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
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
Vintage Stainless Steel and Horn Tableware Set for 6 Germany 1950s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Stainless Steel and Horn 12 Pieces Tableware Set, Germany 1930s A rustic tabelware set consisting of six knives and six forks. The handles are made of genuine deer horn. The...
Metal
Vintage 48-Piece Flatware Set with Horn Handles, Rustic Style
Located in Queens, NY
48-Piece Vintage German flatware set comprised of 12 forks, 12 small spoons, 12 large spoons, and 12 butter knives, made of stainless steel wit...
Horn
Wooden Stand for Chinese or Japanese Antique Porcelain, 19th C
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Here we have a nice wooden plate stand Additional information: Material: Porcelain & Pottery Region of Origin: China Period: 19th or early 20th c ...
Porcelain
Vintage French Provincial Rattan Handled Basket, 1950
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage rattan picnic basket, 1950s, France. Mid-Century Modern vintage French Provincial rattan handled shopping basket, made out of woven rattan. The...
Rattan
$63 / item
H 7.09 in Dm 7.49 in
Campana Small Vase or Ice Bucket in Glass Blown in a Mold Designed by Aldo Cibic
By Aldo Cibic
Located in Milan, IT
Campana is a blown in a mold glass vase designed by Aldo Cibic, a useful and versatile object that can be both a flower vase and an ice bucket. Its simple and elegant Silhouette make...
Blown Glass
1950s Anton Wingen Jr. Solingen Germany Rostfrei Cutlery Set
Located in Pomona, CA
This is a vintage/antique German Anton Wingen Jr. Solingen cutlery and carving set. This unique meat carving set is made of stainless steel and stag a...
Stainless Steel
$943Sale Price|30% Off
H 2.96 in W 1.38 in D 1.34 in
A Victorian Continental Silver Pepperette In The Form of An Owl With Glass Eyes
Located in Reading, Berkshire
A Continental Silver Pepper Peperette In The Form of An Owl With Glass Eyes. A lovely 19th century (Victorian era) German silver pepperette or pounce pot (used to contain fine sand ...
Silver
Large Vintage German Christmas Jumping Jack
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Large vintage christmas jumping jack in wood. The front covered in paper with a beautiful vintage decoration Handmade in the area of Erzgebirge Germany. T...
Wood
$308 / set
H 5.5 in W 7 in D 1.5 in
French Vintage Gobelin Set of Clutch Handbag and Coin Purse, circa 1920
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
Vintage Gobelin set of clutch handbag and coin purse, black base with floral embroidery on both sides, enameled brass frame and chain strap. The interior is lined in black silk with ...
Tapestry
$308 / set
H 5.5 in W 7 in D 1.5 in
French Vintage Gobelin Set of Clutch Handbag and Coin Purse, circa 1920
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
Vintage Gobelin set of clutch handbag and coin purse, black base with floral embroidery on both sides, enameled brass frame and chain strap. The interior is lined in black silk with ...
Tapestry
Solingen knives with holder bakelite around 1920s
Located in Wien, Au
Solingen knives with holder bakelite around 1920s Original condition
Metal
$70Sale Price|30% Off
H 1 in W 0.75 in D 7.5 in
SOLINGEN - Antler Handled Stainless Steel Fork - Germany - Circa 1950's
Located in Chatham, ON
HUBERTUS SOLINGEN - Vintage stainless steel fork - featuring an antler handle - unsigned - Germany - circa 1950's. Excellent vintage condition -...
Stainless Steel
Set of 2 Vintage Christmas Figures Wood Erzgebirge Germany
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of 2 vintage boy and girl christmas figures from the Erzgebirge. The region Erzgebirge formerly Eastern Germany is famous for this special kin...
Wood
Sold
H 0.79 in W 8.08 in D 0.79 in
Antique Stainless Steel and Horn 12 Pieces Tableware Set, Germany 1930s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Stainless Steel and Horn 12 Pieces Tableware Set, Germany 1930s A rustic tabelware set consisting of six knives and six forks. The handles are made of genuine deer horn. The...
Metal