Skip to main content

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.

to
1
2
1
3
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
3
4,242
3,771
995
289
139
75
58
55
52
52
48
40
34
32
23
22
7
1
2
3
1
1
2
2
2
3
3
3
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

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 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

Related Items
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

Swedish Biedermeier Carved Sofa Quilted Golden Birch 19th Century Antique A
Located in Lewes, England
Antique Swedish Biedermeier Empire sofa settle couch in the country style with a wealth of appliqué decoration on the front panels, arms and legs. Measure: 215cm. It is finished in ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Sofas

Materials

Birch

Italian 18th Century Rustic Bench
Located in Round Top, TX
A very charming and primitive 18th century Bench from Northern Italy. Soundly constructed from richly stained pine with a high back. Wonderful patina. A handsome accent piece. Th...
Category

Late 18th Century Italian Antique Folk Art Sofas

Materials

Pine

Italian 18th Century Rustic Bench
Italian 18th Century Rustic Bench
H 43.5 in W 39.38 in D 22 in
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Sofa Circa 1820
Located in Atlanta, GA
This elegant 19th-century Swedish Gustavian sofa, circa 1820, is a striking example of the timeless beauty and functionality of Scandinavian design. Crafted from pine, the sofa featu...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Sofas

Materials

Pine

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

18th Century Swedish Rustic Folk Art Bench
Located in Kramfors, SE
Northern Swedish Folk Art bench from the late 1700s. The bench is Primitive and rustic and has a lot of character, especially given the original distressed paint and authentic patina...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Sofas

Materials

Pine

18th Century Swedish Rustic Folk Art Bench
18th Century Swedish Rustic Folk Art Bench
H 18.9 in W 52.76 in D 14.57 in
18th-19th Century White Swedish Gustavian Pinewood Daybed, Antique Sofa Bench
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A light-grey, antique Swedish Gustavian daybed made of hand crafted painted Pinewood with two round pillows, in good condition. The sides of t...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Sofas

Materials

Cotton, Pine, Linen, Damask

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

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

Pair of Swedish 19th Century Painted Wood Window Benches
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of Swedish painted wood window benches from the 19th century, with upholstery and pierced supports. Born in Sweden during the 19th century, each of this pair of window benches...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Sofas

Materials

Upholstery, Wood

Rustic Folk Art Bench, Spain, 19th Century
Located in Antwerp, BE
Folk Art; Primitive Bench; Monoxylite Wood; 19th century; Spain; Wabi Sabi; Rustic; Craftsmanship; Arts & Crafts; Rustic two-seater bench from 19th century Spain, with a charming ...
Category

19th Century Spanish Antique Folk Art Sofas

Materials

Wood

Rustic Folk Art Bench, Spain, 19th Century
Rustic Folk Art Bench, Spain, 19th Century
H 37.01 in W 47.25 in D 17.72 in
19th Century Swedish Folk Art Chair
Located in Allerum, SE
19th century Swedish Folk Art chair in it's original condition. Ca 1820 Sweden.
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Sofas

Materials

Pine

19th Century Swedish Folk Art Chair
19th Century Swedish Folk Art Chair
H 27.96 in W 23.23 in D 17.72 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

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
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

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

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

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
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

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
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 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

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 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

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.

Recently Viewed

View All