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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Item Ships From: Europe
Style: Black Forest
Black Forest Set of Six Tumbler Green Crystal Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Set of six handblown green crystal tumblers with hand-edged hunting scene in the style of Black Forest. The decor is an antique decor with deers, trees and bambis all around. Complet...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Black Forest Wooden Carved Begging Dog, Brienz, ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A whimsical Swiss wood carving. A long hair terrier is begging with his masters hat beside a basket. Handcarved ca. 1900 in Switzerland in the area...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Black Forest German Porcelain Vase with Hunting Scene Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Hand-painted porcelain vase is completely handmade and handpainted in Bavaria Germany. Rimmed with a 24-carat gold line. The decor is hands-free painted all round with a hunting scene. The black forest decor...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Black Forest Hand-Painted Porcelain Bambi Figur Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Hand painted porcelain bambi figure. Hand painted in a naturalistic style. The bambi figure is completely handmade in Bavaria.
About Sofina porcelain:
Sofina porcelain was found 20...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Circa 1880 Pair of Super Rare Black Forest Hand Carved Dwarf Whip Hooks
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this exceptionally rare pair of stunning, original circa 1880 Swiss made Black Forest wood, whip hooks of two Dwarfs
These are a very very rare...
Category
1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Black Forest Cushion Handmade Fringe Hunting Scene Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Handmade cushion in brilliant blue and green colors in cotton and linen fabric with a hunting scene in the style of Black Forest. The fringe all around is made by hand in the style o...
Category
2010s Austrian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Linen
Victorian Miniature Black forest Antler Casket 1860
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A marvelous antique rustic casket. It is made of wood, veneered with antler pieces. On top an antler plaque with staghound carving. The feet are made of ...
Category
Mid-19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Wood
‘Black Forest’ Carved Linden Wood Model of a Mount Rescue Dog
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A ‘Black Forest’ carved linden wood model of a mount rescue dog, naturalistically modelled standing four-square with a barrel at his collar and a blanket wrapped around his middle, o...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
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
German Pendant Light Hand Carved Wood Figure Mountain Climber with Lantern
Located in Barntrup, DE
This wonderful German Black Forest figural pendant lamp features a hand-carved figure of a mountain climber. The detailed carved wooden mountaineer is...
Category
1930s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Copper
Black Forest Rustic Mirror with Gilt Bar, Hand Carved, Austria, circa 1880
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Extraordinary rustic Black Forest wall mirror from the period in Austria around 1880. Elaborately hand carved out of basswood, this fantastic rural mirror impresses with its artfully...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Softwood
Black Forest Picture Frame, Carved Walnut from circa 1900
By Horrix
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Rich and refined wood-carved photo frame. A typical example of the Black Forest style, decorated with leaves, branches and acorns.
The frame has a beautiful patina.
Category
1890s German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Black Forest Crystal Latern Hand-Crafted Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Hand blown crystal vase/latern in dark green glass with hunting scene all around in the style of black forest. The glass is in a first step ...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Black Forest Set of Six Beer Glasses Skier Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Set of six beer glass called Bierseidl in clear crystal glass. Hand blown in Bavaria and hand-engraved with trees and a skier boy in the style of Black Forest. For 0.7 liter beer. Ca...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Outstanding Wooden Carved Fighting Stags by K. Bach, 1946
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A grandiose handcarved wood sculpture of fighting stags. Very detailed natural carving. Carved signature of K. Bach 1946.
Measures: Width: 23.62" (60cm)
Height: 7.48" (19cm)
Depth:...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Early 20th Century Pair of Hand Carved Oak Black Forest Style Carved Mirrors
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A pair of elegant French mirrors, carved from solid oakwood in Black Forest style. Bird is depicted on both mirrors, each in an asymmetrical manner, so that it is an original couple....
Category
Early 20th Century French Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Oak
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...
Category
1930s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Large Pair of Carved Black Forest Trophy Plaques depicting Deer, a Hare, and Fox
Located in London, GB
A pair of large black forest game plaques
Expertly carved in lindenwood, the shaped plaques, carved with oak leaves, depict a buck and a r...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Early to Mid-20th Century Hand Carved Black Forest Sitting Eagle Sculpture
Located in Lisse, NL
Quality carved, mint condition and majestic bird of prey.
This stunning bald eagle sculpture stands out, because the artist has managed to create a perfectly realistic eagle without...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Black Forest Hand-Crafted Porcelain Dish Bambi Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Completely handmade and hands-free painted large oval porcelain plate in Black Forest style. A natural molded porcelain bambi figure is sitting left hand and three pines are fixed on...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Black Forest Rustic Wall Mirror with Coat of Arms Carving, Austria, circa 1870
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Fantastic looking rustic Black Forest wall mirror from the late 19th century in Austria around 1870. Hand carved out of fine basswood this rural mirror shows an absolute amazing desi...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Softwood, Mirror
Set of Six Hand Blown Wine Goblets Green Crystal Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Set of six hand blown wine goblets in green crystal with an antique hunting decor all around. The charming hand-engraved decor shows deers and trees in the style of Black Forest. The...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Antique German Barometer with Hand-Carved Oak Leaves and Acorns, 1920s
Located in Barntrup, DE
German Black Forest style barometer with fine hand-carved oak branches, leaves, and acorns.
Dimensions: height 30 cm / 11.81 in; width 24 cm / 9.44 in; depth 5 cm / 1.96 in.
In good ...
Category
1920s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Metal
Hand Carved Wood Bear Head Nutcracker Brienz Switzerland
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Hand Carved Wood Bear Head Nutcracker Brienz, Switzerland
A wooden carved nutcracker with a bear head. It is a fine antique Black Forest woodcarving ...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Country Style Porcelain Dish with Skier Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Charming hands-free painted porcelain dish with platinum rim. Hands-free painted in a classic winter decor with a skier, mountains and trees. Completely h...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Relief Woodcarving by Hermann Steiner Meran 19th Century
By Hermann Steiner
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Relief Woodcarving by Hermann Steiner Meran 19th century
The wooden carved relief shows a grandfather with grandson on his lap. The granddaughter is sitting on the chair and hides a...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Early 1900 Large Black Forest Fine Carved Burling Stag / Deer Sculpture Statue
Located in Lisse, NL
Good size and beautifully carved, wooden Black Forest stag sculpture.
From the posture it is obvious that this impressive stag, with his head turned up, is attempting to attract and...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
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 ...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Brass
19th Century Pair of Carved Relief Limewood Shadow Boxes
Located in London, GB
A pair of carved limewood shadow boxes
Finely carved in high relief, and depicting two famous scenes of an eagle attacking a man, and a poacher being shot, housed within rectangul...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Rustic Black Forest Wall Mirror Hand Carved, Austria, circa 1880
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Unusual hand carved Black Forest wall mirror with double frame out of Austria around 1880. A charming piece of a rustic Black Forest mirror, elaborately hand carved out of basswood, ...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Softwood, Mirror, Wood
Pair of Swiss 19th Century Carved Wooden Cattle Attributed to Johann Huggler
By Johann Huggler
Located in London, GB
A pair of Black Forest cattle
attributed to Johann Huggler
Carved in lindenwood, the naturalistically carved Swiss cow, calf and bull stand on elliptical bases of grass and rocky...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of Swiss 19th Century Carved Wooden Cattle
By Johann Huggler
Located in London, GB
A pair of Black Forest cattle, probably by Johann Huggler
Carved in lindenwood, the naturalistically carved swiss cow and bull stand on elliptical bases.
...
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Original Carved Wooden Daybed or Bed, Decorated with Bears circa 1980
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Original carved wooden daybed or bed, decorated with bears circa 1980.
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Large 1920s Plaster Figure of the Seated Blacksmith, Le Travail
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Large 1920s plaster figure of the seated blacksmith, Le Travail
A charming piece Folk Art, a painted statue of the famous blacksmith, known as “Le Travai...
Category
Early 20th Century Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Plaster
19th Century Swiss Carved 'Black Forest' Cattle Group
Located in London, GB
A black forest cattle group
Carved in lindenwood, the naturalistically carved swiss cow, calf and bull stand on an elliptical base of grass and rocky outc...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Hand Carved Black Forest Barometer, Flowers ans Nesting Birds Sculptures
Located in Lisse, NL
Large and wonderful, Swiss Black Forest barometer with thermometer.
This mother nature inspired, charming and beautifully hand-carved barometer...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Glass, Opaline Glass, Wood
19th Century Hand-Carved Fox 'Black Forest' Coat Hook
Located in London, GB
A Black Forest coat hook
Carved from solid Lindenwood, the cross-legged fox with glass-inset eyes brushing a horn, the second horn extending out f...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
Black Forest Set of Six Glass Tumbler Amber Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Set of six handblown amber crystal tumblers with hand-edged hunting scene in the style of Black forest. The decor is an antique hunting scene dec...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Crystal
19th Century Black Forest Carved Box
Located in London, GB
A Black Forest carved box
Constructed from stained and patinated Lindenwood, the lockable box carved to resemble a tied sheaf with its accom...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Rustic Black Forest Mirror with Gilt Inner Bar, Austria, circa 1880
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Charming rustic black Forest wall mirror from the period in Austria around 1880. Artfully hand carved out of basswood, this exceptional rural mirror impresses with its gorgeous carve...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Softwood
Black Forest Vase Crystal with Hunting Decor Green Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Handblown crystal vase in green glass with a hunting scene. The decor is a hunting decor with 4 hands-free engraved animals in natrualistic style. Completely handblown and hand-engra...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Black Forest Porcelain Dish with Deer Figure Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Charming completely handmade and hands-free painted oval porcelain plate. The naturalistic moulded porcelain bambi figure and three porcelain pine cones fixed on the porcelain plate ...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
19th Century 'Black Forest' Carved Dog Group
By Walter Mäder
Located in London, GB
A 'Black Forest' Carved Dog Group
Constructed in naturalistically carved and stained limewood, on a rectangular base with radiused angles, the bitch couchant, and attending to her two pups, all fitted with realistic glass eyes, in the manner of Walter Mäder...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique & Beveled Wall Mirror in a Top Quality Hand Carved Eagle Sculpture 1800s
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare and beautifully hand carved eagle sculpture on a crescent moon design mirror.
If you are appreciative of rare and sculptural antiques then this Swiss Black Forest wall mirror could be exactly what you are looking for. The quality in both the details and the patination (or coloring) of this wooden eagle...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood
Black Forest Porcelain Dish Christmas Garland Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Hands-free painted porcelain dish with platinum rim. Painted in a classic black forest Christmas decor with green fir and pine cone garland. Completely handmade in Bavaria/Germany.
Category
2010s German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Large 19th Century Carved Black Forest Mantel Clock
By Black Forest
Located in London, GB
A Large Black Forest Mantle Clock
Constructed in carved linden wood, fitted with a two train eight day striking clock; mounted on a shaped...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Black Forest 19th Century Side / End Table Hunt Carved Oak & Marble Top
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Exceptional & impressive! This 19th century Black Forest side / end table carved out of solid oak with "Rouge Belges" marble top.
Amazing craftsmanship fully hand carved by a maste...
Category
1870s French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Marble
Antique Carved Black Forest Triple Postage Stamp Box, Owl, Glass Eyes
Located in Bath, GB
A fabulous hand carved wooden postage stamp box from the Black Forest region and dating to around 1900.
The sides are carved but the star of the show is the central carved owl to ...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Very Large Wooden Carved Bull Head from a Butchery ca. 1880
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Very Large Wooden Carved Bull Head from a Butchery ca. 1880
A very large wooden carved bull head. Formerly a shop decoration in a south German butcher's shop. Handcarved ca 1880, ea...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Black Forest Set of Six Porcelain Dishes Hand Painted Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Set of six porcelain dishes hands-free painted with 6 different detailed painted trophies heads in the style of Black Forest.
Rimmed with a fine 24-carat gold line. Handmade in Bava...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Black Forest Set of Six Glass 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 ...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Glass
German Santa Claus Figure Papier Mâché Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Large Santa Claus figure made in papier mâché with a hand painted detailed face. Holding a tree and decorated with glitter details and a real fur rim.
The Santa Claus is handmade in the original antique mold...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Other
Set of Six Wine Goblets Green Crystal Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Set of six hand blown wine goblets in green crystal with an antique hunting decor all around. The charming hand-engraved decor shows deers and trees in the style of Black Forest. The...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Nice Wooden Carved Boxer Tobacco Box, Switzerland Ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Wooden Carved Tobacco Box with Boxer, Switzerland ca. 1900
An early 20th century wooden carved humidor from Switzerland featuring a boxer dog beside a three trunk on witch the top can be flipped back to open the tobacco storage. In front of the trunk is a carved hat which features as matches holder. Handcarved with detailed naturalistic details in the area of Brienz ca. 1900. This Swiss Black Forest carved humidor...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Wood Carved Roe Deer Head German Black Forest, Antique, 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful whimsical early 20th century German Black Forest carved and hand painted head, mounted to a carved back with oak or marble leaves. Nice addition to a hunters loge or any ...
Category
Early 1900s German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Black Forest Porcelain Bowl Hand Painted Deer Figure Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Completely handmade porcelain bowl with a hands-free painted bambi in the center of the bowl. The charming bambi figure is painted in black and sits in the middle of the dish. The po...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Wooden Carved Casket with Birds, Brienz, circa 1890
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Wooden Carved Casket with Birds, Brienz, circa 1890
A very nice hand carved black forest sewing box or jewel case with two birds on the lid. Ins...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Rare Hand Carved Antique Black Forest Lion Sculpture Nutcracker with Glass Eyes
Located in Lisse, NL
Top quality carved, early 20th century, wooden Black Forest nut cracker.
If you are a collector of rare and good quality Black Forest antiqu...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Glass, 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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