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Folk Art Ottomans and Poufs

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.

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Style: Folk Art
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...
Category

1920s Indonesian Vintage Folk Art Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Padouk

Vintage Egyptian African Camel Saddle Stool
Located in North Hollywood, 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...
Category

Mid-20th Century Egyptian Folk Art Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Cowhide, Wood

Vintage Moroccan Floor Pillow Seat Cushion Made from a Berber Old Rug
Located in North Hollywood, 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...
Category

Mid-20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Wool

Vintage Egyptian Camel Saddle Stool
Located in North Hollywood, 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...
Category

Mid-20th Century Egyptian Folk Art Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

Brass

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Vintage Moroccan Rug Pillow by Berber Tribes of Morocco
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Vintage Moroccan Style Brown Vinyl Wooden Camel Saddle Ottoman Stool
Located in Philadelphia, PA
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Lovely Hardwood and Embroidered Floral Vintage Footstool Stool
Located in GB
Here we have for sale this lovely mahogany and embroidered floral vintage footstool stool. This footstool is the perfect size for sliding under a win...
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20th Century English Folk Art Ottomans and Poufs

Materials

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Jindrich Halabala Stool in Decorative Upholstery
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Jindrich Halabala for UP Závody, footstool, tabouret, ottoman, fabric, wood, Czech Republic, 1930s. This poetic pouf is designed in the 1930s when the Art Deco Period was at its hig...
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Leather Bull Footstool by Dimitri Omersa, Circa 1950s
Located in Gloucester, GB
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Small Antique Faux Cheetah Hide Upholstered Horn Footstool
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Small antique faux cheetah hide upholstered horn footstool.
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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.
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Txt.05 Handcrafted Palm Woven Tule Bench made in Mexico by Txt-ure for Luteca
Located in New York, NY
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...
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Moroccan Hand Tooled Leather Pouf in White Color
Located in North Hollywood, CA
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Moroccan Vintage Round Leather Pouf Brown and White Embroidered
Located in North Hollywood, CA
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Moroccan Hand Tooled Leather Pouf in White Color
Located in North Hollywood, CA
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Moroccan Vintage Round Leather Pouf Red and Black
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Moroccan red and black colors round leather pouf hand tooled and embroidered in Marrakesh, Morocco. Size is 20 in. diameter x 12 in. height.
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Vintage Moroccan Round Leather Pouf Brown and Blue Embroidered
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Moroccan round leather pouf brown and blue embroidered with the eight pointed star on top. Handcrafted by artisans in Morocco,  circa 1970s.
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Abercrombie & Fitch Ottoman
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A wonderful hand stitched cowhide pig ottoman with big floppy ears and tail, made in England and imported by Abercrombie & Fitch company .
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1960s English Vintage Folk Art Ottomans and Poufs

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Metal

Abercrombie & Fitch Ottoman
Abercrombie & Fitch Ottoman
H 15.5 in W 27 in D 9 in

Folk Art ottomans and poufs for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Folk Art ottomans and poufs for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Mid-20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage ottomans and poufs created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, animal skin and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art ottomans and poufs made in a specific country, there are Africa, North Africa, and Egypt pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original ottomans and poufs, popular names associated with this style include and Berber Tribes of Morocco. 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. Prices for ottomans and poufs differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $750 and tops out at $2,350 while the average work can sell for $1,050.

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