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
$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
$2,044
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
$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
Sideboard Walnut Carved
Located in Toronto, CA
Walnut sideboard three drawers and four doors, carved pillars and back splash.
Walnut
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
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 Country English Provincial Pine Sideboard Server
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Diminutive 19th century country English provincial sideboard server, buffet, or cupboard crafted from pine. Perfectly sized chest of drawers that is very versatile with small enough ...
Brass
$3,375Sale Price|55% Off
H 46 in W 54.5 in D 22.5 in
18th century French Provincial Walnut Sideboard Server
Located in Savannah, GA
French Provincial walnut cabinet or server featuring a rectangular top over a conforming case fitted with three small drawers with applied diamond design over a two cupboard doors th...
Brass
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
$14,749
H 59.06 in W 39.38 in D 22.05 in
1930s Art Deco Burl Walnut Borsani Sideboard Buffet Server Credenza Wax Polished
Located in Vigonza, Padua
Midcentury Gaetano or Osvaldo Borsani Art Deco burl walnut sideboard buffet with server chest, restored and wax polished Measures cm: H 150, W...
Burl
Modern Cerused Oak Sideboard Buffet in Natural Wash Finish
Located in North York, ON
Modern Cerused oak sideboard Buffet in natural wash finish. Featuring natural whitewash ceruse finish with contrasting white grains. Doors open with slee...
Oak
$4,700
H 85 in W 56 in D 24 in
Antique French Buffet Server Sideboard Buffet Barley Twist Honey Oak 3-Tier 19C
Located in Tyler, TX
SUPERB 19th Century Antique French Honey Oak 3-Tier Server Sideboard Buffet Cabinet Bookcase~~ c. 1870s 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! HIGHLY CARVED lion's mask crown~~exquisite corbel supports with carved backsplash, and carved edge shelves Three tiers~~perfect for displaying your favorite Majolica, Imari, Staffordshire or other antique collectibles Two hand cut, dovetailed drawers with carved vine pulls over lower double door cabinet~~original key included~~ cartouche carved center and door medallions...
Oak
Sold
H 39 in W 80.75 in D 24.75 in
Marble Top Walnut Sideboard Buffet, Black Forest Hunt Carving, Sweden circa 1890
Located in Round Top, TX
Stunning walnut sideboard with original marble top. Note the striking burled wood and curved cabinet ends. Examine close up photos to appreciate the applied Black Forest hunt carving...
Marble
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 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 38 in W 55 in D 23 in
Antique French Carved Oak Console Sofa Foyer Table Sideboard Black Forest c1880
Located in Shreveport, LA
19th century French carved oak console sofa foyer table sideboard Black Forest ~Direct from France~ ~Stunning hand carving on this oversized 19th century French table/console!~ ~Lar...
Oak
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 53 in D 23 in
19th Century French Carved Oak Hunt Cabinet Bookcase Black Forest Barley Twist
Located in Shreveport, LA
~Direct from France~ ~This hand carved cabinet is one of those antiques that really just cause you to step back for a minute and study the details…the amazing details that were hand...
Oak
Sold
H 91.25 in W 67.5 in D 22.5 in
19th Century Ornate French Oak Sideboard Hutch or Bar Cabinet with Carved Faces
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional 19th century French ornate carved oak sideboard or bar cabinet France, circa 1890s Oak, brass, mirror and glass Measures: 67.5" W x 22.5" D x 91.25" H. Ver...
Brass
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
Sold
H 84.5 in W 56.25 in D 24 in L 84.5 in
Carved Black Forest Style Antique Oak Sideboard, circa 1880
Located in Round Top, TX
Beautifully crafted oak hunt cabinet from southern Germany reminiscent of the Black Forest carvings of the region. The cabinet was made in two pieces, the top consisting of two shelv...