Folk Art Furniture
Folk art is a genre of art that shares the creator’s traditions, offering not just an artistic display but an opportunity to learn about a culture. Antique, new and vintage folk art typically reflects a heritage or location. It can include utilitarian objects and handmade art as diverse as weather vanes, duck decoys, portraiture and paintings, carnival art and quilts.
Quilts are a quintessential part of American folk art but their roots are international, with quilting dating back to Ancient Egypt. The practice spread to Europe and was especially prominent in the Middle Ages, with one of the oldest surviving examples being the Tristan quilt made in Sicily in the 14th century. They were made as bedcovers and clothing, including as a layer for knights to wear beneath their armor. Native American folk art includes functional objects reflecting their heritage, such as baskets, textiles and wooden pieces.
Elsewhere, the vast range of work associated with Mexican folk art includes masks made by Mexican craftspeople for traditional celebrations and ceremonial dances. Mexican masks are part of the country’s folk-art traditions that go back thousands of years and play a role in festivals and theater.
Works in the folk art tradition are valuable because of the skills involved, like weaving, hand-carving wood and even stonework. Many folk artists are self-taught, while some train as apprentices within their community. By using available materials and taking a personal approach to their creations, artists ensure each piece is unique and conveys a story.
During the Great Depression, artistic materials in America were hard to come by, so artisans used discarded wood from cigar boxes and shipping crates to make highly stylized, notched pieces — most often picture frames and boxes — that are today sought after by collectors. This folk art style is called tramp art and was popular from roughly 1870 until the 1940s.
Folk art brings vibrant culture and traditions into your home. Browse an extensive collection of antique, new and vintage folk art on 1stDibs.
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture
Pine, Paint
Mid-20th Century Nigerian Folk Art Furniture
Cotton, Wood, Beads
1980s Tunisian Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Pine
Early 20th Century Indian Folk Art Furniture
Brass
2010s American Folk Art Furniture
Metal, Steel
20th Century Folk Art Furniture
Majolica
19th Century Antique Folk Art Furniture
Pine
20th Century African Folk Art Furniture
Zebra Hide, Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century Canadian Folk Art Furniture
Soapstone
1840s English Antique Folk Art Furniture
Paper
19th Century French Antique Folk Art Furniture
Wood
1930s German Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Wood
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Folk Art Furniture
Pine
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture
Wood, Paint
19th Century Turkish Antique Folk Art Furniture
Wool
Early 20th Century Indian Folk Art Furniture
Brass, Copper
Early 20th Century Hungarian Folk Art Furniture
Ceramic, Earthenware
1990s American Folk Art Furniture
Pottery
Early 1900s American Antique Folk Art Furniture
Paint
2010s Mexican Folk Art Furniture
Ceramic, Clay
20th Century Japanese Folk Art Furniture
Clay
1810s Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture
Burl
Early 1900s American Antique Folk Art Furniture
Paint
20th Century Folk Art Furniture
Majolica
Early 20th Century Hungarian Folk Art Furniture
Earthenware, Terracotta
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Wood
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture
Pine
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century Folk Art Furniture
Paint, Paper
Early 1900s English Antique Folk Art Furniture
Sheet Metal
20th Century Indian Folk Art Furniture
Textile, Silk, Paint
20th Century Folk Art Furniture
Majolica
Early 20th Century Hungarian Folk Art Furniture
Earthenware, Terracotta
Early 20th Century Italian Folk Art Furniture
Wood
1970s French Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Furniture
Leather, Straw
21st Century and Contemporary Folk Art Furniture
Paper
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Iron
2010s American Folk Art Furniture
Metal, Steel
1920s Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Pine
1960s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Wool
Mid-20th Century European Folk Art Furniture
Brass
1840s English Antique Folk Art Furniture
Paper
Mid-19th Century Hungarian Antique Folk Art Furniture
Pine, Paint
1950s Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Wood
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Furniture
Maple, Walnut
21st Century and Contemporary French Folk Art Furniture
Paper
Late 19th Century French Antique Folk Art Furniture
Wood
Late 18th Century Norwegian Antique Folk Art Furniture
Pine, Paint
1960s Persian Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Wool
Early 1900s Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture
Oak
Late 19th Century German Antique Folk Art Furniture
Glass, Wood, Paper
Early 19th Century Peruvian Antique Folk Art Furniture
Canvas, Wood, Paint
1960s German Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Mohair
Early 20th Century Hungarian Folk Art Furniture
Earthenware
Early 1900s German Antique Folk Art Furniture
Tin