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.
Set of Six Chamois Trophies on Birch Slices Germany ca. 1960s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Set of Six Chamois Trophies on Birch Slices Germany ca. 1960s Vintage set of six chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) trophies mounted on wooden slices. The trophies were shot in Germany a...
Antler, 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.
Antler, Wood
Wooden Micro Carving Plaque by Johann Rint ca. 1880
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Wooden Micro Carving Plaque by Johann Rint ca. 1880 A small wall plaque with detailed relief carvings worked out of linden wood by Johann Rint ca. 1880....
Wood
Antique Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque - Germany ca. 1910
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque - Germany ca. 1910 An antique red deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved plaque with dark brown finish which feat...
Antler, Wood
Vintage Wild Boar Teeth Trophy on Wooden Plaque, Germany 1950s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Wild Boar Teeth Trophy on Wooden Plaque, Germany 1950s Item e6932 A vintage Black Forest wild boar (Sus scrofa) trophy on wooden plaque. The teeth are decorated with two meta...
Antler, Wood
Antique Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque - Germany 1930
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque - Germany 1930 An antique red deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved plaque with dark brown finish. The trophy wa...
Antler, 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...
Glass, Wood
Antique White Tailed Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque - Germany 1930s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique White Tailed Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque - Germany 1930s This impressive set of antlers originates from a white tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and features a distinct...
Antler, Wood
Large Black Forest Antique Deer Trophy, Germany 1940s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Black Forest Antique Deer Trophy, Germany 1940s A large uneven 5 pointer deer (Cervus elaphus) trophy mounted on a carved wooden plaque. The trophy was shot in the 1940s. Good...
Antler, Wood
Black Forest Vintage Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque, Germany 1930s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Black Forest Vintage Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque, Germany 1930s An antique roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a brown carved plaque with oak leaves. The trophy was shot a...
Antler, Wood
Large Black Forest Antique Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque, Germany 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Black Forest Antique Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque, Germany 1900s A large 6 pointer antique red deer (Cervus elaphus) trophy on a wooden plaque with black finish. The trophy wa...
Antler, Wood
Large Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Turned Plaque - Germany ca. 1920
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Turned Plaque - Germany ca. 1920 A large unequal 6-pointer red deer trophy (Cervus elaphus) from South Germany, mounted on a black turned woode...
Antler, Wood
Vintage Set of Six Chamois Trophies on Wooden Plaques, Germany ca. 1950s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Set of Six Chamois Trophies on Wooden Plaques, Germany ca. 1950s A set of six vintage chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) trophies mounted on wooden plaques. The trophies were sho...
Antler, Wood
Large Chamois Trophy on Carved Plaque, Austria 1948
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Chamois Trophy on Carved Plaque, Austria 1948 A antique chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) trophy mounted on a wooden carved plaque which features acorns, oak leaves and a handwrit...
Antler, Wood
Vintage Set of Six Chamois Trophies on Wooden Plaques, Germany ca. 1950s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Set of Six Chamois Trophies on Wooden Plaques, Germany ca. 1950s A set of six vintage chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) trophies mounted on wood plaques. The trophies were shot ...
Antler, Wood
Original Antique Print After H. Leutemann, Reynard the Fox-Place of Execution
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- 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.
Paper
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.
Paper
Antique Black Forest Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque, Bavaria 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Black Forest Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque, Bavaria 1900s Item e7321 A large antique roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved plaque. The trophy was shot i...
Antler, Wood
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...
Antler, Wood
Antique Black Forest Red Deer Trophy from Salem - Germany, Banzenreuthe 1875
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Black Forest Red Deer Trophy from Salem - Germany, Banzenreuthe 1875 Item e6248 A 6 pointer black forest red deer (Cervus elaphus) trophy from the palace of Salem in South Ge...
Antler, Wood
Large Chamois Trophy on Carved Plaque, Austria 1954
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Chamois Trophy on Carved Plaque, Austria 1954 An vintage chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) trophy mounted on a wooden carved plaque which features acorns, oak leaves and a handwri...
Antler, Wood
Set of Six Roe Deer Trophies on Turned Plaques Germany ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Set of Six Roe Deer Trophies on Turned Plaques Germany ca. 1900s A set of six antique Black Forest roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophies mounted on turned wooden plaques. The trop...
Antler, 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. ...
Wood
Set of Six Roe Deer Trophies on Wooden Slices Germany ca. 1930s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Set of Six Roe Deer Trophies on Wooden Slices Germany ca. 1930s A set of six antique Black Forest roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophies mounted on birch wood slices. The trophies ...
Antler, Wood
Unknown, Oil on Canvas Painting Angel with Sleeping Child
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Unknown, Oil on Canvas Painting Angel with Sleeping Child A great angelic oil painting depicting an angel sheltering a sleeping child from a snake. Oil...
Canvas
Vintage Set of Six Chamois Trophies on Wooden Plaques, Germany ca. 1970s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Set of Six Chamois Trophies on Wooden Plaques, Germany ca. 1970s A set of six vintage chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) trophies mounted on wooden plaques. The trophies were sho...
Antler, Wood
Set of Six Roe Deer Trophies on Wooden Plaques Salem Germany ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Set of Six Roe Deer Trophies on Wooden Plaques Salem, Germany ca. 1900s An set of six antique Black Forest roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophies mounted on wooden plaques, painted...
Antler, Wood
Six Large Roe Deer Trophies on Carved Plaques Germany 19.Century
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Six Large Roe Deer Trophies on Carved Plaques Germany 19.Century A great set of six large Black Forest roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophies mounted on wooden plaques. The trophie...
Antler, Wood
A Wooden Carved Black Forest Bear with Glass Vase ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A Wooden Carved Black Forest Bear with Glass Vase ca. 1900s A finely carved standing Black Forest bear holding an Art Nouveau glass vase in his hands. Executed in Brienz, Switzerlan...
Wood, Blown Glass
$560Sale Price|20% Off
Mixed Media Found Object Black Forest Skull Sculpture
By Fay Sciarra
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Beautiful mixed media wall sculpture on found antique Black Forest deer antler plaque including tear drop large crystal, oval vintage delicate brass frame, pearls and rhinestones sug...
Crystal
Vintage Red Deer Trophy by Franz Joseph, Prince of Thurn and Taxis, 1944
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Red Deer Trophy by Franz Joseph, Prince of Thurn and Taxis, 1944 This hunting trophy features a roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) with abnormal antlers, mounted on a wooden pla...
Antler, Wood
Red Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque by Philip Ernst, Prince of Thurn and Taxis 1955
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Red Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque, by Philip Ernst, Prince of Thurn and Taxis, 1955 This hunting trophy features a roe deer (Cervus elaphus), mounted on a carved wooden plaque. The s...
Antler, Wood
Vintage Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque, Germany 1968
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque, Germany 1968 An antique red deer (Cervus elaphus) trophy mounted on a carved wooden plaque. The trophy was shot in Germany arr...
Antler, Wood
Vintage Black Forest Chamois Trophy on Wooden Plaque, Germany 1960s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Black Forest Chamois Trophy on Wooden Plaque, Germany 1960s A large trophy of the chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra), mounted on a carved wooden plaque. The chamois was hunted in...
Antler, Wood
Set of Six Vintage Chamois Trophies on Wooden Plaques, Germany ca. 1940s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Set of Six Vintage Chamois Trophies on Wooden Plaques, Germany ca. 1940s A set of six vintage chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) trophies mounted on wooden plaques. The trophies were sho...
Antler, 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 ...
Antler, Wood
Set of Six Vintage Chamois Trophies on Wooden Plaques, Germany ca. 1970s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Set of Six Vintage Chamois Trophies on Wooden Plaques, Germany ca. 1970s A set of six vintage chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) trophies mounted on wooden plaques. The trophies were sho...
Antler, Wood
Set of Six Vintage Chamois Trophies on Wooden Plaques, Germany ca. 1960s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Set of Six Vintage Chamois Trophies on Wooden Plaques, Germany ca. 1960s A set of six vintage chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) trophies mounted on wooden plaques. The trophies were sho...
Antler, Wood
Abnorm Deer Trophy on Turned Plaque, Germany ca. 1930s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Abnorm Deer Trophy on Turned Plaque, Germany ca. 1930s An antique abnorm red deer (Cervus elaphus) trophy from the Black Forest mounted on a wooden turned wall plaque, painted green...
Antler, Wood
Early Deer Antler Mount on Black Forest Carved Wood Plaque
Located in Buchanan, MI
Early Deer Antler Mount On Black Forest Carved Wood Plaque.
Antler, Wood