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
Four Antique Bull Horn Chairs ca. 1870
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Four Antique Bull Horn Chairs ca. 1870
A set of four antique bull horn chairs ca. 1870, covered with antique green velvet which has to be renewed (is loo...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood, Antler
4 Vintage German Souvenir Hiking Badge Walking Sticks Canes 32" - 37"
Located in Dayton, OH
Lot of four vintage German / Austrian folk art traditional hook style walking sticks / canes, embellished with German and other assorted European hik...
Category
Mid-20th Century Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Metal, Enamel
Black Forest inkwell cat in boot Swiss Antique 19th Century hand carved glass
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Gorgeous most rare Swiss Black Forest 19th century Inkwell / desk accessory fully hand carved displaying a cat in a boot.
The cat is very detailed with glass eyes (slight damage to b...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood
pair of German 19th century Black Forest st. etched Glass and Walnut vases
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An elegant pair of German 19th century Black Forest st. etched Glass and Walnut vases. Each beautiful vase is raised on a wonderful array of Walnut water flora below a fluted socle s...
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Glass, Walnut
19th Century French Black Forest Carved Wood Eagle Vase
Located in Austin, TX
French Black Forest carved wood eagle vase , circa 1880.
Height / 10.3 inches.
Category
1880s French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Black Forest Wood Carved Brienz House Inkwell German Vintage, 1890s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic 1890s Black Forest Brienz wood carved inkwell in form of a cabin. Nice addition to your room or just for use it on your desk. Made of hand carved wood and glass eyes. Found a...
Category
1890s German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood
Antique Black Forest Wall Reliefs with Hunting Motifs, a pair
Located in Pearland, TX
A pair of antique 19th century Black Forest hunting trophies, finely carved, featuring partridges, powder horns, rope, acorns and oak lea...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th Century Black Forest Hanging Wall Box
Located in High Point, NC
19th century Black Forest small hanging wall box. The entire piece is hand carved to have the appearance of boards with hand carved appearance of gra...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
Black Forest Swiss 1880s Carved Wooden Grazing Cow with Bell on Neck
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Black Forest Swiss hand-carved wooden cow from circa 1880. This exquisitely hand-carved wooden cow is a pristine example of Black Forest artistry f...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th Century Black Forest Carved Liquor Box
Located in High Point, NC
19th Century Black Forest carved liquor set. The exterior of the box is hand-carved in design as a wood log cabinet, the rectangular Black Forest tantalus is decorated on the top wi...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
Black Forest 19th Century Set of Chairs
Located in Miami, FL
In walnut, the chairs are delicately carved with interesting inlayed of animal figures.
Sold as is to refinish.
Category
Mid-19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Wood Black Forest Brienz Carved Figural Gnome Nutcracker German Antique, 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1930s Black Forest Brienz wood carved Nutcracker in form of a Gnome. Nice addition to your room or just for use it on your desk. Found at an Estate sale in Nuremberg, G...
Category
1930s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Large Exceptional Swiss Black Forest double inkwell desk decoration 19th Century
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Gorgeous most rare Swiss Black Forest 19th century double Inkwell / desk accessory fully hand carved displaying a bird eating nuts & floral leaves / walnuts.
Carved by a master carve...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood
Rare black Forest rooster inkwell 19th century Swiss glass eyes hand carved
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Gorgeous most rare Swiss Black Forest 19th century Inkwell / desk accessory fully hand carved displaying a dog wearing a hat and monocle.
Detailed carving by a master carver. Comes w...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood
Black Forest Hand Carved Large & Extremely Rare Beaver and Bear Pair Table Lamps
Located in Lisse, NL
For the collectors of extremely rare Black Forest animal carvings.
With a combined 35+ years of experience in selling Black Forest antiqu...
Category
Early 20th Century European Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Metal, Brass
Vintage Wild Boar Teeth Trophy on Wooden Plaque, Germany 1950s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Wild Boar Teeth Trophy on Wooden Plaque, Germany 1950s
A vintage Black Forest wild boar (Sus scrofa) trophy on wooden plaque. The teeth are decorated with two metal mounting...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Metal
Antique 19th Century Swiss Black Forest Stag Coat Rack / Hat Rack Carved Hallway
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Gorgeous small coat rack / kitchen rack from Switzerland 1890s hand carved Black Forest stag with brass hooks.
This will look simply amazing in your kitchen hung full with towels or...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Brass
A ‘Black Forest’ linden wood eagle
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A ‘Black Forest’ linden wood eagle, naturalistically carved with wings outstretched, perched on a rocky outcrop, the base with a rubbed metal maker’s plaque most probably for Binder ...
Category
20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Vintage Stag Horn Carving Set by Anton Wingen, Solingen
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Stag Horn Carving Set by Anton Wingen, Solingen
A rustic carving set consisting of fork and knife. The handles are made of genuine stag horn and ...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Metal
Wall Coat Rack with Black Forest Oak Leaf and Acorn Design, 1960s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Iron and Wood Wall Coat Rack, Spain, 1960s
Eye-catching rustic style hats an coats rack with oak leaves iron backplate and wood acorn hangers.
This wall coat rack features two branch...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Iron
Vintage Stainless Steel and Horn Tableware Set for 6 Germany 1950s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Stainless Steel and Horn 12 Pieces Tableware Set, Germany 1930s
A rustic tabelware set consisting of six knives and six forks. The handles are made of genuine deer horn. The...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Metal
Antique French Server Sideboard Buffet Hunt Harvest Cabinet Black Forest Oak 19C
Located in Tyler, TX
SUPERB 19th Century Antique French HIGHLY CARVED Oak "Hunt" "Harvest" Black Forest Server Sideboard Buffet Cabinet~~
c. 1880s
This is only one ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Oak
Antique Deer Horn Carving Set, Sheffield ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Deer Horn Carving Set, Sheffield ca. 1900s
A rustic carving set consisting of fork and knife. The handles are made of genuine deer horn and feature a silver knob on their en...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Metal
Brass Framed Monumental Sized Magnifying Glass with Natural Horn Handle
Located in Savannah, GA
This monumental sized horn handled magnifying glass with brass framework and stem, is of heavy weight and fine quality. The horn is quite ...
Category
Early 1900s German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Brass
19th Century German Black Forest Hunting Plaque
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Large German wooden plaque hand carved in basswood in German Black Forest style. About 1890. The hunting plaque shows a large hare figure and oak leaves in a naturalistic detailed style. Backside antique...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Large Black Forest Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1970s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Black Forest Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1970s
A great vintage roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved plaque. The trophy was shot in 1975. Good conditio...
Category
Late 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Wood
White Tailed Deer Trophy Mount on Wooden Plaque ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
White Tailed Deer Trophy Mount on Wooden Plaque ca. 1900s
A large antique white tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) trophy on a wooden plaque with black finish. The trophy was shot...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Wood
Abnorm White Tailed Deer Trophy Mount on Wooden Plaque ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Abnorm White Tailed Deer Trophy Mount on Wooden Plaque ca. 1900s
A large abnorme white tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) trophy on a wooden plaque with black finish. The trophy w...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Wood
Cute Vichtauer Hand Carved Wood Bird, Black Forest Folk Art, Austria, 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful cute little Austrian 20th century, carved wood bird, mounted on a wooden stand for hanging. The tradition of these in Austria called "Viechtauer" birds goes back to the e...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
Large Black Forest Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque - Germany ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Black Forest Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque - Germany ca. 1900s
An antique 8 pointer red deer (Cervus elaphus) trophy from the Black Forest. The trophy was shot around 1900. The...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Wood
Pair of Pottery Black Forest Huntsmen Figures A very handsome pair
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Pair of Pottery Black Forest Huntsmen Figures
A very handsome pair of 19th Century Figures, 2 huntsmen with their quarry, one holding up a Hare, the other with a Stag on the ground...
Category
19th Century Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Large Antique Black Forest Wall Coat Rack w. Hand Carved Basket of Flowers 1890s
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare, late 1800s, solid oak, handcarved, Black Forest wall coat rack.
Only very rarely will you come across an antique that is as good and original as this large size, work of art c...
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Iron
19th Century French Black Forest Carved Walnut and Glass Complete Liquor Box
Located in Dallas, TX
Create an elegant bar area with this complete antique "Cave à Liqueur"! Created in France, circa 1870 and shaped as a wood log cabinet, the rectangular Black Forest Tantalus is decor...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Glass, Walnut
ANTiQUE GERMAN BLACK FOREST CARVED RAMS HEAD ANTLER SUPPER TABLE PART OF A SUITE
By Black Forest
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this very rare original German late 19th century black forest antler supper cafe side table which is part of...
Category
Early 1900s German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th Century French Carved Bleached Oak Buffet with Fruit and Leaf Motifs
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a den, a game room or an entry with this richly carved antique buffet! Created in France, circa 1860, and built of oak, the cabinet sits on front bun feet over a carved rece...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Oak
Black Forest Vintage Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Black Forest Vintage Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque
A large vintage roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved plaque. The trophy was shot in Germany ca. 1960s. Good...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood, Antler
19th Century Set of 3 Bavarian Black Forest Fruitwood Picture Frames Folk Art
Located in Sherborne, Dorset
A beautifully carved set of three Bavarian picture frames elaborately carved using the ‘notch cut’ technique, each of the wooden frames is held together with a cross-lap joint. Datin...
Category
Mid-19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Glass, Fruitwood
Antique Oil Print with Black Forest Poacher Scene after Josef Ringeisen
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Oil Print with Black Forest Poacher Scene after Josef Ringeisen
A colorful oil print depicting a dramatic poaching scenery in the Bavarian forest. Two poachers are caught in...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood
PAIR OF ANTIQUE GERMAN BLACK FOREST CARVED ANTLER ARMCHAiRS PART OF A SUITE
By Black Forest
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this very rare pair of original German late 19th century black forest antler armchairs which are part of a s...
Category
Early 1900s European Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Oak
Pair of rare Antler Parlor Chairs, France ca. 1860
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Pair of rare Antler Parlor Chairs, France ca. 1860
These two very rare antler parlor chairs are made of stag antlers with feet carved as lions claws. Made in France, ca. 1860 - the ...
Category
Mid-19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Wood
19th Century Set of 5 Bavarian Black Forest Ebonised Picture Frames Folk Art
Located in Sherborne, Dorset
A beautifully carved set of five Bavarian ebonised picture frames elaborately carved using the ‘notch cut’ technique, each frame held together with a cross-lap joint. Dating from the...
Category
Mid-19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Glass, Pine, Fruitwood
Black Forest Mahogany Planter
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
19th century Black Forest mahogany planter.
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Vintage Black Forest Red Deer Trophy from Salem - Germany 1959
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Black Forest Red Deer Trophy from Salem - Germany 1959
A large 12 pointer black forest red deer (Cervus elaphus) trophy from the palace of salem in south germany. Shoot by a...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Wood
Antique Black Forest Brienz Hand-Carved Figural Dog Inkwell
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique inkwell is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from Austria and date to approximately 1920 and done in the period Black Forest style. The inkwell is composed of a ...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Art Glass, Softwood
Black Forest Linden Wood Carved Swiss Bear Glass Eyes
Located in Cheltenham, GB
Black Forest Linden wood naturalistically carved strolling bear with original glass eyes, crafted in Brienz. This exquisitely carved lindenwood piece features realistic details. A...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Softwood
Vintage Stag Horn Winged Poultry Shears by J. A. Henkels, Solingen
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Stag Horn Winged Poultry Shears by J. A. Henkels, Solingen
A rustic winged poultry shears with handles made of genuine stag horn. Blades made of ...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Metal
19th Century French Henri II Carved Bleached Oak Jelly Cabinet with Vine Motifs
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a wine cellar with this elegant and heavily carved antique cabinet. Crafted in France, circa 1870, the jelly cabinet stands on a wide and thick double molded plinth base ove...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Oak
Antique Cheese and Butter Knives with Deer Handles, circa 1950s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Cheese and Butter Knives with Deer Handles, circa 1950s
A rustic serving set consisting of cheese knife and butter knife. The handles are made of genuine deer feet. The blad...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Metal
Antique Stainless Steel and Horn 12 Pieces Tableware Set, Germany 1930s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Stainless Steel and Horn 12 Pieces Tableware Set, Germany 1930s
A rustic tabelware set consisting of six knives and six forks. The handles are made of genuine deer horn. The...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Metal
Large Black Forest Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1967
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Black Forest Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1967
A vintage roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved plaque. The plaque features a handpainted inscription sta...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Wood
Antique Swiss Black Forest Carved Dog Head Bronze Hook Hanger Coat Rack, c. 1900
Located in Pearland, TX
A fine antique black forest Swiss hand carved dog head sculpture plaque coat rack with a gilt bronze hook, circa 1900. It's perfect for your rustic lodge decor in an entryway for han...
Category
Early 1900s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Large Black Forest Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1957
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Black Forest Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1957
A great vintage roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved plaque. The plaque features a handpainted inscripti...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Wood
Antique Black Forest Sofa Ensemble Swiss (5) Pieces Photoshopped with Linen
Located in Chicago, IL
Linen version of Old Plank's Black Forest furniture. We look at Black Forest furniture as being both a bit rustic and a little whimsical. Black Forest furniture dates from the late 1800’s to the early 1900’s and although most people believe Black Forest originated in Germany, or Austria, it was also made in France and Switzerland and the Swiss are the ones who invented the style in the City of Brienz. The original carving of Black Forest furniture and small animal sculptures was driven by the Tourist trade. Old Plank was fortunate to be able to purchase an entire room of Black Forest furniture from a chateau in the South of France. The price includes our Old Plank upholstery department covering the suite in a linen fabric, or in your fabric.
Includes two side tables, sofa and 2 Bergere Chairs...
Category
1890s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Linen, Upholstery, Wood
Swiss Black Forest Gnome Tobacco Jar
By Black Forest
Located in Newark, England
The Gnome stands proud wearing a green apron, hooded top with a large stein in his right hand and his left hand resting in his pocket. The jar is hinged at waistline of the Gnome al...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Large Black Forest Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1954
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Black Forest Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1954
Item e7166
A great vintage roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved plaque. The plaque features a handpainted...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Wood
Large Antique Black Forest Carved Cuckoo Clock with Stag Head
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Antique Black Forest Carved Cuckoo Clock with Stag Head
A large handcarved wooden cuckoo clock, decorated with hunting accessoires, oak leaves, hare, pheasant and a stag head ...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Walnut Black Forest Center Table by Matthijs Horrix for Horrix Den Haag, 1890s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Magnificent and ultra rare Black Forest center table. Design by Matthijs Horrix for the famous Dutch cabinet makers Horrix Den Haag. Striking Dutch design from the 1880s. Solid hand-...
Category
1890s Dutch Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Large Simulated Black Forrest Stag Antler Hanging Chandelier
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Large Simulated Black Forrest Stag Antler Hanging Chandelier
This is a very realistic looking piece, this chandelier design was first made in the 19th Century, and was a great favourite in Scottish...
Category
1960s Vintage Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Resin
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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