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
Black Forest Woodcarving ''Men with pipe'' 1923
Located in Den Haag, NL
Beautiful handmade Black Forest Woodcarving . Tiroler men with Pipe .
Very nice quality carving . signed with a monogram M O . and underneath
the place where it was made . and dated...
Category
1920s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Pearwood
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 Crystal Laterne Green Hunting Scene Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hand blown crystal vase/lantern in green with hand engraved deers and trees all around in the style of black forest.
Completely handmade in Bavaria/Germany. Can be used also with ca...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Crystal
CARVED BLACK FOREST WOOD SMOKiNG PIPE CABINET BOX LATIN INSCRIBED NIL NISI CRUCE
By Black Forest
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
$1,959 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair of Vintage German Black Forest Table Lamps
Located in London, GB
A charming matched pair of vintage black forest table lamps, dating from around the 1950’s.
The quality is superb, the stands are beautifully carved depicting tree trunks, and each ...
Category
1950s Austrian Vintage Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th Century French Black Forest Carved Walnut and Porcelain Jardinière
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant antique planter was crafted in France, circa 1870. Rectangular in shape with scrolled decor and scalloped edge, the detailed planter stands on small curved feet, and is ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Porcelain, Walnut
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
Black Forest Cushion Hunting Scene Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Handmade cushion in
blue, red and green colors in cotton and linen fabric with a hunting scene in the style of Black Forest. Backside green velvet. Filled with downs. Perfect to combine with other cushions like fur and wool quicker to create a fantastic mountain or country chic. Completely made in Kitzbuehel Austria. Current production by Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel.
Category
2010s Austrian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Linen
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
Black Forest Carved Swiss Entry Table with Bears
By Black Forest
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Swiss Black Forest carved entry or hall table with two smiling standing bears holding a log over their shoulders as front legs. Tabletop surrounded by car...
Category
2010s Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Pine
Antique Hand Carved Early 20th Century Black Forest Nutcracker With Book
Located in San Diego, CA
Very rare early 20th century antique Black Forest hand carved wood nutcracker with book. These particular pieces often feature anthropomorphic figures with exaggerated features, and ...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Black Forest “Cave de Liqueur” This is a wonderful piece of Craftsmanship
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Black Forest “Cave de Liqueur”
This is a wonderful piece of Craftsmanship it is a Carved Tantalus or Cave de Liqueur with 4 Decanters and 16 Shot Gla...
Category
1880s Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Pair of 19th Century Rustic Black Forest Photo Frames, Handcarved, AT ca. 1880
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Fantastic set of two rustic, late 19th century Black Forest photo frames out of Austria. Artfully hand carved out of basswood, around 1880, these frames show a beautiful design combi...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Glass, Softwood
Set of Six Antique Bohemian Glasses
Located in London, GB
Set of six antique Bohemian glasses
Bohemian, Late 19th Century
Height 10cm, diameter 4.5cm
This beautifully crafted set of Bohemian glass dates to the late 1800s and showcases the...
Category
Late 19th Century Czech Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Glass
$1,329 / set
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
19th Century Swiss 'Black Forest' Carving a Dog Family
By Walter Mäder
Located in London, GB
A 'Black Forest' Dog Group
The naturalistically carved limewood group shows the bitch couchant and her three playful pups; glass eyes are used in all the figures, in the manner of Walter Mäder...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
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
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
Zabihi Collection Mini Vintage Anatolian Turkish Rug
Located in New York, NY
a 20th-century floral Turkish mini mat-size rug
Details
rug no. y1859
size 1' 5" x 3' 4" (43 x 102 cm)
Category
20th Century Asian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wool
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
Country Style Porcelain Pastry Dish Handpainted Birds Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Large completely handmade porcelain dish is hands-free painted with a naturalistic decor of three great tits sitting on leaves. Green rimmed with a fine 24-carat gold line.
Handmade...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
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 Porcelain Bowl with Deer Figure Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hand-painted porcelain dish for serving sweets or nuts with a naturalistic bambi figure in the center of the dish. The bambi figure and the bowl are completely handmade in Bavaria. H...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
19th Century Rustic Black Forest Wall Mirror, Double Framed, AT circa 1880
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
One of a kind, large carved Black Forest Wall Mirror from the late 19th century around 1880 in Austria. This beautiful rustic Black Forest mirror has been elaborately hand crafted ou...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood
Country Style Porcelain Dish with Skier Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Charming hands-free painted porcelain dish with platinum rim. Hands-free painted in a classic winter decor with a skier, mountains and trees. Completely h...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Zabihi Collection Mini Vintage Anatolian Turkish Mini Rug
Located in New York, NY
A vintage Anatolian Turkish mini-size colorful rug from the 3rd quarter of the 20th century
1'4'' x 2'11''
Category
20th Century Asian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wool
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
Black Forest Vase Green Crystal with Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
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
Viechtauer Hand Carved Wood Bird in Folk Art Birdcage Austria 1900s or older
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful Austrian 20th century, carved wood bird mounted in a birdcage for hanging. The tradition of these in Austria called "Viechtauer" birds goes back to the early 19th century...
Category
Early 1900s Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Metal
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
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
$780 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century Black Forest Wall Mirror With Gilt Bars, Austria, ca. 1880
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Amazing looking, rustic Black Forest mirror from the late 19th century in Austria. Elaborately handcrafted around 1880 this rural wall mirror shows an absolute unique design: a handc...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Softwood
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
Hand Carved Antique 'Black Forest' Fox Stool
Located in London, GB
A 'Black Forest' fox stool
Constructed in a very well patinated and carved lindenwood, the kneeling fox having glass eyes, with monochrome naturalistic highlights; the seat carved to resemble a mushroom.
Brienz Area, circa 1900
Brienz, in the Bernese Oberland, Switzerland was remarked upon in Baedeker's Travel Guide, as having a population of 2400, of whom 600 persons were employed as woodcarvers, to supply the tourist trade to Switzerland with mementos of the tour. A museum devoted entirely to the art of wood carving may be visited today.
Arenski, Jay, Simon Daniels, and Michael Daniels. Swiss Carvings: The Art of the 'Black Forrest', 1820-1940. Woodbridge: Antique Collectors' Club, 2005, p. 140 (fig. 224). Illustrating a kneeling bear stool...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood
Rare 19th Century Black Forrest Carved Hall Chair Hand-Carved Hawk Bobbin Turned
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning Black Forrest Oak hand carved hall chair with bobbin turned legs and a large Hawk in the back...
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
$1,679 Sale Price
20% Off
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
Black Forest Carved Humidor in the Form of a Monkey Head Wearing a Cap & Collar
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Black Forest figural carved wood humidor in the form of a monkey's head with a hinged lid carved as a hat, around the neck is a ruffled collar above a circular base with carved detail.
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss 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
$18,473
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 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
Large Pair of Carved Black Forest Trophy Plaques depicting Deer, a Hare, and Fox
Located in London, GB
A pair of large black forest game plaques
Expertly carved in lindenwood, the shaped plaques, carved with oak leaves, depict a buck and a r...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Black Forest Carved Dog Inkwell
By Black Forest
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
Antique Swiss Casted Bronze Cattle Bell ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Swiss Casted Bronze Cattle Bell ca. 1900s
Item e7315
An antique cast bronze cattle bell, made in Switzerland around 1900. The bell comes with its ...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Black Forest Antler-Mounted Oak Spirits Cabinet, circa 1900
Located in Atlanta, GA
A richly textured and visually commanding Black Forest spirits cabinet, crafted in Germany around 1900. This compact yet sculptural piece is clad in a carved faux bois surface and dr...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Bone, Antler, Oak
Pair of Carved Wood Deer with Roe Buck Antlers
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is wonderful pair of early to mid-19th century carved deer heads that have been completed with actual roe buck deer antlers. The carvings show a deep patina with wear to one ea...
Category
Mid-19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Wood
$3,950 / set
Early 20thC Black Forest Bear Linden Table Lamp
Located in Altrincham, GB
Early 20thC Black Forest Carved Bear Linden Wood Table Lamp with Harris Tweed Shade - 9"diam x 18"h - all lights and lamps have been rewired with authentic corded flex, fitted with e...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wool, Ash
Collection Of Twenty Black Forest Roe Mounts
Located in Buchanan, MI
COLLECTION OF TWENTY BLACK FOREST ROE MOUNTS PRICED PER MOUNT
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut, Antler
$495 / item
Antique Antler Smoking Desk Set, circa 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
The antique antler smoking desk set is made of original antlers from the deer and the stag. It was in Germany, circa 1900.
Measures: Width 16.93" (43cm)
Height 11.42" (29cm)
Antle...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler
Dove Pigeon Viechtauer Hand Carved Wood Bird Black Forest Folk Art, 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
Black Forest Set of 6 Hand-Painted Tumbler Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six hand blown tumbler hands-free painted in Black Forest style. Each glass is handsfree painted with different rims and trees in red. Can b...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Original Carved Wooden Daybed or Bed, Decorated with Bears circa 1980
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Original carved wooden daybed or bed, decorated with bears circa 1980.
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Zabihi Collection Red Green Vintage Anatolian Turkish Mini Rug
Located in New York, NY
One of a kind, mid 20th-century Hand-knotted Red Turkish Anatolian throw size mat. Professionally Washed & personally vetted. Ready for everyday use.
Details
rug no. y1593
size 1' 6...
Category
20th Century Asian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wool
Black Forest Linden Wood Carved Swiss Bear Glass Eyes
Located in Cheltenham, GB
Black Forest Linden wood naturalistically carved strolling bear with original glass eyes, crafted in Brienz. This exquisitely carved lindenwood piece features realistic details. A...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Softwood
$1,284 Sale Price
40% Off
Large Deer Head primitive Black Forest Hand Carved Folk Art Wooden Trophy
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A great looking hand carved original wooden Folk Art wall decoration. A great piece for a suitable ambiance in a trophy room or the office of a Hunter or Woodsman. More than likely o...
Category
1920s Austrian Vintage Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Black Forest Chamois Antler Trophy on Wood Carved Plaque, German, 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful antique Black Forest Chamois antler trophy on hand carved, Black Forest wooden plaque. A nice addition to your hunters loge or just to display it in your house.
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Wood
A Black Forest carved wood inkwell with wheat sheafs and poultry
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A Black Forest carved wood inkwell with wheat sheafs and poultry, made of ebonised fruitwood naturalistically carved with a cockerel and hen perched on a rocky outcrop, bundles of wh...
Category
1890s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Black Forest Carved Bear with Pen Inkwell
By Black Forest
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Swiss bear with log pen rest and inkwell. Published in "Black Forest Bears and Swiss Woodcarvings," plate 93a. Book included.
In the 1800’s the wood carving...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Swiss Casted Bronze Cattle Bell ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Swiss Casted Bronze Cattle Bell ca. 1900s
Item e7311
An antique cast bronze cattle bell, made in Switzerland around 1900. The bell comes with its original brown leather strap with bu...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Beautiful French Angel Face Cast-Iron Inkwell France Antique, 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1900s French metal inkwell. Nice addition to your room or just for use it on your desk. Made of cast iron and glass. Marked with a number and letters. Found at an estat...
Category
Early 20th Century French Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
$87 Sale Price
74% Off
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
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.