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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
Antique Leather Strap with Six Brass Bells, Switzerland ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Leather Strap with Six Brass Bells, Switzerland ca. 1900s Item e6991 An antique leather strap with six brass bells from the swiss Alps manufactured ca. 1900. These bells are ...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

Black Forest Wood Carved Brienz Bear Statue Desktop Accessory German Antique
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic 1890s black forest Brienz wood carved desktop accessory in form of a Bear. Nice addition to your room or just for use it on your desk. Made of hand...
Category

1890s German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Black Forest Music Chair
Located in New York, NY
The all over carved chair with a marquetry inlaid back and seat presenting superb examples of original pen-work. The seat opening to reveal an original music box.   
Category

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 alps....
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Glass, Wood

Antique Swiss Casted Bronze Cattle Bell ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Swiss Casted Bronze Cattle Bell ca. 1900s Item e7313 An antique cast bronze cattle bell, made in Switzerland around 1900. The bell comes with its ...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Six Pointer Black Forest Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1946
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Six Pointer Black Forest Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1946 Item e7334 A large six pointer roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved plaque. The trophy was shot in ...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Antler, Wood

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...
Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

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...
Category

1950s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Metal

Exquisite 19th Century Black Forest Liquor box Tantalus walnut complete interior
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Enhance your bar area with this exceptional Antique French Black Forest Tantalus Liquor Box, or “Cavé à Liqueur,” dating back to circa 1880. This striking piece from France is a true...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Glass, Walnut

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

Black Forest taxidermy, antique deer, 1957
Located in Vienna, AT
Black Forest taxidermy, antique deer, 1957, Thernberg, 9.8. 1957, Kaltenberg
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Horn

Capital Black Forest 16 Pointer Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Capital Black Forest 16 Pointer Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque A very large 16 pointer deer (Cervus elaphus) trophy from the Black Forest. The trophy was ...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood, Antler

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

Hand-Carved Wooden and Glass Inkwell with Dog Figure, 1920s
Located in Barntrup, DE
Beautiful Black Forest style hand-carved linden wood inkwell with a realistic dog figure with glass eyes. The stand includes a designated rest for pens and accessories in the front, ...
Category

1920s Swiss Vintage Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Glass, Wood

19th Century Brienz Black Forest Carved Bear with Thermometer, ca. 1890s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic late 1900s Black Forest Brienz work of art. This hand carved bear sculpture is a great example of the Black Forest craftsmanship in ...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Glass, Wood

Vintage Black Forest Porcellaine Tobacco Pipe with Capercaillie
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Black Forest Porcellaine Tobacco Pipe with Capercaillie A vintage Black Forest porcellaine tobacco pipe with a capercaillie picture on the pipe head. The pipe is executed in...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood, Porcelain

Antique Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Reliefed Plaque - Germany ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Reliefed Plaque - Germany ca. 1900 Item e7353 A large 10-pointer red deer trophy (Cervus elaphus) that was shot in the Black Forest around 190...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Antler, Plaster, Wood

Black Forest Rabbit Bunny Hunt Hunting Trophy Bag Wall Catchall Antique, 1890s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Rare antique large German metal hunt scene on a wooden wall plaque trophy depicting a Rabbit, a dog and a bag with a champagne bottle. Wonderful Trophy of the Hunt for your Black For...
Category

1890s German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Finely Carved 'Black Forest' Pipe Stand
Located in Forest Row, East Sussex
A finely carved "Black Forest' pipe stand. Carved Lindenwood with a single bear standing over a naturalistic base with the pipe holders and astray to fron...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Late 19th Century Black Forest Bronze Decorative Box by Leopold Oudry & Cie.
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A refined French lidded box, embelished all around with floral motifs in Black Forest style. Made of casted bronze with the original brown patina finish. The box is marked, L. Oudry & Cie. With key, lock is not working. Léopold Oudry...
Category

1860s French Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Bronze, Copper

Rustic Black Forest Walnut Bear Settee
Located in Queens, 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 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

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

19th Century black forest bear hall stand
Located in Martlesham, GB
A superb quality and finely carved 19th Century black forest linden wood bear hall stand with a cub playing in the branches above, the bear below with glass eyes looking up towards h...
Category

1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Black Forest Mantle Carving "Antler's Clash"
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 Hand Carved Wood Figure Mountaineer Climber with Lantern, Germany
Located in Barntrup, DE
This wonderful German Black Forest figural pendant lamp features a hand-carved figure of a mountain climber. The intricately carved wooden mountai...
Category

1950s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Metal

Spanish Wall Coat Rack, Black Forest Oak Leaf and Acorn Design
Located in Barcelona, ES
Iron and Wood Wall Coat Rack, Spain, 1960s Eye-catching rustic style hats an coats rack with oak leaves iron backplate and wood acorn hangers. This wall coat rack features two branch...
Category

Mid-20th Century European Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Iron

Abnorm Siberian Deer Trophy Mount on Wooden Plaque ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Abnorm Siberian Deer Trophy Mount on Wooden Plaque ca. 1900s Item e6941 A large abnorm Siberian deer (Capreolus pygargus) trophy on a wooden turned plaque with black finish. The trop...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Antler, Wood

Antique Black Forest Hand-Carved Candle Lite Wooden Chandelier c1800's Original
Located in Chicago, IL
Exquisite Black Forest Chandelier found just outside of Marseille, France. In Europe Black Forest carvings became a symbol of wealth beginning in the 1800’s and were found in the homes of elite collectors. The history of Black Forest carvings dates to the early 1800’s from the town of Brienz in Switzerland. Black Forest carving began as a cottage industry and found a niche market from the local tourist trade. When one thinks of Black Forest carvings, they immediately think of the stereotypical carved bears and that is probably because there are thousands of reproductions out there. Old Plank has discovered a treasure trove of Black Forest carved furniture...
Category

1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Black Forest Wall Reliefs with Hunting Motifs, a pair
Located in Pearland, TX
A pair of antique 19th century Black Forest hunting trophies, finely carved, featuring partridges, powder horns, rope, acorns and oak lea...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Large Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque - Germany 1937
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque - Germany 1937 A large 8-pointer red deer trophy (Cervus elaphus) from the Upper Palatinate in Bavaria, mounted on a brown wooden...
Category

1930s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Antler, Wood

Antique Black Forest Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Black Forest Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque Item e7317 A great antique abnormal roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved plaque. The trophy was shot around ...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Antler, Wood

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

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Metal

Black Forest Set of Six Wine Glasses Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six hand blown wine glasses in red crystal with a hand-edged black forest hunting scene all-around. The decor is an antique hunting scene from Bavaria showing deers, trees and...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Crystal

19th Century Black Forest Carved Dresser Box with Mirror
Located in High Point, NC
19th century hand carved Black Forest dresser box made from Linden wood. The top is wonderfully carved with a central panel which has hand carved...
Category

19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Fruitwood

Hand-Carved Wooden Inkwell Desk Set with Owl Figures, 1930s
Located in Barntrup, DE
Beautiful Black Forest style hand-carved wooden double inkwell with a majestic owl figure sitting on two books. The owl has glass eyes, and the Stand has a tray for pen and accessori...
Category

1930s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Metal

Black Forest Carved Bear Bench
Located in Paddock Wood Tonbridge, GB
Black forest bear bench Produced I southern Germany using wood from 'The Black Forest" in southern Germany on the Swiss and French Borders, having great attention to detail and incredible realism, this example is in excellent original condition with minor repairs and 'age related wear' Welcome your guests with a welcoming Black Forest bench in your Hall. Carved out of solid wood by an expert artisan, this Black Forest bear hallway bench was made in the early 1900s. Two charming bears have the carved bench in their paws. They are exceptionally carved and and have warm facial expressions with glass eyes. each bear has his own characteristics. The bench itself exhibits Black Forest design details involving leaves and branches, all beautifully carved with much attention to detail. The bench is in wonderful antique condition with the lovely patina Black Forest Carving was also known as carvin de forêt noir, which reflect designs featuring depictions of forests (primarily of bears), trees, branches, and leaves. Black forest furniture came to be a worldwide benchmark for modern wood carving...
Category

Early 1900s German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century German Black Forest Chip-Carved Suite Desk with Drawer and Chair
Located in Vero Beach, FL
19th century German black forest chip-carved suite desk with drawer and chair. Impressive and extremely rare Black Forest desk and chair. The rectangul...
Category

19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Pine

Large Black Forest Poacher with Chamois
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Black Forest Poacher with Chamois 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 ...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century black forest carving of a fox
Located in Martlesham, GB
A lovely ornate 19th Century black forest carving of a fox, sitting cross legged reading a book, the fox wearing a jacket and seems to be sitting on a rock with various foliage and a...
Category

1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Walnut

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...
Category

1910s Austrian Vintage Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Metal

Superb Over 1 Metre Tall Black Forest Bear Stickstand
Located in Forest Row, East Sussex
A superb quality late 19th century Black Forest Bear. Carved linden wood with original glass eyes. Excellent quality and condition with wear consistent with age use. Dimensions: H ...
Category

1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Black Forest Carved Oak Wall Cabinet, 1900s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent and rare antique black forest wall cabinet. Striking German design from the 1900s. Solid oak with hand-carved bird on top of the cabinet. Original interior inside, pro...
Category

Early 1900s German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Velvet, Beads, Oak

Antique Stainless Steel and Horn 12 Pieces Tableware Set, Germany 1930s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Stainless Steel and Horn 12 Pieces Tableware Set, Germany 1930s A rustic tabelware set consisting of six knives and six forks. The handles are made of genuine deer horn. The...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Metal

Finely Carved Statue of a Bull, Black Forest ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Finely carved statue of a bull ca. 1900 The antique Black Forest carving of a bull which is chafing on a tree stump. It was made most pro...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Large Black Forest Model of the Lion of Lucerne Dated 1867
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A large Black Forest model of the Lion of Lucerne dated 1867, after Bertel Thorvaldsen, carved from stained linden wood, the dying lion depicted beside two c...
Category

1860s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Black Forest Hand Carved Mirror Original 2nd Matching Mirror Available
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Black Forest Mirror (one-half of a pair), that were part of a major collection of Black Forest items sold by a Chateau outside of ...
Category

1870s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Glass, Mercury Glass, Mirror, Wood

Black Forest 1890s Carved Wooden Bear Standing on a Circular Base
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Black Forest carved wooden sculpture from the late 19th century, depicting a bear standing on a circular base. Created during the last decade of the 19th century, this Black Forest sculpture features a bear standing on his rear legs and holding a staff in his left paw. Raised on a circular base with carved rocks and flowers, this Black Forest carved wooden bear...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair of Black Forest Style Wall Plaques Circa 1880
Located in Bernville, PA
Pair of Black Forest style wall plaques C.1880’s. Each plaque displays beautifully detailed wood carvings, first photo consists of a fish carving and the other plaque consists of a b...
Category

Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Oak

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

Early 1900s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Set of Six Roe Deer Trophies on Turned Plaques Germany ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Set of Six Roe Deer Trophies on Turned Plaques Germany ca. 1900s A set of six antique Black Forest roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophies mounted on turned wooden plaques. The trop...
Category

Early 1900s German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

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...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Oak

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

Vintage Wild Boar Teeth Trophy on Wooden Plaque, Germany 1956
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Wild Boar Teeth Trophy on Wooden Plaque, Germany 1956 Item e6934 A vintage Black Forest wild boar (Sus scrofa) trophy on an carved oak wood plaque. On the back with handwritt...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Antler, Wood

19th Century Black Forest Walnut Wood Cave A Liqueur from France
Located in Dallas, TX
This large Black Forest walnut cave a liqueur is from 19th century France. The box has a working lock and key and the interior contents are visible through the beveled glass sides. I...
Category

19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Crystal

Large Wild Boar Trophy on Turned Wooden Plaque, Germany 1950s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Wild Boar Trophy on Turned Wooden Plaque, Germany 1950s Item e6936 A vintage Black Forest wild boar (Sus scrofa) trophy on wooden plaque. The teeth a...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Antler, Wood

Wooden Micro Carving Plaque by Johann Rint ca. 1880
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Wooden Micro Carving Plaque by Johann Rint ca. 1880 A small wall plaque with detailed relief carvings worked out of linden wood by Johann Rint ca. 1880....
Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Black Forest Carving "The Hunter" Attributed to Johann Huggler
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

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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