Black Forest Antiquities
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.
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Antiquities
Metal
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Antiquities
Metal
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Antiquities
Bronze
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Antiquities
Metal
1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Antiquities
Wood
1890s French Antique Black Forest Antiquities
Wood
1950s German Vintage Black Forest Antiquities
Wood
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Antiquities
Wood
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Antiquities
Wood
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Antiquities
Wood
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Antiquities
Wood
Early 1900s Swiss Antique Black Forest Antiquities
Wood
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Antiquities
Oak
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Antiquities
Walnut
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Antiquities
Walnut
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Antiquities
Wood
1920s Swiss Vintage Black Forest Antiquities
Wood
Early 1900s Swiss Antique Black Forest Antiquities
Wood
1920s Swiss Vintage Black Forest Antiquities
Wood
1920s Mexican Vintage Black Forest Antiquities
Metal
1950s Vintage Black Forest Antiquities
Wood
Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Antiquities
Copper
Early 20th Century Bulgarian Black Forest Antiquities
Terracotta
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Antiquities
Fruitwood
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Black Forest Antiquities
Bamboo
1880s German Antique Black Forest Antiquities
Wood
20th Century European Black Forest Antiquities
Wood, Walnut
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Antiquities
Metal
Early 20th Century English Black Forest Antiquities
Plastic, Wood
1930s American Vintage Black Forest Antiquities
Metal
1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Antiquities
Fruitwood
1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Antiquities
Wood
Mid-20th Century Swiss Black Forest Antiquities
Metal
Early 1900s Swiss Antique Black Forest Antiquities
Wood
Early 1900s Swiss Antique Black Forest Antiquities
Wood
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Antiquities
Oak
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Antiquities
Wood