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.
Marvelous and Antique Pair of 19th Century Black Forest Hand-Carved Wood Frames
Located in Lisse, NL
*Note l: Our pricing reflects the free shipping, rarity, craftsmanship, and pristine condition of this piece. Automated estimates on the platform may not accurately reflect these fa...
Nutwood, Walnut
Antique French Henri II Style Carved Oak Mantel Mirror, Circa 1880
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique French Henri II style mantel or wall mirror in gorgeous hand carved oak, with outstanding detail. The details reveal it was probably commissioned for an aristocrat’s hunting ...
Mirror, Walnut
19th Century Rustic Black Forest Wall Mirror - Hand Carved, Austria, circa 1880
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Fantastic late 19th century wooden Black Forest wall mirror in our highly demanded rustic mirror collection. Coming out of Austria around 1880, this unique artfully handcarved frame ...
Mirror, Softwood
19th Century Rustic Black Forest Wall Mirror - Hand Carved, Austria, circa 1880
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Lovely rustic hand-carved Black Forest wall mirror from the period around 1870 in Austria. This rural, so-called "black forest" style mirror has elaborately been hand carved out of b...
Mirror, Wood
19th Century Rustic Black Forest Mirror, Handcarved, Austria, circa 1880
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Lovely rustic Black Forest wall mirror from the late 19th century in Austria. Beautifully hand carved out of basswood around 1880, this unusual wall mirror shows a unique "tree branc...
Softwood
$780Sale Price|35% Off
Antique Black Forest Wood Antlers Mirror
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Antique Black Forest wood wall mirror with heavy blown glass, decorated with roe deer antlers and borrows.
Antler, Wood
19th Century Rustic Black Forest Wall Mirror with Black Accents, AT, circa 1890
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Extraordinary rustic, late 19th century Black Forest wall mirror out of Austria. Artfully handcarved around 1890, this unusal stained Black Forest wall mirror impresses with a simple...
Mirror, Softwood
19th Century Black Forest Rustic Wall Mirror, Austria, circa 1880
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Fantastic executed, rustic wooden wall mirror out of Austria from the period around 1880. This so-called "Black Forest" mirror has been elaborately hand carved out of basswood and im...
Wood
19th Century Rustic Black Forest Wall Mirror, Hand Carved, Austria, circa 1880
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Uncommon rustic black forest wall mirror from Austria, around 1880. This antique wall mirror impresses with an unusual hand carved design, elaborately made out of basswood. A very da...
Mirror, Softwood
19th Century Black Forest Rustic Mirror with Coat of Arms Carving, AT, ca 1880
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Fantastic looking rustic Black Forest wall mirror from the late 19th century in Austria around 1880. Hand carved out of fine basswood this rural mirror shows an absolute amazing desi...
Mirror, Softwood
19th Century Black Forest Rustic Wall Mirror, Basswood, Austria, circa 1880
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Beautiful, large Black Forest wall mirror from Austria around 1880. This antique rustic wall mirror impresses with a simple but elegant "tree trunk" design, elaborately hand carved o...
Mirror, Softwood
19th Century Black Forest Rustic Wall Mirror, Hand Carved, Austria, circa 1880
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Great rustic wooden wall mirror in our high demanded Black Forest mirror collection. From Austria circa 1880 comes this unique artfully hand carved frame with protruding corners and ...
Mirror, Softwood
19th Century Rustic Black Forest Mirror, Hand Carved, Austria, circa 1880
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Unusual hand carved rustic Black Forest wall mirror with double frame out of Austria from the period around 1880. A real charming example of a late 19th century Black Forest mirror, ...
Mirror, Wood, Softwood
Rustic Black Forest Wall Mirror, Hand Carved, Austria, circa 1880
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Out of Austria from circa 1880 comes this unique artfully hand carved Black Forest mirror, impressing with an unusual "Black Forest" design in the manner of old tree trunks. The artf...
Mirror, Softwood