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
Returnable Items Only
Black Forest Cushion Birds Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Handmade cushion in
blue, red and green colors in cotton and linen fabric with a bird sitting in the middle in the style of Black Forest. Backside light blue velvet. Filled with downs. Perfect to combine with other cushions like fur and wool quicker to create a fantastic mountain or country chic. Completely made in Kitzbuehel Austria. Current production by Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel.
Category
2010s Austrian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Linen
German Black Forest Wood Carved Figural Man Head Cork Bottle Stopper, 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Adorable wood and cork bottle stopper. Germany, 1930s. Ideal decoration bottle stopper. Great idea to surprise your guests or a very interesting gift.
Category
1930s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood, Cork
19th Century Black Forest Walnut Wood Cave A Liqueur from France
Located in Dallas, TX
This large Black Forest walnut cave a liqueur is from 19th century France. The box has a working lock and key and the interior contents are visible through the beveled glass sides. I...
Category
19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Porcelain Bowl with Fox Figure Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Completely handmade porcelain bowl with a hands-free naturalistic painted fox in brown colors. The fox is sitting in the middle of the bowl for decorating nuts or sweets around the fox figure...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Black Forest Set of 6 Hand-Painted Tumbler Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Set of six hand blown tumbler hands-free painted in Black Forest style. Each glass is handsfree painted with different rims and trees in red. Can b...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Black Forest Wall Light Shade Wallpaper with Hunting Scene Sofina Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Large handmade lampshade made of wallpaper with a hunting scene in red and beige in the style of black forest. Made by hand in Austria.
Fixed with green and red paspol. Two handmade iron angles to supply electricity will be delivered with the shades. See last picture.
To be used as wall lightning.
Category
2010s Austrian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Paper
Black Forest Set of Six Hand Painted Crystal Tumbler Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
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
Black Forest Bergère Chairs c1800's Huge Collection of Black Forest Pieces Avail
Located in Chicago, IL
Black Forest furniture is both a bit rustic and a little whimsical in nature and dates from the late 1800’s to the early 1900’s. Although most p...
Category
1890s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Black Forest Carved Large Terrier Inkwell, Hinged Lid, Exceptional Carving
Located in Banner Elk, NC
Black Forest Breinzware Large Inkwell, carved as begging terrier with tongue protruding, with inset glass eyes, the hinged head concealing a glass inkwel...
Category
1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Softwood
Black Forest Porcelain Figure Fox Handpainted Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
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...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
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
A Large Black Forest carved limewood study of a monk, Swiss, circa 1900
Located in Central England, GB
This most impressive large scale Black Forest limewood figure is beautifully carved and depicts the full standing figure of a portly monk dressed in a simple habit cheerfully enjoyin...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
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 Vintage German Christmas Jumping Jack
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Large vintage christmas jumping jack in wood. The front covered in paper with a beautiful vintage decoration Handmade in the area of Erzgebirge Germany. T...
Category
1950s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Large Size & Great Quality Carved Jewelry, Treasure or Collecting Box / Casket
Located in Lisse, NL
A beautiful and top condition antique black forest jewelry box, carved on all sides.
This rare and large jewelry box makes a beautiful accessory for a lady with an eye for fine arts. It is a very well fine carved gem and highly practical with a good working lock and key. The detailed leafs, branches and flowers on top
and the marvelous blue...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Brass
Antique Pair of Black Forest Photo Frames / Wall Mirrors with Grapevine Frames
Located in Lisse, NL
Superb condition, rare pair of hand carved, solid oak frames with stunning grapevines all around.
If you are appreciative of rare and sculptural antiques then this Swiss Black Forest pair...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Glass, Oak, Paint
Black Forest Cushion Hunting Scene Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Handmade cushion in
blue, red and green colors in cotton and linen fabric with a hunting scene in the style of Black Forest. Backside brown velvet. Filled with downs. Perfect to combine with other cushions like fur and wool quicker to create a fantastic mountain or country chic. Completely made in Kitzbuehel Austria. Current production by Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel.
Category
2010s Austrian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Linen
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...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Business Card Tray with Deer Antler Decorations, Germany, ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Business card tray with deer horn antler decorations, Germany ca. 1900
A rustic business card tray, made of turned nut wood with deer antle...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Set of Three 19th Century Black Forest Carvings
Located in Martlesham, GB
A set of three 19th century black forest carvings of bears in different poses, all three bears are in very good condition and having lovely crisp carving. Circa 1880.
Category
1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Black Forest Porcelain Bowl with Fox Handpainted Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
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 decorating nuts or sweets aroun...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
19th Century Trompe l'Oeil Rabbit and Pheasant Oil Paintings, Framed, a Pair
Located in Atlanta, GA
These are absolutely incredible museum quality pieces. Large oil on board paintings - signed depicting "the spoils"of the hunt. Presented in spectacular black forest carved frames...
Category
1880s German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Hardwood, Paint
Black Forest Porcelain Bowl with Bambi Figure Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
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. ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Black Forest Pottery Dish Hand-Painted Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel Austria
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
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 ....
Category
2010s Austrian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Pottery, Ceramic
Black Forest Crystal Latern Hand Blown Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
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
4 French Alpine Mounted Deer Antler / Horns
Located in New York, NY
A collection of 4 European deer antler / horns mounted on wood plaques from the French Alpine Region and the Black Forest. Each rustic piece is slightly different while expressing the beauty, purity and serenity of nature. Can fit in an Adirondack camp...
Category
1940s French Vintage Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Bone
Black Forest Set of Six Glass Plates Red Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Set of six crystal plates in brillant red color with an country style decor all around. The charming black forest decor is hand.-engraved and shows ...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Glass
Stunning Antique Hand Carved Nutwood Black Forest Box with Secret Lock Mechanism
Located in Lisse, NL
Masterly carved and good size, two tone Black Forest jewelry box from circa 1880.
If you are a collector of truly beautiful Black Forest artwork then you will love this 19th century, multi-purpose box. The first thing that draws your attention is the stunning, raised, oval medallion on top of this unique box. It is entirely hand carved out of solid nutwood and the two tones makes the quality and details of the rose flower and branches atop stand out even more. The entire top of this box is remarkably well carved and it is in mint condition. The front and back come with hand carved bird sculptures...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Metal
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...
Category
Mid-19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Brass
Late 19th Century German Carved Black Forest Wood Trophy Plaque
Located in Middleburg, VA
Late 19th century German carved black Forest wood trophy plaque. This intricately carved piece depicts horns, spear, and hunter's pouch hung on plaque en...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th Century German Black Forest Chip-Carved Suite Desk with Drawer and Chair
Located in Vero Beach, FL
19th century German black forest chip-carved suite desk with drawer and chair.
Impressive and extremely rare Black Forest desk and chair. The rectangul...
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Pine
Black Forest Carved & Intricately Inlaid Musical Chair, Swiss, ca. 1900
Located in Banner Elk, NC
A Black Forest Carved Walnut Chair, the seat and seatback with intricately inlaid cartouches each depicting an alpine chamois, with carved edelweiss and leaves, with the working musi...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Satinwood, Walnut
Carved Wooden Horse, Black Forest, 19th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Horse in front of a trough, carved wood, work of great finesse and delicacy
Good condition, restorations (almost invisible!) on the legs
Black Forest, similar to the work of Huggle...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Original Antique Print After Heinrich Leutemann, Reynard the Fox, Bruin in Trap
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.
Category
1850s English Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Paper
Carved Wood Chamois Family by Ernst Heissl, Ebensee Austria, circa 1900
By Ernst Heissl
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A handcarved wooden sculpture of a chamois group with buck, chamois and fawn. A very fine and natural carving by the Austrian woodcarver Ernst Heissl, ca....
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Hand-Carved Wooden Inkwell Desk Set with Owl Figures, 1930s
Located in Barntrup, DE
Beautiful Black Forest style hand-carved wooden double inkwell with a majestic owl figure sitting on two books. The owl has glass eyes, and the Stand has a tray for pen and accessori...
Category
1930s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Metal
Black Forest 1900s Carved Wooden Plaque with Chamois Motif, Foliage and Mirror
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Black Forest period carved wooden plaque from the early 20th century, with chamois motif, foliage and petite mirror. Hand-Carved in Switzerland during the early years of the 20th c...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood
Set of Three 19th Century Black Forest Carvings of Bears in Different Poses
Located in Martlesham, GB
A set of three 19th Century black forest carvings of bears in different poses, all three bears are in very good condition and having lovely crisp carving.
Category
1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Antique Finer Quality Carved Black Forest Bear Sculpture / Striking Deskpiece
Located in Lisse, NL
Incredible workmanship, antique bear sculpture on a nutwood base.
Most people on earth don't have a very good idea of who they are, nor what they reall...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood, Nutwood
Antique Top Quality Carved Black Forest Style Knitting Farmer's Wife Sculpture
Located in Lisse, NL
One of the best ever hand carved, black forest of Southern Germany sculptures.
This unique antique is for the collectors and connoisseurs, because the quality in the details of th...
Category
Early 20th Century European Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of Black Forest Type Deer Head Wall Brackets
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Black Forest style Deer head wall shelves or brackets. Made in a Faux Bois design.
Category
20th Century Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Composition
Early 20th Century French Carved Black Forest Hunting Barometer and Thermometer
Located in Birmingham, AL
A stunning early 20th century French black forest barometer with thermometer, circa 1900. Found in a hunting lodge in Lyon, this antique weather station...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
German Wood Carved Figural Man Head Cork Bottle Stopper, 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Adorable wood and cork bottle stopper. Germany, 1960s. Ideal decoration bottle stopper. Great idea to surprise your guests or a very interesting gift.
Category
1960s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Cork, 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
19th Century Black Wrought Iron Alpine Front Door Bell
Located in Chillerton, 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 Ir...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Iron
19th Century French Black Forest Hand Carved Hunt Scene Wall Decor
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a ranch, hunting lodge or simply a man's office with this elegant antique wall decor. Crafted in France circa 1870, the hand carved artwork...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Antique Black Forest Hand-Carved Deer or Elk Head Wall Plaque or Sculpture
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This well executed antique wall sculpture is unsigned, but presumed to have been done in Switzerland in approximately 1890 in the period Black F...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Softwood
Original Antique Print After Heinrich Leutemann, Reynard The Fox, Man & Donkey
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.
Category
1850s English Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Paper
19th Century Highly Carved French Oak Sculpture of a Man Harvesting Wine Grapes
Located in Dallas, TX
This beautiful sculpture has been carved from solid French oak during the latter half of the 19th century. The style is that of Black Forest, with realistic depictions of branches, leaves, grapes, and more. Originally a French clock, most of the timing mechanisms have long been removed. The elaborate carving depicts a man harvesting wine grapes on rocky terrain dotted with vegetation. Our gatherer, who is clad in an overcoat and large brimmed hat, is carrying a hod (hotte in French) full of freshly picked grapes. A large wooden bucket...
Category
19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Black Forest Cuckoo Clock
Located in Nantucket, MA
Carved Walnut Black Forest Cuckoo Clock in form of a Chalet, with applied carved wooden leaves, grapes and bird, circa 1900, with pierced res...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
"The Alpine River Torrent" by Josef Thoma
Located in Wiscasset, ME
Oil on canvas, signed lower right featuring a swift moving river down the side of a mountainous landscape.
Josef Thoma, son of Josef Thoma father (Vien...
Category
19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Paint
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.
Category
Early 1900s German 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
Black Forest Crystal Laterne Green Hunting Scene Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Hand blown crystal vase/lantern in green with hand engraved deers and trees all around in the style of black forest.
Completely handmade in Bavaria/Germany. Can be used also with ca...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Crystal
large scale 19th century carved walnut Black Forest dog tobacco box, circa 1860
Located in Central England, GB
This brilliant hand carved walnut tobacco or pipe smokers stand is the best I have ever seen. It dates to circa 1860 and was made in the Black Forest region of Switzerland which is r...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
19th Century French Carved Oak Black Forest Plant Stand Jardinière Flower Box
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Gorgeous fully hand carved Black Forest 19th century plant stand / jardiniere in hand carved Fruitwood.
The stand body has outstanding carvings with the center a dimensional carved...
Category
1880s French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
Antique Swiss Black Forest Carved Antelope & Eagles Wall Mounted Letter Holder
Located in Pearland, TX
A rare antique Swiss Black Forest carved antelope and eagles wall mounted letter rack, circa 1900. This fine letter holder is a nice large size and has...
Category
Early 1900s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Gunpowder Horn with Great Engravings, 18th Century
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Gunpowder Horn with Great Engravings, 18th Century
An antique gunpowder horn made of horn and wood. There are engraved hunting scenes depicting a styli...
Category
Late 18th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler
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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