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.
Antique Rustic Black Forest Carved Wood Console Table
Located in Forney, TX
An extraordinarily carved Black Forest console table. 19th century, Continental Europe, most likely German, Swiss or possibly French, exhibition quality exceptionally executed mast...
Wood, Oak
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.
Marble
Rustic Black Forest Walnut Center Table
Located in Queens, NY
Rustic Black Forest style (German 19th Century) light walnut rectangular center table with carved leaf & vine design on apron with open cluster legs and tooled brown leather top.
Walnut, Leather
A 19th century balck forest antlers console with marble top.
Located in Wijnegem, BE
A rare 19th century black forest antlers console with marble top. Below head of a hunting dog in terracotta with glass eyes. On top a beautiful black marble.
Antler, Terracotta, Wood
Dos Gallos Custom Rustic Modern Walnut Console Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Custom console table. Can be made in any size, in Oak, Walnut or Mahogany in a variety of finishes. Shown here in Walnut with a light distress and dark finish. Made in Los Angeles by...
Walnut, Oak
Rustic Provincial Pine Console Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
Introducing the charming Rustic Provincial Pine Console Table, a beautifully crafted piece of furniture that exudes sophistication and rustic elegance. Its molded edge top is a stand...
Wood
Antique Rustic French Carpenter's Workbench Console Table
Located in Round Top, TX
It is the years of constant use revealed in every ding, gouge, stain, and crack that enrich the character of this impressive carpenters' workbench from France. The 6" thick top capt...
Metal
$1,772
H 27.96 in W 29.53 in D 17.72 in
Italian Antique Solid Walnut Rustic Console Table Desk Writing Table
Located in Carimate, Como
Very charming and elegant Italian antique side console table or desk writing table in solid walnut wood with stylish carved legs and completed by a small side drawer with a beautiful...
Wood
On Hold|$9,800
H 30.25 in W 41.25 in D 13.5 in
Italian Designer, Console Table, Walnut, Marble, Italy, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A walnut and marble console table designed and produced in Italy, c. 1950s. Minimal wear. Minor natural imperfections in marble. Natural cracking to back panel. Drawer inside has...
Marble
French 19th Century Empire Console with Marble Top
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A substantial French 19th century Empire mahogany console. The thick Carrara marble top is in wonderful antique condition, showing exciting gray veining that forms a nice contrast to...
Marble
19th Century Giltwood Marble-Top Console Table
Located in Sofia, BG
19th century giltwood black marble-top console table with very detailed carvings. France, circa 1860.
Belgian Black Marble
J Wade Beam Vintage Black Marble Console Table
By J. Wade Beam
Located in Bensalem, PA
Amazing console table with a lacquer faux black and white marble finish table designed by J. Wade Beam
Fiberglass, Lacquer
$14,000
H 29.5 in W 46.25 in D 30.5 in
American Rococo Rosewood & Marble Turtle Top Center Table, Circa 1850
Located in Charleston, SC
American rococo rosewood turtle top center table with carved floral skirt, original marble top, floral carved stretchers and terminating on acanthus carved ...
Marble, Brass
Classical 19th Century Marble Topped Console Table
Located in Brighton, Sussex
An impressive 19th century classical influenced marble topped console table, having inlaid Greek Key pattern to the break fronted top. Inlaid faux Malachite fluting to the freeze, an...
Marble
$4,995 / set
H 34 in W 60 in D 32 in
Baker Furniture Rustic French Style Cerused Marble Top Console Tables - Pair
Located in Kennesaw, GA
I love the size of these! This is a pair of French style cerused or whitewashed carved console tables with attached marble tops. They are by Baker Furniture Company and date to the l...
Marble
French Art Nouveau Two Tiered Painted Top Center Table, Circa 1900
Located in CH
French Art Nouveau Two-Tiered Painted Top Center Table Circa 1900 A finely crafted French Art Nouveau center table featuring two tiers with a delicately painted tabletop. Dating to ...
Wood
Oak Hunt Console With Carved Game and Grapes, Denmark circa 1860
Located in Round Top, TX
Heavily carved large oak console, can be used as an impressive buffet as well. Note the extensive hand-carving throughout including grapes and wild game. Stamp on back indicative of ...
Oak
Sold
H 25.5 in W 44.25 in D 13.25 in
Black Forest Hand Carved Console Table Marble Top Switzerland circa Late 1800s
Located in BENSENVILLE, IL
Black Forest Hand Carved Console Table with a marble top that was made in Switzerland between 1860-1900. This is the only Black Forest Console Table that we have ever seen, which makes it quite rare. The history of Black Forest Furniture began in the 1800s in Brienz, Switzerland and originally the Swiss were carving small animal objects to sell to the tourists. The more popular the Black Forest Carvings began, the larger and more intricate the carvings became. Fortunately, Old Plank had recently discovered a treasure Trove of Black Forest Carved Furniture...
Marble
Sold
H 34 in W 32 in D 18 in
Vintage Lambert Hitchcock Black Harvest Stenciled Console Table Writing Desk
Located in Dayton, OH
"Vintage Lambert Hitchcock Black Forest stenciled Legacy writing desk or console. Made of maple featuring black ebonized finish with gold accents and stenciled arrangement of goards ...
Maple
Sold
H 29.14 in W 46.86 in D 23.82 in
Root Wood 19th Century Swedish Consoles Pair, Masur Birch, Signed and Dated 1890
Located in New York, NY
A fine pair of 19th century root wood consoles from Northern Sweden in Masur Birch. Signed and dated, O.H. / 1890. Exceptionally created with wildly ...
Fruitwood
Ancient piano stool or console, Black Forest style, end of 19th century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Ancient piano stool or console, Black Forest style, end of 19th century. Height adjustable.
Walnut
Antique Black Forest Console With Carved Dwarfs
Located in Berghuelen, DE
a wooden carved book shelve with two dwarfs. germany, black forest ca. 1890.
Wood