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Folk Art Lighting

FOLK ART STYLE

Folk art is a genre of art that shares the creator’s traditions, offering not just an artistic display but an opportunity to learn about a culture. Antique, new and vintage folk art typically reflects a heritage or location. It can include utilitarian objects and handmade art as diverse as weather vanes, duck decoys, portraiture and paintings, carnival art and quilts.

Quilts are a quintessential part of American folk art but their roots are international, with quilting dating back to Ancient Egypt. The practice spread to Europe and was especially prominent in the Middle Ages, with one of the oldest surviving examples being the Tristan quilt made in Sicily in the 14th century. They were made as bedcovers and clothing, including as a layer for knights to wear beneath their armor. Native American folk art includes functional objects reflecting their heritage, such as baskets, textiles and wooden pieces.

Elsewhere, the vast range of work associated with Mexican folk art includes masks made by Mexican craftspeople for traditional celebrations and ceremonial dances. Mexican masks are part of the country’s folk-art traditions that go back thousands of years and play a role in festivals and theater.

Works in the folk art tradition are valuable because of the skills involved, like weaving, hand-carving wood and even stonework. Many folk artists are self-taught, while some train as apprentices within their community. By using available materials and taking a personal approach to their creations, artists ensure each piece is unique and conveys a story.

During the Great Depression, artistic materials in America were hard to come by, so artisans used discarded wood from cigar boxes and shipping crates to make highly stylized, notched pieces — most often picture frames and boxes — that are today sought after by collectors. This folk art style is called tramp art and was popular from roughly 1870 until the 1940s.

Folk art brings vibrant culture and traditions into your home. Browse an extensive collection of antique, new and vintage folk art on 1stDibs.

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Style: Folk Art
Mid Century French Wicker Fish Ceiling Light
Located in Hastings, GB
Superb 1950’s wicker fish ceiling light, French. Due to their nature these original ceiling lights are incredibly rare to find from this period and especially in such good condition....
Category

1950s French Vintage Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Wicker

Pair of Petite Murano Caged Glass Pendant Light, 1930s Italy vintage
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Gorgeous pair of chandeliers in bubble-wrapped Murano glass with cage. The glass is hand-blown with a amber tint and was created by Giorgio Seguso during the 1930s in Italy. These M...
Category

1930s Italian Vintage Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Metal

Arts & Crafts Folk Art Chandelier w Music Making & Dancing Sculptures, Great Fun
Located in Lisse, NL
Unique and all handcrafted, practical size antique circular chandelier. Some chances you only get once in your life and that is exactly what we thought when we first saw this unique...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Metal, Iron

Fruta Flushmount By Nani Goods, Contemporary Ceramic Flushmount
Located in South Pasadena, CA
Inspired by the radiant glow of the Harvest Moon and the elegant curves found in traditional market fruit baskets, this handmade ceramic flush mount light fixture beautifully merges ...
Category

2010s American Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Brass

Handmade lamp made in cut steel
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1970. We offer this Handmade lamp made in cut steel. Great vintage conditions.
Category

1970s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Cut Steel

Saguaro Cactus Folk Art Lamp, Musicians
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Saguaro cactus Folk Art lamp featuring musicians and beverages. This lamp was pictured on page 219 in book Popular Arts of Mexico 1850-1950 by Donna McMenamin. Lamp shade measures ...
Category

1950s American Vintage Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Wood

20th Century Table Lamp with Shells
Located in Buggiano, IT
Table lamp with plastic sphere manually coated with shells, very elegant. In working condition. Equipped with original 20th century European wiring. We recommend buyer consults an ex...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Shell, Plastic

Ethnic Parchment African Art Wall Sconce
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
African tribal art parchment wall shade sconce featuring a large triangle hide form stitched on iron and hand painted surface. These Moroccan art pieces could be used as wall lamp s...
Category

20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Iron

Vintage Boho Shoe Mold Lamp
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Illuminate your space with extraordinary character courtesy of this captivating Vintage Boho Shoe Mold Lamp. Ingeniously crafted from authentic, time-worn wooden shoe lasts, this scu...
Category

Mid-20th Century North American Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Metal

Tatupeba Table Lamp in Natural Palm Fiber 'Medium' - EU plug typ C
Located in BR
Prized as the best work of its category in the Novos Talentos Brasileiros (New Brazilian Talents) Award in 2020, the Tatubepa lamp is a piece with unique and valuable design. It was ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Sheet Metal

Vintage 70s Wrought Iron Chandelier Eight Candles Swedish Art Glass 2 Extenders
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Add a touch of opulence to your home with this charming candle chandelier! This 60s Wrought Iron Chandelier with eight Swedish Art Glasses holds ball globe candles which are not incl...
Category

1970s Swedish Vintage Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Wrought Iron

19th Century Swedish Folk Art Chandelier
Located in Allerum, SE
19th century Swedish folk art Chandelier in it's original condition. Turned and painted wood and metal. Ca 1800 - 1850 Sweden.
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Iron

Fine Hand-Forged Iron Floor Lamp Pair
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A particularly noteworthy pair of iron floor lamps with delicate traditional form standing on tripod bases having a primitive three-toe foot. The upper portions with scrolled iron el...
Category

19th Century Antique Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Iron

Desert Waves Lamp by Nani Goods Contemporary Ceramic Nerikomi Table Lamp
Located in South Pasadena, CA
Inspired by the layered formations of sediment in desert landscapes revealed through erosion, this sculptural table lamp captures the organic fluidity of wind-shifted earth using a t...
Category

2010s American Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware

Finnish 1940s folk art table lamp made from curly birch
Located in Turku, Varsinais-Suomi
Unearth a blend of history and design with this Finnish 1940s curly birch table lamp. War-time made, this piece embodies the raw elegance of brutalist aesthetics with a unique birch ...
Category

1940s Finnish Vintage Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Birch

Ceramic Table Lamp with Country Style Floral Decor White Blue Orange, 1970s-1980
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Ceramic table lamp is decorated in European country style with traditional blue and orange floral motifs on semi-matte off-white background. The motif on the back is slightly smaller...
Category

Late 20th Century Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Ceramic

Folk Art Parquetry Carved Wood Lamp
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Folk art parquetry carved wood lamp. The wood lamp measures 20" high and 7" diameter. Total height from base to the bottom of socket is 23.5". We added a 3 inch brass neck with ...
Category

1960s American Vintage Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Brass

Early 20th Century English Metal Fairground Crown Light
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century English Metal Fairground Crown Light A unique example of an early 20th Century metal scratch-built fairground light in the shape of a c...
Category

1920s British Vintage Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Metal

19Thc Decorated 6 Gallon - Crock Lamp From Pennsylvania
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fine 19thc decorated (butter churn ) crock with handles is in fine condition.It is newly wired and newly made linen shade.
Category

1860s American Antique Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Pottery

Antique Two Light Table Lamp
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A fine antique table lamp raised on circular foot with a Folk Art quality having scrolled arms in a butterfly form topped with two nozzles and wax drip cups below a cut metal scall...
Category

19th Century Antique Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Metal

Swedish Designer, Table Lamp, Burl Wood, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A burl wood table lamp designed and produced in Sweden, c. 1940s. Dimensions of Lamp (inches): 9.65” H x 5.35” Diameter Dimensions of Shade (inches): 7” Top Diameter x 10” Bottom Di...
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Burl

A "seashell" lamp - French folk art - 1960s
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
A seashell lamp, assembled from two real mother-of-pearl shells and electrified. A piece of French folk art from the 1960s. perfect condition. Can be US wired on request.
Category

1960s French Vintage Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Shell

Unique Handcrafted Wooden Pendant Light – Pine, Scandinavian Folk Art (1979)
Located in Skien, NO
Unique Handcrafted Wooden Pendant Light – Norwegian / Swedish Folk Art (1979) This one-of-a-kind ceiling lamp is a stunning piece of Scandinavian craftsmanship, hand-carved from pin...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Wood, Pine

Antique Swedish Intricate Bronzed Chandelier
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique Swedish bronzed chandelier made during the mid 1800s, around 1850 to 1860. The chandelier is made in bronzed metal with a richly deco...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Metal

Early 19th Century American Hammered Brass Wall Sconces
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Charming pair of hammered brass 19th century wall sconces having a folk art feel with hearts at the top and octagonal sections with circles and oval decoration. Fully electrified wit...
Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Brass

Mid Century Modern Set of three Glass Pendant Light, 1960s Austria
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Gorgeous set of three pendant lights with biomorphic glass. Add a touch of opulence to your home with this charming set of three light pendants! Perfect nickel fixtures hold a big gl...
Category

1960s Austrian Vintage Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Metal, Nickel

Antique Hand Carved Folk Art Pendant Light w. Accordion Playing 'Madchen' on Top
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare and beautifully handcrafted Arts & Crafts light fixture for black forest enthousiasts. If you are looking for unique antiques that tell something about life in different parts ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Rope, Wood, Oak

African Senufo Bird Carved Wood Sculpture, set as a Tall Lamp
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
African Senufo Bird Carved Wood Sculpture, set as a Tall Lamp This wonderful antique carving has been set on a circular plinth which supports a lamp lighting it from above This is a...
Category

19th Century Antique Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Pine

Cuna Ceramic Pendant By Nani Goods Contemporary Folk Art
Located in South Pasadena, CA
Cuna Pendant Light – Watermelon Red The Cuna Pendant Light draws inspiration from the designer’s Mexican heritage, fused with a minimalist Scandinavian silhouette to create a piece t...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware

19th Century Folk Art Cast Iron Green Painted Candlestick
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Single French Cast Iron Candlestick In The Original Green Painted Patina, 19th Century
Category

19th Century French Antique Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Iron

French Riviere Table Lamp Handmade With Shells, France Early 20th Century
Located in Mombuey, Zamora
Shells lamp handmade very original. Possibly unique piece-This beautiful and original lamp sculpture of natural shells or conch shells It's like an illuminated sculpture A very elaborate piece with very good work done with small shells. It is a very unique piece that will attract attention wherever it is placed, due to its originality and the quality of its work. More than illuminating, it is a lamp worthy of being on a pedestal and being displayed and admired. It is equally spectacular for each of the 4 faces Antique Artisan...
Category

Early 20th Century French Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Shell

Folk Art Carved Wood Lamp
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Folk art carved wood lamp. Wood base is 9" square. The wood lamp (including base) measures 23" high. Total height from base to the bottom of socket...
Category

1950s American Vintage Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Brass

Miniature Vintage Decorative Owl and Street Lantern Table Light
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
English Decorative Metal Owl Table Light With LED Lighting. Black painted finish owl fitted on a wooden base with a central pole supporting a single LED light. This light would mak...
Category

Early 1900s English Antique Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Sheet Metal

c1920's French Folk Art/ Carved Wood Figural Breton Couple Wall Sconces
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Pair 1920's French Folk Art Carved Wood Breton Figural Wall Sconces. I saw these and I thought that they would look good in a country setting.
Category

1920s French Vintage Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Wood

Table Lamp With 4 Tier Deer Hoof With Nickel Bands And Antler Finial
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Mid-Century table lamp with 4-tier deer hoof with nickel bands and brass fitted antler finial. Shade is not included.
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Organic Material

Vintage Turned Wood Lamp Mahogany Maple and Walnut
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Beautiful turned wood lamp made of mahogany, maple and walnut. Wonderful graphics and artistry. Urn shaped body exposing varying wood grains and colors with a thin red piping. 37.5"...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Wood

Vintage North African Art Wall Sconce Parchment
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
African Tribal Art parchment wall shade sconce featuring a large triangle hide form stitched on iron and hand painted surface. These Moroccan Art pieces could be used as wall lamp s...
Category

20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Iron

Dutch handcrafted commemorative wooden sphere ball table lamp, 1976
Located in Zaandam, NL
An extremely rare wooden ball table lamp from Holland. 1970s. This lamp is made ( presumably ) for a 25 year anniversary ( please see the dates ...
Category

1970s Dutch Vintage Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Fruitwood

Vintage Folk Art-Style Carved Fraternal Odd Fellows Heart in Hand Table Lamp
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Carved "Heart in Hand" table lamp, a symbolic expression of the Odd Fellows Fraternal Order (ca. 1970s, USA). Machine carved (not handmade) though also not produced en masse. Only ta...
Category

1970s American Vintage Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Metal

Vintage Turned Wood Lamp Made of Mahogany, Maple and Walnut
Located in Nantucket, MA
Large turned wood lamp of urn-form made by gluing pieces of various types of wood together then lathe turning the block to reveal patterns of co...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Mahogany, Maple, Walnut

Accordion Pendant by Nani Goods, Contemporary Ceramic Pendant
Located in South Pasadena, CA
The Accordion Pendant is a sculptural light fixture inspired by the classic accordion often featured in Tejano and Ranchero music. Its unique folded form is accented with a playful p...
Category

2010s American Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Wire

Stoneware Two Handled Jug Lamp
Located in Greenwich, CT
Good 19th century stoneware two handled jug, now as lamp, having unusual mottled rust and grey pottery surface and excellent form. Shade not included.
Category

1860s European Antique Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Earthenware

Stoneware Two Handled Jug Lamp
Stoneware Two Handled Jug Lamp
$750 Sale Price
21% Off
Large turned wood base lamp in oak, French work, 1960s
Located in Lyon, FR
Large oak base lamp, anonymous work made in France in the 1960s. Beautiful craftsman work with these multiple pieces of wood assembled then turned to make it an imperfect yet perfect...
Category

1960s French Vintage Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Oak

A Novelty Lighthouse Floor Lamp Great fun and the ideal piece for a seaside
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Novelty Lighthouse Floor Lamp Great fun and the ideal piece for a seaside theme, this one off piece is made in wood and has an old reconditioned brass Nautical Post light at the t...
Category

1960s Vintage Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Brass

Pair of Antique Cast Iron Elements as Table Lamps
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A large and very solid feeling pair of antique iron architectural elements as lamp bases. Three part shaped iron elements with decorative motifs with leaves on the tops and bottoms. ...
Category

19th Century Antique Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Iron

Vintage Parchment Tribal Art Wall Sconce North African
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
African Tribal Art parchment wall shade sconce featuring a large triangle hide form stitched on iron and hand painted surface. These Moroccan Art pieces could be used as wall lamp s...
Category

20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Iron

Seth of Three Mexican Pendant Lamps in Star Shape
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1960, We offer this fantastic seth of three Mexican pendant lamps in star shape.
Category

1960s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Art Glass

Swedish Freeform Burl Wood Table Lamp, Mid-Century Modern Sculptural Design
Located in Stockholm, SE
A highly sculptural table lamp, handcrafted from burlwood in Sweden during the 1960s. This piece reflects the organic and rustic aesthetic characteristic of mid-20th-century Scandina...
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Wood, Burl

One of a Kind Italian Pair Deco Modern Art Lamps with Cast Brass Carnival Masks
Located in New York, NY
1980s vintage Italian pair of very rare lamps, entirely handmade in cast polished brass, uniquely decorated with carnival masks in different sizes, each different from the other, rai...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Brass, Metal

Glazed Ceramic Crock Lamp with English Royal Coat of Arms
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Interesting and large glazed ceramic crock or jar made into a table lamp featuring the English royal coat of arms on one side. This large earthenware ves...
Category

19th Century English Antique Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Brass

Vintage Brass Looped Hunter's Horn Bugle Made into a Table Lamp by Robert Abbey
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage brass looped hunter's bugle made into a table lamp. handcrafted Robert Abbey table lamp. Vintage decorative brass hunting horns, British horn bugle, or military brass Instr...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Brass

Large Moroccan Tribal Art Parchment Wall Shade Sconce
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Large pair of African Tribal Art parchment wall shade sconce featuring a large triangle hide form stitched on iron and hand painted surface. These art piec...
Category

20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Iron

Tatupeba Floor Lamp GOLDEN BROWN in Natural Palm Fiber - EU plug typ C
Located in BR
Prized as the best work of its category in the Novos Talentos Brasileiros (New Brazilian Talents) Award in 2020, now comes in a new version as a floor lamp. the Tatubepa lamp is a p...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Sheet Metal

Handpainted Moroccan Folk Art Decorative Wall Sconce
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
African Tribal Art parchment wall shade sconce featuring a large curved hide form stitched on iron and hand painted surface. These Moroccan Art pieces could be used as wall lamp sha...
Category

20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Iron

Tatupeba Sconce Lamp GOLDEN BROWN in Natural Palm Fiber 'LARGE' - EU plug typ C
Located in BR
Prized as the best work of its category in the Novos Talentos Brasileiros (New Brazilian Talents) Award in 2020, the Tatubepa lamp is a piece with unique and valuable design. It was ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Sheet Metal

Tatupeba table Lamp GOLDEN BROW in Natural Palm Fiber 'Small' - EU plug typ C.
Located in BR
Prized as the best work of its category in the Novos Talentos Brasileiros (New Brazilian Talents) Award in 2020, the Tatubepa lamp is a piece with unique and valuable design. It was ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Sheet Metal

Superb Large Brass Sextant Ceiling Light from the Captains Cabin
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Superb large brass sextant ceiling light from the captains cabin A very good quality lamp it has been made in the form of a brass sextant, it is centrally hung with a large shade at each end (like a snooker table light...
Category

Early 20th Century Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Brass

Chandelier Wood Rustic Swedish 18th Century, Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Chandelier wood rustic Swedish 18th century, Sweden. A chandelier made in Sweden during the 18th century. Body in wood with candleholders in metal for 16 candles.
Category

18th Century European Antique Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Metal

Flores Dome Pendant
Located in South Pasadena, CA
The Flores Dome Pendant draws inspiration from both Brutalist design and Mexican folk traditions, balancing sculptural strength with minimalist ornament. Hand-formed from red clay, t...
Category

2010s North American Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware

Tatupeba Floor Lamp BLACK in Natural Palm Fiber - EU plug typ C
Located in BR
Prized as the best work of its category in the Novos Talentos Brasileiros (New Brazilian Talents) Award in 2020, now comes in a new version as a floor lamp. the Tatubepa lamp is a p...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Sheet Metal

Folk Art lighting for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique folk art lighting 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 lighting created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include lighting, folk art, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art lighting 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 lighting, popular names associated with this style include Berber Tribes of Morocco, Valter Costa Lima, EGLO Leuchten, and Guillerme et Chambron. 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 lighting differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $150 and tops out at $29,950 while the average work can sell for $1,105.

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