Black Forest Sculptures and Carvings
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
Large Birds Nest Viechtauer Carved Wood Bird Folk Art Black Forest 1900s Austria
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful Austrian 19th to 20th century, carved wood bird nest, for hanging on a wall as wall decoration. The tradition of these in Austria called "Viechtauer" birds goes back to t...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood, Paint
Large Black Forest Poacher with Chamois
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Black Forest Poacher with Chamois
A very large wooden handcarved poacher statue. The poacher is on his way back from the hunt with a hunted chamois on his back. The hand-made ...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Large Hand Carved Black Forest Standing Stag Deer Sculpture with Huge Antlers
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This quite large and well executed carving is unsigned by the artist, but presumed to have been done in Eastern Europe in circa 1900 in the period Black Forest style. This large carv...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Softwood
A Wooden Carved Black Forest Thermometer with Bear
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A Wooden Carved Black Forest Thermometer with Bear
Item e7302
A finely carved Black Forest desk set with a bear sitting next to a thermometer. A great example of the art of woodworki...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Outstanding Wooden Carved Fighting Stags by K. Bach, 1946
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Outstanding Wooden Carved Fighting Stags by K. Bach 1946
A grandiose handcarved wood sculpture of fighting stags. Highly detailed natural carving. Carved signature of K. Bach 1946. ...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Large Wooden Strolling Bear Handcarved in Brienz ca. 1930
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Wooden strolling bear handcarved in Brienz ca. 1930
A large antique statue of a walking bear. Made of lindenwood, finely handcarved with na...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swiss Black Forest Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Wooden Micro Carving Plaque by Johann Rint ca. 1880
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Wooden Micro Carving Plaque by Johann Rint ca. 1880
A small wall plaque with detailed relief carvings worked out of linden wood by Johann Rint ca. 1880....
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Antique Head of a Sicilian Puppet, ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Head of a Sicilian puppet, ca. 1900s
Antique Head of a Sicilian puppet depicting a knight. Made of handcarved and handpainted wood with handfo...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Black Forest Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Metal
circa 1900 Miniature Model of a Black Forest Bear Bench
Located in Chicago, IL
circa 1900 Miniature Model of Black Forest Bear Bench. "Black Forest" is a term to describe elaborate, realistic wood carvings from an area in ...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Walnut
Antique Swiss Black Forest hand carved walnut study of William Tell and his son
Located in Central England, GB
This superb quality walnut Swiss black forest sculpture depicts the Swiss legend William Tell jubilantly walking home arm in arm with his son with a large...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Walnut
A Swiss Black Forest gnome matchstick holder/striker made in 1916
Located in Central England, GB
This superb small Black Forest hand-carved lime wood novelty match holder features a standing gnome wearing a tall peaked hat, tunic, and long beard.
This little fellow is standing ...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Antique Black Forest Mirror with Rustic Bear Carvings, ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique black forest mirror with rustic bear carvings ca. 1900
A large crescent vanity mirror in a handcarved wooden frame featuring two ...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Finely Carved Wood Thermometer Stand Hunter and Staghound, 1910
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Finely Carved Wood Thermometer Stand Hunter and Staghound, 1910
A Black Forest thermometer with impressive carved hunter and staghound standi...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Black Forest Style Carved Wall Bracket Shelf
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Black Forest style carved wall bracket shelf
This is a delightful item, the bracket has a carved stag’s head decorated with leaves and trees fro...
Category
Early 20th Century Black Forest Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Walnut
Large Hand Carved Black Forest Military Soldier & His Horse Under a Shade Tree
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This well executed carving is unsigned by the artist, but presumed to have been done in Eastern Europe in circa 1940 in the Black Forest style. The carving depicts a military soldier holding a 'Tommy...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Softwood
Antique Circa 1880 Pair of Super Rare Black Forest Hand Carved Dwarf Whip Hooks
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this exceptionally rare pair of stunning, original circa 1880 Swiss made Black Forest wood, whip hooks of two Dwarfs
These are a very very rare...
Category
1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
$4,822 Sale Price / set
30% Off
Stunning Large Wood Carved Capercaillie Black Forest Hat Coat Rack Wardrobe 1900
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful 20th century German Black Forest hat or coat rack wall wardrobe with small deer Antlers parts as hooks, mounted to a carved back. Nice addition to a hunters loge or just ...
Category
Early 1900s German Antique Black Forest Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Black Forest Wood Carving of an Ibex
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
An imposing ‘Black Forest’ wood carving of an Ibex,
standing on a rocky outcrop with realistically carved ribbed antlers and rippling fur.
Category
1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Large 1920s Plaster Figure of the Seated Blacksmith, Le Travail
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Large 1920s plaster figure of the seated blacksmith, Le Travail
A charming piece Folk Art, a painted statue of the famous blacksmith, known as “Le Travai...
Category
Early 20th Century Black Forest Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Plaster
Antique Black Forest Carved Bear Wall Hook Hanger
Located in Forney, TX
A rare and exceptional hand carved German Black Forest wall-mounted hanger. circa 1890
Born in the late 19th / early 20th century, featuring an intricately carved walnut figural bear's head with inset glass eyes, finely detailed gilt brass paws holding a supporting rod, affixed with chain drop hook.
Dimensions: (approx)
10.75" High, 8 1/8" Wide, 5.5" Deep,
A superb example of German folk art, functional and highly decorative, it's ideal for use as an entryway coat...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Brass
Antique Carved Buck Head Brienz Black Forest Wood Carving Glass Eyes
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This exquisite antique wall-mounted buck head showcases the exceptional craftsmanship of woodcarving, likely originating from the Brienz or the Black Forest region, renowned for its ...
Category
Early 1900s German Antique Black Forest Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Glass, Wood
Black Forest Carved Candle Holder
By Black Forest
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Black Forest candle holder with tree and standing chamois. Part of the Brienz Collection but not published. In the 1800’s the wood carving industry of Swi...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Mountain Sheep primitive Black Forest Carved Folk Art Wooden Trophy 19th Century
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A great looking hand carved original wooden Folk Art wall decoration. A great piece for a suitable ambiance in a trophy room or the office of a Hunter or Woodsman. More than likely o...
Category
1860s Austrian Antique Black Forest Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Large Deer Head primitive Black Forest Hand Carved Folk Art Wooden Trophy
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A great looking hand carved original wooden Folk Art wall decoration. A great piece for a suitable ambiance in a trophy room or the office of a Hunter or Woodsman. More than likely o...
Category
1920s Austrian Vintage Black Forest Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Vintage Wooden Strolling Bear Handcarved in Brienz ca. 1950
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Wooden Strolling Bear Handcarved in Brienz ca. 1950
A vintage statue of a walking bear. Made of lindenwood, finely handcarved with naturalistic details in Brienz, Switzerlan...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swiss Black Forest Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Black Forest Carved Cat Match Holder
By Black Forest
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Swiss carved match holder with a cat with glass eyes seated beside a pitcher. In the 1800’s the wood carving industry of Switzerland started in the...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Black Forest Wood Carved Brienz Bear Statue Desktop Accessory German Antique
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic 1890s black forest Brienz wood carved desktop accessory in form of a Bear. Nice addition to your room or just for use it on your desk. Made of hand...
Category
1890s German Antique Black Forest Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Fine Carved Statue of a Staghound, circa 1920
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Fine Carved Statue of a Staghound, circa 1920
A wooden carved statue of a staghound. It is carved as half relief out of one piece of nutwood. Made in Brienz, Switzerland circa 1920....
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Folk Art 20th Century Carved Wood Man Holding a Beer Stein, Austria 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Pine carving of a beer drinking man, 20th century Austria, he is holding his stein in one hand and straightened his jacket with the other. With a manufact...
Category
1960s Austrian Vintage Black Forest Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
A Lovely Carved Black Forest Bear for Sewing Utensils, Pierre Michel, Brienz
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A Lovely Carved Black Forest Bear for Sewing Utensils, Pierre Michel, Brienz
Item e7285
A nicely carved Black Forest bear for sewing utensils. It features a pincushion, needle deposi...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
19th Century Black Forest Bear
Located in Forney, TX
A large and most impressive late 19th century Swiss Black Forest style hand carved and painted wooden bear sculpture (also known as a Black Forest bear...
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Black Forest Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Glass, Wood
Wooden Carved Sculpture of a Saint, circa 1850
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Wooden Carved Sculpture of a Saint, circa 1850
A beautifully hand carved and hand painted sculpture of a saint with a palm-branch. It is made most probably in Armenian or Georgian a...
Category
Mid-19th Century Unknown Antique Black Forest Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
A Wooden Carved Black Forest Bear Desk Set ca. 1920s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A Wooden Carved Black Forest Bear Desk Set ca. 1920s
Item e7286
A nicely carved Black Forest bear desk set for small utensils. Executed in Brienz, Switzerland around 1920. Very good ...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Rare Cabin Decor Antler Humidor, circa 1890-1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Rare Cabin Decor Antler Humidor, circa 1890-1900
An antique turned wooden box with lid, venered with several fine antler slices from the deer and decorated with tips of roe deer antlers. (woodcrack at the lid - see pictures). On top of the lid with hollow turned antler box for matches...
Category
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Black Forest Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood, Antler
Large Black Forest Woodcarving Ibex Sculpture, Austria, circa 1920
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Black Forest Woodcarving Ibex Sculpture, Austria, circa 1920
An antique early 20th century wooden carved sculpture of an ibex. Handcarved in lindenwood with naturalistic detai...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Rustic Black Forest Root Wood Hunter, circa 1920
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Rustic Black Forest Root Wood Hunter ca. 1920
A rustic wooden hunter statue with deer. It was carved out of a piece of root wood. Germany, Black Forest,...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Black Forest Wooden Nutcracker 1950s Germany
Located in Den Haag, NL
Wonderful angry Owl Nutcracker .Glass eyes ,Black Forest . 1950s
Category
1950s German Vintage Black Forest Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Fruitwood
Finely Carved Wood Chamois Brienz, Switzerland, circa 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Finely carved wood chamois Brienz, Switzerland circa 1900.
A delicately handcarved wood sculpture of a chamois standing on a rocky base. A very detailed and natural carving excecuted by one of the Swiss woodcarvers from the area of Brienz, ca. 1900.
The tradition of wood carving, using manual skills to make everyday objects and fine art sculptures, is found throughout Europe. The incentive to create not only useful but also aesthetically beautiful things, distinguishes the craftsman from the artist. In addition to the well-known Swiss wood carving...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Large Group of Carved Cattles with Glass Vase Inset, Brienz ca. 1890
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Group of Carved Cattles with Glass Vase Inset, Brienz ca. 1890
A rare group of naturalistically carved cattles - bull, female cattle and young cattle standing around a stump. ...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Cut Glass, Wood
Black Forest Wooden Carved Begging Dog, Brienz, ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Black Forest Wooden Carved Begging Dog, Brienz, ca. 1900
A whimsical Swiss wood carving, a long hair terrier is begging with his masters hat besid...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Antique Wooden Carved Crib Figurine of a Shepherd
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Wooden Carved Crib Figurine of a Shepherd
A large antique wooden carved statue of a shepherd, probably from a Christmas crib. Handcarved in Germany in the second half of the...
Category
Mid-19th Century German Antique Black Forest Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Antique Wooden Carved Horse Paper Weight, circa 1920
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A great wooden carved head of a horse. It is mounted on a wooden base - usable as desk decoration or paper weight. Made in Germany ca. 1920.
Measures:...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Walnut
Set of Three Historical Dragon Head Wood Beams
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Set of Three Historical Dragon Head Wood Beams
This set of three antique massive dragon head wood beams comes from a Bavarian half-timber house in the area ...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
$3,950 / set
Antique Carved & Painted Troubadour or Minstrel, Nodder Figure with a Violin
Located in Nantucket, MA
19th Century carved and painted wood figure of a troubadour or minstrel wearing a hat and long coat with his trousers tucked into knee-high boots and having a violin under one arm wi...
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Black Forest Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Abalone, Gesso, Pine, Paint
Antique circa 1880 Super Rare Black Forest Hand Carved and Painted Whip Hook
By Black Forest
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this exceptionally rare, stunning, original circa 1880 Swiss made Black Forest wood, whip hooks which has the original paint
This is a fine exa...
Category
1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
$2,266 Sale Price
30% Off
Rustic Decor Antique Wooden Humidor
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Rustic Decor Antique Wooden Humidor
A very large highly decorative rustic wooden humidor turned out from a solid thunk, tin inset. Executed, ci...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Black Forest Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Black Forest Carving "The Hunter" Attributed to Johann Huggler
By Black Forest
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
The Hunter attributed to the Huggler's (1834-1912) Of Brienz - a small town in Bernese Oberland, Canton Bern Switzerland. A carving of a huntsman holding a cock pheasant. This appear...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Walnut
Black Forest sculptures and carvings for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Black Forest sculptures and carvings for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage sculptures and carvings created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include folk art, decorative objects, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, walnut and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Black Forest sculptures and carvings made in a specific country, there are Europe, Switzerland, and Germany pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original sculptures and carvings, popular names associated with this style include Black Forest, A.W. Goebel, and Hermann Steiner. 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 sculptures and carvings differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $150 and tops out at $56,387 while the average work can sell for $1,370.
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