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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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Style: Black Forest
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

Black Forest Porcelain Bowl with Fox Figure Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Completely handmade porcelain bowl with a hands-free natrualistic painted fox figure in brown colors. The fox is sitting in the middle of the bowl for decor...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

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

Swiss Black Forest Bear Musical Child Chair Seat
Located in Newark, England
Rare Antique Swiss Black Forest carved musical child's chair circa 1890. The chair of novelty form beautifully carved with a naturalistic look. The chair carved as twin bears support...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Metal

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

19th Century Brienz Black Forest Hand-Carved Bear Hall Stand
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A fine 19th Century Brienz Black Forest hand-carved bear hall stand. This charming hall stand is naturalistically carved in Linden wood and depicts ...
Category

19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Royal Doulton Reynard 1950s Fox Coffee Service Printed & Hand Painted Bone China
Located in Paris, FR
Elegant and original fine bone china coffee service including: Two coffee pots: one high 20cm and one slightly smaller 18cm base 14cm One milk jug 12cm One oval sugar bowl Six coffee...
Category

1940s English Vintage Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Black Forest Style Carved Wall Bracket Shelf
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Black Forest style carved wall bracket shelf This is a delightful item, the bracket has a carved stag’s head decorated with leaves and trees fro...
Category

Early 20th Century Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Pair 19th Century Carved Black Forest Game Trophy Wall Plaque Swiss Pheasant Owl
Located in Shreveport, LA
Pair 19th century carved Black Forest game trophy wall plaque Swiss pheasant owl. A matched pair of large Black Forest hanging game plaques. Beautifully d...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Set of Three Porcelain Bowls Winter Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
These completely handmade porcelain bowls are painted by hand with a charming hands-free winter decor. Teh decor comes as a set of three decors. One shows...
Category

2010s German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Black Forest Carved & Intricately Inlaid Walnut Musical Chair, Swiss, Ca. 1900
Located in Banner Elk, NC
A black forest carved walnut chair, the seat and seatback with intricately inlaid cartouches each depicting an alpine chamois, with carved edelweiss and leaves, with the working musi...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Satinwood, Walnut

19th Century Black Forest Bull
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
Fine quality late 19th century Black forest bull. The carver has caught the power and strength of this majestic animal, circa 1870 For similar examp...
Category

1870s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Very Rare Pair of Original Early 20th Century Black Forest Wood Bear Armchairs
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning and exceptionally rare pair of original hand carved in Black Forest wood very large Bear armchairs A collectable and signature pai...
Category

1920s Swiss Vintage Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

German Black Forest Antler Tray with Decanter and Glasses
Located in San Mateo, CA
Unusual decanter set with a tray made of antlers. The set has a cut glass decanter with matching glasses. One glass is missing. Great display piece for a cabinet of curiosities, cabi...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Glass, Antler

Swiss Black Forest Carved Wooden Planter Box / Jardinière, circa 1895
Located in Evergreen, CO
Elegant from every angle, this beautiful wooden planter box (or jardinière in French) features elaborate carvings over a lattice background. The fro...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Carved Wood Tobacco Pipe with Excellent Dog and Deer Head Carving
Located in Berghuelen, DE
An antique handcarved wood tobacco pipe with fine carved hunting scenes and a carved dog on the lid. At the lower end is a deer head. The pipe is executed in Germany ca. 1880. A grea...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Black Forest Handmade Cushion Hunting Scene Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
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

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

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

Black Forest Carved Wine Bottle Holder
Located in New Orleans, LA
A gentleman carved of linden wood lays upon a cart and is contoured to allow a wine bottle to rest until it is ready to be poured in this Black Forest bottle holder. Its creative design allows one to roll the bottle up and down the length of the table, and the incredible artistry of the Swiss Black Forest wood artisans is evident in the myriad carved details. The wood carving industry of Switzerland emerged in the early 19th century, and Swiss Black Forest carvings...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Black Forest Handmade Cushion Hunting Scene Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Handmade cushion " Kitzbühel" in dark 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

Hand Carved Dark Brown Wooden Figural Nutcracker of a Man, Germany, 1930s
Located in Barntrup, DE
This hand-carved, unusual nutcracker is in the figural form of an older man with a hat, sitting and holding an umbrella. Dimensions: Height 21.5 cm / 8.46 in, width 4.5 cm / 1.77 in,...
Category

1930s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture

Materials

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

Antique, Rare and Large Hand Carved Black Forest Flying Eagle Pendant Chandelier
Located in Lisse, NL
A stunning, four-light eagle pendant for the collectors of only the rarest Black Forest antiques. If you are a serious and lifelong collector of Black Forest antiques or even if you are the curator of a museum owning rare Black Forest pieces then the chance of you owning a large Black Forest chandelier like this still is very small. This, over three feet wide, eagle chandelier is the kind of Black Forest antique that you normally only find in books. For us to have been given the opportunity to purchase it from a German family of (former) nobles was an honor. The older lady we purchased it from had known it all her life, but she was moving to a much smaller home and she had no family members interested in antiques. This majestic eagle with both claws is holding a perfectly hand carved branch and from each of the four side branches grows a hand crafted, blackened metal, flower lampshade. The large size of this eagle, his perfect body posture, his excellent and warm patina and the great details really make this well balanced sculpture a marvelous antique to own, to use and to look at. The way in which this fierce predator is sticking out its neck and scanning the area with its piercing eyes is something that only a true master carver is capable of creating. To us, this unique and sculptural Black Forest chandelier is the perfect center piece for a hunting lodge or for a Black Forest collector's 'treasure trove' or 'inner sanctum'. We can also see it grace the entry hall of a museum. If you can imagine how this work of art chandelier would look over your large antique desk...
Category

Early 20th Century European Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Brass, Metal

19th Century Black Forest Pierced Oak Carved Tray or Bowl
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
19th century Black Forest pierced oak tray. Has music box inside but it is not working and would need to be serviced.
Category

19th Century Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Walnut

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

Black Forest Rustic Mirror With Oak Leaves/ Acorn Carvings, Austria, circa 1870
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Exceptional Black Forest Mirror from the late 19th century in Austria around 1870. This phenomenal, elaborately hand carved rustic wall mirror impresses with its simple but artfully ...
Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Softwood

Black Forest Male Figure with Flowers and Horns
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This stylish and dramatic German, black-forest tavern piece dates to 1930s-1940s and it represents the "May Pole" celebration. The figure is hand-carved wood, natural horns and brass...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Metal

Black Forest Crystal Latern Red with Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Handblown crystal vase/lantern in brillant red with hand-edged hunting decor with deers and trees decor all around. Completely handmade in Bavaria/German...
Category

2010s German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Crystal

Antique Hand Carved Oak & Walnut Swiss Barometer w. Hunting Gear & Hound Carving
Located in Lisse, NL
Fabulous antique Black Forest wall barometer and thermometer. This good size and finest quality carved barometer could be the perfect Black Forest antique to grace your home or lodge. The details in all of the hunting related sculptures reveal the workmanship of the artisan who created this one of a kind 'wall plaque barometer'. The oval wall plaque itself is made of solid oak and all of the finely carved hunting gear and dog are all hand carved out of solid nutwood. Have you also noticed the hanging bird prey underneath the perfectly carved hunter's hat and next to the rifle and hunting bag? For an artist to be able to hand-carve all these hunting elements in such details and with such perfection is something that never ceases to amaze us. What makes this particular antique even more special is the fact that, after one hundred years, it still is in mint condition. With a perfect working barometer...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Brass

19th Century Carved Walnut Piano Stool, Black Forest
Located in North Miami, FL
19th Century carved walnut piano stool, Black Forest in the shape of a faun, which is a mythological half human half goat creature from Roman mythology. The height is adjustable to u...
Category

19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Metal

Early 20th Century 'Black Forest' Stick & Umbrella Stand Bear
Located in North Miami, FL
Early 20th century Swiss 'Black Forest' stick & umbrella stand in the form of a charming bear with inset glass eyes. Arms outstretched in a hug-like form the piece will fit perfectly in a front foyer or boot room...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Metal

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

Black Forest 1900s Mirror with Carved Vine Motifs and Intersecting Corners
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Black Forest wall mirror from the early 20th century, with carved vine motifs. We currently have three mirrors available, priced and sold $1,350 EACH Created during the early years...
Category

Early 20th Century European Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Wood

Pendant Light with a Large Wooden Figure Mountain Climber with Lantern, Germany
Located in Barntrup, DE
Wonderful German figural pendant lamp features a large hand-carved figure of a mountain climber. The detailed carved wooden mountaineer is holding...
Category

1930s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Metal

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

Antique Hand-Painted Marksman King Target Plaque 1892
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Hand-Painted Marksman King Target Plaque 1892 A rare and beautiful wooden hand-painted shooting target plaque with inscriptions. This rare kings plaque was issued by the sho...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Cave a Liqueur 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

Rustic Black Forest Mirror with Acorn/ Oak Leaves Carvings, Austria, circa 1870
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Exceptional black forest mirror from the late 19th century in Austria around 1870. This phenomenal, elaborately hand carved rustic wall mirror impresses with its simple but artfully ...
Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Softwood

19th Century Swiss Black Forest Carved Thatched Roof Cottage Box
Located in Stamford, CT
Fantastic and rare example of Black Forest folk art, a tour de force of carving by a master woodworker. This lift top box in the form of a thatched cottage has many wonderful details...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Walnut

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 Wooden Carved Begging Dog, Brienz, ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A whimsical Swiss wood carving. A long hair terrier is begging with his masters hat beside a basket. Handcarved ca. 1900 in Switzerland in the area...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Black Forest Hand-Painted Porcelain Bambi Figur Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Hand painted porcelain bambi figure. Hand painted in a naturalistic style. The bambi figure is completely handmade in Bavaria. About Sofina porcelain: Sofina porcelain was found 20...
Category

2010s German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage Hand Carved Mountain Climber or Mountaineer Pendant Light
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautifully crafted light fixture for Black Forest and mountaineering enthusiasts. This beautifully executed and sculptural light fixture will look great at your home, but it can a...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Metal

19th Century German Black Forest’ Jardinière
Located in North Miami, FL
19th century German Black Forest’ Jardinière of substantial size constructed in a profoundly dimensional carved wood, rising from round base, with ...
Category

19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pendant Light with Hand Carved Sculpture of Mountain Climber and a Lantern
Located in Barntrup, DE
Wonderful German pendant lamp features a hand-carved figure of a smiling and cheerful mountain climber in beautifully hand-painted Bavarian traditional clothing in brown, green, whit...
Category

1930s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Metal

Black Forest Porcelain Bowl with Bambi Figure Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Completely handmade porcelain bowl in the style of black forest with a hands-free naturalistic painted bambi figure in brown. The bambi is sitting in the middle of the bowl for decor...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

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

Scotty Dog Black Forest Wood Carved Inkwell German Vintage, 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic 1930s black forest Brienz wood carved inkwell in form of a Scotty Dog. Nice addition to your room or just for use it on your desk. Made of hand carved wood and glass eyes. Th...
Category

1930s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Black Forest Wood Carving of a Mountain Goat
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A charming small ‘Black Forest’ wood carving of a mountain goat and her kids.    
Category

1890s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Black Forest Vase Green Crystal with Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Handblown crystal vase in green glass with hand-edged hunting scene. The decor is hunting decor with four hand-engraved animals in naturalistic style. Completely handblown and hand-e...
Category

2010s German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Crystal

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

Oval French Hunt Table with Leaf
Located in Evergreen, CO
This table is a rare find! It is uncommon to acquire a hunt table with a finished, matching leaf like this one. Most hunt tables are able to expand but the leaves are missing or made...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Oak

Black Forest Porcelain Bowl with Bambi Figure Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Completely handmade porcelain bowl with a hands-free natrualistic painted bambi figure in brown. The bambi is sitting in the middle of the bowl for decorating nuts or sweets around. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Black Forest Set of Six Wine Glasses Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Set of six hand blown wine glasses in green crystal with a hand-edged black forest hunting scene all-around. The decor is an antique hunting scene...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Crystal

Late 19th-Early 20th Century Carved and Inlaid Black Forest Table with Stags
Located in Charleston, SC
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

Black Forest German Porcelain Vase with Hunting Scene Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Hand-painted porcelain vase is completely handmade and handpainted in Bavaria Germany. Rimmed with a 24-carat gold line. The decor is hands-free painted all round with a hunting scene. The black forest decor...
Category

2010s German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

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

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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