Black Forest Stools

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

Hand Carved Antique 'Black Forest' Fox Stool

$14,246

Hand Carved Antique 'Black Forest' Fox Stool

Located in London, GB

A 'Black Forest' fox stool Constructed in a very well patinated and carved lindenwood, the kneeling fox having glass eyes, with monochrome naturalistic highlights; the seat carved to resemble a mushroom. Brienz Area, circa 1900 Brienz, in the Bernese Oberland, Switzerland was remarked upon in Baedeker's Travel Guide, as having a population of 2400, of whom 600 persons were employed as woodcarvers, to supply the tourist trade to Switzerland with mementos of the tour. A museum devoted entirely to the art of wood carving may be visited today. Arenski, Jay, Simon Daniels, and Michael Daniels. Swiss Carvings: The Art of the 'Black Forrest', 1820-1940. Woodbridge: Antique Collectors' Club, 2005, p. 140 (fig. 224). Illustrating a kneeling bear stool...

Category

19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Stools

Materials

Glass, Wood

19th Century Carved Walnut Piano Stool, Black Forest

$13,950

19th Century Carved Walnut Piano Stool, Black Forest

Located in North Miami, FL

19th Century carved walnut piano stool, Black Forest in the shape of a faun, which is a mythological half human half goat creature from Roman mythology. The height is adjustable to u...

Category

19th Century French Antique Black Forest Stools

Materials

Metal

Black Forest Modeled Bear Piano Stool, Late 20th Century

$11,950

Black Forest Modeled Bear Piano Stool, Late 20th Century

Located in North Miami, FL

A fantastic hand carved bear piano stool with extendable seat. It was hand carved in Switzerland, Brienz, circa 1890’s. Original glass eyes.

Category

Early 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Stools

Materials

Wood

19th Century French Walnut Stool

$850

H 21 in W 15.25 in D 11.25 in

19th Century French Walnut Stool

Located in High Point, NC

19th century walnut stool from France with a wonderfully thick top which has a handle design cutout of the top and a multi-level beveled edge, following down to a lovely hand scallop...

Category

19th Century French Antique Black Forest Stools

Materials

Walnut

Fine Art Antique Hand Carved Wooden Black Forest Trophy-Like Deer Wall Sculpture

$2,754

H 20 in W 15.3 in D 9.4 in

Fine Art Antique Hand Carved Wooden Black Forest Trophy-Like Deer Wall Sculpture

Located in Lisse, NL

Finest quality carved, Victorian era, Black Forest deer / stag wall sculpture. One of the main reasons for people wanting to own and enjoy antiques is for their decorative appeal an...

Category

19th Century German Antique Black Forest Stools

Materials

Metal

Early 20th Century French Hand-Carved Walnut Bear Group Sculpture

$1,050

H 12 in Dm 12.5 in

Early 20th Century French Hand-Carved Walnut Bear Group Sculpture

Located in Dallas, TX

Decorate a ranch house, mountain lodge, or hunt cabin with this beautifully executed early 20th-century animal sculpture. Hand-carved in France circa 1920 from a single block of frui...

Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Stools

Materials

Walnut

19th Century French Louis XV Carved Walnut and Leather Adjustable Piano Stool

$1,500

H 19.5 in Dm 15.5 in

19th Century French Louis XV Carved Walnut and Leather Adjustable Piano Stool

Located in Dallas, TX

This carved antique fruitwood stool was created in Provence, France circa 1880. Standing on cabriole legs ending with escargot feet, the piano seating is decorated with floral motifs...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Stools

Materials

Walnut, Leather

Mid-20th Century Hand Painted Faience Elephant Garden Seat

$1,100

H 16.5 in W 21.5 in D 9.5 in

Mid-20th Century Hand Painted Faience Elephant Garden Seat

Located in Dallas, TX

This interesting, vintage porcelain garden seat was found in France. Crafted circa 1960, the ceramic seating shaped as an elephant with his trunk raised (good luck sign in Asia), is ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Black Forest Stools

Materials

Ceramic, Faience

A Wooden Japanese Hokkaido Kibori Kuma Bear, Early 20th Century

$1,050Sale Price|30% Off

H 14.97 in W 21.26 in D 13 in

A Wooden Japanese Hokkaido Kibori Kuma Bear, Early 20th Century

Located in ARMADALE, VIC

A Wooden Japanese Hokkaido Kibori Kuma Bear, Early 20th Century Description: A traditional hand-carved wooden bear from Hokkaido, Japan. While it bears a resemblance to Swiss Black ...

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Black Forest Stools

Materials

Wood

Hand Carved Wood Swiss Black Forest Eagle Sculpture Label P. Maeder, Lucerne

$1,051

H 9.2 in W 8.9 in D 3.1 in

Hand Carved Wood Swiss Black Forest Eagle Sculpture Label P. Maeder, Lucerne

Located in Lisse, NL

Exceptional Swiss Black Forest eagle carving with remarkable presence. This beautifully executed Swiss Black Forest wood carving depicts a majestic eagle captured at the very moment...

Category

Mid-20th Century Swiss Black Forest Stools

Materials

Glass, Wood

19th Century French Adjustable Walnut Piano Stool with Carved Shell Seat

$1,600

H 23 in W 15 in D 17 in

19th Century French Adjustable Walnut Piano Stool with Carved Shell Seat

Located in Dallas, TX

This elegant antique French piano or musician’s stool dates to circa 1870 and is crafted from solid walnut with a beautifully time-softened patina...

Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Black Forest Stools

Materials

Walnut

19th Century French Walnut Stool

$2,495

H 16.5 in W 25.75 in D 17.88 in

19th Century French Walnut Stool

Located in High Point, NC

19th century walnut stool from France. The seat is upholstered in old petit point with a landscape scene including a castle and manor house, including a forefront of fields and anim...

Category

19th Century French Antique Black Forest Stools

Materials

Textile, Walnut

19th Century French Régence Style Walnut Piano Bench or Stool

$944Sale Price|58% Off

H 19.69 in W 32.29 in D 14.57 in

19th Century French Régence Style Walnut Piano Bench or Stool

Located in LA CIOTAT, FR

A very pretty 19th century Régence style piano stool in polished walnut, its padded cushion upholstered in a delicate needlepoint tapestry featuring a design of rosebuds and leaf spr...

Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Stools

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Early 19th Century Regency Period Carved Walnut Stool

$3,934

H 18.9 in W 21.66 in D 18.12 in

Early 19th Century Regency Period Carved Walnut Stool

Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB

An early 19th century, Regency period carved walnut and needlework foot stool, retaining excellent colour and patina. Featuring a rectangular petit-point floral needlework upholstere...

Category

Early 19th Century British Antique Black Forest Stools

Materials

Walnut

Antique Black Forest Hand-Carved Deer or Elk Head Wall Plaque or Sculpture

$1,995

H 15.5 in W 12 in D 7.5 in

Antique Black Forest Hand-Carved Deer or Elk Head Wall Plaque or Sculpture

Located in Hamilton, Ontario

This well executed antique wall sculpture is unsigned, but presumed to have been done in Switzerland in approximately 1890 in the period Black F...

Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Stools

Materials

Softwood

Previously Available Items

Mid-Century French Deer Antler Stool with Natural Hide Upholstered Seat

Sold

H 19 in Dm 17.5 in

Mid-Century French Deer Antler Stool with Natural Hide Upholstered Seat

Located in Dallas, TX

Bring rustic elegance to your interior with this distinctive mid-century French stool. Crafted circa 1950, the piece features a sculptural base composed of naturally shed deer antle...

Category

Mid-20th Century French Black Forest Stools

Materials

Antler, Animal Skin

Pair of Black Forest Stools Hand-Carved from Private Collection in Marseille, Fr

Sold

H 22 in W 15 in D 15 in

Pair of Black Forest Stools Hand-Carved from Private Collection in Marseille, Fr

Located in BENSENVILLE, IL

Unusual Pair of Black Forest Stools found in a Chateau just outside of Marseille, France. Black Forest carvings were a symbol of wealth in the 1800’s and were found in the luxury homes of collectors. Black Forest carvings date to the early 1800’s in the town of Brienz, Switzerland. Black Forest carvings started as a cottage industry and found a niche market in the tourist trade. When someone thinks of Black Forest, they instantly think of the carved bears and that is probably because there are thousands of repro's out there. Old Plank uncovered a treasure trove of Black Forest carved furniture...

Category

1890s Swiss Antique Black Forest Stools

Materials

Wood

Late 19th Century Black Forest Bear Piano Stool

Sold

H 16.93 in W 12.21 in D 9.45 in

Late 19th Century Black Forest Bear Piano Stool

By Black Forest

Located in Forest Row, East Sussex

A Black Forest bear piano stool. Carved linden wood with adjustable rotating carved seat set over a seated, playful bear. Dimensions: H 43cm W 31cm D 24cm Origin: Swiss Date: Ci...

Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Stools

Materials

Wood

Black Forest Exquisitely Hand Carved Stool from Switzerland, circa Late 1800s

Sold

H 22 in W 16.5 in D 14.75 in

Black Forest Exquisitely Hand Carved Stool from Switzerland, circa Late 1800s

Located in BENSENVILLE, IL

Black Forest stool was exquisitely hand carved in Switzerland during the late 1800s when the tourist trade was becoming more and more popular. With the increase of tourism traffic in Switzerland, the carvers started to make larger items, such as this stool and full-Size Black Forest Furniture...

Category

1890s Swiss Antique Black Forest Stools

Materials

Wood

Signed Swiss Black Forest Bear Bench or Stool, 1914

Sold

H 18.51 in W 32.29 in D 7.88 in

Signed Swiss Black Forest Bear Bench or Stool, 1914

By Brienz Switzerland

Located in Skanninge, SE

Wonderful Swiss Black Forest Bear stool or a small bench. Handcarved in linden wood (limewood). Many of these benches are fitted with a music...

Category

1910s Swiss Vintage Black Forest Stools

Materials

Other

Antique Rustic Antler Stool, circa 1900

Sold

H 17.33 in Dm 12.6 in

Antique Rustic Antler Stool, circa 1900

Located in Berghuelen, DE

An antique antler stool with stag antlers as legs, seat with handwoven canvas. germany, Black Forest, circa 1900 Measures: Height 17.32" (44cm) Diameter 12.6" (32cm).

Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Stools

Materials

Antler

Whimsy Carved Bear Piano Stool, Brienz, circa 1900

Sold

H 17.33 in W 17.33 in D 9.85 in

Whimsy Carved Bear Piano Stool, Brienz, circa 1900

Located in Berghuelen, DE

A fantastic carved bear piano stool with extendable seat, hand carved in Switzerland, Brienz, circa 1900. Measures: Width 17.32" (44cm) Height 17.32" (44cm) Depth 9.84" (25cm).

Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Stools

Materials

Wood

Mid-20th Century Black Forest Solid Carved Walnut Wood Hall Bear Bench

Sold

H 33.86 in W 60.24 in D 17.33 in

Mid-20th Century Black Forest Solid Carved Walnut Wood Hall Bear Bench

Located in Carimate, Como

A superb mid-20th century Black Forest bear bench. The two side bears are extremely finely carved, both in the facial expression as well as in ...

Category

Mid-20th Century Swiss Black Forest Stools

Materials

Wood

Ancient piano stool or console, Black Forest style, end of 19th century.

Sold

H 1 in Dm 1 in

Ancient piano stool or console, Black Forest style, end of 19th century.

Located in Saint-Ouen, FR

Ancient piano stool or console, Black Forest style, end of 19th century. Height adjustable.

Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Black Forest Stools

Materials

Walnut

Antique Rustic Antler Stool, circa 1900

Sold

H 17.72 in Dm 13 in

Antique Rustic Antler Stool, circa 1900

Located in Berghuelen, DE

An antique antler stool with stag antlers as legs, seat with carved rim and leather cover, decorated with turned antler roses.

Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Stools

Materials

Antler, Leather, Wood

Antique Rustic Antler Stool, circa 1900

Sold

H 17.72 in Dm 13 in

Antique Rustic Antler Stool, circa 1900

Located in Berghuelen, DE

An antique antler stool with stag antlers as legs, seat with carved rim and leather cover, decorated with turned antler roses.

Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Stools

Materials

Leather, Wood, Antler

Black Forest German 1880s Single Stool with Upholstered Seat and Carved Legs

Sold

H 19 in Dm 13 in

Black Forest German 1880s Single Stool with Upholstered Seat and Carved Legs

Located in Atlanta, GA

A German Black Forest carved wooden stool from the late 19th century with newly upholstered seat. This Black Forest stool features a simple single welt muslin covered round seat rais...

Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Stools

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Black Forest stools for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Black Forest stools for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 19th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage stools created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, glass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Black Forest stools made in a specific country, there are Europe, Switzerland, and France pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original stools, popular names associated with this style include and Black Forest. 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 stools differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $8,808 and tops out at $13,950 while the average work can sell for $12,479.