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.
19th Century Swiss Black Forest Walnut Tilt-Top Table with Marquetry Scene
Located in Dallas, TX
An intricate Alpine village scene and a richly carved pedestal make this antique Black Forest tilt-top table a distinctive example of 19th-century Swiss craftsmanship. Crafted in Swi...
Walnut
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
Black Forest Carved Swiss Entry Table with Bears
By Black Forest
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Swiss Black Forest carved entry or hall table with two smiling standing bears holding a log over their shoulders as front legs. Tabletop surrounded by car...
Pine
Antique German Black Forest Carved Pine Hunting Side Table, circa 1900
Located in Barntrup, DE
Exceptional German Black Forest carved pine hunting side table dating from circa 1900, featuring an elaborately carved sculptural base and a hand-painted circular tabletop depicting ...
Acrylic, Pine
Black Forest Bear Side Table, Late 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
An amusing late 19th century Black Forest carved wood bear side table, originally intended as a smoking compendium. Having two small bears lying on ...
Softwood
$710Sale Price|20% Off
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
$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
Side table - 19th century
Located in Porto, PT
Side table - 19th century. Portuguese; 19th century in mahogany and other woods with a drawer; resting on four turned legs. Shows signs of woodworm damage. Dimensions: 70x66x66 cm
Wood
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
French Etagere Antique Side Table circa 1900 Amboyna
Located in Potters Bar, GB
Pretty French Amboyna Etagere. circa 1900 (One of the most splendid burls, Amboyna Burl is an exotic wood that is one of about 60 in the Pterocarpus genus, which is reported to con...
Satinwood
Circa 1900 Edwardian Oak Side Table
Located in High Point, NC
Circa 1900-1910 oak occasional or side table from England. The top has magnificent graining, and is surrounded by an elegant beveled edge. This follows down to a simple apron and t...
Oak
19th Century English Oak Side Table
Located in High Point, NC
19th Century oak side table from England in a William & Mary style. The top is made from two boards, following down to simple sides with scalloping and a single drawer in the front w...
Oak
Art Deco Side Table of Black and Chrome with Drawer from England
Located in Austin, TX
A fine English side or end table of black-lacquered wood and chrome, in the Art Deco style, featuring a chrome-bound rectangular top, over a frieze with drawer and chrome handle, res...
Metal, Chrome
$2,480
H 28.5 in W 42 in D 26.5 in
19th Century English Jacobean End Table, Hand-Crafted Oak, Circa 1870s
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century English Jacobean End Table was hand-crafted by able artisans from indigenous old-growth oak, and features a solid plank top supported by solid plank aprons connected on each corner with the top of four beautifully turned legs. It would be fascinating to see how the legs were turned using tools...
Oak
$5,395
H 26.8 in W 42.5 in D 41.5 in
19th Century France Rich Walnut Brown Round Tilt-Top Drop-Leaf Table
Located in High Point, NC
Round tilt-top drop-leaf table in Rich Walnut Brown. Its rich walnut brown finish sets off birdcage tilt mechanism, turned tripod base, a hallmark of of the georgian period France cr...
Walnut
Black Baroque Style Side Table, Late 19th Century
Located in Greding, DE
Small side table with a shaped rectangular top and a single drawer to the front. Standing on four curved legs, with a black painted surface showing traces of wear.
Wood
Bamboo and Glass Side, End Table
By McGuire, Henry Olko
Located in New York, NY
High quality and well made bamboo end, or side, table having woven wicker trim, bamboo legs, and a glass top. In the style of Olko, Link, McGuire -Ficks Reed etc. unsigned. Please vi...
Bamboo, Glass
Late 19th Century Octagonal Side Table
Located in High Point, NC
Very unusual late 19th century oak side table from England. The table is a great form. It has an octagonal top, which is beveled and carved around the edge, and is surrounding a ha...
Oak
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
Mid-Century Modern Jansen Style Glass Top Side End Table
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous Maison Jansen style side/end table with 3 heavy chrome flat bar legs ending in brass cylindrical feet. Thick 5/8 glass top is near perfect, no chips. Quality piece. Will pol...
Brass, Steel, Chrome
Antique carved LOUIS XV style Side Table, France ca. 1900
Located in Meulebeke, BE
France / 1900 / Side Table / wood / Louis XV / Antique Antique side table with elegantly curved legs and a gracefully finished table top in Louis XV style. The table was beautifull...
Wood
Sold
H 30 in W 24.5 in D 24.5 in
Early 20th C. French Black Forest Antler Octagonal Side Table with Leather Top
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in France circa 1920, this distinctive Black Forest side table exemplifies the rustic elegance and naturalistic design associated with Alpine lodge furnishings. The octagonal...
Antler, Leather
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 Highwood, 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
Sold
H 29 in W 30 in D 23 in
19th Century Swiss Black Forest Carved Walnut Tilt-Top Table with Hunt Scenes
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in Switzerland, circa 1870 and oval in shape, the antique occasional table features a tilt-top surface over a carved stem and an ornate pedestal base ending with three scroll...
Walnut
Sold
H 29.25 in Dm 23.25 in
19th Century French Black Forest Carved Walnut Pedestal Table with Vine Decor
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a wine cellar or a study with this elegant antique fruit wood side table; crafted in France, circa 1870 and round in shape, the occasional table stands on a carved ornate st...
Walnut
Antique Hand Carved Black Forest Plant Stand
Located in Round Top, TX
Black Forest items are always a wonderful find, including this unique plant Stand. Notice the base which has been hand carved to resemble a tree while the plant holder is circled wit...
Wood
19th Century French Pedestal Side Table
Located in High Point, NC
19th century, French side table with a wonderfully carved edge around the multi-layer bevelled top. The pedestal is a hand-turned barley-twist column which is resting on a wonderfull...
Oak
Sold
H 29 in W 30 in D 22 in
19th Century French Black Forest Carved Walnut Pedestal with Deer Scenes Inlay
Located in Dallas, TX
Add extra surface space to the corner of a living room or study with this fine, antique Black Forest oval side table. Crafted in the Alps region of France, circa 1870, the ornate tab...
Walnut
Bleached Walnut Side Table. Austrian, 19th Century
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Austrian late 19th century. The table is bleached and then gently lime washed. The top is veneered in burr walnut which when bleached creates a marble effect. The base is ...
Walnut, Burl
Log Cabin Antler Side Table
Located in Berghuelen, DE
a large rustic antler side table made of antlers from the deer, fallow deer and elk, round table top with brass covering, Germany ca. 1900
Antler
19th Century Black Forest Sewing Table
Located in Dallas, TX
Hand-crafted during the 19th Century by the talented rural artisans of the Black Forest encompassing parts of France and Germany, this handsome Sewing Table features a top that hinge...
Oak
Carved Marquetry Table Swiss Brienz 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
a wonderful carved wood table with elaborate edelweiss inlays on the table top. at center a painted goat herder with wife and mountain goat. executed ca. 1900, swiss brienz.
Wood
Antique Fantasy Root Wood Side Table, circa 1850
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Very nice and rare side table in fantasy design. Tabletop made of wood and rattan, base made of root wood decorated with several small pieces like mushrooms, roots, snail shells, mos...
Rattan
19th-C. Black Forest Carved Side Table
Located in High Point, NC
19th-C. Swiss carved side table from the Black Forest region. Lovely carved top with an edge which is carved to look like a branch. Four wonderfully carved central legs form the su...