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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 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

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...
Category

Early 1900s German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

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...
Category

1880s Swedish Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

A Large 1880s Hand Carved Black Forest Mirror
Located in Long Island City, NY
A large original Black Forest wooden mirror with hand carved vines, roses, birds and a partially painted pediment.
Category

Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Wood

Vintage Black Forest Deer Antler Trophy on Wood Carved Plaque, German, 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful vintage Black Forest deer antler trophy on hand carved, Black Forest wooden plaque. It measures approximate 16" high, 6 5/8" wide and 7 1/2" deep. A nice addition to your...
Category

1960s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Antler, Wood

Buck Deer Animal Needlepoint Wall Art W/Birdseye Maple Frame Black Forest Style
Located in New York, NY
A buck deer animal needlepoint artwork wall art with Birdseye maple frame, circa 20th century, Europe. Dimensions: 10.13" Width x 8.94" Height....
Category

Mid-20th Century European Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Glass, Birdseye Maple

Classic Antique Black Forest Carved Bracket with Stag’s Head
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Antique black forest hand-carved stag’s mounted on the support with an oak leaf surround. With a shaped top shelf with canted corners. Excellent detailing ...
Category

19th Century European Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

German Carved and Inlaid Server or Sideboard, circa 1850
Located in Evergreen, CO
Crafted with extreme care in Germany during the mid-19th century, this exceptional server or sideboard has a smaller footprint than most, making it an ideal piece for smaller rooms t...
Category

Mid-19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Ebony, Maple, Oak, Walnut

Pair of Rustic Black Forest Carved Walnut Armchairs
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Rustic Black Forest (19th Cent) carved walnut open Armchairs with leaf and grape design filigree back and bear heads on arms with etched seat
Category

19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Pendant Light Fixture with a Wooden Figure of a Mountain Climber
Located in Barntrup, DE
This wonderful German figural pendant lamp features a hand-carved figure of a mountain climber in natural brown wood tones. The detailed carved wooden...
Category

1950s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Brass

Antique Black forest Cigar box / Humidor 19th Century carved deer Walnut Swiss
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Rare and impressive, this 19th-century hand-carved Swiss Black Forest cigar box is crafted from rich walnut, offering a stunning patina that has developed over nearly 150 years. The ...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

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

Hand Carved Black Forest Desk Lamp Hunting Scene, circa 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
The item for sale is an original desk lamp in the style of Black Forest or possibly Swiss artisanal craftsmanship. Foot and lampshade are both hand carved from medium-dark wood. The ...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Canvas, Jute, Wood

Pair of Rare Antler Parlor Chairs, French, ca. 1860
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Pair of rare Antler Parlor chairs, French ca. 1860 The two very rare antler parlor chairs are made of stag antlers with feet carved as lions claws. French, ca. 1860 - covering renew...
Category

Mid-19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Antler, Fur, Wood

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

21st Century and Contemporary German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Crystal

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

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

Pair of Small Antique Horn Chairs, Austria ca. 1870
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Pair of Small Antique Horn Chairs, Austria ca. 1870 Item e5681 A pair small bull horn chairs ca. 1870, one covered with vintage cattle coat which has to...
Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Metal

Nutwood Edelweis Marquetry Chair Swiss Brienz 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Nutwood Edelweis Marquetry Chair Swiss Brienz 1900 A wonderful inlayed nutwood chair decorated with inlayed and painted sceneries depicting chamois, goat and edelweis flowers. Surro...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Nutwood

Vintage Hand Carved Mountain Climber or Mountaineer Pendant Light
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautifully crafted light fixture for Black Forest and mountaineering enthusiasts. This beautifully executed and sculptural light fixture will look great at your home, but it can a...
Category

1970s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Metal

Pair of Roe Deer Heads, Wall Decoration, Germany, 1930s
Located in Barntrup, DE
Roe deer heads, wall decoration, made of plaster, Germany, 1930s, set of two. An absolutely adorable pair of roe deer heads in the Black Forest style is ...
Category

1930s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Plaster

19th Century German Black Forest Style Ebonized Walnut Thermometer-Barometer
Located in Chicago, IL
This 19th-century hand-carved German ebonized walnut thermometer-barometer is an exquisite instrument designed to measure atmospheric pressure and forecast weather, while also provid...
Category

19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Fine Black Forest 'Goat' Hall Chair
Located in New York, NY
Fine Black Forest 'Goat' Hall Chair, late 19th Century.
Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

circa 1900 Miniature Model of a Black Forest Bear Bench
Located in Chicago, IL
circa 1900 Miniature Model of Black Forest Bear Bench. "Black Forest" is a term to describe elaborate, realistic wood carvings from an area in ...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Walnut

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

Set of Six Black Forest Hand Painted Breakfast Plates Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six completely handmade and hand painted underglaze porzelain breakfast plates. The decor shows a Black Forest hands-free painted oak leaf with ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

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

Black Forest Crystal Latern Hand Blown Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hand blown crystal latern in green glass from Bavaria. The decor is hand blown and hands-free engraved by glass artists all around with a hunting scene with trees all around in the s...
Category

2010s German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Crystal

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

Pair of 19th Century Swiss Black Forest Carved Walnut Hunt Trophy Sculptures
Located in Dallas, TX
This remarkable pair of wall trophies was hand carved in Switzerland’s Black Forest region circa 1870. Executed in richly grained walnut, and almost 3 feet tall, each plaque is a tou...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Walnut

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

Oak Black Forest Wall Coat Rack with Hand Carved Double-Headed Eagle, 1900s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent and ultra rare Black Forest style wall coat rack. Striking European design from the 1900s. Solid oak frame with a hand-carved sculptured double-headed eagle. Four pati...
Category

Early 1900s Serbian Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Brass

Rustic German Oak & Horn Cabinet
Located in Queens, NY
Rustic German (19th Century) oak cabinet with horn trim & carved medallions with flip seat bench base and upper section with 2 large stained glass doors and...
Category

19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Oak, Horn, Stained Glass

20th Century Black Forest Wall Mirror with Grapes and Leaves Hand Carved - 1919
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Gigantic, exceptional Black Forest wall mirror out of Austria, dated to 1919. This early 20th century, one of a kind elaborately hand carved masterpiece impresses with a fantastic op...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Softwood

19th Century Black Forest Carved Humidor
Located in High Point, NC
19th century hand-carved black forest humidor with a figure of a dog and cat. The cat is atop a barrel, which has a lid which lifts to reveal a compartment for tobacco. The barrel is sitting on a base with hand-carved sticks and logs and an upside down hunting hat...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Fruitwood

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...
Category

2010s German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Crystal

Black Forest Vintage Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1943
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Black Forest Vintage Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1943 A large vintage deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved plaque. The plaque fea...
Category

Mid-19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood, Antler

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

Antique Mantel Clock with Herdsman Family, Goats and Cattle
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Mantel Clock with Herdsman Family, Goats and Cattle A Black Forest wooden carved mantel clock with a lovely herdsman family with their goats and cattles. A masterpiece of woodcarving which brightens up any chimney piece. The clockwork is replaced by battery driven one - working order. Soberly considered mantel clocks are small pendulum clocks with feet...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Black Forest Set of Six Glass Plates Red Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six crystal plates in brillant red color with an country style decor all around. The charming black forest decor is hand.-engraved and shows ...
Category

2010s German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Glass

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

19th Century Black Forest Carved Bear Motif Wood Box with Swing-Out Compartment
Located in Cincinnati, OH
This unusual antique Black Forest box features a pair of fully dimensional bears cavorting at the base of a tree stump. The mother and cub hav...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Glass, Wood

Pair of Antique Rustic Antler Parlor Chairs, Germany, circa 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Pair of Antique Rustic Antler Parlor Chairs, Germany, circa 1900 A pair of antique antler chairs, made of antlers from the deer and fallow deer. ...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Antler, Oak

Black Forest Set of Six Beer Glasses Skier Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six beer glass called Bierseidl in clear crystal glass. Hand blown in Bavaria and hand-engraved with trees and a skier boy in the style of Black Forest. For 0.7 liter beer. Ca...
Category

2010s German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Crystal

BLACK FOREST 1900 Germany-Swiss Carved Wood Nutcracker Old Gnome Figure
Located in Miami, FL
A folk-art nutcracker carved in oak wood. This is an elusive antique black forest nutcracker created in northern Europe, most probably in Germ...
Category

Early 1900s German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

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

Rare Black Forest Alpine Ibex Wood Box, circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
Rare and unusual Black Forest box in the shape of wood log with a large wood carved Alpine ibex or bouquetin, circa 1890. The carved bouquetin is 5" height and the box is 8".  
Category

1890s French Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century Swiss Black Forest Carved Walnut Tilt-Top Table with Village Scene
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in Switzerland circa 1860, this exquisite Black Forest occasional table features a round, tilt-top surface set over a carved twist stem and a sculptural tripod base ending in...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Walnut

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

Black Forest Vase Crystal with Hunting Decor Green Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Handblown crystal vase in green glass with a hunting scene. The decor is a hunting decor with 4 hands-free engraved animals in natrualistic style. Completely handblown and hand-engra...
Category

2010s German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Crystal

19th Century French Black Forest Carved Bleached Oak Hunt Buffet Desserte
Located in Dallas, TX
This heavily carved "Saint Hubert" cabinet server was crafted in France circa 1870. Hand carved of solid oak wood and built in two sections with top crown, the highly detailed antiqu...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Oak

19th Century Swiss Black Forrest Carved Walnut Smoking Stand- Complete
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th century Swiss black Forrest carved walnut smoking stand- complete Switzerland, Circa 1880s An amazing example, with all its orignal pieces. The oval intricately hand-carved an...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Black Forest Set of Six Hand Painted Crystal Tumbler Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six hand blown tumbler hands-free painted in Black Forest style. Each glass is handsfree painted with different rims and trees in green colo...
Category

2010s German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Crystal

Black Forest Crystal Latern Hand-Crafted Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hand blown crystal vase/latern in dark green glass with hunting scene all around in the style of black forest. The glass is in a first step ...
Category

2010s German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Crystal

19th Century French Black Forest Carved Walnut Wall Sculpture with Mirror
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a wall with this beautiful antique carved mirror. Crafted in France circa 1880 and built of solid walnut wood, this elegant wall sculpture features an intricately carved ped...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Walnut

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...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Antler, Wood

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.
Category

1880s Austrian 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

Early 20th Century German Hand Painted Ceramic Hunt Scene Wall Platter
Located in Dallas, TX
This large, richly colored ceramic platter was crafted in Germany circa 1920 and captures the rustic charm of a traditional Black Forest hunt scene. Round in shape, the hand-painted ...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Antique Set of Rustic Hunters Cutlery with Chamois Horn Handles
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique set of rustic hunters cutlery with chamois horn handles A rustic set of six knives and forks. The handles are made of genuine chamois horn and feature a decorated silver kno...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Metal

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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