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.
Chaffinch Bird Viechtauer Hand Carved Wood Black Forest Folk Art Austria
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Charming Austrian 20th-century carved wooden bird mounted on its original stand, designed for wall hanging or standing. This delightful folk art piece belongs to the long-standing tr...
Wood, Paint
Goldfinch Bird Viechtauer Hand Carved Wood Black Forest Folk Art Austria
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Charming Austrian late 19th-century carved wooden bird mounted on its original stand, designed for wall hanging or standing. This delightful folk art piece belongs to the long-standi...
Wood, Paint
Scottish Red Deer Hunting Trophy: Stag Skull and Antlers, Circa 1920
Located in Glasgow, GB
An impressive early 20th-century Scottish red deer hunting trophy, comprising a naturally preserved stag skull and eleven-point antlers mounted on a traditional oak shield-shaped pla...
Antler, Oak
Great Tit Bird Viechtauer Hand Carved Wood Black Forest Folk Art Austria
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Charming Austrian 20th-century carved wooden bird mounted on its original stand, designed for wall hanging or standing. This delightful folk art piece belongs to the long-standing tr...
Wood, Paint
Beautiful Bird Viechtauer Hand Carved Wood Black Forest Folk Art Austria
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Charming Austrian 20th-century carved wooden bird mounted on its original stand, designed for wall hanging or standing. This delightful folk art piece belongs to the long-standing tr...
Wood, Paint
19th Century Alpine Sculptural Antler Wall Coat Rack, circa 1890
Located in Hannover, DE
An exceptional late 19th-century Alpine wall-mounted coat rack, masterfully composed from naturally shed antlers and a beautifully worked wooden backboard, dating to circa 1890. Wha...
Iron
German Carved Linden Wood Mountaineer with Brass Lantern, 1950s
Located in Barntrup, DE
Charming German carved linden wood mountaineer pendant light dating from the 1950s, featuring a finely carved climber suspended from a rope and holding a lantern below. The mountain...
Brass
Monumental Black Forest Hunting Plaque Attributed to Johann Flück, 19th C.
Located in Hannover, DE
An exceptional and monumental late 19th-century Black Forest hunting plaque, attributed to the renowned Swiss master carver Johann Flück. ...
Walnut
Black Forest style carved oak dog kennel, Switzerland/Germany, ca. 1850
Located in Meulebeke, BE
An exceptional Black Forest carved oak dog kennel, dating to around 1850, showcasing the region’s celebrated folk‑art craftsmanship. Shaped like a miniature chalet, the structure is ...
Oak
Bullfinch Bird Viechtauer Hand Carved Wood Black Forest Folk Art Austria
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Charming Austrian 20th-century carved wooden bird mounted on its original stand, designed for wall hanging or standing. This delightful folk art piece belongs to the long-standing tr...
Wood, Paint
Black Forest Folk Art Carved Wood Chamois Head with Real Horns, 19th Century
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A great looking hand carved original wooden Folk Art chamois head wall decoration. A great piece for a suitable ambiance in a trophy room or the office of a Hunter or Woodsman. More ...
Wood
Charming Bird Viechtauer Hand Carved Wood Black Forest Folk Art Austria
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Charming Austrian 20th-century carved wooden bird mounted on its original stand, designed for wall hanging or standing. This delightful folk art piece belongs to the long-standing tr...
Wood, Paint
Vintage 5-piece carving set with box - Baron Solingen Germany 1950s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage 5-piece carving set with box - Baron Solingen Germany 1950s Item e7419 A rustic tabelware carving set consisting of a poultry shears, a carving knife, a carving fork, a sharp...
Metal
19th Century Rustic Wooden Black Forest Wall Mirror, Austria, circa 1890
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
From the late 19th century around 1890 in Austria comes this beautiful wooden rustic Black Forest wall mirror. A simple but elegant design was created out of hand carved basswood, sh...
Mirror, Softwood
Antique German Carved Wood Bird Key Rack with Four Hooks, 1920
Located in Barntrup, DE
Hand-Carved Black Forest Style Linden Wood Key Rack with Bird Motif and Four Hooks, Germany, circa 1920 A charming rustic carved wood key rack featuring a lively group of birds, per...
Metal
Vintage Set of Six Roe Deer Trophies on Wooden Plaques Germany ca. 1950/1960s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Set of Six Roe Deer Trophies on Wooden Plaques Germany ca.1950/1960s A collection of six large vintage roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) antler trophies from the 1950/1960s, mo...
Antler, Wood
Original Antique Print After H. Leutemann, Reynard the Fox And Henning
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image by Heinrich Leutemann From the Reynard The Fox series Fine steel engraving Published by A.H. Payne C.1850 Unframed.
Paper
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
Set of Six Vintage Roe Deer Trophies on Wooden Plaques Germany ca. 1960s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Set of Six Vintage Roe Deer Trophies on Wooden Plaques Germany ca. 1960s A set of six vintage roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) antler trophies dating from the 1960s, each affixed to a...
Antler, Wood
Exceptional Black Forest Wood Carved Brienz Wild Boar Inkwell German Antique
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic 1890s Black Forest desk accessory carved from wood in the shape of a wild boar. A lovely addition to your room or just to use on your desk. Made from hand carved wood. Found ...
Wood
Pair of Antique Swiss Black Forest Chairs w. Matching Tilt-Top Table, Late 1800s
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning hand carved Black Forest hall set with marquetry inlay. These very well crafted pieces of Black Forest furniture are an incredible sight to see. The workmanship and the lar...
Wood
Black Forest Style Oval Oak Leaf & Acorn Mirror by Mirror Fair, Stephen Cavallo
Located in Plainview, NY
Black Forest Style Oval Oak Leaf & Acorn Motif Mirror by Mirror Fair, Stephen Cavallo This exceptional Black Forest Style Oval Oak Leaf & Acorn Motif Mirror by Mirror Fair, Stephen...
Resin
Antique Abnorm Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque, Black Forest Germany, ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Abnorm Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque, Black Forest Germany, ca. 1900 Item e8302 An antique roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) antler trophy mounted on an elaborately carved wo...
Antler, Wood
Large Folk Art Wood Carved Deer Head with Real Antlers, Austria 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 ...
Wood
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...
Copper
Huge Antique Victorian Era Black Forest Wall Clock or Mirror Frame with Hare
Located in Lisse, NL
Incredible size and great quality black forest hunting plaque for wall mounting with Fruits of the Hunt. This rare size and all hand-carv...
Nutwood
19th Century French Black Forest Style Walnut Hunting Trophy Wall Rack
Located in Dallas, TX
Commanding in scale and rich in sporting character, this antique hunting trophy wall rack creates a dramatic architectural focal point. Crafted in France circa 1860, the substantial ...
Horn, Fabric, Walnut
Hand Carved Wooden Sculpture Bookends Two Reading Men
Located in Barntrup, DE
These beautifully hand carved wooden bookends feature sculptures of two sitting and reading man, an older and younger man that could be a teacher a...
Wood
Large Monumental Black Forest Eagle Clock, Lenzkirch Movement, 19th Century
By Lenzkirch, Emile Egger
Located in Lisse, NL
Top quality, hand carved nutwood eagle clock with Lenzkirch movement. An exceptional and rare late 19th century Black Forest wall clock of monumental size, featuring a superbly hand...
Brass, Iron
19th Century French Saint Hubert Carved Oak Hunt Buffet with Marble Top
Located in Dallas, TX
Commanding in scale and richly detailed, this antique Saint-Hubert hunt buffet makes a striking architectural statement. Crafted in France circa 1870, the substantial oak cabinet is ...
Marble
Pair Great Black Forest Wall Sconces with Deer Horns, Germany ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Pair Great Black Forest Wall Sconces with Deer Horns, Germany ca. 1900 An antique pair of Black Forest sconces for candles. Each made of original deer horns which are mounted on a t...
Antler, Wood
Black Forest Deer Antler uneven Trophy on Hand-Carved Wooden Plaque, Austria
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Black Forest Deer Antler Trophy on Hand-Carved Wooden Plaque A finely preserved Black Forest deer antler trophy mounted on an intricately beautiful hand-carved wooden plaque, exempl...
Antler, Wood
Large Masterly Carved Swiss Black Forest Nutwood Chalet with Clock and Music Box
Located in Lisse, NL
Top quality, hand carved and truly impressive antique clock with 8 music melodies. Over the years we have had the pleasure of owning and selling a number of beautiful Black Forest antiques, but never did we come accross a 19th century Black Forest clock with musical box of this size and with such amazing natural details and patina AND with the original clock and music box inside. And if that was not enough, this finest of Black Forest clocks is top quality carved from top to bottom in the form of a detailed Swiss chalet. Mind you, this very rare antique clock is entirely hand carved out of nutwood only, which is another sign of the quality of the workmanship and the richness of materials. We have added a large variety of photos so that you can see the many incredibly detailed parts of this Swiss chalet, such as the roof and chimney, the many doors, the stacked lumber outside, the doghouse, the outhouse on the side, the striking balconies, the goose sticking its head out through the balcony, the picked fence, the ladder going up to the barn loft, the clock inside the facade of the house, the music box cilinder in the base etc etc. This antique clock from the 1800s really comes with the most realistically carved chalet house you will ever see. To us, that too is a sign that this Black Forest music box...
Brass, Iron, Enamel
Black Forest Set of Six Schnapps Glasses Green Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six hand blown schnapps glasses in green crystal with a hand-edged hunting decor. The decor is an antique Black Forest style scene, showing a dee...
Crystal
Large Antique Black Forest Novelty Inkwell, Dog, circa 1890
Located in Bath, GB
A superbly carved figural Black Forest inkwell in the form of a Dog's head, with great detail and retaining two large glass eyes. The hinged lid opens to reveal an inner ink chamber...
Antique Black Forest Carved Cuckoo Clock with Stag Head on Top
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Antique Black Forest Carved Cuckoo Clock with Stag Head A large handcarved wooden cuckoo clock, decorated with hunting accessoires, oak leaves, hare, pheasant and a stag head ...
Wood
Large German Black Forest Carved Wood Mountaineer with Lantern, 1950s
Located in Barntrup, DE
A charming and unusually large German Black Forest carved wood pendant light from the 1950s, depicting a smiling alpine mountaineer descending on a rope while carrying a lantern. Bea...
Metal
Antique Black Forest Wood Carved Bear Bench, South Tyrol, Italy
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Antique Alpine Black Forest Carved Chestnut Wood Bear Bench, South Tyrol, Italy A spectacular and characterful antique Alpine carved chestnut wood bench, acquired at an estate sale ...
Chestnut
Black Forest Woodcarving ''Men with pipe'' 1923
Located in Den Haag, NL
Beautiful handmade Black Forest Woodcarving . Tiroler men with Pipe . Very nice quality carving . signed with a monogram M O . and underneath the place where it was made . and dated...
Pearwood
Antique Swiss Black Forest Bear Sculpture Umbrella & Cane Stand by Ruef Brothers
By Ruef Brothers
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare hand-crafted entree stand. . .signed ‘RUEF’. (Ruef Brothers) This beautifully carved Black Forest bear will always be there to greet you when you come home. It does not matter...
Wood
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
Antique French Server Sideboard Buffet Hunt Harvest Cabinet Black Forest Oak 19C
Located in Tyler, TX
SUPERB 19th Century Antique French HIGHLY CARVED Oak "Hunt" "Harvest" Black Forest Server Sideboard Buffet Cabinet~~ c. 1880s This is only one ...
Oak
Wooden Carved Ibex and Chamois Sculptures attr. to Rudolf Heissl jr. ca. 1960s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Wooden Carved Ibex and Chamois Sculptures attr. to Rudolf Heissl jr. ca. 1960s A pair of finely carved wooden sculptures of a chamois and an ibex. Carved in naturalistic style by th...
Wood
Black Forest Carved Bear Sculpture with Brass Bowl, Linden Wood, Germany, 1920
Located in Barntrup, DE
Black Forest Carved Bear Sculpture with Brass Bowl, Linden Wood, Germany, ca. 1920 Hand-carved Black Forest bear sculpture holding a brass bowl, made from linden wood in Germany, ea...
Brass
Antique Wooden Statue of Wilhelm Tell, Brienz circa 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Wooden Statue of Wilhelm Tell, Brienz circa 1900 A nice handcarved wooden statue featuring Wilhelm Tell and his son. It is a classica...
Wood
White-Tailed Deer Trophy on Wooden Shield, Black Forest Germany, ca. 1950s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
White-Tailed Deer Trophy on Wooden Shield, Black Forest Germany, ca. 1950s Item e8301 A white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) antler trophy on a traditional wooden shield, datin...
Antler, Wood
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...
Bronze
Antique Carved Black Forest Skiing Bear, Brienz Switzerland ca. 1930
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Carved Black Forest Skiing Bear, Brienz Switzerland ca. 1930 Item e8145 A rare wooden carved sculpture featuring a skiing bear. Handcarved in lindenwood with naturalistic det...
Wood
Antique Viechtauer Folk Art Wood Carved Roe Deer Head, Austria 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Antique hand-carved wooden wall decoration in Viechtau folk art style from Austria, 20th century A stunning hand-carved wooden wall decoration in the folk art style, circa 1900s or ...
Wood
Carved Black Forest Tobacco Pipe, Germany ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Carved Black Forest Tobacco Pipe, Germany ca. 1900 An antique handcarved wood tobacco pipe with fine carved hunting scenes. The pipe consists of several detachable root wood parts, ...
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 ...
Blown Glass, Antler
Erzgebirge lamp from South America
Located in Purkersdorf, AT
This lamp was handcrafted in the 1930s by a woodcarver from the Ore Mountains who emigrated to South America as a result of the economic crisis at the time. Here, high-quality craft...
Hardwood
Two Bird Viechtauer Style Hand Carved Wood Black Forest Folk Art Germany
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Charming lot of German Carved Wooden Folk Art Bird, circa 1980s or Earlier A charming 20th-century carved wooden bird, beautifully handcrafted and mounted on its original stand. The...
Wood, Paint
Antique Black Forest Bear Bench w. Five Bear Sculptures & Carved Oak Leaf Seat
Located in Lisse, NL
Large and impressive, hand carved and demountable bench with five bear sculptures. This superbly hand carved bench is entirely made of solid wood and therefor too this stunning and highly decorative antique is as strong and stable as the day it was it was made. We cannot single out one detail that is more special than others, because the standing bear sculptures...
Glass, Wood
Two Bird on Branch Viechtauer Hand Carved Wood Black Forest Folk Art Austria
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Charming Austrian 20th-century carved wooden bird mounted on its original stand, designed for wall hanging or standing. This delightful folk art piece belongs to the long-standing tr...
Wood, Paint
Black Forest Hand Carved Walnut Mirror Vines Leaves Berrys
Located in New Orleans, LA
An antique Black Forest intricately hand-carved walnut wood mirror, dating around circa 1900. This style originated in the Black Forest region (traditionally Germany/Switzerland, tho...
Black Walnut, Mirror
Large Antique Black Forest Hand-Carved Bark Form Picture Frame
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
A striking antique Black Forest picture frame, hand-carved in the traditional bark-form style popular in Switzerland and southern Germany during the late 19th and early 20th centurie...
Wood
Black Forest Hand-Carved Dog Head Tobacco Jar in the manner of Walter Mader
By Walter Mäder
Located in San Francisco, CA
How can this not make you smile? This well-carved antique Black Forest box of an expressive shaggy dog with glass eyes, forward gaze, open m...
Walnut
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...
Metal
Scottish Red Deer Stag Skull Trophy on Oak Shield, Antlers, Circa 1920
Located in Glasgow, GB
A large early 20th-century Scottish red deer stag skull and antler trophy, mounted on a traditional oak shield-shaped plaque. Originating from the Scottish Highlands, this impressive...
Antler, Oak