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.
Large Naturalistic Black Forest Carved Deer Trophy, ca. 1920s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Naturalistic Black Forest Carved Deer Trophy, ca. 1920s Item e8157 A rare antique wooden carved Black Forest red deer head handcarved in naturalistic style and fitted with real...
Antler, Wood
Black Forest Folk Art Carved Wood Chamois Head with Real Horns, 19th Century
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A great looking hand carved original wooden Folk Art chamois head wall decoration. A great piece for a suitable ambiance in a trophy room or the office of a Hunter or Woodsman. More ...
Wood
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
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.
Paper
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 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
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
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
Black Forest Roe Deer Antlers Hunting Trophy 1950 Mount
Located in Pearland, TX
A fine vintage roe deer antler horns hunting trophy on a carved black forest plaque, dated 1950. The plaque is hand carved with oak leaves, acorns, and branches and was found in an o...
Antler, Horn, 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Antique Black Forest White-Tailed Deer Trophy on Plaque - Salem 1860
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Black Forest White-Tailed Deer Trophy on Plaque - Salem 1860 Item e8188 Aa antique trophy of a large white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) from Salem Castle in southern ...
Antler, Wood
Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque ca. 1900s An uneven 6 pointer red deer (Cervus elaphus) trophy from the Black Forest. The trophy was shot around 1900. The large antler...
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
A Pair Great Black Forest Wall Sconces with Deer Antlers, Germany ca. 1950
Located in Berghuelen, DE
PA Pair Great Black Forest Wall Sconces with Deer Antlers, Germany ca. 1950 Item e8192 A vintage pair of Black Forest wall sconces for candles. Each made of original deer horns which...
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 Black Forest Carved Cuckoo Clock with Stag Head on Top
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Antique Black Forest Carved Cuckoo Clock with Stag Head A large handcarved wooden cuckoo clock, decorated with hunting accessoires, oak leaves, hare, pheasant and a stag head ...
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
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
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
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
Set of Six Roe Deer Trophies on Wooden Slices Germany ca. 1960s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Set of Six Roe Deer Trophies on Wooden Slices Germany ca. 1960s Mounted on wooden plaques, this vintage set features six large Black Forest roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophies. ...
Antler, Wood
Mountain Man "The Mountain Ghost" Statue wood carved, vintage German 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A great looking hand carved original wooden Folk Art Statue. A great piece for a suitable ambiance in a Cabin room or the office of a Hunter or Woodsman. More than likely one of the ...
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 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 Hand-Carved Wooden Eagle Mirror with Crescent Glass
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Hand-Carved Wooden Eagle Mirror with Crescent Glass Item e8168 This decorative wall mirror features a finely hand-carved wooden eagle, captured in a dynamic pose with outstre...
Glass, Wood
Great Wooden Carved Plaque with Stag Family, Brienz 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Great Wooden Carved Plaque with Stag Family, Brienz 1900s A great walnut wall panel with an artistically carved scene showing a family of stags in t...
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
Large Caribou Antler Skull Mount Taxidermy Cabin Decor Skull Antlers
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Caribou Antler Skull Mount Taxidermy Cabin Decor Skull Antlers Item e7355 A great antique caribou (Rangifer tarandus) trophy on a wooden plaque. Th...
Antler, Wood
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
Lovely Antique Roe Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque, Germany ca.1930s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Lovely Antique Roe Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque, Germany ca.1930s A lovely antique 6 pointer roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy from the Black Forest mounted on a wooden turned p...
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
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
Antique Sika Deer Antler Trophy on Carved Plaque, Germany 1930s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Sika Deer Antler Trophy on Carved Plaque, Germany 1930s Item e8313 A fine 6-pointer sika deer (Cervus nippon) antler trophy mounted on a circular turned wooden plaque, shot ...
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
Capital Black Forest Uneven 32 Pointer Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Capital Black Forest Uneven 32 Pointer Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque A massive uneven 32 pointer deer (Cervus elaphus) trophy from the Black Forest. The trophy was shot around 1950s....
Wood, Antler
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
Antique Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque - Germany 1932
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque - Germany 1932 An antique red deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved plaque with dark brown finish. The trophy wa...
Antler, Wood
Vintage Eduard Enzmann Alpine Church Landscape Oil Painting on Board 20"
Located in Dayton, OH
Early to mid 20th century oil on board landscape painting depicting a church steeple in a little Alpine mountain village. Signed Enzmann in lower right. Beveled wood frame. "Eduard ...
Paint
Large Naturalistic Black Forest Carved Deer Head, ca. 1930s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Naturalistic Black Forest Carved Deer Head, ca. 1930s A great antique wooden carved Black Forest red deer head handcarved in natur...
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 e7559 A carved wooden plaque for trophies with carvings oak leaves. Hand-carved in Germany in the Black Forest region. ...
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
Life Size Wild Boar Black Forest Hand Carved Folk Art Wood Trophy 20th Century
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A great looking hand carved original wooden Folk Art Wild Boar head wall decoration. A great piece for a suitable ambiance in a trophy room or the office of a Hunter or Woodsman. Mor...
Wood
Antique Black Forest Hand-Carved Deer or Elk Head Wall Plaque or Sculpture
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This well executed antique wall sculpture is unsigned, but presumed to have been done in Switzerland in approximately 1890 in the period Black F...
Softwood
STUNNING ViNTAGE PAINTED BLACK FOREST HAND CARVED RABBIT WHIP HOOK GLASS EYES
By Black Forest
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely, extra large, Swiss made Black Forest wood, Rabbit / Hare whip hook with glass eyes This is a v...
Wood
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.
Paper
Antique Victorian era Hand Carved Black Forest Bull Sculpture Wall Bracket
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning large carved wooden bull wall shelf. 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 wall bull bracket of this size and with such amazing natural details and warm patina. This marvelously handcrafted and good condition, bull sculpture wall shelf...
Wood
Set of Three Vintage Chamois Trophies on Carved Plaques, Germany
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Set of Three Vintage Chamois Trophies on Carved Plaques, Germany A decorative set of three large vintage trophies of the chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra), mounted on a black carved woo...
Antler, Wood
Antique Wooden Carved Black Forest Game Plaque with Fox
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique wooden carved Black Forest game plaque with fox An antique wooden hunting game plaque with impressive carving of a fox and hunting accessoires. Black Forest, executed ca. 1900. Very good condition. This plaque is a splendid addition to every rustic wall decoration. The tradition of wood carving in Brienz dates back to mid of the 19th century. People in the region were looking for new employment opportunities. They used their skills from traditional crafts, carving everyday objects and sculptures, and created a new business. Many woodcarvers were trained in the 'School of Wood Carving, Brienz' which was established in 1884. Around 1900 the woodcarving industry counted ca. 2000 woodcarvers. Brienz woodcarvings were presented on several worlds fairs with great success. With the Gran Tour Tourism wealthy people from all over the word visited the area and took their woodcarving souvenirs home. Today some companies, like 'Huggler Holzbildhauerei' still exist and build traditional sculptures. Measures: Width: 13.78" (35 cm) Height: 18.5" (47 cm) Depth: 2.76" (7 cm) Literature Reference: Peter F. Blackman, Black Forest Woodcarvings, Atglen 2009. Jay Arenski, Simon and Michael Daniels, Swiss Carvings...
Wood
Large Chamois Trophy on Turned Plaque, Austria 1950s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Chamois Trophy on Turned Plaque, Austria 1950s An vintage chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) trophy mounted on a wooden turned plaque with seperate carved oak leafes mounted on the...
Antler, 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
Great Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque - Germany 1954
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Great Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque - Germany 1954 Item e8176 A vintage red deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved plaque with oak leaves painted in gre...
Antler, Wood
Great Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque - Germany 1951
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Great Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque - Germany 1951 Item e8175 A vintage red deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved plaque with oak leaves painted in gre...
Antler, Wood