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.
A Swiss Alpine Folk Art Escabelle Chair
Located in London, GB
A Delightful Swiss Alpine Folk Art Escabelle Chair. This charming antique features a beautifully carved backrest adorned with a pair of Alpine chamois...
Pine
Fine Black Forest 'Goat' Hall Chair
Located in New York, NY
Fine Black Forest 'Goat' Hall Chair, late 19th Century.
Wood
$16,500 / set
Pair of Rustic Black Forest Walnut Bear Side Chairs
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Rustic Black Forest (19th Cent) walnut side chairs with floral carving and bear figure on back with faux wood carved seat and legs (1 having...
Walnut
$2,560Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Swiss Black Forest Carved Walnut and Fabric Upholstered Armchair
Located in Haarlem, NL
Walnut Black Forest or Schwarzwald chair with back, armrests and seat upholstery in original flower and fruit fabric. The chair is carved in a branch and vine effect which includes v...
Fabric, Upholstery, Walnut
Black Forest Carved Wood w Original Fabric Side Chairs, Pair
Located in North Miami, FL
These side chairs are magnificent example of Southern Germany/ Austrian carved wood with amazing details including mythological dragons and flora....
Brocade, Fruitwood
19th-C. French Green Painted Black Forest Carved Side Chair In Dog Toile Linen
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a 19th century French carved oak Black Forest carved oak chair upholstered in a dog toile that is attributed to Brunschwig & Fils. The back depicts a series of woven branches...
Upholstery, Oak
$35,000 / set
Set of 10 Rustic Black Forest Walnut Side Chairs
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 10 Rustic Black Forest (19th Cent) walnut side chairs with shaped seat and back with filigree carving and animals.
Walnut
Folk Art Chair, Black Forest In Branches
Located in Charmes, FR
chair made from branches, folk art from the Alemannic region in good condition, made in the late 19th, early 20th century
Wood
19thc Pair Swiss Elm Hall Chairs
Located in Staffordshire, GB
Circa 1890 19thC Pair Swiss Elm Hall Chairs With pierced backs and cleated seats. Measures: W 35 x D 45 x H 93cm. Seat height 44.
Elm
A Very Fine Pair of 19th Century Mahogany Hall Chairs
Located in Dublin, IE
A very fine pair of 19th Century well figured, mahogany hall chairs, fabulously hand carved with gorgeously rich patination and grain. The shaped, moulded and fluted shield back wit...
Mahogany
Swiss Alp, folk art , Escabelle
Located in grand Lancy, CH
Swiss alp , folk art ,escabelle.
Wood
Venezia Mid-18th Century Baroque Hand-Carved Walnut Armchair
Located in Brescia, IT
Mid-18th Century baroque hand-carved 1750 Venetian walnut armchair. Straw seat not original. The 18th Century was in Venice the Golden Age and this armchair is a remarkable work by ...
Walnut
$2,975 / set
H 30.52 in W 23.63 in D 19.89 in
19th Century Spanish Pair of Colonial Carved Armchairs with Leather Seat & Back
Located in Miami, FL
19th century walnut Spanish colonial altar armchairs with wood back with ornamental carved and wood seat. The unusual lyre legs complete this exceptional pair of armchairs Measures: ...
Walnut, Leather
Danish Designer, Side Chair, Wood, Fabric, Denmark, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A wood and yellow fabric side chair or vanity table chair designed and produced in Denmark, c. 1940s. Fabric has heavy wear and tear, reupholstery recommended. Minor scrapes on woo...
Fabric, Wood
$720Sale Price|48% Off
H 32.29 in W 13.78 in D 13.39 in
Swiss Alpine Folk Art ESCABELLE from Bulle Village A 24
Located in grand Lancy, CH
Swiss alpine folk art ESCABELLE from Bulle village A 24.
Wood
Late 19th Century French Carved Mahogany Side Chair
Located in New Orleans, LA
An antique, late 19th century French Belle Epoch, intricately hand carved mahogany accent/side chair, with the most graceful, double scrolled, Cabriole legs. The Belle Epoch period i...
Mahogany
$1,800
H 34.75 in W 17.25 in D 20 in
19th Century French Louis XVI Style Painted Accent Chair in Floral Linen
Located in Astoria, NY
An exquisite late 19th-century petite accent side chair in the Louis XVI style, sourced from Provence, France. The hand-crafted frame features an elegant oval backrest and is finishe...
Fabric, Cotton, Linen, Wood, Hardwood, Paint
Swiss Alp, folk art , Escabelle
Located in grand Lancy, CH
Swiss alp , folk art ,escabelle.
Wood
Pair of 18th Century Swedish Rococo Walnut Side Chairs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Swedish Rococo period walnut side chairs from the 18th century, with upholstery and cabriole legs. Created in Sweden during the 18th century, each of this pair of Rococo ch...
Upholstery, Walnut
Swiss Alp , folk art , Escabelle
Located in grand Lancy, CH
Swiss alp , folk art , escabelle.
Wood
Sold
H 40 in W 18.75 in D 16 in
Antique French Chair Barley Twist Black Forest Carved Oak Upholstered 19th C
Located in Tyler, TX
Rare antique French oak Black Forest upholstered chair with barley twist legs~~19th century Exquisite back is carved from one solid piece of oak~~red, gold and green striped uphol...
Upholstery, Oak
Black Forest Music Chair
Located in Lyndhurst, NJ
The all over carved chair with a marquetry inlaid back and seat presenting superb examples of original pen-work. The seat opening to reveal an original music box.
Wood
19th Century Carved Walnut Hall Chair
Located in San Francisco, CA
19th century carved walnut hall chair Whimsical hand carved hall chair Measures: 11.5" wide x 14" deep x 19.25" high at the seat x 38.5" high...
Walnut
Sold
H 37.5 in W 17 in D 16 in
19th Century French Carved Tiger Oak Black Forest Hunt Accent Chair Barley Twist
Located in Shreveport, LA
19th century French carved tiger oak black forest hunt accent chair barley twist ~Direct from France~ ~Unique hand carved antique French “hunt chair...
Oak
Sold
H 41.54 in W 19.1 in L 41.54 in
Vintage Hand Carved Black Forest Wood Bear Chair with Bears Climbing the Legs
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this lovely decorative vintage Black Forest wood bear chair This chair is part of a suite, I have the matc...
Wood
Pair of 19th Century Black Forest Chairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Pair of 19th century Black Forest chairs are wonderfully decorative, and great for those that entertain in style! Each has been lavished with sculpted br...
Oak
Petite Black Forest Upholstered Chair
Located in Dallas, TX
A Black Forest chair with upholstered seat and back inset. Beautifully and deeply carved in the traditional Black Forest style of branches and vege...
Wood
Sold
H 39.77 in W 17.72 in D 17.52 in
Very Rare Pair of circa 1870 Linden Wood Black Forrest Carved Wood Hall Chairs
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning pair of original Linden wood Black Forrest carved wood in the form of branches hall chairs from 1870 These chairs are exceptionall...
Hardwood
Sold
H 37.8 in W 18.12 in D 15.36 in
Set of Swiss Brienz Carved and Marquetry Walnut Sgabello Chairs, 1900
Located in Haarlem, NL
Lovely set of richly carved walnut wooden chairs. Seats and back medaillons are decorated with chamois and capricorn inlaid marquetry wood work. ...
Walnut
Sold
H 42.5 in W 18.25 in D 17.25 in
Set of Ten Black Forest Style Austrian Open Worked Backed Carved Side Chairs
Located in Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Ten side chairs in great condition. Pen work with dogwood leave carvings on open work back. Cabriole legs, 1870-1880s. Black Forest style.
Fabric, Upholstery, Wood
Sold
H 29 in Dm 23.5 in
Pair of Antique Black Forest Hall Chairs and Matching Table, Late 19th Century
Located in Lisse, NL
Wonderfully shaped and vey well carved set of Black Forest furniture. This late 19th century set of furniture is an absolute joy to own and to look at. The shape, the color and th...
Wood
Pair of Rare Antler Parlor Chairs, French, circa 1860
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Two very rare antler parlor chairs made of stag antlers with feet carved as lions claws, French, circa 1860.
Antler