Folk Art Desk Sets
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 Swedish 19th Century Wooden Folk Art Box with Originally Paint
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A Swedish original painted Folk Art box. From the beginning of the 19th century, most likely used to keep writing supplies and office materials.
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Desk Sets
Materials
Pine
A Charming Horse Shoe and Stirrup Stationary or Letter Rack This is a very attr
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Charming Horse Shoe and Stirrup Stationary or Letter Rack
This is a very attractive and useful piece, the rack is made in brass, it has a stirrup at the centre of 2 horseshoes set...
Category
1920s Vintage Folk Art Desk Sets
Materials
Brass
Swedish 19th Century Wooden Folk Art Box With Shaving Knives
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A Swedish original painted Folk Art box. From the beginning of the 19th century, used to keep shaving knives and similar supplies. Included 3 knives with the razor blades in English ...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Desk Sets
Materials
Wood
Unicorn Mythical Creature Vienna Bronze Letter Opener, Antique Austria 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1960s Austrian letter opener. It has a nice patina.
I did not clean it, so the next owner can decide what he wants to do with it.
This highly collectible vintage piec...
Category
1960s Austrian Vintage Folk Art Desk Sets
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Related Items
Early 19th Century Persian Wooden Box
Located in London, GB
Early 19th century Persian wooden box
A large Persian wooden box and marquetry called "Khatam Kari" with mosaic decoration of stars and geometric patterns, Middle East origin, early-19th century. This box is in overall good condition considering its age and use, it still has its original silk insert fabric firmly attached which is rare. Khatam kari is a fine and meticulous marquetry work, the oldest examples of which date back to the Safavid era: khatam was then so appreciated by the court that certain princes learned the technique as well as music, painting, or calligraphy. The “Khatam-kari” is therefore the “work of inlays”. This technique consists of making patterns, most often star shapes, by inlaying fine wooden sticks (ebony, Teak, jujube, orange tree, rose), brass (for the golden parts), and camel bone (white parts). The decorated objects are legion: boxes, chess or backgammon games, frames, pipes, desks, or even musical instruments. The khatam can also be associated with the famous Persian miniatures, thus realizing works of art. Coming from techniques imported from China and magnified by Persian know-how, this craft has existed for over 700 years.
Size in inches: H 5” x W 15” x D 9.5”
Age: 1830 - 1850
Origin: Persia
Material: Mixed material
Completely solid in structure and form, aged naturally across all the surfaces. This box does not have a key and therefore cannot be locked, it has had old repairs in blue ink as shown. With one replacement leg...
Category
Early 19th Century Unknown Antique Folk Art Desk Sets
Materials
Wood
Fantastic 19th Century French Dore Bronze Mounted Blue Opaline Crystal Box
By Baccarat
Located in New York, NY
A Fantastic 19th Century French Louis XVI Style Dore Bronze Mounted Blue Opaline Crystal Box. The box is composed of two sections of French opaline crystal which are mounted to a fa...
Category
1890s French Antique Folk Art Desk Sets
Materials
Crystal, Bronze
French 19th Century Folk Art Leather Box
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful weathered Folk Art box made out of wood and covered with leather. Working lock and key.
France, circa 1850
Weathered, small losses.
Category
19th Century French Antique Folk Art Desk Sets
Materials
Leather, Wood
Antique Anglo-Indian Fluted Writing Box With Secret Drawers. Early 19th Century
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful writing box made from a tropical hardwood
Fabulous shape and plain fluted carving. It gives it a modernist appearance
Probably Sri Lankan
3 secret drawers*
Replaced lea...
Category
Early 19th Century Sri Lankan Antique Folk Art Desk Sets
Materials
Wood
H 5.5 in W 16 in D 9 in
Orientalist Silver and Gold Gilt Bronze 19th Century Box
Located in Rochester, NY
Orientalist silver and gold gilt bronze box. Continental. 19th century. Original key and velvet lining.
Category
19th Century European Antique Folk Art Desk Sets
Materials
Bronze
Heintz Arts & Crafts Sterling Silver on Bronze Letter Rack
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Arts & Crafts or Art Deco period sterling silver on bronze desk letter holder rack
By Heintz Art Metal Shop
USA, Early 20th Century
Measures: 6"W x 2.5"D x 4.2...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Desk Sets
Materials
Sterling Silver, Bronze
Tiffany Studios New York Adam Bronze Letter Opener
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Arts & Crafts or Art Deco period bronze Neoclassical or Adam style letter opener
By Tiffany Studios (signed to the underside)
New York, USA, Early 20th Century
...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Desk Sets
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Folk Art Box With Inlaid Hearts
Located in Stamford, CT
19th century American folk art box with decorated with inlaid hearts, diamonds, triangles and shields. Possibly sailor made, this sweet little box was likely a valentine or keepsake ...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Desk Sets
Materials
Wood
Mahogany Desk Stationary organizer
Located in Huntington, NY
Desk top Mahogany stationary organizer
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Folk Art Desk Sets
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century Sewing Box by Maison Aucoc, Paris
By A. Aucoc
Located in Paris, FR
Late 19th century oval sewing box decorated with crowned monogram. The case contains five gold and steel sewing utensils embellished with small flowers. Labeled on the inside: AUCOC A PARIS. Weight: 27.6 g,
circa 1860
Dimension: W 4.5 in, D 2.4in, H .8in.
Dimension: L 11.5cm, P 6cm, H 2cm.
La Maison Aucoc...
Category
19th Century French Antique Folk Art Desk Sets
Materials
Gold, Steel
Hermes, Paris, Equestrian / Horse Head Letter Opener, c.1960
Located in Bath, GB
A highly collectable letter opener or paper knife made in gilded bronze and dating to c.1960; a scarce-find in the gold colour.
The handle is in the form of a horse head, beautifu...
Category
1960s French Vintage Folk Art Desk Sets
Materials
Bronze
Swedish folk art painted wooden box "Timplåda" with sliding lid
Located in Kvidinge, SE
Painted box with a typical Swedish art work decor, dated 1836.
A 'timplåda' is a traditional Swedish wooden box, handcrafted with care. Popular during the 18th and 19th centuries,
...
Category
1830s Swedish Antique Folk Art Desk Sets
Materials
Pine
Previously Available Items
Bulldog Pug Dogs Vienna Bronze Letter Opener, antique Austria 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 19th century Austrian letter opener with Pug Dog motive. It has a nice patina.
I did not clean it, so the next owner can decide what he wants to do with it.
This highly collectible antique piece is in very good condition, consistent with age and use.
Nice addition to your room, desktop or just for your collection of pug dog items...
Category
1910s Austrian Vintage Folk Art Desk Sets
Materials
Bronze, Brass
Bulldog Pug Dogs Vienna Bronze Trinket Tray or Catchall, antique Austria 1890s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic late 19th century Austrian Trinket tray, or catchall.
Vintage brass trinket dish with Pug Dog motive. It has a nice patina.
I did not cle...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Folk Art Desk Sets
Materials
Bronze
H 0.75 in W 11.5 in D 4 in
Swedish Wooden Folk Art Box With Originally Paint, Dated 1814
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A 19th Century Swedish original blue painted Folk Art box with original polychrome decoration. Dated 1814 with the initial of the female owner IGD, most likely used to keep writing supplies and office materials...
Category
1810s Swedish Antique Folk Art Desk Sets
Materials
Pine
Huge Rare Antique English Magnifying Glass Lens circa 1910 Decorative Stand
Located in London, GB
Huge rare antique English magnifying glass lens circa 1910 decorative stand.
For sale in this lot is a very unusual and uniquely oversized antique solid glass telescopic magnified...
Category
1910s British Vintage Folk Art Desk Sets
Materials
Brass
A Late 19th Century Carved Vase from Tree Branch
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A folk art carved vase from a tree branch with bark. Originating from France c. 1880. This piece has a rustic, almost wabi sabi sensibility to it, with emphasis on the natural beauty...
Category
19th Century French Antique Folk Art Desk Sets
Materials
Wood
Folk Art desk sets for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Folk Art desk sets 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 desk sets created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with brass, bronze and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art desk sets made in a specific country, there are Europe, Austria, 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 desk sets differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $160 and tops out at $950 while the average work can sell for $390.