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.
19th Century Brienz Black Forest Carved Bear with Thermometer, ca. 1890s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic late 1900s Black Forest Brienz work of art. This hand carved bear sculpture is a great example of the Black Forest craftsmanship in ...
Glass, Wood
Black Forest Hand-Crafted Porcelain Bowl Fox Figure Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Completely handmade porcelain bowl with a hands-free naturalistic painted fox figure in brown colors. The fox is sitting in the middle of the bowl for decorating nuts or sweets aroun...
Porcelain
Black Forest Antique Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1940s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Black Forest Antique Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1940s A vintage roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved plaque. The trophy was shot in the 1940s in Germany. G...
Antler, Wood
Swallow Nest Black Forest Key Rack Holder Wall Mount Vintage Folk Art
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A lovely key board made of hand carved wood, made in the black forest area in Germany. Found at an estate sale in Nuremberg, Germany. It is not marked. A nic...
Brass
Vintage Set of Six Chamois Trophies on Wooden Plaques, Germany ca. 1950s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Set of Six Chamois Trophies on Wooden Plaques, Germany ca. 1950s A set of six vintage chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) trophies mounted on wood plaques. The trophies were shot ...
Antler, Wood
$1,940Sale Price|20% Off
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...
Nutwood
$4,498Sale Price|25% Off
GERMANY 1870 Black Forest Oversized Cigar Humidor Box In Solid Carved Oak Wood
By Black Forest
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...
Bronze
Beautiful French Angel Face Cast-Iron Inkwell France Antique, 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1900s French metal inkwell. Nice addition to your room or just for use it on your desk. Made of cast iron and glass. Marked with a number and letters. Found at an estat...
Wood
Hand Carved Black Forest Style Wooden Nutcracker, Germany, 1930s
Located in Barntrup, DE
This beautiful nutcracker in the German Black Forest style is decorated with a hand carved sculpture of a man's head with a hat. His mouth opens and closes to crack the nut. Dimensi...
Wood
Six Large Roe Deer Trophies on Carved Plaques Germany Late 20. Century Item e715
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Six Large Roe Deer Trophies on Carved Plaques Germany Late 20. Century Item e7152 A set of six large Black Forest roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophies mounted on wooden plaques. T...
Antler, Wood
Set of Six Roe Deer Trophies on Turned Plaques Germany ca. 1910s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Set of Six Roe Deer Trophies on Turned Plaques Germany ca. 1910s An antique set of six antique Black Forest roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophies mounted on turned wooden plaques,...
Antler, Wood
Antique Black Forest Mirror that was part of a major collection of Black Forest
Located in Highwood, IL
Antique Black Forest Mirror that were part of a major collection of Black Forest items sold by a Chateau outside of Marseille, France. There were over (40) antique Black Forest items...
Wood, Mirror, Glass
$11,840Sale Price|20% Off
Large Black Forest Carved Poacher Sculpture with Chamois, Circa 1900
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 ...
Wood
Set of Six Chamois Trophies on Birch Slices Germany ca. 1960s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Set of Six Chamois Trophies on Birch Slices Germany ca. 1960s Vintage set of six chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) trophies mounted on wooden slices. The trophies were shot in Germany a...
Antler, Wood
$2,980Sale Price|20% Off
Great Lodge Style Antler Mantel Clock 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Great Lodge Style Antler Mantel Clock 1900 A rare antique lodge style mantel clock. Oakwood case, richly decorated with antlers from the deer and fallow deer, mountain goat antlers ...
Wood, Antler
Large Vintage German Christmas Jumping Jack
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Large vintage christmas jumping jack in wood. The front covered in paper with a beautiful vintage decoration Handmade in the area of Erzgebirge Germany. T...
Wood
Swiss Black Forest Carved Rabbit Inkwell and Pen Tray
By Black Forest
Located in Newark, England
FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING WHIMSICAL BLACK FOREST DESK ACCESSORY WITH HAND-CARVED RABBIT, TREE PEN REST, AND HAT-LIDDED GLASS INKWELLS. From our Black Forest collection, we are delig...
Glass, Wood
Set of Six Porcelain Dishes with Hunting Trophies Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six porcelain dishes . Hands-free painted with 6 different detailed painted trophies heads in the style of black forest. Rimmed with a fine 24-carat gold line. Handmade in Bav...
Porcelain
Vintage Set of Six Chamois Trophies on Shaped Plaques, Germany ca. 1960s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Set of Six Chamois Trophies on Shaped Plaques, Germany ca. 1960s A collection of six vintage chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) skull trophies, dating to the 1960s, each mounted ...
Antler, Wood
Pair of German Cast Iron Black Forest Stylized Branch Hitching Post, Circa 1840
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of German cast iron Black Forest stylized branch hitching post, Mid 19th Century
Cast Iron
Pair of carved polychrome and gilt painted jester figures, Swiss or German C1930
Located in Central England, GB
We have for offer this wonderful pair of rare Swiss or Black Forest carved and polychrome and gilt painted jester figures. A most interesting pair of very high-quality Swiss or Blac...
Wood
Vintage Eduard Enzmann Alpine Lake Landscape Oil Painting on Board 19"
Located in Dayton, OH
Early to mid 20th century oil on board landscape painting depicting an Apline mountain lake viewed from a pine covered hilltop. Signed Enzmann in lower right - attributed to Eduard E...
Paint
Antique 19th century Swiss Black Forest jelwery box with 3 birds hand carved
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
This stunning 19th-century Black Forest jewelry box from Switzerland is a true masterpiece. Nearly 150 years old, the wood has developed a rich patina that enhances its beauty and ch...
Wood
Antique Black Forest Wall Reliefs with Hunting Motifs, a pair
Located in Pearland, TX
A pair of antique 19th century Black Forest hunting trophies, finely carved, featuring partridges, powder horns, rope, acorns and oak lea...
Wood
Vintage Chamois Trophy on Carved Plaque, Germany 1960s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Chamois Trophy on Carved Plaque, Germany 1960s A vintage chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) trophy mounted on a wooden carved plaque. The plate is decorated in dark green, reddis...
Antler, Wood
Vintage Black Forest Tramp Art Radium-Painted Mantel Clock
Located in Dekalb, IL
Architectural mantel clock rendered in dense, highly textured tramp art carving, built up from layered chip-carved wood to form a cathedral-like façade. The case features deeply face...
Wood
Vintage Collection of Six Chamois Trophies on Wooden Plaques, Germany ca. 1960s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Collection of Six Chamois Trophies on Wooden Plaques, Germany ca. 1960s A collection of six vintage chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) trophies, each mounted on a wooden plaque. ...
Antler, Wood
Set of Six Roe Deer Trophies on Wooden Plaques Salem Germany ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Set of Six Roe Deer Trophies on Wooden Plaques Salem, Germany ca. 1900s An set of six antique Black Forest roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophies mounted on wooden plaques, painted...
Antler, Wood
19th C. Black Forest Figural Wood Carved Night Watchman Lidded Tobacco Jar Box
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique 19th C. European Black Forest Figural Wood Carved Night Watchman Lidded Tobacco Jar Box with Removable Tin Metal Liner. Circa Late 19th Century. Measurements: 14" H x 5.5" W ...
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....
Glass, Birdseye Maple
19th Century Rustic Black Forest Wall Mirror - Hand Carved, Austria circa 1880
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Lovely rustic Black Forest wall mirror from the period in Austria around 1880. This rural style wooden mirror has been elaborately handcarved out of basswood and impresses with its a...
Mirror, Softwood
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...
Mirror, Walnut
Antique Set of Rustic Serving Cutlery with Carved Horn Handles, 19th Century
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique set of rustic serving cutlery with carved horn handles 19th century. A rare antique set of knife and fork as serving cutlery. The handles are made of deer horn with handcarv...
Metal
Traditional Handcarved and Painted Tyrolian Carnival Mask
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Traditional handcarved and painted tyrolian carnival mask An nice antique wooden carved carnival mask which comes from the region of South Tyrol. Made of handcarved and handpainted ...
Wood
Antique Chamois Trophy on Carved Plaque, Germany 1913
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Chamois Trophy on Carved Plaque, Germany 1913 An antique chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) trophy mounted on a wooden carved plaque which features acorns, oak leaves and a handw...
Antler, Wood
Vintage Stainless Steel and Horn Tableware Set for 6 Germany, 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Stainless Steel and Horn Tableware Set for 6 Germany, 1900s A rustic tabelware set consisting of six knives and six forks. The handles are made of genuine deer horn and feat...
Metal
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 ...
Wood
Unique Hand Carved Black Forest Tree Trunk Grandfather or Longcase Clock w. Bear
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning clock for the collectors of very rare and truly stylish Black Forest antiques. Tree trunk design longcase or grandfather clocks are a rare find and this 6.5 feet tall specimen could hardly be in better condition. All handcrafted and hand carved in the first half of the 1900s this wonderfully naturalistic tree trunk floor clock is the perfect home decoration for anyone with a nature or Black Forest inspired room or interior. This finest workmanship antique comes with the original dial face, weights and pendulum and they all have the same wonderful leaf and flower patterns that complement the tree or forest theme of this work-of-art tall clock. The natural aging of the carved wood has also grown this clock its stunning patina, making it even more of a gem to enjoy and to look at. The large door comes with the original, antique and perfectly beveled glass window which makes this unique clock...
Brass, Iron
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...
Wood
Antique Black Forest Carved Bear Wall Hook Hanger
Located in Forney, TX
A rare and exceptional hand carved German Black Forest wall-mounted hanger. circa 1890 Born in the late 19th / early 20th century, featuring an intricately carved walnut figural bear's head with inset glass eyes, finely detailed gilt brass paws holding a supporting rod, affixed with chain drop hook. Dimensions: (approx) 10.75" High, 8 1/8" Wide, 5.5" Deep, A superb example of German folk art, functional and highly decorative, it's ideal for use as an entryway coat...
Brass
Black Forest Stags Head Antlers Lodge Chic
Located in Potters Bar, GB
An unusual Black Forest style carved stag's head, realistically sculpted with finely detailed features, expressive glass eyes, and an impressive set of large antlers Circa 1920 The q...
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
Walnut
Country Style Hand-Painted Pottery Dish Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel Austria
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hands-free painted pottery rectangular dish in blue from Austria in Country style. Decorated with a hands-free painted pomegrante and a garland in white all around. Showing trees in the bottom and a handpainted green garland...
Ceramic
Antique Set of Rustic Hunters Knives with Chamois Horn Handles
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Set of Rustic hunters knives with Chamois Horn handles A rare antique set of six knives. The handles are made of genuine chamois horn and feature a decorated silver knob on ...
Metal
Large Wooden Carved Black Forest Weather Station with Deer
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Wooden Carved Black Forest Weather Station with Deer A large Black Forest antique wall barometer with an ornate carved wooden frame featuring detailed hunting motifs. The desi...
Wood
Black Forest Set of Six Tumbler Red Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six handblown tumbler in red crystal with a hand-edged hunting scene in the style of black forest. The decor is an antique hunting scene showing deers, trees and bambis all-ov...
Crystal
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...
Metal
19th Century French Bleached Oak Nine-Gun Cabinet with Hunt Carvings
Located in Dallas, TX
This rare antique French gun cabinet was crafted in solid oak circa 1860 and offers the scale, carving, and architectural presence of an important château furnishing. Designed as a t...
Glass, Oak
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 ...
Wood
Antique Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque - Germany 1930
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque - Germany 1930 An antique red deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved plaque with dark brown finish. The trophy wa...
Antler, Wood
Hand Carved Black Forest Brienz Wooden Bear with an Engraved Glass Vase or Flute
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic late 1900s Black Forest Brienz work of art. This small and hand carved bear sculpture is a great example of the Black Forest craftsm...
Cut Glass, Wood
$6,304Sale Price / set|20% Off
Antique Bull Horn Chairs by H.F.C. Rampendahl, Austria, Circa 1870
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Four Antique Bull Horn Chairs ca. 1870 A set of four antique bull horn chairs ca. 1870, covered with antique green velvet which has to be renewed (is loo...
Wood, Antler
Vintage Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque, Germany 1968
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque, Germany 1968 An antique red deer (Cervus elaphus) trophy mounted on a carved wooden plaque. The trophy was shot in Germany arr...
Antler, Wood
Eagle Crescent Mirror 1890 Black Forest Carving
Located in Hastings, GB
Fantastic hand carved Eagle gripping a crescent bevelled mirror, dating to the late 19th century, Swiss Black Forest. The carving still has its’ original glass eye and is in exceptio...
Wood
Stately Black Forest Antler Mount on Carved Walnut Plaque
Located in Buchanan, MI
Stately Black Forest antler mount on carved walnut plaque. We have a large selection of both large and small antler mounts on Black Forrest plaques. Ca...
Antler, Walnut
Antique Black Forest Deer Trophy on Plaster Plaque, ca. 1920s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Black Forest Deer Trophy on Plaster Plaque, ca. 1920s This piece features a six-point red deer antler (Cervus elaphus) mount attached to an elaborately designed plaster plaq...
Antler, Wood
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...
Wood
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.
Wood
Set of Six Roe Deer Trophies on Wooden Slices Germany ca. 1950s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Set of Six Roe Deer Trophies on Wooden Slices Germany ca. 1950s A vintage set of six large Black Forest roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophies mounted on wooden slices. The trophie...
Antler, Wood
Collection of 12 Early Black Forest Roe Mounts, Priced Per Mount.
Located in Buchanan, MI
Collection of 12 early Black Forest roe mounts very nicely carved and great color and patination. Priced per mount. Check with us as our antler mount inven...
Wood, Antler