Skip to main content

Folk Art Office Chairs and Desk 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.

to
1
1
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
1
814
531
127
124
62
50
28
26
19
14
12
10
9
9
8
7
6
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Style: Folk Art
Oak 19th Century Primitive Wabi Sabi Mountain Chair
Located in OOSTERHOUT, NL
Traditional antique mountain chair from southern Germany. This distinctive and primitive chair is entirely handmade and assembled with mortise and tenon joints. Crafted from oak, thi...
Category

Early 19th Century German Antique Folk Art Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Oak

Oak 19th Century Primitive Wabi Sabi Mountain Chair
Oak 19th Century Primitive Wabi Sabi Mountain Chair

Oak 19th Century Primitive Wabi Sabi Mountain Chair

$476
Related Items
19th Century English Victorian Mahogany Desk Chair
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
For sale is a Victorian mahogany desk chair, in the Arts & Crafts style, revolving and with four down swept legs terminating on scroll fe...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Folk Art Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century English Victorian Mahogany Desk Chair
19th Century English Victorian Mahogany Desk Chair

19th Century English Victorian Mahogany Desk Chair

$1,377
H 32 in W 24 in D 22 in
Quality Antique 19th Century Regency Mahogany Desk Chair
Located in Suffolk, GB
Quality antique regency mahogany desk chair having a quality shaped figured mahogany back with a rope twist turned centre rail, lovely s...
Category

19th Century English Antique Folk Art Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Other

Quality Antique 19th Century Regency Mahogany Desk Chair
Quality Antique 19th Century Regency Mahogany Desk Chair

Quality Antique 19th Century Regency Mahogany Desk Chair

$1,715
H 33.08 in W 21.66 in D 17.72 in
19th c, Danish Revolving Desk Chair
Located in Allerum, SE
Exceptional 19th century Danish revolving desk armchair in mahogany with marquetry and brass casters, from the Empire period. Ca 1850, Denmark.
Category

Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Folk Art Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Brass

19th c, Danish Revolving Desk Chair
19th c, Danish Revolving Desk Chair

19th c, Danish Revolving Desk Chair

$18,700
H 31.11 in W 21.86 in D 22.45 in
Wabi Sabi Primitive Rustic Bench, France, 19th Century
Located in Antwerp, BE
Primitive rustic bench or coffee table made of sturdy wood with a weathered finish. The natural wear of the wood over the years has created a unique, rustic look that adds character ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Folk Art Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Wood

Wabi Sabi Primitive Rustic Bench, France, 19th Century
Wabi Sabi Primitive Rustic Bench, France, 19th Century

Wabi Sabi Primitive Rustic Bench, France, 19th Century

$3,650
H 12.6 in W 97.64 in D 16.93 in
French 19th Century Louis-Philippe Desk Chair
Located in Stockbridge, GA
This Desk Chair is made of mahogany, French Louis-Philippe Period.
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Folk Art Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

French 19th Century Louis-Philippe Desk Chair
French 19th Century Louis-Philippe Desk Chair

French 19th Century Louis-Philippe Desk Chair

$1,650
H 31.5 in W 22 in D 22.75 in
Primitive Oak Stool Wabi Sabi France 1930's
Located in Split, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija
Oak primitive stool from France. Original wood finish with great age markings and patina.  
Category

1930s French Vintage Folk Art Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Oak

Primitive Oak Stool Wabi Sabi France 1930's
Primitive Oak Stool Wabi Sabi France 1930's

Primitive Oak Stool Wabi Sabi France 1930's

$953
H 14.77 in W 21.26 in D 4.73 in
Folk Art Wabi Sabi Chair, France, 19th Century
Located in Antwerp, BE
Folk art hearth chair, a captivating piece from 19th-century Auvergne, France. This unique chair seamlessly combines the functions of a side chair and a focal point near the fireplac...
Category

19th Century French Antique Folk Art Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Wood

Folk Art Wabi Sabi Chair, France, 19th Century
Folk Art Wabi Sabi Chair, France, 19th Century

Folk Art Wabi Sabi Chair, France, 19th Century

$3,800
H 28.75 in W 20.48 in D 18.9 in
Empire Mahogany Desk Chair, Early 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The desk chair with carved diamond motif on crest and richly carved griffin wings above articulated paw feet with tan colored leather upholstery. Height: 30" Seat height: 17" Depth: ...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Folk Art Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

Empire Mahogany Desk Chair, Early 19th Century
Empire Mahogany Desk Chair, Early 19th Century

Empire Mahogany Desk Chair, Early 19th Century

$9,500
H 30 in W 24 in D 20 in
Empire Solid Mahogany Desk Chair, Early 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
Empire mahogany desk chair or fauteuil de bureau.
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Folk Art Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Mahogany

Empire Solid Mahogany Desk Chair, Early 19th Century
Empire Solid Mahogany Desk Chair, Early 19th Century

Empire Solid Mahogany Desk Chair, Early 19th Century

$7,200 Sale Price
28% Off
H 30 in W 23 in D 19 in
19th Century Italian Baroque Carved Walnut Throne Chair
Located in Sheffield, MA
A richly carved walnut Italian throne chair. This arm chair could make a wonderful statement in any room. Use it for a desk chair, next to a fireplace, an office or in the living roo...
Category

19th Century European Antique Folk Art Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Leather, Walnut

19th Century Italian Baroque Carved Walnut Throne Chair
19th Century Italian Baroque Carved Walnut Throne Chair

19th Century Italian Baroque Carved Walnut Throne Chair

$3,900
H 41 in W 28 in D 21 in
19th Century English Victorian Swivel Captains Desk Chair
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Handsome 19th century English Victorian period captains chair or smokers' bow chair crafted from mahogany. The chair features a round horseshoe shaped seat crest with a deep contoure...
Category

19th Century English Antique Folk Art Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Plastic, Mahogany

19th Century English Victorian Swivel Captains Desk Chair
19th Century English Victorian Swivel Captains Desk Chair

19th Century English Victorian Swivel Captains Desk Chair

$2,000
H 34.75 in W 23.5 in D 25.5 in
Gainsborough Armchair 19th century
Located in Vosselaar, BE
Good 19th century Gainsborough armchair with new crimson linnen upholstery. This type of chair was named after the famous painter Thomas Gainsbor...
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Folk Art Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Gainsborough Armchair 19th century
Gainsborough Armchair 19th century

Gainsborough Armchair 19th century

$3,577
H 37.8 in W 27.5 in D 28.3 in
Previously Available Items
Decorative Armchair in Solid Pine, Handcrafted by Petrus Lidholm, Sweden, 1950s
By Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Odense, DK
A unique sculptural folk art armchair in solid stained pine. Handcrafted by Petrus Lidholm in Sweden, ca 1950s. This decorative object can be used as an office chair, dining chair or...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Folk Art Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Pine

Decorative Armchair in Solid Pine, Handcrafted by Petrus Lidholm, Sweden, 1950s
Decorative Armchair in Solid Pine, Handcrafted by Petrus Lidholm, Sweden, 1950s

Decorative Armchair in Solid Pine, Handcrafted by Petrus Lidholm, Sweden, 1950s

H 48.04 in W 23.23 in D 16.54 in
19th Century Swedish Provincial Desk Chair
Located in Allerum, SE
Most unusual 19th-century Swedish provincial revolving stick back desk chair in its original condition. Ca 1840.
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Pine

19th Century Swedish Provincial Desk Chair
19th Century Swedish Provincial Desk Chair

19th Century Swedish Provincial Desk Chair

H 36.23 in W 21.66 in D 18.12 in
Black Desk Chair, Sweden
Located in New York, NY
A black painted and distressed desk chair made in Sweden during, circa 1850.
Category

1850s Swedish Antique Folk Art Office Chairs and Desk Chairs

Materials

Birch

Black Desk Chair, Sweden
Black Desk Chair, Sweden

Black Desk Chair, Sweden

H 29.8 in W 22 in D 17.2 in

Folk Art office chairs and desk chairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Folk Art office chairs and desk chairs for sale on 1stDibs. 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.

Still Thinking About These?

All Recently Viewed