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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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Item type: Antique and Vintage
Style: Folk Art
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

Antoni Rzasa Polish Folk Art Carved Wood Chair
Antoni Rzasa Polish Folk Art Carved Wood Chair

Antoni Rzasa Polish Folk Art Carved Wood Chair

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

Antique Folk Art Swedish Rustic Kubbstol
Antique Folk Art Swedish Rustic Kubbstol

Antique Folk Art Swedish Rustic Kubbstol

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...
Category

19th Century Norwegian Antique Folk Art Chairs

Materials

Fir, Paint

Rare Norwegian Kubbestol, circa 1850, Origin Telemark, Norway
Rare Norwegian Kubbestol, circa 1850, Origin Telemark, Norway

Rare Norwegian Kubbestol, circa 1850, Origin Telemark, Norway

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

Scandinavian Wooden Barrel Chair Made in the 19th Century
Scandinavian Wooden Barrel Chair Made in the 19th Century

Scandinavian Wooden Barrel Chair Made in the 19th Century

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

Late 19th Century Swedish Stump Chair in Solid Pine
Late 19th Century Swedish Stump Chair in Solid Pine

Late 19th Century Swedish Stump Chair in Solid 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

19th Century Handmade English Chess Carved Chair
19th Century Handmade English Chess Carved Chair

19th Century Handmade English Chess Carved Chair

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

American Folk Art Armchair
American Folk Art Armchair

American Folk Art Armchair

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

19th Century Hand-Carved Chair Found in Wester México
19th Century Hand-Carved Chair Found in Wester México

19th Century Hand-Carved Chair Found in Wester México

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

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

Primitive Swedish Pine Log Chair from Dalarna
Located in Houston, TX
Primitive Swedish pine log chair from Dalarna dated 1760. Steamed bentwood banding. Fine, dry pale patina. Note: Original/early finish on antique and vintage metal will include some...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Chairs

Materials

Pine

Primitive Swedish Pine Log Chair from Dalarna
Primitive Swedish Pine Log Chair from Dalarna

Primitive Swedish Pine Log Chair from Dalarna

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

Rustic Bench, circa 1920, France
Rustic Bench, circa 1920, France

Rustic Bench, circa 1920, France

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 21st Century and Contemporary, 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 Bobby Falwell, and Luteca Furniture. 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 $390 and tops out at $12,400 while the average work can sell for $2,400.

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