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
Original Antique Print After H. Leutemann, Reynard the Fox- The Combat
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image by Heinrich Leutemann
From the Reynard The Fox series
Fine steel engraving
Published by A.H. Payne C.1850
Unframed.
Category
1850s English Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Paper
Original Antique Print After H. Leutemann, Reynard the Fox Relating Adventures
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image by Heinrich Leutemann
From the Reynard The Fox series
Fine steel engraving
Published by A.H. Payne C.1850
Unframed.
Category
1850s English Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Paper
Original Antique Print After H. Leutemann, Reynard the Fox- Bruin As King
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image by Heinrich Leutemann
From the Reynard The Fox series
Fine steel engraving
Published by A.H. Payne C.1850
Unframed.
Category
1850s English Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Paper
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 Furniture
Materials
Walnut, Nutwood
Original Antique Print After H. Leutemann, Reynard the Fox- The Mare And Wolf
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image by Heinrich Leutemann
From the Reynard The Fox series
Fine steel engraving
Published by A.H. Payne C.1850
Unframed.
Category
1850s English Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Paper
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 Furniture
Materials
Brass
Original Antique Print After H. Leutemann, Reynard the Fox And Bellin
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image by Heinrich Leutemann
From the Reynard The Fox series
Fine steel engraving
Published by A.H. Payne C.1850
Unframed.
Category
1850s English Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Paper
19th C Black Forest Dressing Table w/ Drawer and Mirror
Located in Houston, TX
Elevate your decor with a touch of 19th-century beauty! This Carved French Oak Black Forest Tilting Tabletop Dresser is functional as well as elegant....
Category
19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Oak
19Th C. French Hand Carved Wood Black Forest Pipe Holder
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Just arrive this very unusual and rare 19Th C. French Carved Wood Black Forest Pipes Holder, C.1850
The item itself is like a pile of rocks the front is like a "Tabac" that you woul...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Folk Art 20th Century Carved Wood Man Holding a Beer Stein, Austria 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Pine carving of a beer drinking man, 20th century Austria, he is holding his stein in one hand and straightened his jacket with the other. With a manufact...
Category
1960s Austrian Vintage Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Victorian Black Forest Carved Wood
Glass Cave a Liqueur Tantalus Box
Located in Forney, TX
A rare antique Victorian Black Forest carved wood and glass cave a liqueur / tantalus cabinet set. circa 1880
Exquisitely hand-crafted in the late 19th century, Continental European...
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
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 Furniture
Materials
Wood
PAIR OF ANTIQUE GERMAN BLACK FOREST CARVED ANTLER ARMCHAiRS PART OF A SUITE
By Black Forest
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
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
Black Forest Cushion Handmade Fringe Hunting Scene Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Handmade cushion in brilliant dark
blue, red and green colors in cotton and linen fabric with a hunting scene in the style of Black Forest. The fringe all around is made by hand in ...
Category
2010s Austrian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Linen
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 Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Black Forest Set of Six Glass Plates Green Crystal Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six plates in green crystal with an antique hunting decor all around. The charming hand-engraved decor shows an antique decor with deers, a rabbit and trees in the style of bl...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Rare 19th Century Black Forrest Carved Hall Chair Hand-Carved Hawk Bobbin Turned
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this absolutely stunning Black Forrest Oak hand carved hall chair with bobbin turned legs and a large Hawk in the back...
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
$1,451 Sale Price
30% Off
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 Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
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 Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Black Forest Porcelain Bowl with Deer Figure Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hand-painted porcelain dish for serving sweets or nuts with a naturalistic bambi figure in the center of the dish. The bambi figure and the bowl are completely handmade in Bavaria. H...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Set of Six Porcelain Dishes with Hunting Trophies Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six porcelain dishes . Hands-free painted with 6 different detailed painted trophies heads in the style of black forest.
Rimmed with a fine 24-carat gold line. Handmade in Bav...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
19th Century Ceramic Pitcher - Hunting Scene - Shore
Co Isleworth England
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A beautiful antique ceramic jug. The jug has beautiful relief decorations with animals / hunting.
The jug is marked on the bottom, with a blind mark. Made by Shore & Co, Isleworth, 1...
Category
1870s English Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
19th Century Swiss
Black Forest
Carving a Dog Family
By Walter Mäder
Located in London, GB
A 'Black Forest' Dog Group
The naturalistically carved limewood group shows the bitch couchant and her three playful pups; glass eyes are used in all the figures, in the manner of Walter Mäder...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th Century Black Forest Carved Cabinet
By Black Forest
Located in Coeur d
Alene, ID
Swiss carved china cabinet. Front door has bear paying accordion. Mother and father dancing together as cub plays close by. Two bears supporting shelves. Two drawers for flatware. Be...
Category
Early 1900s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of 19th C Signed Black Forest Style French Carved Walnut Hunting Gun Racks
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A highly rare and most unusual pair of carved walnut gun racks, each with a different carved bird at the bottom, one being a hawk or eagle with spread ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
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 Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Rare old 19th century pharmacy, black forest, in carved wood, brass and bronze
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Rare old 19th century pharmacy, black forest, in carved wood, brass and bronze decoration, with "APOTHEK" inscription
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Brass
Pair of 19th Century Black Forest Escabell Chairs
Located in New Orleans, LA
These remarkable chairs are not just a piece of furniture, they are historical artifacts that bring a touch of rustic elegance and timeless beauty to any space.
Crafted from rich, d...
Category
19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
German Wood Carved Figural Man Head Cork Bottle Stopper, 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Adorable wood and cork bottle stopper. Germany, 1960s. Ideal decoration bottle stopper. Great idea to surprise your guests or a very interesting gift.
Category
1960s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Cork, Wood
Antique Cake Display Stand, German, Oak, Mirrored Gateau Centrepiece, Victorian
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an antique cake display stand. A German, carved oak mirrored gateau centrepiece in Black Forest taste, dating to the late Victorian period, circa ...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Glass, Oak
Large 19th Century Walnut Black Forest Painting Frame
Located in San Francisco, CA
A large 19th century hand carved solid walnut Black Forest style picture frame with traditional tree limb and foliage detail.
Inner sight of the...
Category
19th Century European Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
19th-C. French Carved Oak Black Forest Faux Bois Garden Planter Jardiniere
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a 19th century French Black Forest inspired carved oak planter. The white painted finish is not original. The zinc liner is removable. The carved faux bois frame is in very g...
Category
Early 1600s Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Oak
Charming folk art wooden gueridon circa 1900
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Charming folk art wooden gueridon circa 1900
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th Century Black Forest Carved Walnut and Crystal Center Piece with Goat Decor
Located in Dallas, TX
Dress a table or a console with this elegant antique black forest center piece composition. Crafted in Switzerland (or France) circa 1870, the glass vase rests on a leafy branch shap...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Cut Glass, Walnut
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 Furniture
Materials
Walnut
19th Century Rustic Black Forest Mirror With Oak Leaves/ Acorns, AT ca. 1870
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Exceptional designed, late 19th century rustic Black Forest wall mirror from the period around 1870. This phenomenal looking, elaborately hand carved Austrian rustic mirror impresses...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Softwood
Rustic German Oak
Horn Cabinet
Located in Queens, NY
Rustic German (19th Century) oak cabinet with horn trim & carved medallions with flip seat bench base and upper section with 2 large stained glass doors and...
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Oak, Horn, Stained Glass
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 Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Black Forest Carved Bear Wall Hook Hanger
Located in Forney, TX
A rare and exceptional hand carved German Black Forest wall-mounted hanger. circa 1890
Born in the late 19th / early 20th century, featuring an intricately carved walnut figural bear's head with inset glass eyes, finely detailed gilt brass paws holding a supporting rod, affixed with chain drop hook.
Dimensions: (approx)
10.75" High, 8 1/8" Wide, 5.5" Deep,
A superb example of German folk art, functional and highly decorative, it's ideal for use as an entryway coat...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Brass
Collection of Nine Black Forest Antler Mounts on Hand-Carved Wood Plaques Priced
Located in Buchanan, MI
Collection of nine black Forest antler mounts on hand-carved wood plaques, great color and patina. Priced per mount.
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Hand Carved Dark Brown Wooden Figural Nutcracker of a Man, Germany, 1930s
Located in Barntrup, DE
This hand-carved, unusual nutcracker is in the figural form of an older man with a hat, sitting and holding an umbrella.
Dimensions: Height 21.5 cm / 8.46 in, width 4.5 cm / 1.77 in,...
Category
1930s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture
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 Furniture
Materials
Glass, Walnut
Vintage Sarah Gayle Carter Black Forest Hooked Rug
Located in Dallas, TX
79239 Vintage Sarah Gayle Carter Black Forest Hooked Rug, 13'00 x 15'00. This vintage Sarah Gayle Carter “Black Forest” rug is a rare harmony of cottagecore charm and Art Nouveau ele...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Thai Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wool
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 Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Black Forest Carved Bird Plaque
By Black Forest
Located in Coeur d
Alene, ID
Swiss carved walnut plaque with game bird and two chicks with vine and leaf design. Part of the Brienz Collection but not published.
Period: circ...
Category
1920s Swiss Vintage Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Hand Carved Early 20th Century Black Forest Nutcracker With Book
Located in San Diego, CA
Very rare early 20th century antique Black Forest hand carved wood nutcracker with book. These particular pieces often feature anthropomorphic figures with exaggerated features, and this one is no exception. The figure's mouth opens to crack nuts! Black Forest nutcrackers...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Large Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque - Germany 1930
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque - Germany 1930
A large 6 pointer red deer (Cervus elaphus) trophy from Germany mounted on a stained wooden plaque with elaborate ...
Category
1930s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Wood
Stately Black Forest Antler Mount on Carved Walnut Plaque
Located in Buchanan, MI
Stately Black Forest antler mount on carved walnut plaque. We have a large selection of both large and small antler mounts on Black Forrest plaques. Ca...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Walnut
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...
Category
1950s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture
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 Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood
Eagle Crescent Mirror 1890 Black Forest Carving
Located in Hastings, GB
Fantastic hand carved Eagle gripping a crescent bevelled mirror, dating to the late 19th century, Swiss Black Forest. The carving still has its’ original glass eye and is in exceptio...
Category
1890s European Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Rare Humidor 19th Century Eagle Mounted Black Forest Hand Carved Cabinet
Located in Reading, Berkshire
Exquisite & Rare 19th Century Hand Carved Black Forest Humidor Cigar Cabinet
Featuring Ornate Carved Floral Panel Frontage Finished With An Eagle Finial On The Top.
The Two Doors R...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
$3,837 Sale Price
25% Off
Wild Vietnamese Cheetah Hooked Rug
Located in New York, NY
A late 20th century one of a kind Hooked Rug with 10 cheetahs on a 4 long branches on a green and black large leaf pattern
Measures: 5' x 8'.
Category
Late 20th Century Vietnamese Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wool
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 Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Swiss Black Forest hand carved walnut study of William Tell and his son
Located in Central England, GB
This superb quality walnut Swiss black forest sculpture depicts the Swiss legend William Tell jubilantly walking home arm in arm with his son with a large...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
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 Furniture
Materials
Brass
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 Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Pendant Light Hand Carved Wood Figure Mountaineer Climber with Lantern, Germany
Located in Barntrup, DE
This wonderful German Black Forest figural pendant lamp features a hand-carved figure of a mountain climber. The intricately carved wooden mountai...
Category
1950s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Metal
Antique circa 1880 Super Rare Black Forest Hand Carved and Painted Whip Hook
By Black Forest
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this exceptionally rare, stunning, original circa 1880 Swiss made Black Forest wood, whip hooks which has the original paint
This is a fine exa...
Category
1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Vintage Black Forest Deer Antler Trophy on Wood Carved Plaque, German, 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful vintage Black Forest deer antler trophy on hand carved, Black Forest wooden plaque. It measures approximate 16" high, 6 5/8" wide and 7 1/2" deep. A nice addition to your...
Category
1960s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Wood
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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