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 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
19th Century Swiss Black Forest Carved Walnut Tilt-Top Table with Village Scene
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in Switzerland circa 1860, this exquisite Black Forest occasional table features a round, tilt-top surface set over a carved twist stem and a sculptural tripod base ending in...
Walnut
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 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
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
$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
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
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
$971Sale Price|25% Off
H 22 in W 25.75 in D 25.75 in
Modern Side End Table Brass With Glass Top in Style of Pace or Karl 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
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
$4,595
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
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
Circa 1900 English Oak Side Table
Located in High Point, NC
Period Edwardian oak side table from England. The top has a double beveled edge, surrounding a nicely grained top. The top follows down to a simple apron and is supported on hand t...
Oak
$504Sale Price|20% Off
H 31.5 in W 19.69 in D 17.33 in
Circa 1900 Central European Hand-Carved Beech Side Table
Located in Praha, CZ
Remarkable hand-carved side table from Central Europe, dating to the late 19th or early 20th century, circa 1900. Crafted from solid wood, likely beech, this unusual piece is charact...
Wood, Beech
Antique French Oak Side Table, circa 1900
Located in Meulebeke, BE
France / 1900 / Side Table / oak / Antique / Rustic A charming richly grained oak antique side table from France, dating back to circa 1900. Crafted from solid oak, this piece embo...
Oak
19th Century French Louis XV Hand Carved Walnut End Table
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century French Louis XV hand carved walnut end table is part of a fast-disappearing genre of fine antique furnishings from the continent that ...
Walnut
19th Century English Jacobean End Table
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
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
Sold
H 34 in W 19 in D 15.5 in
Black Forest Carved Bears Smokers Table Stand with Brass Ashtray, circa 1890s
By Black Forest
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Very stylish Black Forest wood smokers stand, circa 1890. The stand is topped with three realistically carved bears and has a brass ashtray. The two bears at the front are hinged and...
Wood
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 Black Forest Carved Bear Side Table
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Very stylish Black Forest side table, circa 1890. The table legs are topped with three realistically carved bears while the tabletop features scrolling foliate open fretwork.
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
Black Forest Carved Smokers Table or Stand
By Black Forest
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Very stylish Black Forest smokers stand, circa 1890. The stand is topped with three realistically carved bears. The two bears at the front are hinged and open to reveal small compart...
Wood