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Rustic Ladders

RUSTIC STYLE

For some, the phrase “rustic style” suggests a house like “La Pitchoune,” the late chef Julia Child’s cottage in Provence, with its exposed wooden beams and well-worn antique furniture. For others, rustic furnishings and decor prompt images of a place like the Lake Placid Lodge in Upstate New York, with its stone fireplaces and knotty pine paneling. Indeed, rustic furniture design takes many forms: twig furniture, a plank trestle table, a hand-stitched quilt, a chandelier made of deer antlers.

The rustic style originated in the late 1800s in England, where it was heavily influenced by Romanticism. By the 20th century, it had spread to the United States, adopted by wealthy New Yorkers and the National Park Service alike. Although there are many categories of rustic furniture, one of the most popular and familiar manifestations of the style is Adirondack furniture and the low-slung 1903 Thomas Lee Adirondack chair.

Rustic design is perhaps mostly about texture and humble materials: hand-hewn reclaimed wood, woven rush seating, wrought iron, coarse stone and weathered metal. As a decor, it exudes warmth and honesty, while a single piece of countrified design adds an intriguing visual counterpoint in a sleek, modern environment.

Easily identifiable by its rough textures, earthy colors and natural materials, rustic wares help bring the beauty of the outdoors inside.

As you can see on 1stDibs, vintage rustic chairs, dining tables and other pieces of rustic furniture offer endless inspiration.

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Style: Rustic
Vintage Italian Rustic Wooden Ladder Stair Step
Located in Carimate, Como
Beautiful rustic ladder crafted of sturdy wood with a simple design and nice patina. Sure to bring lots of character and rustic elegance to any room using minimal space. Great for di...
Category

20th Century Italian Rustic Ladders

Materials

Wood

Antique Library Ladder with Great Patina
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th C. rustic library ladder. Most of the original paint has worn off but it has a great patina.
Category

20th Century Unknown Rustic Ladders

Materials

Iron

Rustic Art Populaire Ladder, France, 20th Century
Located in Antwerp, BE
Rustic; Art Populaire; France; Early 20th Century; Monoxylite; Wabi Sabi; Travail Populaire; Folk Art; Rustic French ladder adorned with a fascinating patina. This unique piece embo...
Category

Early 20th Century French Rustic Ladders

Materials

Wood

Large Sculptural African Dogan Ladder
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Impressive vintage carved wood architectural ladder carved by Dogan people to access their dwellings. Mounted on a 12 x 15 base, the ladder is now a sculptural piece of African art.
Category

1950s Sahrawi Vintage Rustic Ladders

Materials

Wood

Rustic Climbing Frame, France, 20th Century
Located in Antwerp, BE
Rustic; Climbing Frame; Ladder; Monoxylite; Wabi Sabi; Antique; France; 20th Century; Art Populaire; Travail Populaire; Rustic climbing frame from the ...
Category

Early 20th Century French Rustic Ladders

Materials

Wood

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American A-Frame Orchard Ladder, 1940's
Located in Rochester, NY
Antique American A-frame wood and metal riveted folding apple orchard harvest ladder in beautifully aged original weathered surface. Extended working po...
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1940s American Vintage Rustic Ladders

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Metal

Hand Forged Iron Moorish Folding Screen
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Hand forged folding Moroccan iron screen with three panels decorated with Moorish designs. Classic and elegant Art & Craft this highly embellished, detailed folding screen divider in the Mediterranean Spanish style iron art work would embellish any room, garden or wall, Santa Barbara style. Could make an amazing headboard. Three panels folding iron screen with Moorish designs in repeat. Heavy and well-made original condition. Each panel: 68.5" high, 15.75" wide Folds up for easy storage. Hand forged heavy wrought iron screen divider by skilled Moroccan artisans in Marrakech Morocco. Rustic Spanish colonial style wrought iron window grill...
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20th Century Moroccan Rustic Ladders

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Wrought Iron

Hand Forged Iron Moorish Folding Screen
Hand Forged Iron Moorish Folding Screen
H 68.5 in W 47.25 in D 0.5 in
English Leather, Brass & Nailhead Trim Folding Stick Pole Library Ladder
Located in San Francisco, CA
A Georgian style library elephant ladder, in walnut and wrapped with a brown leather which is accented by nailhead trim. The ladder folds into a pole w...
Category

20th Century English Rustic Ladders

Materials

Brass

20th Century Louis Vuitton Cow Hide Suitcase, France c.1920
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
A highly unusual and exceptionally rare Louis Vuitton suitcase, originating from the early years of the 20th century, distinguishes itself not with the globally renowned monogram canvas but with a distinctive covering crafted from a singular piece of cowhide. This unique piece represents a special order from Louis Vuitton, showcasing the brand's historical commitment to utilizing only the finest hides available. Unlike many of its counterparts, leather trunks and cases of this era often struggle to withstand the test of time, requiring regular treatments to prevent drying and disintegration. Remarkably, this particular example defies the odds, retaining the same supple quality it possessed on the day it first graced the shop floor. This suitcase belongs to Louis Vuitton's collection of "speciality materials," which encompasses a diverse range, including, but not limited to, zinc, copper, crocodile leather, and cow leather. A brief history about Louis Vuitton trunks: Louis Vuitton was born in 1821 to a farmer and milliner and came from a long-established working-class family in eastern France. Vuitton grew up understanding the effects of perseverance and a strong work ethic from watching his family. At the age of 16, he made the decision to walk 292 miles from his hometown to Paris to try and make a new life for himself. When he arrived the city was in the midst of industrialization with current modes of transportation evolving quickly allowing for longer journeys. With this came the need for sturdy travel pieces. Vuitton was taken as an apprentice for a successful box maker and packer named Monsieur Marechal. He learned to craft durable containers and how to pack them properly – a well-respected profession at the time.In 1854, years after he had mastered his craft and became well respected for it, Vuitton ventured out on his own to open a shop on Rue Neuve des Capucines. It was here that he began to establish himself as a luggage maker. Then, in 1858, Vuitton designed the first Louis Vuitton steamer trunk. At the time trunks had rounded tops to allow for water to run off but this did not allow for convenient stowage. Vuitton introduced a flat, yet waterproof, trunk that was easily stackable. The first of his trunks were outfitted with a grey canvas referred to as Trianon – it wouldn’t be until several decades later that the signature monogram would be introduced. With a burgeoning business, Vuitton moved his family and workplace to Asniere, where he employed twenty workers to craft his trunks. By 1900 he would have 100 employees, and in 1914 the company would more than double in size. After years of success, Vuitton began to experiment with the design of his luggage by introducing a new striped canvas pattern (1876) and later the still well-known Damier print (1888). The hand-painted patterns were developed to prevent counterfeits. Even in the late 1800s, Louis Vuitton was enough of a status symbol to warrant counterfeiting. In 1886, his son George invented and patented an ingenious locking system that made it impossible to pick the lock of their trunks. This lock is still used today. 1892 would prove to be a time of mourning for the family as Louis Vuitton passed...
Category

20th Century French Rustic Ladders

Materials

Brass

Vintage Rustic Wooden Decorative Storage Trunk.
Located in Seattle, WA
Rustic Storage Trunk with Original Metal Hardware and Patina. Sturdy Construction. No Maker’s Mark. Vintage Condition Consistent with Age as Pictured. Dimensions. 29 W ; 8 D ; 9 H
Category

1970s Vintage Rustic Ladders

Materials

Wood

Italian Architectural Library Ladder Attributed to Franco Albini, 1950s
Located in Milan, IT
Italian Architectural library ladder Attributed to Franco Albini, 1950s. Each step has two black non-slip plastic strips.
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Rustic Ladders

Materials

Wood

Chinese Lattice Wall Panel
Located in Chicago, IL
This elegant wall lattice once fit inside tracks in the floor and ceiling for easy removal. Though visually simple, close inspection reveals the lattice t...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Rustic Ladders

Materials

Elm

Chinese Lattice Wall Panel
Chinese Lattice Wall Panel
H 94 in W 40 in D 2 in
19th Century George III English Mahogany Metamorphic Step Ladder
Located in Forney, TX
A rare George III English mahogany metamorphic library step ladder from the 19th century that converts into a bench (also ideal for use as a side table, cocktail table). Having red i...
Category

19th Century Antique Rustic Ladders

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Pair of French Walnut Library Ladders
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of French (19th Century) walnut library ladders with side railings and steps leading to a top platform (on casters) (attributed to Napoleon ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Rustic Ladders

Materials

Walnut

MidCentury Painted Black Walnut 4 Tier Spiral Library Book Staircase Step Ladder
Located in Casteren, NL
On offer here is a beautiful Italian turned painted walnut wood circular step ladder. The staircase offers four stairs, each with a gold leaf decorated inlay of cognac-coloured shee...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Rustic Ladders

Materials

Gold Leaf

19th Century French Folding Library Step Ladder
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Handsome late 19th century French country folding library ladder. Featuring a handcrafted design with seven rungs or steps and iron hardware. From an estate in Santa Barbara, CA.
Category

19th Century French Antique Rustic Ladders

Materials

Iron

Large "Ganesh & Parvati" Painted Iron Screens, India, circa 1950s
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Delightful pair of large iron screens, depicting the Hindu deities Parvati and Ganesh.
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Mid-20th Century Indian Rustic Ladders

Previously Available Items
19th C. A-Frame Wood Ladder
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is an antique wooden step ladder with a classic A-frame design. It features five steps, a flat top platform, and cross-braced supports for added stability. The ladder is made of...
Category

19th Century European Antique Rustic Ladders

Materials

Wood

19th C. A-Frame Wood Ladder
19th C. A-Frame Wood Ladder
H 53 in W 22 in D 42 in
20th Century French Wooden Step Ladder
Located in High Point, NC
Step back in time with this charming vintage step ladder, a true testament to craftsmanship and enduring beauty. Hailing from the storied workshops...
Category

20th Century French Rustic Ladders

Materials

Wood

20th Century French Wooden Step Ladder
20th Century French Wooden Step Ladder
H 25.8 in W 16.5 in D 19.9 in
Vintage French Wooden Ladder Shelf
Located in High Point, NC
A vintage ladder from early 20th Century France, refigured into a two level shelving unit. Conjuring images of bricolage, this time-traveled object displays a nostalgic patina; scuff...
Category

20th Century French Rustic Ladders

Materials

Metal

Vintage French Wooden Ladder Shelf
Vintage French Wooden Ladder Shelf
H 59.1 in W 47.2 in D 21.7 in
Vintage French Foldable Step Stool Chair
Located in High Point, NC
Pragmatic yet whimsical, this delightful set of chair steps is a unique piece of metamorphic furniture. Made in France at the turn of the century, the seemingly simple country chair...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Rustic Ladders

Materials

Wood

Vintage French Foldable Step Stool Chair
Vintage French Foldable Step Stool Chair
H 36 in W 16.5 in D 19.1 in
20th Century French Wooden Shelves
Located in High Point, NC
A wooden shelving unit made in 20th century, France. This shelving unit is composed with a vintage fruit picking ladder teepeed together w...
Category

20th Century French Rustic Ladders

Materials

Metal

20th Century French Wooden Shelves
20th Century French Wooden Shelves
H 68.5 in W 68.9 in D 24.8 in
1900s French Wooden Ladder
Located in High Point, NC
A wooden ladder from 1900s France. A simple, pleasing structure: two long, angled rails are punctuated by six round rungs. A curious patina, worn by a coat of white paint slowly ebbi...
Category

20th Century French Rustic Ladders

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Wood

1900s French Wooden Ladder
1900s French Wooden Ladder
H 92.1 in W 26.6 in D 2 in
English 19th Century Pine Kitchen Ladder
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This wonderful pine, faux bamboo kitchen ladder is a gorgeous accessory in any space. The vibrant hardwood has a fantastic patina from decades of use. Crafted in England during the 19th century, it's still functional as a ladder or an elegant way to store blankets. The top is fixed with forged iron rail...
Category

19th Century English Antique Rustic Ladders

Materials

Metal, Iron

English 19th Century Pine Kitchen Ladder
English 19th Century Pine Kitchen Ladder
H 108 in W 16.88 in D 3.25 in
Early 20th Century French Bamboo Five Rungs Straight Ladder
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate an office or study with this antique ladder. Crafted in France circa 1920 and built of bamboo wood, the 6 foot ladder is dressed with five rungs. The ladder is in excellent ...
Category

Early 20th Century French Rustic Ladders

Materials

Bamboo

Early 20th Century French Country Carved Pine & Oak Three-Step Library Ladder
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant antique library ladder was created in Normandy France, circa 1920. Made of pine and oak, the sturdy step ladder features three steps including a wider step at the top. T...
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Early 20th Century French Rustic Ladders

Materials

Pine, Oak

Early 20th Century, French Country Carved Pine Four-Step Library Ladder
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant antique library ladder was created in Normandy France, circa 1920. Made of pine, the sturdy step ladder features four steps including a deeper step at the top. The small...
Category

Early 20th Century French Rustic Ladders

Materials

Pine

Early 20th Century French Country Carved Pine Folding Library Step Ladder
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant three foot antique library ladder was created in Normandy France, circa 1920. Made of pine, the sturdy step ladder features four steps including a deeper step at the top...
Category

Early 20th Century French Rustic Ladders

Materials

Pine

1900s Scandinavian Wooden Baker's Peel, Set of Three
Located in High Point, NC
These three antique wooden bread paddles were crafted in Scandinavia. Three one-of-a-kind paddles with long handles and curved rectangular boards, beauti...
Category

Early 1900s Scandinavian Antique Rustic Ladders

Materials

Wood

Rustic ladders for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Rustic ladders for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Mid-20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage ladders created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles, building and garden elements, case pieces and storage cabinets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Rustic ladders made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Africa pieces for sale on 1stDibs. 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 ladders differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $795 and tops out at $3,350 while the average work can sell for $1,595.

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