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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.

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Style: Black Forest
19th Century Carved Swiss 'Black Forest' Life-Sized Stag's Head Wall Mount
Located in London, GB
A Rare Life-Sized Black Forest Stag's Head Carved from Lindenwood, the deer head with realistic fur effect, patination, and glass inset eyes in conjunction with the real three-tined...
Category

19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Black Forest Bookcase or China Cabinet, Swiss, Late 1800's Part of Suite
Located in Chicago, IL
Black Forest bookcase, that was part of a major collection of Black Forest items sold by a Chateau outside of Marseille, France. There is a total of (42) antique Black Forest items that we have imported from the chateau and all will be listed on 1stdibs as soon as they can be photographed. Old Plank has been collecting and selling Black Forest furniture and Black Forest accessories for over 30-years and never have we witnessed a collection of Black Forest of this magnitude. Our 19th century Black Forest bookcase still retains its original wavy glass. Black Forest history began in Switzerland during the 1800’s and expanded with the increasing popular tourist trade. By the late 1800’s, the small animal carvings...
Category

1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Marble

Rare Cigar Holder Bavarian 19th Century Terracotta
Located in Hudson, NY
Rare victorian terracotta and pipe clay cigar holder, late nineteenth century. Produced by the J&C China company of Bavaria. Made for holding cigars. This playful bear with a growl ...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Terracotta

Antique Swiss Black Forest Carved Chamois Wall Bracket Shelf, circa 1920
Located in Pearland, TX
A fine black forest hand carved chamois or antelope wall bracket shelf hand carved in Switzerland, circa 1920. This fine bracket features a handsome chamois surrounded by intricately...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Fine Carved Statue of a Staghound, circa 1920
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Fine Carved Statue of a Staghound, circa 1920 A wooden carved statue of a staghound. It is carved as half relief out of one piece of nutwood. Made in Brienz, Switzerland circa 1920....
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique German Black Forest Style Carved Owl Sculpture with Glass Eyes, ca. 1920
Located in Barntrup, DE
An antique Black Forest style hand-carved Lindenwood owl sculpture, Germany, circa 1920. This impressive naturalistically carved dark brown wooden owl with glass eyes, sitting on a w...
Category

1920s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Large Wooden Black Forest Bear Flower Stand, Handcarved in Brienz 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Wooden Black Forest Bear Flower Stand, Handcarved in Brienz 1900s A antique statue of a standing bear flower stand. Made of lindenwood, finely handcarved with naturalistic det...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Wooden Micro Carving Plaque by Johann Rint ca. 1880
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Wooden Micro Carving Plaque by Johann Rint ca. 1880 A small wall plaque with detailed relief carvings worked out of linden wood by Johann Rint ca. 1880....
Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Late 19th Century Black Forest Farm House Chair Wood Painted Germany
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Hand-painted wooden farm house chair in the style of Black forest in blue-green color with a medaillon showing two sheeps. Original color and paintin...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique French round coffee table pedestal Black Forest hunt table griffons 19th
Located in LA FERTÉ-SOUS-JOUARRE, FR
This classic hunting or Black Forest dining table is from France and dates to the late 1800's. This one is unusually nice with intricate carvings on the feet. The table is made fro...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Oak

Antique French Bookcase Hunt Cabinet Display Buffet Black Forest Oak 19th C
Located in Tyler, TX
SUPERB 19th Century Antique French Oak BLACK FOREST "Hunt" Cabinet, Bookcase, Buffet, Cupboard or Display Cabinet~~ circa 1880s This is only one of multiple exquisite pieces r...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Oak

Antique Mantel Clock with Eagle and Chamois Family, ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Mantel Clock with Eagle and Chamois Family, ca. 1900 A large Black Forest wooden carved mantel clock with an eagle on top and a chamois defending her child. The clock is embedded in a handcarved wood pile. A masterpiece of Brienz woodcarvings which brightens up any chimney piece. The clockwork is cleaned and overworked by a clockmaker - working order. Soberly considered mantel clocks are small pendulum clocks...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Rare old 19th century pharmacy, black forest, in carved wood, brass and bronze
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Rare old 19th century pharmacy, black forest, in carved wood, brass and bronze decoration, with "APOTHEK" inscription
Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Brass

Antique German Westerwald Merkelbach & Wick Salt Glaze Harvest Pitcher Jug 13"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique German Westerwald Merkelbach and Wick cobalt blue salt glaze beer / drink pitcher / ewer / jug featuring a floral leaf theme with Gnomes / Dw...
Category

19th Century Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Stoneware

Antique Wooden Carved Cupboard with Several Carvings
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Wooden Carved Cupboard with Several Carvings A detailed handcarved wooden buffet or cupboard with several elaborately carved wooden decorations depicting lion, putties, ange...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Black Forest Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Black Forest Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque ca. 1900s A great 6 pointer deer (Cervus elaphus) trophy from the Black Forest shot in Germany around 1900. The antlers are mounted...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood, Antler

19th Century Decorated Alpine Cupboard
Located in Penzance, GB
Here we have a very good painted cupboard in untouched condition in original green paint ,with floral panels very typical of the area. The cupboard originates from the Tyrol and has ...
Category

1830s Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Pine

A Black Forest carved wood inkwell with wheat sheafs and poultry
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A Black Forest carved wood inkwell with wheat sheafs and poultry, made of ebonised fruitwood naturalistically carved with a cockerel and hen perched on a rocky outcrop, bundles of wh...
Category

1890s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Black Forest Cushion Deer Leather Stitched Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Deer leather cushion "Kitzbühel" made from dark brown deer leather back side grey wool fabric with a stitched chamois figure in the style of Black Forest. Filled with real feathers. ...
Category

2010s Austrian Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wool, Leather

Art Deco Pair of Table Lamps Pottery Keramis Belgium Black Forest Style
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Pair of French Art Deco table lamps transformed from glazed and hand-painted ceramic vases by Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel. The vases are painted on off-white glazed background. Origina...
Category

Mid-20th Century Belgian Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Pottery

Black Forest Cushion Deer Leather Stitched Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Deer leather cushion "Kitzbühel" made from dark brown deer leather back side grey wool fabric with a stitched chamois figure in the style of Black Forest. Filled with real feathers. ...
Category

2010s Austrian Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Leather, Wool

Antique Cabin Antler Wall Clock with Deer and Chamois Austria ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Cabin Antler Wall Clock with Deer and Chamois Austria ca. 1900 A great rustic antler wall clock. The wooden case is richly decorated with plaster applications, a plaster deer...
Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood, Plaster, Antler

Large Group of Carved Cattles with Glass Vase Inset, Brienz ca. 1890
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Group of Carved Cattles with Glass Vase Inset, Brienz ca. 1890 A rare group of naturalistically carved cattles - bull, female cattle and young cattle standing around a stump. ...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Cut Glass, Wood

Antique Black Forest Bowl or Basket Carved Leaf, Berries & Floral, Germany 1890s
Located in Andernach, DE
Large and expressive – in fact absolutely unique hand carved bread basket or bowl from the Black Forest, Germany. Made from intricately shaped & polished dark walnut wood. Made from ...
Category

19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Black Forest Hand-Crafted Porcelain Bowl Fox Figure Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Completely handmade porcelain bowl with a hands-free naturalistic painted fox figure in brown colors. The fox is sitting in the middle of the bowl for decorating nuts or sweets aroun...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

A Wooden Carved Black Forest Weather Station with Bird
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A Wooden Carved Black Forest Weather Station with Bird A Black Forest meteorological station with barometer and thermometer. Handcarved in German...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Vintage Black Forest Porcellaine Tobacco Pipe with Capercaillie
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Black Forest Porcellaine Tobacco Pipe with Capercaillie A vintage Black Forest porcellaine tobacco pipe with a capercaillie picture on the pipe head. The pipe is executed in...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood, Porcelain

Pair of 19th Century Swiss Black Forest Carved Walnut Hunt Trophies Sculptures
Located in Dallas, TX
These elegant antique wall plaques were crafted in the Alps of Switzerland, circa 1880. The trophies compositions are displayed on a scalloped board decorated with leaf motifs around...
Category

19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Pair of 19th Century French Black Forest Crystal Vases with Dog Sculptures
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a mantel or a man's office with this elegant pair of antique Black Forest carvings with matching vases. Carved in France circa 1870, each large sculpture rests on a circular base and features an hand carved composition with a hunting setter Labrador dogs walking on rocky ground in front of a tree trunk and foliage; each carving is dressed with the original fluted and tapered crystal vase with scalloped edges. Both Black Forests sculptures...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Crystal

19thc French Antique Carved Wood Black Forest King and Queen Wall Sconces
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Pair 19thc French Carved Wood Black Forest type "King and Queen" Wall Sconces. Neoclassical style. This pair is magnificent!
Category

1890s French Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Set of Two Hand Carved Folk Art Deer Head with Real Antlers, 19th Century
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A great looking set of two hand carved original wooden Folk Art deer head wall decorations. A great piece for a suitable ambiance in a trophy room or the office of a Hunter or Woodsm...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique & Mint, Top Quality Carved Black Forest Lumberjack Bear w. Axe Sculpture
Located in Lisse, NL
Incredible craftsmanship from early 1900s Switzerland. This type of detail and finesse in Black Forest carvings is a rare find. The quality of the natural poisture, the rare design ...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Black Forest Carved Walnut Jewellery Box
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Black Forest Carved Walnut Jewellery Box A beautiful looking, well made piece, it is hand carved all over with woodcock and fauna decorations. B...
Category

1880s Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Antique Black Forest Carved Bear Wall Hook Hanger
Located in Forney, TX
A rare and exceptional hand carved German Black Forest wall-mounted hanger. circa 1890 Born in the late 19th / early 20th century, featuring an intricately carved walnut figural bear's head with inset glass eyes, finely detailed gilt brass paws holding a supporting rod, affixed with chain drop hook. Dimensions: (approx) 10.75" High, 8 1/8" Wide, 5.5" Deep, A superb example of German folk art, functional and highly decorative, it's ideal for use as an entryway coat...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Brass

Large Deer Trophy from a Noble Estate, Uneven 14 Ends
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Deer Trophy from a Noble Estate, Uneven 14 Ends A very large uneven 14 pointer Black Forest deer (Cervus elaphus) trophy from the palace of Salem in South Germany. Shot by a m...
Category

Late 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood, Antler

Large 19th Century Walnut Black Forest Painting Frame
Located in San Francisco, CA
A large 19th century hand carved solid walnut Black Forest style picture frame with traditional tree limb and foliage detail. Inner sight of the...
Category

19th Century European Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Vintage Black Forest Porcellaine Tobacco Pipe with King Ludwig II
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Black Forest Porcellaine Tobacco Pipe with King Ludwig II A vintage Black Forest porcellaine tobacco pipe with a picture of King Ludwig II on the pipe head. The pipe is exec...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Porcelain, Wood, Antler

Antique German Westerwald Cobalt Blue Salt Glaze Stoneware Pitcher Jug Ewer 17"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique German Westerwald stoneware pottery decanter jug, ewer or pitcher. Made of cobalt blue salt glaze stoneware featuring Dionysus / Ba...
Category

Early 20th Century Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Stoneware

Antique Leather Strap with Thirteen Bronze Bells, Switzerland ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Leather Strap with Thirteen Bronze Bells, Switzerland ca. 1900s An antique leather strap with thirteen bronze bells from the swiss Alps...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Metal

Antique Figural Black Forest Nutcracker c.1900
Located in Bath, GB
A fabulous late Victorian Black Forest Nutcracker beautifully carved with a fabulous rich dark colour and good bright patina. The Monkey still...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Glass, Wood

Black Forest Hand-Painted Pottery Mug Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel Austria
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Hands-free painted pottery mug from Austria in Black Forest style. Decorated with a hand-painted decor in green all around. Showing trees in the front and a handpainted fox in green ...
Category

2010s Austrian Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Pottery

Antique German Westerwald Cobalt Blue Salt Glaze Stoneware Pitcher Jug Ewer 17"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique German Westerwald stoneware pottery decanter jug, ewer or pitcher. Made of cobalt blue salt glaze stoneware featuring a mythical gr...
Category

Early 20th Century Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Stoneware

Black Forest Hand-Painted Pottery Dish Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel Austria
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Hands-free painted pottery rectangular dish from Austria in Black Forest style. Decorated with a hand-painted tree decor in green all around. Showing trees ...
Category

2010s Austrian Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Pottery

Antique Mantel Clock with Herdsman Family, Goats and Cattle
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Mantel Clock with Herdsman Family, Goats and Cattle A Black Forest wooden carved mantel clock with a lovely herdsman family with their goats and cattles. A masterpiece of woodcarving which brightens up any chimney piece. The clockwork is replaced by battery driven one - working order. Soberly considered mantel clocks are small pendulum clocks with feet...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Bell Belt with Eight Brass Bells, Tyrol ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Bell Belt with Eight Brass Bells, Tyrol ca. 1900s An antique bell belt with eight brass bells from the Tyrolian Alps ca. 1900s. Bell belts are used to locate goats or sheep ...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Metal

Black Forest Hand-Painted Pottery Dish Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel Austria
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Hands-free painted round pottery dish from Austria in Black Forest style. Decorated with a hand-painted tree decor in green all around. Showing trees in the bottom and a handpainted ...
Category

2010s Austrian Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Pottery

Antique Arthur Wood English Silver Shield Staffordshire Style Biscuit Barrel
Located in Atlanta, GA
Arthur Wood (English, circa 1930). A biscuit barrel made with a ceramic body having faux marbleized surface, wicker handle and a black forest style antle...
Category

20th Century British Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Late 19th Century Black Forest Farm House Chair Wood Painted Germany
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Farmhouse chair in the style of Black Forest. Painted in green-blue with a white swan in the medaillon. Original painting, No restaurations. A second matching chair is available.
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood

Vintage Deer Trophy Spain Toledao 1983 uneven Twelve Ends
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Deer Trophy Spain Toledao 1983 uneven Twelve Ends A great uneven 12 pointer Black Forest deer (Cervus elaphus) trophy from the palace of Salem in South Germany. It was shot ...
Category

Late 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood, Antler

Antique German Westerwald Salt Glaze Months of Year Drink Pitcher Jug 11"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique German cobalt blue salt glaze stoneware pitcher / jug / ewer featuring the face of Dionysus or Bacchus - God of wine - on the spout ...
Category

19th Century Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Stoneware

Natural Red Oak Square Coffee Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
All natural red oak square coffee table. 2" thick tabletop.
Category

2010s Mexican Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Oak

Vintage Stag Horn Carving Set Solingen, Germany
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Stag Horn Carving Set Solingen, Germany A rustic carving set consisting of fork and knife. The handles are made of genuine stag horn and feature ...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Metal

Antique Leather Strap with Six Casted Cattle Bells, Switzerland ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Leather Strap with Six Casted Cattle Bells, Switzerland ca. 1900s An antique leather strap with six casted bronze cattle bells from the swiss Alps manufactured ca. 1900. Cat...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Pair of 19th Century French Painted Iron Bird Wall Trophies on Walnut Plaques
Located in Dallas, TX
These large heavy antique trophy plaques were created in France, circa 1880. Set on oval walnut board, each wall hanging decor feature a detailed spelter carved bird in high relief, ...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Spelter

Antique French Oval Game Dining Table Pedestal Black Forest Hunt Honey Oak, 19thC
Located in Tyler, TX
Outstanding antique French oak black forest "hunt" game table or dining table~~oval~~c. 1880s. This table has "the look"~~~one of our most often requested items~~these tables were...
Category

1880s French Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Oak

19th C Shield-Backed Lead/Leash Holder, Carved Wood Bulldog Head with Glass Eyes
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
19th Century lead / leash hanger of shield form having a carved wood bulldog head with glass eyes below 3 single hooks and above a double hook.
Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Metal

Black Forest Antler Arm Chair by J. A. K. Horn, Turingen 1840s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Black Forest Antler Arm Chair by J. A. K. Horn, Turingen 1840s An elaborate antique Black Forest antler arm chair with real stag and deer antlers as legs, arm- and backrests, seat w...
Category

Mid-19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Antler, Wood

Antique Black Forest Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Black Forest Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque ca. 1900s A great 6 pointer deer (Cervus elaphus) trophy from the Black Forest shot in Germany around 1900. The large antlers are m...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture

Materials

Wood, Antler

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.

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