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 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
$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
$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
$2,681 / 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
$4,290Sale 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
$10,350 / set
H 42.5 in W 19.25 in D 23 in
Restored Set of Eight French Louis XIII Dining Chairs, 1920
Located in Astoria, NY
A handsome set of eight restored early 20th-century French dining chairs in the traditional Louis XIII style, sourced from Provence, France. Each chair is hand-crafted from solid map...
Velvet, Maple
$24,000
H 34.5 in W 17.5 in D 15.25 in
French Art Deco Set of Eight Black Lacquered Dining Chairs, 1920s
Located in CA, CA
Elegant Art Deco set of 8 black lacquered chairs by SALT (Société Anonyme Lyonnaise de Tapisserie) was a furniture maker in Lyon, France, the town that gave us Jean Dunand amongst o...
Lacquer
Set of Eight Hepplewhite Mahogany Dining Chairs, Carved Backs, 1920
Located in Potters Bar, GB
An elegant set of eight mahogany Hepplewhite style dining chairs, comprising six side chairs and two armchairs Circa 1920 We have various dining tables to match if you are looking fo...
Mahogany
$10,880
H 33.08 in W 15.36 in D 18.12 in
Art Deco Set of Eight Dining Chairs, Green Leather & Walnut, 1920s
Located in Lisbon, PT
This set of eight of Art Deco chairs: two armchair and six chairs from the 1920s features green upholstery and solid wood frames. With their clean lines and brass nailhead trim, the...
Leather, Walnut
$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
$13,728 / item
H 41.26 in W 23 in D 17.64 in
Joaquim Tenreiro, Set of Eight Dining Room Chairs, Brasil, 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Joaquim Tenreiro Pair of dining chairs Manufactured by Tenreiro Moveis e Decoraçoes Brasil, 1950 Jacaranda wood, cane From the archives of Side Gallery, Barcelona Measureme...
Cane, Jacaranda
Set Of 4 Dining Room Chairs Made In Mahogany From 1920s
Located in Lejre, DK
Dining room chairs in mahogany with a nice cutout in the backrest with black patterned fabric from around the 1920s. Measurements in cm: H:88 W:46 D:43 SH:44
Mahogany
$9,295 / set
H 33.08 in W 15.36 in D 18.12 in
Set of Six 1920s Art Deco Dining Chairs with Green Upholstery
Located in Lisbon, PT
This set of six of Art Deco chairs: two armchair and four chairs from the 1920s features green upholstery and solid wood frames. With their clean lines and brass nailhead trim, thes...
Leather, Walnut
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 BENSENVILLE, 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