What defines nineteenth-century Swiss Black Forest wood carvings?

Originating primarily in the Brienz region of Switzerland despite the German moniker, Black Forest carvings are celebrated for detailed, hand-carved naturalistic subjects including alpine wildlife, figures, and foliage using native hardwoods.

What materials were traditionally used in Black Forest carved clocks?

Craftsmen predominantly utilized dense, fine-grained local woods such as linden wood (lime wood), walnut, and pearwood, paired with brass clock mechanisms and enamel or brass dials.

How do you identify authentic Black Forest wooden clocks from this era?

Authentic pieces feature deep, three-dimensional hand carving with visible tool marks, original patination, heavy wooden housings, and period-correct mechanical movements, sometimes bearing maker stamps from workshops like Bergen & Co.

How can a Black Forest mantel clock be styled in a modern interior?

A carved wooden clock serves as a strong focal point on a fireplace mantel, a dark wood sideboard, or within a traditional bookshelf setting, contrasting effectively against light wall finishes.

How should hand-carved linden wood clocks be maintained?

Dust carefully using a soft, dry natural-bristle brush to clean intricate carved recesses. Keep the timber away from direct heat sources and high humidity to prevent cracking or warping, applying natural beeswax sparingly if required.

for sale €4,973 $5,398

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Antique Black Forest Clock

Id #SA1184551

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Antique Swiss 'Black Forest' Carved Linden Wood Clock by Bergen & Co 19th C

Name: Antique Swiss 'Black Forest' Carved Linden Wood Clock by Bergen & Co 19th C
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA1184551
Price: 4250 GBP
Availability: InStock

19th century

For Sale by Regent Antiques

Description

A large Swiss extremely finely carved museum quality linden wood table top clock by C.V. Bergen, Interlaken, Swiss Circa 1890 in date.

The clock features a seated maiden wearing a traditional Swiss Dirndl on a naturalistic jagged edge mountain rocky base with an abundence of leafy vines.

The circular enamel dial with applied Roman hour numerals with a French brass 8-day spring-driven time and strike movement. The clock is signed "C.V. Bergen & Co. Interlaken".

C.V. Bergen & Co was a Swiss manufacturer, known primarily for creating carved wood models in the "Black Forest" style during the late 19th and early 20th century. The company was based in Interlaken, Switzerland, and was notable for signing its work, which was considered important for collectors.

Their work often featured detailed, naturalistic depictions of animals, such as stags, and other decorative items. The pieces are considered collectible art and are sold at auction houses including Christies.

The company's founder, Carl Von Bergen (1853-1933), was a significant figure in establishing the reputation of wood carving in the Brienz region of Switzerland. The items produced by C.V. Bergen & Co. are now primarily found through auctions and art dealers.

Condition:

In really excellent condition.

The clock case has been cleaned and waxed and the movement has been expertly serviced, and is in working order. Please see the photos for confirmation of condition..

Dimensions in cm:

Height 67 cm x Width 48 cm x Depth 24 cm

Dimensions in inches:

Height 2 foot, 2 inches x Width 1 foot, 7 inches x Depth 9 inches

The Black Forest (German: Schwarzwald) is actually located in a triangular area that borders Germany, France and Switzerland and it extends along the Rhine River. The area of the Black Forest is approximately 100 miles long and 40 miles wide

Wood-carving was and is a traditional cottage industry in the region and carved ornaments now are produced in substantial numbers as souvenirs for tourists. Cuckoo clocks are a popular example; they have been made in the region since the early 18th century and much of their development occurred there. In the past singing bird boxes were produced as well.

The small village of Brienz in The Swiss Alps is particularly known for superbly and finely carved linden wood figures as well as many other types of carved items including furniture.

The region was known for producing superbly naturalistic and realistic pieces with the wonderful depiction of flowers and foliage, trees, fur, feathers etc. carved from lime or linden wood

Our reference: 08193

Physical Dimensions

Height

67cm (26.38")

Width

48cm (18.90")

Depth

24cm (9.45")

Declaration

Regent Antiques has dated this Black Forest Mantel Clock to the 1890s.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA1184551

Dealers Internal Reference

08193

Description

A large Swiss extremely finely carved museum quality linden wood table top clock by C.V. Bergen, Interlaken, Swiss Circa 1890 in date.

“

The clock features a seated maiden wearing a traditional Swiss Dirndl on a naturalistic jagged edge mountain rocky base with an abundence of leafy vines.

Regent Antiques

fig 1. A nineteenth-century Swiss Black Forest carved linden wood mantel clock featuring a detailed female figure seated atop an ornate foliage base above a round clock dial. — fig 1. Antique Swiss 'Black Forest' Carved Linden Wood Clock by Bergen & Co 19th C

The circular enamel dial with applied Roman hour numerals with a French brass 8-day spring-driven time and strike movement. The clock is signed "C.V. Bergen & Co. Interlaken".

C.V. Bergen & Co was a Swiss manufacturer, known primarily for creating carved wood models in the "Black Forest" style during the late 19th and early 20th century. The company was based in Interlaken, Switzerland, and was notable for signing its work, which was considered important for collectors.

fig 2. A nineteenth-century Swiss Black Forest carved linden wood mantel clock featuring a detailed female figure seated atop an ornate foliage base above a round clock dial. — fig 2. Antique Swiss 'Black Forest' Carved Linden Wood Clock by Bergen & Co 19th C

Their work often featured detailed, naturalistic depictions of animals, such as stags, and other decorative items. The pieces are considered collectible art and are sold at auction houses including Christies.

fig 3. A nineteenth-century Swiss Black Forest carved linden wood mantel clock featuring a detailed female figure seated atop an ornate foliage base above a round clock dial. — fig 3. Antique Swiss 'Black Forest' Carved Linden Wood Clock by Bergen & Co 19th C

The company's founder, Carl Von Bergen (1853-1933), was a significant figure in establishing the reputation of wood carving in the Brienz region of Switzerland. The items produced by C.V. Bergen & Co. are now primarily found through auctions and art dealers.

fig 4. A nineteenth-century Swiss Black Forest carved linden wood mantel clock featuring a detailed female figure seated atop an ornate foliage base above a round clock dial. — fig 4. Antique Swiss 'Black Forest' Carved Linden Wood Clock by Bergen & Co 19th C

Condition:

In really excellent condition.

The clock case has been cleaned and waxed and the movement has been expertly serviced, and is in working order. Please see the photos for confirmation of condition..

fig 5. A nineteenth-century Swiss Black Forest carved linden wood mantel clock featuring a detailed female figure seated atop an ornate foliage base above a round clock dial. — fig 5. Antique Swiss 'Black Forest' Carved Linden Wood Clock by Bergen & Co 19th C

Dimensions in cm:

Height 67 cm x Width 48 cm x Depth 24 cm

Dimensions in inches:

Height 2 foot, 2 inches x Width 1 foot, 7 inches x Depth 9 inches

The Black Forest (German: Schwarzwald) is actually located in a triangular area that borders Germany, France and Switzerland and it extends along the Rhine River. The area of the Black Forest is approximately 100 miles long and 40 miles wide

fig 6. A nineteenth-century Swiss Black Forest carved linden wood mantel clock featuring a detailed female figure seated atop an ornate foliage base above a round clock dial. — fig 6. Antique Swiss 'Black Forest' Carved Linden Wood Clock by Bergen & Co 19th C

Wood-carving was and is a traditional cottage industry in the region and carved ornaments now are produced in substantial numbers as souvenirs for tourists. Cuckoo clocks are a popular example; they have been made in the region since the early 18th century and much of their development occurred there. In the past singing bird boxes were produced as well.

fig 7. A nineteenth-century Swiss Black Forest carved linden wood mantel clock featuring a detailed female figure seated atop an ornate foliage base above a round clock dial. — fig 7. Antique Swiss 'Black Forest' Carved Linden Wood Clock by Bergen & Co 19th C

The small village of Brienz in The Swiss Alps is particularly known for superbly and finely carved linden wood figures as well as many other types of carved items including furniture.

The region was known for producing superbly naturalistic and realistic pieces with the wonderful depiction of flowers and foliage, trees, fur, feathers etc. carved from lime or linden wood

Our reference: 08193