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.
Swiss Casted Bronze Cattle Bell ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Swiss Casted Bronze Cattle Bell ca. 1900s Item e7311 An antique cast bronze cattle bell, made in Switzerland around 1900. The bell comes with its original brown leather strap with bu...
Bronze
Antique Black Forest Lounge Chair from Switzerland Part of a Major Collection
Located in BENSENVILLE, IL
Antique Black Forest Lounge Chair, that was part of a major collection of Black Forest items sold by a Chateau outside of Marseille, France. There were a total of (42) antique Black Forest items that we have imported from the chateau and we still have a few remaining that are also listed on 1stdibs. Old Plank has been collecting and selling Black Forest furniture and Black Forest accessories for over 30-years and never have we witnessed a collection of Black Forest of this size. Black Forest furniture history began in Switzerland during the 1800’s and followed after the popularity of the small carved animals...
Wood
Large & Finest Quality, Antique Carved Nutwood Swiss Black Forest Bull Sculpture
Located in Lisse, NL
Museum quality and condition, hand carved livestock sculpture. This marvelous bull is for the collectors of the rarest and best quality Black Forest sculptures. Incredibly detailed,...
Nutwood
Antique Black Forest Chairs with Carved Animal Inlay, Germany, 1840
Located in Miami, FL
In walnut, the chairs are delicately carved with interesting inlayed of animal figures. Sold as is to refinish.
Walnut
$4,760Sale Price / set|20% Off
Great Antique Horn Chairs, Austria ca. 1870
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Great Antique Horn Chairs, Austria ca. 1870 Item e5680 A pair large bull horn chairs ca. 1870, one covered with vintage cattle coat which has to be rene...
Metal
$15,940
Victorian Black Forest Bench
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Victorian black forest carved bench seat. Back carved with branches, oak leaves and acorns. Patterned seat with scroll arms and entwined border. S sc...
Wood
19th Century Inkwell – Black Forest – Carved Wood – Two Bears
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A charming 19th century Black Forest carved wooden inkwell featuring a beautifully sculpted scene with two bears. The bears stand on a naturalistic rocky base, which incorporates a ...
Glass, Wood
Zabihi Collection Colorful Vintage Suzani Embroidery
Located in New York, NY
Hand-embroidered Suzani textile made in the last quarter of the 20th century. Glowing vibrant colors executed by the weaver giving it an old-world look and vintage feel. Measures:...
Cotton
Original Antique Print After H. Leutemann, Reynard the Fox- The Envious Horse
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image by Heinrich Leutemann From the Reynard The Fox series Fine steel engraving Published by A.H. Payne C.1850 Unframed.
Paper
Antique Carved Wood Tobacco Pipe with Soldier Head
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Carved Wood Tobacco Pipe with Soldier Head A rare antique handcarved wooden tobacco pipe with a fine carved soldier head as pipe head. The head features a Confederated or a Union soldier. The pipe is executed in Germany ca. 1880. A great addition to every tobacciana collection. Good condition with a small repair on the hat brim. The tradition of wood carving, using manual skills to make everyday objects and fine art sculptures, is found throughout Europe. The incentive to create not only useful but also aesthetically beautiful things, distinguishes the craftsman from the artist. In addition to the well-known Swiss wood...
Wood
$6,304Sale Price / set|20% Off
Antique Bull Horn Chairs by H.F.C. Rampendahl, Austria, Circa 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...
Wood, Antler
Antique Black Forest Mirror that was part of a major collection of Black Forest
Located in BENSENVILLE, IL
Antique Black Forest Mirror that were part of a major collection of Black Forest items sold by a Chateau outside of Marseille, France. There were over (40) antique Black Forest items...
Glass, Mirror, Wood
19th Century Ceramic Pitcher - Hunting Scene - Shore & Co Isleworth England
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A beautiful antique ceramic jug. The jug has beautiful relief decorations with animals / hunting. The jug is marked on the bottom, with a blind mark. Made by Shore & Co, Isleworth, 1...
Ceramic
Man Hand Carved and Painted Black Forest Mechanical Wooden Bottle Stopper, 1930s
By ANRI
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This charming vintage hand-carved wooden folk art stopper, made in Italy or Austria, depicts a delightful gentleman from the 1920s or earlier. Carved with expressive detail and warm ...
Wood
19th Century black forest centre piece
Located in Martlesham, GB
A lovely quality 19th Century black forest centre piece, having an ornate carved trunk at the centre with a removable glass stem with out swept scalloped edge, a large hunting dog st...
Walnut
Original Antique Print After H. Leutemann, Reynard the Fox And Henning
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image by Heinrich Leutemann From the Reynard The Fox series Fine steel engraving Published by A.H. Payne C.1850 Unframed.
Paper
German Pendant Light Hand Carved Wood Figure Mountain Climber with Lantern
Located in Barntrup, DE
This wonderful German Black Forest figural pendant lamp features a hand-carved figure of a mountain climber. The detailed carved wooden mountaineer is...
Copper
Original Antique Print After H. Leutemann, Reynard the Fox- Bruin As Messenger
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image by Heinrich Leutemann From the Reynard The Fox series Fine steel engraving Published by A.H. Payne C.1850 Unframed.
Paper
Rare 2 tier Swiss 19th century Black Forest Jewelry box hand carved Fox & bird.
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
This incredibly rare two-tier Swiss Black Forest jewelry box is fully hand-carved from a single block of wood, making it a true masterpiece. What sets this box apart is its unique de...
Velvet, Wood
Dove Pigeon Viechtauer Hand Carved Wood Bird Black Forest Folk Art, Austria 1900
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful Austrian 20th century, carved wood bird, mounted on a stand for hanging. The tradition of these in Austria called "Viechtauer" birds goes back to the early 19th century w...
Wood, Paint
Country Style Pottery Dish Hand-Painted Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel Austria
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Large hands-free painted pottery dish in Country style. Glazed in ice blue and handsfree painting in white. The decor shows a hands-free painted pomegranate with butterflies and a ha...
Ceramic
Black Forest Cuckoo Clock
Located in Nantucket, MA
Carved Walnut Black Forest Cuckoo Clock in form of a Chalet, with applied carved wooden leaves, grapes and bird, circa 1900, with pierced res...
Walnut
Antique Victorian era Hand Carved Black Forest Bull Sculpture Wall Bracket
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning large carved wooden bull wall shelf. Over the years we have had the pleasure of owning and selling a number of beautiful Black Forest antiques, but never did we come accross a 19th century Black Forest wall bull bracket of this size and with such amazing natural details and warm patina. This marvelously handcrafted and good condition, bull sculpture wall shelf...
Wood
Late 19th Century Black Forest Farm House Chair Wood Painted Germany
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hand-painted wooden farm house chair in the style of Black forest in blue-green color with a medaillon showing two sheeps. Original color and paintin...
Wood
Black Forest Hand-Carved Dog Head Tobacco Jar in the manner of Walter Mader
By Walter Mäder
Located in San Francisco, CA
How can this not make you smile? This well-carved antique Black Forest box of an expressive shaggy dog with glass eyes, forward gaze, open m...
Walnut
Antique Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Green Plaque - Salem Germany 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Green Plaque - Salem Germany 1900 An antique trophy of a 6-pointer red deer (Cervus elaphus) from Salem Castle in southern Germany. Shot by a...
Antler, Wood
Antique Musical circa 1880 Black Forest Hand Carved Fox Whip Hook Glass Eyes
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this exceptionally rare, Musical, original circa 1880 Swiss made Black Forest wood, Fox whip hook with glass eyes These...
Wood
Vintage Black Forest Style Lamp with Two Deer
Located in High Point, NC
Wonderful cast lamp in the Black Forest style of wood carving. The lamp depicts a tree in the background with a standing stag in the front and a laying doe beside him. They are on ...
Resin
Rustic Antler Lamp with Deer Antlers
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Rustic antler lamp with deer Antlers A large antler chandelier made of three joined deer antlers. The lamp comes with 3 spouts, vintage glass ...
Blown Glass, Antler
$216Sale Price|20% Off
Hand Carved Fruitwood Black Forest Frame Germany, 1900s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning Black Forest picture frame. Striking German design from the 1900s. Hand-carved and hand-painted fruitwood frame. This wonderful hand-carved and hand-painted Black Forest ...
Fruitwood
French Boar's Head Trophy, Oak Mounted Taxidermy, 1930
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
French Boar’s Head Hunting Trophy This Large Wild Boar's Head Trophy came from the Perigore region of France There animals are prized not only for their meat but for the ferocity and...
Oak
A Victorian Black Forest Rustic Drinking Goblet, Germany 1860s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A Victorian Black Forest Rustic Drinking Goblet, Germany 1860s A beautiful antique drinking goblet made of real deer horn featuring relief carvings of stag and deer ornaments around...
Antler
Antique Black Forest Carved Bear Chair, Brienz, circa 1880s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Black Forest Carved Bear Chair, Brienz, circa 1880s An exceptional hand-carved Black Forest bear chair dating to around 1880. Crafted ...
Wood
Original Carved Wooden Daybed or Bed, Decorated with Bears circa 1980
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Original carved wooden daybed or bed, decorated with bears circa 1980.
Wood
Pair Great Black Forest Wall Sconces with Deer Horns, Germany ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Pair Great Black Forest Wall Sconces with Deer Horns, Germany ca. 1900 An antique pair of Black Forest sconces for candles. Each made of original deer horns which are mounted on a t...
Antler, Wood
Original Antique Print After H. Leutemann, Reynard the Fox- King Stork And Frogs
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image by Heinrich Leutemann From the Reynard The Fox series Fine steel engraving Published by A.H. Payne C.1850 Unframed.
Paper
Vintage Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque - Germany 1951
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque - Germany 1951 An vintage red deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved plaque with dark brown finish which features...
Antler, Wood
19th-C. French Green Painted Black Forest Carved Side Chair In Dog Toile Linen
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a 19th century French carved oak Black Forest carved oak chair upholstered in a dog toile that is attributed to Brunschwig & Fils. The back depicts a series of woven branches...
Upholstery, Oak
Antique Chamois Trophy on Carved Plaque, Germany ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Chamois Trophy on Carved Plaque, Germany ca. 1900 Antique chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) trophy mounted on a wooden carved plaque. The trophy was shot arround 1900 in Germany...
Antler, Wood
Antique Rustic Black Forest Carved Wood Console Table
Located in Forney, TX
An extraordinarily carved Black Forest console table. 19th century, Continental Europe, most likely German, Swiss or possibly French, exhibition quality exceptionally executed mast...
Wood, Oak
Pair of Black Forest Carved Walnut Bird Nest Wall-Mounted Consoles, ca. 1920
Located in Barntrup, DE
Pair of Black Forest style carved walnut wall-mounted consoles or shelves, birds nest, Germany, ca. 1920. An adorable pair of wall-mounted consoles with beautifully and masterfully c...
Metal
$913Sale Price|20% Off
Hand-Carved Fruitwood Black Forest Bear Germany, 1920s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and rare Black Forest bear. Striking German design from the 1920s. Hand-carved fruitwood sculpture of a life-like bear walking on all four paws. Rare because of the hand-...
Fruitwood
$12,450Sale Price|32% Off
Felix Possart Large Oil on Canvas "A Spring Alpine Journey"
By Felix Possart
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Felix Possart (German, 1837-1928) a large oil on canvas "A Spring Alpine Journey". The elongated painting depicting a mountain scene, possibly set in the Austrian or Swiss Alps, of a young man hiking in the Alps during springtime wearing Lederhosen and carrying a bucket and a water drum...
Giltwood, Canvas
Original Antique Print After H. Leutemann, Reynard the Fox- Bellin's Benediction
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image by Heinrich Leutemann From the Reynard The Fox series Fine steel engraving Published by A.H. Payne C.1850 Unframed.
Paper
Dog Handle Brienz Black Forest Wood Carved Umbrella Cane Austria Antique, 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1910s Black Forest Brienz wood carved umbrella with handle in form of a dog. The dog has glass eyes. Nice addition to your collection or just for use. Made of hand carv...
Metal
Vintage Stainless Steel and Horn Tableware Set for 6 Germany, 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Stainless Steel and Horn Tableware Set for 6 Germany, 1900s A rustic tabelware set consisting of six knives and six forks. The handles are made of genuine deer horn and feat...
Metal
German Pendant Light Hand Carved Wooden Figure Mountain Climber with Lantern
Located in Barntrup, DE
This adorable German figural pendant lamp from the circa 1950s features a hand-carved figure of a smiling mountain climber. The detailed carved linden wood mountaineer is holding ont...
Metal
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...
Oak
Original Antique Print After H. Leutemann, Reynard the Fox-Isegrim And Monkeys
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image by Heinrich Leutemann From the Reynard The Fox series Fine steel engraving Published by A.H. Payne C.1850 Unframed.
Paper
Antique Carved Buck Head Brienz Black Forest Wood Carving Glass Eyes
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This exquisite antique wall-mounted buck head showcases the exceptional craftsmanship of woodcarving, likely originating from the Brienz or the Black Forest region, renowned for its ...
Glass, Wood
$2,320Sale Price|39% Off
Late 18th Century Liege Burled Walnut Tall Case Clock
Located in New Orleans, LA
A stately late 18th century Belgian, Liege, tall case clock case having a period Black Forest clock workings with wooden enameled dial and hand-painted fruit decoration, the original...
Bronze, Enamel, Iron
$28,000 / set
Pair Black Forest Carved Hanging Game Plaques
By Black Forest
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Matched pair of Black Forest linden wood hanging game plaques. One with chamois and grouse, the other red stag and fox. Both complete with rifle and game ...
Wood
Antique Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque - Germany 1932
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque - Germany 1932 An antique red deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved plaque with dark brown finish. The trophy wa...
Antler, Wood
Black Forest Crystal Latern Amber Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hand blown crystal latern in amber crystal glass from Bavaria Germany. The decor is hands-free engraved by glass artists all around with a hunting scene with trees in the style of Bl...
Crystal
Black Forest Bistro Table
Located in Charmes, FR
Charming pedestal table with a circular white marble top resting on a central carved wooden base with a naturalistic decoration imitating intertwined branches. The central shaft has ...
Wood
$2,698
Black Forest mirror
Located in 'S-HERTOGENBOSCH, NL
Black Forest mirror, Austria, 19th. Century. Hand-carved. Decorated with a crown on top and a lot of oak leaves.
Wood
Antique Black Forest 19th Century Jewelry Box Carved Fruitwood Red Velvet Chest
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Gorgeous & Breathtaking! This small 19th century Black Forest Jewellery Box carved out of fruit wood. Carved by a master carver with attention to detail decorated on the top, front ...
Velvet, Wood
Pair of Antique Hand-Carved Black Forest Bear Chairs
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Antique Swiss Black Forest carved bear chairs. Intricately hand-carved with chair backs featuring bear climbing branches of oak leaves with acorns. Carved seats and bear heads on fro...
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...
Wood
19th Century Rustic Black Forest Mirror, Hand Carved, Germany, circa 1880
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Unusual, charming Black Forest wall mirror, artfully handmade in Bavaria/ Germany in the late 19th century around 1880. An amazing designed rustic wall mirror with a wide dark brown ...
Mirror, Softwood