Black Forest Furniture
BLACK FOREST STYLE
Although its name evokes a mountainous region in Germany, antique Black Forest–style furniture originated in Switzerland. In Brienz, during the early 19th century, wood-carver Christian Fischer recognized the market for tourist souvenirs and helped make the village into a wood-carving destination. The Brienz Woodcarving School was founded in 1884 and had its own small zoo for studying the anatomy of animals, depictions of which are a defining aspect of the style, also known as Brienzerware.
Whimsical sculptures, often depicting bears and other Alpine animals like stags, owls, deer and boars, characterize the work produced in the area. Along with folk art and decorative objects, Black Forest furniture included benches held aloft by bears, umbrella stands carved with acorns and clock cases adorned with scrolling oak leaves. While most wood-carvers adhered to a similar realism in their designs and woods like linden, maple and walnut, their aesthetics varied.
The F. Peter Trauffer family was known for their hand-carved bear sculptures that saw the furry mammals playing instruments, smoking pipes and engaging in all sorts of human activities. They were sometimes detailed with glass eyes and integrated into functional pieces of furniture, including chair backs and bench legs, which generations of cabinetmakers created from the 1880s to the 1950s. Walter Mader and his son Heinrich frequently carved Saint Bernard sculptures that they incorporated into furniture.
As the Black Forest furniture style spread around the world through exhibitions at world’s fairs in the 19th and early 20th centuries, the rusticity of these pieces resonated at a time of increasing urbanization, inspiring other artisans.
Find a collection of antique Black Forest cabinets, bedroom furniture, seating and other items on 1stDibs.
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Style: Black Forest
19th Century French Black Forest Carved Light Oak Mirror with Foliage Motifs
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a powder room, a study or hallway with this heavily carved antique mirror. Created in France circa 1880 and carved of oak, the Black Forest frame features a tree branch knot...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Oak
Rustic Black Forest Walnut Bear Settee
Located in Queens, NY
Rustic Black Forest style (20th Cent) carved walnut settee with bear sides suppports and center hat tree
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood, Mirror
Antique Black Forest Hand Carved Mirror Original 2nd Matching Mirror Available
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Black Forest Mirror (one-half of a pair), that were part of a major collection of Black Forest items sold by a Chateau outside of ...
Category
1870s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Glass, Mercury Glass, Mirror, Wood
$5,200 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique tobacco box carved wood and bronze
Located in Vienna, AT
Antique rare tobacco box carved from wood with bronze mount
naturalistic dog head
Category
1880s Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
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
Black Forest Handmade Cushion Hunting Scene Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Handmade cushion "Kitzbühel" in olive and ligth grey wool fabric with a stitched chamois figure in the style of Black Forest. The fringe all around is made by hand in the style of th...
Category
2010s Austrian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wool
Large Antique Black Forest Brienz Hand Carved Wood Bear Humidor Sculpture
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This large antique humidor is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from Austria and date to approximately 1900 and done in the period Black Forest style. This well executed scul...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Softwood
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
$1,400 Sale Price
20% Off
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
19th Century French Black Forest Carved Walnut and Glass Complete Liquor Box
Located in Dallas, TX
Create an elegant bar area with this antique "Cave à Liqueur"! Created in France, circa 1870 and shaped as a house log cabin, the rectangular Black Forest Tantalus is decorated on the top with a carved floral medallion in high relief. The side and front glass panels are all decorated with an arched glass window form. Lifting the top, it features an inside removable caddy with a complete set of 16 cut glass cordials decorated with gilt motifs, and four matching carafes with glass...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Glass, Walnut
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
$2,348 Sale Price
49% Off
A ‘Black Forest’ walnut plaque of the “Lion of Lucerne”
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A ‘Black Forest’ walnut plaque of the “Lion of Lucerne”, of rectangular form with a recess showing a dying lion resting on two shields, the motto “Helvetiorum Fidei Ac Virtuti dei X ...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Bavarian Antler Settee
Located in New York, NY
Rare late 19th century Bavarian deer antler settee. A three-section settee with large fallow deer antler-shaped backs and natural red deer antler arms. Expertly crafted with interloc...
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Leather, Ivory
$25,250
Antique Musical circa 1880 Black Forest Hand Carved Fox Whip Hook Glass Eyes
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this exceptionally rare, Musical, original circa 1880 Swiss made Black Forest wood, Fox whip hook with glass eyes
These...
Category
1880s Swedish Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Fine Black Forest 'Goat' Hall Chair
Located in New York, NY
Fine Black Forest 'Goat' Hall Chair, late 19th Century.
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th Century Swiss Black Forest Carved Walnut and Fabric Upholstered Armchair
Located in Haarlem, NL
Walnut Black Forest or Schwarzwald chair with back, armrests and seat upholstery in original flower and fruit fabric.
The chair is carved in a branch and vine effect which includes v...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Upholstery, Walnut
$2,560 Sale Price
20% Off
Black Forest Marquetry Table Top
Located in Savannah, GA
A Black Forest marquetry hunt scene table top wall-hanging, 19th century.
36 ¼ by 27 ¼ inches
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Black Forest Carved Walnut Cabinet
Located in Queens, NY
Rustic Black Forest (19th Century) carved walnut cabinet on stand with birds and floral filigree apron.
Category
19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Antique 19th Century Black Forest Antler Horn Sofa, Swiss/German c.1890
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A very unusual hall sofa or side sofa made in the Black Forest region of south-west Germany bordering Switzerland. The horns are intertwined and finished with carvings of Black Fores...
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Fabric
19th Century French Black Forest Carved Walnut Hand Mirror with Beveled Glass
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in France circa 1870, the antique Louis XV style hand mirror with elegant serpentine handle, features hand carved floral and leaf motifs throughout the frame; the vanity mirr...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Mercury Glass, Walnut
19th Century Swiss Black Forest Carved Walnut Tilt-Top Table with Village Scene
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in Switzerland circa 1860, this exquisite Black Forest occasional table features a round, tilt-top surface set over a carved twist stem and a sculptural tripod base ending in...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Black Forest Carved Walnut Bear
Located in Queens, NY
Rustic Black Forest (19/20th Cent) carved walnut small figure of a walking bear with face pointed up. (similar to BAS039)
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
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
19th Century Black Forest Clock
By Black Forest
Located in London, GB
A late 19th century walnut clock, very finely carved with four deer flanking the carved clock with roman numerals.
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
19th Century German Black Forest Carved Clock Mounted Lamp - No shade
Located in Atlanta, GA
An exceptional large scale 19th century black forest mantle clock with fine carved mountain goats and tree forms to the body - resting on a g...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Quartz
$3,436 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique 19th Century Swiss Black Forest Stag Coat Rack / Hat Rack Carved Hallway
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Gorgeous small coat rack / kitchen rack from Switzerland 1890s hand carved Black Forest stag with brass hooks.
This will look simply amazing in your kitchen hung full with towels or...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Brass
Large Heavy Cast Iron 3 Bulb Flush Mounts - Matching Pair
Located in Peekskill, NY
I can'y believe we have a pair of these amazing flush mounts. Also these can hang from pipe to be chandeliers. The floral ring is heavy iron with a deep cast details. It has the feel of a carved Black Forrest Coo Coo clock...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Iron
Rare black Forest rooster inkwell 19th century Swiss glass eyes hand carved
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Gorgeous most rare Swiss Black Forest 19th century Inkwell / desk accessory fully hand carved displaying a dog wearing a hat and monocle.
Detailed carving by a master carver. Comes w...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood
Rustic Black Forest Floral Easel
Located in Queens, NY
Rustic Black Forest (19th Cent) walnut floral carved easel stand.
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Pair of 19th-Century Black Forest Carved Wood Game Bird Trophy Plaques
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Black Forest Carved-Game Trophy Plaques, late 19th Century
Superbly hand-carved in deep relief, each oval plaque presents a freshly taken game-bird—a woodcock on one, a partr...
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of Rustic Black Forest Carved Walnut Armchairs
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Rustic Black Forest (19th Cent) carved walnut open Armchairs with leaf and grape design filigree back and bear heads on arms with etched seat
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
$42,500 / set
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
Late 19th Century Black Forest Farm House Chair Wood Painted Germany
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hand-painted wooden farm house chair in the style of Black forest in blue-green color with a medaillon showing two sheeps.
Original color and paintin...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th Century black forest carving of a fox
Located in Martlesham, GB
A lovely ornate 19th Century black forest carving of a fox, sitting cross legged reading a book, the fox wearing a jacket and seems to be sitting on a rock with various foliage and a...
Category
1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Set of 10 Rustic Black Forest Walnut Side Chairs
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 10 Rustic Black Forest (19th Cent) walnut side chairs with shaped seat and back with filigree carving and animals.
Category
19th Century European Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
$35,000 / set
Linden Wood Black Forest Bear Hall Tree, circa 1900 Attributed to Seilar-Brawant
Located in Evergreen, CO
An excellent example of turn of the century Brienz Swiss carving in linden wood. There are many Swiss carvers well known for carving certain subjects and Seilar-Brawant is known for ...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood
$12,998 Sale Price
49% Off
Set of Six Wine Goblets Green Crystal Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
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
1920s German Black Forest Planter with Vines and Four Truncated Pots
Located in Atlanta, GA
This early 20th century Black Forest wood planter is composed of a shaped base supporting four boles, a very short one in front, a great one in the center flanked by two shorter tilt...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Set of Six German Black Forest Schnapps Glasses Green with Hunting Scene
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six Schnapps glasses. Handblown crystal in green. Hand-edged with a decor of deer and leaves decor in the style of black forest. Handmade by So...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Crystal
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 lamp bases. Crafted in France circa 1880, each sculpture stands on a round base and fea...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Pair of Vintage German Carved Black Forest Mounted Deer Wall Sculptures
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Set of two similar Black Forest carved and hand-painted 'stag' sculptures with real antlers mounted to decorative 'wreath' plaques for wall hanging (ca. 1930s/40s, Germany).
One deer...
Category
1940s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Wood, Paint
19th Century Black Forest Carved Walnut and Crystal Center Piece with Goat Decor
Located in Dallas, TX
Dress a table or a console with this elegant antique black forest center piece composition. Crafted in Switzerland (or France) circa 1870, the glass vase rests on a leafy branch shap...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Cut Glass, Walnut
19th Century Rustic Black Forest Mirror, Hand Carved, Austria, circa 1880
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Extraordinary rustic Black Forest wall mirror from the late 19th century in Austria. Elaborately handcarved out of fine basswood, this exceptional antique mirror shows an amazing rur...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Softwood
Antique Black Forest Hand-Carved Brown Wooden Trinket Jewellery Box, circa 1900
Located in Greven, DE
Antique Black Forest Hand-Carved Brown Wooden Trinket Jewellery Box
Continental
Wood, Textile, Metal
c. 1900
Dimensions: H x W x D: 9cm x 15cm x 9.5cm
This hand-carved trinket bo...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Black Forest Porcelain Bowl Hand Painted Deer Figure Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
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
19th Century Small Carved Walnut Black Forest Perched Eagle Wall Mirror
Located in Norwich, GB
Beautiful 19th century hand-carved walnut Black Forest wall mirror, adorned with grapevines and leaves around a shield, with eagle perched above. Circa 1880.
The original heavily fo...
Category
19th Century European Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Walnut
Hand Blown Wine Goblet Green Crystal Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hand blown wine goblet 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 pedestal co...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Crystal
19th Century black forest carving
Located in Martlesham, GB
A wonderful and unique 19th Century black forest carving of an elderly man sitting on a tree trunk holding a newspaper, the front of the tree trunk encased behind a circular glass wi...
Category
1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Black Forest Carved Wood w Original Fabric Side Chairs, Pair
Located in North Miami, FL
These side chairs are magnificent example of Southern Germany/ Austrian carved wood with amazing details including mythological dragons and flora....
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Brocade, Fruitwood
19th century Swiss limewood carving of a man playing an instrument circa 1880
Located in Central England, GB
A Black Forest hand-carved limewood figure portrays a young man from the medieval period dressed in a cloaked tunic and open-toed boots playing a set of traditional Swiss bagpipes ca...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
A Black Forest lindenwood mountain dog stick stand
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A Black Forest lindenwood mountain dog stick stand, in the form of a shaggy dog standing on his hind legs holding a circle of twisted branches in his front paws, the base also of si...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th Century Carved Wood 3rd Station of the Cross, 'Jesus Falls’, Switzerland
Located in Buffalo, NY
19th century carved wood 3rd station of the cross, 'JESUS FALLS’ carved in Switzerland, recently acquired from Holy Angels Church located in Buffalo New Yo...
Category
1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Black Forest Austrian Pair of Red Deer Fur Cushions Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Pair of soft red deer fur cushions with white spots. Backside grey and camel cashmere wool.
The fur comes from the Kitzbuehel alps.
Category
2010s Austrian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Fur
Vintage Sarah Gayle Carter Black Forest Hooked Rug
Located in Dallas, TX
79239 Vintage Sarah Gayle Carter Black Forest Hooked Rug, 13'00 x 15'00. This vintage Sarah Gayle Carter “Black Forest” rug is a rare harmony of cottagecore charm and Art Nouveau ele...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wool
Large Black Forest Model of the Lion of Lucerne Dated 1867
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A large Black Forest model of the Lion of Lucerne dated 1867, after Bertel Thorvaldsen, carved from stained linden wood, the dying lion depicted beside two c...
Category
1860s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Black Forest Cushion Handmade Fringe Hunting Scene Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Handmade cushion in brilliant dark
blue, red 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 ...
Category
2010s Austrian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Linen
ANTiQUE GERMAN BLACK FOREST CARVED RAMS HEAD ANTLER SUPPER TABLE PART OF A SUITE
By Black Forest
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this very rare original German late 19th century black forest antler supper cafe side table which is part of...
Category
Early 1900s German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Early 20th Century German Hand Painted Ceramic Hunt Scene Wall Platter
Located in Dallas, TX
This large, richly colored ceramic platter was crafted in Germany circa 1920 and captures the rustic charm of a traditional Black Forest hunt scene. Round in shape, the hand-painted ...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
20th Century Rustic Wall Mirror With Golden Bars, Tramp Art, Austria dated 1901
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Peerless rustic wooden wall mirror from Austria, dated to 1901. A very special designed wall mirror with a golden bar on the inside and slightly protruding corners. Artfully handcarv...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Softwood
Vintage Chamois Trophy on Carved Plaque, Germany 1950s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Chamois Trophy on Carved Plaque, Germany 1950s
An vintage chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) trophy mounted on a wooden carved plaque. The trophy was shot in the 1950s in Germany...
Category
1950s German Vintage 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.