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.
Antique Black Forest Fallow Deer Trophy, Germany ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Black Forest Fallow Deer Trophy, Germany ca.1900 An impressive antique fallow deer (Dama dama) trophy dating to around 1900. The wide, palmate antlers display a beautifully ...
Wood, Antler
Set of Six Vintage Roe Deer Trophies on Wooden Plaques Germany ca. 1960s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Set of Six Vintage Roe Deer Trophies on Wooden Plaques Germany ca. 1960s A set of six vintage roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) antler trophies dating from the 1960s, each affixed to a...
Antler, Wood
Antique Set of Black Forest Roe Deer Trophies, Germany ca. 1890s/1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Set of Black Forest Roe Deer Trophies, Germany ca. 1890s/1900s An elegant ensemble of six antique roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) antler trophies from the turn of the 20th ce...
Antler, Wood
Large Masterly Carved Swiss Black Forest Nutwood Chalet with Clock and Music Box
Located in Lisse, NL
Top quality, hand carved and truly impressive antique clock with 8 music melodies. Over the years we have had the pleasure of owning and selling a number of beautiful Black Forest antiques, but never did we come accross a 19th century Black Forest clock with musical box of this size and with such amazing natural details and patina AND with the original clock and music box inside. And if that was not enough, this finest of Black Forest clocks is top quality carved from top to bottom in the form of a detailed Swiss chalet. Mind you, this very rare antique clock is entirely hand carved out of nutwood only, which is another sign of the quality of the workmanship and the richness of materials. We have added a large variety of photos so that you can see the many incredibly detailed parts of this Swiss chalet, such as the roof and chimney, the many doors, the stacked lumber outside, the doghouse, the outhouse on the side, the striking balconies, the goose sticking its head out through the balcony, the picked fence, the ladder going up to the barn loft, the clock inside the facade of the house, the music box cilinder in the base etc etc. This antique clock from the 1800s really comes with the most realistically carved chalet house you will ever see. To us, that too is a sign that this Black Forest music box...
Brass, Iron, Enamel
Set of Three Antique Roe Deer Trophies on Carved Plaques Germany ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Set of Three Antique Roe Deer Trophies on Carved Plaques Germany ca. 1900 Antique set of three Black Forest roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophies mounted on richly carved wooden p...
Antler, Wood
Vintage Wooden Base Trophy Mounting Plaque for Deer Skull
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Wooden Base Trophy Mounting Plaque for Deer Skull Item e7557 A carved wooden plaque for trophies with ornate carvings of acorns and oak leaves. Hand-carved in Germany in the ...
Wood
Vintage Wooden Base Trophy Mounting Plaque for Deer Skull
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Wooden Base Trophy Mounting Plaque for Deer Skull Item e7561 A carved wooden plaque for trophies with ornate carvings of acorns and oak leaves. Hand-carved in Germany in the ...
Wood
Vintage Wooden Base Trophy Mounting Plaque for Deer Skull
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Wooden Base Trophy Mounting Plaque for Deer Skull Item e7560 A carved wooden plaque for trophies with ornate carvings of acorns and oak leaves. Hand-carved in Germany in the ...
Wood
Large Naturalistic Black Forest Carved Deer Head, ca. 1930s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Naturalistic Black Forest Carved Deer Head, ca. 1930s A great antique wooden carved Black Forest red deer head handcarved in natur...
Antler, Wood
Original Antique Print After H. Leutemann, Reynard the Fox And Henning
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.
Paper
Vintage Wooden Base Trophy Mounting Plaque for Deer Skull
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Wooden Base Trophy Mounting Plaque for Deer Skull Item e7558 A carved wooden plaque for trophies with ornate carvings of acorns and oak leaves. Hand-carved in Germany in the ...
Wood
Set of Six Antique Roe Deer Trophies, Germany ca. 1890s / 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Set of Six Antique Roe Deer Trophies, Germany ca. 1890s / 1900s A great collection of six antique roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) antler trophies from the turn of the 20th century, o...
Antler, Wood
Large Monumental Black Forest Eagle Clock, Lenzkirch Movement, 19th Century
By Lenzkirch, Emile Egger
Located in Lisse, NL
Top quality, hand carved nutwood eagle clock with Lenzkirch movement. An exceptional and rare late 19th century Black Forest wall clock of monumental size, featuring a superbly hand...
Brass, Iron
Buck Deer Animal Needlepoint Wall Art W/Birdseye Maple Frame Black Forest Style
Located in New York, NY
A buck deer animal needlepoint artwork wall art with Birdseye maple frame, circa 20th century, Europe. Dimensions: 10.13" Width x 8.94" Height....
Glass, Birdseye Maple
Large Naturalistic Black Forest Carved Ibex Head, ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Naturalistic Black Forest Carved Ibex Head, ca. 1900s A large antique wooden carved Black Forest ibex head handcarved in naturalistic style and fitted with real ibex horns. Ha...
Antler, Wood
Antique Black Forest Carved Bear Chair, Brienz, circa 1880s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Black Forest Carved Bear Chair, Brienz, circa 1880s An exceptional hand-carved Black Forest bear chair dating to around 1880. Crafted ...
Wood
Antique Chamois Trophy on Carved Plaque, Germany ca. 1930s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Chamois Trophy on Carved Plaque, Germany ca. 1930s Antique chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) trophy mounted on a wooden carved plaque with ornate acorn and leaf carvings. The tr...
Antler, Wood
Pair of Black Forest Style Wall Plaques Circa 1880
Located in Bernville, PA
Pair of Black Forest style wall plaques C.1880’s. Each plaque displays beautifully detailed wood carvings, first photo consists of a fish carving and the other plaque consists of a b...
Oak
Vintage Wooden Base Trophy Mounting Plaque for Deer Skull
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Wooden Base Trophy Mounting Plaque for Deer Skull Item e7559 A carved wooden plaque for trophies with carvings oak leaves. Hand-carved in Germany in the Black Forest region. ...
Wood
Black Forest Chamois Trophy on Carved Wooden Plaque, Austria 1951
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Black Forest Chamois Trophy on Carved Wooden Plaque, Austria 1951 A decorative trophy of the chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra), mounted on a carved wooden plaque. The plaque is painted ...
Antler, Wood
Lovely Black Forest Carved Whip Holder with Bear ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Lovely Black Forest Carved Whip Holder with Bear ca. 1900s A very rare hand-carved coat hook or whip holder depicting a bear klimbing on a three. Hand carved in Brienz, Switzerland,...
Wood
Pair of 19th Century Austrian Majolica Pepper Platter Johann Maresh
Located in Austin, TX
Small Pair of 19th Century Austrian Majolica Pepper Platter Johann Maresh. 6.3 by 4.3 inches.
Ceramic, Majolica
Vintage Set of Six Roe Deer Trophies on Wooden Plaques Germany ca. 1950/1960s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Set of Six Roe Deer Trophies on Wooden Plaques Germany ca.1950/1960s A collection of six large vintage roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) antler trophies from the 1950/1960s, mo...
Antler, Wood
Masterly Crafted w. Edelweiss Flowers Swiss Black Forest Barometer & Thermometer
Located in Lisse, NL
Top museum quality carved Swiss barometer / weather station This antique barometer is not only about the actuality of the weather, it is also a true work of art and a real pleasure to look at. The attention to detail is incredible and it must have taken a true craftsman weeks rather than days to design and finish the carved frame alone. At a later stage, the handcrafted barometer (in German) and the thermometer (in Celsius & Fahrenheit) were integrated. Notice how the Edelweiss Flowers...
Wood
Large Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque - Germany 1937
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque - Germany 1937 A large 8-pointer red deer trophy (Cervus elaphus) from the Upper Palatinate in Bavaria, mounted on a brown wooden...
Antler, Wood
19th Century Black Forest Carved Wood Fish Trophy Wall Plaque
Located in Austin, TX
Oversize and spectacular 19th century Black Forest carved wood trophy wall plaque with a large fish. Beautiful carved border with acanthus leaves. Measur...
Wood
A Victorian Black Forest Rustic Drinking Goblet, Germany 1860s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A Victorian Black Forest Rustic Drinking Goblet, Germany 1860s A beautiful antique drinking goblet made of real deer horn featuring relief carvings of stag and deer ornaments around...
Antler
Great Antique Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque, Germany 1917
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Great Antique Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque, Germany 1917 An antique 8 pointer deer (Cervus pyragus) trophy mounted on a turned wooden plaque. The trophy was shot in Vogtland, German...
Antler, Wood
Antique Black Forest Chamois Trophy on Carved Plaque - Germany 1932
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Black Forest Chamois Trophy on Carved Plaque - Germany 1932 Item e8190 A decorative trophy of the chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) from southern Germany, shot in 1932. Mounted o...
Antler, Wood
Black Forest 12 Pointer Deer Trophy on Plaster Plaque Germany 1920s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Black Forest 12 Pointer Deer Trophy on Plaster Plaque Germany 1920s Item e8191 A large unequal 12 pointer red deer (Cervus elaphus) trophy from Germany mounted on a decorative plaste...
Antler, Wood, Plaster
Antique Black Forest White-Tailed Deer Trophy on Plaque - Salem 1860
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Black Forest White-Tailed Deer Trophy on Plaque - Salem 1860 Item e8188 Aa antique trophy of a large white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) from Salem Castle in southern ...
Antler, Wood
Original Antique Print After H. Leutemann, Reynard the Fox- Bellin's Benediction
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.
Paper
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.
Paper
Antique Chamois Trophy on Carved Plaque, Germany ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Chamois Trophy on Carved Plaque, Germany ca. 1900 Antique chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) trophy mounted on a wooden carved plaque. The trophy was shot arround 1900 in Germany...
Antler, Wood
Antique Hand Carved Black Forest Game Hunter's Bag with Woodcock, Rifle & Horn
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Black Forest antique hand carved miniature wall pocket of a fringed game hunter's bag with woodcock, rifle and horn Rich, dark patina and very we...
Oak
Antique Springbok Trophy on Wooden Plaque, ca. 1930s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Springbok Trophy on Wooden Plaque, ca. 1930s A springbok skull with horns (Antidorcas marsupialis), mounted on a dark brown wooden plaque. The natural form of the skull and ...
Antler, Wood
Original Antique Print After H. Leutemann, Reynard the Fox- Bruin As Messenger
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.
Paper
Original Antique Print After H. Leutemann, Reynard the Fox-Gieremund In The Well
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.
Paper
Original Antique Print After H. Leutemann, Reynard the Fox Teaching The Creed
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.
Paper
Antique Handforged Cattle Bell Made in Switzerland ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Handforged Cattle Bell Made in Switzerland ca. 1900s An antique handforged cattle bell, made in Switzerland around 1900. The bell comes with its original brown leather strap...
Metal
Antique Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque, Germany 1938
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque, Germany 1938 Antique red deer (Cervus elaphus) trophy from Germany, mounted on a carved wooden plaque. The trophy was shot in ...
Antler, Wood
$495 / item
Collection Of Twenty Black Forest Roe Mounts
Located in Buchanan, MI
Collection or twenty Black Forest roe mounts priced per mount.
Walnut, Antler
Set of Six Roe Deer Trophies on Wooden Slices Germany ca. 1950s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Set of Six Roe Deer Trophies on Wooden Slices Germany ca. 1950s A vintage set of six large Black Forest roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophies mounted on wooden slices. The trophie...
Antler, Wood
Set of Six Roe Deer Trophies on Wooden Slices Germany ca. 1960s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Set of Six Roe Deer Trophies on Wooden Slices Germany ca. 1960s Mounted on wooden plaques, this vintage set features six large Black Forest roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophies. ...
Antler, Wood
Black Forest Red Deer Trophy Abnorm on Carved Plaque Germany 1930s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Black Forest Red Deer Trophy Abnorm on Carved Plaque Germany 1930s A large 6 pointer red deer (Cervus elaphus) trophy with abnorm and unequal antlers from Germany mounted on a carve...
Antler, Wood
Charming Bavarian Girl and Sunflower, Black Forest Nursery Wall Decoration
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Absolutely charming, large wood carving of a young Bavarian girl and sunflower wall decoration This substantial wall hanging is two feet in length, ...
Wood
Large Black Forest 8 Pointer Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque - Germany ca. 1940
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Black Forest 8 Pointer Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque - Germany ca. 1940s A large 8-pointer red deer trophy (Cervus elaphus) from South Germany, mounted on a brown wooden pl...
Antler, Wood
Antique Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque - Germany 1932
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque - Germany 1932 An antique red deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved plaque with dark brown finish. The trophy wa...
Antler, Wood
Collection of 12 Early Black Forest Roe Mounts, Priced Per Mount.
Located in Buchanan, MI
Collection of 12 early Black Forest roe mounts very nicely carved and great color and patination. Priced per mount. Check with us as our antler mount inven...
Wood, Antler
Large Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque - Germany 1920
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque - Germany 1920 An antique trophy of the unequal 10-pointer red deer (Cervus elaphus) from Salem Castle in southern Germany. Shot ...
Antler, Wood
Original Antique Print After H. Leutemann, Reynard the Fox Shorn
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.
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.
Paper
Original Antique Print After H. Leutemann, Reynard the Fox-Isegrim And Monkeys
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.
Paper
Vintage Stainless Steel and Horn Tableware Set for 6 Germany, 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Stainless Steel and Horn Tableware Set for 6 Germany, 1900s A rustic tabelware set consisting of six knives and six forks. The handles are made of genuine deer horn and feat...
Metal
Black Forest Vintage Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1950s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Black Forest Vintage Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1950s A vintage roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved plaque. The plaque features big fir branches and fir c...
Antler, Wood
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...
Antler, Wood
Antique Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Green Plaque - Salem Germany 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Green Plaque - Salem Germany 1900 An antique trophy of a 6-pointer red deer (Cervus elaphus) from Salem Castle in southern Germany. Shot by a...
Antler, Wood
Large Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque - Germany ca. 1935
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque - Germany ca. 1935 A large unequal 6-pointer red deer trophy (Cervus elaphus) from South Germany, mounted on a brown wooden plate...
Antler, Wood
Set of Three Vintage Chamois Trophies on Carved Plaques, Germany
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Set of Three Vintage Chamois Trophies on Carved Plaques, Germany A decorative set of three large vintage trophies of the chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra), mounted on a black carved woo...
Antler, Wood
19th Century French Black Forest Carved Walnut Hunt Scene Wall Panel
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in France, circa 1870, this antique Black Forest wall panel presents a richly detailed hunting scene rendered in high relief and set within a geometric marquetry frame. The c...
Walnut