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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
19th Century Carved Wood 3rd Station of the Cross, 'Jesus Falls’, Switzerland
Located in Buffalo, NY
19th century carved wood 3rd station of the cross, 'JESUS FALLS’ carved in Switzerland, recently acquired from Holy Angels Church located in Buffalo New Yo...
Category

1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

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

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

Folk Art 20th Century Carved Wood Figure Sculpture of Saint Florian Austria 1960
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Pine carving of Saint Florian, the patron saint of fire fighters, 20th century Austria, the saint shown holding his cape in one hand, pouring a bucket of ...
Category

1960s Austrian Vintage Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Head of a Sicilian Puppet, ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Head of a Sicilian puppet, ca. 1900s Antique Head of a Sicilian puppet depicting a knight. Made of handcarved and handpainted wood with handfo...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Metal

Carved Wood Chamois Family by Ernst Heissl, Ebensee Austria, circa 1900
By Ernst Heissl
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Carved Wood Chamois Family by Ernst Heissl, Ebensee Austria, circa 1900 A handcarved wooden sculpture of a chamois group with buck, chamois and fawn. A v...
Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Black Forest Sika Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque - Germany ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Black Forest Sika Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque - Germany ca. 1900s An antique 6 pointer sika deer (Cervus nippon) trophy from the Black Forest. The trophy was shot around 1900. The ...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood, Antler

GERMANY 1870 Black Forest Oversized Cigar Humidor Box In Solid Carved Oak Wood
Located in Miami, FL
A German cigar humidor box carved in oak wood. This is a fabulous oversized black forest humidor box created in northern Europe, most probably in Germany or Switzerland, back in the...
Category

1870s German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Carved Walnut Oval Dark Brown Wall Picture Frames with Flowers, ca. 1920
Located in Barntrup, DE
Pair of finely carved walnut oval dark brown wall picture or photo frames with flowers and leaves, Austria, ca. 1920. The impressive pair of frames is masterfully carved throughout w...
Category

1920s Austrian Vintage Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Glass, Walnut

Large Black Forest Carved Eagle A large piece superbly carved in walnut
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Large Black Forest Carved Eagle A large piece superbly carved in walnut, he or she has bright piercing glass eyes with up reaching wings ha...
Category

19th Century Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Walnut

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

Wood Black Forest Brienz Carved Figural Gnome Nutcracker German Antique, 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1900s Black Forest Brienz wood carved Nutcracker in form of a Gnome. Nice addition to your room or just for use it on your desk.
Category

Early 1900s German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Carved Wood Tobacco Pipe with Excellent Dog and Deer Head Carving
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Carved Wood Tobacco Pipe with Excellent Dog and Deer Head Carving An antique handcarved wood tobacco pipe with fine carved hunting scenes and a carved dog on the lid. At the...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

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

Whimsical Carving of a Dwarf with Snuffbox, 19th Century
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Whimsical Carving of a Dwarf with Snuffbox, 19th Century A 19th century funny carved and painted dwarf with snuffbox. Unrestored original condition, old wormholes, partly paintloss ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Unknown Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Black Forest Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque, Bavaria 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Black Forest Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque, Bavaria 1900s Item e7321 A large antique roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved plaque. The trophy was shot i...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Antler, Wood

Antique French Black Forest Carved Inkwell with Oak Leaves and Birds, Circa 1890
Located in Dallas, TX
More information coming soon… Hand-carved in France, circa 1890, this Black Forest inkwell is incredibly detailed with motifs of oak leaves and a pair of birds. The two birds (a fl...
Category

1890s French Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Glass, Wood

Finely Carved Wood Chamois Brienz, Switzerland, circa 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Finely carved wood chamois Brienz, Switzerland circa 1900. A delicately handcarved wood sculpture of a chamois standing on a rocky base. A very detailed and natural carving excecuted by one of the Swiss woodcarvers from the area of Brienz, ca. 1900. The tradition of wood carving, using manual skills to make everyday objects and fine art sculptures, is found throughout Europe. The incentive to create not only useful but also aesthetically beautiful things, distinguishes the craftsman from the artist. In addition to the well-known Swiss wood carving...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

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

Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Spruce, Mirror, Softwood

Pair of Black Forest Carved Walnut Bird Nest Wall-Mounted Consoles, ca. 1920
Located in Barntrup, DE
Pair of Black Forest style carved walnut wall-mounted consoles or shelves, birds nest, Germany, ca. 1920. An adorable pair of wall-mounted consoles with beautifully and masterfully c...
Category

1920s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Metal

19th Century Swiss 'Black Forest' Hand-Carved Walnut Wall Mirror
Located in London, GB
A Black Forest Carved Mirror Carved from walnut, the bevelled oval mirror plate set within an architectural frame and flanking rustic branc...
Category

19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antler and Boar Tusks Candle Holder Centerpiece
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Antler and boar tusks candle holder centerpiece This antique centerpiece candle holder is made of genuine deer antlers and Boar Tusks. It holds 5 candle...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Antler

German Black Forest Wood Carved Figural Man Head Cork Bottle Stopper, 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Adorable wood and cork bottle stopper, Germany, 1930s. Ideal decoration bottle stopper. Great idea to surprise your guests or a very interesting gift.
Category

1930s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood, Cork

Antique Cheese and Butter Knives with Deer Handles, circa 1950s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Cheese and Butter Knives with Deer Handles, circa 1950s A rustic serving set consisting of cheese knife and butter knife. The handles are made of genuine deer feet. The blad...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Metal

Antique Wooden Mantel Clock with Eagle, Swiss 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Wooden Mantel Clock with Eagle, Swiss 1900 A great carved linden wood mantel clock with a very detailled carved eagle sitting on a rock with foliage decorations. The porcelaine clockface has handpainted numerals, handcarved in Switzerland - Brienz ca. 1900. The clockwork was overworked by a clockmaker and is in working order. It comes with original key. Measures: Width 14.17" (36.0cm) Height 24.8" (63.0cm) Depth 5.12" (13.0cm) Soberly considered mantel clocks are small pendulum clocks...
Category

Late 19th Century German 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 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

19th Century Black Forest Carved Liquor Box
Located in High Point, NC
19th Century Black Forest carved liquor set. The exterior of the box is hand-carved in design as a wood log cabinet, the rectangular Black Forest tantalus is decorated on the top wi...
Category

19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Fruitwood

Antique Black Forest Foliate Carved Walnut Barometer C1890
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Black Forest Foliate Carved Walnut Barometer C1890 Measures- 11.75"H x 9.75"W x 2"D
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Rustic Wall Mirror Black Forest Hand Carved, Austria, circa 1880
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Rustic Black Forest wall mirror from the late 19th century in Austria. Beautifully hand carved out of basswood circa 1880, this unusual wall mirror...
Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Softwood

Black Forest Hand Carved Cut Board Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Completely hand carved cut board in Black Forest style with two goat heads on top. The cutboards are cut by hand in solid oakwood with our SOFINA brand logo ...
Category

2010s Austrian Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Oak

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

A Lovely Carved Black Forest Bear for Sewing Utensils, Pierre Michel, Brienz
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A Lovely Carved Black Forest Bear for Sewing Utensils, Pierre Michel, Brienz Item e7285 A nicely carved Black Forest bear for sewing utensils. It features a pincushion, needle deposi...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Zabihi Collection Mini Vintage Anatolian Turkish Mini Rug
Located in New York, NY
A vintage Anatolian Turkish mini-size colorful rug from the 3rd quarter of the 20th century 1'4'' x 2'11''
Category

20th Century Asian Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wool

Antique Black Forest Tobacco Pipe with Chamois Horn and Figurine
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Black Forest Tobacco Pipe with Chamois Horn and Figurine A marvellous antique handcarved tobacco pipe with fine carved chamois on the carved horn lid. The pipe head is made ...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood, Antler

19th Carved Wood Black Forest Bears Tree Umbrella Cane Hat Stick Coat Stand Rack
Located in Wijnegem, BE
"Black Forest, Bear Coat Rack, Late 19th Century " Very beautiful work from the Black Forest, late 19th century: the sculpture is of very high quality, ...
Category

1890s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Black Forest Mirror with Rustic Bear Carvings, ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique black forest mirror with rustic bear carvings ca. 1900 A large crescent vanity mirror in a handcarved wooden frame featuring two ...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Swiss Black Forest Carved Wood Bear Nutcracker
Located in San Francisco, CA
the hand-carved walnut bear with expressive gaze fitted with glass eyes; most likely from the Black forest area in the Swiss city of Interlagen
Category

1890s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Walnut

19th Century French Black Forest Carved Oak Three-Door Buffet Enfilade
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a ranch or hunting lodge with this important antique three-door Black Forest sideboard. Crafted in France, circa 1870, the highly detailed buffet stands on bun feet over a w...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Oak

Large Deer Trophy Mount on Wooden Carved Plaque
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Great Deer Trophy Mount on Wooden Carved Plaque Item e6895 A large antique deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved plaque with black finish. The trophy was shot in 1959....
Category

Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Antler, Wood

Swiss Black Forest Dog Group Walter Mader (attributed)
By Walter Mäder
Located in Newark, England
Featuring a Dog with Pups Rare Swiss Black Forest Dog group. The group modelled as a smooth coat St. Bernard female with her three puppies. The...
Category

Early 1900s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Zabihi Collection Animal Human Pictorial Textile Embroidery
Located in New York, NY
Hand-embroidered large Suzani textile made from the middle of the 20th century featuring a wild animal human pictorial motif on a pink ground Me...
Category

Mid-20th Century Uzbek Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Cotton

19th Century Black Forest Carved Bear Brush
Located in High Point, NC
Late 19th century hand carved bear brush from Switzerland. The bear is expertly hand carved and has a very whimsical look. Such an adorable souvenir, these were small tokens travel...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Fruitwood

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

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

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

Rustic Wooden Wall Mirror with Golden Bars Hand Carved, Austria, Dated 1901
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Peerless rustic wooden wall mirror from Austria, dated to 1901. A very special designed wall mirror with a golden bar on the inside and protruding corners. ...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Softwood

Swiss Brienz Black Forest Hand-Carved Wood Bear Pipe Tobacco Holder Stand
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Black Forest hand-carved linden-wood hand-carved pipe tobacco holder stand also have seen examples of it used as a decanter or liqueur Stand with the holders being used for shot or small glasses. Modeled as hiking bear with walking stick...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair of 19th Century Swiss Carved Black Forest Trophy Plaques Hunting Deer Stag
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Stunning craftsmanship! This pair of 19th century Black Forest hunting Trophy plaques from Brienz Switzerland. Fully carved from solid ...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Walnut

French Mid-20th Century Black Forest Faux-Bois Mirror with Leaf Motifs
Located in Atlanta, GA
French Black Forest style mirror from the mid-20th century features a faux-bois frame made of a variety of leaves nicely intertwined along t...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Black Forest 1900s Hand Carved Wooden Buck Head Mounted on Shield Plate
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swiss Black Forest hand carved wooden buck head wall sculpture from the turn of the century, with shield plate. Born in the early years of the 20th century...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair of Black Forest Type Deer Head Wall Brackets
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Black Forest style Deer head wall shelves or brackets. Made in a Faux Bois design.
Category

20th Century Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Composition

Black Forest Walnut Armchair or Reading Chair by Matthijs Horrix for Horrix
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent and ultra rare Black Forest armchair or reading chair. Design by Matthijs Horrix for the famous Dutch cabinet makers Horrix Den Haag. Striking Dutch design from the 1880s. Solid hand-carved walnut base and re-upholstered with a quality white fabric. This wonderful Black Forest armchair or reading chair 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

1880s Dutch Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

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

Pair of Carved Wood Deer with Roe Buck Antlers
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is wonderful pair of early to mid-19th century carved deer heads that have been completed with actual roe buck deer antlers. The carvings show a deep patina with wear to one ea...
Category

Mid-19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Antler, Wood

Antique Black Forest Sofa from French Chateau in the South of France, Restored
Located in Chicago, IL
Another selection from the extensive collection of Old Plank's Black Forest furniture. We look at Black Forest furniture as being both a bit rustic and a little whimsical. Black Forest furniture dates from the late 1800’s to the early 1900’s and although most people believe Black Forest originated in Germany, or Austria, it was also made in France and Switzerland and the Swiss are the ones who invented the style in the City of Brienz. The original carving of Black Forest furniture and small animal sculptures was driven by the Tourist trade. Old Plank was fortunate to be able to purchase an entire room of Black Forest furniture from a chateau in the South of France, The collection includes; Black Forest chandelier, scones, huge mirrors...
Category

1890s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Black Forest Marquetry Table Top
Located in Savannah, GA
A Black Forest marquetry hunt scene table top wall-hanging, 19th century. 36 ¼ by 27 ¼ inches
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Black Forest Style Carved Walnut Barometer, Germany, ca. 1920
Located in Barntrup, DE
Black Forest style carved walnut barometer, Germany, ca. 1920. An impressive carved walnut barometer with masterfully carved flowers and leaves. A small mirror on the top of the roun...
Category

1920s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Glass, Mirror, 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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