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.
Rustic Black Forest Settee, Carved Walnut with Bear Supports, Germany
Located in Queens, NY
Rustic Black Forest style (20th Cent) carved walnut settee with bear sides suppports and center hat tree
Wood, Mirror
Antique Black Forest Sofa from French Chateau in the South of France, Restored
Located in Highwood, IL
Another selection from the extensive collection of Old Plank's Black Forest furniture. We look at Black Forest furniture as being both a bit rustic and a little whimsical. Black Forest furniture dates from the late 1800’s to the early 1900’s and although most people believe Black Forest originated in Germany, or Austria, it was also made in France and Switzerland and the Swiss are the ones who invented the style in the City of Brienz. The original carving of Black Forest furniture and small animal sculptures was driven by the Tourist trade. Old Plank was fortunate to be able to purchase an entire room of Black Forest furniture from a chateau in the South of France, The collection includes; Black Forest chandelier, scones, huge mirrors...
Upholstery, Wood
$25,250
Bavarian Antler Settee
Located in New York, NY
Rare late 19th century Bavarian deer antler settee. A three-section settee with large fallow deer antler-shaped backs and natural red deer antler arms. Expertly crafted with interloc...
Antler, Leather, Ivory
$13,507
H 31.89 in W 93.71 in D 22.84 in
Restored Hand Dyed Brown Leather Antique Victorian 3-4 Seat Sofa Feather Seats
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to this stunning three to four seat antique hand dyed Victorian brown leather sofa...
Leather
$18,001
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
$12,831
H 32.68 in W 53.35 in D 31.5 in
Fully Restored Whisky Brown Leather Lutyen's Viceroy Sofa, circa 1900
By Thomas Chippendale, Lutyen’s Viceroy
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare fully restored Whisky brown leather Lutyen’s Viceroy style two seat brown leather sofa with Thom...
Leather
$10,805
H 27.56 in W 68.51 in D 32.88 in
Small Restored Chesterfield Victorian Whisky Brown Leather Sofa
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning fully restored Victorian circa 1880 hand dyed Chesterfield two-seat sofa with fully but...
Leather, Mahogany
$33,768
H 33.67 in W 77.17 in D 42.52 in
Huge Restored Antique Victorian Howard & Son's Brown Leather Chesterfield Sofa
By Howard & Sons Ltd, Howard Chairs Ltd., Howard and Sons
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this very fine, fully restored Howard & Son’s Berners Street London, large Baring sofa upholstered with vintage brown le...
Leather
French Louis XV Style Carved-Wood & Upholstered Settee
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Louis XV style sofa from the mid-19th century. This antique settee from France upholstered features a gently arched top rail at back, carved acanthus leaves decorated the sk...
Upholstery, Wood
Antique 19c French Carved Walnut & Tapestry Sofa Settee
Located in LOS ANGELES, CA
Antique 19c French Carved Walnut & Tapestry Sofa Settee
Upholstery, Walnut
19th Century French Louis XV Style Carved Walnut Settee
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
An elegant French Louis XV style walnut settee dating from the late 19th century, featuring a beautifully shaped and carved frame with the graceful curves characteristic of the perio...
Walnut, Fabric
Fine Vintage Italian Walnut & Cane Settee With Cushion
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Fine Italian triple chair-back design with solid vase splats having carved details and a gently curving top rail. The Bench elegant out-scrolling arms and sits on six tapered sabre l...
Other
Guillerme & Chambron Settee in Oak, France, c 1960's
By Votre Maison, Guillerme et Chambron
Located in New York, NY
This settee was designed by the iconic French design duo Guillerme et Chambron. The high quality and distinctive skeletal open frame construction features a beautifully crafted spind...
Oak
Victorian Carved Wood Settee
Located in San Francisco, CA
C. 20th century Victorian carved wood settee w/ light blue ribbed velvet.
Velvet, Wood
Settee In The Manner Of Florence Knoll
Located in Pasadena, TX
A mid century modern armless settee in the style of Florence Knoll. Chrome base with angled rear legs and tufted black vinyl upholstery.
Sold
H 51.19 in W 59.06 in D 29.53 in
Large Antique Sofa with Long Horn Decoration, Austria, circa 1870
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A large bull horn furniture sofa, circa 1870, decorated with a set of antique long horns and covered with vintage cow coat (has to be renewed, is losing the h...
Wood, Antler
Rare 19th Austrian Set of Antler Furniture 6 Side Chairs and 1 Settee
Located in Wiscasset, ME
Outstanding matched set of 7 pieces. Settee measures 61" L x 31" D x 25" H Chairs each measure 43" H x 20" W x 24" D Seat height 20 1/2"
Antique Black Forest Three Seater Antler Sofa, 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
An antler sofa with three seats, made of antlers from the deer and fallow deer. Decorated with figural carved horn roses. Green leather cover.
Wood, Antler