Folk Art Painted 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
German Folk art bridal cabinet, 1809
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A beautiful cabinet from the rural south of Germany dating from 1809. The cabinet was once given as a wedding gift to a lady called Anna Barbara. This cabinet is made of solid pine a...
Category
Early 1800s German Antique Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
Antique Primitive Folk Art Painted Step Stool Library Stairs
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
As found on a recent buying trip to Sweden this incredible Early 20th Century Painted Wooden Step Stool with amazing patina. Fantastic and functional piece in a kitchen or bathroom/p...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
Mid 18th Century Floral Painted Blanket Chest
Located in Vo', Veneto
Tyrolean painted chest
H. 81 – W. 147 – P. 69
Ancient Tyrolean chest, entirely built in fir wood. The surface has been decorated with a dark brown background color, semi-covering, ...
Category
Mid-18th Century Austrian Antique Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Fir
Vintage surrealist folk art four-legged painted wood table, handmade in the 80s
Located in Hastings, GB
One of our favourite finds: this very unusual surrealist four-legged painted wood table, handmade in the 1980s. Signed underneath but an unknown maker. Bought in Palm Springs, Califo...
Category
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
Folk art wedding chest, circa 1870
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A pine wedding chest from Central Europe, probably German, circa 1870. The neoclassical style persisted in Europe until after the 1820s. This colour scheme of terracotta red and gree...
Category
1870s German Antique Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Pine
Antique German Folk Art Cabinet, circa 1850
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A pine cabinet from rural southern Germany, dating from around 1850. The cabinet was probably given as a wedding gift. This cabinet is made of solid pine and is hand-painted in earth...
Category
1850s German Antique Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Pine
Important & Rare Pennsylvania 18thc Paint Decorated Cradle
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic early 18thc Pennsylvania painted and decorated baby cradle with strong German Dutch influence . This early cradle has come out of a fifty year collection and was found in Southern Pennsylvania originally . The hex signs...
Category
18th Century American Antique Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Wood
Hand painted Pine Wedding Cabinet, anno 1782
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A beautiful cabinet from the rural south of Germany dating from 1782. The cabinet was once given as a wedding gift. Made of solid pine and hand painted in vibrant colours. The cabine...
Category
1780s Antique Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Iron
Antique French Floral Painted Folk Art Marriage Chest, Late 18Th Century
Located in Bristol, GB
ANTIQUE PAINTED DOMED TRUNK
A highly decorative chest of lovely proportions with a slightly domed top.
Made of softwood in its original paint with hand-painted floral decoration on...
Category
Late 18th Century French Antique Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Metal
18th Century Swedish Folk Art antique rustic Trunk /Chest
Located in Boden, SE
18th Century Swedish antique rustique Chest from Boden Norrbotten, Northern Sweden.
The chest has untouched original paint.
The trunk was dated 1799 to celebrate a birthday ,and the ...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Pine
Exceptional 1750 Red and Blu Painted Blanket Chest, Central Europe
Located in Vo', Veneto
Small Antique painted blancket chest
Measures: H. 31cm - L. 72cm - P. 45cm
Rare small chest in painted fir wood.
The decorations are geometric, of an intense blue color, with ...
Category
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Fir
Moroccan Pedestal Table in Moorish Hand Painted Design Octagonal Shape 1960s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage 1960s Moroccan pedestal table.
hand painted Moroccan side table on a dark maroon background color with floral and geometric designs in blue and ochre colors.
Moroccan octagon...
Category
Late 20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Wood
Exceptional Painted Bookcase with Gold Leaf Carvings
Located in Vo', Veneto
Exceptional bookcase painted in blue and red with gold leaf carvings.
Two large side pillars, with richly carved scrolls, lacquered and gilded wi...
Category
1810s Italian Antique Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Fir
19th Century American General Store Apothecary Grain Paint Hand Stenciling
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Beautiful 19th century general store large scale yellow pine apothecary in old surface. Found in the north eastern united states. Most likely of Pennsylvania origin. Red stain grain ...
Category
1880s American Antique Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Wood
Small hand--painted cabinet, dated 1736
Located in 'S-HERTOGENBOSCH, NL
Small cabinet with 1 door. Hand painted with decorative floral motives.
Dated: 1738. Inside has 2 shelves, a small drawer is missing.
Category
1730s Antique Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Pine, Paint
Antique Early 19C Swedish Hand Painted Pine Coffer Folk Art Blanket Dowry Chest
Located in Portland, OR
A very attractive antique early 19th century hand painted folk art Swedish dowry/blanket chest, circa 1820.
The sarcophagus shaped lidded top enclosing a large storage area for clothing or bedding, the interior of the lid still possesses the original un-oxidized paint. Both the body and top of the chest retain the original hand painted decoration. The front, top and rear with oval cartouches painted with exotic birds and surrounded by stylized floral & fruiting decoration, each side has a circular cartouche with corresponding decoration. The sides of the chest have the original cast iron carrying handles, the chest is raised upon bracket feet, the chest is clean and aroma free and is ready to store your bedding, clothing or anything else you care to place in it!
Condition is very good indeed, the original painting is remarkably intact, no damage or condition issues. This very elegant antique Swedish antique...
Category
1820s Swedish Antique Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Pine
Antique, Vernacular 1912 Swedish Log Chair, Traditional Carved Kubbstol
Located in Stockholm, SE
Antique Folk Art Kubbstol from Sweden. A Kubbstol is a dug-out pine trunk chair. It's a primitive construction with a simple design and this particular piece is made from a large lo...
Category
1910s Swedish Vintage Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Pine
$1,440 Sale Price
20% Off
Folk Art Dresser Top Vanity Mirror in Original Paint
Located in Ferndale, MI
Early 20th century Folk Art dressing table mirror in the original paint - teal green over black with white trim. The distressed surface paint reveals the black underneath creating a ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Brass
$600 Sale Price
20% Off
Folk art wedding chest from 1849
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A pine wedding chest from 1849. The illustrations are traditional with images of flowers and tulips. The chest was part of a dowry package and would have been in the clean room of th...
Category
1840s German Antique Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Pine
18th Century Swedish Folk Art Door With Faux Marble Original Decorations
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
An 18th century Swedish original painted Folk Art small door. The front side is all in original condition with working lock and original key (Request video). With faux marble paintin...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Pine
Folk Art Adam and Eve from Midwest Lodge
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Fantastic hand-painted and carved lodge piece from the Midwest. Painting depicts Eve picking the apple from the snakes mouth. The Stand has a hand-carved snake that wraps around the ...
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Wood
Swedish painted 19th century spinning wheel
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Swedish painted 19th century spinning wheel circa 1864.
Beautiful piece of traditional Swedish history. Being a small model with a foot peddle this machine was likely to used to sp...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Pine, Paint
Green painted Southern Yellow Pine 19th century carriage strong box forged iron
Located in Mobile, AL
Green folk painted Southern yellow pine carriage trunk or strong box. The size is just about perfect for liquor bottles, too. Dovetail construction with hand forged clasp and hinges. The original finish was likely brown and it looks like it got it's first coat...
Category
1840s American Antique Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Wood
$1,196 Sale Price
20% Off
Scandinavian Grandchild Clock with Painted Flowers Decorations
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Tall and narrow grandfather floor clock in the original yellow and flower decoration, possible Denmark or Scandinavian for sure, circa 1875.
Du...
Category
Late 19th Century Scandinavian Antique Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Brass
$1,400 Sale Price
20% Off
German Folk-Art Bridal Chest, anno 1829
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
German bridal chest made in 1829. Hand-painted with beautiful fine details. The iron hinges are hand-forged. The chest is made of pine. There is a compartment on the inside for valua...
Category
1820s German Antique Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
Antique European Carved & Painted Folk Art Table Pair
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Charming antique Scandinavian folk art tables.
These have an old world feel to them.
Hand carved with painted floral design.
Not signed ...
Category
Early 20th Century Scandinavian Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Wood
Schoharie County NY Painted Blanket Chest
Located in Sharon, CT
Untouched original surface. Colorful floral vignettes on a 'buttermilk
clay' painted surface. Retains original hardware.
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
American Painted Folk Art Canopy Bed, Ex. Collection of Estee Lauder
Located in Las Vegas, NV
This is an extraordinary Folk Art painted post bed from the American southwest, circa 1830-1840.
A rare size unique Folk Art form identified as from early Germanic settlements of Texas, 19th century.
Freehand decorated headboard and canopy suspended on 4 exceptionally tall pencil posts.
This piece came to Las Vegas in early 1999 by way of an article in architectural digest
featuring Dayton Ohio antique...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th Century Antique Moroccan Hand Painted Wood Berber Chest
Located in New York, NY
This 19th century Moroccan Berber chest is a masterpiece of craftsmanship. Made from pine wood, it features beautifully painted sides and top, showcasing intricate patterns and vibra...
Category
19th Century Moroccan Antique Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Pine
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Country Rustic Folk Art Chair
Located in Boden, SE
Late 18th Century Swedish Country Folk Art Chair from Northern Sweden.
This charming chair is a true piece of history. It was made by hand in Northern ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Pine
Swedish Gustavian Dowry Chest with Exceptional Interior Painting, Dated 1782
Located in New York, NY
An exceptional Swedish Gustavian dowry chest with original paint on the interior and exterior. The interior painting depicts a marriage scene and...
Category
18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Iron
Folk Art Painted Document Box 19th Century American
Located in Hudson, NY
A spectacular and fine, painted and stenciled, pine documentbox. The original blue paint having turned a dark green over time with the varnished finish, typical of Boston pieces. Yo...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Brass
19th Century Pennsylvania Folky Sheraton Cherry Chest of Drawers
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique wooden chest of drawers.
With a terrific old finish.
In cherry wood with a polar secondary, turned wooden pulls, and r...
Category
Mid-19th Century North American Antique Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Wood, Cherry
18th Century Blanket Chest Blue and Red Painted
Located in Vo', Veneto
Ancient Tyrolean painted chest.
Measures: H. 70, L. 174, P. 63
Antique painted chest.
On the front it has two mirrors with geometric decor...
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Fir
WWI Era Military Trunk Painted by Artist Ira Yeager
By Ira Yeager
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Amazing folk art military radio trunk with a painted bust of an native American Indian by artist Ira Yeager (American 1938-2022). WWI era canvas covered trunk used to store radio parts...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Brass
Mid 19th century traditional Swedish painted pine cradle
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Original condition traditional Swedish rocking cradle circa 1860.
Painted in traditional blue colours with personalised inscribed with 2 births with initials from 1852 and 1855. R...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Pine, Paint
Original Old Painted Storage Basket, Hand Decorated
Located in Vo', Veneto
Original old painted alpine storage basket, hand decorated
Measures: Height 48 cm – Base diameter 39 cm – Top diameter 50 cm
Hand painted antique Tyrolean wooden tub. Entirely painted in a beautiful teal blue, on the edge it is decorated with a motif of red triangles while on the central bands are painted scenes of a wedding.
This accessory can have various uses, and given its medium size it can adapt to many environments. It can be used as an original blanket or magazine holder for the living room, or as a large vase filled with dried flowers, or as a pure decorative element, enhancing a corner of the house. Another idea could be to apply a removable cover in antique wood, thus transforming it into an entrance or living room table, or into a colorful bedside table...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Fir
$1,388 Sale Price
27% Off
Vintage Mexican full size papier mache 1980s armchair chair, folk art postmodern
Located in Hastings, GB
A unique, full size paper mache 1980s armchair, signed G.Dell, Mexico. Charmingly naive paintwork.
An amazing combination of Memphis Milano and circus big top pattern and colour: buy...
Category
Late 20th Century Mexican Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint, Paper
Rare and Vibrant Painted Blanket Chest
Located in West Chester, PA
A rare and bright blanket chest in brilliant reds contrasted with blacks. The decoration is nicely painted with urns and flowers flanked by pillars and ...
Category
1780s American Antique Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Pine
German Folk-Art Bridal Chest, anno 1887
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
German bridal chest made in 1887. Hand-painted with beautiful fine details. The iron handles are hand-forged. The chest is made of pine. There is a compartment on the inside for valu...
Category
1880s German Antique Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
Swedish 18th Century Yellow Folk Art Painted Wooden Box
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A painted turn of the 18th-19th Century Swedish Folk Art wood box, with original yellow paint on the exterior. The original ochre yellow color has be...
Category
1790s Swedish Antique Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Metal
Folk Art Lacquer Speckled Mirror by Artist Ira Yeager
By Ira Yeager
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Charming folk art wood framed mirror featuring a whimsical lacquer speckled marigold yellow finish by artist Ira Yeager (1938-2022). The mirror has a thick wood frame constructed in ...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood
Folk Art Painted Chicken Drinks Table by Ira Yeager
By Ira Yeager
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Rustic and charming folk art painted side table or drink table by artist Ira Yeager (American 1938-2022). The table features an oil on board painting depicting a white French chicken or rooster with a 19th century date 1840 and signed with his initials. Ira loved painting 18th-19th century French...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th Century Decorated Sea Chest
Located in Nantucket, MA
19th Century Decorated Sea Chest, having a hinged lid with breadboard edges, above a dovetailed case with applied molding around base, the original wooden beckets with relief carved ...
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Wood
Maine Circa 1830 Grain Painted Chest Of Drawers
Located in Hudson, NY
Absolutely beautiful, circa 1830's, grain painted, graduated chest of drawers. Likely from Maine or possibly Vermont , the workmanship is absolutely beautiful . From the fully turned...
Category
1830s American Antique Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Wood, Pine, Paint
Hand Painted Indian Folk Art Stand or Low Table A Lovely Decorative piece
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Hand Painted Indian Folk Art Stand or Low Table
A Lovely Decorative piece painted in a green pallet with small Flowers
This little metal table is very sta...
Category
19th Century Antique Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Tin
Antique German Black Forest Painted Tole Wooden Pantry Box
Located in Niederdorfelden, Hessen
German painted wooden bride's box or container with tole painting made circa 1900.
Category
Early 1900s German Antique Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Wood
Hand Painted Wooden House with Storage - in an American Folk Art Style
Located in Morristown, NJ
A charming handmade storage piece in the form of a house with a chimney. Executed in the American Folk Art style, this is a charming piece that is both decorative and practical. The ...
Category
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Metal
Grain Painted Blanket Chest Pennsylvania Circa 1830
Located in Hudson, NY
Painted blanket chest with turned feet. Rectangular lid with applied molding above dovetail jointed case . An absolute delight, this festive jewel made of dense poplar with a buttern...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Poplar, Paint, Nutwood
Unusual Folk aRT "CARTOON" hand painted child's high chair /tray
Located in Buffalo, NY
Unusual Folk aRT "CARTOON" hand painted child's high chair /tray,, Charming little item.. Retains original paint ,,surface,,, Minor veneer missing ( back side). see photo,,Very usabl...
Category
1920s American Vintage Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Wood
Late 19th Century Quebec Paint Decorated Plant Stand, circa 1890
Located in Nantucket, MA
Antique Quebec paint decorated plant stand or bucket bench, circa 1890, pine slat construction with three shelves, fluted backsplash and apron, and deli...
Category
1890s Canadian Antique Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Pine
Mid-19th Century Child’s Grain Painted Miniature Chest of Drawers
Located in Nantucket, MA
Mid-19th century Benchmade child’s grain painted Miniature chest of drawers. A country piece in the American Empire style, with a step-back drawer and backsplash, above the case with...
Category
Mid-19th Century North American Antique Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Wood
$996 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century Large Store Tea Tin Hand Painted Parnall & Sons Bristol, England
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous and large store tea tin by Parnall & Sons who were the people to see for outfitting your store and much more as the company grew from 1830. Hand painted showing a girl servi...
Category
Mid-19th Century British Antique Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Metal
Hand Painted Wooden House with Storage - in an American Folk Art Style
Located in Morristown, NJ
A charming handmade storage piece in the form of a house with two chimneys. Executed in the American Folk Art style, this is a charming piece that is both decorative and practical. T...
Category
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Metal
Moroccan Moorish Pedestal Octagonal Red Table 1960s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Moroccan vintage pedestal table, hand-painted on a dark maroon background color with floral and geometric designs in blue and yellow colors.
Mor...
Category
Late 20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Wood
Multicolored Blanket Chest with a Geometric
Located in Nantucket, MA
Diminutive size blanket chest with
multicolored geometric painted design
with applied molding standing on bracket base
short turned legs, Western New York,
circa 1820. Measures: ...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Pine
18th Century Swedish Combination Furniture Table and Chair, 1794
Located in Balen, BE
Wonderful combination furniture table and chair. Combination furniture was originally made to be used in small spaces. This original example could be used as a beautiful center piece coffee table...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Pine
Folk-Art Bridal Chest, 1826
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
German pine bridal chest made in 1826 for a certain Jacob Sallberger. Hand-painted with beautiful fine details. The iron hinges and handles are hand-forged. The key and lock are orig...
Category
1820s German Antique Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
Folk Art Cottage Comb Tray Shelf, Circa Late 1800s
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa late 1800s, wood, and glass, American, possibly New York. Charming beyond belief, this polychrome Folk Art House was originally made to feature a ...
Category
1890s American Antique Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Wood
Swedish antique Folk Art ladder with gray original paint
Located in Boden, SE
Handsome late 19th century Swedish country folding ladder. The ladder has beautiful gray original paint. Featuring a handcrafted design with five rungs or steps .Useful both insid...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Pine
Folk Art painted furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique folk art painted furniture 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 painted furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets, folk art and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art painted furniture made in a specific country, there are North America, and United States 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 painted furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $295 and tops out at $29,405 while the average work can sell for $1,923.