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
Leather Footstool
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19Thc Hand carved foot stool with newly upholstered leather top.This beauty is in amazing condition and sturdy too.The base is made from walnut wood.
Leather, Wood
Wooden Foot Stool With Leather Seat Cushion
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19Thc Pine foot stool with leather ulpholstered seat.The condition is very good.
Pine
$1,450
Old Hickory Ottoman
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Old Hickory Ottoman with original webbing seating in very good condition.This signed Old Hickory ottoman is in very good condition.Its been re-varnished with marine varnish for a a...
Wood
20Thc Original Painted Child's Stool
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This amazing folk art mini stool is in fine condition and is signed & dated 1985 & signed Jessie N.Boyer a Pennsylvania artist.This Pa Dutch decoration is found on a lot of Lancaster...
Wood
American Folk Art Goose and Floral Motifs Polychrome Painted Pine Footstool
Located in Astoria, NY
American Folk Art Goose and Floral Motifs Polychrome Painted Pine Footstool, signed and dated "Sling / '99" to underside. 9" H x 18" W x 9.5" D. Provenance: From a Roxbury, Connect...
Pine, Paint
$544 / item
Oversized Woven Indian Pouf
Located in New Orleans, LA
Very large footstool or pouf made of rustically woven wool.
Wool
$4,273 / item
H 15 in W 25.5 in D 15 in
Contemporary Repose Ottoman Footstool Black Smoke Steel & Natural Leather
Located in Alcoy, Alicante
The Repose contemporary ottoman and footstool belongs to a collection of minimalist and serene pieces where exclusivity and precision are shown in small details such as the hand-turn...
Brass, Steel
Modern Leather Arch Base Ottoman
Located in Westwood, NJ
A modern leather arch base ottoman. Crafted in rich brown leather, this ottoman is accented with small brass nailhead trim. The unique open decorative arched base makes this small st...
Leather
20th Century Baby Pink Stool, Europe, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Stool from the turn of the 1960s and 1970s. Beautiful baby pink upholstery. The stool consists of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, characteristic of t...
Velvet, Beech
Pair of 20th Century Green Stools, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Stools from the turn of the 1960s and 1970s. Beautiful velvet green upholstery. The stools consists of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, characteristic...
Velvet, Beech
20th Century Baby Pink Stool, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Stool from the turn of the 1960s and 1970s. Beautiful baby pink upholstery. The stool consists of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, characteristic of t...
Velvet, Beech
$473 / item
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 Edmu...
Fabric
$757
H 13.19 in W 22.05 in D 22.05 in
Chesterfield Brown Leather Tufted Square Footstool Vintage Biker Tan Leather
By Chesterfield
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer this lovely Tan brown leather chesterfield tufted footstool A good looking and comfortable stool, it has a nice heritage patina to it We have cleaned ...
Leather
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
Taylor King MCM Ottoman Footstool
Located in Lake Worth, FL
For FULL item description click on More Details below. Shipping Quote Information The shipping quote stated in the listing was from 1st Dibs and they normally set all the costs and handle all the shipping details. However, if you let us know what 1st Dibs is quoting you and give us your zip code, we can sometimes ship it for less and get it to you faster. For a shipping quote, click on "ASK THE SELLER" under the purchase button and provide your zip code. Offering One Of Our Recent Palm Beach Estate Fine Furniture Acquisitions Of A MCM Upholstered...
Cotton
$473 / item
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
20th Century Leopard Velvet Vintage Stool, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Stool from the turn of the 1960s and 1970s. Beautiful soft velvet leopard print upholstery. The stool consists of an upholstered part, a seat and wooden legs narrowing downwards, cha...
Velvet, Beech
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
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