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 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
Wooden Carved Black Forest Garden Fountain Water Spout 19th century
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Wooden Carved Black Forest Garden Fountain Water Spout 19th century
A large Black Forest wooden carved water spout featuring "Ruebezahl", which is the mountain spirit of the giant m...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
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
Antique 19th Century Black Forest Bear Adjustable Book Shelf / Book Rack Swiss
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Exquisite & rare! This 19th century black forest books rack/ book shelf with ''Bears holding baby bears'' bookends hand carved Swiss.
Gorgeous 19th century antique Black Forest bookstand...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
Set of Six Black Forest Hand Painted Soup Plates Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six completely handmade and hand painted under glaze porcelain soup plates. The decor shows a black forest hands-free painted oak leaf with a green hands free line and platinu...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Black Forest Wall Mirror Basswood, Austria, circa 1880
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Decorative rustic Black Forest wall mirror from the late 19th century circa 1880 in Austria. A unique lovely hand carved frame impressing with an unusual "Black Forest" tree trunk design and protruding corners. Stained in a super dark brown almost black tone, this unusual late 19th century wooden...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Softwood
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
Rustic Photo Frame Black Forest Hand Carved, Austria, circa 1880
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Lovely, unusual Black Forest photo frame from Austria, circa 1880. Artfully hand carved out of basswood, this frame shows a gorgeous design combined with ...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Softwood
Black Forest Rustic Wall Mirror Hand Carved, Austria, circa 1880
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Unique Black Forest wall mirror from the late 19th century in Austria. Around 1880 this rustic wooden mirror has been elaborately hand carved out of basswood showing a very uncommon ...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Softwood
Black Forest Wall Mirror Tree Trunk Design, Austria, circa 1880
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
From Austria around 1880 comes this unusual rustic small Black Forest mirror, impressing with its extraordinary old tree trunks design. The artfully hand carved basswood frame with p...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Softwood
Black Forest Wall Mirror Basswood Hand Carved, Austria, circa 1890
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Very decorative rural Black Forest wall mirror from the late 19th century from circa 1890 in Austria. The beautiful hand carved frame impresses with an unusual "Black Forest" tree trunk design and shows slightly protruding corners. Stained in a very dark brown almost black tone, this unusual late 19th century wooden mirror...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Softwood
Black Forest Rustic Side Table with Handcarved Vine Theme, Austria, ca. 1880
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Exceptional 19th century rustic black forest side table, elaborately hand carved around 1880 in Austria. A one of a kind crafted Black Forest table with fantastic vine-theme carvings...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Beech, Softwood
19th Century French Dog and Rabbit Gilt Bronze Sculpture Signed P. Lecourtier
By Prosper Lecourtier
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a shelf or man's office with this wonderful antique gilt sculpture composition. Created in France, circa 1890, the detailed artwork features a realistic pointer standing on ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Bronze
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
Large Floor Size Vintage Beige Green Muave Accent Turkish Rug Pillow
Located in New York, NY
Large pillow made from a Turkish rug with a solid cotton back and zipper closure. Foam fill. Beige green mauve accents.
Measures: 24" x 33".
Category
20th Century Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Cotton, Foam, Wool
$300 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair Black Forest Carved Table Lamps with Ibex and Chamois
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Pair Black Forest Carved Table Lamps with Ibex and Chamois
A beautiful pair of wooden carved table lamps depicting an ibex and a chamois fam...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss 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
Large Antique Black Forest Brienz Hand Carved Wood Bear Humidor Sculpture
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This large antique humidor is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from Austria and date to approximately 1900 and done in the period Black Forest style. This well executed scul...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Softwood
19th Century 'Black Forest' Bear
Located in London, GB
A 'Black Forest' Bear
In naturalistically carved lindenwood, having glass eyes, head tilted aloft, prowls on all fours.
From the Brienz Area.
Brienz, in the Bernese Oberland, Sw...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Folksy Hand Carved Tyrolian Carnival Fasnet Mask
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Folksy Hand Carved Tyrolian Carnival Fasnet Mask
A folksy wooden carved carnival mask from the region of South Tyrol. These masks are used in Austria, South Germany and Italy at the...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
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
Traditional Handcarved and Painted Tyrolian Carnival Mask
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Traditional handcarved and painted tyrolian carnival mask
An nice antique wooden carved carnival mask which comes from the region of South Tyrol. Made of handcarved and handpainted ...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th Century French Black Forest Carved Walnut Wall Sculpture with Mirror
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a wall with this beautiful antique carved mirror. Crafted in France circa 1880 and built of solid walnut wood, this elegant wall sculpture features an intricately carved ped...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Walnut
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
Vintage Wooden Walking Bear Handcarved in Brienz ca. 1930s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Wooden Walking Bear Handcarved in Brienz ca. 1930s
A vintage statue of a Black Forest walking bear. Made of lindenwood, finely handcarved with na...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Wooden Carved Sculpture of a Saint, circa 1850
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Wooden Carved Sculpture of a Saint, circa 1850
A beautifully hand carved and hand painted sculpture of a saint with a palm-branch. It is made most probably in Armenian or Georgian a...
Category
Mid-19th Century Unknown Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th Century Italian Carved Monkey Butler
Located in Bradenton, FL
A finely carved wooden monkey butler figure on stand, glass eyes, open mouth with teeth, made to hold a tray in its outstretched arms / hands, Italian ea...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
large scale 19th century carved walnut Black Forest dog tobacco box, circa 1860
Located in Central England, GB
This brilliant hand carved walnut tobacco or pipe smokers stand is the best I have ever seen. It dates to circa 1860 and was made in the Black Forest region of Switzerland which is r...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
A Wooden Carved Black Forest Bear Desk Set ca. 1920s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A Wooden Carved Black Forest Bear Desk Set ca. 1920s
Item e7286
A nicely carved Black Forest bear desk set for small utensils. Executed in Brienz, Switzerland around 1920. Very good ...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Rustic Black Forest Walnut Barometer
Located in Queens, NY
Rustic Black Forest (Late 19th Century) walnut wall barometer/thermometer with carved bird, deer and floral carving.
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Metal
Antique Bull Horn Hall Stand ca. 1870
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Bull Horn Hall Stand ca .1870
A large bull horn hall stand made of wood, original Austrian cattle horns and a green velvet cover. Manufactured i...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood, Antler
19thc French Antique Carved Wood Black Forest King and Queen Wall Sconces
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Pair 19thc French Carved Wood Black Forest type "King and Queen" Wall Sconces. Neoclassical style. This pair is magnificent!
Category
1890s French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
$2,388 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Large Vintage Wooden Strolling Bear Handcarved in Brienz Ca. 1930s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Vintage Wooden Strolling Bear Handcarved in Brienz ca. 1930s
A large vintage statue of a walking bear. Made of lindenwood, finely handcarve...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
"Bavarian Sonnenaufgang" by Erwin Kettemann
Located in Wiscasset, ME
Oil on canvas, signed lower right.
Erwin Kettemann (1897–1971) was a landscape painter from Munich. He was a representative of late Impressionism as well as the 19th century “Karlsr...
Category
1930s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture
Fine Carved Statue of a Staghound, circa 1920
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Fine Carved Statue of a Staghound, circa 1920
A wooden carved statue of a staghound. It is carved as half relief out of one piece of nutwood. Made in Brienz, Switzerland circa 1920....
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Rustic Black Forest Walnut Trunk
Located in Queens, NY
Rustic Black Forest walnut floor trunk with a folding rounded top and supported on "X" form side legs with faux wood, straps, and floral carved design.
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Carved Wood Chamois Family by Ernst Heissl, Ebensee Austria, circa 1900
By Ernst Heissl
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Carved Wood Chamois Family by Ernst Heissl, Ebensee Austria, circa 1900
A handcarved wooden sculpture of a chamois group with buck, chamois and fawn. A v...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Italy Set of Two Black Faux Horn Bowls in Black Forest Style
Located in Brescia, IT
Italy set of two black faux horn and metal chrome bowls in mountain style contemporary production.
Set of two decorative objects in Black Forest style....
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Silver Plate
$210 Sale Price / set
56% Off
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
Vintage Wooden Strolling Bear Handcarved in Brienz ca. 1950
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Wooden Strolling Bear Handcarved in Brienz ca. 1950
A vintage statue of a walking bear. Made of lindenwood, finely handcarved with naturalistic details in Brienz, Switzerlan...
Category
Mid-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
Finely Carved Wood Chamois with Glass Vase, Brienz, circa 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Finely carved wood chamois with glass vase, Brienz, circa 1900.
A delicately hand carved wood sculpture of a chamois standing on a rocky base with three stump which features an antique glass vase inset. A very detailed and natural carving excecuted by one of the Swiss woodcarvers from the area of Brienz, circa 1900.
The tradition of wood carving...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood, Blown Glass
Antique Black Forest Carved Bear Form Table Top "Butler" Display
Located in Atlanta, GA
Exquisite Antique Black Forest Carved Bear Form Table Top "Butler" Display
A captivating blend of artistry and functionality, this ...
Category
20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood
$1,036 Sale Price
20% Off
Great Rustic Black Forest Wooden Pulley with Rope
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Great Rustic Black Forest Wooden Pulley with Rope
A great rustic Black Forest wooden pulley with rope. It comes from a Bavarian barn, ca. 1900, ol...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th Century Black Forest Carved Humidor
Located in High Point, NC
19th century hand-carved humidor in the form of a dog's head. The dog is very whimsical with a hat, which lifts to reveal a compartment for storage and finished with a cigar and a bo...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
Distressed Vintage Turkish Oushak with Black Forest Style, Warm Earth Tones
Located in Dallas, TX
73661, distressed vintage Turkish Oushak with Black Forest style. This hand knotted wool distressed vintage Oushak rug features large scale f...
Category
Mid-20th Century Turkish Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wool
$2,200 Sale Price
20% Off
19th C Shield-Backed Lead/Leash Holder, Carved Wood Bulldog Head with Glass Eyes
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
19th Century lead / leash hanger of shield form having a carved wood bulldog head with glass eyes below 3 single hooks and above a double hook.
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Metal
Pair of 19th C Signed Black Forest Style French Carved Walnut Hunting Gun Racks
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A highly rare and most unusual pair of carved walnut gun racks, each with a different carved bird at the bottom, one being a hawk or eagle with spread ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
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
Black Forest Pottery Dish Hand-Painted Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel Austria
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Large hands-free painted pottery dish in black forest style. Decorated with handpainted trees in green in the and a hands-free painted garlande .
Produced and handsfree painted in A...
Category
2010s Austrian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Black Forest Carved Walnut Hunting Presentation Cup
Located in Essex, MA
A beautifully crafted Black Forest hand carved walnut hunting presentation cup, the basket weave bowl supported by the figure of a gentleman hunter l...
Category
1870s German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
$880 Sale Price
67% Off
Black Forest Oval Porcelain Plate with Squirrels Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Completely handmade and hands-free painted large oval porcelain plate. Two natural molded porcelain squirrel figures sitting on oak leaves and oaks ...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Early 20th Century French Carved Black Forest Hunting Barometer and Thermometer
Located in Birmingham, AL
A stunning early 20th century French black forest barometer with thermometer, circa 1900. Found in a hunting lodge in Lyon, this antique weather station...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
19th Century Black Forest Carved Monkey Sculpture
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
19th century Black Forest carved monkey sculpture.
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
$1,595 Sale Price
20% Off
Black Forest Hand-Crafted Porcelain Bowl Fox Figure Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Completely handmade porcelain bowl with a hands-free naturalistic painted fox figure in brown colors. The fox is sitting in the middle of the bowl for decorating nuts or sweets aroun...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Black Forest Hand-Painted Pottery Dish Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel Austria
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hands-free painted round pottery dish from Austria in Black Forest style. Decorated with a hand-painted tree decor in green all around. Showing trees in the bottom and a handpainted green garland...
Category
2010s Austrian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Pottery
Antique Carved & Painted Troubadour or Minstrel, Nodder Figure with a Violin
Located in Nantucket, MA
19th Century carved and painted wood figure of a troubadour or minstrel wearing a hat and long coat with his trousers tucked into knee-high boots and having a violin under one arm wi...
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Abalone, Gesso, Pine, Paint
A 19th century balck forest antlers console with marble top.
Located in Wijnegem, BE
A rare 19th century black forest antlers console with marble top.
Below head of a hunting dog in terracotta with glass eyes.
On top a beautiful black marble.
Category
1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Terracotta, Wood
Black Forest Carved Cat Match Holder
By Black Forest
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Swiss carved match holder with a cat with glass eyes seated beside a pitcher. In the 1800’s the wood carving industry of Switzerland started in the...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of 19th Century French Painted Iron Bird Wall Trophies on Walnut Plaques
Located in Dallas, TX
These large heavy antique trophy plaques were created in France, circa 1880. Set on oval walnut board, each wall hanging decor feature a detailed spelter carved bird in high relief, ...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Spelter
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.