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
19th Century Swiss 'Black Forest' Carving a Dog Family
By Walter Mäder
Located in London, GB
A 'Black Forest' Dog Group
The naturalistically carved limewood group shows the bitch couchant and her three playful pups; glass eyes are used in all the figures, in the manner of Walter Mäder...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Wood
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
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.
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Hardwood
19th Century Pair of Carved Relief Limewood Shadow Boxes
Located in London, GB
A pair of carved limewood shadow boxes
Finely carved in high relief, and depicting two famous scenes of an eagle attacking a man, and a poacher being shot, housed within rectangul...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Wood
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
Black Forest Modeled Bear Piano Stool, Late 20th Century
Located in North Miami, FL
A fantastic hand carved bear piano stool with extendable seat. It was hand carved in Switzerland, Brienz, circa 1890’s. Original glass eyes.
Category
Early 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest 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 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 Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Hand-Carved Fruitwood Black Forest Bear Germany, 1920s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and rare Black Forest bear.
Striking German design from the 1920s.
Hand-carved fruitwood sculpture of a life-like bear walking on all four paws.
Rare because of the hand-...
Category
1920s German Vintage Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Fruitwood
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
Swiss Casted Bronze Cattle Bell ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Swiss Casted Bronze Cattle Bell ca. 1900s
Item e7311
An antique cast bronze cattle bell, made in Switzerland around 1900. The bell comes with its original brown leather strap with bu...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Antique Handforged Goat Bell Made in Switzerland ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Handforged Goat Bell Made in Switzerland ca. 1900s
Item e7308
An antique forged iron goat bell, made in Switzerland around 1900. The bell comes with its original brown leathe...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Metal
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
Hand Carved Black Forest St. Wooden Floor Lamp of Lantern Holding & Tipsy Guard
Located in Lisse, NL
Large and beautifully sculptured, floor lamp.
If you are looking for unique and decorative antiques to bring joy and class to your interior then this marvelous, sculptural floor lam...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Copper
Pair of 19th Century Black Forest Austrian Carved Wood Vases
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A beautiful pair of 19th century carved wood black forest hunting scene, shaped glass flower vases. In perfect original condition.
The dimensions are:
Height: 42.5cm (16.7in)
Width...
Category
19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Glass, Blown Glass, Cut Glass, Oak
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 Sculptures
Materials
Blown Glass, Wood
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 Sculptures
Materials
Antler, Wood
Antique Black Forest Style Wooden Carved Trinket Box or Bucket Owl, circa 1920
Located in Barntrup, DE
Antique Black Forest style oak wood carved trinket box or bucket in a shape of an owl, from circa 1920.
An impressive, large, and beautiful German Black Forest style hand-carved wooden trinket box...
Category
1920s German Vintage Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Antique Handforged Cattle Bell Made in Switzerland ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Handforged Cattle Bell Made in Switzerland ca. 1900s
Item e7310
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 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 Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Early 1900 Gorilla Carrying off a Woman Crafted in Wood after Emmanuel Fremiet
Located in Lisse, NL
Great wooden sculpture after the famous bronze of Emmanuel Fremiet
This handcrafted sculpture was probably made in South Tyrol by/of Josef Anton Riffeser who founded the ANRI Compan...
Category
Early 20th Century French Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
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...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Wood
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
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 Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Swiss Black Forest Carved & Lacquered Bear Statue
Located in Forney, TX
A fine quality antique Swiss Black Forest ware, born in the early 20th century, exquisitely hand carved, lacquered wooden bear figure. The exception...
Category
Early 20th Century Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Glass, Wood
Glazed Ceramic Owl Form Tankard with Pewter Mounts
By Mettlach
Located in Stamford, CT
An extremely charming stoneware tankard in the form of an owl. With a two toned gray and blue glaze and handsome pewter mounts. The thumb lift depict...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Stoneware
Early 1900s Hand Carved and Colored Wooden Mountaineer Sculpture / Statue
Located in Lisse, NL
Unique and finely carved sculpture for the black forest and mountaineer enthousiasts.
If you are or if you have a friend who is a mountaineering enthousiast then this hand carved mo...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Wood
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 Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Wooden Carved Sculpture of a Saint, circa 1850
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Wooden Carved Sculpture of a Saint, circa 1850
A beautifully hand carved and hand painted sculpture of a saint with a palm-branch. It is made most probably in Armenian or Georgian a...
Category
Mid-19th Century Unknown Antique Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Hand Carved Wood Black Forest Bear Hard Liqueur Stand, Czechoslovakia, 1985
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A 20th century Black Forest wood carved bear. Nice addition to your room or just for use it on your desk. Made of hand carved wood and has original Becherovka Schnaps Glasses. Signed...
Category
1980s Czech Vintage Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Wood, Glass
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
Magnificent Carved Black Forest Monkey Gong, circa 1890
Located in Bath, GB
A fabulous and scarce find, this wonderful large Black Forest Monkey was hand carved circa 1890 with superb quality detail and retaining two glass ...
Category
1890s Swiss Antique Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Antique Wooden Carved Sculpture of a Folksy Countrywoman
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Wooden Carved Sculpture of a Folksy Countrywoman
A large traditional Black Forest style woodcarving of a farmer´s wife. Hand carved in Germany around 1920. A great addition ...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Wool
19th century Swiss limewood carving of a man playing an instrument circa 1880
Located in Central England, GB
A Black Forest hand-carved limewood figure portrays a young man from the medieval period dressed in a cloaked tunic and open-toed boots playing a set of traditional Swiss bagpipes ca...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Fruitwood
Hand Carved Black Forest Brienz Wooden Bear with an Engraved Glass Vase or Flute
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic late 1900s Black Forest Brienz work of art. This small and hand carved bear sculpture is a great example of the Black Forest craftsm...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Cut Glass, Wood
19th Century black forest carving
Located in Martlesham, GB
A wonderful and unique 19th Century black forest carving of an elderly man sitting on a tree trunk holding a newspaper, the front of the tree trunk encased behind a circular glass wi...
Category
1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Walnut
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 Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
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 Sculptures
Materials
Wood
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 Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Black Forest Carved Walnut Hunting Presentation Cup
Located in Essex, MA
A beautifully crafted Black Forest hand carved walnut hunting presentation cup, the basket weave bowl supported by the figure of a gentleman hunter l...
Category
1870s German Antique 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 Forrest Carved Black Walnut Toothless Man Motif Hanging Match Holder
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Black Forrest Carved Black Walnut Toothless Man Motif Hanging Match Holder
Swiss, Later 19th Century
A whimsical and intricately hand-carved piece from the Black Forest region, this hanging match holder features a realistically carved black walnut portrait of a smiling toothless man, or possibly a Satyr. Dating back to the later 19th century, this piece showcases the craftsmanship and charm of the era.
The carved wood head portrait measures 3 inches wide, 3 inches high, and 2 inches deep, capturing the expressive details of the toothless man's face. Mounted on a beveled shield backplate, this match holder exudes a sense of whimsy and character. The brass ring holder adds a practical element, allowing for easy access to the matches.
This match holder is designed to hold numerous standard 1.5-inch long matches...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Walnut
Black Forest Wood Carving of an Ibex
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
An imposing ‘Black Forest’ wood carving of an Ibex,
standing on a rocky outcrop with realistically carved ribbed antlers and rippling fur.
Category
1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Wood
19th Century Swiss Black Forest Carved Walnut Mantel Clock with Cherubs and Bird
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate your buffet or mantel with this monumental antique fruitwood clock. Crafted in Switzerland, circa 1860, the masterpiece time keeper features two hand carved seated cherubs holding a grape basket with a duck, frog and reed decor underneath. The center face has blue enamel roman numbers, and the clock mechanism has been cleaned and checked by our clock expert, and is in very good working order. This important clock...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Enamel
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 Sculptures
Materials
Walnut
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 Sculptures
Materials
Wood, Blown Glass
Circa 1900 Black Forest Carved Wall Plaque
Located in High Point, NC
Circa 1900 chamois trophy plaque from Switzerland. The wooden plaque is expertly hand carved. These smaller trophy plaques are great to use in a grouping.
Category
Early 1900s Swiss Antique Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Antler, Fruitwood
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 Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Rustic Black Forest Root Wood Hunter, circa 1920
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Rustic Black Forest Root Wood Hunter ca. 1920
A rustic wooden hunter statue with deer. It was carved out of a piece of root wood. Germany, Black Forest,...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest 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 Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Black Forrest Carved Oak Hinged Boar Head Cellarette with Bone Tusk, C. 1870
Located in Charleston, SC
Black Forrest hand carved oak hinged boar head cellarette with bone tusk, carved intertwined branches with oak leaves, and resting on decorative foliate scr...
Category
1870s German Antique Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Iron
Set of 10 Rustic Black Forest Walnut Side Chairs
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 10 Rustic Black Forest (19th Cent) walnut side chairs with shaped seat and back with filigree carving and animals.
Category
19th Century European Antique Black Forest 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 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 Sculptures
Materials
Glass, Wood
Late 19th Century German Carved Black Forest Wood Trophy Plaque
Located in Middleburg, VA
Late 19th century German carved black Forest wood trophy plaque. This intricately carved piece depicts horns, spear, and hunter's pouch hung on plaque en...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest 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 Sculptures
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 Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Antique Carved & Painted Troubadour or Minstrel, Nodder Figure with a Violin
Located in Nantucket, MA
19th Century carved and painted wood figure of a troubadour or minstrel wearing a hat and long coat with his trousers tucked into knee-high boots and having a violin under one arm wi...
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Black Forest Sculptures
Materials
Abalone, Gesso, Pine, Paint
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.