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.
German Carved Linden Wood Mountaineer with Brass Lantern, 1950s
Located in Barntrup, DE
Charming German carved linden wood mountaineer pendant light dating from the 1950s, featuring a finely carved climber suspended from a rope and holding a lantern below. The mountain...
Brass
German Pendant Light Hand Carved Wood Figure Mountain Climber with Lantern
Located in Barntrup, DE
This wonderful German Black Forest figural pendant lamp features a hand-carved figure of a mountain climber. The detailed carved wooden mountaineer is...
Copper
Large German Black Forest Carved Wood Mountaineer with Lantern, 1950s
Located in Barntrup, DE
A charming and unusually large German Black Forest carved wood pendant light from the 1950s, depicting a smiling alpine mountaineer descending on a rope while carrying a lantern. Bea...
Metal
Rustic Antler Lamp with Deer Antlers
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Rustic antler lamp with deer Antlers A large antler chandelier made of three joined deer antlers. The lamp comes with 3 spouts, vintage glass ...
Blown Glass, Antler
Antique Black Forest Carved Wood Lustermannchen Chandelier, Germany, ca. 1890
Located in Barntrup, DE
A rare Black Forest Lustermannchen chandelier combining expressive carved wood sculpture, natural horn elements, and a hanging lantern in a uniquely theatrical late 19th-century desi...
Metal
Gorgeous Hand Carved Wooden Lustermannchen Butler Sculpture Chandelier Austria
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Stunning very rare and hand carved, Butler chandelier with real Deer Antler horns. If you are looking for a decorative light fixture for a bar, pub, tavern, restaurant, man cave, cabin or lodge then this remarkable and unique light fixture could be perfect for you. This type of light fixture was first seen in the 14th century in Germany and they became more 'popular' in the 16th century. Because of its unique subject matter and quality, this mountain climber pendant...
Metal
Black Forest Wrought Iron Hanging Light Fixture
Located in North Miami, FL
This outstandingly fluid wrought iron light fixture in the Black Forest style has three sockets/bulbs for illumination. Whimsical and important by craftsmanship. An early piece, fu...
Wrought Iron
Vintage Black Forest Folk Art Austrian Anri Figure Chandelier, 1950s
By ANRI
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Black Forest Hand-Carved Wooden Figural Light Fixture, Austria, 1950s or Earlier A beautifully crafted and highly decorative Black Forest–style light fixture, hand carved entirely f...
Wood
Aesthetic Movement Carved Wood Chandelier, 5 Lights
Located in North Miami, FL
Beautifully carved and boasts tons of details, this 5 light chandelier with custom paper shades from English Aesthetic Movement, late 19th C., this has been rewired and restored to i...
Wood, Paper
German Lustermannchen Carved-Wood Pendant Light with Figural Railway Official
Located in Barntrup, DE
A rare German figural pendant light featuring a carved wooden railway official suspended beneath antlers, executed in the traditional Lustermannc...
Metal
Pendant Light Hand Carved Wood Figure Mountaineer Climber with Lantern, Germany
Located in Barntrup, DE
This wonderful German Black Forest figural pendant lamp features a hand-carved figure of a mountain climber. The intricately carved wooden mountai...
Metal
Vintage figural Pendant Lamp a Mountain Climber & Lantern in Black Forest Style
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Stunning very rare hand carved Black Forest style wood mountain climber lantern or ceiling light. Pendant lamp off a mountain climber hanging ...
Metal
Large Pendant Light Fixture with Carved Climber Figure and Lantern, Germany
Located in Barntrup, DE
Large Pendant Light Fixture with Carved Climber Figure and Lantern, Germany This impressive German figural pendant lamp features a masterfully han...
Metal
German Pendant Light Hand Carved Wooden Figure Mountain Climber with Lantern
Located in Barntrup, DE
This adorable German figural pendant lamp from the circa 1950s features a hand-carved figure of a smiling mountain climber. The detailed carved linden wood mountaineer is holding ont...
Metal
Vintage Hand Carved Mountain Climber or Mountaineer Pendant Light, Austria 1970s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautifully crafted light fixture for Black Forest and mountaineering enthusiasts. This beautifully executed and sculptural light fixture will look great at your home, but it can a...
Metal
Pendant Light with a Large Wooden Figure Mountain Climber with Lantern, Germany
Located in Barntrup, DE
A wonderful German figural pendant lamp showcases a large hand-carved figure of a mountain climber. The intricately carved wooden mountaineer hold...
Metal
Rustic Antler Lamp with Elk Antlers
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Rustic antler lamp with elk antlers A large antler chandelier made of three joined elk antlers. The lamp comes with 3 spouts and vintage glass...
Blown Glass, Antler
German Lusterweibechen Figural Poly Chromed & Antler Six Arm Chandelier, C. 1870
Located in Charleston, SC
German Lusterweibechen central carved poly chromed figural lady mermaid playing lute with flanking stag antlers, and six electrified foliage scrolled arms chandelier, 19th Century
Iron
Vintage Hand Carved Mountain Climber or Mountaineer Pendant Light
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautifully crafted light fixture for Black Forest and mountaineering enthusiasts. This beautifully executed and sculptural light fixture will look great at your home, but it can a...
Metal
Pendant Light Fixture with a Wooden Figure of a Mountain Climber
Located in Barntrup, DE
This wonderful German figural pendant lamp features a hand-carved figure of a mountain climber in natural brown wood tones. The detailed carved wooden...
Brass
Vintage American Black Forest Style Elk and Deer Antler Ten-Light Chandelier
Located in Dallas, TX
Impressive in scale and rustic character, this large vintage antler chandelier makes a striking statement in a spacious interior. Crafted in North America, the unusual ceiling fixtur...
Antler, Horn
Large Rustic Antler Lamp with Fallow Deer and Deer Antlers
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large rustic antler lamp with fallow deer and deer antlers A large antler chandelier composed of several joined fallow deer and deer antlers. ...
Antler
1870's Swiss Black Forest Hanging Light Fixture Chandelier
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
A wonderful Black Forest candle style light fixture with great detail. Depicts a mythological style man-creature with ram horns protruding from the back. Wearing nightgown and sleepi...
Wood, Walnut
German Carved Linden Wood Mountaineer Pendant Light with Lantern, 1950s
Located in Barntrup, DE
Large German 1950s pendant light featuring a hand-carved linden wood mountaineer with hat and backpack, suspended with a geometric brass and clear glass lantern. Impressive German c...
Brass
Early 20th Century German Handcrafted Stag Antler Chandelier
Located in Hannover, DE
An exceptional early 20th century handcrafted stag antler chandelier, most likely German or Austrian, circa 1900–1930. This remarkable chandelier represents a particularly refined and artistically accomplished example of traditional European antler...
Iron
German Lusterweibechen Figural Poly Chromed Hunter w/ Flanking Antlers, C. 1870
Located in Charleston, SC
German Lusterweibechen central Figural poly chromed hunter smoking a pipe while holding his rifle, harvested antler deer in back pack, and flanking rear stag antlers with connecting ...
Iron
Large Simulated Black Forrest Stag Antler Hanging Chandelier
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Large Simulated Black Forrest Stag Antler Hanging Chandelier This is a very realistic looking piece, this chandelier design was first made in the 19th Century, and was a great favourite in Scottish...
Resin
$3,333
H 22.5 in Dm 24.6 in
Beautifully Hand Carved wood Chandelier with Striking Alabaster Shade Pendant
Located in Lisse, NL
Good size and striking design, early 20th century pendant. This antique, five-light chandelier from the Art Deco era is another one of our recent great finds. The wooden body and ar...
Alabaster
Hand Carved Wooden and Yellow Glass One-Light Lantern
Located in Barntrup, DE
This exquisite, hand-carved wooden lantern features yellow glass and originates from Belgium, circa the 1960s. Its masterful details include intricately carved acanthus leaves and fo...
Brass
Art Deco Alabaster Pendant Light, Hand-Carved, 1920s
Located in Praha, CZ
Art Deco alabaster pendant, circa 1920s–1930s. The hand-carved bowl shows striking black and grey veining that glows warm and amber when lit. It is held by three dark pins and suspen...
Alabaster, Metal
Modernist 1950s Italian Red Lantern, Milk Glass & Brass
By Arredoluce, Stilnovo
Located in NUEMBRECHT, NRW
This unusual midcentury pendant was designed and manufactured in Italy in the 1950s. It features a red crinkle lacquered shade, a white milk glass striped lamp shade and brass hardwa...
Brass, Metal
$8,474
H 40 in Dm 38.6 in
Large Arts and Crafts Black Forest Carved Oak Chandelier w. Forest Owl Sculpture
Located in Lisse, NL
One of a kind and superb condition, extra large ( diameter 38.6 inches) pendant light. If you have a passion for sculptural and meaningful Art then this antique and fully hand carved owl chandelier could be flying your way soon (no pun intended). Because of its size and quality it must have taken one very skilled German artisan weeks rather than days to fully handcarve this unique light fixture. With a diameter of 38.6 inches this is one of the largest, hand carved wooden chandeliers...
Oak
$8,214
H 24.41 in W 14.57 in D 16.15 in
Late 19th Century Carved Wooden Lüsterweibchen Four-Light Chandelier
Located in Barntrup, DE
Rare late 19th-century carved wooden Lüsterweibchen chandelier with four lights and original polychrome finish. A unique and charming late 19th-century carved wooden chandelier — a ...
Metal, Brass
$3,651
H 37 in W 26 in D 17.5 in
Rare Diamond Shape, Gothic Style Chandelier, Carved Theatrical Mask Sculptures
Located in Lisse, NL
Unique and meaningful Gothic Revival pendant with hand carved and hand painted masks. For the collectors of rare and quality crafted light fixtures, we also have this striking and meaningful 8 light, Gothic style fixture. This work of Gothic lighting art is decorated with two angelic and two slightly demonic masks opposite each other. In our view the artist who created this fixture is 'painting a picture' about the good and the bad, that is in everyone. Because of the meaning of light in Gothic and religious art, we feel it is no coincidence that a light fixture was the basis of bringing his message across. The design of this wooden fixture combined with the expressive and colorful mask...
Glass, Wood
French Iron Lantern Pendant with Textured Glass, 1950s
Located in Chicago, IL
A French iron and glass lantern pendant from the 1950s. Suspended from a darkened metal chain, the fixture is formed from a tapered iron frame that encloses softly diffused glass pan...
Iron
Mid Century Chandelier, Germany - Brass, Opaline - 1950s
Located in Schwerin, MV
5-arm chandelier from the 1950s with conical glass shades. The chandelier has a solid frame made of polished brass with arched arms. All glass shades are well preserved with slight s...
Metal, Brass
Caged Opaline Glass, Cream & Brass Pendant Lantern, Germany 1950s
Located in NUEMBRECHT, NRW
This pendant light was designed and manufactured in Germany in the 1950s. The light features a lantern-style design with a central opaline glass diffuser in cylindrical form, enclo...
Metal, Brass
Antler chandelier
Located in BEEKBERGEN, NL
This impressive antler lamp has been hand-crafted from a large number of real red deer antlers, giving it an exceptionally full and robust appearance. Thanks to the use of so many an...
Antler
Black Metal and White Opaline Lantern with Brass Details, France 1950s
By Maison Lunel, Arlus
Located in NUEMBRECHT, NRW
This vintage Maison Arlus / Maison Lunel style ceiling light was designed and manufactured in France in the 1950s. It features a lantern-style pendant with a tapered frosted glass ...
Metal, Brass
Antique Carved Walnut Chandelier
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This exquisite antique carved walnut chandelier is a rare and elegant lighting piece that captures the grandeur of Old World craftsmanship. Expertly hand-carved from solid walnut, th...
Walnut
Mid Century Chandelier, Germany - Brass, Opaline - 1950s
Located in Schwerin, MV
6-arm chandelier from the 1950s with cone-shaped glass shades. The chandelier has a solid frame made of polished brass and black-painted elements with arched arms. All glass shades h...
Metal, Brass
$1,016Sale Price|40% Off
H 40.56 in Dm 30.32 in
Chandelier with 8 Lights, Polished Brass, Glass Lampshades, Germany, 1950s
Located in Barcelona, Cataluna
Chandelier with 8 lights, polished brass, black metal, glass lampshades. Germany, 1950s.
Brass
Sold
H 25.2 in W 7.09 in D 6.3 in
1950s German Alpine Pendant Light Carved Painted Wood Climber with Lantern
Located in Barntrup, DE
Charming 1950s German Alpine Pendant Light with Carved and Painted Wooden Climber This delightful German figural pendant light from the 1950s fe...
Metal
1950s German Alpine Pendant Light Carved Wood Climber with Lantern
Located in Barntrup, DE
Charming 1950s German Carved Wood Mountaineer Pendant Lamp with Yellow Glass Lantern This delightful German figural pendant lamp from the 1950s f...
Metal
Sold
H 44.75 in Dm 33.5 in
Antique Black Forest Hand-Carved Candle Lite Wooden Chandelier c1800's Original
Located in Highwood, IL
Exquisite Black Forest Chandelier found just outside of Marseille, France. In Europe Black Forest carvings became a symbol of wealth beginning in the 1800’s and were found in the homes of elite collectors. The history of Black Forest carvings dates to the early 1800’s from the town of Brienz in Switzerland. Black Forest carving began as a cottage industry and found a niche market from the local tourist trade. When one thinks of Black Forest carvings, they immediately think of the stereotypical carved bears and that is probably because there are thousands of reproductions out there. Old Plank has discovered a treasure trove of Black Forest carved furniture...
Wood
Sold
H 23.63 in W 7.09 in D 5.52 in
German Pendant Light with Hand Carved Mountain Climber Sculpture and Lantern
Located in Barntrup, DE
This wonderful German pendant lamp or Lüstermännchen features a hand-carved figure of a mountain climber in beautifully hand-painted Bavarian traditional clothing in brown, green, wh...
Metal
Naos Forge Castle Chandelier
By Naos
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bejewel your home. A unique forged iron metal chandelier with iron chain. Very beautiful and in great working condition. Noas Forge, the manufacturer, produced this piece for the design trade...
Iron
Sold
H 29.53 in W 11.82 in D 8.67 in
German Pendant Light with a Carved Wooden Figure of Mountain Climber and Lantern
Located in Barntrup, DE
This wonderful German figural pendant lamp features a large hand-carved linden wood figure of a mountain climber. The detailed carved wooden mount...
Metal
Sold
H 35.44 in W 7.49 in D 3.55 in
Figural Pendant Light with a Carved Mountain Climber Figure and Lantern, Germany
Located in Barntrup, DE
This delightful German figural pendant light features a hand-carved linden-wood figure of a smiling and warm-hearted mountaineer. The detailed ca...
Metal, Brass
Sold
H 51.5 in W 45 in D 45 in
Massive Iron and Bronze Chandelier Detailed with Leaping Stags and Fauna
Located in New York, NY
A monumental early 20th century continental iron and bronze chandelier with leaping stags in silhouette and different fauna.
Bronze, Iron
Vintage Black Forest Folk Art Austrian Anri Figure Chandelier, 1960s
By ANRI
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautifully crafted light fixture for Black Forest enthusiasts. This beautifully executed and sculptural light fixture will look great at yo...
Wood
Sold
H 24.02 in W 5.91 in D 9.06 in
German Pendant Light with Carved Wooden Figure Mountain Climber and Lantern
Located in Barntrup, DE
German Pendant Light with Carved Wooden Figure Mountain Climber and Lantern This wonderful German figural pendant lamp features a hand-carved linden wood figure of a smiling mountain...
Metal
Antique French Carved Walnut & Faïence Chandelier
Located in New Orleans, LA
An antique, early 20th century French hand-carved and turned walnut chandelier having delightful and unusual hand-painted faïence bobesch and matching faïence center cups and ball finial. The original and hand-made faïence cups are the show stopper along with carved foliate and quatrefoil. This was originally in a 19th century rectory in Bordeaux, France. I had never seen a wooden chandelier with the addition of these charming faïence candle cups with original wooden candles. It would be charming used in your country French dining room, keeping room...
Faience, Walnut
Sold
H 30.71 in W 18.12 in D 13 in
Hand-Carved Wooden Pendant Light Lustermandl with Cellar Master Figure, ca. 1920
Located in Barntrup, DE
This beautiful and unique German beer cellar/pub pendant light "Lüstermännchen" or "Lüstermandl" features a masterful hand-carved oak wood figure of a smiling cellar master...
Metal, Brass
Sold
H 27.96 in W 9.85 in D 7.09 in
Pendant Light with Figure of a Mountain Climber and a Blue Glass Lantern
Located in Barntrup, DE
Wonderful German pendant lamp features a hand-carved figure of a smiling mountain climber in beautifully hand-painted Bavarian traditional clothing in blue, brown, green, white, and ...
Metal
Sold
H 34.26 in W 11.03 in D 7.09 in
Pendant Light Fixture Carved Wood Figure Climber with Lantern, Germany
Located in Barntrup, DE
This wonderful German figural pendant lamp features a hand-carved figure of a smiling mountain climber in natural brown wood tones. The detailed c...
Metal
Sold
H 35.04 in W 12.6 in D 4.14 in
Pendant Light with Hand Carved Sculpture of a Mountain Climber and a Lantern
Located in Barntrup, DE
Wonderful German pendant lamp features a hand-carved figure of a smiling and cheerful mountain climber in beautifully hand-painted Bavarian traditional clothing in brown, green, whit...
Metal