Black Forest 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
Antique Circa 1880 Pair of Super Rare Black Forest Hand Carved Dwarf Whip Hooks
Located in GB
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 Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Black Forest Carved Bear with Pen Inkwell
By Black Forest
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Walking bear pen holder and inkwell. Published in "Black Forest Bears and Swiss Woodcarvings," plate 92a. Book included.
In the 1800’s the wood carving industry of Switzerland started in the town of Brienz. By the end of the 1800’s it had become the driving force for this industry. Swiss wood carvers became world renown and featured at many international exhibitions.
Period: 1900
Origin: Switzerland
Size: 4" H x 7" W
Family Owned & Operated
Cisco’s Gallery deals in the rare, exceptional, and one-of-a-kind pieces that define the history of America and the Old West. Our pieces range from American Indian to Cowboy Western and include original items of everyday life, commerce, art, and warfare that tamed America’s frontier. Our 14,000 square foot gallery opened in 1996 in beautiful Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
Personal Service
Cisco’s operates on old fashioned values – honesty and integrity, and all of our items are backed by our money back guarantee. We appreciate the opportunity to earn your business. Whether you desire assistance with a jewelry purchase, choosing a gift, identification, or even selling – we hope to be your trusted source.
Black Forest, Brienz Collection, Carvings, Bears, Inkwells, Desk Accessories...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Folk Art
Materials
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 Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Outstanding Wooden Carved Fighting Stags by K. Bach, 1946
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A grandiose handcarved wood sculpture of fighting stags. Very detailed natural carving. Carved signature of K. Bach 1946.
Measures: Width: 23.62" (60cm)
Height: 7.48" (19cm)
Depth:...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Relief Woodcarving by Hermann Steiner Meran 19th Century
By Hermann Steiner
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Relief Woodcarving by Hermann Steiner Meran 19th century
The wooden carved relief shows a grandfather with grandson on his lap. The granddaughter is sitting on the chair and hides a...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Black Forest Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Hand Carved Wood Bear Head Nutcracker Brienz Switzerland
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Hand Carved Wood Bear Head Nutcracker Brienz, Switzerland
A wooden carved nutcracker with a bear head. It is a fine antique Black Forest woodcarving ...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Folk Art
Materials
Wood
19th Century Black Forest Carved Cabinet
By Black Forest
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Swiss carved china cabinet. Front door has bear paying accordion. Mother and father dancing together as cub plays close by. Two bears supporting shelves. Two drawers for flatware. Be...
Category
Early 1900s Swiss Antique Black Forest Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Large 1920s Plaster Figure of the Seated Blacksmith, Le Travail
Located in Chillerton, 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 Folk Art
Materials
Plaster
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 Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Black Forest Carving "The Hunter" Attributed to Johann Huggler
By Black Forest
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
The Hunter attributed to Johann Huggler (1834-1912) Of Brienz - a small town in Bernese Oberland, Canton Bern Switzerland. When one looks at the old photographs of Johann Huggler, this is a self - portrait. Johann Huggler was known as the "King of the Carvers" of Brienz. The few carvings that survived until this day pay homage to the mastery with which he carved animals and human figures. It was he who opened the Swiss wood carving...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Folk Art
Materials
Walnut
Black Forest Carved Bear with Pen Inkwell
By Black Forest
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Swiss bear with log pen rest and inkwell. Published in "Black Forest Bears and Swiss Woodcarvings," plate 93a. Book included.
In the 1800’s the wood carving...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Folk Art
Materials
Wood
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 Folk Art
Materials
Softwood
Very Large Wooden Carved Bull Head from a Butchery ca. 1880
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Very Large Wooden Carved Bull Head from a Butchery ca. 1880
A very large wooden carved bull head. Formerly a shop decoration in a south German butcher's shop. Handcarved ca 1880, ea...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Folk Art
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 Folk Art
Materials
Walnut
19th Century Black Forest Carved Bear Motif Wood Box with Swing-Out Compartment
Located in Cincinnati, OH
This unusual antique Black Forest box features a pair of fully dimensional bears cavorting at the base of a tree stump. The mother and cub hav...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Folk Art
Materials
Glass, Wood
19th Century Black Forest Carved Bear Hall Stand, Three Bears Coat Stand
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
This is a very impressive piece dating from the turn of the 19th century, carved in the Black Forest we have three bears, the mother bellowing from below, ...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Folk Art
Materials
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...
Category
2010s Swiss Black Forest Folk Art
Materials
Other
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 Folk Art
Materials
Abalone, Gesso, Pine, Paint
Black Forest Mantle Carving "Antler's Clash"
By Black Forest
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Swiss Black Forest mantle carving of two fighting stags. Great mangle carving piece. Part of the Brienz Collection but not published.
Period: circa 1920
...
Category
1920s Swiss Vintage Black Forest Folk Art
Materials
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 Folk Art
Materials
Antler, Glass, Wood
Large Black Forest Woodcarving Ibex Sculpture, Austria, circa 1920
Located in Berghuelen, DE
An antique early 20th century wooden carved sculpture of an ibex. Handcarved in lindenwood with naturalistic details - most probably in Austria around 1900. On the rocky base with a ...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Pair Black Forest Carved Hanging Game Plaques
By Black Forest
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Matched pair of Black Forest linden wood hanging game plaques. One with chamois and grouse, the other red stag and fox. Both complete with rifle and game ...
Category
Early 1900s Swiss Antique Black Forest Folk Art
Materials
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 Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Unknown, Oil on Canvas Painting Angel with Sleeping Child
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A great angelic oil painting depicting an angel sheltering a sleeping child from a snake. Oil painting on canvas with vigorous pastel colors. Framed wit...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Folk Art
Materials
Canvas
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 Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Pair of Large Scale Swiss Black Forest Carved Couchant Hunting Dogs
Located in London, by appointment only
Loyal and watchful, this fabulous pair of Black Forest hounds, of excellent size and quality, are patiently waiting for their new home.
The Black...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Antique Hand Carved and Painted Hunter Figure Whip Holder or Hanger, 1900s
Located in Barntrup, DE
This adorable and masterfully hand carved and hand painted whip holder or hanger with chamois antlers features a figure of a hunter with a hunter's pipe and shotgun, Austria, 1900s.
...
Category
Early 1900s Austrian Antique Black Forest Folk Art
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 Folk Art
Materials
Walnut
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 Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Quality Carved Small Black Forest Sculpture of an Alert Hunter with Rifle & Dog
Located in Lisse, NL
Beautiful quality and condition, early 20th century hunting sculpture.
This wonderful little Black Forest sculpture is the ideal gift for yourself o...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Large Black Forest Poacher with Chamois
Located in Berghuelen, DE
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 sculpture was executed ca. 1900 in the ar...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Folk Art
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 Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Hand Carved Black Forest Bear Spirit Decanter, Swiss, Circa 1920
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A rare & amusing hand carved Lindenwood figure of a seated bear encasing its original glass liner, fitted with a removable head with amber colored glass eyes, the mouth fitted with a...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Glass
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 Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Antler
Whimsical Carving of a Dwarf with Snuffbox, 19th Century
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Whimsical Carving of a Dwarf with Snuffbox, 19th Century
A 19th century funny carved and painted dwarf with snuffbox. Unrestored original condition, old wormholes, partly paintloss ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Unknown Antique Black Forest Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Set of Three Historical Dragon Head Wood Beams
Located in Berghuelen, DE
This set of three antique massive dragon head wood beams comes from a Bavarian half-timber house in the area of Garmisch Partenkirchen,, Germany. They are ca...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Folk Art
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 Folk Art
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 Folk Art
Materials
Wood
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 Folk Art
Materials
Silver, Gold
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 Folk Art
Materials
Fur
Antique Wooden Carved Edelweis Jewelry Box with Bird, Brienz ca 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Wooden Carved Edelweis Jewelry Box with Bird, Brienz ca 1900
A very nice antique handcarved Black Forest sewing box or jewelry box with edelweis carvings and bird on the lid...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Beautiful Folk Art Wood Carved Deer Head with Real Antlers, Germany 19th Century
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A great looking hand carved original wooden Folk Art deer head wall decoration. A great piece for a suitable ambiance in a trophy room or the office of ...
Category
Mid-19th Century German Antique Black Forest Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Vintage Wooden Strolling Bear Hand Carved in Brienz, circa 1930s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage wooden strolling bear hand carved in Brienz, circa 1930s
A vintage statue of a walking bear. Made of lindenwood, finely hand carved with naturalisti...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Folksy Hand Carved Tyrolian Carnival Fasnet Mask from Tyrol
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Folksy hand carved Tyrolian carnival fasnet mask from Tyrol.
A vintage folksy wooden carved carnival mask from the region of South Tyrol. These masks are used in Austria, South Germ...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Black Forest folk art for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Black Forest 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 folk art 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, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Black Forest folk art made in a specific country, there are Europe, and Switzerland pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original folk art, popular names associated with this style include Black Forest, A.W. Goebel, Hermann Steiner, 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 folk art differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $900 and tops out at $75,000 while the average work can sell for $6,250.
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