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.
Fine Art Antique Hand Carved Wooden Black Forest Trophy-Like Deer Wall Sculpture
Located in Lisse, NL
Finest quality carved, Victorian era, Black Forest deer / stag wall sculpture. One of the main reasons for people wanting to own and enjoy antiques is for their decorative appeal an...
Metal
Large Folk Art Wood Carved Deer Head with Real Antlers, Austria 19th Century
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A great looking hand carved original wooden Folk Art deer head wall decoration. A great piece for a suitable ambiance in a trophy room or the office of ...
Wood
Black Forest Folk Art Carved Wood Deer Head with Glass Eyes, 19th Century
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A great looking hand carved original wooden Folk Art deer head wall decoration. A great piece for a suitable ambiance in a trophy room or the office of ...
Glass, Wood
Large Caribou Antler Skull Mount Taxidermy Cabin Decor Skull Antlers
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Caribou Antler Skull Mount Taxidermy Cabin Decor Skull Antlers Item e7355 A great antique caribou (Rangifer tarandus) trophy on a wooden plaque. Th...
Antler, Wood
Pair Great Black Forest Wall Sconces with Deer Horns, Germany ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Pair Great Black Forest Wall Sconces with Deer Horns, Germany ca. 1900 An antique pair of Black Forest sconces for candles. Each made of original deer horns which are mounted on a t...
Antler, Wood
Capital Black Forest Uneven 32 Pointer Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Capital Black Forest Uneven 32 Pointer Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque A massive uneven 32 pointer deer (Cervus elaphus) trophy from the Black Forest. The trophy was shot around 1950s....
Wood, Antler
Antique Black Forest Carved Cuckoo Clock with Stag Head on Top
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Antique Black Forest Carved Cuckoo Clock with Stag Head A large handcarved wooden cuckoo clock, decorated with hunting accessoires, oak leaves, hare, pheasant and a stag head ...
Wood
Life Size Wild Boar Black Forest Hand Carved Folk Art Wood Trophy 20th Century
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A great looking hand carved original wooden Folk Art Wild Boar head wall decoration. A great piece for a suitable ambiance in a trophy room or the office of a Hunter or Woodsman. Mor...
Wood
Antique Black Forest Wall Reliefs with Hunting Motifs, a pair
Located in Pearland, TX
A pair of antique 19th century Black Forest hunting trophies, finely carved, featuring partridges, powder horns, rope, acorns and oak lea...
Wood
Antique French Black Forest Barometer Thermometer Hound Dogs Birds Carved Oak
Located in Tyler, TX
Very Nice Antique French Oak BLACK FOREST Barometer Thermometer Beautifully carved hound and birds~~outstanding craftsmanship of the era Black Forest furniture and decorative pie...
Oak
Antique Wooden Carved Black Forest Game Plaque with Fox
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique wooden carved Black Forest game plaque with fox An antique wooden hunting game plaque with impressive carving of a fox and hunting accessoires. Black Forest, executed ca. 1900. Very good condition. This plaque is a splendid addition to every rustic wall decoration. The tradition of wood carving in Brienz dates back to mid of the 19th century. People in the region were looking for new employment opportunities. They used their skills from traditional crafts, carving everyday objects and sculptures, and created a new business. Many woodcarvers were trained in the 'School of Wood Carving, Brienz' which was established in 1884. Around 1900 the woodcarving industry counted ca. 2000 woodcarvers. Brienz woodcarvings were presented on several worlds fairs with great success. With the Gran Tour Tourism wealthy people from all over the word visited the area and took their woodcarving souvenirs home. Today some companies, like 'Huggler Holzbildhauerei' still exist and build traditional sculptures. Measures: Width: 13.78" (35 cm) Height: 18.5" (47 cm) Depth: 2.76" (7 cm) Literature Reference: Peter F. Blackman, Black Forest Woodcarvings, Atglen 2009. Jay Arenski, Simon and Michael Daniels, Swiss Carvings...
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
Antique German Barometer, Hand-Carved Oak Leaves & Acorns, 1920
Located in Barntrup, DE
German Black Forest-style barometer with fine hand-carved oak branches, leaves, and acorns. Dimensions: height 30 cm / 11.81 in; width 24 cm / 9.44 in; depth 5 cm / 1.96 in. In good ...
Metal
Black Forest Hunting-Theme Hand-Carved Wooden Wall Mounted Salt Box with Dog
Located in Barntrup, DE
Black Forest Hunting-Theme Hand-Carved Wooden Wall Mounted Salt Box. This beautiful and compact Black Forest wall salt box depicts a masterful...
Wood
Set of Two Hand Carved Folk Art Deer Head with Real Antlers, 19th Century
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A great looking set of two hand carved original wooden Folk Art deer head wall decorations. A great piece for a suitable ambiance in a trophy room or the office of a Hunter or Woodsm...
Wood
Black Forest Folk Art Carved Wood Chamois Head with Real Horns, 19th Century
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A great looking hand carved original wooden Folk Art chamois head wall decoration. A great piece for a suitable ambiance in a trophy room or the office of a Hunter or Woodsman. More ...
Wood
Pair of Roe Deer Heads, Wall Decoration, Germany, 1930s
Located in Barntrup, DE
Roe deer heads, wall decoration, made of plaster, Germany, 1930s, set of two. An absolutely adorable pair of roe deer heads in the Black Forest style is ...
Plaster
Large Deer Trophy from a Noble Estate, Uneven 14 Ends
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Deer Trophy from a Noble Estate, Uneven 14 Ends A very large uneven 14 pointer Black Forest deer (Cervus elaphus) trophy from the palace of Salem in South Germany. Shot by a m...
Wood, Antler
Black Forest Carved Walnut Wall Plaque, Eagle with Prey
By Black Forest
Located in Newark, England
FREE WORLDWIDE SHIPPING A FINELY CARVED BLACK FOREST WALNUT WALL PLAQUE DEPICTING AN EAGLE WITH PREY ABOVE EAGLETS IN THEIR NEST, SET AGAINST A MOUNTAINOUS BACKDROP. From our Blac...
Wood, Walnut
Black Forest Carved Deer or Stag Head and Antlers on Plaque, Germany, 1900
Located in Richmond, Surrey
Black Forest carved deer or stag head & antlers mounted on shield plaque, Germany, 1900 Early 20th century Black Forest carved wood stag head with an...
Hardwood
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
$5,560Sale Price|37% Off
Monumental 19th Century Black Forest Carved “Spoils of the Hunt” Wall Clock
Located in Atlanta, GA
One of the most impressive masterfully carved German or Swiss black forest wall clocks I have ever had in my possession circa 1880. The shear size and quality of the carvings is incredible. Adorned with several duck and bird forms to the clock, a rifle, catch bag, powder horn and bird call...
Brass
Black Forest Antique Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1940s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Black Forest Antique Roe Deer Trophy on Carved Plaque 1940s A vintage roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) trophy on a wooden carved plaque. The trophy was shot in the 1940s in Germany. G...
Antler, Wood
Pair of Black Forest Carved Walnut Bird Nest Wall-Mounted Consoles, ca. 1920
Located in Barntrup, DE
Pair of Black Forest style carved walnut wall-mounted consoles or shelves, birds nest, Germany, ca. 1920. An adorable pair of wall-mounted consoles with beautifully and masterfully c...
Metal
$360Sale Price|20% Off
Black Forest Chamois Horns Hunting Trophy Mount
Located in Pearland, TX
A fine antique petite chamois antler horns hunting trophy on a hand carved black forest plaque. The plaque is hand carved with oak leaves and crossed branches. It's perfect for a stu...
Horn, Wood
A Pair Great Black Forest Wall Sconces with Deer Antlers, Germany ca. 1950
Located in Berghuelen, DE
PA Pair Great Black Forest Wall Sconces with Deer Antlers, Germany ca. 1950 Item e8192 A vintage pair of Black Forest wall sconces for candles. Each made of original deer horns which...
Antler, Wood
Traditional Handcarved and Painted Tyrolian Carnival Mask
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Traditional handcarved and painted tyrolian carnival mask An nice antique wooden carved carnival mask which comes from the region of South Tyrol. Made of handcarved and handpainted ...
Wood
Nice Carved and Painted Tyrolian Carnival Fasnet Mask
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Nice Carved and Painted Tyrolian Carnival Fasnet Mask A handcarved pine wood, hand painted, antique wooden carved carnival mask from the region of South Tyrol. Excecuted in the firs...
Wood
Pair of 19th Century Swiss Carved Black Forest Trophy Plaques Hunting Deer Stag
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Stunning craftsmanship! This pair of 19th century Black Forest hunting Trophy plaques from Brienz Switzerland. Fully carved from solid ...
Walnut
$3,572Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Cabin Antler Wall Clock with Deer and Chamois Austria ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Cabin Antler Wall Clock with Deer and Chamois Austria ca. 1900 A great rustic antler wall clock. The wooden case is richly decorated with plaster applications, a plaster deer...
Wood, Plaster, Antler
Mountain Man "The Mountain Ghost" Statue wood carved, vintage German 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A great looking hand carved original wooden Folk Art Statue. A great piece for a suitable ambiance in a Cabin room or the office of a Hunter or Woodsman. More than likely one of the ...
Wood
Antique Reindeer Antler Mount Taxidermy Cabin Decor Skull Antlers
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Reindeer Antler Mount Taxidermy Cabin Decor Skull Antlers Item e7354 A great antique reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) trophy on a wooden panel wit...
Antler, Wood
Hunting Dog Head Black Forest Hand Carved Folk Art Wooden Trophy, 19th Century
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A great looking hand carved original wooden Folk Art Dog head with glass eyes, wall decoration. A great piece for a suitable ambiance in a trophy room or the office of a Hunter or Woodsman. More than likely one of the Folk Art items made between 1860 and the late 1890s. In remarkably good as found condition with only a few small paint lost on the trophy plaque. Found at an estate sale in Wels, Austria. We think this will be a nice addition to your Collection of Black Forest items...
Wood
Folksy Hand Carved Tyrolian Carnival Fasnet Mask
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Folksy Hand Carved Tyrolian Carnival Fasnet Mask A folksy wooden carved carnival mask from the region of South Tyrol. These masks are used in Austria, South Germany and Italy at the...
Wood
19th Century Swiss 'Black Forest' Carved Game Trophy Plaques
Located in London, GB
A Pair of Carved Black Forest Game Plaques Expertly carved in Lindenwood, the shaped plaques, carved with oak leaves, depicting a chamois, deer, bird, fox and hunting accoutrements,...
Wood
19th Century Carved Swiss 'Black Forest' Life-Sized Stag's Head Wall Mount
Located in London, GB
A Rare Life-Sized Black Forest Stag's Head Carved from Lindenwood, the deer head with realistic fur effect, patination, and glass inset eyes in conjunction with the real three-tined...
Wood
Pair of 18th C. French Carved Oak Hunting Plaques with Wrought Iron Handles
Located in Dallas, TX
Add historical charm and sculptural interest to your interior with this impressive pair of hand-carved French wall plaques, crafted in oak circa 1780. Each plaque takes the form of a...
Wrought Iron
$23,000 / set
Pair Black Forest Carved Hanging Game Plaques
By Black Forest
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Matched pair of Black Forest linden wood hanging game plaques. One with chamois and grouse, the other red stag and fox. Both complete with rifle and game ...
Wood
Abnorm White Tailed Deer Trophy Mount on Wooden Plaque ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Abnorm White Tailed Deer Trophy Mount on Wooden Plaque ca. 1900s A large abnorme white tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) trophy on a wooden plaque with black finish. The trophy w...
Antler, Wood
Black Forest 1900s Hand Carved Wooden Buck Head Mounted on Shield Plate
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Swiss Black Forest hand carved wooden buck head wall sculpture from the turn of the century, with shield plate. Born in the early years of the 20th century...
Wood
Pair of French Antique Black Forest Panels in Carved Oak, Late 19th Century
Located in Dallas, TX
A celebration of a traditional French hunt of the late 1800s, this pair of Black Forest-style panels has been hand-carved from oak. In the center of each rectangular panel is a high-...
Wood, Oak
STUNNING ViNTAGE PAINTED BLACK FOREST HAND CARVED RABBIT WHIP HOOK GLASS EYES
By Black Forest
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely, extra large, Swiss made Black Forest wood, Rabbit / Hare whip hook with glass eyes This is a v...
Wood
Antique Musical circa 1880 Black Forest Hand Carved Fox Whip Hook Glass Eyes
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this exceptionally rare, Musical, original circa 1880 Swiss made Black Forest wood, Fox whip hook with glass eyes These...
Wood
Black Forest Carved Walnut Deer Head Trophy Mount
Located in Essex, MA
Well carved with original oval carved back. The head realistically carved with amber colored glass eyes. Antlers are carved walnut as well.
Glass, Walnut
Black Forest Sika Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque - Germany ca. 1950s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Black Forest Sika Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque - Germany ca. 1950s Item e7343 A vintage 6 pointer sika deer (Cervus nippon) trophy from the Black Forest. The trophy was shot around 1...
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
Collection of Nine Black Forest Antler Mounts on Hand-Carved Wood PlaquesPriced
Located in Buchanan, MI
Collection of nine black forest antler mounts on hand-carved wood plaques. Priced per mount. Excellent condition and color
Antler, Walnut
Monumental Black Forest Rooster Statue wood carved, Germany Nuremberg
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A great looking hand carved original wooden Folk Art Rooster Statue. A great piece for a suitable ambiance in a Cabin room or the office of a Hunter or Woodsman. More than likely one...
Wood
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
Stately Black Forest Antler Mount on Carved Walnut Plaque
Located in Buchanan, MI
Stately Black Forest antler mount on carved walnut plaque. We have a large selection of both large and small antler mounts on Black Forrest plaques. Ca...
Antler, Walnut
Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Black Forest Red Deer Trophy on Wooden Plaque ca. 1900s An uneven 6 pointer red deer (Cervus elaphus) trophy from the Black Forest. The trophy was shot around 1900. The large antler...
Antler, Wood
Great Wooden Carved Plaque with Stag Family, Brienz 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Great Wooden Carved Plaque with Stag Family, Brienz 1900s A great walnut wall panel with an artistically carved scene showing a family of stags in t...
Wood
Abnorm Siberian Deer Trophy Mount on Wooden Plaque ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Abnorm Siberian Deer Trophy Mount on Wooden Plaque ca. 1900s Item e6941 A large abnorm Siberian deer (Capreolus pygargus) trophy on a wooden turned plaque with black finish. The trop...
Antler, Wood
Siberian Deer Trophy Mount on Wooden Plaque ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Siberian Deer Trophy Mount on Wooden Plaque ca. 1900s Item e6939 A large antique Siberian deer (Capreolus pygargus) trophy on a wooden turned plaque with black finish. The trophy was...
Antler, Wood
19th Century German Black Forest Style Ebonized Walnut Thermometer-Barometer
Located in Chicago, IL
This 19th-century hand-carved German ebonized walnut thermometer-barometer is an exquisite instrument designed to measure atmospheric pressure and forecast weather, while also provid...
Walnut
Relief Woodcarving by Hermann Steiner Meran 19th Century
By Hermann Steiner
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Relief Woodcarving by Hermann Steiner Meran 19th century The wooden carved relief shows a grandfather with grandson on his lap. The granddaughter is sitting on the chair and hides a...
Wood
Moose Trophy from a Noble Estate in Germany Shot in Oeland 1956
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Moose Trophy from a Noble Estate in Germany Shot in Oeland 1956 An impressive moose (Alces alces) trophy from a noble estate, shot in Oeland 1956 by a member of the lordly family of...
Wood, Antler
Large Siberian Deer Trophy Mount on Wooden Plaque ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Siberian Deer Trophy Mount on Wooden Plaque ca. 1900s Item e6940 A large antique Siberian deer (Capreolus pygargus) trophy on a wooden turned plaque with black finish. The trop...
Antler, Wood
Vintage Deer Trophy Spain Toledao 1983 uneven Twelve Ends
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Deer Trophy Spain Toledao 1983 uneven Twelve Ends A great uneven 12 pointer Black Forest deer (Cervus elaphus) trophy from the palace of Salem in South Germany. It was shot ...
Wood, Antler
Large Pair of Carved Black Forest Trophy Plaques depicting Deer, a Hare, and Fox
Located in London, GB
A pair of large black forest game plaques Expertly carved in lindenwood, the shaped plaques, carved with oak leaves, depict a buck and a r...
Wood