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.
$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
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
Large Simulated Black Forrest Stag Antler Hanging Chandelier
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Large Simulated Black Forrest Stag Antler Hanging Chandelier This is a very realistic looking piece, this chandelier design was first made in the 19th Century, and was a great favourite in Scottish...
Resin
19th Century Black Forest English Victorian Style Fox Hat/Whip Holder
Located in Middleburg, VA
19th Century Black Forest English Victorian Style Fox Hat/Whip Holder Hang a horse whip, hat or jacket from this unique fixture hand-carved into the shape of a fox with oak leaf acc...
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
$5,560Sale Price|37% Off
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...
Brass
$3,424Sale Price|20% Off
Large Hall Mirror with Cow Horn Decorations and Console Table, Austria, 1870
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large hall mirror with cow horn decorations and console table, Austria 1870 A great wall mirror with console table from a noble villa in the Austri...
Antler, Glass, Wood, Fur
$2,649
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
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
$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
19th Century Set of Four Hunting-Themed Oak Wall Brackets
By Black Forest
Located in Firenze, IT
Exceptional Set of Four Monumental Carved Oak Wall Brackets from a Hunting Lodge, Late 19th Century This exceptional set of four antique solid oak wall brackets stands out for its r...
Iron
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
A charming Swiss Black Forest Carved St. Bernard dog relaxed lying down
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A charming Swiss Black Forest Carved St. Bernard dog relaxed lying down with its head resting and taking a long snooze. The figure carved from a single piece of Linden wood beautifu...
Wood
Zabihi Collection Vintage Ecuadorian Mohair Rug, 2'3'' x 3'10''
Located in New York, NY
a mid-20th century one of a kind handmade Ecuadorian Mohair Rug 2'3'' x 3'10''
Wool
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
$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
$7,360Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Rare Antler Parlor Chairs, French, ca. 1860
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Pair of rare Antler Parlor chairs, French ca. 1860 The two very rare antler parlor chairs are made of stag antlers with feet carved as lions claws. French, ca. 1860 - covering renew...
Antler, Fur, Wood
19th Century Pair of Swiss Black Forest Carved Lindenwood Chairs With Bear Motif
Located in London, GB
A Pair of Carved Black Forest Chairs Constructed in carved Lindenwood, the legs carved to mimic branches, supporting naturalistically carved seats, the back of each chair centred by...
Wood
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
Set of Six Wine Goblets Green Crystal Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six handblown wine goblets in green crystal with an antique hunting decor all around. The charming hand-engraved decor shows deers and trees in the style of black forest. The ...
Crystal
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
A fine Swiss Carved Linden Wood Black Forest Jardiniere Circa 1890
Located in London, GB
A fine Swiss Carved Linden Wood Black Forest Jardiniere Circa 1890 Dimensions: 108cm by 36.2cm by 39cm
Wood
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
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 ...
Walnut, Glass
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
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
Vintage Wooden Walking Bear Handcarved in Brienz ca. 1930s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Wooden Walking Bear Handcarved in Brienz ca. 1930s A vintage statue of a Black Forest walking bear. Made of lindenwood, finely handcarved with na...
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
Black Forest Porcelain Bowl with 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
STUNNING ViNTAGE PAINTED BLACK FOREST HAND CARVED RABBIT WHIP HOOK GLASS EYES
By Black Forest
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely, extra large, Swiss made Black Forest wood, Rabbit / Hare whip hook with glass eyes This is a v...
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
Finely Carved Wood Chamois Brienz, Switzerland, circa 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Finely carved wood chamois Brienz, Switzerland circa 1900. A delicately handcarved wood sculpture of a chamois standing on a rocky base. A very detailed and natural carving excecuted by one of the Swiss woodcarvers from the area of Brienz, ca. 1900. The tradition of wood carving, using manual skills to make everyday objects and fine art sculptures, is found throughout Europe. The incentive to create not only useful but also aesthetically beautiful things, distinguishes the craftsman from the artist. In addition to the well-known Swiss wood carving...
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
Black Forest Porcelain Figure Fox Handpainted Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Completely handmade porcelain figure with a hands-free naturalistic hand-painted fox in brown colors in the style of Black Forest. Handmade in Bavaria/Germany by Sofina Boutique Kitz...
Porcelain
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
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 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 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
Black Forest Carved Armchair
Located in Pasadena, TX
This chair is possibly from the Black Forest of Germany.
Wood
Hand Carved Antique 'Black Forest' Fox Stool
Located in London, GB
A 'Black Forest' fox stool Constructed in a very well patinated and carved lindenwood, the kneeling fox having glass eyes, with monochrome naturalistic highlights; the seat carved to resemble a mushroom. Brienz Area, circa 1900 Brienz, in the Bernese Oberland, Switzerland was remarked upon in Baedeker's Travel Guide, as having a population of 2400, of whom 600 persons were employed as woodcarvers, to supply the tourist trade to Switzerland with mementos of the tour. A museum devoted entirely to the art of wood carving may be visited today. Arenski, Jay, Simon Daniels, and Michael Daniels. Swiss Carvings: The Art of the 'Black Forrest', 1820-1940. Woodbridge: Antique Collectors' Club, 2005, p. 140 (fig. 224). Illustrating a kneeling bear stool...
Glass, Wood
Antique Black Forest Sofa from French Chateau in the South of France, Restored
Located in Highwood, IL
Another selection from the extensive collection of Old Plank's Black Forest furniture. We look at Black Forest furniture as being both a bit rustic and a little whimsical. Black Forest furniture dates from the late 1800’s to the early 1900’s and although most people believe Black Forest originated in Germany, or Austria, it was also made in France and Switzerland and the Swiss are the ones who invented the style in the City of Brienz. The original carving of Black Forest furniture and small animal sculptures was driven by the Tourist trade. Old Plank was fortunate to be able to purchase an entire room of Black Forest furniture from a chateau in the South of France, The collection includes; Black Forest chandelier, scones, huge mirrors...
Upholstery, Wood
Black Forest Walnut Library Ladder
Located in Queens, NY
Rustic Black Forest (19th Cent) walnut 3 step library ladder with carved branch design. (late 19th cent.)
Walnut
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
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
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
Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Antler Bench with Leather Seat
Located in Dallas, TX
This striking antique Alpine bench was crafted in the Black Forest tradition, likely in Austria’s Tyrolean region, circa 1930–1950. Sculptural and highly expressive, the bench is con...
Antler, Leather
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
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
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
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
19th C. French Black Forest Carved Walnut Jardinière on Stand with Zinc Liner
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant antique French jardinière was crafted circa 1870 in the Black Forest tradition and showcases exceptional hand-carved detail and sculptural form. Designed as a decorative...
Zinc
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
19th Century 'Black Forest' Bear
Located in London, GB
A 'Black Forest' Bear In naturalistically carved lindenwood, having glass eyes, head tilted aloft, prowls on all fours. From the Brienz Area. Brienz, in the Bernese Oberland, Sw...
Wood
Black Forest 1890s Carved Wooden Umbrella Stand Depicting a Bear Climbing a Tree
Located in Atlanta, GA
A large Black Forest carved wooden umbrella stand from the late 19th century, depicting a bear climbing a tree branch. Created during the last de...
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
Black Forest Walnut Bird Mantel Clock
Located in Queens, NY
Rustic Black Forest (19th Century) walnut carved mantel clock with 1 large bird and several small chicks within a floral environment. (Not working)
Glass, Walnut
19th Century French Black Forest Carved Oak Hunting Wall Plaque with Mirror
Located in Dallas, TX
Bring bold Alpine character to a study, library, or lodge-inspired interior with this richly sculpted antique Black Forest panel, crafted in France circa 1880 and finished in a desir...
Mirror, Oak
Pair of Antique Hand-Carved Black Forest Bear Chairs
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Antique Swiss Black Forest carved bear chairs. Intricately hand-carved with chair backs featuring bear climbing branches of oak leaves with acorns. Carved seats and bear heads on fro...
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