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 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
German Black Forest Oak Side Table with Turned Bobbin Legs, Late 19th Century
Located in Atlanta, GA
This German Black Forest side table / desk from the late 19th century features a rectangular top with molding. The top sits on a richly carved apron, adorned with foliage motifs. The...
Wood, Oak
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
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 Black Forest Antler Table, Circa 1930, France
Located in Girona, Spain
DESCRIPTION: Antique Black Forest Antler Table, Circa 1930, France. This object is a 1930s antique antler table, characterized by its rustic, organic design. Often referred to as "B...
Oak
Rustic Black Forest Walnut Center Table
Located in Queens, NY
Rustic Black Forest style (20th Century) walnut center table with carved figure of bear sitting on floor holding round top.
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
Three Antlers Side Table
Located in Paris, FR
Side table three antlers made with 3 real antlers and solid wood top in varnished finish. Each piece is unique and so each piece is different from each other.
Antler, Wood
Antique Side Table from Spain, Late 19th Century
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
Antique side table with nice patina from Spain.
Wood
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
$577Sale Price|26% Off
H 26.78 in W 20.48 in D 14.97 in
French Poplar Side Table Sellette or Nightstand Art Deco, circa 1930
Located in Labrit, Landes
Side, end table, selette or nightstand. The size of this little table with a drawer allows to use it for different functions. Made circa 1930, with the art déco characteristics: sty...
Poplar
Wood and Marquetry Side Table, Art Deco Period, France, circa 1930
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Wood and marquetry side table. Art Deco period, France, circa 1930.
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
Art Deco Round Side Table, Rosewood Veneer, France, circa 1930
Located in Regensburg, DE
Elegant round original Art Deco side table or Gueridon from France around 1930. Rosewood veneer on top, plinth and three legs. Restored and hand polished with shellac. Old round gl...
Glass, Rosewood
$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
$1,495
H 29.5 in W 39.25 in D 23 in
Late 19th Century French Henri II Style Walnut Writing Table or Desk with Drawer
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This late 19th century French Henri II Renaissance style hand pegged walnut writing table or side table is finished on all sides, allowing it to be placed in the center of a room. It...
Walnut
$8,000 / set
H 29.53 in W 29.53 in D 18.12 in
Pair of Wood Side Tables, Art Deco Style, France, circa 1930
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Pair of wood side tables. Art Deco style, France, circa 1930.
Wood
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
$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
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 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
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