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
Hand Carved Black Forest Bear Spirit Decanter, Swiss, Circa 1920
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A rare & amusing hand carved Lindenwood figure of a seated bear encasing its original glass liner, fitted with a removable head with amber colored glass eyes, the mouth fitted with a...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood, Glass
19th Century Black Forest Carved Humidor
Located in High Point, NC
19th century black forest humidor hand-carved in the shape of a dog's head. His hat lifts to reveal storage for tobacco or cigars. The carving on this piece is wonderfully detailed a...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
19th Century, Black Forest Ceremonial Armchair in Walnut and Carved Wood
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
19th century, Black Forest ceremonial armchair in walnut and carved wood.
Category
1850s European Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Pair of 19th Century French Carved Walnut Cabaret Figures Lamp Bases
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a wine cellar or a bar with this pair of antique cabaret lamp bases. Crafted in France circa 1880, each sculpture stands on a round base and fea...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Antique ‘Black Forest’ Jardinière of Substantial Size
Located in London, GB
Constructed in a well carved lindenwood, rising from quadripartite feet, naturalistically, representing branches, supporting a tree form central column dressed with two storks and supporting a carved rope dressed rectangular plant trough...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Folding Beer Hall Benches, Pair
Located in Sheffield, MA
2 authentic folding benches from German beer hall. Matching folding table available. Dimensions: 20" D x 86" x 30" H. Great as picnic tables and bench...
Category
Early 2000s German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Steel
Vintage Bakhtiari Persian Rug with Garden Design with Black Forest Style
Located in Dallas, TX
72028 Vintage Bakhtiari Persian Rug with Garden Design with Black Forest Style. A beautiful, unique garden design is on display in this vintage Bakhtiari Persian rug. Each individual square compartment is "planted" with a different flower species...
Category
Mid-20th Century Persian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wool
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
Magnificent Carved Black Forest Monkey Gong, circa 1890
Located in Bath, GB
A fabulous and scarce find, this wonderful large Black Forest Monkey was hand carved circa 1890 with superb quality detail and retaining two glass ...
Category
1890s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th Century Black Forest Carved Bear Hall Stand, Three Bears Coat Stand
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
This is a very impressive piece dating from the turn of the 19th century, carved in the Black Forest we have three bears, the mother bellowing from below, ...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Mid-20th Century Black Forest Small Taxidermy Fawn on Green Painted Plinth
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
A very rare and very small stuffed real Bambi. Laying on a green painted wooden piece. Eyes in glass. The fur is in excellent condition. One ear has a small fur fault. Great decorati...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Fur
Rare Black Forest Alpine Ibex Wood Box, circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
Rare and unusual Black Forest box in the shape of wood log with a large wood carved Alpine ibex or bouquetin, circa 1890.
The carved bouquetin is 5" height and the box is 8".
Category
1890s French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Extraordinary Hand-Carved from Knot of a Tree, Folk Art Sculpture "Gorilla"
Located in Buffalo, NY
Unusual hand-carved from knot of a tree, Folk Art sculpture depicting a gorilla face, head, amazing life-like image, extremely well executed.
Category
1940s Unknown Vintage Black Forest Furniture
Materials
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...
Category
Mid-20th Century Turkish Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wool
Linden Wood Black Forest Bear Hall Tree, circa 1900 Attributed to Seilar-Brawant
Located in Evergreen, CO
An excellent example of turn of the century Brienz Swiss carving in linden wood. There are many Swiss carvers well known for carving certain subjects and Seilar-Brawant is known for ...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood
Pair of Rustic Black Forest Walnut Bear Side Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Rustic Black Forest (19th Cent) walnut side chairs with floral carving and bear figure on back with faux wood carved seat and legs (1 having...
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Rare Antique Black Forest Carved Tree Shaped Coat Rack, Umbrella Hall Stand Tree
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning black forest entrance furniture.
Imagine coming home to this work of art after a tough day at the office. This 19th century work of art will make you feel right back home. In order to understand and enjoy this kind of beauty, you have to see it. You have to see the design that was beforehand, see the craftsman that gave his all, see the natural and beautiful materials he used, see the detail of his work and see what inspired him to make this artistic piece. Once you see it in that way, you will truly love this antique and you will appreciate it for it's unmistakeble quality, beauty and for what it radiates. Pictures may say more than a thousand words, but standing next to and using this antique is what really makes the difference
Although it is not marked, we are certain that this eyecatcher is made by Horrix of the Hague. They were the true and internationally respected Dutch makers of top quality Black Forest style masterpieces. This coat rack is no exception.
The beautifully carved walnut branches covered with leafs seem to have naturally grown over the oval mirror in the middle. The mirror, by the way, is purposely covered in soap so there are no reflections that could distract. The base section comes with the original iron, barley twisted ring looking like rope. This ring obviously serves as the umbrella holder above the removable zinc drip pan. This stand is also perfect for holding walking sticks or even rifles. The rim around the zinc pan is again beautifully carved in the shape of a woven basket. Finally, the top section around the central mirror comes with a total of 8 practical and perfectly carved hangers...
Category
Mid-19th Century Dutch Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Metal
Baccarat Crystal Epergne, with Black Forest Carved Base Centrepiece
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
19th century Baccarat crystal epergne, Black Forest centrepiece
A superb and very unusual combination, a Black Forest pedestal carved with oak leaves, mounted with an etched crystal dish, which in turn has another Black Forest carved mount...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Important 19th Century Black Forest Hall Stand
Located in Dallas, TX
Magnificent rare Swiss Black Forest carved deer form hall stand with mirror. Having impeccably detailed deer and eagle carvings above rock form base and ...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th Century Rustic Black Forest Grandfather Clock
Located in New York, NY
19th century rustic Black Forest grandfather clock composed of walnut elaborately carved with oak leaves and bears in high relief (Non-o...
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Metal
Antique Swiss Black Forest Bear Sculpture Cabin Umbrella & Cane Stand, sign Ruef
By Ruef Brothers
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare hand-crafted entree stand. . .signed ‘RUEF’. (Ruef Brothers)
This beautifully carved Black Forest bear will always be there to greet you when you come home. It does not matter...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Austrian Antler Brooch with English Gold Medal
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Handmade brooch in the form of an antler in silver gilded. In the middle a Victorian gold medal dated 1895. Austrian hallmark and silver hallmark.
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Gold, Silver
Black Forest Humidor in the Form of a Monkey’s Head, Switzerland, Circa 1920
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A very unusual if not unique tobacco humidor, showing a realistically carved monkey wearing a cap and a ruffled collar, the face rendered with an amusing expressive grin, the hinged ...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Unique & Intricate Swiss Black Forest Style Hunting Ink Stand Original Inkwells
Located in Lisse, NL
All handcrafted and probably unique work of Swiss hunting art.
This is the most figural inkstand you may ever come across. No matter from what angle you l...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Brass
Exceptional 19th Century Black Forest Carving of Basket and Fruit
Located in Buchanan, MI
Exceptional 19th century black forest carving of basket and fruit very detailed and in-depth carving. Can send additional photo's upon request.
Category
19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Black Forest Walnut Library Ladder
Located in New York, NY
Rustic Black Forest (19th Cent) walnut 3 step library ladder with carved branch design. (late 19th cent.)
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Rustic Black Forest Walnut Barometer
Located in New York, 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 Carved Wooden Tripod Wine Table or Plant Stand with Marquetry Inlaid Top
Located in Lisse, NL
Mid-19th century table with an inlaid top.
This hand-carved and handcrafted table can be used for all kinds of purposes. The tripod base is beautifully carved in the shape of Black Forest tree branches and the inlaid marquetry top has star motives...
Category
Mid-19th Century Dutch Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Large Pair of Italian Venetian Carved Wood Faux Bois Branch Grape Center Tables
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Remarkable and substantial pair of vintage Italian solid carved wood faux bois / branch form accent tables, circa mid-20th century. These "Fantasy" style Tables feature carved pedest...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Large German Black Forest Carved Mirror with Bird Motif from the 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
This large late 19th century French mirror is set within a rectangular carved Black Forest style crested wooden frame. The intricate decor is composed of beautifully detailed openwork intertwined vines with leaves and grapes while a bird with its spread wings just landed on the crest. The artistically distributed foliage is highly decorative and the very naturalistically carved bird brings an unexpected and charming presence to the piece. This wooden German Black Forest style mirror...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood
Black Forest Walnut Bird Mantel Clock
Located in New York, NY
Rustic Black Forest (19th Century) walnut carved mantel clock with 1 large bird and several small chicks within a floral environment. (Not working)
Category
19th Century European Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Glass, Walnut
Black Forest Walnut Bear Umbrella Stand
Located in New York, NY
Rustic Black Forest (19th Century) walnut carved bear umbrella stand holding leaf shaped dish
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
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
Black Forest Canterbury
Located in New York, NY
Intricately carved Black Forest Canterbury or magazine rack. Designed in a swirled leaf pattern with horned grotesque figures on each corner.
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Set of 10 Rustic Black Forest Walnut Side Chairs
Located in New York, 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
Rustic Black Forest Floral Easel
Located in New York, NY
Rustic Black Forest (19th Cent) walnut floral carved easel stand.
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Rustic Black Forest Walnut Carved Dog Pen Holder
Located in New York, NY
Rustic Black Forest (19/20th Century) walnut pen holder and inkwell with carved dog head leaning on log
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Black Forest Carved Walnut Cabinet
Located in New York, NY
Rustic Black Forest (19th Century) carved walnut cabinet on stand with birds and floral filigree apron.
Category
19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
1920s German Black Forest Planter with Vines and Four Truncated Pots
Located in Atlanta, GA
This early 20th century Black Forest wood planter is composed of a shaped base supporting four boles, a very short one in front, a great one in the center flanked by two shorter tilt...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Rustic Black Forest Walnut Bear Settee
Located in New York, NY
Rustic Black Forest style (20th Cent) carved walnut settee with bear sides suppports and center hat tree
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood, Mirror
Rustic Black Forest Walnut Trunk
Located in New York, 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
Colorful Antique Turkish Rug from Ghiordes Village
Located in New York, NY
A wild and crazy antique Turkish Ghiordes rug with all types of fun and dazzling elements.
Since the beginning of their production in the 18th century, rugs from the Anatolian tow...
Category
19th Century Turkish Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wool
Bavarian Antler Settee
Located in New York, NY
Rare late 19th century Bavarian deer antler settee. A three-section settee with large fallow deer antler-shaped backs and natural red deer antler arms. Expertly crafted with interloc...
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Rustic Black Forest Walnut Display Box with Etched Glass and A Carved Fox
Located in New York, NY
Rustic Black Forest (4th Quarter 19th Century) walnut carved table top display cabinet box with etched glass inset panels and floral carving ...
Category
19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut, Glass
Rustic Black Forest Walnut Center Table
Located in New York, NY
Rustic Black Forest style (20th Century) walnut center table with carved figure of bear sitting on floor holding round top.
Category
20th Century Unknown Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Pair of Rustic Black Forest Walnut Floral Console Tables
Located in New York, 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
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
Rustic Black Forest Bear Walnut Table Desk
Located in New York, NY
Rustic Black Forest (19th Century) bear carved walnut table desk with leaf and floral carving and single drawer.
Category
19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Rustic Black Forest Walnut Center Table
Located in New York, 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
Rustic Black Forest Walnut Marble Console Table
Located in New York, NY
Rustic Black Forest (19th Century) walnut console table with faux twig carved base and slat design apron with marble top and drawer.
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Marble
Pair of Rustic Black Forest Carved Walnut Armchairs
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Rustic Black Forest (19th Cent) carved walnut open Armchairs with leaf and grape design filigree back and bear heads on arms with etched seat
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Rustic German Oak & Horn Cabinet
Located in New York, NY
Rustic German (19th Century) oak cabinet with horn trim & carved medallions with flip seat bench base and upper section with 2 large stained glass doors and...
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Oak, Horn, Stained Glass
Swiss Antique 19th Century Black Forest Dog inkwell desk accessory hand carved
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Gorgeous most rare Swiss Black Forest 19th century Inkwell / desk accessory fully hand carved displaying a dog wearing a hat and monocle
Detailed carving by a master carver. Comes w...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Cut Glass, Wood
Antique Black Forest Coat Rack / Hall Tree 20th Century Wood Umbrella Stand Hat
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Make sure you always come home with a warm welcome with this marvelous Black Forest Coat rack in your hallway.
Carved out of solid wood by a master carver this Black Forest bear Hall tree...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Beautiful Hand-Carved 19th Century Esthetic Black Forest Walnut Rare Humidor Box
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Beautifully Hand-Carved 19th Century Esthetic / Black Forest Walnut Rare Humidor Box.
Category
19th Century Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood, Walnut
Large Folk Art Wood Carved Deer Head with Real Antlers, Austria 19th Century
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A great looking hand carved original wooden Folk Art deer head wall decoration. A great piece for a suitable ambiance in a trophy room or the office of a Hunter or Woodsman. More tha...
Category
Mid-19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Late 19th Century Black Forest Bear Piano Stool
By Black Forest
Located in Forest Row, East Sussex
A Black Forest bear piano stool. Carved linden wood with adjustable rotating carved seat set over a seated, playful bear.
Dimensions: H 43cm W 31cm D 24cm
Origin: Swiss
Date: Ci...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Zabihi Collection Frankenstein Pictorial Persian Wall Kilim
Located in New York, NY
Square scatter-size persian soumac kilim from the late 20th century with a Frankenstein like figure on a dark ground
Measures: 3'2'' x 3'6''.
This was o...
Category
Late 20th Century Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wool
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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