Industrial Folk Art
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.
to
17
100
72
180
4
2
1,998
1,075
985
381
308
186
161
91
84
78
53
40
39
32
23
20
7
13
167
6
59
60
42
7
2
10
11
10
7
6
29
9
1
130
54
50
28
15
79
69
61
25
15
186
184
186
3
1
1
1
1
Style: Industrial
Hand Painted Antique Industrial Fairground Carnival Panel Sign, C.1930
Located in London, GB
A pair of large early 20th Century fairground panels. c.1930
Of large proportions. Possibly Irish, depicting racing scenes, from a fairground attraction. Hand painted and complete...
Category
Early 20th Century English Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Vintage Hand Painted French Patisserie Sign c.1930-1940
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
Vintage French wooden sign for "Boulangerie Pattisserie, Pain cuit au feu de bois." (Wood fire baked bread). Framed in steel.
CR...
Category
Early 20th Century French Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Antique Workshop Book Press Wrought Iron, France, circa 1850
Located in Labrit, Landes
This wrought iron book press was made in the late 19th century in France for a workshop
Many parts of this object are worked, which makes it a very beautiful piece, very characterfu...
Category
19th Century French Antique Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Wrought Iron
Early 20th c. Pair of Second Class Paris Metro Seats c.1908-1920
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
A pair of Paris Metro train seats with teak slats seats and a decorative metal scrolled leg. The legs are attached to a metal plate which can be removed. The back rest leans s...
Category
Early 20th Century French Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Enamel, Steel
Vintage Illuminated Letter E , 1980s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial illuminated letter V was made in Italy during the 1980s and comes from an old advertising banner. It features a vhite metal body and a white plexiglass cover....
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Antique Wooden Wheelchair
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1900. We offer this rare Wooden Wheelchair. Crafted in wood and Iron, the wheelchair showcases impeccable workmanship that speaks to the heart ...
Category
1890s American Antique Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Antique Articulate Artist's Mannequin
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1940. We offer this Antique Articulate Artist's Mannequin made in oak wood.
Category
1960s American Vintage Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Oak
Large Vintage Decorative Wooden Ceiling Fan
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Large French black-painted wooden ceiling fan.
Category
Early 20th Century French Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Wood
1920s Doctors' Medical Scale Mechanical Stand Up with Weights
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1920. We offer this antique Industrial stand up doctors' scale. Features height indicator and a movable weights made in solid brass.
Category
1920s American Vintage Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Brass
Collection of 8 Antique American Cloth Sad Irons, Rare & Collectibles, Set of 8
Located in Bochum, NRW
A beautiful collection of eight antique clothes irons / sad irons.
They are oval-shaped and feature a cast iron base with a detachable wood handle.
Ma...
Category
Early 20th Century American Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Massive Antique Half Hull Ship Model
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A rare and important massive late 19th century half hull model ship of the
steel screw steamers "CZAR" and CZARITZA" built by
Sir W. G. Armstrong, Mitchell & Co. Builders, Newcastl...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Monumental "Valley Forge" American Flag with 48 Stars, c.1940-1950
Located in San Francisco, CA
About
This is an original monumental American flag made by Valley Forge Co. with 48 stars and stripes and brass grommets.
Creator Valley Forge Co.
Date of manufacture c.1940-1950.
...
Category
Early 20th Century Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Brass
Vintage Italian Flag c.1940
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
An original Italian flag with brass grommets to hang it.
CREATOR American Flag and Banner Company, San Francisco.
DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.19...
Category
Early 20th Century Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Brass
Early Danish Double Sided Neon Bakery Sign
Located in Peekskill, NY
When we first found this neon sign our restorer was excited to work on it. He believes that the sign was a handmade and one-off being produced by a skilled metal fabricator. It was most likely used outside a small shop in Denmark. This is a traditional sign used for a Danish Bakery...
Category
Early 20th Century Danish Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Steel
Vintage Illuminated Letter N, 1980s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage Industrial illuminated letter N was made in Netherlands during the 1980s and comes from an old advertising banner. It features a grey m...
Category
1980s Dutch Vintage Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Antique German Industrial 'Feather Cleaning' Factory Model Diorama, C.1900
Located in London, GB
An incredibly detailed diorama of a feather and down processing machine. German, c.1900
A one of a kind model of an industrial machine, with plenty of moving parts and high attent...
Category
Early 20th Century English Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Antique Leather Gym Punching Boxing Heavy Bag
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1940. We offer this Antique Leather Gym Punching Boxing Heavy Bag.
Beautiful and original chains,
Category
1920s Vintage Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Leather
Vintage English Nautical Binnacle in Tall Copper/ Brass and Mahogany Housing, Ty
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Made by John Lilley & Gillie Ltd., England. A standard binnacle form in copper/brass housing with arms set with red and taupe painted iron Kelvin's balls (the taupe one with open hol...
Category
Early 20th Century English Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Brass, Copper
'Donuts Cafe' Neon Sign, 1990s USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A lovely vintage neon sign that reads Donuts Cafe, perfect for adding a nostalgic touch to your space. Taken down from a Los Angeles restaurant on Hollywood Blvd. This little sign fe...
Category
1990s North American Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Glass, Acrylic
Large Vintage Green Iron Facade Letter I , 1970s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial facade letter “ I “was made during the 1970s in former Czechoslovakia and comes from an old advertising banner. The weight of the letter is 4 kg.
Category
Late 20th Century Czech Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Vintage Metal Optician Shop Trade Sign
Located in Linkebeek, BE
vintage Metal Optician Shop Trade Sign
Shop Industrial decor - Optician sign Antique
Large yellow metal DOUBLE-SIDED eyeglasses sign with a metal wall br...
Category
Mid-20th Century Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Reverse Painted Glass Gilt Single Sided Sign Plaque Early 20th Century
Located in London, GB
An incredible and highly original early 20th century hand painted trade sign.
Presumably painted by someone that sells signs? Reverse painte...
Category
Early 20th Century English Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Glass
Binnacle Compass 100% Original condition
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a unique 100% Original finish Ships Binnacle Compass house.
Category
1910s Spanish Vintage Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Brass
Large European 1930's Nautical Map Reader Magnifying Glass
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
This European set of two nautical magnifying glass map-readers are quite unusual and rarely found. It is fully encased in it's heavy wooden and metal enforced box. Hailing from betwe...
Category
1930s German Vintage Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Antique Double Sided Metal French Librairie Papeterie Sign c.1930
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
An original double-sided metal French librairie (bookshop) papeterie (stationary store) sign.
CREATOR Unknown.
DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.1930-1940.
MATERIALS AND TEC...
Category
Early 20th Century Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Vintage Illuminated Letter N, 1970s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial illuminated letter N was made in Italy during the 1970s and comes from an old advertising banner. It features a black metal bod...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Massive Antique Garage Sign
Located in Dekalb, IL
Carved and painted dimensional lettering adorned to a large painted plank to advertise a service station/car repair garage.
145.5" W x 25" H
Category
Early 20th Century American Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Double Sided Hanging No Smoking Please Gas Station Garage Enamel Sign
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Original 1930s double-sided enamel Stop Your Motor Please No Smoking Gas Station Garage Sign.
Category
Early 20th Century American Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Enamel
Vintage Iron Milk Can Side Table, Powder Coated Bright Blue
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Large antique 20th Century heavy iron milk container with handle and lid. Great Folk Art to use in a farm or country rustic decor. Large, traditional, heavy pot, freshly powder coated bright metallic blue with an original removable lid. Keep your house organized by placing this beautiful, antique milk...
Category
1930s Vintage Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Handmade Leather Gym Punching Boxing Heavy Bag
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this Leather Gym Punching Boxing Heavy Bag. This piece is made of vintage leather and vintage chains following the design of the ancients pun...
Category
2010s Mexican Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Leather
Vintage Heavy Cast Iron Dog Lawn Sign
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this original Vintage Heavy Cast Iron Dog Lawn Sign. Made in iron with great patina
Category
1950s American Vintage Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Vintage Mid-Century Industrial Ceramic Glove Mould Statue. c.1960
Located in London, GB
Vintage industrial ceramic glove factory moulds. c.1960
Wonderfully formed, very tactile and a great decorative item. Price is per item.
Category
Mid-20th Century English Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic
Tin & Wood Open Touring Hill Climber Toy Car by Clark, circa 1903
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous early toy example by the Clark co. This hill climber works great, and is almost totally complete. It's missing it's passenger in the back. Cast iron...
Category
Early 1900s American Antique Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Iron, Tin
Early 20th C Cast Iron Toy Sedan by A C Williams Original Red with Nickel Wheels
By A. C. Williams Company
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous and classic cast iron toy from the early thirties. In what looks like to the original Red with Nickel Wheels and the right amount of wear to th...
Category
1930s American Vintage Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Iron, Nickel
Large Industrial Illuminating Letter "R" Sign, USA circa 1950
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large industrial illuminating electric letter ‘R’ sign from a Northwestern United States Emergency Room. 2 feet wide and 2.5 feet tall. Letter 'E' also availabl...
Category
1940s North American Vintage Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Vintage Minneapolis-Moline SSP Neon Sign
Located in Dekalb, IL
c. 1930s/1940s; Minneapolis Moline Power Implement Co. - Hopkins/Minneapolis, MN
Vintage single-sided porcelain tractor company neon sign.
This piece advertises Minneapolis-Moline,...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Vintage "Cabins" Single Sided Porcelain Neon Sign
Located in Dekalb, IL
Vintage neon sign advertising cabins for rent. This piece features a bold Bauhaus-style font in white set against a dark background. The lettering has been traced in a turquoise neon...
Category
1940s American Vintage Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Metal, Enamel
1950s American Garage Craftmans Bits Plywood Cabinet Tabletop Chest WW2 Era
Located in Hyattsville, MD
As-found. Petite painted plywood bits and bobs cabinet, factory or garage custom in house job. No makers markings. Chips, dents to wood, splat and paint patina from normal uses.
Category
1950s American Vintage Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Plywood
Hand Painted Dentist Trade Sign c.1940
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
Single sided wooden dentist tooth trade sign with gold and black letters. Hand painted, hand carved.
Shown with a life size hand model for scale.
CREATOR Unknown.
...
Category
Early 20th Century Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Willy Mays San Francisco Stadium Souvenir C.1950-1960
Located in San Francisco, CA
Willy Mays San Francisco stadium souvenir with fabric attached.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Metal
1930s Jointed Betty Boop Fleischer Doll
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1930. We offer this Jointed wooden Betty Boop doll by Fleischer in a green dress.
This is one of the first Betty Boop dolls that were created in...
Category
1930s Mexican Vintage Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Rare Early Enamel Sign Advertising Eley-Knoch Shot Gun Cartridges
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Rare early enamel sign advertising Eley-Knoch shot gun cartridges
Very Rare old sign, is made in ceramic enamel it is a heavy piece with the usu...
Category
Mid-20th Century Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Enamel
Antique Industrial Factory Work Table on Iron Castors
Located in Buffalo, NY
Antique Industrial factory work table on iron castors, simple design, handmade, heavy duty construction, hand delivery avail to New York City or any...
Category
1930s American Vintage Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Bell System Telephone Double Sided Flange Porcelain Sign
Located in San Mateo, CA
Flange mount double sided Bell public telephone porcelain sign. The porcelain has good color. There are some losses around the edges and in the sign.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Steel
Mid Century Japanese Tin Litho Toy Car Ford Falcon Friction C1960
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous Ford Falcon Japanese Tin Litho Friction Toy Car C1960. In excellent vintage condition with minimal, if any wear. Came from a large lot of toys th...
Category
1960s Japanese Vintage Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Enameled USSR Soviet Parachute Badges and Knights Templar Cross c.1955-1968
Located in San Francisco, CA
Collection of 5 enameled USSR Soviet parachute badges. Two instructor badges: #500 and #10 with the number of jumper hangers attached and three parachute badges. One is missing the h...
Category
Early 20th Century Russian Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Enamel
Vintage Illuminated Letter a, 1970s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial illuminated letter A was made in Italy during the 1970s and comes from an old advertising banner. It features a brown metal bod...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Mid Century Tin Litho Windup Toy by Louis Marx "Jumpin Jeep" C 1950
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous colorful and full of unpredictable moves when fully wound. Louis Marx toy company was prolific during the mid century era producing a full array of tin windups. In excellent...
Category
1950s American Vintage Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Tin
Large Heavy Duty Cast Iron Gentlemen Wall Sign Plaque, C.1920
Located in London, GB
A large and incredible heavy duty cast iron Gentlemen sign. c.1920
In original condition with an amazing patina. Likely once mounted outside a public...
Category
Early 20th Century English Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Vintage Double Sided Metal Motor Oil Sign c.1930
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
An original distressed double sided metal sign "Super Motor Oil" on one side and "Sonoco Hottest Brand Going" on the other side.
CREATOR Unknown.
DATE OF MANUFACTURE ...
Category
Early 20th Century Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Vintage Illuminated Letter T, 1970s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage Industrial illuminated letter T was made in Italy during the 1970s and comes from an old advertising banner. It features a black metal ...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Early 20th C. Monumental American Flag with 48 Stars, c.1940-1950
Located in San Francisco, CA
About
This is an original monumental American flag made with 48 hand sewn stars and stripes. It is in good condition and has brass grommets to hang.
Creator unknown.
Date of m...
Category
Early 20th Century Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Brass
Antique Atlantic City Souvenir Penny Game from Boardwalk Empire
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A Historical artifact once used in the HBO series Boardwalk Empire. Maple cabinet with brass plaques and painted iron mechanism. Costing two quarters and a penny to play. Not tested ...
Category
20th Century American Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Mid Century C1960 Japanese Tin Litho Friction Toy Car Chevrolet Corvair
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fantastic tin litho friction Chevy Corvair c1960 in very good condition, near mint. Ralph Nadar of course made the Corvair infamous in his book, "Unsafe At Any Speed" which led to th...
Category
1960s Japanese Vintage Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Vintage Yellow Illuminated Letter T , 1970s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial plastic illuminated letter T was made in Italy during the 1970s and comes from an old advertising banner. It is equipped with a LED st...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Plastic
Antique Articulate Artist's Mannequin
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1940. We offer this Antique Articulate Artist's Mannequin made in wood and brass tripod.
Category
1940s American Vintage Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Brass
French Wallpaper Printing Roll
Located in High Point, NC
Circa 1900 French wallpaper roll made from oak. The rolls have lovely designs which would have been run through ink and then used to print a pattern on wallpaper. These make great ...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Mid Century Tin Litho Mechanical Clockwork Windup Toy Skier Girl by Chein C1945
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous working tin Litho toy skier by the Chein toy co. C1945. In excellent vintage condition with minimal wear.
Category
1940s American Vintage Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Tin
Industrial folk art for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Industrial folk art for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage folk art created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include folk art, more furniture and collectibles, building and garden elements and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, iron and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Industrial folk art made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original folk art, popular names associated with this style include Patrick Fitzgerald, A. C. Williams Company, American Flag & Banner Co., and Coca Cola Bottling Co.. 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 folk art differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $75 and tops out at $15,000 while the average work can sell for $561.