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 Italian Carved Monkey Butler
Located in Bradenton, FL
A finely carved wooden monkey butler figure on stand, glass eyes, open mouth with teeth, made to hold a tray in its outstretched arms / hands, Italian ea...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Vintage Wooden Strolling Bear Handcarved in Brienz ca. 1950
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Wooden Strolling Bear Handcarved in Brienz ca. 1950
A vintage statue of a walking bear. Made of lindenwood, finely handcarved with naturalistic details in Brienz, Switzerlan...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Late 19th Century Black Forest Bronze Decorative Box by Leopold Oudry & Cie.
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A refined French lidded box, embelished all around with floral motifs in Black Forest style. Made of casted bronze with the original brown patina finish. The box is marked, L. Oudry & Cie. With key, lock is not working.
Léopold Oudry...
Category
1860s French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Bronze, Copper
Black Forest Beer Glass Skier Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
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...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Green Vintage Anatolian Turkish Rug
Located in New York, NY
A vintage Anatolian Turkish Yastik rug mat featuring a pea green field
1'11'' x 4'3''
Category
20th Century Asian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wool
19th C Black Forest Hand-Carved Swiss Brienz Bear with Brass Holder
Located in Savannah, GA
This whimsical hand carved seated wooden brown bear holds a brass cup suitable for cigarettes, matches or even a small bouquet of flowers. Very detailed carving with tiny teeth and a...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Late 19th Century Oil Painting Alpine Village Black Forest Carved Frame
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A antique painting of an alpine landscape in a wooden Black Forest frame. The painting shows a Swiss village in a valley. It is beautifully painted with soft color use. The frame is ...
Category
1880s German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut, Paint
Naturalistic Black Forest Carved Horse Sculpture by Vitus Madl, Germany
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Naturalistic black forest carved horse sculpture by Vitus Madl, Germany.
An antique wooden carved Black Forest horse sculpture carved in naturalist...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Hand Carved Black Forest Bear Sculpture Hand or Vanity Mirror with Beveled Edge
Located in Lisse, NL
Finer quality carved, wooden Black Forest hand mirror, circa 1890-1910
If you are a collector of only the finer quality Black Forest bear antiques then this hand mirror could be the perfect addition to your collection. This antique bear is balancing on a wooden tree trunk and he is holding the beveled mirror for you. His right hand, at some point in time, has been 'reconstructed' and that probably was done at the same time when the excellent condition and beveled oval mirror was replaced. This rare antique has the most wonderful patina and with at least 100 years of age it is incredible to be in this condition still. The original glass eyes and the original red painted tongue and white teeth are the perfect finish to this skillfully carved and intricate bear mirror...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood, Glass, Paint
Vintage Black Forest Style Carved Lamp Table
Located in Dallas, TX
Vintage Black Forest Style Carved Lamp Table was carved from solid sycamore to depict a thick canopy of flowers and leaves, hand-crafted for the L...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Sycamore
Set of 4 Antique Black Forest Style Sycamore Armchairs ~ Game Table Chairs
Located in Dallas, TX
Set of 4 Antique Black Forest Style Sycamore Armchairs ~ Game Table Chairs were hand-carved for the Liberty & Company of London in the final years of the 19th century! Sculpted from...
Category
Early 20th Century French Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
19th Century Black Forest Mantel Clock
Located in Martlesham, GB
A lovely quality 19th century black forest mantle clock, the clock dial located at the centre within a farmyard scene consisting of a cockere...
Category
1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
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
1970s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Metal
Black Forest Crystal Latern Red Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Hand blown crystal latern in red crystal glass from Bavaria Germany. The decor is hands-free engraved by glass artists all around with a hunting scen...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Oval French Hunt Table with Leaf
Located in Evergreen, CO
This table is a rare find! It is uncommon to acquire a hunt table with a finished, matching leaf like this one. Most hunt tables are able to expand but the leaves are missing or made...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Oak
Antique French Bookcase HUNT Cabinet Display Buffet Oak Slim Profile 19th C
Located in Tyler, TX
Superb 19th century antique French oak renaissance black forest "Hunt" cabinet, bookcase, cupboard or display cabinet~~
c. 1880s
This is only one of multiple exquisite pieces recently received from our European shipper~~wonderful hand-carved oak pieces in the highly sought after Black Forest, Gothic, Renaissance Revival and Barley Twist styles~~19th century and in unbelievably spectacular condition! If you're looking for that special and unique "statement piece" for your home or office, please view these items in our inventory!
Black Forest furniture (commonly known as "Hunt" style) was very popular in late 19th century France~~characterized by highly carved game such as rabbits, pheasants, foxes and hunting dogs~~~complemented by fruit, nut, floral, rosette, nut, ribbon accents or Gothic elements
This cabinet is a great size with beautiful French flourish and wonderful carvings!
Original "wavy" glass in upper cabinet door with carved surround
Exquisitely carved pheasant...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Oak
Black Forest Set of 6 Hand-Painted Tumbler Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Set of six hand blown tumbler hands-free painted in Black Forest style. Each glass is handsfree painted with different rims and trees in red. Can b...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Antique Casted Bronze Cow Bell Made in Switzerland, ca. 1930
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A large and heavy casted bronze cow bell manufactured in Switzerland around 1930. The antique bell features high relief motifs of farm animals, human heads and foliages. The bell com...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Black Forest Handmade Cushion Hunting Scene Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Handmade cushion in brilliant green colors in cotton and linen fabric with a hunting scene in the style of Black Forest. The fringe all around is made by hand in the style of the Aus...
Category
2010s Austrian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Linen
Black Forest Cushion Handmade Fringe Hunting Scene Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Handmade cushion in brilliant blue and green colors in cotton and linen fabric with a hunting scene in the style of Black Forest. The fringe all around is made by hand in the style o...
Category
2010s Austrian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Linen
Hand Carved Mountaineer Sculpture Pendant Light w. Brass Arts & Crafts Lantern
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare and beautifully crafted light fixture for Black Forest and mountaineering enthousiasts.
This beautifully hand carved and sculptural light fixture is in superb condition. A ligh...
Category
20th Century Austrian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Iron, Brass, Metal
19th Century Swiss 'Black Forest' Carving a Dog Family
By Walter Mäder
Located in London, GB
A 'Black Forest' Dog Group
The naturalistically carved limewood group shows the bitch couchant and her three playful pups; glass eyes are used in all the figures, in the manner of Walter Mäder...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
A Large Black Forest carved limewood study of a monk, Swiss, circa 1900
Located in Central England, GB
This most impressive large scale Black Forest limewood figure is beautifully carved and depicts the full standing figure of a portly monk dressed in a simple habit cheerfully enjoyin...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Black Forest Set of Six Hand Painted Crystal Tumbler Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Set of six hand blown tumbler hands-free painted in Black Forest style. Each glass is handsfree painted with different rims and trees in green colo...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Black Forest 1880s Carved and Painted Wooden Bear's Head Wall Hanging Sculpture
Located in Atlanta, GA
A black forest carved wooden bear head from the late 19th century, with oak leaves and green, yellow and red accents. Created during the last quarter of the 19th century, this Black Forest wall...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Monumental 19th Century Black Forest Carved “Spoils of the Hunt” Wall Clock
Located in Atlanta, GA
One of the most impressive masterfully carved German or Swiss black forest wall clocks I have ever had in my possession circa 1880. The shear size and quality of the carvings is incredible.
Adorned with several duck and bird forms to the clock, a rifle, catch bag, powder horn and bird call...
Category
Mid-19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Brass
Fantastic Oak Wood Gun Cabinet with Horn Decoration ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Fantastic oak wood gun cabinet with horn decoration ca. 1900
An antique Black Forest oak wood cabinet. Richly decorated with several antlers from the stag and fallow deer, wild boar...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Wood
Black Forest Cushion Handmade Fringe Hunting Scene Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Handmade cushion in brilliant dark
blue, red and green colors in cotton and linen fabric with a hunting scene in the style of Black Forest. The fringe all around is made by hand in ...
Category
2010s Austrian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Linen
Colorful Vintage Suzani Embroidery
Located in New York, NY
Hand-embroidered Suzani textile made in the last quarter of the 20th century. Glowing vibrant colors executed by the weaver giving it an old-world look and vintage feel.
Measur...
Category
Late 20th Century Uzbek Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Cotton
19th Century Swiss Inlaid Tilt-Top Center Table
Located in Dallas, TX
19th century Swiss inlaid tilt-top center table is a fascinating work of art in wood, crafted by master artisans to be a miniature showcase piece for all to admire! The marquetry on ...
Category
1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Satinwood, Walnut
Black Forest Crystal Latern Green Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Hand blown crystal latern in green crystal glass from Bavaria Germany. The decor is hands-free engraved by glass artists all around with a hunting scene with trees in the style of Bl...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Black Forest Carved Large Terrier Inkwell, Hinged Lid, Exceptional Carving
Located in Banner Elk, NC
Black Forest Breinzware Large Inkwell, carved as begging terrier with tongue protruding, with inset glass eyes, the hinged head concealing a glass inkwel...
Category
1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Softwood
19th Century Carved Ebonized Black Forest Painting Easel
Located in Milford, NH
A fine example of an ebonized Black Forest hand carved easel with foliate crest and faux bois supports, a hinged rear support leg, and adjustable painting ...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th Century German Black Forest Chip-Carved Suite Desk with Drawer and Chair
Located in Vero Beach, FL
19th century German black forest chip-carved suite desk with drawer and chair.
Impressive and extremely rare Black Forest desk and chair. The rectangul...
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Pine
19th Century Black Forest Extending Book Rack
Located in Martlesham, GB
19th Century black forest extending book rack, with finely a carved bear at either end standing on carved logs, when fully extended the total length is ...
Category
1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Antique Business Card Tray with Deer Antler Decorations, Germany, ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Business card tray with deer horn antler decorations, Germany ca. 1900
A rustic business card tray, made of turned nut wood with deer antle...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Set of Three 19th Century Black Forest Carvings
Located in Martlesham, GB
A set of three 19th century black forest carvings of bears in different poses, all three bears are in very good condition and having lovely crisp carving. Circa 1880.
Category
1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Black Forest Bear on All Fours
Located in Nantwich, GB
Heavily carved life size old Swiss bear on all fours.
Part of a private collection for more than 40 years.
Glass eyes.
Wheels inset within the bea...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Early 20th Century French Carved Black Forest Hunting Barometer and Thermometer
Located in Birmingham, AL
A stunning early 20th century French black forest barometer with thermometer, circa 1900. Found in a hunting lodge in Lyon, this antique weather station...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
19th Century Black Forest Wall Shrine with St. Anthony of Padua & Jesus
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century Black Forest Wall Shrine with Porcelain St. Anthony of Padua & Jesus will make a splendid devotional for any room, and features sculpted wood combining the Renaissance and Classical styles in a lovely oval form upon which has been placed burgundy velvet, making the painted porcelain figurine of St. Anthony cradling the infant Jesus...
Category
1880s German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Porcelain, Velvet, Oak
Black Forest Pottery Dish Hand-Painted Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel Austria
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Large hands-free painted pottery dish in the style of black forest. Decorated with a handpainted green decor with trees and a hands-free painted garlande ....
Category
2010s Austrian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Pottery, Ceramic
Black Forest Hand-Painted Porcelain Bambi Figur Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Hand painted porcelain bambi figure. Hand painted in a naturalistic style. The bambi figure is completely handmade in Bavaria.
About Sofina porcelain:
Sofina porcelain was found 20...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Original Antique Print After Heinrich Leutemann, Reynard The Fox, Wolves On Ice
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 Porcelain Bowl with Bambi Figure 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
Original Antique Print After Heinrich Leutemann, Reynard the Fox and Merknau
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
Carved Wooden Horse, Black Forest, 19th Century
Located in MARSEILLE, FR
Horse in front of a trough, carved wood, work of great finesse and delicacy
Good condition, restorations (almost invisible!) on the legs
Black Forest, similar to the work of Huggle...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
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
Black Forest Porcelain Bowl with Fox Handpainted Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Completely handmade porcelain bowl with a hands-free natrualistic 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
Black Forest Carved & Intricately Inlaid Musical Chair, Swiss, ca. 1900
Located in Banner Elk, NC
A Black Forest Carved Walnut Chair, the seat and seatback with intricately inlaid cartouches each depicting an alpine chamois, with carved edelweiss and leaves, with the working musi...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Satinwood, Walnut
Original Antique Print After Heinrich Leutemann, Reynard the Fox and Grimbart
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
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
Black Forest Wall Light Shade Wallpaper with Hunting Scene Sofina Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Large handmade lampshade made of wallpaper with a hunting scene in red and beige in the style of black forest. Made by hand in Austria.
Fixed with green and red paspol. Two handmade iron angles to supply electricity will be delivered with the shades. See last picture.
To be used as wall lightning.
Category
2010s Austrian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Paper
Black Forest Set vof Six Hand-Engraved Crystal Plates Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Set of six plates in colored blue crystal with a hands-free engraved winter decor all around. The charming hand-engraved decor shows different trees and mountains in the style of Bla...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Antique Swiss Samuel Troll Fils Key Wind Cylinder Music Box
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Made in Switzerland in approximately 1850, this key wind brass cylinder music box is set in a burled walnut case with an inlaid shield in the top and has a gl...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Metal
Black Forest Crystal Latern Amber Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Hand blown crystal latern in amber crystal glass from Bavaria Germany. The decor is hands-free engraved by glass artists all around with a hunting scene with trees in the style of Bl...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Black Forest Set of Six Glass Plates Red Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Set of six crystal plates in brillant red color with an country style decor all around. The charming black forest decor is hand.-engraved and shows ...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Glass
Black Forest Porcelain Figure Fox Handpainted Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Completely handmade porcelain figure with a hands-free naturalistic hand-painted fox in brown colors in the style of Black Forest. Handmade in Bavaria/Germany by Sofina Boutique Kitz...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Large Vintage German Christmas Jumping Jack
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Large vintage christmas jumping jack in wood. The front covered in paper with a beautiful vintage decoration Handmade in the area of Erzgebirge Germany. T...
Category
1950s German Vintage 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.
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