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: 19th Century
Black Forest Wood Carved Brienz Bear Inkwell German Vintage, 1890s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic 1890s black forest Brienz wood carved inkwell in form of a Bear. Nice addition to your room or just for use it on your desk. Made of hand carved wood and glass eyes. Found at...
Category
1890s German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th Century Brienz Black Forest Hand-Carved Bear Hall Stand
Located in Brighton, West Sussex
A fine 19th Century Brienz Black Forest hand-carved bear hall stand.
This charming hall stand is naturalistically carved in Linden wood and depicts ...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of 19th C Signed Black Forest Style French Carved Walnut Hunting Gun Racks
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A highly rare and most unusual pair of carved walnut gun racks, each with a different carved bird at the bottom, one being a hawk or eagle with spread ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Antique Black Forest Hand-Carved Deer or Elk Head Wall Plaque or Sculpture
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This well executed antique wall sculpture is unsigned, but presumed to have been done in Switzerland in approximately 1890 in the period Black F...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Softwood
19th century French Carved Oak Console Sofa Foyer Table Sideboard Black Forest
Located in Shreveport, LA
19th century French carved oak console sofa foyer table sideboard Black Forest
~Direct from France~
~Stunning hand carving on this oversized 19th century French table/console!~
~Lar...
Category
1880s French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Oak
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
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
Black Forest 19th Century Set of Four Oak Wall Brackets Carved as Hunting Animal
By Black Forest
Located in Firenze, IT
This antique and amazing set of four hand carved Black Forest solid oak wood wall brackets are impressively and deeply sculpted with hunting themed motifs. Under each deep hand carved shelf...
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Iron
Black Forest Wood Carving of a Mountain Goat
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A charming small ‘Black Forest’ wood carving of a mountain goat and her kids.
Category
1890s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Large Folk Art Wood Carved Deer Head with Real Antlers, Austria 19th Century
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A great looking hand carved original wooden Folk Art deer head wall decoration. A great piece for a suitable ambiance in a trophy room or the office of a Hunter or Woodsman. More tha...
Category
Mid-19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Oval French Hunt Table with Leaf
Located in Evergreen, CO
This table is a rare find! It is uncommon to acquire a hunt table with a finished, matching leaf like this one. Most hunt tables are able to expand but the leaves are missing or made...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Oak
Black Forest Carved Wine Bottle Holder
Located in New Orleans, LA
A gentleman carved of linden wood lays upon a cart and is contoured to allow a wine bottle to rest until it is ready to be poured in this Black Forest bottle holder. Its creative design allows one to roll the bottle up and down the length of the table, and the incredible artistry of the Swiss Black Forest wood artisans is evident in the myriad carved details.
The wood carving industry of Switzerland emerged in the early 19th century, and Swiss Black Forest carvings...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Swiss Black Forest Bear Musical Child Chair Seat
By Black Forest
Located in Newark, England
Rare Antique Swiss Black Forest carved musical child's chair circa 1890. The chair of novelty form beautifully carved with a naturalistic look. The chair carved as twin bears support...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Metal
19th Century Black Forest Bear Hall Stand
Located in Miami, FL
19th century Black Forest carved bears hall tree with umbrella stand and original beveled glass mirror. Finely detailed expert carving and glass ...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Carved Wood Tobacco Pipe with Excellent Dog and Deer Head Carving
Located in Berghuelen, DE
An antique handcarved wood tobacco pipe with fine carved hunting scenes and a carved dog on the lid. At the lower end is a deer head. The pipe is executed in Germany ca. 1880. A grea...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Swiss Black Forest Carved Wooden Planter Box / Jardinière, circa 1895
Located in Evergreen, CO
Elegant from every angle, this beautiful wooden planter box (or jardinière in French) features elaborate carvings over a lattice background. The fro...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Black Forest Rustic Mirror With Oak Leaves/ Acorn Carvings, Austria, circa 1870
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Exceptional Black Forest Mirror from the late 19th century in Austria around 1870. This phenomenal, elaborately hand carved rustic wall mirror impresses with its simple but artfully ...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Softwood
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
Antique Hand-Painted Marksman King Target Plaque 1892
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Hand-Painted Marksman King Target Plaque 1892
A rare and beautiful wooden hand-painted shooting target plaque with inscriptions. This rare kings plaque was issued by the sho...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Black Forest Rustic Wall Mirror with Double Frame, Austria, circa 1880
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Exceptional large carved Black Forest Wall Mirror from the late 19th century around 1880 in Austria. This beautiful rustic Black Forest mirror has been elaborately hand crafted out o...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood, Mirror
19th Century Black Forest Carved Unusual Bear Bench
Located in High Point, NC
An excellent example of a 19th century Black Forest carved wooden bear bench from Switzerland made from linden wood. The bench having h...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
19th Century French Carved Oak Black Forest Plant Stand Jardinière Flower Box
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Gorgeous fully hand carved Black Forest 19th century plant stand / jardiniere in hand carved Fruitwood.
The stand body has outstanding carvings with the center a dimensional carved...
Category
1880s French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
19th Century French Black Forest Carved Walnut Hand Mirror with Beveled Glass
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in France circa 1870, the antique Louis XV style hand mirror with elegant serpentine handle, features hand carved floral and leaf motifs throughout the frame; the vanity mirr...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Mercury Glass, Walnut
19th Century Swiss Black Forest Carved Thatched Roof Cottage Box
Located in Stamford, CT
Fantastic and rare example of Black Forest folk art, a tour de force of carving by a master woodworker. This lift top box in the form of a thatched cottage has many wonderful details...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
19th Century Carved 'Black Forest' Drinks Cabinet on Stand
Located in London, GB
A magnificent 'Black Forest' carved
Drinks cabinet on stand
Hand-carved from Lindenwood, the drinks box of D-end shape carved in exquisite high relief...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood
Antler Candelabra, 3-Armed with Wood Carved Enzian Flower Medallion
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Antler candelabra, 3- armed with wood carved enzian flower medallion
This antique and one-of-a-kind candelabra candle holder is made of genuine deer antlers. Completely handmade and singularly designed, It holds 3 candles...
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler
Cave a Liqueur Decanter Set in Carved Box with St Louis Crystal Decanters/Stems
Located in Houston, TX
This cave a liqueur set is truly special because the box is exquisitely
Carved and has the original beveled glass. The decanters and stem
Ware are by St. Louis and the original la...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Crystal
19th Century German Black Forest’ Jardinière
By Black Forest
Located in North Miami, FL
19th century German Black Forest’ Jardinière of substantial size constructed in a profoundly dimensional carved wood, rising from round base, with ...
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th Century Carved Walnut Piano Stool, Black Forest
Located in North Miami, FL
19th Century carved walnut piano stool, Black Forest in the shape of a faun, which is a mythological half human half goat creature from Roman mythology. The height is adjustable to u...
Category
19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Metal
Fantastic Oak Wood Gun Cabinet with Horn Decoration ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Fantastic oak wood gun cabinet with horn decoration ca. 1900
An antique Black Forest oak wood cabinet. Richly decorated with several antlers from the stag and fallow deer, wild boar...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Wood
Felix Possart Large Oil on Canvas "A Spring Alpine Journey"
By Felix Possart
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Felix Possart (German, 1837-1928) a large oil on canvas "A Spring Alpine Journey". The elongated painting depicting a mountain scene, possibly set in the Austrian or Swiss Alps, of a...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Giltwood, Canvas
Black Forest Rustic Side Table with Handcarved Vine Theme, Austria, ca. 1880
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Exceptional 19th century rustic black forest side table, elaborately hand carved around 1880 in Austria. A one of a kind crafted Black Forest table with fantastic vine-theme carvings...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Beech, Softwood
Antique Swiss Samuel Troll Fils Key Wind Cylinder Music Box
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Made in Switzerland in approximately 1850, this key wind brass cylinder music box is set in a burled walnut case with an inlaid shield in the top and has a gl...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Metal
19th Century French Carved Oak Black Forest Plant Stand Jardinière Flower Box
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Gorgeous fully hand carved Black Forest 19th century plant stand / jardiniere in hand carved Fruitwood.
The stand body has outstanding carvings with the center a dimensional carved...
Category
1880s French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
19th Century French Black Forest Carved Walnut and Porcelain Jardinière
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant antique planter was crafted in France, circa 1870. Rectangular in shape with scrolled decor and scalloped edge, the detailed planter stands on small curved feet, and is ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Porcelain, Walnut
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
Black Forest Carved Candle Holder
By Black Forest
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Black Forest candle holder with tree and standing chamois. Part of the Brienz Collection but not published. In the 1800’s the wood carving industry of Swi...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of 19th Century French Carved Walnut "Cabaret Figures" Lamp Bases
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a wine cellar or a bar with this pair of antique "cabaret" lamps. Crafted in France circa 1880, each black forest sculpture stands on a round base and features a carved male...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
‘Black Forest’ Carved Linden Wood Model of a Mount Rescue Dog
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A ‘Black Forest’ carved linden wood model of a mount rescue dog, naturalistically modelled standing four-square with a barrel at his collar and a blanket wrapped around his middle, o...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique French Mirror Black Forest Oak Framed or Standing Mirrored Firescreen
Located in Tyler, TX
Exquisite 19th century antique French Qak Black Forest beveled framed mirror or firescreen~~c. 1880s
We were fortunate enough to obtain this outstanding mirror or firescreen and other contents of a French castle estate~~most certainly commissioned pieces for a family of wealth or royalty~~High quality 19th century Black Forest, Gothic and Renaissance Revival pieces in spectacular condition
Black Forest furniture...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Oak
Black Forest Rustic Mirror with Gilt Bar, Hand Carved, Austria, circa 1880
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Extraordinary rustic Black Forest wall mirror from the period in Austria around 1880. Elaborately hand carved out of basswood, this fantastic rural mirror impresses with its artfully...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Softwood
Rustic Black Forest Mirror with Acorn/ Oak Leaves Carvings, Austria, circa 1870
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Exceptional black forest mirror from the late 19th century in Austria around 1870. This phenomenal, elaborately hand carved rustic wall mirror impresses with its simple but artfully ...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Softwood
19th century Pair Black Forest Chicken Vase Epergne Candleholder Carved Wood Set
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
Wood, Glass
19th Century Black Forest Bull
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
Fine quality late 19th century Black forest bull. The carver has caught the power and strength of this majestic animal, circa 1870
For similar examp...
Category
1870s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Rustic Black Forest Mirror with Gilt Inner Bar, Austria, circa 1880
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Charming rustic black Forest wall mirror from the period in Austria around 1880. Artfully hand carved out of basswood, this exceptional rural mirror impresses with its gorgeous carve...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Softwood
Outstanding Wooden Carved Fighting Stags by K. Bach, 1946
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A grandiose handcarved wood sculpture of fighting stags. Very detailed natural carving. Carved signature of K. Bach 1946.
Measures: Width: 23.62" (60cm)
Height: 7.48" (19cm)
Depth:...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Black Forest Carved Bear with Pen Inkwell
By Black Forest
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Walking bear pen holder and inkwell. Published in "Black Forest Bears and Swiss Woodcarvings," plate 92a. Book included.
In the 1800’s the wood carving industry of Switzerland started in the town of Brienz. By the end of the 1800’s it had become the driving force for this industry. Swiss wood carvers became world renown and featured at many international exhibitions.
Period: 1900
Origin: Switzerland
Size: 4" H x 7" W
Family Owned & Operated
Cisco’s Gallery deals in the rare, exceptional, and one-of-a-kind pieces that define the history of America and the Old West. Our pieces range from American Indian to Cowboy Western and include original items of everyday life, commerce, art, and warfare that tamed America’s frontier. Our 14,000 square foot gallery opened in 1996 in beautiful Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
Personal Service
Cisco’s operates on old fashioned values – honesty and integrity, and all of our items are backed by our money back guarantee. We appreciate the opportunity to earn your business. Whether you desire assistance with a jewelry purchase, choosing a gift, identification, or even selling – we hope to be your trusted source.
Black Forest, Brienz Collection, Carvings, Bears, Inkwells, Desk Accessories...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Black Forest Rustic Wall Mirror with Coat of Arms Carving, Austria, circa 1870
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Fantastic looking rustic Black Forest wall mirror from the late 19th century in Austria around 1870. Hand carved out of fine basswood this rural mirror shows an absolute amazing desi...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Softwood, Mirror
Black Forest Modeled Bear Piano Stool, Late 20th Century
Located in North Miami, FL
A fantastic hand carved bear piano stool with extendable seat. It was hand carved in Switzerland, Brienz, circa 1890’s. Original glass eyes.
Category
Early 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Black Forest 19th Century Side / End Table Hunt Carved Oak & Marble Top
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Exceptional & impressive! This 19th century Black Forest side / end table carved out of solid oak with "Rouge Belges" marble top.
Amazing craftsmanship fully hand carved by a maste...
Category
1870s French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Marble
Antique Circa 1880 Pair of Super Rare Black Forest Hand Carved Dwarf Whip Hooks
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this exceptionally rare pair of stunning, original circa 1880 Swiss made Black Forest wood, whip hooks of two Dwarfs
These are a very very rare...
Category
1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Small Black Forrest Carving of a Bear, 19th Century
Located in Doylestown, PA
A small antique wood carving of a bear on all fours, Black Forest region, nicely modeled, circa 1870.
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Relief Woodcarving by Hermann Steiner Meran 19th Century
By Hermann Steiner
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Relief Woodcarving by Hermann Steiner Meran 19th century
The wooden carved relief shows a grandfather with grandson on his lap. The granddaughter is sitting on the chair and hides a...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
1900 Swiss Black Forest Carved Basswood Begging Dog Cigar and Matchbox Holder
Located in Haarlem, NL
Swiss Brienz black forest hand carved linden wood begging poodle with brass matchbox holder and four brass cigar holders.
Black Forest wood carved art ...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Brass
19th Century French Black Forest Carved Walnut Jardinière with Zinc Liner
Located in Dallas, TX
This beautiful, walnut, Black Forest jardinière carved as a wooden log was crafted in France, circa 1870. The rectangular fruitwood planter features hand carved floral, tree branches...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Rustic Black Forest Wall Mirror Hand Carved, Austria, circa 1880
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Unusual hand carved Black Forest wall mirror with double frame out of Austria around 1880. A charming piece of a rustic Black Forest mirror, elaborately hand carved out of basswood, ...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Softwood, Mirror, Wood
Antique & Beveled Wall Mirror in a Top Quality Hand Carved Eagle Sculpture 1800s
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare and beautifully hand carved eagle sculpture on a crescent moon design mirror.
If you are appreciative of rare and sculptural antiques then this Swiss Black Forest wall mirror could be exactly what you are looking for. The quality in both the details and the patination (or coloring) of this wooden eagle...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood
Victorian Miniature Black forest Antler Casket 1860
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A marvelous antique rustic casket. It is made of wood, veneered with antler pieces. On top an antler plaque with staghound carving. The feet are made of ...
Category
Mid-19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Wood
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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