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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
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

Pair of Decorative Ceramic Sconces
Located in Venice, CA
Incredible pair of ceramic sconces that can be plugged in or hardwired. Delicate hanging ceramic discs create beautiful shadows when the sconces are illuminated. Lovely shades of ter...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Ceramic

19th Century Italian Tole Chandelier
Located in Greenwich, CT
Whimsical Italian 19th Century polychrome tole 12 light chandelier, with bacchanalian theme, featuring clusters of grapes in embossed tin, the whole retaining original paint and all ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Italian Antique Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Metal

French Folk Art Table Lamp c. 1950s
Located in Wembley, GB
A sculptural forged iron folk-art table lamp. French, c. 1950s. Stock ref. #2389 Professionally rewired to UK standards. New tapered calico shade included. Height including shade:...
Category

1950s French Vintage Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Wrought Iron

Large Iron “Watneys” Pub Lantern A Great looking piece
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Large Iron “Watneys” Pub Lantern A Great looking piece, the lantern is larger than life, it would once have been hung outside of a Pub The Lamp is fully working, the side panels ha...
Category

1950s Vintage Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Iron

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

Carved Wooden Shabby Gilt Table Lamp This is a great statement piece
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Carved Wooden Shabby Gilt Table Lamp This is a great statement piece, it has a chunky carved base, the old paint has a distressed appearance it is mostly in an old gold and bronze f...
Category

1920s Vintage Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Pine

Greek island terracotta atmospheric pierced hanging lantern Hydra 1993
Located in London, GB
Discovered in an artisan studio on the island of Hydra off the Saronic Islands in Greece in 1993. This handcrafted artisan piece of terracotta pottery, creates a wonderful sheltere...
Category

1990s Greek Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Terracotta

Deer Antler Chandelier antique Austria, 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Large chandelier. The Fixture requires an European E27 / 110 Volt Edison bulb, up to 60 watts. Beautiful in his shape and design. It gives a very warm light and represents the Mounta...
Category

1910s Austrian Vintage Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Metal

A Rustic Antler-Form Table Lamp
Located in San Francisco, CA
composed of interlocking antlers resting on a circular wooden base
Category

1960s American Vintage Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Antler

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

Late 19th Century Italian Grand Tour Bronze Street Lamp
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Miniature Italian Grand Tour Bronze Street Lamp Candle Stick, Late 19th Century
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Art Glass

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

Wrought iron rooster lamp by Jean Touret / les Ateliers de Marolles, 1950's
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
Wrought iron rooster lamp, horseshoe-shaped lamp base by Jean Touret / Les Ateliers de Marolles. Mid-Century Modern, France, Circa 1950 By ...
Category

1950s French Vintage Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Metal, Wrought Iron

Vintage Hungarian Woven Wire Glass Bottle Table Lamp, 1960s Folk Art Light
Located in Chicago, IL
Charming vintage woven-wire-covered glass bottle table lamp. The pattern and technique are based on traditional basket weaving and is considere...
Category

1960s Hungarian Vintage Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Wire

Coastal Folk Art Sea Shell Encrusted Table Lamp with Harp
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A tall wooden lamp encrusted with natural seashells. This piece will be a wonderful addition to a living room or nightstand. The lamp itself is created from wood and has a square bas...
Category

1970s American Vintage Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Wood, Shell

Cuna Ceramic Pendant By Nani Goods Contemporary Folk Art
Located in South Pasadena, CA
Inspired by the cultural roots of the artist's maternal grandparents, this piece fuses elements of Mexican Folk Art with a Scandinavian inspired silhouette. The piece gets its name ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware

A Very Scary Gothic Looking Tall Witches Lamp
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
A Very Scary Gothic Looking Tall Witches Lamp A tall piece with a gothic look the lamp is 37” tall including the red sequinned shade decorated with Spiders...
Category

1960s Vintage Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Linen

19Thc Decorated Stoneware Lamps w/Linen Shades- Pair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These pairs of decorated stoneware jugs are newly wired for lamps with new linen custom made lamps.Sold as matching pair.Pristine condition.
Category

19th Century American Antique Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Pottery

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

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

Alice In Wonderland Tea Party Chandelier
Located in Peekskill, NY
This is not the type of lighting you will normally find in my listing. I just couldn't help myself. The fixture has great style and a sense of humor. The lamp features a collection o...
Category

Late 20th Century American Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Ceramic

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

Pair of folk art sheet metal wall lamps, 1950s.
Located in Lisboa, PT
Pair of folk art sheet metal wall sconces painted with blue yellow orange and white. Switzerland, 1950s.
Category

1940s Swiss Vintage Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Canvas

Folk Art Chandelier, 21 Candles
Located in Doylestown, PA
A charming American folk art 21-candle chandelier in turned wood, with blue and rust-red painted finish with wire arms and wood candle holders, circa 1870. Unelectrified.
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Wood

African Senufo Bird Carved Wood Sculpture, set as a Tall Lamp
Located in Chillerton, 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

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

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

Tatupeba Floor Lamp GOLDEN BROWN in Natural Palm Fiber - EU plug typ C
Located in São Paulo, 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

Tatupeba Sconce Lamp GOLDEN BROWN in Natural Palm Fiber 'LARGE' - EU plug typ C
Located in São Paulo, 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 São Paulo, 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 Sconce Lamp BLACK in Natural Palm Fiber 'LARGE' - EU plug typ C
Located in São Paulo, 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 Floor Lamp BLACK in Natural Palm Fiber - EU plug typ C
Located in São Paulo, 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 floor lamp , natural parts from pinewood
Located in Vantaa, FI
This Folk art lamp is unique floor lamp every part is made from old pinewood parts, branch and burl parts, shade has been large burl. All parts are possible to dismantle, parts are n...
Category

20th Century Finnish Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Wood

Hand Painted Folk Art Table Lamp, Eva Fritz-Lindner Masterwork , One of a Kind
Located in South Burlington, VT
A whimsical and unique Eva Fritz-Lindner hand painted Folk Art table lamp complete with new custom fitted linen shade. Here's a beautiful and unique way to accent your home or office, or make a charming gift to someone special. This is a unique hand painted pottery table lamp fitted with a beautiful rectangular linen shade. It is hand painted in lovely cobalt blue and cream colors designed and hand painted by the now deceased master artisan Eva Fritz-Lindner working at Staatliche Majolika-Manufaktur Karlsruhe over the past 50 years. Creative design, lovely vivid colors in cobalt blue and creams over a natural terra cotta pottery base , good opportunity to display a functional one of a kind work of art. Glaze: Fine colors that only Eva Fritz-Lindner could execute by hand Designer signature: signature i 3 on pottery base It would surely "pop" out and create pleasant conversation in splendid fashion in your favorite spot! Dimensions: table lamp with shade 33.5 inches high; shade only is 11.5 inches high x 18 inches wide and 11 inches deep. hand painted pottry base is 21 inches high and 8.5 inches diameter at mid section. We have installed this sculptural lamp with a 72 inch cord - all mounted on a handsome round hardwood stand. Quality: Very good Only one. Most of her larger pottery sculptures such as this, were likely produced in less than 25 copies Based upon research and all were hand painted individually by this artist ensuring each work of art was indeed unique. Provenance: pottery lamp base...
Category

20th Century German Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Iron

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

Nickel, Metal

Fully Working Table Top Easel Reading Stand Lamp
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Fully Working Table Top Easel Reading Stand Lamp A great little piece, this is a table top easel which is mounted with an adjustable reading lamp so it can be used for both book...
Category

Mid-20th Century Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Beech

Stig Blomberg Bronze Table Lamps, Sweden, 1970
Located in Bronx, NY
Pair of Stig Blomberg table lamps from the 1970s by the Swedish artist Stig Blomberg. The pair has each expressionist lion heads embedded on the sides of the lamps very detailed on ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Bronze

1960’s Lawnware Pendant Light
Located in Charleston, SC
Vintage Lawnware hanging light, 10” shade, #2310. Funky retro RV Lawnware tiki patio Swag lamp. Real KITSCHY cool planter pot Swag lamp, sometimes known as a Lite Brite Lamp. Beads make up this hippie style lamp. The lamp works. Great vintage condition. Some of the assorted multicolored plastic decorations are broken or missing, but once it’s lit up, it’s effect is there. Would be great on a screen porch, a kitschy retro patio, inside in your funky decor or would make a fun lamp...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Plastic

Handpainted Moroccan Folk Art Decorative Wall Sconce
Located in North Hollywood, 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

20th Century Vintage Tole Painted Floral Tin Tea Canister Jar Lamp W/ Shade
Located in Dayton, OH
Mid 20th Century tole painted canister lamp. Features a yellow painted body with a still life of fruit along the front and barrel shade with ornate trim. Measures:6.25” x 17” / S...
Category

Mid-20th Century Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Metal

Parchment Vintage African Tribal Art Wall Decor
Located in North Hollywood, 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 North African Art Wall Sconce Parchment
Located in North Hollywood, 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

French Brass Greyhound Statue Lamp
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
French brass greyhound statue lamp A handsome piece made in Brass and Iron with a bronzed finish to the dog 3 Dimensional and looks great from all ...
Category

Early 20th Century Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Brass

Vintage Moroccan Folk Art Parchment Wall Sconce
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Large African Tribal Art parchment wall shade sconce featuring a large triangle hide form stitched on iron and hand painted surface. These vintage hand crafted Folk Art pieces could be used as wall lamp shade or just decorative wall Art. Iron frame covered with hide parchment which has been hand painted with red, safron, yellow and tan in henna tribal tattoo designs and has a decorative iron surround are perfect for soft subtle lighting. These Folk Art lamp shades sit over your existing wall light fitting. There are no electrics within the lampshade. They will look great over an electric fitting or just as an African Tribal Art wall decoration. Large African Tribal wall shade: 23" H x 11" W x 6" D. Handcrafted and hand painted in Marrakech, Morocco by women artist. Great conversation curiosity Tribal Art piece. One of a kind design, there are 3 pieces available in the same shape they are listed individually. Art & Craft from Morocco. African Wall Decor...
Category

20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Iron

American Folk Art Table Lamp
Located in Hudson, NY
Very stylish folk art carving of an urn with flame. Likely from a hears of the mid nineteenth century. This sculpture is hand carved from pine and retains the original painted and gi...
Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Gold

Wall Sconce Tin Diamond Single Arm Wallace Nutting Collection
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
Surviving pieces of vernacular lighting are extremely rare and it is hard to source convincing re-creations. These are copies of a period sconce from the Wallace Nutting Collection a...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Tin

Tatupeba Table Lamp in Natural Palm Fiber 'Medium' - EU plug typ C
Located in São Paulo, 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 in Natural Straw Fiber 'Small' - EU plug typ C.
Located in São Paulo, 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

Sconce Wall Freestanding Portable Tin Mirror Cresting
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
Extremely rare survival of a vernacular tin wall sconce Unusually incorporating mirror plate which was an expensive material suggesting this was made for an affluent customer The m...
Category

18th Century English Antique Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Metal

c 1920 Brass Star of David Chandelier from Chicago Synagogue
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Historical and significant brass electrified Star of David from the last grand Chicago synagogue, Agudas Achim. Beautiful when lit. Hard to believe these were hung as chandeliers in ...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Brass

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

Wall Sconce Tin Circular Single Arm Illustrated Furnituretreasury Wallacenutting
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
Surviving pieces of vernacular lighting are extremely rare and it is hard to source convincing re-creations. These are copies of a period sconce illustrated in Furniture Treasury by ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Tin

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 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

1920s Bulbous Folk Art Painted Spanish Lamp and Shade
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
1920s Bulbous Folk Art painted Spanish lamp and shade This an attractive painted lamp, the lamp has a hand carved bulbous Fair Ground Twisted column which is painted in Gold, Green and Red, the paint has now aged in colour and developed a charming aged finish, the lamp has its own oversized lamp...
Category

Early 20th Century Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Wood

Vintage Custom 'Flower' Table Lamp
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage custom flower table lamp circa 1950-1979. Custom lamp composed of paper, wire, wood and papier-mâché, Lamp shades are paper flowers. All han...
Category

1970s Japanese Vintage Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Brass, Wire

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

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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