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
Antique Black Forest Mirror with Rustic Carvings ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Black Forest Mirror with Rustic Carvings ca. 1900
Item e7338
A large wall mirror in a hand-carved wooden frame with carved flowers and oak leaves and three towel hooks. Made ...
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood
Six Pointer Black Forest Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Six Pointer Black Forest Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque
Item e7331
A large six pointer roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved plaque. The trophy was shot in Bavar...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Wood
Antique Carved Wooden Black Forest Standing Bear Sculpture Table / Desk Lamp
Located in Lisse, NL
Beautiful quality and perfect condition bear desk lamp.
If you are a collector of rare, very good quality and highly decorative Black Forest bear sculptures then this fine specimen...
Category
Early 20th Century European Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Glass, Hide, Wood, Paint
19th Century Victorian Era Black Forest Liquor Tantalus with Glasses & Decanters
By Black Forest
Located in Lisse, NL
Large and museum quality hand-carved walnut wood, Victorian Era, Black Forest art, liquor tantalus.
This magnificent Black Forest drinks box, dates from circa 1880. The beautiful ...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Brass
Antique Black Forest Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Black Forest Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque
Item e7328
A lovely antique roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved plaque. The trophy was shot in Bavaria arou...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Wood
Antique Black Forest Abnorm Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Black Forest Abnorm Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque
Item e7329
A large abnorme roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved and stained plaque. The trophy was sh...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Wood
Antique Swiss German Black Forest Brienz Carved Jewelry Box Deer Edelweiss 1890
By Black Forest
Located in Portland, OR
A fine antique carved walnut Black Forest jewelry casket, Brienz Switzerland, circa 1890.
The casket having a hinged lid carved with a pair of deer on a grassy outcrop and in front o...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Carved Wooden Flying Bird Wall-Mounted Figures, Set of Four
Located in Barntrup, DE
A beautiful set of four bird wall figures - flying bird sculptures, hand-carved of linden wood, from circa the 1920s.
The approximate dimensions of the largest bird figure:
Dimensio...
Category
1920s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Wooden Wall Shelf with Vine Leaf Carvings - Brienz / Black Forest
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This exquisite antique wooden wall shelf features intricate carvings of vine leaves and tendrils, showcasing exceptional craftsmanship typical of the Brienz region or the Black Fores...
Category
1890s German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Black Forest Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque, Bavaria ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Black Forest Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque, Bavaria ca. 1900
Item e7336
A large six pointer roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved plaque. The trophy was shot in...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Wood
Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Carved Wooden Plaque 1904
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Carved Wooden Plaque 1904
Item e7342
Antique trophy of a red deer (Cervus elaphus) from the Black Forest, hunted in 1904. The large antlers are mounte...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Wood
Swiss Casted Bronze Cattle Bell ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Swiss Casted Bronze Cattle Bell ca. 1900s
Item e7311
An antique cast bronze cattle bell, made in Switzerland around 1900. The bell comes with its original brown leather strap with bu...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Antique Handforged Cattle Bell Made in Switzerland ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Handforged Cattle Bell Made in Switzerland ca. 1900s
Item e7309
An antique handforged cattle bell, made in Switzerland around 1900. The bell comes with its original brown lea...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Metal
Large Handforged Cattle Bell Made in Switzerland ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Handforged Cattle Bell Made in Switzerland ca. 1900s
Item e7309
An antique handforged cattle bell, made in Switzerland around 1900. The bell comes with its original brown lea...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Metal
Black Forest Sika Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque - Germany ca. 1950s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Black Forest Sika Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque - Germany ca. 1950s
Item e7343
A vintage 6 pointer sika deer (Cervus nippon) trophy from the Black Forest. The trophy was shot around 1...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Wood
19th Century French Black Forest Carved Oak Three-Door Buffet Enfilade
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a ranch or hunting lodge with this important antique three-door Black Forest sideboard. Crafted in France, circa 1870, the highly detailed buffet stands on bun feet over a w...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Oak
19th Century German Black Forest Style Ebonized Walnut Thermometer-Barometer
Located in Chicago, IL
This 19th-century hand-carved German ebonized walnut thermometer-barometer is an exquisite instrument designed to measure atmospheric pressure and forecast weather, while also provid...
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Large Wooden Carved Female Cattle Sculpture Brienz Switzerland ca. 1920s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Wooden Carved Female Cattle Sculpture Brienz Switzerland ca. 1920s
Item e7301
A very large naturalistically carved female cattle - masterly carved in lindenwood, Swiss, Brienz ...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Large Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque - Germany ca. 1950s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque - Germany ca. 1950s
Item e7344
A vintage uneven 10 pointer red deer (Cervus elaphus) trophy from the Black Forest. The trophy was ...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Wood
Antique Black Forest 6 Pointer Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Black Forest 6 Pointer Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque ca. 1900s
Item e7341
A large 6-pointer sika deer trophy (Cervus nippon) from the Black Forest, hunted in Germany around 19...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Wood
Six Pointer Black Forest Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1903
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Six Pointer Black Forest Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1903
Item e7332
A large trophy of a six-toed deer (Capreolus capreolus) on an oak panel. The trophy was shot by Count Bertho...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Wood
Antique Swiss Casted Bronze Cattle Bell ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Swiss Casted Bronze Cattle Bell ca. 1900s
Item e7315
An antique cast bronze cattle bell, made in Switzerland around 1900. The bell comes with its ...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Vintage 29 Pc Lot German Zinn Pewter Schnapps Bar Cups Shot Glasses 2" to 6"
Located in Dayton, OH
Lot of 29 vintage 20th century German pewter / zinn wine beer cups / shot glasses featuring a variety of sizes, embossed patterns and makers. Designs feature Bavarian / Black Forest ...
Category
Late 20th Century Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Pewter
Large Six-toed Black Forest Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque ca. 1910
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Six-toed Black Forest Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque ca. 1910
Item e7340
An antique 6 pointer deer (Cervus elaphus) trophy from the Black Forest. The trophy was shot in Bavaria a...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Wood
Black Forest Wood Carved Bear Statue Smokers Set German Antique 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1900s black forest wood carved desktop accessory in form of a Bear. Nice addition to your room or just for use it in your smokers area. Made of hand carved wood and gla...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Six Pointer Black Forest Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1946
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Six Pointer Black Forest Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1946
Item e7334
A large six pointer roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved plaque. The trophy was shot in ...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Wood
Antique Black Forest Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque, Bavaria 1902
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Black Forest Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque, Bavaria 1902
Item e7330
A large 6 pointer roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved and stained plaque. The trop...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Wood
Black Forest Porcelain Bowl with Fox Figure Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
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
19th Century Black Forest Bear
Located in Forney, TX
A large and most impressive late 19th century Swiss Black Forest style hand carved and painted wooden bear sculpture (also known as a Black Forest bear)
Displaying superior carving ...
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood
19th century carved oak monks bench settle
Located in Chelmsford, GB
Stunning 19th century carved oak Hall bench .
The quality of the carving is top drawer ,very crisp and highly detailed The two back panels depicting men drinking at the local tavern ...
Category
1860s German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Oak
Black Forest Wood Carved Bear Statue Inkwell German Antique 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1900s black forest wood carved desktop accessory in form of a Bear. Nice addition to your room or just for use it in your writing desk. Bear made of hand carved wood an...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Black Forest Hand-Painted Pottery Dish Green Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel Austria
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hands-free painted pottery rectangular dish from Austria in Black Forest style. Grren glazed pottery decorated with a hands-painted tree decor in green all around. Showing trees in t...
Category
2010s Austrian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Pottery
Magnificent French Renaissance Black Forest Hunt Buffet Sideboard Cabinet
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Wonderful solid oak display cabinet that serves as a buffet, sideboard or bookcase from the fabled Black Forest, where Germany, Switzerland and France meet. Dating from around the 1...
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Oak
Large Black Forest Carved Eagle A large piece superbly carved in walnut
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Large Black Forest Carved Eagle
A large piece superbly carved in walnut, he or she has bright piercing glass eyes with up reaching wings having just landed on a rocky tor. A Fearso...
Category
19th Century Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Lovely Antique Black Forest Deer Head ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Lovely Antique Black Forest Deer Head ca. 1900s
Item e6950
A lovely wooden Black Forest deer head made of plaster and wood. Handmade in folk art style around 1900. It features a real...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Horn, Plaster, Wood
19th Century French Black Forest Carved Hunt Trophies Sculptures, Set of 4
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a ranch or hunting lodge with this suite of elegant antique Black Forest wall plaques. Carved in France circa 1870, and built of walnut wood, each plaque is octagonal in sha...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
19th Century Black Forest Carved Jewelry Box
Located in High Point, NC
19th century Black Forest hand-carved jewelry box with a lovely bird and leaves on top. The box is oval in shape and has wonderful hand carved decorations on all sides for a lovely ...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
Antique Black Forest Mirror with Rustic Antler Decorations ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Black Forest Mirror with Rustic Antler Decorations ca. 1900
Item e7339
A large and impressive antler mirror with a wood-carved frame decorated with large carved and turned ho...
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Glass, Wood
Black Forest Porcelain Bowl with Fox Figure Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
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
Antique Swiss Casted Bronze Cattle Bell ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Swiss Casted Bronze Cattle Bell ca. 1900s
Item e7314
An antique cast bronze cattle bell, made in Switzerland around 1900. The bell comes with its ...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Black Forest Hand Carved Chevreuil Deer Trophy Plaque
Located in High Point, NC
Black Forest hand carved chevreuil deer trophy plaque. Dated 1927. These are lovely when hung in a grouping on a wall.
Category
1920s Swiss Vintage Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
Man Hand Carved and Painted Black Forest Mechanical Wooden Bottle Stopper, 1950s
By ANRI
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Vintage Wine Stopper Hand Carved Wood Mechanical Bottle Stopper Cork Folk Art - I believe these are ANRI, made in Italy or Austria, but I see no...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Vintage Wild Boar Teeth Trophy on Wooden Plaque, Germany 1950s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Wild Boar Teeth Trophy on Wooden Plaque, Germany 1950s
Item e6935
A vintage Black Forest wild boar (Sus scrofa) trophy on a turned oak wood plaque. The teeth are decorated wi...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Wood
Large Wild Boar Trophy on Turned Wooden Plaque, Germany 1950s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Wild Boar Trophy on Turned Wooden Plaque, Germany 1950s
Item e6936
A vintage Black Forest wild boar (Sus scrofa) trophy on wooden plaque. The teeth a...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Wood
Vintage Swiss Alpine Cow Bell with Decorated Leather Strap ca. 1950
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Swiss Alpine Cow Bell with Decorated Leather Strap ca. 1950
A large handforged cow bell from the Alps region of Switzerland, manufactured around 1950. The bell comes with it...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Metal
Walter Mader Swiss Black Forest Hand-Carved Dog
By Walter Mäder
Located in San Francisco, CA
the hand-carved and finely detailed recumbent mother Retriever with raised head and glass eyes giving a direct gaze to a distant object; wearing a knotted leash attached to a thick c...
Category
1890s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
A ‘Black Forest’ linden wood long case clock by Spring of Interlaken
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A ‘Black Forest’ linden wood long case clock by Spring of Interlaken, the square silvered dial enclosed behind a glazed door within an ornate case, surmounted by a carving of William...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
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
Item e7349
An 6 pointer red deer (Cervus elaphus) trophy from the Black Forest. The trophy was shot around 1900. The large ant...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Wood
Pair of Small Antique Horn Chairs, Austria ca. 1870
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Pair of Small Antique Horn Chairs, Austria ca. 1870
Item e5681
A pair small bull horn chairs ca. 1870, one covered with vintage cattle coat which has to...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Metal
Antique Bull Horn Hall Stand with Cow Fur ca. 1870
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Bull Horn Hall Stand with Cow Fur ca. 1870
Item e5682
A bull horn hall stand ca. 1870, covered with vintage cattle fur which has to be renewed (...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Fur, Glass, Wood, Horn
Great Antique Horn Chairs, Austria ca. 1870
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Great Antique Horn Chairs, Austria ca. 1870
Item e5680
A pair large bull horn chairs ca. 1870, one covered with vintage cattle coat which has to be rene...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Metal
Circa 1900 Boar Tusk Trophy Plaque
Located in High Point, NC
Circa 1900 hand carved trophy plaque from Switzerland. The plaque is wonderfully hand carved from fruitwood and has four boar's tusks mounted for decoration. These plaques are very...
Category
Early 1900s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Bone, Fruitwood
Large Carved Oak Wall Shelf
Located in LA FERTÉ-SOUS-JOUARRE, FR
This exquisite wall shelf is made from solid oak, showcasing its durability and timeless appeal. The lower section features finely carved details with intricate leaf and scroll desig...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Oak
19th Century Black Forest Carved Cordial Set
Located in High Point, NC
Lovely 19th century drink or condiment caddy hand carved in the Black Forest region of Europe. The central stem handle of the caddy is hand carved to look like a branch, and follows...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
Charming folk art wooden gueridon circa 1900
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Charming folk art wooden gueridon circa 1900
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Black Forest Hand-Carved Dog Head Tobacco Jar in the manner of Walter Mader
By Walter Mäder
Located in San Francisco, CA
How can this not make you smile? This well-carved antique Black Forest box of an expressive shaggy dog with glass eyes, forward gaze, open m...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Antique Swiss Black Forest Carved Wood Bear Head Lidded Tobacco Box
Located in San Francisco, CA
Of large scale, the well-delineated and intricately carved head of a dog with hat motif lid; the expressive face with glass eyes and large snout; most likely from the Black forest ar...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Antique Swiss Black Forest Carved Wood Bear Nutcracker
Located in San Francisco, CA
the hand-carved walnut bear with expressive gaze fitted with glass eyes; most likely from the Black forest area in the Swiss city of Interlagen
Category
1890s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
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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