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 Carved Deer Head Wall Shelves / Brackets with Oak Leaves
Located in Essex, MA
A striking pair of wall-mounted shelves crafted in the Black Forest style, each featuring a finely carved stag’s head in high relief, framed by richly detailed oak leaves and acorns....
Wood
19th Century Hand Carved Bracket Shelf
Located in High Point, NC
19th century hand carved bracket shelf from Holland, made from fruitwood. The shelf is shaped and has a molded edge sitting atop a hand carved man holding a horn. Very detailed carving.
Fruitwood
20th Century Black Forest Style Deer Head Wall Brackets, Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Black Forest style Deer head wall shelves or brackets. Made in a Faux Bois design.
Composition
Carved shelf in gilded wood - Florence, mid-19th century
Located in Vicenza, IT
Fine Florentine shelf dating from the mid-19th century, entirely hand-carved in solid wood and finely gilded with gold leaf. The work features very rich sculptural work, with phytomo...
Gold Leaf
19th Century Mahogany Corner Bracket with Inlaid Vignettes
Located in Long Island City, NY
19th century mahogany corner bracket with inlaid vignettes. The vignettes depict a woman and a man fishing.
A Pair of Carved Gilt Wood Wall Shelves
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A pair of giltwood wheat motif wall shelves, Italy, mid 20th Century, the good size measuring 15 inches high, 12.5 inches wide, and 6 iches deep.
Giltwood
$1,995
H 15.5 in W 12 in D 7.5 in
Antique Black Forest Hand-Carved Deer or Elk Head Wall Plaque or Sculpture
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This well executed antique wall sculpture is unsigned, but presumed to have been done in Switzerland in approximately 1890 in the period Black F...
Softwood
$2,300
H 37.5 in W 33.5 in D 11 in
Antique English Plate Rack Wall Shelf Hanging Wall Decor Carved Oak 19th C
Located in Tyler, TX
CHARMING Antique English Oak Hanging Wall Shelf Plate Rack~~19th Century The perfect decorative accent piece for displaying your favorite Imari, Majolica, Staffordshire or other an...
Oak
Adams Shelf Brackets, Black
Located in Cincinnati, US
Simple yet elegant hairpin shelf bracket design that blends with both contemporary or rustic styles and it’s versatile to fit any room of the house. Mad...
Steel
$2,360Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 15 in W 26 in D 10 in
Large Pair Swedish Gray Neoclassical Tole Wall Brackets/Shelves
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Large Pair Swedish Gray Neoclassical Tole Wall Brackets/Shelves European, 20th Century A stunning pair of Swedish Gray Neoclassical Tole Wall Bra...
Metal
$860 / set
H 6.63 in W 6.5 in D 4.25 in
Pair Antique Terracotta Lion Head Wall Consoles Shelves Italy 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Offered is an absolutely stunning, pair of 1910s wall consoles or brackets. Minor patina gives this piece a classy statement. Made of terracotta. Use just as a decorative shelf or pu...
Terracotta
$2,457Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 10.63 in W 8.47 in D 4.73 in
Pair of Spanish Foliage Wall Brackets / Shelves in Carved Giltwood, 1930s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Pair of carved giltwood wall consoles or bracket shelves, Spain, 1930s. Carved Wood, Giltwood, Gold Leaf Antique Spanish Neoclassical Revival Giltwood Wall Brackets. These stunning o...
Gold Leaf
19th Century Original Blue Painted Hanging Rack with Shelf
Located in Round Top, TX
This festive 7' long hanging rack or shelf is a wonderful example of the folk art found in Eastern Europe during the 1800's. The original dark blue painted background has traditional...
Wood, Paint
$1,240Sale Price|20% Off
H 17.75 in W 37.5 in D 4.75 in
Dutch Carved Oak Angel Cherub Head Wall Mounted Plate Display Rack Shelf
Located in Clifton Forge, VA
This is the sweetest carved oak plate display rack with a beautiful cherub face surrounded by intricate wings in the center bottom and circles on either end and center of the slats w...
Oak
Sold
H 13.78 in W 13 in D 8.47 in
Exquisite 19th century Swiss Black Forest Chamois wall shelf / bracket / console
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Gorgeous 19th century Swiss hand carved Black forest wall shelf / bracket. Displaying a gorgeous chamois decorated with carved tree trunk, multiple leaves and acorns. All carved by ...
Wood
Antique Black Forest Foliate Carved Wall Shelf C1890
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Black Forest Foliate Carved Wall Shelf C1890 Measures- 29.25"H x 21"W x 7"D
Wood
Sold
H 15.25 in W 9.25 in D 3.63 in
Black Forest Fox & Dog Magazine Rack Wall Board Antique German Folk Art, 1880s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A lovely wall board made of hand carved wood, made in the black forest or brienz area in Europe. Found at an estate sale in Nuremberg, Germany. It is not marked. A nice addition to y...
Wood
Sold
H 18 in W 13.75 in D 11 in
Victorian Era Black Forest Style Oak Corner Shelf W/ Deer & Faux Bois Details
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a Victorian Era Black Forest style carved corner shelf with a centered deer bust. It is framed with carved branches and leaves. It is most likely American and is unmarked.
Oak
Sold
H 17.33 in W 3.15 in D 17.33 in
Black Forrest Hand Painted Wooden Key Organizer for 50 Keys, 1940s Germany
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Hand-painted with the typical Black Forest patterns and flowers. Ideal for a hotel, motel or guesthouse. Space for 50 keys.
Metal
Sold
H 23.5 in W 17 in D 5 in
19th Century Black Forest Carved Walnut and Leather Wall Vitrine Cabinet
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant and heavily carved antique vitrine was crafted in France, circa 1880. The hanging cabinet features hand carved leaf and branch motifs throughout the front. The cabinet d...
Walnut, Leather
Circa 1860-1880 Black Forest Carved Eagle Wall Shelf
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
A boldly carved eagle wall shelf, c.1860-80, Black Forest. Carved from linden wood. Beneath the shelf a spread eagle above a festoon of fruits & leav...
Wood
Wooden Black Forest Shelve with Deer Antler Decoration
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Wooden Black Forest Shelve with Deer Horn Decoration A 19th century pedestal shelve decorated with carved and turned horn roses, deer antlers, white tail deer antler and wild boar t...
Wood, Antler
Sold
H 30.5 in W 24.5 in D 10 in
Antique European Black Forest Carved Wall Shelf Plate Display Rack German
Located in Choudrant, LA
Antique European Black Forest Carved Wall Shelf Plate Display Rack German. Direct from Europe (and one of our favorite finds), this stunning Bla...
Hardwood
Black Forest Carved Deer Trophy Wall Bracket Shelf, Swiss, ca. 1900
Located in Banner Elk, NC
Black Forest Carved Linden Wood Deer Head, mounted on a carved and molded oak plaque, with a shaped and molded shelf, Brienz, Switzerland, ca. 1880. Jay Arenski quotes Swiss Poet...
Softwood
Sold
H 17.92 in W 15.75 in D 9.65 in
Antique 19th Century Swiss Black Forest Hanging Cabinet / Small Cabinet Oak Bird
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Stunning 19th century Swiss black forest hanging cabinet / small cabinet carved from solid oak. Superb Black Forest cabinet with floral carvings displaying leaves & acorns. The doo...
Oak
Sold
H 18.5 in W 18 in D 10.25 in
Antique German Black Forest Figural Carved Walnut Game Bird Corner Shelf, 19th C
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique German Black Forest corner shelf offers carved walnut in shield form with central hanging game birds, 19th c Measures- 18.5''H x 18''W...
Walnut