Skip to main content

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 the 1903 Thomas Lee Adirondack chair.

Rustic design is perhaps mostly about texture and humble materials: hand-hewn 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 furniture helps bring the beauty of the outdoors inside. As you can see on 1stDibs, rustic wares offer no end of inspiration.

2
113
5
1
to
11
63
46
119
119
119
2,044
1,077
917
312
195
182
111
109
83
59
43
41
29
22
20
14
6
10
46
57
6
40
11
2
4
1
3
3
1
1
1
68
22
22
19
19
68
26
18
16
15
5
2
1
1
1
Style: Rustic
Rustic Wabi Sabi Console, France, 1940s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Console, planter, Sculpture, wabi-sabi, Decorative item, Rustic, Artwork, 1940's, France; What was once a drinking trough for animals, is now a dec...
Category

1940s French Vintage Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Antique Scandinavian Wooden Rocking Horse
Located in High Point, NC
With her mouth open in excitement, with her eyes glowing with enthusiasm, with her sleek body depicted in motion — this vintage rocking pony hand-carved in Scandinavia circa 1900 rad...
Category

Early 1900s Scandinavian Antique Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Chinese Glazed Kitchen Jar, C. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
A dark brown glaze clings to the tapered form of this 19th-century jar, once used daily in a Qing-dynasty kitchen as evidenced by the glazed interior. The wide-mouth jar is shaped wi...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Ceramic

Stylish Cabin Decor Antler Candle Holder with Deer Carving, Germany ca. 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Stylish cabin decor antler candle holder with deer carving, Germany ca. 1900 A fashionable rustic candle holder, made of antlers from the deer. The spout is made of turned antler pi...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Antler, Wood

Pair of Victorian Antler Candle Holders with Fine Carvings, Germany Ca. 1880
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Pair of Victorian antler candle holders with fine carvings, Germany ca. 1880 A pair of Victorian candle holders, made of ebonized wood and antlers f...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Antler, Wood

Collection of Five 19th Century Chinese Root Wood Brush Washers
Located in Chicago, IL
A remarkable and rare collection of five 19th century Chinese wabi sabi root wood scholar's brush washers, each carved from the root ball of a bamboo...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Wood

33 Antique Decorative Whole Dried Fruits Pomegranates & Lemon Limes 3"
Located in Dayton, OH
Lot of 33 whole dried pomegranates and limes / citrus fruit, for use in rustic home décor. Largest - 3.25” x 3” / Smallest - 1.75” x 2.25” (Diameter...
Category

Early 20th Century Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Organic Material

1900s, French Wooden Horse with Saddle
Located in High Point, NC
This antique wooden horse was crafted in France, circa 1900. Beautifully distressed, this svelte colt exhibits a joyous smile and an eye-catching ...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Wood

French Blue Stoneware Ceramic Crock in Blue and Cream with Lid Late 1800s
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A charming antique English ceramic earthenware salt crock in blue and cream with its original lid. This provincial-style pot was created by hand, in the late 1800s to early 1900s. It...
Category

19th Century English Antique Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Ceramic, Earthenware, Paint

1890's Gilt Painted Timber Printer's Trade Sign
Located in Downham Market, GB
An early printer's trade sign. A wonderful 19th century painted timber trade sign for 'Wheeler' printer's, delightfully original & untouched with the p...
Category

19th Century British Antique Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Pine

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

Vintage Folk Art Rustic Winter Farm Scene Painting on Box
Located in Seguin, TX
Vintage wood box with folk art painting on lid. Rustic farm scene in winter with cow, dog and farmer. Signed RBD lower right corner, bluish paint wa...
Category

Early 20th Century American Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Wood, Paint

French Majolica Oranges Wall Pocket Perret Gentil Menton circa 1890
Located in Austin, TX
French majolica oranges wall pocket signed Perret Gentil Menton circa 1890.
Category

1890s French Antique Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Ceramic

Early 20th Century Adzed Food Vessel
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 20th century adzed food vessel circa 1900. Here we have a rustic made food vessel, usually made for feeding animals in eastern Europe.  Hand carve...
Category

Early 20th Century Bulgarian Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Antique English Doulton Burslem Glen Urquart Highland Whiskey Dispenser
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A rare and large glazed ceramic whiskey dispenser with strong form and color. Mark on the base dates to 1882-1891. Urquart owner's inscription also i...
Category

19th Century English Antique Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Ceramic

Pair of Vintage Canada Goose Decoys on Custom Stands
Located in Chicago, IL
A pair of vintage American Canada Goose decoys on custom stands. The geese are constructed with a carved wood and painted head, and a painted tin body.
Category

Early 20th Century North American Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Tin

Large Painted Wooden Advertising Sign, “HORNIMAN’S PURE TEA”
Located in Chillerton, 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

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

Persian Malayer Rug
Persian Malayer Rug
Free Shipping
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

Early 20th Century French Wooden Bowling Game: Rustic Artwork & Timeless Fun
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Traditional wood bowling game. Step back in time with this traditional wooden bowling game, a delightful piece of French history crafted by an unknown m...
Category

Early 20th Century French Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Two Pairs of 19th Century Decorative Rustic Antique Shoe Lasts
Located in Chillerton, 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

Large Five Armed Cabin Decor Antler Candelabra, 1880
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Large five armed cabin Decor Antler Candelabra 1880 A very rare and great five-armed rustic candelabra with six candle spouts. Made of original stag and d...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Antler

French Tole Handled Tray with Flowers, Circa 1930
Located in Austin, TX
French tole handled tray with flowers circa 1930. Reticulated border. A little hole on the metal.
Category

1930s French Vintage Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Metal

Antique Long Wooden Bench in Old Brown Paint
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An antique wooden bench in old brown paint with other paint spatters here and there on top. The extended top with attached sides is mounted on notched carved flat legs on each end. A...
Category

19th Century Antique Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Early 19th Century Terracotta Water Jar from Mexico
Located in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato
Early 19th century terracotta water jar from Norther Puebla, Mexico. Unusually wide format pot with large intact handles. The majority of the neck...
Category

Early 19th Century Mexican Antique Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Ceramic, Clay, Terracotta

Chinese Split Bamboo Headrest, circa 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Crafted from lengths of split bamboo, this headrest enabled contour comfort, quite luxurious for 19th century, China. Lightweight and low-profile, it was the perfect accessory for a ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Bamboo

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

Fabric, Wood, Willow

Ceramic Pot from Mexico, Circa 1970's
Located in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato
Ceramic storage pot with intact handles from San Agustin Oapan, Guerrero, Mexico, Circa 1970's.
Category

1970s Mexican Vintage Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Ceramic, Clay, Terracotta

Chinese Slatted Bamboo Headrest, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Made out of dexterous lengths of sliced bamboo this headrest enabled contour comfort—quite luxurious for 19th-century China. Lightweight and low-profile, it was the perfect accessory...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Bamboo

Antique Iron Banded Whiskey Wine Barrel Cask Music Speaker Maritime Bar Tiki
Located in Dayton, OH
An antique whisky barrel that was converted into a speaker in the 1960s. Beautifully designed with metal banding and port holes for sound. Measur...
Category

1960s Vintage Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Iron

Antique Battleship Weathervane Weathered Paint American Primitive Steel Metal
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique battleship weather vane weathered paint American primitive steel metal. Item features hand made weathervane, distressed original paint , American flag to ship. Very nice anti...
Category

Early 20th Century American Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Metal, Steel

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

Mexican Burnished Clay Folk Art Ancient Pre-Hispanic Handmade Vase with Handles
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...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Ceramic, Clay

Rustic Russian Oil on Wood Painting by Leskov, Huts in Siberia
Located in St. Catharines, ON
Leskov, A Signed l.l. Measures: 8 1/2 x 5 1/4 in. (21.6 x 13.3 cm.); 11 x 8 in. (30 x 20 cm.) including frame. Provenance: From the private collection of Alexander Swarovski...
Category

Early 20th Century Russian Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Paint

Mexican Burnished Clay Folk Art Terracotta Handmade Vase with Handles
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...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Ceramic, Clay

Early 20th Century Wood and Canvas Painted Produce Sign
Located in Troy, MI
Wooden produce sign found in England, circa 1920s. Wood foundation is covered in strips of canvas which have been hand painted by unknown artist.
Category

Early 20th Century English Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Canvas, Wood

Lodge Style Antler Candleholder with Handforged Brass Base, circa 1880
Located in Berghuelen, DE
A decorative candleholder which is made of deer antlers mounted on a brass base. A roe deer trophy at the center, cased with brass. It is decorated with a wild boar tooth pendant...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Brass

Ngombe Throwing Knife, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
With its many blades and dramatic form, this impressive throwing knife would have been a status symbol and a form of currency among the Ngombe peoples o...
Category

Early 20th Century Congolese Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Iron

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

Clay, Ceramic

Earthenware, Ceramic Bowl with Floral Decor, 18th Century
Located in Saarbruecken, DE
Antique 18th century ceramic bowl. Tin-glazed ceramics with slip painting in red, green and black. A special decor, adorned with floral details and two mythical birds. The decoration is reminiscent of Islamic ceramics...
Category

18th Century Unknown Antique Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Ceramic

Stylish Cabin Decor Antler Candlestick, Germany, circa 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Stylish Cabin Decor Antler Candlestick, Germany, circa 1900 A fashionable rustic candle holder, made of antlers from the deer. The spout is made of turned antler pieces. Executed in...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Antler

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

18th Century Northern Sweden Rustic Decorative Wooden Handled Barrels
Located in London, GB
18th century Swedish rustic barrels from the North of Sweden. Extremely rare and their color is absolutely gorgeous. Medium barrel 60 cm wide x 72 cm height Small barrel...
Category

1780s Swedish Antique Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Metal

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

Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Paint, Wood

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

Clay, Ceramic

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

Bentwood, Willow

Fine Carved Black Forest Statue of a Disabled Dog, Brienz circa 1900
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Fine Carved Black Forest Statue of a Disabled Dog, Brienz circa 1900 A very nice and fine Swiss wood carving. The disabled long hair terrier is re...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss 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

Antique Persian Bidjar Rug
Located in New York, NY
An antique Persian Bidjar rug. There are town Bidjars and village Bidjars, and this is one of the latter with a semi-geometric version of the Mina Khani palmette/rosette trellis, on ...
Category

Early 20th Century Persian Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Wool

Rustic Mexican Ceramic Fruit Bowl made in Oaxaca Lead Free Blue Cover
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
This beautiful utilitarian ceramic fruit bowl is covered on the surface with lead free blue pigment. Made in Oaxaca, Mexico, by artist Rolando Regino, Porras, son of famous folk arti...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Clay, Terracotta, Ceramic

Oak Splint Sphere
Located in Chicago, IL
A wildly sculptural sphere made from oak splints used for making baskets. Acquired from a woman who made baskets, the splints have been woven into a sphere, possibly for storage purp...
Category

1950s American Vintage Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Oak

Midcentury Handmade Tribal Persian Zebra Striped Flat-Weave Accent Rug
Located in New York, NY
A vintage Persian flat-weave Kilim accent rug handmade during the mid-20th century. Three sections of Zebra printed black and white are conjoined by red stitching. The left column is...
Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Wool

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Recently Viewed

View All