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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
Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Wood Tripod Chair Foot Rest Stool, Spain Vintage
Located in Nuernberg, DE
An interesting brutalist stool with hand carved legs and great patina. Great piece of functional sculpture. It is in great vintage condition and is structurally sound. Nice addition ...
Category

1970s Spanish Vintage Folk Art Chairs

Materials

Wood

Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Wood Tripod Chair Foot Rest Stool, Spain Vintage
Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Wood Tripod Chair Foot Rest Stool, Spain Vintage

Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Wood Tripod Chair Foot Rest Stool, Spain Vintage

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

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

Antique German Leather & Wood Armchair with Brass Nailhead Details
Antique German Leather & Wood Armchair with Brass Nailhead Details

Antique German Leather & Wood Armchair with Brass Nailhead Details

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

Artist-Made Studio Craft Twig Chair + Woven Checkerboard Seat
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...
Category

Late 20th Century American Folk Art Chairs

Materials

Twig, Textile

Artist-Made Studio Craft Twig Chair + Woven Checkerboard Seat
Artist-Made Studio Craft Twig Chair + Woven Checkerboard Seat

Artist-Made Studio Craft Twig Chair + Woven Checkerboard Seat

Folk Art Chair from Finland ca 1930
Located in Farsta, SE
Folk Art chair from Finland ca 1930s Made of Acid-stained Pine Wood Consistent with age and use. I call it mini Sauron throne.. One of a kind! Height: ...
Category

1930s Finnish Vintage Folk Art Chairs

Materials

Pine

Folk Art Chair from Finland ca 1930
Folk Art Chair from Finland ca 1930

Folk Art Chair from Finland ca 1930

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.
Category

1820s American Antique Folk Art Chairs

Materials

Wood

Country Ladder Back Chair in Original Paint
Country Ladder Back Chair in Original Paint

Country Ladder Back Chair in Original Paint

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

Set of 4 chairs in Hazel twigs
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...
Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Folk Art Chairs

Materials

Twig

Set of 4 chairs in Hazel twigs
Set of 4 chairs in Hazel twigs

Set of 4 chairs in Hazel twigs

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

Hand Painted Feline Motif Upholstered Leopard Print Wood Chair in Green & Orange
Hand Painted Feline Motif Upholstered Leopard Print Wood Chair in Green & Orange

Hand Painted Feline Motif Upholstered Leopard Print Wood Chair in Green & Orange

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

Italian Chair with a Very Original Design with Seat in Colored Fabric Black Wood
Italian Chair with a Very Original Design with Seat in Colored Fabric Black Wood

Italian Chair with a Very Original Design with Seat in Colored Fabric Black Wood

Mid Century set with 2 Directors Chairs and a Coffee Table
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Mid Century set with 2 Directors Chairs and a Coffee Table A great set with 2 lounging chairs and a coffee table, these would work very well both indoor and out, the chairs are mad...
Category

1960s Vintage Folk Art Chairs

Materials

Canvas

Mid Century set with 2 Directors Chairs and a Coffee Table
Mid Century set with 2 Directors Chairs and a Coffee Table

Mid Century set with 2 Directors Chairs and a Coffee Table

Pair of Studio Art Chairs in Carved Wood
Located in North Miami, FL
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! TH...
Category

1960s Bulgarian Vintage Folk Art Chairs

Materials

Wood

Pair of Studio Art Chairs in Carved Wood
Pair of Studio Art Chairs in Carved Wood

Pair of Studio Art Chairs in Carved Wood

Three Folk Style Chairs Handcarved in Solid Beech.
Located in Renens, CH
These charming three-legged beech folk style chairs embody a timeless aesthetic that effortlessly bridges the gap between rustic simplicity and enduring craftsmanship. Handcrafted wi...
Category

1660s European Antique Folk Art Chairs

Materials

Beech

Three Folk Style Chairs Handcarved in Solid Beech.
Three Folk Style Chairs Handcarved in Solid Beech.

Three Folk Style Chairs Handcarved in Solid Beech.

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

Studio Furniture American Craft Stool Mid-century modern 1960s USA
Studio Furniture American Craft Stool Mid-century modern 1960s USA

Studio Furniture American Craft Stool Mid-century modern 1960s USA

Pair of Folk Art Chairs with Tractor Seats, France, 1950s
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Almost-pair of French "homemade" iron chairs with very comfortable! tractor seats. Original paint.
Category

Mid-20th Century French Folk Art Chairs

Materials

Iron

Pair of Folk Art Chairs with Tractor Seats, France, 1950s
Pair of Folk Art Chairs with Tractor Seats, France, 1950s

Pair of Folk Art Chairs with Tractor Seats, France, 1950s

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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