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.
19th Century Carved 'Black Forest' Drinks Cabinet on Stand
Located in London, GB
A magnificent 'Black Forest' carved Drinks cabinet on stand Hand-carved from Lindenwood, the drinks box of D-end shape carved in exquisite high relief...
Glass, Wood
Antique Carved Wooden Dry Bar with Stained Glass Top
Located in Dekalb, IL
Rustic bar counter with a stained-glass top panel and gothic-inspired corbels. This piece has compartments in the back for storage. The original finish was covered, prior to coming i...
Wood
Black Forest “Cave de Liqueur” This is a wonderful piece of Craftsmanship
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Black Forest “Cave de Liqueur” This is a wonderful piece of Craftsmanship it is a Carved Tantalus or Cave de Liqueur with 4 Decanters and 16 Shot Glasses The cabinet has bevelled ...
Crystal
Bar Cabinet Carmen by Comité De Proyectos
Located in Geneve, CH
Bar cabinet Carmen by Comité De Proyectos Dimensions: large: W 45 x D 90 x H 110 cm Materials: Huanacaxaxtle Wood, Sisal Fiber, Steel, Wicker, Mirror, Leather. We are an interior a...
Steel
$5,800 / item
H 35 in W 32 in D 19 in
Dry Bar in Blackened Laser-Cut Steel Frame with Oak Slats and Leather Top
By Klein Agency
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Be it in the gentleman’s corner of your apartment or centre stage in your living room, this contemporary Dry Bar in its simplicity, serves as a humble vessel for your most precious l...
Cut Steel
19th Century black forest centre piece
Located in Martlesham, GB
A lovely quality 19th Century black forest centre piece, having an ornate carved trunk at the centre with a removable glass stem with out swept scalloped edge, a large hunting dog st...
Walnut
$2,840Sale Price|20% Off
H 79 in W 79 in D 21 in
1970s Vintage Wall Display Cabinet with Dry Bar, Brass & Glass
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and handle all the shipping details. However, if you let us know what 1st Dibs is quoting you and give us your zip code, we can sometimes ship it for less and get it to you faster. For a shipping quote, click on "ASK THE SELLER" under the purchase button and provide your zip code. Offering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions Of A Vintage 3 Piece 1970s wall display...
Brass
Frank Kyle Dry Bar
By Frank Kyle
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
For your consideration, spectacular bar from the early 1950s by sculptor and designer Frank B. Kayle. For more detailed photographs of the piece, just request them, it will be a ple...
Brass
$3,479
H 26.38 in W 22.84 in D 15.75 in
Brutalist Italian 1970s Small Wood and Glass Dry Bar on Wooden Wheels
Located in Milan, IT
Brutalist Italian 1970s Small Wood and Stained and Textured Yellow Glass Dry Bar on Wooden Wheels. Provenance: Monticello Golf Club. Designed by Architect. Luigi Caccia Dominioni 1974.
Glass, Wood
3-Piece Umanoff Bar and Stool Set
Located in New York, NY
Very chic and stylish bar and stool set comprised of 2 stools and a round bar. The bar has a mesh enclosed storage space, which has a curved sliding ...
Iron
Wonderful Aldo Tura Bar Cabinet
By Aldo Tura
Located in Munich, DE
Behind the left door is a fully mirrored bar with a glass shelf. Behind the right door is a refrigerator.
Goatskin
$2,588Sale Price|20% Off
H 35 in W 30 in D 15.75 in
Mid-Century Asian Hand-Carved Camphor Wood Dry Bar Cabinet
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and ...
Wood
$5,000
H 43 in W 36 in D 18 in
Asian Black Lacquer Mother of Pearl Figurines Decorated Multi Compartment Bar
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Lift Top Asian Black Lacquer Mother of Pearl Figurines Decorated Multi Compartment Bar Liquor Cabinet MINT!
Mother-of-Pearl
$2,560Sale Price|20% Off
H 42.25 in W 36 in D 18.5 in
1960s George Zee Mid-Century Asian Heavily Hand Carved Flip Top Dry Bar Cabinet
By George Zee
Located in Charleston, SC
A very sophisticated, heavily hand carved Asian style dry bar , liquor cabinet featuring two central front doors, and 4 side doors, two on each side. Open Flip top to reveal an amazi...
Brass
$160Sale Price|76% Off
H 31 in W 32.25 in D 19.5 in
Boho Chic Henry Link Pencil Reed Cabinet/Dry Bar With Rotating Top
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Elevate your entertaining space with this Boho Chic Henry Link Pencil Reed Dry Bar. Featuring a unique rotating top and crafted in the 1980s, this piece offers both style and functio...
Reed
Sold
H 80.25 in W 80.25 in D 21 in
19th Century French Ornate Carved Walnut Black Forest Sideboard or Bar Cabinet
Located in South Bend, IN
An outstanding 19th century French ornate carved walnut sideboard or bar cabinet. This outstanding cabinet features solid dark walnut construction with incredible carved wood details...
Iron
Sold
H 58 in W 80.25 in D 21 in
Antique French Ornate Carved Black Forest Sideboard or Bar Cabinet, circa 1890
Located in South Bend, IN
An outstanding 19th century French ornate carved walnut sideboard or bar cabinet. This outstanding cabinet features solid dark walnut construction with incredible carved wood details...
Walnut