Skip to main content

Folk Art Armchairs

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.

25
2
to
2
16
9
27
26
26
9,184
4,076
2,091
1,356
513
433
392
281
278
224
199
190
185
173
144
112
56
2
14
9
2
5
2
1
1
1
1
1
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
24
5
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
22
5
4
4
4
18
9
7
6
5
Style: Folk Art
Early 19th Century French Folk Art Barrel-Back Armchair
Located in Chicago, IL
Experience the captivating allure of this rare early 19th-century French Folk Art walnut barrel-back armchair, a true testament to the craftsmanship and creativity of its time. The c...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Folk Art Armchairs

Materials

Walnut

Swedish Dug-Out Chair 'or Kubbestol'
Located in Houston, TX
Swedish dug-out chair, or kubbestol, circa 1910. Traditional Scandinavian folk art chair made from a log, from central Sweden. Rustic fruitwood barrel-shape body with arms and seat f...
Category

1910s Swedish Vintage Folk Art Armchairs

Materials

Fruitwood, Pine

Pair of 19th Century Swedish Folk Art Log Chairs
Located in Helsingborg, SE
fine and rare pair of 19th century Swedish Folk Art log chairs in their original condition and great proportions and shape, circa 1810 Sweden.
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Armchairs

Materials

Pine

Pareja de butacas corcho
Located in Madrid, ES
Conjunto de dos butacas de corcho realizas en la región de Extremadura por los pastores con el corcho que se saca de los alcornoques. Tiene un estructura interna de hierro que las...
Category

1950s Spanish Vintage Folk Art Armchairs

Materials

Iron

Lloyd Loom Easy Chair Delightful Shabby Lloyd Loom Armchair
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Lloyd Loom easy chair This delightful Shabby Lloyd Loom armchair dating from the early 20th century The chair is a generous sweeping shape and has a comfy sprung seat...
Category

1930s Vintage Folk Art Armchairs

Materials

Wicker

Pair of Antique High Back Windsor Chairs with Hexagonal Sheet
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
A high-back windsor chair with a very rare hexagon seat. An excellent design with a sense of tension. An antique product with a very good overall atmo...
Category

1880s British Antique Folk Art Armchairs

Materials

Ash

English Ladder Back Armchair, Early 19th Century
Located in London, GB
English Ladder back armchair, Early 19th Century A country-made early 19th century ladder back armchair. Made in Ash with great patina and origi...
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Folk Art Armchairs

Materials

Ash

Beachcomber Spindle Back Chair in Walnut in Stock
By Greg Mitchell
Located in Los Angeles, CA
During the 18th century, a profound design movement took place in Wales. It was led by peasant-carpenters who, simply in an effort to create a practical seating option, produced one of the most elegant spindle back chairs of that time. It is known as the 'Welsh Stick Chair...
Category

2010s American Folk Art Armchairs

Materials

Oak, Walnut

Antique Ash and Elm Captain's Chair, English, 19th Century
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Super piece of country furniture. Very honest piece. Totally original patina No re-polishing or restorations Sturdy construction. Free UK shipping. ...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Folk Art Armchairs

Materials

Elm, Ash

Early 20th Century Black & White Hand Beaded African Chair
Located in East Hampton, NY
This truly exquisite hand beaded chair by the Yoruba Artisans of Nigeria, best representation of furniture as art. And don't be shy to sit on them, because they are very comfortable. There is a Second matching chair available. They were traditionally created for the Yoruba tribe kings and queens and are embellished with thousands of seed glass beads applied to fabric covers, which are then stitched or glued onto the chair frame - resulting in an exotic chair...
Category

Early 20th Century Nigerian Folk Art Armchairs

Materials

Wood, Beads

"Art Populaire" Folk Art Stool from the Auvergne, Mid-Century Rustic 1800's
Located in Antwerp, BE
Mid-century; rustic; "Art Populaire"; Folk art; Stool ;Auvergne; France; 1800s Mid-century rustic "Art Populaire" Folk art stool. This chair is from the Auvergne, France and we da...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Folk Art Armchairs

Materials

Wood

Unusual Artist Built Wire-Iron Chair / Sculpture, Constructivism
Located in Buffalo, NY
Unusual artist built wire-iron chair / sculpture, Constructivism, manner of Alexander Calder, recently purchased out of high end estate in Rochester NY, Home filled with amazing art,...
Category

1980s American Vintage Folk Art Armchairs

Materials

Iron, Wrought Iron

Beachcomber Spindle Back Chair in Walnut
By Greg Mitchell
Located in Los Angeles, CA
During the 18th century, a profound design movement took place in Wales. It was led by peasant-carpenters who, simply in an effort to create a practical seating option, produced one of the most elegant spindle back chairs of that time. It is known as the 'Welsh Stick Chair...
Category

2010s American Folk Art Armchairs

Materials

Oak, Walnut

Scandinavian Wooden Barrel Chair Made in the 19th Century
By Craft and Folk Art Museum
Located in Stockholm, SE
Scandinavian wooden barrel chair made in the 19th century. A circular, beautifully wooden chair with patina and soft edges hollowed out from a natu...
Category

1890s Swedish Antique Folk Art Armchairs

Materials

Pine

American Folk Art Armchair
Located in Stockton, NJ
Very unique early 20th century American folk art chair made of reclaimed material. Fabulous patina to weathered frame.
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Armchairs

Materials

Wood

Armchair Captain's Chair Black Swedish 19th Century Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Armchair Captain's chair black Swedish 19th century Sweden. An armchair made during the end of 19th century. Painted in our signature Laserow Black.
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Armchairs

Materials

Wood

Pair of 20th Century South American Armchairs with Leather Seat and Back
Located in Pasadena, CA
Peruvian hand carved reproduction of a French found antique. Dark stained wood frame, very sturdy and substantial. Leather sling seat and back with large nailhead detailing on leathe...
Category

20th Century Peruvian Folk Art Armchairs

Materials

Leather

Rare Norwegian Kubbestol, circa 1850, Origin Telemark, Norway
Located in New York, NY
Rare Norweigen Kubbestol, circa 1850, origin: Telemark, Norway Rosemaling and acanthus carvings in this extraordinary Kubbestol indicate it is most likely from Telemark, Norway, a r...
Category

19th Century Norwegian Antique Folk Art Armchairs

Materials

Fir, Paint

Antique Swedish Folk Art Countrry Carver Chairs in Kurbits Faux Wood Grain
Located in LONDON, GB
Lovely antique Swedish turbots Folk Art pair of carver chairs in hand-painted faux wood grain with excellent detail and a turbots hand-printed Fo...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Armchairs

Early, Swedish Allmoge Poker / Stove Chair, Origin: Sweden, circa 1750
Located in New York, NY
Early, Swedish allmoge poker / stove chair, origin: Blekinge, Southern Sweden, circa 1750 Provenance: Private Manor House, Sweden These chairs were u...
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Armchairs

Materials

Rush, Wood

Danish Carved Oak Armchair, Dated 1808
Located in Maastricht, NL
A Danish, beautifully carved oak armchair with a rope seating and an admirable overall patina. The initials of the owner (AJD) and the year of creation (1808) are carved into the ...
Category

Early 19th Century Danish Antique Folk Art Armchairs

Materials

Rope, Oak

Majestic Odd Fellows Carved and Painted Armchair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This magnificent Odd Fellows Fraternal Lodge 'throne' (circa 1910-1920) with carved and painted decoration throughout is a fine example of early 20th century Folk Art. Nice use of de...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Armchairs

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Folk Art Chair, Signed and Heavily Carved, circa 1900
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Folk Art chair signed AJW 1900. Heavily carved from top to bottom. Believed to have come from the east coast of North America. Free shipping within the United States and Canada.
Category

Early 20th Century North American Folk Art Armchairs

Armchair or Desk Chair Adjustable Black, Swedish, 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
Armchair desk chair Swedish 19th century in black, Sweden. An armchair made during the late 19th century in Sweden. Adjustable height. Repainted in our custom paint Laserow black.  
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Armchairs

Materials

Wood

French Carved Folk Art Chair, circa 1880s
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Very lovely Folk Art armchair of generous proportions. The wood (probably oak) is finely carved with an intricate decor. The crest is topped with a sacred heart symbol, and fruit and...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Folk Art Armchairs

Materials

Wood, Fabric

18th Century English Folk Art Chair
Located in Greenwich, CT
Most unusual English oak armchair with profuse carving to rails, crest and arms and possessing great color and patination. Custom crewelwork cushion over later plank seat, carved to ...
Category

1760s English Antique Folk Art Armchairs

Materials

Oak

Rare Mid-19th Century Prussian "Vierlander" Armchair
Located in Greenwich, CT
Rare mid-19th century "Vierlander" armchair, Prussia 1850, with owner's name "Hinrich Eggers", constructed of inlaid fruitwoods and walnut, with turned bone finials, the central back...
Category

1850s German Antique Folk Art Armchairs

Materials

Fruitwood, Walnut

Related Items
Rainer Daumiller Pair of Armchairs with Detailed Backs in Pine
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Rainer Daumiller for Hirtshals Savvaerk, pair of dining chairs, pine, Denmark, 1970s. Beautiful pair of organic and natural armchairs in solid pine. A simplistic design with a lar...
Category

1970s Danish Vintage Folk Art Armchairs

Materials

Pine

19th Century Gustavian Barrel Back Armchairs
Located in Helsingborg, SE
Fine pair of early 19th century Gustavian barrel back armchairs. With stamp from the Stockholm master chair makers guild. Ca 1810 Stockholm, Swed...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Armchairs

Materials

Wood

  • 19th Century Gustavian Barrel Back Armchairs
  • 19th Century Gustavian Barrel Back Armchairs
  • 19th Century Gustavian Barrel Back Armchairs
  • 19th Century Gustavian Barrel Back Armchairs
H 33.08 in. W 23.63 in. D 24.41 in.
Set of Four Italian Vintage Upholstered Chairs with Latticed Backs, circa 1930
Located in Atlanta, GA
A set of four vintage Italian dining room armchairs with latticed backs, scrolled arms, upholstered seats and cylindrical legs from the first half of the 20th century. Each of this set of Italian chairs features an unusual latticed back flanked with two tall arm supports with scrolled extremities. The rectangular seat has been recovered with a simple double welt muslin upholstery. The ensemble is raised on four elegant cylindrical legs with discreet reeded motifs in their lower section and resting on onion feet. The undeniable elegance of the lines combined with a warm patina, will make this set of four Italian armchairs...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Folk Art Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

19th Century Pair of Mother of Pearl Inlay Chairs
Located in Pasadena, CA
A pair of 19th century Chinese mother of pearl inlaid rosewood chairs. Embellished arms, legs and back with an intricately carved splat. Sold as a pair.
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Folk Art Armchairs

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Rosewood

Art Nouveau Bentwood Salonfauteuil Easy Chair / Armchair Thonet No. 1 circa 1890
Located in Lucenec, SK
Very rare antique Thonet easy chair no 1 produced by Gebruder Thonet from the late 19th century in a very good condition. New upholstery. Last picture is from Gebruder Thonet catalogue...
Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Folk Art Armchairs

Materials

Bentwood, Upholstery

Carlo De Carli Lounge Chairs
Located in South Charleston, WV
Italy, Singer & Sons 1955. Genuine originals. Walnut. Price for the pair of armchairs. 23 wide, 28" tall and 28" deep. Seat height 16". Professionally restored in our dedicated commercial workshop with the wood enriched with oil and completed with professional grade satin oils to the top of the wood, these chairs will hold their natural look of walnut for decades and look even better as they age with patina over time. Flawless joinery, sculpted, subtle rounding and graduation of every component. These have not been purchased separately, they were originally purchased together and are a set and exactly identical. No stain used. No polyurethanes or other plastic like coatings. Brand new foam and cushions using...
Category

1950s Italian Vintage Folk Art Armchairs

Materials

Walnut, Fabric, Foam

  • Carlo De Carli Lounge Chairs
  • Carlo De Carli Lounge Chairs
  • Carlo De Carli Lounge Chairs
  • Carlo De Carli Lounge Chairs
H 28 in. W 23 in. D 28 in.
J. J. Kohn Easy Armchair
Located in Vienna, AT
J. J. Kohn easy armchair excellent restored with new cane on seat and back the back is warped (see pictures) the reason for the cheap price.
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Folk Art Armchairs

Materials

Cane, Beech, Bentwood

  • J. J. Kohn Easy Armchair
  • J. J. Kohn Easy Armchair
  • J. J. Kohn Easy Armchair
  • J. J. Kohn Easy Armchair
H 39.77 in. W 20.48 in. D 31.5 in.
Set of 4 Small Swedish Folk Art Chairs, Early 19th Century
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Set of four Swedish 18th Century Folk Art chairs Set of 4 smaller chairs with amazing vintage patina in pine. "Allmoge", the Swedish word for Folk Art, is exactly what these four early 1800 hundreds...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Armchairs

Materials

Pine

Jeanneret Easy Chair
Located in Vosselaar, BE
A good authentic Chandigarh easy chair. Artisanally and locally made with pegged solid teak in the 1960s. This type is known as the cane and teak wood armch...
Category

1960s Indian Vintage Folk Art Armchairs

Materials

Cane, Teak

  • Jeanneret Easy Chair
  • Jeanneret Easy Chair
  • Jeanneret Easy Chair
  • Jeanneret Easy Chair
H 29.53 in. W 20.48 in. D 23.63 in.
De Sede DS-2100/151 Armchair in Umbra Upholstery by De Sede Design Team
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The slats on DS-2100 in finest leather adapt to individual body contours and provide – with its embracing feeling – the highest level of comfort. Available as a low-backed, visitor swivel chair, a high-backed executive chair, with headrest, tilt mechanism, height adjustment and casters, and as a visitor chair with a four-star base. Be it in James Bond films or in “Men in Black...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Folk Art Armchairs

Materials

Leather

Pair of Antique Hoop-Back Windsor Oak Armchairs
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Classic smaller scale Windsor chairs with hoop crest rails and split backs with open carved splats. The curved arms with turned supports and turned splayed legs with turned H stretch...
Category

19th Century Antique Folk Art Armchairs

Materials

Oak

Swedish Sheepskin Lounge Chair, 1930s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Amazing Swedish 1930s lounge chair in an oversized design with clean lines. Upholstered with sheepskin in a warm nuance, enhancing the inviting look of the chair.
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Folk Art Armchairs

Materials

Sheepskin

  • Swedish Sheepskin Lounge Chair, 1930s
  • Swedish Sheepskin Lounge Chair, 1930s
  • Swedish Sheepskin Lounge Chair, 1930s
  • Swedish Sheepskin Lounge Chair, 1930s
H 42.52 in. W 29.93 in. D 31.89 in.
Previously Available Items
Late 18th Century Welsh Comb-Back Stick Chair
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Late 18th Century Welsh comb-back stick chair from Cardiganshire. This chair originates from the coastal town of Aberaeron in West Wales. With a wonderful time-worn black painted fi...
Category

Late 18th Century Welsh Antique Folk Art Armchairs

Materials

Wood

  • Late 18th Century Welsh Comb-Back Stick Chair
  • Late 18th Century Welsh Comb-Back Stick Chair
  • Late 18th Century Welsh Comb-Back Stick Chair
  • Late 18th Century Welsh Comb-Back Stick Chair
H 40.95 in. W 20.08 in. D 23.63 in.
Mexican Art Populaire Bar Stools, Leather & Wood, 1970s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Mexican Design; Art Populaire; Folk Art Style; Bar Stools; Folk Art; Exotic; Barstools; Mexico; 1970s; Eclectic; Exotic; Leather; Wood; Woven; Bar stools in Folk Art style, design...
Category

1960s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

Early 20th Century Black & White Hand Beaded African Ceremony Chair
Located in East Hampton, NY
This truly exquisite hand beaded chair by the Yoruba Artisans of Nigeria, best representation of furniture as art. And don't be shy to sit on them, because they are very comfortable....
Category

Early 20th Century Nigerian Folk Art Armchairs

Materials

Wood, Beads

African Yoruba Glass Beaded and Leather Chair
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Mid-century Nigerian Yoruba chair constructed with found objects and ambitiously hand beaded depicting animals, fish, flowers, men and ancestors in distin...
Category

Mid-20th Century Nigerian Folk Art Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Beads

Armchair Tall Back Swedish Shearling White Brown Frame 19th Century Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Armchair Swedish Shearling white brown frame 19th century Sweden. An armchair made during the 1840-50s in Sweden. Upholstered in a white shearling. F...
Category

19th Century European Antique Folk Art Armchairs

Materials

Sheepskin, Wood

Mexican Art Populaire Dining Chair, Folk Art, Leather, Wood, 1970's
Located in Antwerp, BE
Studio Craft, Folk Art, dining chair that would fit well in a rustic modern or eclectic interior. Originally designed and made in Mexico, this stool was distributed by the famous "B...
Category

1970s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

Early Welsh Primitive Windsor Armchair
Located in Houston, TX
Early Welsh primitive Windsor armchair dating to the 18th century. Rustic style and vernacular pegged and mortise and tenon construction. Beautiful t...
Category

Mid-18th Century Welsh Antique Folk Art Armchairs

Materials

Ash, Elm, Oak, Paint

  • Early Welsh Primitive Windsor Armchair
  • Early Welsh Primitive Windsor Armchair
  • Early Welsh Primitive Windsor Armchair
  • Early Welsh Primitive Windsor Armchair
H 40.5 in. W 23 in. D 22.63 in.
19th Century Carved Swedish Vernacular Chair
Located in Houston, TX
19th century Swedish vernacular chair, hand carved in apple wood. Remnants of a golden mustard ocher paint. Seat measures: 18 inches high x 23.5 inche...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Armchairs

Materials

Wood

  • 19th Century Carved Swedish Vernacular Chair
  • 19th Century Carved Swedish Vernacular Chair
  • 19th Century Carved Swedish Vernacular Chair
  • 19th Century Carved Swedish Vernacular Chair
H 29.5 in. W 27.25 in. D 19.5 in.
Swedish Folk Art Armchair
Located in Houston, TX
Swedish Folk Art armchair, circa 1880.
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Armchairs

Materials

Wood

  • Swedish Folk Art Armchair
  • Swedish Folk Art Armchair
  • Swedish Folk Art Armchair
  • Swedish Folk Art Armchair
H 44 in. W 22 in. D 24 in.
Primitive British Stick Chair Hand-Carved in Elm and Ash
Located in Houston, TX
Primitive British stick chair hand-carved in elm and ashwoods. Carved elm horseshoe back rail and seat. Ash spindles and legs. Pegged construction. Gorgeous wood grain and patina. En...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Folk Art Armchairs

Materials

Ash, Elm

Vintage Petite Bent-Willow Chair
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage petite bent-willow chair, circa 1910s-1930s. Small Folk Art chair made from bent willow featuring original red velvet upholstered seat (seat can be reupholstered for a nominal cost). Perfect size for a small child, large doll...
Category

1920s American Vintage Folk Art Armchairs

Materials

Bentwood

  • Vintage Petite Bent-Willow Chair
  • Vintage Petite Bent-Willow Chair
  • Vintage Petite Bent-Willow Chair
  • Vintage Petite Bent-Willow Chair
H 19.75 in. W 14.75 in. D 12.5 in.
1900 Pair of Swedish Carved Ornament Wooden Armchairs
Located in Paris, FR
Swedish wooden brown armchairs with extraordinary carved ornaments and geometrical details, made in the 1900s. The chairs have three legs and a triangular seat with the central back ...
Category

Early 1900s Swedish Antique Folk Art Armchairs

Materials

Oak

Folk Art armchairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique folk art armchairs 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 armchairs created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, folk art and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, hardwood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art armchairs made in a specific country, there are Europe, Scandinavia, and North America 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 armchairs differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $605 and tops out at $12,400 while the average work can sell for $3,216.

Recently Viewed

View More