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.
Vintage Egyptian Camel Saddle Stool, Hand-Crafted Wood & Brass, 1960s
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Egyptian, North Africa camel saddle shape stool. Traditionally used to ride camels in the desert of Africa and the Middle East, this camel saddle...
Brass
$1,138 / item
Oversized Woven Indian Pouf
Located in New Orleans, LA
Very large footstool or pouf made of rustically woven wool.
Wool
Primitive Welsh Splayed Leg Stool
Located in Chireno, TX
Primitive Welsh splayed leg stool with rectangular-shaped slatted seat. This charming dark brown color wooden stool was probably built and used on a farm. ...
Wood
De Sede Patchwork Black Leather Pouf
By De Sede
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gorgeous black leather pouf by Swiss designer De Sede with small rectangular patchwork. Perfect accent piece. Good vintage condition.
Leather
Nino Pouf with Brass Plinth, Available Now
Located in Frazão, Porto
NINO stool: STOCK UNIT - Available for immediate delivery The Nino Pouf is full of luxurious details, such as the buttons and skirting board in brushed brass, the piping in a contra...
Brass
De Sede Tan Patchwork Leather Ottoman, 1960s Switzerland
By De Sede
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Wonderful tan colored leather pouf/ottoman by Swiss designer De Sede with square patchwork. Wonderful faded patina of varying degrees of tan, beige and brown. Perfect accent piece. G...
Leather
De Sede Black Leather Patchwork Ottoman, 1960s Switzerland
By De Sede
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sophisticated black leather pouf/ottoman by Swiss designer De Sede with square patchwork. Handmade with wonderful faded patina. Gorgeous accent pie...
Leather
$280Sale Price|30% Off
H 17 in W 18 in D 17.5 in
Antique Early American Primitive Oak Chamber Pot Commode Toilet Step Stool
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique 19th century Mission style chamber pot or commode. Made from quartered oak with a paneled top and square form. The top opens to a porcelain chamber with handle and lid, and ...
Oak
$1,416Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 13.78 in W 19.69 in D 7.88 in
2-Leg Mini Stool, Hand-Carved Contemporary Design, Sculptural Form by Tellurico
By Tellurico
Located in Eindhoven, NL
This series of stools is designed and handcrafted by Tellurico Design Studio in the Netherlands, using only high-quality solid woods. Rooted in the ancient art of wood carving, each ...
Wood
$377Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 15.75 in W 25.2 in D 14.97 in
Mid-Century Camel Boucle Vintage Stool, Edmund Homa, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Stool from the turn of the 1960s. The stool consist of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, characteristic of the 1960s style. Stool was designed by Ed...
Fabric
Ottoman/Pouf Ardmore Sabie Forest Velvet Moonlight
Located in New York, NY
This ottoman's velvet upholstery, inspired by the fauna and flora of South Africa's Kruger National Park, sits atop a gleaming golden base. Ample high-density foam fill ensures long-...
Brass
$707Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 15.75 in W 25.2 in D 14.97 in
Set of Two Camel Boucle Vintage Stools, Edmund Homa, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Stools from the turn of the 1960s. The stools consist of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, characteristic of the 1960s style. Stools were designed b...
Fabric
Bamboo Ottoman or Pouf
Located in New York, NY
Nice circular bamboo footrest, ottoman. Comes with upholstered pad top, in black fabric. Measures: Diameter at top 19" x diameter at bottom 16".
Upholstery, Bamboo
Ottoman pouf Drova 6 Wool fabric by Woo
Located in Kyiv, UA
Ottoman Pouf Drova: A Perfect Blend of Design and Functionality Introducing the Ottoman Pouf Drova, a versatile and stylish addition to any living space. Handcrafted with precision ...
Fabric, Plywood, Foam
$3,401
H 17 in W 19 in D 19 in
Liberty & Co A Large Size Walnut Thebes Stool with ring turned legs & stretchers
Located in London, GB
Liberty and Co. A rare large Walnut Thebes stool with studded leather seat with turned stretchers uniting the turned legs.
Walnut
Folk Art Carved Wood "Foot" Stool
Located in Astoria, NY
Folk Art Carved Wood "Foot" Stool, with cream floral upholstery, signed "Amidon" to underside. 15" H x 14.5" W x 9" D. Provenance: From a 201 E 66th Street Estate.
Upholstery, Wood
Stephen Huneck Carved Wooden Dog Footstool
By Steven Huneck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stephen Huneck hand carved wooden dog footstool. Perfect as a foot stool, ottoman or playful sculpture. Dimensions 7" width x 20" depth x 15" height. Condition Good vintage condition.
Wood
Pair of French Wooden Tripod Stools C1950
Located in Trensacq, FR
Pair of French tripod stools c1950 A good pair of wooden Basque-style wood tripod stools from midcentury France. These versatile handcrafted three-legged tabouret stools, can also b...
Wood
Pair of Basque Folk Art Tripod Stools c1950 France
Located in Trensacq, FR
Fabulous pair of oak tripod stools from mid-century France. Beautifully turned and carved with barley twist legs and circular seats. Versatile three-legged tabouret stools, which c...
Oak
Vintage Folk Art Marquetry Inlay Footstool Ottoman Stool Display Stand
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Folk Art Marquetry Inlay Large Footstool Ottoman Stool. Item features nice small size, marquetry inlay top, solid wood construction, beautiful wood grain, very nice vintage i...
Wood
Charming Antique Swedish Folk Art Stool
Located in Kramfors, SE
Charming antique Swedish stool in folk art from northern Sweden made around 1880. The stool is made in painted pine with the original faux paint...
Pine
Pouf, Small Square Indian
Located in New Orleans, LA
Large ottoman or pouf in a rustic woven wool.
Wool
18th Century Swedish Folk Art Stool
Located in Allerum, SE
A unique organic and sculptural 18th century Swedish Folk Art stool, ca 1770 - 1800. Sweden.
Pine
Pair of French Folk Art Tripod Stools C1950
Located in Trensacq, FR
Pair of French Folk Art tripod stools c1950 A fabulous pair of wooden tripod stools from 1950s France. Versatile handcrafted three-legged tabouret stools, which can also be placed...
Wood
Basque Folk Art Tripod Foot Stool c1950 France
Located in Trensacq, FR
Fabulous wooden tripod stool from 1950s France. Handcrafted three-legged foot stool, beautifully turned and carved with good grain and no nails or hardware. A really nice example of mid-century Basque Folk Art...
Wood
Sold
H 13 in W 17.75 in D 12 in
Antique English Reclaimed Folk Art Walnut & Pine Paneled Foot Rest Step Stool
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique English reclaimed Folk Art footrest or step stool featuring rectangular form with paneled walnut sides, turned bun feet and pine top.
Walnut, Pine
Vintage Egyptian African Camel Saddle Stool
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Egyptian, North Africa camel saddle shape stool. A middle eastern wood and leather camel saddle wood bench designed with a wooden frame and a bla...
Cowhide, Wood