Black Forest Decorative Boxes
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
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 Decorative Boxes
Materials
Fruitwood
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 Decorative Boxes
Materials
Fruitwood
Antique Swiss Black Forest Dark Brown Carved Wood Glove Box, ca. 1900
Located in Barntrup, DE
Antique Black Forest dark brown carved wood glove box, ca. 1900
This elegant and beautiful Black Forest style finely hand-carved linden wood glove box from ca. 1900 features a rectangular shape, carved with a wood grain pattern and with flowers and leaves in high relief on the lid, and two straps at the ends of the lid. The glove box retains its original purple velvet interior. Label "F. Bruel, Rue des Allemands 10, Geneve" on the bottom of the box.
In good condition, with some signs of aging and use. The key is not working...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Decorative Boxes
Materials
Metal
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 Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Original Antique Grape Vine Carved Black Forest Wood Music Box Needs Service
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this antique original circa 1880 Black Forest Wood music box with grape vine carving to the top
A very good lookin...
Category
1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
Stunning Original Antique Hand Carved Black Forest Wood Jewellery Box
Located in GB
We are is delighted to offer for sale this rather lovely antique original circa 1880 black forest wood jewellery box
A very good looking and well made piece, it is hand carved all...
Category
1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
Stunning Original Antique Hand Carved Black Forest Wood Cigar Box Humidor House
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this rather lovely antique original circa 1880 Black Forest Wood musical Cigar box Humidor with built in music box
A very good looking and well ...
Category
1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
Antique 19th Century Swiss Black Forest Jewelry Box Fruitwood Birds Band Carved
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Gorgeous & breathtaking! This 19th century black forest jewelry box carved out of fruitwood.
Carved by a master carver with at...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Decorative Boxes
Materials
Fabric, Fruitwood
Antique Black Forest Style Wooden Carved Trinket Box or Bucket Owl, circa 1920
Located in Barntrup, DE
Antique Black Forest style oak wood carved trinket box or bucket in a shape of an owl, from circa 1920.
An impressive, large, and beautiful German Black Forest style hand-carved wooden trinket box...
Category
1920s German Vintage Black Forest Decorative Boxes
Materials
Metal
Late 19th Century Black Forest Bronze Decorative Box by Leopold Oudry & Cie.
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A refined French lidded box, embelished all around with floral motifs in Black Forest style. Made of casted bronze with the original brown patina finish. The box is marked, L. Oudry & Cie. With key, lock is not working.
Léopold Oudry...
Category
1860s French Antique Black Forest Decorative Boxes
Materials
Bronze, Copper
Antique Swiss Samuel Troll Fils Key Wind Cylinder Music Box
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Made in Switzerland in approximately 1850, this key wind brass cylinder music box is set in a burled walnut case with an inlaid shield in the top and has a gl...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Decorative Boxes
Materials
Metal
Large Size & Great Quality Carved Jewelry, Treasure or Collecting Box / Casket
Located in Lisse, NL
A beautiful and top condition antique black forest jewelry box, carved on all sides.
This rare and large jewelry box makes a beautiful accessory for a lady with an eye for fine arts. It is a very well fine carved gem and highly practical with a good working lock and key. The detailed leafs, branches and flowers on top
and the marvelous blue...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
19th Century Swiss Black Forest Carved Thatched Roof Cottage Box
Located in Stamford, CT
Fantastic and rare example of Black Forest folk art, a tour de force of carving by a master woodworker. This lift top box in the form of a thatched cottage has many wonderful details...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Decorative Boxes
Materials
Walnut
Cave a Liqueur Decanter Set in Carved Box with St Louis Crystal Decanters/Stems
Located in Houston, TX
This cave a liqueur set is truly special because the box is exquisitely
Carved and has the original beveled glass. The decanters and stem
Ware are by St. Louis and the original la...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Decorative Boxes
Materials
Crystal
Rare Hand Carved Black Forest Box w. Inlaid Enameled Playing Cards & Chips Boxes
Located in Lisse, NL
Entirely carved antique box for playing cards with inlaid, enameled miniature cards on top, ca 1880.
If you are a collector of rare and stylish hand carved Black Forest antiques in ...
Category
19th Century European Antique Black Forest Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass, Copper, Iron
19th Century Black Forest Carved Box
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
19th century Black Forest carved box.
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Black Forest Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
Carved Black Forest Trunk, France, circa 1890
Located in Atlanta, GA
French Black Forest carved wood trunk with hinged lift top and grapevine motif, circa 1890.
Category
1890s French Antique Black Forest Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
Victorian Miniature Black forest Antler Casket 1860
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A marvelous antique rustic casket. It is made of wood, veneered with antler pieces. On top an antler plaque with staghound carving. The feet are made of ...
Category
Mid-19th Century German Antique Black Forest Decorative Boxes
Materials
Antler, Wood
French Black Forest Wood Box, Circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
French Black Forest wood box, circa 1900,
Possibly a jewel box.
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Black Forest Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
Rustic Black Forest Humidor Box
Located in New York, NY
Rustic Black Forest (19thcentury) walnut carved humidor box with faux wood design and smoking motif on top (interior of top has smoking accessories...
Category
19th Century Antique Black Forest Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood, Walnut
Antique Hand Carved Black Forest Rustic Cottage Jewelry or Trinket Box
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique hand carved Black Forest jewelry or trinket box is unsigned but presumed to have been made in either Germany or Switzerland in circa 1920 in the signature Black Forest s...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Decorative Boxes
Materials
Softwood
Antique Carved Black Forest Triple Postage Stamp Box, Owl, Glass Eyes
Located in Bath, GB
A fabulous hand carved wooden postage stamp box from the Black Forest region and dating to around 1900.
The sides are carved but the star of the show is the central carved owl to ...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Black Forest Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
Rare Black Forest Alpine Ibex Wood Box, circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
Rare and unusual Black Forest box in the shape of wood log with a large wood carved Alpine ibex or bouquetin, circa 1890.
The carved bouquetin is 5" height and the box is 8".
Category
1890s French Antique Black Forest Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
19th Century Black Forrest round Covered Box
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A whimsical had carved Black Forest box. The walnut box with a hen house motif, complete with three chickens.
Category
1870s German Antique Black Forest Decorative Boxes
Materials
Walnut
Rare Antique Black Forest Travel Thermometer Carved Dog, circa 1900
Located in Bath, GB
A most unusual piece of Black Forest, a travel desk thermometer in a wooden case with carved decoration and a beautifully carved Dog's head to the front, great detail and beautifully...
Category
Early 1900s Swiss Antique Black Forest Decorative Boxes
Rare & Hand-Carved Ratan Basket Design Black Forest Jewelry Box with Lock & Key
Located in Lisse, NL
Antique hand-carved box with roses on top.
This rare Black Forest box from circa 1870-1880 has the most beautiful design and details and it can be used for all kinds of purposes. The oval shaped ratan...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood, Felt
Antique Hand-Carved Black Forest Trunk on Goat Hoofs Amazing Shape & Condition
Located in Lisse, NL
Larger than average and beautiful trunk.
It is not often that you find antiques of this age and beauty in such remarkable condition. You would think that in the course of a 125+ yea...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood, Pine
Rustic Black Forest Walnut Display Box with Etched Glass and A Carved Fox
Located in New York, NY
Rustic Black Forest (4th Quarter 19th Century) walnut carved table top display cabinet box with etched glass inset panels and floral carving ...
Category
19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Decorative Boxes
Materials
Walnut, Glass
Antique Wooden Carved Casket with Birds, Brienz, circa 1890
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Wooden Carved Casket with Birds, Brienz, circa 1890
A very nice hand carved black forest sewing box or jewel case with two birds on the lid. Ins...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
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19th Century French Leatherbound Book Tantalus with Shot Glasses and Decanters
Located in Miami, FL
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20th Century Art Deco Decanter Set/ Liquor Set With 5 Shot Glasses, CZ ca. 1920
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19th Century Oak Box
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19th Century Hat Box
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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...
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Located in Dallas, TX
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Antique Black Forest Tramp Art Casket, circa 1900s
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A marvelous rustic Tramp Art casket made of notched wood panels, decorated with gild paint and a pin cushion on the lid. The caske...
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Early 19th Century Austrian Wooden Trunk
Located in High Point, NC
A wooden trunk from early 19th century Austria. The dark solid wood of this trunk has been carved to resemble a natural tree trunk wrapped with spiraling vines and leaves. A mysterio...
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Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Decorative Boxes
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Oak
Stunning Original Antique Hand Carved Black Forest Wood Music Box Needs Service
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this rather lovely antique original circa 1880 Black Forest Wood music box with original 4airs paper label
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H 2.96 in W 6.89 in D 4.34 in
19th Century French Black Forest Carved Walnut Wall Decor with Eagle & Rabbit
Located in Dallas, TX
Place this elegant wall hanging decor in a bar area, wine cellar, or above a door in your home or cabin. Created in France, circa 1880, the fruitwood hunting scene features high quality carving, including an eagle with wings extended over a running rabbit...
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Two Decorative 19th Century Black Forest Cottages
Located in Martlesham, GB
Two decorative 19th Century black forest cottages with each roof lifting up to reveal compartment space, both cottages are in very good condition. Circa 1880.
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19th Century Black Forest Box
Located in High Point, NC
19th century Swiss hand-carved box made from linden wood. The box is exquisitely hand carved to look like different types of bark and branches. The top lifts to reveal storage. There...
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Antique Swiss Black Forest 19th Century Jewelry Box Hand Carved Birds Floral
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Simply breathtaking this marvelous 19th century Black Forest Jewelry box from Switzerland.
Fully hand carved out of fruitwood by a master carver with superb attention to detail.
The jewelry box displays a gorgeous floral Black Forest setting with 2 birds.
The interior is done in red velvet and this jewelry box comes with a working lock & key.
Amazing high quality antique that remains in great condition despite its age.
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Velvet, Wood
Free Shipping
H 6.3 in W 12.21 in D 7.09 in
Black Forest Hand-Carved Walnut Rustic Box with Love Birds, Swiss, ca. 1890
Located in Banner Elk, NC
Black Forest hand-carved rustic walnut box, naturalistically carved with trailing ivy and strapwork, the hinged top surmounted with a pair of beautifully carved love birds, the inter...
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Walnut
H 4.5 in W 6 in D 4.25 in
Antique Black Forest Hand Carved Wooden Box
Located in Forney, TX
A fine quality antique Swiss Black Forest ware, featuring a rustic naturalistic intricately hand carved wooden box in the shape of a log, surmou...
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Metal
Antique Black Forest 19th Century Jewelry Box Carved Fruitwood Blue Velvet Chest
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Gorgeous & Breathtaking! This 19th century Black Forest Jewelry Box carved out of fruitwood.
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Velvet, Fruitwood
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H 13.78 in W 9.06 in D 5.52 in
Stunning Antique Hand Carved Nutwood Black Forest Box with Secret Lock Mechanism
Located in Lisse, NL
Masterly carved and good size, two tone Black Forest jewelry box from circa 1880.
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H 6.7 in W 13.4 in D 9.85 in
Black Forest decorative boxes for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Black Forest decorative boxes for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Early 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage decorative boxes created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, more furniture and collectibles, folk art and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Black Forest decorative boxes made in a specific country, there are Europe, Switzerland, and France pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original decorative boxes, popular names associated with this style include and Black Forest. 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 decorative boxes differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $356 and tops out at $8,250 while the average work can sell for $1,525.
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