Folk Art Benches
FOLK ART STYLE
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.
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Style: Folk Art
Long Hand Painted Bench With Interior Storage, Hungary circa 1880
Located in Round Top, TX
Antique hand painted bench with divided storage at over 9' long .
Traditional Eastern European folk art hand-painting reveals faded flourishes/flower borders along front against brow...
Category
Late 19th Century Hungarian Antique Folk Art Benches
Materials
Wood, Paint
Organic Tripod Bench in Solid Wood, France, 19th Century
Located in Antwerp, BE
Organic tripod folk art bench that beautifully captures the essence of the wabi-sabi philosophy, a Japanese tradition that appreciates the beauty of natural imperfection and the grac...
Category
19th Century French Antique Folk Art Benches
Materials
Wood
Original Painted Small Bench, Hungary Dated 1841
Located in Round Top, TX
This delightful bench is a fun find due to its unique smaller scale at just over 3' long, perfect for a small space.
Original hand painted details include red flowers, date of 1841 a...
Category
Mid-19th Century Hungarian Antique Folk Art Benches
Materials
Wood, Paint
Art Populaire Chest Bench, France, 17th Century
Located in Antwerp, BE
Carved chest bench from 17th century France. Made of rich, dark wood, this majestic piece embodies the epitome of refinement and grace. Intricate carved details showcase the craftsma...
Category
17th Century French Antique Folk Art Benches
Materials
Wood
Antique 19th Century Swedish Rosemaled Bench
Located in Peabody, MA
An antique pine bench hand painted in the Scandinavian rosemale tradition, circa 1800s. Most likely Swedish.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Benches
Materials
Paint, Pine
Fine late 19th Century French Wooden Bench
Located in Mjöhult, SE
fine late 19th century French wooden bench with an great original surface and shape. Ca 1890 France.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Folk Art Benches
Materials
Wood
Early 20th Century Carved Lion Bench Oak and Pine Sweden
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Stunning bench from the beginning of the 20th century in carved wood whose sides represent a lion. Made in Sweden, handmade in solid oak and pine with an incredible patina. Very nice...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Folk Art Benches
Materials
Oak, Pine
Original Hand Painted Swedish Bench, Dated 1817
Located in Round Top, TX
Original hand painted pine bench displays a brick red/brown background and simple folk art motif along the front panel.
Hinged bench seat opens to reveal interior storage. Bottom sec...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Benches
Materials
Pine, Paint
Unusually Long Swedish 19th Century Provincial Bench
Located in Mjöhult, SE
Unusually long Swedish 19th century provincial wooden bench in great original patination and with storage compartment to the interiors. Ca 1850 Sweden.
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Benches
Materials
Pine
Painted Pine Storage Bench or Settle
Located in Baltimore, MD
This lovely storage bench has a long flat back rail scalloped at the corners where it meets the scrolled top of the high arm each end. Two bold stiles divide the back into three comp...
Category
Early 20th Century European Folk Art Benches
Materials
Pine
Original Black Painted Narrow Pine Bench With Storage, Hungary dated 1951
Located in Round Top, TX
Original hand painted black folk art pine bench with simple floral/vine folk art embellishments along the front and back; dated 1951.
Unique to this bench is the narrow depth at onl...
Category
Mid-20th Century Hungarian Folk Art Benches
Materials
Pine, Paint
Genuine Antique Rare Folk Art Northern Swedish Bench or Sofa
Located in Kramfors, SE
Rare folk art bench or sofa from northern Sweden, unusually well-crafted with decorative panels and sculpted legs. It features carved wooden decorations at the top of the backrest an...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Benches
Materials
Pine
Painted Pine Storage Bench or Settle
Located in Baltimore, MD
This massive pine double storage bench has a long straight back rail with an applied crest about five inches high. The back rails and stiles frame two short flat panels, a pattern re...
Category
Early 20th Century Hungarian Folk Art Benches
Materials
Pine
Original Painted Pine Bench With Storage, Hungary dated 1910
Located in Round Top, TX
Original hand painted folk art pine bench displays traditional brown faux wood background and colorful floral displays within painted panels in back and front.
Hinged bench seat open...
Category
Early 20th Century Hungarian Folk Art Benches
Materials
Pine, Paint
Original Painted Folk Art Bench With Carved Birds, Hungary dated 1933
Located in Round Top, TX
Original hand painted folk art pine bench displays exceptional traditional brown faux wood background and colorful green and red floral displays within painted panels along the front...
Category
Mid-20th Century Hungarian Folk Art Benches
Materials
Pine, Paint
Painted Pine Storage Bench or Settle
Located in Baltimore, MD
The rails and stiles of the back of this handsome storage bench create three frames, each with a trefoil (three leaf) stylized plant carving in the center. Similarly, one such carvin...
Category
Early 20th Century Hungarian Folk Art Benches
Materials
Pine
Pine Storage Bench or Settle in Original Decorative Paint
Located in Baltimore, MD
What an amazing bench! In line and form it is very much like other Central European storage benches we offer, albeit a very fine example. It has straight back rails enclosing three flat panels. The legs are straight and the integral arms are only slightly scrolled and enclose another flat panel. The seat lifts to reveal a deep storage well, divided into two compartments.
But the original finish is outstanding. The background is a deep oxblood on which black stripes are applied in such a pattern as to present as a stylized grain paint. Vertical here and horizontal there, laid straight or diagonally, or in arches.
The five rectangular panels have the tromp l’oeil effect of being raised panels. These and the diamonds and “arrow heads” appear to be faux grain painted as a maple or some similar species. The overall effect is stunning and rare.
This dealer purchased a Hungarian chest...
Category
Early 20th Century Hungarian Folk Art Benches
Materials
Pine
Small Antique Swedish Folk Art Pine Bench
Located in Kramfors, SE
Small antique Swedish bench in folk art. The frame is made by hand in solid Swedish pine. The original light blue paint has genuine distress an...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Benches
Materials
Pine
Original Painted Brown Bench With Storage, Hungary Circa 1900's
Located in Round Top, TX
Original hand painted folk art pine bench displays traditional brown faux wood background and colorful floral motif along back.
Hinged bench seat opens to reveal interior divided sto...
Category
20th Century Hungarian Folk Art Benches
Materials
Wood, Paint
High Antique Swedish Bench of Solid Pine Partly with Grey Paint Mid 19th Century
Located in Aarhus C, DK
Slim and tall Antique Swedish country side bench handmade in mid 19th century period by a local carpenter.
The bench is made of solid pine partly with the original grey paint.
It ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Benches
Materials
Pine, Paint
Original Hand Painted Small Bench With High Back, Hungary circa 1860-80
Located in Round Top, TX
This delightful high back bench is a rare find due to it's unique small size and elaborate original hand-painted finish.
Please enlarge photos to appreciate the many details of the p...
Category
Late 19th Century Hungarian Antique Folk Art Benches
Materials
Wood, Paint
Art Populaire Bench, France, 19th Century
Located in Antwerp, BE
Folk Art; Primitive Bench; Monoxylite Wood; 19th Century; France; Wabi Sabi; Rustic; Craftsmanship; Arts & Crafts; Art Populaire
Rustic art populaire bench from 19th century France,...
Category
19th Century French Antique Folk Art Benches
Materials
Wood
Rustic Folk Art Bench, Spain, 19th Century
Located in Antwerp, BE
Folk Art; Primitive Bench; Monoxylite Wood; 19th century; Spain; Wabi Sabi; Rustic; Craftsmanship; Arts & Crafts;
Rustic two-seater bench from 19th century Spain, with a charming ...
Category
19th Century Spanish Antique Folk Art Benches
Materials
Wood
Antique Swedish Rustic Solid Pine Bench
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique primitive Swedish bench made in folk art. The bench is made by hand in solid pine around the year 1800 and has a rustic and authentically antique appearance...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Benches
Materials
Pine
Long Waiting Room Seat or Hall Bench This Is a Very Sturdy and Heavy Piece
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Long Waiting Room Seat or Hall Bench
This is a very sturdy and heavy piece, the back and seat are newly upholstered, in an abstract design in aut...
Category
1890s Antique Folk Art Benches
Materials
Walnut
Rare Long Swedish Folk Art Pine Bench
Located in Kramfors, SE
Northern Swedish rare folk art bench made during the mid 1800s. The bench is hand-crafted in Sweden from pine and has been made carefully with attention to detail. The seat is made f...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Benches
Materials
Pine
Late 18th Century Swedish Folk Art Bench
Located in Mjöhult, SE
Late 18th century Swedish Folk Art bench in solid raw pine. Ca 1790.
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Benches
Materials
Pine
Rare 1940's /50's New York Times Newspaper Display Cart, News Stand
Located in Buffalo, NY
Rare 1940's /50's New York Times Newspaper display cart, news stand, You would be hard pressed to find another!. Newspaper industrial rolling cart with fa...
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Benches
Materials
Metal, Steel
18th Century Swedish Rustic Folk Art Bench
Located in Kramfors, SE
Northern Swedish Folk Art bench from the late 1700s. The bench is Primitive and rustic and has a lot of character, especially given the original distressed paint and authentic patina...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Benches
Materials
Pine
Hand Made Anglo Indian Folk Art Bench
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Hand made Anglo Indian Folk Art bench
The bench has been very skilfully made using old architectural materials and carvings it is a completely unique and one off piece
It has t...
Category
Mid-20th Century Folk Art Benches
Materials
Teak
Bench Swedish Red Wood, 19th Century, Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Bench Swedish red wood, 19th century, Sweden. A bench made during the early 19th century in Sweden. Original paint in a dark red shade.
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Folk Art Benches
Materials
Wood
Bench Swedish 18th Rustic Century Original Paint, Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Bench Sweden 18th rustic century original paint, Sweden. A bench made during the 18th century in Sweden. Original dark red paint.
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Benches
Materials
Wood
Late 19th Century Wood and Leather Seat Railroad Station Bench
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Great looking late 19th century railroad station bench found in the mid-west. Original grey paint on wood surface and very nicely aged leather s...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Benches
Materials
Leather, Wood
Folk Art Heavy Carved Log Bench Rhinoceros Sculpture
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Folk Art heavy carved log wood bench in form of sculpture.
Category
20th Century Unknown Folk Art Benches
Materials
Teak
Original Hand Painted Narrow Bench with Red Flowers, Hungary, Dated 1883
Located in Round Top, TX
This narrow bench is a fun find due to its unique smaller scale at just over 4.5' long, perfect for a small mud room, entryway or hallway.
Original hand painted details include red ...
Category
Late 19th Century Hungarian Antique Folk Art Benches
Materials
Wood, Paint
Rustic Bench, circa 1920, France
Located in Girona, Spain
Rustic bench
Made with chestnut structure and hand woven rattan cord seating.
Solid, sturdy and comfortable
Circa 1920, France
Very good vintage condition.
Category
Mid-20th Century French Folk Art Benches
Materials
Chestnut, Cord
Folk Art benches for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Folk Art benches for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Mid-20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage benches created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, case pieces and storage cabinets, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, pine and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art benches made in a specific country, there are Europe, Hungary, and Scandinavia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for benches differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $770 and tops out at $6,250 while the average work can sell for $3,450.
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