Black Forest Tables
BLACK FOREST STYLE
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.
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Style: Black Forest
ANTiQUE GERMAN BLACK FOREST CARVED RAMS HEAD ANTLER SUPPER TABLE PART OF A SUITE
By Black Forest
Located in GB
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...
Category
Early 1900s German Antique Black Forest Tables
Materials
Wood
Walnut Black Forest Center Table by Matthijs Horrix for Horrix Den Haag, 1890s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent and ultra rare Black Forest center table. Design by Matthijs Horrix for the famous Dutch cabinet makers Horrix Den Haag. Striking Dutch design from the 1880s. Solid hand-...
Category
1890s Dutch Antique Black Forest Tables
Materials
Walnut
Antique Swiss Black Forest Carved Walnut Table
Located in Forney, TX
A scarce late 19th century Swiss Black Forest hand carved walnut table with nicely aged warm patina.
Hand-crafted in Switzerland, circa 1880, the square tabletop features a relief ...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Tables
Materials
Walnut
Natural Red Oak Square Coffee Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
All natural red oak square coffee table.
2" thick tabletop.
Category
2010s Mexican Black Forest Tables
Materials
Oak
19th Century German Carved Wood Table
Located in Seattle, WA
Antique carved wooden table with beautiful, original patina. In excellent condition.
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Tables
Materials
Wood
Antique French round coffee table pedestal Black Forest hunt table griffons 19th
By Black Forest
Located in LA FERTÉ-SOUS-JOUARRE, FR
This classic hunting or Black Forest dining table is from France and dates to the late 1800's.
This one is unusually nice with intricate carvings on the feet. The table is made fro...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Tables
Materials
Oak
One of a Kind Custom Wood & Leather Desk with Black Forest Relief Sculptures
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Extraordinary custom desk made of aged honey oak having two large drawers on each side with 3 smaller drawers in the top. The narrower drawers have decorative carvings with oak leaves and branches. The dark matte brass hardware complements the masculinity of the desk. Weathered cream leather is inset in the top surface. But the piece de resistance is the other side of the desk which has 3 amazing 19th century Black Forest relief...
Category
1980s American Vintage Black Forest Tables
Materials
Leather, Mahogany, Oak
Antique Carved French Oak Oval Hunt Table with Boar, Dog, Fox, and Stag, c 1890
Located in Dallas, TX
A beautiful example of Black Forest style carvings, this hunt table is highlighted by a base adorned with four scrolled leaf legs, each topped by a different animal: boar, dog, stag, and fox (as seen in the main photo, clockwise starting at the lower left). The table was hand-carved from oak in France, circa 1890, with an oval top with rich color and graining. A protruding molding adorned with niches infilled with foliage surmounts a shallow apron with thin molding. Interestingly, there are sections of the infilled niches that are covered by additional leaf tips.
Each of the four fantastically carved animal legs are separated by a floret with a vertical orientation. The grouping is topped by a large, bulbous leaf cup, while a noix hangs down below, embellished with fluted crenellation. An onion foot was added beneath each animal, raising the table to a height of 29 ¾ inches. The perfect addition to a game room, study, or living room, our oak oval hunt table...
Category
1890s French Antique Black Forest Tables
Materials
Wood, Oak
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...
Category
1880s French Antique Black Forest Tables
Materials
Oak
19th Century Massive Black Forest Tilt-Top Table, Switzerland, c.1880
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
An exceptional Swiss Black Forest walnut marquetry tilt-top table The shield form table top, with a marquetry inlay presenting superb examples of original pen-work, and carved apron ...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Tables
Materials
Walnut
19th Century Black Forest Linden and Marquetry Inlaid Occasional Table
Located in Altrincham, GB
19th Century Black Forest Linden and Marquetry Inlaid Occasional Table, the shaped oval top decorated panels of Ibex, Chamois and Montain Deer landscapes above a pierced foliate frie...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Tables
Materials
Walnut
Black Forest Hand Carved Switzerland Pair of End Tables Marble Tops, circa 1800s
Located in Chicago, 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...
Category
1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Tables
Materials
Marble
19th Century French Black Forest Carved Oak Writing Desk With Barley Twist Legs
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional antique Henri II or Renaissance Revival ornate carved oak Black Forest writing desk
France, Late 19th Century
Beautiful ornate carved oak, with barley twist legs...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Tables
Materials
Oak
1950s Walnut Record Hi-Fi Cabinet Sofa Table Black Forest Vintage Mid-Century
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Wonderful Tree Branch-like feet and handles accents. No holes drilled, and Back is finished.
Interior Measurements W 28.25 x D 16.25 in.
Category
1950s American Vintage Black Forest Tables
Materials
Walnut
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...
Category
Early 1900s Swiss Antique Black Forest Tables
Materials
Antler, Wood
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...
Category
1880s French Antique Black Forest Tables
Materials
Oak
19th Century Swiss Inlaid Tilt-Top Center Table
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century Swiss inlaid tilt-top center table is a fascinating work of art in wood, crafted by master artisans to be a miniature showcase piece for all to admire! The marquetry on ...
Category
1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Tables
Materials
Walnut, Satinwood
Vintage Black Forest Style Carved Lamp Table
Located in Dallas, TX
Vintage Black Forest Style Carved Lamp Table was carved from solid sycamore to depict a thick canopy of flowers and leaves, hand-crafted for the L...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Tables
Materials
Sycamore
Black Forest Carved & Intricately Inlaid Tilt-Top Center Table, Swiss, Ca. 1900
Located in Banner Elk, NC
Black forest carved walnut tilt-top table, the top intricately inlaid with a central medallion depicting a family of alpine chamois, surrounded by medallions of inlaid floral scrollw...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Tables
Materials
Satinwood, Walnut
Oval French Hunt Table with Leaf
Located in Evergreen, CO
This table is a rare find! It is uncommon to acquire a hunt table with a finished, matching leaf like this one. Most hunt tables are able to expand but the leaves are missing or made...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Tables
Materials
Oak
Late 19th-Early 20th Century Carved and Inlaid Black Forest Table with Stags
Located in Charleston, SC
Great sized late 19th-early 20th century black forest carved and inlaid table with scenes of stags.
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Tables
Materials
Wood
Black Forest Rustic Side Table with Handcarved Vine Theme, Austria, ca. 1880
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Exceptional 19th century rustic black forest side table, elaborately hand carved around 1880 in Austria. A one of a kind crafted Black Forest table with fantastic vine-theme carvings...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Tables
Materials
Beech, Softwood
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...
Category
1870s French Antique Black Forest Tables
Materials
Marble
19th century French Carved Oak Console Sofa Foyer Table Sideboard Black Forest
Located in Shreveport, LA
19th century French carved oak console sofa foyer table sideboard Black Forest
~Direct from France~
~Stunning hand carving on this oversized 19th century French table/console!~
~Lar...
Category
1880s French Antique Black Forest Tables
Materials
Oak
Antique German Wine Table or Stand with Hand-Carved Saying and Sculptural Legs
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare, meaningful, practical, handcrafted and highly decorative antique table.
This one of a kind table will appeal to spiritual people and collectors of stylish, rare and meaningful...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Tables
Materials
Wood, Leather
Pair of Antique Swiss Black Forest Chairs w. Matching Tilt-Top Table, Late 1800s
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning hand carved Black Forest hall set with marquetry inlay.
These very well crafted pieces of Black Forest furniture are an incredible sight to see. The workmanship and the lar...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Tables
Materials
Wood
Folding Beer Hall Table
Located in Sheffield, MA
Authentic German beer hall folding table. Pair of matching folding benches available. Bench dimensions: 11" D x 86" x 18" H. Great as picnic tables an...
Category
Early 2000s German Black Forest Tables
Materials
Steel
Large Oak Wood Desk with Antler Decorations by Rudolf Brix 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A large antique oak wood desk decorated with several antler pieces from the deer and the Virginia deer as well as wild boar tusks. The doors and sides carry animal heads (staghound and fox) made of pottery. A rare rustic furniture manufactured in Austria ca. 1900 by Rudolf Brix...
Category
19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Tables
Materials
Antler, Wood
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...
Category
2010s Swiss Black Forest Tables
Materials
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 ...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Tables
Materials
Softwood
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...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Tables
Materials
Wood, Oak
Black Forest Wood Carved with Leaved & Grapes Side Lamp End Wine Table Glass Top
Located in GB
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...
Category
20th Century English Black Forest Tables
Materials
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...
Category
Mid-19th Century Dutch Antique Black Forest Tables
Materials
Wood
Large Pair of Italian Venetian Carved Wood Faux Bois Branch Grape Center Tables
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Remarkable and substantial pair of vintage Italian solid carved wood faux bois / branch form accent tables, circa mid-20th century. These "Fantasy" style Tables feature carved pedest...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Black Forest Tables
Materials
Wood
Black Forest Carved Walnut Cabinet
Located in New York, NY
Rustic Black Forest (19th Century) carved walnut cabinet on stand with birds and floral filigree apron.
Category
19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Tables
Materials
Walnut
Rustic Black Forest Walnut Center Table
Located in New York, NY
Rustic Black Forest style (20th Century) walnut center table with carved figure of bear sitting on floor holding round top.
Category
20th Century Unknown Black Forest Tables
Materials
Walnut
Pair of Rustic Black Forest Walnut Floral Console Tables
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Rustic Black Forest (19th Century) walnut console tables with floral carving and stretcher with tapestry covered tops. (PRICED AS Pair)
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Tables
Materials
Walnut, Tapestry
Rustic Black Forest Bear Walnut Table Desk
Located in New York, NY
Rustic Black Forest (19th Century) bear carved walnut table desk with leaf and floral carving and single drawer.
Category
19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Tables
Materials
Walnut
Rustic Black Forest Walnut Center Table
Located in New York, NY
Rustic Black Forest style (German 19th Century) light walnut rectangular center table with carved leaf & vine design on apron with open cluster legs and tooled brown leather top.
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Tables
Materials
Walnut, Leather
Rustic Black Forest Walnut Marble Console Table
Located in New York, NY
Rustic Black Forest (19th Century) walnut console table with faux twig carved base and slat design apron with marble top and drawer.
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Tables
Materials
Marble
Black Forest Furniture Beautiful Small Dining Table, Game Table Matching Chairs
Located in Chicago, IL
Another selection from our vast collection of Black Forest Furniture, is a beautiful small Dining Table or game table with a set of matching Bla...
Category
1890s Swiss Antique Black Forest Tables
Materials
Wood
Black Forest Hand Carved Switzerland Pair of End Tables Marble Tops, circa 1800s
Located in Chicago, 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...
Category
1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Tables
Materials
Marble
Antique Black Forest Game Table, Center Hall Table Dining Table circa late 1800s
Located in Chicago, IL
Another selection from our vast collection of Black Forest furniture, is a beautiful small dining table or game table. Black Forest furniture is both, a bit rustic blended with a dose of whimsy. Our Black Forest table has as an option, (6) matching chairs that we will be listed separately, so please check for current availability. Black Forest items date from the late 1800s, although most people believe Black Forest originated in Germany or Austria, it was the Swiss who are the ones that invented the style from the City of Brienz. Originally, they carved small animal sculptures driven by the Tourist trade but ultimately started building furniture which has been highly collectible for decades. Somehow, we discovered a Collection of (42) pieces of original Black Forest furniture from a French Chateau, and every Black Forest item was placed in one huge room. The huge collection includes; chandeliers...
Category
1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Tables
Materials
Wood
Black Forest tables for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Black Forest tables for sale on 1stDibs. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee.
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