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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
Color:  Brown
Unusual Primitive 19th Century Swedish Chair
Located in Mjöhult, SE
Unusual primitive and sculptural early 19th century Swedish / Scandinavian folk art chair. Ca 1800 Sweden.
Category

Early 19th Century Antique Folk Art Seating

Materials

Pine

Folk Art Early 20th Century Wood Rustic Four Chairs
Located in Brescia, IT
Four rustic chairs 1900-1910 Hand-carved wood Excellent condition.
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Folk Art Seating

Materials

Wood

Chunky oak stool, France 1950
Located in Amstelveen, NL
Interesting three legged naïve French stool in solid oak with beautiful patina. Colours vary from caramel to deep browns, almost black. A great esthetically interesting interior piece.
Category

Mid-20th Century French Folk Art Seating

Materials

Oak

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, Paint, Giltwood, Wood

Finnish Folk Art Stool
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful Finnish hand carved folk stool from the late 1800s. The stool retains the original blue colour commonly used in furniture back in the period. The stool seems to have had ...
Category

Late 19th Century Finnish Antique Folk Art Seating

Materials

Pine

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

19th Century Swedish Folk Art Stool
Located in Mjöhult, SE
Charming 19th century Swedish folk art stool in Its original condition with great patina, ca 1810 Sweden.
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating

Materials

Pine

Small Antique Swedish Folk Art Pine Bench
Located in Kramfors, SE
Small antique Swedish bench in folk art. The frame is made by hand in solid Swedish pine. The original light blue paint has genuine distress an...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating

Materials

Pine

Original Painted Brown 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 along back. Hinged bench seat opens to reveal interior divided sto...
Category

20th Century Hungarian Folk Art Seating

Materials

Wood, Paint

18th Century Rustic country Primitive Folk Art Stool
Located in Boden, SE
18th Century Swedish Primitive Folk Art Chair from Northern Sweden. This charming chair is a true piece of history. It was made by hand in No...
Category

Mid-19th Century 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

Antique Swedish Folk Art Genuine Original Condition Chair
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique folk art chair from Sweden made during the mid 1800s. The chair is a classic folk art chair with a model that has its roots in the renaissance period. Made in pine with the o...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating

Materials

Pine

Vintage Egyptian African Camel Saddle Stool
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Egyptian, North Africa camel saddle shape stool. A middle eastern wood and leather camel saddle wood bench designed with a wooden frame and a bla...
Category

Mid-20th Century Egyptian Folk Art Seating

Materials

Cowhide, Wood

Indoor-Outdoor Modern River Rock Masonry Tuffet Stool by Lland
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

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 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 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

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

18th Century Swedish Folk Art Stool
Located in Mjöhult, SE
A unique organic and sculptural 18th century Swedish Folk Art stool, ca 1770 - 1800. Sweden.
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating

Materials

Pine

Antique Swedish Original Folk Art Chair
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique folk art chair from Sweden made around 1860 in painted pine. The chair has the original paint with a time-worn distressed patina. The chair had a very particular function in ...
Category

Mid-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

Early 19th century Swedish Log Chair
Located in Mjöhult, SE
Vernacular early 19th century Swedish Folk Art log chair or “kubbestol” a provincial Scandinavian chair made from a log. Ca 1800 - 1820 Sweden.
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating

Materials

Wood

Swedish Primitive Kubbstol Chair in Original Paint with Provenance, 18th c.
Located in Wichita, KS
This “kubbstol” is a traditional Scandinavian chair made from a hollowed trunk of wood. This beautiful folk art piece has provenance. The back is inscrib...
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating

Materials

Wood, Paint

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

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

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

19th C Childs Ladder Back Chair with Original Rush Seat
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th C childs ladder back chair with original rush seat. The seat is so beautiful. Pristine condition.     
Category

19th Century American Antique Folk Art Seating

Materials

Rattan, Wood

Beachcomber Spindle Back Chair in Walnut
By Greg Mitchell
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

Swedish 19th Century Wooden Child's High Chair
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Swedish early 19th century wooden child's high chair.    
Category

Early 19th Century Scandinavian Antique Folk Art Seating

Materials

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

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...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating

Materials

Pine

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

19th Century Folk Art Swedish Stool
Located in San Angelo, TX
A beautiful Swedish folk art stool from the early 19th century. This stool has the original worn patina of time and use which can be noticed on the seat and the stretcher where the f...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating

Materials

Wood

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

Antique Swedish Folk Art Stump Chair
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique Swedish stump chair in folk art. The chair has a round shape and is made from a hollowed pine tree stump. The chair is in untouched conditi...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating

Materials

Pine

Beachcomber Spindle Back Chair in Walnut in Stock
By Greg Mitchell
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

Rare Long Swedish Folk Art Pine Bench
Located in Kramfors, SE
Northern Swedish rare folk art bench made during the mid 1800s. The bench is hand-crafted in Sweden from pine and has been made carefully with attention to detail. The seat is made f...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating

Materials

Pine

Charming 19th Century Swedish Folk Art Chair
Located in Kramfors, SE
Charming Swedish folk art chair from Hälsingland in Sweden. The chair is made during the early 1800s in Swedish pine. It has the original paint which has become naturally distressed ...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating

Materials

Pine

Early 20th Century Black & White Hand Beaded African Chair
Located in East Hampton, NY
This truly exquisite hand beaded chair by the Yoruba Artisans of Nigeria, best representation of furniture as art. And don't be shy to sit on them, because they are very comfortable. There is a Second matching chair available. They were traditionally created for the Yoruba tribe kings and queens and are embellished with thousands of seed glass beads applied to fabric covers, which are then stitched or glued onto the chair frame - resulting in an exotic chair...
Category

Early 20th Century Nigerian Folk Art Seating

Materials

Wood, Beads

19th Century Swedish Folk Art Chair in Higly Decorative Shapes
By Craft and Folk Art Museum
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
Folk art made in Sweden at its best. This chair with highly appealing shapes and patina. Made in the late 19th century this chair is a given piece to any modern home that wants to ha...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating

Materials

Birch

Early 18th Century Swiss Pine Back Stool
Located in London, GB
A Swiss pine back stool with an open heart carving on the back panel. Swiss, early 18th century Dimensions: H 85 x W 40 x D 34.5 cm.
Category

Early 18th Century Swiss Antique Folk Art Seating

Materials

Wood, Pine

19th C Original Painted Decorated Child's / Doll Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19Th C original painted child’s / dolls chair from Pennsylvania. The Chair is in Amazing Condition & Found in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Circa 1860. Fantastic Patina!
Category

19th Century American Antique Folk Art Seating

Materials

Wood

Vintage Handmade Bart Simpson Child Rocking Chairs Folk Art - Pair
Located in Salt Lake City, UT
Pair of handmade Bart Simpson child-size rocking chairs. Vintage condition, one is more worn than the other but both show wear consistent with age. Solid ...
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Seating

Materials

Wood, Paint

Late 18th Century Swedish Folk Art Bench
Located in Mjöhult, SE
Late 18th century Swedish Folk Art bench in solid raw pine. Ca 1790.
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating

Materials

Pine

Scottish Horseshoe Back Chair
Located in Houston, TX
Scottish horseshoe-back chair, circa 1850-1870. This vernacular Windsor style stick-back chair from Argyll, Scotland, features pegged construction and remnants of original earthy red milk paint. Its seat is pine, legs and spindles are elm and the horseshoe back rail is yew wood. Originally created to function as a work or milking chair...
Category

Mid-19th Century Scottish Antique Folk Art Seating

Materials

Paint, Yew, Pine, Elm

Swedish Painted Folk Art Kubbstol Chair
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Folk Art Kubbstol chair from Northern Sweden. A Kubbstol chair is made from a hollowed tree trunk; from a single piece of wood that's been hewn out to form the seat, back and frame. ...
Category

Early 1900s Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating

Materials

Pine

Early 20th Century Wabi Sabi 4 Leg Milking Stool Seat, Sweden Around 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic 1910s or older, wood stool. Made of wood, hand painted, hand carved. Found at an estate sale in Stockholm, Sweden. Some paint lost and in shabby chic design, but this is old-...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Folk Art Seating

Materials

Wood

Hand Made Anglo Indian Folk Art Bench
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Hand made Anglo Indian Folk Art bench The bench has been very skilfully made using old architectural materials and carvings it is a completely unique and one off piece It has t...
Category

Mid-20th Century Folk Art Seating

Materials

Teak

Antique German Leather & Wood Armchair with Brass Nailhead Details
Located in Nuernberg, DE
beautiful lounge arm chair made of wood and leather with nailhead details. We think this example is from the 1910s, good condition. Minor patina and scratches on the leather, gives t...
Category

1910s German Vintage Folk Art Seating

Materials

Nutwood, Leather

Early 19th Century Northern Swedish Charming Pine Folk Art Stool
Located in Kramfors, SE
Northern Swedish charming folk art stool from the early 19th century. The stool is made in pine and it has the original worn patina of time. The model and construction is primitive b...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating

Materials

Pine

Antique Beechwood Children's Chair
Located in Budapest, HU
Antique children's highchair with an abacus and potty chair functions. Made of steamed beechwood, with leather cover. Manufactured around 1910.  
Category

1910s Vintage Folk Art Seating

Materials

Leather, Beech

Studio Furniture American Craft Stool Mid-century modern 1960s USA
By Bobby Falwell
Located in Antwerp, BE
Walnut stool, hand-crafted, studio craft, USA Wendell Castle, Roger sloan, JB Blunk, Jawar, Richard Bronk, Gerald Mccabe, Bobby Falwell, David Scott, Charles Fischer, Howard Osinski...
Category

1970s American Vintage Folk Art Seating

Materials

Walnut

Ashanti Style Tribal Stool
Located in Pasadena, TX
Ashanti Style Tribal Stool Stool in the style of the Ashanti Tribe of Ghana. Beautifully carved with a stepped base.    
Category

Late 20th Century Ghanaian Folk Art Seating

Materials

Wood

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 Seating

Materials

Pine

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

"Art Populaire" Folk Art Stool from the Auvergne, Mid-Century Rustic 1800's
Located in Antwerp, BE
Mid-century; rustic; "Art Populaire"; Folk art; Stool ;Auvergne; France; 1800s Mid-century rustic "Art Populaire" Folk art stool. This chair is from the Auvergne, France and we da...
Category

Early 1800s French Antique Folk Art Seating

Materials

Wood

Hand Painted Feline Motif Upholstered Leopard Print Wood Chair in Green & Orange
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A whimsical hand painted wooden chair with upholstered leopard print cushion. The back of this piece is wood, with a stylized carved design in or...
Category

20th Century Portuguese Folk Art Seating

Materials

Fabric, Wood, Paint

Stool Fruitwood Treen Heart Love Minature Folk Vernacular Commemorative Child's
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
- Charming piece of folk, vernacular, country furniture oozing character. - It was most likely intended as a love token or to commemorate a child as there is not much wear on the un...
Category

1780s English Antique Folk Art Seating

Materials

Fruitwood

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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