Black Forest Shelves and Wall Cabinets
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.
1940s German Vintage Black Forest Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Metal
Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Walnut, Leather
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Wood
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Wood, Antler
1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Wood
1890s German Antique Black Forest Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Hardwood
1870s Swiss Antique Black Forest Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Oak
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Wood
Early 1900s German Antique Black Forest Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Wood, Paper
19th Century Dutch Antique Black Forest Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Fruitwood
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Black Forest Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Bronze
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Black Forest Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Stainless Steel
Mid-20th Century Danish Black Forest Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Metal
18th Century French Antique Black Forest Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Glass, Wood
1970s American Vintage Black Forest Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Plastic
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Brass
1920s American Vintage Black Forest Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Wood
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Wood, Oak
1970s German Vintage Black Forest Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Plastic
Late 19th Century English Antique Black Forest Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Oak
1910s German Vintage Black Forest Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Hardwood
1950s Dutch Vintage Black Forest Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Metal
Early 1900s Swiss Antique Black Forest Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Softwood
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Walnut
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Wood
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Wood
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Wood
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Wood
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Walnut
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Brass
Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Mirror, Walnut
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Wood
Late 19th Century European Antique Black Forest Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Walnut
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Shelves and Wall Cabinets
Softwood