Black Forest Settees

BLACK FOREST STYLE

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.

Style: Black Forest

Antique Black Forest Sofa from French Chateau in the South of France, Restored

$6,800

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...

Category

1890s Swiss Antique Black Forest Settees

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Bavarian Antler Settee

$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...

Category

19th Century German Antique Black Forest Settees

Materials

Antler, Leather, Ivory

Rustic Black Forest Settee, Carved Walnut with Bear Supports, Germany

$37,500

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

Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Settees

Materials

Wood, Mirror

Antique Black Forest Bear Bench w. Five Bear Sculptures & Carved Oak Leaf Seat

$18,145

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...

Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Settees

Materials

Glass, Wood

Small Restored Chesterfield Victorian Whisky Brown Leather Sofa

$10,798

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...

Category

19th Century English Antique Black Forest Settees

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Fully Restored Whisky Brown Leather Lutyen's Viceroy Sofa, circa 1900

$12,823

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...

Category

Early 1900s English Antique Black Forest Settees

Materials

Leather

Huge Restored Antique Victorian Howard & Son's Brown Leather Chesterfield Sofa

$33,746

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 Chairs Ltd., Howard & Sons 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...

Category

19th Century English Antique Black Forest Settees

Materials

Leather

Restored Hand Dyed Brown Leather Antique Victorian 3-4 Seat Sofa Feather Seats

$13,498

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...

Category

19th Century English Antique Black Forest Settees

Materials

Leather

Turquoise Post Modern Cubic Settee, 1970

$2,200

H 26 in W 60 in D 33 in

Turquoise Post Modern Cubic Settee, 1970

By Milo Baughman

Located in Chicago, IL

Turquoise Postmodern Cubic settee, 1970 Newly reupholstered in turquoise velvet.

Category

1970s American Vintage Black Forest Settees

Materials

Velvet

Victorian Carved Wood Settee

$1,000

H 42 in W 64.5 in D 31.5 in

Victorian Carved Wood Settee

Located in San Francisco, CA

C. 20th century Victorian carved wood settee w/ light blue ribbed velvet.

Category

20th Century Black Forest Settees

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Danish Mustard Mohair Velvet Sofa in the style of Ludvig Pontoppidan

$4,400

H 30.25 in W 51.25 in D 26.75 in

Danish Mustard Mohair Velvet Sofa in the style of Ludvig Pontoppidan

Located in Fall River, MA

This True Vintage Settee features soft mustard mohair upholstery and a curved, compact shape that adds charm to any space. The clean lines and tapered wooden legs give it a classic, ...

Category

20th Century Black Forest Settees

Materials

Mohair, Wood

Antique French Louis XV Style Carved Walnut Serpentine Settee Sofa Loveseat

$1,600

H 33.5 in W 50 in D 31 in

Antique French Louis XV Style Carved Walnut Serpentine Settee Sofa Loveseat

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Antique French Louis XV Style Carved Walnut Serpentine Frame Settee with Gold Dragon Upholstery and Down Filled Cushion. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 33.5" H x 50" W x 31"...

Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Black Forest Settees

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

Fine Vintage Italian Walnut & Cane Settee With Cushion

$2,250

H 33.5 in W 55.25 in D 22 in

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...

Category

20th Century Italian Black Forest Settees

Materials

Other

Italian Mohair Settee Sofa, Brown, 1950s

$8,000

H 24 in W 60 in D 30 in

Italian Mohair Settee Sofa, Brown, 1950s

Located in New York, NY

Beautiful mohair upholstered curved sofa with wooden legs. Perfect shape and size. In excellent condition, 1950s, Italy. Same era as: Ch...

Category

Late 20th Century Italian Black Forest Settees

Materials

Mohair, Wood

Settee In The Manner Of Florence Knoll

$2,900

H 31 in W 54 in D 28 in

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.

Category

1960s Vintage Black Forest Settees

Previously Available Items

Large Antique Sofa with Long Horn Decoration, Austria, circa 1870

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...

Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Settees

Materials

Wood, Antler

Rare 19th Austrian Set of Antler Furniture 6 Side Chairs and 1 Settee

Sold

H 43 in W 20 in D 24 in

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"

Category

19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Settees

Antique Black Forest Three Seater Antler Sofa, 1900

Sold

H 51.19 in W 63 in D 23.63 in

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.

Category

19th Century German Antique Black Forest Settees

Materials

Wood, Antler

Black Forest settees for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Black Forest settees for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Early 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage settees created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, bone and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Black Forest settees made in a specific country, there are Europe, Germany, and Austria pieces for sale on 1stDibs. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for settees differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $4,980 and tops out at $37,500 while the average work can sell for $16,375.