Black Forest Chairs
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
Period: 19th Century
Black Forest Music Box Chair
Located in New Orleans, LA
A music box hidden inside this beautifully carved Swiss chair will activate when the chair is sat upon. A remarkable example of the intricate craftsmanship and artistic innovation ch...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Chairs
Materials
Walnut
Black Forest 19th Century Set of Chairs
Located in Miami, FL
In walnut, the chairs are delicately carved with interesting inlayed of animal figures.
Sold as is to refinish.
Category
Mid-19th Century German Antique Black Forest Chairs
Materials
Walnut
Pair of rare Antler Parlor Chairs, France ca. 1860
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Pair of rare Antler Parlor Chairs, France ca. 1860
These two very rare antler parlor chairs are made of stag antlers with feet carved as lions claws. Made in France, ca. 1860 - the ...
Category
Mid-19th Century German Antique Black Forest Chairs
Materials
Antler, Wood
Four Antique Bull Horn Chairs ca. 1870
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Four Antique Bull Horn Chairs ca. 1870
A set of four antique bull horn chairs ca. 1870, covered with antique green velvet which has to be renewed (is loo...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Chairs
Materials
Wood, Antler
Father Wind Spinning Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This wooden chair was made in the late 1800s and was used for spinning yarn; hence the name "Spinning Chair". Made with strong oak wood; elegant, rich hand-carvings cover the chair head to toe. As the tail would tell us, these chairs were made in the Black Forest of Germany--the Father of the Wind is depicted as the back. He is taking a deep breath in of fresh air and new possibilities, as each season passes he is there to support the changing of the wind. Each season calls for different winds and temperatures, which meant new clothes, and Father Wind...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Chairs
Materials
Wood, Oak
Pair of Antique Bull Horn Chairs Austria 1870
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Pair of Antique Bull Horn Chairs Austria 1870
A pair antique bull horn chairs, from a noble villa in Austria. The seats are with antique green velvet ...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Chairs
Materials
Wood, Antler
A Pair Carved Bavarian Board Chairs ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A Pair Carved Bavarian Board Chairs ca. 1900
A pair wonderful carved oak wood board chairs from a famous munich inn. The backrests are carved with whimsy folksy scenes of the Munich...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Chairs
Materials
Nutwood
Black Forest Antler Arm Chair by J. A. K. Horn, Turingen 1840s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Black Forest Antler Arm Chair by J. A. K. Horn, Turingen 1840s
An elaborate antique Black Forest antler arm chair with real stag and deer antlers as legs, arm- and backrests, seat w...
Category
Mid-19th Century German Antique Black Forest Chairs
Materials
Antler, Wood
Late 19th Century Black Forest Farm House Chair Wood Painted Germany
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Hand-painted wooden farm house chair in the style of Black forest in blue-green color with a medaillon showing two sheeps.
Original color and paintin...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Chairs
Materials
Wood
Late 19th Century Black Forest Farm House Chair Wood Painted Germany
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Farmhouse chair in the style of Black Forest. Painted in green-blue with a white swan in the medaillon.
Original painting, No restaurations.
A second matching chair is available.
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Chairs
Materials
Wood
19th Century Swiss-German Black Forest Antler Horn Throne Chair
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A very unusual throne chair or armchair made in the Black Forest region of south-west Germany bordering Switzerland. The horns from elk/moose, antler and goat are intertwined to crea...
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Chairs
Materials
Antler, Fabric
Nutwood Edelweis Marquetry Chair Swiss Brienz 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Nutwood Edelweis Marquetry Chair Swiss Brienz 1900
A wonderful inlayed nutwood chair decorated with inlayed and painted sceneries depicting chamois, stag and edelweis flowers. Surro...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Chairs
Materials
Nutwood
Nutwood Edelweis Marquetry Chair Swiss Brienz 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Nutwood Edelweis Marquetry Chair Swiss Brienz 1900
A wonderful inlayed nutwood chair decorated with inlayed and painted sceneries depicting chamois, goat and edelweis flowers. Surro...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Chairs
Materials
Nutwood
19th Century French Black Forest Carved Oak Smoking chair with Cigar Storage
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant antique "Chaise de Fumeur" or smoking chair was crafted in France, circa 1880. This rich oak chair stands on two front scroll legs ending with paw feet and barley twist ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Chairs
Materials
Leather, Oak
Stunning Antique Black Forest Fireplace Chair by Horrix w Excellent Upholstery
By Horrix
Located in Lisse, NL
Amazing quality carved, great condition, beautifully upholstered and rare antique chair.
Over the years we have sold beautiful Black Forest antiq...
Category
Mid-19th Century Dutch Antique Black Forest Chairs
Materials
Oak, Upholstery
Collectible Design "Peak of a Century" by Markus Friedrich Staab
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
Simple farmers chair, cut, abroad, painted. A good example for Staabs work of functional art.
Through my work I transform each chair into a unique and individual object. Chairs that...
Category
Early 1800s German Antique Black Forest Chairs
Materials
Oak, Lacquer
19th Century Black Forest Carved & Inlaid Salon Chair
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century Black Forest carved & inlaid salon chair is a masterpiece of the furniture maker's art! Sumptuous walnut was artfully carved to resemble naturalistic wood as it would appear in the forest, yet constrained into the form of a shield-back chair with boldly scrolled legs. The seat back is particularly intricate, with a combination of straight timbers combined with vine motif. Centered is an oval plaque with inlaid saw-tooth border around an Alpine Horn...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Chairs
Materials
Satinwood, Walnut
Pair of Rare Antler Parlor Chairs, French, ca. 1860
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Pair of rare Antler Parlor chairs, French ca. 1860
The two very rare antler parlor chairs are made of stag antlers with feet carved as lions claws. French, ca. 1860 - covering renew...
Category
Mid-19th Century German Antique Black Forest Chairs
Materials
Antler, Fur, Wood
Pair of 19th Century Carved Linden Wood Chairs
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
An unusual pair of 19th century carved linden wood chairs. The backs and legs are carved in the form of tree branches and vines adorned with acorns and leaves. Having slatted bench seats...
Category
19th Century Antique Black Forest Chairs
Materials
Wood
Swiss Black Forest Bear Musical Child Chair Seat
By Black Forest
Located in Newark, England
Rare Antique Swiss Black Forest carved musical child's chair circa 1890. The chair of novelty form beautifully carved with a naturalistic look. The chair carved as twin bears support...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Chairs
Materials
Metal
Pair of Black Forest Hall Chairs
Located in Wilson, NC
This pair of hall chairs are carved with floral and leaf motifs on a stipled background. The seat is carved with an incised square basketweave pattern which is framed on three sides ...
Category
1860s German Antique Black Forest Chairs
Materials
Fruitwood
19th Century Carved Walnut Piano Stool, Black Forest
Located in North Miami, FL
19th Century carved walnut piano stool, Black Forest in the shape of a faun, which is a mythological half human half goat creature from Roman mythology. The height is adjustable to u...
Category
19th Century French Antique Black Forest Chairs
Materials
Metal
19th Century Black Forest Carved Bear Chair
By Black Forest
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Black Forest Swiss carved chair having bear on fallen log. Carved bear on lifting seat which once had a music box. Part of the Brienz collection pla...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Chairs
Materials
Wood
Pair Renaissance Style Carved Children Chairs, Ca. 1890
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A pair of wonderful carved nut wood children chairs, backrest carved in Renaissance style with fantastic grimace carvings, Germany, ca. 1890.
Measures: Width 13.98" (35.5cm)
Height ...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Chairs
Materials
Wood
Pair of Antique Rustic Antler Parlor Chairs, Germany, circa 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Pair of Antique Rustic Antler Parlor Chairs, Germany, circa 1900
A pair of antique antler chairs, made of antlers from the deer and fallow deer. ...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Chairs
Materials
Antler, Oak
Pair of Antique Swiss Black Forest Chairs w. Matching Tilt-Top Table, Late 1800s
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning hand carved Black Forest hall set with marquetry inlay.
These very well crafted pieces of Black Forest furniture are an incredible sight to see. The workmanship and the lar...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Chairs
Materials
Wood
Rare 19th Century Black Forest Walnut Armchair by Horrix with Classy Upholstery
Located in Lisse, NL
Unique, impressively carved and very comfortable chair from circa 1870.
This unique chair is as strong and stable as the day it was made and the woodwork is in good to excellent co...
Category
Late 19th Century Dutch Antique Black Forest Chairs
Materials
Fabric, Walnut
Rare 19th Century Black Forrest Carved Hall Chair Hand-Carved Hawk Bobbin Turned
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning Black Forrest Oak hand carved hall chair with bobbin turned legs and a large Hawk in the back...
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Chairs
Materials
Hardwood
Original Black Forest Set '6' Hand-Carved Dining Chairs Available Matching Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Black forest carvings became a symbol of wealth in the 1800’s and were found in the homes of serious collectors. Their history of Black Forest carvings dates back to the 1800’s in the town of Brienz, Switzerland. Black Forest carving began as a cottage industry and found a niche market and was popular with the tourist trade. When one thinks of Black Forest carvings, they immediately think of carved bears and that’s probably because there are thousands of reproductions. Old Plank has discovered a real treasure trove...
Category
1890s Swiss Antique Black Forest Chairs
Materials
Wood
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H 36 in W 20.25 in D 22 in
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A very unusual pair of hall chairs or side chairs made in the Black Forest region of south-west Germany bordering Switzerland. The horns are intertwined and finished with carvings of...
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19th Century German Antique Black Forest Chairs
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H 29.53 in W 27.56 in D 21.66 in
Linden Wood ’Black Forest’ Bear Armchair from Peter Trauffer
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A linden wood ’Black Forest’ Bear armchair from Peter Trauffer, modelled as a seated bear with a radiating grooved seat in his lap, his paws outstret...
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1890s Swiss Antique Black Forest Chairs
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Original Black Forest Set '6' Hand-Carved Dining Chairs Available Matching Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Black forest carvings became a symbol of wealth in the 1800’s and were found in the homes of serious collectors. Their history of Black Forest carvings dates back to the 1800’s in the town of Brienz, Switzerland. Black Forest carving began as a cottage industry and found a niche market and was popular with the tourist trade. When one thinks of Black Forest carvings, they immediately think of carved bears and that’s probably because there are thousands of reproductions. Old Plank has discovered a real treasure trove...
Category
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Materials
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H 38.63 in W 17.38 in D 17.38 in
Antique French Chair Barley Twist Black Forest Carved Oak Upholstered 19th C
Located in Tyler, TX
Rare antique French oak Black Forest upholstered chair with barley twist legs~~19th century
Exquisite back is carved from one solid piece of oak~~red, gold and green striped uphol...
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Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Chairs
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Upholstery, Oak
H 40 in W 18.75 in D 16 in
Antique Antler Easy Chair by H.F.C Rampendahl ca. 1880
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A rare antler armchair made of original horns from the stag and fallow deer. Feet made of original deer legs reinforced with wood. The unusual chair is elaborately manufactured with ...
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Antique Black Painted Oak Stag Back Hunt Rocker Rocking Chair
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique oak stag back rocking chair. Features a ten point buck in the style of black forest.
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Antler Easy Chair Austria, circa 1880
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A rare antler armchair made of great original horns from the stag. elaborate manufactured in Austria - most probably by Hermann Keitel, circa 1890. Upholstered with red velvet fabric...
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Set of Three Victorian Antler Parlor Chairs, Austria, circa 1880
Located in Berghuelen, DE
The three very rare antler parlor chairs are made of stag antlers and fallow deer antlers, with feet carved as lions claws. Made in Austria, ca. 1880 - the old green covering has to ...
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Rare Antique Carved Wood Dressing Chair with Swan, circa 1880
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A wooden carved dressing chair in the design of a swan with outstretched wings and revolving seat. a great mythological fantasy furniture item made in I...
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Late 19th Century Italian Antique Black Forest Chairs
Materials
Nutwood
Large Antique Antler Easy Chair, circa 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A rare antler armchair made of great original horns from the stag and fallow deer. elaborately manufactured with several fine carved Horn roses and original leather upholstery, Germa...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Chairs
Materials
Antler, Oak
Antique German Pair of Hall Antler Horn Chairs, Black Forest, circa 1880
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique 19th century very unusual pair of hall chairs fashioned from antler horns. These chairs are usually from the Swiss / German borders (the Black Forest) and we a fashionable ho...
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Chairs
Materials
Antler
H 30.32 in W 25.2 in D 25.6 in
Black Forest Chair of Carved Oak from the 19th Century
Located in Austin, TX
A fine Black Forest chair of carved oak from Switzerland, circa 1860, featuring a rustic trellis and grapevine back, the solid carved basket seat on rust...
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19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Chairs
Materials
Wood, Oak
Black Forest chairs for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Black Forest chairs for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Early 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage chairs created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, more furniture and collectibles, folk art and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, bone and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Black Forest chairs 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 chairs, popular names associated with this style include Black Forest, Black Forrest, Markus Friedrich Staab, and Horrix. 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 chairs differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $941 and tops out at $19,429 while the average work can sell for $3,115.
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