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.
Tiffany Traditional Buck Stag Stirrup Cup with Big Boy Alpha Antlers
By J.D. Schleissner & Söhne 1, Tiffany & Co.
Located in New York, NY
Traditional German sterling silver stirrup cup. Conical bowl mounted to cast buck bust with flexed-back ears, gaping mouth, thick striated fur, and big spiky antlers. Gilt interior. ...
Sterling Silver
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
Black Forest Style Carved Walnut Barometer, Germany, 1920
Located in Barntrup, DE
Black Forest-style carved walnut barometer, Germany, ca. 1920. An impressive carved walnut barometer with masterfully carved flowers and leaves. A small mirror on the top of the roun...
Glass, Mirror, Walnut
Pair of German Cast Iron Black Forest Stylized Branch Hitching Post, Circa 1840
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of German cast iron Black Forest stylized branch hitching post, Mid 19th Century
Cast Iron
Large Wooden Strolling Bear Handcarved in Brienz ca. 1930
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Wooden strolling bear handcarved in Brienz ca. 1930 A large antique statue of a walking bear. Made of lindenwood, finely handcarved with na...
Wood
$1,520Sale Price / set|41% Off
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...
Glass, Bone, Walnut
Large Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque - Germany ca. 1935
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque - Germany ca. 1935 A large unequal 6-pointer red deer trophy (Cervus elaphus) from South Germany, mounted on a brown wooden plate...
Antler, Wood
Antique Swiss Casted Bronze Cattle Bell ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Swiss Casted Bronze Cattle Bell ca. 1900s Item e7315 An antique cast bronze cattle bell, made in Switzerland around 1900. The bell comes with its ...
Bronze
19th Century Black Wrought Iron Alpine Front Door Bell
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
19th Century Black Wrought Iron Alpine Front Door Bell This is a delightful and very unusual item, the brass bell is housed in an attractive wrought Iron frame, it is suspended on ...
Bronze
Pair of Black Forest 1880s Carved Wooden Chamois Coat or Hat Racks with Foliage
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Black Forest carved wooden chamois heads hat or coat racks from the late 19th century, with foliage accents. Created during the last quarter of the 19th century, each of this pair of racks features a chamois head with glass eyes, emerging from an oval backplate connected to three hoof leg hangers. Boasting a dark brown patina, this pair of Black Forest carved chamois...
Wood
Antique Antler Smoking Desk Set, circa 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
The antique antler smoking desk set is made of original antlers from the deer and the stag. It was in Germany, circa 1900. Measures: Width 16.93" (43cm) Height 11.42" (29cm) Antle...
Antler
Zabihi Collection Beautiful Colorful Vintage Inspired Suzani Embroidery
Located in New York, NY
Hand-embroidered Suzani textile made in the last quarter of the 20th century. Glowing vibrant colors executed by the weave giving it an old world look and vintage feel. Measure...
Cotton
Collection of Nine Black Forest Antler Mounts on Hand-Carved Wood Plaques Priced
Located in Buchanan, MI
Collection of nine black Forest antler mounts on hand-carved wood plaques, great color and patina. Priced per mount.
Antler
Original Antique Print After H. Leutemann, Reynard the Fox- The Mare And Wolf
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image by Heinrich Leutemann From the Reynard The Fox series Fine steel engraving Published by A.H. Payne C.1850 Unframed.
Paper
Swiss Black Forest Tobacco Jar in the Form of a Blacksmith’s Anvil
By Black Forest
Located in Newark, England
FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING Swiss Black Forest tobacco jar carved in the form of a blacksmith’s anvil, dating to circa 1900. This inventive carved object combines functional tobacco sto...
Wood
19th Century Black Forest Rustic Wall Mirror Light Brown, Austria, circa 1890
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Unusual rustic Black Forest wall mirror out of Austria. From circa 1890 comes this lovely hand carved Black Forest wall mirror with a simple but elegant design, created out of basswo...
Mirror, Softwood
$7,024Sale Price|20% Off
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...
Antler, Glass, Wood, Stucco
Black Forest “Cave de Liqueur” This is a wonderful piece of Craftsmanship
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Black Forest “Cave de Liqueur” This is a wonderful piece of Craftsmanship it is a Carved Tantalus or Cave de Liqueur with 4 Decanters and 16 Shot Glasses The cabinet has bevelled ...
Crystal
Set of Three Porcelain Bowls Winter Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
These completely handmade porcelain bowls are painted by hand with a charming hands-free winter decor. Teh decor comes as a set of three decors. One shows...
Porcelain
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 ...
Metal, Brass
$312Sale Price|20% Off
Pair of Deer Antlers Trophy On a Wood Board
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Great pair of deer antlers trophy professionally mounted on wood board.
Antler
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".
Wood
$4,875Sale Price / set|25% Off
Black Forest Decanter Set in Carved Box with St Louis Crystal Decanters/Stems
Located in Houston, TX
This cave a liqueur set is truly special because the box is exquisitely Carved and has the original beveled glass. The decanters and stem Ware are by St. Louis and the original la...
Crystal
Wall Coat Hat Rack Black Forest with Antlers
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Antique Black Forest rustic coat/ hat rack decorated with roe deer antlers and borrows.
Antler, Wood
19th C. Black Forest Figural Wood Carved Night Watchman Lidded Tobacco Jar Box
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique 19th C. European Black Forest Figural Wood Carved Night Watchman Lidded Tobacco Jar Box with Removable Tin Metal Liner. Circa Late 19th Century. Measurements: 14" H x 5.5" W ...
Wood
Large Black Forest Antique Deer Trophy, Germany 1940s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Black Forest Antique Deer Trophy, Germany 1940s A large uneven 5 pointer deer (Cervus elaphus) trophy mounted on a carved wooden plaque. The trophy was shot in the 1940s. Good...
Antler, 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
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...
Mirror, Walnut
19th Century, Black Forest Carved Walnut Jewelry Casket Brienz Region
Located in Atlanta, GA
A finely carved 19th-century Black Forest walnut jewelry casket, attributed to the Brienz region of Switzerland, distinguished by its lavishly naturalistic ornamentation and sculptural detailing. The exterior is deeply carved with flowing rocaille motifs and a profusion of flowers and foliage in high relief, including a central rose in full bloom beneath the keyhole escutcheon. The lid is crowned with an exceptionally crisp and dimensional bouquet featuring a central rose surrounded by rosebuds and smaller blossoms arranged upon a scalloped bed...
Walnut
Antique Set of Rustic Serving Cutlery with Carved Horn Handles, 19th Century
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique set of rustic serving cutlery with carved horn handles 19th century. A rare antique set of knife and fork as serving cutlery. The handles are made of deer horn with handcarv...
Metal
Black Forest Vintage Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque, Germany 1930s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Black Forest Vintage Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque, Germany 1930s An antique roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a brown carved plaque with oak leaves. The trophy was shot a...
Antler, Wood
Lovely Black Forest Carved Whip Holder with Bear ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Lovely Black Forest Carved Whip Holder with Bear ca. 1900s A very rare hand-carved coat hook or whip holder depicting a bear klimbing on a three. Hand carved in Brienz, Switzerland,...
Wood
19th Century French Black Forest Walnut Cave à Liqueur with Gilt Crystal Service
Located in Dallas, TX
Elevate a bar, library, or gentleman’s study with this exceptional antique Cave à Liqueur from France, crafted circa 1870. Executed in richly patinated walnut in the Black Forest tas...
Glass, Walnut
Vintage Anri The Wine Taster (Bacchus), ca. 1950
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Anri The Wine Taster (Bacchus), ca. 1950 This is a finely detailed figurine by Anri, believed to be titled The Wine Taster from the Little Folks of Salvan series. The charac...
Wood
Large Black Forest Antique Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque, Germany 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Black Forest Antique Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque, Germany 1900s A large 6 pointer antique red deer (Cervus elaphus) trophy on a wooden plaque with black finish. The trophy wa...
Antler, Wood
Pair of 19th Century Austrian Majolica Pepper Platter Johann Maresh
Located in Austin, TX
Small Pair of 19th Century Austrian Majolica Pepper Platter Johann Maresh. 6.3 by 4.3 inches.
Ceramic, Majolica
Antique German Wine Table or Stand with Hand-Carved Saying and Sculptural Legs
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare, meaningful, practical, handcrafted and highly decorative antique table. This one of a kind table will appeal to spiritual people and collectors of stylish, rare and meaningful...
Leather, Wood
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
19thC Walnut Bavarian Coffee Table with cross base
Located in Atlanta, GA
*Gorgeous color on this Bavarian (cut-down) coffee table. The wood is walnut and has great patina. *These tables are so hard to find now.. :) *The table has some patches on the woo...
Walnut
Exquisite 19th Century antique Swiss fully hand carved Black forest Jewelry box
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
A true masterpiece, this fully hand-carved 19th-century Black Forest jewelry box from Switzerland is a remarkable work of art. Nearly 150 years old, the wood has developed an extraor...
Velvet, Wood
Relief Woodcarving by Hermann Steiner Meran 19th Century
By Hermann Steiner
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Relief Woodcarving by Hermann Steiner Meran 19th century The wooden carved relief shows a grandfather with grandson on his lap. The granddaughter is sitting on the chair and hides a...
Wood
19th Century Black Forest Carved Walnut Valet Chair
Located in Dekalb, IL
Exceptionally decorative Black Forest walnut valet chair combining seating and storage in a highly carved form. The back features deeply carved oak leaves and acorns surrounding an o...
Felt, Black Walnut
Antique Pair of Deer Antlers on Turned Black Wooden Mounts, ca. 1920
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Pair of Deer Antlers on Turned Black Wooden Mounts, ca. 1920 This matching pair of deer antlers roses is mounted on elegantly turned black wooden mounts, showcasing classic ...
Antler, Wood
Large Chamois Trophy on Carved Plaque, Austria 1954
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Chamois Trophy on Carved Plaque, Austria 1954 An vintage chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) trophy mounted on a wooden carved plaque which features acorns, oak leaves and a handwri...
Antler, Wood
$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
Vintage Pair of Candle Sticks With Real Chamois Horn, circa 1950s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Pair of Candle Sticks With Real Chamois Horn, circa 1950s A vintage pair of candle holders, made of genuine chamois horns. The spout supports turned wooden tulip-shaped cand...
Antler
Antique Print with Humoristic Scene Featuring Wild Boars and a Painter
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Print with Humoristic Scene featuring Wild Boars and a Painter A colorful antique oil print depicting a humoristic scene in the Black Fore...
Glass, Wood
$6,304Sale Price / set|20% Off
Antique Bull Horn Chairs by H.F.C. Rampendahl, Austria, Circa 1870
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Four Antique Bull Horn Chairs ca. 1870 A set of four antique bull horn chairs ca. 1870, covered with antique green velvet which has to be renewed (is loo...
Wood, Antler
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
19th Century French Black Forest Carved Oak Wall Mirror with Hunting Motifs
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a wall or entry with this richly carved antique Black Forest wall mirror. Crafted in France circa 1880, the oval mirror is set within an elaborate hand-carved oak frame ador...
Mirror, Oak
Pair Antique Black Forest Deer Antlers Borrows Lamp Finials
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Pair of antique Black Forest deer antlers borrows on brass bases kamp finials.
Antler
Antique Black Forest Armchair by Matthijs Horrix, Dutch Design, 1880s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent and ultra rare Antique Black Forest armchair. Design by Matthijs Horrix for the famous Dutch cabinet makers Horrix Den Haag. Striking Dutch design from the 1880s. Solid h...
Fabric, Walnut
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
Antique Swiss Black Forest Carved Wood Bear Head Lidded Tobacco Box
Located in San Francisco, CA
Of large scale, the well-delineated and intricately carved head of a dog with hat motif lid; the expressive face with glass eyes and large snout; most likely from the Black forest ar...
Walnut
Set of Six Roe Deer Trophies on Wooden Slices Germany ca. 1930s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Set of Six Roe Deer Trophies on Wooden Slices Germany ca. 1930s A set of six antique Black Forest roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophies mounted on birch wood slices. The trophies ...
Antler, Wood
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
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
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
Eagle Crescent Mirror 1890 Black Forest Carving
Located in Hastings, GB
Fantastic hand carved Eagle gripping a crescent bevelled mirror, dating to the late 19th century, Swiss Black Forest. The carving still has its’ original glass eye and is in exceptio...
Wood
Antique Daumenglas German Forest Glasses Thumb Finger Glass
Located in Hyattsville, MD
We do not have any information on these glasses, like exact origin or age. The estate where these were purchased was filled with fine 19th century furnishings.
Blown Glass