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Black Forest Desk Accessories

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
Antique Black Forest Brienz Hand-Carved Figural Dog Inkwell
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique inkwell is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from Austria and date to approximately 1920 and done in the period Black Forest style. The inkwell is composed of a ...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Desk Accessories

Materials

Art Glass, Softwood

Antique & Large Black Forest Inkstand w. Capercaillie / Wood Grouse Sculpture
Located in Lisse, NL
Largest and rare antique Black Forest inkstand. If you are a collector of decorative and rare Black Forest antiques then this entirely handcarved inkstand could be gracing your home...
Category

Early 20th Century European Black Forest Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Italy Set of Two Black Faux Horn Bowls in Black Forest Style
Located in Brescia, IT
Italy set of two black faux horn and metal chrome bowls in mountain style contemporary production. Set of two decorative objects in Black Forest style....
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Black Forest Desk Accessories

Materials

Silver Plate

Antique Photo Album with Wooden Carved Cover, Brienz ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Photo Album with Wooden Carved Cover, Brienz ca. 1900 A great antique photo album featuring a lindenwood carved cover depicting grapes, vines ...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Desk Accessories

Materials

Wood

Antique Brass Bronze Black Forest Figural 3 Bears Desk Pen Tray Trinket Holder
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Brass Bronze Black Forest Figural 3 Bears Desk Pen Tray Trinket Holder. Circa Mid 20th Century. Measurements: 1.5" H x 12.25" W x 10" D.
Category

Mid-20th Century Black Forest Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Rare Cigar Holder Bavarian 19th Century Terracotta
Located in Hudson, NY
Rare victorian terracotta and pipe clay cigar holder, late nineteenth century. Produced by the J&C China company of Bavaria. Made for holding cigars. This playful bear with a growl ...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Desk Accessories

Materials

Terracotta

A Black Forest carved wood inkwell with wheat sheafs and poultry
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A Black Forest carved wood inkwell with wheat sheafs and poultry, made of ebonised fruitwood naturalistically carved with a cockerel and hen perched on a rocky outcrop, bundles of wh...
Category

1890s Swiss Antique Black Forest Desk Accessories

Materials

Wood

Rare Antler Desk Standish with Elaborate Carvings, Germany ca. 1840
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Rare Antler Desk Standish with Elaborate Carvings, Germany ca. 1840 A rare antique writing desk set made of wood and original antlers decorated with fine carved hunting scenes depic...
Category

Mid-19th Century German Antique Black Forest Desk Accessories

Materials

Wood, Antler

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 Desk Accessories

Materials

Antler, Wood

Vintage Black Forest Bear Pen Rest, German, Bronze, Marble, Decor, Desk Stand
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a vintage Black Forest bear pen rest. A German, bronze and marble decorative desk Stand, dating to the late 20th century, circa 1970. Highly distinctive desk Stand with charm...
Category

Late 20th Century German Black Forest Desk Accessories

Materials

Marble, Bronze

Cast Solid Brass Hunt Themed Match Holder
Located in Elkhart, IN
A gorgeous hunt themed solid cast brass match safe featuring a rabbit and a pheasant, with a match striker just under the horn in the center Circa Mid-2...
Category

Mid-20th Century Black Forest Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Antique Anglo-Indian Vizagapatam Stag Antler Horn Slope Top Writing Desk c 1800s
Located in Chicago, IL
Stag antler table top desk secretary or rather as described by a British expert: an Anglo-Indian stag antler writing slope table top desk, late 19th century from Vizagapatam, which was the headquarters of the Vizagapatam District of Madras during the British period. Stag Antler anything is rare and unusual today, especially when it is completely covered in carved strips of Natural unpolished Antler. Finding Stag Antler Writing Desks are beyond rare and in our 30-years in the Antique business...
Category

1870s Indian Antique Black Forest Desk Accessories

Materials

Sandalwood, Leather, Antler, Bone

Black Forest Carved Walnut Reclining Swiss Mountain Dog, Swiss, ca. 1880
Located in Banner Elk, NC
Black Forest Breinzware Walnut Inkwell, carved as a reclining Swiss Mountain Dog, with a hinged top, and two interior glass inkwells, Brienz, Switzerland ...
Category

1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Desk Accessories

Materials

Walnut

C19th Carved Wood and Velvet Black Forest Inkwell with Dog
Located in London, GB
Wonderful German late 19th century carved wood black Forest inkwell. Beautifully carved with a seated dog on a naturalistic base of ferns and foliage, the cut glass inkwells retaining their original leaf carved stoppers...
Category

19th Century German Antique Black Forest Desk Accessories

Materials

Velvet, Cut Glass, Wood

Black Forest Porcelain Figure Fox Handpainted Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Completely handmade porcelain figure with a hands-free naturalistic hand-painted fox in brown colors in the style of Black Forest. Handmade in Bavaria/Germany by Sofina Boutique Kitz...
Category

2010s German Black Forest Desk Accessories

Materials

Porcelain

Antique Black Forest Carved Wooden Pug Inkwell, 19th Century Dog Carving
Located in Bristol, GB
Antique Carving in the Form of a Dog Raised up on his hind legs, the head with original glass eyes tilts back to reveal the original glass inkwell ins...
Category

19th Century German Antique Black Forest Desk Accessories

Materials

Wood

Black Forest Carved Large Terrier Inkwell, Hinged Lid, Exceptional Carving
Located in Banner Elk, NC
Black Forest Breinzware Large Inkwell, carved as begging terrier with tongue protruding, with inset glass eyes, the hinged head concealing a glass inkwel...
Category

1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Desk Accessories

Materials

Softwood

Top Quality Carved Antique Swiss Black Forest Exhausted Stag Sculpture Inkstand
Located in Lisse, NL
Finest quality carved and very good condition Swiss black forest stag / deer sculpture. For the collectors of the rarest and best quality Black Forest sculptures we also have this very detailed, hand-carved stag. Looking at the intricate details and the impressively realistic features of this possibly dying stag, this simply can only be the work of a Swiss master carver. Being capable of creating this much detail on a relatively small sculpture takes a god given talent and a lifetime of experience. With the anatomy, the posture AND the balance being perfectly correct, this work of art inkstand is simply devine. An experienced antique seller...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Antique Business Card Tray with Deer Antler Decorations, Germany, ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Business card tray with deer horn antler decorations, Germany ca. 1900 A rustic business card tray, made of turned nut wood with deer antle...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Black Forest Desk Accessories

Materials

Wood

Antique Finer Quality Carved Black Forest Bear Sculpture / Striking Deskpiece
Located in Lisse, NL
Incredible workmanship, antique bear sculpture on a nutwood base. Most people on earth don't have a very good idea of who they are, nor what they reall...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass, Wood, Nutwood

Finely Carved 'Black Forest' Pipe Stand
Located in Forest Row, East Sussex
A finely carved "Black Forest' pipe stand. Carved Lindenwood with a single bear standing over a naturalistic base with the pipe holders and astray to fron...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Desk Accessories

Materials

Wood

Black Forest Hand-Painted Porcelain Bambi Figur Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Hand painted porcelain bambi figure. Hand painted in a naturalistic style. The bambi figure is completely handmade in Bavaria. About Sofina porcelain: Sofina porcelain was found 20...
Category

2010s German Black Forest Desk Accessories

Materials

Porcelain

Hand-Carved Wooden Inkwell Desk Set with Owl Figures, 1930s
Located in Barntrup, DE
Beautiful Black Forest style hand-carved wooden double inkwell with a majestic owl figure sitting on two books. The owl has glass eyes, and the Stand has a tray for pen and accessori...
Category

1930s German Vintage Black Forest Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Black Forest Carved Bear with Pen Inkwell
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Walking bear pen holder and inkwell. Published in "Black Forest Bears and Swiss Woodcarvings," plate 92a. Book included. In the 1800’s the wood carving industry of Switzerland started in the town of Brienz. By the end of the 1800’s it had become the driving force for this industry. Swiss wood carvers became world renown and featured at many international exhibitions. Period: 1900 Origin: Switzerland Size: 4" H x 7" W Family Owned & Operated Cisco’s Gallery deals in the rare, exceptional, and one-of-a-kind pieces that define the history of America and the Old West. Our pieces range from American Indian to Cowboy Western and include original items of everyday life, commerce, art, and warfare that tamed America’s frontier. Our 14,000 square foot gallery opened in 1996 in beautiful Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. Personal Service Cisco’s operates on old fashioned values – honesty and integrity, and all of our items are backed by our money back guarantee. We appreciate the opportunity to earn your business. Whether you desire assistance with a jewelry purchase, choosing a gift, identification, or even selling – we hope to be your trusted source. Black Forest, Brienz Collection, Carvings, Bears, Inkwells, Desk Accessories...
Category

19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Desk Accessories

Materials

Wood

Black Forest Carved Dog Inkwell
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Swiss carved black Forest shaggy dog inkwell with pen holder. In the 1800’s the wood carving industry of Switzerland started in the town of Brienz. By the ...
Category

19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Desk Accessories

Materials

Wood

Wood Black Forest Brienz Carved Walnut Inkwell German Antique, 1890s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1890s Black Forest Brienz wood carved inkwell in form of a walnut on a leaf. Nice addition to your room or just for use it on your desk. Made of hand carved wood and gl...
Category

1890s German Antique Black Forest Desk Accessories

Materials

Metal

Black Forest Carved Bear with Pen Inkwell
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Swiss bear with log pen rest and inkwell. Published in "Black Forest Bears and Swiss Woodcarvings," plate 93a. Book included. In the 1800’s the wood carving...
Category

19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Desk Accessories

Materials

Wood

Black Forest Wood Carved Brienz Bear Inkwell German Vintage, 1890s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic 1890s black forest Brienz wood carved inkwell in form of a Bear. Nice addition to your room or just for use it on your desk. Made of hand carved wood and glass eyes. Found at...
Category

1890s German Antique Black Forest Desk Accessories

Materials

Wood

Scotty Dog Black Forest Wood Carved Inkwell German Vintage, 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic 1930s black forest Brienz wood carved inkwell in form of a Scotty Dog. Nice addition to your room or just for use it on your desk. Made of hand carved wood and glass eyes. Th...
Category

1930s German Vintage Black Forest Desk Accessories

Materials

Wood

Antique Antler Smoking Desk Set, circa 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
The antique antler smoking desk set is made of original antlers from the deer and the stag. It was in Germany, circa 1900. Measures: Width 16.93" (43cm) Height 11.42" (29cm) Antle...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Desk Accessories

Materials

Antler

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 Desk Accessories

Materials

Wood

Group of Three Hand Carved Swiss Black Forest Wild Boar Sculptures by N. Deneffe
By N. Deneffe
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare group of three Black Forest sculptures. We have been in the business of buying and selling rare antiques for quite some time now, but never before had we seen more than one Black Forest boar...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Desk Accessories

Materials

Nutwood

Black Forest Carved Ink Stand with Fox and Inkwells, Brienz, Switzerland c. 1880
Located in Banner Elk, NC
Black Forest Carved Inkstand, naturalistically hand-carved of solid linden wood, with the central figure of a fox among a rootwork base simulating a forest floor, with two tree stump...
Category

19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Desk Accessories

Materials

Walnut

Rare & Practical Size Antique Black Forest Bear Table or Desk Piece / Sculpture
Located in Lisse, NL
Beautiful quality and perfect condition, antique bear desk piece. This Black Forest bear is carved in a beautiful pose. This rare, early 1900s desk piece is the perfect pen or pencil holder and it is handcrafted antiques like this that keep our work interesting and rewarding. Also, because we know that this rare and good quality Swiss bear...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Desk Accessories

Materials

Glass, Wood

Beautiful French Angel Face Cast-Iron Inkwell France Antique, 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1900s French metal inkwell. Nice addition to your room or just for use it on your desk. Made of cast iron and glass. Marked with a number and letters. Found at an estat...
Category

Early 20th Century French Black Forest Desk Accessories

Materials

Wood

19th Century Black Forest Carved Walnut Dog and Cat Head Inkwells with Pen Rest
Located in Haarlem, NL
Very cute set of two 19th century Black Forest, Schwarzwald, Forêt Noir carved walnut dog and cat heads with glass eyes and ink well with log pen rest. Intricate carved detail to hair, teeth, eyes and paws. The cat has green glass eyes, has painted stripes and the log is painted darker. The inkwell insert...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Desk Accessories

Materials

Bone, Walnut, Glass

Antique Carved Black Forest Novelty Inkwell, Dog, circa 1880
Located in Bath, GB
A beautifully carved novelty Victorian inkwell from the Victorian era, having been made in the Black Forest region. The dog has the most lovely face,...
Category

1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Desk Accessories

Antique Carved Inkwell, Swiss Milk Cow, Late 19th Century
Located in Dallas, TX
This intriguing Black Forest inkwell has been meticulously hand carved from wood and dates to 19th century Switzerland. The piece depicts two men attempting to milk a cow. The man wearing a hat is struggling to control the cow by pulling on the bovine’s tail; his bespectacled partner is situated next to the cow in an attempt to milk it. The ground immediately beneath these three figures is a rocky formation of varying height. Below this is a wooden terrain that also has quite a lot of depth. Among the forest-like environment, there are two indentations that house the colored and cut glass inkwells. The colored portions of the mushroom-shaped wells are a rustic orange that ties in nicely with the dark brown wood used in the carving. The wells are then capped with silvered lids. One of the glass containers has a perforated top, which would have held the pounce or sand (pounce pot). This would have permitted the writer to sprinkle the sand on the paper before inking to aid in the drying process. Excess pounce was often poured back into the container. The milk cows...
Category

19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Desk Accessories

Materials

Cut Glass, Wood

Large Antique Black Forest Novelty Inkwell, Dog, circa 1890
Located in Bath, GB
A superbly carved figural Black Forest inkwell in the form of a Dog's head, with great detail and retaining two large glass eyes. The hinged lid opens to reveal an inner ink chamber...
Category

1890s Swiss Antique Black Forest Desk Accessories

Antique Wooden Carved Horse Paper Weight, circa 1920
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A great wooden carved head of a horse. It is mounted on a wooden base - usable as desk decoration or paper weight. Made in Germany ca. 1920. Measures:...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Desk Accessories

Materials

Walnut

Forged in Fire Organic Arts and Crafts Wrought Iron Table or Desk Lamp Rewired
Located in Lisse, NL
Unique and artistic Black Forest style table lamp. Lamps come in all shapes and sizes, but sometimes a lamp can also be a work of art. This unique design, all handcrafted and perfec...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Desk Accessories

Materials

Wrought Iron

Rustic Black Forest Walnut Carved Dog Pen Holder
Located in New York, NY
Rustic Black Forest (19/20th Century) walnut pen holder and inkwell with carved dog head leaning on log
Category

19th Century German Antique Black Forest Desk Accessories

Materials

Walnut

Unique & Intricate Swiss Black Forest Style Hunting Ink Stand Original Inkwells
Located in Lisse, NL
All handcrafted and probably unique work of Swiss hunting art. This is the most figural inkstand you may ever come across. No matter from what angle you l...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Desk Accessories

Materials

Brass

Black Forest desk accessories for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Black Forest desk accessories for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage desk accessories 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 desk accessories 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 desk accessories, popular names associated with this style include Black Forest, Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel, and N. Deneffe. 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 desk accessories differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $175 and tops out at $8,052 while the average work can sell for $1,332.

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