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
Antique Deer Hoof Table Lamp
Located in San Francisco, CA
A circa 1920s, American table lamp composed of a tri-hoof deer leg, with blackened, brass strap detail and pull cord. 16.5” height x 8” wide.
Category
1920s North American Vintage Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Brass
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
Black Forest Wall Mirror with Grapes and Leaves Hand Carved, Austria Dated 1919
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Gigantic, one of a kind Black Forest wall mirror out of Austria, dated to 1919. This early 20th century elaborately hand carved masterpiece impresses with a fantastic open worked vin...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Spruce, Mirror, Softwood
Black Forest Wall Mirror Hand Carved, Austria, circa 1880
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Rustic Black Forest wall mirror from Austria, circa 1880. This lovely antique wall mirror impresses with a simple but elegant "tree trunk" design, elaborately hand carved out of bass...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Softwood
Nice Wooden Carved Boxer Tobacco Box, Switzerland Ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Wooden Carved Tobacco Box with Boxer, Switzerland ca. 1900
An early 20th century wooden carved humidor from Switzerland featuring a boxer dog beside a three trunk on witch the top can be flipped back to open the tobacco storage. In front of the trunk is a carved hat which features as matches holder. Handcarved with detailed naturalistic details in the area of Brienz ca. 1900. This Swiss Black Forest carved humidor...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Hand Carved and Painted Hunter Figure Whip Holder or Hanger, 1900s
Located in Barntrup, DE
This adorable and masterfully hand carved and hand painted whip holder or hanger with chamois antlers features a figure of a hunter with a hunter's pipe and shotgun, Austria, 1900s.
...
Category
Early 1900s Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Early 1900s Hand Carved and Colored Wooden Mountaineer Sculpture / Statue
Located in Lisse, NL
Unique and finely carved sculpture for the black forest and mountaineer enthousiasts.
If you are or if you have a friend who is a mountaineering enthousiast then this hand carved mo...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Collection Of Twenty Black Forest Roe Mounts
Located in Buchanan, MI
COLLECTION OF TWENTY BLACK FOREST ROE MOUNTS PRICED PER MOUNT
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut, Antler
19th Century Black Forest Carved Cabinet
By Black Forest
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Swiss carved china cabinet. Front door has bear paying accordion. Mother and father dancing together as cub plays close by. Two bears supporting shelves. Two drawers for flatware. Be...
Category
Early 1900s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Black Forest Carved Bird Plaque
By Black Forest
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Swiss carved walnut plaque with game bird and two chicks with vine and leaf design. Part of the Brienz Collection but not published.
Period: circ...
Category
1920s Swiss Vintage Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
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 ...
Category
Early 1900s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
1900 Black Forest Owl Carved Wood Extending Bookshelf Sir Walter Scott Books
By Black Forest
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this absolutely sublime very decorative original circa 1900 Black forest wood hand carved Owl bookshelf with suite of Sir Walter Scott books
Thi...
Category
Early 1900s German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paper
Early 20th Century Hand Carved Wall Plaques
Located in High Point, NC
Early 20th century set of three hand carved wall plaques which have been meticulously carved in the designs of European village landscapes. The...
Category
Early 1900s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
Black Forest Carved Jewelry Box, circa 1900
By Black Forest
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Footed oval Black Forest jewelry box with floral finials. Stunning piece.
Origin: Switzerland, circa 1900
Dimensions: 8" x 5" x 5".
Family Owned & Operated
Cisco’s Gallery deals ...
Category
Early 1900s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Large 1920s Plaster Figure of the Seated Blacksmith, Le Travail
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Large 1920s plaster figure of the seated blacksmith, Le Travail
A charming piece Folk Art, a painted statue of the famous blacksmith, known as “Le Travai...
Category
Early 20th Century Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Plaster
Black Forest Carved Jewelry Box, circa 1900
By Black Forest
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Beautiful hand carved Black Forest footed jewelry box with two song birds as finials. Comes with original key. Unique find.
Origin: Switzerland,...
Category
Early 1900s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Carved Black Forest Triple Postage Stamp Box, Owl, Glass Eyes
Located in Bath, GB
A fabulous hand carved wooden postage stamp box from the Black Forest region and dating to around 1900.
The sides are carved but the star of the show is the central carved owl to ...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Black Forest Carved Wooden Standing Bear with an Engraved Glass Vase or Flute
Located in Lisse, NL
Early 20th century Swiss work of art.
This small and hand-carved bear sculpture is a great example of the Black Forest craftsmanship in early 20th century, Switzerland. Anyone who i...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood
Quality Carved Small Black Forest Sculpture of an Alert Hunter with Rifle & Dog
Located in Lisse, NL
Beautiful quality and condition, early 20th century hunting sculpture.
This wonderful little Black Forest sculpture is the ideal gift for yourself o...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Wooden Carved Horse Paper Weight, circa 1920
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A great wooden carved head of a horse. It is mounted on a wooden base - usable as desk decoration or paper weight. Made in Germany ca. 1920.
Measures:...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Monumental and Striking ‘Black Forest’ Walnut Carving of an Eagle
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A monumental and striking ‘Black Forest’ walnut carving of an eagle perched on a toppled shield, E Binder, Shown with outstretched wings and the head turned to the right , the talons...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Black Forest Wall Mirror Rustic Design, Austria, circa 1880
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Rustic designed Black Forest wall mirror from Austria, circa 1880. This exceptional antique wall mirror impresses with a simple but elegant "tree trunk" ...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Softwood
Black Forest Mantle Carving "Antler's Clash"
By Black Forest
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Swiss Black Forest mantle carving of two fighting stags. Great mangle carving piece. Part of the Brienz Collection but not published.
Period: circa 1920
...
Category
1920s Swiss Vintage Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Collection of Four Black Forest Chamois Mounts of Carved Wood Plaques Priced per
Located in Buchanan, MI
Collection of four Black forest chamois mounts of carved wood plaques. Priced per mount.
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Wood
Hand Carved Black Forest St. Wooden Floor Lamp of Lantern Holding & Tipsy Guard
Located in Lisse, NL
Large and beautifully sculptured, floor lamp.
If you are looking for unique and decorative antiques to bring joy and class to your interior then this marvelous, sculptural floor lam...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Copper
Rustic Black Forest Wall Mirror Bass Wood, Austria, circa 1880
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Large rustic designed Black Forest wall mirror from Austria, circa 1880. This antique wall mirror impresses with a simple but elegant "tree trunk" design, elaborately hand carved out...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Softwood
Palace Size Antique Senneh Bakhtiari Rug
Located in New York, NY
A magnificent palace size early 20th century Persian Bakhtiari rug from the early 20th century. Large scale all-over design on a dark brown and navy blue ground with lobed diamond sh...
Category
Early 20th Century Persian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wool
Pair Of Large American Antler Armchairs, 1920s
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Pair of black forest antler armchairs, 1920s.
$250 flat rate front door delivery includes Washington DC metro, Baltimore and Philadelphia.
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Wood
Large Black Forest Poacher with Chamois
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A very large wooden handcarved poacher statue. The poacher is on his way back from the hunt with a hunted chamois on his back. The hand-made sculpture was executed ca. 1900 in the ar...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Rustic Black Forest Root Wood Hunter, circa 1920
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Rustic Black Forest Root Wood Hunter ca. 1920
A rustic wooden hunter statue with deer. It was carved out of a piece of root wood. Germany, Black Forest,...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Black Forest Wall Mirror Hand Carved, Austria, circa 1900
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
From circa 1900, the turn of the century in Austria comes this beautiful wooden Black Forest wall mirror. A simple but elegant design was created out of hand carved basswood, showing...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Softwood
Swiss Brienz Black Forest Hand-Carved Wood Grizzly Bear
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Black Forest hand-carved linden-wood hand-carved grizzly bear with glass eyes and enamel painted mouth with fangs/teeth showing on a thick base, circa 1900. See our other items for m...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Black Forest Musical Fruit Bowl, circa 1900
By Black Forest
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Musical Black Forest carved fruit bowl with grape and vine motif and handles. Plays music when picked up and set down. Would make a great gift or col...
Category
Early 1900s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Other
1900s Hand Carved Wooden Mirror with Bouquet in Basket and Scrolls
Located in Atlanta, GA
A hand carved wooden mirror from the early 20th century, with dark patina, floral decor and scrolls. Born in the early years of the 20th century, this exquisite Black Forest mirror features a sinuous Silhouette, accented with delicate scrolls surrounding a central clear mirror plate. Our eye is immediately drawn to the upper section and its bouquet of flowers (newly carved) set inside an old wicker...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Rustic Wooden Wall Mirror with Golden Bars Hand Carved, Austria, Dated 1901
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Peerless rustic wooden wall mirror from Austria, dated to 1901. A very special designed wall mirror with a golden bar on the inside and protruding corners. Artfully hand carved, this...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Softwood
Large Size & Finest Quality Carved Antique Black Forest Wall or Fireplace Mirror
Located in Lisse, NL
Antique, one of a kind and highly decorative, hand carved mirror.
This beautiful, early 20th century, hand carved antique mirror is in gr...
Category
Early 20th Century European Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood
Finely Carved Wood Thermometer Stand Hunter and Staghound, 1910
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Finely Carved Wood Thermometer Stand Hunter and Staghound, 1910
A Black Forest thermometer with impressive carved hunter and staghound standi...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Rare Antique Black Forest Travel Thermometer Carved Dog, circa 1900
Located in Bath, GB
A most unusual piece of Black Forest, a travel desk thermometer in a wooden case with carved decoration and a beautifully carved Dog's head to the front, great detail and beautifully...
Category
Early 1900s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Rustic Wooden Black Forest Wall Mirror, Austria, circa 1900
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
From circa 1900, the turn of the century in Austria comes this lovely wooden black forest wall mirror. A simple but elegant design was created out of hand carved basswood, showing th...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Softwood
Antique Hand-Carved and Sizable Wooden Black Forest Bear Umbrella & Stick Stand
Located in Lisse, NL
Early 1900s Black Forest standing bear umbrella stand.
This vintage Black Forest bear umbrella Stand is a great looking piece for any...
Category
Early 20th Century European Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Early 20th Century French Carved Walnut Wine Bottle Holder Clog with Vine Decor
Located in Dallas, TX
Impress your guests with this interesting antique wine bottle holder shaped as a clog shoe, crafted in France, circa 1920, the unique, hand ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Swiss Brienz Black Forest Hand-Carved Wood Candle Holder
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Black Forest hand-carved linden-wood hand carved candle holder/candlestick, circa 1900.
Black Forest sculptural art originates from the small mountain town Brienz, Switzerland co...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Hand Carved Black Forest Bear Spirit Decanter, Swiss, Circa 1920
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A rare & amusing hand carved Lindenwood figure of a seated bear encasing its original glass liner, fitted with a removable head with amber colored glass eyes, the mouth fitted with a...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood, Glass
Early 20th Century French Carved Walnut Wine Bottle Holder Clog with Vine Decor
Located in Dallas, TX
Impress your guests with this interesting antique wine bottle holder shaped as a clog shoe; crafted in France, circa 1920, the unique, hand ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Early 20th Century French Black Forest Carved Bear Sculpture with Gun Holder
Located in Dallas, TX
This interesting antique gun rack was carved in France, circa 1920. The oak sculpture features a young bear standing up with open arms. The wooden ani...
Category
Early 20th Century French Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Oak
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
Linden Wood Black Forest Bear Hall Tree, circa 1900 Attributed to Seilar-Brawant
Located in Evergreen, CO
An excellent example of turn of the century Brienz Swiss carving in linden wood. There are many Swiss carvers well known for carving certain subjects and Seilar-Brawant is known for ...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood
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 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
1920s German Black Forest Planter with Vines and Four Truncated Pots
Located in Atlanta, GA
This early 20th century Black Forest wood planter is composed of a shaped base supporting four boles, a very short one in front, a great one in the center flanked by two shorter tilt...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Rustic Black Forest Walnut Bear Settee
Located in New York, NY
Rustic Black Forest style (20th Cent) carved walnut settee with bear sides suppports and center hat tree
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood, Mirror
Antique Black Forest Coat Rack / Hall Tree 20th Century Wood Umbrella Stand Hat
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Make sure you always come home with a warm welcome with this marvelous Black Forest Coat rack in your hallway.
Carved out of solid wood by a master carver this Black Forest bear Hall tree...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Vintage Wooden Strolling Bear Hand Carved in Brienz, circa 1930s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage wooden strolling bear hand carved in Brienz, circa 1930s
A vintage statue of a walking bear. Made of lindenwood, finely hand carved with naturalisti...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Folksy Hand Carved Tyrolian Carnival Fasnet Mask from Tyrol
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Folksy hand carved Tyrolian carnival fasnet mask from Tyrol.
A vintage folksy wooden carved carnival mask from the region of South Tyrol. These masks are used in Austria, South Germ...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
French 1900s Black Forest Turn of the Century Mirror with Carved Oak Leaves
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French black forest mirror from the early 20th century, with hand-carved oak leaves. We currently have three mirrors available, priced an...
Category
Early 20th Century French Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood, Mirror
Black Forest Rustic Wall Mirror Hand Carved, Austria, circa 1890
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
From circa 1890 in Austria comes this hand carved wooden Black Forest wall mirror. A simple but elegant "tree trunk" design was created out of basswood, confering this unique charmin...
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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