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
$639Sale Price|20% Off
18th Century German Cherry Wood Peasant Chair with Carved Back, ca. 1780
Located in ALHAURÍN EL GRANDE, Malaga
Fine late 18th century German peasant chair (Bauernstuhl) made of solid cherry wood, dating to circa 1780. The chair has a shaped seat and a tall, elaborately carved backrest. The ba...
Cherry
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
Antique Unusual Swedish Folk Art Chair with Antique Hand Carved Graffiti
Located in Kramfors, SE
Unusual Swedish folk art chair. Rustic and made by hand in solid pine, around the mid 1800s in northern Sweden. The chair has never been painted but is covered in 19th century grafit...
Pine
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
Set of Four Austrian Softwood Peasant Chairs, 18th–19th Century
Located in ALHAURÍN EL GRANDE, Malaga
Set of four rustic Austrian peasant chairs (Bauernstühle) crafted from solid softwood, dating from the 18th and 19th centuries. Each chair features a solid wooden seat and a distinct...
Softwood
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
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
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
$2,273Sale 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
$272Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Austrian Hardwood Peasant Chair with rustic charme
Located in ALHAURÍN EL GRANDE, Malaga
Rustic Austrian peasant chair (Bauernstuhl) crafted from solid hardwood, 19th century. The chair has a solid wooden seat and a tall, shield-shaped backrest giving it its rustic charm...
Oak
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
Pair Of Robin Egg Blue ladder back Chairs From Tenneesse
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair Of Robin Egg Blue ladder back chairs with cane seating from Tennessee. Wonderful southern painted chairs.
Wood
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
$1,675 / set
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
$1,119Sale 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
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
Old Hickory Signed Chair With Cane Seating
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This signed Old Hickory Furniture Martinsville,Indiana this arm chair is in fine sturdy condition.It has the original web seating and backing and is in very good sturdy condition.
Wood
$1,264Sale Price / set|20% Off
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
$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
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
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
Danish Folk Art Oak Chair with Heart-Shaped Backrest, Early 20th Century, 1920s
Located in Odense, DK
A beautiful and charming Danish folk art chair in oak, dating from the early 20th century. The chair features a distinctive heart-shaped backrest with a decorative heart-shaped cut-...
Oak
$2,895 / set
Old Hickory Lounge Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
36 x 46 x 26 seat height 16 Original Rattan seat and backing. Sits comfortably. Great size for a hickory lounge chair.
Hickory
Antique Norwegian Kubbestol (Stump chair), with Carvings, 1800s.
Located in Asaa, DK
Antique Norwegian Kubbestol (Stump chair), with Carvings, 1800s. Rare and charming Norwegian kubbestol circa 1850. These hollowed out chairs are traditionally from Sweden and Norway...
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
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 mari...
Wood
Pair of Rustic Austrian Softwood Peasant Chairs / Farmhouse Chairs, circa 1800
Located in ALHAURÍN EL GRANDE, Malaga
Pair of rustic softwood peasant chairs (Bauernstühle), dating to circa 1800. Each chair is constructed from solid softwood with a shaped seat and a tall, simply profiled backrest fea...
Softwood
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
$272Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Austrian Hardwood Peasant Chair with Geometric Carving, ca. 1850
Located in ALHAURÍN EL GRANDE, Malaga
Rustic Austrian peasant chair (Bauernstuhl) made of solid hardwood, dating to the mid-19th century, circa 1850. The chair features a solid seat and a distinctive backrest with a roun...
Oak
$1,895 / set
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
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
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
Pair of Rustic Austrian Softwood Peasant Chairs, circa 1800
Located in ALHAURÍN EL GRANDE, Malaga
Pair of rustic Austrian softwood peasant chairs (Bauernstühle), dating to circa 1800. Each chair is made of solid softwood with a shaped seat and a tall, simply profiled backrest fea...
Softwood
$1,432Sale Price / set|30% Off
Pair of Rare 18th Century German "Snake Chairs" in Beechwood, Circa 1780
Located in ALHAURÍN EL GRANDE, Malaga
Germany, circa 1780 A remarkable and exceptionally rare pair of German "Snake Chairs" (Schlangenstühle), handcrafted in beechwood around 1780. Distinguished by their unusual carved ...
Beech
18Thc Pine Ladder Back Chair W/ Leather Seat Cushion
Located in Los Angeles, CA
18Thc Pine ladder back chair from New England in fine sturdy condition.The seat cushion is in leather with a leather decking as well.Fantastic patina & surface.
Wood
Whimsical Folk Art Chair, Hand-Crafted Oak & Steel, c.1920s
Located in Portland, OR
This chair came from a collector in the high desert of Southern California. Maker unknown. Crafted of scraps and oak wine barrels, it is a whimsical and spirited little chair. A conv...
Steel
Folk Art Early 20th Century Wood Rustic Four Chairs
Located in Brescia, IT
Four rustic chairs 1900-1910 Hand-carved wood Excellent condition.
Wood
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
Danish Folk Art High-Back Chair in Oak with Hand-Painted Decoration, Dated 1876
Located in Odense, DK
A remarkable Danish Folk Art high-back chair in oak, dated 1876 on the back. The chair features an unusually tall, sculptural back with original hand-painted floral and geometric de...
Oak, Paint
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
Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Wood Tripod Chair and Foot Rest, German Vintage
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A interesting brutalist wood tripod chair from Germany, with a matching foot rest or table. Great piece of functional sculpture. Stool and foot rest is in great vintage condition and...
Wood
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
Oak Bistro Chairs Alpine German Splat Back Wooden Side Chair
Located in Atlanta, GA
Solid hard timber with a rich, dark espresso/walnut finish. Heavily distressed finish with extensive lacquer craquelure, paint flaking, and exposed natural wood underneath, giving it...
Chestnut
18Thc Hudson River Valley Arm Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
18Thc Hudson River Valley ladder back chair with original woven seat.This fine ladder back arm chair has a wonderful aged patina.
Walnut
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
19th Century Austrian Hardwood Peasant Chair with Carved Back, ca. 1850
Located in ALHAURÍN EL GRANDE, Malaga
Rustic Austrian peasant chair (Bauernstuhl) made of solid hardwood, dating to the mid-19th century, circa 1850. The chair features a solid seat and a distinctive backrest with a roun...
Oak
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
$1,989Sale Price|30% Off
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
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
18thc Fire Side Chair From a Ranch in Texas
Located in Los Angeles, CA
18thc Fire Side Chair From a Ranch in Texas. Very primitive fire side chair, peg construction amazing patina.
Wood
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
Antique German Leather & Wood Armchair with Brass Nailhead Details
Located in Nuernberg, DE
beautiful lounge arm chair made of wood and leather with nailhead details. We think this example is from the 1910s, good condition. Minor patina and scratches on the leather, gives t...
Leather, Nutwood
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
$2,380Sale Price / set|20% Off
Pair of Swiss Handmade Farm House Carved Dining Chairs, Horgen-Glarus, 2 pcs
Located in Madison, WI
Absolutely stunning RARE pair of 2 Swiss Solid wood farm house traditional dining chairs, handmade, produced by Horgen-Glarus. Fast, insured Shipping in 7-21 days. Shipped from our ...
Hardwood
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
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
$915Sale Price|20% Off
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
$382Sale 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
$920Sale Price / set|26% Off
Pair of Small Early Painted Folk Art Chairs or Side Tables
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Set of Two Smaller Folk Art Chairs or Side Tables With Original Paint and Patina.
Wood