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.
19th Century French Black Forest Carved Walnut Hand Mirror with Beveled Glass
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in France circa 1870, the antique Louis XV style hand mirror with elegant serpentine handle, features hand carved floral and leaf motifs throughout the frame; the vanity mirr...
Mercury Glass, Walnut
Early 20th Century Hand Crafted Black Forest Tabletop Dresser Mirror
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous hand carved and hand crafted Black Forrest table top shaving mirror from the late 19th century early 20th century. In excellent antique condition with minimal wear all looks...
Mirror, Walnut
Early 20th Century Vanity Mirror - France - Bronze - Birds and Floral Motif
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A beautiful French bronze vanity mirror, circa 1910-1920. This finely detailed tilting mirror features a richly decorated frame adorned with birds, roses, and naturalistic motifs. Th...
Brass, Bronze
Italian Rococo Giltwood Tabletop Mirror, Hand-Carved, Mid-19th Century
Located in Stamford, CT
Venetian Rococo style tabletop mirror for a vanity. Exuberantly carved with a double layer of acanthus leaf decoration, a tour de force of carving. Mid 19th century. 16 inches high...
Wood, Giltwood
Italian Hand-Carved Gold Leaf Oval Vanity Mirror, 20th Century
Located in Savannah, GA
Early 20th century Italian hand-carved gold leaf oval vanity mirror with a ribbon motif.
Giltwood, Mirror
Late 19th Century French Vanity Bronze Mirror
Located in Plainview, NY
An exquisite late 19th century French Louis XV vanity mirror. The bronze carved mirror features impressive details with two cherubs. The mirror ...
Bronze
Maguire Hand-Crafted Bamboo Wall Mirror, 20th Century, USA
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Very nice mirror , artistically hand crafted from natural bamboo , great decorative addition to any room .
Bamboo, Glass
$700
H 10 in W 8.63 in D 6 in
Vintage Murano Glass Dressing Table/Vanity Mirror, Italy, Mid 20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
Vintage - Murano glass - dressing table/vanity mirror - all original fittings with silver leaf backed mirror - finished and hinged wood easel back (can be wall mounted) - unsigned - ...
Art Glass, Mirror, Hardwood
19th Century Swiss 'Black Forest' Hand-Carved Walnut Wall Mirror
Located in London, GB
A Black Forest Carved Mirror Carved from walnut, the bevelled oval mirror plate set within an architectural frame and flanking rustic branc...
Wood
$189Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 9.45 in W 5.52 in D 1.58 in
20th-Century Vanity Set With Mirror, Hairbrush, Comb, and Clothes Brush
Located in Opole, PL
20th-Century Vanity Set With Mirror, Hairbrush, Comb, and Clothes Brush An antique personal grooming set consisting of a comb, hairbrush, hand mirror, and clothes brush, made with b...
Acrylic
French Silver Vanity or Standing Table Mirror with Beveled Glass
Located in Austin, TX
An elegant French vanity or tabletop mirror of fine silver, featuring a Neo-Classical relief design to the frame, enclosing a rectangular beveled mirror, back of wood with folding br...
Silver, Brass
Late 19th century carved oak rococo revival vanity mirror
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Late 19th century carved oak rococo revival vanity mirror circa 1890. Rectangular shaped mirror with carved oak frame, supported by a frame of carved swags and leaves. Standing on ...
Mirror, Oak
19th Century Vanity Mirror with Drawer
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
This exquisite petite dressing table mirror dates back to the French Restoration period (circa 1815–1830) and is crafted from fine walnut, showcasing its rich, warm tones and elegant...
Velvet, Mirror, Walnut
$2,360Sale Price|20% Off
H 26 in W 14 in D 10 in
19th Century French Silverplated Putti Motif Dressing Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th century French silverplated putti motif dressing mirror, with a continuous surround with frolicking putti. The inset mirror measures 20" H x 10" W. Unmarked.
Silver Plate
$1,600 / set
H 15.5 in W 9.625 in D 0.375 in
Pair of French Bronze Dore Mirrors with Mascarons and Floral Motifs, circa 1880
Located in Dallas, TX
This pair of small bronze doré mirrors are from France, circa 1880, and were made in the style of Louis XIV. The intricate bronze doré frames have a large cartouche at the top of the frame that depicts a mascaron with a floral headband...
Bronze
Swiss Black Forest Bear Hand Carved Table Mirror
By Black Forest
Located in Newark, England
From our Black Forest collection, we are delighted to introduced this superbly carved Black Forest Bear Table Mirror. The Black Forest Mirror i...
Wood
Antique Black Forest Mirror with Rustic Bear Carvings, ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique black forest mirror with rustic bear carvings ca. 1900 A large crescent vanity mirror in a handcarved wooden frame featuring two ...
Wood
Sold
H 44.5 in W 27.5 in D 17 in
Antique French Mirror Black Forest Oak Framed or Standing Mirrored Firescreen
Located in Tyler, TX
Exquisite 19th century antique French Qak Black Forest beveled framed mirror or firescreen~~c. 1880s We were fortunate enough to obtain this outstanding mirror or firescreen and other contents of a French castle estate~~most certainly commissioned pieces for a family of wealth or royalty~~High quality 19th century Black Forest, Gothic and Renaissance Revival pieces in spectacular condition Black Forest furniture...
Mirror, Oak
Sold
H 19 in W 11 in D 7 in
Antique French Mirror Black Forest Dresser Vanity Table Top Jewelry Box Oak 19c
Located in Tyler, TX
Superb and dainty antique French oak black forest tilting table top dresser or vanity beveled mirror jewelry box with drawer~~c. 1880s We can't say enough wonderful things about...
Mirror, Oak
19th Century Black Forest Mirror
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, and a hint o...
Mirror, Hardwood
19th Century Black Forest Mirror
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, and a hint o...
Mirror, Hardwood
19th Century Hand-Carved Black Forest Vanity Mirror-Box
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century hand-carved black forest vanity mirror-box was sculpted from solid fruitwood in the naturalistic form that is definitive of the region, ap...
Fruitwood
19th Century Carved Lindenwood Black Forest Vanity Mirror
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Carved Black Forest vanity mirror, circa 1890. Original plate. Carved shell below the mirror used for trinkets etc. Carved leaves and branches. Minor l...
Sold
H 24.75 in W 15 in D 6 in
19th Century French Black Forest Carved Oak Freestanding Vanity Table Mirror
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a counter with this elegant antique makeup mirror frame from the Alps of France. Crafted, circa 1860, the rectangular, tilt-top mirror with bev...
Mercury Glass, Oak
Sold
H 23.23 in W 16.93 in D 2.37 in
Mirror with Geometrics Motifs Surrounded by a Frame Beautifully Detailed
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Mirror with geometrics motifs surrounded by a frame beautifully detailed and hand-carved in the Renaissance style, end of the 19th century.
Wood
Black Forest Carved Gnome or Elf Table Top Mirror
Located in Wiscasset, ME
Uunique form and great example of Black Forest carving
Wood, Glass
Biedermeier Table Top Decorative Mirror
Located in Wiscasset, ME
Great Inlay Detail.