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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
Antique Set of Rustic Hunters Knives with Chamois Horn Handles
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Set of Rustic hunters knives with Chamois Horn handles A rare antique set of six knives. The handles are made of genuine chamois horn and feature a decorated silver knob on ...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Metal

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...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

A Swiss Alpine Folk Art Escabelle Chair
Located in London, GB
A Delightful Swiss Alpine Folk Art Escabelle Chair. This charming antique features a beautifully carved backrest adorned with a pair of Alpine chamois...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Pine

Antique Black Forest Mirror with Rustic Bear Carvings, ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique black forest mirror with rustic bear carvings ca. 1900 A large crescent vanity mirror in a handcarved wooden frame featuring two ...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Leather Strap with Six Brass Bells, Switzerland ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Leather Strap with Six Brass Bells, Switzerland ca. 1900s Item e6991 An antique leather strap with six brass bells from the swiss Alps manufactured ca. 1900. These bells are ...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass

Siberian Deer Trophy Mount on Wooden Plaque ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Siberian Deer Trophy Mount on Wooden Plaque ca. 1900s Item e6939 A large antique Siberian deer (Capreolus pygargus) trophy on a wooden turned plaque with black finish. The trophy was...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Antler, 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...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Antler, Wood

19th Century French Black Forest Carved Bleached Oak Buffet with Love Birds
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a den or game room with this richly carved antique buffet! Created in France, circa 1860, and built of oak wood, the cabinet sits on small feet over a carved base plinth, an...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Oak

19th Century Black Forest Bear Clothes Brush
Located in High Point, NC
19th century hand carved Black Forest clothes brush in the form of a bear. The bear is recumbent, and his face is so sweet - he will look good anywhere you decide to place him in yo...
Category

19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Fruitwood

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...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Black Forest Vintage Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1947
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Black Forest Vintage Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1947 A large vintage deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved plaque. The plaque fea...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

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...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Antler, Wood

Black Forest 1880s Carved and Painted Wooden Bear's Head Wall Hanging Sculpture
Located in Atlanta, GA
A black forest carved wooden bear head from the late 19th century, with oak leaves and green, yellow and red accents. Created during the last quarter of the 19th century, this Black Forest wall...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Large Antique Photo Album with Wooden Carved Cover, Brienz ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Antique Photo Album with Wooden Carved Cover, Brienz ca. 1900 A lovely antique photo album featuring a lindenwood carved cover depicting a hunte...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

A Wooden Carved Black Forest Thermometer with Bear
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A Wooden Carved Black Forest Thermometer with Bear Item e7302 A finely carved Black Forest desk set with a bear sitting next to a thermometer. A great example of the art of woodworki...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century French Black Forest Carved Walnut Wall Sculpture with Mirror
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a wall with this beautiful antique carved mirror. Crafted in France circa 1880 and built of solid walnut wood, this elegant wall sculpture features an intricately carved ped...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Walnut

19th Century Black Forest Carved Box
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century Black Forest Pierced Oak Carved Tray or Bowl
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
19th century Black Forest pierced oak tray. Has music box inside but it is not working and would need to be serviced.
Category

19th Century Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Walnut

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...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Antler

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

Oval jewelry box carved walnut swiss 19th century Black forest
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
This exceptional 19th-century Black Forest jewelry box from Switzerland is a true work of art, featuring a rare oval shape. Nearly 150 years old, the walnut wood has developed a beau...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Rustic Black Forest Walnut Bear Settee
Located in Queens, NY
Rustic Black Forest style (20th Cent) carved walnut settee with bear sides suppports and center hat tree
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood, Mirror

Carved Oak Oval Wall Mirror A lovely piece
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...
Category

Early 1900s Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Oak

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 ...
Category

Late 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood, Antler

Superb Over 1 Metre Tall Black Forest Bear Stickstand
Located in Forest Row, East Sussex
A superb quality late 19th century Black Forest Bear. Carved linden wood with original glass eyes. Excellent quality and condition with wear consistent with age use. Dimensions: H ...
Category

1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Black Forest Mantle Carving "Antler's Clash"
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Swiss Black Forest mantle carving of two fighting stags. Great mangle carving piece. Part of the Brienz Collection but not published. Period: circa 1920 ...
Category

1920s Swiss Vintage Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique French Black Forest Carved Inkwell with Oak Leaves and Birds, Circa 1890
Located in Dallas, TX
More information coming soon… Hand-carved in France, circa 1890, this Black Forest inkwell is incredibly detailed with motifs of oak leaves and a pair of birds. The two birds (a fl...
Category

1890s French Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Glass, Wood

Black Forest Sika Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque - Germany ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Black Forest Sika Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque - Germany ca. 1900s An antique 6 pointer sika deer (Cervus nippon) trophy from the Black Forest. The trophy was shot around 1900. The ...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood, Antler

Outstanding Wooden Carved Fighting Stags by K. Bach, 1946
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Outstanding Wooden Carved Fighting Stags by K. Bach 1946 A grandiose handcarved wood sculpture of fighting stags. Highly detailed natural carving. Carved signature of K. Bach 1946. ...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century Carved Ebonized Black Forest Painting Easel
Located in Milford, NH
A fine example of an ebonized Black Forest hand carved easel with foliate crest and faux bois supports, a hinged rear support leg, and adjustable painting ...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

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 ...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Black Forest Hand-Carved Dog Head Tobacco Jar in the manner of Walter Mader
By Walter Mäder
Located in San Francisco, CA
How can this not make you smile? This well-carved antique Black Forest box of an expressive shaggy dog with glass eyes, forward gaze, open m...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Set of Six Antique Bohemian Glasses
Located in London, GB
Set of six antique Bohemian glasses Bohemian, Late 19th Century Height 10cm, diameter 4.5cm This beautifully crafted set of Bohemian glass dat...
Category

Late 19th Century Czech Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Glass

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

Set of Eight 1920s Black Forest Dining Room Chairs with Hand-Carved Floral Décor
Located in Atlanta, GA
A set of eight Black Forest dining room chairs from the early 20th century, with carved foliage décor and upholstery. Created during the first quarter of the 20th century, this set o...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

large oval Antique swiss 19th century Black Forest jewelry box walnut 3 birds
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
This stunning 19th-century Black Forest jewelry box from Switzerland is a true work of art, featuring a rare oval shape. Nearly 150 years old, the walnut wood has developed a remarka...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Velvet, 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 ...
Category

19th Century European Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Black Forest Jewelry Box
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Black Forest Jewelry Box Origin: Germany, Circa 1900 Hand-carved wooden box Excellent condition and recently polished It has two doors and two drawers on the front Its original lock ...
Category

Early 1900s German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

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 three mirrors available, priced an...
Category

Early 20th Century French Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Wood

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...
Category

19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Antler, 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...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Softwood

Rustic Black Forest Walnut Marble Console Table
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.
Category

19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Marble

19th Century French Black Forest Carved Walnut Wall Mirror with Foliage Motifs
Located in Dallas, TX
Carved in France circa 1870, this richly detailed wall mirror is a fine example of Black Forest-style craftsmanship, distinguished by its deeply sculptural forms and organic naturali...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Walnut

Antique Oil Print with Dramatic Tiger Hunting Scene in India, 19th Century
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Oil Print with Dramatic Tiger Hunting Scene in India 19th century A colorful oil print depicting a dramatic tiger hunting scenery in India. ...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Black Forest Sofa from French Chateau in the South of France, Restored
Located in Chicago, 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...
Category

1890s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

19th C Shield-Backed Lead/Leash Holder, Carved Wood Bulldog Head with Glass Eyes
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
19th Century lead / leash hanger of shield form having a carved wood bulldog head with glass eyes below 3 single hooks and above a double hook.
Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Metal

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 for...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Glass, 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

Set of Six German Black Forest Schnapps Glasses Green with Hunting Scene
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six Schnapps glasses. Handblown crystal in green. Hand-edged with a decor of deer and leaves decor in the style of black forest. Handmade by So...
Category

2010s German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Crystal

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 for...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Glass, Wood

Black Forest 1900s Carved Wooden Wall Hanging Ornament with Bear and Oval Mirror
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Black Forest carved wooden wall hanging ornament from the early 20th century, with bear motif and central mirror. Created during the early years of the 20th century, this Black Forest piece captures our attention with its charming depiction of a bear sitting on the branch of a tree shaped as deer antlers while the lower section showcases a petite oval mirror. With its rustic presence and skillful depiction, this Black Forest wall hanging...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Wood

Large Antique Black Forest Brienz Hand Carved Wood Bear Humidor Sculpture
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This large antique humidor is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from Austria and date to approximately 1900 and done in the period Black Forest style. This well executed scul...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Softwood

Finely Carved Wood Chamois with Glass Vase, Brienz, circa 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Finely carved wood chamois with glass vase, Brienz, circa 1900. A delicately hand carved wood sculpture of a chamois standing on a rocky base with three stump which features an antique glass vase inset. A very detailed and natural carving excecuted by one of the Swiss woodcarvers from the area of Brienz, circa 1900. The tradition of wood carving...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood, Blown Glass

Finely Carved Statue of a Bull, Black Forest ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Finely carved statue of a bull ca. 1900 The antique Black Forest carving of a bull which is chafing on a tree stump. It was made most pro...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Antler Mirror with Console Table, Austria, ca. 1860
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Antler Mirror with Console Table, Austria, ca. 1860 A large antler mirror with console table, made in Austria ca. 1860. The mirror is de...
Category

19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Antler, Glass, Wood, Stucco

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

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....
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Glass, Wood

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

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...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Antler, Glass, Wood, Fur

Monumental Antique German Black Forest Eagle Chamois Mantel Hunt Clock
Located in Dayton, OH
Monumental 19th century antique German Black Forest mantel clock featuring carved high relief details with a winged bald eagle mounted atop...
Category

Mid-19th Century Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Hardwood

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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