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 Carved Bear Smoking / Side Table, ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Black Forest Carved Bear Smoking / Side Table, ca. 1900 A finely carved Black Forest table with a central support in the for...
Wood
Late 19th-Early 20th Century Carved and Inlaid Black Forest Table with Stags
Located in Richmond, VA
Great sized late 19th-early 20th century black forest carved and inlaid table with scenes of stags.
Wood
Black Forest Carved Walnut Cabinet
Located in Queens, NY
Rustic Black Forest (19th Century) carved walnut cabinet on stand with birds and floral filigree apron.
Walnut
An Unusual Swiss Carved Black Forest Smoking Table, Circa 1900
Located in London, GB
Circa 1900 beautifully executed depicting a bear smoking a pipe supporting a naturalistically carved table Dimensions: 51 x 25 x 26 cm For comparison see page 122-125 The Art of th...
Wood
$12,000 / set
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...
Antler, Wood
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...
Leather, 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 GERMAN BLACK FOREST CARVED RAMS HEAD ANTLER SUPPER TABLE PART OF A SUITE
By Black Forest
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
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...
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...
Pine
$1,850
H 31.5 in Dm 18.5 in
Art Deco Styled Chrome Lighted Airplane Smoker's Ashtray Stand or Accent Table
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This very unique lighted smoker's stand is unsigned, but presumed to have been made in North America, likely the United States, in approximately 1950 in an Art Deco style. This smoke...
Metal
Early 19th Century Mahogany Breakfast Table
Located in Martlesham, GB
Early 19th century mahogany breakfast table, the lovely figured rectangular reeded edge top supported on a turned column with re...
Mahogany
$6,300 / item
H 20 in Dm 26 in
Circular Side/End Table Black Modern/Contemporary Hand Carved Blackened Steel
Located in Bronx, NY
TABLE NO. 2 - Round J.M. Szymanski d. 2018 This geometric, solid, steel structure is supported by a cast-sphere base. The refined simplicity of this design speaks volumes, and adds...
Wrought Iron, Iron, Steel
Bistro Table from France ca. 1900
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Charming rectangular café table with a heavy cast iron base (traces of gold paint visible), and a wooden top with a deep green textured finish.
Italian Long / Refectory Table, circa 1900
Located in Copenhagen K, DK
Sophisticated antique Italian long / refectory table from circa 1900, with a delectable matte / dusky blue paint and perfect patina on the worktop surface. An elegant yet rustic tabl...
Wood
19th Century Italian Carved Walnut Table
Located in Houston, TX
19th century Italian carved walnut table. Stunning 19th century Italian carved walnut table or center table. This versatile rustic hand car...
Walnut
$939Sale Price|30% Off
H 27.96 in Dm 19.69 in
Antique fine quality 19th Century wine or side table mahogany and Walnut
Located in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire
Antique fine quality 19th Century wine or side table mahogany and Walnut. Solid with no loose joints. A charming table with a lovely carved pedestal. No woodworm. Would look great...
Mahogany
$21,750
H 31.25 in W 98 in D 32 in
Italian 1800s Walnut Farm Table with Carved Legs, Stretcher and Weathered Patina
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian walnut farm table circa 1800 with carved legs, plain cross stretcher and nicely aged patina. This Italian walnut farm table, circa 1800, exudes a sense of rustic elegance ...
Walnut
$7,450
H 41.34 in Dm 43.31 in
19th Century Oversized Allmoge Étagère or Plant Stand, Sweden, Circa 1820
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional, Swedish, 19th century, allmoge oversized round étagère or plant stand with wonderfully hand-carved base, origin: Sweden, circa 1820 - 1840
Softwood
$4,865 / item
H 23.63 in Dm 17.72 in
Quartz Inlaid Side Table with Sculptural Brass Legs by R&Y Augousti
Located in New York, NY
The Paris based label has distinguished themselves since their launch, with their iconic use of shagreen mixed with brass and other exotic materials. All furniture is handcrafted by ...
Quartz, Brass
Antique Rustic Black Forest Carved Wood Console Table
Located in Forney, TX
An extraordinarily carved Black Forest console table. 19th century, Continental Europe, most likely German, Swiss or possibly French, exhibition quality exceptionally executed mast...
Wood, Oak
$4,471
H 23.63 in W 46.46 in D 12.21 in
Console Art Deco, entrance cabinet, in burl walnut and ebonized walnut.
Located in Vigonza, Padua
1920s Art Deco entrance cabinet, console , in burl walnut and ebonized walnut . Black marble with white veins . Two cabinet with top in crystal. Mea...
Crystal, Marble
Sold
H 31.7 in Dm 31.11 in
ANTiQUE GERMAN BLACK FOREST CARVED RAMS HEAD ANTLER SUPPER TABLE PART OF A SUITE
By Black Forest
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
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...
Oak
Sold
H 31 in W 36.5 in D 36.5 in
Black Forest Furniture Beautiful Small Dining Table, Game Table Matching Chairs
Located in BENSENVILLE, 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...
Wood
Sold
H 50.01 in W 47.25 in D 30.32 in
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 ...
Walnut
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 29.75 in W 44.25 in D 51.25 in
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...
Wood, Oak
Sold
H 29 in Dm 57 in
19th Century French Carved Oak Oval Dining Table Black Forest Game Library Table
Located in Shreveport, LA
19th century French carved oak oval dining table black forest game library table. Direct from France, a large and substantial 19th century hand...
Oak
Sold
H 24 in W 51 in D 45.5 in
19th century French Carved Oak Hunt Coffee Sofa Table Black Forest Hound Fox
Located in Shreveport, LA
Antique French Carved Oak Hunt Oval Coffee Sofa Table Black Forest Lodge Boar/Fox/Hound. Direct from France, a majestic and substantial antique Frenc...
Oak
Sold
H 38.5 in W 26 in D 18.5 in
Antique Swiss Black Forest Carved Inlaid Walnut Marquetry Tilt-Top Table, 1870
Located in Portland, OR
A good antique Swiss Black Forest marquetry walnut tilt-top table, circa 1870. The table having a shield shaped tilt-top, that locks in pla...
Fruitwood, Walnut
Sold
H 46.5 in Dm 32 in
Antique Swiss Black Forest Tilt-Top Pedestal Walnut Marquetry Carved Table, 1880
Located in Portland, OR
A very fine antique Swiss Black Forest tilt-top marquetry pedestal table, circa 1880. The table having a circular top with fruit-wood and ...
Ebony, Walnut
Sold
H 33.7 in Dm 16 in
Rare & Handcrafted Antique Black Forest Nutwood Flower Table, Stand with Drawer
Located in Lisse, NL
Unique and impressive table by Horrix, from circa 1870. If you are a collector of rare, stylish and functional Black Forest pieces then this excellent condition table could be th...
Nutwood
Black-Forest Smokers Stand, 19th Century
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A very good quality 19th century black forest carved wood smokers stand. Having two lidded compartments with two carved bears on their backs, a cigar cut...
Spectacular Set of Antique Scandinavian Antler Chairs and Table
Located in London, GB
Incredible pair of antler chairs with matching table created in Denmark, circa 1890. Superb crafting construction of the fallow and palmate antlers. Oak frame seat that currently wit...
Antler, Oak