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.
Swiss Black Forest Musical Chair with Twin Bears
By Black Forest
Located in Newark, England
FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING Swiss Black Forest musical child’s chair with carved twin bears, dating to circa 1880. Made in Brienz from linden wood, the chair features two upright bears...
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...
Wood
$1,059
H 5.71 in W 14.18 in D 5.91 in
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...
Wood
Pair of Twin Vintage Italian Poster Headboard Bed Sets
Located in Bensalem, PA
Pair of hand painted solid wood poster, twin bed sets please look at pictures for overall detail. Feel free to reach out with any questions.
Hardwood
$560Sale Price|20% Off
H 22.84 in W 16.34 in D 30.71 in
Swiss Mid-Century Modern Solid Pine Rocking Swan in the Style of Wisa Gloria
Located in bergen op zoom, NL
Great Swiss quality manufactured Mid-Century Modern rocking swan made of solid pine wood with original painted details.
Pine
$1,290
H 16.93 in W 10.44 in D 9.85 in
Scandinavian Modern Vintage Birch Plywood Children Chair, 1950s
Located in Vienna, AT
Scandinavian modern birch vintage children chair in clear design, which was produced in the 1950s. The birch plywood seat shell is connected w...
Birch, Plywood
19th Century French Louis XVI Style Giltwood Children's Chair
Located in Houston, TX
19th century French Louis XVI style giltwood children's chair. Antique French Louis XVI style gilt wood and cane children's chair or child's chair from the 19th century. This French ...
Giltwood
1950s Dutch Mid-Century Cor Alons Style Children's Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Dutch Mid-Century children's chair from the 1950s, designed in the style of Cor Alons. Scaled for a child, the chair features a rounded-square seat with softened corners and four spl...
Wood
$1,006
H 37.41 in W 16.54 in D 19.69 in
Antique Bentwood Children's High Chair with Folding Tray and Caned Seat
Located in Hronská Breznica, Banskobystrický kraj
A delightful and exceptionally collectible early 20th-century bentwood convertible children's high chair (Kinderhochstuhl), crafted in the renowned Austro-Hungarian tradition of Gebr...
Rattan, Beech, Bentwood
New Handmade Single Twin Bed in White Cream Iron, Spain
Located in Miami, FL
New handmade single twin bed in white cream iron, Spain.
Iron
$1,875
H 10.13 in W 7 in D 5 in
Swiss Brienz Black Forest Hand-Carved Wood Bear Pipe Tobacco Holder Stand
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Black Forest hand-carved linden-wood hand-carved pipe tobacco holder stand also have seen examples of it used as a decanter or liqueur Stand with the holders being used for shot or small glasses. Modeled as hiking bear with walking stick...
Wood
Children’s Chair Bauhaus Breuer Cesca Chair
Located in Miami, FL
Great Children’s chair in the style of Marcel Breuer’s Cesca Chair. Most likely from the 60s.
Metal
$550 / item
H 22.84 in W 17.52 in D 16.93 in
Paco Muñoz 'Riaza' Hunting Children's Chairs in Patinated Leather
By Paco Muñoz, Darro
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Paco Muñoz for Darro, 'Riaza' chairs for children, samara, leather, metal, Spain, 1960s This robust and resilient low lounge chair, a creation of Paco Muñoz from the 1960s, epitomiz...
Metal
Thonet Vienna Wooden Childrens Chair, Austria, 1900s
By Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH, Thonet
Located in Vienna, AT
A lovely wooden chair for children by Thonet Vienna, dated around 1900. In good, original condition with nice patina. Labelled and stamped.
Wood
Sold
H 26.97 in W 12.6 in D 10.63 in
Carved and Inlaid Walnut Children Chair with Musical Work, Swiss, 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A finely carved walnut children chair with inlaid seat and back. Superb carved edelweiss, gentian and floral ornaments. Tilt-seat, inside a musical clock. Executed circa 1900, Swiss ...
Nutwood
Swiss Black Forest Musical Chair
Located in Banner Elk, NC
Rare 1890's Swiss walnut black forest musical chair with hand carved edelweiss. A functional music box is located under the seat and plays w...
Walnut