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Black Forest Furniture

BLACK FOREST STYLE

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.

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Style: Black Forest
Late 19th Century Black Forest Carved Baby Bear, circa 1900
Located in Forest Row, East Sussex
A Black Forest small carved baby bear. fine hand carved detail with original glass eyes. Linden wood. Origin: Swiss Date: circa 1900 Item Number: 1605231.
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Mirror Black Forest - Oak Carved Decoration "Trunks and Leaves", Europa Séc. xix
Located in Lisboa, PT
Mirror Black Forest is a type of decorative mirror that originated in the Black Forest region of Germany during the 19th century. It is known for its intricate oak carvings featuring...
Category

Mid-19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Oak

French Henri II Style Carved Walnut Overmantel Mirror, C. 1880
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique French Henri II style mantel or wall mirror in gorgeous hand carved oak, with outstanding detail. The details reveal it was probably commissioned for an aristocrat’s hunting ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Walnut

Black Forest Porcelain Bowl with Bambi Figure Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Completely handmade porcelain bowl with a hands-free naturalistic painted bambi figure in brown. The bambi is sitting in the middle of the bowl for decorating nuts or sweets around. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Porcelain Bowl with Bambi Figure Handpainted Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Completely handmade porcelain bowl with a hands-free naturalistic painted bambi figure in brown. The bambi is sitting in the middle of the bowl for decorating nuts or sweets around. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Pair of Black Forest Jardinière’s Hand Carved Switzerland circaLate1800s
Located in Chicago, IL
Black Forest Pair of Jardinière’s hand carved in Switzerland during the late 1800s. The Jardinière’s are complete with their original metal liners and are ready to be planted. Black Forest Furniture first began to appear in the mid-1800s in Brienz, Switzerland and originally only included small Black Forest animal objects made for the tourist trade. In the late 1800s, as tourism traffic increased, so did the number and Size of Black Forest Carvings and soon thereafter was followed by Black Forest Furniture. As luck would have it, Old Plank has recently discovered a treasure Trove of Black Forest Carved...
Category

1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Tin

Vintage Stainless Steel and Horn Tableware 18 Pieces Set Solingen, Germany
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Stainless Steel and Horn Tableware 18 Pieces Set Solingen, Germany A rustic tabelware set consisting of six steak knifes, forks and spoons. The handles are made of genuine...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Metal

Antique Hand Carved Wooden Black Forest Standing Bear Sculpture Table /Desk Lamp
Located in Lisse, NL
Beautiful quality and perfect condition bear desk lamp. If you are a collector of rare, very good quality and highly decorative Black Forest bear sculptures then this fine specim...
Category

Early 20th Century European Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Hide, Wood, Paint, Glass

Pair of 19th Century Swiss Black Forest Ibexes in Carved Lindenwood
Located in Dallas, TX
Despite sharing a name with the famous mountainous region in Germany, the Black Forest style originated in Brienz, Switzerland in the early 1800s. Black Forest carvings incorporate realistic renderings of animals into household items, such as clock cases, picture frames, and other decorative objects and furniture. Favored woods came from trees prevalent in the region, such as maple, linden, and walnut (they were also all good wood for carving). Our pair of Black Forest ibex...
Category

19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Carved Wood Tobacco Pipe with Soldier Head
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Carved Wood Tobacco Pipe with Soldier Head A rare antique handcarved wooden tobacco pipe with a fine carved soldier head as pipe head. The head features a Confederated or a Union soldier. The pipe is executed in Germany ca. 1880. A great addition to every tobacciana collection. Good condition with a small repair on the hat brim. The tradition of wood carving, using manual skills to make everyday objects and fine art sculptures, is found throughout Europe. The incentive to create not only useful but also aesthetically beautiful things, distinguishes the craftsman from the artist. In addition to the well-known Swiss wood...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Black Forest Set of Six Crystal Plates Green Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Set of six plates in green crystal with an antique hunting decor all around. The charming black forest decor is hand.-engraved and shows an antique decor of deers, rabbit and trees. ...
Category

2010s German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Crystal

Antique Late 1800s Black Forest Pipe with Hand Carved Deer and Stag Sculptures
Located in Lisse, NL
All handcrafted gentleman's or hunter's pipe from circa 1890. For the collectors of antique Black Forest carvings in general and of rare pipes in particular, we also have this Swi...
Category

19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Metal

Black Forest Limewood Carving of Two Cows
Located in Woking, GB
Black Forest hand carved walnut sculpture of two milking cows, one wearing a bell around its neck. Typical image of Swiss cows. Very fine realistic carving i...
Category

19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Vintage Black Forest German Walnut Swiss Musical Regula Cuckoo Clock Edelweiss
Located in Dayton, OH
A large vintage black forest cuckoo wall clock, made in Germany. Features Regula-72 German 8 day movement with Cuendet Swiss musical movement pl...
Category

Mid-20th Century Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Vintage Stainless Steel and Horn Tableware Set for 6 Solingen, Germany
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Stainless Steel and Horn Tableware Set for 6 Solingen, Germany A rustic tabelware set consisting of six steak knifes, forks, soup spoons and tea spoons. The handles are ma...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Metal

Vintage Stag Horn Carving Set by Anton Wingen, Solingen
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Stag Horn Carving Set by Anton Wingen, Solingen A rustic carving set consisting of fork and knife. The handles are made of genuine stag horn an...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Metal

Black Forest Hand Carved Rabbit Walnut Wall Hanging
Located in Milford, NH
A finely hand carved Black Forest walnut rabbit wall hanging with cat tails and oak leaves with acorns, accented with scrollwork foliate base and lower finial. Probably dates to the ...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Modern Black Forrest Carved Walnut 6, Point Deer Shoulder Mount
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Modern Black Forrest Carved Walnut 6 -Point Deer Shoulder Mount Switzerland, Circa 1960s A fine later example of Swiss Black Forrest style carving. Depicting a six point buck, wi...
Category

20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Rope, Glass, Walnut

Linden Wood ’Black Forest’ Bear Armchair from Peter Trauffer
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A linden wood ’Black Forest’ Bear armchair from Peter Trauffer, modelled as a seated bear with a radiating grooved seat in his lap, his paws outstret...
Category

1890s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Brass Hermes Style Jockey on Horse Desk Letter Holder
Located in Oakland Park, FL
Brass Hermes Style Jockey on Horse Desk Letter Holder. Size: 6.5"W x 1.5"D x 4.5"H.
Category

1980s Asian Vintage Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Brass

Black Forest Carved Double Wine Barrels, Bferret & Sicot Cognac, circa 1890-1910
Located in Round Top, TX
Traditional hand-carved oak leaves and grapes are the hallmark of this black forest table-top double wine barrel. More specifically, this was designed for cognac per the carved name ...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Oak

9 Antique Black Forest Wood Carved Owl Matchstick Holders Ashtray Ink Pot Candle
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning suite of nine black forest wood carved owls This is a ready made collection of rare antique & vint...
Category

20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique & Large Black Forest Gun / Rifle Rack w. Hand Carved Deer Head Sculpture
Located in Lisse, NL
Large and impressive Black Forest rack for hunting guns, circa 1870-1890. If you are looking for the perfect antique to decorate one of the walls in your hunting room, home office o...
Category

19th Century European Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Bronze

19th Century French Black Forest Carved Walnut and Glass Complete Liquor Box
Located in Dallas, TX
Create an elegant bar area with this antique "Cave à Liqueur"! Created in France, circa 1870 and shaped as a house log cabin, the rectangular Black Forest Tantalus is decorated on the top with a carved floral medallion in high relief. The side and front glass panels are all decorated with an arched glass window form. Lifting the top, it features an inside removable caddy with a complete set of 16 cut glass cordials decorated with gilt motifs, and four matching carafes with glass...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Glass, Walnut

Antique circa 1880 Super Rare Black Forest Hand Carved and Painted Whip Hook
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this exceptionally rare, stunning, original circa 1880 Swiss made Black Forest wood, whip hooks which has the original paint This is a fine exa...
Category

1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Black Forest Set of Six Schnapps Glasses Green Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
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...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Crystal

Set of Six Black Forest Schnapps Glasses Amber German with Hunting Scene Sofina
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Set of six Schnapps glasses handmade in Bavaria. Handblown crystal and hand-edged with a deer and leaves decor in amber in the style of black forest. Co...
Category

2010s German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Crystal

Exceptional 19th Century Swiss Carved 'Black Forest' Bear Bench
Located in London, GB
A Sensational Carved 'Black Forest' Bear Bench An extremely rare example of Lindenwood carved with extraordinary skill, the rectangular seat supported by two free-standing bears a...
Category

19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Victorian Black Forest Carved Wood & Glass Cave a Liqueur Tantalus Box
Located in Forney, TX
A rare antique Victorian Black Forest carved wood and glass cave a liqueur / tantalus cabinet set. circa 1880 Exquisitely hand-crafted in the late 19th century, Continental Euro...
Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Bronze

Black Forest Linden Wood Carved Bear Tobacco Box, circa 1900
Located in Forest Row, East Sussex
A Black Forest seated carved bear as a tobacco jar. Finely carved detail. Original glass eyes. Linden Wood. Dimensions: H 25cm W 15cm D 20cm Origin: Swiss Date: circa 1900 ...
Category

Early 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Hand Carved Fruitwood Black Forest Frame Germany, 1900s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning Black Forest picture frame. Striking German design from the 1900s. Hand-carved and hand-painted fruitwood frame. This wonderful hand-carved and hand-painted Black Forest ...
Category

Early 1900s German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Fruitwood

Late 19th Century Black Forest Carved Bear circa 1900
Located in Forest Row, East Sussex
A Black Forest carved walking bear. Fine hand carved detail with original glass eyes. Linden wood. Dimensions: H 22cm W 15cm D 11.5cm Origin: Swiss Date: Circa 1890 Item...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Large Antique Black Forest Deer Antler Trophy Wood Carved Plaque, Austria, 1860s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful antique black forest deer antler trophy on hand carved, Black forest wooden plaque. A nice addition to your hunters loge, Cabin or just to display it in your house. Found...
Category

Mid-19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Antler, Wood

Antique Black Forest Tramp Art Casket, circa 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Black Forest Tramp Art Casket, circa 1900s A marvelous rustic Tramp Art casket made of notched wood panels, decorated with gild paint and a pin cushion on the lid. The cas...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Late 19th Century Small Black Forest Display Cabinet
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Late 19th century small Black Forest display cabinet circa 1890. Good quality small display hanging display cabinet made from lindenwood, with silver gilt elements. Single glazed ...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Oak

Antique Print "the Hunters Tomp", Germany Late 19th Century
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Print "The Hunters Tomp", Germany late 19th century A colorful antique print depicting a group of animals like stag, wild boar, hare, staghound and deer visiting the tomp ...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Glass, Wood

circa 1900 Miniature Model of a Black Forest Bear Bench
Located in Chicago, IL
circa 1900 Miniature Model of Black Forest Bear Bench. "Black Forest" is a term to describe elaborate, realistic wood carvings from an area in ...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Antique Print "the Funneral of the Hunter", Germany Late 19th Century
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Print "The Funneral of the Hunter", Germany late 19th century A colorful antique print depicting the funneral of the hunter. A group of animals like stag, wild boar, hare,...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood, Glass

Pair of Late 19th Century Black Forest Carved Roe Deer Heads Wall Mounts
Located in Barntrup, DE
Late 19th century German black forest carved linden wood wall mounts of roe deer heads, decorations, set of two. This absolutely adorable and small pair of roe deer heads is hand-carved of linden wood in dark brown and black tones. The antlers of both roe deer heads are also made of wood. This handsome pair of antique roe deer...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Metal

19th century Carved Walnut Black Forest Bear / Cigar Holder
Located in San Francisco, CA
Late 19th century Continental carved walnut bear / cigar holder. In the style of Black Forest, German, Possibly Russian. The complex form of a classic dancing bear on hind legs. Stan...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Deer Antler Trophy on Large Black Forest Wood Carved Plaque, 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
An extra ordinary deer or roe deer antler trophy on a large Black Forest wooden hand carved plaque. A nice addition to your hunters loge, cabin or just to display it in your house. F...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood, Antler

Antique Marksman Shooting Target Plaque with Soldiers
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Marksman Shooting Target Plaque with Soldiers An antique wooden shooting target plaque with a handpainted illustration of two soldiers of the Victorian age, a Prussian and...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Black Forest Hand Carved Switzerland Pair of End Tables Marble Tops, circa 1800s
Located in Chicago, IL
Matched Pair of Black Forest Hand-Carved end tables or side tables with Marble Tops that were Swiss made during the 1800s. Black Forest furniture is d...
Category

1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Marble

Pair of 19th Century Swiss Carved Black Forest Trophy Plaques Hunting Deer Stag
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Stunning craftsmanship! This pair of 19th century Black Forest hunting Trophy plaques from Brienz Switzerland. Fully carved from solid ...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Hand-Carved Fruitwood Black Forest Bear Germany, 1920s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and rare Black Forest bear. Striking German design from the 1920s. Hand-carved fruitwood sculpture of a life-like bear walking on all four paws. Rare because of the hand-...
Category

1920s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Fruitwood

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, cab...
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Metal

Antique Photo Print Collage with Hunt Company and Game in the Forest
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Photo Print Collage with Hunt Company and Game in the Forest An antique collage of several victorian hunters in a forest. Made with a p...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Black Forest Antelope Horns Hunting Trophy Mount
Located in Pearland, TX
A fine antique early 20th century antelope or gazelle antler horns hunting trophy on a hand carved Black Forest plaque. The plaque is hand carved with ...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Horn, Wood

Antique Oil Print with Dramatic Tiger Hunting Scene in India, 19th Century
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Oil Print with Dramatic Tiger Hunting Scene in India 19th century A colorful oil print depicting a dramatic tiger hunting scenery in India. A group of hunters on their hor...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Black Forest Roe Deer Antlers Hunting Trophy Mount, 1935
Located in Pearland, TX
A fine vintage roe deer antler horns hunting trophy on a carved black forest plaque, dated 1935. The plaque is hand carved with oak leaves and acorns an...
Category

Early 1900s German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Horn, Wood

Antique Black Forest Chamois Horns Hunting Trophy Mount 1914
Located in Pearland, TX
A fine antique chamois antler horns hunting trophy on a hand carved black forest plaque, dated December 21, 1914. The plaque is hand carved with oak leaves and acorns and was found i...
Category

1910s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Horn, Wood

Antique Oil Print with Dramatic Poacher Scene After Josef Ringeisen
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Oil Print with Dramatic Poacher Scene after Josef Ringeisen. A colorful oil print depicting a dramatic poaching scenery in the bavarian forest. Two poachers are caught in ...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Black Forest Chamois Horns Hunting Trophy Mount
Located in Pearland, TX
A fine antique petite chamois antler horns hunting trophy on a hand carved black forest plaque. The plaque is hand carved with oak leaves and crossed branches. It's perfect for a stu...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Horn, Wood

Antique Oil Print with Black Forest Poacher Scene after Josef Ringeisen
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Oil Print with Black Forest Poacher Scene after Josef Ringeisen Item e6838 A colorful oil print depicting a dramatic poaching scenery in the Bavarian forest. Two poachers a...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Black Forest Chamois Horns Hunting Trophy Mount 1909
Located in Pearland, TX
A fine antique chamois antler horns hunting trophy on a hand carved black forest plaque. The plaque is hand carved with oak leaves and acorns and dated Nov. 27, 1909. It's perfect fo...
Category

Early 1900s German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Horn, Wood

Antique Oil Print with Dramatic Lion Hunting Scene in Arabia 19th Century
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Oil Print with Dramatic Lion Hunting Scene in Arabia 19th century A colorful oil print depicting a dramatic lion hunting scenery in Arabia. A group of beduines on their ho...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

French Black Forest Turn of the Century Giltwood Faux Wooden Mirror, circa 1900
Located in Atlanta, GA
This French Black Forest period carved giltwood faux bois mirror, dating back to circa 1900, will draw the viewer's attention with its intricate design, ivy motifs and masterful craf...
Category

Early 20th Century French Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Giltwood

Original Antique Print After Heinrich Leutemann, Reynard the Fox Accused
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image by Heinrich Leutemann From the Reynard The Fox series Fine steel engraving Published by A.H. Payne circa 1850 Unframed.
Category

1850s English Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Paper

Black Forest furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Black Forest furniture for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, folk art, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Black Forest furniture made in a specific country, there are Europe, Switzerland, and Germany pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original furniture, popular names associated with this style include Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel, Black Forest, Sofina Porzellan, and Horrix. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $900 and tops out at $75,000 while the average work can sell for $7,600.

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