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Folk Art Sofas

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
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 Sofas

Materials

Oak, Pine

Early 20th Century Carved Lion Bench Oak and Pine Sweden
Early 20th Century Carved Lion Bench Oak and Pine Sweden

Early 20th Century Carved Lion Bench Oak and Pine Sweden

Mid 19th Century Swedish Antique Rustic Small Folk Art Sofa
Located in Boden, SE
A charming antique sofa from the mid-1800s. The sofa is from Boden Norrbotten, Northern Sweden It's petite and compact, perfect for smaller spaces. The sofa has a foldable lid tha...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Sofas

Materials

Pine

Mid 19th Century Swedish Antique Rustic Small Folk Art Sofa

Mid 19th Century Swedish Antique Rustic Small Folk Art Sofa

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 Sofas

Materials

Wood

Bench Swedish Red Wood, 19th Century, Sweden
Bench Swedish Red Wood, 19th Century, Sweden

Bench Swedish Red Wood, 19th Century, Sweden

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 Sofas

Materials

Wood

Bench Swedish 18th Rustic Century Original Paint, Sweden
Bench Swedish 18th Rustic Century Original Paint, Sweden

Bench Swedish 18th Rustic Century Original Paint, Sweden

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19th Century Swedish Painted Hall Bench
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19th Century Black Swedish Gustavian Fållbänk, Antique Pinewood Fall Bench
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19th Century Black Swedish Gustavian Fållbänk, Antique Pinewood Fall Bench
19th Century Black Swedish Gustavian Fållbänk, Antique Pinewood Fall Bench

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H 34 in W 71.75 in D 20.25 in
19th Century Swedish Canapé Sofa
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19th century Swedish canapé sofa: beautifully carved, gray painted sofa adorned with exceptional foliate motif decoration. Newly upholstered with down-wrap cushion. Note: Regional d...
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19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Sofas

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Upholstery, Down, Wood

19th Century Swedish Canapé Sofa
19th Century Swedish Canapé Sofa

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H 33.5 in W 74 in D 31 in
Antique Early 19th Century Gustavian Sofa / Bench, By a Swedish Cabinetmaker
Located in Odense, DK
A stunning antique late Gustavian sofa/bench, skillfully crafted by a talented Swedish cabinetmaker of the era. This exquisite piece showcases the hallmark elements of Gustavian desi...
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Antique Early 19th Century Gustavian Sofa / Bench, By a Swedish Cabinetmaker
Antique Early 19th Century Gustavian Sofa / Bench, By a Swedish Cabinetmaker

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H 37.8 in W 72.84 in D 25.6 in
Small Swedish 20th Century Low Pine Bench
By Roland Wilhelmsson
Located in Kramfors, SE
Small pine bench or side table from Sweden. Designed by Roland Wilhelmsson and made by Karl Andersson & Söner, Huskvarna during the 1970s. The bench has a simple design and sturdy co...
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Small Swedish 20th Century Low Pine Bench
Small Swedish 20th Century Low Pine Bench

Small Swedish 20th Century Low Pine Bench

H 15.75 in W 41.34 in D 15.75 in
Mid-19th Century Antique Victorian Empire Sofa
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Gorgeous antique sofa, American Empire, Victorian, Flaming Mahogany frame, Ornate carvings on top, Upholstered front, seat and back, Golden yellow color velveteen upholstery, Button ...
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Mid-19th Century Antique Folk Art Sofas

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Velvet, Mahogany

Mid-19th Century Antique Victorian Empire Sofa
Mid-19th Century Antique Victorian Empire Sofa

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H 34 in W 83.5 in D 30 in
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Late 18th Century French Antique Folk Art Sofas

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Oak

18th Century Rustic Bench
18th Century Rustic Bench

18th Century Rustic Bench

H 36 in W 70 in D 24 in
Late 18th Century Swedish Blue Pine Country Bench or Sofa
Located in Kramfors, SE
Very unusual blue bench or sofa from the late 1700s. The sofa is a country house furniture from Ångermanland in Sweden. The sofa is very unusual, most likely the only one of its kind...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Sofas

Materials

Pine

Late 18th Century Swedish Blue Pine Country Bench or Sofa
Late 18th Century Swedish Blue Pine Country Bench or Sofa

Late 18th Century Swedish Blue Pine Country Bench or Sofa

H 57.49 in W 70.08 in D 26.38 in
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Country Bench
Located in Kramfors, SE
Gustavian country bench from the late 18th century. The bench is made in the very north of Sweden, close to the Finnish border in an area called Tornedalen. The bench is unusual and ...
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Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Sofas

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Pine

18th Century Swedish Gustavian Country Bench
18th Century Swedish Gustavian Country Bench

18th Century Swedish Gustavian Country Bench

H 33.86 in W 70.08 in D 22.45 in
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 Sofas

Materials

Pine

18th Century Swedish Rustic Folk Art Bench
18th Century Swedish Rustic Folk Art Bench

18th Century Swedish Rustic Folk Art Bench

H 18.9 in W 52.76 in D 14.57 in
19th Century Folk Art Swedish Stool
Located in San Angelo, TX
A beautiful Swedish folk art stool from the early 19th century. This stool has the original worn patina of time and use which can be noticed on the seat and the stretcher where the f...
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19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Sofas

Materials

Wood

19th Century Folk Art Swedish Stool
19th Century Folk Art Swedish Stool

19th Century Folk Art Swedish Stool

H 22 in W 14.5 in D 10 in
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 Sofas

Materials

Pine

Late 18th Century Swedish Folk Art Bench
Late 18th Century Swedish Folk Art Bench

Late 18th Century Swedish Folk Art Bench

H 17.72 in W 66.93 in D 10.63 in
Previously Available Items
19th Century Folk Art Swedish Sofa
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Exceptional folk art sofa from Varmland Sweden. With decorative carved back and sides, continuing on the front stretcher and is scraped to original blue paint. Newly upholstered in...
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19th Century Folk Art Swedish Sofa
19th Century Folk Art Swedish Sofa

19th Century Folk Art Swedish Sofa

H 29.93 in W 81.89 in D 21.66 in
Mid 19th Century Charming Swedish Painted Folk Art Sofa or Bench
Located in Kramfors, SE
Charming folk art sofa or bench from northern Sweden with the dating 1855. The sofa is unusually short and has hand carved wooden decorations. Made in pine with the untouched origina...
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Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Sofas

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Pine

Mid 19th Century Charming Swedish Painted Folk Art Sofa or Bench
Mid 19th Century Charming Swedish Painted Folk Art Sofa or Bench

Mid 19th Century Charming Swedish Painted Folk Art Sofa or Bench

H 39.38 in W 59.06 in D 26.38 in
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...
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Early 20th Century Swedish Folk Art Sofas

Materials

Oak, Pine

Early 20th Century Carved Lion Bench Oak and Pine Sweden
Early 20th Century Carved Lion Bench Oak and Pine Sweden

Early 20th Century Carved Lion Bench Oak and Pine Sweden

H 33.86 in W 40.56 in D 21.66 in
Bench Swedish 19th Century Pine Raw Finish Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Bench Swedish 19th Century pine raw finish Sweden. A pull out bench made during the 19th Century in Sweden. Finish is a raw wood.  
Category

19th Century European Antique Folk Art Sofas

Materials

Wood

Bench Swedish 19th Century Pine Raw Finish Sweden
Bench Swedish 19th Century Pine Raw Finish Sweden

Bench Swedish 19th Century Pine Raw Finish Sweden

H 37 in W 65 in D 20.5 in
18th Century Southern Swedish Primitive Bench
Located in Kramfors, SE
Primitive Folk Art bench - a so called Fållbänk. The bench was manufactured in southern Sweden around the second half of the 18th century. The bench is in untouched original conditio...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Sofas

Materials

Pine

18th Century Southern Swedish Primitive Bench
18th Century Southern Swedish Primitive Bench

18th Century Southern Swedish Primitive Bench

H 31.5 in W 71.66 in D 19.3 in
18th Century Folk Art Rustic Bench from Dalarna Sweden
Located in Kramfors, SE
Rustic folk art bench or 'Fållbänk' as it's called in Swedish. From the county of Dalarna in the middle of Sweden. The seat of the bench can be lifted which makes the area underneath...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Sofas

Materials

Pine

18th Century Folk Art Rustic Bench from Dalarna Sweden
18th Century Folk Art Rustic Bench from Dalarna Sweden

18th Century Folk Art Rustic Bench from Dalarna Sweden

H 28.35 in W 74.81 in L 28.35 in
19th Century Northern Swedish Sofa by Johan Lust
By Jonas Lust
Located in Kramfors, SE
Gustavian sofa or solsäng from Hälsingland. The Swedish name solsäng literally means sun bed. The sofa have rich wooden carvings all around and the surface has...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Sofas

Materials

Pine

19th Century Northern Swedish Sofa by Johan Lust
19th Century Northern Swedish Sofa by Johan Lust

19th Century Northern Swedish Sofa by Johan Lust

H 35.04 in W 72.84 in D 23.23 in
Antique Romanian Folk Art Painted Storage Bench
Located in Round Top, TX
The quality and craftsmanship of this pine bench are exceptional with its traditional Eastern European Folk Art painted motifs. The deep, war...
Category

Late 19th Century Romanian Antique Folk Art Sofas

Materials

Pine

Antique Romanian Folk Art Painted Storage Bench
Antique Romanian Folk Art Painted Storage Bench

Antique Romanian Folk Art Painted Storage Bench

H 36.75 in W 78 in D 22.25 in
Antique Folk Art Blue Painted Hungarian Storage Bench
Located in Round Top, TX
This delightful late 19th century storage bench from Hungary still maintains its original blue paint. The charming, simplistic flowers on the front panel were a traditional Folk Art ...
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Late 19th Century Hungarian Antique Folk Art Sofas

Antique Folk Art Blue Painted Hungarian Storage Bench
Antique Folk Art Blue Painted Hungarian Storage Bench

Antique Folk Art Blue Painted Hungarian Storage Bench

H 37 in W 76.75 in D 21.25 in
Bench Sofa with Storage Swedish 18th Century Original Paint, Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Bench sofa with storage Swedish 18th century original paint, Sweden. A storage bench made during the 18th century in Sweden. Original paint. Beautifu...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Sofas

Materials

Wood

Bench Sofa with Storage Swedish 18th Century Original Paint, Sweden
Bench Sofa with Storage Swedish 18th Century Original Paint, Sweden

Bench Sofa with Storage Swedish 18th Century Original Paint, Sweden

H 30.5 in W 66 in D 20 in
Bench Swedish 18th Century Orange and Blue Original Paint Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Bench 18th century Sweden orange and blue original paint. Bench made in Sweden during the 18th century. Original paint in dark blue and a reddish orange. Storage under seat.
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Sofas

Materials

Pine

Bench Swedish 18th Century Orange and Blue Original Paint Sweden
Bench Swedish 18th Century Orange and Blue Original Paint Sweden

Bench Swedish 18th Century Orange and Blue Original Paint Sweden

H 29 in W 65 in D 21.5 in

Folk Art sofas for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Folk Art sofas for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 19th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage sofas created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, pine and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art sofas made in a specific country, there are Europe, Scandinavia, and Sweden 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 sofas differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $2,750 and tops out at $4,800 while the average work can sell for $3,800.

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