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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 Wild Boar Piggy Bank Made of Clay
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Wild Boar Piggy Bank Made of Clay An antique piggy back in the shape of a wild boar. Handmade of clay. It has no opening on the base thus ...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Clay

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

Black Forest Vase Crystal with Hunting Decor Green Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
hand blown 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 hand blown and hand-eng...
Category

2010s German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Crystal

Black Forest Porcelain Bowl with Bambi Figure Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Completely handmade porcelain bowl with a hands-free naturalistic painted bambi figure in brown. The bambi is sitting in the middle of the bowl for decorating nuts or sweets around. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

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

Black Forest Crystal Latern Green Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hand blown crystal latern in green 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

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

Large Handforged Cattle Bell Made in Switzerland ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Handforged Cattle Bell Made in Switzerland ca. 1900s Item e7309 An antique handforged cattle bell, made in Switzerland around 1900. The bell comes with its original brown lea...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Metal

Magnificent Carved Black Forest Monkey Gong, circa 1890
Located in Bath, GB
A fabulous and scarce find, this wonderful large Black Forest Monkey was hand carved circa 1890 with superb quality detail and retaining two glass ...
Category

1890s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century black forest centre piece
Located in Martlesham, GB
A lovely quality 19th Century black forest centre piece, having an ornate carved trunk at the centre with a removable glass stem with out swept scalloped edge, a large hunting dog st...
Category

1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Antique Swiss Black Forest Carved Walnut Table
Located in Forney, TX
A scarce late 19th century Swiss Black Forest hand carved walnut table with nicely aged warm patina. Hand-crafted in Switzerland, circa 1880, the square tabletop features a relief ...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Walnut

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

Rustic Black Forest Mirror Hand Carved, Austria, circa 1890
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Lovely small Black Forest mirror from Austria, circa 1890. Artfully processed out of basswood, this frame shows unusual hand carved leaves designs and was combined with protruding co...
Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Softwood

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

2010s German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Crystal

Rustic Black Forest Walnut Center Table
Located in Queens, NY
Rustic Black Forest style (German 19th Century) light walnut rectangular center table with carved leaf & vine design on apron with open cluster legs and tooled brown leather top.
Category

19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Walnut, Leather

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

Black Forest Antler Chair
Located in Houston, TX
An antler armchair crafted from fallow deer antlers, showcasing the rustic charm and craftsmanship of 20th-century design. Reflecting the tradition of using natural elements in furni...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Antler, Wool, Wood

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

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

2010s German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Crystal

Great Rustic Black Forest Wooden Pulley with Rope
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Great Rustic Black Forest Wooden Pulley with Rope A great rustic Black Forest wooden pulley with rope. It comes from a Bavarian barn, ca. 1900, ol...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

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

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, stag and edelweis flowers. Surro...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Nutwood

19th Century Swiss 'Black Forest' Carved Game Trophy Plaques
Located in London, GB
A Pair of Carved Black Forest Game Plaques Expertly carved in Lindenwood, the shaped plaques, carved with oak leaves, depicting a chamois, deer, bird, fox and hunting accoutrements,...
Category

19th Century Swiss 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 Wooden Carved Sculpture of a Folksy Countrywoman
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Wooden Carved Sculpture of a Folksy Countrywoman A large traditional Black Forest style woodcarving of a farmer´s wife. Hand carved in Germany around 1920. A great addition ...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wool

Antique French Black Forest Hunt Coffee Table OVAL Carved Griffins Oak 19th C
Located in Tyler, TX
RARE FIND Antique Oak French Black Forest "Hunt" Style OVAL Coffee Table with Carved Griffin Pedestal Base~~c. 1890s Beautifully carved griffin pedestal with carved beveled edge to...
Category

1880s French Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Oak

Large Wooden Strolling Bear Handcarved in Brienz ca. 1930
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Wooden strolling bear handcarved in Brienz ca. 1930 A large antique statue of a walking bear. Made of lindenwood, finely handcarved with na...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Pair of 19th C. French Black Forest Carved Walnut Game and Harvest Wall Plaques
Located in Dallas, TX
This distinctive pair of antique Black Forest wall plaques was hand-carved from solid walnut in France circa 1870. Each is mounted on an oval back plate with a stippled and chiseled ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Monumental 19th Century Black Forest Carved “Spoils of the Hunt” Wall Clock
Located in Atlanta, GA
One of the most impressive masterfully carved German or Swiss black forest wall clocks I have ever had in my possession circa 1880. The shear size and quality of the carvings is incredible. Adorned with several duck and bird forms to the clock, a rifle, catch bag, powder horn and bird call...
Category

Mid-19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Brass

Black Forest Carved Wood w Original Fabric Side Chairs, Pair
Located in North Miami, FL
These side chairs are magnificent example of Southern Germany/ Austrian carved wood with amazing details including mythological dragons and flora....
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Brocade, Fruitwood

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

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

Hand Carved Wooden Sculpture Lamp Night Watchman with Lantern, Germany
Located in Barntrup, DE
A masterfully hand-carved wooden lamp features a beautiful sculpture of a night watchman with a lantern and halberd. The lantern is made of glass and co...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Copper

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

Large Antique Antler Standing Mirror, Germany, ca. 1890
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large antique antler standing mirror, Germany, ca. 1890 A great antique Black Forest antler standing mirror manufactured in Germany around 1890. An oval wooden frame richly decorate...
Category

19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Antler, Glass, Wood

Large Floor Size Vintage Beige Green Muave Accent Turkish Rug Pillow
Located in New York, NY
Large pillow made from a Turkish rug with a solid cotton back and zipper closure. Foam fill. Beige green mauve accents. Measures: 24" x 33".
Category

20th Century Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Cotton, Foam, Wool

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

Abnorm White Tailed Deer Trophy Mount on Wooden Plaque ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Abnorm White Tailed Deer Trophy Mount on Wooden Plaque ca. 1900s A large abnorme white tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) trophy on a wooden plaque with black finish. The trophy w...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Antler, Wood

Rustic Black Forest Style Walnut Gnome Hatrack
Located in Queens, NY
Rustic Black Forest-style (19th Century) carved walnut hatrack/umbrella stand with gnome figure holding tree form with birds in upper branches.
Category

19th Century European Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Antique German Wine Table or Stand with Hand-Carved Saying and Sculptural Legs
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare, meaningful, practical, handcrafted and highly decorative antique table. This one of a kind table will appeal to spiritual people and collectors of stylish, rare and meaningful...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Leather, Wood

Black Forest 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

Large Chamois Trophy on Carved Plaque, Austria 1954
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Chamois Trophy on Carved Plaque, Austria 1954 An vintage chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) trophy mounted on a wooden carved plaque which features acorns, oak leaves and a handwri...
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Antler, Wood

Large Chamois Trophy on Carved Plaque, Austria 1953
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Chamois Trophy on Carved Plaque, Austria 1953 An vintage chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) trophy mounted on a wooden carved plaque which features acorns, oak leaves and a handwri...
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Antler, 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

Antique Set of Rustic Carter Cutlery with Carved Horn Handles 18th
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Set of Rustic Carter Cutlery with Carved Horn Handles 18th A rare antique set of knife and fork as serving cutlery. The handles are made of deer horn with handcarved heads o...
Category

Mid-18th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Metal

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

Linden Wood Black Forest Bear Hall Tree, circa 1900 Attributed to Seilar-Brawant
Located in Evergreen, CO
An excellent example of turn of the century Brienz Swiss carving in linden wood. There are many Swiss carvers well known for carving certain subjects and Seilar-Brawant is known for ...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Wood

Pair of Late 19th C. French Carved Oak Monks with Goblets, Black Forest Style
Located in Dallas, TX
Carved in France circa 1890, this expressive pair of antique oak monk figures blends Gallic charm with the rustic spirit of the Black Forest tradition. Each cheerful friar is shown m...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Oak

GERMAN 1890 Treasure Chest Decorative Box In Cedar Wood & Silver Hardware
Located in Miami, FL
A German treasure chest desk box. This is a beautiful rectangular desk box created in Germany during the Imperial period, back in 1890-1900. The box is crafted in the shape of a treasure chest and fully carved in cedar wood and decorated with forged silver hardware’s. It is fitted with two sets of hinges and a security lock. The box is extremely well made and fitted in the interior with the original red velvet lining. Stamped with an oval bronze plaque, that read E S Schutz Marke...
Category

1890s German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Silver, Bronze

Rustic Black Forest Walnut Display Box with Etched Glass and A Carved Fox
Located in Queens, NY
Rustic Black Forest (4th Quarter 19th Century) walnut carved table top display cabinet box with etched glass inset panels and floral carving ...
Category

19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Walnut, Glass

Black Forest Sika Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque - Germany ca. 1950s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Black Forest Sika Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque - Germany ca. 1950s Item e7343 A vintage 6 pointer sika deer (Cervus nippon) trophy from the Black Forest. The trophy was shot around 1...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Antler, Wood

Fine Carved Wood Chamois Family by Ernst Heissl, circa 1900
By Ernst Heissl
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A delicately hand-carved wood sculpture of a chamois family. The item is very detailed and a classical natural carving by the Austrian woodcarver Ernst Heissl...
Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Walnut Black Forest Armchair by Matthijs Horrix for Horrix Den Haag, 1880s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent and ultra rare Black Forest armchair. 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 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 considered new. The company also made Rustic style furniture that was very popular in the Northern Countries and England. These unusual objects entered the interiors of upper class houses especially popular in Biedermeier styles in Germany and Black Forest styles in Switzerland. Horrix enjoyed highly acclaimed success and thanks to their good reputation, they were asked in 1883 to built the Royal throne of King William III...
Category

1880s Dutch Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Walnut

Antique Handforged Cattle Bell Made in Switzerland ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Handforged Cattle Bell Made in Switzerland ca. 1900s Item e7309 An antique handforged cattle bell, made in Switzerland around 1900. The bell comes with its original brown lea...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Metal

Antique Bavarian Carved Oak Black Forest Mirror
Located in London, GB
An exceptional antique Bavarian carved oak black forest mirror, dating from around the 1880’s It is of amazing quality and it is a lovely petite size. There is exquisite carving thr...
Category

1880s German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Oak

Wooden Carved Black Forest Garden Fountain Water Spout 19th century
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Wooden Carved Black Forest Garden Fountain Water Spout 19th century A large Black Forest wooden carved water spout featuring "Ruebezahl", which is the mountain spirit of the giant m...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

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

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 Austrian Pair of Red Deer Fur Cushions Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Pair of soft red deer fur cushions with white spots. Backside grey and camel cashmere wool. The fur comes from the Kitzbuehel alps.
Category

2010s Austrian Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Fur

Antique Victorian Vanity Mirror with Bear, Black Forest ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Victorian Vanity Mirror with Bear, Black Forest ca. 1900 A lovely wooden vanity mirror decorated with an elaborate carved bear...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

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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