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
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 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
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
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
$4,875Sale Price / set|25% Off
Black Forest Decanter Set in Carved Box with St Louis Crystal Decanters/Stems
Located in Houston, TX
This cave a liqueur set is truly special because the box is exquisitely Carved and has the original beveled glass. The decanters and stem Ware are by St. Louis and the original la...
Crystal
Black Forest Set of Six Beer Glasses Skier Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six beer glass called Bierseidl in clear crystal glass. Hand blown in Bavaria and hand-engraved with trees and a skier boy in the style of Black Forest. For 0.7 liter beer. Ca...
Crystal
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
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
Black Forest Set of Six Glass Tumblers Red Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six handblown red crystal tumblers with hand-edged hunting scene. The decor is an antique black forest hunting scene decor with deers, trees and bambis all around. Completely ...
Crystal
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
Black Forest Set of Six Glass Tumbler Amber Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six handblown amber crystal tumblers with hand-edged hunting scene in the style of Black forest. The decor is an antique hunting scene dec...
Crystal
Set of Six Wine Goblets Green Crystal Hunting Decor 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
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
Black Forest Set of Six Wine Glasses Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six hand blown wine glasses in green crystal with a hand-edged black forest hunting scene all-around. The decor is an antique hunting scene...
Crystal
Black Forest Set of Six Wine Glasses Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six hand blown wine glasses in red crystal with a hand-edged black forest hunting scene all-around. The decor is an antique hunting scene from Bavaria showing deers, trees and...
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
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 Beer Glass Skier Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Beer glass called Bierseidl in clear crystal glass. Hand blown in Bavaria and hand-engraved with trees and a skier boy in the style of Black Forest. For 0...
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 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
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
Black Forest Set of Six Beer Glasses Skier Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six beer glass called Bierseidl in clear crystal glass. Hand blown in Bavaria and hand-engraved with trees and a skier boy in the style of Black Forest. For 0.7 liter beer. Ca...
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
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
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
Black Forest Set of Six Beer Glasses Hand Blown Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Black Forest set of six beer glasses made in Germany called Bierseidl in clear crystal glass. Hand blown in Bavaria and hand-engraved with trees ...
Crystal
Black Forest Beer Glass Hand Blown Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Black Forest beer glass German called Bierseidl in clear crystal glass. Hand blown in Bavaria and hand-engraved with trees and a deer for 0.7 liter beer. ...
Crystal
$949 / 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
$673 / 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
$1,572 / set
H 3.94 in Dm 3.55 in
Country Style Set of Six Glass Tumbler Skier Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six hand blown tumbler in blue crystal with a hand-edged skier decor. The country decor shows a skier boy, trees and mountains and a chalet...
Crystal
$1,572 / set
H 4.14 in Dm 3.55 in
Country Style Set of Six Hand Painted Crystal Tumbler Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six hand blown tumbler hands-free painted in country style. Each glass is painted with a skiier boy in six different colors by hand. Can be ...
Crystal
$312 / 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
$1,572 / set
H 3.94 in Dm 3.55 in
Country Style Set of Six Glass Tumbler Green Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six hand blown tumbler in green crystal with a hand-edged country style decor. The decor shows a hand-engraved decor lily of the valley all-...
Crystal
$2,144 / set
H 6.11 in Dm 3.15 in
Set of Six Glasses Hand Blown Clear Skier Decor, Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six hand blown glasses in clear crystal with a hand-edged skier decor. The decor is a country style scene, showing a skier boy, trees and mountains and a chalet all-over the g...
Crystal
$667 / 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
$1,572 / set
H 3.94 in Dm 3.55 in
Country Style Set of Six Glass Tumbler Pink Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six hand blown tumbler in pink crystal with a hand-edged country style decor. The decor shows a hand-engraved decor all-over the glass. Handmade in Bavaria/Germany. Can be ord...
Crystal
$1,572 / set
H 4.14 in Dm 3.55 in
Set of Six Country Style Hand-Painted Crystal Tumbler Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six hand blown tumbler hands-free painted in country style. Each glass is painted with a skiier boy in six different colors by hand. Can be ordered in mixed colors or in one c...
Crystal
$1,572 / 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
$822 / 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
Black Forest Set of Six Crystal Plates Green Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six plates in green crystal with an antique hunting decor all around. The charming black forest decor is hand.-engraved and shows an antique decor of deers, rabbit and trees. The glass plates can be ordered in different colors. All Sofina glass is entirely handmade in Bavaria Germany. The size of the plate is perfect for serving salad, starters or dessert. Looks great on top of an other plate. Not for dishwashing recommended. About Sofina crystal: Sofina crystal was established in 2013 in Bavaria Germany and stands for traditional craftsmanship in the tradition of the 18th century. All items are hands-free engraved by glass artists who are experienced in the traditional glass craft...
Crystal
Black Forest Set of Six Glass Plates Red Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six crystal plates in brillant red color with an country style decor all around. The charming black forest decor is hand.-engraved and shows ...
Glass
Black Forest Set of Six Glass Plates Green Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six plates in green crystal with an antique hunting decor all around. The charming black forest decor is hand.-engraved and shows an antique ...
Glass