Black Forest Furniture
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.
10
885
110
5
to
50
674
306
1,000
999
999
193,250
116,630
41,973
32,346
15,111
11,605
10,515
10,286
9,535
8,682
7,315
7,075
6,322
5,891
5,658
5,252
4,718
3,542
4
509
372
115
242
94
18
30
4
15
21
6
11
5
3
2
784
166
130
127
125
927
396
260
124
71
99
35
8
6
6
Style: Black Forest
Original Antique Print After Heinrich Leutemann, Reynard The Fox, Man & Donkey
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.
Category
1850s English Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Paper
Black Forest Oval Porcelain Plate with Wild Boars Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Completely handmade and hands-free painted large oval porcelain plate for decoration. Two natural moulded porcelain figures wild boars are sittin...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Swiss Black Forest Carved Antelope & Eagles Wall Mounted Letter Holder
Located in Pearland, TX
A rare antique Swiss Black Forest carved antelope and eagles wall mounted letter rack, circa 1900. This fine letter holder is a nice large size and has...
Category
Early 1900s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Swiss Black Forest Bear Musical Child Chair Seat
By Black Forest
Located in Newark, England
Rare Antique Swiss Black Forest carved musical child's chair circa 1890. The chair of novelty form beautifully carved with a naturalistic look. The chair carved as twin bears support...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Metal
German Pendant Light Hand Carved Wood Figure Mountain Climber with Lantern
Located in Barntrup, DE
This wonderful German Black Forest figural pendant lamp features a hand-carved figure of a mountain climber. The detailed carved wooden mountaineer is...
Category
1930s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Copper
Late 19th Century German Carved Black Forest Wood Trophy Plaque
Located in Middleburg, VA
Late 19th century German carved black Forest wood trophy plaque. This intricately carved piece depicts horns, spear, and hunter's pouch hung on plaque en...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pendant Light with a Large Wooden Figure Mountain Climber with Lantern, Germany
Located in Barntrup, DE
Wonderful German figural pendant lamp features a large hand-carved figure of a mountain climber. The detailed carved wooden mountaineer is holding...
Category
1930s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Metal
Oversized Black Forest 19th Century Carved Oak Stag Rack with Antlers
Located in Atlanta, GA
A black forest oversized carved oak coat and hat rack from the 19th century depicting stags with antlers and umbrella stand. Created during the 19th century, this stunning black forest rack captures our attention with its oversized proportions and skillful carvings. Our eyes are immediately drawn to the two stags facing away from one another and topped with very large antlers. Showcasing great finessed in their execution particularly visible on the details of their coat, they exude a majestic expression. They are alert, their ears raised up. Their necks are connected to one another through a central section carved with foliage and twisted rope motifs and topped with a sphere reminiscent of a regalia. These carved heads are resting on a central column with fluted and gadroon motifs, supporting additional antlers of smaller sizes. The lower part showcases an umbrella stand with brass ring, the ensemble being completed by oval container...
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Oak, Antler
Vintage Hand Carved Mountain Climber or Mountaineer Pendant Light
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautifully crafted light fixture for Black Forest and mountaineering enthusiasts. This beautifully executed and sculptural light fixture will look great at your home, but it can a...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Metal
Black Forest Rustic Mirror With Oak Leaves/ Acorn Carvings, Austria, circa 1870
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Exceptional Black Forest Mirror from the late 19th century in Austria around 1870. This phenomenal, elaborately hand carved rustic wall mirror impresses with its simple but artfully ...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Softwood
Antique Black Forest Carved Wooden Pug Inkwell, 19th Century Dog Carving
Located in Bristol, GB
Antique Carving in the Form of a Dog
Raised up on his hind legs, the head with original glass eyes tilts back to reveal the original glass inkwell ins...
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Finer Quality Carved Black Forest Bear Sculpture / Striking Deskpiece
Located in Lisse, NL
Incredible workmanship, antique bear sculpture on a nutwood base.
Most people on earth don't have a very good idea of who they are, nor what they reall...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood, Nutwood
Antique Hand-Carved Black Forest Tobacco Jar or Humidor & Ashtray with Bears
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique tobacco jar or humidor is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from Austria and date to approximately 1900 and done in the perio...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Black Forest Carved & Intricately Inlaid Tilt-Top Center Table, Swiss, Ca. 1900
Located in Banner Elk, NC
Black forest carved walnut tilt-top table, the top intricately inlaid with a central medallion depicting a family of alpine chamois, surrounded by medallions of inlaid floral scrollw...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Satinwood, Walnut
19th Century Brienz Black Forest Carved Bear with Thermometer, ca. 1890s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic late 1900s Black Forest Brienz work of art. This hand carved bear sculpture is a great example of the Black Forest craftsmanship in ...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood
19th Century French Carved Oak Black Forest Plant Stand Jardinière Flower Box
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Gorgeous fully hand carved Black Forest 19th century plant stand / jardiniere in hand carved Fruitwood.
The stand body has outstanding carvings with the center a dimensional carved...
Category
1880s French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
19th Century French Hand Carved Walnut Black Forest Jardiniére or Planter
Located in Birmingham, AL
A 19th century Black Forest jardinière hand carved of solid walnut in the Alsace region of France, circa 1870s. The detailed, intricately carved wood planter features a realistic han...
Category
1870s French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Large Size & Great Quality Carved Jewelry, Treasure or Collecting Box / Casket
Located in Lisse, NL
A beautiful and top condition antique black forest jewelry box, carved on all sides.
This rare and large jewelry box makes a beautiful accessory for a lady with an eye for fine arts. It is a very well fine carved gem and highly practical with a good working lock and key. The detailed leafs, branches and flowers on top
and the marvelous blue...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Brass
Black Forest Crystal Laterne Green Hunting Scene Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Hand blown crystal vase/lantern in green with hand engraved deers and trees all around in the style of black forest.
Completely handmade in Bavaria/Germany. Can be used also with ca...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Top Quality Carved Antique Swiss Black Forest Exhausted Stag Sculpture Inkstand
Located in Lisse, NL
Finest quality carved and very good condition Swiss black forest stag / deer sculpture.
For the collectors of the rarest and best quality Black Forest sculptures we also have this very detailed, hand-carved stag. Looking at the intricate details and the impressively realistic features of this possibly dying stag, this simply can only be the work of a Swiss master carver. Being capable of creating this much detail on a relatively small sculpture takes a god given talent and a lifetime of experience. With the anatomy, the posture AND the balance being perfectly correct, this work of art inkstand is simply devine. An experienced antique seller...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Pendant Light with Hand Carved Sculpture of Mountain Climber and a Lantern
Located in Barntrup, DE
Wonderful German pendant lamp features a hand-carved figure of a smiling and cheerful mountain climber in beautifully hand-painted Bavarian traditional clothing in brown, green, whit...
Category
1930s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Metal
Large Hand Carved Black Forest Standing Stag Deer Sculpture with Huge Antlers
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This quite large and well executed carving is unsigned by the artist, but presumed to have been done in Eastern Europe in circa 1900 in the period Black Forest style. This large carv...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Softwood
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 Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Swiss Black Forest Carved Walnut Stag, Circa 1900
Located in Stamford, CT
Beautifully carved black forest stag with antlers. Clearly carved by a master craftsman, the stag shown in a naturalistic striding pose. The lovely grain of the black walnut adds ano...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Black Forest Set of Six Beer Glasses Hand Blown Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Black Forest set of six beer glasses made in Germany called Bierseidl in clear crystal glass. Hand blown in Bavaria and hand-engraved with trees ...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Black Forest Bambi Figure Porcelain Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Completely handmade porcelain bowl with a hands-free naturalistic painted bambi figure in brown. The bambi is sitting in the middle of the bowl for decorating nuts or sweets around. ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Pair of 19th Century Carved Linden Wood Chairs
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
An unusual pair of 19th century carved linden wood chairs. The backs and legs are carved in the form of tree branches and vines adorned with acorns and leaves. Having slatted bench seats...
Category
19th Century Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Black Forest Style Carved Wall Bracket Shelf
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Black Forest style carved wall bracket shelf
This is a delightful item, the bracket has a carved stag’s head decorated with leaves and trees fro...
Category
Early 20th Century Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Set of Six Black Forest Hand Painted Dinner Plates Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Set of six completely handmade and hand painted underglaze porzelain dishes. The decor shows a black forest hands-free painted oak leaf with a green handsfree line and platinum rimme...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Black Forest Figure of a Tavern Maid and Elk Horns
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This stylish and chic German, black forest carving of a serving maiden with elk horn-mounts dates to the 1950s-1960s. The piece is hand-carved and is finished in a warm pecan colorat...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Metal
Carved Wood Chamois Family by Ernst Heissl, Ebensee Austria, circa 1900
By Ernst Heissl
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A handcarved wooden sculpture of a chamois group with buck, chamois and fawn. A very fine and natural carving by the Austrian woodcarver Ernst Heissl, ca....
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th Century Walking Stick with a Black Forest Carved top Portrait of a Dog
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Fantastic antique walking stick, with a beautiful wood carved head of a dog on top. The stick is extra long in size, which indicates that the stick wa...
Category
1890s French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Black Forest Set of Six Beer Glasses Skier Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Set of six beer glass called Bierseidl in clear crystal glass. Hand blown in Bavaria and hand-engraved with trees and a skier boy in the style of Black Forest. For 0.7 liter beer. Ca...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Black Forest Style Carved Wooden Bunk Beds
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Black Forest style carved wooden bunk beds.
disassembles into 2 parts for transport.
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Black Forest Bench Hallway Swiss Bear Carved 20th Century Sofa Loveseat
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Make sure you always come home with a warm welcome with this marvelous Black Forest sofa in your hallway.
Carved out of solid wood by a master carver th...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Oak
Black Forest Set of Six Glass Plates Green Crystal Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Set of six plates in green crystal with an antique hunting decor all around. The charming hand-engraved decor shows an antique decor with deers, a rabbit and trees in the style of bl...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Pair of 19th C Signed Black Forest Style French Carved Walnut Hunting Gun Racks
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 ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Black Forest Carved Oval Mirror
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Black Forest carved oval mirror
A lovely piece, the 4” wide frame has an intricately carved border. It is carved with many large entwining leaves
The mirror is in good condition...
Category
19th Century Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
Rustic Black Forest Mirror with Acorn/ Oak Leaves Carvings, Austria, circa 1870
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Exceptional black forest mirror from the late 19th century in Austria around 1870. This phenomenal, elaborately hand carved rustic wall mirror impresses with its simple but artfully ...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Softwood
1860s Carved Horn Hunters Pipe in the Style of Lebrecht Wilhelm Schulz
Located in Berghuelen, DE
1860s carved Horn Hunters pipe in the style of Lebrecht Wilhelm Schulz
The rare hunters pipe is made of original horns from the stag and deer and features very elaborate carved hunt...
Category
Mid-19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood, Antler
Black Forest Crystal Laterne Green Hunting Scene Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Handblown crystal vase/latern in green with hand-etched Black Forest decor with deers and trees all around.
Completely handmade in Bavaria/Germany....
Category
2010s German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Black Forest 19th Century Set of Four Oak Wall Brackets Carved as Hunting Animal
By Black Forest
Located in Firenze, IT
This antique and amazing set of four hand carved Black Forest solid oak wood wall brackets are impressively and deeply sculpted with hunting themed motifs. Under each deep hand carved shelf...
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Iron
Large Black Forest Model of the Lion of Lucerne Dated 1867
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A large Black Forest model of the Lion of Lucerne dated 1867, after Bertel Thorvaldsen, carved from stained linden wood, the dying lion depicted beside two c...
Category
1860s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th Century 'Black Forest' Carved Clock with Hunter and Hound
Located in London, GB
A black forest carved hunt clock
Constructed from native Swiss Lindenwood, the clock movement denoting the hours in enamelled Roman numerals and housed w...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Black Forest Carved Wine Bottle Holder
Located in New Orleans, LA
A gentleman carved of linden wood lays upon a cart and is contoured to allow a wine bottle to rest until it is ready to be poured in this Black Forest bottle holder. Its creative design allows one to roll the bottle up and down the length of the table, and the incredible artistry of the Swiss Black Forest wood artisans is evident in the myriad carved details.
The wood carving industry of Switzerland emerged in the early 19th century, and Swiss Black Forest carvings...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th Century Black Forest Carved Walnut and Crystal Center Piece with Goat Decor
Located in Dallas, TX
Dress a table or a console with this elegant antique black forest center piece composition. Crafted in Switzerland (or France) circa 1870, the glass vase rests on a leafy branch shap...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut, Cut Glass
Black Forest Male Figure with Flowers and Horns
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This stylish and dramatic German, black-forest tavern piece dates to 1930s-1940s and it represents the "May Pole" celebration. The figure is hand-carved wood, natural horns and brass...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Metal
German Black Forest Antler Tray with Decanter and Glasses
Located in San Mateo, CA
Unusual decanter set with a tray made of antlers. The set has a cut glass decanter with matching glasses. One glass is missing. Great display piece for a cabinet of curiosities, cabi...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Glass
19th Century Swiss Black Forest Carved Thatched Roof Cottage Box
Located in Stamford, CT
Fantastic and rare example of Black Forest folk art, a tour de force of carving by a master woodworker. This lift top box in the form of a thatched cottage has many wonderful details...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Hand-Carved Wooden Inkwell Desk Set with Owl Figures, 1930s
Located in Barntrup, DE
Beautiful Black Forest style hand-carved wooden double inkwell with a majestic owl figure sitting on two books. The owl has glass eyes, and the Stand has a tray for pen and accessori...
Category
1930s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Metal
Antique Black Forest Carved Oak Bear Smoker's Stand with Music Box
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique black forest carved oak bear smoker's stand, circa 1880. This is an amazing stand and with the additional fanciful element of a music box, somewhat over the top. The bear's h...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood, Oak
Antique Carved Wood Tobacco Pipe with Excellent Dog and Deer Head Carving
Located in Berghuelen, DE
An antique handcarved wood tobacco pipe with fine carved hunting scenes and a carved dog on the lid. At the lower end is a deer head. The pipe is executed in Germany ca. 1880. A grea...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Early 20th Century French Black Forest Carved Walnut Bear Sculpture Composition
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a ranch or hunt cabin with this beautifully executed, antique bear sculpture composition. Hand carved in France circa 1920 from one piece of frui...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Finely Carved Statue of a Bull, Black Forest ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Finely carved statue of a bull ca. 1900
The antique Black Forest carving of a bull which is chafing on a tree stump. It was made most pro...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Hand-Painted Marksman King Target Plaque 1892
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Hand-Painted Marksman King Target Plaque 1892
A rare and beautiful wooden hand-painted shooting target plaque with inscriptions. This rare kings plaque was issued by the sho...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
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...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Softwood
Swiss Black Forest Carved Wooden Planter Box / Jardinière, circa 1895
Located in Evergreen, CO
Elegant from every angle, this beautiful wooden planter box (or jardinière in French) features elaborate carvings over a lattice background. The fro...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Black Forest 19th Century Wood Wardrobe Brienz
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
19th Century Black Forest large wardrobe hand-crafted in solid wood with 3 hangers and a oval shaped mirror with original faceted glass. Hand-carved from solid wood in the shape of a...
Category
Early 1900s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Black Forest furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Black Forest furniture for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, more furniture and collectibles, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, glass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Black Forest furniture made in a specific country, there are Europe, Germany, and Switzerland pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original furniture, popular names associated with this style include Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel, Black Forest, Sofina Porzellan, and Horrix. 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 furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $30 and tops out at $150,000 while the average work can sell for $1,550.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Danish Mid Century Glass Cabinet
Double Display Cabinets
Framed Textile Panel
Chest Turned Feet
Embroidery Sofa
Chinese Republic Period
Double Door Handle
Vintage Cabinet Drawer Handles
Flower Power Vintage
Chinese Reverse Painting
Continental Cabinet
Chest With White Marble Top
Antique Corner Cabinet With Glass
Cast Door Pull
Chest Of Drawers With Carving
Distressed Antique Doors
Clothing Cabinets
Dry Bar Shelf