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.
Hand Carved Black Forest Style Wooden Gnome Nutcracker, Germany, 1930s
Located in Barntrup, DE
This beautiful nutcracker in the German Black Forest style is decorated with a hand carved sculpture of a gnome. His mouth opens and closes to crack the nut. Dimensions: height 22 c...
Wood
Hand Carved Black Forest Style Wooden Nutcracker, Germany, 1930s
Located in Barntrup, DE
This beautiful nutcracker in the German Black Forest style is decorated with a hand carved sculpture of a man's head with a hat. His mouth opens and closes to crack the nut. Dimensi...
Wood
Hand Carved Dark Brown Wooden Figural Nutcracker of a Man, Germany, 1930s
Located in Barntrup, DE
This hand-carved, unusual nutcracker is in the figural form of an older man with a hat, sitting and holding an umbrella. Dimensions: Height 21.5 cm / 8.46 in, width 4.5 cm / 1.77 in,...
Wood
Wood Nutcracker Designed by Carl Auböck III
Located in Chicago, IL
This nutcracker by Carl Auböck III by is a simply elegant design. The wooden sides feel very nice in hand, and the ebony and maple contrast and complem...
Ebony, Maple
$140
H 4.63 in W 1.75 in D 2.25 in
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
Art Deco 1930s Czech Glass Decanter Set
By Karl Palda
Located in Devon, England
For those discerning buyers who are seeking something a little different without compromising quality we offer this very stylish and appealing Art Deco decanter set for your consider...
Glass
Art Nouveau Brass Wall Mount Candlesticks, 1930s
Located in Verviers, BE
Art Nouveau brass pair of Wall Mount candlesticks 1930s Originel Patina Excellent condition. looks simply stunning.
Brass
$72
H 4.63 in W 1.63 in D 1.63 in
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
Antique Sheffield Silverplate Tea Set, Victorian Style, 1920s-1930s
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Elegant classic antique sheffield silverplate tea set- 3 pieces. These are silver plated with black Bakelite handles and lid knobs. They are from c...
Silver Plate, Pewter
Santa Claus Gnome Christmas Chocolate Mold Antique 1920s, Austria
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A gorgeous chocolate mold. Made of metal, not marked. Beautiful and ready to use or display, with nice patina. The 1890s to 1920s were the golden age of Chocolate production and consumption throughout Europe. Many cities and towns had competing chocolate shops with wonderful window displays filled with intricate, molded solid chocolate figures to entice hungry passersby. By this time, they had perfected the art of molding chocolate by using metal molds. The most known and best Manufactory for this kind of molds was the famous Anton Reiche...
Metal
$165
H 4 in W 1.25 in D 1.38 in
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
Max Meder, Hand Carved Wooden Squirrel Brush & Pan, France, 1950s
By Max Meder
Located in Saint-Amans-des-Cots, FR
Large mid-century wooden squirrel brush & pan by Max MEDER (Paris), France, 1950s. Squirrel eating a nut. Noble woods. Measures: Squirrel - Height: 6.7" (17cm), Width : 7.9"(20cm), D...
Wood
$282
H 3.94 in W 6.3 in D 1.58 in
Art Deco Bakelite Fruit Knife Set from the 1930s, Solingen Made in Germany
Located in Wien, AT
Art Deco Bakelite fruit knife set from the 1930s. Solingen made in Germany Original condition.
Stainless Steel
$145
H 4.75 in W 1.75 in D 2.75 in
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
$883
H 9 in W 3.8 in D 2.3 in
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
Sold
H 6.5 in W 2.5 in D 2.5 in
19th Century French Black Forest Carved Walnut Dog Nut Cracker with Glass Eyes
Located in Dallas, TX
This interesting fruitwood nutcracker was crafted in France, circa 1880, made of walnut, the kitchen utensil features a carved dog head sculpture with horns and embellished with glas...
Walnut
Sold
H 8.5 in W 2.5 in D 3 in
19th Century French Black Forest Carved Walnut Deer Nut Cracker with Glass Eyes
Located in Dallas, TX
This interesting fruitwood nutcracker was crafted in France, circa 1880; made of walnut, the kitchen utensil features a carved deer head sculpture...
Walnut
19th Century French Black Forest Carved Walnut Complete Cave a Liqueur
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a bar area with this elegant Black Forest antique liquor cave. Created circa 1880 in the French Alps, the bar essential sits on four small feet with a large handle for easy ...
Glass, Walnut
19th century German Stag Hoof Bone Marrow Serving Set
By Humbert & Sohn
Located in Savannah, GA
Serving set consisting of one large and eighteen small spoons. The large spoon is marked Humbert & Sohn with I 800 and a crescent moon, the smaller spoons I 800. Jean Georges Humbert & Sohn Georges 1802-1863 was located in Berlin,and was jeweler to the Royal Court. The firm was in existence by 1799, and received the warrant as Royal Jeweler...
Silver Plate
English 19th Century Black Forest Carved Wood Compote
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
English fruitwood carved pedestal compote with tree stump, birds and foliage. Great artistic realization after nature, circa 1860.
Fruitwood