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.
German Carved Linden Wood Mountaineer with Brass Lantern, 1950s
Located in Barntrup, DE
Charming German carved linden wood mountaineer pendant light dating from the 1950s, featuring a finely carved climber suspended from a rope and holding a lantern below. The mountain...
Brass
Large Naturalistic Black Forest Carved Deer Trophy, ca. 1920s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Naturalistic Black Forest Carved Deer Trophy, ca. 1920s Item e8157 A rare antique wooden carved Black Forest red deer head handcarved in naturalistic style and fitted with real...
Antler, Wood
Two Bird on Branch Viechtauer Hand Carved Wood Black Forest Folk Art Austria
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Charming Austrian 20th-century carved wooden bird mounted on its original stand, designed for wall hanging or standing. This delightful folk art piece belongs to the long-standing tr...
Wood, Paint
Antique German Carved Wood Bird Key Rack with Four Hooks, 1920
Located in Barntrup, DE
Hand-Carved Black Forest Style Linden Wood Key Rack with Bird Motif and Four Hooks, Germany, circa 1920 A charming rustic carved wood key rack featuring a lively group of birds, per...
Metal
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 Set of Six Roe Deer Trophies on Wooden Plaques Germany ca. 1950/1960s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Set of Six Roe Deer Trophies on Wooden Plaques Germany ca.1950/1960s A collection of six large vintage roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) antler trophies from the 1950/1960s, mo...
Antler, Wood
Original Antique Print After H. Leutemann, Reynard the Fox- Bruin As Messenger
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image by Heinrich Leutemann From the Reynard The Fox series Fine steel engraving Published by A.H. Payne C.1850 Unframed.
Paper
Set of Six Vintage Roe Deer Trophies on Wooden Plaques Germany ca. 1960s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Set of Six Vintage Roe Deer Trophies on Wooden Plaques Germany ca. 1960s A set of six vintage roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) antler trophies dating from the 1960s, each affixed to a...
Antler, Wood
Black Forest Folk Art Carved Wood Chamois Head with Real Horns, 19th Century
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A great looking hand carved original wooden Folk Art chamois head wall decoration. A great piece for a suitable ambiance in a trophy room or the office of a Hunter or Woodsman. More ...
Wood
Exceptional Black Forest Wood Carved Brienz Wild Boar Inkwell German Antique
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic 1890s Black Forest desk accessory carved from wood in the shape of a wild boar. A lovely addition to your room or just to use on your desk. Made from hand carved wood. Found ...
Wood
Charming Bird Viechtauer Hand Carved Wood Black Forest Folk Art Austria
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Charming Austrian 20th-century carved wooden bird mounted on its original stand, designed for wall hanging or standing. This delightful folk art piece belongs to the long-standing tr...
Wood, Paint
19th Century Rustic Wooden Black Forest Wall Mirror, Austria, circa 1890
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
From the late 19th century around 1890 in Austria comes this beautiful wooden rustic Black Forest wall mirror. A simple but elegant design was created out of hand carved basswood, sh...
Mirror, Softwood
Antique Carved Black Forest Skiing Bear, Brienz Switzerland ca. 1930
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Carved Black Forest Skiing Bear, Brienz Switzerland ca. 1930 Item e8145 A rare wooden carved sculpture featuring a skiing bear. Handcarved in lindenwood with naturalistic det...
Wood
Large Masterly Carved Swiss Black Forest Nutwood Chalet with Clock and Music Box
Located in Lisse, NL
Top quality, hand carved and truly impressive antique clock with 8 music melodies. Over the years we have had the pleasure of owning and selling a number of beautiful Black Forest antiques, but never did we come accross a 19th century Black Forest clock with musical box of this size and with such amazing natural details and patina AND with the original clock and music box inside. And if that was not enough, this finest of Black Forest clocks is top quality carved from top to bottom in the form of a detailed Swiss chalet. Mind you, this very rare antique clock is entirely hand carved out of nutwood only, which is another sign of the quality of the workmanship and the richness of materials. We have added a large variety of photos so that you can see the many incredibly detailed parts of this Swiss chalet, such as the roof and chimney, the many doors, the stacked lumber outside, the doghouse, the outhouse on the side, the striking balconies, the goose sticking its head out through the balcony, the picked fence, the ladder going up to the barn loft, the clock inside the facade of the house, the music box cilinder in the base etc etc. This antique clock from the 1800s really comes with the most realistically carved chalet house you will ever see. To us, that too is a sign that this Black Forest music box...
Brass, Iron, Enamel
1960s Japanese Signed Ainu Hokkaido Wooden Bear Carving Sculpture
Located in Forney, TX
A rare and most impressive 1960s Japanese Ainu bear sculpture. Artist signed and dated. Indigenous Ainu Peoples, probably Ashikawa, Hokkaido, Japan's northe...
Hardwood
Antique Black Forest Bear Bench w. Five Bear Sculptures & Carved Oak Leaf Seat
Located in Lisse, NL
Large and impressive, hand carved and demountable bench with five bear sculptures. This superbly hand carved bench is entirely made of solid wood and therefor too this stunning and highly decorative antique is as strong and stable as the day it was it was made. We cannot single out one detail that is more special than others, because the standing bear sculptures...
Glass, Wood
German Pendant Light Hand Carved Wood Figure Mountain Climber with Lantern
Located in Barntrup, DE
This wonderful German Black Forest figural pendant lamp features a hand-carved figure of a mountain climber. The detailed carved wooden mountaineer is...
Copper
Pair of Antique Swiss Black Forest Chairs w. Matching Tilt-Top Table, Late 1800s
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning hand carved Black Forest hall set with marquetry inlay. These very well crafted pieces of Black Forest furniture are an incredible sight to see. The workmanship and the lar...
Wood
Pair Great Black Forest Wall Sconces with Deer Horns, Germany ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Pair Great Black Forest Wall Sconces with Deer Horns, Germany ca. 1900 An antique pair of Black Forest sconces for candles. Each made of original deer horns which are mounted on a t...
Antler, Wood
Large German Black Forest Carved Wood Mountaineer with Lantern, 1950s
Located in Barntrup, DE
A charming and unusually large German Black Forest carved wood pendant light from the 1950s, depicting a smiling alpine mountaineer descending on a rope while carrying a lantern. Bea...
Metal
Black Forest Deer Antler uneven Trophy on Hand-Carved Wooden Plaque, Austria
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Black Forest Deer Antler Trophy on Hand-Carved Wooden Plaque A finely preserved Black Forest deer antler trophy mounted on an intricately beautiful hand-carved wooden plaque, exempl...
Antler, Wood
Hand Carved Wooden Sculpture Bookends Two Reading Men
Located in Barntrup, DE
These beautifully hand carved wooden bookends feature sculptures of two sitting and reading man, an older and younger man that could be a teacher a...
Wood
Antique French Server Sideboard Buffet Hunt Harvest Cabinet Black Forest Oak 19C
Located in Tyler, TX
SUPERB 19th Century Antique French HIGHLY CARVED Oak "Hunt" "Harvest" Black Forest Server Sideboard Buffet Cabinet~~ c. 1880s This is only one ...
Oak
Gorgeous Hand Carved Wooden Lustermannchen Butler Sculpture Chandelier Austria
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Stunning very rare and hand carved, Butler chandelier with real Deer Antler horns. If you are looking for a decorative light fixture for a bar, pub, tavern, restaurant, man cave, cabin or lodge then this remarkable and unique light fixture could be perfect for you. This type of light fixture was first seen in the 14th century in Germany and they became more 'popular' in the 16th century. Because of its unique subject matter and quality, this mountain climber pendant...
Metal
German Black Forrest Walnut Bear Smoking Stand with Bear Cub Finials, 20th Cent.
Located in Charleston, SC
German Black Forrest carved walnut glass eye bear smoking stand supporting an intricately carved scrolled foliage tray with two hinged lidded compartments, brass insert ashtray, wind...
Brass
Hand Carved Wooden Sculpture Lamp Night Watchman with Lantern, Germany
Located in Barntrup, DE
A masterfully hand-carved wooden lamp features a beautiful sculpture of a night watchman with a lantern and halberd. The lantern is made of glass and co...
Copper
19th Century Alpine Sculptural Antler Wall Coat Rack, circa 1890
Located in Hannover, DE
An exceptional late 19th-century Alpine wall-mounted coat rack, masterfully composed from naturally shed antlers and a beautifully worked wooden backboard, dating to circa 1890. Wha...
Iron
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 Rifle-Form Letter Opener and Folding Pocket Knife ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Rifle-Form Letter Opener and Folding Pocket Knife ca. 1900 Item e7760 An unusual antique desk accessory designed in the form of a historic rifle ...
Metal
Antique Wooden Statue of Wilhelm Tell, Brienz circa 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Wooden Statue of Wilhelm Tell, Brienz circa 1900 A nice handcarved wooden statue featuring Wilhelm Tell and his son. It is a classica...
Wood
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
Black Forest Roe Deer Antlers Hunting Trophy 1950 Mount
Located in Pearland, TX
A fine vintage roe deer antler horns hunting trophy on a carved black forest plaque, dated 1950. The plaque is hand carved with oak leaves, acorns, and branches and was found in an o...
Antler, Wood, Horn
Antique Black Forest Antler Key Rack, Germany ca. 1930s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Black Forest Antler Key Rack, Germany ca. 1930s Item e8155 This striking antique key rack is framed with an arrangement of natural deer antlers, forming a sculptural surround...
Wood
Antique Casted Bronze Cow Bell Made in Switzerland, ca. 1930
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A large and heavy casted bronze cow bell manufactured in Switzerland around 1930. The antique bell features high relief motifs of farm animals, human heads and foliages. The bell com...
Bronze
Antique Swiss Black Forest Bear Sculpture Umbrella & Cane Stand by Ruef Brothers
By Ruef Brothers
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare hand-crafted entree stand. . .signed ‘RUEF’. (Ruef Brothers) This beautifully carved Black Forest bear will always be there to greet you when you come home. It does not matter...
Wood
Antique Black Forest Mirror with Antler Arrangement ca. 1920s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Black Forest Mirror with Antler Arrangement ca. 1920s This striking wall mirror is framed with an elaborate arrangement of natural deer antlers, forming an oval surround of ...
Mirror, 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
Antique Swiss Carved Lion with Heraldic Shield, Luzern circa 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Swiss Carved Lion with Heraldic Shield, Luzern circa 1900 Item e8144 An expressive antique wood carving depicting the deadly wounded lion of Luzerne. The original statue stan...
Wood
Vintage Set of Six Chamois Trophies on Wooden Plaques, Germany ca. 1970s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Set of Six Chamois Trophies on Wooden Plaques, Germany ca. 1970s A set of six vintage chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) trophies mounted on wooden plaques. The trophies were sho...
Antler, Wood
Black Forest Woodcarving ''Men with pipe'' 1923
Located in Den Haag, NL
Beautiful handmade Black Forest Woodcarving . Tiroler men with Pipe . Very nice quality carving . signed with a monogram M O . and underneath the place where it was made . and dated...
Pearwood
Antique Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque - Germany ca. 1910
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque - Germany ca. 1910 An antique red deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved plaque with dark brown finish which feat...
Antler, Wood
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
Wooden Statue of a Walking Bear Hand Carved in Switzerland, circa 1930s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Wooden Statue of a Walking Bear Handcarved in Switzerland circa 1930s. A vintage statue of a strolling bear. Made of lindenwood, finely handcarved and handpainted with naturalistic details in Brienz, Switzerland ca. 1930s. A nice example of the famous Black Forest Woodcarvings made in Switzerland. The tradition of wood carving in Brienz dates back to mid of the 19th century. People in the region were looking for new employment opportunities. They used their skills from traditional crafts, carving everyday objects and sculptures, and created a new business. Many woodcarvers where trained in the 'School of Wood Carving, Brienz' which was established in 1884. Around 1900 the woodcarving industry counted ca. 2000 woodcarvers. Brienz woodcarvings were presented on several worlds fairs with great success. With the Gran Tour Tourism wealthy people from all over the word visited the area and took their woodcarving souvenirs home. Today some companies, like 'Huggler Holzbildhauerei' still exist and build traditional sculptures. Measures: Length: 11.02" (28 cm) Width: 3.94" (10 cm) Height: 6.69" (17 cm) Literature Reference: Peter F. Blackman, Black Forest Woodcarvings, Atglen 2009. Jay Arenski, Simon and Michael Daniels, Swiss Carvings...
Wood
Vintage Wooden Base Trophy Mounting Plaque for Deer Skull
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Wooden Base Trophy Mounting Plaque for Deer Skull Item e7558 A carved wooden plaque for trophies with ornate carvings of acorns and oak leaves. Hand-carved in Germany in the ...
Wood
Beautiful Brienz Bear Counter Desk Bell or Service Ringer, Antique Switzerland
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A great looking hand carved original wooden Folk Art Bear Statue as desk bell. A great piece for a suitable ambiance in a Cabin room or the office of a Hunter or Woodsman. More than ...
Wood
Antique Black Forest White-Tailed Deer Trophy on Plaque - Salem 1860
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Black Forest White-Tailed Deer Trophy on Plaque - Salem 1860 Item e8188 Aa antique trophy of a large white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) from Salem Castle in southern ...
Antler, Wood
Black Forest 12 Pointer Deer Trophy on Plaster Plaque Germany 1920s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Black Forest 12 Pointer Deer Trophy on Plaster Plaque Germany 1920s Item e8191 A large unequal 12 pointer red deer (Cervus elaphus) trophy from Germany mounted on a decorative plaste...
Antler, Wood, Plaster
Set of Six Antique Roe Deer Trophies, Germany ca. 1890s / 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Set of Six Antique Roe Deer Trophies, Germany ca. 1890s / 1900s A great collection of six antique roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) antler trophies from the turn of the 20th century, o...
Antler, Wood
A Pair Great Black Forest Wall Sconces with Deer Antlers, Germany ca. 1950
Located in Berghuelen, DE
PA Pair Great Black Forest Wall Sconces with Deer Antlers, Germany ca. 1950 Item e8192 A vintage pair of Black Forest wall sconces for candles. Each made of original deer horns which...
Antler, Wood
Six Large Roe Deer Trophies on Carved Plaques Germany 19.Century
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Six Large Roe Deer Trophies on Carved Plaques Germany 19.Century A great set of six large Black Forest roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophies mounted on wooden plaques. The trophie...
Antler, Wood
Large Black Forest 19th Century Antler Arm Chair and Ottoman
Located in San Francisco, CA
a large and rare set of German Black Forest furniture with chair and ottoman; with oval back above a tight seat all surrounded by a robus...
Antler
Pendant Light Fixture with a Wooden Figure of a Mountain Climber
Located in Barntrup, DE
This wonderful German figural pendant lamp features a hand-carved figure of a mountain climber in natural brown wood tones. The detailed carved wooden...
Brass
German Lustermannchen Carved-Wood Pendant Light with Figural Railway Official
Located in Barntrup, DE
A rare German figural pendant light featuring a carved wooden railway official suspended beneath antlers, executed in the traditional Lustermannc...
Metal
Tyrolean Mountaineer Pendant Lamp, Hand-Carved Softwood, 1980s
Located in Hannover, DE
While searching for something special, I came across this hanging lamp, and I just knew it was the perfect addition to my space. The mountaineer, lovingly hand-carved from linden woo...
Softwood
19th Century Black Forest Carved Unusual Bear Bench
Located in High Point, NC
An excellent example of a 19th century Black Forest carved wooden bear bench from Switzerland made from linden wood. The bench having h...
Fruitwood
Original Antique Print After H. Leutemann, Reynard the Fox And Henning
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image by Heinrich Leutemann From the Reynard The Fox series Fine steel engraving Published by A.H. Payne C.1850 Unframed.
Paper
Vintage Wooden Base Trophy Mounting Plaque for Deer Skull
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Wooden Base Trophy Mounting Plaque for Deer Skull Item e7561 A carved wooden plaque for trophies with ornate carvings of acorns and oak leaves. Hand-carved in Germany in the ...
Wood
Vintage Wooden Base Trophy Mounting Plaque for Deer Skull
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Wooden Base Trophy Mounting Plaque for Deer Skull Item e7560 A carved wooden plaque for trophies with ornate carvings of acorns and oak leaves. Hand-carved in Germany in the ...
Wood
Set of Six Roe Deer Trophies on Wooden Slices Germany ca. 1960s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Set of Six Roe Deer Trophies on Wooden Slices Germany ca. 1960s Mounted on wooden plaques, this vintage set features six large Black Forest roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophies. ...
Antler, Wood
Antique Black Forest Carved Bear Chair, Brienz, circa 1880s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Black Forest Carved Bear Chair, Brienz, circa 1880s An exceptional hand-carved Black Forest bear chair dating to around 1880. Crafted ...
Wood