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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
Period: Early 20th Century
Black Forest Carved & Intricately Inlaid Musical Chair, Swiss, ca. 1900
Located in Banner Elk, NC
A Black Forest Carved Walnut Chair, the seat and seatback with intricately inlaid cartouches each depicting an alpine chamois, with carved edelweiss and leaves, with the working musi...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Satinwood, Walnut

Antique Hand Carved Black Forest Game Hunter's Bag with Woodcock, Rifle & Horn
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Black Forest antique hand carved miniature wall pocket of a fringed game hunter's bag with woodcock, rifle and horn Rich, dark patina and very we...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Oak

Antique Top Quality Carved Black Forest Style Knitting Farmer's Wife Sculpture
Located in Lisse, NL
One of the best ever hand carved, black forest of Southern Germany sculptures. This unique antique is for the collectors and connoisseurs, because the quality in the details of th...
Category

Early 20th Century European Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Black Forest 1900s Carved Wooden Plaque with Chamois Motif, Foliage and Mirror
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Black Forest period carved wooden plaque from the early 20th century, with chamois motif, foliage and petite mirror. Hand-Carved in Switzerland during the early years of the 20th c...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Wood

Wood Black Forest Brienz Carved Figural Gnome Nutcracker German Antique, 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1900s Black Forest Brienz wood carved Nutcracker in form of a Gnome. Nice addition to your room or just for use it on your desk.
Category

Early 1900s German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Black Forest Carved & Intricately Inlaid Tilt-Top Center Table, Swiss, Ca. 1900
Located in Banner Elk, NC
Black forest carved walnut tilt-top table, the top intricately inlaid with a central medallion depicting a family of alpine chamois, surrounded by medallions of inlaid floral scrollw...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Satinwood, Walnut

Large Hand Carved Black Forest Standing Stag Deer Sculpture with Huge Antlers
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This quite large and well executed carving is unsigned by the artist, but presumed to have been done in Eastern Europe in circa 1900 in the period Black Forest style. This large carv...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Softwood

Antique Swiss Black Forest Carved Antelope & Eagles Wall Mounted Letter Holder
Located in Pearland, TX
A rare antique Swiss Black Forest carved antelope and eagles wall mounted letter rack, circa 1900. This fine letter holder is a nice large size and has...
Category

Early 1900s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Hand-Carved Black Forest Tobacco Jar or Humidor & Ashtray with Bears
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique tobacco jar or humidor is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from Austria and date to approximately 1900 and done in the perio...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Black Forest Style Carved Wall Bracket Shelf
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Black Forest style carved wall bracket shelf This is a delightful item, the bracket has a carved stag’s head decorated with leaves and trees fro...
Category

Early 20th Century Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Walnut

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 ...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Swiss Black Forest Carved Walnut Stag, Circa 1900
Located in Stamford, CT
Beautifully carved black forest stag with antlers. Clearly carved by a master craftsman, the stag shown in a naturalistic striding pose. The lovely grain of the black walnut adds ano...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Early 20th Century French Black Forest Carved Walnut Bear Sculpture Composition
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a ranch or hunt cabin with this beautifully executed, antique bear sculpture composition. Hand carved in France circa 1920 from one piece of frui...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Walnut

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

Glass, Antler

Black Forest Carved & Intricately Inlaid Walnut Musical Chair, Swiss, Ca. 1900
Located in Banner Elk, NC
A black forest carved walnut chair, the seat and seatback with intricately inlaid cartouches each depicting an alpine chamois, with carved edelweiss and leaves, with the working musi...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Satinwood, Walnut

Very Rare Pair of Original Early 20th Century Black Forest Wood Bear Armchairs
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning and exceptionally rare pair of original hand carved in Black Forest wood very large Bear armchairs A collectable and signature pai...
Category

1920s Swiss Vintage Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Black Forest Male Figure with Flowers and Horns
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This stylish and dramatic German, black-forest tavern piece dates to 1930s-1940s and it represents the "May Pole" celebration. The figure is hand-carved wood, natural horns and brass...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Metal

Antique, Rare and Large Hand Carved Black Forest Flying Eagle Pendant Chandelier
Located in Lisse, NL
A stunning, four-light eagle pendant for the collectors of only the rarest Black Forest antiques. If you are a serious and lifelong collector of Black Forest antiques or even if you are the curator of a museum owning rare Black Forest pieces then the chance of you owning a large Black Forest chandelier like this still is very small. This, over three feet wide, eagle chandelier is the kind of Black Forest antique that you normally only find in books. For us to have been given the opportunity to purchase it from a German family of (former) nobles was an honor. The older lady we purchased it from had known it all her life, but she was moving to a much smaller home and she had no family members interested in antiques. This majestic eagle with both claws is holding a perfectly hand carved branch and from each of the four side branches grows a hand crafted, blackened metal, flower lampshade. The large size of this eagle, his perfect body posture, his excellent and warm patina and the great details really make this well balanced sculpture a marvelous antique to own, to use and to look at. The way in which this fierce predator is sticking out its neck and scanning the area with its piercing eyes is something that only a true master carver is capable of creating. To us, this unique and sculptural Black Forest chandelier is the perfect center piece for a hunting lodge or for a Black Forest collector's 'treasure trove' or 'inner sanctum'. We can also see it grace the entry hall of a museum. If you can imagine how this work of art chandelier would look over your large antique desk...
Category

Early 20th Century European Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Brass, Metal

Black Forest Wooden Carved Begging Dog, Brienz, ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A whimsical Swiss wood carving. A long hair terrier is begging with his masters hat beside a basket. Handcarved ca. 1900 in Switzerland in the area...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Early 20th Century 'Black Forest' Stick & Umbrella Stand Bear
Located in North Miami, FL
Early 20th century Swiss 'Black Forest' stick & umbrella stand in the form of a charming bear with inset glass eyes. Arms outstretched in a hug-like form the piece will fit perfectly in a front foyer or boot room...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Metal

French Black Forest Wood Box, Circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
French Black Forest wood box, circa 1900, Possibly a jewel box.
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Early 1900 Large Black Forest Fine Carved Burling Stag / Deer Sculpture Statue
Located in Lisse, NL
Good size and beautifully carved, wooden Black Forest stag sculpture. From the posture it is obvious that this impressive stag, with his head turned up, is attempting to attract and...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Black Forest 19th Century Wood Wardrobe Brienz
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
19th Century Black Forest large wardrobe hand-crafted in solid wood with 3 hangers and a oval shaped mirror with original faceted glass. Hand-carved from solid wood in the shape of a...
Category

Early 1900s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antler and Boar Tusks Candle Holder Centerpiece
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Antler and boar tusks candle holder centerpiece This antique centerpiece candle holder is made of genuine deer antlers and Boar Tusks. It holds 5 candle...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Antler

Black Forest 1900s Mirror with Carved Vine Motifs and Intersecting Corners
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Black Forest wall mirror from the early 20th century, with carved vine motifs. We currently have three mirrors available, priced and sold $1,350 EACH Created during the early years...
Category

Early 20th Century European Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Wood

Black Forest 1920s Oak Wall Bracket from Switzerland with Hand Carved Stag Motif
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swiss Black Forest period oak wall bracket from the early 20th century, with hand carved stag motif. This early 20th-century Swiss Black Forest oak wall bracket, hailing from the s...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Oak

Late 19th-Early 20th Century Carved and Inlaid Black Forest Table with Stags
Located in Charleston, SC
Great sized late 19th-early 20th century black forest carved and inlaid table with scenes of stags.
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Tobacco Jar Wood Carved Black Forest Brienz German Antique, 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1900s Black Forest Brienz wood carved Tobacco Jar. Nice addition to your room or just for use it on your desk. Found at an estate sale in Nur...
Category

Early 1900s German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Swiss Black Forest Carved & Lacquered Bear Statue
Located in Forney, TX
A fine quality antique Swiss Black Forest ware, born in the early 20th century, exquisitely hand carved, lacquered wooden bear figure. The exception...
Category

Early 20th Century Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Glass, Wood

Antique Hand Carved Oak & Walnut Swiss Barometer w. Hunting Gear & Hound Carving
Located in Lisse, NL
Fabulous antique Black Forest wall barometer and thermometer. This good size and finest quality carved barometer could be the perfect Black Forest antique to grace your home or lodge. The details in all of the hunting related sculptures reveal the workmanship of the artisan who created this one of a kind 'wall plaque barometer'. The oval wall plaque itself is made of solid oak and all of the finely carved hunting gear and dog are all hand carved out of solid nutwood. Have you also noticed the hanging bird prey underneath the perfectly carved hunter's hat and next to the rifle and hunting bag? For an artist to be able to hand-carve all these hunting elements in such details and with such perfection is something that never ceases to amaze us. What makes this particular antique even more special is the fact that, after one hundred years, it still is in mint condition. With a perfect working barometer...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Brass

Traditional Handcarved and Painted Tyrolian Carnival Mask
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Traditional handcarved and painted tyrolian carnival mask An nice antique wooden carved carnival mask which comes from the region of South Tyrol. Made of handcarved and handpainted ...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Early Deer Antler Mount on Black Forest Carved Wood Plaque
Located in Buchanan, MI
Early Deer Antler Mount On Black Forest Carved Wood Plaque.
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Antler, Wood

Swallow Nest Black Forest Key Rack Holder Wall Mount Vintage Folk Art
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A lovely key board made of hand carved wood, made in the black forest area in Germany. Found at an estate sale in Nuremberg, Germany. It is not marked. A nic...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Brass

Black Forest Swiss 1900s Carved Wooden Fragment with Bear Motif and Gilt Accents
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Black Forest period carved wooden fragment from the early 20th century, with bear motif. hand carved in Switzerland during the turn of the century, this wooden fragment features a ...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Large Hand Carved Black Forest Military Soldier & His Horse Under a Shade Tree
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This well executed carving is unsigned by the artist, but presumed to have been done in Eastern Europe in circa 1940 in the Black Forest style. The carving depicts a military soldier holding a 'Tommy...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Softwood

Antique German Barometer with Hand-Carved Oak Leaves and Acorns, 1920s
Located in Barntrup, DE
German Black Forest style barometer with fine hand-carved oak branches, leaves, and acorns. Dimensions: height 30 cm / 11.81 in; width 24 cm / 9.44 in; depth 5 cm / 1.96 in. In good ...
Category

1920s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Metal

Rare Hand Carved Antique Black Forest Lion Sculpture Nutcracker with Glass Eyes
Located in Lisse, NL
Top quality carved, early 20th century, wooden Black Forest nut cracker. If you are a collector of rare and good quality Black Forest antiqu...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Glass, Wood

Antique Black Forest Bench Hallway Swiss Bear Carved 20th Century Sofa Loveseat
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Make sure you always come home with a warm welcome with this marvelous Black Forest sofa in your hallway. Carved out of solid wood by a master carver th...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Oak

Wood Carved Roe Deer Head German Black Forest, Antique, 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful whimsical early 20th century German Black Forest carved and hand painted head, mounted to a carved back with oak or marble leaves. Nice addition to a hunters loge or any ...
Category

Early 1900s German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Black Forest Chamois Antler Trophy on Wood Carved Plaque, German, 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful antique Black Forest Chamois antler trophy on hand carved, Black Forest wooden plaque. A nice addition to your hunters loge or just to display it in your house.
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Antler, Wood

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

19th Century Pair of Carved Relief Limewood Shadow Boxes
Located in London, GB
A pair of carved limewood shadow boxes Finely carved in high relief, and depicting two famous scenes of an eagle attacking a man, and a poacher being shot, housed within rectangul...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Hand Carved Black Forest Barometer, Flowers ans Nesting Birds Sculptures
Located in Lisse, NL
Large and wonderful, Swiss Black Forest barometer with thermometer. This mother nature inspired, charming and beautifully hand-carved barometer...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Glass, Opaline Glass, 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

Antique Hand Carved and Mint Condition Black Forest Gnome Sculpture Nutcracker
Located in Lisse, NL
Top quality carved, early 20th century, wooden Black Forest nut cracker. If you are a collector of only the best quality and condition Black...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Antler Smoking Desk Set, circa 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
The antique antler smoking desk set is made of original antlers from the deer and the stag. It was in Germany, circa 1900. Measures: Width 16.93" (43cm) Height 11.42" (29cm) Antle...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Antler

Early 20th Century Pair of Hand Carved Oak Black Forest Style Carved Mirrors
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A pair of elegant French mirrors, carved from solid oakwood in Black Forest style. Bird is depicted on both mirrors, each in an asymmetrical manner, so that it is an original couple....
Category

Early 20th Century French Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Oak

Top Quality Carved Antique Swiss Black Forest Linden Wood Ibex Corner Shelf
Located in Lisse, NL
All hand carved and amazing condition Black Forest corner shelf. Looking at the marvelous details of this striking Black Forest ibex, this corner br...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Oak Tavern, Pub, Wine Cellar 1920s Hand Carved Figural Chandelier
Located in Toledo, OH
Antique oak large scale tavern, pub or wine cellar chandelier circa 1920s. Original finish. Hand carved full figure of a child holding a basket ...
Category

1920s Unknown Vintage Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Large Black Forest Woodcarving Ibex Sculpture, Austria, circa 1920
Located in Berghuelen, DE
An antique early 20th century wooden carved sculpture of an ibex. Handcarved in lindenwood with naturalistic details - most probably in Austria around 1900. On the rocky base with a ...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Black Forest 1900s Carved Wooden Wall Hanging Ornament with Bear and Oval Mirror
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Black Forest carved wooden wall hanging ornament from the early 20th century, with bear motif and central mirror. Created during the early years of the 20th century, this Black Forest piece captures our attention with its charming depiction of a bear sitting on the branch of a tree shaped as deer antlers while the lower section showcases a petite oval mirror. With its rustic presence and skillful depiction, this Black Forest wall hanging...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Wood

Antique Wooden Carved Casket with Birds, Brienz, circa 1890
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Wooden Carved Casket with Birds, Brienz, circa 1890 A very nice hand carved black forest sewing box or jewel case with two birds on the lid. Ins...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Hand Carved Black Forest Rustic Cottage Jewelry or Trinket Box
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique hand carved Black Forest jewelry or trinket box is unsigned but presumed to have been made in either Germany or Switzerland in circa 1920 in the signature Black Forest s...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Softwood

Unknown, Oil on Canvas Painting Angel with Sleeping Child
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A great angelic oil painting depicting an angel sheltering a sleeping child from a snake. Oil painting on canvas with vigorous pastel colors. Framed wit...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Canvas

Early 1900 Gorilla Carrying off a Woman Crafted in Wood after Emmanuel Fremiet
Located in Lisse, NL
Great wooden sculpture after the famous bronze of Emmanuel Fremiet This handcrafted sculpture was probably made in South Tyrol by/of Josef Anton Riffeser who founded the ANRI Compan...
Category

Early 20th Century French Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Rare & Practical Size Antique Black Forest Bear Table or Desk Piece / Sculpture
Located in Lisse, NL
Beautiful quality and perfect condition, antique bear desk piece. This Black Forest bear is carved in a beautiful pose. This rare, early 1900s desk piece is the perfect pen or pencil holder and it is handcrafted antiques like this that keep our work interesting and rewarding. Also, because we know that this rare and good quality Swiss bear...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Glass, Wood

Swiss Brienz Black Forest Hand-Carved Wood Bear Pipe Tobacco Holder Stand
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Black Forest hand-carved linden-wood hand-carved pipe tobacco holder stand also have seen examples of it used as a decanter or liqueur Stand with the holders being used for shot or small glasses. Modeled as hiking bear with walking stick...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Black Forest Rustic Wall Mirror Hand Carved Bass Wood, Austria, circa 1880
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Uncommon rustic black forest wall mirror from Austria, around 1880. This antique wall mirror impresses with an unusual hand carved design, elaborately made out of basswood. A very da...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Mirror, 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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