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.
Antique Victorian Vanity Mirror with Bear, Black Forest ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Victorian Vanity Mirror with Bear, Black Forest ca. 1900 A lovely wooden vanity mirror decorated with an elaborate carved bear...
Wood
Eagle Crescent Mirror 1890 Black Forest Carving
Located in Hastings, GB
Fantastic hand carved Eagle gripping a crescent bevelled mirror, dating to the late 19th century, Swiss Black Forest. The carving still has its’ original glass eye and is in exceptio...
Wood
Black Forest Oval Mirror with Fruitwood Frame and Leaf Carvings, 1880
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Black Forest carved oval mirror A lovely piece, the 4” wide frame has an intricately carved border. It is carved with many large entwining leaves The mirror is in good condition...
Fruitwood
$3,134
H 37.41 in W 25.6 in D 2.37 in
Louis Philippe Rectangular Wall Mirror in Giltwood with Ribbed Carving Frame
Located in Barcelona, ES
Amazing Louis Philippe period mirror with a finely ribbed carving frame and gold leaf finish. France circa 1860. Elegant, strong and soung, this mirror has a gorgeous original aged ...
Gold Leaf
$904
H 72.05 in W 22.45 in D 1.97 in
Mirror With Frame Made In Mahogany & Carvings, Denmark From 1880s
Located in Lejre, DK
This mirror, crafted from hand-polished mahogany and adorned with intricate carvings, originates from Denmark and dates back to around the 1880s. It is a remarkable example of late 1...
Mahogany
$1,078 / item
H 38.19 in W 18.9 in D 0.71 in
Ovalis Oval Contemporary Wall Mirror with Black Frame, XL
Located in London, London
Art Deco large Ovalis™ oval mirror with a minimalist aluminium powder coated black frame. Designed and handcrafted in London, UK. This mirror is fully customisable. Our mirrors are ...
Aluminum
$954 / item
H 27.96 in W 18.12 in D 0.71 in
Ovalis Oval Minimalist Mirror with Elegant Black Frame, Large
Located in London, London
Minimalist large oval mirror with a contemporary aluminium powder coated black frame. Designed and handcrafted in London, UK. This mirror is fully customisable. Our mirrors are desi...
Aluminum
Black Forest mirror
Located in 'S-HERTOGENBOSCH, NL
Black Forest mirror, Austria, 19th. Century. Hand-carved. Decorated with a crown on top and a lot of oak leaves.
Wood
$3,028 / item
H 39.38 in W 19.69 in D 1.19 in
Ovalis Ceiling Suspended Oval Shaped Mirror with Matte Black Frame
Located in London, London
Ceiling suspended Ovalis™ oval shaped mirror with an elegant matte black frame. Designed and handcrafted in London, UK, Alguacil & Perkoff's unique and elegant collection of ceiling suspended mirrors...
Aluminum
$2,061 / set
H 20.48 in W 18.9 in D 1.58 in
Italian antique rectangular wall mirrors with wooden Guillochè frame, 1900s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian antique rectangular wall mirrors with wooden Guillochè frame, 1900s. Pair of wall mirrors, with guilloché frame, with completely restored wooden structure and central rectang...
Mirror, 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...
Other
$4,315 / item
H 39.38 in W 19.69 in D 1.62 in
Ovalis Ceiling Suspended Oval Mirror with a Brass Frame and Front Illumination
Located in London, London
Modern ceiling suspended Ovalis™ oval shaped mirror with an elegant brushed brass frame and front illumination on one side and white powder coated panel backing. Our unique collections of ceiling suspended mirrors...
Brass
$2,551 / item
H 39.38 in W 27.56 in D 1.19 in
Ghidini 1961 Mirror with Birdie in Brass by Elisa Giovanni
By Ghidini 1961, Elisa Giovanni
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Mirror with decor and brass frame. A Classic Renaissance monofora is the form that inspired the two mirrors. The arc is defined by brass profile rounded at the bottom, just like on a...
Brass
$1,326
H 18.12 in W 14.57 in D 1.19 in
Small French Antique Silvered Mirror Restoration Style, circa 1890
Located in Paris, FR
Antique French Restoration-style patinated silvered wood mirror (circa 1890) with stuccoed decoration of palmettes in the corners and rais-de-cœur around the edges. Antique frame wid...
Silver Leaf
Antique French Scalloped Wood Mirror, circa 1890
Located in Paris, FR
Elegant French antique wood wall mirror, circa 1890. Antique wood frame dark patina in a scalloped shape with a pediment. Antique frame width:...
Mirror, Wood
Antique Black Forest Austrian Wall Mirror
Located in High Point, NC
The eye-catching design of this vintage wooden mirror conjures the fresh air of alpine abundance. Crafted in Austria at the turn of the century, the wooden frame creates a masterfu...
Mirror, Wood
Antique Black Forest Austrian Wall Mirror
Located in High Point, NC
The eye-catching design of this vintage wooden mirror conjures the fresh air of alpine abundance. Crafted in Austria at the turn of the century, the wooden frame creates a masterfu...
Mirror, Wood
Antique Austrian Black Forest Carved Mirror
Located in High Point, NC
The eye-catching design of this vintage wooden mirror conjures an air of alpine abundance. Crafted in Austria at the turn of the century, the wooden frame creates a masterful illusio...
Mirror, Wood
19th Century Black Forest Carved Mirror
Located in High Point, NC
Exquisite 19th century Black Forest hand carved mirror, depicting a bird on top of detailed branches and leaves surrounding the mirror. In the lower part of the frame, there are what...
Fruitwood
Black Forest Austrian Wooden Mirror
Located in High Point, NC
Organic yet artful, this wooden mirror is an Alpine delight. Made in Austria at the turn of the century, the borders of the frame are carved with grain and protruding knots, mimickin...
Mirror, Wood
Antique Austrian Oak Leaf Mirror
Located in High Point, NC
A wood framed mirror from Austria, produced circa 1900. Black patinated, wood framed, wall-mounted and punctuated with leaf motif along each axis, this little mirror is sure to impre...
Mirror, Hardwood
Large Black Forest Grapevine Reticulated Carved & Painted Wall Mirror
Located in Milford, NH
A fine large rectangular wall mirror with Blackforest reticulated wooden carved frame, probably walnut, with grapevine motif, hand painted in brown, green, and gold with gilt molded ...
Glass, Walnut
Sold
H 17 in W 13 in D 1 in
Black Forest Carved Frame Oval Beveled Mirror from Switzerland (H 17 x W 13)
Located in Austin, TX
A handsome Black Forest hand carved mirror. From Switzerland featuring a finely carved frame with a foliate design around a beveled oval glass mirror...
Glass, Mirror, Wood
French Brass Wall Mirror Decorated with Birds and Rabbits
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
French brass wall mirror decorated with birds and rabbits This piece has a very decorative Frame, it is twined with vines and leaves, and set around with a bird sand rabbits The ...
Brass
1920s Pair of Black Forest Mirrors
Located in High Point, NC
From the Black Forrest, circa 1920. Likely inspired by surrounding flora, these frames are carved from hardwood in decorative wreaths of leaves, stained in a dark color. Intricately ...
Hardwood
Pair of 19th Century French Black Forest Mirrors
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of 19th Century Black Forest Mirrors is ideal for creating rustic symmetry. Great in a master bathroom, game room, or anywhere their rustic and realistic look would be a hit! Ne...
Mirror, Oak
19th Black Forest Bird Vanity Mirror
Located in Austin, TX
Elegant 19th black forest vanity mirror with drawer. The mirror is decorated in wood carved with leaves and birds, a large shell for the jewels space.
Mirror, Wood