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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
19th Century Black Forrest Antler Gun Cabinet
Located in Petworth,West Sussex, GB
A late 19th century Black Forest, German Austrian, two parts mahogany antler gun cabinet. The top section has a single large glazed door, followed by a base with one drawer over two ...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Oak

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

Collection of Black Forrest Mounts Including One Stag, Ten Roe and One Chinois
Located in Buchanan, MI
Collection of Black Forrest mounts including one stag, ten roe and one chinois, ranging in size roe 12" high 7" wide, Stag 24" high, 23" wide. Check in with us as our inventory is c...
Category

19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Antler, Walnut

Black Forest Swiss 1880s Carved Wooden Grazing Cow with Bell on Neck
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Black Forest Swiss hand-carved wooden cow from circa 1880. This exquisitely hand-carved wooden cow is a pristine example of Black Forest artistry from circa 1880, originating from ...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Black Forest 19th Century Set of Chairs
Located in Miami, FL
In walnut, the chairs are delicately carved with interesting inlayed of animal figures. Sold as is to refinish.
Category

Mid-19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Black Forest Cushion Deer Leather Stitched Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Deer leather cushion "Kitzbühel" made from dark brown deer leather back side grey wool fabric with a stitched chamois figure in the style of Black Forest. Filled with real feathers. ...
Category

2010s Austrian Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wool, Leather

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

2010s German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique 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 specimen...
Category

Early 20th Century European Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Glass, Hide, Wood, Paint

Four Antique Bull Horn Chairs ca. 1870
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Four Antique Bull Horn Chairs ca. 1870 A set of four antique bull horn chairs ca. 1870, covered with antique green velvet which has to be renewed (is loo...
Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood, Antler

Carved Ram Shoulder Mount Faux Taxidermy
Located in Forney, TX
A large wooden carving modeled after a long horn sheep head shoulder mount. Exceptionally executed naturalistic form, stripped / bleached light wood, intricately detailed to imitate ...
Category

Late 20th Century Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Black Forest Sika Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque - Germany ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Black Forest Sika Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque - Germany ca. 1900s Item e6944 An antique uneven 8 pointer sika deer (Cervus nippon) trophy from the Black Forest. The trophy was shot ...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Antler, Wood

Antique Wild Boar Teeth Trophy on Wooden Plaque, Black Forest ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Wild Boar Teeth Trophy on Wooden Plaque, Black Forest ca. 1900s Item e6927 A large antique Black Forest wild boar (Sus scrofa) trophy on a handcarved wooden plaque. The teeth...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Metal

Abnorm Siberian Deer Trophy Mount on Wooden Plaque ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Abnorm Siberian Deer Trophy Mount on Wooden Plaque ca. 1900s Item e6941 A large abnorm Siberian deer (Capreolus pygargus) trophy on a wooden turned plaque with black finish. The trop...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Antler, Wood

Large Siberian Deer Trophy Mount on Wooden Plaque ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Siberian Deer Trophy Mount on Wooden Plaque ca. 1900s Item e6940 A large antique Siberian deer (Capreolus pygargus) trophy on a wooden turned plaque with black finish. The trop...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Antler, Wood

White Tailed Deer Trophy Mount on Wooden Plaque ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
White Tailed Deer Trophy Mount on Wooden Plaque ca. 1900s Item e6943 A lovely antique white tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) trophy on a wooden plaque with dark finish. The troph...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood, Antler

Black Forest Pottery Dish Hand-Painted Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel Austria
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Large hands-free painted pottery dish in black forest style. Decorated with handpainted trees in green in the and a hands-free painted garlande . Produced and handsfree painted in A...
Category

2010s Austrian Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Black Forest Marquetry Table Top
Located in Savannah, GA
A Black Forest marquetry hunt scene table top wall-hanging, 19th century. 36 ¼ by 27 ¼ inches
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Black Forest Music Box Chair
Located in New Orleans, LA
A music box hidden inside this beautifully carved Swiss chair will activate when the chair is sat upon. A remarkable example of the intricate craftsmanship and artistic innovation ch...
Category

19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Antique Swiss Black Forest Dog Inkwell Pen Store
Located in Newark, England
Unusual Pen Tidy Slot From our Black Forest collection, we are delighted to offer a rare example Antique Swiss Black Forest Dog Inkwell with Pen Store. The Swiss Black Forest Dog is...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Set of Three Natural Antler Tips & Brass Desk Accessories
Located in East Hampton, NY
This set of three (3) natural antler tips desk accessories are backed with brass base. Perfect for an executive desk, two paperweights and a letter opener. Rich natural coloring an...
Category

Late 20th Century American Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Brass

Antique Monumental Black Forest Bear Statue as Mountain Walker or Naturalist
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A great looking hand carved original wooden Folk Art Bear Statue. A great piece for a suitable ambiance in a Cabin room or the office of a Hunter or Woodsman. More than likely one of...
Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Exquisite 19th Century Hand Carved Black Forest Eagle Mounted Humidor Cabinet
Located in High Wycombe, GB
Exquisite 19th Century Hand Carved Black Forest Humidor Cigar Cabinet3 Featuring Ornate Carved Floral Panel Frontage Finished With An Eagle Finial On The Top. The Two Doors Reveal ...
Category

19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Large Antique Black Forest Brienz Hand Carved Wood Bear Humidor Sculpture
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This large antique humidor is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from Austria and date to approximately 1900 and done in the period Black Forest style. This well executed scul...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Softwood

pair of German 19th century Black Forest st. etched Glass and Walnut vases
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant pair of German 19th century Black Forest st. etched Glass and Walnut vases. Each beautiful vase is raised on a wonderful array of Walnut water flora below a fluted socle s...
Category

19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Glass, Walnut

Finest Quality Antique Hand Carved & Painted Black Forest Boar / Hog Sculpture
Located in Lisse, NL
Amazing workmanship and mint Black Forest boar wall sculpture. This perfect condition antique wooden sculpture of a wild hog on a wall plaque originates from the German Black Forest...
Category

19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Metal

4 Vintage German Souvenir Hiking Badge Walking Sticks Canes 32" - 37"
Located in Dayton, OH
Lot of four vintage German / Austrian folk art traditional hook style walking sticks / canes, embellished with German and other assorted European hiking souvenir badges. 63 total bad...
Category

Mid-20th Century Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Metal, Enamel

Rare Folk Art Black Forest Root Wood Table Clock w. Bell Ringer Monk, Cuckoo St.
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare and great folk-art workmanship mantel clock for the collectors and enthousiasts. Over the years we have had the pleasure of owning and selling a number of beautiful Black Fores...
Category

19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Brass, Iron

Antique Black Forest Wall Reliefs with Hunting Motifs, a pair
Located in Pearland, TX
A pair of antique 19th century Black Forest hunting trophies, finely carved, featuring partridges, powder horns, rope, acorns and oak leaves. Exquisite details. A marvelous find!
Category

Mid-19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century French Black Forest Carved Wood Eagle Vase
Located in Austin, TX
French Black Forest carved wood eagle vase , circa 1880. Height / 10.3 inches.
Category

1880s French Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Black Forest Wood Carved Brienz House Inkwell German Vintage, 1890s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic 1890s Black Forest Brienz wood carved inkwell in form of a cabin. Nice addition to your room or just for use it on your desk. Made of hand carved wood and glass eyes. Found a...
Category

1890s German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Glass, Wood

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

Masterly Carved Black Forest Wall Barometer with Fern Plants and Eagle Sculpture
Located in Lisse, NL
Hand carved, solid walnut antique barometer with maker's mark. This rare Black Forest barometer depicting an incredibly detailed and finest quality also has the most beautiful patin...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Brass, Zinc

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...
Category

1930s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Black Forest inkwell cat in boot Swiss Antique 19th Century hand carved glass
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Gorgeous most rare Swiss Black Forest 19th century Inkwell / desk accessory fully hand carved displaying a cat in a boot. The cat is very detailed with glass eyes (slight damage to b...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Glass, Wood

Large Exceptional Swiss Black Forest double inkwell desk decoration 19th Century
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Gorgeous most rare Swiss Black Forest 19th century double Inkwell / desk accessory fully hand carved displaying a bird eating nuts & floral leaves / walnuts. Carved by a master carve...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Glass, Wood

19th Century Black Forest Carved Liquor Box
Located in High Point, NC
19th Century Black Forest carved liquor set. The exterior of the box is hand-carved in design as a wood log cabinet, the rectangular Black Forest tantalus is decorated on the top wi...
Category

19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Fruitwood

Rare black Forest rooster inkwell 19th century Swiss glass eyes hand carved
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Gorgeous most rare Swiss Black Forest 19th century Inkwell / desk accessory fully hand carved displaying a dog wearing a hat and monocle. Detailed carving by a master carver. Comes w...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Glass, Wood

19th Century Black Forest Hanging Wall Box
Located in High Point, NC
19th century Black Forest small hanging wall box. The entire piece is hand carved to have the appearance of boards with hand carved appearance of graining. There is a single door o...
Category

19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Fruitwood

19th Century German Black Forest Candlestick
Located in Chicago, IL
A charming 19th century German Black Forest wood candlestick hand carved with ivy growing over rocks.
Category

19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Black Forest Hand Carved Large & Extremely Rare Beaver and Bear Pair Table Lamps
Located in Lisse, NL
For the collectors of extremely rare Black Forest animal carvings. With a combined 35+ years of experience in selling Black Forest antiques we have never seen a pair of table lamps ...
Category

Early 20th Century European Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

A ‘Black Forest’ linden wood eagle
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A ‘Black Forest’ linden wood eagle, naturalistically carved with wings outstretched, perched on a rocky outcrop, the base with a rubbed metal maker’s plaque most probably for Binder ...
Category

20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique 19th Century Swiss Black Forest Stag Coat Rack / Hat Rack Carved Hallway
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Gorgeous small coat rack / kitchen rack from Switzerland 1890s hand carved Black Forest stag with brass hooks. This will look simply amazing in your kitchen hung full with towels or...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Brass

A ‘Black Forest’ linden wood long case clock by Spring of Interlaken
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A ‘Black Forest’ linden wood long case clock by Spring of Interlaken, the square silvered dial enclosed behind a glazed door within an ornate case, surmounted by a carving of William...
Category

20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Vintage Wild Boar Teeth Trophy on Wooden Plaque, Germany 1950s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Wild Boar Teeth Trophy on Wooden Plaque, Germany 1950s A vintage Black Forest wild boar (Sus scrofa) trophy on wooden plaque. The teeth are decorated with two metal mounting...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Metal

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

Large Black Forest Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1970s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Black Forest Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1970s A great vintage roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved plaque. The trophy was shot in 1975. Good conditio...
Category

Late 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Antler, Wood

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 of multiple exquisite pieces recent...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Oak

Vintage Stainless Steel and Horn Tableware Set for 6 Germany 1950s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Stainless Steel and Horn 12 Pieces Tableware Set, Germany 1930s A rustic tabelware set consisting of six knives and six forks. The handles are made of genuine deer horn. The...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Metal

Antique Deer Horn Carving Set, Sheffield ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Deer Horn Carving Set, Sheffield ca. 1900s A rustic carving set consisting of fork and knife. The handles are made of genuine deer horn and feature a silver knob on their en...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Metal

19th Century Set of 3 Bavarian Black Forest Fruitwood Picture Frames Folk Art
Located in Sherborne, Dorset
A beautifully carved set of three Bavarian picture frames elaborately carved using the ‘notch cut’ technique, each of the wooden frames is held together with a cross-lap joint. Datin...
Category

Mid-19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Glass, Fruitwood

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 and feature a silver knob on the...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Metal

19th Century German Black Forest Hunting Plaque
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Large German wooden plaque hand carved in basswood in German Black Forest style. About 1890. The hunting plaque shows a large hare figure and oak leaves in a naturalistic detailed st...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Abnorm White Tailed Deer Trophy Mount on Wooden Plaque ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Abnorm White Tailed Deer Trophy Mount on Wooden Plaque ca. 1900s A large abnorme white tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) trophy on a wooden plaque with black finish. The trophy w...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Antler, Wood

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

White Tailed Deer Trophy Mount on Wooden Plaque ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
White Tailed Deer Trophy Mount on Wooden Plaque ca. 1900s A large antique white tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) trophy on a wooden plaque with black finish. The trophy was shot...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Antler, Wood

Large Black Forest Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque - Germany ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Black Forest Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque - Germany ca. 1900s An antique 8 pointer red deer (Cervus elaphus) trophy from the Black Forest. The trophy was shot around 1900. The...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Antler, Wood

Pair of Pottery Black Forest Huntsmen Figures A very handsome pair
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Pair of Pottery Black Forest Huntsmen Figures A very handsome pair of 19th Century Figures, 2 huntsmen with their quarry, one holding up a Hare, the other with a Stag on the ground...
Category

19th Century Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

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, more furniture and collectibles, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, glass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Black Forest furniture made in a specific country, there are Europe, Germany, and Switzerland 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 $30 and tops out at $150,000 while the average work can sell for $1,550.

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