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.
Large Black Forest 19th Century Antler Arm Chair and Ottoman
Located in San Francisco, CA
a large and rare set of German Black Forest furniture with chair and ottoman; with oval back above a tight seat all surrounded by a robus...
Antler
Antique Black Forest Bench Hallway Swiss Bear Carved 20th Century Sofa Loveseat
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Make sure you always come home with a warm welcome with this marvelous Black Forest sofa in your hallway. Carved out of solid wood by a master carver th...
Oak
$15,183 / item
H 25.6 in W 53.94 in D 19.69 in
Apollo Loveseat, Sofa, Daybed, Modern, Sculptural, Brass Frame and Cream boucle
By Lara Bohinc
Located in Holland, AMSTERDAM
The Apollo loveseat comprises of a series of playfully fine, elongated metal loops, which embrace the upholstered cushion rolls together to form its lo...
Metal, Brass
$18,251
H 33.6 in W 55.5 in D 19.6 in
Antique Black Forest Bear Bench w. Five Bear Sculptures & Carved Oak Leaf Seat
Located in Lisse, NL
Large and impressive, hand carved and demountable bench with five bear sculptures. This superbly hand carved bench is entirely made of solid wood and therefor too this stunning and highly decorative antique is as strong and stable as the day it was it was made. We cannot single out one detail that is more special than others, because the standing bear sculptures...
Glass, Wood
19th Century Swedish Painted Settee in Silk Plaid
Located in Southampton, NY
19th Century Swedish painted settee in silk plaid. Lovely design. Structurally sound, silk plaid ripped on along upper back. Age to finish consistent with...
Silk, Wood
Late 19th Century Tete-a-Tete
Located in New York, NY
Late 19th century Tete a Tete with carved wood frame and an upholstered, linen-blend, cushioned seats.
Upholstery, Wood
$2,708
H 30.32 in W 44.1 in D 20.87 in
20thCentury Italian Wooden Carved Upholstered Hallway Entrance Settee Sofa Bench
Located in Carimate, Como
A beautiful and sleek Italian wooden bench or settee of fine quality with excellent profile carvings and detail decors, this is a great and elegant hallway sofa...
Wood, Fabric
$8,500
H 48 in W 67 in D 16 in
Handmade Italian Modern Craftsman Bench / Sofa in the Spirit of Andrea Branzi
Located in New York, NY
A dramatic, Unique Italian Modern Craftsman sculpture / sofa / bench in the spirit of Andrea Branzi's Modern Rustic / Brutalist Aesthetic as seen in "Domestic Animals". This original...
Iron, Wrought Iron
Rare Egyptian Revival Ebony and Inlaid Settee, Late 19th Century
Located in Southampton, NY
Egyptian Revival ebony and inlaid settee, late 19th century "Of architectural form with geometric borders and inlaid with fruitwoods, ivory, mother of pearl and wire, the carved giltwood cresting rail in the form of serpents centred by a tablet inlaid with a winged bird, probably the symbol of the Egyptian Goddess, Nekhbet, clutching a payrus stalk, the padded back between two moulded cartouches depicting Horus and Iris, the arm supports in the form of Canopic jars surmounted by the head of Anubis, with a padded seat and shaped legs terminating in paw feet. Measures: 26" deep x 56" wide x 45.5" high x 18" seat height In the nineteenth century, the Egyptian Revival became fashionable following the Napoleonic campaigns in Egypt with the publication of Voyage (1802) by Vivant Denon...
Wire
New Black Wrought Iron Bench with Arms and Back
Located in Miami, FL
A wonderful French wrought iron Baguès style bench with lattice seat and scrolled arms. Cushion included.
Iron
$2,823Sale Price|55% Off
H 42 in W 66 in D 32 in
Magnificent 19th Century Giltwood Louis XVI Loveseat with New Upholstery
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Sublimely elegant plush 19th century gilt wood Louis XVI French loveseat having gorgeous scalloped high back, bronzed aged patina, cabriole legs and curvy arms. The new upholstery j...
Mohair, Upholstery, Giltwood
$4,800
H 37.75 in W 50.25 in D 24 in
Antique French Exquisitely Carved and Newly Upholstered Sofa or Loveseat
Located in Hopewell, NJ
French Louis XVI sofa or loveseat from the 19th century in carved walnut. Features a gently bowed back, fluted legs, and intricate neoclassical carving throughout. New upholstery in ...
Upholstery, Walnut
French 19th Century Louis XVI Tall Back Settee
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A beautifully constructed French settee from the 19th century incorporating Louis XVI decorative motifs and proportions that would also fit with Empire or Directoire tastes as well. ...
Velvet, Fruitwood
Beautiful 19th Century Louis XV Gilt Carved Small Settee
Located in Dallas, TX
A fine small 19th century French Louis XV gilt hand carved settee. Fine gilding and detail.
Giltwood