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.
Black Forest Bistro Table
Located in Charmes, FR
Charming pedestal table with a circular white marble top resting on a central carved wooden base with a naturalistic decoration imitating intertwined branches. The central shaft has ...
Wood
Black Forest Wood Carved with Leaved & Grapes Side Lamp End Wine Table Glass Top
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this nice vintage black forest wood carved side lamp table with tapered glass top A good looking and well-made piece, the legs are carved from w...
Glass, Wood
Antique Carved Wooden Tripod Wine Table or Plant Stand with Marquetry Inlaid Top
Located in Lisse, NL
Mid-19th century table with an inlaid top. This hand-carved and handcrafted table can be used for all kinds of purposes. The tripod base is beautifully carved in the shape of Black Forest tree branches and the inlaid marquetry top has star motives...
Wood
Antique Black Forest 19th Century Side / End Table Hunt Carved Oak & Marble Top
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Exceptional & impressive! This 19th century Black Forest side / end table carved out of solid oak with "Rouge Belges" marble top. Amazing craftsmanship fully hand carved by a maste...
Marble
Round Black Metal 1960s Italian Side Table with Glass Top
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Round black metal Italian side table from the 1960s with thick glass top.
Metal
Louis XVI Style Mirror Top Table with Gallery
Located in Huntington, NY
Louis XVI style mirror top table with gallery.
Brass
$650
H 32.5 in W 13 in D 13 in
Vintage Chinoiserie Chinese Carved Hardwood Marble Top Pedestal Plant Stand
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Chinoiserie Chinese Carved Hardwood Marble Top Pedestal Plant Stand with Floral Carved Details. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 32.5" H x 13" W x 13" D.
Marble
Solid Brass Tapered Leg Beveled Glass Mirror Top Side End Table
By Mastercraft
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid century modern elegant solid brass beveled mirror top side end table or stand.
Brass
$2,500Sale Price / set|29% Off
H 19.75 in Dm 24 in
Pair of Lucite Glacier Iceberg Sculptural End Side Tables Glass Top
Located in Wayne, NJ
Pair of Lucite Glacier Iceberg end side tables glass top. Please see our other items for matching Coffee Table. If you are in the New Jersey , New York City Metro Area , please conta...
Acrylic
$6,950 / set
H 28 in W 25 in D 18 in
Pair of Antique English Neoclassic Stands or Tables with Inlaid Chinoiserie
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Charming pair of Edwardian, Adams style English stands crafted in mahogany, rosewood and satinwood with oval tops having inlaid chinoiserie flowers, pots and vases in exotic woods, o...
Mahogany, Rosewood, Satinwood
On Hold|$1,295
H 22 in W 25.75 in D 25.75 in
Vintage Modern Brass & Glass Side End Table w/ Glass Top Style Pace or Springer
By Karl Springer, Pace Collection
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome modern design somewhat Hollywood Regency style brass and glass side table or end table similar to pieces by Pace or Karl Springer. It is in wonderful vintage condition. Ther...
Brass
Cupola Rectangular Table Black Stain
Located in Oakland Park, FL
Black stained Conacaste wood hollow center for weight in base and solid wood top. Part of Labrica's Arco collection was inspired by Spanish Colonial Architecture found in Antigua Guatemala. We played with architectural elements such as arches and cupolas to create the different pieces. The different size tables allow us to have many different type of configurations and uses, such as coffee table in a small space or a cluster of tables...
Wood
19th Century Table with Marble Top
Located in Houston, TX
19th century beech gueridon with 3 legs on wheels. Legs are detailed with black lacquer at the top and at the base of each column.
Belgian Black Marble
Mers Side Table in Black Aluminum
By New Format Studio, Henry Norris
Located in Vancouver, BC
The Mers Side Table is fabricated from solid aluminum and is suitable for use indoors and out. Form is inspired by the simple utilitarianism of West Coast aluminum fishing boats. Sh...
Aluminum
Mers Console Table in Black Aluminum
By New Format Studio, Henry Norris
Located in Vancouver, BC
The Mers Console Table is fabricated from solid aluminum and is suitable for use indoors and out. Form is inspired by the simple utilitarianism of W...
Aluminum
19th Century French Side Table
Located in High Point, NC
19th century oak side table from France, with a beveled and hand carved decorated edge around the top, surrounding an exquisitely hand carved central scene, depicting scrolls, acanth...
Oak
Sold
H 19.5 in W 14.75 in D 14.75 in
Black Forest Hand Carved Switzerland Pair of End Tables Marble Tops, circa 1800s
Located in BENSENVILLE, IL
Matched Pair of Black Forest Hand-Carved end tables or side tables with Marble Tops that were Swiss made during the 1800s. Black Forest furniture is d...
Marble
Sold
H 19.5 in W 14.75 in D 14.75 in
Black Forest Hand Carved Switzerland Pair of End Tables Marble Tops, circa 1800s
Located in BENSENVILLE, IL
Pair of black forest hand-carved end tables or side tables with marble tops that were made in Switzerland during the late 1800s. Finding one piece of black forest is difficult enough, but locating a pair is unusual to say the least. The history of black forest carvings dates to the early 1800s originating in the town of Brienz, Switzerland. Original black forest carvings began as a cottage industry and found a niche market with the local tourist trade in Switzerland. Old plank has recently discovered a treasure trove of black forest carved furniture...
Marble
Sold
H 29.93 in W 21.66 in D 21.66 in
Antique French 19th Century Hunt Side / End Table Gargoyle Barley Twisted Oak
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Gorgeous antique French Hunt style table with barley twist & gargoyle base in carved oak circa 1880. Amazing craftsmanship en highly detailed car...
Oak
Black Forest Folk Art Table
Located in Houston, TX
Black Forest side table with beautiful base.
Wood
19th Century Black Forest Hand-Carved Oval End Table
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century Black Forest hand-carved oval end table was sculpted by talented artisans from indigenous old-growth oak to last for centuries! The four legs were carved to resemble act...
German Black Forest Burled Walnut Carved and Inlaid Tilt Top Table
Located in Milford, NH
This wonderful late 19th century burled walnut German Black Forest Tilt Top Table is inlaid on the top with several vignettes of animals, includi...
Walnut