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.
$6,304Sale Price / set|20% Off
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 ...
Wood, Antler
$4,760Sale Price / set|20% Off
Great Antique Horn Chairs, Austria ca. 1870
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Great Antique Horn Chairs, Austria ca. 1870 Item e5680 A pair large bull horn chairs ca. 1870, one covered with vintage cattle coat which has to be rene...
Metal
$6,304Sale Price / set|20% Off
Antique Bull Horn Chairs by H.F.C. Rampendahl, Austria, Circa 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...
Wood, Antler
$2,928Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Small Antique Horn Chairs, Austria ca. 1870
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Pair of Small Antique Horn Chairs, Austria ca. 1870 Item e5681 A pair small bull horn chairs ca. 1870, one covered with vintage cattle coat which has to...
Metal
$1,600 / set
H 30.5 in W 30.5 in D 28 in
Pr. Mid-Century Lounge Chairs Attributed to Directional Ca 1950's
Located in New York, NY
Pr. stylish lounge chairs made inn the 1950's, attributed to Directional Furniture Company, in the manner of Paul McCobb. Both chairs are structurally sound and sturdy, they were reu...
Upholstery
$2,072Sale Price / set|28% Off
H 34 in W 43 in D 41 in
Oversized Lounge Chairs by HICKORY CHAIR - Set of 2
By Hickory Chair Furniture Company
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and ...
Velvet
$5,200 / set
H 33 in W 27.5 in D 34 in
Mid-Century Modern Lounge Chairs by John Widdicomb, Circa 1960s
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stylish pair of midcentury Widdicomb lounge chairs. Spacious seating area with large semi-firm cushioning. Handsome angular wooden frames. A great addition to any modern interior's s...
Upholstery, Walnut
Charles and Ray Eames, LCW Lounge Chair, circa 1960
Located in Belmont, MA
Charles and Ray Eames. Iconic LCW lounge chair in black stained plywood, designed by Charles and Ray Eames, Manufactured by Evans / Herman Miller. The veneer and chair is in good o...
Plywood
Rattan Rattan Lounge Chair by Isamu Kenmochi , Circa 1980s
By Yamakawa Rattan, Isamu Kenmochi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
Rattan sofa designed by Isamu Kenmochi and manufactured by Yamakawa Rattan. Circa 1980s. No restorations or modifications have been made. The cushion is also original vintage condition.
Upholstery, Rattan
Pair of Eames Lounge Chair Metal 'LCM'
By Herman Miller, Charles and Ray Eames
Located in New York, NY
Iconic pair of Eames for Herman Miller LCM's in later orange and black paint finish. These chairs are structurally sound and sturdy, both have a later, but not new, orange paint surf...
Metal
$3,650 / set
H 28.35 in W 24.41 in D 27.56 in
Architectural Dutch Lounge Chairs, Pair, The Netherlands, circa 1960
By Poul Kjærholm, Gerrit Rietveld
Located in Dronten, NL
A striking pair of minimalistic lounge chairs crafted in the Netherlands around 1960. These exceptional chairs embody the clarity and discipline of mid-century Dutch design, with a s...
Steel
Antique English Satinwood Occasional Chair, circa 1870
Located in New Orleans, LA
Satinwood is a lovely color and this chair is pleasing to the eye. A perfect complement to any room in the home or office environment.
Satinwood
Pair of Swedish Spindle Dowel Back Chairs
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Pair of very nice spindle back chairs with newly upholstered seats.
Upholstery, Birch, Maple
Plume Chair, Midcentury Lounge Chair
By Sun at Six
Located in San Jose, CA
A chair designed for afternoon lounging. The leather bends to support the curves of the body, with twin buckles in the back supporting the leather. The Plume Chair is made from veget...
Leather, Oak
Antique Victorian Tub Chair, 1870
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Victorian Mahogany Tub Chair. Having ring turned legs with brass castors. This chair has swept and carved uprights and is currently covered in a deep buttoned green dralon. circa 1870 A very pretty and comfortable chair.
Mahogany
$9,850 / set
H 33 in W 31.5 in D 30 in
Frank Gehry Power Play Chair and Ottoman for Knoll, Signed, Great Condition
By Frank Gehry, Knoll
Located in Kansas City, MO
Power play chair and ottoman designed by Frank Gehry for Knoll in very close to new condition. There are no chips, cracks or repairs to the wood slats...
Maple
Sold
H 29.53 in W 27.56 in D 21.66 in
19th Century Pair Of Black Forest Antler Horn Hall Chairs, Swiss/German, c.1890
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
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...
Fabric, Pine, Antler
19th Century Black Forest Armchair
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century black forest armchair is not only beautiful to behold, it's amazingly comfortable as well! Exquisitely carved framework depicts...
Fabric, Oak
Sold
H 38 in W 24 in D 31 in
Rare Antique Black Forest Nutwood Armchair / Fauteuil by Horrix with Upholstery
Located in Lisse, NL
Unique and impressive relax chair from circa 1870. This unique chair is as stable as the day it was made and the woodwork is in good to excellent condition also. The solid handcraf...
Fabric, Nutwood
Sold
H 67 in W 26 in D 23 in
High Back Sculptural Root Burl Wood Tree Log Free Form Lounge Chair Modern
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Unique high back sculptural tree log free-form lounge chair. Item features a tall substantial form, cut-out designed back, angled arms, stretcher base, and gr...
Hardwood