Folk Art Furniture
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
Japanese antique wooden mortar. side table or coffee table. wabi sabi
Located in 常陸大宮市, JP
New finds from the farmer's Kura (traditional style warehouse) in Ibaraki pref., Japan.
Antique wooden mortar, "Usu" in Japanese, made of quality Keyaki (Japanese Zelkova) hardwood....
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood, Hardwood
mid 20th Century Japanese vintage Sugi cedar long bench wabi sabi, Japandi
Located in 常陸大宮市, JP
New finds from the Kominka (old traditional house) owned by an old-established family in Nagano prefecture, Japan.
Made of quality Sugi cedar solid wood. It's tough enough for actua...
Category
20th Century Japanese Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood, Cedar
1920s-40s Japanese vintage large low table or bench. Wabi sabi japandi
Located in 常陸大宮市, JP
New finds from an old elementary school in Ibaraki pref., Japan.
This vintage low table - or bench, was manufactured circa 1920s to 40s (early Showa era), estimate from the style & ...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Cypress
Japanese antique slim wooden mortar. side table / coffee table wabi sabi organic
Located in 常陸大宮市, JP
New finds from Naya (the barn) in Ibaraki pref., Japan.
Antique wooden mortar, "Usu" in Japanese, made of quality Keyaki (Japanese Zelkova) hardwood.
Hand-carved, Manufactured circ...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood, Hardwood
19th Century SE Asian Highly Carved Wooden and Gilded Floor/Wall Cabinet
Located in Dallas, TX
PRESENTING an EXCEPTIONAL AND RARE 19C SE Asian Highly Carved Wooden and Gilded Floor or Wall Case or cabinet featuring Hindu Gods.
OUTSTANDING and VERY RARE!
Mid 19th Century, cir...
Category
Mid-19th Century Cambodian Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
Rare Connecticut Queen Anne Painted Cradle
Located in Branford, CT
Rare paint-Decorated Queen Anne painted-decorated baby cradle. American, circa 1760. Original 18th century paint-decoration with original blue inter...
Category
1760s American Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Painted Mongolian Coffer, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This early 20th century coffer from Mongolia was painted by hand with auspicious fruits and blessings, likely as part of a bride's dowry. Wishes painted on the pomegranates, peaches ...
Category
Early 20th Century Mongolian Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Pine
Korean Laquer Chest
Located in San Marino, CA
Korean drop front chest. The original dark lacquer has mellowed to an attractive orange and red. Covered with black metal strapping and decorated metal.
Category
19th Century Korean Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Lacquer
Related Items
Tibetan Leather Painted Trunk
Located in Austin, TX
A charming Tibetan painted leather storage trunk, 18th century, Tibet.
Of smaller size, the softwood construction of the trunk covered by a richly tanned yak leather. The central p...
Category
Late 18th Century Tibetan Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
Japanese Tansu Storage Chest (19th Century - Edo Period) Wabi Sabi
Located in London, GB
Japanese Tansu Storage Chest (Edo Period - 19th Century). Tansu are traditional portable wooden storage chests from Japan. In Japanese traditional houses...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Walnut Minimalist Handmade Platform Queen Bed Frame, Judd Style
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An ode to our friend Donald Judd, the bedframe design employs the tatami style of Japanese Rooms and the Hygge of Danish comfort. The reveal is celebrated in its shadow. Rest happens closer to the ground for cooler sleeping. The base is composed of a hardwood armature. This bed frame comes flat packable with instructions.
Own a figure ground original!
Dimensions
Length 96"
Width 76...
Category
2010s American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Plywood
Japanese Antique Exhibition stand 1920s-1940s Primitive Japandi
Located in Chiba, Chiba
This is an old Japanese display stand.
It was made from the Taisho era to the early Showa era.
The teardrop-like design is lovely.
I think you can use it like a side table.
There is a slight tilt.
We will always suggest the best shipping method.
Please contact us first.
We also introduce many other Japanese antique furniture...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Rare and Beautiful Architectural Pagode Display Cabinet, China
Located in Antwerp, BE
Made of carved wood with transparent fences and scrollwork panels, two dragons at the front and pagoda roofs on top.
A beautiful realization by the Chinese woodcarver and furniture m...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Sapele Wood, Ivory
Japanese Antique Cabinets, Wabi Sabi, Japandi
Located in Katori-Shi, 12
This is a beautiful cabinet that evokes the atmosphere of the Taisho period.
It is made of lauan and cedar.
It is finished with persimmon tannins and soot, which bring out the text...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Japanese Orange Red Negoro Lacquer Low Table, Taisho Period, 1920s, Japan
Located in Austin, TX
A striking orange-red lacquer Japanese low tea or coffee table decorated in the negoro lacquer technique, Taisho period, 1920s, Japan.
Of simplistic design, the table has a wonder...
Category
1920s Japanese Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Softwood, Lacquer
H 12 in W 41.75 in D 31.5 in
Japanese Antique Drawer Storage 1880s-1900s Shelf Chest Drawers Wabi-Sabi
Located in Chiba, Chiba
This is an old Japanese drawer storage shelf.
This was made during the Meiji period.
All the shelves are made from solid chestnut wood.
After more than 100 years, it has become more ...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
H 16.93 in W 28.82 in D 10.91 in
Large Tibetan Painted Box
Located in Greenwich, CT
Large size of Tibetan Box with painted foo lion playing and chasing ball.
Original painted motif
Category
Early 20th Century Tibetan Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Japanese Antique Bamboo shelf Folk art Wabi-Sabi
Located in Chiba, Chiba
It's a small shelf made of bamboo.
The shelves are made of wood.
It is a folk craft item made by hand by people in the past.
It is small and lightweight.
Please note that the compone...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Bamboo
Japanese Antique Glass Cupboard Cabinet Showcase 1920s-1930s Wabi-Sabi
Located in Chiba, Chiba
This is an old Japanese glass door storage shelf.
It was made in the early Showa period (1926-1930).
It is divided into upper and lower parts.
This...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
H 68.35 in W 68.75 in D 14.77 in
Japanese Antique Cabinets, Wabi Sabi, Japandi
Located in Katori-Shi, 12
This is an antique Japanese-style cabinet made in the Meiji period.
The texture of the black lacquer, smoked with soot from the hearth, has a unique depth and charm that is unlike a...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Previously Available Items
mid 20th Century Japanese vintage Hinoki cypress long bench - wabi sabi, minimal
Located in 常陸大宮市, JP
New finds from the Kominka (old traditional house) owned by an old-established family in Nagano prefecture, Japan.
Made of straight grain, quality Hinoki - also called Japanese cypr...
Category
20th Century Japanese Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood, Cypress
H 16.93 in W 47.52 in D 9.57 in
Rustic Folk-Art Tree Branch Console, USA
Located in Washington, DC
Rustic Folk-Art Tree Branch Console Table. American, circa 1960.
Beautifully patinated and full of character.
Category
1960s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Vintage Asian Brass Tray Table with Folding Bamboo Base
Located in Doylestown, PA
Beautiful hammered and engraved brass Asian tray with a folding bamboo base, c. 1940's. Tray depicts floral and animal scenes throughout the intricate design. It is removable and inc...
Category
1940s Hong Kong Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Brass
Korean Old Wooden Stand / Wooden Box / Joseon Era 19th Century / Folk Art
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
It is a Korean wooden wooden box made around the 19th century.
This is made to store rice.
In the 19th century, it was the Joseon Dynasty.
Furniture with a design unique to this e...
Category
19th Century Korean Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Pine
H 25.2 in W 29.93 in D 20.71 in
19th Century Korean Chest with German Silver Hardware
Located in San Marino, CA
A 19th century Korean wood chest with German silver hardware. The chest features exquisite metalwork of different shapes throughout the face of the chest.
Category
19th Century Korean Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Silver
Large Late 19th Century Rattan and Wood Wedding Basket, China
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Large late 19th century rattan and wood wedding basket, China.
A large, classic handwoven rattan wedding basket from China. This round three-tiered example has woven geometric dyed ...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Brass
1960s Large Bamboo Buoy, Japan
Located in Point Richmond, CA
1960s large bamboo buoy, Japan.
A very intriguing large hand-woven bamboo or reed buoy; a real conversation piece.
Category
Late 20th Century Japanese Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Bamboo
19th Century Burl Wood Cricket Stool from China
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Offered by Zena Kruzick
19th century burl wood cricket stool from China.
The seat of this cricket stool has beautiful grain and patina, mortise and t...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Burl
Early 20th Century Chinese Painted Qilin Sideboard
Located in Chicago, IL
The paintings on this 19th century coffer from Mongolia are original and in impeccable condition. The hand-painted scene is fantastical—two traditionally dressed female figures are r...
Category
Early 20th Century Mongolian Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Brass
Hand Carved Hourglass Table from Indonesia
Located in New York, NY
An hourglass-shaped end table, hand carved from a solid block of naturally distressed teak wood. From Indonesia, circa 1940. Natural weathered appearance.
Category
1940s Indonesian Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Teak
Pakistani Painted Armchair
Located in San Marino, CA
Richly painted Pakistani armchair with block corder seat. This colorful Pakistani chair has turned legs, arms and back painted overall in alternating black, yellow and red.
Category
Late 20th Century Indian Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Korean Drop Front Chest
Located in San Marino, CA
A Korean drop front chest in elmwood, with two handles on the sides. The front of this Korean chest is heavily overlaid with incised white brass decor...
Category
Late 20th Century Korean Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Elm
Folk Art furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Folk Art furniture for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Early 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include asian art and furniture, case pieces and storage cabinets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art furniture made in a specific country, there are Asia, East Asia, and Korea 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 furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $3,800 and tops out at $5,380 while the average work can sell for $4,250.