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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
Vintage Boho Black Forest Monumental Carved Cabinet
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This exquisite Black Forest cabinet is a masterpiece of craftsmanship, featuring richly detailed hand-carved wood panels and stately architectural elements. The grand scale and impre...
Category

Early 20th Century American Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Glass, Wood

Antique Hand Carved Wood Black Forest Bear Entrance, Hall Umbrella & cane Stand
Located in Lisse, NL
Early 1900s Black Forest standing bear umbrella stand. This vintage Black Forest bear umbrella Stand is a great looking piece for any...
Category

Early 20th Century European Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

French 1900s Black Forest Turn of the Century Mirror with Carved Oak Leaves
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French black forest mirror from the early 20th century, with hand-carved oak leaves. We currently have three mirrors available, priced an...
Category

Early 20th Century French Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Mirror, 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 C. Black Forest Figural Wood Carved Night Watchman Lidded Tobacco Jar Box
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique 19th C. European Black Forest Figural Wood Carved Night Watchman Lidded Tobacco Jar Box with Removable Tin Metal. Liner. Believed to be 19th Century. Measurements: 14" H x 5....
Category

19th Century Antique 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

Black Forest Wood Carving of an Ibex
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
An imposing ‘Black Forest’ wood carving of an Ibex, standing on a rocky outcrop with realistically carved ribbed antlers and rippling fur.
Category

1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

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

Rustic Black Forest Walnut Marble Console Table
Located in Queens, NY
Rustic Black Forest (19th Century) walnut console table with faux twig carved base and slat design apron with marble top and drawer.
Category

19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Marble

Large Black Forest Fallow Deer Trophy on a Carved Plaque, Germany 1940s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Black Forest Fallow Deer Trophy on a Carved Plaque, Germany 1940s A great abnormal Black Forest fallow deer (Dama dama) trophy from the Black Forest, Germany. The skull is mou...
Category

1940s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Antler, Wood

Porcelain Bowl with Fox Figure Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Completely handmade porcelain bowl with a hands-free naturalistic painted fox in brown colors. The fox is sitting in the middle of the bowl for decorating nuts or sweets around the fox figure...
Category

2010s German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Black Forest Carved Whip Holder with Bear ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Black Forest Carved Whip Holder with Bear ca. 1900s A very rare hand-carved coat hook or whip holder depicting a bear with a bucket and walking stick. The hooks are made from real c...
Category

Early 1900s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

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

Rustic Black Forest Humidor Box
Located in Queens, 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

Victorian Black Forest Bench
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Victorian black forest carved bench seat. Back carved with branches, oak leaves and acorns. Patterned seat with scroll arms and entwined border. S sc...
Category

19th Century European Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

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

Set of Six Porcelain Plates with Hunting Trophies for Claudia
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six porcelain plates. Hands painted with 6 different detailed painted trophies heads. Rimmed with a fine 24-carat gold line and with an additional green one. Handmade in Bava...
Category

2010s German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Antique ‘Black Forest’ Jardinière of Substantial Size
Located in London, GB
Constructed in a well carved lindenwood, rising from quadripartite feet, naturalistically, representing branches, supporting a tree form central column dressed with two storks and supporting a carved rope dressed rectangular plant trough...
Category

19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Large Hand Carved Black Forest Military Soldier & His Horse Under a Shade Tree
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This well executed carving is unsigned by the artist, but presumed to have been done in Eastern Europe in circa 1940 in the Black Forest style. The carving depicts a military soldier holding a 'Tommy...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Softwood

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

Set of Six Wine Goblets Green Crystal Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six handblown 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

Large 19th Century Walnut Black Forest Painting Frame
Located in San Francisco, CA
A large 19th century hand carved solid walnut Black Forest style picture frame with traditional tree limb and foliage detail. Inner sight of the...
Category

19th Century European Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Late 19th Century German Carved Black Forest Wood Trophy Plaque
Located in Middleburg, VA
Late 19th century German carved black Forest wood trophy plaque. This intricately carved piece depicts horns, spear, and hunter's pouch hung on plaque en...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century Black Wrought Iron Alpine Front Door Bell
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
19th Century Black Wrought Iron Alpine Front Door Bell This is a delightful and very unusual item, the brass bell is housed in an attractive wrought Iron frame, it is suspended on ...
Category

19th Century Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Black Forest Antique Roe Deer Trophy on Casted Plaque 1940s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Black Forest Antique Roe Deer Trophy on Casted Plaque 1940s An antique roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy mounted on a casted plaster plaque. The plaque is painted in green and ...
Category

1940s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Antler, Wood

Large Wooden Carved Female Cattle Sculpture Brienz Switzerland ca. 1920s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Wooden Carved Female Cattle Sculpture Brienz Switzerland ca. 1920s Item e7301 A very large naturalistically carved female cattle - masterly carved in lindenwood, Swiss, Brienz ...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

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 Handmade Cushion Hunting Scene Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Handmade cushion in brilliant 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 the style of the Aus...
Category

2010s Austrian Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Linen

Antique Black Forest Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1930s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Black Forest Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1930s A vintage roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy with uneven antlers mounted on a wooden carved plaque. The plaque feature...
Category

1930s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Antler, Wood

Black Forest Porcelain Dish with Deer Figure Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Charming completely handmade and hands-free painted oval porcelain plate. The naturalistic moulded porcelain bambi figure and three porcelain pine cones fixed on the porcelain plate ...
Category

2010s German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Pair of Black Forest 1880s Carved Wooden Chamois Coat or Hat Racks with Foliage
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Black Forest carved wooden chamois heads hat or coat racks from the late 19th century, with foliage accents. Created during the last quarter of the 19th century, each of this pair of racks features a chamois head with glass eyes, emerging from an oval backplate connected to three hoof leg hangers. Boasting a dark brown patina, this pair of Black Forest carved chamois...
Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

'Black Forest' Walnut Clock
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A very attractive walnut 'Black Forest' clock with mountain rescue dogs, The clock set into a rocky outcrop surmounted by a pair of dogs, one wearin...
Category

1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century Rustic Black Forest Mirror, Hand Carved, Germany, circa 1880
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Unusual, charming Black Forest wall mirror, artfully handmade in Bavaria/ Germany in the late 19th century around 1880. An amazing designed rustic wall mirror with a wide dark brown ...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Softwood

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

Black Forest mirror
Located in 'S-HERTOGENBOSCH, NL
Black Forest mirror, Austria, 19th. Century. Hand-carved. Decorated with a crown on top and a lot of oak leaves.
Category

1880s Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque, Germany 1940s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque, Germany 1940s A vintage abnorm roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy with unequal antlers from the Black Forest mounted on a carved plaque....
Category

1940s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Antler, Wood

Original European Landscape By Listed Artist Lothar Baumann
Located in San Diego, CA
Framed original oil on canvas by listed artist Lothar Baumann, European landscape, Lothar Baumann was born in Bavaria and studied the arts in Munich, Germany. His later works expressed his love for the Bavarian landscapes...
Category

20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Canvas, Wood

German Black Forest Wood Carved Figural Gnome Cork Bottle Stopper, 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Adorable wood and cork bottle stopper. Germany, 1910s or older. Ideal decoration bottle stopper. Great idea to surprise your guests or a very interesting gift. Found at an Estate Sal...
Category

1930s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood, Cork

19Th C. French Hand Carved Wood Black Forest Pipe Holder
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Just arrive this very unusual and rare 19Th C. French Carved Wood Black Forest Pipes Holder, C.1850 The item itself is like a pile of rocks the front is like a "Tabac" that you woul...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Black Forest Carved Oval Mirror
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Black Forest carved oval mirror A lovely piece, the 4” wide frame has an intricately carved border. It is carved with many large entwining leaves The mirror is in good condition...
Category

19th Century Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Fruitwood

Liqueur Cellar in Carved Wood "Black Forest" and Crystal, Late 19th Century
Located in Paris, FR
Carved wood liquor cabinet called "Black Forest". This charming liquor cabinet of the late nineteenth century is decorated with plant motifs, pine cones, saddlebags, hats, rifles, po...
Category

19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Crystal, Gold

Black Forest Beer Glass Hand Blown Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Black Forest beer glass German called Bierseidl in clear crystal glass. Hand blown in Bavaria and hand-engraved with trees and a deer for 0.7 liter beer. ...
Category

2010s German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Crystal

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

Black Forest Porcelain Dish Christmas Garland Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hands-free painted porcelain dish with platinum rim. Painted in a classic black forest Christmas decor with green fir and pine cone garland. Completely handmade in Bavaria/Germany.
Category

2010s German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

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

Black Forest Cushion Handmade Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Handmade cushion in brilliant green colors in cotton and linen fabric with a bird in the style of Black Forest. The fringe all around is made by hand in the style of the Austrian dir...
Category

2010s Austrian Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Velvet

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

Vintage Black Forest Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1950s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Black Forest Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1950s A vintage roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy with abnorm antlers mounted on a wooden carved plaque. The trophy was sho...
Category

1950s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Antler, Wood

19th Century Carved Ebonized Black Forest Painting Easel
Located in Milford, NH
A fine example of an ebonized Black Forest hand carved easel with foliate crest and faux bois supports, a hinged rear support leg, and adjustable painting ...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Black Forest Porcelain Dish Christmas Garland Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hands-free painted porcelain dish with platinum rim. Hands-free painted in a classic black forest christmas decor with green fir and pine cone garland. Completely handmade in Bavaria...
Category

2010s German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Pair Antique Candlesticks modelled as Performing Bears
Located in Montreal, QC
Superb and rare pair of zoomorphic candlesticks from the late 19th or early 20th century. Representing a circus bear holding a pole, with a cub climbing up high on the pole, ending i...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Metal

Vintage Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque, Austria 1951
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque, Austria 1951 A vintage roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved plaque. The trophy was shot 1951 in Austria. The plaque wit...
Category

1950s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Antler, Wood

Black Forest Tumbler Green Crystal Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Handblown green crystal tumbler with hand-edged hunting scene in the style of Black Forest. The decor is an antique decor with deers, trees and bambis al...
Category

2010s German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Crystal

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

Vintage Black Forest Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1950s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Black Forest Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1950s A vintage roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved plaque. The plaque has oak leaf carvings. The trophy w...
Category

1950s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Antler, Wood

CARVED BLACK FOREST WOOD SMOKiNG PIPE CABINET BOX LATIN INSCRIBED NIL NISI CRUCE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning, hand carved Black Forest wood, smoking pipe cabinet or rack with inscribed top reading "Nil N...
Category

1870s German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Black Forest Crystal Laterne Green Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Handblown crystal vase/latern in green with hand-etched deers and trees decor in the style of Black Forest Completely handmade in Bavaria/Germany. Can be used also with candles as l...
Category

2010s German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Crystal

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

Antique Black Forest Carved Oak Wall Cabinet, 1900s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent and rare antique black forest wall cabinet. Striking German design from the 1900s. Solid oak with hand-carved bird on top of the cabinet. Original interior inside, pro...
Category

Early 1900s German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Oak, Velvet, Beads

Rare Cigar Holder Bavarian 19th Century Terracotta
Located in Hudson, NY
Rare victorian terracotta and pipe clay cigar holder, late nineteenth century. Produced by the J&C China company of Bavaria. Made for holding cig...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Terracotta

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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