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Black Forest Sculptures

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
19th Carved Wood Black Forest Chamois & Eagle
Located in Austin, TX
Antique fine 19th Black Forest carved wood chamois and eagle, circa 1880.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

Wood

19th century Pair Black Forest Chicken Vase Epergne Candleholder Carved Wood Set
Located in Shreveport, LA
~ Direct from Europe This listing is for a stunning pair of carved Black Forest “chicken” candleholders/epergnes. In the summer, the glass inserts were used and fresh cut flowers wer...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

Wood, Glass

Large Black Forest Poacher with Chamois
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A very large wooden handcarved poacher statue. The poacher is on his way back from the hunt with a hunted chamois on his back. The hand-made sculpture was executed ca. 1900 in the ar...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Austrian Majolica Dressed Bear Candelstick, circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
Austrian Majolica candelstick with a dressed bear holding a cone pine circa 1890.
Category

1890s Austrian Antique Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

19th Century Black Forest Bull
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
Fine quality late 19th century Black forest bull. The carver has caught the power and strength of this majestic animal, circa 1870 For similar examp...
Category

1870s Swiss Antique Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Rustic Black Forest Root Wood Hunter, circa 1920
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Rustic Black Forest Root Wood Hunter ca. 1920 A rustic wooden hunter statue with deer. It was carved out of a piece of root wood. Germany, Black Forest,...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Glazed Ceramic Owl Form Tankard with Pewter Mounts
Located in Stamford, CT
An extremely charming stoneware tankard in the form of an owl. With a two toned gray and blue glaze and handsome pewter mounts. The thumb lift depict...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

Stoneware

19th Century Carved Wood 3rd Station of the Cross, 'Jesus Falls’, Switzerland
Located in Buffalo, NY
19th century carved wood 3rd station of the cross, 'JESUS FALLS’ carved in Switzerland, recently acquired from Holy Angels Church located in Buffalo New Yo...
Category

1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

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.
Category

19th Century German Antique Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

Antler, Wood

Whimsical Carving of a Dwarf with Snuffbox, 19th Century
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Whimsical Carving of a Dwarf with Snuffbox, 19th Century A 19th century funny carved and painted dwarf with snuffbox. Unrestored original condition, old wormholes, partly paintloss ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Unknown Antique Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Antique Hand-Carved and Sizable Wooden Black Forest Bear Umbrella & Stick Stand
Located in Lisse, NL
Early 1900s Black Forest standing bear umbrella stand. This vintage Black Forest bear umbrella Stand is a great looking piece for any...
Category

Early 20th Century European Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Finely Carved Wood Thermometer Stand Hunter and Staghound, 1910
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Finely Carved Wood Thermometer Stand Hunter and Staghound, 1910 A Black Forest thermometer with impressive carved hunter and staghound standi...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Pair of Carved Lime Wood Pictures
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A pair of Swiss carved lime-wood pictures one showing a hunter being attacked by an eagle as he attempts to raid its nest, the other a climber rescuing a g...
Category

1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Black Forest Carved Walnut Hunting Presentation Cup
Located in Essex, MA
A beautifully crafted Black Forest hand carved walnut hunting presentation cup, the basket weave bowl supported by the figure of a gentleman hunter l...
Category

1870s German Antique Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

Walnut

Pair of Swiss 19th Century Carved Wooden Cattle Attributed to Johann Huggler
By Johann Huggler
Located in London, GB
A pair of Black Forest cattle attributed to Johann Huggler Carved in lindenwood, the naturalistically carved Swiss cow, calf and bull stand on elliptical bases of grass and rocky...
Category

19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

Wood

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...
Category

19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Early 20th Century French Black Forest Carved Bear Sculpture with Gun Holder
Located in Dallas, TX
This interesting antique gun rack was carved in France, circa 1920. The oak sculpture features a young bear standing up with open arms. The wooden ani...
Category

Early 20th Century French Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

Oak

Hand Carved Antique 'Black Forest' Fox Stool
Located in London, GB
A 'Black Forest' fox stool Constructed in a very well patinated and carved lindenwood, the kneeling fox having glass eyes, with monochrome naturalistic highlights; the seat carved to resemble a mushroom. Brienz Area, circa 1900 Brienz, in the Bernese Oberland, Switzerland was remarked upon in Baedeker's Travel Guide, as having a population of 2400, of whom 600 persons were employed as woodcarvers, to supply the tourist trade to Switzerland with mementos of the tour. A museum devoted entirely to the art of wood carving may be visited today. Arenski, Jay, Simon Daniels, and Michael Daniels. Swiss Carvings: The Art of the 'Black Forrest', 1820-1940. Woodbridge: Antique Collectors' Club, 2005, p. 140 (fig. 224). Illustrating a kneeling bear stool...
Category

19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

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 Sculptures

19th Century Black Forest Bear
Located in London, GB
A large Black Forest bear in the form of stick stand on a rocky base with roaring expression, stained red tongue.
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

Walnut

Early Deer Antler Mount on Black Forest Carved Wood Plaque
Located in Buchanan, MI
Early Deer Antler Mount On Black Forest Carved Wood Plaque.
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

Antler, Wood

19th Century 'Black Forest' Carved Dog Group
By Walter Mäder
Located in London, GB
A 'Black Forest' Carved Dog Group Constructed in naturalistically carved and stained limewood, on a rectangular base with radiused angles, the bitch couchant, and attending to her two pups, all fitted with realistic glass eyes, in the manner of Walter Mäder...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Very Large Antique Bear Carving from the Black Forest
Located in London, GB
A very large Black Forest carving of a bear Constructed using linden wood, the animal naturalistically carved, and with colored highlights and glass eyes. Brienz, circa 1890 B...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Antique Swiss Black Forest Bear Sculpture Cabin Umbrella & Cane Stand, sign Ruef
By Ruef Brothers
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare hand-crafted entree stand. . .signed ‘RUEF’. (Ruef Brothers) This beautifully carved Black Forest bear will always be there to greet you when you come home. It does not matter...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Black Forest Wood Carving of an Ibex
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
An imposing ‘Black Forest’ wood carving of an Ibex, standing on a rocky outcrop with realistically carved ribbed antlers and rippling fur.
Category

1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Magnificent Carved Black Forest Monkey Gong, circa 1890
Located in Bath, GB
A fabulous and scarce find, this wonderful large Black Forest Monkey was hand carved circa 1890 with superb quality detail and retaining two glass ...
Category

1890s Swiss Antique Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

Wood

19th Century 'Black Forest' Bear
Located in London, GB
A 'Black Forest' Bear In naturalistically carved lindenwood, having glass eyes, head tilted aloft, prowls on all fours. From the Brienz Area. Brienz, in the Bernese Oberland, Sw...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Pair of Swiss 19th Century Carved Wooden Cattle
By Johann Huggler
Located in London, GB
A pair of Black Forest cattle, probably by Johann Huggler Carved in lindenwood, the naturalistically carved swiss cow and bull stand on elliptical bases. ...
Category

19th Century German Antique Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

Wood

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 Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Extraordinary Hand-Carved from Knot of a Tree, Folk Art Sculpture "Gorilla"
Located in Buffalo, NY
Unusual hand-carved from knot of a tree, Folk Art sculpture depicting a gorilla face, head, amazing life-like image, extremely well executed.
Category

1940s Unknown Vintage Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Rustic Black Forest Walnut Barometer
Located in New York, NY
Rustic Black Forest (Late 19th Century) walnut wall barometer/thermometer with carved bird, deer and floral carving.
Category

19th Century German Antique Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

Metal

19th Century Rustic Black Forest Grandfather Clock
Located in New York, NY
19th century rustic Black Forest grandfather clock composed of walnut elaborately carved with oak leaves and bears in high relief (Non-o...
Category

19th Century German Antique Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

Metal

Black Forest Humidor in the Form of a Monkey’s Head, Switzerland, Circa 1920
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A very unusual if not unique tobacco humidor, showing a realistically carved monkey wearing a cap and a ruffled collar, the face rendered with an amusing expressive grin, the hinged ...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Set of 10 Rustic Black Forest Walnut Side Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Set of 10 Rustic Black Forest (19th Cent) walnut side chairs with shaped seat and back with filigree carving and animals.
Category

19th Century European Antique Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

Walnut

Rustic Black Forest Walnut Trunk
Located in New York, NY
Rustic Black Forest walnut floor trunk with a folding rounded top and supported on "X" form side legs with faux wood, straps, and floral carved design.
Category

19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

Walnut

Important 19th Century Black Forest Hall Stand
Located in Dallas, TX
Magnificent rare Swiss Black Forest carved deer form hall stand with mirror. Having impeccably detailed deer and eagle carvings above rock form base and ...
Category

19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Rustic Black Forest Walnut Center Table
Located in New York, NY
Rustic Black Forest style (20th Century) walnut center table with carved figure of bear sitting on floor holding round top.
Category

20th Century Unknown Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

Walnut

Black Forest Canterbury
Located in New York, NY
Intricately carved Black Forest Canterbury or magazine rack. Designed in a swirled leaf pattern with horned grotesque figures on each corner.
Category

19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Sculptures

Rustic Black Forest Walnut Bear Settee
Located in New York, NY
Rustic Black Forest style (20th Cent) carved walnut settee with bear sides suppports and center hat tree
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

Wood, Mirror

Pair of 19th Century Swiss 'Black Forest' Trophy Hunting 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,...
Category

19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Original Rare Black Forest Bear Cub Swiss Circa 1900
Located in Forest Row, East Sussex
A Black Forest bear cub. Carved linden wood figure of a young bear in motion. Original glass eyes. Excellent original condition. It is unusual to find carvings of young bears which m...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Antique Black Forest Wall Coat Rack with Carved Nutwood Lion Sculpture and Hook
Located in Lisse, NL
Very rare, highly decorative, single hook wall coat rack. One of the main reasons for people wanting to own and use antiques is for their decorative appeal and this hand-crafted wor...
Category

1890s Swiss Antique Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Hand Carved Black Forest Bear Sculpture Serving Table / Bottle Display Stand
Located in Lisse, NL
Hand carved Black Forest bear 'waiter' or bottle display stand. This original and all-hand carved Black Forest sculpture from the South of Germany is another one of our recent great finds. This not only is a very rare size Black Forest bear sculpture...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

Metal

Black Forest Carved Wood Model of Rescue Dog Helping a Boy
Located in Knivsta, SE
Beautiful and rare black Forest model carved in wood of a rescue dog helping a boy. The sculpture is generally in good condition with a beautiful patina, but has an old and well ...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Monumental 19th Century 'Black Forest' Carving of Alpine Mountain Goats
Located in London, GB
An exhibition-quality 'Black Forest' carving of Chamois Carved from mature Lindenwood, the family of Alpine Chamois on the lookout, perched on a naturalistically carved tree trunk...
Category

19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

Wood

‘Black Forest’ Carving of Two Quarrelling Golden Eagles
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A ‘Black Forest’ carving of two quarrelling golden eagles, the linden wood carving with one bird attempting to displace the other bird from the top of a r...
Category

1890s Swiss Antique Black Forest Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Black Forest sculptures for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Black Forest sculptures 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 sculptures created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, folk art, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, glass and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Black Forest sculptures 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 sculptures, popular names associated with this style include Black Forest, Black Forrest, A.W. Goebel, and Barney Bellinger. 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 sculptures differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $240 and tops out at $99,104 while the average work can sell for $2,342.

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