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 (Seagress) Stool / Ottoman, IN STOCK
Located in Los Angeles, CA
From a craft object to relevant design, these special pieces, made in Mexico, were created to add warmth and texture to your interior. Intended for indoor use, they are a reminder of...
Seagrass
$2,500 / item
Handmade Artesanal Woven Tule (Seagrass) Bench
Located in Los Angeles, CA
From a craft object to relevant design, these special pieces, made in Mexico, were created to add warmth and texture to your interior. Intended for indo...
Seagrass
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
Vintage Moroccan Floor Pillow Seat Cushion Made from a Berber Old Rug
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Moroccan vintage floor pillow seat cushion made from a Tribal Berber rug. Square shape with nice faded earth tone colors for the top and rich warm...
Wool
$1,880Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Circular Hand Carved Indonesian Padouk Wood Ottoman Seat
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Beautifully carved Padouk wood boat builder's ottoman with skilled joinery work and fine details. Some chips and cracks present with old upholstery but structurally sound. Solid Pado...
Padouk
Ma39 Ottoman in Carved Wood Sheep, Italy, 21st Century
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ma39 ottoman in carved wood, Italy, 21st century Customized item: Material, color fabric, fabric. Available 2.
Wood
$3,107 / item
H 16.54 in W 55.12 in D 20.87 in
Klismos Walnut Wood Woven Leather Bench Customizable Upholstery and Wood
By Pescetta
Located in IT
Klismos walnut wood brown woven leather Bench, Customizable Upholstery and Wood. Other colors and upholstery are available. Italian artisanal production by Pescetta Home Decoration...
Leather, Walnut
Oak Parquetry Upholstered Bench, Dark Oak
Located in Westwood, NJ
A dark oak parquetry upholstered bench with tapered legs. Crafted with rustic oak with an upholstered seat, this bench is the perfect addition to the foot of any bed or entryway. S...
Wood
Danish Modern Teak Stool / Ottoman
Located in Denton, TX
Solid thick teak wood with dovetailed corners can be also used for a side table.
Teak
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
Vintage Marge Carson Brass Stools/Ottomans
By Marge Carson
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Experience the allure of authentic 1970s American design with this exquisite pair of brass poufs by celebrated designer Marge Carson. Each piece showcases a stunning brass base that ...
Brass
1970s Vintage Moroccan Kilim Pillow Cushion
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Moroccan floor cushion pouf pillow Kilim Fabric bold color geometric design 21 x 21 x 7 h Original vintage condition. Refer to images.
Fabric, Textile
Mushroom Ottoman in Mustard Boucle
Located in Fairfield, CA
A handmade mushroom shaped ottoman, upholstered in a mustard yellow colored curly boucle fabric. Perfect for using as a footstool or extra occasional seating. A comfortable cushioned...
Fabric
Felted Wool Round Floor Cushion in Turmeric Yellow by JG SWITZER
By JG Switzer
Located in Santa Rosa, CA
Felted wool round floor cushion, in turmeric-dye medallion yellow felted from local, fiber shed wool in a creamy, natural background, our indigo an...
Wool
$1,290 / item
H 17.72 in Dm 23.63 in
El Topo • Sculptural Hand-Carved Acacia & Sheepskin Ottoman by Odditi
$5,900 / set
H 14 in W 22 in D 22 in
Jacques Charpentier Mid-Century Modern Tufted Leather Ottoman Stool Pair
Located in Miami, FL
Pair of Jacques Charpentière Mid-Century Modern 1970 French stool, ottoman side tables in original tufted brown leather upholstery and polished chrome base. Very good original condi...
Chrome
$478 / 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
Leather Bulldog ottoman by Dimitri Omersa, England 1960s
By Abercrombie & Fitch, Dimitri Omersa
Located in ECHT, NL
Original vintage leather footstool. Designed and made by Dimitri Omersa for Abercromby and Fitch. Hand crafted from scrap leather and filled with wood shavings. The Bulldog is one of...
Leather
Sold
H 17.75 in W 32.5 in D 32.5 in
Vintage Rustic Betsy Ross Recycled Kilim Rustic American Flag Ottoman
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Rustic Betsy Ross Recycled Kilim Rustic American Flag Ottoman A handwoven American flag has been recycled to upholster this vintage round ottoman...
Upholstery
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
Egyptian Vintage Camel Saddle Stool
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 saddl...
Cowhide, Wood
Leather Bull Footstool by Dimitri Omersa, Circa 1950s
Located in Gloucester, GB
Leather bull footstool by Dimitri Omersa Circa 1950s - Made from pig skin - By Dimitri Omersa for Libertys - English ~ 1950s - 30cm wide x...
Leather
Small Antique Faux Cheetah Hide Upholstered Horn Footstool
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Small antique faux cheetah hide upholstered horn footstool.
Horn, Cowhide
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
Sold
H 16.5 in W 51 in D 18.5 in
Txt.05 Handcrafted Palm Woven Tule Bench made in Mexico by Txt-ure for Luteca
Located in Los Angeles, CA
From a craft object to relevant design, these special pieces, made in Mexico, were created to add warmth and texture to your interior. Intended for indoor or covered outdoor use, the...
Seagrass
Moroccan Hand Tooled Leather Pouf in White Color
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Moroccan white color round pouf hand tooled and embroidered in Marrakesh. Beautiful geometrical designs are hand-stitched on this Moroccan stool by expert Artisan. Use thes...
Leather
Moroccan Vintage Round Leather Pouf Brown and White Embroidered
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Moroccan white and brown colors round pouf hand tooled and embroidered in Marrakesh. Beautiful geometrical designs are hand-stitched on this Moroccan stool by expert Artisan...
Leather
Moroccan Hand Tooled Leather Pouf in White Color
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Moroccan white color round pouf hand tooled and embroidered in Marrakesh. Beautiful geometrical designs are hand-stitched on this Moroccan stool by expert Artisan. Use thes...
Leather
Sold
H 13.78 in W 37.41 in D 37.41 in
Seat Cushion Moroccan Style Hand Embroidery Antique Gold and Silver Thread
Located in Hamburg, DE
1 no seat cushion, hand embroidered, Moroccan style, inspired by Barbara Hutton’s villa in tangier, thread work in color antique gold and silver thread on silk velvet dedar Romeo and...
Silk, Velvet