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 Carved Black Forest Mirror
Located in Wembley, GB
A carved black forest wall mirror, late 19C.
Stock ref. #2209
In very good order, retaining its original plate and backboards.
111.5 x 84 x 5 cm
43.9 x 33.1 x 2.0 "
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
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 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
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
19th Century Set of 2 Bavarian Black Forest Ebonised Picture Frames Folk Art
Located in Sherborne, Dorset
A beautifully carved set of two Bavarian ebonised picture frames elaborately carved in a charming traditional tree trunk design, held together with a cross-lap joint. Dating from the...
Category
19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Glass, Fruitwood
Austrian Majolica Dressed Bear Candelstick, circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
Austrian Majolica candelstick with a dressed bear holding a cone pine circa 1890.
Category
1890s Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
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
Large German Hand Carved Wooden Sculpture Lamp Night Watchman with Lantern
Located in Barntrup, DE
A masterfully hand-carved wooden lamp features a large sculpture of a night watchman with a lantern and halberd. Lantern is made of glass and iron. This...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Iron
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
A Black Forest carved wood inkwell with wheat sheafs and poultry
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A Black Forest carved wood inkwell with wheat sheafs and poultry, made of ebonised fruitwood naturalistically carved with a cockerel and hen perched on a rocky outcrop, bundles of wh...
Category
1890s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
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
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
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
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
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
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
Swiss Antique 19th Century Black Forest Dog inkwell desk accessory 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
Cut Glass, 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
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
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
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
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
Antique circa 1880 Super Rare Black Forest Hand Carved and Painted Whip Hook
By Black Forest
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
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
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
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 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
Black Forest Vintage Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Black Forest Vintage Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque
A large vintage roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved plaque. The trophy was shot in Germany ca. 1960s. Good...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood, Antler
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Bunny Rabbit Head Black Forest Hand Carved Folk Art, 19th Century
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A great looking hand carved original wooden Folk Art Bunny head wall decoration. A great piece for a suitable ambiance in a trophy room or the office of a Hunter or Woodsman. More th...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
ANTiQUE GERMAN BLACK FOREST CARVED RAMS HEAD ANTLER SUPPER TABLE PART OF A SUITE
By Black Forest
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this very rare original German late 19th century black forest antler supper cafe side table which is part of...
Category
Early 1900s German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th Century French Carved Bleached Oak Buffet with Fruit and Leaf Motifs
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a den, a game room or an entry with this richly carved antique buffet! Created in France, circa 1860, and built of oak, the cabinet sits on front bun feet over a carved rece...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Oak
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
A colorful oil print depicting a dramatic poaching scenery in the Bavarian forest. Two poachers are caught in...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood
Vintage Black Forest Red Deer Trophy from Salem - Germany 1959
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Black Forest Red Deer Trophy from Salem - Germany 1959
A large 12 pointer black forest red deer (Cervus elaphus) trophy from the palace of salem in south germany. Shoot by a...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Wood
Antique Cheese and Butter Knives with Deer Handles, circa 1950s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Cheese and Butter Knives with Deer Handles, circa 1950s
A rustic serving set consisting of cheese knife and butter knife. The handles are made of genuine deer feet. The blad...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Metal
PAIR OF ANTIQUE GERMAN BLACK FOREST CARVED ANTLER ARMCHAiRS PART OF A SUITE
By Black Forest
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this very rare pair of original German late 19th century black forest antler armchairs which are part of a s...
Category
Early 1900s European Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Oak
Large Antique Black Forest Wall Coat Rack w. Hand Carved Basket of Flowers 1890s
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare, late 1800s, solid oak, handcarved, Black Forest wall coat rack.
Only very rarely will you come across an antique that is as good and original as this large size, work of art c...
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Iron
Large Black Forest Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1967
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Black Forest Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1967
A vintage roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved plaque. The plaque features a handpainted inscription sta...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Wood
Vintage Stag Horn Winged Poultry Shears by J. A. Henkels, Solingen
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Stag Horn Winged Poultry Shears by J. A. Henkels, Solingen
A rustic winged poultry shears with handles made of genuine stag horn. Blades made of chromed steel. Manufactured ...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Metal
Antique Black Forest Brienz Hand-Carved Figural Dog Inkwell
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique inkwell is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from Austria and date to approximately 1920 and done in the period Black Forest style. The inkwell is composed of a ...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Art Glass, Softwood
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
Black Forest Linden Wood Carved Swiss Bear Glass Eyes
Located in Cheltenham, GB
Black Forest Linden wood naturalistically carved strolling bear with original glass eyes, crafted in Brienz. This exquisitely carved lindenwood piece features realistic details. A...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Softwood
Antique Stainless Steel and Horn 12 Pieces Tableware Set, Germany 1930s
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
Pair of rare Antler Parlor Chairs, France ca. 1860
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Pair of rare Antler Parlor Chairs, France ca. 1860
These two very rare antler parlor chairs are made of stag antlers with feet carved as lions claws. Made in France, ca. 1860 - the ...
Category
Mid-19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Wood
Antique Swiss Black Forest Carved Dog Head Bronze Hook Hanger Coat Rack, c. 1900
Located in Pearland, TX
A fine antique black forest Swiss hand carved dog head sculpture plaque coat rack with a gilt bronze hook, circa 1900. It's perfect for your rustic lodge decor in an entryway for han...
Category
Early 1900s Swiss 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 complete antique "Cave à Liqueur"! Created in France, circa 1870 and shaped as a wood log cabinet, the rectangular Black Forest Tantalus is decor...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Glass, Walnut
19th Century Set of 5 Bavarian Black Forest Ebonised Picture Frames Folk Art
Located in Sherborne, Dorset
A beautifully carved set of five Bavarian ebonised picture frames elaborately carved using the ‘notch cut’ technique, each frame held together with a cross-lap joint. Dating from the...
Category
Mid-19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Glass, Pine, Fruitwood
19th Century French Henri II Carved Bleached Oak Jelly Cabinet with Vine Motifs
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a wine cellar with this elegant and heavily carved antique cabinet. Crafted in France, circa 1870, the jelly cabinet stands on a wide and thick double molded plinth base ove...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Oak
Large Black Forest Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1957
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Black Forest Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1957
A great vintage roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved plaque. The plaque features a handpainted inscripti...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Wood
Black Forest Vintage Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1942
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Black Forest Vintage Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1942
A great vintage roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved plaque. The plaque features a handpainted inscrip...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Wood
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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