Black Forest Collectibles and Curiosities
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
Finely Carved 'Black Forest' Pipe Stand
By Black Forest
Located in Forest Row, East Sussex
A finely carved "Black Forest' pipe stand. Carved Lindenwood with a single bear standing over a naturalistic base with the pipe holders and astray to fron...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Antique Hand-Carved Black Forest Tobacco Jar or Humidor & Ashtray with Bears
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique tobacco jar or humidor is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from Austria and date to approximately 1900 and done in the perio...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Walnut
Black Forest Austrian Pair of Red Deer Fur Cushions Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Pair of soft red deer fur cushions with white spots. Backside grey and camel cashmere wool.
The fur comes from the Kitzbuehel alps.
Category
2010s Austrian Black Forest Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Fur
Black Forest Style Carved Walnut Barometer, Germany, ca. 1920
Located in Barntrup, DE
Black Forest style carved walnut barometer, Germany, ca. 1920.
An impressive carved walnut barometer with masterfully carved flowers and leaves. A small mirror on the top of the roun...
Category
1920s German Vintage Black Forest Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Glass, Mirror, Walnut
19th Century Swiss Black Forrest Carved Walnut Smoking Stand- Complete
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th century Swiss black Forrest carved walnut smoking stand- complete
Switzerland, Circa 1880s
An amazing example, with all its orignal pieces. The oval intricately hand-carved an...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Walnut
$2,360 Sale Price
20% Off
Black Forest Carved Jewelry Box, circa 1900
By Black Forest
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Beautiful hand carved Black Forest footed jewelry box with two song birds as finials. Comes with original key. Unique find.
Origin: Switzerland,...
Category
Early 1900s Swiss Antique Black Forest Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Black Forest Carved Jewelry Box, circa 1900
By Black Forest
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Footed oval Black Forest jewelry box with floral finials. Stunning piece.
Origin: Switzerland, circa 1900
Dimensions: 8" x 5" x 5".
Family Owned & Operated
Cisco’s Gallery deals ...
Category
Early 1900s Swiss Antique Black Forest Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
large scale 19th century carved walnut Black Forest dog tobacco box, circa 1860
Located in Central England, GB
This brilliant hand carved walnut tobacco or pipe smokers stand is the best I have ever seen. It dates to circa 1860 and was made in the Black Forest region of Switzerland which is r...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Walnut
1860s Carved Horn Hunters Pipe in the Style of Lebrecht Wilhelm Schulz
Located in Berghuelen, DE
1860s carved Horn Hunters pipe in the style of Lebrecht Wilhelm Schulz
The rare hunters pipe is made of original horns from the stag and deer and features very elaborate carved hunt...
Category
Mid-19th Century German Antique Black Forest Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood, Antler
French 19th Century Black Forest Barometer
Located in Stockbridge, GA
French 19th century black forest barometer.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Mahogany
Antique Black Forest Chamois Antler Trophy on Wood Carved Plaque, German, 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful antique Black Forest Chamois antler trophy on hand carved, Black Forest wooden plaque. A nice addition to your hunters loge or just to display it in your house.
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Antler, Wood
Antique Antler Smoking Desk Set, circa 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
The antique antler smoking desk set is made of original antlers from the deer and the stag. It was in Germany, circa 1900.
Measures: Width 16.93" (43cm)
Height 11.42" (29cm)
Antle...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Antler
Large Antique Black Forest Brienz Hand Carved Wood Bear Humidor Sculpture
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This large antique humidor is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from Austria and date to approximately 1900 and done in the period Black Forest style. This well executed scul...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Softwood
Swiss Brienz Black Forest Hand-Carved Wood Candle Holder
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Black Forest hand-carved linden-wood hand carved candle holder/candlestick, circa 1900.
Black Forest sculptural art originates from the small mountain town Brienz, Switzerland co...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Large Wild Boar Trophy on Turned Wooden Plaque, Germany 1950s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Wild Boar Trophy on Turned Wooden Plaque, Germany 1950s
Item e6936
A vintage Black Forest wild boar (Sus scrofa) trophy on wooden plaque. The teeth a...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Antler, Wood
Antique Wooden Carved Sculpture of a Folksy Countrywoman
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Wooden Carved Sculpture of a Folksy Countrywoman
A large traditional Black Forest style woodcarving of a farmer´s wife. Hand carved in Germany around 1920. A great addition ...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wool
German Christmas Sculpture Vintage Handcrafted
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Vintage Mid-20th Century German Christmas sculpture hand-crafted in wood. From the Erzgebirge/Germany. The traditional hand carved figure is hand...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Antique Hand-Painted Marksman King Target Plaque 1892
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Hand-Painted Marksman King Target Plaque 1892
A rare and beautiful wooden hand-painted shooting target plaque with inscriptions. This rare kings plaque was issued by the shooting club...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Great Rustic Black Forest Wooden Pulley with Rope
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Great Rustic Black Forest Wooden Pulley with Rope
A great rustic Black Forest wooden pulley with rope. It comes from a Bavarian barn, ca. 1900, ol...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Rustic Black Forest Walnut Barometer
Located in Queens, NY
Rustic Black Forest (Late 19th Century) walnut wall barometer/thermometer with carved bird, deer and floral carving.
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Rustic Decor Antique Wooden Humidor
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Rustic Decor Antique Wooden Humidor
A very large highly decorative rustic wooden humidor turned out from a solid thunk, tin inset. Executed, ci...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Black Forest Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Austrian Antler Brooch with English Gold Medal
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Handmade brooch in the form of an antler in silver gilded. In the middle a Victorian gold medal dated 1895. Austrian hallmark and silver hallmark.
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Black Forest Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Gold, Silver
19th Century Carved Wood 3rd Station of the Cross, 'Jesus Falls’, Switzerland
Located in Buffalo, NY
19th century carved wood 3rd station of the cross, 'JESUS FALLS’ carved in Switzerland, recently acquired from Holy Angels Church located in Buffalo New Yo...
Category
1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Rustic Black Forest Carved Bear Humidor
Located in Queens, NY
Rustic Black Forest (19th Cent) carved walnut humidor in the shape of a bear figure standing near tree stump (with ashtray and covered container)
Category
19th Century European Antique Black Forest Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Walnut
19th Century French Forest Carved Oak Barometer and Thermometer with Dog Motif
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant antique wall hanging barometer and thermometer was crafted in France, circa 1890. The carved oak weather and temperature reader features impressive, high-relief carvings of acorn and leaf motifs throughout; it is further embellished with a dog head sculpture at the pediment. The thermometer with Celsius and Fahrenheit reading, and the weather forecast seem to be in working order. The Black Forest weather...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Oak
19th Century Black Forest Wall Shrine with St. Anthony of Padua & Jesus
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century Black Forest Wall Shrine with Porcelain St. Anthony of Padua & Jesus will make a splendid devotional for any room, and features sculpted wood combining the Renaissance and Classical styles in a lovely oval form upon which has been placed burgundy velvet, making the painted porcelain figurine of St. Anthony cradling the infant Jesus...
Category
1880s German Antique Black Forest Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Porcelain, Velvet, Oak
Black Forest collectibles and curiosities for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Black Forest collectibles and curiosities 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 collectibles and curiosities created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles, wall decorations, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, bone and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Black Forest collectibles and curiosities made in a specific country, there are Europe, Germany, and Switzerland pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original collectibles and curiosities, popular names associated with this style include Black Forest, 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 collectibles and curiosities differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $180 and tops out at $35,000 while the average work can sell for $920.
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