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.
$1,895Sale Price / set|24% Off
Set of Four Charles Pollock Rush Seat Chairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of Four wooden Charles pollock Green painted Chairs. These hand crafted chairs and hand painted chairs have hand rushed seats and in fine sturdy condition.This set of four chair...
Wood
Folk Art Chestnut Wood Tripod Chair, Charles Dudouyt Style, France, 1930s
Located in Valencia, VC
French Folk Art Chestnut Wood Tripod Chair, Art Deco Period, in the Manner of Charles Dudouit, 1930s–1940s A French Folk Art tripod chair in solid chestnut, made circa 1930s–1940s, ...
Wood, Chestnut
$1,516Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of White Painted Adirondack Chairs -Pair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Late 20thc original hand crafted & white painted pair of Adirondack porch or lawn chairs.These hand crafted chairs have double coats of top quality white outdoor paint.
Wood
$1,756Sale Price|20% Off
Adirondack Chairs & Table -Three Piece Set
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This amazing set of hand made adirondack three piece matching set of two chairs & table are in fine condition and very sturdy.They have been coat with a protective coat of marine v...
Wood
Classic Hand-Painted Mexican Pine Chair, circa 1950
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Charming small-scale Mexican chair crafted from pine wood and hand-painted, representative of traditional mid-20th-century folk furniture. Its sturdy yet simple structure reflects th...
Pine
Hand-Carved Folk Art Log Chair, Sculptural Design, USA, 1970s
Located in Round Top, TX
Folk Art, Primitive sculptural log chair. Carved from a single wood log, with hand tools and with a particular orientation, dimensionality and wonderful hand-feel. Created after the ...
Wood
Original Blue Painted and Carved Swedish Chair, Dated 1722
Located in Round Top, TX
Original Blue Painted and Carved Swedish Chair, Dated 1722 Early 18th-century Swedish pine chair retaining its original painted and carved decoration, dated 1722. The chair features ...
Wood, Pine, Paint
$1,155Sale Price|51% Off
Antique Finnish Folk Art Rustic Pine Chair
Located in Karis, Nyland
Finnish folk art chair made during the late 1800s. The chair is hand-crafted from pine with beautifully sculptured seat and backrest. The legs, seat and vertical backrest have a intr...
Pine
19th Century Rustic Farmhouse Wabi Sabi Primitive Mountain Chair
Located in OOSTERHOUT, NL
Traditional antique mountain chair from southern Germany. This distinctive and primitive chair is entirely handmade and assembled with mortise and tenon joints. This example is made ...
Pine
$6,500 / set
1970’s Indian Tripod Female and Male Chairs
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Pair of Indian hand carved and painted wood male and female chairs. This were purchased in India in the 1970’s. In beautiful original condition...
Wood
19Thc Original Dark Green Painted Thumb Back Windsor Chairs-5
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19Thc Original dark green painted thumb back Windsor chairs with mustard trim.Set of five chairs with trim.The set is very good collection.
Wood
Beautiful Folk Art Wood Carved Chair Foot Rest Stool, Vintage German 1920s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
An interesting brutalist stool with hand carved legs, seat and great patina. Great piece of functional sculpture. It is in great vintage condition and is structurally sound. Nice add...
Wood
Folk Art Early 20th Century Wood Rustic Four Chairs
Located in Brescia, IT
Four rustic chairs 1900-1910 Hand-carved wood Excellent condition.
Wood
Exceptional Finnish Folk Art Chair, ca 1900–1920
Located in Farsta, SE
Exceptional Finnish Folk Art Chair, ca 1900–1920 Sometimes words are just not enough… we absolutly love this piece! A truly unique piece, with acid-staine...
Pine
19th Century Kubbestol Log Chair from Norway
Located in Round Top, TX
A kubbestol is a traditional Scandinavian chair made from a single log, and has become a collector's item for many individuals. Every knot, crack, and sign of wear adds to the intrig...
Wood, Paint
Decorative Pair of Hand-Painted Folk Art Inspired Folding Metal Chairs
Located in Bruton, GB
A decorative pair of hand-painted folk-art style folding metal chairs featuring richly detailed floral and foliate decoration on a deep red painted ground. Each chair displays a rou...
Metal
$396Sale Price|20% Off
Folk Style Dining Chair In Wood, Czechoslovakia 1970s
Located in Zohor, SK
A beautiful vintage chair crafted from solid wood, produced in Czechoslovakia during the 1970s as part of the distinctive “return to folk” design movement. This era celebrated the fu...
Pine
19th Century Swedish Folk Art Chair in Higly Decorative Shapes
By Craft and Folk Art Museum
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
Folk art made in Sweden at its best. This chair with highly appealing shapes and patina. Made in the late 19th century this chair is a given piece to any modern home that wants to ha...
Birch
Brutalist Oak Child Chair - Folk Art Kids Wooden Chair - France 1940s
Located in ROUEN, Normandie
Brutalist Oak Child Chair - Folk Art Wooden Chair - France 1940s Great design for this charming French child chair ! Can also be used as a stool, o...
Wood, Oak
19Thc Children's Windsor Chairs in Original Paint
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19Thc Original Black Painted child's Windsor chairs.These chairs are in fine and sturdy condition.Sold as a pair.
Wood
$2,636Sale Price / set|20% Off
Set of Four 19th C Original Painted Pennsylvania Plank Bottom Chairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These chairs were found in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and are in very good and sturdy condition. Beautiful set of four mauve colored hand painted plank bottom chairs...
Tulipwood
20th Century English Bleached Lobster Pot Chair / Folk Art / Stick Back Chair
Located in Southampton, GB
Large scale bleached "Lobster Pot " Chair made from beech wood. Possibly a one-off. Woven rush seat, with thick curved arm rests and thin spindle back. England, circa 1940 - 1950. ...
Beech
19th Century Unusual Antique Folk Art Chair with Storage from Northern Sweden
Located in Kramfors, SE
19th century unusual chair in folk art from northern Sweden. This is antique chair is made by hand in solid pine around 1850. Unique model with a curved back and storage underneath t...
Pine
Exquisite Vintage Peacock Style Cane And Wicker Statement Chair
Located in Bruton, GB
A rare and exquisitely detailed late 19th-century wicker armchair, showcasing masterful craftsmanship and an extraordinary level of ornamental refinement. The chair features an elaborately pierced oval back panel with delicate geometric latticework framed by scrolling flourishes and hand-wrapped reed detailing. The sculptural arms terminate in gracefully coiled forms, while the turned and wrapped supports are embellished with carved and woven accents throughout. The original cane seat is set within a molded frame, retaining its warm patina and complementing the chair’s beautifully timeworn painted finish. The softly distressed surface reveals layers of cream and natural tones, enhancing its authentic character and lending a romantic, garden-inspired aesthetic. Raised on turned legs joined by decorative stretchers, this piece is both structurally sound and visually striking. The silhouette is airy yet substantial, making it ideal as a statement accent in a sunroom, conservatory, bedroom, or layered traditional interior. A superb example of Victorian wicker furniture...
Cane, Rattan
Painted Folk Art Chair-Ladder with Bird Motif, Dated 1830
Located in New York, NY
This charming early 19th-century retractable chair is crafted in painted wood and ingeniously designed to convert into a small stepladder, reflecting the practical ingenuity of verna...
Wood
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...
Ash
Antique 19th Century Primitive Wabi Sabi Mountain Chair
Located in OOSTERHOUT, NL
This antique mountain chair is a beautiful example of traditional South German craftsmanship from the early 19th century. Crafted from solid pine, it is assembled entirely with morti...
Pine, Paint
$1,356Sale Price|20% Off
Black Wicker Chair W/ Buck Plaid Seat Cushions
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Bar Harbor black painted wicker chair w/ custom made Pendleton blanket cushions seat & back cushions are removable if need be or want to change.
Wicker
A Set of 6 BRUTALIST Handcrafted RUSTIC MID-CENTURY-MODERN Chairs, France 1960
Located in PARIS, FR
A set of 6 surprising tripod chairs, Modernist, Brutalist, Folk Art, Tribal Art, sculpted in massive wood, with beautiful floral organic motifs, to be attributed, France 1950. This ...
Wood
$1,516Sale Price|20% Off
19thc PA Plank Seat Chairs W/Stencil Birds and Flowers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century original painted plank bottom chairs from Pennsylvania with birds, fruit and flowers circuit 1860. Strong and sturdy construction. Ask For Shipping Quote.
Wood
Pair of Swedish Folk Art Stump Chairs, Painted Floral Motifs, Late 19th Century
Located in Odense, DK
A rare pair of Swedish stump chairs, also known as Kubstol, crafted from solid tree trunks and decorated with charming hand-painted floral motifs. Rooted in Scandinavian folk traditi...
Wood, Paint, Pine
A pair of 19th Century Swedish Folk Art Empire chairs with original paint
Located in Boden, SE
A pair of 19th Century Swedish Folk art chairs from Skellefteå, Northern Sweden. Scraped by hand to its beautiful original color. They could be used as side chairs in different par...
Pine
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 region known for this exact carving and painting. A Kubbestol is a traditional Scandinavian chair carved from a single log...
Fir, Paint
Swedish Folk Art 'Spinning-Chair' late 19th century
Located in Farsta, SE
Swedish Folk Art 'Spinning-Chair' late 19th century This chair was partially made from old spinning wheel parts. Made out of pine, featuring old repairs and a beautiful patina. Hei...
Pine
Early 19th Century Scandinavian Folk Art Chair
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Large 19th Century Scandinavian Folk Art chair in the form of a Kubbestol (log chair). A wonderful piece of rural Scandinavian heritage. Seat r...
Pine
$2,357Sale Price|20% Off
Finnish Handmade Folk Art Burl Wood Chair, Mid-20th Century
Located in Karis, Nyland
Expressive hand-carved burl wood chair, crafted in Finland in the mid-20th century. This striking piece of folk art furniture has been sculpted from large burls, showcasing the organ...
Wood, Burl
Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Folkart Tripod Chair, Germany Vintage 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Interesting Brutalist wood tripod chair from Germany. the seat was cut out of a tree trunk. Historically used as a chair in the farmhouses in Germany in the 19th Century, this modern...
Wood
Antique Folk Art Poker Work Arts & Crafts Monks Bench Table Chair New York 1900
Located in Portland, OR
Antique American Folk Art pyrogrpahy/poker work metamorphic Monk's bench table chair, by The Flemish Art Company of New York, Circa 1900. The round table lifts and converts to a cha...
Beech
Tall Artist-Made Studio Craft Twig Chair + Woven Checkerboard Seat + Sheepskin
Located in Round Top, TX
Artisan crafted, sculptural birch twig chair with woven checkerboard seat. We love this unique, one-of-a-kind chair. Procured from an eclectic estate in Northern Colorado, this speci...
Textile, Twig, Sheepskin
Set of Three Folk / Tyrolean-Style Chairs in Mint Green, Finland c. Early 1900s
Located in Helsinki, FI
A characterful set of three folk chairs in the Tyrolean style, most likely of Finnish origin, dating from the early 1900s. The chairs are painted in a soft mint green, a later coat t...
Pine
Set of Four 19th Century Primitive Swedish Folk Art Pine Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Rustic set of four 19th century primitive country Swedish hand-carved folk art farmhouse chairs crafted from pine. The set features a well-worn and weathered patina with a gracefully...
Pine
Antique Swedish Charming Folk Art Chair, Original Condition with Genuine Patina
Located in Kramfors, SE
Swedish folk art chair, an antique so called höstol. Chairs like this would often stand in the hallway and during the winter hay or straw was stored in the drawer which was then used...
Pine
$5,091 / set
Italian Sgabello Chairs late 19th century
Located in St. Leonards-On-Sea, GB
A set of four Italian Sgabello form chairs, circa early 1900, in the Neo-Renaissance revival taste, with sculptural pierced backs and stylised anthropomorphic carving suggestive of f...
Pine
19th Century Swedish Folk Art Chair
Located in Allerum, SE
19th century Swedish Folk Art chair in it's original condition. Ca 1820 Sweden.
Pine
$1,356Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Bar Harbor Wicker Arm Chairs in Original Surface
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This amazing pair of Bar Harbor Wicker arm chairs are in fantastic sturdy condition.The chairs have a grey painted wash and coated with outdoor all weather protector ( marine varnis...
Wicker
18th Century Rustic country Primitive Folk Art Stool
Located in Boden, SE
18th Century Swedish Primitive Folk Art Chair from Northern Sweden. This charming chair is a true piece of history. It was made by hand in No...
Pine
$1,155
19th c folk art chairs
Located in Haaltert, BE
Pair of 19th century French folk art woman chairs, these chairs were made as a gift when someone was leaving the parents house, because of marriage or to live alone. This pair is ver...
Wood
Unusual Northern Swedish Antique Unique Country Folk Art Chair
Located in Kramfors, SE
Unusual primitive country chair in folk art from Northern Sweden. The chair is a one of a kind piece made by hand in solid pine around 1820 to 1840. Old historic paint which has beco...
Pine
$2,681
Rare Folk Art Chair
Located in Vlimmeren, BE
This mysterious chair will surely catch the attention of any visitor. We can’t say much about the age, but this chair could certainly be 200 years old. It is for sure an European cha...
Wood
Pair of Mid-Century French Folk Art Painted Beechwood Chairs, France, 1960s
Located in Almelo, NL
Pair of Mid-Century French Folk Art Painted Beechwood Chairs, France, 1960s Delightfully whimsical and unmistakably unique, this pair of Mid-Century French folk art chairs from the ...
Beech
19Thc Ice Cream Parlor Chairs -Children's Dated 1889
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Chairs; Pair Height 22.0 Depth 10.0 Seat height 11.0 Children Chicago Wire Chairs Co Children's ice cream parlor Chairs. Wood and metal construct...
Metal
Hand Painted Feline Motif Upholstered Leopard Print Wood Chair in Green & Orange
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A whimsical hand painted wooden chair with upholstered leopard print cushion. The back of this piece is wood, with a stylized carved design in or...
Fabric, Wood, Paint
$1,200Sale Price|20% Off
Black Forest Childs Chair Late 19th Century
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Exquisite Black Forest Carved Musical Side Chair, circa 1880–1900 A superb example of late 19th-century Swiss/German craftsmanship. This delightful late 19th-century Black Forest chi...
Walnut
Country Ladder Back Chair in Original Paint
Located in Branford, CT
Excellent country ladder-back arm chair with original red paint with black highlights. Northeastern United Staes, circa 1820. Exceptional original condition.
Wood
Charming Folk Child Feeding Chair, Pine, Finland 1800s
Located in Helsinki, FI
A charming 19th-century Finnish child’s feeding chair in solid pine, crafted in the traditional folk style of rural Finland. This type of chair was typically made in small village wo...
Pine
$1,340Sale Price / set|20% Off
Ladder Back Arm Chair & Foot Stool Set
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These amazing hand crafted and hand painted ladder back arm chair & matching ottoman or foot stool.The chair and ottoman have the original hand rush seat and stool.Fantastic reproduc...
Rattan, Wood
19thc High Back Windsor Arm Chair From N.E.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19thc New England Hand made wooden black Windsor chair. Circa 1840-1860. Wonderful black paint. Original condition. High backing and wonderful des...
Wood
Set of Four Hazelwood Twig Chairs, Folk Art Style, 19th Century
Located in PARIS, FR
This set of four chairs, crafted from hazelwood twigs, is a true testament to the artistry and craftsmanship of late 19th-century France. Each chair showcases the intricate weaving o...
Twig
Antique Swedish Kurbits Folk Art Carver Chairs, Distressed, Circa 1870
Located in Lewes, England
Swedish Kurbits Folk Art pair of carver chairs in hand-painted faux wood grain with excellent level of detail and Kurbits hand-painted Folk Art motifs featuring feathers and swirls ...
Birch
$3,250 / set
Collection of 3 Birdcage Windsor Chairs-3
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Collection of three original black painted 19thc American Birdcage Windsor chairs. Hand made construction original black painted plank seat Windsor chairs.All in fine & sturdy cond...
Wood