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.
Antique Enamelled Glass Claret Jug with Stag Motif, Hunting Lodge Wine Pitcher
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This charming antique glass claret jug features a beautifully hand-enamelled portrait of a stag set against a softly graduated sky and lush gr...
Enamel
Majolica German Dog Bottle, circa 1890
By Gesetzlich Geschützt
Located in Austin, TX
Majolica German figural dog bottle, circa 1890. The bottle represent a dog in hunting costume smoking a pipe and carrying a riffle, the lid is the hat with a feather. The piece is ...
Ceramic
19th Century Ceramic Pitcher - Hunting Scene - Shore & Co Isleworth England
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A beautiful antique ceramic jug. The jug has beautiful relief decorations with animals / hunting. The jug is marked on the bottom, with a blind mark. Made by Shore & Co, Isleworth, 1...
Ceramic
Antique Art Nouveau Topazio Silver Plate and Cut Glass Pitcher Caraffe Claret
Located in Toledo, OH
Antique silver plate Art Nouveau Topazio silver plate and cut lead glass pitcher / caraffe / claret. Holds 28 fl ounces. Very good condition. Dim...
Glass
$475
H 11.5 in W 6 in D 4 in
19th Century French Clairefontaine Painted Ceramic Barbotine Fish Pitcher
Located in Dallas, TX
Add to your pitcher collection with this colorful antique Majolica water pitcher; sculpted in Clairefontaine, France, circa 1890, he ceramic jug...
Ceramic, Majolica
$575Sale Price|58% Off
H 10 in W 6.5 in D 5 in
Unique Hand-Painted Majolica Cheetah Sculpture /Pitcher, Italy, 1975
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
3-645 Eye catching hand painted yellow and black Majolica ceramic Cheetah jug/pitcher A cool accent to any kitchen or to be use as a serving pitcher. Lovely as part of a ceramic co...
Ceramic
Large English Silver Plated Holding Top / Cut Glass Claret Jug / Pitcher
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Introduce a touch of 19th-century elegance to your table or bar with this exquisite English Silver Plate and Cut Glass Claret Jug from the mid-19th century. The pitcher, designed in ...
Silver Plate
Sterling Mounted Cut Glass Claret Jug
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Large sterling mounted cut-glass claret jug, with hinged top, on a cylinder cut-glass diamond pattern handled jug. Measures: Standing 12.5" high, 6" w...
Sterling Silver
English Majolica Green Gurgling Fish Pitcher Jug, circa 1950
Located in Pearland, TX
A fabulous vintage English green gurgling fish glazed ceramic pitcher or glug jug, circa 1950. Marked Hoffritz England on reverse. This stylish pitcher is a lovely glazed green color...
Ceramic, Majolica
$981Sale Price|20% Off
H 13.19 in W 8.27 in D 7.09 in
Antique Pugliese Ceramic Water Pitcher (circa 1890s)
Located in London, GB
Ceramic antique water jug from Puglia in the South of Italy (circa late 19th C). A delightful example of a Pugliese pitcher decorated and shaped in the trad...
Ceramic
19th Century French Rustic Pottery Pitcher
Located in Austin, TX
19th Century French pottery pitcher. Pottery from Normandy.
Pottery
Charming dog porcelain tea pot, dachshund, Germany, 1938-45
Located in Wien, AT
Charming tea or coffee pot in the shape of a dog, a dachshund, from 1938-42 in Germany. A wonderful object, made of ceramic, this special shape features a popular dachshund motif. T...
Pottery
19th Century French Pitcher
Located in Stockbridge, GA
19th century French Jersey pitcher.
Ceramic
$685
H 11 in W 4 in D 6.5 in
Saint Clément Vintage French Barbotine Majolica Gallic Rooster Absinthe Pitcher
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A vintage French Majolica glazed Absinthe water pitcher formed as a rooster, St. Clément, circa 1940-1950. The Gallic rooster, in French: le coq gaulois, i...
Earthenware
$799
H 11.03 in W 6.89 in D 8.08 in
Early 20th Century English Floral Ceramic Pitcher by BWM & Co, Cauldon England
Located in Frederiksberg C, DK
Early 20th Century English Floral Ceramic Pitcher by BWM & Co, Cauldon England Elegant antique ceramic pitcher from England, circa 1905–1920, produced by BWM & Co (Brownhill, Wilkin...
Ceramic, Faience
Majolica German Dog Bottle, circa 1890
By Gesetzlich Geschützt
Located in Austin, TX
Majolica German figural dog bottle, circa 1890. The bottle represent a dog in hunting costume smoking a pipe and carrying a riffle, the lid is the ha...
Ceramic