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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.

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Style: Folk Art
Period: 18th Century and Earlier
Rare Pair of Tyrolean Walnut Armchairs 18th Century
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
Rare Pair of Tyrolean Walnut Armchairs 18th Century Crescent arm ending in rounded terminals surmounted by a traditional crest with pierced heart supported by six turned columns s...
Category

Late 18th Century Austrian Antique Folk Art Armchairs

Materials

Walnut

Rare Pair of Tyrolean Walnut Armchairs 18th Century
Rare Pair of Tyrolean Walnut Armchairs 18th Century

Rare Pair of Tyrolean Walnut Armchairs 18th Century

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

Early, Swedish Allmoge Poker / Stove Chair, Origin: Sweden, circa 1750
Early, Swedish Allmoge Poker / Stove Chair, Origin: Sweden, circa 1750

Early, Swedish Allmoge Poker / Stove Chair, Origin: Sweden, circa 1750

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

18th Century English Folk Art Chair
18th Century English Folk Art Chair

18th Century English Folk Art Chair

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1950s American Vintage Folk Art Armchairs

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Pair Of 18th Century Painted Armchairs
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H 35.44 in W 23.63 in D 23.63 in
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Early 20th Century English Folk Art Armchairs

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Canvas, Wood

Early 20th Century Collapsible Canvas Director's Chair
Early 20th Century Collapsible Canvas Director's Chair

Early 20th Century Collapsible Canvas Director's Chair

H 33.5 in W 21.5 in D 22 in
Louis XV Period Pair of Walnut Cabriolets Armchairs, 18th Century
Located in LA CIOTAT, FR
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18th Century French Antique Folk Art Armchairs

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Louis XV Period Pair of Walnut Cabriolets Armchairs, 18th Century
Louis XV Period Pair of Walnut Cabriolets Armchairs, 18th Century

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No Reserve
H 34.85 in W 23.63 in D 20.48 in
Early Eames DAR Fiberglass Shell Chair Herman Miller
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Located in Round Rock, TX
Early 2nd generation “Eiffel” DAR shell chair by Charles and Ray Eames for Herman Miller. This example shows off its heavy fibrous shell in lovely parchment color. Still retains its ...
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1950s American Vintage Folk Art Armchairs

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Fiberglass

Early Eames DAR Fiberglass Shell Chair Herman Miller
Early Eames DAR Fiberglass Shell Chair Herman Miller

Early Eames DAR Fiberglass Shell Chair Herman Miller

H 31 in W 25 in D 25 in
18th Century Languedocienne Chair
Located in New York, NY
18th century walnut Languedocienne armchair upholstered in 100% Belgian linen.
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18th Century and Earlier French Antique Folk Art Armchairs

18th Century Languedocienne Chair
18th Century Languedocienne Chair

18th Century Languedocienne Chair

H 45 in W 26 in D 36 in
Pair of 18th Century French Os Du Mouton Walnut Armchairs
Located in Milford, NH
A fine pair of 18th century French walnut armchairs with chapeau de gendarme form backs, H-shaped os du mouton carved stretchers, and recent tan leather u...
Category

18th Century French Antique Folk Art Armchairs

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Pair of 18th Century French Os Du Mouton Walnut Armchairs
Pair of 18th Century French Os Du Mouton Walnut Armchairs

Pair of 18th Century French Os Du Mouton Walnut Armchairs

H 49.5 in W 25.5 in D 32 in
18th Century Swedish Folk Art Stool
Located in Mjöhult, SE
A unique organic and sculptural 18th century Swedish Folk Art stool, ca 1770 - 1800. Sweden.
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18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Armchairs

Materials

Pine

18th Century Swedish Folk Art Stool
18th Century Swedish Folk Art Stool

18th Century Swedish Folk Art Stool

H 12.6 in W 19.3 in D 11.42 in
Early 20th Century Moroccan Chair
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1940s Moroccan Vintage Folk Art Armchairs

Materials

Mother-of-Pearl, Wood

Early 20th Century Moroccan Chair
Early 20th Century Moroccan Chair

Early 20th Century Moroccan Chair

H 30 in W 24 in D 17 in
Rare 18th Century Mahogany Cockpen Armchair
Located in Lymington, GB
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18th Century Antique Folk Art Armchairs

Materials

Mahogany

Rare 18th Century Mahogany Cockpen Armchair
Rare 18th Century Mahogany Cockpen Armchair

Rare 18th Century Mahogany Cockpen Armchair

H 37.01 in W 26.78 in D 20.48 in
Walnut Fauteuil Armchair, Italian, 18th Century
Located in San Francisco, CA
A large-scale carved walnut armchair with 19th century loomed tapestry upholstery. Chair is in very good condition, the upholstery is worn in areas, Italy, early to mid-18th century.
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18th Century Italian Antique Folk Art Armchairs

Materials

Upholstery, Walnut

Walnut Fauteuil Armchair, Italian, 18th Century
Walnut Fauteuil Armchair, Italian, 18th Century

Walnut Fauteuil Armchair, Italian, 18th Century

H 41 in W 27 in D 26 in
Early Label Eames Armshell Chair by Herman Miller
By Charles and Ray Eames
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Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Armchairs

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Fiberglass

Early Label Eames Armshell Chair by Herman Miller
Early Label Eames Armshell Chair by Herman Miller

Early Label Eames Armshell Chair by Herman Miller

H 31 in W 24.75 in D 23 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...
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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

H 40.95 in W 20.08 in D 23.63 in
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...
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Mid-18th Century Welsh Antique Folk Art Armchairs

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Ash, Elm, Oak, Paint

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
Primitive Welsh Comb Back Windsor
Located in Houston, TX
Primitive welsh comb back Windsor armchair constructed in a vernacular manner and "lobster pot" style, circa 1780-1800. All-original and in very good c...
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Late 18th Century Welsh Antique Folk Art Armchairs

Materials

Ash, Chestnut, Oak

Primitive Welsh Comb Back Windsor
Primitive Welsh Comb Back Windsor

Primitive Welsh Comb Back Windsor

H 41 in W 25 in D 19.25 in
18th Century English Turner's Chair
Located in Chicago, IL
An incredible 18th century English Turner's chair created to show off the talents of a skilled wood turner, with a triangle seat upholstered in a smooth ...
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18th Century British Antique Folk Art Armchairs

Materials

Wood

18th Century English Turner's Chair
18th Century English Turner's Chair

18th Century English Turner's Chair

H 30 in W 24 in D 25 in
Primitive Windsor Chair
Located in Houston, TX
Primitive Windsor chair in yew and elm woods. Very sturdy with some restoration to arms. Constructed in a vernacular fashion circa 1770-1790 in the v...
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Late 18th Century English Antique Folk Art Armchairs

Materials

Elm, Yew

Primitive Windsor Chair
Primitive Windsor Chair

Primitive Windsor Chair

H 39.5 in W 21.5 in D 23 in

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 and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, softwood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art armchairs made in a specific country, there are Europe, Scandinavia, and Sweden pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original armchairs, popular names associated with this style include and Alix Coco. 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 $610 and tops out at $12,400 while the average work can sell for $3,223.

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