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Industrial Primitives

INDUSTRIAL STYLE

Industrial floor lamps, bar stools, desks and other industrial-style furnishings have experienced a resurgence in popularity with the rise of interest in minimalist design.

It's a look that celebrates the past even as it suggests vigor, productivity and brawn. The newly chic industrial style of decor repurposes the simple, sturdy furniture of an earlier world of commerce — brushed-metal storage cabinets and display shelves, task lamps and pendant lights with enameled shades, work tables with worn wooden tops and cast-iron bases — and couples them with aesthetic touches emblematic of energy and optimism, from bright upholstery fabrics to flowers.

The rise in prominence of the industrial style has come hand-in-hand with the residential repurposing of former manufacturing and warehouse districts throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. In many loft apartments created in shuttered factories, the architectural envelope has been left intact.

Industrial-style interiors feature elements like raw brick walls, exposed steel beams and oak floors whose history is written in every pit and gouge. Iron and glass transom windows give definition and interest to small kitchen areas anchored by kitchen islands made of marble, steel and brass, while taxidermy or vintage neon signs serve as wall art in living rooms dotted with leather club chairs. Patina is the keynote to a decor in sync with such surroundings. 

On 1stDibs you will find industrial furniture designs that wear their age beautifully — and were built to last.

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Style: Industrial
Early 20th Century Antique Wood And Iron Gopher
Located in New Orleans, LA
This industrial cart was made to load and unload railroad cars in a Wisconsin factory about 1900, and is signed "Gopher Floor Truck, Faribault, Mn." This well worn salvage cart is ready to repurpose as a coffee table or whatever else you can imagine. The top deck is oak and maple planks with a very fine finish that preserves loads of wear, stains and separations for antique character. Four cast iron wheels are original on this American made factory cart. Solid and heavy it's the real McCoy...
Category

Early 1900s American Antique Industrial Primitives

Materials

Iron

Early 20th Century Antique Wood And Iron Gopher
Early 20th Century Antique Wood And Iron Gopher

Early 20th Century Antique Wood And Iron Gopher

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Early 18th Century Italian Carved and Dovetailed Walnut Alms Box
Located in San Francisco, CA
Early 18th century Italian carved and dovetailed walnut alms box, circa 1725 Large dovetails and old handwrought nails give this small scale box a hea...
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Early 18th Century Italian Antique Industrial Primitives

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Iron

Early 18th Century Italian Carved and Dovetailed Walnut Alms Box
Early 18th Century Italian Carved and Dovetailed Walnut Alms Box

Early 18th Century Italian Carved and Dovetailed Walnut Alms Box

H 11.25 in W 13.5 in D 18 in
Large Antique Lighter, Iron, France, Early 20th Century
Located in Greven, DE
Exceptional lighter from heavy iron, France, early 20th century. Not functional.
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Early 20th Century French Industrial Primitives

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Iron

Large Antique Lighter, Iron, France, Early 20th Century
Large Antique Lighter, Iron, France, Early 20th Century

Large Antique Lighter, Iron, France, Early 20th Century

H 3.15 in W 7.88 in D 3.15 in
19th Century New England Splint Oak Basket
Located in San Francisco, CA
19th century new England splint oak basket Possibly Massachusetts Dimensions 14" wide x 12.5" deep x 8" high at the edge x 15" high at the handle Good antique condition wit...
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Late 19th Century American Antique Industrial Primitives

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Oak

19th Century New England Splint Oak Basket
19th Century New England Splint Oak Basket

19th Century New England Splint Oak Basket

H 15 in W 12.5 in D 14 in
19th Century Italian Cast Iron Coal Powered Iron
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Classic icon from the last century. Once used in every household, now its cherished for its simplicity and beauty. Cast in it's lid is the ancient symbol of Rome, She wolf with her b...
Category

1870s Italian Antique Industrial Primitives

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Iron

19th Century Italian Cast Iron Coal Powered Iron
19th Century Italian Cast Iron Coal Powered Iron

19th Century Italian Cast Iron Coal Powered Iron

H 7.25 in W 4 in D 7.5 in
Early 19th Century New England Child's Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Early 19th century ladder back child's chair from New England in fantastic condition. This early chair is mortised and square nail construction.
Category

1870s American Antique Industrial Primitives

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Wood

Early 19th Century New England Child's Chair
Early 19th Century New England Child's Chair

Early 19th Century New England Child's Chair

H 26 in W 12 in D 11 in
Grand Scale Spanish 18th Century Dough Bowl, Trough
Located in Atlanta, GA
A fantastic very large scale 18th century Spanish dough bowl - or trough, carved from a single tree trunk. Perfect by a fireplace to house kindling, or filled with an assortment of c...
Category

18th Century Spanish Antique Industrial Primitives

Materials

Wood

Grand Scale Spanish 18th Century Dough Bowl, Trough
Grand Scale Spanish 18th Century Dough Bowl, Trough

Grand Scale Spanish 18th Century Dough Bowl, Trough

H 8 in W 73.38 in D 23 in
Spanish 18th Century Primitive Trough
Located in Atlanta, GA
A very handsome primitive trough from the Catalan region of Spain. The trough is beautifully carved from a large solid block of wood. Serves wonderful...
Category

Mid-18th Century Spanish Antique Industrial Primitives

Materials

Wood

Spanish 18th Century Primitive Trough
Spanish 18th Century Primitive Trough

Spanish 18th Century Primitive Trough

H 9.75 in W 46 in D 10.88 in
Early 19th Century Primitive American Demilune Large Sized Console Table
Located in Savannah, GA
Early 19th century American primitive demilune console table featuring center drawer with brass knob, straight plain foot legs and original finish. ...
Category

1830s American Antique Industrial Primitives

Materials

Mahogany

Early 19th Century Primitive American Demilune Large Sized Console Table
Early 19th Century Primitive American Demilune Large Sized Console Table

Early 19th Century Primitive American Demilune Large Sized Console Table

H 29 in W 54 in D 26.5 in
Primitive Cupboard Two-Door Farm House Jelly Rustic 19th Century
Located in Wallkill, NY
Another wonderful early Primitive two-door original blue/gray cupboard with a great amount of storage space. It has four shelves inside. True antique Pri...
Category

Mid-19th Century American Antique Industrial Primitives

Materials

Pine

Primitive Cupboard Two-Door Farm House Jelly Rustic 19th Century
Primitive Cupboard Two-Door Farm House Jelly Rustic 19th Century

Primitive Cupboard Two-Door Farm House Jelly Rustic 19th Century

H 70 in W 60.25 in D 13.75 in
19th Century American Primitive Carved Wood Cast Iron Glider Rocking Hobby Horse
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique American primitive handmade gliding hobby horse. The piece features a carved wood horse, red painted wood base, cast iron hardware with star accents, and leather straps and s...
Category

Mid-19th Century American Antique Industrial Primitives

Materials

Iron

19th Century American Primitive Carved Wood Cast Iron Glider Rocking Hobby Horse
19th Century American Primitive Carved Wood Cast Iron Glider Rocking Hobby Horse

19th Century American Primitive Carved Wood Cast Iron Glider Rocking Hobby Horse

H 36 in W 44.5 in D 16 in
19th Spanish Century Plow
Located in Atlanta, GA
A fabulous mid-19th century Plow from the Catalan region of Spain. Sturdily constructed from wood and hand forged iron. These pieces are wonderful as wall-mounted art, coat racks or converted into light fixtures. Great as a clothing store display fixture...
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Mid-19th Century Spanish Antique Industrial Primitives

Materials

Iron

19th Spanish Century Plow
19th Spanish Century Plow

19th Spanish Century Plow

H 78.5 in W 34.5 in D 9.25 in
19th Century American Folk Art Heart Shaped Iron Pad Lock & Key, Dated 1875
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th-century American folk art Heart-shaped forged iron pad lock and key, dated 1875 A remarkable 19th-century American heart-shaped forged iron padlock and key is a true testament ...
Category

19th Century American Antique Industrial Primitives

Materials

Wrought Iron, Iron

19th Century American Folk Art Heart Shaped Iron Pad Lock & Key, Dated 1875
19th Century American Folk Art Heart Shaped Iron Pad Lock & Key, Dated 1875

19th Century American Folk Art Heart Shaped Iron Pad Lock & Key, Dated 1875

H 9.5 in W 13 in D 3.5 in
Previously Available Items
Long Antique Industrial Era Wood and Iron Railway Bench with Reversible Seat
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A rustic and very sturdy antique bench from West Bromwich, England. A heavy plank for the back and one for the seat. With black painted shaped cast iron supports on the sides, labele...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Industrial Primitives

Materials

Iron

Long Antique Industrial Era Wood and Iron Railway Bench with Reversible Seat
Long Antique Industrial Era Wood and Iron Railway Bench with Reversible Seat

Long Antique Industrial Era Wood and Iron Railway Bench with Reversible Seat

H 29 in W 108 in D 12.5 in
1800s Wig Makers Most Beautiful Wooden Head
Located in Peekskill, NY
This is an extremely rare and beautiful wig or hat makers head. It has been said that this example was modeled after the female robot in the movie metropolis. It is untouched and ori...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Industrial Primitives

Materials

Wood

1800s Wig Makers Most Beautiful Wooden Head
1800s Wig Makers Most Beautiful Wooden Head

1800s Wig Makers Most Beautiful Wooden Head

H 13 in W 6 in D 8 in
Antique Industrial Oak and Iron Hand Truck Trolley Marked K&J of Columbus Ohio
Located in Topeka, KS
Awesome antique Industrial oak and hand-forged iron hand truck or trolley. It is marked K&J Columbus, Ohio. This would be an incredible start to a cool Indu...
Category

Early 20th Century American Industrial Primitives

Materials

Iron

Antique Industrial Oak and Iron Hand Truck Trolley Marked K&J of Columbus Ohio
Antique Industrial Oak and Iron Hand Truck Trolley Marked K&J of Columbus Ohio

Antique Industrial Oak and Iron Hand Truck Trolley Marked K&J of Columbus Ohio

H 44 in W 20.5 in D 23 in
Vintage Woven Wire Cottage Style Garden Gate Patinated Galvanized Metal
Located in Topeka, KS
Quaint vintage woven wire cottage style garden gate of galvanized metal and wire with lots of beautiful patina and just the right amount of distressing....
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Early 20th Century Industrial Primitives

Vintage Woven Wire Cottage Style Garden Gate Patinated Galvanized Metal
Vintage Woven Wire Cottage Style Garden Gate Patinated Galvanized Metal

Vintage Woven Wire Cottage Style Garden Gate Patinated Galvanized Metal

H 53 in W 43 in D 1 in
Three Early Industrial Masks
Located in Peekskill, NY
This is a nice small collection of unique Primitive and early safety helmets. There is a welding mask, a painting or sand blasting mask with a connection...
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Industrial Primitives

Three Early Industrial Masks
Three Early Industrial Masks

Three Early Industrial Masks

H 26 in W 13 in D 13 in
19th Century Industrial Luggage Rack from a Train Station
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fine bentwood luggage rack has nickel plated brass joints and is in great sturdy condition. This was from a train station. Great for hanging heavy textiles like Navajo weaving's.
Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Industrial Primitives

Materials

Hickory

19th Century Industrial Luggage Rack from a Train Station
19th Century Industrial Luggage Rack from a Train Station

19th Century Industrial Luggage Rack from a Train Station

H 33.5 in W 17.5 in D 12 in
Large 19th Century Wooden Pulley on Stand
Located in Troy, MI
Wood pulley with rustic, textured surface and worn finish displayed on custom made black metal stand, circa 1850s.  
Category

Mid-19th Century European Antique Industrial Primitives

Materials

Iron

Large 19th Century Wooden Pulley on Stand
Large 19th Century Wooden Pulley on Stand

Large 19th Century Wooden Pulley on Stand

H 19.25 in W 14.5 in D 13 in

Industrial primitives for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Industrial primitives 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 primitives created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include folk art and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with iron, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Industrial primitives 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 primitives differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,100 and tops out at $1,100 while the average work can sell for $1,100.

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