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.
Set of Six Black Forest Hand Painted Dinner Plates Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six completely handmade and hand painted underglaze porzelain dishes. The decor shows a black forest hands-free painted oak leaf with a green handsfree line and platinum rimme...
Porcelain
Vintage Stainless Steel and Horn Tableware Set for 6 Germany, 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Stainless Steel and Horn Tableware Set for 6 Germany, 1900s A rustic tabelware set consisting of six knives and six forks. The handles are made of genuine deer horn and feat...
Metal
Antique Set of Rustic Hunters Cutlery with Chamois Horn Handles
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique set of rustic hunters cutlery with chamois horn handles A rustic set of six knives and forks. The handles are made of genuine chamois horn and feature a decorated silver kno...
Metal
Black Forest Set of Six Glass Plates Green Crystal Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six plates in green crystal with an antique hunting decor all around. The charming hand-engraved decor shows an antique decor with deers, a rabbit and trees in the style of bl...
Crystal
Set of Six Black Forest Hand Painted Breakfast Plates Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six completely handmade and hand painted underglaze porzelain breakfast plates. The decor shows a Black Forest hands-free painted oak leaf with ...
Porcelain
Antique Set of 19th Century Rustic Cutlery with Carved Horn Handles
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Set of 19th Century Rustic Cutlery with Carved Horn Handles A rare antique cutlery set of knife and fork. The handles are made of deer horn with handcarved heads of a bear a...
Metal
Set of Six Black Forest Hand Painted Soup Plates Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six completely handmade and hand painted under glaze porcelain soup plates. The decor shows a black forest hands-free painted oak leaf with a green hands free line and platinu...
Porcelain
Antique Set of Rustic Hunters Knives with Chamois Horn Handles
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Set of Rustic hunters knives with Chamois Horn handles A rare antique set of six knives. The handles are made of genuine chamois horn and feature a decorated silver knob on ...
Metal
Vintage Stag Horn Carving Set Solingen, Germany
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Stag Horn Carving Set Solingen, Germany A rustic carving set consisting of fork and knife. The handles are made of genuine stag horn and feature ...
Metal
Set of Six Porcelain Dishes with Hunting Trophies Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six porcelain dishes . Hands-free painted with 6 different detailed painted trophies heads in the style of black forest. Rimmed with a fine 24-carat gold line. Handmade in Bav...
Porcelain
Set of 6 Antler Napkin Rings, Handmade Germany 1960s Rustic Decor Hunting Lodge
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This authentic 1960s set of six napkin rings is handcrafted from real deer antler, showcasing the natural textures, hues, and organic charm of the material. Each ring is unique in its grain and patina, featuring a smooth interior and a naturally rugged exterior, making them a striking addition to any rustic, alpine, or lodge-style table setting. These vintage napkin holders...
Antler
Antique Set of Rustic Hunters Cutlery with Carved Deer Horn Handles
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique set of rustic hunters cutlery with carved deer horn handles A rare antique set of 2 knives and 2 forks. The handles are made of deer horn and decorated with handcarved animals like deer, wild boar, hare or stag hound...
Metal
Antique Deer Horn Carving Set, Sheffield ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Deer Horn Carving Set, Sheffield ca. 1900s A rustic carving set consisting of fork and knife. The handles are made of genuine deer horn and feature a silver knob on their en...
Metal
Set of Six Black Forest Hand Painted Dinner Plates Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six completely handmade and hand painted underglaze porzelain dishes. The decor shows a black forest hands-free painted oak leaf with a green handsfree line and platinum rimme...
Porcelain
Black Forest Hand Carved Cut Board Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Completely hand carved cut board in Black Forest style with two goat heads on top. The cutboards are cut by hand in solid oakwood with our SOFINA brand logo ...
Oak
Antique Set of Rustic Carter Cutlery with Carved Horn Handles 18th
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Set of Rustic Carter Cutlery with Carved Horn Handles 18th A rare antique set of knife and fork as serving cutlery. The handles are made of deer horn with handcarved heads o...
Metal
Antique Cheese and Butter Knives with Deer Handles, circa 1950s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Cheese and Butter Knives with Deer Handles, circa 1950s A rustic serving set consisting of cheese knife and butter knife. The handles are made of genuine deer feet. The blad...
Metal
$117Sale Price / set|40% Off
Handcarved Black Forest Style Salad Servers
Located in Malibu, CA
Hand carved vintage Black Forest German / Bavarian folk art wood serving spoon and fork salad serving set. Intricately carved with pierced interlock...
Hardwood
Antique Set of Rustic Serving Cutlery with Carved Horn Handles, 19th Century
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique set of rustic serving cutlery with carved horn handles 19th century. A rare antique set of knife and fork as serving cutlery. The handles are made of deer horn with handcarv...
Metal
Antique Salt and Pepper Bowl with Wooden Carved Bear
Located in Berghuelen, DE
AAntique Salt and Pepper Bowl with Wooden Carved Bear Item e7277 A small salt and pepper bowl made of pressed glass with tiny carved Black Forest ...
Blown Glass, Wood
Antique Set of Rustic Hunters Cutlery with Chamois Horn Handles
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique set of rustic hunters cutlery with Chamois Horn Handles A rare antique set of knife and fork. The handles are made of genuine chamois horn. Tines and blade are made of galva...
Metal
Set of Six Porcelain Plates with Hunting Trophies for Claudia
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six porcelain plates. Hands painted with 6 different detailed painted trophies heads. Rimmed with a fine 24-carat gold line and with an additional green one. Handmade in Bava...
Porcelain
Black Forest Set of Six Porcelain Dishes Hand Painted Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six porcelain dishes hands-free painted with 6 different detailed painted trophies heads in the style of Black Forest. Rimmed with a fine 24-carat gold line. Handmade in Bava...
Porcelain
Black Forest Set vof Six Hand-Engraved Crystal Plates Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six plates in colored blue crystal with a hands-free engraved winter decor all around. The charming hand-engraved decor shows different trees and mountains in the style of Bla...
Crystal
Vintage Silver Serving Cutlery - England Late 19th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Silver Serving Cutlery is a couple of a precious decorative object realized by English manufacturer in the 19th century. The lot consist in t...
Silver
$673 / set
H 2.37 in Dm 1.97 in
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
$1,587 / set
H 3.94 in Dm 3.55 in
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
$375 / set
H 0.5 in W 8.75 in D 3 in
Danish Odin Stainless Steel Salad Servers Set by Jens Quistgaard for Dansk
By Jens Quistgaard, Dansk
Located in Stamford, CT
The enduring sensibility of Danish design has proven timeless, with both vintage and contemporary works continuing to captivate collectors worldwide. Dansk embodies this appreciation...
Stainless Steel
Antique 19th Century French Set of Four Copper Pans
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique Victorian French set of four copper pans of circular form having a tempered copper base, iron handles with copper rivets and hanging holes. They are heavier than the average...
Copper
$1,587 / 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
$1,587 / 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
$1,587 / set
H 3.94 in Dm 3.55 in
Black Forest Set of Six Tumbler Green Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six handblown tumbler in green crystal with a hand-edged hunting scene in the style of black forest. The decor is an antique hunting scene...
Crystal
$1,587 / set
H 3.94 in Dm 3.55 in
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
$1,587 / 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
Black Forest Hand Carved Cut Board Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Completely hand carved cut board in Black Forest style with two goat heads on top. The cutboards are cut by hand in solid oakwood with our SOFINA brand logo ...
Oak
$1,587 / 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 lily of the valley all-over t...
Crystal
19th Black forest "Cave a' Liqueur" drinks cabinet
Located in Martlesham, GB
A superb quality 19th Century black forest walnut "Cave a' Liqueur" drinks cabinet, the shaped platform top having a dog sitting amongst various foliage, the cabinet profusely carved...
Walnut
Vintage Stag Horn Carving Set by Anton Wingen, Solingen
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Stag Horn Carving Set by Anton Wingen, Solingen A rustic carving set consisting of fork and knife. The handles are made of genuine stag horn and ...
Metal
Vintage Six Pieces Deer Horn Carving Set Solingen, Germany 1960s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Six Pieces Deer Horn Carving Set Solingen, Germany 1960s A rustic six pieces carving set consisting of 2 forks, knife, axe, wing shears and honing steel. The handles are mad...
Metal
Late 20th Century Black Forest Cutlery Set
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Large and impressive set of a cutlery from Italy. The handle of the fork is a naturalistic formed rabitt and the handle of the knife is a naturalistic formed pheasant. Lenght of the ...
Metal
Sold
H 12.41 in W 17.33 in D 5.71 in
Rare Pair of Original circa 1880 Black Forest Carved Wood Wine Bottle Holders
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely pair of original Brienz Switzerland black forest wood hand carved 19th century wine bottle holders This pair are exquisite from top ...
Wood
Sold
H 0.4 in Dm 8.47 in
Set of Six Black Forest Hand-Engraved Glass Plates Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six plates in red crystal with an hands-free engraved antique black forest hunting decor all around. The charming hand-engraved decor shows a hunting decor with deers, rabbit ...
Crystal
19th Century Black Forest Carved Walnut Serving Tray or Bowl
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Carved and pierced walnut Black Forest serving bowl/tray with grape and foliate designs.
Walnut
French Trompe L'oeil Porcelain Partridge Pâté Tureen Pillivuyt Mehun
Located in Austin, TX
French trompe l’oeil porcelain partridge tureen signed "Mehun" manufacture of Pillivuyt, circa 1900. The manufacture of Pillivuyt produced different kinds of porcelain and this ture...
Ceramic
19th Century French Carved Walnut Black Forest Centrepiece with Crystal Bowl
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautifully carved antique centrepiece from France, circa 1860. Depicting a tree with hanging leaves, and two deer, one resting while the other is ...
Crystal