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Black Forest Decorative Objects

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
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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Blown Glass, 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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

A Black Forest carved wood inkwell with wheat sheafs and poultry
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A Black Forest carved wood inkwell with wheat sheafs and poultry, made of ebonised fruitwood naturalistically carved with a cockerel and hen perched on a rocky outcrop, bundles of wh...
Category

1890s Swiss Antique Black Forest Decorative Objects

Materials

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Antler, Wood

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...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Decorative Objects

Materials

Walnut

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass, Blown Glass, Cut Glass, Oak

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

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 Decorative Objects

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

19th Century German Black Forest’ Jardinière
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 Decorative Objects

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Antique ‘Black Forest’ Jardinière of Substantial Size
Located in London, GB
Constructed in a well carved lindenwood, rising from quadripartite feet, naturalistically, representing branches, supporting a tree form central column dressed with two storks and supporting a carved rope dressed rectangular plant trough...
Category

19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Late 19th Century Black Forest Carved Inkwell and Pen Rest with Bear
Located in Barntrup, DE
Black Forest carved inkwell and pen rest with a bear, late 19th century. This antique, dark brown, linden wood inkwell is masterfully carved and features a detailed figure of a bear ...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass, Wood

Black Forest Porcelain Bowl with Fox Figure Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Completely handmade porcelain bowl with a hands-free natrualistic painted fox figure in brown colors. The fox is sitting in the middle of the bowl for decor...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Black Forest Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Beautiful French Angel Face Cast-Iron Inkwell France Antique, 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1900s French metal inkwell. Nice addition to your room or just for use it on your desk. Made of cast iron and glass. Marked with a number and letters. Found at an estat...
Category

Early 20th Century French Black Forest Decorative Objects

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass, Wood

Glazed Ceramic Owl Form Tankard with Pewter Mounts
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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Stoneware

Antique Antler Smoking Desk Set, circa 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
The antique antler smoking desk set is made of original antlers from the deer and the stag. It was in Germany, circa 1900. Measures: Width 16.93" (43cm) Height 11.42" (29cm) Antle...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Decorative Objects

Materials

Antler

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Fruitwood

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 Decorative Objects

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Exquisite 19th Century antique Swiss fully hand carved Black forest Jewelry box
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
A true masterpiece, this fully hand-carved 19th-century Black Forest jewelry box from Switzerland is a remarkable work of art. Nearly 150 years old, the wood has developed an extraor...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Decorative Objects

Materials

Velvet, Wood

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 ...
Category

Early 1900s German Antique Black Forest Decorative Objects

Materials

Fruitwood

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Wool

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood, Glass

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Fruitwood

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Black Forest Porcelain Bowl with Wild Boar Figure Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Completely handmade porcelain bowl with a hands-free natrualistic painted wild boar figure in grey colors. The fox is sitting in the middle of the bowl for decorating nuts or sweets ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Black Forest Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Wood Black Forest Brienz Carved Walnut Inkwell German Antique, 1890s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1890s Black Forest Brienz wood carved inkwell in form of a walnut on a leaf. Nice addition to your room or just for use it on your desk. Made of hand carved wood and gl...
Category

1890s German Antique Black Forest Decorative Objects

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Cut Glass, 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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Copper

Large Antique Black Forest Novelty Inkwell, Dog, circa 1890
Located in Bath, GB
A superbly carved figural Black Forest inkwell in the form of a Dog's head, with great detail and retaining two large glass eyes. The hinged lid opens to reveal an inner ink chamber...
Category

1890s Swiss Antique Black Forest Decorative Objects

Black Forest Crystal Latern Hand-Crafted Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hand blown crystal vase/latern in dark green glass with hunting scene all around in the style of black forest. The glass is in a first step ...
Category

2010s German Black Forest Decorative Objects

Materials

Crystal

Rustic Photo Frame Black Forest Hand Carved, Austria, 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 ...
Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Decorative Objects

Materials

Softwood

Black Forest Vase Crystal with Hunting Decor Green Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
hand blown crystal vase in green glass with a hunting scene. The decor is a hunting decor with 4 hands-free engraved animals in natrualistic style. Completely hand blown and hand-eng...
Category

2010s German Black Forest Decorative Objects

Materials

Crystal

Black Forest Porcelain Bowl with Bambi Figure Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Completely handmade porcelain bowl with a hands-free naturalistic painted bambi figure in brown. The bambi is sitting in the middle of the bowl for decorating nuts or sweets around. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Black Forest Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Black Forest Porcelain Bowl with Fox Handpainted Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Completely handmade porcelain bowl with a hands-free natrualistic painted fox figure in brown colors. The fox is sitting in the middle of the bowl for decorating nuts or sweets aroun...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Black Forest Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Set of Three Porcelain Bowls Winter Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
These completely handmade porcelain bowls are painted by hand with a charming hands-free winter decor. Teh decor comes as a set of three decors. One shows...
Category

2010s German Black Forest Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Black Forest Porcelain Bowl with Bambi Figure Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Completely handmade porcelain bowl in the style of black forest with a hands-free naturalistic painted bambi figure in brown. The bambi is sitting in the middle of the bowl for decor...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Black Forest Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Black Forest Vase Crystal with Hunting Decor Green Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Handblown crystal vase in green glass with a hunting scene. The decor is a hunting decor with 4 hands-free engraved animals in natrualistic style. Completely handblown and hand-engra...
Category

2010s German Black Forest Decorative Objects

Materials

Crystal

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Walnut

Black Forest Bambi Figure Porcelain Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Completely handmade porcelain bowl with a hands-free naturalistic painted bambi figure in brown. The bambi is sitting in the middle of the bowl for decorating nuts or sweets around. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Black Forest Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

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 Decorative Objects

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Enamel

Antique Swiss Black Forest Carved Wood Bear Head Lidded Tobacco Box
Located in San Francisco, CA
Of large scale, the well-delineated and intricately carved head of a dog with hat motif lid; the expressive face with glass eyes and large snout; most likely from the Black forest ar...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Decorative Objects

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Black Forest Photo Frame Set, Austria, circa 1880
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Rustic set of two 19th century Black Forest photo frames out of Austria, circa 1880. Artfully hand carved out of basswood, this frame shows a fantastic de...
Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Decorative Objects

Materials

Softwood, Glass

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

19th Century German Black Forest Candlestick
Located in Chicago, IL
A charming 19th century German Black Forest wood candlestick hand carved with ivy growing over rocks.
Category

19th Century German Antique Black Forest Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Vintage Black Forest Bear Pen Rest, German, Bronze, Marble, Decor, Desk Stand
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage Black Forest bear pen rest. A German, bronze and marble decorative desk Stand, dating to the late 20th century, circa 1970. Highly distinctive desk Stand with charm...
Category

Late 20th Century German Black Forest Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Bronze

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Walnut

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

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 Decorative Objects

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood, Blown Glass

Black Forest decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Black Forest decorative objects 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 decorative objects created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, folk art, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, walnut and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Black Forest decorative objects 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 decorative objects, popular names associated with this style include Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel, Black Forest, Sofina Porzellan, and Black Forrest. 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 decorative objects differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $150 and tops out at $99,104 while the average work can sell for $1,668.

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