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Folk Art Chairs

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
Modernist Pine Chairs, a Pair
Located in Portland, OR
Pair folk modernist pine chairs. From a school in China circa 1970s. Solid build, fantastic lines. Nice patina.
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Folk Art Chairs

Materials

Pine

Pair of Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Sculptural Wood Tripod Chair, Spain Vintage
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A pair of interesting brutalist wood tripod chairs from Spain, with a trefoil motif adorning all 3 chair handles. The trefoil is a frequently occurring emblem in the architectural de...
Category

1970s Spanish Vintage Folk Art Chairs

Materials

Wood

Antique Pink Painted Kubbestol Carved Log Chair, Sweden, Dated 1807
Located in Round Top, TX
Antique carved and painted kubbestol, a traditional Scandinavian log chair. The lovely original hand-painted pink flourishes are exceptional in both color and detail, making this ku...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Chairs

Materials

Wood, Paint

Pair of Northern Swedish Charming Folk Art Chairs
Located in Kramfors, SE
Pair of folk art chairs from northern Sweden made around 1810 to 1820. The chairs are a charming primitive model made by hand in painted pine. They are both in untouched original con...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Chairs

Materials

Pine

Pair of Studio Art Chairs in Carved Wood
Located in East Hampton, NY
This pair of hand crafted sculptural wood chairs feature 3 legs and extraordinary details to back rest and seat - SEE detail images and video provided. Architecturally wonderful! ...
Category

1960s Bulgarian Vintage Folk Art Chairs

Materials

Wood

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 Chairs

Materials

Pine

Set of 6 Folk Art Tribal Chairs Sculpted in Massive Wood
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. Thi...
Category

1950s French Vintage Folk Art Chairs

Materials

Wood

Picasso Style Chairs
Located in Manchester, MA
A rare pair of Folk Art armchairs. The single bent plywood seat and back extend to the floor and rests on a sturdy hand wrought frame. Both depict Picasso inspired colorful Figural i...
Category

20th Century North American Folk Art Chairs

Materials

Plywood

Folk Art Early 20th Century Wood Rustic Four Chairs
Located in Brescia, IT
Four rustic chairs 1900-1910 Hand-carved wood Excellent condition.
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Folk Art Chairs

Materials

Wood

Antique Swedish Folk Art Rustic Pine Chair
Located in Kramfors, SE
Swedish folk art chair made during the late 1800s. The chair is hand-made from pine with a heart cut out from the backrest. The chair has never been painted so the pine has aged natu...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Chairs

Materials

Pine

Antique Set 4 Spanish Polychrome Dining Chairs Giltwood Green Painted Folk Art
Located in Sherborne, Dorset
A stunning set of four Andalusian ladderback dining chairs in original Polychrome dark green and old gold with rush seats – a stunning combination of colours with the most appealing ...
Category

Early 20th Century Spanish Folk Art Chairs

Materials

Rush, Wood, Giltwood, Paint

Primitive Handcrafted Organic Highback Naga Chair in Solid Teak, Wabi Sabi Style
Located in Odense, DK
One of a kind charming authentic primitive stump chair made in a single solid hardwood. Hand carved by the Naga tribe in India, ca 1970s. A nice wabi...
Category

Mid-20th Century Indian Folk Art Chairs

Materials

Hardwood, Teak

Folk Art Chair from Finland
Located in Farsta, SE
One of a kind Folk Art chair from Finland Acid-stained Pine 1930s Consistent with age and use.
Category

1930s Finnish Vintage Folk Art Chairs

Materials

Pine

Swedish Stump Chair
Located in Farsta, SE
Swedish Stump Chair Made out of a single log of pine tree, made between in year 1680-1730. Metal ribbon and nails added in late 1800 century.       
Category

1690s Swedish Antique Folk Art Chairs

Materials

Pine

Antique Swedish Folk Art Chair in Gustavian Style
Located in Kramfors, SE
Swedish folk art chair in gustavian style in pine made during the early 1800s, around 1820. The chair has been standing in the same farm house in northern Hälsingland, a province in ...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Chairs

Materials

Pine

Norwegian Stump Chair
Located in Farsta, SE
Norwegian stump chair. Made out of birch tree circa 1850.  
Category

1850s Norwegian Antique Folk Art Chairs

Materials

Birch

English Elm Corner Chair, Early 19th Century
Located in London, GB
English Elm Corner chair, Early 19th Century An early 19th Century corner chair made in elm with a rush seat and an unusual simulated bamboo details in the seat back. A lovely ...
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Folk Art Chairs

Materials

Elm

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 Chairs

Materials

Ash

19th Century Swedish Antique rustic Stamp chair folk Art " Kubb "chair
Located in Boden, SE
Swedish "Kubb "chair from the 18th-19th century. The "Kubb"chair is an old type of furniture, and is probably the first chair. It is found on depictions from the Viking Age and the ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Chairs

Materials

Pine

Italian Chair with a Very Original Design with Seat in Colored Fabric Black Wood
Located in Buggiano, IT
Italian uncommon chair with a very original design with seat in colored fabric. Heavy black wood. Colored stick decorations on the sides. Grooves o...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Folk Art Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Antique Swedish Original Folk Art Chair
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique folk art chair from Sweden made around 1860 in painted pine. The chair has the original paint with a time-worn distressed patina. The chair had a very particular function in ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Chairs

Materials

Pine

Antique Swedish Folk Art Stump Chair
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique Swedish stump chair in folk art. The chair has a round shape and is made from a hollowed pine tree stump. The chair is in untouched conditi...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Chairs

Materials

Pine

Antique Swedish Blue Pine Folk Art Stump Chair
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique Swedish stump chair in folk art. The chair is made from a single piece of wood, a pine log that’s been hollowed out by hand. Made in Sweden...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Chairs

Materials

Pine

Set of 6 Swiss Handmade Farm House Carved Dining Chairs, Switzerland, 6 Pieces
Located in Madison, WI
Absolutely stunning RARE complete set of 6 Swiss Solid wood farm house traditional dining chairs. The chairs are handmade and display beau...
Category

1950s Swiss Vintage Folk Art Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Unusual Primitive 19th Century Swedish Chair
Located in Helsingborg, SE
Unusual primitive and sculptural early 19th century Swedish / Scandinavian folk art chair. Ca 1800 Sweden.
Category

Early 19th Century Antique Folk Art Chairs

Materials

Pine

Welsh 19th Century Folk Art ‘Stick Chair’
Located in Rotterdam, NL
Welsh 19th century Folk Art ‘Stick chair’, Wales ca. 1880. Constructed out of dark finished Elm. In good original condition with an incredible patina.
Category

19th Century Welsh Antique Folk Art Chairs

Materials

Elm

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...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Chairs

Materials

Birch

Swedish Rustic Folk Art Primitive Chair
Located in Kramfors, SE
Rustic folk art chair from Northern Sweden. The chair is unique and hand-made into a primitive example of an antique chair. The pine has never been painted and there are some traces ...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Chairs

Materials

Pine

American Folk Art Style Chairs, 4
Located in New York, NY
American Folk Art Style chairs, four (4), each with rectangular backrest, red painted ,and with floral motifs above two dowel supports and three turned splats, the shaped seat simila...
Category

20th Century Unknown Folk Art Chairs

Materials

Wood

Early 19th century Swedish Log Chair
Located in Helsingborg, SE
Vernacular early 19th century Swedish Folk Art log chair or “kubbestol” a provincial Scandinavian chair made from a log. Ca 1800 - 1820 Sweden.
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Chairs

Materials

Wood

19th C Childs Ladder Back Chair with Original Rush Seat
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th C childs ladder back chair with original rush seat. The seat is so beautiful. Pristine condition.     
Category

19th Century American Antique Folk Art Chairs

Materials

Rattan, Wood

19th C Original Painted Decorated Child's / Doll Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19Th C original painted child’s / dolls chair from Pennsylvania. The Chair is in Amazing Condition & Found in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Circa 1860. Fantastic Patina!
Category

19th Century American Antique Folk Art Chairs

Materials

Wood

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 Chairs

Materials

Pine

Swedish Painted Folk Art Kubbstol Chair
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Folk Art Kubbstol chair from Northern Sweden. A Kubbstol chair is made from a hollowed tree trunk; from a single piece of wood that's been hewn out to form the seat, back and frame. ...
Category

Early 1900s Swedish Antique Folk Art Chairs

Materials

Pine

Early 18th Century Swiss Pine Back Stool
Located in London, GB
A Swiss pine back stool with an open heart carving on the back panel. Swiss, early 18th century Dimensions: H 85 x W 40 x D 34.5 cm.
Category

Early 18th Century Swiss Antique Folk Art Chairs

Materials

Wood, Pine

Antique Beechwood Children's Chair
Located in Budapest, HU
Antique children's highchair with an abacus and potty chair functions. Made of steamed beechwood, with leather cover. Manufactured around 1910.  
Category

1910s Vintage Folk Art Chairs

Materials

Leather, Beech

Swedish Folk Art, Chair, Sweden, Early 1900s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Stubbstol, swedish folk art chair, early 1900s. With natural cracks.
Category

1920s Swedish Vintage Folk Art Chairs

Materials

Wood

Mid 19th Century Swedish Painted Pine Folk Art Stump Chair
Located in Kramfors, SE
Swedish folk art stump chair made during the mid 1800s. The stump chair is a primitive chair made from an hollowed tree stump and this one has paint from the 1800s. It has some marks...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Chairs

Materials

Pine

Rustic Bench, circa 1920, France
Located in Girona, Spain
Rustic bench Made with chestnut structure and hand woven rattan cord seating. Solid, sturdy and comfortable Circa 1920, France Very good vintage condition.
Category

Mid-20th Century French Folk Art Chairs

Materials

Chestnut, Cord

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...
Category

1910s German Vintage Folk Art Chairs

Materials

Nutwood, Leather

Swedish 19th Century Wooden Child's High Chair
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Swedish early 19th century wooden child's high chair.    
Category

Early 19th Century Scandinavian Antique Folk Art Chairs

Materials

Wood

Studio Furniture American Craft Stool Mid-century modern 1960s USA
By Bobby Falwell
Located in Antwerp, BE
Walnut stool, hand-crafted, studio craft, USA Wendell Castle, Roger sloan, JB Blunk, Jawar, Richard Bronk, Gerald Mccabe, Bobby Falwell, David Scott, Charles Fischer, Howard Osinski...
Category

1970s American Vintage Folk Art Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Scottish Horseshoe Back Chair
Located in Houston, TX
Scottish horseshoe-back chair, circa 1850-1870. This vernacular Windsor style stick-back chair from Argyll, Scotland, features pegged construction and remnants of original earthy red milk paint. Its seat is pine, legs and spindles are elm and the horseshoe back rail is yew wood. Originally created to function as a work or milking chair...
Category

Mid-19th Century Scottish Antique Folk Art Chairs

Materials

Elm, Pine, Yew, Paint

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...
Category

19th Century American Antique Folk Art Chairs

Materials

Tulipwood

19th Century Hand-Carved Chair Found in Wester México
Located in Guadalajra, Jal
Detailed hand-carved and colorful chair found in Western México, circa 1900.
Category

Early 20th Century Folk Art Chairs

Materials

Wood

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...
Category

20th Century Portuguese Folk Art Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood, Paint

Uncommon Big Size Chair Oak Original Italian Folk Art Country Shop Rare
Located in Buggiano, IT
It is a large and hight chair, in oak, original Italian from 1900, Folk Art. The paint is original in patina, honey amber color. As shown in the photographs and videos, there are so...
Category

Early 1900s Italian Antique Folk Art Chairs

Materials

Oak

Folk Art African Royal or Prince Aluminum and Metal Studded Animal Skin Chair
Located in Cincinnati, OH
An African Royal or Prince chair with wood frame, animal skin seat and back embellished with nailed aluminum pieces and metal studs. In the style of the A...
Category

Mid-20th Century Ghanaian Folk Art Chairs

Materials

Cowhide, Wood

Antique Folk Art Swedish Rustic Kubbstol
Located in Kramfors, SE
Folk Art rustic Kubbstol from northern Sweden. A Kubbstol is a chair made of a single piece of wood that's been hewn out to form the seat, back and frame. It's a primitive constructi...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Chairs

Materials

Pine

Antoni Rzasa Polish Folk Art Carved Wood Chair
Located in New York, NY
Polish Folk Art carved and sculpted wood chair created by renown Polish artist and sculptor Antoni Rzasa (1919-1980). The chair features a carved back with a sculpted nude woman. The bottom of the seat features a 'made in Poland' stamp and the artist's carved signature, country of origin, and date of fabrication ('1958-1959'). During the 1960s, Antoni Rzasa was known as one of the most famous Polish sculptors. His sculptures are feature simple forms and a specific style inspired by Folk Art. His works are found in the collections of the National Museum in Warsaw, Kraków and Poznan, in the Polish Army...
Category

1950s Polish Vintage Folk Art Chairs

Materials

Wood

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 Chairs

Materials

Pine

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 Chairs

Materials

Wood

Late 19th Century Swedish Stump Chair in Solid Pine
Located in Kramfors, SE
Swedish stump chair manufactured from a hollowed tree trunk. The chair is primitive and has never been painted. The two bands going around the seat...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Chairs

Materials

Pine

19th Century Handmade English Chess Carved Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This amazing handmade English chess chair is hand carved. The chair seat is hand webbing made from hemp. The hand carved figurines and hand carved signatu...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Folk Art Chairs

Materials

Wood, Hemp

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 Chairs

Materials

Wood

Antique Chair, Swedish "Stockstol", Early 1800s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Chair "Stockstol", allmoge (Swedish folk furniture), early 1800s.
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Chairs

Materials

Wood

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 Chairs

Materials

Rush, 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 r...
Category

19th Century Norwegian Antique Folk Art Chairs

Materials

Fir, Paint

Folk Art chairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique folk art chairs for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage chairs created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, folk art, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, softwood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art chairs 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 chairs, popular names associated with this style include and Bobby Falwell. 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 chairs differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at £312 and tops out at £9,828 while the average work can sell for £2,138.

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