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
J.L. Nipper Style Outsider Folk Art Painted Alligator Bench/Sculpture
Located in Charleston, SC
Excellent whimsical double headed painted wood sculpture/bench by the late J.L. Nipper. The paint style is very much in the style of JL Nipper, the self proclaimed chainsaw sculptor....
Category
1970s American Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood, Paint
Modernist Pine Chairs, a Pair
Located in Portland, OR
Pair folk modernist pine chairs. From a school in China circa 1970s. Solid build, fantastic lines. Nice patina.
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
Handcrafted Folk Art Rustic Oak Dining Chair Set, France, 1940s
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Handcrafted Folk Art Rustic Oak Dining Chair set of 6. Made in France, 1940s period. Handmade handcrafted and carved solid oak const...
Category
1940s French Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Oak
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 Seating
Materials
Padouk
Rustic Welsh Cricket Stool
Located in Greenwich, CT
A small stool with rustic charm in elm having thick rectangular plank top with canted corners and chamfered underside on three (cricket) spoke legs. Great mellow color and swirling g...
Category
Early 19th Century Welsh Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Elm
Antique Swedish Folk Art Organic "Kubbstol" or "Stockstol"
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique Swedish ”Kubbstol” or ”Stockstol” as they are also known. The chair is a primitive furniture made by hand from one large, solid log of wood. T...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
Early 19th Century French Folk Art Barrel-Back Armchair
Located in Chicago, IL
Experience the captivating allure of this rare early 19th-century French Folk Art walnut barrel-back armchair, a true testament to the craftsmanship and creativity of its time. The c...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Walnut
Swedish Dug-Out Chair 'or Kubbestol'
Located in Houston, TX
Swedish dug-out chair, or kubbestol, circa 1910. Traditional Scandinavian folk art chair made from a log, from central Sweden. Rustic fruitwood barrel-shape body with arms and seat f...
Category
1910s Swedish Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Fruitwood, 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 3 chair handles. The trefoil is a frequently occurring emblem in the architectural de...
Category
1970s Spanish Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
Woven Grounds Chair, Prototype, Award Winning by Vanessa Lee Jackson/ Sculpture
By Oliver Lee Jackson
Located in Buffalo, NY
Woven Grounds Chair, prototype. Award winning by Vanessa Lee Jackson/ sculpture.
narrate my version of beauty through traditional practices of craft. I a...
Category
2010s Canadian Folk Art Seating
Materials
Iron
Brutalist Set of 3 Low Stools and 1 Coffee Table, Solid Wood, France, 1960s
Located in leucate, FR
This primitive set was produced by a French craftsman in the 1960s.
The stools all have a slightly different shape, the table is of the same constru...
Category
1960s French Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
Spanish Rustic Wood Tripod Stool or Side Table
Located in Barcelona, ES
Folk Art Carved Wood Farmer Stool, Spain, 1930s-1940s.
From Catalonia, Spain this tripod stool show Primitive carvings on the legs and a nice top with fo...
Category
20th Century Spanish Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
Antique Pink Painted Kubbestol Carved Log Chair, Sweden, Dated 1807
Located in Round Top, TX
Antique carved and painted kubbestol, a traditional Scandinavian log chair.
The lovely original hand-painted pink flourishes are exceptional in both color and detail, making this ku...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood, Paint
Pair of Northern Swedish Charming Folk Art Chairs
Located in Kramfors, SE
Pair of folk art chairs from northern Sweden made around 1810 to 1820. The chairs are a charming primitive model made by hand in painted pine. They are both in untouched original con...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
19th Century Swedish Painted Pine Chest or Bench
Located in Doylestown, PA
19th century Swedish folk art painted pine long chest or bench, dated 1877.
Great for both a bench and storage, it is long and narrow with a large divided section inside. The ches...
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine, Paint
Pair of Studio Art Chairs in Carved Wood
Located in East Hampton, NY
This pair of hand crafted sculptural wood chairs feature 3 legs and extraordinary details to back rest and seat - SEE detail images and video provided. Architecturally wonderful!
...
Category
1960s Bulgarian Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
Long Waiting Room Seat or Hall Bench This Is a Very Sturdy and Heavy Piece
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Long Waiting Room Seat or Hall Bench
This is a very sturdy and heavy piece, the back and seat are newly upholstered, in an abstract design in aut...
Category
1890s Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Walnut
Original Hand Painted Narrow Bench with Red Flowers, Hungary, Dated 1883
Located in Round Top, TX
This narrow bench is a fun find due to its unique smaller scale at just over 4.5' long, perfect for a small mud room, entryway or hallway.
Original hand painted details include red ...
Category
Late 19th Century Hungarian Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood, Paint
Swedish Folk Art Chair
Located in Houston, TX
Swedish Folk Art chair hand carved in pine with remnants of old golden ocher and oxblood color paints.
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine, Paint
Antique English 19th Century Vernacular Cricket Table Side Table Stool
Located in London, GB
Antique English 19th century Vernacular cricket table side table stool
Beautiful sculptural piece. Good colour and patina.
In very good condition commensurate of age.
Category
19th Century English Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Birch
Unusual Swedish Antique Decorated Folk Art Chair
Located in Kramfors, SE
Unusual Swedish antique chair from Hälsingland made around the late 1700s to the turn of the century 1700 to 1800. The chair is folk art and thi...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
Pair of 19th Century Swedish Folk Art Log Chairs
Located in Helsingborg, SE
fine and rare pair of 19th century Swedish Folk Art log chairs in their original condition and great proportions and shape, circa 1810 Sweden.
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
Antique Set 4 Spanish Polychrome Dining Chairs Giltwood Green Painted Folk Art
Located in Sherborne, Dorset
A stunning set of four Andalusian ladderback dining chairs in original Polychrome dark green and old gold with rush seats – a stunning combination of colours with the most appealing ...
Category
Early 20th Century Spanish Folk Art Seating
Materials
Rush, Wood, Giltwood, Paint
Antique Danish Bobbin "Rokkestol" Rocking Chair Black Lacquered & Olmerdug
Located in Odense, DK
Charming antique Danish "Rokkestol" in black lacquered wood and upholstered in traditional Danish "Olmerdug" fabric fitted with brass nails. This type of chair was very popular in th...
Category
Early 20th Century Danish Folk Art Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Set of 6 Folk Art Tribal Chairs Sculpted in Massive Wood
Located in PARIS, FR
A set of 6 surprising tripod chairs, Modernist, Brutalist, Folk Art, Tribal Art, sculpted in massive wood, with beautiful floral organic motifs, to be attributed, France 1950.
Thi...
Category
1950s French Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
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 Seating
Materials
Wood
Picasso Style Chairs
Located in Manchester, MA
A rare pair of Folk Art armchairs. The single bent plywood seat and back extend to the floor and rests on a sturdy hand wrought frame. Both depict Picasso inspired colorful Figural i...
Category
20th Century North American Folk Art Seating
Materials
Plywood
Set of Six 20th Century Andalusian High Back Chairs
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Fabulous set of six early 20th century polychrome high back chairs with strawed seats.
Each features a prominently raised crest on the headrest, beautifully carved with a sunflower. The open ladder back features bow motifs.
The uprights feature decorative carving and terminate in stylised acorn-shaped finials. The legs are also ornately carved and the front leg brace continues the bow motif.
These chairs feature double-turned stretchers to the front and sides with a single-turned stretcher to the rear.
With their wonderful colour and patination, this stunning set of Spanish chairs...
Category
20th Century Spanish Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
Pareja de butacas corcho
Located in Madrid, ES
Conjunto de dos butacas de corcho realizas en la región de Extremadura por los pastores con el corcho que se saca de los alcornoques.
Tiene un estructura interna de hierro que las...
Category
1950s Spanish Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Iron
Antique Swedish Rustic Solid Pine Bench
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique primitive Swedish bench made in folk art. The bench is made by hand in solid pine around the year 1800 and has a rustic and authentically antique appearance...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
Antique Nantucket Hand Decorated Folding Double Chair from Steamship or Theater
Located in Nantucket, MA
Antique Nantucket Decorated Folding Double Chair, circa 1920s, believed to be from a Nantucket Theater or the Steamship "Nobska." A period double chair, built together in one frame, with slatted backs above folding slatted seats, raised on crossed reverse curved legs which also fold together. Decorated with later hand-painted Nantucket iconic images including a Steamship, Right Whale...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
Swedish Designer, Side Table / Stool, Wood, "Faluröd" Paint, 19th Century
Located in High Point, NC
A wooden side table or stool painted in "faluröd" red pigment, designed and produced in Sweden, 19th century.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood, Paint
20th Century Wabi Sabi 3 Leg Milking Stool, Austria Around 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This 20th century wabi sabi 3 leg milking stool from Austria is an excellent example of this style. The piece has a round, rustic-looking seat made of wooden planks and is supported by three spindle legs. The stool has a simple, understated design which is typical of wabi sabi furniture...
Category
1930s Austrian Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
Primitive Handcrafted Organic Highback Naga Chair in Solid Teak, Wabi Sabi Style
Located in Odense, DK
One of a kind charming authentic primitive stump chair made in a single solid hardwood. Hand carved by the Naga tribe in India, ca 1970s.
A nice wabi...
Category
Mid-20th Century Indian Folk Art Seating
Materials
Hardwood, Teak
Original Hand Painted Vintage Folk Art Bench with Storage, Hungary Dated 1925
Located in Round Top, TX
Original hand painted folk art pine bench displays traditional brown faux wood background and colorful floral motif.
Traditional spindle back, curved armrests and hinged bench seat ...
Category
Early 20th Century Hungarian Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood, Paint
Lloyd Loom Easy Chair Delightful Shabby Lloyd Loom Armchair
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Lloyd Loom easy chair
This delightful Shabby Lloyd Loom armchair dating from the early 20th century
The chair is a generous sweeping shape and has a comfy sprung seat...
Category
1930s Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wicker
Antique Small Ladder Back Green Primitive Rustic Chair with Deer Hide Seat
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique small ladder back green primitive rustic chair with deer hide seat. Item features deer hide leather seat, attractive warm patina, stretcher base, sol...
Category
19th Century Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Leather, Wood
Antique Swedish Folk Art Rustic Pine Chair
Located in Kramfors, SE
Swedish folk art chair made during the late 1800s. The chair is hand-made from pine with a heart cut out from the backrest. The chair has never been painted so the pine has aged natu...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
Folk Art Chair from Finland
Located in Farsta, SE
One of a kind
Folk Art chair from Finland
Acid-stained Pine
1930s
Consistent with age and use.
Category
1930s Finnish Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
20th Century Wabi Sabi 4 Leg Stool, Germany circa 1930s or Older
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This 20th century wabi sabi 4 leg workshop stool from Germany is an excellent example of this style. The piece has a round, rustic-looking seat made of wooden planks and is supported by four spindle legs. The stool has a simple, understated design which is typical of wabi sabi furniture...
Category
1930s German Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
Glazed Terracotta Brown and Yellow Side Table
Located in Pasadena, CA
This contemporary brown and yellow ceramic side table is handcrafted to perfection. It is ideal for use as an accent piece in any room, offering a functional and stylish surface for ...
Category
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Seating
Materials
Ceramic, Terracotta
Swedish Stump Chair
Located in Farsta, SE
Swedish Stump Chair
Made out of a single log of pine tree, made between in year 1680-1730.
Metal ribbon and nails added in late 1800 century.
Category
1690s Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
Norwegian Stump Chair
Located in Farsta, SE
Norwegian stump chair.
Made out of birch tree circa 1850.
Category
1850s Norwegian Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Birch
Pair of Antique High Back Windsor Chairs with Hexagonal Sheet
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
A high-back windsor chair with a very rare hexagon seat. An excellent design with a sense of tension. An antique product with a very good overall atmo...
Category
1880s British Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Ash
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...
Category
Late 19th Century Hungarian Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine, Paint
Antique Swedish Rustic Folk Art Stool
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique Swedish rustic stool in folk art made with three legs. The stool has a round seat and is in its untouched original condition. The paint has become distressed with time and the resulting patina is full of rustic charm and character. This stool is from northern Sweden and made around the 1820s. Older stools...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
Antique Swedish Folk Art Chair in Gustavian Style
Located in Kramfors, SE
Swedish folk art chair in gustavian style in pine made during the early 1800s, around 1820. The chair has been standing in the same farm house in northern Hälsingland, a province in ...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
English Elm Corner Chair, Early 19th Century
Located in London, GB
English Elm Corner chair, Early 19th Century
An early 19th Century corner chair made in elm with a rush seat and an unusual simulated bamboo details in the seat back.
A lovely ...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Elm
Pouf, Small Square Indian
Located in New Orleans, LA
Large ottoman or pouf in a rustic woven wool.
Category
20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wool
Vintage Folk Art Red Nautical Martime Viking Clipper Ship Side Accent Chair
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage folk art nautical maritime design side chair featuring a hand painted Viking Clipper ship with rope twist border sailing the ocean with a red ensign or ""Red Duster"" flag, w...
Category
Mid-20th Century Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wool, Hardwood
Pouf, Large Square Indian
Located in New Orleans, LA
Very large footstool or pouf made of rustically woven wool.
Category
20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wool
Decorative Armchair in Solid Pine, Handcrafted by Petrus Lidholm, Sweden, 1950s
Located in Odense, DK
A unique sculptural folk art armchair in solid stained pine. Handcrafted by Petrus Lidholm in Sweden, ca 1950s. This decorative object can be used as an office chair, dining chair or...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
English Ladder Back Armchair, Early 19th Century
Located in London, GB
English Ladder back armchair, Early 19th Century
A country-made early 19th century ladder back armchair. Made in Ash with great patina and origi...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Ash
19th Century Swedish Antique rustic Stamp chair folk Art " Kubb "chair
Located in Boden, SE
Swedish "Kubb "chair from the 18th-19th century. The "Kubb"chair is an old type of furniture, and is probably the first chair. It is found on depictions from the Viking Age and the ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
Antique Swedish Woven Rattan Basket Chair
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique woven basket chair from Sweden made around the late 1800s. The chair is an unusual find with an eclectic collection of different weaving s...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Rattan
Pair of Hand Made Studio Craft Bar Stools by Bill Woodhead, D. 1985
Located in Peabody, MA
A pair of handmade studio craft bar stools in maple by the Boston area woodworker Bill Woodhead, dated 1985.
Category
1980s American Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Maple
Italian Chair with a Very Original Design with Seat in Colored Fabric Black Wood
Located in Buggiano, IT
Italian uncommon chair with a very original design with seat in colored fabric.
Heavy black wood.
Colored stick decorations on the sides.
Grooves o...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Set of 6 Swiss Handmade Farm House Carved Dining Chairs, Switzerland, 6 Pieces
Located in Madison, WI
Absolutely stunning RARE complete set of 6 Swiss Solid wood farm house traditional dining chairs.
The chairs are handmade and display beau...
Category
1950s Swiss Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Walnut
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, more furniture and collectibles 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 Berber Tribes of Morocco, Bobby Falwell, Dimitri Omersa, and Lland. 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 $375 and tops out at $17,950 while the average work can sell for $2,500.
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