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Rustic Folk Art

RUSTIC STYLE

For some, the phrase “rustic style” suggests a house like “La Pitchoune,” the late chef Julia Child’s cottage in Provence, with its exposed wooden beams and well-worn antique furniture. For others, rustic furnishings and decor prompt images of a place like the Lake Placid Lodge in Upstate New York, with its stone fireplaces and knotty pine paneling. Indeed, rustic furniture design takes many forms: twig furniture, a plank trestle table, a hand-stitched quilt, a chandelier made of deer antlers.

The rustic style originated in the late 1800s in England, where it was heavily influenced by Romanticism. By the 20th century, it had spread to the United States, adopted by wealthy New Yorkers and the National Park Service alike. Although there are many categories of rustic furniture, one of the most popular and familiar manifestations of the style is Adirondack furniture and the low-slung 1903 Thomas Lee Adirondack chair.

Rustic design is perhaps mostly about texture and humble materials: hand-hewn reclaimed wood, woven rush seating, wrought iron, coarse stone and weathered metal. As a decor, it exudes warmth and honesty, while a single piece of countrified design adds an intriguing visual counterpoint in a sleek, modern environment.

Easily identifiable by its rough textures, earthy colors and natural materials, rustic wares help bring the beauty of the outdoors inside.

As you can see on 1stDibs, vintage rustic chairs, dining tables and other pieces of rustic furniture offer endless inspiration.

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Style: Rustic
19th Century Rustic Popular Traditional Ceramic
Located in Barcelona, ES
19th Century rustic popular traditional ceramic. By unknown artisan, France. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautiful patina. M...
Category

19th Century French Antique Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Ceramic

Decorative Horn with Brass Closure and Brass Tip for Storage, Drinking, 420
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful horn - typically used as a drinking cup on the camp, or storage of anything from gunpowder to tobacco - today, with the addition of a beaurtiful brass hinged top and adde...
Category

20th Century English Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Brass

Folk Art Painted Face Suitcase by Artist Ira Yeager
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Whimsical folk art painted suitcase or valise featuring a striped canvas covered exterior with a painted face by artist Ira Yeager (American 1938-2022). The case is covered with vintage western European ports of call with a lovely aged, distressed patina. The interior has a green intact silk lining with pockets. Used as a prop in Yeager's Gallery studio in Calistoga, CA. Made by US manufacturer...
Category

20th Century American Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Metal

French Wire Salad Or Eggs Basket, circa 1940
Located in Austin, TX
French handled wire basket salad or eggs, circa 1940.
Category

1940s French Vintage Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Wire

20th Century Original Painted Machine Quilting Street Sign
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This double sided sheet metal with iron frame sandwich board reads : WE DO MACHINE QUILTING and it is on both sides. This is a all original painted doub...
Category

20th Century American Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Metal

Antique English Dark Oak Barrel with Brass Bands
Located in Troy, MI
Circa early 1900s English barrel is just over 14” tall. Made of dark oak with four polished brass bands. Unknown maker. We may have similar barrels in various sizes and styles availa...
Category

Early 20th Century English Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Brass

A Pair Lovely Antique Candle Holders with Chamois Horns
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A Pair Lovely Antique Candle Holders with Chamois Horns A lovely pair of rustic candle holders, made of horns from the chamois. The spout and base are made of turned and ebonized wo...
Category

Early 20th Century German Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Antler, Wood

Chalkware Peasant Pair if Figurines
Located in Malibu, CA
Vintage Niepold Borghese chalkware figurines of a peasant man & woman traveling pair.
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Ceramic

Antique Antique Terracotta Incense Burner
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Antique terracotta insensario, incense burner, with three legs. Older repair, stunning patina.
Category

19th Century Guatemalan Antique Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Terracotta

Antique Stone Carving of a Claw
Located in Washington, DC
Ancient Stone Carving Fragment of a Claw. France, circa 15th Century.
Category

15th Century and Earlier French Antique Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Stone

Persian Malayer Rug
Located in New York, NY
One-of-a-kind early-20th century decorative Malayer rug Measures: 3'7'' x 6'4''.
Category

Early 20th Century Persian Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Wool

Rare French 16th century primitive wool comb
Located in Meulebeke, BE
France / 16th century / wool comb / wood, metal / Rustic / Mid-century A rare to find primitive wool comb from the 16th century. Hand-crafted in France in wood with iron spikes. This antique comb...
Category

16th Century French Antique Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Metal

Cowbell with Hand Woven Braided Leather Collar
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A vintage cowbell made of Steel, metal, and braided leather or the collar. This is a great decorative piece, however the bell works great. A great place to put this is over a door knob, allowing one to know when the door opens or moves... Also a great tracking device for your significant other. The patina is wonderful and it reminds one of a Ralph Lauren Ranch...
Category

20th Century Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Steel

Black Forest Candle Holder with Pewter Base and Spout, Germany, circa 1860s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A Black Forest Candle Holder with Pewter Base and Spout, Germany circa 1860s An antique Black Forest candle holder with pewter base and spout. Made with an original deer antler. Man...
Category

Mid-19th Century German Antique Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Pewter

Large Antler Candle Holder ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large Antler Candle Holder ca. 1900 An antique large antler candle holder made from real deer and elk antlers. Made in the Black Forest region around 1900. A great addition to your ...
Category

Early 20th Century German Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Antler, Horn

Decorative Folk Art Zither Made of Matchsticks by a Wayfarer
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Decorative Folk Art Zither made of Matchsticks by a Wayfarer An unusual zither model completely made of matchsticks which where glued together and carved afterwards. Handmade most p...
Category

Early 20th Century German Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Decorative Antique Antler Candelabra with Three Spouts, 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Decorative antique Antler candelabra with three spouts 1900 A countrycore antique three-armed candleholder, made of antlers from the deer and virginia deer. It was executed in the B...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Antler

Black Forest Cabin Decor Antler Candelabra, circa 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Black Forest Cabin Decor Antler Candelabra, circa 1900 A very rare and great cabin decor style five-armed candelabra with five candle spouts. Made of original deer and virginia deer...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Antler

Swedish Light Color Pine and Bentwood Box with Handle
Located in Houston, TX
Swedish light color pine and bentwood box with handle. Originally used in the late 19th century as a grain scoop. Note: Original/early finish on antique...
Category

1880s Swedish Antique Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Bentwood, Pine

Chinese Bent Handle Fisherman's Basket, circa 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Basket making is an ancient and humble craft, but in the hands of a skilled weaver a simple willow basket becomes a truly beautiful statement. The artisan’s mastery is evident in thi...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Wood, Willow, Fabric

Chinese Bent Handle Fisherman's Basket, circa 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Basket making is an ancient and humble craft, but in the hands of a skilled weaver a simple willow basket can become a truly beautiful work of art. This bent handle basket was made i...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Willow, Bentwood

Antique Persian Heriz Carpet
Located in New York, NY
An antique Persian Heriz carpet from the early 20th century.
Category

Early 20th Century Persian Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Wool

A Pair Antique Leather Stirrup Holders
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A Pair Antique Leather Stirrup Holders A pair antique leather stirrup holders. Handmade in the first half of the 20th century. Good condition with tra...
Category

Early 20th Century German Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Leather

Antique Turkish Anatolian Tribal Rug
Located in New York, NY
An antique Turkish Anatolian runner from the early 20th century. Anatolian, the rose-red field displays a geometric pattern of Memling guls (flowers), stars, cartouches-in-boxes and ...
Category

Early 20th Century Turkish Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Wool

Antique Turkish Anatolian Tribal Rug
Antique Turkish Anatolian Tribal Rug
$7,000 Sale Price
20% Off
Wooden Sculpture of Masculine Face
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Wooden sculpture of a masculine face. A highly detailed antique sculpture of a male face. It is an impressive wall decoration consisting of handcarved and stained wood. Measures: W...
Category

Early 20th Century German Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Patinated Wooden Handle Paint Brush
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A vintage paint brush - patinated and full of life and stories... a wonderful decorative piece for any room - organic and textured. The wood is t...
Category

20th Century Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Antique Parisian Wooden Shoe Mold, France, c. 1930's
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Vintage wooden shoe mold from Paris, earlier part of 20th Century. The cobbler's mold features a modern silhouette for a man's shoe. Makes a chic d...
Category

1930s French Vintage Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Early 20th Century Champagne Colored Turkish Handmade Oushak Carpet
Located in New York, NY
An antique Turkish Oushak carpet handmade during the early 20th century with an overall neutral and earth tone palette primarily in champagne, old ivory, and brown.
Category

Early 20th Century Turkish Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Wool

Two Pairs of 19th Century Decorative Rustic Antique Shoe Lasts
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Two Pairs of 19th century Decorative Rustic antique shoe lasts. 2 pairs of Wooden shoemaker's lasts, the lasts have hand made iron soles and are ...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Wood

19th Century Rustic English Private Land Owners Trespassers Sign
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
19th century rustic private land owners trespassers sign This sign is made in elm with metal lettering set in relief it says Notice No road Trespassers Wil Be prosecuted By...
Category

Mid-19th Century Antique Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Carved Candle Stick
Located in Dallas, TX
18th century carved candle stick.
Category

Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Paint, Wood

Carved Candle Stick
Carved Candle Stick
$1,540 Sale Price
30% Off
Early 20th Century French Wooden Horse
Located in High Point, NC
A wooden decorative sculpture of a horse created in early 20th century France. Playfully painted, and caught mid-pose, this charming horse ...
Category

Early 20th Century French Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Mexican Rustic Vase Folk Art Handmade Ceramic Vessel Terracotta Oaxaca Clay
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
In the heart of the Sierra Norte Mountains in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico, the settlers found that this "cold place" gave them a very special gift, clay, with which they could use to create their household goods. One of the most renowned artisans of this region is Silvia Martínez...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Ceramic, Clay, Terracotta

An Antique 5+ Ft Tall Water Wheel of Ebonized Jackwood from Kerala, India
Located in Atlanta, GA
A large-sized antique water wheel from Kerala, India. This Kerala water wheel, also known as a "chakram chavittal", would have originally been used...
Category

Early 20th Century Indian Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Handmade Persian Serab Folk Runner in Brown and Blue-Green
Located in New York, NY
An antique Persian Serab rug in runner format from the early 20th century. The warm camel-tone brown field spaciously displays a long pole medallion punctuated by geometric lozenges,...
Category

Early 20th Century Persian Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Wool

Mexican Rustic Natural Clay Folk Art Handmade Ceramic Pot Terracota
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
In the heart of the Sierra Norte Mountains in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico, the settlers found that this "cold place" gave them a very special gift, clay, with which they could use to create their household goods. One of the most renowned artisans of this region is Silvia Martínez...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Ceramic, Clay

Large Painted Wooden Advertising Sign, “HORNIMAN’S PURE TEA”
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Large painted wooden advertising sign, “HORNIMAN’S PURE TEA” This is a large painted wooden wall sign Shabby now but quite readable It is...
Category

Early 20th Century Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Mexican Rustic Natural Clay Folk Art Handmade Ceramic Pot Terracotta
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
In the heart of the Sierra Norte Mountains in the state of Oaxaca, Mexico, the settlers found that this "cold place" gave them a very special gift, clay, with which they could use to create their household goods. One of the most renowned artisans of this region is Silvia Martínez...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Ceramic, Clay

Chinese Turned Wooden Mortar, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This petite pinewood vessel is an early 20th century mortar once used daily in a provincial kitchen to grind herbs, spices, and condiments. The rustic container was hand-turned to an...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Pine

Rustic folk art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Rustic 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, decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Rustic folk art made in a specific country, there are Europe, Germany, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original folk art, popular names associated with this style include Silvia Martínez Díaz, Quimper Faience Pottery, Black Forest, and Eugène Perret Gentil. 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 $58 and tops out at $18,750 while the average work can sell for $1,088.

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