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.
Black Forest Style Pinecone Frame Mirror with Antique Glass
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A vertically oriented wall mirror with a fully wrapped pinecone frame, built from densely applied natural elements over a wood substrate. The surface is defined by a tight, repetitiv...
Other
Antique Victorian Vanity Mirror with Bear, Black Forest ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Victorian Vanity Mirror with Bear, Black Forest ca. 1900 A lovely wooden vanity mirror decorated with an elaborate carved bear...
Wood
Black Forest Carved Swiss Entry Mirror with Climbing Bears
By Black Forest
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Large Swiss Black Forest carved entry or hall mirror with climbing bears both sides and pine boughs with pine cones at top and bottom. Carved by Swiss mas...
Other
19th Century Black Forest Rustic Wall Mirror, Handcarved, Austria circa 1870
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Extraordinary rustic wall mirror from the 19th century around 1870 in Austria. An unusual piece of a Black Forest mirror that has been elaborately handcarved out of basswood in an ex...
Mirror, Softwood
Black Forest Mirror Carved Frame German
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Elegant German Black Forest mirror Glass is clear and blemish free, perfect for modern interiors Intricately carved frame with floral motifs and lions to the top Great for a rustic l...
Wood
$1,792
H 17 in W 14.25 in D 1.5 in
A convex mirror, frame in ebonized wood and bronze, Italy, late 19th century.
Located in Milan, IT
A medium-sized, round convex wall mirror, designed for a cabinet of curiosities, with a turned and ebonized softwood frame. At the top of the mirror is a gilded bronze hook depicting...
Bronze
$320
H 12.75 in W 7 in D 0.88 in
Black Forest Brienz wood carved Handheld Mirror, Antique Austria 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This beautiful hand mirror is antique, old and beautiful. It was made from carved wood in the quiet of the Black Forest and comes from the Austrian Alpine region, from the village of...
Wood
Black Forest mirror
Located in 'S-HERTOGENBOSCH, NL
Black Forest mirror, Austria, 19th. Century. Hand-carved. Decorated with a crown on top and a lot of oak leaves.
Wood
Antique French Carved Oak Wood Mirror, circa 1900
Located in Paris, FR
Antique French wall mirror in carved light oak wood decorated in the Breton folk art style (French region). Antique frame measures width 11...
Mirror, Wood, Oak
Large convex mirror with a blue wooden frame. Italy 1870.
Located in Milan, IT
Large convex mirror with a round frame. These convex mirrors were called "witches' mirrors" because they were believed to possess magical powers, such as visually confusing witches w...
Iron
$2,551 / item
H 39.38 in W 27.56 in D 1.19 in
Ghidini 1961 Mirror with Birdie in Brass by Elisa Giovanni
By Ghidini 1961, Elisa Giovanni
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Mirror with decor and brass frame. A Classic Renaissance monofora is the form that inspired the two mirrors. The arc is defined by brass profile rounded at the bottom, just like on a...
Brass
Elegant Wrought Iron Vanity Mirror
Located in Milano, IT
Beautiful wrought iron dressing table dating from the early 1900s, fine French manufacture. The dressing table vanity mirror has a wrought iron fr...
Wrought Iron
$200Sale Price|27% Off
H 13 in W 7 in D 7 in
Mid Century Hollywood Regency Brass Parrot on Perch Sculptural Wall Mirror
Located in San Diego, CA
Stylish and whimsy, this sculptural wall mirror will add style and fun to your décor. Ideal for that unique touch of style in those unexpected areas of your home. Bohemian and glamou...
Brass
$2,043 / set
H 20.48 in W 18.9 in D 1.58 in
Italian antique rectangular wall mirrors with wooden Guillochè frame, 1900s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian antique rectangular wall mirrors with wooden Guillochè frame, 1900s. Pair of wall mirrors, with guilloché frame, with completely restored wooden structure and central rectang...
Mirror, Wood
$1,912
H 9.25 in W 6.75 in D 1.25 in
A small convex mirror, with a brass frame. Italy, late 19th century.
Located in Milan, IT
A Small round convex wall mirror, used in a cabinet of curiosities, with an embossed brass frame. The edges of the frame are decorated with cherubs, griffins, masks, and plant motifs...
Brass
$1,553
H 11.25 in W 11.25 in D 1.25 in
A convex mirror with smooth, embossed brass frame. Italy, circa 1890.
Located in Milan, IT
A round convex wall mirror, used in a Wunderkammer, with embossed brass frame alternating with smooth sections. Late 19th century.
Brass
Sold
H 25 in W 21.75 in D 1 in
Black Forest Turn of the Century Mirror with Hand-Carved Oak Leaves and Viola
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swiss Black Forest mirror from the early 20th century, with hand-carved oak leaves and viola motif. Created in Switzerland during the Turn ...
Mirror, Wood
Victorian Vanity Mirror with Cherubs, Europe ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A wooden vanity mirror decorated with elaborate carved cherubs and flowers. Handcarved in Italy or France around 1900. With original antique mirro...
Glass, Wood
Antique Victorian Vanity Mirror, Black Forest, circa 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A great wooden vanity mirror decorated with elaborate carved vine leaves. Hand carved in Switzerland, circa 1900. Original antique mirror in good ...
Glass, Wood
Sold
H 62.5 in W 47 in L 62.5 in
Large Black Forest 1900s Swiss Mirror with Hand-Carved Grapes and Floral Motifs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A large Swiss Black Forest wooden mirror from the early 20th century, with hand carved flowers and grapes. Born in Switzerland in the early ...
Mirror, Wood
Sold
H 39 in W 30 in D 3 in
English 1850s Black Forest Style Carved Mirror with Painted Foliage and Fruits
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English Black Forest style carved and painted wood mirror from the mid-19th century, with faux branches, foliage and fruits. Born in England during the 1850s, this mirror features...
Mirror, Wood