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.
Antique French Server Sideboard Buffet Hunt Harvest Cabinet Black Forest Oak 19C
Located in Tyler, TX
SUPERB 19th Century Antique French HIGHLY CARVED Oak "Hunt" "Harvest" Black Forest Server Sideboard Buffet Cabinet~~ c. 1880s This is only one ...
Oak
19th Century French Carved Oak Hunt Cabinet with Bird and Fish Motifs
Located in Dallas, TX
For the ultimate fisherman or bird hunter, look no further than this exquisite Black Forest buffet! Crafted in France, circa 1860, the antique cabinet sits on bun feet over a recesse...
Oak
19th Century Black Forest Sideboard Signed By Josef Blank
Located in Charmes, FR
Impressive late 19th century "Black Forest" buffet with ibex, good condition, minimal lacks in the sculptures due to fragility, signed by Josef Blank, active in the Czech Republic at...
Wood
$4,229Sale Price|50% Off
German Carved and Inlaid Server or Sideboard, circa 1850
Located in Evergreen, CO
Crafted with extreme care in Germany during the mid-19th century, this exceptional server or sideboard has a smaller footprint than most, making it an ideal piece for smaller rooms t...
Ebony, Maple, Oak, Walnut
19th Century French Black Forest Carved Bleached Oak Hunt Buffet Desserte
Located in Dallas, TX
This heavily carved "Saint Hubert" cabinet server was crafted in France circa 1870. Hand carved of solid oak wood and built in two sections with top crown, the highly detailed antiqu...
Oak
$2,029
H 43.51 in W 40.16 in D 17.33 in
Antique circa 1880 French Hand Painted Duck Blue Pine Kitchen Sideboard Buffet
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer this very nice antique, made in France, hand painted duck egg blue, antiqued sideboard or buffet cupboard in pine ...
Pine
Sideboard Walnut Carved
Located in Toronto, CA
Walnut sideboard three drawers and four doors, carved pillars and back splash.
Walnut
Late 18th-Early 19th Century French Carved Oak Buffett
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An antique Louis XV Provincial style server cabinet, the rectangular case fitted with one short drawer centered by two long drawers over double cabinet doors having recessed panels, ...
Oak
19th Century French Provencal Bleached Oak Buffet Cabinet
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
French Provincial Painted Oak Buffet, France, 19th Century Folk ornament and gentle patina — a poetic fragment of rural French life. This charming painted oak buffet captures the sp...
Oak
19th Century French Carved Oak Buffet
Located in High Point, NC
19th century oak buffet from France with a beveled edge around the top with nice hand carved details on the corners and front, following down to raised paneled sides which have carve...
Oak
Hepplewhite Style Mahogany Sideboard / Server
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Late 19th century mahogany wood Williamsburg Classical Inlay Hepplewhite style server / sideboard with front pull drawer design details. The server is very sturdy and in great condition with wear consistent with age / use. The server stands...
Brass
$5,250Sale Price|30% Off
H 48 in W 68 in D 23 in
Flame Mahogany Sideboard Buffet from Scotland, 19th Century
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Scottish Flame mahogany sideboard. Exquisite sideboard acquired from the estate of the Ex Commissioner General of New Foundland and Labrador, this flame mahogany buffet exudes elegan...
Mahogany
Catalan Carved Walnut Sideboard, 1940s
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
"Architecture should speak of its time and place, but yearn for timelessness." — Frank Gehry A testament to Catalan craftsmanship, this 1940s solid walnut sideboard reflects the reg...
Walnut
$2,965
H 37.75 in W 65.75 in D 25.25 in
Antique French Regency Louis XVI Style Carved Mahogany Sideboard or Bar Cabinet
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique French Regency Louis XVI style bow front sideboard, buffet, or bar cabinet In the manner of John Widdicomb USA, Circa 1920s Carved mahogany, with original...
Brass
Antique 18th Century French Louis XV Buffet Cabinet in Cherrywood
Located in INTERLAKEN, NY
A beautiful 18th century French buffet/ sideboard in cherry wood with rounded bevel-edged, rectangular top resting on a base with two drawers over two cabinet doors. This graceful bu...
Steel
Modern Black Cerused Oak Sideboard Buffet
Located in North York, ON
Modern black cerused oak sideboard buffet. Featuring a dark ebonized black ceruse finish with contrasting white grains. Doors open with sleek pus...
Oak
19th Century French Oak Buffet
Located in High Point, NC
19th century oak buffet from France. The top is banded and has a beveled and hand carved decorated edge, following down to paneled sides, which...
Oak
Sold
H 39 in W 78.75 in D 24.75 in
19th Century French Black Forest Carved Oak Three-Door Buffet Enfilade
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a ranch or hunting lodge with this important antique three-door Black Forest sideboard. Crafted in France, circa 1870, the highly detailed buffet stands on bun feet over a w...
Oak
19th Century French Black Forest Carved Oak Four-Door Buffet Enfilade
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a ranch or hunting lodge with this important antique four-door sideboard. Crafted in France, circa 1870, the highly detailed buffet with curved sides stands on round feet ov...
Oak
Sold
H 37 in W 83 in D 23 in
19th Century French Black Forest Carved Bleached Oak Four-Door Buffet Enfilade
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a ranch or hunting lodge with this important antique four-door sideboard. Crafted in France, circa 1870, the highly detailed buffet with curved sides stands on a wide bottom...
Oak
Sold
H 40 in W 67 in D 22 in
Antique French Server Sideboard Buffet Hunt Cabinet Black Forest Oak Dogs 19C
Located in Tyler, TX
SUPERB 19th Century Antique French HIGHLY CARVED Oak "Hunt" Black Forest Server Sideboard Buffet Cabinet~~ c. 1880s This is only one of multipl...
Oak
Sold
H 84 in W 45 in D 19.5 in
Antique French Buffet Server Sideboard Hunt Cabinet Black Forest Bookcase 19C
Located in Tyler, TX
SUPERB 19th Century Antique French Oak 3-Tier "Hunt" Black Forest Server Sideboard Buffet Cabinet Bookcase~~ c. 1880s This is only one of multi...
Oak
Sold
H 88 in W 54.5 in D 22 in
19th Century French Black Forest Carved Bleached Oak Hunt Buffet Desserte
Located in Dallas, TX
This heavily carved "Saint Hubert" cabinet server was crafted in France circa 1870. Hand carved of solid oak wood and built in two sections with top crown, the highly detailed antique desserte stands on bun feet over a straight plinth, and features exquisite carvings in high relief throughout. The removable top is dressed with an important hand carved boar head motif at the pediment flanked with scrolled acanthus leaf decor on both sides. The center part has a display shelf with carved edges, further embellished with floral and leaf motifs on each back panels. The lower section has two carved drawers across the front dressed with iron pulls; it features two doors decorated with carved bird and fish trophy...
Oak
Sold
H 78.5 in W 54 in D 23 in
Antique French Server Buffet Sideboard Cabinet Oak Renaissance Dogs Birds Lions
Located in Tyler, TX
Superb 19th century antique french oak 3-tier black forest server sideboard buffet cabinet~~lion mask and love birds~~ c. 1880s This is only o...
Oak
Sold
H 84 in W 50.75 in D 19.5 in
Antique French Server Buffet Sideboard Cabinet 3-Tier Black Forest Oak 19th C
Located in Tyler, TX
SUPERB 19th Century Antique French Oak 3-Tier Black Forest Server Sideboard Buffet Cabinet~~LION MASK and LOVE BIRDS~~ c. 1880s This is only o...
Oak
Sold
H 94 in W 79 in D 26 in
Mid-19th Century French Carved Rosewood Hunt Buffet with Bird and Fruit Motifs
Located in Dallas, TX
This heavily carved antique "Saint Hubert" sideboard (circa 1860) was found in a chateau in northern France. Hand crafted of rosewood and walnut, the highly detailed cabinet, features exquisite carvings in high relief throughout. The top section features an important hand carved fruit basket motif at the pediment, over two long display shelves across decorated with dolphin figure at each end, further embellished with scroll, acanthus leaf and foliage motifs. The center panel features beautiful marquetry decor. The lower section with rounded sides has four drawers across the front, over four doors embellished with carved bird trophies...
Rosewood
Sold
H 42 in W 79 in D 22.25 in
19th Century French Black Forest Marble Top Carved Oak Hunt Buffet Cabinet
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a ranch or hunting lodge with this important elegant antique four-door sideboard. Crafted in France, circa 1870, the highly detailed buffet with curved sides stands on bun feet over a wide bottom plinth. The long cabinet features four carved drawers across the front dressed with iron pulls over four heavily carved doors, including a center double doors. Each door panel is decorated with bird and floral motifs in high relief. The inside reveals shelving for ultimate storage. The surface is dressed with a shaped grey and red marble top. The large enfilade...
Marble
Sold
H 37.5 in W 54 in D 20.5 in
Extraordinary 19th Century French Carved Hunt Cabinet Buffet with Carrara Marble
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Handsome exquisitely carved hunt cabinet with 3 dimensional hare and fowl. The cabinet is gracefully curved on the corners with two doors which exh...
Carrara Marble
Sold
H 87 in W 56 in D 20 in
19th Century French Black Forest Carved Oak Display Buffet with Hunt Motifs
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant, three-piece antique display cabinet was crafted in France, circa 1870. The ornate buffet stands on square feet and features an ornate crown...
Oak