Functional pieces made with local materials that can stand the test of time have defined antique and vintage country furniture around the world.
Country style has varied based on regional tastes, from French Country with tufted sofas and cane-framed beds to American Country with stately Windsor chairs and tables built of pine. Each is imbued with touches that are often described as rustic, a style that is inclusive of a range of decorating modes such as country and farmhouse. Exposed wood, traditional fabrics, natural colors and a sense of heritage through distressed surfaces and handcrafted design are all attributes of country-style interiors.
Country furniture and decor can encompass movements from across centuries that reflect rural life, such as French Provincial, which emerged in the 17th century, Black Forest, which became popular in early-19th-century Switzerland with sculptural furniture carved with animals and Adirondack style, with chairs that debuted in the United States in the early 20th century and became a rustic favorite.
The design of country-style furniture isn’t guided by fleeting trends or elite tastes. Sofas upholstered with animal hide, desks made of oak or pine that show off the grain of their material and dining room tables balanced on sturdy square legs are all popular examples of country furniture. Although the aesthetics of country furniture are eclectic, the pieces are unified by meticulous construction that favors utility over ornamentation.
Contemporary country interiors usually have muted palettes, with white walls and calming shades of blue, where heirloom pieces mingle with vintage baskets and gingham textiles. Unpretentious and timeless, country furniture adds warmth to any home, whether it’s a cabin in the woods or an urban loft apartment.
Find a collection of antique and vintage country tables, seating, decorative objects and more furniture on 1stDibs.
Soldier's Woolwork Royal Artillery Badge, American Flag, British, circa 1885
Located in Downingtown, PA
Soldier's Woolwork Royal Artillery Badge, American Flag, British, circa 1885 This large British soldier's woolwork picture is finely embroidered with the badge of the Royal Artille...
Wool
Sailor's Woolwork Picture, Royal Navy Ship, Padded Trapunto Sails, circa 1865
Located in Downingtown, PA
Sailor's Woolwork Picture, Royal Navy Ship with Padded Trapunto Sails Circa 1865–1885 This British sailor's woolwork is worked in colored wools, a port-broadside view of a Royal Nav...
Wool
$6,500
H 10 in W 10.5 in D 8 in
American Nautical Brass Yacht Binnacle Mounted in Mahogany Case, Circa 1890
Located in Charleston, SC
American nautical mahogany yacht binnacle with a hinged locking oval glass viewing port, original removable brass side light burner with font, brass carrying handle, and fitted with ...
Brass
American Cast Brass Engraved Yachtsman's Speaking Trumpet, Circa 1830
Located in Charleston, SC
American hand held cast brass engraved Yachtsman's speaking trumpet with bell shaped soldered mouthpiece, coned-shaped column with original interior red paint, and terminating on a r...
Brass
Antique Star Form Sailors Valentine
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Charming antique sailors valentine handcrafted in exotic seashells in a star form with a rocky coastline image under a convex oval lens.
Organic Material
Antique British Colonial Sailors Valentine
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Rare and unusual English 19th century sailors valentine handcrafted with exotic seashells. Around images with figures and architecture. Under a convex lens.
Shell, Organic Material
$3,800
H 7 in W 11 in D 6 in
American Three Masted Clipper Ship in Bottle on Original Wood Stand, Circa 1880
Located in Charleston, SC
American three masted clipper ship in bottle with cloth rigging in full sail on a painted sea, flanked by a sea side town with evergreen trees, a pain...
Glass, Wood, Paint
Mid-Century hand-carved horn sail boat
Located in Scottsdale, AZ
A unique mid-century ship or sailboat accessory, hand-crafted out of carved horn. It has a sleek curvy shape and the perfect palette. It’s stylish, masculine and nautical without fee...
Brass
Antique British Colonial Heart Form Sailors Valentine
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Charming 19th Century English heart form sailors valentine ambitiously handcrafted with exotic seashells around a sailboat image as seen through a glass lens.
Shell
$14,000
H 58 in W 20 in D 18 in
American Gilt Carved Wood and Poly Chromed Roman Guard Figurehead, Circa 1890
Located in Charleston, SC
American gilt carved wood and poly chromed nautical figurehead of Roman guard in military attire. Late 19th century.
Wood, Giltwood, Paint
Antique British Colonial Sailors Valentine with Sailing Ships
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Charming 19th century English sailors valentine handcrafted in exotic seashells, in a diamond or square form, ambitiously arranged around an image of sailing ships under a convex lens.
Organic Material
A folk art diorama model passenger ship in a bottle English circa 1930
Located in Central England, GB
This early 20th century ship in a bottle diorama is of a rarer subject being an early large steam ocean going passenger liner set in a scene just off the shoreline with a lighthouse ...
Glass
Antique British Colonial Sailors Valentine
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Enchanting 19th century English sailors valentine handcrafted in exotic seashells, in horse shoe form, lovingly arranged around an image of a steamship under a convex lens.
Organic Material
Framed Maritime Signal Flag of Letter F
Located in Norwell, MA
Shadow box framed ships Signal flag with attached rope and wood toggle. Blue and yellow field. Weight is 5 pounds.
Cotton
Brass Ship Engine Telegraph with Chime
Located in Queens, NY
Small brass ship's engine telegraph with movable arm and working chime.
Brass
Vintage Nautical Treen Globe Boxes & Covers
Located in Downingtown, PA
Vintage Nautical Treen globe boxes & covers The pair of Marine footed wood boxes and covers are each decorated with four slightly different compass roses....
Wood
American Woven Jute Nautical Bumper
Located in Chicago, IL
A fantastic vintage American woven jute nautical bumper with lopped handles. This was originally used as a bumper to keep boats from rubbing into each other...
Jute
Pair of Red and Green Nautical Buoys
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Nice pair of vintage red and green American nautical buoys. Original hand painted surface. Found in the north east. Layers of original paint. First buoy ...
Wood
Late 19th Century Folk Art Fisherman's Rope Eel Basket
Located in Nantucket, MA
Late 19th century Fisherman's Rope Woven Eel Basket, circa 1890, a rare hand woven basket apparently unique to the New Jersey coast, with a coarse rope weave on twig staves, with solid wooden bottom, and rope becket handles. These baskets were used to carry live eels (and probably other live bait...
Twig, Rope