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
Forged in Fire Organic Arts and Crafts Wrought Iron Table or Desk Lamp Rewired
Located in Lisse, NL
Unique and artistic Black Forest style table lamp.
Lamps come in all shapes and sizes, but sometimes a lamp can also be a work of art. This unique design, all handcrafted and perfec...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
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
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
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
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
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
Black Forest Porcelain Dish Christmas Garland Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Hands-free painted porcelain dish with platinum rim. Hands-free painted in a classic black forest christmas decor with green fir and pine cone garland. Completely handmade in Bavaria...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
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
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
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
Collection of Black Forrest Mounts Including One Stag, Ten Roe and One Chinois
Located in Buchanan, MI
Collection of Black Forrest mounts including one stag, ten roe and one chinois, ranging in size roe 12" high 7" wide, Stag 24" high, 23" wide. Check in with us as our inventory is c...
Category
19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Walnut
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
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
Large 19th Century Carved Black Forest Mantel Clock
By Black Forest
Located in London, GB
A Large Black Forest Mantle Clock
Constructed in carved linden wood, fitted with a two train eight day striking clock; mounted on a shaped...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique 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
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 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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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 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 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 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
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
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
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 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
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 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
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 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
Bunny Rabbit Head Black Forest Hand Carved Folk Art, 19th Century
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A great looking hand carved original wooden Folk Art Bunny head wall decoration. A great piece for a suitable ambiance in a trophy room or the office of a Hunter or Woodsman. More th...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Carved French Oak Oval Hunt Table with Boar, Dog, Fox, and Stag, c 1890
Located in Dallas, TX
A beautiful example of Black Forest style carvings, this hunt table is highlighted by a base adorned with four scrolled leaf legs, each topped by a different animal: boar, dog, stag, and fox (as seen in the main photo, clockwise starting at the lower left). The table was hand-carved from oak in France, circa 1890, with an oval top with rich color and graining. A protruding molding adorned with niches infilled with foliage surmounts a shallow apron with thin molding. Interestingly, there are sections of the infilled niches that are covered by additional leaf tips.
Each of the four fantastically carved animal legs are separated by a floret with a vertical orientation. The grouping is topped by a large, bulbous leaf cup, while a noix hangs down below, embellished with fluted crenellation. An onion foot was added beneath each animal, raising the table to a height of 29 ¾ inches. The perfect addition to a game room, study, or living room, our oak oval hunt table...
Category
1890s French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood, Oak
Black Forest Folk Art Carved Wood Chamois Head with Real Horns, 19th Century
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A great looking hand carved original wooden Folk Art chamois head wall decoration. A great piece for a suitable ambiance in a trophy room or the office of a Hunter or Woodsman. More ...
Category
Mid-19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Black Forest Hand-Carved Candle Lite Wooden Chandelier from 1800's
Located in Chicago, IL
In Europe Black Forest carvings became a symbol of wealth beginning in the 1800’s and were found in the homes of elite collectors. The history of Black Forest carvings dates to the early 1800’s from the town of Brienz in Switzerland. Black Forest carving began as a cottage industry and found a niche market from the local tourist trade. When one thinks of Black Forest carvings, they immediately think of the stereotypical carved bears and that is probably because there are thousands of reproductions out there. Old Plank has discovered a treasure trove of Black Forest carved furniture...
Category
1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of Black Forest Hall Chairs
Located in Wilson, NC
This pair of hall chairs are carved with floral and leaf motifs on a stipled background. The seat is carved with an incised square basketweave pattern which is framed on three sides ...
Category
1860s German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
Monumental Black Forest Carved Mantel or Shelf Clock with Hunter and Dog
Located in Milford, NH
A monumental carved walnut black forest mantel or shelf clock sporting / hunting motif. Featuring a hunter with a long rifle or musket slung over his should...
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Brass
Black Forest Stag Mount on Carved Wood Plaque
Located in Buchanan, MI
Monumental Black Forest stag mount on carved wood plaque.
Category
19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, 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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