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.
to
4
303
673
282
303
15,901
2,611
1,694
1,100
686
653
363
353
351
321
305
207
189
102
102
62
50
26
1
100
202
129
65
6
13
8
23
22
7
6
2
2
270
84
58
49
46
299
170
72
52
4
303
303
303
2
2
2
1
Item Ships From: Germany
Style: Black Forest
20th Century Viechtauer Carved Wood Bird Folk Art Black Forest Antique Austria
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful Austrian 20th century, carved wood bird, mounted on a stand for hanging. The tradition of these in Austria called "Viechtauer" birds goes back to the early 19th century w...
Category
20th Century Austrian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
Beautiful Viechtauer Carved Wood Bird Folk Art Black Forest Antique Austria 1900
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful Austrian 20th century, carved wood bird, mounted on a stand for hanging. The tradition of these in Austria called "Viechtauer" birds goes back to the early 19th century w...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
Beautiful Viechtauer Carved Wood Bird Folk Art Black Forest Antique Austria 1900
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful Austrian 20th century, carved wood bird, mounted on a stand for hanging. The tradition of these in Austria called "Viechtauer" birds goes back to the early 19th century w...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
Beautiful Viechtauer Carved Wood Bird Folk Art Black Forest Antique Austria 1900
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful Austrian 20th century, carved wood bird, mounted on a stand for hanging. The tradition of these in Austria called "Viechtauer" birds goes back to the early 19th century w...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
Vintage Wild Boar Teeth Trophy on Wooden Plaque, Germany 1950s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Wild Boar Teeth Trophy on Wooden Plaque, Germany 1950s
Item e6932
A vintage Black Forest wild boar (Sus scrofa) trophy on wooden plaque. The teeth are decorated with two meta...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Wood
Vintage Stag Horn Carving Set Solingen, Germany
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Stag Horn Carving Set Solingen, Germany
A rustic carving set consisting of fork and knife. The handles are made of genuine stag horn and feature ...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Metal
Large Deer Trophy from a Noble Estate, Uneven 14 Ends
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Deer Trophy from a Noble Estate, Uneven 14 Ends
A very large uneven 14 pointer Black Forest deer (Cervus elaphus) trophy from the palace of Salem in South Germany. Shot by a m...
Category
Late 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood, Antler
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 for...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood
Antique Black Forest Carved Seated Bear Figure
Located in Barntrup, DE
Antique black forest carved seated bear sculpture
An adorable and masterfully hand-carved figure of a seated bear. Switzerland, circa 1900...
Category
Early 1900s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
White Breasted Nuthatch Viechtauer Carved Wood Bird Black Forest Austria 1920s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful Austrian 20th century, carved wood bird, mounted on a stand for hanging. The tradition of these in Austria called "Viechtauer" birds goes back to the early 19th century w...
Category
1920s Austrian Vintage Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
Siberian Deer Trophy Mount on Wooden Plaque ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Siberian Deer Trophy Mount on Wooden Plaque ca. 1900s
Item e6939
A large antique Siberian deer (Capreolus pygargus) trophy on a wooden turned plaque with black finish. The trophy was...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Wood
Capital Black Forest 16 Pointer Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Capital Black Forest 16 Pointer Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque
A very large 16 pointer deer (Cervus elaphus) trophy from the Black Forest. The trophy was ...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood, Antler
Antique Mantel Clock with Eagle and Chamois Family, ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Mantel Clock with Eagle and Chamois Family, ca. 1900
A large Black Forest wooden carved mantel clock with an eagle on top and a chamois defending her child. The clock is embedded in a handcarved wood pile. A masterpiece of Brienz woodcarvings which brightens up any chimney piece. The clockwork is cleaned and overworked by a clockmaker - working order.
Soberly considered mantel clocks are small pendulum...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pendant Light with Figure of a Mountain Climber and a Blue Glass Lantern
Located in Barntrup, DE
Wonderful German pendant lamp features a hand-carved figure of a smiling mountain climber in beautifully hand-painted Bavarian traditional clothing in blue, brown, green, white, and ...
Category
1930s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Metal
Antique Carved Wood Tobacco Pipe with Excellent Dog and Deer Head Carving
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Carved Wood Tobacco Pipe with Excellent Dog and Deer Head Carving
An antique handcarved wood tobacco pipe with fine carved hunting scenes and a carved dog on the lid. At the...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Vintage Deer Trophy Spain Toledao 1983 uneven Twelve Ends
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Deer Trophy Spain Toledao 1983 uneven Twelve Ends
A great uneven 12 pointer Black Forest deer (Cervus elaphus) trophy from the palace of Salem in South Germany. It was shot ...
Category
Late 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood, Antler
Black Forest Antler Arm Chair by J. A. K. Horn, Turingen 1840s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Black Forest Antler Arm Chair by J. A. K. Horn, Turingen 1840s
An elaborate antique Black Forest antler arm chair with real stag and deer antlers as legs, arm- and backrests, seat w...
Category
Mid-19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Wood
Black Forest Carved Wood Figural Humidor Bear Head with Glass Eyes
Located in Barntrup, DE
The Black Forest carved wood figural humidor in the shape of a bear head with glass eyes, circa 1920.
This antique, dark brown, linden wood humidor is masterfully carved and features...
Category
1920s Swiss Vintage Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Metal
Antique Black Forest Tobacco Pipe with Chamois Horn and Figurine
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Black Forest Tobacco Pipe with Chamois Horn and Figurine
A marvellous antique handcarved tobacco pipe with fine carved chamois on the carved horn lid. The pipe head is made ...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood, Antler
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
Large Folk Art Wood Carved Deer Head with Real Antlers, Austria 19th Century
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A great looking hand carved original wooden Folk Art deer head wall decoration. A great piece for a suitable ambiance in a trophy room or the office of ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Golden Pheasant Viechtauer Carved Wood Bird Black Forest Folk Art Austria, 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful rare large size Austrian early 20th century, carved wood bird, mounted on a stand for hanging. The tradition of these in Austria called "Viechtauer" birds goes back to th...
Category
Early 1900s Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
1860s Carved Horn Hunters Pipe in the Style of Lebrecht Wilhelm Schulz
Located in Berghuelen, DE
1860s carved Horn Hunters pipe in the style of Lebrecht Wilhelm Schulz
The rare hunters pipe is made of original horns from the stag and deer and features very elaborate carved hunt...
Category
Mid-19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood, Antler
Pendant Light Fixture with a Wooden Figure of a Mountain Climber
Located in Barntrup, DE
This wonderful German figural pendant lamp features a hand-carved figure of a mountain climber in natural brown wood tones. The detailed carved wooden...
Category
1950s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pendant Light with Hand Carved Sculpture of a Mountain Climber and a Lantern
Located in Barntrup, DE
Wonderful German pendant lamp features a hand-carved figure of a smiling and cheerful mountain climber in beautifully hand-painted Bavarian traditional clothing in brown, green, whit...
Category
1930s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Metal
Black Forest Wood Carved Brienz Bear Inkwell German Vintage, 1890s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic 1890s black forest Brienz wood carved inkwell in form of a Bear. Nice addition to your room or just for use it on your desk. Made of hand carved wood and glass eyes. Found at...
Category
1890s German Antique 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
An antique 6 pointer sika deer (Cervus nippon) trophy from the Black Forest. The trophy was shot around 1900. The ...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood, Antler
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
Black Forest Rabbit Bunny Hunt Hunting Trophy Bag Wall Catchall Antique, 1890s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Rare antique large German metal hunt scene on a wooden wall plaque trophy depicting a Rabbit, a dog and a bag with a champagne bottle.
Wonderful Trophy of the Hunt for your Black For...
Category
1890s German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Capital Black Forest Uneven 32 Pointer Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Capital Black Forest Uneven 32 Pointer Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque
A massive uneven 32 pointer deer (Cervus elaphus) trophy from the Black Forest. The trophy was shot around 1950s....
Category
Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood, Antler
Moose Trophy from a Noble Estate in Germany Shot in Oeland 1956
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Moose Trophy from a Noble Estate in Germany Shot in Oeland 1956
An impressive moose (Alces alces) trophy from a noble estate, shot in Oeland 1956 by a member of the lordly family of...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood, Antler
Antique Carved Buck Head Brienz Black Forest Wood Carving Glass Eyes
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This exquisite antique wall-mounted buck head showcases the exceptional craftsmanship of woodcarving, likely originating from the Brienz or the Black Forest region, renowned for its ...
Category
Early 1900s German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood
Pair of Antique Rustic Antler Parlor Chairs, Germany, circa 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Pair of Antique Rustic Antler Parlor Chairs, Germany, circa 1900
A pair of antique antler chairs, made of antlers from the deer and fallow deer. ...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Oak
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 Wood...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
A Wooden Carved Black Forest Bear with Glass Vase
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A Wooden Carved Black Forest Bear with Glass Vase
Item e7275
A nicely carved Black Forest bear holding a glass vase in its hands. Executed in Brienz, Switzerland around 1920. Very go...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Black Forest Tobacco Pipe with Roe Deer Horn
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Black Forest Tobacco Pipe with Roe Deer Horn
A marvellous antique handcarved tobacco pipe with roe deer elements. On the flap of the pipe two antler tips are mounted. The pi...
Category
Early 1900s German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler
Vintage Stag Horn Carving Set Solingen, Germany
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Stag Horn Carving Set Solingen, Germany
A rustic carving set consisting of fork and knife. The handles are made of genuine stag horn and feature ...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Metal
Large Black Forest Antler Gun Cabinet, ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A large antique oak wood gun cabinet decorated with several original antlers from the deer, the fallow deer, antelope and chamois. Elaborately manufactured...
Category
19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Wood
German Wood Carved Figural Man Head Cork Bottle Stopper, 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Adorable wood and cork bottle stopper. Germany, 1960s. Ideal decoration bottle stopper. Great idea to surprise your guests or a very interesting gift.
Category
1960s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Cork, Wood
Antique Wild Boar Piggy Bank Made of Clay
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Wild Boar Piggy Bank Made of Clay
An antique piggy back in the shape of a wild boar. Handmade of clay. It has no opening on the base thus ...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Clay
A Wooden Carved Black Forest Thermometer with Bear
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A Wooden Carved Black Forest Thermometer with Bear
Item e7302
A finely carved Black Forest desk set with a bear sitting next to a thermometer. A great example of the art of woodworki...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Bear Head Black Forest Hand Carved Folk Art Wooden Trophy, 19th Century
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A great looking hand carved original wooden Folk Art Bear head wall decoration. A great piece for a suitable ambiance in a trophy room or the office of a...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Folk Art 20th Century Carved Wood Figure Sculpture of Saint Florian Austria 1960
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Pine carving of Saint Florian, the patron saint of fire fighters, 20th century Austria, the saint shown holding his cape in one hand, pouring a bucket of ...
Category
1960s Austrian Vintage Black Forest Furniture
Materials
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. ...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Hand-Carved Wooden Inkwell Desk Set with Owl Figures, 1930s
Located in Barntrup, DE
Beautiful Black Forest style hand-carved wooden double inkwell with a majestic owl figure sitting on two books. The owl has glass eyes, and the Stand has a tray for pen and accessori...
Category
1930s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Metal
Pair of Roe Deer Heads, Wall Decoration, Germany, 1930s
Located in Barntrup, DE
Roe deer heads, wall decoration, made of plaster, Germany, 1930s, set of two.
An absolutely adorable pair of roe deer heads in the Black Forest style is ...
Category
1930s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Plaster
Large Wooden Strolling Bear Handcarved in Brienz ca. 1930
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Wooden strolling bear handcarved in Brienz ca. 1930
A large antique statue of a walking bear. Made of lindenwood, finely handcarved with na...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Vintage Black Forest Porcellaine Tobacco Pipe with King Ludwig II
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Black Forest Porcellaine Tobacco Pipe with King Ludwig II
A vintage Black Forest porcellaine tobacco pipe with a picture of King Ludwig II on the pipe head. The pipe is exec...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Porcelain, Wood, Antler
Hunting Dog Head Black Forest Hand Carved Folk Art Wooden Trophy, 19th Century
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A great looking hand carved original wooden Folk Art Dog head with glass eyes, wall decoration. A great piece for a suitable ambiance in a trophy room or the office of a Hunter or Woodsman. More than likely one of the Folk Art items made between 1860 and the late 1890s. In remarkably good as found condition with only a few small paint lost on the trophy plaque. Found at an estate sale in Wels, Austria. We think this will be a nice addition to your Collection of Black Forest items...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique hand carved Walnut Wall Plaque Fruits and Vegetables, Early 20th Century
Located in Barntrup, DE
Antique hand carved walnut wall plaque fruits and vegetables, Germany, early 20th century.
This absolutely gorgeous masterfully carved wall decoration from the early 20th century fe...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Antique Oil Print with Bear Hunt Scene After Heinrich Buerkel, 19th Century
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Oil Print with Bear Hunt Scene after Heinrich Buerkel 19th cetntury
A colorful oil print depicting an alpine bear hunt scenery in the Bava...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood
Black Forest Wood Carved Brienz Bear Statue Desktop Accessory German Antique
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic 1890s black forest Brienz wood carved desktop accessory in form of a Bear. Nice addition to your room or just for use it on your desk. Made of hand...
Category
1890s German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Rare Antler Desk Standish with Elaborate Carvings, Germany ca. 1840
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Rare Antler Desk Standish with Elaborate Carvings, Germany ca. 1840
A rare antique writing desk set made of wood and original antlers decorated with fine carved hunting scenes depic...
Category
Mid-19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood, Antler
Antique Black Forest Mirror with Rustic Bear Carvings, ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique black forest mirror with rustic bear carvings ca. 1900
A large crescent vanity mirror in a handcarved wooden frame featuring two ...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Large Black Forest Poacher with Chamois
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Black Forest Poacher with Chamois
A very large wooden handcarved poacher statue. The poacher is on his way back from the hunt with a hunted chamois on his back. The hand-made ...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
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 Folk Art Carved Wood Chamois Head with Real Horns, 19th Century
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A great looking hand carved original wooden Folk Art chamois head wall decoration. A great piece for a suitable ambiance in a trophy room or the office of a Hunter or Woodsman. More ...
Category
Mid-19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Black Forest Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque, Bavaria 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Black Forest Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque, Bavaria 1900s
Item e7321
A large antique roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved plaque. The trophy was shot i...
Category
Early 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.