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.
Zabihi Collection Animal Human Pictorial Textile Embroidery
Located in New York, NY
Hand-embroidered large Suzani textile made from the middle of the 20th century featuring a wild animal human pictorial motif on a pink ground Me...
Cotton
Vintage Sarah Gayle Carter Black Forest Hooked Rug
Located in Dallas, TX
79239 Vintage Sarah Gayle Carter Black Forest Hooked Rug, 13'00 x 15'00. This vintage Sarah Gayle Carter “Black Forest” rug is a rare harmony of cottagecore charm and Art Nouveau ele...
Wool
Zabihi Collection Vintage Ecuadorian Mohair Rug, 2'3'' x 3'10''
Located in New York, NY
a mid-20th century one of a kind handmade Ecuadorian Mohair Rug 2'3'' x 3'10''
Wool
Wild Vietnamese Cheetah Hooked Rug
Located in New York, NY
A late 20th century one of a kind Hooked Rug with 10 cheetahs on a 4 long branches on a green and black large leaf pattern Measures: 5' x 8'.
Wool
Zabihi Collection Colorful Anatolian Turkish Small Geometric Rug, 1'6'' x 2'4''
Located in New York, NY
A colorful mid 20th-century antique Anatolian Turkish yastik rug 1'6'' x 2'4''
Wool
Zabihi Collection Blush Color Anatolian Turkish Rug, 4'9'' x 7'7''
Located in New York, NY
A turkish Anatolian mid 20th century accent size rug primarily in blush Details rug no. j2458 size 4' 9" x 7' 7" (145 x 231 cm)
Wool
Zabihi Collection Colorful Anatolian Turkish Rug, 2'10'' x 5'10''
Located in New York, NY
a Vintage Turkish Anatolian Scatter size medallion rug Details rug no. r4356 size 2' 10" x 5' 10" (86 x 178 cm) rug type Anatolian
Wool
Zabihi Collection Antique Anatolian Turkish Small Tribal Rug
Located in New York, NY
An antique Anatolian Turkish yastik rug 1'10'' x 2'7''
Wool
Zabihi Collection Colorful Antique Anatolian Turkish Small Yastik Rug
Located in New York, NY
A colorful early 20th-century antique Anatolian Turkish yastik rug 1'9'' x 2'8''
Wool
$199Sale Price|20% Off
Green Vintage Anatolian Turkish Rug
Located in New York, NY
A vintage Anatolian Turkish Yastik rug mat in pretty green and reds. 1'5'' x 3'5''
Wool
Chinese Sheperd Mule Pictorial Rug
Located in New York, NY
One of a kind Late 20th century Chinese rug with a shepherd riding on a mule. Measures: 3'1'' x 6'1''.
Wool
Distressed Vintage Turkish Oushak with Black Forest Style, Warm Earth Tones
Located in Dallas, TX
73661, distressed vintage Turkish Oushak with Black Forest style. This hand knotted wool distressed vintage Oushak rug features large scale f...
Wool
Zabihi Collection Colorful Antique Turkish Ghiordes 19th Century Rug
Located in New York, NY
A wild and crazy antique Turkish Ghiordes rug with all types of fun and dazzling elements. 12'8'' x 16'10'' Since the beginning of their production in the 18th century, rugs from t...
Wool
Zabihi Collection Vintage Beige Green Muave Accent Turkish Rug Pillow
Located in New York, NY
Large pillow made from a Turkish rug with a solid cotton back and zipper closure. Foam fill. Beige green mauve accents. Measures: 24" x 33".
Cotton, Foam, Wool
Zabihi Collection Colorful Antique Anatolian Turkish Small Tribal Rug
Located in New York, NY
A colorful early 20th-century antique Anatolian Turkish yastik rug 1'7'' x 2'4''
Wool
Zabihi Collection Vintage Anatolian Turkish Mini Rug
Located in New York, NY
Mini Size Turkish Anatolian late 20th century rug Details rug no. y1877 size 1' 3" x 3' 9" (38 x 114 cm)
Wool
1900s Multicolor 5Star Antique American Hooked Rug Hand-Woven Wool 2'2" x 4'8"
Located in New York, NY
Antique American Hooked rug, size: 2'2" x 4'8".
Wool
$5,599Sale Price|20% Off
W 57 in L 74 in
Antique Navajo Carpet, Handmade Wool, Neutral colors, Ivory, Beige, Gray & Brown
Located in Port Washington, NY
Navajo rugs and blankets are textiles produced by Navajo people of the Four Corners area of the United States. Navajo textiles are highly rega...
Wool
$172Sale Price|30% Off
H 21.66 in W 23.63 in D 3.94 in
Wool Scatter Cushion Uzbek Tribal Pillow Cover Handmade Large Brown Suzani
Located in Wembley, GB
This unique tribal cushion cover is a larger piece suited to a bed or a sofa. Woven with a one of a kind repeating tribal motif pattern in accents of brown, red, beige, orange and gr...
Wool, Cotton, Natural Fiber, Organic Material
Vintage Overdyed Rug
Located in Norwalk, CT
Vintage overdyed rug, measures: 8'5" x 12'8".
Wool
19th Century Hand Hooked Folky Floral Rug Mounted with Braided Border
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This amazing hand hooked mounted rug with multi braided borders is 19th century and in very good condition. This fantastic work of art comes from Ex Stephen Score Antiques Inc. colle...
Wool
Pictorial Castelo Branco Embroidery, Portugal, Late 19th / E 20th C.
Located in Istanbul, TR
This is a late 19th / early 20th C. silk embroidery on a cotton foundation from Castello Branco from Portugal.
Silk
Antique Navajo Regional Rug
Located in Milan, IT
An antique Navajo rug from southwest America distinguished by an allover pattern of cruciform elements on a soft grey background. Rugs if this type have been collected for their auth...
Wool
Mongolian Fur Sheepskin Rug Latte 100x170cm
Located in Dural, AU
Elevate the luxury of your decor with this luxurious Mongolian Fur Rug / throw. Whether styling a sofa or adding glamour to a master suite, this exquisite Mongolian fur will uplift the elegance and ambiance giving you the versatility in styling as as a fur throw or even as a fur rug to any interior landscape. (A nonslip grip highly recommended when used as a floor rug.) Each piece is handcrafted from the most beautiful Mongolian sheepskins resulting in opulence and sophisticated design as the fine curly/ crimped fur like wool effortlessly falls and drapes. The fluffy and long pile wool of this Mongolian fur also known as a Mongolian sheepskin features a beautiful latte color creating an invitation of elegance and charm. Each throw rug is carefully and individually handcrafted in Australia by eluxury home...
Sheepskin
$2,595 / item
H 0.6 in W 70.87 in D 47.25 in
Burgundy Red Fur Blanket throw - Rex Rabbit Fur Customize to any size
Located in Dural, AU
Emily Barbara Fur Couture — Rex Rabbit Fur Blanket Throw Elevate your interior with the unmistakable luxury of the Emily Barbara Fur Couture Rex Fur Blanket Throw, an exceptional s...
Fur
$230Sale Price / item|30% Off
H 14.18 in W 14.18 in D 3.94 in
Floral Cushion Cover Hand Embroidered Pillow Case Pink Wool Scatter Cushion
Located in Wembley, GB
This floral needlepoint cushion cover is an excellent example of vintage cushion covers woven in the 1990s. The floral pattern has been woven in ...
Wool, Cotton, Natural Fiber, Organic Material
Leopard Print Blanket - Rabbit Fur Throw 120x180cm
Located in Dural, AU
Indulge in the ultimate expression of warmth, style, and opulence with the Leopard Tiger Print Blanket — a statement piece that transforms any space into a haven of sophisticated and...
Fur
$297Sale Price / item|30% Off
H 19.69 in W 19.69 in D 3.94 in
Decorative Pillows, Vintage French Style Aubusson Style Pillow Cushion Cover
Located in Wembley, GB
Antique rug vintage pillowcase zipper cushion handmade Aubusson pillow cover, view one of the most comprehensive collections of the decorative pill...
Wool, Cotton, Silk, Organic Material
Antique Hooked American Rug. Size: 4 ft 5 in x 7 ft 9 in
Located in New York, NY
Hooked Rug, America, Early 20th Century – Size: 4 ft 5 in x 7 ft 9 in (1.35 m x 2.36 m)
Wool
Zabihi Collection Mini Vintage Anatolian Turkish Rug
Located in New York, NY
a 20th-century floral Turkish mini mat-size rug Details rug no. y1859 size 1' 5" x 3' 4" (43 x 102 cm)
Wool
Zabihi Collection Mini Vintage Anatolian Turkish Mini Rug
Located in New York, NY
A vintage Anatolian Turkish mini-size colorful rug from the 3rd quarter of the 20th century 1'4'' x 2'11''
Wool
Zabihi Collection Red Green Vintage Anatolian Turkish Mini Rug
Located in New York, NY
One of a kind, mid 20th-century Hand-knotted Red Turkish Anatolian throw size mat. Professionally Washed & personally vetted. Ready for everyday use. Details rug no. y1593 size 1' 6...
Wool
Zabihi Collection Frankenstein Pictorial Persian Wall Kilim
Located in New York, NY
Square scatter-size persian soumac kilim from the late 20th century with a Frankenstein like figure on a dark ground Measures: 3'2'' x 3'6''. This was o...
Wool
Mini Vintage Anatolian Turkish Colorful Rug
Located in New York, NY
A vintage Anatolian Turkish Mini size colorful rug from the 3rd quarter of the 20th century 1'2'' x 2'9''
Wool
Green Vintage Anatolian Turkish Rug
Located in New York, NY
A vintage Anatolian Turkish Yastik rug mat featuring a pea green field 1'11'' x 4'3''
Wool
Green Antique Oushak Rug
Located in New York, NY
An early 20th century antique Oushak rug featuring a willow tree pattern on an abrashed green field. Yellow border with dominant accents in gray/ blue and rosy red Measures: 6' x ...
Wool
Antique Persian Bibikabad Rug
Located in New York, NY
This Hamadan district village carpet shows an unusual pattern of complete one-way flowers detailed in dark brown, green and khaki on an old ivory ground. The dark brown main border h...
Wool
Vintage Ecuadorian Pictorial Rug
Located in New York, NY
Rare mid-20th century one of a kind handmade Ecuadorian rug.
Wool
Distressed Vintage Overdyed Persian Rug with Warm Modern Industrial Style
Located in Dallas, TX
80419 Distressed Vintage Overdyed Persian Rug with Warm Modern Industrial Style 4'9 x 5'7. This hand-knotted wool distressed vintage overd...
Wool
Floor Pillow from Vintage Turkish Rug
Located in New York, NY
Large Pillow made from a vintage turkish konya rug
Cotton, Foam, Wool
Vintage Turkish Konya Carpet
Located in New York, NY
A Turkish Konya rug in charcoal gray.
Wool