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
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 French Black Forest Carved Hunt Trophies Sculptures, Set of 4
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a ranch or hunting lodge with this suite of elegant antique Black Forest wall plaques. Carved in France circa 1870, and built of walnut wood, each plaque is octagonal in sha...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
19th Century Black Forest Hanging Wall Box
Located in High Point, NC
19th century Black Forest small hanging wall box. The entire piece is hand carved to have the appearance of boards with hand carved appearance of gra...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
Antique Black Forest Carved Wooden Pug Inkwell, 19th Century Dog Carving
Located in Bristol, GB
Antique Carving in the Form of a Dog
Raised up on his hind legs, the head with original glass eyes tilts back to reveal the original glass inkwell ins...
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Metal
Black Forest Porcelain Figure Fox Handpainted Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Completely handmade porcelain figure with a hands-free naturalistic hand-painted fox in brown colors in the style of Black Forest. Handmade in Bavaria/Germany by Sofina Boutique Kitz...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Finely Carved Wood Thermometer Stand Hunter and Staghound, 1910
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Finely Carved Wood Thermometer Stand Hunter and Staghound, 1910
A Black Forest thermometer with impressive carved hunter and staghound standi...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Rustic German Oak & Horn Cabinet
Located in Queens, NY
Rustic German (19th Century) oak cabinet with horn trim & carved medallions with flip seat bench base and upper section with 2 large stained glass doors and...
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Oak, Horn, Stained Glass
19th Century French Carved Eagle Mirror
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
A finely carved wooden eagle holding a mirror in the shape of a crescent moon attributed to French cabinetmaker and wood craftsman, Gabriel Viardot (1830-1906). Dating from the late 19th century, this is a spectacular wall piece for any interior, making an impression in any space. It depicts an eagle in German Black Forest style beautifully captured in beech wood with an expressive and energetic stance, carved with talons, wings and feathers and completed with two glass eyes. While other designs of Viardot’s are of smaller scale, this eagle mirror is of a large, rare size.
Famed Parisian cabinetmaker and craftsman Gabriel Viardot was born in 1830. By age 19, he had worked as a furniture maker for the court of Napoleon III and was the head of a small team of sculptors, opening his own workshop in Paris in 1853. Throughout his career, his work was shown at various exhibitions across the globe for which Viardot was prized with several awards. By the 1880s, the workshop comprised of more than 90 furniture...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Beech, 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
Finely Carved 'Black Forest' Pipe Stand
By Black Forest
Located in Forest Row, East Sussex
A finely carved "Black Forest' pipe stand. Carved Lindenwood with a single bear standing over a naturalistic base with the pipe holders and astray to fron...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th Century Black Forest Linden and Marquetry Inlaid Occasional Table
Located in Altrincham, GB
19th Century Black Forest Linden and Marquetry Inlaid Occasional Table, the shaped oval top decorated panels of Ibex, Chamois and Montain Deer landscapes above a pierced foliate frie...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Black Forest Decanter Set in Carved Box with St Louis Crystal Decanters/Stems
Located in Houston, TX
This cave a liqueur set is truly special because the box is exquisitely
Carved and has the original beveled glass. The decanters and stem
Ware are by St. Louis and the original la...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Crystal
$5,200 Sale Price / set
20% Off
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
19th C. Black Forest Carved Walnut Hunt Mirror with Dog, Game, and Grapes
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a study or hallway with this heavily carved antique mirror. Created in France circa 1880 and measuring just over two feet tall, the Black Forest frame features a boldly scul...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Oak
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
19th Century Swiss 'Black Forest' Carved Game Trophy Plaques
Located in London, GB
A Pair of Carved Black Forest Game Plaques
Expertly carved in Lindenwood, the shaped plaques, carved with oak leaves, depicting a chamois, deer, bird, fox and hunting accoutrements,...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Black Forest 1900s Hand Carved Wooden Buck Head Mounted on Shield Plate
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swiss Black Forest hand carved wooden buck head wall sculpture from the turn of the century, with shield plate. Born in the early years of the 20th century...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
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
19th C Black Forest Dressing Table w/ Drawer and Mirror
Located in Houston, TX
Elevate your decor with a touch of 19th-century beauty! This Carved French Oak Black Forest Tilting Tabletop Dresser is functional as well as elegant....
Category
19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Oak
19th Century Wooden Carved Rabbit Sculpture - Black Forest - Inkwell
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A cute wooden sculpture of a rabbit, Black Forest art.
It is an inkwell, but above all it is a beautiful piece of craftsmanship from the end of the 19th century.
The rabbit is beauti...
Category
1890s German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
19th Century French Black Forest Carved Walnut Wall Mirror with Foliage Motifs
Located in Dallas, TX
Carved in France circa 1870, this richly detailed wall mirror is a fine example of Black Forest-style craftsmanship, distinguished by its deeply sculptural forms and organic naturali...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Walnut
19th Century Black Forest Walnut Wood Cave A Liqueur from France
Located in Dallas, TX
This large Black Forest walnut cave a liqueur is from 19th century France. The box has a working lock and key and the interior contents are visible through the beveled glass sides. I...
Category
19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Rare old 19th century pharmacy, black forest, in carved wood, brass and bronze
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Rare old 19th century pharmacy, black forest, in carved wood, brass and bronze decoration, with "APOTHEK" inscription
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
Black Forest Pair of Corner Shelves Original Hand Carved Switzerland Late 1800s
Located in Chicago, IL
Black forest pair of hanging corner shelves, hand carved in Switzerland between 1860 and 1890. The black forest hanging corner shelves are quite unusual with their original intricate carving. Black Forest Furniture...
Category
1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
$1,260 Sale Price / set
30% Off
Black Forest Set of Six Tumbler Green Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six handblown tumbler in green crystal with a hand-edged hunting scene in the style of black forest. The decor is an antique hunting scene...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Crystal
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
19th Century Massive Black Forest Tilt-Top Table, Switzerland, c.1880
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
An exceptional Swiss Black Forest walnut marquetry tilt-top table The shield form table top, with a marquetry inlay presenting superb examples of original pen-work, and carved apron ...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
19th Century Swiss 'Black Forest' Hand-Carved Walnut Wall Mirror
Located in London, GB
A Black Forest Carved Mirror
Carved from walnut, the bevelled oval mirror plate set within an architectural frame and flanking rustic branc...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Black Forest Music Chair
Located in Lyndhurst, NJ
The all over carved chair with a marquetry inlaid back and seat presenting superb examples of original pen-work. The seat opening to reveal an original music box.
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Father Wind Spinning Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This wooden chair was made in the late 1800s and was used for spinning yarn; hence the name "Spinning Chair". Made with strong oak wood; elegant, rich hand-carvings cover the chair head to toe. As the tail would tell us, these chairs were made in the Black Forest of Germany--the Father of the Wind is depicted as the back. He is taking a deep breath in of fresh air and new possibilities, as each season passes he is there to support the changing of the wind. Each season calls for different winds and temperatures, which meant new clothes, and Father Wind...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood, Oak
$1,600 / set
Black Forest Turn of the Century Carved Mirror with Grapevine Motifs, circa 1900
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Black Forest mirror from the Turn of the Century with hand-carved grapevine motifs and dark patina, circa 1900. Emanating a symphony of rustic charm and skilled artistry, this Turn...
Category
Early 20th Century European Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood
19th Century Swiss Carved 'Black Forest' Cattle Group
Located in London, GB
A black forest cattle group
Carved in lindenwood, the naturalistically carved swiss cow, calf and bull stand on an elliptical base of grass and rocky outc...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Black Forest Carved Jewelry Box, circa 1900
By Black Forest
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
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
Late 19th-Early 20th Century Carved and Inlaid Black Forest Table with Stags
Located in Richmond, VA
Great sized late 19th-early 20th century black forest carved and inlaid table with scenes of stags.
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Sculptural Bronze Chestnut Branches Antique Wall Light
Located in North Miami, FL
This extraordinary single floral bronze wall sconce with single bulb and two chestnut shells boast a impressive dark patina to the bronze, truly in the black forest style. Newly wir...
Category
1940s French Vintage Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Bronze
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
19th Century French Carved Oak Black Forest Plant Stand Jardinière Flower Box
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Gorgeous fully hand carved Black Forest 19th century plant stand / jardiniere in hand carved Fruitwood.
The stand body has outstanding carvings with the center a dimensional carved...
Category
1880s French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
19th Century Black Forest Carved Humidor
Located in High Point, NC
19th century hand-carved black forest humidor with a figure of a dog and cat. The cat is atop a barrel, which has a lid which lifts to reveal a compartment for tobacco. The barrel is sitting on a base with hand-carved sticks and logs and an upside down hunting hat...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
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
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
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
Swiss Walnut Liquor Box with Four Decanters and 16 Cordial/Aperitif Glasses
Located in Evergreen, CO
Add a touch elegance and refinement to any dinner party, business meeting, or display shelf with this beautiful, tantalus liquor box. Made from carved walnut and beveled glass panels, it has hinges on the top front and top back, allowing the box to open by folding the top and face of the box together. The glass panels provide visibility to the interior from nearly any angle. The box surrounds a removable base with four etched...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Glass, Walnut
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
Antique Hand-Carved Black Forest Tobacco Jar or Humidor & Ashtray with Bears
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique tobacco jar or humidor is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from Austria and date to approximately 1900 and done in the perio...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Antique Black Forest Hand-Carved Deer or Elk Head Wall Plaque or Sculpture
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This well executed antique wall sculpture is unsigned, but presumed to have been done in Switzerland in approximately 1890 in the period Black F...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Softwood
Felix Possart Large Oil on Canvas "A Spring Alpine Journey"
By Felix Possart
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Felix Possart (German, 1837-1928) a large oil on canvas "A Spring Alpine Journey". The elongated painting depicting a mountain scene, possibly set in the Austrian or Swiss Alps, of a young man hiking in the Alps during springtime wearing Lederhosen and carrying a bucket and a water drum...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Giltwood, Canvas
$12,450 Sale Price
32% Off
Black Forest Walnut Bear Umbrella Stand
Located in Queens, NY
Rustic Black Forest (19th Century) walnut carved bear umbrella stand holding leaf shaped dish
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Original Antique Grape Vine Carved Black Forest Wood Music Box Needs Service
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this antique original circa 1880 Black Forest Wood music box with grape vine carving to the top
A very good lookin...
Category
1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
$308 Sale Price
20% Off
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
$25,250
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
Black Forest Carved Candle Holder
By Black Forest
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
Black Forest Carved Walnut Jewellery Box
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Black Forest Carved Walnut Jewellery Box
A beautiful looking, well made piece, it is hand carved all over with woodcock and fauna decorations. B...
Category
1880s Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
19th Century French Hand Carved Walnut Black Forest Jardiniére or Planter
Located in Birmingham, AL
A 19th century Black Forest jardinière hand carved of solid walnut in the Alsace region of France, circa 1870s. The detailed, intricately carved wood planter features a realistic han...
Category
1870s French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
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 Walnut Center Table
Located in Queens, NY
Rustic Black Forest style (20th Century) walnut center table with carved figure of bear sitting on floor holding round top.
Category
20th Century Unknown Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Black Forest Canterbury
Located in New York, NY
Intricately carved Black Forest Canterbury or magazine rack. Designed in a swirled leaf pattern with horned grotesque figures on each corner.
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
$2,500
19th Century Rustic Black Forest Wall Mirror, Hand Carved, Austria, circa 1880
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Uncommon rustic black forest wall mirror from Austria, around 1880. This antique wall mirror impresses with an unusual hand carved design, elaborately made out of basswood. A very da...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Softwood
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.