Black Forest Bookends
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
Antique 19th Century Black Forest Bear Book Shelf / Book Rack Hand Carved Swiss
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Gorgeous 19th century antique Black Forest Extendable bookshelf hand carved from Switzerland.
Lovely carved bears by a master carver & Black Forest floral styled base.
These make mar...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Bookends
Materials
Wood
Hand Carved Wooden Sculpture Bookends Two Reading Men
Located in Barntrup, DE
These beautifully hand carved wooden bookends feature sculptures of two sitting and reading man, an older and younger man that could be a teacher a...
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1950s German Vintage Black Forest Bookends
Materials
Wood
Late 19th Century Bookstand / Bookends - Black Forest - Walnut Carved Bears
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
Charming Swiss Black Forest book rack, dating from the late 19th century, featuring finely hand-carved bears. The piece is both practical and decorative, a beautiful example of the t...
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1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Bookends
Materials
Walnut
Pair of Mid-Century French Bear Sculptures Bookends on Carved Log Bases
Located in Dallas, TX
Dress a study, library, or mountain-style chalet interior with this striking pair of mid-20th-century French bookends. Crafted in France around 1950, each sculptural support features...
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Mid-20th Century French Black Forest Bookends
Materials
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Rustic Black Forest Walnut Cat Bookends
Located in Queens, NY
Rustic Black Forest (19th Century) carved walnut adjustable bookends with cat figures.
Category
19th Century Antique Black Forest Bookends
Materials
Walnut
Antique 19th Century Black Forest Bear Adjustable Book Shelf / Book Rack Swiss
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Exquisite & rare! This 19th century black forest books rack/ book shelf with ''Bears holding baby bears'' bookends hand carved Swiss.
Gorgeous 19th century antique Black Forest bookstand...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Bookends
Materials
Fruitwood
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Black Forest bookends for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Black Forest bookends for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Mid-20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage bookends created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles, decorative objects, case pieces and storage cabinets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, bronze and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Black Forest bookends made in a specific country, there are Europe, Germany, and Switzerland pieces for sale on 1stDibs. 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 bookends differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $464 and tops out at $2,100 while the average work can sell for $869.
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