Black Forest Textiles
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.
2010s Austrian Black Forest Textiles
Fur
2010s Austrian Black Forest Textiles
Wool
2010s Austrian Black Forest Textiles
Wool, Leather
2010s Austrian Black Forest Textiles
Leather, Wool
Mid-20th Century Uzbek Black Forest Textiles
Cotton
2010s Austrian Black Forest Textiles
Linen
Late 20th Century Uzbek Black Forest Textiles
Cotton
2010s Austrian Black Forest Textiles
Linen
2010s Austrian Black Forest Textiles
Linen
20th Century Black Forest Textiles
Cotton, Foam, Wool
2010s Austrian Black Forest Textiles
Linen
2010s Austrian Black Forest Textiles
Linen
2010s Austrian Black Forest Textiles
Linen
2010s Austrian Black Forest Textiles
Wool
2010s Austrian Black Forest Textiles
Wool
2010s Austrian Black Forest Textiles
Wool
2010s Austrian Black Forest Textiles
Fur
2010s Austrian Black Forest Textiles
Velvet
Late 20th Century Uzbek Black Forest Textiles
Cotton
1990s Uzbek Black Forest Textiles
Natural Fiber, Organic Material, Cotton, Wool
Mid-20th Century Uzbek Black Forest Textiles
Wool
Early 20th Century Portuguese Black Forest Textiles
Silk
1990s Chinese Black Forest Textiles
Cotton, Organic Material, Natural Fiber, Wool
1980s Chinese Vintage Black Forest Textiles
Wool
Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Textiles
Wood, Antler
Mid-19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Textiles
Antler, Wood
2010s Italian Black Forest Textiles
Cotton, Silk
Late 20th Century German Black Forest Textiles
Antler, Wood
1990s Chinese Black Forest Textiles
Cotton, Organic Material, Wool
Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Textiles
Wood, Antler
1930s Austrian Vintage Black Forest Textiles
Antler, Wood
2010s Austrian Black Forest Textiles
Velvet
2010s Austrian Black Forest Textiles
Velvet
2010s Austrian Black Forest Textiles
Velvet
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Textiles
Softwood
2010s Austrian Black Forest Textiles
Velvet
Late 20th Century French Black Forest Textiles
Silk
2010s Austrian Black Forest Textiles
Linen
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Textiles
Wool
2010s Austrian Black Forest Textiles
Velvet
2010s Austrian Black Forest Textiles
Velvet
20th Century Black Forest Textiles
Cotton, Foam, Wool