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.
Folksy Hand Carved Tyrolian Carnival Fasnet Mask
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Folksy Hand Carved Tyrolian Carnival Fasnet Mask A folksy wooden carved carnival mask from the region of South Tyrol. These masks are used in Austria, South Germany and Italy at the...
Wood
Black Forrest Carved Walnut Box With Dog
Located in Essex, MA
Oval form with basket weave pattern carved wood and hinged lid with dog .
Walnut
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
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...
Metal
Early 20th Century French Rustic Hand-Carved Oak Bench from the Alps
Located in Dallas, TX
This distinctive antique rustic bench from the French Alps is hand carved from a single thick slab of solid oak, retaining its raw, organic edges and expressive tool marks throughout...
Oak
Black Forest Hand-Painted Pottery Dish Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel Austria
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hands-free painted round pottery dish from Austria in Black Forest style. Decorated with a hand-painted tree decor in green all around. Showing trees in the bottom and a handpainted green garland...
Pottery
$78Sale Price / set|60% Off
Handcarved Black Forest Style Salad Servers
Located in Malibu, CA
Hand carved vintage Black Forest German / Bavarian folk art wood serving spoon and fork salad serving set. Intricately carved with pierced interlock...
Hardwood
Antique Handforged Goat Bell Made in Switzerland ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Handforged Goat Bell Made in Switzerland ca. 1900s Item e7308 An antique forged iron goat bell, made in Switzerland around 1900. The bell comes with its original brown leathe...
Metal
19th Century French Black Forest Cave A Liqueur with Etched Glass Hunting Motifs
Located in Dallas, TX
It is rare to find a 19th-century tantalus box with a complete set of glassware, but this immaculate Black Forest-themed French cave a liqueur has all of the original receptacles, de...
Glass, Wood
Antique Carved Oak Oval Wall Mirror, Black Forest Style, 1900
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Carved Oak Oval Wall Mirror A lovely piece, the wide frame has a beautifully carved border decorated with Oak leaves and Acorns at the top. The mirror is in good condition, the fram...
Oak
Antique Bull Horn Hall Stand with Cow Fur ca. 1870
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Bull Horn Hall Stand with Cow Fur ca. 1870 Item e5682 A bull horn hall stand ca. 1870, covered with vintage cattle fur which has to be renewed (...
Fur, Glass, Wood, Horn
$7,360Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of rare Antler Parlor Chairs, France ca. 1860
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Pair of rare Antler Parlor Chairs, France ca. 1860 These two very rare antler parlor chairs are made of stag antlers with feet carved as lions claws. Made in France, ca. 1860 - the ...
Antler, Wood
Pair of Vintage German Carved Black Forest Mounted Deer Wall Sculptures
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Set of two similar Black Forest carved and hand-painted 'stag' sculptures with real antlers mounted to decorative 'wreath' plaques for wall hanging (ca. 1930s/40s, Germany). One deer...
Antler, Wood, Paint
Antique Swiss Black Forest Walking Bear Tobacco Jar Circa 1880
By Black Forest
Located in Newark, England
FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING This Swiss Black Forest bear tobacco jar is carved in linden wood and modelled as a standing bear holding a walking stick and vesta bowl dating to circa 189...
Wood
Antique Carved Wooden Dry Bar with Stained Glass Top
Located in Dekalb, IL
Rustic bar counter with a stained-glass top panel and gothic-inspired corbels. This piece has compartments in the back for storage. The original finish was covered, prior to coming i...
Wood
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
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...
Nutwood
Beautiful Large Brienz Bear Hiker Statue Sculpture, Antique Switzerland
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A great looking hand carved original wooden Folk Art Bear Statue. A great piece for a suitable ambiance in a Cabin room or the office of a Hunter or Woodsman. More than likely one of...
Wood
Moose Trophy from a Noble Estate in Germany Shot in Oeland 1956
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Moose Trophy from a Noble Estate in Germany Shot in Oeland 1956 An impressive moose (Alces alces) trophy from a noble estate, shot in Oeland 1956 by a member of the lordly family of...
Wood, Antler
Late 19th Century Black Forest Farm House Chair Wood Painted Germany
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hand-painted wooden farm house chair in the style of Black forest in blue-green color with a medaillon showing two sheeps. Original color and paintin...
Wood
FINE ANTiQUE ORIGINAL BLACK FOREST FOLK ART WALL MIRROR OF CHAP WITH BEE ON NOSE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this super rare and highly collectable Black Forest Folk Art Wall mirror depicting the Jester with a Bee on ...
Mirror, Wood
Rustic Black Forest Carved Bear Humidor
Located in Queens, NY
Rustic Black Forest (19th Cent) carved walnut humidor in the shape of a bear figure standing near tree stump (with ashtray and covered container)
Walnut
An Unusual Swiss Carved Black Forest Smoking Table, Circa 1900
Located in London, GB
Circa 1900 beautifully executed depicting a bear smoking a pipe supporting a naturalistically carved table Dimensions: 51 x 25 x 26 cm For comparison see page 122-125 The Art of th...
Wood
$3,160Sale Price / set|20% Off
Antique Dragon Head Wood Beams, Carved, Black Forest Style, Germany
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Set of Three Historical Dragon Head Wood Beams This set of three antique massive dragon head wood beams comes from a Bavarian half-timber house in the area ...
Wood
Abnorm Siberian Deer Trophy Mount on Wooden Plaque ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Abnorm Siberian Deer Trophy Mount on Wooden Plaque ca. 1900s Item e6941 A large abnorm Siberian deer (Capreolus pygargus) trophy on a wooden turned plaque with black finish. The trop...
Antler, Wood
Circa 1900 Swiss Small-Medium Size Strolling Black Forest Bear
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1900 small-medium size strolling Black Forest Bear, Swiss. Rich brown color. Very good face - small, bead eyes. Carved lindenwood - good detail to the carving of the fur. One f...
Wood, Paint
Circa 1900 Swiss Small-Medium Size Strolling Black Forest Bear
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1900 small-medium size strolling Black Forest Bear, Swiss. Rich brown color. Very good face - small, bead eyes. Carved lindenwood - good depth to the carving of the fur. One fo...
Wood, Paint
Vintage Deer Trophy Spain Toledao 1983 uneven Twelve Ends
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Deer Trophy Spain Toledao 1983 uneven Twelve Ends A great uneven 12 pointer Black Forest deer (Cervus elaphus) trophy from the palace of Salem in South Germany. It was shot ...
Wood, Antler
Large Siberian Deer Trophy Mount on Wooden Plaque ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Siberian Deer Trophy Mount on Wooden Plaque ca. 1900s Item e6940 A large antique Siberian deer (Capreolus pygargus) trophy on a wooden turned plaque with black finish. The trop...
Antler, Wood
Black Forest Claw & Horn Desk Set and Candle Holders, 19th Century
Located in Savannah, GA
A Black Forest chamois horn and claw desk set with candle holders, 19th century. The desk set includes pounce pot and dish, quill holder and inkpot. Two ma...
Horn, Ebony
Black Forest Carved Deer or Stag Head and Antlers on Plaque, Germany, 1900
Located in Richmond, Surrey
Black Forest carved deer or stag head & antlers mounted on shield plaque, Germany, 1900 Early 20th century Black Forest carved wood stag head with an...
Hardwood
An Unusual Swiss Carved Black Forest Smoking Table
Located in London, GB
An Unusual Swiss Carved Black Forest Smoking Table Circa 1900 beautifully executed depicting a bear smoking a pipe supporting a naturalistically carved table 51x25x26cm For compar...
Wood
Black Forest Carved Humidor in the Form of a Monkey Head Wearing a Cap & Collar
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Black Forest figural carved wood humidor in the form of a monkey's head with a hinged lid carved as a hat, around the neck is a ruffled collar above a circular base with carved detail.
Wood
Late 19th Century Black Forest Farm House Chair Wood Painted Germany
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Farmhouse chair in the style of Black Forest. Painted in green-blue with a white swan in the medaillon. Original painting, No restaurations. A second matching chair is available.
Wood
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
Country Style Hand-Painted Pottery Dish Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel Austria
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hands-free painted pottery rectangular dish in sage green 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
Pair of Solid Wood Bear Sculptures Black Forest Style
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
This pair of bear sculptures in solid wood is directly inspired by the famous nineteenth-century Black Forest style. Each piece depicts a bear on all four paws, captured in a natural...
Wood
Pair of 18th C. French Carved Oak Hunting Plaques with Wrought Iron Handles
Located in Dallas, TX
Add historical charm and sculptural interest to your interior with this impressive pair of hand-carved French wall plaques, crafted in oak circa 1780. Each plaque takes the form of a...
Wrought Iron
$2,609
Black Forest mirror
Located in 'S-HERTOGENBOSCH, NL
Black Forest mirror, Austria, 19th. Century. Hand-carved. Decorated with a crown on top and a lot of oak leaves.
Wood
Black Forest Antler-Mounted Oak Spirits Cabinet, circa 1900
Located in Atlanta, GA
A richly textured and visually commanding Black Forest spirits cabinet, crafted in Germany around 1900. This compact yet sculptural piece is clad in a carved faux bois surface and dr...
Bone, Antler, Oak
Swiss Brienz Black Forest Hand-Carved Wood Candle Holder
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Black Forest hand-carved linden-wood hand carved candle holder/candlestick, circa 1900. Black Forest sculptural art originates from the small mountain town Brienz, Switzerland co...
Wood
Black Forest Vase Green Crystal with Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Handblown crystal vase in green glass with hand-edged hunting scene in the style of black forest. The decor is an antique decor with deers, trees and bambis all around. Completely ha...
Crystal
Black Forest Hand-Painted Pottery Dish Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel Austria
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hands-free painted pottery rectangular dish from Austria in Black Forest style. Decorated with a hand-painted tree decor in green all around. Showing trees ...
Pottery
Stunning Original Antique Hand Carved Black Forest Wood Jewellery Box
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are is delighted to offer for sale this rather lovely antique original circa 1880 black forest wood jewellery box A very good looking and well made piece, it is hand carved all...
Wood
Pair of Black Forest Linden Wood Swiss Maharajah Chairs Circa 1890
Located in London, GB
Beautifully Carved by Peter Trauffer of Luzern For the same pair see Swiss Carvings the Art of the Black Forest by Jay Arenski and Simon Daniels p132 93cm by 50cm by 50cm approx
Wood
Black Forest Wall Light Shade Wallpaper with Hunting Scene Sofina Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Handmade lampshade in the style of Black Forest made of wallpaper with a hunting scene in red, blue green colors and a deer in the middle Fixed with a handmade paspol in beige silk....
Paper
Black Forest Set of Six Hand Painted Crystal Tumbler Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six hand blown tumbler hands-free painted in Black Forest style. Each glass is handsfree painted with different rims and trees in green colo...
Crystal
Black Forest Pottery Dish Hand-Painted Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel Austria
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Large hands-free painted pottery dish in the style of black forest. Decorated with a handpainted green decor with trees and a hands-free painted garlande ....
Ceramic, Pottery
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
French 1900s Black Forest Turn of the Century Mirror with Carved Oak Leaves
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French black forest mirror from the early 20th century, with hand-carved oak leaves. We currently have two mirrors available, priced and ...
Mirror, Wood
Swiss Black Forest Hand-Carved Bear Sliding Bookends
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Swiss Black Forest hand-carved wooden bear bookends. Flat sliding bookends with carved details on bottom and bears on either end. Bears are hinged for easy storage. Well detailed, wo...
Wood
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
Porcelain Bowl with Bambi Figure Handpainted 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. ...
Porcelain
19th Century Black Forest Sculpture - Deer / Chamois - Hand Carved Walnut
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A beautiful and large 19th century Black Forest hand-carved wooden sculpture depicting a standing deer or chamois, masterfully rendered with exceptional anatomical accuracy and expre...
Wood
19th Century Hand Carved Bracket Shelf
Located in High Point, NC
19th century hand carved bracket shelf from Holland, made from fruitwood. The shelf is shaped and has a molded edge sitting atop a hand carved man holding a horn. Very detailed carving.
Fruitwood
Rustic Black Forest Walnut Trunk
Located in Queens, NY
Rustic Black Forest walnut floor trunk with a folding rounded top and supported on "X" form side legs with faux wood, straps, and floral carved design.
Walnut
19th Century Black Forest Sideboard Signed By Josef Blank
Located in Charmes, FR
Impressive late 19th century "Black Forest" buffet with ibex, good condition, minimal lacks in the sculptures due to fragility, signed by Josef Blank, active in the Czech Republic at...
Wood
Black Forest Tumbler Green Crystal Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Handblown green crystal tumbler with hand-edged hunting scene in the style of Black Forest. The decor is an antique decor with deers, trees and bambis al...
Crystal
19th Century Highly Carved French Oak Sculpture of a Man Harvesting Wine Grapes
Located in Dallas, TX
This beautiful sculpture has been carved from solid French oak during the latter half of the 19th century. The style is that of Black Forest, with realistic depictions of branches, leaves, grapes, and more. Originally a French clock, most of the timing mechanisms have long been removed. The elaborate carving depicts a man harvesting wine grapes on rocky terrain dotted with vegetation. Our gatherer, who is clad in an overcoat and large brimmed hat, is carrying a hod (hotte in French) full of freshly picked grapes. A large wooden bucket...
Wood
Antique Swiss Black Forest Hand-Carved Bear Chairs
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Matching pair of hand-carved Swiss Black Forest chairs with bears facing each other. Set in carved tree and leaf design. Seats carved with a f...
Wood