Skip to main content

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.

85
3
to
11
46
40
88
86
86
14,433
7,257
4,281
1,813
761
758
637
479
449
421
375
375
347
288
280
232
191
88
12
47
26
3
11
8
3
2
2
2
1
2
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
81
5
2
5
2
3
2
2
2
2
2
2
85
33
32
10
8
64
41
39
14
14
1
1
1
Style: Folk Art
Color:  Brown
19th Century Gustavian Stool with Original Paint
Located in Boden, SE
19th century Swedish Folk Art stool from Umea Vasterbotten, Northern Sweden. A very charming stool. The Stool`s seat is made of wood but is upholstered in a beautiful fabric. Scr...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating

Materials

Pine

19th Century Gustavian Stool with Original Paint
19th Century Gustavian Stool with Original Paint

19th Century Gustavian Stool with Original Paint

Pair of Folk Art Carved Oak Chairs, 1900s
Located in HEVERLEE, BE
Early 20th century Folk Art carved oak side chairs with heart cutout. Very sturdy and heavy chairs. Believed to be italian work 1900s, Ital...
Category

Early 1900s Italian Antique Folk Art Seating

Materials

Oak

Pair of Folk Art Carved Oak Chairs, 1900s
Pair of Folk Art Carved Oak Chairs, 1900s

Pair of Folk Art Carved Oak Chairs, 1900s

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

Scottish Horseshoe Back Chair
Scottish Horseshoe Back Chair

Scottish Horseshoe Back Chair

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

Stool Fruitwood Treen Heart Love Minature Folk Vernacular Commemorative Child's
Stool Fruitwood Treen Heart Love Minature Folk Vernacular Commemorative Child's

Stool Fruitwood Treen Heart Love Minature Folk Vernacular Commemorative Child's

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

Antique Folk Art Swedish Rustic Kubbstol
Antique Folk Art Swedish Rustic Kubbstol

Antique Folk Art Swedish Rustic Kubbstol

Bench Swedish Red Wood, 19th Century, Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Bench Swedish red wood, 19th century, Sweden. A bench made during the early 19th century in Sweden. Original paint in a dark red shade.    
Category

Early 19th Century Antique Folk Art Seating

Materials

Wood

Bench Swedish Red Wood, 19th Century, Sweden
Bench Swedish Red Wood, 19th Century, Sweden

Bench Swedish Red Wood, 19th Century, Sweden

Late 19th Century Swedish Stump Chair in Solid Pine
Located in Kramfors, SE
Swedish stump chair manufactured from a hollowed tree trunk. The chair is primitive and has never been painted. The two bands going around the seat...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating

Materials

Pine

Late 19th Century Swedish Stump Chair in Solid Pine
Late 19th Century Swedish Stump Chair in Solid Pine

Late 19th Century Swedish Stump Chair in Solid Pine

19th Century Combination Chair and Table
Located in Kramfors, SE
Primitive combined chair and table. This folk art combination furniture is a good example of 19th century compact living. The goal was to fit as many uses into the same item or a lim...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating

Materials

Pine

19th Century Combination Chair and Table
19th Century Combination Chair and Table

19th Century Combination Chair and Table

19th Century Swedish Combination Furniture Table and Chair
Located in Kramfors, SE
Folk Art combination furniture table and chair. Combination furniture are great for small spaces and this works well as a coffee table or side table. Made early 1800s, circa 1820-184...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating

Materials

Pine

19th Century Swedish Combination Furniture Table and Chair
19th Century Swedish Combination Furniture Table and Chair

19th Century Swedish Combination Furniture Table and Chair

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

Swedish Designer, Side Table / Stool, Wood, "Faluröd" Paint, 19th Century
Swedish Designer, Side Table / Stool, Wood, "Faluröd" Paint, 19th Century

Swedish Designer, Side Table / Stool, Wood, "Faluröd" Paint, 19th Century

Swedish Folk Art, Farmers Stool, Wood, Sweden, 19th Century
Located in High Point, NC
A wooden farmers stool produced in Sweden, 19th century.
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating

Materials

Wood

Swedish Folk Art, Farmers Stool, Wood, Sweden, 19th Century
Swedish Folk Art, Farmers Stool, Wood, Sweden, 19th Century

Swedish Folk Art, Farmers Stool, Wood, Sweden, 19th Century

Rare Norwegian Kubbestol, circa 1850, Origin Telemark, Norway
Located in New York, NY
Rare Norweigen Kubbestol, circa 1850, origin: Telemark, Norway Rosemaling and acanthus carvings in this extraordinary Kubbestol indicate it is most likely from Telemark, Norway, a region known for this exact carving and painting. A Kubbestol is a traditional Scandinavian chair carved from a single log...
Category

19th Century Norwegian Antique Folk Art Seating

Materials

Fir, Paint

Rare Norwegian Kubbestol, circa 1850, Origin Telemark, Norway
Rare Norwegian Kubbestol, circa 1850, Origin Telemark, Norway

Rare Norwegian Kubbestol, circa 1850, Origin Telemark, Norway

Swedish Folk Art, Farmers Stool, Wood, Sweden, 19th Century
Located in High Point, NC
A farmers wooden stool produced in Sweden, 19th century. Signed "B" on the seat.
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating

Materials

Wood

Swedish Folk Art, Farmers Stool, Wood, Sweden, 19th Century
Swedish Folk Art, Farmers Stool, Wood, Sweden, 19th Century

Swedish Folk Art, Farmers Stool, Wood, Sweden, 19th Century

Scandinavian Wooden Barrel Chair Made in the 19th Century
By Craft and Folk Art Museum
Located in Stockholm, SE
Scandinavian wooden barrel chair made in the 19th century. A circular, beautifully wooden chair with patina and soft edges hollowed out from a natu...
Category

1890s Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating

Materials

Pine

Scandinavian Wooden Barrel Chair Made in the 19th Century
Scandinavian Wooden Barrel Chair Made in the 19th Century

Scandinavian Wooden Barrel Chair Made in the 19th Century

Swedish Folk Art, Farmers Stool, Green-Painted Wood, Sweden, Early 19th Century
Located in High Point, NC
A farmers green-painted wooden stool produced in Sweden, early 19th century. Most likely painted in early 20th century.
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating

Materials

Wood

Swedish Folk Art, Farmers Stool, Green-Painted Wood, Sweden, Early 19th Century
Swedish Folk Art, Farmers Stool, Green-Painted Wood, Sweden, Early 19th Century

Swedish Folk Art, Farmers Stool, Green-Painted Wood, Sweden, Early 19th Century

Bench Swedish 18th Rustic Century Original Paint, Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Bench Sweden 18th rustic century original paint, Sweden. A bench made during the 18th century in Sweden. Original dark red paint.
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating

Materials

Wood

Bench Swedish 18th Rustic Century Original Paint, Sweden
Bench Swedish 18th Rustic Century Original Paint, Sweden

Bench Swedish 18th Rustic Century Original Paint, Sweden

Antoni Rzasa Polish Folk Art Carved Wood Chair
Located in New York, NY
Polish Folk Art carved and sculpted wood chair created by renown Polish artist and sculptor Antoni Rzasa (1919-1980). The chair features a carved back with a sculpted nude woman. The bottom of the seat features a 'made in Poland' stamp and the artist's carved signature, country of origin, and date of fabrication ('1958-1959'). During the 1960s, Antoni Rzasa was known as one of the most famous Polish sculptors. His sculptures are feature simple forms and a specific style inspired by Folk Art. His works are found in the collections of the National Museum in Warsaw, Kraków and Poznan, in the Polish Army...
Category

1950s Polish Vintage Folk Art Seating

Materials

Wood

Antoni Rzasa Polish Folk Art Carved Wood Chair
Antoni Rzasa Polish Folk Art Carved Wood Chair

Antoni Rzasa Polish Folk Art Carved Wood Chair

19th Century Handmade English Chess Carved Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This amazing handmade English chess chair is hand carved. The chair seat is hand webbing made from hemp. The hand carved figurines and hand carved signatu...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Folk Art Seating

Materials

Wood, Hemp

19th Century Handmade English Chess Carved Chair
19th Century Handmade English Chess Carved Chair

19th Century Handmade English Chess Carved Chair

Early New England Decorated Childs Chair with Original Rush Seat
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This finely painted and decorated child's chair from New England has wonderful original gilding and fine stenciled splash. The rush seat is original to the chair. There is wear to be...
Category

19th Century American Antique Folk Art Seating

Materials

Pine

Early New England Decorated Childs Chair with Original Rush Seat
Early New England Decorated Childs Chair with Original Rush Seat

Early New England Decorated Childs Chair with Original Rush Seat

Antique Swedish Folk Art Countrry Carver Chairs in Kurbits Faux Wood Grain
Located in LONDON, GB
Lovely antique Swedish turbots Folk Art pair of carver chairs in hand-painted faux wood grain with excellent detail and a turbots hand-printed Fo...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating

Antique Swedish Folk Art Countrry Carver Chairs in Kurbits Faux Wood Grain

Antique Swedish Folk Art Countrry Carver Chairs in Kurbits Faux Wood Grain

19th Century Hand-Carved Chair Found in Wester México
Located in Guadalajra, Jal
Detailed hand-carved and colorful chair found in Western México, circa 1900.
Category

Early 20th Century Folk Art Seating

Materials

Wood

19th Century Hand-Carved Chair Found in Wester México
19th Century Hand-Carved Chair Found in Wester México

19th Century Hand-Carved Chair Found in Wester México

Majestic Odd Fellows Carved and Painted Armchair
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This magnificent Odd Fellows Fraternal Lodge 'throne' (circa 1910-1920) with carved and painted decoration throughout is a fine example of early 20th century Folk Art. Nice use of de...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Seating

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Majestic Odd Fellows Carved and Painted Armchair
Majestic Odd Fellows Carved and Painted Armchair

Majestic Odd Fellows Carved and Painted Armchair

Late 19th Century Wood and Leather Seat Railroad Station Bench
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Great looking late 19th century railroad station bench found in the mid-west. Original grey paint on wood surface and very nicely aged leather s...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Seating

Materials

Leather, Wood

Late 19th Century Wood and Leather Seat Railroad Station Bench
Late 19th Century Wood and Leather Seat Railroad Station Bench

Late 19th Century Wood and Leather Seat Railroad Station Bench

Folk Art Heavy Carved Log Bench Rhinoceros Sculpture
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Folk Art heavy carved log wood bench in form of sculpture.
Category

20th Century Unknown Folk Art Seating

Materials

Teak

Folk Art Heavy Carved Log Bench Rhinoceros Sculpture
Folk Art Heavy Carved Log Bench Rhinoceros Sculpture

Folk Art Heavy Carved Log Bench Rhinoceros Sculpture

19th Century Weaver's Stool from New England in Original Old Surface
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Folky 19th century original old surface/painted weaver’s stool from New England. This original rush seat stool is on great condition and very sturdy.  
Category

19th Century American Antique Folk Art Seating

Materials

Pine

19th Century Weaver's Stool from New England in Original Old Surface
19th Century Weaver's Stool from New England in Original Old Surface

19th Century Weaver's Stool from New England in Original Old Surface

French Carved Folk Art Chair, circa 1880s
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Very lovely Folk Art armchair of generous proportions. The wood (probably oak) is finely carved with an intricate decor. The crest is topped with a sacred heart symbol, and fruit and...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Folk Art Seating

Materials

Wood, Fabric

French Carved Folk Art Chair, circa 1880s
French Carved Folk Art Chair, circa 1880s

French Carved Folk Art Chair, circa 1880s

Early, Swedish Allmoge Poker / Stove Chair, Origin: Sweden, circa 1750
Located in New York, NY
Early, Swedish allmoge poker / stove chair, origin: Blekinge, Southern Sweden, circa 1750 Provenance: Private Manor House, Sweden These chairs were u...
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating

Materials

Rush, Wood

Early, Swedish Allmoge Poker / Stove Chair, Origin: Sweden, circa 1750
Early, Swedish Allmoge Poker / Stove Chair, Origin: Sweden, circa 1750

Early, Swedish Allmoge Poker / Stove Chair, Origin: Sweden, circa 1750

Hand Crafted Guitar Shape Inlaid Stool, Exotic Woods by Darrin S. Millard
By Darrin S. Millard
Located in Buffalo, NY
Unusual hand crafted Guitar Shape Inlaid Stool.exotic woods by Darrin S. Millard..Beautifully hand exicuted,Solid oak wood,Exotic wood inlay simulating guitar details ,f-hole,fret bo...
Category

1970s American Vintage Folk Art Seating

Materials

Oak, Walnut, Wood

Hand Crafted Guitar Shape Inlaid Stool, Exotic Woods by Darrin S. Millard
Hand Crafted Guitar Shape Inlaid Stool, Exotic Woods by Darrin S. Millard

Hand Crafted Guitar Shape Inlaid Stool, Exotic Woods by Darrin S. Millard

Rare Mid-19th Century Prussian "Vierlander" Armchair
Located in Greenwich, CT
Rare mid-19th century "Vierlander" armchair, Prussia 1850, with owner's name "Hinrich Eggers", constructed of inlaid fruitwoods and walnut, with turned bone finials, the central back...
Category

1850s German Antique Folk Art Seating

Materials

Fruitwood, Walnut

Rare Mid-19th Century Prussian "Vierlander" Armchair
Rare Mid-19th Century Prussian "Vierlander" Armchair

Rare Mid-19th Century Prussian "Vierlander" Armchair

Rustic Bench, circa 1920, France
Located in Girona, Spain
Rustic bench Made with chestnut structure and hand woven rattan cord seating. Solid, sturdy and comfortable Circa 1920, France Very good vintage condition.
Category

Mid-20th Century French Folk Art Seating

Materials

Chestnut, Cord

Rustic Bench, circa 1920, France
Rustic Bench, circa 1920, France

Rustic Bench, circa 1920, France

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.

Recently Viewed

View All

More Ways To Browse

United Furniture Cane Backed Dining Chairs
Italian Dining Chair Magistretti
Leather Dining Room Chair Tubular
Pair Of 6 Chairs
Wormley Set
Eight Louis Xvi
Aluminum Swivel Desk Chair
Six Regency Dining Chairs
Art Deco 1930s Dining Chairs
Black Lacquer Wood And Leather Dining
Teak Dining Chairs Set Moller
Oak Vintage Dining Chairs Set
Vintage Mahogany Dining Chairs
10 French Chairs
Chrome Dining Side Chair
Chrome Side Dining Chair
Ray And Charles Eames Desk Chairs
Set Of 6 Dining Chairs Scandinavian
View All Popular Seating Searches