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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 Hand Carved Large & Extremely Rare Beaver and Bear Pair Table Lamps
Located in Lisse, NL
For the collectors of extremely rare Black Forest animal carvings. With a combined 35+ years of experience in selling Black Forest antiqu...
Category

Early 20th Century European Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

A ‘Black Forest’ linden wood eagle
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A ‘Black Forest’ linden wood eagle, naturalistically carved with wings outstretched, perched on a rocky outcrop, the base with a rubbed metal maker’s plaque most probably for Binder ...
Category

20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

A ‘Black Forest’ linden wood long case clock by Spring of Interlaken
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A ‘Black Forest’ linden wood long case clock by Spring of Interlaken, the square silvered dial enclosed behind a glazed door within an ornate case, surmounted by a carving of William...
Category

20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Vintage Stag Horn Carving Set by Anton Wingen, Solingen
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Stag Horn Carving Set by Anton Wingen, Solingen A rustic carving set consisting of fork and knife. The handles are made of genuine stag horn and feature a silver knob on the...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Metal

Vintage Wild Boar Teeth Trophy on Wooden Plaque, Germany 1950s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Wild Boar Teeth Trophy on Wooden Plaque, Germany 1950s A vintage Black Forest wild boar (Sus scrofa) trophy on wooden plaque. The teeth are decorated with two metal mounting...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Metal

Antique Late 1800s Black Forest Pipe with Hand Carved Deer and Stag Sculptures
Located in Lisse, NL
All handcrafted gentleman's or hunter's pipe from circa 1890. For the collectors of antique Black Forest carvings in general and of rare pipes in particular, we also have this Swi...
Category

19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Metal

Antique French Server Sideboard Buffet Hunt Harvest Cabinet Black Forest Oak 19C
Located in Tyler, TX
SUPERB 19th Century Antique French HIGHLY CARVED Oak "Hunt" "Harvest" Black Forest Server Sideboard Buffet Cabinet~~ c. 1880s This is only one of multiple exquisite pieces recent...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Oak

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...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Metal

19th Century German Black Forest Candlestick
Located in Chicago, IL
A charming 19th century German Black Forest wood candlestick hand carved with ivy growing over rocks.
Category

19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Deer Horn Carving Set, Sheffield ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Deer Horn Carving Set, Sheffield ca. 1900s A rustic carving set consisting of fork and knife. The handles are made of genuine deer horn and feature a silver knob on their en...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Metal

19th Century German Black Forest Hunting Plaque
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Large German wooden plaque hand carved in basswood in German Black Forest style. About 1890. The hunting plaque shows a large hare figure and oak leaves in a naturalistic detailed st...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

White Tailed Deer Trophy Mount on Wooden Plaque ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
White Tailed Deer Trophy Mount on Wooden Plaque ca. 1900s A large antique white tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) trophy on a wooden plaque with black finish. The trophy was shot...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Antler, Wood

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

Large Black Forest Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque - Germany ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Black Forest Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque - Germany ca. 1900s An antique 8 pointer red deer (Cervus elaphus) trophy from the Black Forest. The trophy was shot around 1900. The...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Antler, Wood

Pair of Pottery Black Forest Huntsmen Figures A very handsome pair
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Pair of Pottery Black Forest Huntsmen Figures A very handsome pair of 19th Century Figures, 2 huntsmen with their quarry, one holding up a Hare, the other with a Stag on the ground...
Category

19th Century Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

19th Century French Black Forest Carved Walnut and Glass Complete Liquor Box
Located in Dallas, TX
Create an elegant bar area with this complete antique "Cave à Liqueur"! Created in France, circa 1870 and shaped as a wood log cabinet, the rectangular Black Forest Tantalus is decor...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Glass, Walnut

Antique & Large Black Forest Gun / Rifle Rack w. Hand Carved Deer Head Sculpture
Located in Lisse, NL
Large and impressive Black Forest rack for hunting guns, circa 1870-1890. If you are looking for the perfect antique to decorate one of the walls in your hunting room, home office o...
Category

19th Century European Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Bronze

ANTiQUE GERMAN BLACK FOREST CARVED RAMS HEAD ANTLER SUPPER TABLE PART OF A SUITE
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this very rare original German late 19th century black forest antler supper cafe side table which is part of...
Category

Early 1900s German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Large Black Forest Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1970s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Black Forest Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1970s A great vintage roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved plaque. The trophy was shot in 1975. Good conditio...
Category

Late 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Antler, Wood

Large Antique Black Forest Wall Coat Rack w. Hand Carved Basket of Flowers 1890s
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare, late 1800s, solid oak, handcarved, Black Forest wall coat rack. Only very rarely will you come across an antique that is as good and original as this large size, work of art c...
Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Iron

19th Century French Carved Bleached Oak Buffet with Fruit and Leaf Motifs
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a den, a game room or an entry with this richly carved antique buffet! Created in France, circa 1860, and built of oak, the cabinet sits on front bun feet over a carved rece...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Oak

Brass Framed Monumental Sized Magnifying Glass with Natural Horn Handle
Located in Savannah, GA
This monumental sized horn handled magnifying glass with brass framework and stem, is of heavy weight and fine quality. The horn is quite substantial and supports this very large gla...
Category

Early 1900s German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Brass

Black Forest Austrian Pair of Red Deer Fur Cushions Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Pair of soft red deer fur cushions with white spots. Backside grey and camel cashmere wool. The fur comes from the Kitzbuehel alps.
Category

2010s Austrian Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Fur

Antique Black Forest Brienz Hand-Carved Figural Dog Inkwell
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique inkwell is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from Austria and date to approximately 1920 and done in the period Black Forest style. The inkwell is composed of a ...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Art Glass, Softwood

PAIR OF ANTIQUE GERMAN BLACK FOREST CARVED ANTLER ARMCHAiRS PART OF A SUITE
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this very rare pair of original German late 19th century black forest antler armchairs which are part of a s...
Category

Early 1900s European Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Oak

19th Century Set of 3 Bavarian Black Forest Fruitwood Picture Frames Folk Art
Located in Sherborne, Dorset
A beautifully carved set of three Bavarian picture frames elaborately carved using the ‘notch cut’ technique, each of the wooden frames is held together with a cross-lap joint. Datin...
Category

Mid-19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Glass, Fruitwood

Vintage Black Forest Red Deer Trophy from Salem - Germany 1959
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Black Forest Red Deer Trophy from Salem - Germany 1959 A large 12 pointer black forest red deer (Cervus elaphus) trophy from the palace of salem in south germany. Shoot by a...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Antler, Wood

Antique Oil Print with Black Forest Poacher Scene after Josef Ringeisen
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Oil Print with Black Forest Poacher Scene after Josef Ringeisen A colorful oil print depicting a dramatic poaching scenery in the Bavarian forest. Two poachers are caught in...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Glass, Wood

Black Forest Linden Wood Carved Swiss Bear Glass Eyes
Located in Cheltenham, GB
Black Forest Linden wood naturalistically carved strolling bear with original glass eyes, crafted in Brienz. This exquisitely carved lindenwood piece features realistic details. A...
Category

19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Softwood

Pair of rare Antler Parlor Chairs, France ca. 1860
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Pair of rare Antler Parlor Chairs, France ca. 1860 These two very rare antler parlor chairs are made of stag antlers with feet carved as lions claws. Made in France, ca. 1860 - the ...
Category

Mid-19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Antler, Wood

Antique Stainless Steel and Horn 12 Pieces Tableware Set, Germany 1930s
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...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Metal

Vintage Stag Horn Winged Poultry Shears by J. A. Henkels, Solingen
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Stag Horn Winged Poultry Shears by J. A. Henkels, Solingen A rustic winged poultry shears with handles made of genuine stag horn. Blades made of chromed steel. Manufactured ...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Metal

19th Century French Henri II Carved Bleached Oak Jelly Cabinet with Vine Motifs
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a wine cellar with this elegant and heavily carved antique cabinet. Crafted in France, circa 1870, the jelly cabinet stands on a wide and thick double molded plinth base ove...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Oak

Antique Cheese and Butter Knives with Deer Handles, circa 1950s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Cheese and Butter Knives with Deer Handles, circa 1950s A rustic serving set consisting of cheese knife and butter knife. The handles are made of genuine deer feet. The blad...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Metal

19th Century Set of 5 Bavarian Black Forest Ebonised Picture Frames Folk Art
Located in Sherborne, Dorset
A beautifully carved set of five Bavarian ebonised picture frames elaborately carved using the ‘notch cut’ technique, each frame held together with a cross-lap joint. Dating from the...
Category

Mid-19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Glass, Pine, Fruitwood

Antique Swiss Black Forest Carved Dog Head Bronze Hook Hanger Coat Rack, c. 1900
Located in Pearland, TX
A fine antique black forest Swiss hand carved dog head sculpture plaque coat rack with a gilt bronze hook, circa 1900. It's perfect for your rustic lodge decor in an entryway for han...
Category

Early 1900s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Black Forest Vintage Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1942
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Black Forest Vintage Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1942 A great vintage roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved plaque. The plaque features a handpainted inscrip...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Antler, Wood

Black Forest Vintage Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Black Forest Vintage Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque A large vintage roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved plaque. The trophy was shot in Germany ca. 1960s. Good...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood, Antler

Large Black Forest Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1967
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Black Forest Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1967 A vintage roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved plaque. The plaque features a handpainted inscription sta...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Antler, Wood

Four Antique Bull Horn Chairs ca. 1870
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Four Antique Bull Horn Chairs ca. 1870 A set of four antique bull horn chairs ca. 1870, covered with antique green velvet which has to be renewed (is loo...
Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood, Antler

Antique Black Forest Sofa Ensemble Swiss (5) Pieces Photoshopped with Linen
Located in Chicago, IL
Linen version of Old Plank's Black Forest furniture. We look at Black Forest furniture as being both a bit rustic and a little whimsical. Black Forest furniture dates from the late 1800’s to the early 1900’s and although most people believe Black Forest originated in Germany, or Austria, it was also made in France and Switzerland and the Swiss are the ones who invented the style in the City of Brienz. The original carving of Black Forest furniture and small animal sculptures was driven by the Tourist trade. Old Plank was fortunate to be able to purchase an entire room of Black Forest furniture from a chateau in the South of France. The price includes our Old Plank upholstery department covering the suite in a linen fabric, or in your fabric. Includes two side tables, sofa and 2 Bergere Chairs...
Category

1890s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Linen, Upholstery, Wood

Large Black Forest Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1954
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Black Forest Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1954 Item e7166 A great vintage roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved plaque. The plaque features a handpainted...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Antler, Wood

Large Black Forest Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1957
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Black Forest Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1957 A great vintage roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved plaque. The plaque features a handpainted inscripti...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Antler, Wood

Walnut Black Forest Center Table by Matthijs Horrix for Horrix Den Haag, 1890s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent and ultra rare Black Forest center table. Design by Matthijs Horrix for the famous Dutch cabinet makers Horrix Den Haag. Striking Dutch design from the 1880s. Solid hand-...
Category

1890s Dutch Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Large German Hand Carved Wooden Sculpture Lamp Night Watchman with Lantern
Located in Barntrup, DE
Large German hand-carved wooden sculpture lamp night watchman with lantern from the 1950s. This masterfully hand-carved wooden lamp features a large scu...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Metal

Swiss Black Forest Gnome Tobacco Jar
Located in Newark, England
The Gnome stands proud wearing a green apron, hooded top with a large stein in his right hand and his left hand resting in his pocket. The jar is hinged at waistline of the Gnome al...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

German Black Forest Antler Tray with Decanter and Glasses
Located in San Mateo, CA
Unusual decanter set with a tray made of antlers. The set has a cut glass decanter with matching glasses. One glass is missing. Great display piece for a cabinet of curiosities, cabi...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Antler, Glass

Large Simulated Black Forrest Stag Antler Hanging Chandelier
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Large Simulated Black Forrest Stag Antler Hanging Chandelier This is a very realistic looking piece, this chandelier design was first made in the 19th Century, and was a great favourite in Scottish...
Category

1960s Vintage Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Resin

Antique Pair of Black Forest Jardinière’s Hand Carved Switzerland circaLate1800s
Located in Chicago, IL
Black Forest Pair of Jardinière’s hand carved in Switzerland during the late 1800s. The Jardinière’s are complete with their original metal liners and are ready to be planted. Black Forest Furniture first began to appear in the mid-1800s in Brienz, Switzerland and originally only included small Black Forest animal objects made for the tourist trade. In the late 1800s, as tourism traffic increased, so did the number and Size of Black Forest Carvings and soon thereafter was followed by Black Forest Furniture. As luck would have it, Old Plank has recently discovered a treasure Trove of Black Forest Carved...
Category

1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Tin

19th C Black Forest Stag Head Antler Wall Mount Deer Sculpture
Located in Atlanta, GA
German, 19th century. A large scale and finely carved Black Forest deer or stag head. The deer head made of carved wood and original glass eyes and artist inset original antlers. T...
Category

19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Antler, Glass, Wood

A Beatifully Hand-carved Brienz Black forest Hall Stand with a Mama Bear and Cub
Located in Dallas, TX
A beatifully 19th Century hand-carved Brienz black forest hall stand with a mama bear and cub, this naturalistically carved hall stand depicts a standing moma bear next to a tree, w...
Category

19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Glass, Wood

Black Forest Walnut Armchair or Reading Chair by Matthijs Horrix for Horrix
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent and ultra rare Black Forest armchair or reading chair. Design by Matthijs Horrix for the famous Dutch cabinet makers Horrix Den Haag. Striking Dutch design from the 1880s...
Category

1880s Dutch Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

Father Wind Spinning Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This wooden chair was made in the late 1800s and was used for spinning yarn; hence the name "Spinning Chair". Made with strong oak wood; elegant, rich hand-carvings cover the chair head to toe. As the tail would tell us, these chairs were made in the Black Forest of Germany--the Father of the Wind is depicted as the back. He is taking a deep breath in of fresh air and new possibilities, as each season passes he is there to support the changing of the wind. Each season calls for different winds and temperatures, which meant new clothes, and Father Wind...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood, Oak

1960s Black Forest Chamois Trophy on Carved and Painted Plaque
Located in Berghuelen, DE
1960s Black Forest Chamois Trophy on Carved and Painted Plaque An large trophy of the chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra), mounted on a carved wooden plaque. The plaque is painted green a...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Antler, Wood

Antique Black Forest Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque 1879
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Black Forest Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque 1879 An unusual antique Black Forest red deer (Cervus elaphus) trophy mounted on turned wooden plaque with a dark green finish. The...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Antler, Wood

19th Century Carved Bear Hall Stand
Located in Shipston-On-Stour, GB
An impressive late 19 century Black Forest carved bear hall stand, of a bear looking up while holding a tree with three branches forming coat/hat hooks, with an inquisitive bear cub ...
Category

1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Large Antique Brienz Black Forest Whimsical Bear & Cub Wooden Folk Art Carving
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This sizeable antique folk art carving is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from the Brienz area of Switzerland and date to approxima...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Pine

Small Black Forest carved picture frame
Located in East Geelong, VIC
This small rectangular Black Forest picture frame has the sides carved to represent rough textured bark and is adorned with applied oak leaves on three sides. This would allow it to ...
Category

1880s German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Softwood

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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