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
Antique Wooden Carved Cupboard with Several Carvings
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Wooden Carved Cupboard with Several Carvings
A detailed handcarved wooden buffet or cupboard with several elaborately carved wooden decorations depicting lion, putties, ange...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of Carved Lime Wood Pictures
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A pair of Swiss carved lime-wood pictures one showing a hunter being attacked by an eagle as he attempts to raid its nest, the other a climber rescuing a g...
Category
1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair Renaissance Style Carved Children Chairs, Ca. 1890
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Pair Renaissance Style Carved Children Chairs, Ca. 1890
A pair of wonderful carved nut wood children chairs, backrest carved in Renaissance style with fantastic grimace carvings, Ge...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Swiss Black Forest Carved Wooden Planter Box / Jardinière, circa 1895
Located in Evergreen, CO
Elegant from every angle, this beautiful wooden planter box (or jardinière in French) features elaborate carvings over a lattice background. The fro...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Collection of Five Black Forest Roe Mounts on Carved Wood Plaques Priced per mou
Located in Buchanan, MI
Collection of five Black Forest roe mounts on carved wood plaques. Priced per mount.
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Wood
Antique Set of Rustic Hunters Knives with Chamois Horn Handles
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Set of Rustic hunters knives with Chamois Horn handles
A rare antique set of six knives. The handles are made of genuine chamois horn and feature a decorated silver knob on ...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Metal
Antique Oil Print with Dramatic Poacher Scene After Josef Ringeisen
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Oil Print with Dramatic Poacher Scene after Josef Ringeisen
A colorful oil print depicting a dramatic poaching scenery in the Bavarian for...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood
Antique Oil Print with Dramatic Poacher Scene After Josef Ringeisen
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Oil Print with Dramatic Poacher Scene after Josef Ringeisen
A colorful oil print depicting a dramatic poaching scenery in the Bavarian for...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood
Antique Oil Print with Dramatic Tiger Hunting Scene in India, 19th Century
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Oil Print with Dramatic Tiger Hunting Scene in India 19th century
A colorful oil print depicting a dramatic tiger hunting scenery in India. ...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Hand Painted Advertising Poster for a Hemoglobin Fabrication in Munich
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Handpainted Advertising Poster for a Hemoglobin Fabrication in Munich
A large antique handpainted advertising poster for a hemoglobin fabrication in the 19th century in Muni...
Category
1890s German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
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 Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Antler Smoking Desk Set, circa 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
The antique antler smoking desk set is made of original antlers from the deer and the stag. It was in Germany, circa 1900.
Measures: Width 16.93" (43cm)
Height 11.42" (29cm)
Antle...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler
French 19th Century Black Forest Barometer
Located in Stockbridge, GA
French 19th century black forest barometer.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Mahogany
Victorian Miniature Black forest Antler Casket 1860
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Victorian Miniature Black forest Antler Casket 1860
A marvelous antique rustic casket. It is made of wood, veneered with antler pieces. On top an antler plaque...
Category
Mid-19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Wood
Antique Print with Humoristic Scene Featuring Wild Boars and a Painter
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Print with Humoristic Scene featuring Wild Boars and a Painter
A colorful antique oil print depicting a humoristic scene in the Black Fore...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood
Antique Bull Horn Hall Stand ca. 1870
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Bull Horn Hall Stand ca .1870
A large bull horn hall stand made of wood, original Austrian cattle horns and a green velvet cover. Manufactured i...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood, Antler
Antique Oil Print with Bear Hunt Scene After Heinrich Buerkel, 19th Century
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Oil Print with Bear Hunt Scene after Heinrich Buerkel 19th cetntury
A colorful oil print depicting an alpine bear hunt scenery in the Bava...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood
Antique Wooden Carved Horse Paper Weight, circa 1920
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A great wooden carved head of a horse. It is mounted on a wooden base - usable as desk decoration or paper weight. Made in Germany ca. 1920.
Measures:...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Antique Daumenglas German Forest Glasses Thumb Finger Glass
Located in Hyattsville, MD
We do not have any information on these glasses, like exact origin or age. The estate where these were purchased was filled with fine 19th century furnishings.
Category
19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Blown Glass
Antique Set of Rustic Hunters Cutlery with Chamois Horn Handles
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique set of rustic hunters cutlery with Chamois Horn Handles
A rare antique set of knife and fork. The handles are made of genuine chamois horn. Tines and blade are made of galva...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Metal
Late 19th Century Black Forest Farm House Chair Wood Painted Germany
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Farmhouse chair in the style of Black Forest. Painted in green-blue with a white swan in the medaillon.
Original painting, No restaurations.
A second matching chair is available.
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Wooden Carved Sculpture of a Saint, circa 1850
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Wooden Carved Sculpture of a Saint, circa 1850
A beautifully hand carved and hand painted sculpture of a saint with a palm-branch. It is made most probably in Armenian or Georgian a...
Category
Mid-19th Century Unknown Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Aesthetic Movement Carved Wood Chandelier, 5 Lights
Located in North Miami, FL
Beautifully carved and boasts tons of details, this 5 light chandelier with custom paper shades from English Aesthetic Movement, late 19th C., this has been rewired and restored to i...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Paper, Wood
Black Forest Hand-Painted Pottery Dish Green Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel Austria
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hands-free painted pottery rectangular dish from Austria in Black Forest style. Grren glazed pottery decorated with a hands-painted tree decor in green all around. Showing trees in t...
Category
2010s Austrian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Pottery
Black Forest Crystal Laterne Green Hunting Scene Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hand blown crystal vase/lantern in green with hand engraved deers and trees all around in the style of black forest.
Completely handmade in Bavaria/Germany. Can be used also with ca...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Crystal
19th Century Black Forest Carved Humidor
Located in High Point, NC
19th century black forest humidor hand-carved in the shape of a dog's head. His hat lifts to reveal storage for tobacco or cigars. The carving on this piece is wonderfully detailed a...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
Rustic Decor Antique Wooden Humidor
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Rustic Decor Antique Wooden Humidor
A very large highly decorative rustic wooden humidor turned out from a solid thunk, tin inset. Executed, ci...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th Century German Black Forest Carved Clock Mounted Lamp - No shade
Located in Atlanta, GA
An exceptional large scale 19th century black forest mantle clock with fine carved mountain goats and tree forms to the body - resting on a g...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Quartz
Antique Swiss or German Black Forest Styled Hand-Carved
Painted Pedestal
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique hand-carved and polychromed painted pedestal is unsigned, but presumed to be either Swiss or German and date to approximately 1920 and done in the traditional, Black For...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Softwood
Country Style Pottery Dish Hand-Painted Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel Austria
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Large hands-free painted pottery dish in Country style. Glazed in ice blue and handsfree painting in white. The decor shows a hands-free painted pomegranate with butterflies and a ha...
Category
2010s Austrian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Country Style Hand-Painted Pottery Dish Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel Austria
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hands-free painted pottery rectangular dish in blue from Austria in Country style. Decorated with a hands-free painted pomegrante and a garland in white all around. Showing trees in the bottom and a handpainted green garland...
Category
2010s Austrian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Large Hand Carved Black Forest Military Soldier
His Horse Under a Shade Tree
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This well executed carving is unsigned by the artist, but presumed to have been done in Eastern Europe in circa 1940 in the Black Forest style. The carving depicts a military soldier holding a 'Tommy...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Softwood
Rare Swiss Black Forest 19th century Humidor / Tobacco box Saint Bernard dogs
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
A superb 19th-century Swiss Black Forest humidor, masterfully hand-carved and displaying the rich naturalism and warmth characteristic of the finest Black Forest craftsmanship. This ...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Oak
Black Forest 1900s Carved Wooden Plaque with Chamois Motif, Foliage and Mirror
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Black Forest period carved wooden plaque from the early 20th century, with chamois motif, foliage and petite mirror. Hand-Carved in Switzerland during the early years of the 20th century, this wooden Black Forest plaque draws our attention with its chamois head emerging from an oval medallion, surrounded by scrolling leaves wrapped around a branch. The lower section showcases a petite oval mirror...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood
Black Forest Hand-Painted Pottery Dish Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel Austria
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hands-free painted round pottery dish from Austria in Black Forest style. Decorated with a hand-painted tree decor in green all around. Showing trees in the bottom and a handpainted green garland...
Category
2010s Austrian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Pottery
Vintage Black Forest Deer Trophy Wood Carved Plaque, Austria 1959
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Black Forest Deer Antler Trophy on Hand-Carved Wooden Plaque
A finely preserved Black Forest deer antler trophy mounted on an intricately hand-carved wooden plaque, exemplifying the...
Category
1950s Austrian Vintage Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Wood
Swiss Walnut Liquor Box with Four Decanters and 16 Cordial/Aperitif Glasses
Located in Evergreen, CO
Add a touch elegance and refinement to any dinner party, business meeting, or display shelf with this beautiful, tantalus liquor box. Made from carved walnut and beveled glass panels, it has hinges on the top front and top back, allowing the box to open by folding the top and face of the box together. The glass panels provide visibility to the interior from nearly any angle. The box surrounds a removable base with four etched...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Glass, Walnut
19th Century black forest carving
Located in Martlesham, GB
A wonderful and unique 19th Century black forest carving of an elderly man sitting on a tree trunk holding a newspaper, the front of the tree trunk encased behind a circular glass wi...
Category
1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Black Forest Set of 6 Hand-Painted Tumbler Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six hand blown tumbler hands-free painted in Black Forest style. Each glass is handsfree painted with different rims and trees in red. Can b...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Crystal
French Mid-20th Century Black Forest Faux-Bois Mirror with Leaf Motifs
Located in Atlanta, GA
French Black Forest style mirror from the mid-20th century features a faux-bois frame made of a variety of leaves nicely intertwined along t...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th century Carved Walnut Black Forest Bear / Cigar Holder
Located in San Francisco, CA
Late 19th century Continental carved walnut bear / cigar holder. In the style of Black Forest, German, Possibly Russian. The complex form of a classic dancing bear on hind legs. Stan...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Walnut
$1,925 Sale Price
30% Off
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 Furniture
Materials
Wood
Black Forest Porcelain Bowl with Bambi Figure Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Completely handmade porcelain bowl with a hands-free naturalistic painted bambi figure in brown. The bambi is sitting in the middle of the bowl for decorating nuts or sweets around. ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Black Forest Vintage Red Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque, Germany 1920s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Black Forest Vintage Red Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque, Germany 1920s
A large antique red deer (Cervus elaphus) trophy on a wooden plaque, painted in dark green. It comes from the no...
Category
1920s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Wood
Black Forest Porcelain Bowl with Fox Handpainted Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Completely handmade porcelain bowl with a hands-free natrualistic painted fox figure in brown colors. The fox is sitting in the middle of the bowl for decorating nuts or sweets aroun...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Black Forest Bambi Figure Porcelain Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Completely handmade porcelain bowl with a hands-free naturalistic painted bambi figure in brown. The bambi is sitting in the middle of the bowl for decorating nuts or sweets around. ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Black Forest Vintage Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1940s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Black Forest Vintage Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1940s
An antique roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved plaque. The plaque is decorated with carved oak leave...
Category
1940s German Vintage Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Antler, Wood
Black Forest Porcelain Bowl with Bambi Figure Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Completely handmade porcelain bowl with a hands-free natrualistic painted bambi figure in brown. The bambi is sitting in the middle of the bowl for decorating nuts or sweets around. ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Porcelain Bowl with Bambi Figure Handpainted Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Completely handmade porcelain bowl with a hands-free naturalistic painted bambi figure in brown. The bambi is sitting in the middle of the bowl for decorating nuts or sweets around. ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Black Forest Porcelain Bowl with Fox Figure Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Completely handmade porcelain bowl with a hands-free natrualistic painted fox figure in brown colors. The fox is sitting in the middle of the bowl for decor...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Black Forest Set of Six Beer Glasses Skier Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six beer glass called Bierseidl in clear crystal glass. Hand blown in Bavaria and hand-engraved with trees and a skier boy in the style of Black Forest. For 0.7 liter beer. Ca...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Magnificent Carved Black Forest Monkey Gong, circa 1890
Located in Bath, GB
A fabulous and scarce find, this wonderful large Black Forest Monkey was hand carved circa 1890 with superb quality detail and retaining two glass ...
Category
1890s Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
$2,734 Sale Price
20% Off
Black Forest Crystal Latern Hand Blown Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hand blown crystal latern in amber glass from Bavaria. The votiv is hand blown and the decor is hands-free engraved by glass artists all around with a hunting scene with trees and de...
Category
2010s German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Crystal
Set of Six Black Forest Hand Painted Dinner Plates Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Set of six completely handmade and hand painted underglaze porzelain dishes. The decor shows a black forest hands-free painted oak leaf with a green handsfree line and platinum rimme...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary German Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Framed Oil Painting on Canvas signed A. Heins
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique Framed Oil Painting on Canvas signed A. Heins is a wonderful depiction of a charming cottage in the woods, rendered with a deft brush on a soft, earth toned palette. The col...
Category
Early 20th Century Belgian Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Canvas, Paint
Rustic Black Forest Wall Mirror, Austria circa 1870
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Extraordinary rustic wall mirror from the 19th century around 1870 in Austria. An unusual piece of a Black Forest mirror that has been elaborately handcarved out of basswood in an ex...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Softwood
A Black Forest lindenwood mountain dog stick stand
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A Black Forest lindenwood mountain dog stick stand, in the form of a shaggy dog standing on his hind legs holding a circle of twisted branches in his front paws, the base also of si...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Black Forest Carved Candle Holder
By Black Forest
Located in Coeur d
Alene, ID
Black Forest candle holder with tree and standing chamois. Part of the Brienz Collection but not published. In the 1800’s the wood carving industry of Swi...
Category
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Wood
Black Forrest Art Deco Carved Cherub Presenting Bouquet of Flowers Lamp, C.1925
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Antique Black Forest Art Deco Carved Cherub Lamp—Nude Putti with Bouquet & Quiver, c. 1925
This exquisite Black Forest Art Deco lamp (circa 1925) features a hand-carved wooden cheru...
Category
20th Century European Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Metal
Black Forrest Carved Oak Hinged Boar Head Cellarette with Bone Tusk, C. 1870
Located in Charleston, SC
Black Forrest hand carved oak hinged boar head cellarette with bone tusk, carved intertwined branches with oak leaves, and resting on decorative foliate scr...
Category
1870s German Antique Black Forest Furniture
Materials
Iron
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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