Black Forest Furniture
BLACK FOREST STYLE
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.
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Style: Black Forest
Swiss Walnut Liquor Box with Four Decanters and 16 Cordial/Aperitif Glasses
Located in Evergreen, CO
Add a touch elegance and refinement to any dinner party, business meeting, or display shelf with this beautiful, tantalus liquor box. Made from carved walnut and beveled glass panels, it has hinges on the top front and top back, allowing the box to open by folding the top and face of the box together. The glass panels provide visibility to the interior from nearly any angle. The box surrounds a removable base with four etched...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Glass, Walnut
Black Forest Antler Arm Chair by J. A. K. Horn, Turingen 1840s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Black Forest Antler Arm Chair by J. A. K. Horn, Turingen 1840s
An elaborate antique Black Forest antler arm chair with real stag and deer antlers as legs, arm- and backrests, seat w...
Category
Mid-19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Wood
19th Century Carved 'Black Forest' Drinks Cabinet on Stand
Located in London, GB
A magnificent 'Black Forest' carved
Drinks cabinet on stand
Hand-carved from Lindenwood, the drinks box of D-end shape carved in exquisite high relief...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Glass, 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.)
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
19th Century German Black Forest Hunting Plaque
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Large German wooden plaque hand carved in basswood in German Black Forest style. About 1890. The hunting plaque shows a large hare figure and oak leaves in a naturalistic detailed style. Backside antique...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
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...
Category
Mid-18th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Metal
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...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Brass
Antique Black Forest 19th Century Side / End Table Hunt Carved Oak & Marble Top
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Exceptional & impressive! This 19th century Black Forest side / end table carved out of solid oak with "Rouge Belges" marble top.
Amazing craftsmanship fully hand carved by a maste...
Category
1870s French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Marble
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...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Metal
Black Forest Hand-Painted Porcelain Bambi Figur Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hand painted porcelain bambi figure. Hand painted in a naturalistic style. The bambi figure is completely handmade in Bavaria.
About Sofina porcelain:
Sofina porcelain was found 20...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Black Forest 1880s Hand-Carved Coat or Hat Rack with Stag and Grapevines
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Black Forest period hand-carved wall coat or hat rack from circa 1880 depicting a majestic stag with antlers surrounded by grapevines. This Black Forest period hand-carved wall coa...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Original Antique Grape Vine Carved Black Forest Wood Music Box Needs Service
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this antique original circa 1880 Black Forest Wood music box with grape vine carving to the top
A very good lookin...
Category
1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
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...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Crystal
German Black Forest Carved Boar Bookends
Located in San Mateo, CA
Pair of black forest carved boar bookends. The carving on these has excellent detail and craftsmanship. These were purchased by an army major that was stat...
Category
1940s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Late 19th Century Decorative Stand - Black Forest
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A beautiful antique black forest standard, fine carved chestnut wood. The center is covered with green fabric. Small objects can be displayed on this. The standard comes with three c...
Category
1880s German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Walnut
Black Forest Crystal Latern Red Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hand blown crystal latern in red crystal glass from Bavaria Germany. The decor is hands-free engraved by glass artists all around with a hunting scen...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Antique Photo Album with Wooden Carved Cover, Brienz ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Photo Album with Wooden Carved Cover, Brienz ca. 1900
A great antique photo album featuring a lindenwood carved cover depicting grapes, vines ...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Black Forest Carved Wooden Standing Bear with an Engraved Glass Vase or Flute
Located in Lisse, NL
Early 20th century Swiss work of art.
This small and hand-carved bear sculpture is a great example of the Black Forest craftsmanship in early 20th century, Switzerland. Anyone who i...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood
Antique 19th Century Swiss Black Forest Hanging Cabinet / Small Cabinet Oak Bird
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Stunning 19th century Swiss black forest hanging cabinet / small cabinet carved from solid oak.
Superb Black Forest cabinet with floral carvings displaying leaves & acorns. The doo...
Category
1870s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Oak
Black Forest taxidermy, antique deer, 1950, 2 peaces
Located in Vienna, AT
Black Forest taxidermy, antique deer, 1950, 2 peaces
good condition,
Dimensions: 14 cm X 14 cm x 20 cm /per peace
Both: 285,00 EUR
Category
1950s Austrian Vintage Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Horn
Black Forest Wall Mirror Basswood, Austria, circa 1880
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Decorative rustic Black Forest wall mirror from the late 19th century circa 1880 in Austria. A unique lovely hand carved frame impressing with an unusual "Black Forest" tree trunk design and protruding corners. Stained in a super dark brown almost black tone, this unusual late 19th century wooden...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Softwood
Black Forest Crystal Latern Green Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hand blown crystal latern in green 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...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Crystal
A ‘Black Forest’ walnut plaque of the “Lion of Lucerne”
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A ‘Black Forest’ walnut plaque of the “Lion of Lucerne”, of rectangular form with a recess showing a dying lion resting on two shields, the motto “Helvetiorum Fidei Ac Virtuti dei X ...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
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 ...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Crystal
19th Century French Black Forest Carved Eagle Sculpture Wall Mirror
Located in Dallas, TX
This unusual antique mirror was crafted in the Alps region of France, circa 1880. The whimsical mirror features a large eagle sculpture with win...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Mercury Glass, Oak
Black Forest, Bear Umbrella Stand, Late 19th Early 20th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Large Black Forest umbrella stand, a bear standing on a tree stump, arms forming a circle
Very beautiful work from the Black Forest, late 19th early 20th century: the sculpture is o...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Black Forest 19th Century Set of Four Oak Wall Brackets Carved as Hunting Animal
By Black Forest
Located in Firenze, IT
This antique and amazing set of four hand carved Black Forest solid oak wood wall brackets are impressively and deeply sculpted with hunting themed motifs. Under each deep hand carved shelf...
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Iron
19th Century Black Forest Carved Walnut Dog and Cat Head Inkwells with Pen Rest
Located in Haarlem, NL
Very cute set of two 19th century Black Forest, Schwarzwald, Forêt Noir carved walnut dog and cat heads with glass eyes and ink well with log pen rest.
Intricate carved detail to hair, teeth, eyes and paws.
The cat has green glass eyes, has painted stripes and the log is painted darker. The inkwell insert...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Glass, Bone, Walnut
Pair of Antique Rustic Antler Parlor Chairs, Germany, circa 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Pair of Antique Rustic Antler Parlor Chairs, Germany, circa 1900
A pair of antique antler chairs, made of antlers from the deer and fallow deer. ...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Oak
Antique 19th Century French Hunt Night Stand / Cabinet Barley Twist Black Forest
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Marvelous 19th century French renaissance Revival Night stand / side table in Hunt / Black Forest style with barley twisted columns.
Finished on all sides so you are able to place th...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Oak
Black Forest Wall Mirror Rustic Design, Austria, circa 1880
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Rustic designed Black Forest wall mirror from Austria, circa 1880. This exceptional antique wall mirror impresses with a simple but elegant "tree trunk" ...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Softwood
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...
Category
19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood
Vintage Black Forest Porcellaine Tobacco Pipe with King Ludwig II
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Black Forest Porcellaine Tobacco Pipe with King Ludwig II
A vintage Black Forest porcellaine tobacco pipe with a picture of King Ludwig II on the pipe head. The pipe is exec...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Porcelain, Wood, Antler
Unknown, Oil on Canvas Painting Angel with Sleeping Child
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A great angelic oil painting depicting an angel sheltering a sleeping child from a snake. Oil painting on canvas with vigorous pastel colors. Framed wit...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Canvas
Black Forest Crystal Latern Hand Blown Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hand blown crystal latern in green glass from Bavaria. The decor is hand blown and hands-free engraved by glass artists all around with a hunting scene with trees all around in the s...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Black Forest Rustic Wall Mirror Hand Carved, Austria, circa 1880
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Another fantastic rustic wooden wall mirror in our highly demanded Black Forest mirror collection. Out of Austria circa 1880 comes this unique artfully hand carved frame with protrud...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Softwood
Rare Black Forest Alpine Ibex Wood Box, circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
Rare and unusual Black Forest box in the shape of wood log with a large wood carved Alpine ibex or bouquetin, circa 1890.
The carved bouquetin is 5" height and the box is 8".
Category
1890s French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Black Forest Crystal Latern Hand Blown Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hand blown crystal latern in amber glass from Bavaria. The votiv is hand blown and the decor is hands-free engraved by glass artists all around with a hunting scene with trees and de...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Green Vintage Anatolian Turkish Rug
Located in New York, NY
A vintage Anatolian Turkish Yastik rug mat in pretty green and reds.
1'5'' x 3'5''
Category
20th Century Asian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wool
Set of Six Black Forest Hand Painted Dinner Plates Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six completely handmade and hand painted underglaze porzelain dishes. The decor shows a black forest hands-free painted oak leaf with a green handsfree line and platinum rimme...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
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 ...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood, Antler
19th Century carved oak black forest fire screen
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century carved oak black forest fire screen circa 1880.
Beautifully carved example of black forest woodwork. Typical foliage and scrolling carved branches surmounted by a carv...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Tapestry, Oak
Large Black Forest Antler Gun Cabinet, ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A large antique oak wood gun cabinet decorated with several original antlers from the deer, the fallow deer, antelope and chamois. Elaborately manufactured...
Category
19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Wood
Victorian Miniature Black forest Antler Casket 1860
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Victorian Miniature Black forest Antler Casket 1860
A marvelous antique rustic casket. It is made of wood, veneered with antler pieces. On top an antler plaque...
Category
Mid-19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Wood
Black Forest Set of Six Tumbler Green Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six handblown tumbler in green crystal with a hand-edged hunting scene in the style of black forest. The decor is an antique hunting scene...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Oval French Hunt Table with Leaf
Located in Evergreen, CO
Beautifully carved and elegant in design, this oak hunt table from France is a rare find, not only for its beauty, but also because it is uncommon to ac...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Oak
Black Forest Crystal Latern Hand Blown Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hand blown crystal latern in grey glass from Bavaria. The votiv is hand blown and the decor is hands-free engraved by glass artists all around with a hunting scene with trees and dee...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Swiss Black Forest Bear Hand Carved Table Mirror
By Black Forest
Located in Newark, England
From our Black Forest collection, we are delighted to introduced this superbly carved Black Forest Bear Table Mirror. The Black Forest Mirror i...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
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...
Category
1940s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Wood, Paint
German Carved and Inlaid Server or Sideboard, circa 1850
Located in Evergreen, CO
Crafted with extreme care in Germany during the mid-19th century, this exceptional server or sideboard has a smaller footprint than most, making it an ideal piece for smaller rooms t...
Category
Mid-19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Ebony, Maple, Oak, Walnut
19th Century Black Forest Carved Bear Motif Wood Box with Swing-Out Compartment
Located in Cincinnati, OH
This unusual antique Black Forest box features a pair of fully dimensional bears cavorting at the base of a tree stump. The mother and cub hav...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood
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 ...
Category
Mid-19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Wood
Circa 1860-1880 Black Forest Carved Eagle Wall Shelf
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
A boldly carved eagle wall shelf, c.1860-80, Black Forest. Carved from linden wood. Beneath the shelf a spread eagle above a festoon of fruits & leav...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Late 19th-Early 20th Century Carved and Inlaid Black Forest Table with Stags
Located in Richmond, VA
Great sized late 19th-early 20th century black forest carved and inlaid table with scenes of stags.
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
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 ...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Metal
Rustic German Oak & Horn Cabinet
Located in Queens, NY
Rustic German (19th Century) oak cabinet with horn trim & carved medallions with flip seat bench base and upper section with 2 large stained glass doors and...
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Oak, Horn, Stained Glass
Rustic Wooden Black Forest Wall Mirror, Austria, circa 1900
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
From circa 1900, the turn of the century in Austria comes this lovely wooden black forest wall mirror. A simple but elegant design was created out of hand carved basswood, showing th...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Softwood
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 ...
Category
19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut, Glass
Black Forest furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Black Forest furniture for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, more furniture and collectibles, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, glass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Black Forest furniture made in a specific country, there are Europe, Germany, and Switzerland pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original furniture, popular names associated with this style include Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel, Black Forest, Sofina Porzellan, and Horrix. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $30 and tops out at $150,000 while the average work can sell for $1,550.
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