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
English Mid-20th Century Nautical Table Lamp
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Vintage nautical ships telegraph table lamp
The ships telegraph is mounted as a lamp, on a mahogany, brass and painted iron base.
Category
Early 20th Century English Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Brass, Iron
Outstanding Antique Boxer Table Lamp
Located in East Hampton, NY
This is truly an amazing painted plaster full image of a boxer with gloves on. New silk wiring and original goat hide shade.
NOTE: height of boxer sculpture is 15.25 inches, goat ...
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Plaster
Wood Carved Red and White American Folk Art Barber Pole Trade Sign Sconce, C1920
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Great Americana! c. 1920s American Folk Art wood and iron carved barber pole. Layers of thick original red and white hand painted surface. Substantial iron mounts and iron strapping ...
Category
1920s North American Vintage Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Iron
Superb Large Brass Sextant Ceiling Light from the Captains Cabin
Located in Chillerton, 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 ...
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Brass
Antique German Black Forest Carved Violin Musical Group Table Lamp, c1880
By Black Forest
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique German Black Forest table lamp offers carved sculptural base with music instrument grouping to include violin, bow and book, wired for US electrical use, c1880
Measures - ...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Wood
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 sides, the shade of this lamp h...
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Brass
Wicker Palm Leaf or Lotus Pendant from the FS Flores Collection
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Wicker palm leaf or lotus pendant light fixture crafted in chuspata reed tightly and expertly woven over a sturdy metal frame with three tiers of palm leaves, exclusively designed an...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Wicker
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
Vintage 70s Wrought Iron Chandelier Eight Candles Swedish Art Glass 2 Extenders
By Erik Hoglund
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
Vintage Cholla Cactus Skeleton Floor Lamp
Located in Forney, TX
A unique and interesting cholla cactus skeleton turned floor lamp, freestanding, hand-crafted, this charming piece of American Southwest folk art is sure to add elements of rustic so...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Organic Material
Swedish Folk Art Candlestick Table Lamp, Dated 1737
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
18th century converted Folk Art candlestick table lamp, Swedish, dated 1737.
Category
1730s Swedish Antique Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Pine
Pair of Hammered Copper Table Lamps Folk Art Handcrafted, 1950's
Located in Bedford Hills, NY
Beautiful pair of handcrafted hammered copper table lamps, all original, rewired, shades not included.
Category
1950s American Vintage Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Copper
French Toleware Bistro Ceiling Light, Decorated with Vines
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
A French Toleware Bistro ceiling light, decorated with vines
This is a very decorative 6 sided ceiling light, the light it is decorated with Vine Leaves and bunches of Grapes
Th...
Category
Mid-20th Century Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Tin
Vintage Wood Marquetry Lamp
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Dramatic modern form lamp with a combination of marquetry with parquetry. Measurements are 11" diameter base, 30" high to the top of the finial. Height to the bottom of the socket is...
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Wood
French Folk Art Tole Chandelier and Sconces, 19th Century
Located in Doylestown, PA
A whimsical tole 4-arm chandelier with two matching 2-arm sconces, nice examples of French "arte populaire" or Folk Art, mid-19th century or earlier, with palm fronds, gold bows and ...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Tôle
Pair of Boot Lamps, Made from Early 20th Century Cavalry Officer’s Riding Boots
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Pair of Boot Lamps, made from Early 20th Century Cavalry Officer’s Riding Boots
A great pair of Cavalry Officer’s Riding Boots from the early 20th Century, this superb looking pai...
Category
20th Century Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Leather
Painted Yellow Hand Wrought iron Leaf Chandelier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand wrought iron leaf iron chandelier in a happy yellow! Eight arms. Can be electrified.
Category
20th Century Guatemalan Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Wrought 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
Pair of Hand Carved Wooden African Folk Art Figure Lamps and Custom Woven Shades
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Folk Art lamps - Hand carved African Figures on a black base - A decorative brass rod extend to the top with two custom made Lamp Shades made of woven black fabric with knots...
Category
20th Century Central African 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
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.
Category
1860s European Antique Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Earthenware
Pair of Mario Torres Table Lamps
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of rustic modern wicker table lamps with two parrots on each, perched on a tree branch and your choice of a wicker or linen shade. Signed Mario Torres on a brass medallion.
Category
2010s Mexican Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Reed
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 hand-painted. Newly wired for use wit...
Category
1970s Japanese Vintage Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Brass, Wire
Lantern Wood Swedish 19th Century Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Lantern wood, Swedish, 19th century Sweden. A lantern made in Sweden during the early 19th century. Frame in wood with original glass. One candle holder.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Blown Glass, Wood
Tramp Art Table Lamp
Located in Highland, IN
An absolutely extraordinary example of American folk art, this table lamp would be a sculpture worthy of displaying on a pedestal, except that it also offers warm light which sparkle...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Wood
Candelabra Swedish Metal 11 Candleholders, 19th Century, Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Candelabra Swedish metal 11 candleholders, 19th century, Sweden. A candelabra made in Sweden during the 19th century. Made from wired metal thread with 11 arms to hold candles.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Metal
19th Century Knight Templar Pierced Lantern
Located in London, GB
19th century knight templar pierced lantern
We are proud to offer a rare example of a mid-19th century handcrafted pieced toleware/tin lantern. This item is a rare survivor and of m...
Category
1850s Italian Antique Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Tin
Colorful French Broken Plate "Pique Assiette" Mosaic Floor Lamp, circa 1940
Located in Houston, TX
Curious and colorful one of a kind, handmade lamp made from pieces of vintage and antique china and figurines. Round centre post on a square base. Has figural and animal statues atta...
Category
1940s French Vintage Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Ceramic, Pottery
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 color variation. This piece was glued up...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Mahogany, Maple, Walnut
German Hand Carved and Painted Figure Bavarian Mountain Climber with Lantern
Located in Barntrup, DE
Wonderful German figural pendant lamp features a hand-carved and hand-painted figure of a Bavarian mountain climber. The detailed carved wooden man is holding onto a rope and holding...
Category
1950s German Vintage Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Copper
Charming Swedish Pottery Lamp with Woman and Horse Design
Located in Houston, TX
Charming hand-thrown Swedish pottery lamp with interesting folky woman and horse motif. Circa 1950s. Re-wired for USA with Edison socket.
Category
1950s Swedish Vintage Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Pottery
Antique Moroccan Glazed Terracotta and Brass Table with Shade
Located in Miami, FL
This table lamp has a glazed terracotta core and is topped with a brass shaft and double sockets.
Uses two regular light bulbs with 40 watts each.
In perfect working condition.
N...
Category
1950s Moroccan Vintage Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Metal, Brass
Dachshund English 1960s Floor Lamp
Located in London, GB
Lovely folk art sausage dog floor lamp, great detail to the features.
Rewired with bronze rope twisted silk flex.
Delightful vintage light.
Made in England in the 1960s.
Category
1960s British 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...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Shell, Plastic
Antique & Unique Early 1900s Dutch Folk Art Scale Model Windmill w. Light Inside
Located in Lisse, NL
One of a kind and good size scale model of an 18th century Dutch windmill.
With windmills being one of Holland's most famous landmarks one would think that you would find many antiq...
Category
Early 20th Century Dutch Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Metal, Zinc
Large Vintage Folk Art Eiffel Tower Accent Light or Lamp
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This vintage and substantial Folk Art rendering of the Eiffel Tower was made during the 1970's, presumably in the United States and lights up, providing a subtle red glow to accent t...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Softwood, Plastic
Chippy White & Blue Swedish Farmhouse Style Tole Pendant Chandelier, 1970s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Add a touch of opulence to your home with this charming chandelier! Perfect wood and metal chandelier to enhance any chic or eclectic home. The beautiful chippy white and blue colors...
Category
1970s Austrian Vintage Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Metal
Pair of Guillerme et Chambron Wall Sconces Oak Wood & Ceramic French Folk Art 60
Located in Miami, FL
Very rare example of Guillerme et Chambron oak sconces with some ceramic Bobech by Danikowski 100 watts bulb max US wired , in working condition 2 pairs available. Priced by pair,
Ha...
Category
1950s French Vintage Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Oak
Charming Hot Air Balloon Metal Light Fixture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Charming light fixture depicting a hot air balloon from the County Fair "Girl's Day" with 8 figures frolicking about the air balloon. The light fixture is newly wired and ready to in...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Copper
Spanish Folk Art Floor Standing Standard Lamp
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Spanish Folk Art floor standing standard lamp
A traditionally turned, carved and painted piece from Spain. This wooden lamp stands on a square base, it is stepped at floor level ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Softwood
Pair of 19th Century Bronze and Brass Stamped Indian Temple Oil Burning Lamps
Located in London, GB
Pair of 19th century bronze and brass stamped Indian temple oil burning lamps
Item detail: We are proud to offer a pair of 19th century handmade bronze and brass Indian temple oil b...
Category
1850s Indian Antique Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Bronze
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, Gree...
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Wood
Hammered Brass Folk Art Modernist Floor Lamp
Located in San Mateo, CA
Amateur craftsman made modernist floor lamp. The lamp is a little arts and crafts, art deco and machine age combined. A great imaginative form, the lamp is made of found brass pieces...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Brass
Swedish Folk Art Light Fixture
Located in New York, NY
The Swedish shipbuilders' longtime tradition of hanging scale-sized models of finished ships in churches for protection of ship and crew has inspired such folk art sculptures. We hav...
Category
1950s Swedish Vintage Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Wrought Iron
Early Vintage Chulucanas Style Andes Pottery Lamp
Located in East Hampton, NY
Spherical & Symmetrical is the overall style of this vintage pottery table lamp with a wonderful exaggerated vintage gold foil metallic shade. The shade is vintage, not perfect and i...
Category
Late 20th Century Peruvian Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Pottery
Vintage Nautical Table Lamp with Patinated Brass Boat Propeller Base
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Impressive nautical table lamp composed of a nylon rope wrapped stem anchored by a vintage boat propeller, (circa 1970s, USA). Accents and propeller are brass, and the propeller show...
Category
1970s American Vintage Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Brass
Chandelier Green Painted Gilded Iron Dutch 16 Branch 3 tier Folk Vernacular 30"
Located in Eversholt, Bedfordshire
RARE FOLK OR VERNACULAR, 19TH CENTURY, GREEN PAINTED AND GILDED, 3 TIER, CHANDELIER WITH 16 BRANCHES OR ARMS, 76cm., 30” high
Exudes folk/vernacular charm, character and atmosphere
...
Category
1830s Dutch Antique Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Wood
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 vessel has been mounted to a rou...
Category
19th Century English Antique Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Brass
Pair of Vintage Iron Hand Painted Candleholders
Located in Oakland Park, FL
Pair of vintage iron hand painted candleholders.
Round Folk Art candleholders painted with hearts and flowers.
Size: 4" D x 3" H.
Category
1950s American Vintage Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Wrought Iron
Ambient cylinder shaped Table Lamp in Onyx
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Although there are a few other places in the world where the semi-precious stone Onyx exist, we found our collection in Mexico.
A Bit Of Information On The Semi-Precious Stone Onyx....
Category
2010s Mexican Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Onyx
Impressive Ceramic Floor or Table Lamp in Mystic and Majestic Mayan Style
Located in Doornspijk, NL
This eye catching floor or table lamp in Mayan style truly is an impressive piece.
Its foot is a large ceramic statue of a queen and her child, or a king if you will with his succes...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Ceramic, Suede, Velvet
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
Folk Art Table Lamp of Dogwood Weaving Shuttles
Located in Hingham, MA
Vintage folk art table lamp made in the mid-20th century from three brass tipped weaving shuttles on a matching wood stand. Affixed to each shuttle by two copper ring clips is a glas...
Category
1950s American Vintage Folk Art Lighting
1930s Austin 10 Grille with Lucas King of the Road Head Lights
By Herbert Austin
Located in Søborg, DK
1930s Austin 10 Grille with Lucas King of the road head lights.
Mounted onto a cast iron base and converted with LED lights.
Original paint and with an overall great patina to the pa...
Category
1930s English Vintage Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Brass, Chrome, Iron
Assembled Pair of Early 20th Century Trench Art Vases Custom Mounted as Lamps
Located in Dallas, TX
An assembled pair of brass artillery shell casing trench art vases now mounted as lamps with custom Lucite bases and tapered square custom linen shades trimmed in dark green gimp. T...
Category
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Brass
Vintage Brass Looped Hunter's Horn Bugle Made into a Table Lamp by Robert Abbey
By Robert Abbey
Located in North Hollywood, 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
Pair of Folk Art Iron Lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Black and gold wrought iron filigree lamps with hand painted shades.
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Iron
Carnival Barrel Table Lamp
Located in Houston, TX
Carnival barrel table lamp, newly wired for use within the USA. This charming lamp comes from a hand painted, handmade carnival barrel. I find the colors so happy and colorful on thi...
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Tôle
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