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 Oak Carved Large Buffet Sideboard
Located in Round Top, TX
19th century French sideboard, crafted in oak with elaborate carving. The highly decorative carving has dramatic flair portraying the hunting bounty of duck, multiple fowl, oak leave...
Oak
19th Century Swedish Carved Oak Sideboard Buffet with Marble Top
Located in Round Top, TX
19th century Swedish sideboard, crafted in oak with exceptionally elaborate carving and a stately white marble top with gray veining. The highly decorative carving has dramatic chara...
Marble
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
$4,250
H 39.75 in W 48.25 in D 18.25 in
French 19th Century Louis XVI Demilune Carrara Marble Top Sideboard / Buffet
Located in Carmine, TX
This elegant late 19th century cabinet is crafted in the Louis XVI style, a design tradition that originated in France in the late 18th century and is known for its refined symmetry ...
Carrara Marble, Brass
$2,030
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
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
$6,480
H 46 in W 118 in D 19.5 in
19th C. Hand Carved Oak Sideboard with Shelves/Drawers, Nunnery, France
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The hand carving technique is called linenfold, and it has wonderful hand wrought iron hardware. It is in wonderful condition, has a nice glow, and all original. It came from a Nun...
Iron
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
French Provincial Oak Sideboard, 19th C.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A handsome French Provincial oak sideboard featuring three drawers over two paneled cupboard doors, flanking a central stationary panel. The case is raised on short, shaped legs and ...
Oak
19th Century Swedish 19th Century Sideboard Circa 1870
Located in Atlanta, GA
This 19th-century Swedish sideboard, circa 1870, is a beautiful example of Gustavian design, showcasing its characteristic elegance and functionality. Crafted from solid pine wood, t...
Pine, Paint
$4,950
H 47.5 in W 57.5 in D 23.25 in
18th/19th Century French Provincial Oak Early Marquetry Sideboard
Located in Forney, TX
A rare and likely one-of-a-kind rustic country French oak and marquetry enfilade buffet. circa 1775-1825 Born in Provincial France in the late 18th / early 19th century, hand-crafte...
Wood, Oak
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
$14,289
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
$2,695
H 30.38 in W 45.13 in D 20 in
Antique Victorian Carved Oak Marble Top Sideboard Buffet, Circa 1890s
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Victorian or Arts & Crafts sideboard, buffet server, or bar cabinet In the manner of Herter Brothers USA, Circa 1890s Beautiful quarter sawn oak, with marble to...
Marble, Brass
Sold
H 38.5 in W 70.5 in D 25 in
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
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