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
Abnorm White Tailed Deer Trophy Mount on Wooden Plaque ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Abnorm White Tailed Deer Trophy Mount on Wooden Plaque ca. 1900s
A large abnorme white tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) trophy on a wooden plaque with black finish. The trophy w...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Wood
Pair Renaissance Style Carved Children Chairs, Ca. 1890
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A pair of wonderful carved nut wood children chairs, backrest carved in Renaissance style with fantastic grimace carvings, Germany, ca. 1890.
Measures: Width 13.98" (35.5cm)
Height ...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
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
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
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
Black Forest Vintage Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1943
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Black Forest Vintage Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1943
A large vintage deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved plaque. The plaque fea...
Category
Mid-19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood, Antler
Black Forest Carved Deer or Stag Head and Antlers on Plaque, Germany, 1900
Located in Richmond, Surrey
Black Forest carved deer or stag head & antlers mounted on shield plaque, Germany, 1900
Early 20th century Black Forest carved wood stag head with an...
Category
1910s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
Early 20th Century French Carved Walnut Wine Bottle Holder Clog with Vine Decor
Located in Dallas, TX
Impress your guests with this interesting antique wine bottle holder shaped as a clog shoe; crafted in France, circa 1920, the unique, hand ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
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
19th Century Black Forest Cigar Holder of a Bear Holding a Barrel
Located in San Francisco, CA
the hand-carved standing bear with forward gaze and glass eyes holding a barrel for matches in front of a larger barrel for cigar storage; all over an oval carved base fitted with a ...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
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
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
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
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
Set of Eight 1920s Black Forest Dining Room Chairs with Hand-Carved Floral Décor
Located in Atlanta, GA
A set of eight Black Forest dining room chairs from the early 20th century, with carved foliage décor and upholstery. Created during the first quarter of the 20th century, this set o...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
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
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
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
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
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
Rustic Black Forest Walnut Center Table
Located in Queens, NY
Rustic Black Forest style (German 19th Century) light walnut rectangular center table with carved leaf & vine design on apron with open cluster legs and tooled brown leather top.
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut, Leather
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
German Chest on Stand
Located in Woodbury, CT
This two drawer oak chest on stand from Germany features the geometric panels common in furniture in Germany, England and the Netherlands during the mid...
Category
17th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Oak
Stunning Original Antique Hand Carved Black Forest Wood Jewellery Box
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are is delighted to offer for sale this rather lovely antique original circa 1880 black forest wood jewellery box
A very good looking and well made piece, it is hand carved all...
Category
1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
19Th C. French Carved Wood Black Forest Pipes 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
19th Century Black Forest Carved Humidor
Located in High Point, NC
19th century hand-carved black forest humidor with a figure of a dog and cat. The cat is atop a barrel, which has a lid which lifts to reveal a compartment for tobacco. The barrel is sitting on a base with hand-carved sticks and logs and an upside down hunting hat...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
Antique Swiss or German Black Forest Styled Hand-Carved & Painted Pedestal
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique hand-carved and polychromed painted pedestal is unsigned, but presumed to be either Swiss or German and date to approximately 1920 and done in the traditional, Black For...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
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
Antique Wooden Carved Horse Paper Weight, circa 1920
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A great wooden carved head of a horse. It is mounted on a wooden base - usable as desk decoration or paper weight. Made in Germany ca. 1920.
Measures:...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Rare 2 tier Swiss 19th century Black Forest Jewelry box hand carved Fox & bird.
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
This incredibly rare two-tier Swiss Black Forest jewelry box is fully hand-carved from a single block of wood, making it a true masterpiece. What sets this box apart is its unique de...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Velvet, Wood
Antique 19th century Swiss Black Forest jelwery box with 3 birds hand carved
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
This stunning 19th-century Black Forest jewelry box from Switzerland is a true masterpiece. Nearly 150 years old, the wood has developed a rich patina that enhances its beauty and ch...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
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
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
Late 19th Century Black Forest Farm House Chair Wood Painted Germany
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Farmhouse chair in the style of Black Forest. Painted in green-blue with a white swan in the medaillon.
Original painting, No restaurations.
A second matching chair is available.
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
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
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
Carved Wooden Horse, Black Forest, 19th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Horse in front of a trough, carved wood, work of great finesse and delicacy
Good condition, restorations (almost invisible!) on the legs
Black Forest, similar to the work of Huggle...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of Rustic Black Forest Walnut Floral Console Tables
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Rustic Black Forest (19th Century) walnut console tables with floral carving and stretcher with tapestry covered tops. (PRICED AS Pair)
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut, Tapestry
Set of Three 19th Century Black Forest Carvings
Located in Martlesham, GB
A set of three 19th century black forest carvings of bears in different poses, all three bears are in very good condition and having lovely crisp carving. Circa 1880.
Category
1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Black Forest Wall Light Shade Wallpaper with Hunting Scene Sofina Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Large handmade lampshade made of wallpaper with a hunting scene in red and beige in the style of black forest. Made by hand in Austria.
Fixed with green and red paspol. Two handmade iron angles to supply electricity will be delivered with the shades. See last picture.
To be used as wall lightning.
Category
2010s Austrian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Paper
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
Swiss Brienz Black Forest Hand-Carved Wood Candle Holder
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Black Forest hand-carved linden-wood hand carved candle holder/candlestick, circa 1900.
Black Forest sculptural art originates from the small mountain town Brienz, Switzerland co...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Set of 10 Rustic Black Forest Walnut Side Chairs
Located in Queens, NY
Set of 10 Rustic Black Forest (19th Cent) walnut side chairs with shaped seat and back with filigree carving and animals.
Category
19th Century European Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
19th Century Hand Carved Bracket Shelf
Located in High Point, NC
19th century hand carved bracket shelf from Holland, made from fruitwood. The shelf is shaped and has a molded edge sitting atop a hand carved man holding a horn. Very detailed carving.
Category
19th Century Dutch Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
A pair of fine Black Forest hand carved linden wood bears, Swiss circa 1900
Located in Central England, GB
This delightful pair of Swiss/ German black forest carved linden wood seated bears is rarely available as an original pair. They are beautifully hand carved and are left and right ha...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th Century Black Forest Carved Walnut and Crystal Center Piece with Goat Decor
Located in Dallas, TX
Dress a table or a console with this elegant antique black forest center piece composition. Crafted in Switzerland (or France) circa 1870, the glass vase rests on a leafy branch shap...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut, Cut Glass
Black Forest Pottery Dish Hand-Painted Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel Austria
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Large hands-free painted pottery dish in the style of black forest. Decorated with a handpainted green decor with trees and a hands-free painted garlande ....
Category
2010s Austrian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Pottery, Ceramic
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
19th Century French Carved Oak Nine-Gun Cabinet with Bird and hunt Motifs
Located in Dallas, TX
Display your rifle or shotgun collection in this grand and intricately carved antique gun cabinet. Created in France circa 1860, this important two-piece display piece is crafted fro...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Glass, Oak
19th Century French Black Forest Carved Light Oak Mirror with Foliage Motifs
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a powder room, a study or hallway with this heavily carved antique mirror. Created in France circa 1880 and carved of oak, the Black Forest frame features a tree branch knot...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Oak
Black Forest Bambi Figure Porcelain Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Completely handmade porcelain bowl with a hands-free naturalistic painted bambi figure in brown. The bambi is sitting in the middle of the bowl for decorating nuts or sweets around. ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
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
19th Century Rustic Black Forest Wall Mirror with Black Accents, AT, circa 1890
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Extraordinary rustic, late 19th century Black Forest wall mirror out of Austria. Artfully handcarved around 1890, this unusal stained Black Forest wall mirror impresses with a simple...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Softwood
19th Century Black Forest Rustic 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
A C19th Carved Giltwood Wall Bracket
Located in London, GB
A 19th Century Carved Giltwood Wall Bracket
A beautifully decorative wall shelf with larger proportions. The elegantly contoured shelf is supported by the feathered wings of the eag...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Beech
Black Forest Rustic Wall Mirror, Doubleframe Handcarved, Austria circa 1870
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Extraordinary rustic wall mirror from the 19th century around 1870 in Austria. An unusual piece of a Black Forest mirror that has been elaborately handcarved out of basswood in an ex...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Softwood
Black Forest Porcelain Bowl with Bambi Figure Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Completely handmade porcelain bowl with a hands-free natrualistic painted bambi figure in brown. The bambi is sitting in the middle of the bowl for decorating nuts or sweets around. ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Black Forest 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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