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Folk Art Sofas

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
Mid 19th Century Swedish Antique Rustic Small Folk Art Sofa
Located in Boden, SE
A charming antique sofa from the mid-1800s. The sofa is from Boden Norrbotten, Northern Sweden It's petite and compact, perfect for smaller spaces. The sofa has a foldable lid tha...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Sofas

Materials

Pine

Mid 19th Century Swedish Antique Rustic Small Folk Art Sofa
Mid 19th Century Swedish Antique Rustic Small Folk Art Sofa

Mid 19th Century Swedish Antique Rustic Small Folk Art Sofa

$2,966
Bench Swedish 18th Rustic Century Original Paint, Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Bench Sweden 18th rustic century original paint, Sweden. A bench made during the 18th century in Sweden. Original dark red paint.
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Sofas

Materials

Wood

Bench Swedish 18th Rustic Century Original Paint, Sweden
Bench Swedish 18th Rustic Century Original Paint, Sweden

Bench Swedish 18th Rustic Century Original Paint, Sweden

$3,800 Sale Price
20% Off
Bench Swedish Red Wood, 19th Century, Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Bench Swedish red wood, 19th century, Sweden. A bench made during the early 19th century in Sweden. Original paint in a dark red shade.    
Category

Early 19th Century Antique Folk Art Sofas

Materials

Wood

Bench Swedish Red Wood, 19th Century, Sweden
Bench Swedish Red Wood, 19th Century, Sweden

Bench Swedish Red Wood, 19th Century, Sweden

$4,800
Related Items
19th- Century Swedish Pine Bench
Located in Pomona, CA
A 19th Century Swedish Rustic Pine Bench with a decorative slat-back. The seat opens to a storage area.
Category

1850s Swedish Antique Folk Art Sofas

Materials

Pine

19th- Century Swedish Pine Bench
19th- Century Swedish Pine Bench

19th- Century Swedish Pine Bench

$2,450
H 37.75 in W 70 in D 20.5 in
Early 19th century painted Swedish Gustavian sofa
Located in London, GB
A nice C19th painted Swedish Gustavian sofa. It features a typical high back with a classical understated decorative border detail and two turned wood finials at each end. Repainted ...
Category

1810s Swedish Antique Folk Art Sofas

Materials

Oak

Early 19th century painted Swedish Gustavian sofa
Early 19th century painted Swedish Gustavian sofa

Early 19th century painted Swedish Gustavian sofa

$3,924
H 40.56 in W 70.87 in D 23.63 in
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Sofa
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
An early 19th Century Swedish Gustavian sofa or bench in old paint. Recently upholstered seat and bolster cushions in linen. Circa 1810.
Category

1810s Swedish Antique Folk Art Sofas

Materials

Pine

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Sofa
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Sofa

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Sofa

$5,441
H 46.46 in W 70.08 in D 24.81 in
19th Century Swedish Gray Gustavian Bench
Located in Round Top, TX
This lovely bench is a wonderful example of Swedish Gustavian craftsmanship with turned finials and feet, slat back and egg and dart carving adding to its timeless appeal. The gray p...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Sofas

Materials

Linen, Pine, Paint

19th Century Swedish Gray Gustavian Bench
19th Century Swedish Gray Gustavian Bench

19th Century Swedish Gray Gustavian Bench

$5,850
H 33.5 in W 76 in D 24 in
Small 19th century Swedish empire birch sofa
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Small 19th century Swedish empire birch sofa circa 1860 Good quality Swedish empire period birch sofa upholstered in kalim woven fabric. Small sofa or a very comfortable single cha...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Sofas

Materials

Fabric, Birch

Small 19th century Swedish empire birch sofa
Small 19th century Swedish empire birch sofa

Small 19th century Swedish empire birch sofa

$2,604
H 33 in W 47.25 in D 23.75 in
19th Century Swedish Canapé Sofa
Located in Houston, TX
19th century Swedish canapé sofa: beautifully carved, gray painted sofa adorned with exceptional foliate motif decoration. Newly upholstered with down-wrap cushion. Note: Regional d...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Sofas

Materials

Upholstery, Down, Wood

19th Century Swedish Canapé Sofa
19th Century Swedish Canapé Sofa

19th Century Swedish Canapé Sofa

$8,900
H 33.5 in W 74 in D 31 in
Late 18th Century Carved Rustic Spanish Catalan Settle Bench
Located in Birmingham, AL
A late 18th century rustic settle bench handcrafted in the Catalan region of Spain of mélèze, a hard pine grown in mountainous regions, circa 1790s. Having a carved scalloped wing ba...
Category

1790s Spanish Antique Folk Art Sofas

Materials

Pine

Late 18th Century Carved Rustic Spanish Catalan Settle Bench
Late 18th Century Carved Rustic Spanish Catalan Settle Bench

Late 18th Century Carved Rustic Spanish Catalan Settle Bench

$5,800
H 47 in W 58.25 in D 21 in
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Long Bench
Located in New Orleans, LA
This elegant 19th Century Swedish Gustavian long bench epitomizes the refined simplicity and timeless charm of Gustavian design. Crafted from high-quality wood, the bench features cl...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Sofas

Materials

Burlap, Wood

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Long Bench
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Long Bench

19th Century Swedish Gustavian Long Bench

$9,250
H 20 in W 60 in D 20.5 in
19th Century Swedish Barrel Back Sofa
Located in Charleston, SC
Swedish, 19th century barrel back sofa settee in Gustavian style with beautifully carved frame with bell flower carvings. Richly carved front legs with lotus flowers and rosettes. Sc...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Sofas

Materials

Velvet, Wood, Paint

19th Century Swedish Barrel Back Sofa
19th Century Swedish Barrel Back Sofa

19th Century Swedish Barrel Back Sofa

$9,800
H 34.75 in W 62.5 in D 29.5 in
18th c. Swedish Sofa Bench Settee in Original Paint, Gustavian Period
Located in Wichita, KS
A beautiful Swedish sofa bench from the Gustavian period dry scraped to it's original patina. The sofa frame is adorned with a lovely leaf motif and rests upon tapered and fluted leg...
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Sofas

Materials

Linen, Wood, Paint

18th c. Swedish Sofa Bench Settee in Original Paint, Gustavian Period
18th c. Swedish Sofa Bench Settee in Original Paint, Gustavian Period

18th c. Swedish Sofa Bench Settee in Original Paint, Gustavian Period

$5,690 Sale Price
36% Off
H 36.63 in W 72.44 in D 28.75 in
Antique 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Yellow Birch Sofa Settee
Located in Round Top, TX
Drama and elegance combine in this lovely example of Swedish Biedermeier craftsmanship. This stunning antique sofa is made from polished yellow birch that seems to glow with life. No...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Sofas

Materials

Wood, Birch

Antique 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Yellow Birch Sofa Settee
Antique 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Yellow Birch Sofa Settee

Antique 19th Century Swedish Biedermeier Yellow Birch Sofa Settee

$2,950
H 40.5 in W 90 in D 24 in
Antique Early 19th Century Gustavian Sofa / Bench, By a Swedish Cabinetmaker
Located in Odense, DK
A stunning antique late Gustavian sofa/bench, skillfully crafted by a talented Swedish cabinetmaker of the era. This exquisite piece showcases the hallmark elements of Gustavian desi...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Sofas

Materials

Pine

Antique Early 19th Century Gustavian Sofa / Bench, By a Swedish Cabinetmaker
Antique Early 19th Century Gustavian Sofa / Bench, By a Swedish Cabinetmaker

Antique Early 19th Century Gustavian Sofa / Bench, By a Swedish Cabinetmaker

$3,800
H 37.8 in W 72.84 in D 25.6 in
Previously Available Items
Early 20th Century Carved Lion Bench Oak and Pine Sweden
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Stunning bench from the beginning of the 20th century in carved wood whose sides represent a lion. Made in Sweden, handmade in solid oak and pine with an incredible patina. Very nice...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Folk Art Sofas

Materials

Oak, Pine

Early 20th Century Carved Lion Bench Oak and Pine Sweden
Early 20th Century Carved Lion Bench Oak and Pine Sweden

Early 20th Century Carved Lion Bench Oak and Pine Sweden

H 33.86 in W 40.56 in D 21.66 in
19th Century Folk Art Swedish Sofa
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Exceptional folk art sofa from Varmland Sweden. With decorative carved back and sides, continuing on the front stretcher and is scraped to original blue paint. Newly upholstered in...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Sofas

Materials

Linen, Wood

19th Century Folk Art Swedish Sofa
19th Century Folk Art Swedish Sofa

19th Century Folk Art Swedish Sofa

H 29.93 in W 81.89 in D 21.66 in
Mid 19th Century Charming Swedish Painted Folk Art Sofa or Bench
Located in Kramfors, SE
Charming folk art sofa or bench from northern Sweden with the dating 1855. The sofa is unusually short and has hand carved wooden decorations. Made in pine with the untouched origina...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Sofas

Materials

Pine

Mid 19th Century Charming Swedish Painted Folk Art Sofa or Bench
Mid 19th Century Charming Swedish Painted Folk Art Sofa or Bench

Mid 19th Century Charming Swedish Painted Folk Art Sofa or Bench

H 39.38 in W 59.06 in D 26.38 in
Early 20th Century Carved Lion Bench Oak and Pine Sweden
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Stunning bench from the beginning of the 20th century in carved wood whose sides represent a lion. Made in Sweden, handmade in solid oak and pine with an incredible patina. Very nice...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Folk Art Sofas

Materials

Oak, Pine

Early 20th Century Carved Lion Bench Oak and Pine Sweden
Early 20th Century Carved Lion Bench Oak and Pine Sweden

Early 20th Century Carved Lion Bench Oak and Pine Sweden

H 33.86 in W 40.56 in D 21.66 in
Bench Swedish 19th Century Pine Raw Finish Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Bench Swedish 19th Century pine raw finish Sweden. A pull out bench made during the 19th Century in Sweden. Finish is a raw wood.  
Category

19th Century European Antique Folk Art Sofas

Materials

Wood

Bench Swedish 19th Century Pine Raw Finish Sweden
Bench Swedish 19th Century Pine Raw Finish Sweden

Bench Swedish 19th Century Pine Raw Finish Sweden

H 37 in W 65 in D 20.5 in
18th Century Southern Swedish Primitive Bench
Located in Kramfors, SE
Primitive Folk Art bench - a so called Fållbänk. The bench was manufactured in southern Sweden around the second half of the 18th century. The bench is in untouched original conditio...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Sofas

Materials

Pine

18th Century Southern Swedish Primitive Bench
18th Century Southern Swedish Primitive Bench

18th Century Southern Swedish Primitive Bench

H 31.5 in W 71.66 in D 19.3 in
18th Century Folk Art Rustic Bench from Dalarna Sweden
Located in Kramfors, SE
Rustic folk art bench or 'Fållbänk' as it's called in Swedish. From the county of Dalarna in the middle of Sweden. The seat of the bench can be lifted which makes the area underneath...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Sofas

Materials

Pine

18th Century Folk Art Rustic Bench from Dalarna Sweden
18th Century Folk Art Rustic Bench from Dalarna Sweden

18th Century Folk Art Rustic Bench from Dalarna Sweden

H 28.35 in W 74.81 in L 28.35 in
19th Century Northern Swedish Sofa by Johan Lust
By Jonas Lust
Located in Kramfors, SE
Gustavian sofa or solsäng from Hälsingland. The Swedish name solsäng literally means sun bed. The sofa have rich wooden carvings all around and the surface has...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Sofas

Materials

Pine

19th Century Northern Swedish Sofa by Johan Lust
19th Century Northern Swedish Sofa by Johan Lust

19th Century Northern Swedish Sofa by Johan Lust

H 35.04 in W 72.84 in D 23.23 in
Antique Romanian Folk Art Painted Storage Bench
Located in Round Top, TX
The quality and craftsmanship of this pine bench are exceptional with its traditional Eastern European Folk Art painted motifs. The deep, war...
Category

Late 19th Century Romanian Antique Folk Art Sofas

Materials

Pine

Antique Romanian Folk Art Painted Storage Bench
Antique Romanian Folk Art Painted Storage Bench

Antique Romanian Folk Art Painted Storage Bench

H 36.75 in W 78 in D 22.25 in
Antique Folk Art Blue Painted Hungarian Storage Bench
Located in Round Top, TX
This delightful late 19th century storage bench from Hungary still maintains its original blue paint. The charming, simplistic flowers on the front panel were a traditional Folk Art ...
Category

Late 19th Century Hungarian Antique Folk Art Sofas

Antique Folk Art Blue Painted Hungarian Storage Bench
Antique Folk Art Blue Painted Hungarian Storage Bench

Antique Folk Art Blue Painted Hungarian Storage Bench

H 37 in W 76.75 in D 21.25 in
Bench Sofa with Storage Swedish 18th Century Original Paint, Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Bench sofa with storage Swedish 18th century original paint, Sweden. A storage bench made during the 18th century in Sweden. Original paint. Beautifu...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Sofas

Materials

Wood

Bench Sofa with Storage Swedish 18th Century Original Paint, Sweden
Bench Sofa with Storage Swedish 18th Century Original Paint, Sweden

Bench Sofa with Storage Swedish 18th Century Original Paint, Sweden

H 30.5 in W 66 in D 20 in
Bench Swedish 18th Century Orange and Blue Original Paint Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Bench 18th century Sweden orange and blue original paint. Bench made in Sweden during the 18th century. Original paint in dark blue and a reddish orange. Storage under seat.
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Sofas

Materials

Pine

Bench Swedish 18th Century Orange and Blue Original Paint Sweden
Bench Swedish 18th Century Orange and Blue Original Paint Sweden

Bench Swedish 18th Century Orange and Blue Original Paint Sweden

H 29 in W 65 in D 21.5 in

Folk Art sofas for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Folk Art sofas for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 19th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage sofas created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, pine and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art sofas made in a specific country, there are Europe, Scandinavia, and Sweden pieces 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. Prices for sofas differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $2,750 and tops out at $4,800 while the average work can sell for $3,800.

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