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.
Set of 5 19th Century Black-forest Carved Oak Dining Chairs
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Set of 5 19th Century Black-forest Carved Oak Dining Chairs These are beautifully carved High Back Dining Chairs, they are carved on a hunting theme with hunting dogs and Fruits fro...
Oak
Set of Eight 1920s Black Forest Dining Room Chairs with Hand-Carved Floral Décor
Located in Atlanta, GA
A set of eight Black Forest dining room chairs from the early 20th century, with carved foliage décor and upholstery. Created during the first quarter of the 20th century, this set o...
Upholstery, Wood
$48,000 / set
H 39.5 in W 28 in D 19.75 in
Set of Eight English Chippendale Mahogany Upholstered Dining Room Chairs, C 1760
Located in Charleston, SC
Set of Eight English Chippendale mahogany dining room chairs with a serpentine carved acanthus ribbon cresting rail, scrolled foliage ears, molded edge stiles, ornate ribbon medallio...
Upholstery, Mahogany
Swedish 19th Century Carved Oak Dining Chairs - Set of Six
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A fabulous set of carved oak Biedermeier-style chairs from Sweden, early 19th century, with soft cut-velvet seats to enhance the sense of refinement the period is known for. The curv...
Textile, Oak
$2,650 / set
H 48.5 in W 19 in D 24 in
Set Of Eight Vintage Elaborately Carved Italianate Dining Chairs
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A well made, sinuous and very decorative set of eight dining chairs. Including two arm and six side chairs. They have tall carved backs and elaborate curved and scrolled crest rails...
Fabric, Wood
Set of Six 19th Century Swedish Carved Back Dining Chairs
Located in Charleston, SC
Charming set of six Swedish dining chairs with richly carved seat backs with lyre and leaf motifs. Recent upholstery seat in linen.
Linen, Wood, Paint
$3,450 / set
H 31.5 in W 22.45 in D 19.69 in
Set of Eight Black Leather and Chrome steel Dining Room Chairs, Italy 1970s
Located in Almelo, NL
Set of Eight Black Leather and Chrome steel Dining Room Chairs, Italy 1970s These dining room chairs are a beautiful and iconic set of eight armchairs that were designed and produce...
Chrome
French Oak Dining Chairs 19th Century Set of 4
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on CONTINUE READING at the bottom of this page. Offering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions Of A Set of 4 19th Century F...
Cotton, Oak
Set of Eight 19th Century Mahogany Dining Chairs
Located in Martlesham, GB
A set of eight mahogany dining chairs in the Queen Anne style, consisting of six side chairs and two armchairs, the shaped central splat back with carved shell decoration flanked by ...
Mahogany
Set of 6 19th century Regency mahogany dining chairs
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Set of 19th century regency mahogany dining chairs circa 1820. Good quality set of 6 regency dining chairs, made in fine mahogany. Carv...
Fabric, Mahogany
Set of Six 19th Century English Dining Chairs
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Set of Six 19th Century English mahogany dining chairs, one carver and five side chairs. With original castors. Recently recovered in quality fabric.
Fabric, Mahogany
$2,608 / set
H 37.8 in W 19.69 in D 20.48 in
Hand-carved Art Nouveau dining chairs with floral motifs, 1990s, set
Located in Manzano, IT
Immerse your dining room in unparalleled elegance with this set of six chairs, made in the 1990s-2000s as a stunning organic, sculptural interpretation of Art Nouveau. Each seat is a...
Wood, Beech
$4,174Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 34.45 in W 18.9 in D 18.31 in
Set of Ten Art Deco Modernist Dining Room Chairs by Frits Spanjaard, 1920s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent and rare set of ten Art Deco Modernist dining room chairs. Design attributed to Frits Spanjaard. Striking Dutch design from the...
Fabric, Oak
Set of 8 19th Century English Mahogany Dining Chairs
Located in Richmond, VA
Great set of 8 19th century English mahogany dining chairs. Two arm chairs and six side chairs. All in good condition. Upholstery has a few spots and could be redone or have covers m...
Mahogany
Sold
H 35.63 in W 17.92 in D 15.36 in
Black Forest Walnut Dining Chairs by Matthijs Horrix for Horrix, 1880s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent and rare set of eight Black Forest dining chairs. Design by Matthijs Horrix for Horrix Den Haag. Striking Dutch design from the 1880s. Solid hand-carved walnut base and r...
Fabric, Walnut
Sold
H 38.63 in W 17.38 in D 17.38 in
Original Black Forest Set '6' Hand-Carved Dining Chairs Available Matching Table
Located in Highwood, 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...
Wood
Sold
H 35.04 in W 16.15 in L 35.04 in
Dining set - Antique Michael Thonet Designed No.11 Chairs and matching table
Located in Highclere, Newbury
An excellent antique dining set comprising 4 x Michael Thonet designed No. 11 bergère chairs with a matching bergère sided table, circa 1910-1914 It’s very rare to find 4 matching antique Thonet designed chairs with the bergère backs alongside a table with matching bergère work from around the same period, especially in such fine vintage condition. The Thonet No. 11 chair was first designed around 1860 and was a development of earlier designs to incorporate a bergère back. This makes it far more comfortable than the first designs of Thonet chairs and if you have ever sat in one of the classic Thonet bistro...
Wicker, Beech
Rare Set of Thirteen Carved Oak Black Forest Dining Chairs
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Fine quality rare set of black forest dining chairs, circa 1880. Set comprises of two armchairs and nine single chairs. Profusely pierced carving with floral, supported by barl...
Oak
Sold
H 42.5 in W 18.25 in D 17.25 in
Set of Ten Black Forest Style Austrian Open Worked Backed Carved Side Chairs
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Ten side chairs in great condition. Pen work with dogwood leave carvings on open work back. Cabriole legs, 1870-1880s. Black Forest style.
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
Pair of Walnut Edelweiss Chairs, Swiss, 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
a wonderful pair of carved walnut chairs with finely inlaid seat and back. superb carved edelweiss and floral ornaments. executed ca. 1900, swiss brienz. (the center paintings at the...
Wood