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.
19th C. Black Forest Figural Wood Carved Night Watchman Lidded Tobacco Jar Box
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique 19th C. European Black Forest Figural Wood Carved Night Watchman Lidded Tobacco Jar Box with Removable Tin Metal Liner. Circa Late 19th Century. Measurements: 14" H x 5.5" W ...
Wood
Antique Hand-Carved Black Forest Tobacco Jar or Humidor & Ashtray with Bears
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique tobacco jar or humidor is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from Austria and date to approximately 1900 and done in the perio...
Walnut
Finely Carved 'Black Forest' Pipe Stand
By Black Forest
Located in Forest Row, East Sussex
A finely carved "Black Forest' pipe stand. Carved Lindenwood with a single bear standing over a naturalistic base with the pipe holders and astray to fron...
Wood
19th Century Large Glass Apothecary Jar with Lid
Located in Louisville, KY
As far as apothecary pieces prior to 1930's go, this one is one of the more unique of the era. The extra large size, perfectly fitted glass stopper and interesting imperfections in ...
Glass
$17,711
H 33.6 in W 55.5 in D 19.6 in
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
$3,714
H 7.29 in W 8.67 in D 5.32 in
Stunning Original Antique Hand Carved Black Forest Wood Cigar Box Humidor House
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this rather lovely antique original circa 1880 Black Forest Wood musical Cigar box Humidor with built in music box A very good looking and well ...
Wood
English Tobacco Jar
Located in Tampa, FL
A 19th century English rosewood tobacco jar. This has been beautifully refinished along time ago and whoever did it, did a nice job. Possibly could be Irish but assuming English.
Rosewood
19th Century Black Forest Carved Box
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
19th century Black Forest carved box.
Wood
$1,256 / item
H 27.56 in Dm 11.82 in
Antique Blown Glass Apothecary Jar with Cut Glass Top, 20th Century
Located in Brussels, BE
Cut-glass top and blown glass jar beautiful quality. Multiple available
Blown Glass, Cut Glass
$375Sale Price|40% Off
H 7 in W 3 in D 5 in
19th C Black Forest Hand-Carved Swiss Brienz Bear with Brass Holder
Located in Savannah, GA
This whimsical hand carved seated wooden brown bear holds a brass cup suitable for cigarettes, matches or even a small bouquet of flowers. Very detailed carving with tiny teeth and a...
Wood
19th Century Black Forest Carved Humidor
Located in High Point, NC
19th century hand-carved black forest humidor with a figure of a dog and cat. The cat is atop a barrel, which has a lid which lifts to reveal a compartment for tobacco. The barrel is sitting on a base with hand-carved sticks and logs and an upside down hunting hat...
Fruitwood
$868Sale Price|20% Off
H 9.65 in W 17.72 in D 5.91 in
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-...
Fruitwood
Early 19th Century French Faience Lidded Jar
Located in Stamford, CT
An early 19th century French faience lidded jar; probably Rouen. Painted with a heraldic crest. Delft style.
Ceramic
19th Century Japanese Imari Porcelain Lidded Temple Jar
Located in Miami, FL
19th Century Japanese Imari Porcelain Lidded Temple Jar A fine 19th century Japanese Imari porcelain lidded temple jar, hand-painted with exquisite detail in rich natural pigment g...
Porcelain
19th Century Carved Black Forest Bear Lidded Jar
Located in London, GB
A Black Forest tobacco Jar Constructed in carved linden wood, the naturalistically carved bear, with glass eyes grasps a brass spill pot, t...
Wood