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Black Forest Boxes

BLACK FOREST STYLE

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.

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Style: Black Forest
Swiss Black Forest Gnome Tobacco Jar
Located in Newark, England
The Gnome stands proud wearing a green apron, hooded top with a large stein in his right hand and his left hand resting in his pocket. The jar is hinged at waistline of the Gnome al...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Boxes

Materials

Wood

Oversized Swiss Black Forest Dog Tobacco Jar
Located in Newark, England
The tobacco jar of unusually large size modelled as a humorous dog with its mouth open and tongue sticking out. The dog is highly detailed with individual carving lines for its hair, nose and paws finished with orange glass eyes. The tobacco jar hinges around the neckline of the dog to reveal the hollowed out centre for storing tobacco. The tobacco jar dates to the late 19th century circa 1890. Black Forest is a term used to describe the elaborate, realistic carvings of a vast array of wooden pieces such as clocks and animals. Our Black Forest collection at Jacksons Antique features varying objects of highly desirable carvings such as woodland animal Tobacco Jars. Our aim is to supply that breathtaking piece of Black Forest to add that special edge to any collection or home. Commonly thought to originate from the Black Forest in Bavaria Germany, Black Forest carvings actually originate from Switzerland. The most recogniseable Black Forest carvings are usually bears carved amongst different pieces such as hat stands, tables and whimsical figures.  Black Forest products can also be seen carved into other forest wildlife as well as clocks, music boxes and furniture although these are more uncommon making them highly desirable. Black Forest items...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Black Forest Boxes

Materials

Wood

Antique Wooden Carved Edelweis Jewelry Box with Bird, Brienz ca 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Wooden Carved Edelweis Jewelry Box with Bird, Brienz ca 1900 A very nice antique handcarved Black Forest sewing box or jewelry box with edelweis carvings and bird on the lid...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Boxes

Materials

Wood

Black Forest Carved Walnut Jewellery Box
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Black Forest Carved Walnut Jewellery Box A beautiful looking, well made piece, it is hand carved all over with woodcock and fauna decorations. B...
Category

1880s Antique Black Forest Boxes

Materials

Walnut

Cigar Humidor, Estate Pipe Wall Cabinet, Black Forest Brienz Wood Carved Antique
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Stunning Black Forest Brienz wood carved wall cabinet. Made in Germany in the 1880s or older. Some color spots, also some old repairs to the wood and a new...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Boxes

Materials

Metal

Antique Swiss Black Forest Dark Brown Carved Wood Glove Box, ca. 1900
Located in Barntrup, DE
Antique Black Forest dark brown carved wood glove box, ca. 1900 This elegant and beautiful Black Forest style finely hand-carved linden wood glove box from ca. 1900 features a rectangular shape, carved with a wood grain pattern and with flowers and leaves in high relief on the lid, and two straps at the ends of the lid. The glove box retains its original purple velvet interior. Label "F. Bruel, Rue des Allemands 10, Geneve" on the bottom of the box. In good condition, with some signs of aging and use. The key is not working...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Boxes

Materials

Metal

CARVED BLACK FOREST WOOD SMOKiNG PIPE CABINET BOX LATIN INSCRIBED NIL NISI CRUCE
Located in GB
Royal House Antiques Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning, hand carved Black Forest wood, smoking pipe cabinet or rack with inscribed top reading "Nil N...
Category

1870s German Antique Black Forest Boxes

Materials

Wood

19th Century Victorian Era Black Forest Liquor Tantalus with Glasses & Decanters
Located in Lisse, NL
Large and museum quality hand-carved walnut wood, Victorian Era, Black Forest art, liquor tantalus. This magnificent Black Forest drinks box, dates from circa 1880. The beautiful ...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Boxes

Materials

Brass

Original Antique Grape Vine Carved Black Forest Wood Music Box Needs Service
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this antique original circa 1880 Black Forest Wood music box with grape vine carving to the top A very good lookin...
Category

1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Boxes

Materials

Wood

Antique Large & Rare, Late 1800s Hand Crafted Wooden Carriage Novelty Cigar Box
Located in Lisse, NL
Large, masterly hand-crafted and amazing condition wooden antique coach cigar holder. If you are a collector of truly unique antiques in general and of cigar or carriage related pieces in particular then this one of a kind centerpiece could be flying your way soon. Over the years we have sold a few antique novelty cigar holders, but never one of this size and never in the form of a carriage. Back in the day when this type of carriages were the means of transportation for only the wealthiest of western societies, smoking cigars certainly was a manly thing to do and very much 'en vogue'. Smoking cigars also proved that you had made it in this world. For all those reasons, this hand-crafted carriage cigar holder has always been and always will be a statement piece. We, as antique enthousiast, first and foremost fell in love with the workmanship and with the honest and timeless way in which this carriage was hand-crafted. We also love how perfectly balanced and realistic it is and for us to have been given the opportunity to buy yet another unique antique and in such amazing condition again felt like a blessing. The former owner, in our view, had gone a little overboard in trying to be the best custodian, because he kept this unique antique in an aquarium-like glass dome. He certainly succeeded, because this carriage cigar holder is in THE best possible condition. The quality in the details and the overal balance of this coach mixed with the warm patina of the antique wood is what makes this aesthetically pleasing antique a real gem to own and to look at. We believe this work of antique craftsmanship is of museum quality and condition and no matter where you decide to have it on display, this work of art will never fail to impress. In all honesty who would not be impressed (and amused) when being offered a cigar that is in the door of a large, handcrafted, 19th century model carriage...
Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Black Forest Boxes

Materials

Brass

Antique 19th Century Swiss Black Forest Jewelry Box Fruitwood Birds Band Carved
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Gorgeous & breathtaking! This 19th century black forest jewelry box carved out of fruitwood. Carved by a master carver with at...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Boxes

Materials

Fabric, Fruitwood

Stunning Original Antique Hand Carved Black Forest Wood Jewellery Box
Located in GB
We are is delighted to offer for sale this rather lovely antique original circa 1880 black forest wood jewellery box A very good looking and well made piece, it is hand carved all...
Category

1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Boxes

Materials

Wood

Stunning Original Antique Hand Carved Black Forest Wood Cigar Box Humidor House
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this rather lovely antique original circa 1880 Black Forest Wood musical Cigar box Humidor with built in music box A very good looking and well ...
Category

1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Boxes

Materials

Wood

Wooden Black Forest Casket with Antlers Decoration circa 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Wooden Black Forest casket with antlers decoration circa 1900s A marvelous rustic wooden casket or cigar box. It is made of handcarved pine wood p...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Boxes

Materials

Antler, Wood

Antique Black Forest Style Wooden Carved Trinket Box or Bucket Owl, circa 1920
Located in Barntrup, DE
Antique Black Forest style oak wood carved trinket box or bucket in a shape of an owl, from circa 1920. An impressive, large, and beautiful German Black Forest style hand-carved wooden trinket box...
Category

1920s German Vintage Black Forest Boxes

Materials

Metal

Rare Antique 4 Tier Black Forest Jewelry Box Fruitwood 19th Century Hand Carved
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
A beautiful, very finely carved antique black forest jewelry box from the late 19th/ early 20th century made in Switzerland. A large and impressive four-tiered piece with 6 swing o...
Category

1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Boxes

Materials

Fruitwood

Late 19th Century Black Forest Bronze Decorative Box by Leopold Oudry & Cie.
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
A refined French lidded box, embelished all around with floral motifs in Black Forest style. Made of casted bronze with the original brown patina finish. The box is marked, L. Oudry & Cie. With key, lock is not working. Léopold Oudry...
Category

1860s French Antique Black Forest Boxes

Materials

Bronze, Copper

Antique Swiss Black Forest Owl Cigar Box with Original Tin Lining Hand Carved
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning hand made in Switzerland Black Forest wood cigar box with traces of the original foil lining. A very...
Category

20th Century Swiss Black Forest Boxes

Materials

Tin

19th Century Swiss Black Forest Carved Thatched Roof Cottage Box
Located in Stamford, CT
Fantastic and rare example of Black Forest folk art, a tour de force of carving by a master woodworker. This lift top box in the form of a thatched cottage has many wonderful details...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Boxes

Materials

Walnut

Large Size & Great Quality Carved Jewelry, Treasure or Collecting Box / Casket
Located in Lisse, NL
A beautiful and top condition antique black forest jewelry box, carved on all sides. This rare and large jewelry box makes a beautiful accessory for a lady with an eye for fine arts. It is a very well fine carved gem and highly practical with a good working lock and key. The detailed leafs, branches and flowers on top and the marvelous blue...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Boxes

Materials

Brass

Stunning Antique Hand Carved Nutwood Black Forest Box with Secret Lock Mechanism
Located in Lisse, NL
Masterly carved and good size, two tone Black Forest jewelry box from circa 1880. If you are a collector of truly beautiful Black Forest artwork then you will love this 19th century, multi-purpose box. The first thing that draws your attention is the stunning, raised, oval medallion on top of this unique box. It is entirely hand carved out of solid nutwood and the two tones makes the quality and details of the rose flower and branches atop stand out even more. The entire top of this box is remarkably well carved and it is in mint condition. The front and back come with hand carved bird sculptures...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Boxes

Materials

Metal

French Black Forest Wood Box, Circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
French Black Forest wood box, circa 1900, Possibly a jewel box.
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Black Forest Boxes

Materials

Wood

Cave a Liqueur Decanter Set in Carved Box with St Louis Crystal Decanters/Stems
Located in Houston, TX
This cave a liqueur set is truly special because the box is exquisitely Carved and has the original beveled glass. The decanters and stem Ware are by St. Louis and the original la...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Boxes

Materials

Crystal

Antique Swiss Samuel Troll Fils Key Wind Cylinder Music Box
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Made in Switzerland in approximately 1850, this key wind brass cylinder music box is set in a burled walnut case with an inlaid shield in the top and has a gl...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Boxes

Materials

Metal

Black Forest Hinged Table Box
Located in Lambertville, NJ
Expertly hand carved Swiss Black Forest hand carved table box. The hinged lid with floral and vine decoration over a carved bottom with ivy motif feet.
Category

1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Boxes

Materials

Walnut

Victorian Miniature Black forest Antler Casket 1860
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A marvelous antique rustic casket. It is made of wood, veneered with antler pieces. On top an antler plaque with staghound carving. The feet are made of ...
Category

Mid-19th Century German Antique Black Forest Boxes

Materials

Antler, Wood

19th Century Black Forest Carved Box
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Black Forest Boxes

Materials

Wood

Rare Hand Carved Black Forest Box w. Inlaid Enameled Playing Cards & Chips Boxes
Located in Lisse, NL
Entirely carved antique box for playing cards with inlaid, enameled miniature cards on top, ca 1880. If you are a collector of rare and stylish hand carved Black Forest antiques in ...
Category

19th Century European Antique Black Forest Boxes

Materials

Brass, Copper, Iron

Carved Black Forest Trunk, France, circa 1890
Located in Atlanta, GA
French Black Forest carved wood trunk with hinged lift top and grapevine motif, circa 1890.
Category

1890s French Antique Black Forest Boxes

Materials

Wood

Antique Hand Carved Black Forest Wooden Chest or Trunk Shape Jewelry / Cigar Box
Located in Lisse, NL
Excellent workmanship and very cool looking antique box. This 19th century and all handcrafted box is perfect for decorating the interior of your lodge, but also in a home environme...
Category

19th Century German Antique Black Forest Boxes

Materials

Brass

Antique Hand Carved Black Forest Rustic Cottage Jewelry or Trinket Box
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique hand carved Black Forest jewelry or trinket box is unsigned but presumed to have been made in either Germany or Switzerland in circa 1920 in the signature Black Forest s...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Boxes

Materials

Softwood

Antique Wooden Carved Casket with Birds, Brienz, circa 1890
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Wooden Carved Casket with Birds, Brienz, circa 1890 A very nice hand carved black forest sewing box or jewel case with two birds on the lid. Ins...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Boxes

Materials

Wood

19th Century Black Forest Carved Box
Located in London, GB
A Black Forest carved box Constructed from stained and patinated Lindenwood, the lockable box carved to resemble a tied sheaf with its accom...
Category

19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Boxes

Materials

Wood

Rustic Black Forest Humidor Box
Located in New York, NY
Rustic Black Forest (19thcentury) walnut carved humidor box with faux wood design and smoking motif on top (interior of top has smoking accessories...
Category

19th Century Antique Black Forest Boxes

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Antique Carved Black Forest Triple Postage Stamp Box, Owl, Glass Eyes
Located in Bath, GB
A fabulous hand carved wooden postage stamp box from the Black Forest region and dating to around 1900. The sides are carved but the star of the show is the central carved owl to ...
Category

Early 1900s Antique Black Forest Boxes

Materials

Wood

19th Century Black Forest Carved Humidor
Located in High Point, NC
19th century hand-carved black forest humidor with a figure of a dog and cat. The cat is atop a barrel, which has a lid which lifts to reveal a compartment for tobacco. The barrel is sitting on a base with hand-carved sticks and logs and an upside down hunting hat...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Boxes

Materials

Fruitwood

Rare Antique Black Forest Travel Thermometer Carved Dog, circa 1900
Located in Bath, GB
A most unusual piece of Black Forest, a travel desk thermometer in a wooden case with carved decoration and a beautifully carved Dog's head to the front, great detail and beautifully...
Category

Early 1900s Swiss Antique Black Forest Boxes

19th Century Black Forrest round Covered Box
Located in Lambertville, NJ
A whimsical had carved Black Forest box. The walnut box with a hen house motif, complete with three chickens.
Category

1870s German Antique Black Forest Boxes

Materials

Walnut

Rare & Hand-Carved Ratan Basket Design Black Forest Jewelry Box with Lock & Key
Located in Lisse, NL
Antique hand-carved box with roses on top. This rare Black Forest box from circa 1870-1880 has the most beautiful design and details and it can be used for all kinds of purposes. The oval shaped ratan...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Boxes

Materials

Wood, Felt

19th Century Black Forest Carved Humidor
Located in High Point, NC
19th century black forest humidor hand-carved in the shape of a dog's head. His hat lifts to reveal storage for tobacco or cigars. The carving on this piece is wonderfully detailed a...
Category

19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Boxes

Materials

Fruitwood

19th Century Black Forest Carved Humidor
Located in High Point, NC
19th century hand-carved humidor in the form of a dog's head. The dog is very whimsical with a hat, which lifts to reveal a compartment for storage and finished with a cigar and a bo...
Category

19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Boxes

Materials

Fruitwood

Antique Hand-Carved Black Forest Trunk on Goat Hoofs Amazing Shape & Condition
Located in Lisse, NL
Larger than average and beautiful trunk. It is not often that you find antiques of this age and beauty in such remarkable condition. You would think that in the course of a 125+ yea...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Boxes

Materials

Wood, Pine

Rare Black Forest Alpine Ibex Wood Box, circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
Rare and unusual Black Forest box in the shape of wood log with a large wood carved Alpine ibex or bouquetin, circa 1890. The carved bouquetin is 5" height and the box is 8".  
Category

1890s French Antique Black Forest Boxes

Materials

Wood

Rustic Black Forest Walnut Display Box with Etched Glass and A Carved Fox
Located in New York, NY
Rustic Black Forest (4th Quarter 19th Century) walnut carved table top display cabinet box with etched glass inset panels and floral carving ...
Category

19th Century Austrian Antique Black Forest Boxes

Materials

Walnut, Glass

Beautiful Hand-Carved 19th Century Esthetic Black Forest Walnut Rare Humidor Box
Located in Roslyn, NY
A Beautifully Hand-Carved 19th Century Esthetic / Black Forest Walnut Rare Humidor Box.
Category

19th Century Antique Black Forest Boxes

Materials

Wood, Walnut

Black Forest boxes for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Black Forest boxes for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Early 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage boxes created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, more furniture and collectibles, folk art and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Black Forest boxes made in a specific country, there are Europe, Switzerland, and Germany pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original boxes, popular names associated with this style include and Black Forest. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for boxes differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $356 and tops out at $8,250 while the average work can sell for $1,600.

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