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 Porcelain Bowl with Deer Figure Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hand-painted porcelain dish for serving sweets or nuts with a naturalistic bambi figure in the center of the dish. The bambi figure and the bowl are completely handmade in Bavaria. H...
Porcelain
Black Forest German Porcelain Bowl with Deer Figure Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Completely handmade porcelain bowl with a hands-free painted bambi in the center of the bowl. The charming bambi figure is hand painted in black and sits in the middle of the dish. T...
Porcelain
Black Forest Carved Jewelry Box, circa 1900
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Beautiful hand carved Black Forest footed jewelry box with two song birds as finials. Comes with original key. Unique find. Origin: Switzerland,...
Wood
Black Forest Carved Jewelry Box, circa 1900
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Footed oval Black Forest jewelry box with floral finials. Stunning piece. Origin: Switzerland, circa 1900 Dimensions: 8" x 5" x 5". Family Owned & Operated Cisco’s Gallery de...
Wood
Porcelain Bowl with Fox Figure Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Completely handmade porcelain bowl with a hands-free naturalistic painted fox in brown colors. The fox is sitting in the middle of the bowl for decorating nuts or sweets around the fox figure...
Porcelain
Black Forest Porcelain Bowl Hand Painted Deer Figure Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Completely handmade porcelain bowl with a hands-free painted bambi in the center of the bowl. The charming bambi figure is painted in black and sits in the middle of the dish. The po...
Porcelain
Porcelain Bowl with Fox Figure Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Completely handmade porcelain bowl with a hands-free naturalistic painted fox in brown colors. The fox is sitting in the middle of the bowl for decorating nuts or sweets around the fox figure...
Porcelain
Travertine Bowl With Lid
Located in Eindhoven, NB
Stunning, aesthetic, timeless are words that can be used to describe this elegant and modern travertine bowl from Kiwano. Expertly crafted and finished by hand, our travertine vases ...
Marble
Finely Carved 'Black Forest' Pipe Stand
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
Vintage Moser Gilt Glass Bowl with Green Cabochons
By Moser
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine vintage Bohemian art glass bowl. With large green cabochons around its circumference and rich gilt decoration. Attributed to Moser. ...
Glass
$477 / item
H 5.12 in Dm 3.94 in
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
$773 / item
H 1.58 in W 7.88 in D 9.65 in
Country Style Easter Decor Porcelain Pastry Dish Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
These completely handmade porcelain pastry dish is hands-free painted with a charming easter decor with rabbits and colored eggs. Rimmed by hand with a Fi...
Porcelain
$670 / item
H 4.14 in Dm 7.88 in
Black Forest Porcelain Bowl with Bambi Figure Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Black forest handmade porcelain bowl with a hands-free naturalistic painted bambi figure in brown in country style. The bambi is sitting in the middle of the bowl for decorating nuts...
Porcelain
$260
H 10 in W 5.5 in D 11.5 in
Black Forest Deer Antler uneven Trophy on Hand-Carved Wooden Plaque, Austria
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Black Forest Deer Antler Trophy on Hand-Carved Wooden Plaque A finely preserved Black Forest deer antler trophy mounted on an intricately beautiful hand-carved wooden plaque, exempl...
Antler, Wood
$659 / item
H 5.12 in Dm 7.88 in
Country Style Easter Bowl Porcelain with Hare Figure Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Completely handmade porcelain bowl with a hands-free naturalistic painted hare figure in grey and white with an egg. The Easter bunny is sitting next to a handpainted egg for decorat...
Porcelain
$820
H 11.25 in W 8.25 in D 6.63 in
Antique Brienz Black Forest Carved Wooden Bear Tobacco Stand with Music Box
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Antique Brienz Black Forest Carved Wooden Bear Tobacco Stand with Music Box, Switzerland A charming and highly detailed antique Brienz Black Forest carved wooden bear tobacco stand,...
Wood
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...
Porcelain
$443 / item
H 2.76 in Dm 6.7 in
Modern Personalized Hand Painted Porcelain Dog Bowl Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Design your own dog bowl. Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel offers a completely handmade and hands-free painted porcelain dog bowl in white porcelain, w...
Porcelain
19th Century Swiss Black Forest Carved Thatched Roof Cottage Box
Located in Stamford, CT
Fantastic and rare example of Black Forest folk art, a tour de force of carving by a master woodworker. This lift top box in the form of a thatched cottage has many wonderful details...
Walnut
Country Style Porcelain Bowl Easter Bunny Figure Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Completely handmade porcelain bowl with a hands-free naturalistic painted Easter bunny figure with grey spots in country style. The bunny is sitting in th...
Porcelain
Black Forest German Porcelain Bowl with Deer Figure and Garlande
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Completely handmade porcelain bowl with a hands-free painted bambi in the center of the bowl. The charming bambi figure is painted in black and sits in the middle of the dish. The po...
Porcelain
$580
H 36.5 in W 3 in D 3 in
Dog Handle Brienz Black Forest Wood Carved Umbrella Cane Austria Antique, 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1910s Black Forest Brienz wood carved umbrella with handle in form of a dog. The dog has glass eyes. Nice addition to your collection or just for use. Made of hand carv...
Metal
Sold
H 5 in W 6.75 in D 8.5 in
Vintage English Portmeirion 3 Oven to Table Lidded Casserole Hunt Game Dish
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Portmeirion number 3, made in England, oven to table lidded casserole dish, glazed in brown with a molded game / hunting scene and wheat design. Meas...
Ironstone
Sold
H 8 in W 14.5 in D 10.5 in
19th Century English Wooden and Silver Plated Bowl on Hoof Feet with Deer Motifs
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a dining table or a console with this elegant antique bowl. Crafted in England circa 1880, the round oak dish stands on silver plated hoof feet, and is decorated with stag h...
Silver Plate