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: Germany
Style: Black Forest
19th Century Brienz Black Forest Carved Bear with Thermometer, ca. 1890s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic late 1900s Black Forest Brienz work of art. This hand carved bear sculpture is a great example of the Black Forest craftsmanship in ...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood
Antique Mantel Clock with Herdsman Family, Goats and Cattle
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Mantel Clock with Herdsman Family, Goats and Cattle
A Black Forest wooden carved mantel clock with a lovely herdsman family with their goats and cattles. A masterpiece of woodcarving which brightens up any chimney piece. The clockwork is replaced by battery driven one - working order.
Soberly considered mantel clocks are small pendulum clocks with feet...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Hand Carved Wooden Sculpture Bookends Two Reading Men
Located in Barntrup, DE
These beautifully hand carved wooden bookends feature sculptures of two sitting and reading man, an older and younger man that could be a teacher a...
Category
1950s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Wooden Mantel Clock with Eagle, Swiss 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Wooden Mantel Clock with Eagle, Swiss 1900
A great carved linden wood mantel clock with a very detailled carved eagle sitting on a rock with foliage decorations. The porcelaine clockface has handpainted numerals, handcarved in Switzerland - Brienz ca. 1900. The clockwork was overworked by a clockmaker and is in working order. It comes with original key.
Measures:
Width 14.17" (36.0cm)
Height 24.8" (63.0cm)
Depth 5.12" (13.0cm)
Soberly considered mantel clocks are small pendulum clocks...
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 Carved Walnut Oval Dark Brown Wall Picture Frames with Flowers, ca. 1920
Located in Barntrup, DE
Pair of finely carved walnut oval dark brown wall picture or photo frames with flowers and leaves, Austria, ca. 1920.
The impressive pair of frames is masterfully carved throughout w...
Category
1920s Austrian Vintage Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Glass, Walnut
Antique Tramp Art Cabinet, ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Tramp Art Cabinet ca. 1900
The wooden tramp art cabinet is decorated with rich notch carvings. The inside is coated with green paper. It was...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Fantastic Oak Wood Gun Cabinet with Horn Decoration ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Fantastic oak wood gun cabinet with horn decoration ca. 1900
An antique Black Forest oak wood cabinet. Richly decorated with several antlers from the stag and fallow deer, wild boar...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Wood
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
Nutwood Edelweis Marquetry Chair Swiss Brienz 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Nutwood Edelweis Marquetry Chair Swiss Brienz 1900
A wonderful inlayed nutwood chair decorated with inlayed and painted sceneries depicting chamois, goat and edelweis flowers. Surro...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Nutwood
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
Stunning Large Wood Carved Capercaillie Black Forest Hat Coat Rack Wardrobe 1900
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful 20th century German Black Forest hat or coat rack wall wardrobe with small deer Antlers parts as hooks, mounted to a carved back. Nice addition to a hunters loge or just ...
Category
Early 1900s German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Hand-Carved Black Forest Bear with Aluminum Pot
Located in Barntrup, DE
Hand-carved Black Forest style bear with aluminum pot, from ca. the 1920s.
This beautiful hand-carved wooden, linden-wood, seated bear is holding an alum...
Category
1920s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
Wood Black Forest Brienz Carved Figural Gnome Nutcracker German Antique, 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1900s Black Forest Brienz wood carved Nutcracker in form of a Gnome. Nice addition to your room or just for use it on your desk.
Category
Early 1900s German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Antler Mirror with Console Table, Austria, ca. 1860
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Antler Mirror with Console Table, Austria, ca. 1860
A large antler mirror with console table, made in Austria ca. 1860. The mirror is de...
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Glass, Wood, Stucco
Large Oak Wood Desk with Antler Decorations by Rudolf Brix 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A large antique oak wood desk decorated with several antler pieces from the deer and the Virginia deer as well as wild boar tusks. The doors and sides carry animal heads (staghound and fox) made of pottery. A rare rustic furniture manufactured in Austria ca. 1900 by Rudolf Brix...
Category
19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Wood
Wooden Carved Black Forest Garden Fountain Water Spout 19th century
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Wooden Carved Black Forest Garden Fountain Water Spout 19th century
A large Black Forest wooden carved water spout featuring "Ruebezahl", which is the mountain spirit of the giant m...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Nutwood Edelweis Marquetry Chair Swiss Brienz 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Nutwood Edelweis Marquetry Chair Swiss Brienz 1900
A wonderful inlayed nutwood chair decorated with inlayed and painted sceneries depicting chamois, stag and edelweis flowers. Surro...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Nutwood
Large Wild Boar Trophy on Turned Wooden Plaque, Germany 1950s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Wild Boar Trophy on Turned Wooden Plaque, Germany 1950s
Item e6936
A vintage Black Forest wild boar (Sus scrofa) trophy on wooden plaque. The teeth a...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Wood
Wooden Black Forest Casket with Antlers Decoration circa 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Wooden Black Forest casket with antlers decoration circa 1900s
A marvelous rustic wooden casket or cigar box. It is made of handcarved pine wood p...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Wood
Antique Cabin Antler Wall Clock with Deer and Chamois Austria ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Cabin Antler Wall Clock with Deer and Chamois Austria ca. 1900
A great rustic antler wall clock. The wooden case is richly decorated with plaster applications, a plaster deer...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood, Plaster, Antler
Black Forest Vintage Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1947
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Black Forest Vintage Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1947
A large vintage deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved plaque. The plaque fea...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood, Antler
A Lovely Carved Black Forest Bear for Sewing Utensils, Pierre Michel, Brienz
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A Lovely Carved Black Forest Bear for Sewing Utensils, Pierre Michel, Brienz
Item e7285
A nicely carved Black Forest bear for sewing utensils. It features a pincushion, needle deposi...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Victorian Miniature Black forest Antler Casket 1860
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Victorian Miniature Black forest Antler Casket 1860
A marvelous antique rustic casket. It is made of wood, veneered with antler pieces. On top an antler plaque...
Category
Mid-19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Wood
Vintage Black Forest Deer Antler Trophy on Wood Carved Plaque, German, 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful vintage Black Forest deer antler trophy on hand carved, Black Forest wooden plaque. It measures approximate 16" high, 6 5/8" wide and 7 1/2" deep. A nice addition to your...
Category
1960s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Wood
Large Antique Antler Standing Mirror, Germany, ca. 1890
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large antique antler standing mirror, Germany, ca. 1890
A great antique Black Forest antler standing mirror manufactured in Germany around 1890. An oval wooden frame richly decorate...
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Glass, Wood
German Black Forest Wood Carved Figural Man Head Cork Bottle Stopper, 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Adorable wood and cork bottle stopper, Germany, 1930s. Ideal decoration bottle stopper. Great idea to surprise your guests or a very interesting gift.
Category
1930s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood, Cork
1950s German Alpine Pendant Light Carved Wood Climber with Lantern
Located in Barntrup, DE
Charming 1950s German Carved Wood Mountaineer Pendant Lamp with Yellow Glass Lantern
This delightful German figural pendant lamp from the 1950s f...
Category
1950s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Metal
Black Forest Sika Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque - Germany ca. 1950s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Black Forest Sika Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque - Germany ca. 1950s
Item e7343
A vintage 6 pointer sika deer (Cervus nippon) trophy from the Black Forest. The trophy was shot around 1...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Wood
Unknown, Oil on Canvas Painting Angel with Sleeping Child
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A great angelic oil painting depicting an angel sheltering a sleeping child from a snake. Oil painting on canvas with vigorous pastel colors. Framed wit...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Canvas
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
Fine Carved Wood Chamois Family by Ernst Heissl, circa 1900
By Ernst Heissl
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A delicately hand-carved wood sculpture of a chamois family. The item is very detailed and a classical natural carving by the Austrian woodcarver Ernst Heissl...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Oil Print with Dramatic Poacher Scene after Josef Ringeisen
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Oil Print with Dramatic Poacher Scene after Josef Ringeisen
A colorful oil print depicting a dramatic poaching scenery in the Bavarian alps....
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood
Large Group of Carved Cattles with Glass Vase Inset, Brienz ca. 1890
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Group of Carved Cattles with Glass Vase Inset, Brienz ca. 1890
A rare group of naturalistically carved cattles - bull, female cattle and young cattle standing around a stump. ...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Cut Glass, Wood
Pair of Black Forest Carved Walnut Bird Nest Wall-Mounted Consoles, ca. 1920
Located in Barntrup, DE
Pair of Black Forest style carved walnut wall-mounted consoles or shelves, birds nest, Germany, ca. 1920.
An adorable pair of wall-mounted consoles with beautifully and masterfully c...
Category
1920s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Metal
Goldfinch Viechtauer Hand Carved Wood Bird Black Forest Folk Art, 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
1910s Austrian Vintage Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
Antique Wooden Carved Cupboard with Several Carvings
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Wooden Carved Cupboard with Several Carvings
A detailed handcarved wooden buffet or cupboard with several elaborately carved wooden decorations depicting lion, putties, ange...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair Black Forest Carved Table Lamps with Ibex and Chamois
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Pair Black Forest Carved Table Lamps with Ibex and Chamois
A beautiful pair of wooden carved table lamps depicting an ibex and a chamois fam...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Goldfinch Viechtauer Hand Carved Wood Bird Black Forest Folk Art, 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
Vintage Black Forest Porcellaine Tobacco Pipe with Capercaillie
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Black Forest Porcellaine Tobacco Pipe with Capercaillie
A vintage Black Forest porcellaine tobacco pipe with a capercaillie picture on the pipe head. The pipe is executed in...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood, Porcelain
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
Antique Set of Rustic Hunters Knives with Chamois Horn Handles
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Set of Rustic hunters knives with Chamois Horn handles
A rare antique set of six knives. The handles are made of genuine chamois horn and feature a decorated silver knob on ...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Metal
Antique Set of Rustic Carter Cutlery with Carved Horn Handles 18th
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Set of Rustic Carter Cutlery with Carved Horn Handles 18th
A rare antique set of knife and fork as serving cutlery. The handles are made of deer horn with handcarved heads o...
Category
Mid-18th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Metal
Antique Business Card Tray with Deer Antler Decorations, Germany, ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Business card tray with deer horn antler decorations, Germany ca. 1900
A rustic business card tray, made of turned nut wood with deer antle...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of Rare Antler Parlor Chairs, French, ca. 1860
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Pair of rare Antler Parlor chairs, French ca. 1860
The two very rare antler parlor chairs are made of stag antlers with feet carved as lions claws. French, ca. 1860 - covering renew...
Category
Mid-19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Fur, 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
Antique Photo Album with Wooden Carved Cover, Brienz ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Photo Album with Wooden Carved Cover, Brienz ca. 1900
A great antique photo album featuring a lindenwood carved cover depicting grapes, vines ...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Wooden Micro Carving Plaque by Johann Rint ca. 1880
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Wooden Micro Carving Plaque by Johann Rint ca. 1880
A small wall plaque with detailed relief carvings worked out of linden wood by Johann Rint ca. 1880....
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Finely Carved Statue of a Bull, Black Forest ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Finely carved statue of a bull ca. 1900
The antique Black Forest carving of a bull which is chafing on a tree stump. It was made most pro...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Oil Print with Dramatic Poacher Scene After Josef Ringeisen
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Oil Print with Dramatic Poacher Scene after Josef Ringeisen
A colorful oil print depicting a dramatic poaching scenery in the Bavarian for...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood
Large Antique Photo Album with Wooden Carved Cover, Brienz ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Antique Photo Album with Wooden Carved Cover, Brienz ca. 1900
A lovely antique photo album featuring a lindenwood carved cover depicting a hunte...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Head of a Sicilian Puppet, ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Head of a Sicilian puppet, ca. 1900s
Antique Head of a Sicilian puppet depicting a knight. Made of handcarved and handpainted wood with handfo...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian 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 Set of Rustic Serving Cutlery with Carved Horn Handles, 19th Century
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique set of rustic serving cutlery with carved horn handles 19th century.
A rare antique set of knife and fork as serving cutlery. The handles are made of deer horn with handcarv...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Metal
Antique Bell Belt with Eight Brass Bells, Tyrol ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Bell Belt with Eight Brass Bells, Tyrol ca. 1900s
An antique bell belt with eight brass bells from the Tyrolian Alps ca. 1900s. Bell belts are used to locate goats or sheep ...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Metal
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
Great Lodge Style Antler Mantel Clock 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Great Lodge Style Antler Mantel Clock 1900
A rare antique lodge style mantel clock. Oakwood case, richly decorated with antlers from the deer and fallow deer, mountain goat antlers ...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood, Antler
Antique Set of Rustic Hunters Cutlery with Chamois Horn Handles
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique set of rustic hunters cutlery with chamois horn handles
A rustic set of six knives and forks. The handles are made of genuine chamois horn and feature a decorated silver kno...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Metal
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.