Black Forest Decorative Art
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
Large Masterly Carved Swiss Black Forest Nutwood Chalet with Clock and Music Box
Located in Lisse, NL
Top quality, hand carved and truly impressive antique clock with 8 music melodies.
Over the years we have had the pleasure of owning and selling a number of beautiful Black Forest antiques, but never did we come accross a 19th century Black Forest clock with musical box of this size and with such amazing natural details and patina AND with the original clock and music box inside. And if that was not enough, this finest of Black Forest clocks is top quality carved from top to bottom in the form of a detailed Swiss chalet. Mind you, this very rare antique clock is entirely hand carved out of nutwood only, which is another sign of the quality of the workmanship and the richness of materials. We have added a large variety of photos so that you can see the many incredibly detailed parts of this Swiss chalet, such as the roof and chimney, the many doors, the stacked lumber outside, the doghouse, the outhouse on the side, the striking balconies, the goose sticking its head out through the balcony, the picked fence, the ladder going up to the barn loft, the clock inside the facade of the house, the music box cilinder in the base etc etc. This antique clock from the 1800s really comes with the most realistically carved chalet house you will ever see. To us, that too is a sign that this Black Forest music box...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Decorative Art
Materials
Brass, Iron, Enamel
Antique Black Forest Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque, Bavaria 1932
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Black Forest Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque, Bavaria 1932
Item e7322
A large abnorm roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved plaque. The trophy was shot in ...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Decorative Art
Materials
Antler, Wood
Wooden Micro Carving Plaque by Johann Rint ca. 1880
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Wooden Micro Carving Plaque by Johann Rint ca. 1880
A small wall plaque with detailed relief carvings worked out of linden wood by Johann Rint ca. 1880....
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Decorative Art
Materials
Wood
Set of Six Roe Deer Trophies on Turned Plaques Germany ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Set of Six Roe Deer Trophies on Turned Plaques Germany ca. 1900s
A set of six antique Black Forest roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophies mounted on turned wooden plaques. The trop...
Category
Early 1900s German Antique Black Forest Decorative Art
Materials
Antler, Wood
Vintage Black Forest Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1930s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Black Forest Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1930s
A vintage roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved plaque. The plaque is edged with carved intertwined br...
Category
1930s German Vintage Black Forest Decorative Art
Materials
Antler, Wood
Masterly Crafted w. Edelweiss Flowers Swiss Black Forest Barometer & Thermometer
Located in Lisse, NL
Top museum quality carved Swiss barometer / weather station
This antique barometer is not only about the actuality of the weather, it is also a true work of art and a real pleasure to look at. The attention to detail is incredible and it must have taken a true craftsman weeks rather than days to design and finish the carved frame alone. At a later stage, the handcrafted barometer (in German) and the thermometer (in Celsius & Fahrenheit) were integrated. Notice how the Edelweiss Flowers...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Decorative Art
Materials
Wood
Antique Black Forest Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Black Forest Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque
Item e7317
A great antique abnormal roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved plaque. The trophy was shot around ...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Decorative Art
Materials
Antler, Wood
Pair of 19th Century Austrian Majolica Pepper Platter Johann Maresh
Located in Austin, TX
Small Pair of 19th Century Austrian Majolica Pepper Platter Johann Maresh.
6.3 by 4.3 inches.
Category
1890s Austrian Antique Black Forest Decorative Art
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica
19th Century Black Forest Carved Wood Fish Trophy Wall Plaque
Located in Austin, TX
Oversize and spectacular 19th century Black Forest carved wood trophy wall plaque with a large fish.
Beautiful carved border with acanthus leaves.
Measur...
Category
1880s French Antique Black Forest Decorative Art
Materials
Wood
Pair of Black Forest Style Wall Plaques Circa 1880
Located in Bernville, PA
Pair of Black Forest style wall plaques C.1880’s. Each plaque displays beautifully detailed wood carvings, first photo consists of a fish carving and the other plaque consists of a b...
Category
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Black Forest Decorative Art
Materials
Oak
Antique Black Forest Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque, Bavaria 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Black Forest Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque, Bavaria 1900s
Item e7321
A large antique roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved plaque. The trophy was shot i...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Decorative Art
Materials
Antler, Wood
Antique Hand Carved Black Forest Game Hunter's Bag with Woodcock, Rifle & Horn
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Black Forest antique hand carved miniature wall pocket of a fringed game hunter's bag with woodcock, rifle and horn
Rich, dark patina and very we...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Decorative Art
Materials
Oak
Pair Great Black Forest Wall Sconces with Deer Horns, Germany ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Pair Great Black Forest Wall Sconces with Deer Horns, Germany ca. 1900
An antique pair of Black Forest sconces for candles. Each made of original deer horns which are mounted on a t...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Decorative Art
Materials
Antler, Wood
Black Forest Vintage Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque, Germany 1942
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Black Forest Vintage Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque, Germany 1942
A vintage roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a brown carved plaque with oak leafes. The plaque has a handwr...
Category
1940s German Vintage Black Forest Decorative Art
Materials
Antler, Wood
Large Chamois Trophy on Carved Plaque, Austria 1955
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Chamois Trophy on Carved Plaque, Austria 1955
An vintage chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) trophy mounted on a wooden carved plaque which features acorns, oak leaves and a handwri...
Category
1950s German Vintage Black Forest Decorative Art
Materials
Antler, Wood
Black Forest Vintage Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque, Germany 1930s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Black Forest Vintage Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque, Germany 1930s
An antique roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a brown carved plaque with oak leaves. The trophy was shot a...
Category
1930s German Vintage Black Forest Decorative Art
Materials
Antler, Wood
Black Forest Vintage Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque, Germany 1930s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Black Forest Vintage Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque, Germany 1930s
An antique roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a stained and carved plaque. The trophy was shot arround 193...
Category
1930s German Vintage Black Forest Decorative Art
Materials
Antler, Wood
Vintage Black Forest Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque, Germany 1940s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Black Forest Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque, Germany 1940s
An antique roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a dark brown wooden carved plaque. The skull has unequal ant...
Category
1940s German Vintage Black Forest Decorative Art
Materials
Antler, Wood
Black Forest Antique Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque, Germany 1940s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Black Forest Antique Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque, Germany 1940s
An antique roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved plaque with carved oak leafs and acorns. The...
Category
1940s German Vintage Black Forest Decorative Art
Materials
Antler, Wood
Black Forest Antique Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque, Germany 1940s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Black Forest Antique Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque, Germany 1940s
An antique roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved plaque with carved oak leaves and acorns. Th...
Category
1940s German Vintage Black Forest Decorative Art
Materials
Antler, Wood
Charming Bavarian Girl and Sunflower, Black Forest Nursery Wall Decoration
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Absolutely charming, large wood carving of a young Bavarian girl and sunflower wall decoration
This substantial wall hanging is two feet in length, ...
Category
1950s German Vintage Black Forest Decorative Art
Materials
Wood
$421 Sale Price
60% Off
Black Forest Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque, Germany ca. 1960s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Black Forest Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque, Germany ca. 1960s
A vintage roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved plaque with carved oak leaves and acorns. The tro...
Category
1960s German Vintage Black Forest Decorative Art
Materials
Antler, Wood
Black Forest Vintage Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque, Germany 1936
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Black Forest Vintage Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque, Germany 1936
An antique roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved plaque. The skull has a handwritten inscripti...
Category
1930s German Vintage Black Forest Decorative Art
Materials
Antler, Wood
Black Forest Vintage Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1950s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Black Forest Vintage Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1950s
A vintage roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved plaque. The plaque features big fir branches and fir c...
Category
1950s German Vintage Black Forest Decorative Art
Materials
Antler, Wood
Large Chamois Trophy on Carved Plaque, Austria 1948
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Chamois Trophy on Carved Plaque, Austria 1948
A antique chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) trophy mounted on a wooden carved plaque which features acorns, oak leaves and a handwrit...
Category
1940s Austrian Vintage Black Forest Decorative Art
Materials
Antler, Wood
Black Forest Vintage Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1940s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Black Forest Vintage Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1940s
An antique roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved plaque. The plaque is decorated with carved oak leave...
Category
1940s German Vintage Black Forest Decorative Art
Materials
Antler, Wood
Felix Possart Large Oil on Canvas "A Spring Alpine Journey"
By Felix Possart
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Felix Possart (German, 1837-1928) a large oil on canvas "A Spring Alpine Journey". The elongated painting depicting a mountain scene, possibly set in the Austrian or Swiss Alps, of a young man hiking in the Alps during springtime wearing Lederhosen and carrying a bucket and a water drum...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Decorative Art
Materials
Giltwood, Canvas
$12,450 Sale Price
32% Off
Antique Hand Painted Advertising Poster for a Hemoglobin Fabrication in Munich
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Handpainted Advertising Poster for a Hemoglobin Fabrication in Munich
A large antique handpainted advertising poster for a hemoglobin fabrication in the 19th century in Muni...
Category
1890s German Antique Black Forest Decorative Art
Materials
Wood
Early 20th Century German Hand Painted Ceramic Hunt Scene Wall Platter
Located in Dallas, TX
This large, richly colored ceramic platter was crafted in Germany circa 1920 and captures the rustic charm of a traditional Black Forest hunt scene. Round in shape, the hand-painted ...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Decorative Art
Materials
Ceramic
Black Forest Carved Whip Holder with Bear ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Black Forest Carved Whip Holder with Bear ca. 1900s
A very rare hand-carved coat hook or whip holder depicting a bear with a bucket and walking stick. The hooks are made from real c...
Category
Early 1900s Swiss Antique Black Forest Decorative Art
Materials
Wood
Pair of Carved Lime Wood Pictures
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A pair of Swiss carved lime-wood pictures one showing a hunter being attacked by an eagle as he attempts to raid its nest, the other a climber rescuing a g...
Category
1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Decorative Art
Materials
Wood
Large Chamois Trophy on Carved Plaque, Austria 1940s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Chamois Trophy on Carved Plaque, Austria 1940s
An large chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) trophy mounted on a wooden carved plaque. The trophy was shot in the 1940s in the Austria...
Category
1940s Austrian Vintage Black Forest Decorative Art
Materials
Antler, Wood
Large Chamois Trophy on Carved Plaque, Austria 1954
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Chamois Trophy on Carved Plaque, Austria 1954
An vintage chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) trophy mounted on a wooden carved plaque which features acorns, oak leaves and a handwri...
Category
1950s Austrian Vintage Black Forest Decorative Art
Materials
Antler, Wood
Black Forest Vintage Red Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque, Germany 1920s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Black Forest Vintage Red Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque, Germany 1920s
A large antique red deer (Cervus elaphus) trophy on a wooden plaque, painted in dark green. It comes from the no...
Category
1920s German Vintage Black Forest Decorative Art
Materials
Antler, Wood
Large Black Forest Antique Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque, Germany 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Black Forest Antique Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque, Germany 1900s
A large 6 pointer antique red deer (Cervus elaphus) trophy on a wooden plaque with black finish. The trophy wa...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Decorative Art
Materials
Antler, Wood
Vintage Wild Boar Teeth Trophy on Wooden Plaque, Germany
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Wild Boar Teeth Trophy on Wooden Plaque, Germany
A vintage Black Forest wild boar (Sus scrofa) trophy on a turned oak wood plaque. The teeth are decorated with silver metal ...
Category
1950s German Vintage Black Forest Decorative Art
Materials
Antler, Wood
Big Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Turned Plaque, Germany 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Big Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Turned Plaque, Germany 1900s
A great 6 pointer antique red deer (Cervus elaphus) trophy on a wooden turned plaque with black finish. The trophy w...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Decorative Art
Materials
Antler, Wood
Large Chamois Trophy on Carved Plaque, Austria 1953
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Chamois Trophy on Carved Plaque, Austria 1953
An vintage chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) trophy mounted on a wooden carved plaque which features acorns, oak leaves and a handwri...
Category
1950s Austrian Vintage Black Forest Decorative Art
Materials
Antler, Wood
Vintage Wild Boar Teeth Trophy on Wooden Plaque, Austria 1977
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Wild Boar Teeth Trophy on Wooden Plaque, Austria 1977
A vintage Black Forest wild boar (Sus scrofa) trophy on a carved wooden plaque. The plaque has a handwritten inscriptio...
Category
1970s German Vintage Black Forest Decorative Art
Materials
Antler, Wood
Collection Of Twenty Black Forest Roe Mounts
Located in Buchanan, MI
COLLECTION OF TWENTY BLACK FOREST ROE MOUNTS PRICED PER MOUNT
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Decorative Art
Materials
Walnut, Antler
$495 / item
Large Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque - Germany 1937
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque - Germany 1937
A large 8-pointer red deer trophy (Cervus elaphus) from the Upper Palatinate in Bavaria, mounted on a brown wooden...
Category
1930s German Vintage Black Forest Decorative Art
Materials
Antler, Wood
Buck Deer Animal Needlepoint Wall Art W/Birdseye Maple Frame Black Forest Style
Located in New York, NY
A buck deer animal needlepoint artwork wall art with Birdseye maple frame, circa 20th century, Europe.
Dimensions: 10.13" Width x 8.94" Height....
Category
Mid-20th Century European Black Forest Decorative Art
Materials
Glass, Birdseye Maple
Set of Six Roe Deer Trophies on Wooden Slices Germany ca. 1930s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Set of Six Roe Deer Trophies on Wooden Slices Germany ca. 1930s
A set of six antique Black Forest roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophies mounted on birch wood slices. The trophies ...
Category
1930s German Vintage Black Forest Decorative Art
Materials
Antler, Wood
19th Century French Black Forest Hand Carved Hunt Scene Wall Decor
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a ranch, hunting lodge or simply a man's office with this elegant antique wall decor. Crafted in France circa 1870, the hand carved artwork...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Black Forest Decorative Art
Materials
Walnut
Black Forest decorative art for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Black Forest decorative art for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 19th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage decorative art created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include wall decorations, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, oak and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Black Forest decorative art made in a specific country, there are Europe, Austria, and Germany pieces 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. Prices for decorative art differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,325 and tops out at $4,895 while the average work can sell for $3,475.
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