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.
Black Forest Oak Tray with Foliate Carving and Branch Handles, circa 1880
Located in Atlanta, GA
A richly carved Black Forest serving tray in oak, dating to the late 19th century, circa 1880. This hand-carved piece showcases the traditional craftsmanship associated with the Blac...
Oak
Oval Tray in Black Oak with Bronze Patina Brass by Kifu Paris
Located in West Hollywood, CA
The Kifu Paris Oval Tray in black oak exudes pure sophistication, combining luxurious materials with exquisite craftsmanship. The tray's surface, covered in hand-crafted white shagre...
Brass
Hector Aguilar Meat Carving Tray
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Hector Aguilar with this piece shows us what a born artist he was, the works he did in wood are few, that's why this rare tray is an exceptional piece, we believe that the best way t...
Brass
Shagreen Tray with Dark Wood Handles 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 ...
Wood, Shagreen Stingray
$3,200
H 2.25 in W 26.5 in D 17.75 in
English Mahogany Oval Inlaid Serving Tray with Brass Side Handles. Circa 1810
Located in Charleston, SC
English mahogany oval serving tray with flanking bulbous brass handles, scalloped molded border, centered satinwood conch shell, and intricately intertwined satinwood inlaid ribbon, ...
Brass
$1,200
H 19 in W 31.5 in D 25.75 in
Antique Chinoiserie Lacquer Tray on Bespoke Stand, Circa 1880-1890's.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique Chinoiserie Lacquer Tray on Bespoke Stand, Circa 1880-1890's.
Lacquer
Art Deco Chrome Folding Tray with Triangular Walnut Handle
Located in New York, NY
Exuding modernist charm and functional ingenuity, this Art Deco folding tray is a stylish example of streamlined industrial design crafted in Ame...
Chrome
Fornasetti Tray Holder Tray Black Wood
By Fornasetti
Located in MILANO, IT
Fornasetti trays become elegant coffee tables by adding this black wood base. Is suits a 40 cm diameter metal round tray.
Wood
$350Sale Price|30% Off
H 1.125 in W 30 in D 23.75 in
Antique English Tole Tea Tray, Black Enamel with Bronze, Circa 1840-60
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Oval tole tea tray with rolled rim in black with a stenciled border decoration in bronze powder. Surfaces have been cleaned and polished. England, circa 1840-60.
Enamel, Tin
$665Sale Price|30% Off
H 3.25 in W 26.25 in D 19 in
English oval mahogany standing rim tray with brass handles, c. 1850-1900
Located in Kenilworth, IL
Oval standing rim mahogany tea tray with applied cast brass standing bail handles. England, circa 1850-70.
Brass
$165
H 7 in W 19.75 in D 9.5 in
Art Deco Chrome Folding Tray with Loop Form Handle signed Manning Bowman
Located in New York, NY
This striking Art Deco folding tray, crafted by Manning Bowman in America circa 1935, is an enduring example of the Machine Age's innovative desi...
Chrome
$665Sale Price|30% Off
H 2.25 in W 17 in D 24 in
English mahogany inlaid serving tray with brass handles, c. 1800's
Located in Kenilworth, IL
English oval serving tray in mahogany with a standing rim in alternating blocks of mahogany and satinwood. The tray is fitted with cast brass standing bail handles and centered on a ...
Brass
$3,800
H 13.5 in W 14.25 in D 9 in
English Chippendale Mahogany Diminutive Tray Table with Scrolled Handles, C 1770
Located in Charleston, SC
English Chippendale mahogany diminutive tray table with flanking carved scrolled side handles and resting on the original chamfered block legs, Late 18th Century.
Mahogany
Sold
H 3 in W 29 in D 21.5 in
19th Century Swiss Black Forest Carved Walnut Tray Table with Deer Motifs
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in Switzerland, circa 1870, and oval in shape, the large antique tray features a shaped top with a carved gallery decorated with floral and ...
Walnut
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