Black Forest Lighting
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 Carved Wooden Black Forest Standing Bear Sculpture Table / Desk Lamp
Located in Lisse, NL
Beautiful quality and perfect condition bear desk lamp.
If you are a collector of rare, very good quality and highly decorative Black Forest bear sculptures then this fine specimen...
Category
Early 20th Century European Black Forest Lighting
Materials
Glass, Hide, Wood, Paint
Rustic Antler Lamp with Elk Antlers
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Rustic antler lamp with elk antlers
A large antler chandelier made of three joined elk antlers. The lamp comes with 3 spouts and vintage glass...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Lighting
Materials
Blown Glass, Antler
Large German Hand Carved Wooden Sculpture Lamp Night Watchman with Lantern
Located in Barntrup, DE
Large German hand-carved wooden sculpture lamp night watchman with lantern from the 1950s.
This masterfully hand-carved wooden lamp features a large scu...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Lighting
Materials
Metal
Large Rustic Antler Lamp with Fallow Deer and Deer Antlers
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large rustic antler lamp with fallow deer and deer antlers
A large antler chandelier composed of several joined fallow deer and deer antlers. ...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Lighting
Materials
Antler
Black Forest Fallow Deer Antler Table Lamp, Frosted Glass Globe, Germany, 1950s
By Black Forest
Located in Glasgow, GB
A sculptural and atmospheric table lamp attributed to the Black Forest tradition, dating to the 1950s. This distinctive piece is composed of a large fallow deer antler, its natural c...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Lighting
Materials
Steel
Hand Carved Black Forest Desk Lamp Hunting Scene, circa 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
The item for sale is an original desk lamp in the style of Black Forest or possibly Swiss artisanal craftsmanship. Foot and lampshade are both hand carved from medium-dark wood. The ...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Lighting
Materials
Canvas, Jute, Wood
Rustic Antler Lamp with Deer Antlers
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Rustic antler lamp with deer Antlers
A large antler chandelier made of three joined deer antlers. The lamp comes with 3 spouts, vintage glass ...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Lighting
Materials
Blown Glass, Antler
German Pendant Light with Hand Carved Mountain Climber Sculpture and Lantern
Located in Barntrup, DE
This wonderful German pendant lamp or Lüstermännchen features a hand-carved figure of a mountain climber in beautifully hand-painted Bavarian traditional clothing in brown, green, wh...
Category
1930s German Vintage Black Forest Lighting
Materials
Metal
Vintage Hand Carved Mountain Climber or Mountaineer Pendant Light, Austria 1970s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautifully crafted light fixture for Black Forest and mountaineering enthusiasts. This beautifully executed and sculptural light fixture will look great at your home, but it can a...
Category
1970s Austrian Vintage Black Forest Lighting
Materials
Metal
Vintage figural Pendant Lamp a Mountain Climber & Lantern in Black Forest Style
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Stunning very rare hand carved Black Forest style wood mountain climber lantern or ceiling light. Pendant lamp off a mountain climber hanging ...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Lighting
Materials
Metal
Pendant Light with Hand Carved Sculpture of Mountain Climber and a Lantern
Located in Barntrup, DE
Wonderful German pendant lamp features a hand-carved figure of a smiling and cheerful mountain climber in beautifully hand-painted Bavarian traditional clothing in brown, green, whit...
Category
1930s German Vintage Black Forest Lighting
Materials
Metal
German Pendant Light Hand Carved Wood Figure Mountain Climber with Lantern
Located in Barntrup, DE
This wonderful German Black Forest figural pendant lamp features a hand-carved figure of a mountain climber. The detailed carved wooden mountaineer is...
Category
1930s German Vintage Black Forest Lighting
Materials
Copper
Pendant Light with a Large Wooden Figure Mountain Climber with Lantern, Germany
Located in Barntrup, DE
A wonderful German figural pendant lamp showcases a large hand-carved figure of a mountain climber. The intricately carved wooden mountaineer hold...
Category
1930s German Vintage Black Forest Lighting
Materials
Metal
Large Heavy Cast Iron 3 Bulb Flush Mounts - Matching Pair
Located in Peekskill, NY
I can'y believe we have a pair of these amazing flush mounts. Also these can hang from pipe to be chandeliers. The floral ring is heavy iron with a deep cast details. It has the feel of a carved Black Forrest Coo Coo clock...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Black Forest Lighting
Materials
Iron
Vintage Hand Carved Mountain Climber or Mountaineer Pendant Light
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautifully crafted light fixture for Black Forest and mountaineering enthusiasts. This beautifully executed and sculptural light fixture will look great at your home, but it can a...
Category
1970s German Vintage Black Forest Lighting
Materials
Metal
Hanging Brass Light Fixture with a Wooden Figure of a Mountain Climber
Located in Barntrup, DE
This wonderful German figural pendant lamp features a hand-carved figure of a mountain climber in natural brown wood tones. The detailed carved wooden...
Category
1950s German Vintage Black Forest Lighting
Materials
Brass
Large Pendant Light Fixture with Carved Climber Figure and Lantern, Germany
Located in Barntrup, DE
Large Pendant Light Fixture with Carved Climber Figure and Lantern, Germany
This impressive German figural pendant lamp features a masterfully han...
Category
1930s German Vintage Black Forest Lighting
Materials
Metal
Gorgeous Hand Carved Wooden Lustermannchen Butler Sculpture Chandelier Austria
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Stunning very rare and hand carved, Butler chandelier with real Deer Antler horns. If you are looking for a decorative light fixture for a bar, pub, tavern, restaurant, man cave, cabin or lodge then this remarkable and unique light fixture could be perfect for you. This type of light fixture was first seen in the 14th century in Germany and they became more 'popular' in the 16th century. Because of its unique subject matter and quality, this mountain climber pendant...
Category
1950s Austrian Vintage Black Forest Lighting
Materials
Metal
German Pendant Light Hand Carved Wooden Figure Mountain Climber with Lantern
Located in Barntrup, DE
This adorable German figural pendant lamp from the circa 1950s features a hand-carved figure of a smiling mountain climber. The detailed carved linden wood mountaineer is holding ont...
Category
1950s German Vintage Black Forest Lighting
Materials
Metal
Pendant Light Hand Carved Wood Figure Mountaineer Climber with Lantern, Germany
Located in Barntrup, DE
This wonderful German Black Forest figural pendant lamp features a hand-carved figure of a mountain climber. The intricately carved wooden mountai...
Category
1950s German Vintage Black Forest Lighting
Materials
Metal
Table Lamp Black Forest Handcrafted Dwarf and Magic Mushrooms, Germany, 1920s
Located in Hannover, DE
Take a look at this unique and extremly beautiful table lamp, which is a rare masterpiece of German craftsmanship and design. Age does nothing to its beauty. The lamp base was elabor...
Category
1920s German Vintage Black Forest Lighting
Materials
Brass
Antique Black Forest Hand-Carved Candle Lite Wooden Chandelier c1800's Original
Located in Chicago, IL
Exquisite Black Forest Chandelier found just outside of Marseille, France. In Europe Black Forest carvings became a symbol of wealth beginning in the 1800’s and were found in the homes of elite collectors. The history of Black Forest carvings dates to the early 1800’s from the town of Brienz in Switzerland. Black Forest carving began as a cottage industry and found a niche market from the local tourist trade. When one thinks of Black Forest carvings, they immediately think of the stereotypical carved bears and that is probably because there are thousands of reproductions out there. Old Plank has discovered a treasure trove of Black Forest carved furniture...
Category
1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Lighting
Materials
Wood
German Pendant Light with Carved Wooden Mountain Climber Figure and Lantern
Located in Barntrup, DE
This exquisite German pendant light features a hand-carved figure of a mountain climber dressed in beautifully hand-painted Bavarian traditional attire, adorned with green, black, wh...
Category
1930s German Vintage Black Forest Lighting
Materials
Iron
Pair Black Forest Carved Table Lamps with Ibex and Chamois
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Pair Black Forest Carved Table Lamps with Ibex and Chamois
A beautiful pair of wooden carved table lamps depicting an ibex and a chamois fam...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Lighting
Materials
Wood
Pendant Light with Figure of a Mountain Climber and a Blue Glass Lantern
Located in Barntrup, DE
Wonderful German pendant lamp features a hand-carved figure of a smiling mountain climber in beautifully hand-painted Bavarian traditional clothing in blue, brown, green, white, and ...
Category
1930s German Vintage Black Forest Lighting
Materials
Metal
Sculptural Bronze Chestnut Branches Antique Wall Light
Located in North Miami, FL
This extraordinary single floral bronze wall sconce with single bulb and two chestnut shells boast a impressive dark patina to the bronze, truly in the black forest style. Newly wir...
Category
1940s French Vintage Black Forest Lighting
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Vintage German Black Forest Table Lamps
Located in London, GB
A charming matched pair of vintage black forest table lamps, dating from around the 1950’s.
The quality is superb, the stands are beautifully carved depicting tree trunks, and each ...
Category
1950s Austrian Vintage Black Forest Lighting
Materials
Wood
Vintage Black Forest Style Lamp with Two Deer
Located in High Point, NC
Wonderful cast lamp in the Black Forest style of wood carving. The lamp depicts a tree in the background with a standing stag in the front and a laying doe beside him. They are on ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Black Forest Lighting
Materials
Resin
19th Century German Black Forest Carved Clock Mounted Lamp - No shade
Located in Atlanta, GA
An exceptional large scale 19th century black forest mantle clock with fine carved mountain goats and tree forms to the body - resting on a g...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Lighting
Materials
Quartz
Large Simulated Black Forrest Stag Antler Hanging Chandelier
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Large Simulated Black Forrest Stag Antler Hanging Chandelier
This is a very realistic looking piece, this chandelier design was first made in the 19th Century, and was a great favourite in Scottish...
Category
1960s Vintage Black Forest Lighting
Materials
Resin
Black Forest Wall Light Shades Goat Fur Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
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 Lighting
Materials
Fur
Hand Carved Wooden Sculpture Lamp Night Watchman with Lantern, Germany
Located in Barntrup, DE
A masterfully hand-carved wooden lamp features a beautiful sculpture of a night watchman with a lantern and halberd. The lantern is made of glass and co...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Lighting
Materials
Copper
Black Forrest Art Deco Carved Cherub Presenting Bouquet of Flowers Lamp, C.1925
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Antique Black Forest Art Deco Carved Cherub Lamp—Nude Putti with Bouquet & Quiver, c. 1925
This exquisite Black Forest Art Deco lamp (circa 1925) features a hand-carved wooden cheru...
Category
20th Century European Black Forest Lighting
Materials
Metal
Hand Carved Black Forest St. Wooden Floor Lamp of Lantern Holding & Tipsy Guard
Located in Lisse, NL
Large and beautifully sculptured, floor lamp.
If you are looking for unique and decorative antiques to bring joy and class to your interior then this marvelous, sculptural floor lam...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Lighting
Materials
Copper
Large Black Forest Lamp Mountain Goats, circa 1880
Located in Austin, TX
Large black forest lamp with two mountain goats on a rack, circa 1880.
Electrified and wired for US, include shade.
Category
1880s French Antique Black Forest Lighting
Materials
Metal
19thc French Antique Carved Wood Black Forest King and Queen Wall Sconces
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Pair 19thc French Carved Wood Black Forest type "King and Queen" Wall Sconces. Neoclassical style. This pair is magnificent!
Category
1890s French Antique Black Forest Lighting
Materials
Wood
Black Forest Wall Light Shade Wallpaper with Hunting Scene Sofina Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Large handmade lampshade made of wallpaper with a hunting scene in red and beige in the style of black forest. Made by hand in Austria.
Fixed with green and red paspol. Two handmade iron angles to supply electricity will be delivered with the shades. See last picture.
To be used as wall lightning.
Category
2010s Austrian Black Forest Lighting
Materials
Paper
Black Forest Wall Light Shade Wallpaper with Hunting Scene Sofina Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Handmade lampshade in the style of Black Forest made of wallpaper with a hunting scene in red, blue green colors and a deer in the middle
Fixed with a handmade paspol in beige silk. Inside gold...
Category
2010s Austrian Black Forest Lighting
Materials
Paper
Black Forest Wall Light Shade Wallpaper with Hunting Scene Sofina Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Handmade lampshade in the style of Black Forest made of wallpaper with a hunting scene in red, blue green colors and a deer in the middle
Fixed with a handmade paspol in beige silk....
Category
2010s Austrian Black Forest Lighting
Materials
Paper
Pair of 19th Century French Carved Walnut Cabaret Figures Lamp Bases
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a wine cellar or a bar with this pair of antique cabaret lamp bases. Crafted in France circa 1880, each sculpture stands on a round base and fea...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Lighting
Materials
Walnut
Pair of 19th Century French Carved Walnut "Cabaret Figures" Lamp Bases
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a wine cellar or a bar with this pair of antique "cabaret" lamps. Crafted in France circa 1880, each black forest sculpture stands on a round base and features a carved male...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Lighting
Materials
Walnut
Black Forest lighting for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Black Forest lighting 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 lighting created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include lighting, decorative objects, folk art and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Black Forest lighting made in a specific country, there are Europe, Germany, and Austria pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original lighting, 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 lighting differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $444 and tops out at $14,500 while the average work can sell for $1,270.