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 Set of Six Schnapps Glasses Green Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six hand blown schnapps glasses in green crystal with a hand-edged hunting decor. The decor is an antique Black Forest style scene, showing a dee...
Crystal
Man Hand Carved and Painted Black Forest Mechanical Wooden Bottle Stopper, 1930s
By ANRI
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Vintage Folk Art bottle stopper - I believe these are ANRI, made in Italy or Austria, but I see no markings, so I'll let the collectors out there be the judge. It depicts a lovely Ma...
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
German Black Forest Wood Carved Figural Gnome Cork Bottle Stopper, 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Adorable wood and cork bottle stopper. Germany, 1910s or older. Ideal decoration bottle stopper. Great idea to surprise your guests or a very interesting gift. Found at an Estate Sal...
Wood, Cork
Black Forest Antler-Mounted Oak Spirits Cabinet, circa 1900
Located in Atlanta, GA
A richly textured and visually commanding Black Forest spirits cabinet, crafted in Germany around 1900. This compact yet sculptural piece is clad in a carved faux bois surface and dr...
Bone, Antler, Oak
Late 20t Century Set of Six Pewter Stirrup cups Forst Italy
By E.M. Forster 1
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six stirrup cups in pewter. Made in Italy by compny Forst. The original boxes are available. Finely modeled heads showing two horses and four stags. Stamped at the rim 95 for ...
Pewter
Man Hand Carved and Painted Black Forest Mechanical Wooden Bottle Stopper, 1930s
By ANRI
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This charming vintage hand-carved wooden folk art stopper, made in Italy or Austria, depicts a delightful gentleman from the 1920s or earlier. Carved with expressive detail and warm ...
Wood
German Black Forest Wood Carved Figural Man Head Cork Bottle Stopper, 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Adorable wood and cork bottle stopper, Germany, 1930s. Ideal decoration bottle stopper. Great idea to surprise your guests or a very interesting gift.
Wood, Cork
German Black Forest Wood Carved Figural Man Head Cork Bottle Stopper, 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Adorable wood and cork bottle stopper. Germany, 1930s. Ideal decoration bottle stopper. Great idea to surprise your guests or a very interesting gift.
Wood, Cork
Black Forest Set of Six Hand Painted Crystal Tumbler Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six hand blown tumbler hands-free painted in Black Forest style. Each glass is handsfree painted with different rims and trees in green colo...
Crystal
19th Century French Black Forest Cave A Liqueur with Etched Glass Hunting Motifs
Located in Dallas, TX
It is rare to find a 19th-century tantalus box with a complete set of glassware, but this immaculate Black Forest-themed French cave a liqueur has all of the original receptacles, de...
Glass, Wood
Antique Hand Carved Early 20th Century Black Forest Nutcracker With Book
Located in San Diego, CA
Very rare early 20th century antique Black Forest hand carved wood nutcracker with book. These particular pieces often feature anthropomorphic figures with exaggerated features, and this one is no exception. The figure's mouth opens to crack nuts! Black Forest nutcrackers...
Wood
Liqueur Cellar in Carved Wood "Black Forest" and Crystal, Late 19th Century
Located in Paris, FR
Carved wood liquor cabinet called "Black Forest". This charming liquor cabinet of the late nineteenth century is decorated with plant motifs, pine cones, saddlebags, hats, rifles, po...
Crystal, Gold
19th Century French Black Forest Carved Walnut and Glass Complete Liquor Box
Located in Dallas, TX
Create an elegant bar area with this antique "Cave à Liqueur"! Created in France, circa 1870 and shaped as a house log cabin, the rectangular Black Forest Tantalus is decorated on the top with a carved floral medallion in high relief. The side and front glass panels are all decorated with an arched glass window form. Lifting the top, it features an inside removable caddy with a complete set of 16 cut glass cordials decorated with gilt motifs, and four matching carafes with glass...
Glass, Walnut
Antique Hand Carved and Mint Condition Black Forest Gnome Sculpture Nutcracker
Located in Lisse, NL
Top quality carved, early 20th century, wooden Black Forest nut cracker. If you are a collector of only the best quality and condition Black...
Wood
German Wood Carved Figural Man Head Cork Bottle Stopper, 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Adorable wood and cork bottle stopper. Germany, 1960s. Ideal decoration bottle stopper. Great idea to surprise your guests or a very interesting gift.
Cork, Wood
Antique Victorian Black Forest Carved Wood & Glass Cave a Liqueur Tantalus Box
Located in Forney, TX
A rare antique Victorian Black Forest carved wood and glass cave a liqueur / tantalus cabinet set. circa 1880 Exquisitely hand-crafted in the late 19th century, Continental European...
Crystal, Bronze
German Black Forest Antler Tray with Decanter and Glasses
Located in San Mateo, CA
Unusual decanter set with a tray made of antlers. The set has a cut glass decanter with matching glasses. One glass is missing. Great display piece for a cabinet of curiosities, cabi...
Antler, Glass
19th Century Black Forest Carved Cordial Set
Located in High Point, NC
Lovely 19th century drink or condiment caddy hand carved in the Black Forest region of Europe. The central stem handle of the caddy is hand carved to look like a branch, and follows...
Fruitwood
Black Forest Set of 6 Hand-Painted Tumbler Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six hand blown tumbler hands-free painted in Black Forest style. Each glass is handsfree painted with different rims and trees in red. Can b...
Crystal
Swiss Walnut Liquor Box with Four Decanters and 16 Cordial/Aperitif Glasses
Located in Evergreen, CO
Add a touch elegance and refinement to any dinner party, business meeting, or display shelf with this beautiful, tantalus liquor box. Made from carved walnut and beveled glass panels, it has hinges on the top front and top back, allowing the box to open by folding the top and face of the box together. The glass panels provide visibility to the interior from nearly any angle. The box surrounds a removable base with four etched...
Glass, Walnut
Early 20th Century French Carved Walnut Wine Bottle Holder Clog with Vine Decor
Located in Dallas, TX
Impress your guests with this interesting antique wine bottle holder shaped as a clog shoe, crafted in France, circa 1920, the unique, hand ...
Walnut
Early 20th Century French Carved Walnut Wine Bottle Holder Clog with Vine Decor
Located in Dallas, TX
Impress your guests with this interesting antique wine bottle holder shaped as a clog shoe; crafted in France, circa 1920, the unique, hand ...
Walnut
19th Century Black Forest Hand-Carved French Liqueur Stand
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century black forest hand carved liqueur stand with original glass was meant to adorn the library or office, even perhaps the living or drawing room, and provide a top-notch tou...
Crystal
$899
H 6 in Dm 3.13 in
Hallmarked Gucci - Italy Silver-Plate Horse Head Stirrup Cup Barware - Hunt Club
By Gucci
Located in St. Louis, MO
Circa 1970s Hallmarked Gucci - Italy Silver-Plated Horse Head hunting Equestrian Stirrup Cup. This drinking / vessel cup can rest on the head or be displayed turned over with the he...
Silver Plate, Metal
$971 / set
H 3.15 in W 1.38 in D 2.17 in
Set of 13 German Figural Porcelain and Cork Pourers Bottle Stoppers, 1930s
Located in Barntrup, DE
Adorable thirteen porcelain cork pourers or bottle stoppers with figural porcelain heads of eleven cheerful men and two beautiful girls, Germany, 1930s....
Porcelain, Cork
$658 / 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
$2,850 / set
H 12.5 in Dm 7 in
Set of 6 Silver Stirrup Cups Goblets Animal Heads with Wine Decanter Italy 1970s
By Gucci, Mauro Manetti
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Serve your favorite wine with class and style. Set of Six Silver Plate Animal Heads Stirrup Goblets Cups, Made in Italy. Silver Stirrup Cups Animal Full Set of 6 and Wine Decanter M P Made Italy 1970s Full set of animal Hunting collection grouping showcases each animal style offered by MP. Rare to have one of each. Rare set of mugs complete with animal groupings and wine decanter, the mugs are nickel plated and the cast heads are silver plated, marked with the "MP" and "MADE IN ITALY" mark dating from around 1970. The Italian fashion house, Gucci, made a very similar set during this period. The set includes one hares, one boar, one horse, one hound dog, one deer or stag and one wolf or fox. Italian Silvered Animal Stirrup Cups...
Silver Plate
German Black Forest Antler Tray with Decanter and Glasses
Located in San Mateo, CA
Unusual decanter set with a tray made of antlers. The set has a cut glass decanter with matching glasses. One glass is missing. Great display piece for a cabinet of curiosities, cabi...
Antler, Glass
$924 / item
H 16.54 in Dm 9.85 in
Contemporary Hand Blown Glass Decanter Gajna Chicken Farm Playful Animal Liquor
Located in Camisano Vicentino, IT
Gajna Decanter The Gajna Decanter is an extraordinary hand-blown piece by Simone Crestani, part of the imaginative Gajna Wine Collection. With its playf...
Glass
Carl Aubock "Wrist" Hand Cork Stopper #4220
Located in Chalk Hill, PA
Carl Aubock "Wrist" hand Cork stopper #4220. This beautifully crafted cork stopper by Carl Aubock is a wonderful example of the marriage of form and funct...
Brass
$3,386
H 7.88 in W 17.72 in D 13.39 in
Game-Hunting Gucci Style Silver Plate Stirrup Cups with Tray Drinks Set c. 1970
Located in London, GB
This is a fantastic and hard-to-find drinks set: a group of Gucci-style silver plated hunting themed stirrup cups on a hunting themed silver plated tray, made in Italy in the 1970s. ...
Silver Plate
$1,544 / set
H 3.94 in Dm 3.55 in
Black Forest Set of Six Tumbler Green Crystal Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six handblown green crystal tumblers with hand-edged hunting scene in the style of Black Forest. The decor is an antique decor with deers, trees and bambis all around. Complet...
Crystal
$304 / item
H 6.5 in Dm 3.35 in
Hand Blown Wine Goblet Green Crystal Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hand blown wine goblet 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 pedestal co...
Crystal
$655 / set
H 1.97 in Dm 1.66 in
Set of Six German Black Forest Schnapps Glasses Green with Hunting Scene
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six Schnapps glasses. Handblown crystal in green. Hand-edged with a decor of deer and leaves decor in the style of black forest. Handmade by So...
Crystal
$2,647 / set
H 6.5 in Dm 3.35 in
Set of Six Wine Goblets Green Crystal Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six handblown 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 18.12 in W 16.15 in D 11.42 in
Exquisite 19th Century Black Forest Liquor box Tantalus walnut complete interior
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Enhance your bar area with this exceptional Antique French Black Forest Tantalus Liquor Box, or “Cavé à Liqueur,” dating back to circa 1880. This striking piece from France is a true...
Glass, Walnut
Sold
H 11.5 in W 16.75 in D 12.75 in
Antique French Black Forest Tantalus Liquor Box Glass Decanter Cavé à Liqueur
Located in Shreveport, LA
Antique French Black Forest Tantalus Liquor Box Glass Decanter Cavé à Liqueur. Create an elegant bar area with this outstanding carved Black F...
Crystal
Sold
H 12 in W 16 in D 12 in
19th Century French Black Forest Carved Walnut Tantalus with Crystal Decanters
Located in Dallas, TX
Create an elegant bar area with this exquisite Cave à Liqueur, crafted in France circa 1870. Shaped like a rustic log chest, the rectangular Black Forest Tantalus is richly sculpted ...
Glass, Walnut
Sold
H 14.8 in W 16.5 in D 12.6 in
19th Century Victorian Era Black Forest Liquor Tantalus with Glasses & Decanters
By Black Forest
Located in Lisse, NL
Large and museum quality hand-carved walnut wood, Victorian Era, Black Forest art, liquor tantalus. This magnificent Black Forest drinks box, dates from circa 1880. The beautiful ...
Brass
Sold
H 22.5 in W 31.5 in D 11 in
Black Forest Carved Double Wine Barrels, Bferret & Sicot Cognac, circa 1890-1910
Located in Round Top, TX
Traditional hand-carved oak leaves and grapes are the hallmark of this black forest table-top double wine barrel. More specifically, this was designed for cognac per the carved name ...
Oak
Sold
H 15.16 in W 8.27 in D 4.73 in
Antique Hand Carved circa 1880 Black Forest Bear Musical Drinks Decanter Glasses
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this sublime original circa 1880 Black Forest Bear Musical drinks decanter A good looking and decorative piece, it is hand carved from black fo...
Glass, Wood
Bear Hand Carved Brienz Wooden Bottle Stopper, 1910s Antique German
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Adorable hand carved and hand painted mechanical bottle stopper. It depicts a lovely Bear from the 1910s or older. A nice addition to any collection or just to display. Comes with or...
Wood
Black Forest Carved Wine Bottle Holder
Located in New Orleans, LA
A gentleman carved of linden wood lays upon a cart and is contoured to allow a wine bottle to rest until it is ready to be poured in this Black Forest bottle holder. Its creative design allows one to roll the bottle up and down the length of the table, and the incredible artistry of the Swiss Black Forest wood artisans is evident in the myriad carved details. The wood carving industry of Switzerland emerged in the early 19th century, and Swiss Black Forest carvings...
Wood
Anri Wood Carved Figural Tramp Bottle Topper Stopper, 1950s
By ANRI
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Adorable wood and cork bottle stopper, South-Tirol, 1950s. Ideal decoration bottle stopper. Great idea to surprise your guests or a very interesting gift.
Wood, Cork
19th Century French Heavily Carved Walnut Complete Liquor Box
Located in Dallas, TX
Create an elegant bar area with this antique "Cave à Liqueur"! Created in France, circa 1870 and rectangular in shape, the rectangular Tantalus is decorated on the pediment with a removable top revealing inside storage compartment. All four side panels are decorated with hand carved motifs of bird and foliage, and are also embellished with side columns. Opening the double-doors on either side, it features an inside caddy with a complete set of 10 cut glass cordials, and three matching carafes with glass...
Glass, Walnut
Sold
H 12 in W 14 in D 11 in
19th Century French Black Forest Carved Walnut and Glass Complete Liquor Box
Located in Dallas, TX
Create an elegant bar area with this antique "Cave à Liqueur"! Created in France, circa 1870 and shaped as a house log cabin, the rectangular Black Forest Tantalus...
Glass, Walnut
Sold
H 16 in W 17.75 in D 13.25 in
19th Century French Black Forest Carved Walnut and Glass Complete Liquor Box
Located in Dallas, TX
Create an elegant bar area with this antique "Cave à Liqueur"! Created in France, circa 1870 and shaped as a house log cabinet, the rectangular Black Forest Tantalus...
Glass, Walnut