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.
Early 1900s French Black Forest Style Champagne Bucket, Signed Boutillon
Located in Dallas, TX
More information coming soon… Hand-carved in the early 1900s, this Black Forest-style champagne bucket is adorned with meandering grapevines on textured ground set between three ban...
Metal, Copper, Steel
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
Pair Of George III Style Brass Mounted Carved Mahogany Cellarettes
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A pair of mahogany George III style brass mounted urn form cellarettes with lead lined interior. The urns surmounted by detachable lids with brass acorn form finials. The urns with c...
Brass, Lead
$909Sale Price|20% Off
H 10.24 in W 10.24 in D 8.86 in
Silver Plated Champagne Bucket, French, Circa 1900
Located in Marcq-en-Barœul, Hauts-de-France
This nice champagne bucket is made of silver plated. This is a French work, circa 1900
Silver Plate
$750
H 9.5 in W 12 in D 8.5 in
Early 20th Century French Art Deco Silver Plate Champagne Bucket, Wine Cooler
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This early twentieth century French Art Deco period silver plate footed champagne bucket features classic Art Deco motifs. Spiral florettes and a gadrooning garland motif surround th...
Silver Plate
French Vintage Gilt Metal and Crystal Champagne Bucket
Located in Vilnius, LT
Vintage French crystal champagne bucket decorated with gilt metal and round handles. Very heavy and solid.
Crystal, Metal, Gold Plate
Lancel Champagne Bucket
Located in London, England
Silver plated ice bucket. France circa 1950. H 20cm x W 24cm x D 21cm
Silver Plate, Brass
Sold|$1,400
H 23.75 in W 16.75 in D 12.5 in
English Georgian Walnut Patched Veneer Cellarette on Stand.
Located in Vero Beach, FL
English Georgian Walnut Patched Veneer Cellarette on Stand. Classic elegant English cellarette from the George III period. The walnut veneer has an interesting patch design. It has ...
Walnut
Art Deco Silver plated brass Ice Bucket, France 1900s
Located in Meulebeke, BE
France / 1900 / Ice Bucket / silver plated brass / Mid-Century / Art Deco Elegant wine cooler or ice bucket made in France. Crafted in silver plated brass with nice patina due to it...
Brass
French Vintage LANSON Noble Cuvée champagne cooler / bucket
Located in Vilnius, LT
Vintage French LANSON Noble Cuvée champagne cooler / bucket made of cast pewter, decorated with yellow leather cover with matching yellow edge stitching and leather-covered handles. ...
Metal
Regency Wine Cooler or Cellarette
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a classic Georgian Mahogany Cellarette that dates to the late 18th or early 19th century. The cellarette lacks its original mahog...
Brass
Stunning Champagne Wine Bucket Cooler, Polished Brass, France
Located in Paris, FR
One of a kind gorgeous designer's Champagne and wine bucket cooler, in About the artist: Polished brass. About the artist: E.H. Graduate in ceramic design and metal sculpture (2...
Brass
French Silver-Plated Ram Handle Champagne Bucket, 1960s
Located in Chicago, IL
A French silver-plated champagne bucket from the 1960s, cast with sculptural ram’s head handles and set on a fluted, footed base. The wide, tapering vessel is accented with incised b...
Metal, Silver
Champagne Bucket
Located in London, England
Silver plated champagne bucket. U.K circa 1930. H 26cm x W 24cm x D 23cm
Silver Plate, Nickel