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Black Forest More Folk Art

BLACK FOREST STYLE

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.

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Style: Black Forest
19th Century German Black Forest Hunting Plaque
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Large German wooden plaque hand carved in basswood in German Black Forest style. About 1890. The hunting plaque shows a large hare figure and oak leaves in a naturalistic detailed st...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest More Folk Art

Materials

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...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Black Forest More Folk Art

Materials

Metal

Antique Oil Print with Black Forest Poacher Scene after Josef Ringeisen
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Oil Print with Black Forest Poacher Scene after Josef Ringeisen A colorful oil print depicting a dramatic poaching scenery in the Bavarian forest. Two poachers are caught in...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest More Folk Art

Materials

Glass, Wood

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...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Black Forest More Folk Art

Materials

Metal

Antique Cheese and Butter Knives with Deer Handles, circa 1950s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Cheese and Butter Knives with Deer Handles, circa 1950s A rustic serving set consisting of cheese knife and butter knife. The handles are made of genuine deer feet. The blad...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Black Forest More Folk Art

Materials

Metal

Vintage Stag Horn Winged Poultry Shears by J. A. Henkels, Solingen
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Stag Horn Winged Poultry Shears by J. A. Henkels, Solingen A rustic winged poultry shears with handles made of genuine stag horn. Blades made of chromed steel. Manufactured ...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Black Forest More Folk Art

Materials

Metal

Antique Leather Strap with Eight Brass Bells, Switzerland ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Leather Strap with Eight Brass Bells, Switzerland ca. 1900s An antique leather strap with eight brass bells from the Swiss Alps manufactured ca. 1900. These bells are used t...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest More Folk Art

Materials

Metal

Antique Antler Mirror with Console Table, Austria, ca. 1860
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Antler Mirror with Console Table, Austria, ca. 1860 A large antler mirror with console table, made in Austria ca. 1860. The mirror is decorated with turned horn roses, antle...
Category

19th Century German Antique Black Forest More Folk Art

Materials

Antler, Glass, Wood, Stucco

A Wooden Carved Black Forest Weather Station with Bird
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A Wooden Carved Black Forest Weather Station with Bird A Black Forest meteorological station with barometer and thermometer. Handcarved in German...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest More Folk Art

Materials

Wood

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 ...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Black Forest More Folk Art

Materials

Metal

Antique Bell Belt with Eight Brass Bells, Tyrol ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Bell Belt with Eight Brass Bells, Tyrol ca. 1900s An antique bell belt with eight brass bells from the Tyrolian Alps ca. 1900s. Bell belts are used to locate goats or sheep ...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest More Folk Art

Materials

Metal

Antique Leather Strap with Thirteen Bronze Bells, Switzerland ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Leather Strap with Thirteen Bronze Bells, Switzerland ca. 1900s An antique leather strap with thirteen bronze bells from the swiss Alps...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest More Folk Art

Materials

Metal

Antique Leather Strap with Six Casted Cattle Bells, Switzerland ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Leather Strap with Six Casted Cattle Bells, Switzerland ca. 1900s An antique leather strap with six casted bronze cattle bells from the swiss Alps manufactured ca. 1900. Cat...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest More Folk Art

Materials

Bronze

Large Antique Mirror with Rustic Antler Decorations
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Antique Mirror with Rustic Antler Decorations A large impressive antler mirror decorated with turned horn roses and antler pieces of the deer, fallow deer and virginia deer. M...
Category

19th Century German Antique Black Forest More Folk Art

Materials

Antler, Glass, Wood

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 ...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Black Forest More Folk Art

Materials

Metal

Antique Oil Print with Dramatic Poacher Scene after Josef Ringeisen
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Oil Print with Dramatic Poacher Scene after Josef Ringeisen A colorful oil print depicting a dramatic poaching scenery in the Bavarian alps....
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest More Folk Art

Materials

Glass, Wood

Antique Oil Print with Dramatic Poacher Scene After Josef Ringeisen
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Oil Print with Dramatic Poacher Scene after Josef Ringeisen A colorful oil print depicting a dramatic poaching scenery in the Bavarian for...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest More Folk Art

Materials

Glass, Wood

Great Lodge Style Antler Mantel Clock 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Great Lodge Style Antler Mantel Clock 1900 A rare antique lodge style mantel clock. Oakwood case, richly decorated with antlers from the deer and fallow deer, mountain goat antlers ...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest More Folk Art

Materials

Wood, Antler

Antique Bull Horn Hall Stand ca. 1870
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Bull Horn Hall Stand ca .1870 A large bull horn hall stand made of wood, original Austrian cattle horns and a green velvet cover. Manufactured i...
Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest More Folk Art

Materials

Wood, Antler

Antique Oil Print with Dramatic Poacher Scene After Josef Ringeisen
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Oil Print with Dramatic Poacher Scene after Josef Ringeisen A colorful oil print depicting a dramatic poaching scenery in the Bavarian for...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest More Folk Art

Materials

Glass, Wood

Antique Oil Print with Bear Hunt Scene After Heinrich Buerkel, 19th Century
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Oil Print with Bear Hunt Scene after Heinrich Buerkel 19th cetntury A colorful oil print depicting an alpine bear hunt scenery in the Bava...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest More Folk Art

Materials

Glass, Wood

Antique Oil Print with Dramatic Poacher Scene After Josef Ringeisen
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Oil Print with Dramatic Poacher Scene after Josef Ringeisen. A colorful oil print depicting a dramatic poaching scenery in the bavarian fore...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest More Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Great Carved Black Forest Horn Lithophany, Germany ca. 1840
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Great Carved Black Forest Horn Lithophany, Germany ca. 1840 Museal rustic lithophany depicting finely carved chamoise in a mountain landscape. The f...
Category

Mid-19th Century German Antique Black Forest More Folk Art

Materials

Wood, Antler

Antique Print with Humoristic Scene Featuring Wild Boars and a Painter
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Print with Humoristic Scene featuring Wild Boars and a Painter A colorful antique oil print depicting a humoristic scene in the Black Fore...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest More Folk Art

Materials

Glass, Wood

Antique Photo Print Collage with Hunt Company and Game in the Forest
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Photo Print Collage with Hunt Company and Game in the Forest An antique collage of several victorian hunters in a forest. Made with a pai...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest More Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Antique Oil Print with Dramatic Lion Hunting Scene in Arabia 19th Century
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Oil Print with Dramatic Lion Hunting Scene in Arabia 19th century A colorful oil print depicting a dramatic lion hunting scenery in Arabia. ...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest More Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Antique Set of Rustic Hunters Cutlery with Carved Deer Horn Handles
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique set of rustic hunters cutlery with carved deer horn handles A rare antique set of 2 knives and 2 forks. The handles are made of deer horn and decorated with handcarved animals like deer, wild boar, hare or stag hound...
Category

Mid-19th Century German Antique Black Forest More Folk Art

Materials

Metal

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 rustic set of six knives and forks. The handles are made of genuine chamois horn and feature a decorated silver kno...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest More Folk Art

Materials

Metal

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...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest More Folk Art

Materials

Metal

Antique Oil Print with Dramatic Tiger Hunting Scene in India, 19th Century
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Oil Print with Dramatic Tiger Hunting Scene in India 19th century A colorful oil print depicting a dramatic tiger hunting scenery in India. ...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest More Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Antique Set of Rustic Carter Cutlery with Carved Horn Handles 18th
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Set of Rustic Carter Cutlery with Carved Horn Handles 18th A rare antique set of knife and fork as serving cutlery. The handles are made of deer horn with handcarved heads o...
Category

Mid-18th Century German Antique Black Forest More Folk Art

Materials

Metal

Antique Set of Rustic Hunters Knives with Chamois Horn Handles
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Set of Rustic hunters knives with Chamois Horn handles A rare antique set of six knives. The handles are made of genuine chamois horn and feature a decorated silver knob on ...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest More Folk Art

Materials

Metal

Antique Set of Rustic Serving Cutlery with Carved Horn Handles, 19th Century
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique set of rustic serving cutlery with carved horn handles 19th century. A rare antique set of knife and fork as serving cutlery. The handles are made of deer horn with handcarv...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest More Folk Art

Materials

Metal

Antique Set of Rustic Carter Cutlery with Carved Horn Handles 18th
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Set of Rustic Carter Cutlery with Carved Horn Handles 18th A rare antique set of knife and fork as serving cutlery. The handles are made of deer horns with handcarved heads ...
Category

Mid-18th Century German Antique Black Forest More Folk Art

Materials

Metal

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...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest More Folk Art

Materials

Bronze

Large Vintage German Christmas Jumping Jack
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
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...
Category

1950s German Vintage Black Forest More Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Gunpowder Horn with Great Engravings, 18th Century
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Gunpowder Horn with Great Engravings, 18th Century An antique gunpowder horn made of horn and wood. There are engraved hunting scenes depicting a styli...
Category

Late 18th Century German Antique Black Forest More Folk Art

Materials

Antler

Large Hall Mirror with Cow Horn Decorations and Console Table, Austria, 1870
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large hall mirror with cow horn decorations and console table, Austria 1870 A great wall mirror with console table from a noble villa in the Austri...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest More Folk Art

Materials

Antler, Glass, Wood, Fur

Victorian Miniature Black forest Antler Casket 1860
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A marvelous antique rustic casket. It is made of wood, veneered with antler pieces. On top an antler plaque with staghound carving. The feet are made of ...
Category

Mid-19th Century German Antique Black Forest More Folk Art

Materials

Antler, Wood

Large Antique Antler Standing Mirror, Germany, ca. 1890
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large antique antler standing mirror, Germany, ca. 1890 A great antique Black Forest antler standing mirror manufactured in Germany around 1890. An oval wooden frame richly decorate...
Category

19th Century German Antique Black Forest More Folk Art

Materials

Antler, Glass, Wood

Black Forest Wall Light Shades Goat Fur Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Pair of handmade lampshades with goat fur. Typical light grey fur color with a black line. Inside with gold. Rimmed by hand with a beige grosgrain. Iron angels...
Category

2010s Austrian Black Forest More Folk Art

Materials

Fur

Austrian Antler Brooch with English Gold Medal
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Handmade brooch in the form of an antler in silver gilded. In the middle a Victorian gold medal dated 1895. Austrian hallmark and silver hallmark.
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Black Forest More Folk Art

Materials

Silver, Gold

Black Forest more folk art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Black Forest more folk art for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage more folk art created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include folk art, wall decorations, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, bone and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Black Forest more folk art made in a specific country, there are Europe, Germany, and Switzerland pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original more folk art, popular names associated with this style include and Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for more folk art differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $195 and tops out at $8,780 while the average work can sell for $585.

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