details in Brienz, Switzer...
Category

1930s Swiss Vintage Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

Wood

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 Wooden Sitting Bear Handcarved ca. 1920s, Brienz
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Wooden Sitting Bear Handcarved ca. 1920s, Brienz A large statue of a sitting bear. Made of lindenwood, finely handcarved with naturalistic details and glass eyes in Brienz, ...
Category

1920s Swiss Vintage Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Early 20th Century carved bear hall stand
Located in Martlesham, GB
A finely carved early 20th Century walnut black forest bear hall stand with a cub playing in the branches above, the bear below with anoth...
Category

1920s Swiss Vintage Black Forest 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 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

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

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...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

Wood

19th Century French Black Forest Carved Eagle Sculpture Wall Mirror
Located in Dallas, TX
This unusual antique mirror was crafted in the Alps region of France, circa 1880. The whimsical mirror features a large eagle sculpture with win...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

Mercury Glass, Oak

Rare Model Swiss Black Forest Bear Tobacco Jar
Located in Newark, England
Rare and Unique Model From our Black Forest collection, we are delighted to introduce this rare example Swiss Black Forest Bear Tobacco Jar. The Bear Tobacco Jar carved from Linden ...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

Wood

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 Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Pair of 19th Century Swiss Black Forest Carved Walnut Hunt Trophy Sculptures
Located in Dallas, TX
This remarkable pair of wall trophies was hand carved in Switzerland’s Black Forest region circa 1870. Executed in richly grained walnut, and almost 3 feet tall, each plaque is a tou...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

Walnut

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 Sculptures

Materials

Wood

An Unusual Swiss Carved Black Forest Near Life-Size Figure of a Strolling Bear
Located in London, GB
An Unusual Swiss Carved Black Forest Near Life-Size Figure of a Strolling Bear, Circa 1910 For comparison see page 75 The Art of the Black Forest by Jay Arenski and Simon Daniels ...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

Wood

circa 1900 Miniature Model of a Black Forest Bear Bench
Located in Chicago, IL
circa 1900 Miniature Model of Black Forest Bear Bench. "Black Forest" is a term to describe elaborate, realistic wood carvings from an area in ...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

Walnut

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 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.

Recently Viewed

View All