Folk Art Seating
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
Small Charming Antique Swedish Primitive Folk Art Bench with Natural Patina
Located in Kramfors, SE
Small charming primitive folk art bench from northern Sweden made by hand around 1840. The bench is made in solid pine which has never been painted so the wood has lightened to a nat...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
Vintage French Alpine Folk Chair with Heart-Back in Solid Wood Ca 1950s
Located in Bonita Springs, FL
This sculptural folk chair, from the French Alpine region, handcrafted in solid wood during the 1950s, brings rustic charm and whimsy with its iconic heart-shaped back, (a signature ...
Category
1950s French Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
Primitive Weathered Bench with Splayed Legs
Located in Round Top, TX
Primitive carved wood bench with six splayed legs.
Hand-carved piece with naturally weathered surface. Pieces like this are Folk Art in nature and mix with leather furniture and on...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
19Thc Tiger Maple Day Bed W/ Cushion
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This 19Thc tiger eye maple day bed or hired hands bed is in fine condition with a rope tied frame.The custom made cushion is made from homespun linen & down & feather fill mattress.
Category
Early 1800s American Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
Original Hand Painted Blue Long Bench with Storage dated 1880
Located in Round Top, TX
Antique hand painted bench with storage just over 10' long .
Traditional Eastern European folk art painting with blue background and red, green and yellow florals along front and rai...
Category
Late 19th Century Hungarian Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood, Paint
Hand Carved Dog Bench by Stephen Huneck
Located in Chicago, IL
Stephen Huneck, a renowned American folk artist, left behind a legacy of creativity and craftsmanship that continues to inspire today. This hand-carved wood dog bench...
Category
1990s American Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
Indoor-Outdoor Modern River Rock Masonry Tuffet Stool by Lland
By Rachel Shillander
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Masonry Tuffet stool is made from a common injection molded plastic child's stool, reimagined by cladding it in stone masonry. This piece represents the artist's personal appreciation for the physical characteristics, permanence, and labor-intensive construction of masonry.
The Masonry Tuffet Stool is made to order. Due to the means and methods of laying masonry and the natural variations in stone, no two items are exactly the same, but final piece will use the same white river rock. The dimensions of each piece vary within reason, therefore weight and size are approximate. Please specify felt or rubber feet.
Fabricated in 2019 by Rachel Shillander...
Category
2010s American Folk Art Seating
Materials
Stone
Set of 8 Sculptural French Alpine Chairs in Solid Oak, France, 1950s
Located in Almelo, NL
Set of 8 Sculptural French Alpine Chairs in Solid Oak, France, 1950s
Description:
A rare set of eight sculptural Alpine chairs, handcrafted in France during the 1950s from solid Fre...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Folk Art Seating
Materials
Oak
Göran Malmvall Classic Swedish pine chairs set of 7
Located in Forest, BE
Set of 7 (price for each) classic, minimal and elegant lightweight comfortable pinewood chairs from Sweden around 1950. These are massive pine that shows a nice warm colour. They wer...
Category
1950s Swedish Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Hardwood, Pine
$1,023 / item
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 Seating
Materials
Pine
Mexican Equipale Folk Art Chair with Hand-Painted Bullfight Scene 1930s
Located in Sakskøbing, DK
Rare vintage equipale chair from Mexico, dating to the 1930s. Entirely handcrafted using traditional techniques, it features a pigskin leather seat and backrest stretched over a ceda...
Category
1930s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Leather, Cedar, Paint
Charming Antique Primitive Folk Art Chairs, from Northern Sweden Made in Pine
Located in Kramfors, SE
Charming antique primitive chairs in folk art made in northern Sweden. Made by hand in solid pine around the year 1800 which makes them around 220 years old. Original paint which has...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
19th Century Scandinavian Folk Art Child’s Chair, circa 1820
Located in Valby, 84
A rare and beautifully primitive Scandinavian child’s chair, hand-carved from solid wood with incredible patina and wear from centuries of use. The chair’s naive yet sculptural form ...
Category
1820s Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
Rare Pair of Tyrolean Walnut Armchairs 18th Century
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
Rare Pair of Tyrolean Walnut Armchairs
18th Century
Crescent arm ending in rounded terminals
surmounted by a traditional crest with pierced heart
supported by six turned columns
s...
Category
Late 18th Century Austrian Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Walnut
Woven Tule 'Icpalli' Bench made in Mexico from 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 indo...
Category
2010s Mexican Folk Art Seating
Materials
Seagrass
Original Painted Pine Bench With Storage dated 1873 from Romania
Located in Round Top, TX
Antique hand painted pine bench dated 1873 is embellished with traditional Eastern European folk art painting with blue accents and red flower bouquets all set against a brown backgr...
Category
Late 19th Century Romanian Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine, Paint
Pair of Antique Swedish Rustic Folk Art Chairs in Solid Pine with Genuine Patina
Located in Kramfors, SE
Pair of Swedish rustic chairs in folk art made during the first years of the 1800s, around 1800 to 1810 in northern Sweden. The chairs are primitive and unique, made by hand in solid...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
Beautiful Folk Art Wood Carved Chair Foot Rest Stool, Vintage German 1920s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
An interesting brutalist stool with hand carved legs, seat and great patina. Great piece of functional sculpture. It is in great vintage condition and is structurally sound. Nice add...
Category
1920s German Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
Vintage Egyptian 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 saddle...
Category
Mid-20th Century Egyptian Folk Art Seating
Materials
Brass
Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Wood Tripod Chair Foot Rest Stool, Spain Vintage
Located in Nuernberg, DE
An interesting brutalist stool with hand carved legs and great patina. Great piece of functional sculpture. It is in great vintage condition and is structurally sound. Nice addition ...
Category
1970s Spanish Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
Early 20th Century, Scandinavian Folk Art Three-Legged Chair in Pine, Wabi Sabi
Located in Odense, DK
A Scandinavian folk art three-legged chair, carved in solid pine and finished with a warm lacquer, early 20th century. The sculptural seat, turned legs, and low curved backrest displ...
Category
Early 20th Century Scandinavian Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
Carved Spanish Wooden Stool, Mid 20th Century
Located in Schwerin, MV
Carved wooden three-legged stool or small side table, Spain, 1940s
The seat has a polygonal shape and slight indentations on the top. The stool stands on thick, round, slightly taper...
Category
Mid-20th Century Spanish Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
Handmade Vintage Small Folk Art Carved and Painted Vanity Bench Stool
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A vintage, handmade floral folk art vanity bench/stool. This wonderful little seat features a full wood construction, with stunning hand carved floral design side panels. Each side i...
Category
20th Century Unknown Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
Painted Pine Storage Bench or Settle
Located in Baltimore, MD
This massive pine double storage bench has a long straight back rail with an applied crest about five inches high. The back rails and stiles frame two short flat panels, a pattern re...
Category
Early 20th Century Hungarian Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Sculptural Wood Tripod Chair, Spain Vintage
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A pair of interesting brutalist wood tripod chairs from Spain, with a trefoil motif adorning all the chair handles. The trefoil is a frequently occur...
Category
1970s Spanish Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
1970s Whimsical Textile Animals Green Colorful Serpentine Wingback Settee Sofa
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning and rare, wingback settee you could hope to find. Outstanding design is exhibited throughout. The beautiful sofa is statement pi...
Category
1970s European Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Textile, Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Beautiful Designer 3 Leg Stool, Pine, Austria, 1970s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A pine stool designed and produced in Austria, 1970s. The diameter on top is approx. 10 3/4". The stool has a strong sense of history, having been bought from an estate sale in Vienn...
Category
1970s Austrian Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
Brutalist bar stools Mid-Century 1950s
Located in Cantù, IT
Brutalist bar stools Mid-Century 1950s
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
Yoruba Royal Beaded Chair Made in West Africa
By Yoruba Tribe
Located in London, GB
Yoruba Royal Beaded Chair, West Africa
A traditional Yoruba royal beaded chair, handcrafted in West Africa. These chairs were historically made for Yoruba kings and high-ranking ind...
Category
Late 20th Century Sahrawi Folk Art Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood, Beads
Tromp l'Œil Surrealist-Style Folk Art Settee Bench
Located in Round Top, TX
Surrealist-Style textile settee with a folk art frame in original green paint.
We've added a vintage textile in a rope print that gives it a one-of-a-kind look that we absolutely lo...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Seating
Materials
Textile, Wood
Vernacular Green-Painted Swedish Stool
Located in Houston, TX
Vernacular green-painted Swedish stool with back, dating to 19th century. True folk art piece constructed in pine circa 1860-1879. Green painted finish on upper part of chair is larg...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
Original Folk Art Painted Bench with Storage, Hungary circa 1900's
Located in Round Top, TX
Original hand painted folk art pine bench displays traditional brown faux wood background and colorful floral motif.
Back has 3 decorative spindles, slightly curved armrests and hing...
Category
Early 20th Century Hungarian Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine, Paint
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...
Category
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wool
Original Painted Bench with Storage, Sweden circa 1820-40
Located in Round Top, TX
This original hand painted Swedish pine bench displays a brick red/brown faux wood background and simple folk art motif along the front panel and back.
The bench seat opens/is remove...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Linen, Pine, Paint
19Thc Original Paint Decorated Rocking Chair From New England
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19Thc Original paint decorated New England rocking chair in pristine condition.This fine rocking chair has a mustard painted surface with black decorated splash.
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
19thc Early Original Red Painted Settee / Day Bed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Early 19Thc Original red painted day bed or settee in fine as found condition.This settee comes with four custom made 19thc coverlet pillows & the same settee decking is covered in t...
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wool, Wood
Italian 1930s beautifully hand-crafted oak mountain armchair
Located in Milan, IT
Italian 1930s beautifully hand-crafted oak mountain armchair
Category
1930s Italian Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Wood Tripod Chair and Foot Rest, German Vintage
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A interesting brutalist wood tripod chair from Germany, with a matching foot rest or table. Great piece of functional sculpture. Stool and foot rest is in great vintage condition and...
Category
1970s German Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
late 19th Century Wabi Sabi 3 Leg Stool, Austria Around 1890s - 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This late 19th century wabi sabi 3 leg milking stool from Austria is an excellent example of this style. The piece has a rustic-looking seat made of wood and is supported by three le...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Wood Tripod Chair Foot Rest Stool, Spain Vintage
Located in Nuernberg, DE
An interesting brutalist stool with hand carved legs and great patina. Great piece of functional sculpture. It is in great vintage condition and is structurally sound. Nice addition ...
Category
1970s Spanish Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
German Sheep Stool by Hans Peter Krafft for Meier 1970s
Located in Lisboa, PT
A rare and highly collectible life-sized German Sheep Stool, designed by Hans Peter Krafft and produced by Meier in the 1980s. This remarkable piece perfe...
Category
1970s German Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Leather, Wool, Birch
Decorative Antique Sled, Wrought Iron with a Wood Seat, German 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This early 20th century sleigh from Germany is an excellent example of a child's toy or likely a display piece for your doll or teddy bear collection. The piece has a rustic looking ...
Category
Early 20th Century German Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
Sculptural 19th Century Horn Chair with Footstool
Located in Chicago, IL
A sculptural armchair and matching footstool from the late 19th century, artfully assembled from the curving forms of American cattle horns. At once delicate and dramatic, the chair ...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Horn, Wool, Wood
Stephen Huneck Carved Wooden Dog Footstool
By Steven Huneck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stephen Huneck hand carved wooden dog footstool. Perfect as a foot stool, ottoman or playful sculpture.
Dimensions
7" width x 20" depth x 15" height.
Condition
Good vintage condition.
Category
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
Original Hand-Painted Pine Bench with Storage, circa 1890-1920
Located in Round Top, TX
Original hand painted folk art pine bench displays traditional brown faux wood background and floral motif.
Solid back, slightly curved armrests and hinged bench seat revealing inter...
Category
Late 19th Century Hungarian Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine, Paint
Vintage Dimitri Omersa Lion Leather Footstool, circa 1950s
Located in Vis, NL
Vintage Dimitri Omersa lion footstool with light wear and patina on the leather consistent with wear and age.
Category
1950s American Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Leather
Vintage Wabi Sabi Style Dining Chair in Patinated Elm Wood, Mid-Century, Italy
Located in Odense, DK
A striking solo Alpine-style dining chair, crafted in mid-century Northern Italy or Switzerland, characterized by its distinctive carved splat back and robust construction. This vers...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Folk Art Seating
Materials
Elm
Turn of the Century Green Romanian Box Bench
Located in Cirencester, GB
This settle or bench is early 20th Century, possibly older. Original green and red paint full of rustic charm and an exquisite example of folk craftsmanship. Wonderful natural colo...
Category
Early 20th Century Romanian Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
Original Hand Painted Pine Bench with Storage, Hungary circa 1920-40
Located in Round Top, TX
Original hand painted folk art pine bench displays traditional brown faux wood background and colorful floral motif.
Back has 3 decorative spindles, slightly curved armrests and hing...
Category
Early 20th Century Hungarian Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine, Paint
1970’s Indian Tripod Female and Male Chairs
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Pair of Indian hand carved and painted wood male and female chairs.
This were purchased in India in the 1970’s.
In beautiful original condition...
Category
1970s Indian Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
$6,500 / set
Antique Ghanian Ashanti Style Stool with Leopard Carved, Africa
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Carved Antique African Leopard Ashanti Style Stool.
Early 20th Century Ghanaian Ashanti style leopard stool.
Animal leopard stool hand-carved wood from ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Ghanaian Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
Mexican Equipale Folk Art Chair with Hand-Painted Scene 1930s
Located in Sakskøbing, DK
Rare vintage equipale chair from Mexico, dating to the 1930s. Entirely handcrafted using traditional techniques, it features a pigskin leather seat and backrest stretched over a ceda...
Category
1930s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Leather, Cedar, Paint
19th Century Original Painted Pine Bench with Storage, Hungary
Located in Round Top, TX
Original hand painted folk art pine bench displays traditional brown faux wood background and floral motif.
Solid back, slightly curved armrests and hinged bench seat revealing inter...
Category
Late 19th Century Hungarian Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine, Paint
Vintage Swiss/German Carved and Painted Board Chair
Located in Centennial, CO
A charming vintage Swiss or southern German carved and painted board chair with turned legs. Skillfully painted and structurally strong this chair would be a sweet accent chair in a ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swiss Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine, Paint
Near Pair of Antique Welsh Country Ladder back Chairs. C.1800
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Fabulous near pair of elm ladder back chairs
One is slightly taller than the other
Lovely original patina and colour
Great in a Folk Art interior
Sturdy construction
The measure...
Category
Early 1800s Welsh Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Elm
Beachcomber Spindle Back Chair in Walnut in Stock
Located in Los Angeles, CA
During the 18th century, a profound design movement took place in Wales. It was led by peasant-carpenters who, simply in an effort to create a practical seating option, produced one of the most elegant spindle back chairs of that time. It is known as the 'Welsh Stick Chair...
Category
2010s American Folk Art Seating
Materials
Oak, Walnut
Hand-Crafted Folk Art Primitive Elm Stool Sculptural Rustic Form
Located in London, GB
Hand-Crafted Folk Art Primitive Elm Stool Sculptural Rustic Form
This charming primitive stool embodies the honest beauty of hand-crafted English folk art. Made in England from sol...
Category
1930s English Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Elm
early 20th Century Wabi Sabi 3 Leg Stool, Austria Around 1920s - 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This early 20th century wabi sabi 3 leg milking stool from Austria is an excellent example of this style. The piece has a square, rustic-looking seat made of wood and is supported by...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
Tribal Molave Wood Stool with Carved Male Head
Located in Kastrup, DK
Philippine Tribal Stool in Carved Wood.
Unique small stool crafted from solid molave hardwood.
The front features a striking, hand-carved male head – a prominent example of tradition...
Category
Early 20th Century Philippine Folk Art Seating
Materials
Hardwood
Swedish Designer, Side Chair, Wood, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A wood side or lounge chair designed and produced in Sweden, c. 1930s.
Seat height: 15”
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
Folk Art seating for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique folk art seating for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage seating created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, folk art, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, softwood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art seating made in a specific country, there are Europe, Scandinavia, and Sweden pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original seating, popular names associated with this style include Alix Coco, Berber Tribes of Morocco, Bobby Falwell, and Thomas Chippendale. 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 seating differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $251 and tops out at $89,500 while the average work can sell for $2,400.