Black Forest Mirror in Lindenwood Hand Carved Tree Branches in the Folk Style

Black Forest carvings usually depict forest animals, particularly bears, and also trees and foliage. A common misconception is that they originate from the Bavarian Black Forest of southwestern Germany, but it has in fact been established that they are the creation of Swiss carvers, originating in the town of Brienz. From humble beginnings of a cottage industry in the early 1800s it grew by the turn of the 20th century to become the major employer of an entire skilled community.??

Black Forest carvings are often humorous and whimsical — bears smoking pipes, reading books, and even skiing. Far from being ‘mere whimsy’ however, the carvings were exhibited at many international exhibitions such as London Great Exhibition of 1851, Chicago World’s Fair 1893, and Exposition Universelle Paris 1900. In Europe, they became a symbol of luxury and wealth. Their popularity also grew in many overseas markets, and there was a high demand for these carvings especially depicting American wildlife. Today there has been a tremendous revival of interest for them and the best pieces are highly sought after.