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.
Antique Black Forest Inkwell, Hand-Carved Puppy, Switzerland, 1890
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Hand carved Black Forest inkwell featuring a puppy's head. Head tilts back to reveal glass inkwell.
Wood
A Swiss Carved Black Forest Linden Wood Bear Armchair modelled as a seated bear
Located in London, GB
A Swiss Carved Black Forest Linden Wood Bear Armchair modelled as a seated bear with outstretched paws circa 1900. For a similar example see Jay Arenski and Simon Daniels The Art of...
Wood
19th Century Black Forest Rustic Wall Mirror, Basswood, Austria, circa 1880
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Beautiful, large Black Forest wall mirror from Austria around 1880. This antique rustic wall mirror impresses with a simple but elegant "tree trunk" design, elaborately hand carved o...
Mirror, Softwood
Wild Vietnamese Cheetah Hooked Rug
Located in New York, NY
A late 20th century one of a kind Hooked Rug with 10 cheetahs on a 4 long branches on a green and black large leaf pattern Measures: 5' x 8'.
Wool
Large Chamois Trophy on Carved Plaque, Austria 1948
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Chamois Trophy on Carved Plaque, Austria 1948 A antique chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) trophy mounted on a wooden carved plaque which features acorns, oak leaves and a handwrit...
Antler, Wood
19th Century Black Forest Carved Cordial Set
Located in High Point, NC
Lovely 19th century drink or condiment caddy hand carved in the Black Forest region of Europe. The central stem handle of the caddy is hand carved to look like a branch, and follows...
Fruitwood
Black Forest Beer Glass Skier Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Beer glass called Bierseidl in clear crystal glass. Hand blown in Bavaria and hand-engraved with trees and a skier boy in the style of Black Forest. For 0...
Crystal
Antique Wooden Sitting Bear Handcarved ca. 1920s, Brienz
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Wooden Sitting Bear Handcarved ca. 1920s, Brienz A large statue of a sitting bear. Made of lindenwood, finely handcarved with naturalistic details and glass eyes in Brienz, ...
Wood
19th Century Black Forest Carved Mantle Clock Spill Vase Garniture Set
Located in Forney, TX
A magnificent antique Black Forest carved three piece mantel clock and garniture set. circa 1880 Swiss or German, late 19th century, a truly extraordinary work of art, exceptionally executed, intricately sculpted and finely detailed throughout, hand carved from a single block of wood, featuring a leaping stag deer over elaborate naturalistic foliage, a pair of pheasants with inset glass eyes, wooden dial with gilt incised Roman numeral hour markers and eight day time-and-strike movement, sculptural interwoven root carvings on a conforming molded edge base, flanked by a hunting dog and mountain rescue dog, both with inset glass eyes, retaining the original pressed glass spill vases. A spill vase was typically kept on the mantelpiece and filled with spills, splints, or tapers used to transfer fire from the fireplace to candles, lamps, a pipe or a cigar. Dimensions: Complete: (approx/depending on setup) 20.25" Tall, 30" Wide, 7.5" Deep Mantle / shelf clock: 20.25" High, 14" Wide, 7.5" Deep Dog sculpture garniture: 13" High, 4.75" Wide, 4.25" Deep (each) Great antique condition with beautifully aged warm rich dark patina. Minor wear consistent with age. Currently working and keeping good time, key and pendulum included. As with all antique clocks...
Glass, Wood
19th Century Black Forest Rustic Wall Mirror, Hand Carved, Austria, circa 1880
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Great rustic wooden wall mirror in our high demanded Black Forest mirror collection. From Austria circa 1880 comes this unique artfully hand carved frame with protruding corners and ...
Mirror, Softwood
Antique French Black Forest Carved Inkwell with Oak Leaves and Birds, Circa 1890
Located in Dallas, TX
A classic example of the intricate woodcarving known as Black Forest, this inkwell depicts an adult bird feeding its offspring. This inkwell dates to circa 1890, placing it in the mi...
Glass, Wood
19th Century Rustic Black Forest Mirror, Hand Carved, Austria, circa 1880
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Unusual hand carved rustic Black Forest wall mirror with double frame out of Austria from the period around 1880. A real charming example of a late 19th century Black Forest mirror, ...
Mirror, Wood, Softwood
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...
Glass, Softwood
Black Forest Porcelain Bowl with Bambi Figure 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. ...
Porcelain
Black Forest Porcelain Bowl with Fox Figure Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Completely handmade porcelain bowl with a hands-free natrualistic painted fox figure in brown colors. The fox is sitting in the middle of the bowl for decor...
Porcelain
Set of Six Black Forest Hand Painted Breakfast Plates Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six completely handmade and hand painted underglaze porzelain breakfast plates. The decor shows a Black Forest hands-free painted oak leaf with ...
Porcelain
Black Forest Vintage Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1940s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Black Forest Vintage Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1940s An antique roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved plaque. The plaque is decorated with carved oak leave...
Antler, Wood
Antique Black Forest Chamois Trophy on Green Plaque - Salem Germany 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Black Forest Chamois Trophy on Green Plaque - Salem Germany 1900 Item e8158 A decorative trophy of the chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) from Salem Castle in southern Germany. Sh...
Wood, Antler
Chinese Sheperd Mule Pictorial Rug
Located in New York, NY
One of a kind Late 20th century Chinese rug with a shepherd riding on a mule. Measures: 3'1'' x 6'1''.
Wool
Black Forest Set of Six Hand Painted Crystal 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 green colo...
Crystal
Antique Swiss Black Forest Dark Brown Carved Wood Glove Box, ca. 1900
Located in Barntrup, DE
Antique Black Forest dark brown carved wood glove box, ca. 1900 This elegant and beautiful Black Forest style finely hand-carved linden wood glove box from ca. 1900 features a rectangular shape, carved with a wood grain pattern and with flowers and leaves in high relief on the lid, and two straps at the ends of the lid. The glove box retains its original purple velvet interior. Label "F. Bruel, Rue des Allemands 10, Geneve" on the bottom of the box. In good condition, with some signs of aging and use. The key is not working...
Metal
Antique Taxidermy Roe Deer Antlers with Scull
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Antique Roe deer antlers with part skull taxidermy.
Antler
Black Forest Set of Six Beer Glasses Skier Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six beer glass called Bierseidl in clear crystal glass. Hand blown in Bavaria and hand-engraved with trees and a skier boy in the style of Black Forest. For 0.7 liter beer. Ca...
Crystal
Large Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque - Germany 1920
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque - Germany 1920 An antique trophy of the unequal 10-pointer red deer (Cervus elaphus) from Salem Castle in southern Germany. Shot ...
Antler, 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...
Wood
Black Forest Crystal Latern Hand Blown Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hand blown crystal latern in grey glass from Bavaria. The votiv is hand blown and the decor is hands-free engraved by glass artists all around with a hunting scene with trees and dee...
Crystal
Black Forest Crystal Latern Hand Blown Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hand blown crystal latern in amber glass from Bavaria. The votiv is hand blown and the decor is hands-free engraved by glass artists all around with a hunting scene with trees and de...
Crystal
Set of Six Black Forest Hand Painted Dinner Plates Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six completely handmade and hand painted underglaze porzelain dishes. The decor shows a black forest hands-free painted oak leaf with a green handsfree line and platinum rimme...
Porcelain
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...
Wood
Large Vintage Wooden Strolling Bear Handcarved ca. 1930s, Brienz
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Vintage Wooden Strolling Bear Handcarved ca. 1930s, Brienz A large statue of a walking bear. Made of lindenwood, finely handcarved with naturalistic details in Brienz, Switzer...
Wood
A Wooden Carved Black Forest Pen Holder with Bear ca. 1930
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A Wooden Carved Black Forest Pen Holder with Bear ca. 1930 A finely carved Black Forest pen holder with a bear holdung the pencil. A great example of the art of woodworking in the B...
Wood
$560Sale Price|20% Off
Mixed Media Found Object Black Forest Skull Sculpture
By Fay Sciarra
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Beautiful mixed media wall sculpture on found antique Black Forest deer antler plaque including tear drop large crystal, oval vintage delicate brass frame, pearls and rhinestones sug...
Crystal
Large Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque - Germany ca. 1935
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque - Germany ca. 1935 A large unequal 6-pointer red deer trophy (Cervus elaphus) from South Germany, mounted on a brown wooden plate...
Antler, Wood
Hand Carved Wood Bear Head Nutcracker Brienz Switzerland
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Hand Carved Wood Bear Head Nutcracker Brienz, Switzerland A wooden carved nutcracker with a bear head. It is a fine antique Black Forest woodcarving ...
Wood
Hand Carved Dark Brown Wooden Figural Nutcracker of a Man, Germany, 1930s
Located in Barntrup, DE
This hand-carved, unusual nutcracker is in the figural form of an older man with a hat, sitting and holding an umbrella. Dimensions: Height 21.5 cm / 8.46 in, width 4.5 cm / 1.77 in,...
Wood
Antique Hand-Carved Tyrolean Farmer Sculpture, ca. 1880
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Hand-Carved Tyrolean Farmer Sculpture, ca. 1880 This finely carved wooden figure depicts a traditional Tyrolean farmer sitting relaxed on a r...
Wood
Zabihi Collection Blush Color Anatolian Turkish Rug, 4'9'' x 7'7''
Located in New York, NY
A turkish Anatolian mid 20th century accent size rug primarily in blush Details rug no. j2458 size 4' 9" x 7' 7" (145 x 231 cm)
Wool
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...
Wood
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...
Wool
Wooden Micro Carving Plaque by Johann Rint ca. 1880
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Wooden Micro Carving Plaque by Johann Rint ca. 1880 A small wall plaque with detailed relief carvings worked out of linden wood by Johann Rint ca. 1880....
Wood
Zabihi Collection 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".
Cotton, Foam, Wool
Antique Black Forest Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque, Bavaria 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Black Forest Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque, Bavaria 1900s Item e7321 A large antique roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved plaque. The trophy was shot i...
Antler, Wood
Black Forest, Bear Coat Rack, Late 19th Early 20th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Large Black Forest coat rack, with in the lower part a bear clinging to a tree trunk at the top of which a teddy bear is playing: the branches form the coat rack, with a mirror, the ...
Wood
Erzgebirge lamp from South America
Located in Purkersdorf, AT
This lamp was handcrafted in the 1930s by a woodcarver from the Ore Mountains who emigrated to South America as a result of the economic crisis at the time. Here, high-quality craft...
Hardwood
Pair of Solid Wood Bear Sculptures Black Forest Style
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
This pair of bear sculptures in solid wood is directly inspired by the famous nineteenth-century Black Forest style. Each piece depicts a bear on all four paws, captured in a natural...
Wood
Rare Antler Desk Standish with Elaborate Carvings, Germany ca. 1840
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Rare Antler Desk Standish with Elaborate Carvings, Germany ca. 1840 A rare antique writing desk set made of wood and original antlers decorated with fine carved hunting scenes depic...
Wood, Antler
Set of Six Roe Deer Trophies on Turned Plaques Germany ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Set of Six Roe Deer Trophies on Turned Plaques Germany ca. 1900s A set of six antique Black Forest roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophies mounted on turned wooden plaques. The trop...
Antler, Wood
$4,760Sale Price / set|20% Off
Great Antique Horn Chairs, Austria ca. 1870
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Great Antique Horn Chairs, Austria ca. 1870 Item e5680 A pair large bull horn chairs ca. 1870, one covered with vintage cattle coat which has to be rene...
Metal
$2,112Sale Price|20% Off
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 ...
Wood
Unknown, Oil on Canvas Painting Angel with Sleeping Child
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Unknown, Oil on Canvas Painting Angel with Sleeping Child A great angelic oil painting depicting an angel sheltering a sleeping child from a snake. Oil...
Canvas
Original Antique Print After H. Leutemann, Reynard the Fox-Hintze As Messenger
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image by Heinrich Leutemann From the Reynard The Fox series Fine steel engraving Published by A.H. Payne C.1850 Unframed.
Paper
Original Antique Print After H. Leutemann, Reynard the Fox-Place of Execution
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image by Heinrich Leutemann From the Reynard The Fox series Fine steel engraving Published by A.H. Payne C.1850 Unframed.
Paper
Original Antique Print After H. Leutemann, Reynard the Fox- The Combat
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image by Heinrich Leutemann From the Reynard The Fox series Fine steel engraving Published by A.H. Payne C.1850 Unframed.
Paper
Vintage Stainless Steel and Horn Tableware Set for 6 Germany 1950s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Stainless Steel and Horn 12 Pieces Tableware Set, Germany 1930s A rustic tabelware set consisting of six knives and six forks. The handles are made of genuine deer horn. The...
Metal
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...
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...
Wood
Black Forest Carved Wooden Horse Standing Before a Trough, 19th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Finely carved wooden sculpture depicting a horse standing before a trough, executed with remarkable delicacy and attention to detail. A beautiful example of 19th-century Black Forest...
Wood
Antique Oil Print with Dramatic Tiger Hunting Scene in India, 19th Century
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Oil Print with Dramatic Tiger Hunting Scene in India 19th century A colorful oil print depicting a dramatic tiger hunting scenery in India. ...
Wood
A Wooden Carved Black Forest Bear with Glass Vase ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A Wooden Carved Black Forest Bear with Glass Vase ca. 1900s A finely carved standing Black Forest bear holding an Art Nouveau glass vase in his hands. Executed in Brienz, Switzerlan...
Wood, Blown Glass
Black Forest Swiss Hand-Carved Wooden Chamois Deer
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Swiss Black Forest hand-carved chamois deer wood carving. Portrays chamois stag walking up rocks and looking to his left. Exceptionally carved and proportioned, with accurate colorin...
Wood