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Black Forest Glass

BLACK FOREST STYLE

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.

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Style: Black Forest
Black Forest Set of Six Tumbler Red Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Black Forest Set of Six Tumbler Red Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel

Black Forest Set of Six Tumbler Red Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel

$1,563 / set

Black Forest Set of Six Tumbler Red Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel

By Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel

Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol

Set of six handblown tumbler in red crystal with a hand-edged hunting scene in the style of black forest. The decor is an antique hunting scene showing deers, trees and bambis all-ov...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Black Forest Glass

Materials

Crystal

Set of Six Antique Bohemian Glasses
Set of Six Antique Bohemian Glasses

Set of Six Antique Bohemian Glasses

$1,294 / set

Set of Six Antique Bohemian Glasses

Located in London, GB

Set of six antique Bohemian glasses Bohemian, Late 19th Century Height 10cm, diameter 4.5cm This beautifully crafted set of Bohemian glass dat...

Category

Late 19th Century Czech Antique Black Forest Glass

Materials

Glass

Black Forest Set of Six Wine Glasses Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Black Forest Set of Six Wine Glasses Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel

Black Forest Set of Six Wine Glasses Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel

$1,990 / set

Black Forest Set of Six Wine Glasses Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel

By Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel

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...

Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Black Forest Glass

Materials

Crystal

Antique Daumenglas German Forest Glasses Thumb Finger Glass
Antique Daumenglas German Forest Glasses Thumb Finger Glass

Antique Daumenglas German Forest Glasses Thumb Finger Glass

$1,795 / set

Antique Daumenglas German Forest Glasses Thumb Finger Glass

Located in Hyattsville, MD

We do not have any information on these glasses, like exact origin or age. The estate where these were purchased was filled with fine 19th century furnishings.

Category

19th Century German Antique Black Forest Glass

Materials

Blown Glass

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Set of six numbered high ball glasses. Six vintage Tom Collins enumerated clear glass drinking glasses with opaque panels sporting elongated different coloured numerals 1 -6 in a rac...

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Mid-20th Century American Black Forest Glass

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Black Forest Crystal Latern Hand Blown Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
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Black Forest Crystal Latern Hand Blown Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel

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Black Forest Set of Six Glass Tumblers Red Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Black Forest Set of Six Glass Tumblers Red Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel

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2010s German Black Forest Glass

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Set of Six Glasses Hand Blown Clear Skier Decor, Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Set of Six Glasses Hand Blown Clear Skier Decor, Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel

Set of Six Glasses Hand Blown Clear Skier Decor, Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel

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Set of Six Glasses Hand Blown Clear Skier Decor, Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel

By Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel

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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...

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21st Century and Contemporary German Black Forest Glass

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Set of Six Country Style Hand-Painted Crystal Tumbler Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Set of Six Country Style Hand-Painted Crystal Tumbler Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel

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Previously Available Items
Antique Hand Carved circa 1880 Black Forest Bear Musical Drinks Decanter Glasses
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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...

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1880s European Antique Black Forest Glass

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Rare Original Black Forest Bears Carved Wood Tantalus Table Decanter and Glasses
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H 17.72 in W 11.42 in D 7.09 in

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Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare circa 1900 Black Forest wood Tantalus table drinks decanter suite with three bears This tantalus tab...

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1880s German Antique Black Forest Glass

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Antique Black Forest Wood 40 Shot Glass Serving Tray, Silver Mounted Handles
Antique Black Forest Wood 40 Shot Glass Serving Tray, Silver Mounted Handles

Antique Black Forest Wood 40 Shot Glass Serving Tray, Silver Mounted Handles

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H 6.7 in W 16.15 in D 7.09 in

Antique Black Forest Wood 40 Shot Glass Serving Tray, Silver Mounted Handles

Located in West Sussex, Pulborough

We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare circa 1900 Black Forest wood 40 shot glass serving tray with silver mounted handles and fittings This is one of the coolest and m...

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Early 1900s American Antique Black Forest Glass

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Silver

Black Forest glass for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Black Forest glass for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage glass created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with crystal, stone and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Black Forest glass made in a specific country, there are Europe, and Germany pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original glass, popular names associated with this style include and Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for glass differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $242 and tops out at $3,950 while the average work can sell for $1,423.

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