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
Antique 19thC French Black Forest Carved Oak Hunt Buffet Sideboard Bar 1870
Located in Portland, OR
An exceptional antique French carved oak 'Hunt' buffet. bar, sideboard in the Black Forest style, circa 1870. The break-fronted top having a serving slide for serving food & dri...
Oak
Modern Burl Buffet Sideboard
Located in Westwood, NJ
Modern burl buffet sideboard with four doors framed by a beveled edge, with interior drawers and shelves and finished in a lightly distressed rustic warm h...
Wood
19th Century English Oak Sideboard
Located in High Point, NC
19th century oak sideboard from England with a beveled edge around the top, following down to paneled sides and two drawers in the front with raised geometric panels, flanked by hand...
Oak
19th Century French Oak Sideboard Buffet
Located in Round Top, TX
French oak sideboard buffet featuring three central drawers flanked by two paneled doors with inviting deep patina. Original French brass hinges and pulls remain; locks may operate ...
Oak
$1,445Sale Price|30% Off
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
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
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
Mid-19th Century French Bleached Oak Sideboard Buffet
Located in Round Top, TX
Mid-19th-century French bleached oak sideboard with a three-drawer over two-door configuration. The drawers open with large, decorative drop-handle pulls that add strong visual chara...
Oak
Early 19th Century French Bleached Oak Sideboard Buffet
Located in Round Top, TX
Early 19th century French sideboard crafted in oak and finished with a bleached surface, giving the wood a lighter appearance suited for modern interiors. The cabinet features carved...
Metal
$14,691
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
Antique IRWIN French Country Buffet Sideboard Bar
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on "Read More" or "View More Details" below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally ...
Mahogany, Paint
$4,875
H 73 in W 49 in D 23 in
Antique French Renaissance Revival Hunt Buffet Server Sideboard Dark Oak 19C
Located in Tyler, TX
EXQUISTIE 19th Century Antique French Renaissance Revival Hunt Oak 3 Tier Server Sideboard Buffet Cabinet with Drawers~~ c. 1890s This is only one of m...
Oak
$4,400
H 47.75 in W 66.5 in D 19.5 in
Antique 19th Century Bleached Oak 3-Door Sideboard Buffet from France
Located in Round Top, TX
It is the arched paneled doors, scalloped skirt and diamond detail of the drawers that separate this French oak sideboard apart from others. The bleached finish gives it a fresh and ...
Brass
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 Choudrant, 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 Choudrant, 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...