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.
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
$9,416Sale Price|20% Off
Large Oak Wood Desk with Antler Decorations by Rudolf Brix 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A large antique oak wood desk decorated with several antler pieces from the deer and the Virginia deer as well as wild boar tusks. The doors and sides carry animal heads (staghound and fox) made of pottery. A rare rustic furniture manufactured in Austria ca. 1900 by Rudolf Brix...
Antler, 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
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
19th Century Swiss Black Forest Carved Walnut Hunting Plaque with Game Animals
Located in Dallas, TX
This impressive antique Black Forest hunting plaque is distinguished by its exceptional depth of carving and richly detailed narrative com...
Walnut
$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
Charming Bavarian Girl and Sunflower, Black Forest Nursery Wall Decoration
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Absolutely charming, large wood carving of a young Bavarian girl and sunflower wall decoration This substantial wall hanging is two feet in length, ...
Wood
Large Heavy Cast Iron 3 Bulb Flush Mounts - Matching Pair
Located in Peekskill, NY
I can'y believe we have a pair of these amazing flush mounts. Also these can hang from pipe to be chandeliers. The floral ring is heavy iron with a deep cast details. It has the feel of a carved Black Forrest Coo Coo clock...
Iron
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
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
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
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
Antique Swiss Black Forest Carved Dog Head Bronze Hook Hanger Coat Rack, c. 1900
Located in Pearland, TX
A fine antique black forest Swiss hand carved dog head sculpture plaque coat rack with a gilt bronze hook, circa 1900. It's perfect for your rustic lodge decor in an entryway for han...
Bronze
Vintage Wooden Strolling Bear Handcarved in Brienz ca. 1950
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Wooden Strolling Bear Handcarved in Brienz ca. 1950 A vintage statue of a walking bear. Made of lindenwood, finely handcarved with naturalistic details in Brienz, Switzerlan...
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
$48Sale Price / set|75% 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
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
Vintage American Black Forest Style Elk and Deer Antler Ten-Light Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
Impressive in scale and rustic character, this large vintage antler chandelier makes a striking statement in a spacious interior. Crafted in North America, the unusual ceiling fixtur...
Antler, Horn
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 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 ...
Walnut
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
Early 20th Century Carved Oval Dark Oak Mirror from Portugal
Located in Round Top, TX
Early 20th century carved oval mirror from Portugal, crafted in oak. Highly decorative carving accentuates the frame, with scrolls, leaf designs, and additional embellishment creatin...
Mirror, Oak
Black Forest Wrought Iron Hanging Light Fixture
Located in North Miami, FL
This outstandingly fluid wrought iron light fixture in the Black Forest style has three sockets/bulbs for illumination. Whimsical and important by craftsmanship. An early piece, fu...
Wrought Iron
Monumental European Carved Wood Barometer And Thermometer
Located in Bradenton, FL
Large 19th Century Black Forest Thermometer Barometer combo featuring mounted in a wooden case, intricately hand-carved with a crowned face above the barometer, and beneath a buttres...
Wood
French Boar's Head Trophy, Oak Mounted Taxidermy, 1930
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
French Boar’s Head Hunting Trophy This Large Wild Boar's Head Trophy came from the Perigore region of France There animals are prized not only for their meat but for the ferocity and...
Oak
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
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
Four Large Bird Viechtauer Style Hand Carved Wood Black Forest Folk Art Germany
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Charming lot of four large German Carved Wooden Folk Art Bird, circa 1980s or Earlier A charming 20th-century carved wooden bird, beautifully handcrafted and mounted on its original...
Wood, Paint
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
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...
Glass, 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....
Glass, Birdseye Maple
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
20th Century Rustic Wall Mirror With Golden Bars, Tramp Art, 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 slightly protruding corners. Artfully handcarv...
Mirror, 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
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
19th Century Rustic Black Forest Wall Mirror, Hand Carved, Austria, circa 1880
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Uncommon rustic black forest wall mirror from Austria, around 1880. This antique wall mirror impresses with an unusual hand carved design, elaborately made out of basswood. A very da...
Mirror, Softwood
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
19th Century Rustic Black Forest Wall Mirror with Black Accents, AT, circa 1890
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Extraordinary rustic, late 19th century Black Forest wall mirror out of Austria. Artfully handcarved around 1890, this unusal stained Black Forest wall mirror impresses with a simple...
Mirror, Softwood
Wooden Carved Sculpture of a Saint, circa 1850
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Wooden Carved Sculpture of a Saint, circa 1850 A beautifully hand carved and hand painted sculpture of a saint with a palm-branch. It is made most probably in Armenian or Georgian a...
Wood
Vintage Wooden Base Trophy Mounting Plaque for Deer Skull
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Wooden Base Trophy Mounting Plaque for Deer Skull Item e7559 A carved wooden plaque for trophies with carvings oak leaves. Hand-carved in Germany in the Black Forest region. ...
Wood
Antique Oil Print with Dramatic Poacher Scene after Josef Ringeisen
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Oil Print with Dramatic Poacher Scene after Josef Ringeisen A colorful oil print depicting a dramatic poaching scenery in the Bavarian alps....
Glass, Wood
Antique German Barometer, Hand-Carved Oak Leaves & Acorns, 1920
Located in Barntrup, DE
German Black Forest-style barometer with fine hand-carved oak branches, leaves, and acorns. Dimensions: height 30 cm / 11.81 in; width 24 cm / 9.44 in; depth 5 cm / 1.96 in. In good ...
Metal
Antique Black Forest Mirror with Antler Arrangement ca. 1920s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Black Forest Mirror with Antler Arrangement ca. 1920s Item e8181 This impressive oversized wall mirror is crafted from numerous real antler pieces, forming an elaborate and s...
Mirror, Wood, Horn
Black Forest 12 Pointer Red Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque - Germany 1930
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Black Forest 12 Pointer Red Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque - Germany 1930 Item e8182 A capital 12 pointer red deer (Cervus elaphus) trophy from Germany, shot arround 1930. The large an...
Antler, Wood
Black Forest 8 Pointer Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque Germany 1930s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Black Forest 8 Pointer Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque Germany 1930s Item e8184 A large 8 pointer red deer (Cervus elaphus) trophy from Germany mounted on a carved wooden plaque wit...
Antler, Wood
A Pair Great Black Forest Wall Sconces with Deer Antlers, Germany ca. 1950
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A Pair Great Black Forest Wall Sconces with Deer Antlers, Germany ca. 1950 Item e8193 A vintage pair of Black Forest wall sconces for candles. Each made of original deer horns which ...
Antler, Wood
Fine Black Forest 'Goat' Hall Chair
Located in New York, NY
Fine Black Forest 'Goat' Hall Chair, late 19th Century.
Wood
Large Black Forest 19th Century Antler Arm Chair and Ottoman
Located in San Francisco, CA
a large and rare set of German Black Forest furniture with chair and ottoman; with oval back above a tight seat all surrounded by a robus...
Antler
Pair of 19th Century Rustic Black Forest Photo Frames, Handcarved, AT ca. 1880
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Fantastic set of two rustic, late 19th century Black Forest photo frames out of Austria. Artfully hand carved out of basswood, around 1880, these frames show a beautiful design combi...
Glass, Softwood
19th Century, Black Forest Carved Softwood "Book Form" Presentation Box
Located in Atlanta, GA
An unusual and visually striking carved wooden presentation box, Black Forest region, circa 1880. The box is carved in the form of a stacked book bundle tied with strapwork, its surf...
Walnut
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
Antique Salt and Pepper Bowl with Wooden Carved Bear
Located in Berghuelen, DE
AAntique Salt and Pepper Bowl with Wooden Carved Bear Item e7277 A small salt and pepper bowl made of pressed glass with tiny carved Black Forest ...
Blown Glass, Wood
Beautiful Bird Viechtauer Style Hand Carved Wood Black Forest Folk Art Germany
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Charming German Carved Wooden Folk Art Bird, circa 1980s or Earlier A charming 20th-century carved wooden bird, beautifully handcrafted and mounted on its original stand. The piece ...
Wood, Paint
$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
19th Century Rustic Black Forest Wall Mirror, Double Framed, AT circa 1880
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
One of a kind, large carved Black Forest Wall Mirror from the late 19th century around 1880 in Austria. This beautiful rustic Black Forest mirror has been elaborately hand crafted ou...
Mirror, Wood
$896Sale Price|25% Off
19th-C. French Carved Oak Black Forest Faux Bois Garden Planter Jardiniere
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a 19th century French Black Forest inspired carved oak planter. The white painted finish is not original. The zinc liner is removable. The carved faux bois frame is in very g...
Oak
19th Century Rustic Black Forest Console Table in Walnut & Marble
Located in Queens, NY
Rustic Black Forest (19th Century) walnut console table with faux twig carved base and slat design apron with marble top and drawer.
Marble
$622Sale Price|20% Off
Black Forrest Carved Black Walnut Toothless Man Motif Hanging Match Holder
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Black Forrest Carved Black Walnut Toothless Man Motif Hanging Match Holder Swiss, Later 19th Century A whimsical and intricately hand-carved piece from the Black Forest region, this hanging match holder features a realistically carved black walnut portrait of a smiling toothless man, or possibly a Satyr. Dating back to the later 19th century, this piece showcases the craftsmanship and charm of the era. The carved wood head portrait measures 3 inches wide, 3 inches high, and 2 inches deep, capturing the expressive details of the toothless man's face. Mounted on a beveled shield backplate, this match holder exudes a sense of whimsy and character. The brass ring holder adds a practical element, allowing for easy access to the matches. This match holder is designed to hold numerous standard 1.5-inch long matches...
Walnut
Vintage Black Forest Deer Trophy Wood Carved Plaque, Austria 1959
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Black Forest Deer Antler Trophy on Hand-Carved Wooden Plaque A finely preserved Black Forest deer antler trophy mounted on an intricately hand-carved wooden plaque, exemplifying the...
Antler, Wood
19th Century Black Forest Wall Mirror With Gilt Bars, Austria, ca. 1880
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Amazing looking, rustic Black Forest mirror from the late 19th century in Austria. Elaborately handcrafted around 1880 this rural wall mirror shows an absolute unique design: a handc...
Mirror, Softwood