Black Forest Benches
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.
Early 1900s German Antique Black Forest Benches
Wood
19th Century European Antique Black Forest Benches
Wood
19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Benches
Fruitwood
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Benches
Oak
20th Century Swiss Black Forest Benches
Walnut
Early 2000s German Black Forest Benches
Steel
2010s Portuguese Black Forest Benches
Metal, Brass
20th Century English Black Forest Benches
Iron
2010s American Black Forest Benches
Concrete
19th Century English Antique Black Forest Benches
Hardwood
Early 20th Century Black Forest Benches
Iron, Metal
Early 1800s Chinese Antique Black Forest Benches
Elm
1960s Italian Vintage Black Forest Benches
Fabric, Wood
2010s Spanish Black Forest Benches
Iron
Early 1900s German Antique Black Forest Benches
Wood
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Black Forest Benches
Wood
2010s Portuguese Black Forest Benches
Metal, Brass
1920s German Vintage Black Forest Benches
Fruitwood
Late 19th Century German Antique Black Forest Benches
Wood
18th Century German Antique Black Forest Benches
Oak
1910s Swiss Vintage Black Forest Benches
Other
Mid-20th Century Swiss Black Forest Benches
Hardwood
Mid-20th Century German Black Forest Benches
Wood
1960s Vintage Black Forest Benches
Antler
Mid-20th Century Swiss Black Forest Benches
Wood
1880s Swiss Antique Black Forest Benches
Mid-20th Century Swiss Black Forest Benches
Wood
1910s European Vintage Black Forest Benches
Early 20th Century Swiss Black Forest Benches
Antler, Wood