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.
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Original Antique Print After H. Leutemann, Reynard the Fox And Bellin
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.
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Original Antique Print After H. Leutemann, Reynard the Fox- Bruin As Messenger
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.
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Original Antique Print After H. Leutemann, Reynard the Fox- The Envious Horse
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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
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
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.
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Original Antique Print After H. Leutemann, Reynard the Fox And The Coney
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.
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Original Antique Print After H. Leutemann, Reynard the Fox-Hintze As Messenger
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.
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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.
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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.
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Antique Print with Humoristic Scene Featuring Wild Boars and a Painter
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Print with Humoristic Scene featuring Wild Boars and a Painter A colorful antique oil print depicting a humoristic scene in the Black Fore...
Glass, Wood
Original Antique Print After H. Leutemann, Reynard the Fox And Lampe
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.
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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
Original Antique Print After H. Leutemann, Reynard the Fox-Isegrim And The Crane
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.
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Original Antique Print After H. Leutemann, Reynard the Fox- The Combat
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.
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Antique Oil Print with Dramatic Poacher Scene After Josef Ringeisen
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Oil Print with Dramatic Poacher Scene after Josef Ringeisen A colorful oil print depicting a dramatic poaching scenery in the Bavarian for...
Glass, Wood
Antique Oil Print with Dramatic Tiger Hunting Scene in India, 19th Century
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Oil Print with Dramatic Tiger Hunting Scene in India 19th century A colorful oil print depicting a dramatic tiger hunting scenery in India. ...
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.
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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.
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Original Antique Print After H. Leutemann, Reynard the Fox-Place of Execution
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
Antique Oil Print with Dramatic Poacher Scene after Josef Ringeisen
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Oil Print with Dramatic Poacher Scene after Josef Ringeisen A colorful oil print depicting a dramatic poaching scenery in the Bavarian alps....
Glass, Wood
Antique Oil Print with Bear Hunt Scene After Heinrich Buerkel, 19th Century
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Oil Print with Bear Hunt Scene after Heinrich Buerkel 19th cetntury A colorful oil print depicting an alpine bear hunt scenery in the Bava...
Glass, Wood
$299Sale Price|20% Off
H 8 in W 10.44 in D 0.02 in
Original Antique Print of the Lion Hunt Made After the Painting by P.P. Rubens
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print titled 'The Lion Hunt - Die Löwenjagd'. Steel engraving by Carse, engraved after a painting by P.P. Rubens. Published circa 1850. The Lion ...
Paper
Original Antique Print of an English Race Horse
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print titled 'Englischer Wettrenner'. Original lithograph of an English race horse. This print originates from 'Naturgeschichte und Abbildungen der Säugethiere: nach den neue...
Paper
$327
H 11.42 in W 15.36 in D 0.08 in
Antique Horse Print Training the Horses for Shooting by Ridinger, 1722
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print titled 'Die Pferde zum Schiessen zu gewöhnen - Pour former les Chevaux à tenir ferme en tirant'. This print originates from 'Neue Reit-Kunst' by J.E. Ridinger.
Paper
$139Sale Price|20% Off
H 10.83 in W 7.68 in D 0.02 in
Antique Print of the Lesser Spot-Nosed Monkey by Buffon '1755'
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print titled 'Le Blanc Nez'. Original antique print of the lesser spot-nosed monkey (cercopithecus petaurista). This print originates from 'Histoire Naturelle Générale et Par...
Paper
$279
H 15.75 in W 9.85 in D 0 in
Original Antique Anatomy Print of the Muscular and Venous System, 1798
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique anatomy print of the muscular system and venous system. This print originates from 'De Ontleedkundige Plaaten van B. Eustachius' published by J.B. Elwe. Artists and Engrav...
Paper
Antique Print of Macaque Monkeys by Brehm 'c.1890'
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print titled 'Makak'. Original antique print of macaque monkeys. This print originates from 'Brehms Tierleben : allgemeine Kunde des Tierreich...
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Antique Print of a Horse Fair Made after Wouwerman, 'circa 1780'
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print titled 'Du Cabinet de Mr. Le Duc de Choiseul'. Engraving after the original painting by Philips Wouwerman. Scene of horse fair. Source unknown...
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Antique Print of Quiloa 'Africa' by J.N. Bellin, circa 1750
Located in Langweer, NL
This bird's-eye view show the East African island of Quiloa, now known as Kilwa Kisiwani in Tanzania. Printed circa 1750, the map shows the fort, settlements, and gardens of the isla...
Paper
$1,020
H 18.9 in W 24.41 in D 0.02 in
Antique Print of the Winning Horse 'Nutwith' and a Jockey 'c.1840'
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique horse print titled 'Nutwith the winner of the Great St. Leger Stakes at Doncaster, 1843'. This aquatint print shows a winning horse and jockey of...
Paper
Antique Bird Print of the Hen Harrier by Von Wright '1929'
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique bird print titled 'Circus Cyaneus'. Old bird print depicting the hen harrier. This print originates from 'Svenska Foglar Efter Naturen Och Pa Stenritade' by Magnus von Wright.
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$204
H 15.28 in W 12.33 in D 0.02 in
Antique Print of 'The Broken Mirror' made after J.B. Greuze (1902)
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique print titled 'The Broken Mirror'. Original antique print on chine collé made after a painting by J.B. Greuze. This print originates from volume 3 of the series 'The Wallace C...
Paper
Antique Print of Baboons, the World's Largest Monkeys, 1859
Located in Langweer, NL
Original antique print of baboons. This print originates from ‘Das Buch der Welt‘ by Carl Hoffmann. Published 1859.
Paper
Sold
H 10 in W 7.5 in D 0.07 in
Original Antique Print After H. Leutemann, Reynard the Fox- Bruin As King
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
Sold
H 10 in W 7.5 in D 0.07 in
Original Antique Print After H. Leutemann, Reynard the Fox's Confusion
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
Sold
H 7.5 in W 10 in D 0.07 in
Original Antique Print After H. Leutemann, Reynard the Fox- Bruin In Prison
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
Sold
H 7.5 in W 10 in D 0.07 in
Original Antique Print After H. Leutemann, Reynard the Fox And The Priest
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
Sold
H 7.5 in W 10 in D 0.07 in
Original Antique Print After H. Leutemann, Reynard the Fox- Road To Execution
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
Sold
H 13.75 in W 10.75 in D 0.5 in
Vintage Nuremburg Germany Hangman's Bridge Canal Cityscape Etching 14"
Located in Dayton, OH
Mid to early 20th century hand colored etching depicting a view of the Hangmans Bridge over the canal through Nuremburg, Germany. Pencil signed along lower edge. Beveled silver gilt ...
Paper
Antique Print "the Hunters Tomp", Germany Late 19th Century
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Print "The Hunters Tomp", Germany late 19th century A colorful antique print depicting a group of animals like stag, wild boar, hare, staghound and deer visiting the tomp of...
Glass, Wood
Sold
H 13.39 in W 16.93 in D 0.79 in
Antique Print "the Funneral of the Hunter", Germany Late 19th Century
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Print "The Funneral of the Hunter", Germany late 19th century A colorful antique print depicting the funneral of the hunter. A group of animals like stag, wild boar, hare, s...
Wood, Glass
Sold
H 26.78 in W 20.08 in D 0.6 in
18th Century Black Forest Copperplate Johann Elias Ridinger with Hunting Scene
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Large original copperplate by Johann Elias Ridinger (1698-1767) with a typical hunting scene in the forest and the typical foot prints underneath. Unusual big size of the copper plat...
Paper
Black Forest Antler Picture Frame with Humorous Print by Geilfus
Located in Berghuelen, DE
an antique black forest antler picture frame. carved wood frame decorated with antlers from the deer, and turned horn roses. vintage print by heinz geilfus (1890 - 1956), german chas...
Wood, Horn