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.
$23,850Sale Price|63% Off
Austrian-German 19th Century Carved Walnut Black-Forest Hunt Credenza Bookcase
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very large and impressive Austrian-German 19th century finely carved walnut figural Black-Forest "Hunting" credenza Bibliothèque (Bookacase). The intricately carved two-part body, ...
Glass, Walnut
Antique 19th Century Black Forest Bear Adjustable Book Shelf / Book Rack Swiss
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Exquisite & rare! This 19th century black forest books rack/ book shelf with ''Bears holding baby bears'' bookends hand carved Swiss. Gorgeous 19th century antique Black Forest bookstand...
Fruitwood
$9,184
H 66.54 in W 15.75 in D 24.02 in
Stunning Antique circa 1810 George III Elm & Leather Library Steps Georgian Home
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this absolutely exquisite circa 1810 George III elm & green leather library steps What a thing of beauty, nothing screams Georgian decadence li...
Leather, Elm
Antique Boho 19th Century Travel Trunk
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Step back in time with this exquisite 19th-century vintage travel trunk, a true relic of adventure and craftsmanship. Constructed from solid wood with iron-reinforced edges, this pie...
Iron
Large 19th Century Walnut Breakfront Bookcase
Located in Cheshire, GB
Walnut breakfront dwarf bookcase. The impressive raised shelved back with scroll cresting. To the large rectangular breakfront top above a single lobed freeze, drawer stamped lamb Manchester...
Walnut
$8,800
H 88.5 in W 101 in D 21.25 in
19th Century Austrian Biedermeier Fruitwood Bibliotheque Bookcase
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Grand important 19th century fruitwood bibliotheque library bookcase purported to be from 18th century Schloss Leopoldskron Palace in Salzburg, Austria. The large bookcase is constru...
Brass
$2,200
H 35 in W 36 in D 14 in
Walnut Mid-Century Modern Accordion Door Entry Hall Cabinet Console Credenza
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern entry one accordion door compartment petit credenza cabinet shelf.
Walnut
Pair of 19th Century Walnut Bookcases
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
A pair of late 19th century French walnut bookcases. 2 glazed doors above a drawer and 2-panel doors with ebonized detail.
Walnut, Wood
Antique Italian Bleached Walnut Credenza, 19th Century
Located in Dallas, TX
The sinuous form of this Italian bleached walnut credenza exudes elegance, forming an almost full crossbow shape. Hand-carved in the 1800s, the credenza has three compartments, with ...
Wood, Walnut
20th Century Italian Industrial Library Shelving
Located in Miami, FL
A French Industrial étagère with nickel mounted frame and shelves made of Eastern European oak. Very sturdy, heavy frame and decorative cast feet. The shelves are adjustable. In ve...
Nickel
$95 / item
H 8 in W 1.75 in D 6 in
Extensive Collection of 19th Century Leather Bound Books Priced Per Book English
Located in Buchanan, MI
Extensive collection of 19th century leather bound books, priced per book, various colors, sizes, most with embossed gilt decoration. This is just a partial offering of what we have,...
Leather
19th Century French Carved Bookcase
Located in High Point, NC
19th century oak hand-carved bookcase from France. The top is banded and has a beveled and hand carved edge, following down to paneled sides and a sin...
Blown Glass, Oak
$95 / item
H 8 in W 1.5 in D 6 in
Extensive Collection of 19th Century Leather Bound Books Priced Per Book English
Located in Buchanan, MI
Extensive collection of 19th century leather bound books, priced per book, various colors, sizes, most with embossed gilt decoration. This is just a partial offering of what we have,...
Leather
19th Century French Renaissance Hunt Buffet ~ Credenza
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century French Renaissance Hunt Buffet ~ Credenza is a remarkable feat of design and cabinetmaking intended for a special client, indeed! Hand-crafted from solid old-growth oak...
Carrara Marble
Sold
H 51.5 in W 44 in D 14.63 in
Antique Black Forest Bookcase or China Cabinet, Swiss, Late 1800's Part of Suite
Located in BENSENVILLE, IL
Black Forest bookcase, that was part of a major collection of Black Forest items sold by a Chateau outside of Marseille, France. There is a total of (42) antique Black Forest items that we have imported from the chateau and all will be listed on 1stdibs as soon as they can be photographed. Old Plank has been collecting and selling Black Forest furniture and Black Forest accessories for over 30-years and never have we witnessed a collection of Black Forest of this magnitude. Our 19th century Black Forest bookcase still retains its original wavy glass. Black Forest history began in Switzerland during the 1800’s and expanded with the increasing popular tourist trade. By the late 1800’s, the small animal carvings...
Marble
Sold
H 110.5 in W 83 in D 23 in
Carved Oak Bookcase Display Cabinet With Adjustable Shelves, Belgium circa 1890
Located in Round Top, TX
Impressive and statuesque, this extraordinary oak bookcase is embellished with a multitude of carved accents including figures, faces, lion heads, fruit, nuts, leaves and more. The u...
Glass, Oak
Sold
H 83 in W 37 in D 20 in
Antique French Bookcase Hunt Cabinet Display Buffet Black Forest Oak 19th C
Located in Tyler, TX
SUPERB 19th Century Antique French Oak BLACK FOREST "Hunt" Cabinet, Bookcase, Buffet, Cupboard or Display Cabinet~~ circa 1880s This is only one of multiple exquisite pieces r...
Oak
Sold
H 81.38 in W 56.38 in D 17 in
Antique Black Forest Matched Pair of Bookcases, Original Wavy Glass, c1800's
Located in BENSENVILLE, IL
Matched pair of Black Forest bookcases, that were part of a major collection of Black Forest items sold by a Chateau outside or Marseille, France. There were (42) antique Black Forest items in the chateau and we were fortunate enough to purchase the entire collection. Old Plank has been collecting and selling Black Forest furniture and Black Forest accessories for over 30-years and never have we witnessed a collection of Black Forest of this magnitude. We’ve never even seen a pair of matched 19th century Black Forest bookcases, let alone with their original wavy glass still intact. Black Forest history, which actually began in Switzerland during the 1800’s and grew with the increasing tourist trade. Seemed that everyone loved their rustic and whimsical carvings...
Glass, Wood
Sold
H 101 in W 37.5 in D 22 in
Antique French Bookcase Cabinet Display Hunt Style Black Forest Petite Oak 19C
Located in Tyler, TX
SUPERB 19th Century Antique French Oak Renaissance BLACK FOREST "Hunt" Cabinet, Bookcase, Cupboard or Display Cabinet with Crown~~ c. 1880s This is only one of multiple exquisite pieces recently received from our European shipper~~wonderful hand-carved oak pieces in the highly sought after Black Forest, Gothic, Renaissance Revival and Barley Twist styles~~19th century and in unbelievably spectacular condition! If you're looking for that special and unique "statement piece" for your home or office, please view these items in our inventory! Black Forest furniture (commonly known as "Hunt" style) was very popular in late 19th century France~~characterized by highly carved game such as rabbits, pheasants, foxes and hunting dogs~~~complemented by fruit, nut, floral, rosette, nut, ribbon accents or Gothic elements This cabinet is a great size with beautiful French flourish~~a customer favorite! Original "wavy" glass in upper cabinet door with original key Exquisitely carved Black Forest bird...
Oak
Swiss Black Forest Extending Book Stand Book End
By Black Forest
Located in Newark, England
Swiss Black Forest extending book stand, book end. Carved in Black Forest linden wood with two end panels decorated with bears on all fours standing ...
Wood
Sold
H 40 in W 37.5 in D 22 in
Antique French Bookcase BLACK FOREST Lion HUNT Bookcase Carved Oak 19th C
Located in Tyler, TX
SUPERB 19th Century Antique French Oak BLACK FOREST "Hunt" Bookcase or Display Cabinet~~Canted Corners~~Lions~~ c. 1880s Black Forest furniture...
Oak
Sold
H 87 in W 34.5 in D 21 in
Antique French Bookcase Hunt Cabinet Display Buffet Black Forest 19th C Petite
Located in Tyler, TX
Superb 19th century antique French oak renaissance black forest petite "hunt" cabinet, bookcase, cupboard or display cabinet~~ c. 1880s This is only one of multiple exquisite pieces recently received from our European shipper~~wonderful hand-carved oak pieces in the highly sought after Black Forest, Gothic, Renaissance Revival and Barley Twist styles~~19th century and in unbelievably spectacular condition! If you're looking for that special and unique "statement piece" for your home or office, please view these items in our inventory! Black Forest furniture (commonly known as "Hunt" style) was very popular in late 19th century France~~characterized by highly carved game such as rabbits, pheasants, foxes and hunting dogs~~~complemented by fruit, nut, floral, rosette, nut, ribbon accents or Gothic elements This cabinet is a versatile size with beautiful French flourish~~a customer favorite! Original "wavy" glass in upper cabinet door with intricately carved arched surround. Exquisitely carved Black Forest bird...
Oak
Sold
H 88.75 in W 43 in D 22 in
Antique French Bookcase Hunt Cabinet Display Buffet Black Forest Oak 19th C
Located in Tyler, TX
SUPERB 19th Century Antique French Oak Renaissance BLACK FOREST "Hunt" Cabinet, Bookcase, cupboard or display cabinet~~ c. 1880s This is only one of multiple exquisite pieces recently received from our European shipper~~wonderful hand-carved oak pieces in the highly sought after Black Forest, Gothic, Renaissance Revival and Barley Twist styles~~19th century and in unbelievably spectacular condition! If you're looking for that special and unique "statement piece" for your home or office, please view these items in our inventory! Black Forest furniture (commonly known as "Hunt" style) was very popular in late 19th century France~~characterized by highly carved game such as rabbits, pheasants, foxes and hunting dogs~~~complemented by fruit, nut, floral, rosette, nut, ribbon accents or Gothic elements This cabinet is a great size with beautiful French flourish~~a customer favorite! Original "wavy" glass in upper cabinet door with carved surround Exquisitely carved Black Forest bird...
Oak
Sold
H 91.5 in W 39.25 in D 17 in
Antique French Bookcase HUNT Cabinet Display Buffet Oak Slim Profile 19th C
Located in Tyler, TX
Superb 19th century antique French oak renaissance black forest "Hunt" cabinet, bookcase, cupboard or display cabinet~~ c. 1880s This is only one of multiple exquisite pieces recently received from our European shipper~~wonderful hand-carved oak pieces in the highly sought after Black Forest, Gothic, Renaissance Revival and Barley Twist styles~~19th century and in unbelievably spectacular condition! If you're looking for that special and unique "statement piece" for your home or office, please view these items in our inventory! Black Forest furniture (commonly known as "Hunt" style) was very popular in late 19th century France~~characterized by highly carved game such as rabbits, pheasants, foxes and hunting dogs~~~complemented by fruit, nut, floral, rosette, nut, ribbon accents or Gothic elements This cabinet is a great size with beautiful French flourish and wonderful carvings! Original "wavy" glass in upper cabinet door with carved surround Exquisitely carved pheasant...
Oak
Wooden Carved Bookends with Bears Swiss, ca. 1920s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A wonderful handcarved folding bookends made of lindenwood. On booth sides with plastically carved strolling bears. Executed ca. 1920, Switzerland - Brienz. Alterable width from 13.8...
Wood
Sold
H 4.34 in W 13.78 in D 5.91 in
Antique 19th Century Black Forest Bear Book Shelf / Book Rack Hand Carved Swiss
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Gorgeous 19th century antique Black Forest Extendable book shelf hand carved from Switzerland. Lovely carved bears by a master carver & Black Forest f...
Wood