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.
French Black Forest Carved Wood Box Circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
French Black Forest Carved Wood Box Circa 1900. Flowers & leaves. H / 4.5 inches. 7 by 4.8 inches.
Wood
Large French Black Forest Wood Music instruments Box, Circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
Large French Black Forest wood box, circa 1900. 11.8 by 7.3 inches , H / 5.3 inches. Music instruments Jewel box.
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,...
Marble, Bronze
Circa 1990's Oklahoma Casting Black Forest Jewelry Box
Located in High Point, NC
Circa 1990's cast resin and hand finished jewelry box by Oklahoma Casting Company. This is a wonderful jewelry or trinket box in the form of a basket in the Black Forest style. The...
Resin
Large Masterly Carved Swiss Black Forest Nutwood Chalet with Clock and Music Box
Located in Lisse, NL
Top quality, hand carved and truly impressive antique clock with 8 music melodies. 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 clock with musical box of this size and with such amazing natural details and patina AND with the original clock and music box inside. And if that was not enough, this finest of Black Forest clocks is top quality carved from top to bottom in the form of a detailed Swiss chalet. Mind you, this very rare antique clock is entirely hand carved out of nutwood only, which is another sign of the quality of the workmanship and the richness of materials. We have added a large variety of photos so that you can see the many incredibly detailed parts of this Swiss chalet, such as the roof and chimney, the many doors, the stacked lumber outside, the doghouse, the outhouse on the side, the striking balconies, the goose sticking its head out through the balcony, the picked fence, the ladder going up to the barn loft, the clock inside the facade of the house, the music box cilinder in the base etc etc. This antique clock from the 1800s really comes with the most realistically carved chalet house you will ever see. To us, that too is a sign that this Black Forest music box...
Brass, Iron, Enamel
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...
Glass, 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...
Metal
Hand Carved Wood Swiss Black Forest Eagle Sculpture Label P. Maeder, Lucerne
Located in Lisse, NL
Exceptional Swiss Black Forest eagle carving with remarkable presence. This beautifully executed Swiss Black Forest wood carving depicts a majestic eagle captured at the very moment...
Glass, Wood
Black Forest Wood Carved Brienz Bear Inkwell German Vintage, 1890s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic 1890s black forest Brienz wood carved inkwell in form of a Bear. Nice addition to your room or just for use it on your desk. Made of hand carved wood and glass eyes. Found at...
Wood
Black Forest Crystal Latern Hand Blown Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hand blown crystal latern in green glass from Bavaria. The decor is hand blown and hands-free engraved by glass artists all around with a hunting scene with trees all around in the s...
Crystal
Black Forest glass eye Bear 1920s Germany .
Located in Den Haag, NL
Very nice Hand carved Black Forest Wooden Bear ,Glass Eyes ,
Fruitwood
19th Century, Black Forest Carved Walnut Jewelry Casket Brienz Region
Located in Atlanta, GA
A finely carved 19th-century Black Forest walnut jewelry casket, attributed to the Brienz region of Switzerland, distinguished by its lavishly naturalistic ornamentation and sculptural detailing. The exterior is deeply carved with flowing rocaille motifs and a profusion of flowers and foliage in high relief, including a central rose in full bloom beneath the keyhole escutcheon. The lid is crowned with an exceptionally crisp and dimensional bouquet featuring a central rose surrounded by rosebuds and smaller blossoms arranged upon a scalloped bed...
Walnut
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...
Walnut
Rare Swiss Black Forest 19th century cigar box / humidor with dog hand-carved
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
A distinguished 19th-century Swiss cigar box, exquisitely hand-carved and finished on all sides with dense, interlacing floral and foliate motifs characteristic of the finest Black F...
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...
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...
Glass, Wood
Wooden Statue of a Walking Bear Hand Carved in Switzerland, circa 1930s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Wooden Statue of a Walking Bear Handcarved in Switzerland circa 1930s. A vintage statue of a strolling bear. Made of lindenwood, finely handcarved and handpainted with naturalistic details in Brienz, Switzerland ca. 1930s. A nice example of the famous Black Forest Woodcarvings made in Switzerland. The tradition of wood carving in Brienz dates back to mid of the 19th century. People in the region were looking for new employment opportunities. They used their skills from traditional crafts, carving everyday objects and sculptures, and created a new business. Many woodcarvers where trained in the 'School of Wood Carving, Brienz' which was established in 1884. Around 1900 the woodcarving industry counted ca. 2000 woodcarvers. Brienz woodcarvings were presented on several worlds fairs with great success. With the Gran Tour Tourism wealthy people from all over the word visited the area and took their woodcarving souvenirs home. Today some companies, like 'Huggler Holzbildhauerei' still exist and build traditional sculptures. Measures: Length: 11.02" (28 cm) Width: 3.94" (10 cm) Height: 6.69" (17 cm) Literature Reference: Peter F. Blackman, Black Forest Woodcarvings, Atglen 2009. Jay Arenski, Simon and Michael Daniels, Swiss Carvings...
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...
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...
Pearwood
Rare 2 tier Swiss 19th century Black Forest Jewelry box hand carved Fox & bird.
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
This incredibly rare two-tier Swiss Black Forest jewelry box is fully hand-carved from a single block of wood, making it a true masterpiece. What sets this box apart is its unique de...
Velvet, Wood
Antique Black Forest Carved Cuckoo Clock with Stag Head on Top
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Antique Black Forest Carved Cuckoo Clock with Stag Head A large handcarved wooden cuckoo clock, decorated with hunting accessoires, oak leaves, hare, pheasant and a stag head ...
Wood
Oval jewelry box carved walnut swiss 19th century Black forest
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
This exceptional 19th-century Black Forest jewelry box from Switzerland is a true work of art, featuring a rare oval shape. Nearly 150 years old, the walnut wood has developed a beau...
Velvet, Wood
Huge Antique Victorian Era Black Forest Wall Clock or Mirror Frame with Hare
Located in Lisse, NL
Incredible size and great quality black forest hunting plaque for wall mounting with Fruits of the Hunt. This rare size and all hand-carv...
Nutwood
Carved Swiss Black Forest Chalet Clock, circa 1880
Located in Evergreen, CO
Intricate, painstaking detail is featured in this rare and magnificent, hand-carved, Black Forest chalet clock, which has professionally restored woodwork...
Walnut
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,...
Nutwood
Unique Hand Carved Black Forest Tree Trunk Grandfather or Longcase Clock w. Bear
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning clock for the collectors of very rare and truly stylish Black Forest antiques. Tree trunk design longcase or grandfather clocks are a rare find and this 6.5 feet tall specimen could hardly be in better condition. All handcrafted and hand carved in the first half of the 1900s this wonderfully naturalistic tree trunk floor clock is the perfect home decoration for anyone with a nature or Black Forest inspired room or interior. This finest workmanship antique comes with the original dial face, weights and pendulum and they all have the same wonderful leaf and flower patterns that complement the tree or forest theme of this work-of-art tall clock. The natural aging of the carved wood has also grown this clock its stunning patina, making it even more of a gem to enjoy and to look at. The large door comes with the original, antique and perfectly beveled glass window which makes this unique clock...
Brass, Iron
19th Century Rustic Black Forest Photo Frame, Hand Carved, AT, circa 1880
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Lovely, unusual Black Forest photo frame from Austria, circa 1880. Artfully hand carved out of basswood, this frame shows a gorgeous design combined with nice protruding corners. Thi...
Blown Glass, Softwood
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...
Wood
19th Century black forest walnut casket
Located in Martlesham, GB
A good quality 19th Century black forest walnut casket, having wonderful crisp carving throughout, the hinged top lifting up to reveal a velvet lined interior, the top having a finel...
Walnut
Antique Black Forest Hand-Carved Deer or Elk Head Wall Plaque or Sculpture
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This well executed antique wall sculpture is unsigned, but presumed to have been done in Switzerland in approximately 1890 in the period Black F...
Softwood
Antique Black Forest Hand-Carved Brown Wooden Trinket Jewellery Box, circa 1900
Located in Greven, DE
Antique Black Forest Hand-Carved Brown Wooden Trinket Jewellery Box Continental Wood, Textile, Metal c. 1900 Dimensions: H x W x D: 9cm x 15cm x 9.5cm This hand-carved trinket bo...
Walnut
$3,937Sale Price|58% Off
Monumental Antique German Black Forest Eagle Chamois Mantel Hunt Clock
Located in Dayton, OH
Monumental 19th century antique German Black Forest mantel clock featuring carved high relief details with a winged bald eagle mounted atop...
Hardwood
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....
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...
Wood
$2,320Sale Price|39% Off
Late 18th Century Liege Burled Walnut Tall Case Clock
Located in New Orleans, LA
A stately late 18th century Belgian, Liege, tall case clock case having a period Black Forest clock workings with wooden enameled dial and hand-painted fruit decoration, the original...
Bronze, Enamel, Iron
Black Forest Crystal Laterne Green Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Handblown crystal vase/latern in green with hand-etched deers and trees decor in the style of Black Forest Completely handmade in Bavaria/Germany. Can be used also with candles as l...
Crystal
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...
Walnut
Antique Candle Stick With Real Chamois Horn, circa 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Candle Stick With Real Chamois Horn, circa 1900s An antique candle holder, made of a genuine chamois horn and a carved deer horn rose as base. The naturally curved horn is m...
Antler
Black Forest Walnut Bird Mantel Clock
Located in Queens, NY
Rustic Black Forest (19th Century) walnut carved mantel clock with 1 large bird and several small chicks within a floral environment. (Not working)
Glass, Walnut
Antique Black Forest Clock Set with Carved Hunting Motifs, ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Black Forest Clock Set with Carved Hunting Motifs, ca. 1900 This antique Black Forest clock set, dated around 1900, includes a car...
Wood
Midcentury Black Forest Style Carved Linden Wood Owl Box, Germany, 1950s
Located in Barntrup, DE
A charming midcentury carved owl-shaped box, crafted in Germany in the 1950s from linden wood in the traditional Black Forest style. Featuring expressive glass eyes and warm brown to...
Glass, Wood
Marvelous and Antique Pair of 19th Century Black Forest Hand-Carved Wood Frames
Located in Lisse, NL
*Note l: Our pricing reflects the free shipping, rarity, craftsmanship, and pristine condition of this piece. Automated estimates on the platform may not accurately reflect these fa...
Walnut, Nutwood
Exquisite openly carved 19th century Swiss Black Forest jewelry box walnut bird
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
A true work of art, this stunning 19th-century Black Forest jewelry box from Switzerland is fully hand-carved and a remarkable example of craftsmanship. Nearly 150 years old, the woo...
Walnut
Antique Black Forest Inkwell, Hand-Carved Puppy, Switzerland, 1890
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Hand carved Black Forest inkwell featuring a puppy's head. Head tilts back to reveal glass inkwell.
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 ...
Wood
Black Forest Cuckoo Clock
Located in Nantucket, MA
Carved Walnut Black Forest Cuckoo Clock in form of a Chalet, with applied carved wooden leaves, grapes and bird, circa 1900, with pierced res...
Walnut
Antique Hand-Carved Tyrolean Farmer Sculpture, ca. 1880
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Hand-Carved Tyrolean Farmer Sculpture, ca. 1880 This finely carved wooden figure depicts a traditional Tyrolean farmer sitting relaxed on a r...
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...
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 ...
Wood
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'...
Wood
Swiss Black Forest Carved Rabbit Inkwell and Pen Tray
By Black Forest
Located in Newark, England
FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING WHIMSICAL BLACK FOREST DESK ACCESSORY WITH HAND-CARVED RABBIT, TREE PEN REST, AND HAT-LIDDED GLASS INKWELLS. From our Black Forest collection, we are delig...
Glass, Wood
$355 / set
Antique Set of 3 Letter Openers ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Set of 3 Letter Openers ca. 1900 Set of 3 Letter Openers – carved wood rifle handle, curved chamois horn handle, and yellow horn blade with white fur grip. This decorative a...
Metal
Hand Carved Wooden Sculpture Lamp Night Watchman with Lantern, Germany
Located in Barntrup, DE
A masterfully hand-carved wooden lamp features a beautiful sculpture of a night watchman with a lantern and halberd. The lantern is made of glass and co...
Copper
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...
Wood
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...
Wood
$4,498Sale Price|25% Off
GERMANY 1870 Black Forest Oversized Cigar Humidor Box In Solid Carved Oak Wood
By Black Forest
Located in Miami, FL
A German cigar humidor box carved in oak wood. This is a fabulous oversized black forest humidor box created in northern Europe, most probably in Germany or Switzerland, back in the...
Bronze
Antique Musical circa 1880 Black Forest Hand Carved Fox Whip Hook Glass Eyes
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this exceptionally rare, Musical, original circa 1880 Swiss made Black Forest wood, Fox whip hook with glass eyes These...
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...
Wood
$216Sale Price|20% Off
Hand Carved Fruitwood Black Forest Frame Germany, 1900s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning Black Forest picture frame. Striking German design from the 1900s. Hand-carved and hand-painted fruitwood frame. This wonderful hand-carved and hand-painted Black Forest ...
Fruitwood
Rare Antique 4 Tier Black Forest Jewelry Box Fruitwood 19th Century Hand Carved
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
A beautiful, very finely carved antique black forest jewelry box from the late 19th/ early 20th century made in Switzerland. A large and impressive four-tiered piece with 6 swing o...
Fruitwood