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Black Forest Wall Brackets

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
Antique Victorian era Hand Carved Black Forest Bull Sculpture Wall Bracket
Antique Victorian era Hand Carved Black Forest Bull Sculpture Wall Bracket

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...

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Late 19th Century European Antique Black Forest Wall Brackets

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19th Century Carved Walnut Gun Racks, Black Forest Style, Signed
19th Century Carved Walnut Gun Racks, Black Forest Style, Signed

19th Century Carved Walnut Gun Racks, Black Forest Style, Signed

Located in Vancouver, British Columbia

A highly rare and most unusual pair of carved walnut gun racks, each with a different carved bird at the bottom, one being a hawk or eagle with spread ...

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Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Wall Brackets

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Walnut

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Pair of Swiss Carved Walnut Black Forest Eagle Wall Brackets, Circa 1900
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Geographically speaking, “Black Forest” denotes the forested mountain range in southwest Germany. Since the early 1800’s, the phrase has been used to describe elaborate animal wood carvings, as the figures were thought to have originated in the Black Forest of Germany. It is believed that in the 1850s, the Trauffer’s, a family of woodcarvers, began popularizing the “black forest style” through their handicrafts, furniture making and their instruction in carving at a school in Brienz Switzerland. The popular notion that the Black Forest style has its roots in the the Bavarian Black Forest, in Germany, is likely mistaken. By 1910 there were some 1,300 cottage industries of woodcarvers in the environs of Brienz and the Black Forest style of carving became a major economic force and home industry throughout Switzerland. The communities of Luzern and Interlaken also became noted for these handicrafts. The popularity of black forest carvings was driven by both a strong tourist industry and the crafts movement. The “Black Forest” style describes wooden sculptures or carved replicas of nature’s bounty, incorporated into the design of household items. Antique Black Forest handicrafts exemplify Swiss folk art traditions and are seen in carved clock cases, hall trees, desks, picture frames, chairs and all variety of decorative objects and furnishings. Walnut and linden wood is typically used. The black forest style is the accomplished carving and trained whittling of realistic tree branches, twigs, bears, birds, deer, rabbits, edelweiss flowers and such Both of the brackets seen here feature a small, shaped shelf with a thin recessed molding along the underside. They rest on top of a tripartite tree trunk support, just above an eagle with wings displayed and expanded perched on a branch. Each eagle grips its prey with its talons. Additional branches dotted with small flowers surround each bird. The birds have been presented looking in opposite directions, allowing for them to be displayed on either side of a piece of art or architectural element. Our pair of Swiss black forest eagle wall brackets...

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Extraordinary rare pair of Black Forest rustic curtain rods from the late 19th century in Germany, circa 1880. These artfully hand carved curtain rods impress with a very unique "tree trunk" design. Even the endings were elaborately processed to give it this chapped look. A very dark brown stained surface additionally enhances the visual appearance of the beautiful carvings. The wooden pole on the backside can be easily taken off to hang up your curtains. The mounting system just needs two screws in the wall. A lovely pair of Black Forest curtain poles...

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Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Wall Brackets

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Black Forest Leaves Wall Bracket, circa 1900
Black Forest Leaves Wall Bracket, circa 1900

Black Forest Leaves Wall Bracket, circa 1900

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Antique Black Forest leaves pine wood wall bracket, circa 1900.

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Early 1900s French Antique Black Forest Wall Brackets

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Black Forest wall brackets for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Black Forest wall brackets for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Early 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage wall brackets created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, oak and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Black Forest wall brackets made in a specific country, there are Europe, Switzerland, and France 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 wall brackets differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $495 and tops out at $7,009 while the average work can sell for $1,285.