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 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
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
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
$650
H 21 in W 15.5 in D 0.5 in
Vintage Moroccan Mirror Hand Painted with Red and Amber Moorish Design
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Moroccan mirror, hand painted, wooden Moorish window shaped mirror. Beautiful hand crafted mirror in a traditional hand painted Mooris...
Mirror, Wood, Paint
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
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
$1,584
H 22.05 in W 18.71 in D 1.38 in
Black Forest / Tramp Art Wall Mirror - Hand-Carved Wooden Mirror - Austria 1890s
Located in ROUEN, Normandie
Black Forest / Tramp Art Wall Mirror - Hand-Carved Wooden Mirror - Austria 1890s Nice example of an Austrian mirror somewhere between Black Forest and Tramp Art styles. Hand crafted...
Glass, Mirror, Wood, Reclaimed Wood, Paint
$2,495
H 49.5 in W 42.25 in D 4.5 in
Late 19th C Hand Carved Large Black Forest Frame w Mirror Original
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Spectacular and rare to find. A large Hand Carved Black Forest mirror frame with the names of the original owners children carved into the banners wrapping around the frame. Louise, ...
Mirror, Pine, Black Walnut
$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 Elisa Giovanni, Ghidini 1961
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
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...
Oak, Mirror, Wood
$2,400
H 30 in W 16.5 in D 4 in
19th C. French Black Forest Carved Oak Mirror with Bronze Trim and Bird Motif
Located in Dallas, TX
A striking example of French Black Forest craftsmanship, this intricately carved mirror was created circa 1870 and is made of stripped oak with a light, natural patina. The circular ...
Bronze
Diminutive 18th Century American Chippendale Mirror
Located in Hudson, NY
A fine diminutive 18th century American Chippendale mirror with cut-out scroll work crests and ears in mahogany retaining original dry surf...
Glass, Mercury Glass, Mirror, Wood
Rustic Folk Art Wooden Mirror (c. 1900)
Located in CHAPONOST, FR
Antique French folk art wooden mirror dating from around 1900. We love the contrast between the diamond shape—formed from a beautifully patinated, bark-covered branch—and the simpler...
Wood
$1,327Sale Price|20% Off
H 49.81 in W 42.52 in D 1.19 in
Large Antique Wall Mirror, English, Victorian, Painted, Pine, circa 1900
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a large antique wall mirror. An English, Victorian, painted pine mirror dating to the late 19th century, circa 1900. Substantial a...
Pine
Carved Wood Black Forest Style Mirror, Made in Italy, Circa 1940s
Located in Peabody, MA
A carved wood mirror in the Black Forest style, ca. 1960s. Marked "Made in Italy". Gently tapers so that it is slightly wider at the top than at the bottom.
Mirror, Wood
Swing Arm Vanity / Shaving Mirror
Located in New York, NY
Swing arm chrome and brass vanity / shaving mirror by Karl Springer. Measured as shown. Mirror 13.5" diameter.
Brass, Chrome
$1,895
H 25.5 in W 20.5 in D 1.5 in
Black Forest Oval Beveled Mirror with Hand Carved Frame (H 25 1/2 x W 20 1/2)
Located in Austin, TX
A fine Black Forest oval wall mirror from the late 19th century, featuring a decoratively carved frame with beautiful scrolled leaf patterns surrounding a beveled mirror plate. Dime...
Glass, Mirror, Wood
Diminutive 18th Century Chippendale Hand Mirror American
Located in Hudson, NY
A highly unusual and interesting Chippendale mirror. Frame is created from a single plank of mahogany. The glass is original and in exceptional condition. This is a definite one of a...
Mirror, Mahogany, Pine
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
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