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.
Blue & Great Tit Viechtauer Hand Carved Wood Bird Black Forest Folk Art, Austria
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful large Austrian 20th-century carved wood two bird scene, mounted on its original stand and designed for hanging. Its a blue tit and a great tit on wooden branches. This ch...
Wood, Paint
Yellowhammer Viechtauer Hand Carved Wood Bird, Black Forest Folk Art, Austria
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful large Austrian 20th-century carved wood bird, mounted on its original stand and designed for hanging. This charming folk art piece belongs to the long-standing Austrian t...
Wood, Paint
Black Forest Deer Antler Trophy on Hand-Carved Wooden Plaque, Austria
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Black Forest Deer Antler Trophy on Hand-Carved Wooden Plaque A finely preserved Black Forest deer antler trophy mounted on an intricately beautiful hand-carved wooden plaque, exempl...
Antler, Wood
cute Siskin Viechtauer Hand Carved Wood Bird, Black Forest Folk Art, Austria
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful cute Austrian 20th-century carved wood bird, mounted on its original stand and designed for hanging. This charming folk art piece belongs to the long-standing Austrian tr...
Wood, Paint
Black Forest Wood Carved Bear Catchall Figure Statue German Antique 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A charming, hand-carved wooden figure statue of a lovable Black Forest Bear from the early 20th century. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail from wood and with its original g...
Brass
French Black Forest Carved Wood Box Circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
French Black Forest Carved Wood Box Circa 1900. Flowers & leaves. H / 4.5 inches. 7 by 4.8 inches.
Wood
cute Wren Viechtauer Hand Carved Wood Bird, Black Forest Folk Art, Austria
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful cute Austrian 20th-century carved wood bird, mounted on its original stand and designed for hanging. This charming folk art piece belongs to the long-standing Austrian tr...
Wood, Paint
Beautiful Viechtauer Hand Carved Wood Bird, Black Forest Folk Art, Austria
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful Austrian 20th-century carved wood bird, mounted on its original stand and designed for hanging. This charming folk art piece belongs to the long-standing Austrian traditi...
Wood, Paint
Black Forest Wood Carved Scotty Dog Figure Letter Holder German Antique 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A charming, hand-carved wooden figure of a lovable Black Forest dog from the early 20th century. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail from wood and metal, this classic piece t...
Wood
Vintage Black Forest Deer Trophy Wood Carved Plaque, Austria 1959
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Black Forest Deer Antler Trophy on Hand-Carved Wooden Plaque A finely preserved Black Forest deer antler trophy mounted on an intricately hand-carved wooden plaque, exemplifying the...
Antler, Wood
Antique Viechtauer Folk Art Wood Carved Deer Head, Austria 1900 - 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Antique hand-carved wooden wall decoration in Viechtau folk art style from Austria, early 20th century A stunning hand-carved wooden wall decoration in the folk art style, circa 190...
Wood
Large French Black Forest Wood Music instruments Box, Circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
Large French Black Forest wood box, circa 1900. 11.8 by 7.3 inches , H / 5.3 inches. Music instruments Jewel box.
Wood
19th Century Box – Black Forest – Carved Wood – Acorns and Oak Leaves
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Charming late 19th century Black Forest carved wooden box, dating to approximately 1890–1900. This elegant small box is beautifully decorated with traditional Black Forest motifs, in...
Wood
Tyrolean Mountaineer Pendant Lamp, Hand-Carved Softwood, 1980s
Located in Hannover, DE
While searching for something special, I came across this hanging lamp, and I just knew it was the perfect addition to my space. The mountaineer, lovingly hand-carved from linden woo...
Softwood
Zabihi Collection Colorful Vintage Suzani Embroidery
Located in New York, NY
Hand-embroidered Suzani textile made in the last quarter of the 20th century. Glowing vibrant colors executed by the weaver giving it an old-world look and vintage feel. Measures:...
Cotton
Black Forest Wood Carved Dog Figure Inkwell German Antique 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Charming early 1900s Black Forest hand-carved wooden desktop accessory in the form of a delightful dog. Expertly sculpted with fine attention to detail, this classic piece showcases ...
Wood
Large Masterly Carved Swiss Black Forest Nutwood Chalet with Clock and Music Box
Located in Lisse, NL
Top quality, hand carved and truly impressive antique clock with 8 music melodies. Over the years we have had the pleasure of owning and selling a number of beautiful Black Forest antiques, but never did we come accross a 19th century Black Forest clock with musical box of this size and with such amazing natural details and patina AND with the original clock and music box inside. And if that was not enough, this finest of Black Forest clocks is top quality carved from top to bottom in the form of a detailed Swiss chalet. Mind you, this very rare antique clock is entirely hand carved out of nutwood only, which is another sign of the quality of the workmanship and the richness of materials. We have added a large variety of photos so that you can see the many incredibly detailed parts of this Swiss chalet, such as the roof and chimney, the many doors, the stacked lumber outside, the doghouse, the outhouse on the side, the striking balconies, the goose sticking its head out through the balcony, the picked fence, the ladder going up to the barn loft, the clock inside the facade of the house, the music box cilinder in the base etc etc. This antique clock from the 1800s really comes with the most realistically carved chalet house you will ever see. To us, that too is a sign that this Black Forest music box...
Brass, Iron, Enamel
Black Forest Folk Art Carved Wood Deer Head with Glass Eyes, 19th Century
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A great looking hand carved original wooden Folk Art deer head wall decoration. A great piece for a suitable ambiance in a trophy room or the office of ...
Glass, Wood
Antique Black Forest Bear Bench w. Five Bear Sculptures & Carved Oak Leaf Seat
Located in Lisse, NL
Large and impressive, hand carved and demountable bench with five bear sculptures. This superbly hand carved bench is entirely made of solid wood and therefor too this stunning and highly decorative antique is as strong and stable as the day it was it was made. We cannot single out one detail that is more special than others, because the standing bear sculptures...
Glass, Wood
Stunning Snowy Owl Hand Carved Wood Bird, Black Forest Folk Art, Germany
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful German 20th-century carved wood bird, mounted on its original stand and designed for hanging. This charming folk art piece belongs to the long-standing Austrian tradition...
Wood, Paint
Fine Art Antique Hand Carved Wooden Black Forest Trophy-Like Deer Wall Sculpture
Located in Lisse, NL
Finest quality carved, Victorian era, Black Forest deer / stag wall sculpture. One of the main reasons for people wanting to own and enjoy antiques is for their decorative appeal an...
Metal
Pair of Mid-Century Black Forest Table Lamps Hand Carved Shades & Bases Germany
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous and all original pair of Black Forest table lamps hand carved from Germany C1950. Shades retain the original translucent material and are in the best condition. Carved Elk a...
Hardwood, Maple
Wood Black Forest Brienz Carved Figural Gnome Nutcracker German Antique, 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1930s Black Forest Brienz wood carved Nutcracker in form of a Gnome. Nice addition to your room or just for use it on your desk. Found at an Estate sale in Nuremberg, G...
Wood
Gorgeous Hand Carved Wooden Lustermannchen Butler Sculpture Chandelier Austria
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Stunning very rare and hand carved, Butler chandelier with real Deer Antler horns. If you are looking for a decorative light fixture for a bar, pub, tavern, restaurant, man cave, cabin or lodge then this remarkable and unique light fixture could be perfect for you. This type of light fixture was first seen in the 14th century in Germany and they became more 'popular' in the 16th century. Because of its unique subject matter and quality, this mountain climber pendant...
Metal
Black Forest Deer Antler Trophy on Hand-Carved Wooden Plaque, Austria
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Black Forest Deer Antler Trophy on Hand-Carved Wooden Plaque A finely preserved Black Forest deer antler trophy mounted on an intricately beautiful hand-carved wooden plaque, exempl...
Antler, Wood
Black Forest Set of Six Tumbler Red Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six handblown tumbler in red crystal with a hand-edged hunting scene in the style of black forest. The decor is an antique hunting scene showing deers, trees and bambis all-ov...
Crystal
Black Forest Carved Walnut Wall Plaque, Eagle with Prey
By Black Forest
Located in Newark, England
FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING A FINELY CARVED BLACK FOREST WALNUT WALL PLAQUE DEPICTING AN EAGLE WITH PREY ABOVE EAGLETS IN THEIR NEST, SET AGAINST A MOUNTAINOUS BACKDROP. From our Blac...
Wood, Walnut
Black Forest Set of Six Schnapps Glasses Green Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six hand blown schnapps glasses in green crystal with a hand-edged hunting decor. The decor is an antique Black Forest style scene, showing a dee...
Crystal
Black Forest Crystal Latern Hand Blown Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hand blown crystal latern in green glass from Bavaria. The decor is hand blown and hands-free engraved by glass artists all around with a hunting scene with trees all around in the s...
Crystal
Large Caribou Antler Skull Mount Taxidermy Cabin Decor Skull Antlers
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Caribou Antler Skull Mount Taxidermy Cabin Decor Skull Antlers Item e7355 A great antique caribou (Rangifer tarandus) trophy on a wooden plaque. Th...
Antler, Wood
19th Century, Black Forest Carved Walnut Jewelry Casket Brienz Region
Located in Atlanta, GA
A finely carved 19th-century Black Forest walnut jewelry casket, attributed to the Brienz region of Switzerland, distinguished by its lavishly naturalistic ornamentation and sculptural detailing. The exterior is deeply carved with flowing rocaille motifs and a profusion of flowers and foliage in high relief, including a central rose in full bloom beneath the keyhole escutcheon. The lid is crowned with an exceptionally crisp and dimensional bouquet featuring a central rose surrounded by rosebuds and smaller blossoms arranged upon a scalloped bed...
Walnut
Hand Carved Black Forest Desk Lamp Hunting Scene, circa 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
The item for sale is an original desk lamp in the style of Black Forest or possibly Swiss artisanal craftsmanship. Foot and lampshade are both hand carved from medium-dark wood. The ...
Canvas, Jute, Wood
19th Century Rsutic Black Forest Mirror Basswood Hand Carved, AT circa 1890
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Beautiful, decorative rustic Black Forest wall mirror from the late 19th century from around 1890 in Austria. The rural hand carved frame impresses with an unusual "Black Forest" tre...
Mirror, Softwood
Hand Carved Black Forest Style Wooden Gnome Nutcracker, Germany, 1930s
Located in Barntrup, DE
This beautiful nutcracker in the German Black Forest style is decorated with a hand carved sculpture of a gnome. His mouth opens and closes to crack the nut. Dimensions: height 22 c...
Wood
19th Century Rustic Black Forest Photo Frame, Hand Carved, AT, circa 1880
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Lovely, unusual Black Forest photo frame from Austria, circa 1880. Artfully hand carved out of basswood, this frame shows a gorgeous design combined with nice protruding corners. Thi...
Blown Glass, Softwood
Hand Carved Wood Swiss Black Forest Eagle Sculpture Label P. Maeder, Lucerne
Located in Lisse, NL
Exceptional Swiss Black Forest eagle carving with remarkable presence. This beautifully executed Swiss Black Forest wood carving depicts a majestic eagle captured at the very moment...
Glass, Wood
Antique Black Forest Carved Cuckoo Clock with Stag Head on Top
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Antique Black Forest Carved Cuckoo Clock with Stag Head A large handcarved wooden cuckoo clock, decorated with hunting accessoires, oak leaves, hare, pheasant and a stag head ...
Wood
Sparrow Wren Viechtauer Hand Carved Wood Bird, Black Forest Folk Art, Austria
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful large Austrian 20th-century carved wood bird, mounted on its original stand and designed for hanging. This charming folk art piece belongs to the long-standing Austrian t...
Wood, Paint
Large Chamois Trophy on Carved Plaque, Austria 1940s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Chamois Trophy on Carved Plaque, Austria 1940s An large chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) trophy mounted on a wooden carved plaque. The trophy was shot in the 1940s in the Austria...
Antler, Wood
Nuthatch Viechtauer Hand Carved Wood Bird Black Forest Folk Art, Germany
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful large german 20th-century carved wood two bird scene, mounted on its original stand and designed for hanging. Its a blue tit and a great tit on wooden branches. This char...
Wood, Paint
$4,500Sale Price|52% Off
Monumental Antique German Black Forest Eagle Chamois Mantel Hunt Clock
Located in Dayton, OH
Monumental 19th century antique German Black Forest mantel clock featuring carved high relief details with a winged bald eagle mounted atop...
Hardwood
Mid 19th Century Bear Head Wall Sculpture - Black Forest - Hand Sculpted
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A rare Black Forest wall sculpture with a bear head, hand sculpted from chestnut wood. Polychrome painted head, on a wood sculpted rococo-style frame with scrolls with a gold leaf fi...
Gold Leaf
Antique Rustic Black Forest Carved Wood Console Table
Located in Forney, TX
An extraordinarily carved Black Forest console table. 19th century, Continental Europe, most likely German, Swiss or possibly French, exhibition quality exceptionally executed mast...
Wood, Oak
20th Century Black Forest Style Deer Head Wall Brackets, Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Black Forest style Deer head wall shelves or brackets. Made in a Faux Bois design.
Composition
Lot of Three Carved Wood Bird Black Forest Folk Art Austria 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful Austrian 1960s - 1970s carved wood bird lot, polychrome painted, wire feet, wooden base all with glass eyes. These are made in the style of the antique wooden Viechtauer ...
Wood, Paint
Finest Quality, Antique Hand Carved Nutwood Swiss Black Forest Cow Sculpture
Located in Lisse, NL
Museum quality and condition Swiss black forest sculpture. For collectors of the rarest and finest Black Forest sculptures: this incredibly detailed, hand-carved cow could only orig...
Nutwood
Capital Black Forest Uneven 32 Pointer Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Capital Black Forest Uneven 32 Pointer Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque A massive uneven 32 pointer deer (Cervus elaphus) trophy from the Black Forest. The trophy was shot around 1950s....
Wood, Antler
Vintage Black Forest Folk Art Austrian Anri Figure Chandelier, 1950s
By ANRI
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Black Forest Hand-Carved Wooden Figural Light Fixture, Austria, 1950s or Earlier A beautifully crafted and highly decorative Black Forest–style light fixture, hand carved entirely f...
Wood
Man Hand Carved and Painted Black Forest Mechanical Wooden Bottle Stopper, 1930s
By ANRI
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Vintage Folk Art bottle stopper - I believe these are ANRI, made in Italy or Austria, but I see no markings, so I'll let the collectors out there be the judge. It depicts a lovely Ma...
Wood
Antique Black Forest Mirror that was part of a major collection of Black Forest
Located in BENSENVILLE, IL
Antique Black Forest Mirror that were part of a major collection of Black Forest items sold by a Chateau outside of Marseille, France. There were over (40) antique Black Forest items...
Glass, Mirror, Wood
Black Forest Period 19th Century German Oak Wall Carving with Hunting Trophy
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Black Forest period German wall carving from the 19th century depicting a hunting trophy. A striking relic from the 19th century, this Black Forest period German wall carving serve...
Oak
Majolica German Dog Bottle, circa 1890
By Gesetzlich Geschützt
Located in Austin, TX
Majolica German figural dog bottle, circa 1890. The bottle represent a dog in hunting costume smoking a pipe and carrying a riffle, the lid is the hat with a feather. The piece is ...
Ceramic
Playful Antique Black Forest Bear Family Liquor Tantalus with Glasses & Decanter
By Black Forest
Located in Lisse, NL
All hand-carved, Victorian Era, Black Forest hiking bear and cub, liquor tantalus set. This finely carved Black Forest drinks set, dates from circa 1880 and it is both decorative an...
Glass, Wood
$1,547Sale Price|20% Off
French Carved Fruitwood Black Forest Planter or Jardiniiere, 1880s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent and rare Black Forest planter or jardiniiere. Striking French design from the 1880s. Original hand-carved fruitwood base on a ornate turned and hand-carved baluster with ...
Fruitwood
$1,400Sale Price|20% Off
1900 Swiss Black Forest Carved Basswood Begging Dog Cigar and Matchbox Holder
Located in Haarlem, NL
Swiss Brienz black forest hand carved linden wood begging poodle with brass matchbox holder and four brass cigar holders. Black Forest wood carved art ...
Brass
Bear Head Black Forest Hand Carved Folk Art Wooden Trophy, 19th Century
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A great looking hand carved original wooden Folk Art Bear head wall decoration. A great piece for a suitable ambiance in a trophy room or the office of a...
Wood
19th Century Hand-Carved Oak Wall-Mounted Coat Rack with Leaf and Branch Motif
Located in Lisse, NL
Wonderful craftsmanship, large and solid oak wall coat-rack. This stunning 19th-century wall-mounted coat rack is a true testament to the artistry and craftsmanship of the period. H...
Metal, Iron
Antique Carved Wood Relief by Sebastian Steiner, ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Carved Wood Relief by Sebastian Steiner, ca. 1900 This finely carved wooden relief by Sebastian Steiner from Meran depicts a detailed Alpine scene. It was carved around 1900...
Wood
Antique Black Forest Tobacco Pipe with Chamois Horn and Figurine
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Black Forest Tobacco Pipe with Chamois Horn and Figurine A marvellous antique handcarved tobacco pipe with fine carved chamois on the carved horn lid. The pipe head is made ...
Wood, Antler
Black Forest Wood Carved Brienz Bear Inkwell German Vintage, 1890s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic 1890s black forest Brienz wood carved inkwell in form of a Bear. Nice addition to your room or just for use it on your desk. Made of hand carved wood and glass eyes. Found at...
Wood