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.
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Style: Industrial
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
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 punching bags. Includes chains but ...
Category
2010s Mexican Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Leather
Large Vintage Yellow Iron Facade Letter Š, 1960s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial facade letter “Š” was made during the 1960s in former Czechoslovakia and comes from an old inscription POŠTA. In czech language Post Office. The weight of th...
Category
Mid-20th Century Czech Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Large Vintage Yellow Iron Facade Letter O, 1960s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial facade letter “O” was made during the 1960s in former Czechoslovakia and comes from an old facade inscription POŠTA. In czech language Post Office. The weight...
Category
Mid-20th Century Czech Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Vintage Red Iron Facade Letter N, 1970s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial facade letter “n” was made during the 1970s in France and comes from an old advertising banner. The weight of the letter is 0,7 kg.
Category
1970s French Vintage Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Vintage Red Iron Facade Letter C, 1970s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial facade letter “C” was made during the 1970s in France and comes from an old advertising banner. The weight of the letter is 0,5 kg.
Category
1970s French Vintage Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Large Vintage Yellow Iron Facade Letter T, 1960s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial facade letter “T” was made during the 1960s in former Czechoslovakia and comes from an old facade inscription POŠTA. In czech language Post Office. The weight...
Category
Mid-20th Century Czech Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Large Vintage Yellow Iron Facade Letter P, 1960s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial facade letter “P” was made during the 1960s in former Czechoslovakia and comes from an old facade inscription POŠTA. In czech language Post Office. The weight...
Category
Mid-20th Century Czech Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Vintage Red Iron Facade Letter R, 1970s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial facade letter “R” was made during the 1970s in France and comes from an old advertising banner. The weight of the letter is 0,7 kg.
Category
1970s French Vintage Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Large Vintage Yellow Iron Facade Letter A, 1960s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial facade letter “A” was made during the 1960s in former Czechoslovakia and comes from an old inscription POŠTA. In czech language Post Office. The weight of th...
Category
Mid-20th Century Czech Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Vintage Red Iron Facade Letter T, 1970s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial facade letter “t” was made during the 1970s in France and comes from an old advertising banner. The weight of the letter is 0,6 kg.
Category
1970s French Vintage Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Circa 1900 French Wallpaper Printing Roll
Located in High Point, NC
Circa 1900 wallpaper printing roll from France made from pine.
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Pine
Articulate Artist's Mannequin
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1970. We offer this Articulate Artist's Mannequin made in pine wood.
Category
1980s Mexican Vintage Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Oak
French Wallpaper Printing Roll, Circa 1900
Located in High Point, NC
Circa 1900 pine wallpaper printing roll from France.
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Pine
Hand Painted Antique Industrial Butchers Double Sided Trade Shop Sign, C.1920
Located in London, GB
An attractive hand painted and double sided butcher's trade sign. c.1920.
Hand painted by a skilled sign-writer - gold lettering with shadows on a dark green background. Double si...
Category
Early 20th Century English Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Circa 1900 French Wallpaper Printing Roll
Located in High Point, NC
Circa 1900 wallpaper printing roll from France made from pine.
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Metal
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
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
Hand Painted Vintage Industrial Builders Double Sided Trade Sign, C.1940
Located in London, GB
A wonderful hand painted and double sided advertisement sign for a local builder. c.1940.
Hand painted by a skilled sign-writer in bold type wit...
Category
Early 20th Century English Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Italian Vintage Table Soccer With Three Knobs
Located in Milano, IT
This charming foosball table, with its worn and authentic look, exudes an unmistakable vintage appeal that takes us back to a time when playing was a simple and genuine moment of sha...
Category
1920s English Vintage Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Metal
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
Vintage Papier-mache Dutch Butchers Cow Trade Sign, C.1950
Located in London, GB
A wonderful papier-mâché butchers trade sign in the form of a cow. Dutch, c.1950.
Hand made and painted cow with original glass eyes. Mounted to a wooden base for stability. Small s...
Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Paper
Huge Antique Original Enamel Cleveland Petrol Advertisement Wall Sign. c.1920
Located in London, GB
A huge enamel advertising sign for Cleveland Guaranteed fuel. c.1920
Great font, wording and branding with a beautiful depth of colour to the background. Obvious signs of chips an...
Category
1920s English Vintage Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Brass
2 Antique Primitive Industrial Cast Iron & Wood Block Pulley Hooks Starline 14"
Located in Dayton, OH
Two primitive antique iron and wood pulley hoist hooks, one by Starline. Rustic, nautical, industrial, farmhouse, cabin decor.
DIMENSIONS:
Large - 4.25” x 2.75” x 13.75” / Small -...
Category
Early 20th Century Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Iron
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
Breitling Retail Store Display Advertising Sign
By Breitling
Located in Forney, TX
A scarce vintage Breitling watch three-dimensional retail store advertising display stand window sign.
Rare large free-standing example, only given to select dealers, featuring a tall rectangular solid wood frame, raised chrome Breitling letters, over a yellow jet plane in sculptural relief form, on a most distinctive artistically distressed background; the reverse finished with a flueele fabric and adorned with the Breitling 1884 logo; rising on metal feet.
Dimensions: (approx)
29.5" High, 24.5" Wide, 5.5" Deep
Condition Report:
Great original unrestored vintage condition. Presents well. Some condition issues/retaining vintage character marks and charm, including scattered nicks, mainly to the front top right frame, minor scuffs to the letters, scratches, slight bend to left foot pad, all typical wear consistent with age and indicative of industrial use.
At the time of writing this, we also have some other luxury watch store signage / merchandising displays, including Rolex, Panerai, Cartier, antique clock...
Category
Late 20th Century Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Metal, Chrome
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
Antwerp Oil Butchery Sign, 1950
Located in Retie, BE
1950s Oil Butchery Sign - Cardon Merksem Antwerp.
A red and blue advertising sign made by Rob Otten Brussels.
Tin sign with raised edge and relief letters dated 1950.
Antwerp Sign...
Category
Mid-20th Century Belgian Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Tin
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
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
Large Tin Beer Sign 1955
Located in Retie, BE
Large Tin beer sign dated 1955.
A Vintage beer sign - tin sign made for Daddy's Super Ale.
Made in Brussels by Sobi in 1955.
A gentleman dressed in suit with tie and beautiful well-...
Category
Mid-20th Century Belgian Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Tin
Large Vintage Green Iron Facade Letter A, 1970s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial facade letter “ A “was made during the 1970s in former Czechoslovakia and comes from an old advertising banner. The weight of the letter is 4,5 kg.
Category
1970s Czech Vintage Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Large Vintage Green Iron Facade Letter V , 1970s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial facade letter “V”was made during the 1970s in former Czechoslovakia and comes from an old advertising banner. The weight of the letter is 4 kg.
Category
1970s Czech Vintage Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Large Vintage Green Iron Facade Letter N , 1970s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial facade letter “N “was made during the 1970s in former Czechoslovakia and comes from an old advertising banner. The weight of the letter is 9 kg.
Category
1970s Czech Vintage Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Large Vintage Green Iron Facade Letter L , 1970s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial facade letter “L“was made during the 1970s in former Czechoslovakia and comes from an old advertising banner. The weight of the letter is 4 kg.
Category
1970s Czech Vintage Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Large Vintage Green Iron Facade Letter A, 1970s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial facade letter “ A “was made during the 1970s in former Czechoslovakia and comes from an old advertising banner. The weight of the letter is 7 kg.
Category
1970s Czech Vintage Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Antique Industrial Red Hand Painted Fire Bucket. c.1920
Located in London, GB
Very charming red fire bucket with hand painted lettering. c.1920
Really nice example - the colour, patination and style are perfect with hand painted lettering and riveted constr...
Category
Early 20th Century English Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Steel
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
Vintage enamel fire sign, 1950s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Charming vintage enamel 'FIRE' sign mlounted on a wooden and metal base.
Its unclear if this was used by the fire brigade during interventions or if th...
Category
1950s American Vintage Industrial Folk Art
Materials
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
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 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
Mid Century Japanese Tin Litho Friction Toy Car Chevrolet El Camino C1956
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fantastic friction motor and tin liho body in excellent vintage condition. C 1956 Chevrolet El Camino in red & black with a drop down tailgate. Japanese from the mid fifties. Believe...
Category
1950s Japanese Vintage Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Early 20th c. Monumental Belgian Flag c.1940-1950
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
An original monumental Belgian flag.
CREATOR Unknown.
DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.1940-1950.
MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES Wool, Metal.
CONDI...
Category
Early 20th Century Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Brass
Stunning Vintage Metal Advertising Letter A
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
A stunning vintage metal advertising letter A.
The patina on this item is sensational.
Category
Mid-20th Century British Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Metal
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
Mounted Asafo Flag of Ghana c.1820-1920
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
Contact us for more shipping quotes: S16 Home San Francisco.
An original Asafo flag depicting the Fante people of Ghana, Africa and the Union Jack of the United Kingdom. Mou...
Category
19th Century Antique Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Fabric
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
Late 20th Century "The Corner General Store" Original Modern Acrylic Painting of
Located in Cookeville, TN
Original Acrylic Painting Titled "The Corner General Store", this modern style painting of a city street has a partial sticker from an art competition on the back, but the artist nam...
Category
Late 20th Century Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
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
Large Vintage Valley Forge American Flag with 48 Stars c.1940-1950
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
A large Valley Forge American flag made with 48 hand sewn stars and stripes. It is in good condition and has brass grommets to hang.
CREATOR Valley Forge.
DATE OF MAN...
Category
Early 20th Century Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Brass
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
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
Timeless Reflections Medium Tan & Silver 240X300 cm Handknotted Rug
By JAIPUR RUGS
Located in Milano, IT
We present a masterpiece in the form of a Modern Rug, meticulously hand-knotted in the heart of rural India. Crafted from a luxurious combination of wool and bamboo silk, this rug ex...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Indian Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Wool
Folk Art Hand Painted Wood & Iron New Orleans Trolley Car
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous hand painted double decker trolley car with cast iron wheels that work. In excellent vintage condition with minimal wear.
Category
1960s American Vintage Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Vintage Retro Metal & Wooden Slatted Play Way Sledge, 60
Located in Leamington Spa, GB
The classics are definitely the best and this wooden slatted sledge is no exception.
This sledge would make for a great prop or decorative piece this winter and all year along.
Vibrant Blue steel metal frame with wooden slats.
Manufactured by Play Way in the 60s
A very sturdy sledge in good condition, it does have wear and tear but good for its age
This antique vintage sleigh...
Category
Mid-20th Century British Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Metal
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
Carousel Motorcycle, Motorbike by Fonlupt, France, 1950s
Located in Retie, BE
Carousel Motorcycle - Motorbike - Motor Bike by Fonlupt France.
A French vintage child's motorbike used on the roundabout - merry-go-round - fairground - funfair.
A 1950s metal r...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Industrial Folk Art
Materials
Metal
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.