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
Rustic Folk-Art Tree Branch Console, USA
Located in Pittsburgh, PA
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
Antique Korean Bandaji from Jeju Island
Located in Atlanta, GA
An antique Korean Bandaji from Jeju Do (Jeju Island) circa 19th century. Made from hardwood planks (possibly pine or pearwood) and stained in a dark color...
Category
19th Century Korean Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Iron
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
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 Pasadena, 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
Teak Bench Hand-Carved from Madura Island, Java, Indonesia c. 1900
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This hand-carved teak wood bench originates from the Island of Madura, off the coast of Northeastern Java. It features a wonderful curved shape with angular legs. The seat was carved...
Category
Early 20th Century Indonesian Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood, Teak
Rustic Hardwood Bench
Located in Lakeville, CT
This bench is made from aged lumber pulled from a 16th century Pennsylvania Mennonite barn floor. Texture and color are left natural. Wire brushed to remove all splinters and oiled i...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Rustic Reclaimed Hardwood Bench
Located in Lakeville, CT
This bench is made from aged lumber pulled from a 16th century Pennsylvania Mennonite barn floor. Texture and color are left natural. Wire brushed to remove all splinters and oiled i...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Large Art Deco Console Table
Located in Kastrup, DK
Decorative art deco console table (177 cm long).
Freestanding with 4 drawers and underlying shelf.
Lacquer with brownish cinnamon shades beautiful patina.
China 1910...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Walnut
19th Century Antique Chinese Chinoiserie Floral Painted and Lacquered Sideboard
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this original circa 1860 hand made in China sold hand carved, painted and lacquered sideboard with Chinoiserie detailing all over.
This is a ver...
Category
1860s Chinese Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
H 37.01 in W 64.97 in D 21.66 in
Antique Korean Wedding Bandaji Chest Joseon Dynasty
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Korean Bandaji chest circa late 19th century of Joseon Dynasty, from Gyeonggi Do (Central to South of Korean Peninsula where Seoul is located), likely Namhansanseong subtype. Known...
Category
19th Century Korean Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Brass
Rustic Butcher Block
Located in New York, NY
A striking, antique rustic butcher block from Shandong Province, China. Formerly used in an outdoor market, this would make an interesting stand, side table or stool.
S345
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Elm
Korean Medicine Chest with Drawers Yakchang
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Korean medicine or apothecary chest with curved leg support circa the first quarter of the 20th century. Known as Yakchang in Korea, the chest was used to sort and store herb medicines in its many small drawers. The prototype was originated in China, but this piece is distinctively Korean because of the classic style of the brass hardware. the configuration of the storage space in the lower part, the shape of the leg support and the wood paneling details. The upper part features thirty-six drawers with divided in six rows, each with a brass pull ring and two herb names in Hanja, carved and gilt. The lower part has a bi-door panels open to a storage compartment, which is flanked by four more drawers. Closer examination of the construction reveals that the frame and the drawers were made from Paulownia wood, which has an insect-repelling quality. The frame was painted and lacquered dark while the drawers remained natural. The front panels of the drawers and the doors were all made from Zelkova wood, showcasing its lovely linear dark grains.
The interiors of the drawers are very clean and free of odor (have not been extensively used to store medicine).
To compare with another Medicine Chest, see illustration on page 47 in "Korean Antique Furniture...
Category
Early 20th Century Korean Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Brass
Antique Korean Wedding Bandaji Chest Joseon Dynasty
Located in Atlanta, GA
A striking Korean Bandaji with lots of original patina circa 19th century of late Joseon Dynasty. Bandaji is known as drop front half-opening chest that was used to store family valuables and beddings. The Bandaji on offer was made in Pyongyang area in now North Korea and was clearly intended as a wedding chest. Constructed in limewood (also known as Lindenwood), which is rather plain and lacks grains, the chest was instead sumptuously decorated with nickel-copper (Paktong or white copper) plates, stripes and studs. Covering nearly the entire front of the cabinet, the metal plates were placed with eye-pleasing symmetry pattern. The top row is centered with a large square lock plate with latch and a heavy fish lock (no key), flanked by a pair of pulls set on plates in longevity mushroom pattern (lingzi). The middle row has a large cloud-form hinge in the center, flanked by three vertical pairs of rectangular hinges. The lower row features a large embossed and chased square plate with a character "Double happiness" in the center, a Hanja character reserved for the wedding ceremony. On both sides, large pair...
Category
Late 19th Century Korean Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Metal
19th Century Tapered Cabinet
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese tapered cabinet. Solid elm wood with round corner details, tapering 33 at the top to 34 at the bottom. Classic Chinese ...
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Elm
19th Century Cabinet, Ming style
Located in Kastrup, DK
Cabinet, Ming style made in jumo wood. From Suzhou China, located close to Shanghai. Was formerly the largest city in Jiangsù province. Each panel made of one piece of wood. "Jumu wo...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Metal
Decorative Antique Chinese Chinoiserie Floral Painted and Lacquered Sideboard
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this very nicely made, Chinese Chinoiserie floral painted and lacquered sideboard cupboard
This is a very good-looking and decorative piece, it ...
Category
20th Century Chinese Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
H 34.06 in W 60.24 in D 17.92 in
Previously Available Items
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 Pasadena, 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 Pasadena, 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 Pasadena, 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.
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