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.
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
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
Black Forest Crystal Latern Amber Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hand blown crystal latern in amber crystal glass from Bavaria Germany. The decor is hands-free engraved by glass artists all around with a hunting scene with trees in the style of Bl...
Crystal
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...
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 Crystal Latern Green Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hand blown crystal latern in green crystal glass from Bavaria Germany. The decor is hands-free engraved by glass artists all around with a hunting scene with trees in the style of Bl...
Crystal
Black Forest Crystal Latern Red Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hand blown crystal latern in red crystal glass from Bavaria Germany. The decor is hands-free engraved by glass artists all around with a hunting scen...
Crystal
A fine Swiss Carved Linden Wood Black Forest Jardiniere Circa 1890
Located in London, GB
A fine Swiss Carved Linden Wood Black Forest Jardiniere Circa 1890 Dimensions: 108cm by 36.2cm by 39cm
Wood
19th C. French Black Forest Carved Walnut Jardinière on Stand with Zinc Liner
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant antique French jardinière was crafted circa 1870 in the Black Forest tradition and showcases exceptional hand-carved detail and sculptural form. Designed as a decorative...
Zinc
Black Forest Porcelain Vase Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hands-free painted porcelain vase with a hunting design with deers and trees all around. Lined with a green line and rimmed with a 24 carat gold line. Completely hand painted in Bava...
Porcelain
Black Forest Vase Green Crystal with Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Handblown crystal vase in green glass with hand-edged hunting scene in the style of black forest. The decor is an antique decor with deers, trees and bambis all around. Completely ha...
Crystal
19th Century Black Forest Carved Walnut and Crystal Center Piece with Goat Decor
Located in Dallas, TX
Dress a table or a console with this elegant antique black forest center piece composition. Crafted in Switzerland (or France) circa 1870, the glass vase rests on a leafy branch shap...
Cut Glass, Walnut
Black Forest German Porcelain Vase with Hunting Scene Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hand-painted porcelain vase is completely handmade and handpainted in Bavaria Germany. Rimmed with a 24-carat gold line. The decor is hands-free painted all round with a hunting scene. The black forest decor...
Porcelain
Black Forest Crystal Laterne Green Hunting Scene Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hand blown crystal vase / latern in green with hand-etched deers and trees. Completely handmade in Bavaria/Germany. Can be used also with candles as laterne. Comes in green, red and...
Crystal
Black Forest Swiss Hand-Carved Wood Chamois Vase
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Black Forest Swiss hand-carved chamois vase. With exquisitely detailed base portraying chamois deer next to tree on carved rock. Delicate glass vase protruding from top that can be r...
Glass, Wood
Carved Black Forest and Baccarat Crystal Epergne Centre Piece
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Carved Black Forest and Baccarat Crystal Epergne Centre Piece A superb and very unusual combination, a Back Forest pedestal carved with oak leaves, mounted with an etched crystal di...
Crystal
Black Forest Crystal Latern Red with Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Handblown crystal vase/lantern in brillant red with hand-edged hunting decor with deers and trees decor all around. Completely handmade in Bavaria/German...
Crystal
Black Forest Crystal Laterne Green Hunting Scene Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hand blown crystal vase/lantern in green with hand engraved deers and trees all around in the style of black forest. Completely handmade in Bavaria/Germany. Can be used also with ca...
Crystal
Black Forest Crystal Laterne Green Hunting Scene Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Handblown crystal vase/latern in green with hand-etched Black Forest decor with deers and trees all around. Completely handmade in Bavaria/Germany....
Crystal
Black Forest Crystal Laterne Green Hunting Scene Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hand blown crystal vase/lantern in green with hand engraved deers and trees all around in the style of Black Forest. Completely handmade in Bavaria/Germany. Can be used also with can...
Crystal
Black Forest Crystal Latern Hand Blown Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hand blown crystal latern in grey glass from Bavaria. The votiv is hand blown and the decor is hands-free engraved by glass artists all around with a hunting scene with trees and dee...
Crystal
Black Forest Crystal Latern Hand Blown Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hand blown crystal latern in amber glass from Bavaria. The votiv is hand blown and the decor is hands-free engraved by glass artists all around with a hunting scene with trees and de...
Crystal
$375Sale Price|40% Off
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
Country Style Crystal Vase Green Glass Birds Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
About Sofina Crystal: This handblown Crystal vase is one of a selection of Sofina crystal hand-crafted in Bavaria/Germany. Can be used as a vase or with candles. The two birds sittin...
Crystal
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. Believed to be 19th Century. Measurements: 14" H x 5....
Wood
Black Forest Vase Green Crystal with Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Handblown crystal vase in green glass with hand-edged hunting scene. The decor is hunting decor with four hand-engraved animals in naturalistic style. Completely handblown and hand-e...
Crystal
pair of German 19th century Black Forest st. etched Glass and Walnut vases
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant pair of German 19th century Black Forest st. etched Glass and Walnut vases. Each beautiful vase is raised on a wonderful array of Walnut water flora below a fluted socle s...
Glass, Walnut
$2,960Sale Price|20% Off
H 10 in W 15 in D 15 in
Hand Carved Stone Vide poche Basin Jardinière Bowl Planter Vessel Sink Antiques
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Hand Carved Stone Vide poche Basin Jardinière bowl planter vessel sink Antiques . 17th C. Possibly earlier Gothic Container . A Water Trough Benitier in a ...
Stone, Limestone
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
$18,356
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
$3,766
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
$935 / item
H 5.91 in Dm 5.52 in
Country Style German Crystal Glas Latern in Red Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hand blown crystal vase/latern in bright red color. Hand carved by Bavarian glass artists with a birds decor in the style of country. A rich oak leave garland all around with 2 birds...
Crystal
$663 / set
H 1.97 in Dm 1.66 in
Set of Six Black Forest Schnapps Glasses Amber German with Hunting Scene Sofina
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six Schnapps glasses handmade in Bavaria. Handblown crystal and hand-edged with a deer and leaves decor in amber in the style of black forest. Co...
Crystal
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
Extra Large Spanish Terracotta Planter/Jardinière
Located in Brecht, BE
A huge terracotta planter with wonderful green patina inside and old restorations... highly decorative item, can be used indoors as well as outdoors.
Terracotta
$817 / item
H 6.7 in Dm 5.52 in
Black Forest Vase Green Crystal with Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Handblown crystal vase in green glass with hand-edged hunting scene in the style of black forest. The decor is an antique decor with deers, trees and bambis all around. Completely ha...
Crystal
$260 / item
H 3.94 in Dm 3.55 in
Black Forest Tumbler Green Crystal Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Handblown green crystal tumbler with hand-edged hunting scene in the style of Black Forest. The decor is an antique decor with deers, trees and bambis al...
Crystal
Glass Vase Blue Crystal with Easter Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hand blown crystal vase in blue and pink glass with hand-edged Easter garland all around. The decor shows Easter bunnies and flowers all around. Completely hand blown and hand-engrav...
Crystal
$2,664 / set
H 6.5 in Dm 3.35 in
Set of Six Hand Blown Wine Goblets Green Crystal Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six hand blown wine goblets in green crystal with an antique hunting decor all around. The charming hand-engraved decor shows deers and trees in the style of Black Forest. The...
Crystal
Sold
H 20.25 in W 8.5 in D 7.25 in
Pair, Antique Black Forest Carved Deer & Foliate Motif Vases or Epergnes
Located in Atlanta, GA
This pair of exquisite 19th-century Black Forest epergnes showcases masterful craftsmanship and naturalistic artistry. Each epergne features an intricately hand-carved wooden base de...
Crystal
Sold
H 2.37 in W 16.15 in D 10.63 in
Antique Black Forest Bowl or Basket Carved Leaf, Berries & Floral, Germany 1890s
Located in Andernach, DE
Large and expressive – in fact absolutely unique hand carved bread basket or bowl from the Black Forest, Germany. Made from intricately shaped & polished dark walnut wood. Made from ...
Walnut
Pair of 19th Century French Black Forest Crystal Vases with Dog Sculptures
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a mantel or a man's office with this elegant pair of antique Black Forest carvings with matching vases. Carved in France circa 1870, each large sculpture rests on a circular base and features an hand carved composition with a hunting setter Labrador dogs walking on rocky ground in front of a tree trunk and foliage; each carving is dressed with the original fluted and tapered crystal vase with scalloped edges. Both Black Forests sculptures...
Crystal
Sold
H 36 in W 18.25 in D 18.5 in
Antique Pair of Black Forest Jardinière’s Hand Carved Switzerland circaLate1800s
Located in Highwood, IL
Black Forest Pair of Jardinière’s hand carved in Switzerland during the late 1800s. The Jardinière’s are complete with their original metal liners and are ready to be planted. Black Forest Furniture first began to appear in the mid-1800s in Brienz, Switzerland and originally only included small Black Forest animal objects made for the tourist trade. In the late 1800s, as tourism traffic increased, so did the number and Size of Black Forest Carvings and soon thereafter was followed by Black Forest Furniture. As luck would have it, Old Plank has recently discovered a treasure Trove of Black Forest Carved...
Tin
19th Century Hand-Carved Black Forest Jardiniere, Centerpiece
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century hand-carved black forest jardiniere ~ centerpiece is a remarkable piece of artwork that was designed to take center stage on your dining table for entertaining in style!...
Oak
Pair of 19th Century French Carved Walnut Black Forest Deer Composition Carvings
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a mantel or a console table with this exquisite pair of Black Forest deer carvings. Created in France, circa 1860, and hand carved of walnut, each work composition depicts a...
Walnut
19th Century Pair of Black Forest Wood Carved Centerpieces
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Pair of 19th century large hand-carved centerpieces in wood. The vases are showing a pair of birds sitting opposite side hand-carved with leaves. The centerpieces are in two parts. T...
Wood
Antique Hand Carved Black Forest Owl Sculptures with Engraved Vases & Glass Eyes
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare pair of mint condition, Black Forest owl vases. Given the fact that owls are the international symbol for wisdom and learning, this Victorian ...
Glass, Wood
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...
Glass, Blown Glass, Cut Glass, Oak
Late 19th Century Black Forest Vase Holder
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Late 19th century Black Forest vase holder of grouse under a pear tree. The glass vase insert is paneled and lobed blown crystal. Measures: 14 1/2" H., 5 1/2" W., 3 3/4" D. We hav...
Blown Glass, Wood
Sold
H 13 in Dm 5 in L 13 in
Pair of 19th Century Swiss Black Forest Carved Wood and Crystal Flower Vases
Located in Dallas, TX
Since the early 1800’s, the term “Black Forest” has been used to describe elaborate wood carvings, often showcasing animals in a realistic manner. The name was derived from the epony...
Crystal
Sold
H 6.7 in Dm 5.52 in
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...
Crystal