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Black Forest Porcelain

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
Black Forest Porcelain Dish Christmas Garland Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Hands-free painted porcelain dish with platinum rim. Hands-free painted in a classic black forest christmas decor with green fir and pine cone garland. Completely handmade in Bavaria...
Category

2010s German Black Forest Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Black Forest Hand-Crafted Porcelain Bowl Fox Figure Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Completely handmade porcelain bowl with a hands-free naturalistic painted fox figure in brown colors. The fox is sitting in the middle of the bowl for decorating nuts or sweets aroun...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Black Forest Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Black Forest Porcelain Bowl with Fox Figure Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Completely handmade porcelain bowl with a hands-free natrualistic painted fox figure in brown colors. The fox is sitting in the middle of the bowl for decor...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Black Forest Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Black Forest Porcelain Bowl with Fox Figure Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Completely handmade porcelain bowl with a hands-free natrualistic painted fox figure in brown colors. The fox is sitting in the middle of the bowl for decor...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Black Forest Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Black Forest Porcelain Bowl with Squirrel Figure Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Completely handmade porcelain bowl with a hands-free painted squirrel in brown in the center of the bowl. 24-carat gold rimmed. Comes also in black with platinum frame. Available in ...
Category

2010s German Black Forest Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Black Forest Bambi Figure Porcelain Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Completely handmade porcelain bowl with a hands-free naturalistic painted bambi figure in brown. The bambi is sitting in the middle of the bowl for decorating nuts or sweets around. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Black Forest Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Set of Three Porcelain Bowls Winter Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
These completely handmade porcelain bowls are painted by hand with a charming hands-free winter decor. Teh decor comes as a set of three decors. One shows...
Category

2010s German Black Forest Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

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 Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Black Forest Porcelain Bowl with Bambi Figure Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Completely handmade porcelain bowl in the style of black forest with a hands-free naturalistic painted bambi figure in brown. The bambi is sitting in the middle of the bowl for decor...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Black Forest Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Black Forest Porcelain Vase Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Hands-free painted porcelain vase with a hunting design with deers and trees all around. Lined with a green line and rimmed with a 24 carat gold line. Completely hand painted in Bava...
Category

2010s German Black Forest Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Black Forest Porcelain Bowl with Wild Boar Figure Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Completely handmade porcelain bowl with a hands-free natrualistic painted wild boar figure in grey colors. The fox is sitting in the middle of the bowl for decorating nuts or sweets ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Black Forest Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Black Forest Porcelain Bowl with Fox Handpainted Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Completely handmade porcelain bowl with a hands-free natrualistic painted fox figure in brown colors. The fox is sitting in the middle of the bowl for decorating nuts or sweets aroun...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Black Forest Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Black Forest Porcelain Bowl with Bambi Figure Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Completely handmade porcelain bowl with a hands-free naturalistic painted bambi figure in brown. The bambi is sitting in the middle of the bowl for decorating nuts or sweets around. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Black Forest Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Black Forest Porcelain Bowl with Deer Figure Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Hand-painted porcelain dish for serving sweets or nuts with a naturalistic bambi figure in the center of the dish. The bambi figure and the bowl are completely handmade in Bavaria. H...
Category

2010s German Black Forest Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Country Style Porcelain Dish with Skier Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Charming hands-free painted porcelain dish with platinum rim. Hands-free painted in a classic winter decor with a skier, mountains and trees. Completely h...
Category

2010s German Black Forest Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Black Forest German Porcelain Vase with Hunting Scene Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Hand-painted porcelain vase is completely handmade and handpainted in Bavaria Germany. Rimmed with a 24-carat gold line. The decor is hands-free painted all round with a hunting scene. The black forest decor...
Category

2010s German Black Forest Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

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 Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Country Style Porcelain Pastry Dish Handpainted Birds Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Large completely handmade porcelain dish is hands-free painted with a naturalistic decor of three great tits sitting on leaves. Green rimmed with a fine 24-carat gold line. Handmade...
Category

2010s German Black Forest Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Black Forest Porcelain Bowl with Bambi Figure Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Completely handmade porcelain bowl with a hands-free natrualistic painted bambi figure in brown. The bambi is sitting in the middle of the bowl for decorating nuts or sweets around. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Black Forest Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Black Forest Porcelain Dish with Deer Figure Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Charming completely handmade and hands-free painted oval porcelain plate. The naturalistic moulded porcelain bambi figure and three porcelain pine cones fixed on the porcelain plate ...
Category

2010s German Black Forest Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Black Forest Porcelain Dish Christmas Garland Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Hands-free painted porcelain dish with platinum rim. Painted in a classic black forest Christmas decor with green fir and pine cone garland. Completely handmade in Bavaria/Germany.
Category

2010s German Black Forest Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Porcelain Bowl with Bambi Figure Handpainted Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Completely handmade porcelain bowl with a hands-free naturalistic painted bambi figure in brown. The bambi is sitting in the middle of the bowl for decorating nuts or sweets around. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Black Forest Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Black Forest Hand-Crafted Porcelain Dish Bambi Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Completely handmade and hands-free painted large oval porcelain plate in Black Forest style. A natural molded porcelain bambi figure is sitting left hand and three pines are fixed on...
Category

2010s German Black Forest Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Black Forest Set of Six Porcelain Dishes Hand Painted Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Set of six porcelain dishes hands-free painted with 6 different detailed painted trophies heads in the style of Black Forest. Rimmed with a fine 24-carat gold line. Handmade in Bava...
Category

2010s German Black Forest Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Black Forest Oval Porcelain Plate with Squirrels Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Completely handmade and hands-free painted large oval porcelain plate. Two natural molded porcelain squirrel figures sitting on oak leaves and oaks ...
Category

2010s German Black Forest Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Set of Six Porcelain Dishes with Hunting Trophies Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Set of six porcelain dishes . Hands-free painted with 6 different detailed painted trophies heads in the style of black forest. Rimmed with a fine 24-carat gold line. Handmade in Bav...
Category

2010s German Black Forest Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Set of Six Porcelain Plates with Hunting Trophies for Claudia
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Set of six porcelain plates. Hands painted with 6 different detailed painted trophies heads. Rimmed with a fine 24-carat gold line and with an additional green one. Handmade in Bava...
Category

2010s German Black Forest Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Black Forest Oval Porcelain Plate with Wild Boars Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Completely handmade and hands-free painted large oval porcelain plate for decoration. Two natural moulded porcelain figures wild boars are sittin...
Category

2010s German Black Forest Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Related Items
Easter Porcelain Bowl Hand Painted Figure Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Completely handmade Easter porcelain bowl with a hands-free naturalistic painted Easter rabbit in grey and white colors. The rabbit is sitting in the middle of the bowl for decoratin...
Category

2010s German Black Forest Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Country Style Porcelain Bowl Easter Bunny Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Completely handmade porcelain bowl with a hands-free naturalistic painted Easter bunny figure with black spots in country style. The bunny is sitting in t...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Black Forest Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Country Style Porcelain Bowl Easter Bunny Figure Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Completely handmade porcelain bowl with a hands-free naturalistic painted Easter bunny figure with grey spots in country style. The bunny is sitting in th...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Black Forest Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Black Forest Vase Green Crystal with Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Handblown crystal vase in green glass with hand-edged hunting scene in the style of black forest. The decor is an antique decor with deers, trees and bambis all around. Completely ha...
Category

2010s German Black Forest Porcelain

Materials

Crystal

Chinoiserie Handpainted Porcelain Vase Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Hands-free painted porcelain vase decorated with a chinoiserie scene with flowers and butterflies in orange. Platinum rimmed. A porcelain dish with the same decor can be ordered. Abo...
Category

2010s German Black Forest Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Set of Three Porcelain Bowls Winter Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
These completely handmade porcelain bowls are painted by hand with a charming hands-free winter decor. Teh decor comes as a set of three decors. One shows...
Category

2010s German Black Forest Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Country Style Porcelain Bowl with Easter Hare Figure Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Completely handmade porcelain bowl with a hands-free naturalistic painted Easter hare figure with brown spots. The bunny is sitting on the side of the bowl for decorating nuts or swe...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Black Forest Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Modern Dog Bowl Porcelain Handpainted Customized Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
For all dog lovers. Design your own dog bowl with the portrait of your dog and the name. You can choose the color of letterning name and the color of the rim. Please send us the phot...
Category

2010s German Black Forest Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Porcelain Bowl Hand Painted Easter Rabbit Figure Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Completely handmade porcelain bowl with a hands-free naturalistic painted Easter rabbit in black and white colors. The rabbit is sitting at the side of t...
Category

2010s German Black Forest Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Black Forest Porcelain Vase Hunting Decor Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Hands-free painted porcelain vase with a hunting design with deers and trees all around. Lined with a green line and rimmed with a 24 carat gold line. Completely hand painted in Bava...
Category

2010s German Black Forest Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Black Forest Porcelain Bowl with Deer Figure Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Hand-painted porcelain dish for serving sweets or nuts with a naturalistic bambi figure in the center of the dish. The bambi figure and the bowl are completely handmade in Bavaria. H...
Category

2010s German Black Forest Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Country Style Easter Bowl Porcelain with Hare Figure Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Completely handmade porcelain bowl with a hands-free naturalistic painted hare figure in grey and white with an egg. The Easter bunny is sitting next to a handpainted egg for decorat...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Black Forest Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Previously Available Items
Vintage English Portmeirion 3 Oven to Table Lidded Casserole Hunt Game Dish
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Portmeirion number 3, made in England, oven to table lidded casserole dish, glazed in brown with a molded game / hunting scene and wheat design. Meas...
Category

Late 20th Century Black Forest Porcelain

Materials

Ironstone

20C Selb German Porcelain Bald Eagle Sculpture
Located in Dallas, TX
20C Selb German Porcelain Bald Eagle figurine Presenting a gorgeous 20C Selb German Porcelain Bald Eagle Figurine/Sculpture. Made by Hutschenreu...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

20C Selb German Porcelain Pair of Golden Eagles Sculpture
Located in Dallas, TX
Presenting a gorgeous and large 20S Selb German porcelain pair of golden eagles figurine. Made by Hutschenreuther Selb – L.H.S. Germany, Kunstabteilung circa 1955-60. The mark ...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Porcelain Bowl with Bambi Figure Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Completely handmade porcelain bowl with a hands-free naturalistic painted bambi figure in brown. The bambi is sitting in the middle of the bowl for decorating nuts or sweets around. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Black Forest Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Black Forest Porcelain Bowl with Fox Figure Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Completely handmade porcelain bowl with a hands-free naturalistic painted fox figure in brown colors. The fox is sitting in the middle of the bowl for decorating nuts or sweets aroun...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Black Forest Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Black Forest Oval Porcelain Plate with Squirrels Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Completely handmade and hands-free painted large oval porcelain plate. Two natural molded porcelain squirrel figures sitting on oak leaves and oaks ...
Category

2010s German Black Forest Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Porcelain Bowl with Bambi Figure Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Completely handmade porcelain bowl with a hands-free naturalistic painted bambi figure in brown. The bambi is sitting in the middle of the bowl for decorating nuts or sweets around. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Black Forest Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Black Forest Porcelain Bowl with Bambi Figure Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Completely handmade porcelain bowl with a hands-free natrualistic painted bambi figure in brown. The bambi is sitting in the middle of the bowl for decorating nuts or sweets around. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Black Forest Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Black Forest Porcelain Bowl with Fox Figure Sofina Boutique Kitzbuehel
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Completely handmade porcelain bowl with a hands-free natrualistic painted fox figure in brown colors. The fox is sitting in the middle of the bowl for decorating nuts or sweets aroun...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Black Forest Porcelain

Materials

Porcelain

Black Forest porcelain for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Black Forest porcelain 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 porcelain created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, porcelain and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Black Forest porcelain made in a specific country, there are Europe, and Germany pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original porcelain, popular names associated with this style include Sofina Boutique Kitzbühel, and Sofina Porzellan. 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 porcelain differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $250 and tops out at $2,002 while the average work can sell for $645.

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