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.
Vintage 5-piece carving set with box - Baron Solingen Germany 1950s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage 5-piece carving set with box - Baron Solingen Germany 1950s Item e7419 A rustic tabelware carving set consisting of a poultry shears, a carving knife, a carving fork, a sharp...
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
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
German Black Forest Antler Tray with Decanter and Glasses
Located in San Mateo, CA
Unusual decanter set with a tray made of antlers. The set has a cut glass decanter with matching glasses. One glass is missing. Great display piece for a cabinet of curiosities, cabi...
Antler, Glass
Vintage Stainless Steel and Horn Cutlery Serving Spoons, Wingen 1960s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Stainless Steel and Horn Cutlery Serving Spoons, Wingen 1960s Item e8197 2-piece hunting serving set (2 spoons) made in Solingen by Anton Wingen. Made of stainless steel. The...
Metal
Vintage Stainless Steel and Horn Cutlery Serving Forks, Wingen 1960s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Stainless Steel and Horn Cutlery Serving Forks, Wingen 1960s Item e8198 3-piece hunting serving set (3 forks) made in Solingen by Anton Wingen. Made of stainless steel. The h...
Metal
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
Black Forest Crystal Laterne Green Hunting Scene Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hand blown crystal vase / latern in green with hand-etched deers and trees. Completely handmade in Bavaria/Germany. Can be used also with candles as laterne. Comes in green, red and...
Crystal
Vintage Stainless Steel and Horn Cutlery Carving Set, Wingen 1960s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Stainless Steel and Horn Cutlery Carving Set, Wingen 1960s Item e8199 2-piece hunting carving set (1 knife, 1 fork) made in Solingen by Anton Wingen. Made of stainless steel....
Metal
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
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
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
Early 20th Century French Black Forest Carved Walnut Clog Wine Holder
Located in Dallas, TX
Serve wine with rustic charm using this antique French carved walnut bottle holder, sculpted circa 1920 in the form of a traditional sabot (wooden clog). Inspired by the Black Forest...
Walnut
Antique Victorian Black Forest Carved Wood & Glass Cave a Liqueur Tantalus Box
Located in Forney, TX
A rare antique Victorian Black Forest carved wood and glass cave a liqueur / tantalus cabinet set. circa 1880 Exquisitely hand-crafted in the late 19th century, Continental European...
Crystal, Bronze
$1,653Sale Price / set|20% Off
Late 20t Century Set of Six Pewter Stirrup cups Forst Italy
By E.M. Forster 1
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six stirrup cups in pewter. Made in Italy by compny Forst. The original boxes are available. Finely modeled heads showing two horses and four stags. Stamped at the rim 95 for ...
Pewter
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
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
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 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
$1,236Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Cake Display Stand, German, Oak, Mirrored Gateau Centrepiece, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique cake display stand. A German, carved oak mirrored gateau centrepiece in Black Forest taste, dating to the late Victorian period, circa ...
Glass, Oak
Black Forest Bambi Figure Porcelain Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Completely handmade porcelain bowl with a hands-free naturalistic painted bambi figure in brown. The bambi is sitting in the middle of the bowl for decorating nuts or sweets around. ...
Porcelain
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 Carved Wooden Standing Bear with an Engraved Glass Vase or Flute
Located in Lisse, NL
Early 20th century Swiss work of art. This small and hand-carved bear sculpture is a great example of the Black Forest craftsmanship in early 20th century, Switzerland. Anyone who i...
Glass, Wood
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
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
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
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 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 Wild Boar Piggy Bank Made of Clay
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Wild Boar Piggy Bank Made of Clay An antique piggy back in the shape of a wild boar. Handmade of clay. It has no opening on the base thus ...
Clay
$146Sale Price / set|25% 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
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-Crafted Porcelain Bowl Fox Figure Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Completely handmade porcelain bowl with a hands-free naturalistic painted fox figure in brown colors. The fox is sitting in the middle of the bowl for decorating nuts or sweets aroun...
Porcelain
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
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
Tiffany Traditional Buck Stag Stirrup Cup with Big Boy Alpha Antlers
By J.D. Schleissner & Söhne 1, Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
Traditional German sterling silver stirrup cup. Conical bowl mounted to cast buck bust with flexed-back ears, gaping mouth, thick striated fur, and big spiky antlers. Gilt interior. ...
Sterling Silver
$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
Country Style Hand-Painted Pottery Dish Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel Austria
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hands-free painted pottery rectangular dish in blue from Austria in Country style. Decorated with a hands-free painted pomegrante and a garland in white all around. Showing trees in the bottom and a handpainted green garland...
Ceramic
Black Forest Antler-Mounted Oak Spirits Cabinet, circa 1900
Located in Atlanta, GA
A richly textured and visually commanding Black Forest spirits cabinet, crafted in Germany around 1900. This compact yet sculptural piece is clad in a carved faux bois surface and dr...
Bone, Antler, Oak
Set of Three Porcelain Bowls Winter Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
These completely handmade porcelain bowls are painted by hand with a charming hands-free winter decor. Teh decor comes as a set of three decors. One shows...
Porcelain
19th Century French Black Forest Walnut Cave à Liqueur with Gilt Crystal Service
Located in Dallas, TX
Elevate a bar, library, or gentleman’s study with this exceptional antique Cave à Liqueur from France, crafted circa 1870. Executed in richly patinated walnut in the Black Forest tas...
Glass, Walnut
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 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
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 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
Black Forest Hand-Painted Pottery Dish Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel Austria
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hands-free painted pottery rectangular dish from Austria in Black Forest style. Decorated with a hand-painted tree decor in green all around. Showing trees ...
Pottery
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
Black Forest Pottery Dish Hand-Painted Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel Austria
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Large hands-free painted pottery dish in the style of black forest. Decorated with a handpainted green decor with trees and a hands-free painted garlande ....
Ceramic, Pottery
Mid-Century Paul Melchior Solingen Germany 3-Piece Stag Handle Carving Set C1950
Located in Incline Village, NV
A striking mid-century German three-piece meat carving and poultry set by the respected cutler Paul Melchior of Solingen, Germany, dating to circa 1950–1955. Solingen was the center ...
Stainless Steel
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
Black Forest Hand-Painted Pottery Dish Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel Austria
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hands-free painted round pottery dish from Austria in Black Forest style. Decorated with a hand-painted tree decor in green all around. Showing trees in the bottom and a handpainted green garland...
Pottery
Early 20th Century German Hand-Painted Ceramic Hunting Scene Wall Platter
Located in Dallas, TX
This evocative antique hunting platter captures the atmosphere of a traditional European sporting scene with rich color and finely rendered detail. Crafted in Germany circa 1920, the...
Ceramic
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 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.
Blown Glass
Black Forest Crystal Laterne Green Hunting Scene Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hand blown crystal vase/lantern in green with hand engraved deers and trees all around in the style of black forest. Completely handmade in Bavaria/Germany. Can be used also with ca...
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 Hand Carved Tantalus Set Original Glasses
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Black Forest hand-carved walnut tantalus box. With intricate fox finial against fence, brick and wood plank design on box, and stunning cranes etched on front and back glass with ree...
Glass, Wood, Walnut
Black Forrest Carved Oak Hinged Boar Head Cellarette with Bone Tusk, C. 1870
Located in Charleston, SC
Black Forrest hand carved oak hinged boar head cellarette with bone tusk, carved intertwined branches with oak leaves, and resting on decorative foliate scr...
Iron
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 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