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.
Original Antique Print After H. Leutemann, Reynard the Fox And Henning
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image by Heinrich Leutemann From the Reynard The Fox series Fine steel engraving Published by A.H. Payne C.1850 Unframed.
Paper
Vintage Set of Six Roe Deer Trophies on Wooden Plaques Germany ca. 1950/1960s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Set of Six Roe Deer Trophies on Wooden Plaques Germany ca.1950/1960s A collection of six large vintage roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) antler trophies from the 1950/1960s, mo...
Antler, Wood
Set of Six Vintage Roe Deer Trophies on Wooden Plaques Germany ca. 1960s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Set of Six Vintage Roe Deer Trophies on Wooden Plaques Germany ca. 1960s A set of six vintage roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) antler trophies dating from the 1960s, each affixed to a...
Antler, Wood
Large Monumental Black Forest Eagle Clock, Lenzkirch Movement, 19th Century
By Emile Egger, Lenzkirch
Located in Lisse, NL
Top quality, hand carved nutwood eagle clock with Lenzkirch movement. An exceptional and rare late 19th century Black Forest wall clock of monumental size, featuring a superbly hand...
Brass, Iron
Antique Abnorm Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque, Black Forest Germany, ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Abnorm Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque, Black Forest Germany, ca. 1900 Item e8302 An antique roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) antler trophy mounted on an elaborately carved wo...
Antler, Wood
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...
Brass, Iron, Enamel
White-Tailed Deer Trophy on Wooden Shield, Black Forest Germany, ca. 1950s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
White-Tailed Deer Trophy on Wooden Shield, Black Forest Germany, ca. 1950s Item e8301 A white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) antler trophy on a traditional wooden shield, datin...
Antler, Wood
Vintage Set of Four Chamois Trophies on Carved Plaques, Germany ca. 1950s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Set of Four Chamois Trophies on Carved Plaques, Germany ca. 1950s Item e7789 A set of four vintage chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) trophies mounted on carved wooden plaques. Th...
Antler, Wood
Black Forest 6 Pointer Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque Germany 1930s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Black Forest 6 Pointer Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque Germany 1930s Item e8304 An antique 8 pointer red deer (Cervus elaphus) trophy from Germany mounted on a carved wooden plaque ...
Antler, Wood
Abnorm Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque Germany 1930s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Abnorm Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque Germany 1930s Item e8172 A large 8 pointer red deer (Cervus elaphus) trophy with abnorm and unequal antlers from Germany mounted ...
Antler, Wood
Black Forest Antique Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque Germany 1930s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Black Forest Antique Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque Germany 1930s Item e8305 An antique red deer (Cervus elaphus) trophy from Germany mounted on a carved wooden plaque with elabora...
Antler, Wood
Antique Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque, Black Forest, Germany 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque, Black Forest, Germany 1900 Item e8315 A great antique 6 ponter red deer (Cervus elaphus) trophy with unequal antlers mounted on a carved woo...
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...
Antler, Wood
Antique Black Fores Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque, Germany, ca. 1920s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Black Fores Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque, Germany, ca. 1920s Item e8303 A roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) antler trophy mounted on an elaborately carved wooden shield, sho...
Antler, Wood
Set of Six Antique Roe Deer Trophies, Germany ca. 1890s / 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Set of Six Antique Roe Deer Trophies, Germany ca. 1890s / 1900s A great collection of six antique roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) antler trophies from the turn of the 20th century, o...
Antler, Wood
Antique Set of Six Chamois Trophies on Turned Plaques, Germany ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Set of Six Chamois Trophies on Turned Plaques, Germany ca. 1900 Antique set of six great chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) trophies mounted on turned wooden plaques. The trophie...
Antler, Wood
Big Black Forest 12 Pointer Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque - Germany 1930
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Big Black Forest 12 Pointer Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque - Germany 1930 A capital 12 pointer red deer (Cervus elaphus) trophy from Germany, shot arround 1930. The large antlers ...
Antler, Wood
Antique Handforged Cattle Bell Made in Switzerland ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Handforged Cattle Bell Made in Switzerland ca. 1900s An antique handforged cattle bell, made in Switzerland around 1900. The bell comes with its original brown leather strap...
Metal
Red Deer Trophy by Franz Joseph, Prince of Thurn and Taxis, 1969
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Red Deer Trophy by Franz Joseph, Prince of Thurn and Taxis, 1969 This hunting trophy features a roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) with abnormal antlers, mounted on a finely carved wood...
Antler, Wood
Original Antique Print After H. Leutemann, Reynard the Fox Teaching The Creed
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image by Heinrich Leutemann From the Reynard The Fox series Fine steel engraving Published by A.H. Payne C.1850 Unframed.
Paper
Set of Six Roe Deer Trophies on Turned Plaques Germany ca. 1910s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Set of Six Roe Deer Trophies on Turned Plaques Germany ca. 1910s An antique set of six antique Black Forest roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophies mounted on turned wooden plaques,...
Antler, Wood
Great Antique Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque, Germany 1917
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Great Antique Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque, Germany 1917 An antique 8 pointer deer (Cervus pyragus) trophy mounted on a turned wooden plaque. The trophy was shot in Vogtland, German...
Antler, Wood
Large Naturalistic Black Forest Carved Deer Head, ca. 1930s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Naturalistic Black Forest Carved Deer Head, ca. 1930s Item e8183 A great antique wooden carved Black Forest red deer head handcarve...
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...
Antler, Wood
Large Naturalistic Black Forest Carved Ibex Head, ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Naturalistic Black Forest Carved Ibex Head, ca. 1900s A large antique wooden carved Black Forest ibex head handcarved in naturalistic style and fitted with real ibex horns. Ha...
Antler, Wood
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...
Antler, Wood
Original Antique Print After H. Leutemann, Reynard the Fox Shorn
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image by Heinrich Leutemann From the Reynard The Fox series Fine steel engraving Published by A.H. Payne C.1850 Unframed.
Paper
Antique Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque - Germany ca. 1910
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque - Germany ca. 1910 An antique red deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved plaque with dark brown finish which feat...
Antler, Wood
Original Antique Print After H. Leutemann, Reynard the Fox-Isegrim And The Bells
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image by Heinrich Leutemann From the Reynard The Fox series Fine steel engraving Published by A.H. Payne C.1850 Unframed.
Paper
Vintage Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque, Germany 1941
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque, Germany 1941 Item e8308 A rare vintage red deer (Cervus elaphus) trophy from the Black Forest mounted on a wooden plaque. The d...
Antler, Wood
Antique Chamois Trophy on Carved Plaque, Germany ca. 1930s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Chamois Trophy on Carved Plaque, Germany ca. 1930s Antique chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) trophy mounted on a wooden carved plaque with ornate acorn and leaf carvings. The tr...
Antler, Wood
Vintage Wooden Base Trophy Mounting Plaque for Deer Skull
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Wooden Base Trophy Mounting Plaque for Deer Skull Item e7560 A carved wooden plaque for trophies with ornate carvings of acorns and oak leaves. Hand-carved in Germany in the ...
Wood
Original Antique Print After H. Leutemann, Reynard the Fox Relating Adventures
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image by Heinrich Leutemann From the Reynard The Fox series Fine steel engraving Published by A.H. Payne C.1850 Unframed.
Paper
Antique Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque, Germany 1942
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque, Germany 1942 An antiquered deer (Cervus elaphus) trophy from the Black Forest mounted on a wooden carved wall plaque...
Antler, Wood
Original Antique Print After H. Leutemann, Reynard the Fox's Trial
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image by Heinrich Leutemann From the Reynard The Fox series Fine steel engraving Published by A.H. Payne C.1850 Unframed.
Paper
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...
Wood
Great Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque - Germany 1952
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Great Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque - Germany 1952 Item e8177 A vintage red deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved plaque with oak leaves painted in gre...
Antler, Wood
Original Antique Print After H. Leutemann, Reynard the Fox- King Stork And Frogs
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image by Heinrich Leutemann From the Reynard The Fox series Fine steel engraving Published by A.H. Payne C.1850 Unframed.
Paper
Antique Black Forest Carved Bear Chair, Brienz, circa 1880s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Black Forest Carved Bear Chair, Brienz, circa 1880s An exceptional hand-carved Black Forest bear chair dating to around 1880. Crafted ...
Wood
Original Antique Print After H. Leutemann, Reynard the Fox-Gieremund In The Well
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image by Heinrich Leutemann From the Reynard The Fox series Fine steel engraving Published by A.H. Payne C.1850 Unframed.
Paper
Original Antique Print After H. Leutemann, Reynard the Fox- Bellin's Benediction
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image by Heinrich Leutemann From the Reynard The Fox series Fine steel engraving Published by A.H. Payne C.1850 Unframed.
Paper
Original Antique Print After H. Leutemann, Reynard the Fox- The Mare And Wolf
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image by Heinrich Leutemann From the Reynard The Fox series Fine steel engraving Published by A.H. Payne C.1850 Unframed.
Paper
Original Antique Print After H. Leutemann, Reynard the Fox's Triumph
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image by Heinrich Leutemann From the Reynard The Fox series Fine steel engraving Published by A.H. Payne C.1850 Unframed.
Paper
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...
Wood
Antique Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque, Germany 1938
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque, Germany 1938 Antique red deer (Cervus elaphus) trophy from Germany, mounted on a carved wooden plaque. The trophy was shot in ...
Antler, Wood
Black Forest Antique Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque Germany 1920s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Black Forest Antique Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque Germany 1920s Item e8306 An antique red deer (Cervus elaphus) trophy from Germany mounted on a carved wooden plaque with elabora...
Antler, Wood
Vintage Set of Six Roe Deer Trophies on Wooden Plaques Germany ca. 1960s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Set of Six Roe Deer Trophies on Wooden Plaques Germany ca. 1960s A collection of six vintage roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) antler trophies from the 1960s, each mounted on a...
Antler, Wood
Black Forest 12 Pointer Deer Trophy on Plaster Plaque Germany 1920s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Black Forest 12 Pointer Deer Trophy on Plaster Plaque Germany 1920s Item e8191 A large unequal 12 pointer red deer (Cervus elaphus) trophy from Germany mounted on a decorative plaste...
Antler, Wood, Plaster
Six Large Roe Deer Trophies on Carved Plaques Germany 19.Century
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Six Large Roe Deer Trophies on Carved Plaques Germany 19.Century A great set of six large Black Forest roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophies mounted on wooden plaques. The trophie...
Antler, Wood
Original Antique Print After H. Leutemann, Reynard the Fox-Isegrim And Monkeys
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image by Heinrich Leutemann From the Reynard The Fox series Fine steel engraving Published by A.H. Payne C.1850 Unframed.
Paper
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...
Antler, Wood
Vintage Wooden Base Trophy Mounting Plaque for Deer Skull
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Wooden Base Trophy Mounting Plaque for Deer Skull Item e7558 A carved wooden plaque for trophies with ornate carvings of acorns and oak leaves. Hand-carved in Germany in the ...
Wood
Antique 6 pointer Siberian Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque, ca. 1940s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique 6 pointer Siberian Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque, ca. 1940s This piece shows an antique trophy made from a six-point Siberian deer antler (Cervus elaphus), which is mounted o...
Antler, Wood
Vintage Wooden Base Trophy Mounting Plaque for Deer Skull
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Wooden Base Trophy Mounting Plaque for Deer Skull Item e7561 A carved wooden plaque for trophies with ornate carvings of acorns and oak leaves. Hand-carved in Germany in the ...
Wood
Original Antique Print After H. Leutemann, Reynard the Fox's Treasure
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image by Heinrich Leutemann From the Reynard The Fox series Fine steel engraving Published by A.H. Payne C.1850 Unframed.
Paper
Vintage Set of Six Chamois Trophies on Wooden Plaques, Germany ca. 1970s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Set of Six Chamois Trophies on Wooden Plaques, Germany ca. 1970s A set of six vintage chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) trophies mounted on wooden plaques. The trophies were sho...
Antler, Wood
Black Forest Chamois Trophy on Carved Wooden Plaque, Austria 1951
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Black Forest Chamois Trophy on Carved Wooden Plaque, Austria 1951 A decorative trophy of the chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra), mounted on a carved wooden plaque. The plaque is painted ...
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 Item e8159 A vintage roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved plaque. The plaque is decorated with carved ...
Antler, Wood
Vintage Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque, Germany 1950s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque, Germany 1950s Item e8311 A vintage red deer (Cervus elaphus) trophy with unequal antlers from the Black Forest mounted on a woo...
Antler, Wood
Black Forest 8 Pointer Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque Germany 1930s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Black Forest 8 Pointer Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque Germany 1930s Item e8184 A large 8 pointer red deer (Cervus elaphus) trophy from Germany mounted on a carved wooden plaque wit...
Antler, Wood