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.
20th Century Black Forest Wall Mirror with Grapes and Leaves Hand Carved - 1919
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Gigantic, exceptional Black Forest wall mirror out of Austria, dated to 1919. This early 20th century, one of a kind elaborately hand carved masterpiece impresses with a fantastic op...
Mirror, Softwood
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
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...
Wood
Large Chamois Trophy on Turned Plaque, Austria 1950s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Chamois Trophy on Turned Plaque, Austria 1950s An vintage chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) trophy mounted on a wooden turned plaque with seperate carved oak leafes mounted on the...
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
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...
Wood
19th Century French Black Forest Carved Oak Hall Bench
Located in Dallas, TX
An extraordinary 19th century French Black Forest hall bench, entirely hand carved from oak and conceived as a sculptural celebration of nature. Its dramatic back is formed from interlacing branches, flowering vines, abundant grape clusters, leaves, and rustic latticework, all deeply carved in open relief. The naturalistic branch form continues through the arms, supports, and slender legs, creating the appearance of a bench fashioned from the forest itself. Across the apron, carved flowers and scrolling vines repeat the botanical composition and give the piece remarkable visual continuity. The rich, dark patina settles beautifully into the recesses of the carving, emphasizing every leaf, blossom, grape, and textured branch. Black Forest inspired carving held great appeal in 19th century France, where naturalistic furniture...
Oak
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
Antique Black Forest 19th Century Jewelry Box Carved Fruitwood Red Velvet Chest
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Gorgeous & Breathtaking! This small 19th century Black Forest Jewellery Box carved out of fruit wood. Carved by a master carver with attention to detail decorated on the top, front ...
Velvet, Wood
Set of Two Hand Carved Folk Art Deer Head with Real Antlers, 19th Century
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A great looking set of two hand carved original wooden Folk Art deer head wall decorations. A great piece for a suitable ambiance in a trophy room or the office of a Hunter or Woodsm...
Wood
$2,560Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Swiss Black Forest Carved Walnut and Fabric Upholstered Armchair
Located in Haarlem, NL
Walnut Black Forest or Schwarzwald chair with back, armrests and seat upholstery in original flower and fruit fabric. The chair is carved in a branch and vine effect which includes v...
Fabric, Upholstery, Walnut
19th Century French Black Forest Carved Bleached Oak Buffet Cabinet
Located in Dallas, TX
Make a statement in a dining room, wine cellar, or mountain retreat with this exceptional antique Black Forest buffet cabinet. Crafted in France circa 1860, the richly carved two-doo...
Oak
$4,862 / item
Swiss Black Forest Bear Barometer
By Black Forest
Located in Newark, England
FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING From our Swiss Black Forest collection, we are delighted to present this exceptional Swiss Black Forest Bear Barometer, dating to circa 1890. Expertly hand ...
Glass, Wood
19th Century Rustic Black Forest Mirror, Hand Carved, Austria, circa 1880
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Unusual hand carved rustic Black Forest wall mirror with double frame out of Austria from the period around 1880. A real charming example of a late 19th century Black Forest mirror, ...
Mirror, Wood, Softwood
$5,156Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Mantel Clock with Eagle and Chamois Family, ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Mantel Clock with Eagle and Chamois Family, ca. 1900 A large Black Forest wooden carved mantel clock with an eagle on top and a chamois defending her child. The clock is embedded in a handcarved wood pile. A masterpiece of Brienz woodcarvings which brightens up any chimney piece. The clockwork is cleaned and overworked by a clockmaker - working order. Soberly considered mantel clocks are small pendulum...
Wood
Dog Handle Brienz Black Forest Wood Carved Umbrella Cane Austria Antique, 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1910s Black Forest Brienz wood carved umbrella with handle in form of a dog. The dog has glass eyes. Nice addition to your collection or just for use. Made of hand carv...
Metal
19th Century Swiss Black Forest Carved Walnut and Etched Crystal Centerpiece
Located in Dallas, TX
A finely carved walnut base depicting an alpine woodland scene gives this antique Black Forest centerpiece its distinctive character. Crafted in Switzerland circa 1870, the decorativ...
Cut Glass, Walnut
$2,768Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Wooden Carved Cupboard with Several Carvings
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Wooden Carved Cupboard with Several Carvings A detailed handcarved wooden buffet or cupboard with several elaborately carved wooden decorations depicting lion, putties, ange...
Wood
Antique Enamelled Glass Claret Jug with Stag Motif, Hunting Lodge Wine Pitcher
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This charming antique glass claret jug features a beautifully hand-enamelled portrait of a stag set against a softly graduated sky and lush gr...
Enamel
Antique Hand Painted Advertising Poster for a Hemoglobin Fabrication in Munich
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Handpainted Advertising Poster for a Hemoglobin Fabrication in Munich A large antique handpainted advertising poster for a hemoglobin fabrication in the 19th century in Muni...
Wood
Black Forest Porcelain Bowl with Fox Figure Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Completely handmade porcelain bowl with a hands-free natrualistic painted fox figure in brown colors. The fox is sitting in the middle of the bowl for decor...
Porcelain
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...
Cotton
Antique Set of Rustic Hunters Cutlery with Chamois Horn Handles
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique set of rustic hunters cutlery with chamois horn handles A rustic set of six knives and forks. The handles are made of genuine chamois horn and feature a decorated silver kno...
Metal
Swiss Black Forest Carved Wood Owl With Glass Eyes, Early 1900s
Located in London, GB
A delightful decorative carved wood owl. This finely hand carved Black Forest owl sculpture demonstrates incredible workmanship and attention to detail, along with his/her beautiful...
Wood
Large Hand Carved Black Forest Standing Stag Deer Sculpture with Huge Antlers
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This quite large and well executed carving is unsigned by the artist, but presumed to have been done in Eastern Europe in circa 1900 in the period Black Forest style. This large carv...
Softwood
Pair of Roe Deer Heads, Wall Decoration, Germany, 1930s
Located in Barntrup, DE
Roe deer heads, wall decoration, made of plaster, Germany, 1930s, set of two. An absolutely adorable pair of roe deer heads in the Black Forest style is ...
Plaster
Antique Chamois Trophy on Carved Plaque, Germany ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Chamois Trophy on Carved Plaque, Germany ca. 1900 Antique chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) trophy mounted on a wooden carved plaque. The trophy was shot arround 1900 in Germany...
Antler, Wood
Tiffany Traditional Buck Stag Stirrup Cup with Big Boy Alpha Antlers
By Tiffany & Co., J.D. Schleissner & Söhne 1
Located in New York, NY
Traditional German sterling silver stirrup cup. Conical bowl mounted to cast buck bust with flexed-back ears, gaping mouth, thick striated fur, and big spiky antlers. Gilt interior. ...
Sterling Silver
Antique Musical circa 1880 Black Forest Hand Carved Fox Whip Hook Glass Eyes
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this exceptionally rare, Musical, original circa 1880 Swiss made Black Forest wood, Fox whip hook with glass eyes These...
Wood
Large Black Forest Lamp Mountain Goats, circa 1880
Located in Austin, TX
Large black forest lamp with two mountain goats on a rack, circa 1880. Electrified and wired for US, include shade.
Metal
Black Forest Austrian Cushion Red Deer Fur Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Cushion red deer fur with white spots. Backside grey wool. The fur comes from the Kitzbuehel alps. Made in Kitzbühel, Austria.
Fur
Antique French Black Forest Barometer Thermometer Hound Dogs Birds Carved Oak
Located in Tyler, TX
Very Nice Antique French Oak BLACK FOREST Barometer Thermometer Beautifully carved hound and birds~~outstanding craftsmanship of the era Black Forest furniture and decorative pie...
Oak
$1,782Sale Price|20% Off
Oak Black Forest Wall Coat Rack with Hand Carved Double-Headed Eagle, 1900s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent and ultra rare Black Forest style wall coat rack. Striking European design from the 1900s. Solid oak frame with a hand-carved sculptured double-headed eagle. Four pati...
Brass
19th Century Black Forest Rustic Wall Mirror, Austria, circa 1880
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Fantastic executed, rustic wooden wall mirror out of Austria from the period around 1880. This so-called "Black Forest" mirror has been elaborately hand carved out of basswood and im...
Wood
19th Century Rsutic Black Forest Mirror Basswood Hand Carved, AT circa 1890
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Beautiful, decorative rustic Black Forest wall mirror from the late 19th century from around 1890 in Austria. The rural hand carved frame impresses with an unusual "Black Forest" tre...
Mirror, Softwood
Antique Bell Belt with Eight Brass Bells, Tyrol ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Bell Belt with Eight Brass Bells, Tyrol ca. 1900s An antique bell belt with eight brass bells from the Tyrolian Alps ca. 1900s. Bell belts are used to locate goats or sheep ...
Metal
Black Forest Crystal Latern Amber Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hand blown crystal latern in amber crystal glass from Bavaria Germany. The decor is hands-free engraved by glass artists all around with a hunting scene with trees in the style of Bl...
Crystal
Red Deer Trophy by Franz Joseph, Prince of Thurn and Taxis, 1969
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Red Deer Trophy by Franz Joseph, Prince of Thurn and Taxis, 1969 This hunting trophy features a roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) with abnormal antlers, mounted on a finely carved wood...
Antler, Wood
19th Carved Wood Black Forest Chamois & Eagle
Located in Austin, TX
Antique fine 19th Black Forest carved wood chamois and eagle, circa 1880.
Wood
Fine Carved Wood Chamois Family by Ernst Heissl, circa 1900
By Ernst Heissl
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Fine Carved Wood Chamois Family by Ernst Heissl, circa 1900 A delicately hand-carved wood sculpture of a chamois family. The item is very detailed and a ...
Wood
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 ...
Wood
Antique Springbok Trophy on Wooden Plaque, ca. 1930s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Springbok Trophy on Wooden Plaque, ca. 1930s A springbok skull with horns (Antidorcas marsupialis), mounted on a dark brown wooden plaque. The natural form of the skull and ...
Antler, Wood
Antique Black Forest Red Deer Trophy from Salem - Germany, Banzenreuthe 1875
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Black Forest Red Deer Trophy from Salem - Germany, Banzenreuthe 1875 Item e6248 A 6 pointer black forest red deer (Cervus elaphus) trophy from the palace of Salem in South Ge...
Antler, Wood
Antique Carved Wooden Tripod Wine Table or Plant Stand with Marquetry Inlaid Top
Located in Lisse, NL
Mid-19th century table with an inlaid top. This hand-carved and handcrafted table can be used for all kinds of purposes. The tripod base is beautifully carved in the shape of Black Forest tree branches and the inlaid marquetry top has star motives...
Wood
Pair Renaissance Style Carved Children Chairs, Ca. 1890
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Pair Renaissance Style Carved Children Chairs, Ca. 1890 A pair of wonderful carved nut wood children chairs, backrest carved in Renaissance style with fantastic grimace carvings, Ge...
Wood
$1,270 / set
Black Forest Style Carved Deer Head Wall Shelves
Located in Dallas, TX
A striking set of three Black Forest-style carved wall shelves featuring finely sculpted stag and deer heads with richly textured wood-grain details. Each shelf showcases rustic craf...
Wood
Black Forest Owl Nutcracker, Fruitwood Sculpture from 1950s Germany
Located in Den Haag, NL
Wonderful angry Owl Nutcracker .Glass eyes ,Black Forest . 1950s
Fruitwood
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
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
$164Sale Price|30% Off
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
Set of Six Black Forest Schnapps Glasses Amber German with Hunting Scene Sofina
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six Schnapps glasses handmade in Bavaria. Handblown crystal and hand-edged with a deer and leaves decor in amber in the style of black forest. Co...
Crystal
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
$1,400Sale Price|20% Off
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 ...
Brass
Hand Carved Black Forest Style Wooden Gnome 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 gnome. His mouth opens and closes to crack the nut. Dimensions: height 22 c...
Wood
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
19th Century Rustic Black Forest Mirror, Hand Carved, Austria, circa 1880
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Extraordinary rustic Black Forest wall mirror from the late 19th century in Austria. Elaborately handcarved out of fine basswood, this exceptional antique mirror shows an amazing rur...
Mirror, Softwood
Antique Deer Horn Carving Set, Sheffield ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Deer Horn Carving Set, Sheffield ca. 1900s A rustic carving set consisting of fork and knife. The handles are made of genuine deer horn and feature a silver knob on their en...
Metal
Large Naturalistic Black Forest Carved Ibex Head, ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Naturalistic Black Forest Carved Ibex Head, ca. 1900s A large antique wooden carved Black Forest ibex head handcarved in naturalistic style and fitted with real ibex horns. Ha...
Antler, Wood
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