Swiss Black Forest Carved Wood Bear Chair, Circa 1890

A characterful Swiss Black Forest carved wood seat, the shaped seat with textured surface, supported at one side by a standing bear carved naturalistically with open mouth and detailed fur, the opposing side formed as a rustic branch with further branch-form supports and carved woodland decoration.

The composition is typical of the celebrated Swiss Black Forest tradition, in which bears, deer and other Alpine animals were incorporated into furniture and domestic objects intended for the growing tourist market around Brienz during the second half of the 19th century.

The bear became one of the most recognisable subjects of the Brienz woodcarvers and was used in everything from umbrella stands and hall furniture to benches, chairs and novelty objects. Larger pieces such as the present chair were often conceived as both functional furniture and sculptural conversation pieces.

H 73  x  W 53  x  D 53cm