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
Stunning Original Antique Hand Carved Black Forest Wood Jewellery Box
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are is delighted to offer for sale this rather lovely antique original circa 1880 black forest wood jewellery box
A very good looking and well made piece, it is hand carved all...
Category
1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
$1,372 Sale Price
20% Off
Black Forest Set of Six Tumbler Red Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six handblown tumbler in red crystal with a hand-edged hunting scene in the style of black forest. The decor is an antique hunting scene showing deers, trees and bambis all-ov...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Crystal
German Wood Carved Figural Man Head Cork Bottle Stopper, 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Adorable wood and cork bottle stopper. Germany, 1960s. Ideal decoration bottle stopper. Great idea to surprise your guests or a very interesting gift.
Category
1960s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Cork, Wood
Large Deer Trophy from a Noble Estate, Uneven 14 Ends
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Deer Trophy from a Noble Estate, Uneven 14 Ends
A very large uneven 14 pointer Black Forest deer (Cervus elaphus) trophy from the palace of Salem in South Germany. Shot by a m...
Category
Late 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood, Antler
Pendant Light with Figure of a Mountain Climber and a Blue Glass Lantern
Located in Barntrup, DE
Wonderful German pendant lamp features a hand-carved figure of a smiling mountain climber in beautifully hand-painted Bavarian traditional clothing in blue, brown, green, white, and ...
Category
1930s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Metal
Rare Antique 4 Tier Black Forest Jewelry Box Fruitwood 19th Century Hand Carved
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
A beautiful, very finely carved antique black forest jewellery box from the late 19th/ early 20th century made in Switzerland.
A large and impressive four-tiered piece with 6 swing o...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Velvet, Wood
Exquisite 19th Century antique Swiss fully hand carved Black forest Jewelry box
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
A true masterpiece, this fully hand-carved 19th-century Black Forest jewelry box from Switzerland is a remarkable work of art. Nearly 150 years old, the wood has developed an extraor...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Velvet, 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...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
1860s Carved Horn Hunters Pipe in the Style of Lebrecht Wilhelm Schulz
Located in Berghuelen, DE
1860s carved Horn Hunters pipe in the style of Lebrecht Wilhelm Schulz
The rare hunters pipe is made of original horns from the stag and deer and features very elaborate carved hunt...
Category
Mid-19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood, Antler
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...
Category
1930s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Copper
Exquisite Swiss Black Forest ''Eagle'' 19th Century Coat Rack / Hat Rack Walnut
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Exquisite & most impressive! This 19th century Swiss Black Forest eagle coat rack from carved walnut.
Very large, highly detailed model with 8 hooks for plenty of coats.
The coat...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
19th Century French Carved Oak Hunt Cabinet with Bird and Fish Motifs
Located in Dallas, TX
For the ultimate fisherman or bird hunter, look no further than this exquisite Black Forest buffet! Crafted in France, circa 1860, the antique cabinet sits on bun feet over a recesse...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Oak
$4,160 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century Walking Stick with a Black Forest Carved top Portrait of a Dog
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Fantastic antique walking stick, with a beautiful wood carved head of a dog on top. The stick is extra long in size, which indicates that the stick wa...
Category
1890s French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Black Forest Carved Seated Bear Figure
Located in Barntrup, DE
Antique black forest carved seated bear sculpture
An adorable and masterfully hand-carved figure of a seated bear. Switzerland, circa 1900...
Category
Early 1900s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Exquisite 19th century Swiss Black Forest Coat rack carved eagle hallway antique
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Exquisite & most impressive! This 19th century Swiss Black Forest eagle coat rack from carved wood. Highly detailed model with 4 hooks. The coat rack shows a scene of an eagle holdi...
Category
1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Mantel Clock with Eagle and Chamois Family, ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Mantel Clock with Eagle and Chamois Family, ca. 1900
A large Black Forest wooden carved mantel clock with an eagle on top and a chamois defending her child. The clock is embedded in a handcarved wood pile. A masterpiece of Brienz woodcarvings which brightens up any chimney piece. The clockwork is cleaned and overworked by a clockmaker - working order.
Soberly considered mantel clocks are small pendulum...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
French Carved Fruitwood Black Forest Planter or Jardiniiere, 1880s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent and rare Black Forest planter or jardiniiere.
Striking French design from the 1880s.
Original hand-carved fruitwood base on a ornate turned and hand-carved baluster with ...
Category
1880s French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
$1,551 Sale Price
20% Off
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
$1,180 Sale Price
20% Off
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...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Oak
Carved Oak Oval Wall Mirror A lovely piece
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Carved Oak Oval Wall Mirror
A lovely piece, the wide frame has a beautifully carved border decorated with Oak leaves and Acorns at the top.
The mirror is in good condition, the fram...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Oak
Black Forest Crystal Latern Red Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hand blown crystal latern in red crystal glass from Bavaria Germany. The decor is hands-free engraved by glass artists all around with a hunting scen...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Antique Swiss Black Forest Carved Walnut Table
Located in Forney, TX
A scarce late 19th century Swiss Black Forest hand carved walnut table with nicely aged warm patina.
Hand-crafted in Switzerland, circa 1880, the square tabletop features a relief ...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
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
Oval jewelry box carved walnut swiss 19th century Black forest
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
This exceptional 19th-century Black Forest jewelry box from Switzerland is a true work of art, featuring a rare oval shape. Nearly 150 years old, the walnut wood has developed a beau...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Velvet, Wood
Late 19th Century Black Forest Bronze Dog Collar Wall Rack Sculpture Bulldog
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A refined wall sculpture of a Bulldog coming out of a doghouse with a branch in its mouth. Made of brown patinated bronze. With refined casting details such as the wood grain of the ...
Category
1880s German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Large Black Forest Antler Gun Cabinet, ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A large antique oak wood gun cabinet decorated with several original antlers from the deer, the fallow deer, antelope and chamois. Elaborately manufactured...
Category
19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Wood
Large Black Forest 19th Century Antler Arm Chair and Ottoman
Located in San Francisco, CA
a large and rare set of German Black Forest furniture with chair and ottoman; with oval back above a tight seat all surrounded by a robus...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler
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-carved walnut base with original hand-carved and inlaid top. This wonderful Black Forest center table by Matthijs Horrix for Horrix Den Haag is in very good original condition with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. The Horrix company was established in Den Haag or The Hague and gained fame during the so-called eclectic period during the 19th Century. Their work was inspired by older styles of furniture but with fashionable features that was then...
Category
1890s Dutch Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
$3,056 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century Black Forest Rustic Mirror, Handcarved, Germany ca. 1870
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Exceptional crafted rustic Black Forest wall mirror from the period around 1880 in Germany. Artfully hand carved out of basswood, this fantastic rural mirror impresses with its elabo...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Mirror, 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
Black Forest Rustic Photo Frame with Original Glass Plate, Austria, circa 1880
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Lovely rustic black Forest photo frame from the late 19th century, around 1880 in Austria. Elaborately hand carved out of bass wood this antique photo fra...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Blown Glass, Softwood
Exquisite openly carved 19th century Swiss Black Forest jewelry box walnut bird
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
A true work of art, this stunning 19th-century Black Forest jewelry box from Switzerland is fully hand-carved and a remarkable example of craftsmanship. Nearly 150 years old, the woo...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Black Forest 19th Century Set of Chairs
Located in Miami, FL
In walnut, the chairs are delicately carved with interesting inlayed of animal figures.
Sold as is to refinish.
Category
Mid-19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
$3,200 / set
Vintage Wild Boar Teeth Trophy on Wooden Plaque, Germany 1950s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Wild Boar Teeth Trophy on Wooden Plaque, Germany 1950s
Item e6932
A vintage Black Forest wild boar (Sus scrofa) trophy on wooden plaque. The teeth are decorated with two meta...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Wood
Vintage Nuremburg Germany Hangman's Bridge Canal Cityscape Etching 14"
Located in Dayton, OH
Mid to early 20th century hand colored etching depicting a view of the Hangmans Bridge over the canal through Nuremburg, Germany. Pencil signed along lower edge. Beveled silver gilt ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Paper
$240 Sale Price
20% Off
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 ...
Category
Early 1900s German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood
Large Exceptional Swiss Black Forest double inkwell desk decoration 19th Century
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Gorgeous most rare Swiss Black Forest 19th century double Inkwell / desk accessory fully hand carved displaying a bird eating nuts & floral leaves / walnuts.
Carved by a master carve...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood
Golden Pheasant Viechtauer Carved Wood Bird Black Forest Folk Art Austria, 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful rare large size Austrian early 20th century, carved wood bird, mounted on a stand for hanging. The tradition of these in Austria called "Viechtauer" birds goes back to th...
Category
Early 1900s Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
Beautiful Colorful Vintage Inspired 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 weave giving it an old world look and vintage feel.
Measure...
Category
Late 20th Century Uzbek Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Cotton
Important 19th Century Black Forest Hall Stand
Located in Dallas, TX
Magnificent rare Swiss Black Forest carved deer form hall stand with mirror. Having impeccably detailed deer and eagle carvings above rock form base and ...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
$19,600 Sale Price
38% Off
Black Forest Wood Carved Brienz House Inkwell German Vintage, 1890s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic 1890s Black Forest Brienz wood carved inkwell in form of a cabin. Nice addition to your room or just for use it on your desk. Made of hand carved wood and glass eyes. Found a...
Category
1890s German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood
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
Pendant Light with a Large Wooden Figure Mountain Climber with Lantern, Germany
Located in Barntrup, DE
A wonderful German figural pendant lamp showcases a large hand-carved figure of a mountain climber. The intricately carved wooden mountaineer hold...
Category
1930s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Metal
A Wooden Carved Black Forest Bear with Glass Vase
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A Wooden Carved Black Forest Bear with Glass Vase
Item e7275
A nicely carved Black Forest bear holding a glass vase in its hands. Executed in Brienz, Switzerland around 1920. Very go...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th Century Carved Swiss 'Black Forest' Life-Sized Stag's Head Wall Mount
Located in London, GB
A Rare Life-Sized Black Forest Stag's Head
Carved from Lindenwood, the deer head with realistic fur effect, patination, and glass inset eyes in conjunction with the real three-tined...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Large Oak Wood Desk with Antler Decorations by Rudolf Brix 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A large antique oak wood desk decorated with several antler pieces from the deer and the Virginia deer as well as wild boar tusks. The doors and sides carry animal heads (staghound and fox) made of pottery. A rare rustic furniture manufactured in Austria ca. 1900 by Rudolf Brix...
Category
19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, 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
Antique Tramp Art Cabinet, ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Tramp Art Cabinet ca. 1900
The wooden tramp art cabinet is decorated with rich notch carvings. The inside is coated with green paper. It was...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Oil Print with Dramatic Poacher Scene After Josef Ringeisen
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Oil Print with Dramatic Poacher Scene after Josef Ringeisen
A colorful oil print depicting a dramatic poaching scenery in the Bavarian for...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood
Large Antique Mirror with Rustic Antler Decorations
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Antique Mirror with Rustic Antler Decorations
A large impressive antler mirror decorated with turned horn roses and antler pieces of the deer, fallow deer and virginia deer. M...
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Glass, Wood
Black Forest Set of Six Glass Plates Green Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six plates in green crystal with an antique hunting decor all around. The charming black forest decor is hand.-engraved and shows an antique ...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Glass
German Black Forest Carved Boar Bookends
Located in San Mateo, CA
Pair of black forest carved boar bookends. The carving on these has excellent detail and craftsmanship. These were purchased by an army major that was stat...
Category
1940s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Black Forest Carving "The Hunter" Attributed to Johann Huggler
By Black Forest
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
The Hunter attributed to the Huggler's (1834-1912) Of Brienz - a small town in Bernese Oberland, Canton Bern Switzerland. A carving of a huntsman holding a cock pheasant. This appear...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Large Antique Photo Album with Wooden Carved Cover, Brienz ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Antique Photo Album with Wooden Carved Cover, Brienz ca. 1900
A lovely antique photo album featuring a lindenwood carved cover depicting a hunte...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Hand Carved Wooden Sculpture Lamp Night Watchman with Lantern, Germany
Located in Barntrup, DE
A masterfully hand-carved wooden lamp features a beautiful sculpture of a night watchman with a lantern and halberd. The lantern is made of glass and co...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Copper
Black Forest Vintage Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1947
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Black Forest Vintage Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1947
A large vintage deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved plaque. The plaque fea...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood, Antler
Antique Pair Black Forest Carved Chicken Vase Epergne Candleholder Sculpture
Located in Shreveport, LA
~ Direct from Europe
This listing is for a stunning pair of carved Black Forest “chicken” candleholders/epergnes. In the summer, the glass inserts were used and fresh cut flowers wer...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood
Elaborate Handmade Black Forest Style Antler Side Table ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Elaborate Handmade Black Forest Style Antler Side Table ca. 1900
An elaborately hand-made Black Forest style side table. It is made of antlers from the deer and fallow deer and an o...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood, Horn
Antique Monumental Black Forest Bear Statue as Mountain Walker or Naturalist
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A great looking hand carved original wooden Folk Art Bear Statue. A great piece for a suitable ambiance in a Cabin room or the office of a Hunter or Wood...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Rustic Black Forest Walnut Center Table
Located in Queens, NY
Rustic Black Forest style (German 19th Century) light walnut rectangular center table with carved leaf & vine design on apron with open cluster legs and tooled brown leather top.
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut, Leather
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.