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Black Forest Furniture

BLACK FOREST STYLE

Although its name evokes a mountainous region in Germany, antique Black Forest–style furniture originated in Switzerland. In Brienz, during the early 19th century, wood-carver Christian Fischer recognized the market for tourist souvenirs and helped make the village into a wood-carving destination. The Brienz Woodcarving School was founded in 1884 and had its own small zoo for studying the anatomy of animals, depictions of which are a defining aspect of the style, also known as Brienzerware.

Whimsical sculptures, often depicting bears and other Alpine animals like stags, owls, deer and boars, characterize the work produced in the area. Along with folk art and decorative objects, Black Forest furniture included benches held aloft by bears, umbrella stands carved with acorns and clock cases adorned with scrolling oak leaves. While most wood-carvers adhered to a similar realism in their designs and woods like linden, maple and walnut, their aesthetics varied.

The F. Peter Trauffer family was known for their hand-carved bear sculptures that saw the furry mammals playing instruments, smoking pipes and engaging in all sorts of human activities. They were sometimes detailed with glass eyes and integrated into functional pieces of furniture, including chair backs and bench legs, which generations of cabinetmakers created from the 1880s to the 1950s. Walter Mader and his son Heinrich frequently carved Saint Bernard sculptures that they incorporated into furniture.

As the Black Forest furniture style spread around the world through exhibitions at world’s fairs in the 19th and early 20th centuries, the rusticity of these pieces resonated at a time of increasing urbanization, inspiring other artisans.

Find a collection of antique Black Forest cabinets, bedroom furniture, seating and other items on 1stDibs.

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Item Ships From: USA
Style: Black Forest
Black Forest Carved Dog Inkwell
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Swiss carved black Forest shaggy dog inkwell with pen holder. In the 1800’s the wood carving industry of Switzerland started in the town of Brienz. By the ...
Category

19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Black Forest Carved Candle Holder
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Black Forest candle holder with tree and standing chamois. Part of the Brienz Collection but not published. In the 1800’s the wood carving industry of Swi...
Category

19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair of Black Forest Style Wall Plaques Circa 1880
Located in Bernville, PA
Pair of Black Forest style wall plaques C.1880’s. Each plaque displays beautifully detailed wood carvings, first photo consists of a fish carving and the other plaque consists of a b...
Category

Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Oak

German Black Forest Carved Boar Bookends
Located in San Mateo, CA
Pair of black forest carved boar bookends. The carving on these has excellent detail and craftsmanship. These were purchased by an army major that was stat...
Category

1940s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Black Forest Swiss 1900s Carved Wooden Fragment with Bear Motif and Gilt Accents
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Black Forest period carved wooden fragment from the early 20th century, with bear motif. hand carved in Switzerland during the turn of the century, this wooden fragment features a ...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century Black Forest Music Box
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Swiss cylinder music box . 21 1/2" cylinder playing 12 tunes. Housed in a Black Forest carved exhibition box with a carved chamois doe with fa...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Other

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

19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century Black Forest Carved Unusual Bear Bench
Located in High Point, NC
An excellent example of a 19th century Black Forest carved wooden bear bench from Switzerland made from linden wood. The bench having h...
Category

19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Fruitwood

Pair of 19th Century French Carved Walnut "Cabaret Figures" Lamp Bases
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a wine cellar or a bar with this pair of antique "cabaret" lamps. Crafted in France circa 1880, each black forest sculpture stands on a round base and features a carved male...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Black Forest Carved Bear with Pen Inkwell
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Swiss bear with log pen rest and inkwell. Published in "Black Forest Bears and Swiss Woodcarvings," plate 93a. Book included. In the 1800’s the wood carving...
Category

19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Small Black Forrest Carving of a Bear, 19th Century
Located in Doylestown, PA
A small antique wood carving of a bear on all fours, Black Forest region, nicely modeled, circa 1870.
Category

19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Antique French Bookcase Hunt Cabinet Display Buffet Black Forest Oak 19th C
Located in Tyler, TX
Superb 19th century antique French oak renaissance black forest "Hunt" cabinet, bookcase, cupboard or display cabinet~ c. 1870s This is only one of multiple exquisite pieces recently received from our European shipper~~wonderful hand-carved oak pieces in the highly sought after Black Forest, Gothic, Renaissance Revival and Barley Twist styles~~19th century and in unbelievably spectacular condition! If you're looking for that special and unique "statement piece" for your home or office, please view these items in our inventory! Black Forest furniture (commonly known as "Hunt" style) was very popular in late 19th century France~~characterized by highly carved game such as rabbits, pheasants, foxes and hunting dogs~~~complemented by fruit, nut, floral, rosette, nut, ribbon accents or Gothic elements This cabinet is a great size with beautiful French flourish~~a customer favorite! Original "wavy" glass in upper cabinet doors with intricately carved arched surrounds...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Oak

Black Forest Modeled Bear Piano Stool, Late 20th Century
Located in North Miami, FL
A fantastic hand carved bear piano stool with extendable seat. It was hand carved in Switzerland, Brienz, circa 1890’s. Original glass eyes.
Category

Early 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Black Forest Carved Bear with Pen Inkwell
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Walking bear pen holder and inkwell. Published in "Black Forest Bears and Swiss Woodcarvings," plate 92a. Book included. In the 1800’s the wood carving industry of Switzerland started in the town of Brienz. By the end of the 1800’s it had become the driving force for this industry. Swiss wood carvers became world renown and featured at many international exhibitions. Period: 1900 Origin: Switzerland Size: 4" H x 7" W Family Owned & Operated Cisco’s Gallery deals in the rare, exceptional, and one-of-a-kind pieces that define the history of America and the Old West. Our pieces range from American Indian to Cowboy Western and include original items of everyday life, commerce, art, and warfare that tamed America’s frontier. Our 14,000 square foot gallery opened in 1996 in beautiful Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Personal Service Cisco’s operates on old fashioned values – honesty and integrity, and all of our items are backed by our money back guarantee. We appreciate the opportunity to earn your business. Whether you desire assistance with a jewelry purchase, choosing a gift, identification, or even selling – we hope to be your trusted source. Black Forest, Brienz Collection, Carvings, Bears, Inkwells, Desk Accessories...
Category

19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Black Forest Carved Walnut & Polychromed 'Three Bears' Bench
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Black Forest carved walnut & polychromed 'Three Bears' bench Inspired by "The Story of the Three Bears" by Robert Southey. An exceptional example, realistically carved and modeled, with sparse polychrome decoration. Consisting of three parts, Poppa Bear...
Category

20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Black Forest Carved Bear Motif Wood Box with Swing-Out Compartment
Located in Cincinnati, OH
This unusual antique Black Forest box features a pair of fully dimensional bears cavorting at the base of a tree stump. The mother and cub hav...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Glass, Wood

19th century French Carved Oak Console Sofa Foyer Table Sideboard Black Forest
Located in Shreveport, LA
19th century French carved oak console sofa foyer table sideboard Black Forest ~Direct from France~ ~Stunning hand carving on this oversized 19th century French table/console!~ ~Lar...
Category

1880s French Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Oak

Set of Eight 1920s Black Forest Dining Room Chairs with Hand-Carved Floral Décor
Located in Atlanta, GA
A set of eight Black Forest dining room chairs from the early 20th century, with carved foliage décor and upholstery. Created during the first quarter of the 20th century, this set o...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Monumental Antique German Black Forest Eagle Chamois Mantel Hunt Clock
Located in Dayton, OH
"Monumental 19th century antique German Black Forest mantel clock featuring carved high relief details with a winged bald eagle mounted ato...
Category

Mid-19th Century Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Hardwood

Three Piece Black Forrest Center Bowl with Garniture Trumpet Vases
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A three piece Black Forest set consisting of and oval pedestal center bow with two flanking wood and etched glass trumpet garniture. The set is a medium hand carved black forest Germany...
Category

1880s German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Cut Glass, Walnut

Black Forest Carved Cat Match Holder
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Swiss carved match holder with a cat with glass eyes seated beside a pitcher. In the 1800’s the wood carving industry of Switzerland started in the...
Category

19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century Black Forest Carved Wood Fish Trophy Wall Plaque
Located in Austin, TX
Oversize and spectacular 19th century Black Forest carved wood trophy wall plaque with a large fish. Beautiful carved border with acanthus leaves. Measur...
Category

1880s French Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Carved & Painted Troubadour or Minstrel, Nodder Figure with a Violin
Located in Nantucket, MA
19th Century carved and painted wood figure of a troubadour or minstrel wearing a hat and long coat with his trousers tucked into knee-high boots and having a violin under one arm wi...
Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Abalone, Gesso, Pine, Paint

Black Forrest Carved Oak Hinged Boar Head Cellarette with Bone Tusk, C. 1870
Located in Hollywood, SC
Black Forrest hand carved oak hinged boar head cellarette with bone tusk, carved intertwined branches with oak leaves, and resting on decorative foliate scr...
Category

1870s German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Iron

Antique Oak Tavern, Pub, Wine Cellar 1920s Hand Carved Figural Chandelier
Located in Toledo, OH
Antique oak large scale tavern, pub or wine cellar chandelier circa 1920s. Original finish. Hand carved full figure of a child holding a basket ...
Category

1920s Unknown Vintage Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Black Forest Carved Ink Stand with Fox and Inkwells, Brienz, Switzerland c. 1880
Located in Banner Elk, NC
Black Forest Carved Inkstand, naturalistically hand-carved of solid linden wood, with the central figure of a fox among a rootwork base simulating a forest floor, with two tree stump...
Category

19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Black Forest Musical Fruit Bowl, circa 1900
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Musical Black Forest carved fruit bowl with grape and vine motif and handles. Plays music when picked up and set down. Would make a great gift or col...
Category

Early 1900s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Other

19th Century Black Forest Bear Hall Stand
Located in Miami, FL
19th century Black Forest carved bears hall tree with umbrella stand and original beveled glass mirror. Finely detailed expert carving and glass ...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Carved Black Forest Trunk, France, circa 1890
Located in Atlanta, GA
French Black Forest carved wood trunk with hinged lift top and grapevine motif, circa 1890.
Category

1890s French Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Swiss Black Forest Carved Wooden Planter Box/Jardinière, circa 1880
Located in Evergreen, CO
Graceful and elegant, this beautiful wooden planter box features a pierced front carving of a floral basket flanked by scrolled grape vines. The bac...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique French Mirror Black Forest Oak Framed or Standing Mirrored Firescreen
Located in Tyler, TX
Exquisite 19th century antique French Qak Black Forest beveled framed mirror or firescreen~~c. 1880s We were fortunate enough to obtain this outstanding mirror or firescreen and other contents of a French castle estate~~most certainly commissioned pieces for a family of wealth or royalty~~High quality 19th century Black Forest, Gothic and Renaissance Revival pieces in spectacular condition Black Forest furniture...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Oak

Black Forest 1900s Carved Wooden Wall Hanging Ornament with Bear and Oval Mirror
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Black Forest carved wooden wall hanging ornament from the early 20th century, with bear motif and central mirror. Created during the early years of the 20th century, this Black Forest piece captures our attention with its charming depiction of a bear sitting on the branch of a tree shaped as deer antlers while the lower section showcases a petite oval mirror. With its rustic presence and skillful depiction, this Black Forest wall hanging...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Wood

19th Century French Black Forest Carved Walnut and Porcelain Jardinière
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant antique planter was crafted in France, circa 1870. Rectangular in shape with scrolled decor and scalloped edge, the detailed planter stands on small curved feet, and is ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Porcelain, Walnut

Rustic Black Forest Walnut Cat Bookends
Located in New York, NY
Rustic Black Forest (19th Century) carved walnut adjustable bookends with cat figures.
Category

19th Century Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Antique Deer Hoof Table Lamp
Located in San Francisco, CA
A circa 1920s, American table lamp composed of a tri-hoof deer leg, with blackened, brass strap detail and pull cord. 16.5” height x 8” wide.   
Category

1920s North American Vintage Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Brass

Collection of Nine Black Forest Antler Mounts on Hand-Carved Wood PlaquesPriced
Located in Buchanan, MI
Collection of nine black forest antler mounts on hand-carved wood plaques. Priced per mount.
Category

19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Antler, Walnut

19th Century French Black Forest Carved Walnut Jardinière with Zinc Liner
Located in Dallas, TX
This beautiful, walnut, Black Forest jardinière carved as a wooden log was crafted in France, circa 1870. The rectangular fruitwood planter features hand carved floral, tree branches...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Rustic Black Forest Humidor Box
Located in New York, NY
Rustic Black Forest (19thcentury) walnut carved humidor box with faux wood design and smoking motif on top (interior of top has smoking accessories...
Category

19th Century Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Folding Beer Hall Table
Located in Sheffield, MA
Authentic German beer hall folding table. Pair of matching folding benches available. Bench dimensions: 11" D x 86" x 18" H. Great as picnic tables an...
Category

Early 2000s German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Steel

"Bavarian Sonnenaufgang" by Erwin Kettemann
Located in Wiscasset, ME
Oil on canvas, signed lower right. Erwin Kettemann (1897–1971) was a landscape painter from Munich. He was a representative of late Impressionism as well as the 19th century “Karlsr...
Category

1930s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture

Black Forest Carving "The Hunter" Attributed to Johann Huggler
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
The Hunter attributed to Johann Huggler (1834-1912) Of Brienz - a small town in Bernese Oberland, Canton Bern Switzerland. When one looks at the old photographs of Johann Huggler, this is a self - portrait. Johann Huggler was known as the "King of the Carvers" of Brienz. The few carvings that survived until this day pay homage to the mastery with which he carved animals and human figures. It was he who opened the Swiss wood carving...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Walnut

19th Century Black Forest Carved Cabinet
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Swiss carved china cabinet. Front door has bear paying accordion. Mother and father dancing together as cub plays close by. Two bears supporting shelves. Two drawers for flatware. Be...
Category

Early 1900s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Collection Of Twenty Black Forest Roe Mounts
Located in Buchanan, MI
COLLECTION OF TWENTY BLACK FOREST ROE MOUNTS PRICED PER MOUNT
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Walnut, Antler

Black Forest Carving "The Hunter" Attributed to Johann Huggler
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
The Hunter attributed to the Huggler's (1834-1912) Of Brienz - a small town in Bernese Oberland, Canton Bern Switzerland. A carving of a huntsman holding a cock pheasant. This appear...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Black Forest Carved Bird Plaque
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Swiss carved walnut plaque with game bird and two chicks with vine and leaf design. Part of the Brienz Collection but not published. Period: circ...
Category

1920s Swiss Vintage Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair Black Forest Carved Hanging Game Plaques
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Matched pair of Black Forest linden wood hanging game plaques. One with chamois and grouse, the other red stag and fox. Both complete with rifle and game ...
Category

Early 1900s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Wild Vietnamese Cheetah Hooked Rug
Located in New York, NY
A late 20th century one of a kind Hooked Rug with 10 cheetahs on a 4 long branches on a green and black large leaf pattern Measures: 5' x 8'.   
Category

Late 20th Century Vietnamese Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wool

Early 20th Century Hand Carved Wall Plaques
Located in High Point, NC
Early 20th century set of three hand carved wall plaques which have been meticulously carved in the designs of European village landscapes. The...
Category

Early 1900s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Fruitwood

Collection of Nine Black Forest Antler Mounts on Hand-Carved Wood Plaques Priced
Located in Buchanan, MI
Collection of nine black Forest antler mounts on hand-carved wood plaques, great color and patina. Priced per mount.
Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture

Swiss Hand Carved Black Forest Figure of a Fox with Thermometer, circa 1880
Located in Banner Elk, NC
Swiss hand-carved Black Forest figure of a fox with thermometer, Brienz, Switzerland, circa 1880 in linden wood, with the original antique thermometer...
Category

1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Carved Inkwell, Swiss Milk Cow, Late 19th Century
Located in Dallas, TX
This intriguing Black Forest inkwell has been meticulously hand carved from wood and dates to 19th century Switzerland. The piece depicts two men attempting to milk a cow. The man wearing a hat is struggling to control the cow by pulling on the bovine’s tail; his bespectacled partner is situated next to the cow in an attempt to milk it. The ground immediately beneath these three figures is a rocky formation of varying height. Below this is a wooden terrain that also has quite a lot of depth. Among the forest-like environment, there are two indentations that house the colored and cut glass inkwells. The colored portions of the mushroom-shaped wells are a rustic orange that ties in nicely with the dark brown wood used in the carving. The wells are then capped with silvered lids. One of the glass containers has a perforated top, which would have held the pounce or sand (pounce pot). This would have permitted the writer to sprinkle the sand on the paper before inking to aid in the drying process. Excess pounce was often poured back into the container. The milk cows...
Category

19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Cut Glass, Wood

Black Forest Carved Jewelry Box, circa 1900
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Beautiful hand carved Black Forest footed jewelry box with two song birds as finials. Comes with original key. Unique find. Origin: Switzerland,...
Category

Early 1900s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Black Forest Carved Jewelry Box, circa 1900
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Footed oval Black Forest jewelry box with floral finials. Stunning piece. Origin: Switzerland, circa 1900 Dimensions: 8" x 5" x 5". Family Owned & Operated Cisco’s Gallery deals ...
Category

Early 1900s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Large German Black Forest Carved Mirror with Bird Motif from the 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
This large late 19th century French mirror is set within a rectangular carved Black Forest style crested wooden frame. The intricate decor is composed of beautifully detailed openwork intertwined vines with leaves and grapes while a bird with its spread wings just landed on the crest. The artistically distributed foliage is highly decorative and the very naturalistically carved bird brings an unexpected and charming presence to the piece. This wooden German Black Forest style mirror...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Wood

Large Floor Size Vintage Beige Green Muave Accent Turkish Rug Pillow
Located in New York, NY
Large pillow made from a Turkish rug with a solid cotton back and zipper closure. Foam fill. Beige green mauve accents. Measures: 24" x 33".
Category

20th Century Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Cotton, Foam, Wool

Black Forest Carved Swiss Entry Table with Bears
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Swiss Black Forest carved entry or hall table with two smiling standing bears holding a log over their shoulders as front legs. Tabletop surrounded by car...
Category

2010s Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Pine

19th Century Swiss Black Forest Carved Walnut Mantel Clock with Cherubs and Bird
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate your buffet or mantel with this monumental antique fruitwood clock. Crafted in Switzerland, circa 1860, the masterpiece time keeper features two hand carved seated cherubs holding a grape basket with a duck, frog and reed decor underneath. The center face has blue enamel roman numbers, and the clock mechanism has been cleaned and checked by our clock expert, and is in very good working order. This important clock...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Enamel

Black Forest Carved Swiss Entry Mirror with Climbing Bears
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Large Swiss Black Forest carved entry or hall mirror with climbing bears both sides and pine boughs with pine cones at top and bottom. Carved by Swiss mas...
Category

2010s Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Other

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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