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.
Handwoven Tule (Seagrass) Natural Fiber Lounge Chair by Luteca, Made in Mexico
Located in Los Angeles, CA
From a craft object to relevant design, these special pieces handmade pieces from Mexico, were created to add warmth and texture to your interior. Intended for indoor use, they are a...
Seagrass
Danish Sculptural Handcrafted Armchair of Solid Oak with New Sheepskin 1940s
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Danish handcrafted armchair of solid dark oak, made in the 1940´s by a Danish cabinetmaker. The chair has a sculptural hand-carved front and the seat is upholstered with new off-whit...
Sheepskin, Oak
Antique Swedish Spindle Lounge Chair with Completely New Upholstery and Padding
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique Swedish spindle chair or lounge chair from the mid 1800s. The chair is comfortable and generous with a frame in blackened wood and a padded seat, back- and armrests. Unusual ...
Wood
$2,200 / set
H 30.32 in W 27.56 in D 27.56 in
A Pair of Danish Modern, Sculptural Vintage Armchair in Oak and Papercord, 1940s
Located in Odense, DK
A sculptural pair of armchair / lounge chair in oak and hand woven papercord seat. Made by a Danish Cabinetmaker in 1940s. A decorative figure for the modern interior. These armchair...
Papercord, Oak, Seagrass
Pair of Jacob Kjaer Green Velvet 1940s Armchairs
By Jacob Kjaer
Located in London, England
Jacob Kjaer - Pair of Lounge Chairs, 1940s A pair of 1940s lounge chairs designed and made by master-cabinetmaker Jacob Kjaer. These examples have been reupholstered in Moss green c...
Wool, Mahogany
Sculptural Lounge Chair in Solid Oak 1940s
Located in Meer, VAN
Sculptural Lounge Chair in Solid Oak, Europe, 1940s. Truly wonderful large lounge chair in solid oak with a very distinct sculptural design. As an early mid century modernist piece ...
Fabric, Oak
Frits Henningsen Danish Modern Lounge Chair with New Upholstery
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Frits Henningsen Danish modern lounge chair. Tastefully reupholstered in grey heather textile with cinnamon accented piping. Solid mahogany legs retain original finish and appearance...
Textile
Children Rocket Chair in Fiber Glass and Wood
Located in Paris, FR
Rocket children chair in fiber glass ideal to go on the moon. Square are made with masc paint, red velvet upholstery inside. Sound system and lights are ...
Fiberglass, Wood
Alfred Christensen Danish Armchair in Light Sheepskin, 1940s
By Slagelse Mobelvaerk, Alfred Christensen
Located in Prague, New Town
Danish armchair, model ’32’, designed by Alfred Christensen. Produced by Slagelse Møbelværk in Denmark, 1940s. Dark stained beech, recently reupholstered in light sheepskin. Second c...
Sheepskin, Beech
Restored Baumritter Lounge Chair With New Upholstery
Located in Charleston, SC
Classic mid century modern easy chair in a walnut finish that makes an incredible accent piece in the living room. Gorgeous lines with a spindle frame and sculpted arms give a delica...
Upholstery, Walnut
$5,500
H 39.77 in W 25.6 in D 29.14 in
Alfred Christensen Danish Armchair in Beech and Light Sheepskin, 1940s
By Slagelse Mobelvaerk, Alfred Christensen
Located in Prague, New Town
Danish armchair, model ’32’, designed by Alfred Christensen. Produced by Slagelse Møbelværk in Denmark, 1940s. Made from beech, recently reupholstered in light sheepskin. Second chai...
Sheepskin, Beech
$4,800 / set
H 32.5 in W 28 in D 31 in
Henry Link Rattan Lounge Chairs, Ottomans, New Sunbrella Upholstery, 2 pairs
By Henry Link
Located in Miami, FL
Henry Link Rattan Lounge Chairs with Matching Ottomans, New Sunbrella Upholstery Offered for sale are two pairs of Henry Link rattan and woven wicke...
Fabric, Rattan, Wicker
$12,331 / set
H 35.04 in W 31.89 in D 31.5 in
Pair of Sculptural Armchairs, Solid Oak and Pure Alpaca Upholstery
By Jacques Adnet, Jules Leleu, Émile-Jacques Ruhlmann, Jean Royère
Located in Lewes, East Sussex
A pair of refined, organic armchairs, with a curved, sculptural form in solid oak and upholstered in a premium pure Alpaca fabric. Also available in COM. Fast shipping worldwide.
Alpaca, Oak
$13,650 / set
H 37.01 in W 26.38 in D 28.35 in
Pair of Swedish Mid Century Modern Wooden Armchairs in Pine & Sheepskin, 1940s
Located in Stockholm, SE
A very rare and unique pair of early Swedish mid century modern wooden armchairs in pine attributed to Axel Einar Hjorth produced in Sweden, 1940s. In great vintage condition and com...
Sheepskin, Pine
Scoop Chrome Lounge Chair New Upholstery
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very comfortable Mid-Century Modern lounge scoop chair on stainless steel base in the style of Milo Baughman.
Sold
H 32 in W 40 in D 42 in
Woven Grounds Chair, Prototype, Award Winning by Vanessa Lee Jackson/ Sculpture
By Oliver Lee Jackson
Located in Buffalo, NY
Woven Grounds Chair, prototype. Award winning by Vanessa Lee Jackson/ sculpture. narrate my version of beauty through traditional practices of craft. I a...
Iron
Sold
H 44.5 in W 24 in L 44.5 in
Armchair Tall Back Swedish Shearling White Brown Frame 19th Century Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Armchair Swedish Shearling white brown frame 19th century Sweden. An armchair made during the 1840-50s in Sweden. Upholstered in a white shearling. F...
Sheepskin, Wood
French Sculptural Oak Throne Chair
Located in Antwerp, BE
Sculptural hand carved wooden throne or lounge chair, impressive in design and size. Rare hand carved by a late French Brettonian artist in mid-20th cen...
Wood
19th Century English Bobbin Chair
Located in Chicago, IL
A fantastic 19th century English bobbin chair with a black painted finish, brass casters, and newly upholstered seat and back with loose down filled cushions, and matching upholstere...
Wood
Sold
H 38 in W 19 in D 23 in
Long Horn Lounge-Chair and Ottoman with White Long Icelandic Sheep Upholstery
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Mid-Century Modern long horn lounge chair and pouf with white long hair Icelandic sheep upholstery. Newly upholstered.
Upholstery, Horn
Vintage Turquoise Painted Rattan Garden Swing Lounge Chair
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Vintage Rattan swing lounge chair, in turquoise paint. The swing can be used for indoor or outdoor. Complimentary front door delivery includes Washington...
Rattan
Completely Wack Red Pig Chair
Located in New York, NY
One of a kind "Outsider Art" Pig Chair. It is composition over a wood frame, with pink upholstery, complete with teats, and a tail. The chairs is heavy, solid, and sturdy, the uphols...
Composition
Antique Longhorn Chair, circa 1890s
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
This is a true statement piece...wow! Constructed of Texas Longhorn cattle horns. Completely re-tied and reupholstered in gorgeous white Mongolian sh...
Fur, Horn