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
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
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
$2,316 Sale Price
20% Off
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
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
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
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
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
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
$2,898 Sale Price
20% Off
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
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
Mexican Equipale Folk Art Chair with Hand-Painted Scene 1930s
Located in Sakskøbing, DK
This is a rare vintage equipale chair from Mexico, dating to the 1930s. Entirely handcrafted using traditional techniques, it features a pigskin leather seat and backrest stretched o...
Category
1930s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Leather, Cedar, Paint
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
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
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
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
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
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 Seating
Materials
Brass
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
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
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
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 Seating
Materials
Wool
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
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
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
19th Century Original Painted Narrow Bench with Storage, Hungary
Located in Round Top, TX
Antique hand painted narrow bench with divided seats and storage; 6.5' long. Two bench seats open to reveal interior storage.
Traditional Eastern European folk art painting with dark...
Category
Late 19th Century Hungarian Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood, Paint
Danish Cabinetmaker Spindle Chairs in Solid Stained Elmwood, Early 20th Century
Located in Odense, DK
Set of 4 charming folk art style spindle back chairs made in Denmark in the early 20th century by a cabinetmaker. The chairs are made from solid stained elmwood with an amazing grain...
Category
Early 20th Century Danish Folk Art Seating
Materials
Elm
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
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
Scandinavian Almue Stool in Wood & Fabric, Late 19th Century
Located in Odense, DK
A charming little wooden stool with a square seat and four turned legs, each featuring subtle decorative shaping. The seat is covered with a patterned woven textile, showcasing a rec...
Category
Late 19th Century Scandinavian Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Fabric, Beech, Oak
$384 Sale Price
20% Off
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
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
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
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
Early 19th Century Scandinavian Folk Art Chair
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Large 19th Century Scandinavian Folk Art chair in the form of a Kubbestol (log chair).
A wonderful piece of rural Scandinavian heritage.
Seat r...
Category
Early 19th Century Scandinavian Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
Pair of Folk Side Chairs, Swiss Alp, Escabelle
Located in Sherborne, GB
A pair of delightful Swiss escabelle, folk art simple side chairs that are from a long tradition in Northern and Eastern Europe. This pair are not exactly the same, but have the same...
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Oak
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
$2,240 Sale Price
20% Off
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
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
19th Century hand painted folk art corner seat
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century hand painted folk art corner seat circa 1880.
We are pleased to offer this rare traditional piece of hungarian furniture, hand painted in a blue/green and red colour sc...
Category
Late 19th Century Hungarian Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine, Paint
$4,676 / set
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
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
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
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
early 20th Century Wabi Sabi 3 Leg Workshop Stool, German Folkart Around 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This early 20th century wabi sabi 3 leg workshop stool from Germany is an excellent example of this style. The piece has a square, rustic-looking seat made of wood and is supported b...
Category
Early 20th Century German 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 square, rustic-looking seat made of wood and is supported by ...
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
Original Hand Painted Swedish Bench, Dated 1817
Located in Round Top, TX
Original hand painted pine bench displays a brick red/brown background and simple folk art motif along the front panel.
Hinged bench seat opens to reveal interior storage. Bottom sec...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine, Paint
Antique Unusual Swedish Folk Art Chair with Antique Hand Carved Graffiti
Located in Kramfors, SE
Unusual Swedish folk art chair. Rustic and made by hand in solid pine, around the mid 1800s in northern Sweden. The chair has never been painted but is covered in 19th century grafit...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
High Antique Swedish Bench of Solid Pine Partly with Grey Paint Mid 19th Century
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Slim and tall Antique Swedish country side bench handmade in mid 19th century period by a local carpenter.
The bench is made of solid pine partly with the original grey paint.
It ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine, Paint
Swedish pair of tree chairs from the early 1900 Folk Art Peasant Seating
Located in Forest, BE
Confortable pair of Swedish hand carved pine trunk seats from the early 1900. Lots of history, patina and traces of time. Very good condition. Could be used to sit on a desk or a ta...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
$6,555 Sale Price / set
44% Off
Swedish Folk Art 'Spinning-Chair' late 19th century
Located in Farsta, SE
Swedish Folk Art 'Spinning-Chair' late 19th century
This chair was partially made from old spinning wheel parts.
Made out of pine, featuring old repairs and a beautiful patina.
Hei...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
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
Pair of Small Early Painted Folk Art Chairs or Side Tables
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Set of Two Smaller Folk Art Chairs or Side Tables With Original Paint and Patina.
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
$920 Sale Price / set
26% Off
Set of Four 19th C Original Painted Pennsylvania Plank Bottom Chairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These chairs were found in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and are in very good and sturdy condition. Beautiful set of four mauve colored hand painted plank bottom chairs...
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Tulipwood
$2,636 Sale Price / set
20% Off
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
Antique Folk Art Swedish Rustic Kubbstol
Located in Kramfors, SE
Folk Art rustic Kubbstol from northern Sweden. A Kubbstol is a chair made of a single piece of wood that's been hewn out to form the seat, back and frame. It's a primitive constructi...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
Danish heart-shaped folk chair from the 1920s
Located in Copenhagen, DK
This chair is made of solid oak with rounded, chunky club legs.
The chair is ca. from the 1920s with a characteristic back shaped like a heart.
Decorative and unique.
Category
1920s Danish Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Oak
Mexican Equipale Folk Art Chair with Hand-Painted Bullfight Scene 1930s
Located in Sakskøbing, DK
This is a rare vintage equipale chair from Mexico, dating to the 1930s. Entirely handcrafted using traditional techniques, it features a pigskin leather seat and backrest stretched o...
Category
1930s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Leather, Cedar, Paint
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
$1,013 / item
Swedish Rustic Folk Art Primitive Chair
Located in Kramfors, SE
Rustic folk art chair from Northern Sweden. The chair is unique and hand-made into a primitive example of an antique chair. The pine has never been pa...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
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.
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