Black Forest Dining Room Chairs
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.
Early 20th Century Dutch Black Forest Dining Room Chairs
Oak
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Wood
1890s Swiss Antique Black Forest Dining Room Chairs
Wood
1960s Italian Vintage Black Forest Dining Room Chairs
Metal
Early 20th Century Spanish Black Forest Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Walnut
Late 20th Century American Black Forest Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Mahogany
1760s English Antique Black Forest Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery, Mahogany
2010s Mexican Black Forest Dining Room Chairs
Oak
Early 1900s French Antique Black Forest Dining Room Chairs
Lacquer, Wood, Foam, Upholstery, Mohair, Fabric
1980s Italian Vintage Black Forest Dining Room Chairs
Upholstery
20th Century Polish Black Forest Dining Room Chairs
Beech, Velvet
Early 20th Century Swedish Black Forest Dining Room Chairs
Birch, Burl
Mid-20th Century Danish Black Forest Dining Room Chairs
Walnut
1960s American Vintage Black Forest Dining Room Chairs
Wood, Leather
2010s Italian Black Forest Dining Room Chairs
Wood
1880s Dutch Antique Black Forest Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Walnut
20th Century German Black Forest Dining Room Chairs
Wicker, Beech
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Dining Room Chairs
Oak
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Dining Room Chairs
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Dining Room Chairs
Wood