Black Forest antiques are highly carved wooden pieces, primarily coming from the Black Forest region of Germany and Switzerland.  The carvings usually depict scenes of animals (bears and cows being favorites) as well as trees and foliage.  This hall tree features the ibex, a wild goat found in the Alps of Europe.

 

Hall trees were tall and narow pieces usually placed near entryways to help organize outdoor clothing - coats, hats, mufflers and the like.  They were like small closets, only without doors.