Black Forest Decorative Objects
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 French Black Forest Carved Hunt Trophies Sculptures, Set of 4
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a ranch or hunting lodge with this suite of elegant antique Black Forest wall plaques. Carved in France circa 1870, and built of walnut wood, each plaque is octagonal in sha...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Decorative Objects
Materials
Walnut
19th Century Black Forest Carved Humidor
Located in High Point, NC
19th century hand-carved humidor in the form of a dog's head. The dog is very whimsical with a hat, which lifts to reveal a compartment for storage and finished with a cigar and a bo...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Decorative Objects
Materials
Fruitwood
19th Century Black Forest Pierced Oak Carved Tray or Bowl
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
19th century Black Forest pierced oak tray. Has music box inside but it is not working and would need to be serviced.
Category
19th Century Antique Black Forest Decorative Objects
Materials
Walnut
$395 Sale Price
50% Off
Black Forest Oval Porcelain Plate with Wild Boars Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Completely handmade and hands-free painted large oval porcelain plate for decoration. Two natural moulded porcelain figures wild boars are sittin...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Stunning Original Antique Hand Carved Black Forest Wood Jewellery Box
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
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 Objects
Materials
Wood
19th Century black forest bear hall stand
Located in Martlesham, GB
A superb quality and finely carved 19th Century black forest linden wood bear hall stand with a cub playing in the branches above, the bear below with glass eyes looking up towards h...
Category
1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Decorative Objects
Materials
Walnut
19th Century French Black Forest Carved Eagle Sculpture Wall Mirror
Located in Dallas, TX
This unusual antique mirror was crafted in the Alps region of France, circa 1880. The whimsical mirror features a large eagle sculpture with win...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Decorative Objects
Materials
Mercury Glass, Oak
Antique Black forest Cigar box / Humidor 19th Century carved deer Walnut Swiss
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Rare and impressive, this 19th-century hand-carved Swiss Black Forest cigar box is crafted from rich walnut, offering a stunning patina that has developed over nearly 150 years. The ...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Swiss Brienz Black Forest Hand-Carved Wood Candle Holder
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Black Forest hand-carved linden-wood hand carved candle holder/candlestick, circa 1900.
Black Forest sculptural art originates from the small mountain town Brienz, Switzerland co...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Black Forest German Porcelain Vase with Hunting Scene Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hand-painted porcelain vase is completely handmade and handpainted in Bavaria Germany. Rimmed with a 24-carat gold line. The decor is hands-free painted all round with a hunting scene. The black forest decor...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Porcelain Bowl with Fox Figure Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Completely handmade porcelain bowl with a hands-free naturalistic painted fox in brown colors. The fox is sitting in the middle of the bowl for decorating nuts or sweets around the fox figure...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Black Forest Porcelain Figure Fox Handpainted Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Completely handmade porcelain figure with a hands-free naturalistic hand-painted fox in brown colors in the style of Black Forest. Handmade in Bavaria/Germany by Sofina Boutique Kitz...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Marvelous and Antique Pair of 19th Century Black Forest Hand-Carved Wood Frames
Located in Lisse, NL
*Note l: Our pricing reflects the free shipping, rarity, craftsmanship, and pristine condition of this piece. Automated estimates on the platform may not accurately reflect these fa...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Decorative Objects
Materials
Walnut, Nutwood
Large Pair of Carved Black Forest Trophy Plaques depicting Deer, a Hare, and Fox
Located in London, GB
A pair of large black forest game plaques
Expertly carved in lindenwood, the shaped plaques, carved with oak leaves, depict a buck and a r...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Set of Three Natural Antler Tips
Brass Desk Accessories
Located in North Miami, FL
This set of three (3) natural antler tips desk accessories are backed with brass base. Perfect for an executive desk, two paperweights and a letter opener. Rich natural coloring an...
Category
Late 20th Century American Black Forest Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Antique Hand Carved and Mint Condition Black Forest Gnome Sculpture Nutcracker
Located in Lisse, NL
Top quality carved, early 20th century, wooden Black Forest nut cracker.
If you are a collector of only the best quality and condition Black...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Black Forest Porcelain Dish Christmas Garland Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hands-free painted porcelain dish with platinum rim. Hands-free painted in a classic black forest christmas decor with green fir and pine cone garland. Completely handmade in Bavaria...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
19th Century Carved Wood 3rd Station of the Cross,
Jesus Falls’, Switzerland
Located in Buffalo, NY
19th century carved wood 3rd station of the cross, 'JESUS FALLS’ carved in Switzerland, recently acquired from Holy Angels Church located in Buffalo New Yo...
Category
1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Swiss Black Forest Walking Bear Hand Carved Tobacco Jar
By Black Forest
Located in Newark, England
FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING
RARE MODEL HUMOROUS BEAR CARVING WITH VESTA BOWL
From our Black Forest collection, we are delighted to present this rare Swiss Black Forest Bear Tobacco Ja...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
A pair of fine Black Forest hand carved linden wood bears, Swiss circa 1900
Located in Central England, GB
This delightful pair of Swiss/ German black forest carved linden wood seated bears is rarely available as an original pair. They are beautifully hand carved and are left and right ha...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Black Forest Carved Walnut Jewellery Box
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Black Forest Carved Walnut Jewellery Box
A beautiful looking, well made piece, it is hand carved all over with woodcock and fauna decorations. B...
Category
1880s Antique Black Forest Decorative Objects
Materials
Walnut
Late 19th Century German Carved Black Forest Wood Trophy Plaque
Located in Middleburg, VA
Late 19th century German carved black Forest wood trophy plaque. This intricately carved piece depicts horns, spear, and hunter's pouch hung on plaque en...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Pair Of Large Mounted Black Forest Chamois Taxidermy
Located in London, GB
A Pair of Large Mounted Black Forest Chamois Taxidermy – Male & Female
This impressive pair of chamois taxidermy features both a male and female, beautifully preserved and displayed...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Decorative Objects
Materials
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass, Walnut
Black Forest 1890s Carved Wooden Umbrella Stand Depicting a Bear Climbing a Tree
Located in Atlanta, GA
A large Black Forest carved wooden umbrella stand from the late 19th century, depicting a bear climbing a tree branch. Created during the last de...
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Black Forest Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Antique French Wall Shelf Corbel Carved Eagle Black Forest Statue Wood c1880
Located in Shreveport, LA
Antique French Wall Shelf Corbel Carved Eagle Black Forest Statue Wood c1880.
Direct from France, a stunning antique French solid wood corbe...
Category
1890s French Antique Black Forest Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
CARVED BLACK FOREST WOOD SMOKiNG PIPE CABINET BOX LATIN INSCRIBED NIL NISI CRUCE
By Black Forest
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning, hand carved Black Forest wood, smoking pipe cabinet or rack with inscribed top reading "Nil N...
Category
1870s German Antique Black Forest Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Large Black Forest Model of the Lion of Lucerne Dated 1867
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A large Black Forest model of the Lion of Lucerne dated 1867, after Bertel Thorvaldsen, carved from stained linden wood, the dying lion depicted beside two c...
Category
1860s Swiss Antique Black Forest Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
19th Century Carved
Black Forest
Drinks Cabinet on Stand
Located in London, GB
A magnificent 'Black Forest' carved
Drinks cabinet on stand
Hand-carved from Lindenwood, the drinks box of D-end shape carved in exquisite high relief...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass, Wood
Black Forest Carved Wooden Standing Bear with an Engraved Glass Vase or Flute
Located in Lisse, NL
Early 20th century Swiss work of art.
This small and hand-carved bear sculpture is a great example of the Black Forest craftsmanship in early 20th century, Switzerland. Anyone who i...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass, Wood
Hand Carved Fruitwood Black Forest Frame Germany, 1900s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning Black Forest picture frame.
Striking German design from the 1900s.
Hand-carved and hand-painted fruitwood frame.
This wonderful hand-carved and hand-painted Black Forest ...
Category
Early 1900s German Antique Black Forest Decorative Objects
Materials
Fruitwood
$215 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Swiss Casted Bronze Cattle Bell ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Swiss Casted Bronze Cattle Bell ca. 1900s
Item e7315
An antique cast bronze cattle bell, made in Switzerland around 1900. The bell comes with its ...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Black Forest Wood Carving of an Ibex
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
An imposing ‘Black Forest’ wood carving of an Ibex,
standing on a rocky outcrop with realistically carved ribbed antlers and rippling fur.
Category
1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Porcelain Bowl with Fox Figure Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Completely handmade porcelain bowl with a hands-free naturalistic painted fox in brown colors. The fox is sitting in the middle of the bowl for decorating nuts or sweets around the fox figure...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
Glazed Ceramic Owl Form Tankard with Pewter Mounts
By Mettlach
Located in Stamford, CT
An extremely charming stoneware tankard in the form of an owl. With a two toned gray and blue glaze and handsome pewter mounts. The thumb lift depict...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Decorative Objects
Materials
Stoneware
Antique Swiss Black Forest Bear Sculpture Umbrella
Cane Stand by Ruef Brothers
By Ruef Brothers
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare hand-crafted entree stand. . .signed ‘RUEF’. (Ruef Brothers)
This beautifully carved Black Forest bear will always be there to greet you when you come home. It does not matter...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Austrian Majolica Dressed Bear Candelstick, circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
Austrian Majolica candelstick with a dressed bear holding a cone pine circa 1890.
Category
1890s Austrian Antique Black Forest Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
Mid-19th Century Carved Walnut Jewelry or Trinket Box, Likely Black Forest
Located in Atlanta, GA
A finely carved walnut jewelry or trinket box, mid-19th century, likely of Black Forest or Swiss origin. The serpentine rectangular form exhibits a curvilinear Rococo outline with sc...
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Decorative Objects
Materials
Walnut
BLACK FOREST 1900 Germany-Swiss Carved Wood Nutcracker Old Gnome Figure
By Black Forest
Located in Miami, FL
A folk-art nutcracker carved in oak wood.
This is an elusive antique black forest nutcracker created in northern Europe, most probably in Germ...
Category
Early 1900s German Antique Black Forest Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
$1,237 Sale Price
25% Off
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 Objects
Materials
Walnut
Rare large Swiss Black Forest Tobacco box with Chickens 19th century Humidor
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
A charming and finely detailed 19th-century Black Forest–style hand-carved tobacco jar. Entirely carved from wood and executed with remarkable depth and texture. A rare large size to...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Decorative Objects
Materials
Oak
Late 19th Century Black Forest Carved Inkwell and Pen Rest with Bear
Located in Barntrup, DE
Black Forest carved inkwell and pen rest with a bear, late 19th century.
This antique, dark brown, linden wood inkwell is masterfully carved and features a detailed figure of a bear ...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass, Wood
Hand-Carved Black Forest Bear with Aluminum Pot
Located in Barntrup, DE
Hand-carved Black Forest style bear with aluminum pot, from ca. the 1920s.
This beautiful hand-carved wooden, linden-wood, seated bear is holding an alum...
Category
1920s German Vintage Black Forest Decorative Objects
Materials
Aluminum
Hand-Carved Fruitwood Black Forest Bear Germany, 1920s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Stunning and rare Black Forest bear.
Striking German design from the 1920s.
Hand-carved fruitwood sculpture of a life-like bear walking on all four paws.
Rare because of the hand-...
Category
1920s German Vintage Black Forest Decorative Objects
Materials
Fruitwood
$910 Sale Price
20% Off
Hand Carved Black Forest Brienz Wooden Bear with an Engraved Glass Vase or Flute
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic late 1900s Black Forest Brienz work of art. This small and hand carved bear sculpture is a great example of the Black Forest craftsm...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Decorative Objects
Materials
Cut Glass, Wood
Pair of 19th Century Rustic Black Forest Photo Frames, Handcarved, AT ca. 1880
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Fantastic set of two rustic, late 19th century Black Forest photo frames out of Austria. Artfully hand carved out of basswood, around 1880, these frames show a beautiful design combi...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass, Softwood
19th Century Wooden Carved Rabbit Sculpture - Black Forest - Inkwell
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A cute wooden sculpture of a rabbit, Black Forest art.
It is an inkwell, but above all it is a beautiful piece of craftsmanship from the end of the 19th century.
The rabbit is beauti...
Category
1890s German Antique Black Forest Decorative Objects
Materials
Walnut
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 Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass, Wood
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 Objects
Materials
Bronze, Copper
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 Objects
Materials
Brass
19th C. French Black Forest Carved Walnut Jardinière on Stand with Zinc Liner
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant antique French jardinière was crafted circa 1870 in the Black Forest tradition and showcases exceptional hand-carved detail and sculptural form. Designed as a decorative...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Decorative Objects
Materials
Zinc
Antique Head of a Sicilian Puppet, ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Head of a Sicilian puppet, ca. 1900s
Antique Head of a Sicilian puppet depicting a knight. Made of handcarved and handpainted wood with handfo...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Black Forest Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
19th Century Swiss Black Forest Carving of a Stag and Tree Nut Dish
Located in Stamford, CT
Sweet little Black Forest carving of a stag standing near a pine tree next to a brass lined nut or candy dish. Some writing bottom front in white is too worn for me to make out, prob...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Decorative Objects
Materials
Walnut
Hand Carved Black Forest St. Wooden Floor Lamp of Lantern Holding
Tipsy Guard
Located in Lisse, NL
Large and beautifully sculptured, floor lamp.
If you are looking for unique and decorative antiques to bring joy and class to your interior then this marvelous, sculptural floor lam...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Decorative Objects
Materials
Copper
Large Antique Black Forest Novelty Inkwell, Dog, circa 1890
Located in Bath, GB
A superbly carved figural Black Forest inkwell in the form of a Dog's head, with great detail and retaining two large glass eyes.
The hinged lid opens to reveal an inner ink chamber...
Category
1890s Swiss Antique Black Forest Decorative Objects
Rustic Black Forest Walnut Barometer
Located in Queens, NY
Rustic Black Forest (Late 19th Century) walnut wall barometer/thermometer with carved bird, deer and floral carving.
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
Antique Figural Black Forest Nutcracker c.1900
Located in Bath, GB
A fabulous late Victorian Black Forest Nutcracker beautifully carved with a fabulous rich dark colour and good bright patina.
The Monkey still...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass, Wood
Vintage Anri The Wine Taster (Bacchus), ca. 1950
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Anri The Wine Taster (Bacchus), ca. 1950
This is a finely detailed figurine by Anri, believed to be titled The Wine Taster from the Little Folks of Salvan series. The charac...
Category
1950s German Vintage Black Forest Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Large Black Forest Poacher with Chamois
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Black Forest Poacher with Chamois
A very large wooden handcarved poacher statue. The poacher is on his way back from the hunt with a hunted chamois on his back. The hand-made ...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
$11,840 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century Black Forest Carved Humidor
Located in High Point, NC
19th century hand-carved black forest humidor with a figure of a dog and cat. The cat is atop a barrel, which has a lid which lifts to reveal a compartment for tobacco. The barrel is sitting on a base with hand-carved sticks and logs and an upside down hunting hat...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Decorative Objects
Materials
Fruitwood
Black Forest decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Black Forest decorative objects 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 decorative objects created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, folk art, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, walnut and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Black Forest decorative objects made in a specific country, there are Europe, Switzerland, and Germany pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original decorative objects, popular names associated with this style include Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel, Black Forest, Sofina Porzellan, and Black Forrest. 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 objects differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $150 and tops out at $99,104 while the average work can sell for $1,668.
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