Black Forest Home Accents
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
Black Forest Walnut Library Ladder
Located in Queens, NY
Rustic Black Forest (19th Cent) walnut 3 step library ladder with carved branch design. (late 19th cent.)
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Home Accents
Materials
Walnut
German Black Forest Carved Boar Bookends
Located in San Mateo, CA
Pair of black forest carved boar bookends. The carving on these has excellent detail and craftsmanship. These were purchased by an army major that was stat...
Category
1940s German Vintage Black Forest Home Accents
Materials
Wood
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...
Category
1950s German Vintage Black Forest Home Accents
Materials
Wood
19th Century carved oak black forest fire screen
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century carved oak black forest fire screen circa 1880.
Beautifully carved example of black forest woodwork. Typical foliage and scrolling carved branches surmounted by a carv...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Home Accents
Materials
Tapestry, Oak
Antique 19th Century Black Forest Bear Adjustable Book Shelf / Book Rack Swiss
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Exquisite & rare! This 19th century black forest books rack/ book shelf with ''Bears holding baby bears'' bookends hand carved Swiss.
Gorgeous 19th century antique Black Forest bookstand...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Home Accents
Materials
Fruitwood
Rustic Black Forest Walnut Cat Bookends
Located in Queens, NY
Rustic Black Forest (19th Century) carved walnut adjustable bookends with cat figures.
Category
19th Century Antique Black Forest Home Accents
Materials
Walnut
Rustic Black Forest Walnut Trunk
Located in Queens, NY
Rustic Black Forest walnut floor trunk with a folding rounded top and supported on "X" form side legs with faux wood, straps, and floral carved design.
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Home Accents
Materials
Walnut
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Italian Architectural library ladder
Attributed to Franco Albini, 1950s.
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Antique & Sturdy Solid Teak Wood Late Victorian Era Library Stairs / Steps 1890s
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Antique Steamer Trunk Late 19th Century
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19th Century French Hand Carved Gilded Four Leaves Folding Screen
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Black Forest Book Rack, Bookstand, Carved Squirrel Acorn Leaf Bookends, Antique
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Located in Atlanta, GA
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19th Century Swiss Black Forest Carved Dowry Chest or Trunk with Needlework
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Unique & Hand Carved Antique Black Forest Firescreen w. Knight Helmet Embroidery
Located in Lisse, NL
Beautifully handcrafted antique Black Forest fireplace screen.
This beautifully hand carved antique from the late 1800s currently is the only Black Forest firescreen for sale anywhere. It certainly is the only one on 1stdibs and to have been able to purchase it in this wonderful condition more than made our day. What makes this antique truly stand out are the beautifully detailed Black Forest branch and leaf patterns. However, there are three more reasons why this rare antique is exceptional. First of all, it does not have and never had a single woodworm hole and for a Black Forest antique from the 1800s that is really rare. Secondly, there is not one piece of a carved branch or leaf missing. If you look very closely at the back then you can see there have been a few minor restaurations (in the form of a few pieces having been glued back), but other than that the condition is excellent. And thirdly, this fine antique also comes with a hand-embroidered, oval shape coat of arms depicting a knight's helmet and more. This could be the crest of a town, but it could also be of a certain family. We were unable to find out more about it, but it simply looks great and the colors perfectly complement the wonderful patina of this antique screen. For those who did not yet know; this handcrafted and highly decorative screen was placed in front of a fireplace in the summertime so that people would not look into the dark (and sometimes dirty) fireplace itself. Finally, there was some very old fabric behind all three panels, but it was worn and it made it impossible to remove all the old dust that was inside the carvings and on the back. We decided to remove the fabric, but we left the antique 'thumbtacks' in place, in case the new owner wants to replace it (we will send a part of the antique fabric along if you wish).
Our sharp price for this antique firescreen...
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19th Century European Antique Black Forest Home Accents
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Antique Black Forest Fire Place Screen
Located in Round Top, TX
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Antique Hand Carved Black Forest Wooden Lodge Design, Late 1800s Chest or Trunk
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Black Forest home accents for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Black Forest home accents for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Mid-20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage home accents created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles, decorative objects, case pieces and storage cabinets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, walnut and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Black Forest home accents made in a specific country, there are Europe, Germany, and Switzerland pieces for sale on 1stDibs. 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 home accents differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $464 and tops out at $8,500 while the average work can sell for $1,653.