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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
Large Carved Wood Chamois Sculpture, Black Forest, circa 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
An expressive naturalistic carved large chamois sculpture standing on a rocky base. It is handcarved and stainied lindenwood. Executed in Austria around 1900. Measures: Length 17.72...
Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Black Forest Carved Swiss Entry Mirror with Climbing Bears
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Large Swiss Black Forest carved entry or hall mirror with climbing bears both sides and pine boughs with pine cones at top and bottom. Carved by Swiss mas...
Category

2010s Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Other

Early 1900 Gorilla Carrying off a Woman Crafted in Wood after Emmanuel Fremiet
Located in Lisse, NL
Great wooden sculpture after the famous bronze of Emmanuel Fremiet This handcrafted sculpture was probably made in South Tyrol by/of Josef Anton Riffeser who founded the ANRI Compan...
Category

Early 20th Century French 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

Rustic Black Forest Wall Mirror Light Brown, Austria, circa 1890
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Unusual rustic Black Forest wall mirror out of Austria. From circa 1890 comes this lovely hand carved Black Forest wall mirror with a simple but elegant design, created out of basswo...
Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Softwood

Set of Six Wine Goblets Green Crystal Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
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

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

19th Century French Black Forest Carved Walnut Jardinière with Zinc Liner
Located in Dallas, TX
This beautiful, walnut, Black Forest jardinière carved as a wooden log was crafted in France, circa 1870. The rectangular fruitwood planter features hand carved floral, tree branches...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Black Forest Rustic Wall Mirror Hand Carved, Austria, circa 1880
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Mesmerizing rustic Black Forest wall mirror from the late 19th century out of Austria. Handcrafted out of fine basswood, this charming mirror shows an extrordinary rural design: a do...
Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Softwood, Mirror

Hand Carved Black Forest St. Wooden Floor Lamp of Lantern Holding & Tipsy Guard
Located in Lisse, NL
Large and beautifully sculptured, floor lamp. If you are looking for unique and decorative antiques to bring joy and class to your interior then this marvelous, sculptural floor lam...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Copper

Black Forest Wall Mirror Rustic Design, Austria, circa 1880
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Rustic designed Black Forest wall mirror from Austria, circa 1880. This exceptional antique wall mirror impresses with a simple but elegant "tree trunk" ...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Softwood

Rare 1880 American Eagle Black Forest Wood Carved Coat Hat & Umbrella Rack Stand
Located in GB
We are delighted to this very rare original Black Forest wood hand carved coat hat and umbrella rack finished with large American eagle A very rare and collectable piece, I’ve onl...
Category

1880s German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Monumental and Striking ‘Black Forest’ Walnut Carving of an Eagle
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A monumental and striking ‘Black Forest’ walnut carving of an eagle perched on a toppled shield, E Binder, Shown with outstretched wings and the head turned to the right , the talons...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Collection of Nine Black Forest Antler Mounts on Hand-Carved Wood Plaques Priced
Located in Buchanan, MI
Collection of nine black Forest antler mounts on hand-carved wood plaques, great color and patina. Priced per mount.
Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture

Black Forest Carved Swiss Entry Table with Bears
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

Large Black Forest Poacher with Chamois
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A very large wooden handcarved poacher statue. The poacher is on his way back from the hunt with a hunted chamois on his back. The hand-made sculpture was executed ca. 1900 in the ar...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

French 19th Century Black Forest Barometer
Located in Stockbridge, GA
French 19th century black forest barometer.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Country Style Crystal Vase Green Glass Birds Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
About Sofina Crystal: This handblown Crystal vase is one of a selection of Sofina crystal hand-crafted in Bavaria/Germany. Can be used as a vase or with candles. The two birds sittin...
Category

2010s German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Crystal

19th Century Swiss Black Forest Carved Dowry Chest or Trunk with Needlework
Located in Haarlem, NL
Charming hand carved mid-sized wooden Folk Art dowry chest from the Black Forest area of Switzerland, made circa the turn of the century. It features a beautifully hand carved flor...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

Top Quality Carved Antique Swiss Black Forest Linden Wood Ibex Corner Shelf
Located in Lisse, NL
All hand carved and amazing condition Black Forest corner shelf. Looking at the marvelous details of this striking Black Forest ibex, this corner br...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Black Forest Mantle Carving "Antler's Clash"
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Swiss Black Forest mantle carving of two fighting stags. Great mangle carving piece. Part of the Brienz Collection but not published. Period: circa 1920 ...
Category

1920s Swiss Vintage Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Black Forest Wall Mirror Hand Carved, Austria, circa 1880
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Mid-sized rustic Black Forest wall mirror from Austria, circa 1880. Beautifully hand carved out of basswood this late 19th century wall mirror shows a tree branch styled frame combin...
Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Softwood

Black Forest Porcelain Dish with Deer Figure Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
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

Rustic Black Forest Wall Mirror Bass Wood, Austria, circa 1880
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Large rustic designed Black Forest wall mirror from Austria, circa 1880. This antique wall mirror impresses with a simple but elegant "tree trunk" design, elaborately hand carved out...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Softwood

19th Century Swiss Black Forest Carved Walnut Mantel Clock with Cherubs and Bird
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate your buffet or mantel with this monumental antique fruitwood clock. Crafted in Switzerland, circa 1860, the masterpiece time keeper features two hand carved seated cherubs holding a grape basket with a duck, frog and reed decor underneath. The center face has blue enamel roman numbers, and the clock mechanism has been cleaned and checked by our clock expert, and is in very good working order. This important clock...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Enamel

Antique Wooden Carved Crib Figurine of a Shepherd
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Wooden Carved Crib Figurine of a Shepherd A large antique wooden carved statue of a shepherd, probably from a Christmas crib. Handcarved in Germany in the second half of the...
Category

Mid-19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Swiss Brienz Black Forest Hand-Carved Wood Grizzly Bear
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Black Forest hand-carved linden-wood hand-carved grizzly bear with glass eyes and enamel painted mouth with fangs/teeth showing on a thick base, circa 1900. See our other items for m...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Rustic Black Forest Style Walnut Gnome Hatrack
Located in New York, NY
Rustic Black Forest-style (19th Century) carved walnut hatrack/umbrella stand with gnome figure holding tree form with birds in upper branches.
Category

19th Century European Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Rustic Black Forest Root Wood Hunter, circa 1920
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Rustic Black Forest Root Wood Hunter ca. 1920 A rustic wooden hunter statue with deer. It was carved out of a piece of root wood. Germany, Black Forest,...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Early 1900s Hand Carved and Colored Wooden Mountaineer Sculpture / Statue
Located in Lisse, NL
Unique and finely carved sculpture for the black forest and mountaineer enthousiasts. If you are or if you have a friend who is a mountaineering enthousiast then this hand carved mo...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Small Whimsical Pipe Made of Chicken Bones, circa 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A small antique pipe made of chicken bones. The bowl is made in the shape of a face with glass eyes. Executed in Germany, circa 1900. Measure: Length 5.91" (15cm) artfour is an own...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Bone

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

Pair of Carved Lime Wood Pictures
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A pair of Swiss carved lime-wood pictures one showing a hunter being attacked by an eagle as he attempts to raid its nest, the other a climber rescuing a g...
Category

1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Black Forest Crystal Latern Hand-Crafted Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Hand blown crystal vase/latern in dark green glass with hunting scene all around in the style of black forest. The glass is in a first step ...
Category

2010s German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Crystal

Set of Six Porcelain Plates with Hunting Trophies for Claudia
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
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

Quality Carved Small Black Forest Sculpture of an Alert Hunter with Rifle & Dog
Located in Lisse, NL
Beautiful quality and condition, early 20th century hunting sculpture. This wonderful little Black Forest sculpture is the ideal gift for yourself o...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair of Large Scale Swiss Black Forest Carved Couchant Hunting Dogs
Located in London, by appointment only
Loyal and watchful, this fabulous pair of Black Forest hounds, of excellent size and quality, are patiently waiting for their new home. The Black...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century Carved Wood 3rd Station of the Cross, 'Jesus Falls’, Switzerland
Located in Buffalo, NY
19th century carved wood 3rd station of the cross, 'JESUS FALLS’ carved in Switzerland, recently acquired from Holy Angels Church located in Buffalo New Yo...
Category

1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Black Forest Wall Mirror Hand Carved, Austria, circa 1900
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
From circa 1900, the turn of the century in Austria comes this beautiful wooden Black Forest wall mirror. A simple but elegant design was created out of hand carved basswood, showing...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Softwood

Hand Carved Antique Black Forest Trunk / Chest for Keeping Fireplace Wood & Wine
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning late 19th century trunk with wine theme carvings. If you are looking for rare, stylish and good quality antiques to decorate your home or lodge, but you do want them to have a purpose as well, then this all handcrafted trunk from the late 1800's could be perfect. It was made for keeping wood or peat by the fireplace and it can still do that perfectly, because this quality Black Forest antique is as strong and stabile as the day it was made. However, because of the hand carved decor of grape branches, grape leafs and grape bunches, this good size trunk will also make a highly decorative 'dry bar...
Category

19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Collection of Five Black Forest Roe Mounts on Carved Wood Plaques Priced per mou
Located in Buchanan, MI
Collection of five Black Forest roe mounts on carved wood plaques. Priced per mount.
Category

19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Antler, Wood

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

Pair of Swiss 19th Century Carved Wooden Cattle Attributed to Johann Huggler
By Johann Huggler
Located in London, GB
A pair of Black Forest cattle attributed to Johann Huggler Carved in lindenwood, the naturalistically carved Swiss cow, calf and bull stand on elliptical bases of grass and rocky...
Category

19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Hand Carved & Great Condition Swiss Black Forest Bear Book Rack Bookends
Located in Lisse, NL
Late 19th century Black Forest books rack with folding bear bookends. This handcrafted and very decorative bookstand with sliding and folding bookends is totally original and in per...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Rare Antique Black Forest Travel Thermometer Carved Dog, circa 1900
Located in Bath, GB
A most unusual piece of Black Forest, a travel desk thermometer in a wooden case with carved decoration and a beautifully carved Dog's head to the front, great detail and beautifully...
Category

Early 1900s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

19th century Pair Black Forest Chicken Vase Epergne Candleholder Carved Wood Set
Located in Shreveport, LA
~ Direct from Europe This listing is for a stunning pair of carved Black Forest “chicken” candleholders/epergnes. In the summer, the glass inserts were used and fresh cut flowers wer...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Glass, Wood

Large Size & Finest Quality Carved Antique Black Forest Wall or Fireplace Mirror
Located in Lisse, NL
Antique, one of a kind and highly decorative, hand carved mirror. This beautiful, early 20th century, hand carved antique mirror is in gr...
Category

Early 20th Century European Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Wood

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

1900s Hand Carved Wooden Mirror with Bouquet in Basket and Scrolls
Located in Atlanta, GA
A hand carved wooden mirror from the early 20th century, with dark patina, floral decor and scrolls. Born in the early years of the 20th century, this exquisite Black Forest mirror features a sinuous Silhouette, accented with delicate scrolls surrounding a central clear mirror plate. Our eye is immediately drawn to the upper section and its bouquet of flowers (newly carved) set inside an old wicker...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Rustic Decor Antique Wooden Humidor
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Rustic Decor Antique Wooden Humidor A very large highly decorative rustic wooden humidor turned out from a solid thunk, tin inset. Executed, ci...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Collection of Nine Black Forest Antler Mounts on Hand-Carved Wood PlaquesPriced
Located in Buchanan, MI
Collection of nine black forest antler mounts on hand-carved wood plaques. Priced per mount.
Category

19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Antler, Walnut

Antique Carved Inkwell, Swiss Milk Cow, Late 19th Century
Located in Dallas, TX
This intriguing Black Forest inkwell has been meticulously hand carved from wood and dates to 19th century Switzerland. The piece depicts two men attempting to milk a cow. The man wearing a hat is struggling to control the cow by pulling on the bovine’s tail; his bespectacled partner is situated next to the cow in an attempt to milk it. The ground immediately beneath these three figures is a rocky formation of varying height. Below this is a wooden terrain that also has quite a lot of depth. Among the forest-like environment, there are two indentations that house the colored and cut glass inkwells. The colored portions of the mushroom-shaped wells are a rustic orange that ties in nicely with the dark brown wood used in the carving. The wells are then capped with silvered lids. One of the glass containers has a perforated top, which would have held the pounce or sand (pounce pot). This would have permitted the writer to sprinkle the sand on the paper before inking to aid in the drying process. Excess pounce was often poured back into the container. The milk cows...
Category

19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Cut Glass, Wood

Antique Carved Black Forest Novelty Inkwell, Dog, circa 1880
Located in Bath, GB
A beautifully carved novelty Victorian inkwell from the Victorian era, having been made in the Black Forest region. The dog has the most lovely face,...
Category

1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Antique Carved Black Forest Triple Postage Stamp Box, Owl, Glass Eyes
Located in Bath, GB
A fabulous hand carved wooden postage stamp box from the Black Forest region and dating to around 1900. The sides are carved but the star of the show is the central carved owl to ...
Category

Early 1900s Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Porcelain Bowl with Fox Figure Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
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

Rare 19th Century Black Forest Walnut Armchair by Horrix with Classy Upholstery
Located in Lisse, NL
Unique, impressively carved and very comfortable chair from circa 1870. This unique chair is as strong and stable as the day it was made and the woodwork is in good to excellent co...
Category

Late 19th Century Dutch Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

Rustic Wooden Wall Mirror with Golden Bars Hand Carved, Austria, Dated 1901
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Peerless rustic wooden wall mirror from Austria, dated to 1901. A very special designed wall mirror with a golden bar on the inside and protruding corners. Artfully hand carved, this...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Softwood

Whimsical Carving of a Dwarf with Snuffbox, 19th Century
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Whimsical Carving of a Dwarf with Snuffbox, 19th Century A 19th century funny carved and painted dwarf with snuffbox. Unrestored original condition, old wormholes, partly paintloss ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Unknown Antique 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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