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
Folk-Art Bridal Chest, anno 1875
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
German pine bridal chest made in 1875 for a certain Jolef Stalber. Hand-painted with beautiful fine details. The iron hinges and handles are hand-forged. There is a compartment on th...
Category
1870s German Antique Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Pine
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
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
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
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 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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
American Folk Art Painted Tramp Art Shaving Mirror and Base
Located in Downingtown, PA
American Painted Tramp Art Shaving Mirror and Base,
Circa 1920
The American Tramp Art Shaving Mirror and base is painted in muted greens, yellow and red. The top and bottom with di...
Category
Early 20th Century American 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
18th Century Original Red Painted Hutch Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fantastic all original red painted lift top table with shoe feet and early rose head nails. All original hardware and construction. Take notice to the very narrow seat base. Such a great sweet size. This fantastic folky shaped table is strong and sturdy.This original scrub top table...
Category
18th Century American Antique Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Wood
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
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
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
19th C Lancaster County Original Painted Small Bin
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This amazing all original paint decorated or grain painted over mustard painted base is dovetailed construction & square nails as well. The lid comes off and has a brass shaker...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Pine
Early 18th Century Wedding Blanket Chest
Located in Vo', Veneto
Tyrolean wedding chest
Measurements: H.80 – L.156 – P.55
Period: early 18th century
Origin: Tyrol
Essence: Fir
Large Tyrolean chest, in fir wood, with shaped lowering.
The front is...
Category
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Fir
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
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
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
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
19th Century Swedish Travelling Writing Desk Originalpaint
Located in Boden, SE
19th century writing desk from Lulea Norrbotten, North of Sweden.
Untouched original painting with beautiful floralpainting & initials. Dated 1817.
This is a weddingift.
No lock o...
Category
1810s Swedish Antique Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Pine
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
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
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Box
Located in Chicago, IL
A fascinating and truly unique early 20th century American Folk Art box with the most wonderful Greek temple design with eight blue painted Doric columns around the perimeter and wit...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Wood
Norwegian Folk Art Stump Chair with decoration, Norway 1850’s
Located in Valby, 84
A rare and evocative example of 19th-century Norwegian Folk Art, this stump chair from the 1850s features its original hand-painted decoration, making it a deeply personal and histor...
Category
1850s Norwegian Antique Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
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
Early Swedish Folk Art Cabinet, Sweden 1790’s
Located in Valby, 84
Step back in time with this exceptional Swedish Folk Art Cabinet from the late 18th century. Crafted circa 1790, this piece showcases the exquisite craftsmanship and rich cultural he...
Category
1790s Swedish Antique Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Iron
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
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
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
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 Folk Art Shelf With Heart And Pineapple Carvings
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Beautiful folk art "Love" Shelf. An old tradition where the man had to make a gift for the fiancee, mostly the items were made in wood with birds or hearts and painted nicely.
Category
Late 18th Century Danish Antique Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Wood
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
19-Drawer Hand Stenciled Apothecary
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Functional general store herb and spice apothecary drawers found in New Hampshire. All dovetailed and hand stenciled drawers with handwritten notes on the inside for measurements and pricing. Each drawer has a hand stenciled painted banner...
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Wood
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
Swedish Folk Art Floor Candelabra, Sweden 1890’s
Located in Valby, 84
Add a touch of rustic charm and historical elegance to your space with this exquisite Swedish Folk Art floor candelabra from the 1890s. This piece is a stunning example of traditiona...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
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
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
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
Hand-Hammered Raj Black Metal Jug
By Rajhastani
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Raj large hand-hammered and hand-painted metal vessel, originally used to collect waters of the three sacred rivers, the Ganges and Yamuna Sarasvati.
This large jug is much more than...
Category
Mid-20th Century Indian 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 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
18th Century Original Red Painted Trestle Table from New England
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This very folky and all original red painted and wood pegged 18thc trestle table with a worn painted plank top.The base contains rose head nails and early peg base.The shoe feet. are...
Category
18th Century American Antique Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Pine
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
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.