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.
to
10
51
45
94
5
1
2,012
1,080
987
307
196
195
161
85
82
76
55
41
38
32
23
22
7
9
35
50
6
32
10
2
3
2
3
62
22
20
18
11
59
28
15
14
14
100
99
99
4
1
1
1
1
Style: Rustic
Folk Art Painted Face Suitcase by Artist Ira Yeager
By 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
Swedish 18th Century Raindeer Sleigh 100% Original
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a very RARE 100% Original Swedish Rain deer sleigh. I have owned it for over 30 years and its time for someone else to enjoy it. you will NEVER see another!!!!!
Category
1790s Swedish Antique Rustic Folk Art
Materials
Birch, 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 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
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
Turned Ash Wood Bowl
Located in Chicago, IL
This hand-turned ash wood bowl, found in Wisconsin’s Door County, is a celebration of natural form and craftsmanship. Carefully shaped by a local artisan, it retains its organic edge...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Rustic Folk Art
Materials
Ash
Early 20th Century Blue Painted Farmhouse Bench
Located in Chicago, IL
The painted exterior of this provincial farmhouse bench has weathered gradually from years of use to achieve the ultimate rustic finish. Once a vibrant, robin’s egg blue, the milk pa...
Category
Early 20th Century American Rustic Folk Art
Materials
Pine
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
Bull Horns – Rustic Western Modern Wall Hanging Sculptural Art
By Spacecraft
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A trophy. A totem. A fertility symbol? Above the bed or over the fireplace, Bull Horns are an amulet for your space and speak to the spirit of the unbranded maverick. Salvaged Doug f...
Category
2010s American Rustic Folk Art
Materials
Fir
Antique Vintage Rustic Folk Art Metal Farm Sign
Located in Stockbridge, GB
Antique Metal Farm Sign
An original metal hanging sign which would have hung at the entrance to Crosscombe Farm in Somerset, the sign is double sided with identical signage on both ...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Rustic Folk Art
Materials
Cut Steel
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
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
Rustic Antique Wooden Carved Burmese Puppet Head
Located in Stockbridge, GB
Antique Burmese Carved Puppet Head- B
A decorative carved wood and painted Burmese puppet head with glass eyes. Believed to be from the 19th century. It ...
Category
19th Century Burmese Antique Rustic Folk Art
Materials
Teak
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
French Faience Heart Secouette Flask / Hand Warmer HB Quimper, Circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
French Faience Heart Secouette Flask / Hand Warmer HB Quimper, Circa 1900.
Douardenez.
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Rustic Folk Art
Materials
Faience
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
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
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
$701 Sale Price
50% Off
Large French Wire Salad Basket, circa 1940
Located in Austin, TX
A very large French wire basket salad, circa 1940.
Category
1940s French Vintage Rustic Folk Art
Materials
Wire
Chalkware Peasant Pair if Figurines
By Borghese
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
$195 Sale Price
30% Off
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
$275 / set
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
$7,000 Sale Price
20% Off
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
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
$7,500 Sale Price
20% Off
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
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
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
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
Carved Candle Stick
Located in Dallas, TX
18th century carved candle stick.
Category
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Rustic Folk Art
Materials
Paint, Wood
$1,540 Sale Price
30% Off
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
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
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
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.