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
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
1920s Bulbous Folk Art Painted Spanish Lamp and Shade
Located in Godshill, 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
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
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
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
Timeworn Tole Chandelier With Glass Grape Clusters And Figural Panel
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A six light tole chandelier in verdigris painted finish. With a center shaped frame and attached center platform for a dark painted flat figural panel- two seated figures enjoying dr...
Category
20th Century Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Metal
A Stunning French Leopard Print Table Lamp This is a one off Artisan Piece
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Stunning French Leopard Print Table Lamp
This is a one off Artisan Made piece, the lamp is overlaid with fine tissue which is patterned with gold leaf and leopard fur markings, bo...
Category
1970s Vintage Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Paper
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 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
Large French Folk Art Wrought Iron Floor Lamp
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
One-of-a-kind, large floor lamp, entirely handmade out of iron, which has been wrought into hundreds of spirals then assembled together to form the structure of the lamp.
Category
20th Century French Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Wrought Iron
1990's Whimsical Folk Art MacKenzie-Childs Ceramic Floor Lamp
Located in Burbank, CA
Vintage folk art floor lamp for sale. Manufactured by the unique and fabulous MacKenzie-Childs, and is a one-of-a-kind. It was hand painted by the artists and is signed and dated 199...
Category
1990s American Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Ceramic
Vintage Blue and White Memory Ware (Broken Plate) Table Lamp
Located in Houston, TX
This light measures 21 inches to the top of the socket. The lamp measures 18 inches to the beginning of the brass neck. It is 8 inches wide at its widest point and its base is six in...
Category
1970s American Vintage Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Ceramic
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
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
$1,450 / set
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
Pair of Solid Brass Two-Light Wall Sconces, Vintage, Austria, 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A stunning pair of heavy brass wall sconces. Each consisting of a stylish Farmhouse style design. Each fixture requires two European E14 / 110 Volt candelabra bulbs, each bulb up to ...
Category
1950s German Vintage Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Metal, 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
Folk Art Faucet Motif Mixed Metal Floor Lamp
Located in Astoria, NY
Folk Art Faucet Motif Mixed Metal Floor Lamp, with perforated bucket lampshade atop copper piping terminating in four faucet form feet. Overall: 59.75" H x 15" Diameter. Provenance: ...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Metal, Copper
Large Iron Round Chandelier with Eight Candles, Hearts and Scroll Detail
Located in Carmel, CA
Unusual birdcage shaped iron chandelier with eight candles. Heart and scroll motif repeated overall. The scale is perfect for a vaulted ceiling.
Category
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Iron
$2,240 Sale Price
20% Off
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 ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Ceramic, Suede, Velvet
$3,123 Sale Price
20% Off
French Flok Art, Huge Grape Vine Floor Lamp, France, circa 1960
Located in leucate, FR
French Folk Art.
Beautiful grape vine floor lamp.
Base made with a large vine with several arms, which makes it very stable, a small table is integrated at 26''.
For sale without ...
Category
1960s French Vintage Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Wood
Unusual Folk Art, Bespoke Billiard Themed Floor Lamp, 8-Ball, Modernist
Located in Buffalo, NY
Unusual Folk Art, Bespoke Billiard Themed floor lamp.. 8-ball. Modernist, que sticks, Hand crafted, Shade measuring 16" in diameter.
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Brass
Vintage Boho Hand Painted Female Floor Lamp
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A spectacular and truly one-of-a-kind piece of functional sculpture, this vintage floor lamp is a testament to artistic vision and playful design. Drawing inspiration from Folk Art a...
Category
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Fabric, Wood, Paint
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
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
Handcrafted North African Art Wall Sconce in Red and Yellow
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
Quirky Hunting & Shooting Floor Lamp A great piece made by a blacksmith
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Quirky Hunting & Shooting Floor Lamp
A great piece made by a blacksmith on a wrought iron stand, it has a Horseshoe shaped base and the upright has a realistic looking imitation Fli...
Category
1950s Vintage Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Iron
Architecual Element Lamp w/ Floral Ticking Shade
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Zinc Architecual Element lamp w/ Floral Ticking shade
Lamp with Shade H 64
Lamp Base 9 x 11 x 45 H
Shade top: 14.5 Dia
shade bottom: 22 Dia.
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Zinc
$1,196 Sale Price
20% Off
Sculpted Pelican on the Wharf Table Lamp
Located in Pasadena, TX
This lamp is folk art. It depicts a pelican on a wharf. Its base is a slab of o tree with 3 cut limbs depicting a wharf. The wharf has ropes and nets and a finely carved pelican sitt...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Wood, Paint
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
Moroccan Folk Art Metal and Parchment Wall Shade 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 Art pieces could...
Category
20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Iron
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 the piece and the space. The tower is composed of intricately cut softwood panels, backed with a plastic sheeting or acetate with a clear gloss finish. This unique Folk Art light...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Plastic, Softwood
Large African Tribal Art Parchment Wall Shade 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 Art pieces could ...
Category
20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Iron
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
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
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
Terra Cotta Chimney Top Lamp
Located in Carmel, CA
Large ornamental French terra cotta chimney cap converted into tall lamp. It is newly wired for US electrical requirements. It has a three way swit...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Terracotta
Cactus Lamp by Nani Goods Contemporary Ceramic Cactus Table Lamp
Located in South Pasadena, CA
Inspired by the rhythmic, repeating forms of desert cacti, the Cactus Lamp balances structured brutalism with cheerful, organic detail. Its sculptural base is hand-built using slab c...
Category
2010s American Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Ceramic, Stoneware
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
Folk Art Table Lamp of Dogwood Weaving Shuttles
Located in Hanover, 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 ...
Category
1950s American Vintage Folk Art Lighting
Fiesta Lantern By Nani Goods, Ceramic Raffia Pendant
Located in South Pasadena, CA
The Fiesta Lantern Pendant Light is inspired by the vibrant spirit of Fiesta in San Antonio, Texas, celebrating cultural diversity through the interplay of rough and smooth textures ...
Category
2010s American Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Brass
French Brass Greyhound Statue Lamp
Located in Godshill, 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
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
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 prope...
Category
1970s American Vintage Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Brass
Vintage Folk Art Gun Lamp of Wrought Iron and Driftwood
Located in Atlanta, GA
Vintage Folk Art table lamp handmade in the shape of a gun/ rifle using driftwood and wrought iron and having an antique horseshoe mounted as the fro...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Wrought Iron
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
Moroccan Parchment Art Wall Sconce
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 Art pieces could be used as wall lamp shade.
Ir...
Category
20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Iron
French Toleware Bistro Ceiling Light, Decorated with Vines
Located in Godshill, 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
This is a very unusual wall light...
Category
Mid-20th Century Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Tin
Carved Wooden Shabby Gilt Table Lamp This is a great statement piece
Located in Godshill, 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
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
A Pair of Copper Ships Mast Head Lights
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Pair of Copper Ships Mast Head Lights
The lamps are round with thick bowed and ridged glass, they are original nautical pieces with excellent character
A great decorators ceiling ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Copper
$1,376 / set
Small Palapa Pendant By Nani Goods, Ceramic Raffia Pendant
Located in South Pasadena, CA
Inspired by warm summer nights under a palapa, this pendant light fixture plays with structure, organic textures, and the duality of perception.
The cage-like frame is hand built wi...
Category
2010s American Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Brass
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
$2,146 Sale Price
20% Off
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
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
Large Iron “Watneys” Pub Lantern A Great looking piece
Located in Godshill, 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
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 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
Folk Art Root Carved Table Lamp
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Folk Art root carved table lamp.
This is a very attractive if somewhat unusual piece, it is an old root carving which has been adapted to change it into a charming table lamp, the...
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Bog Wood
Spanish Folk Art Floor Standing Standard Lamp
Located in Godshill, 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 ba...
Category
Mid-20th Century Folk Art Lighting
Materials
Softwood
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.