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.
$12,000 / set
Black Forest Horn Table and Stools
By Black Forest
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Black Forest horn table with 4 matching stools. Table size. Stools are 13" square x 19"H. The tops are carved antler and brass shell casings. Would f...
Antler, Wood
Cassina Dining Table 'Capri' in Black Metal and Glass
By Cassina
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Cassina, 'Capri' dining table, glass, lacquered metal, Italy, 1970s. This eccentric dining table is well-constructed in a precise manner imple...
Metal
$3,792
H 31.7 in Dm 31.11 in
ANTiQUE GERMAN BLACK FOREST CARVED RAMS HEAD ANTLER SUPPER TABLE PART OF A SUITE
By Black Forest
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this very rare original German late 19th century black forest antler supper cafe side table which is part of...
Wood
$4,562 / item
H 28.75 in Dm 50.01 in
PH Circle Table, Black Oak Wood Legs, Veneer Table Plate and Edge
Located in Copenhagen, DK
The intricately shaped legs of the PH circle table, inspired by the agile movement of the scarab beetle, together with the benefit of precision design ...
Oak, Wood
Large Forest Minimalist Table
Located in Geneve, CH
Large Forest Minimalist table Dimensions: D 240 x W 90 x H 72 cm Materials: Steel w. Matte Powder Coating & Aluminum w. Matte Powder Coating. Availa...
Aluminum, Steel
$7,839 / item
H 28.75 in W 50.01 in D 93.31 in
PH Circle Table folding, black oak wood legs, veneer table plate and edge
Located in Copenhagen, DK
The intricately shaped legs of the PH Circle Table – inspired by the agile movement of the scarab beetle, together with the benefit of precision design...
Oak, Wood
Rare Large 19th Century Black Forest Carved Lindenwood Table
By Black Forest
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A rare and impressive 19th century Swiss Black Forest carved Lindenwood Bear sitting down supporting the table top, this having carved scrolling foliate decoration. Batch 72/73.
Wood
$10,606 / item
H 29.53 in W 63 in D 55.12 in
Contemporary Round Dining Table in Black Glass and Travertine, Barh Judd Table
By barh.design, Jeroen Thys van den Audenaerde
Located in Antwerp, Antwerp
The barh Judd table is a piece just screaming for attention, it demands to be looked at and looked at again. It originates out of a search for extra dimensi...
Stone, Travertine, Marble
$5,086 / item
H 28.75 in Dm 50.4 in
PH Axe Table, Black Oak Wood Legs, Black Oak Veneer Table Plate and Edge
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Inspired by the humble axe handle, Poul Henningsen has utilized this familiar and tactile shape to provide the basis for the legs of the versatile table. This piece of furniture stays true to the fundamental values that drove its designer: it is a table that has multiple functions within its environment – as an occasion table, a table to sit at, a table for display and for meetings, a table for work and always for daily use. The PH Axe Table can take it all with its solid structure and eight legs. The table legs can be delivered in natural oak or black oak. The table plate comes in laminate, black oak or natural oak. As an extra option, the PH Axe Table is available with a removable wood cover in the middle of the tabletop. Upon removing the wood cover, PH 3 ½ - 2 ½ Table Lamp in a special construction with cable outlet below the frame can be installed and plugged in to the pre-installed cable that is hidden in to one of the table legs. The PH Lamp...
Wood, Oak
$6,528 / item
H 28.75 in W 50.01 in D 93.31 in
PH Circle Table, Black Oakwood Legs, Veneer Table Plate and Edge
Located in Copenhagen, DK
The intricately shaped legs of the PH circle table, inspired by the agile movement of the scarab beetle, together with the benefit of precision design ...
Oak, Wood
$4,562 / item
H 28.75 in W 50.01 in D 71.66 in
PH Dining Table, Chrome, Black Oak Veneer Table Plate and Edge
Located in Copenhagen, DK
The PH dining table was designed in 1937; it is simple and elegant. Function meets form and the distinctive, light look of the PH dining table makes it...
Chrome
Medium Forest Minimalist Table
Located in Geneve, CH
Medium forest Minimalist table Dimensions: D 160 x W 80 x H 72 cm Materials: Steel w. Matte powder coating & aluminum w. Matte powder coating. Availa...
Aluminum, Steel
$6,528 / item
H 28.75 in W 500.01 in D 933.08 in
PH Circle Table, Black Oak Wood Legs, Veneer Table Plate and Edge
Located in Copenhagen, DK
The intricately shaped legs of the PH Circle Table – inspired by the agile movement of the scarab beetle, together with the benefit of precision design...
Laminate, Oak
Sold
H 19.5 in W 42 in D 45 in
Antique French Black Forest Hunt Coffee Table OVAL Carved Griffins Oak 19th C
Located in Tyler, TX
RARE FIND Antique Oak French Black Forest "Hunt" Style OVAL Coffee Table with Carved Griffin Pedestal Base~~c. 1890s Beautifully carved griffin pedestal with carved beveled edge to...
Oak
French Black Forest Style Carved Oak Center / Dining Table, Dog, Deer, Boar
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is fabulous! This is a 19th century French carved oak Black Forest style heavily carved table. It could work as either a center table or as a...
Oak
Sold
H 29 in W 57.5 in D 50.5 in
Antique French Oval Game Dining Table Pedestal Black Forest Hunt Honey Oak, 19thC
Located in Tyler, TX
Outstanding antique French oak black forest "hunt" game table or dining table~~oval~~c. 1880s. This table has "the look"~~~one of our most often requested items~~these tables were...
Oak
Sold
H 29.5 in W 57 in D 48 in
Antique French Oval Dining Library Table Pedestal Black Forest Hunt Table 19th C
Located in Tyler, TX
Outstanding antique French oak black forest "Hunt" dining table conference library table or desk~~OVAL~~c. 1880s This table has "the look"~~~one of our most often requested items~...
Oak
Sold
H 29.25 in W 57 in D 50 in
19th century French Carved Oak Oval Dining Hunt Table Black Forest Dog Hound
Located in Shreveport, LA
19th century French carved oak oval dining hunt table Black Forest dog hound ~Direct from France~ ~Gorgeous antique French “hunt” oval dining table~ ~Stunning hand carved details; one glance reveals the superior quality of the massive carvings (Possibly commissioned for an aristocratic hunting lodge, circa 1880, in the Black Forest region of Europe, where France, Germany, and Switzerland meet)~ ~Huge base is a carving masterpiece, with four different “hunt hound...
Oak
Sold
H 29 in W 54 in D 47.5 in
19th Century French Carved Oak Oval Dining Hunt Table Black Forest Animal Lodge
Located in Shreveport, LA
19th century French carved oak oval dining Hunt table Black Forest animal lodge ~Direct from France~ ~Majestic and substantial antique French ...
Oak
Sold
H 31.25 in W 44 in D 40.5 in
19th Century French Carved Oak Oval Dining Hunt Table Black Forest Animal Lodge
Located in Shreveport, LA
19th century French carved oak oval dining hunt table Black Forest animal lodge ~Direct from France~ ~Gorgeous hand carved antique French “hun...
Oak
Antique French Black Forest Carved Walnut Oval Hunt Dining Library Table
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Black Forest walnut dining or center or library table. Features high relief carved edge, floral cut apron and robust carved base.
Walnut