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Folk Art Table Lamps

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
Period: Late 20th Century
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 Table Lamps

Materials

Wood, Shell

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 Table Lamps

Materials

Brass, Wire

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 Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

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 Table Lamps

Materials

Shell, Plastic

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 sha...
Category

Late 20th Century Peruvian Folk Art Table Lamps

Materials

Pottery

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 Table Lamps

Materials

Brass, Metal

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20th Century Sculptural Aluminum Table Lamp, 1950-1960
Located in Paris, FR
A 20th-century vintage sculptural statement lamp of Italian or French origin, circa 1950s-1960s. This lamp has been fully restored and lightly improved: the initial worn brass platin...
Category

20th Century Folk Art Table Lamps

Materials

Steel, Aluminum

Large Custom Circular Brass Table Lamp
Located in San Francisco, CA
A custom circular brass plated light fixture with LED light around the circumference. Wiring is good. Lamp works properly. 26" h 24" w, Base: 1.75" h 10" w 2.5" d No dents. Minor w...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Folk Art Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Tramp Art "Popsicle Stick" Table Lamp, Folk Art Hand Crafted, 1960's
Located in Bedford Hills, NY
Very cool tramp art popsicle stick table lamp, handcrafted, 1960s.
Category

1960s American Vintage Folk Art Table Lamps

Materials

Wood

Vintage Wisteria Large Tiffany Table Lamp, 20th Century
Located in London, by appointment only
Wisteria’ Table Lamp after Tiffany Studio’s. The Wisteria Large Tiffany Table Lamp is one of the most accomplished shade designs by Tiffany Studio...
Category

20th Century North American Folk Art Table Lamps

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Modern Art Deco Figural Dancer Table Lamps with Art Glass Shades
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Dimensions- H: 18 3/4in W: 8 1/4in D: 5 1/4in This vintage Mid Century pair of Art Deco figural dancer table lamps with art glass shades is truly an interesting example of minimalistic yet luxurious decor. This pair of lamps are crafted of the highest quality! This pair is perfect for any MCM living...
Category

20th Century Unknown Folk Art Table Lamps

Materials

Marble, Metal, Bronze

Large Scale 20th Century Persian Lacquerware Table Lamp
Located in Morristown, NJ
c. 1950s, large scale gourd-form coir lamp hand decorated with gazelles, lions, and hunters on horseback on green ground, brass fittings. The painting is accentuated with gold painte...
Category

19th Century Unknown Antique Folk Art Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Swedish Vintage Brass Table Lamp with Flower-Shaped Pearl-Like Shades
Located in Frederiksberg C, DK
Swedish Vintage Brass Table Lamp with Flower-Shaped Pearl-Like Shades Striking Swedish vintage table lamp crafted in brass, adorned with pearl-like plastic shades in flower shapes. ...
Category

1980s Swedish Vintage Folk Art Table Lamps

Materials

Brass

Vintage Handmade Boat Model Diorama
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Vintage handmade boat model diorama of the "Sovereign of the Seas" a three masted schooner, displayed in its original case. Originally built in Massac...
Category

19th Century American Antique Folk Art Table Lamps

Materials

Hardwood

Late Century Japanese Cast Brass Industrial Explosion Proof Edison Table Lamp
Located in Leicester, Leicestershire
Explosion proof cast brass desk lamp with braided cable and red glow switch. Retro-fitted with a red glow switch, UK plug and vintage Edison filament...
Category

1980s Japanese Vintage Folk Art Table Lamps

Materials

Bronze, Brass

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 Table Lamps

Materials

Shell

A "seashell" lamp - French folk art - 1960s
A "seashell" lamp - French folk art - 1960s
H 5.52 in W 2.37 in D 3.55 in
Early 20C American Dedham Style Sang de Boeuf Pottery & Gilt Bronze Table Lamp
By Chelsea Keramic Art Works
Located in Dallas, TX
PRESENTING a GORGEOUS AND EXTREMELY RARE Lamp of small to medium proportions. In the shape of a Lidded Chinese Ginger Jar/Urn, heavily influenced by Chinese design with gilt bronze mounts and base in the Chinese style. CLASSIC Oxblood or ‘Sange de Boeuf’ Pottery. Very nice table lamp. IMPRESSIVE and VERY DECORATIVE ! From circa 1920 and we believe American made, probably by the Hugh C..Robertson for Dedham Pottery...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Table Lamps

Materials

Bronze, Ormolu

Pair of Large Shell Encrusted Table Lamps
Located in WEST PALM BEACH, FL
This is a dramatic pair of large lamps encrusted with a variety of shells representing different styles and sizes, 20th century.
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Table Lamps

Materials

Shell

Previously Available Items
Mario López Torres Mexican MCM Chuspata Fiber and Metal Flamingo Floor Lamp
Located in Mexico City, MX
Beautiful Mexican MCM floor lamp shaped like a flamingo with a screen on top, made with woven chuspata fiber with iron structure and copper details by M...
Category

1970s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Table Lamps

Materials

Metal, Copper

Vintage Folk Art Popsicle Stick Table Lamp with Matched Shade
Located in Cincinnati, OH
This large handmade Folk Art table lamp and matched shade are composed of popsicle sticks which have been arranged in a highly detailed geometric pattern. The lamp base has a sculptu...
Category

1970s American Vintage Folk Art Table Lamps

Materials

Wood

Tramp Style Stacked Popsicle Stick Table Lamp
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Quirky tramp style popsicle stick / tongue depressor table lamp. Shade sold separately.
Category

1980s Vintage Folk Art Table Lamps

Sculptural Alabaster & Brass Table Lamp
Located in Phoenix, AZ
Sculptural alabaster and brass table lamp circa early 1970's. This example is reminiscent of the works of Friedeberg and John Dickinson...
Category

1970s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Table Lamps

Materials

Alabaster, Brass

Folk Art table lamps for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Folk Art table lamps 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. 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.

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