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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
Number in Set: Set of 4
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

Antique Set 4 Spanish Polychrome Dining Chairs Giltwood Green Painted Folk Art
Antique Set 4 Spanish Polychrome Dining Chairs Giltwood Green Painted Folk Art

Antique Set 4 Spanish Polychrome Dining Chairs Giltwood Green Painted Folk Art

Indoor-Outdoor Modern River Rock Masonry Tuffet Stool by Lland
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

Indoor-Outdoor Modern River Rock Masonry Tuffet Stool by Lland
Indoor-Outdoor Modern River Rock Masonry Tuffet Stool by Lland

Indoor-Outdoor Modern River Rock Masonry Tuffet Stool by Lland

Set of 4 Small Swedish Folk Art Chairs, Early 19th Century
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Set of four Swedish 18th Century Folk Art chairs Set of 4 smaller chairs with its old vintage patina in pine. "Allmoge", the Swedish word for Folk Art, is exactly what these four ea...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating

Materials

Pine

Set of 4 Small Swedish Folk Art Chairs, Early 19th Century

Set of 4 Small Swedish Folk Art Chairs, Early 19th Century

Set of Four Folk Art Carved Tavern Bavarian Inn Chairs, Nuremberg Germany 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A set consisting of 4 chairs out of a tavern restaurant in Nuremberg Bavaria. These chairs were used in the restaurant's dining room for years. Each Stool is in very good, used condi...
Category

1960s German Vintage Folk Art Seating

Materials

Wood

Set of Four Folk Art Carved Tavern Bavarian Inn Chairs, Nuremberg Germany 1960s
Set of Four Folk Art Carved Tavern Bavarian Inn Chairs, Nuremberg Germany 1960s

Set of Four Folk Art Carved Tavern Bavarian Inn Chairs, Nuremberg Germany 1960s

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

Folk Art Early 20th Century Wood Rustic Four Chairs
Folk Art Early 20th Century Wood Rustic Four Chairs

Folk Art Early 20th Century Wood Rustic Four Chairs

European Mid-Century Wooden Stools with Hand-Carved Scoop Seats, Europe ca 1950s
Located in Budapest, HU
The design of this European stool is characterized by a minimal, clean approach that seeks to combine functionality with beauty. Its focus is on simple lines and light spaces, devoid...
Category

Mid-20th Century European Folk Art Seating

Materials

Wood

European Mid-Century Wooden Stools with Hand-Carved Scoop Seats, Europe ca 1950s
European Mid-Century Wooden Stools with Hand-Carved Scoop Seats, Europe ca 1950s

European Mid-Century Wooden Stools with Hand-Carved Scoop Seats, Europe ca 1950s

Birdy Armchair - One of a kind artist object, hand-carved, Natural mat finish
By Alix Coco
Located in SAINT-AGNE, FR
Playful and iconic, Birdy is a chair created by artist and designer Alix Coco. A surprising sculpture with a strong spirit, Birdy blurs the boundaries between art and design, form an...
Category

2010s French Folk Art Seating

Materials

Wood

Birdy Armchair - One of a kind artist object, hand-carved, Natural mat finish
Birdy Armchair - One of a kind artist object, hand-carved, Natural mat finish

Birdy Armchair - One of a kind artist object, hand-carved, Natural mat finish

Classic Swedish pine chairs set of 4 in solid pinewood Early 1900
By Sven Markelius, SMF Svenska Möbelfabriken Bodafors, Bodafors
Located in Forest, BE
Set of 4 classic, minimal and elegant lightweight comfortable pinewood chairs from Sweden around 1900. These are massive pine that shows a nice warm patina. We did not touch anything...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Folk Art Seating

Materials

Hardwood, Pine

Classic Swedish pine chairs set of 4 in solid pinewood Early 1900
Classic Swedish pine chairs set of 4 in solid pinewood Early 1900

Classic Swedish pine chairs set of 4 in solid pinewood Early 1900

Handwoven Tule Lounge Chair Made in Mexico from LUTECA
By Luteca Furniture
Located in New York, NY
From a craft object to relevant design, these special pieces that are made in Mexico, were created to add warmth and texture to your interior. Intended for indoor or covered outdoor use, they are a reminder of the incredible workmanship and know-how passed down through generations and generations, dating back as far as the Mayans. As well as fostering and adapting historical values and crafts, some of which are now almost extinct, the project is a cultural endeavor that combines the highest quality weaving skills of local master craftsmen with the preservation of endangered manufacturing technique that supports an entire village eco-system. In stock. Ships from Mexico...
Category

2010s Mexican Folk Art Seating

Materials

Seagrass

Handwoven Tule Lounge Chair Made in Mexico from LUTECA
Handwoven Tule Lounge Chair Made in Mexico from LUTECA

Handwoven Tule Lounge Chair Made in Mexico from LUTECA

Set of Four 19th Century Primitive Swedish Folk Art Pine Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Rustic set of four 19th century primitive country Swedish hand-carved folk art farmhouse chairs crafted from pine. The set features a well-worn and weathered patina with a gracefully...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating

Materials

Pine

Set of Four 19th Century Primitive Swedish Folk Art Pine Chairs
Set of Four 19th Century Primitive Swedish Folk Art Pine Chairs

Set of Four 19th Century Primitive Swedish Folk Art Pine Chairs

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

Beachcomber Spindle Back Chair in Walnut
Beachcomber Spindle Back Chair in Walnut

Beachcomber Spindle Back Chair in Walnut

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

Set of Four 19th C Original Painted Pennsylvania Plank Bottom Chairs
Set of Four 19th C Original Painted Pennsylvania Plank Bottom Chairs

Set of Four 19th C Original Painted Pennsylvania Plank Bottom Chairs

Related Items
Set of 8 Antique Shield Back Dining Chairs
Located in London, GB
A lovely set of eight antique shield back dining chairs in the Sheraton style. They were made in England, and date from around the 19...
Category

1930s British Vintage Folk Art Seating

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Set of 8 Antique Shield Back Dining Chairs
Set of 8 Antique Shield Back Dining Chairs

Set of 8 Antique Shield Back Dining Chairs

H 38.98 in W 22.84 in D 21.26 in
Set of Four 20th Century Gazelle Beige Wood Chairs, 1960s
Located in 05-080 Hornowek, PL
Chairs designed by prof. Rajmund Halas. They have been made of beechwood. They have undergone a complete upholstery renovation, the woodwork has been refreshed. Seats were dressed in...
Category

20th Century Polish Folk Art Seating

Materials

Textile, Beech

Set of Four 20th Century Gazelle Beige Wood Chairs, 1960s
Set of Four 20th Century Gazelle Beige Wood Chairs, 1960s

Set of Four 20th Century Gazelle Beige Wood Chairs, 1960s

H 32.68 in W 13.39 in D 14.97 in
French 19th Century Folk Art Leather Box
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful weathered Folk Art box made out of wood and covered with leather. Working lock and key. France, circa 1850 Weathered, small losses.
Category

19th Century French Antique Folk Art Seating

Materials

Leather, Wood

French 19th Century Folk Art Leather Box
French 19th Century Folk Art Leather Box

French 19th Century Folk Art Leather Box

H 12.21 in W 15.75 in D 10.24 in
Old Handmade Wooden Stool, 1950s
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Old handmade wooden stool from the French Alps, 1950s.
Category

1950s French Vintage Folk Art Seating

Materials

Wood

Old Handmade Wooden Stool, 1950s
Old Handmade Wooden Stool, 1950s

Old Handmade Wooden Stool, 1950s

H 20.87 in W 16.54 in D 13 in
Antique Set of 12 Swedish Gustavian Gray Painted Dining Chairs
Located in Round Top, TX
This wonderful set of twelve dining chairs exudes a graceful country charm. While likely from a Swedish farm house, these speak to a more upscale home with a touch of elegance due to...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Folk Art Seating

Materials

Leather, Wood, Paint

Antique Set of 12 Swedish Gustavian Gray Painted Dining Chairs
Antique Set of 12 Swedish Gustavian Gray Painted Dining Chairs

Antique Set of 12 Swedish Gustavian Gray Painted Dining Chairs

H 37 in W 19 in D 16 in
Brutalist Hand Carved Pine Stool/Chair with Violin Back, French, 1950s
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
A light-brown, vintage Mid-Century stool made of hand carved and polished Pinewood, in good condition. Brutalist wooden stool made in France,...
Category

1950s European Vintage Folk Art Seating

Materials

Pine

Brutalist Hand Carved Pine Stool/Chair with Violin Back, French, 1950s
Brutalist Hand Carved Pine Stool/Chair with Violin Back, French, 1950s

Brutalist Hand Carved Pine Stool/Chair with Violin Back, French, 1950s

H 23.63 in W 11.82 in D 15.75 in
Danish Mid Century Modern Stool in Solid Wood, Seat in Lambswool, 1950s
Located in Odense, DK
A charming stool in solid wood, reupholstered seat in a great quality shearling lambswool. Made by a Danish cabinetmaker in the 1950s. A great brutalist object, perfect for the mode...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Folk Art Seating

Materials

Wool, Lambskin, Beech

Danish Mid Century Modern Stool in Solid Wood, Seat in Lambswool, 1950s
Danish Mid Century Modern Stool in Solid Wood, Seat in Lambswool, 1950s

Danish Mid Century Modern Stool in Solid Wood, Seat in Lambswool, 1950s

H 15.75 in W 14.97 in D 14.97 in
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

Unusual Primitive 19th Century Swedish Chair
Unusual Primitive 19th Century Swedish Chair

Unusual Primitive 19th Century Swedish Chair

H 32.29 in W 20.08 in D 13 in
Antique Set of 6 White Painted Dining Chairs from Sweden
Located in Round Top, TX
Class and style combine in this lovely set of six matching dining chairs from Sweden. They were painted white and given a gold trim which was the "style" in the early 1900s. The curv...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Folk Art Seating

Materials

Paint, Wood

Antique Set of 6 White Painted Dining Chairs from Sweden
Antique Set of 6 White Painted Dining Chairs from Sweden

Antique Set of 6 White Painted Dining Chairs from Sweden

H 43.75 in W 20.5 in D 18 in
Green Painted Folk Art Swedish Chair
Located in Houston, TX
Green-painted Swedish chair, or stool with back, dating to 19th century. Constructed in pine circa 1860-1879. Green painted finish on upper part of chair is largely early, or origina...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating

Materials

Pine

Green Painted Folk Art Swedish Chair
Green Painted Folk Art Swedish Chair

Green Painted Folk Art Swedish Chair

H 34.5 in W 14.25 in D 20 in
19th Century Swedish Folk Art Root Wood Bowl
Located in Mjöhult, SE
Fine organic Mid-19th Century Swedish Folk Art root wood bowl, circa 1820.
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating

Materials

Wood

19th Century Swedish Folk Art Root Wood Bowl
19th Century Swedish Folk Art Root Wood Bowl

19th Century Swedish Folk Art Root Wood Bowl

H 3.94 in W 11.42 in D 9.06 in
Antique Spanish Leather and Wood Dining Chairs
Located in New York, NY
Classic antique Baroque style dining chairs, in weathered wood, and leather. Both are structurally sound and sturdy, both show some cosmetic wear, normal and consistent with age. We ...
Category

19th Century Spanish Antique Folk Art Seating

Materials

Leather, Wood

Antique Spanish Leather and Wood Dining Chairs
Antique Spanish Leather and Wood Dining Chairs

Antique Spanish Leather and Wood Dining Chairs

H 45 in W 19 in D 18 in
Previously Available Items
Set of 4 Small Swedish Folk Art Chairs, Early 19th Century
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Set of four Swedish 18th Century Folk Art chairs Set of 4 smaller chairs with amazing vintage patina in pine. "Allmoge", the Swedish word for Folk Art, is exactly what these four early 1800 hundreds...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating

Materials

Pine

Set of 4 Small Swedish Folk Art Chairs, Early 19th Century
Set of 4 Small Swedish Folk Art Chairs, Early 19th Century

Set of 4 Small Swedish Folk Art Chairs, Early 19th Century

H 29.53 in W 13.39 in D 13.39 in
Four Folk Art Chairs
Located in Houston, TX
Four Folk Art chairs from the Italian Alps. Retain remnants of original, or very old, black paint. Sold individually priced $1,400 each.
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Folk Art Seating

Materials

Wood

Four Folk Art Chairs
Four Folk Art Chairs

Four Folk Art Chairs

H 35 in W 18.25 in D 15 in
Late 19th Century 4-Piece Bentwood Garden Furniture
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Late 19th century 4-piece bentwood garden furniture, circa 1890. Unusual Swedish made garden set comprising of 2 chairs, sofa and a table. Made from naturally sourced birch then a...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating

Materials

Birch

Late 19th Century 4-Piece Bentwood Garden Furniture
Late 19th Century 4-Piece Bentwood Garden Furniture

Late 19th Century 4-Piece Bentwood Garden Furniture

H 32.25 in W 22.5 in D 27 in
Four Belgian Oak Stools
Located in Houston, TX
Four Belgian oak stools with natural irregular edges. All hand-carved and different and originally used in a restaurant in Belgium. Each stamped upon thei...
Category

1940s Belgian Vintage Folk Art Seating

Materials

Oak

Four Belgian Oak Stools
Four Belgian Oak Stools

Four Belgian Oak Stools

H 18 in W 17 in D 12 in
Txt.05 Handcrafted Palm Woven Tule Bench made in Mexico by Txt-ure for Luteca
By Luteca Furniture
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 indoor or covered outdoor use, the...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Folk Art Seating

Materials

Seagrass

Txt.05 Handcrafted Palm Woven Tule Bench made in Mexico by Txt-ure for Luteca
Txt.05 Handcrafted Palm Woven Tule Bench made in Mexico by Txt-ure for Luteca

Txt.05 Handcrafted Palm Woven Tule Bench made in Mexico by Txt-ure for Luteca

H 16.5 in W 51 in D 18.5 in
Seat Cushion Moroccan Style Hand Embroidery Antique Gold and Silver Thread
By Susann Eschenfelder
Located in Hamburg, DE
1 no seat cushion, hand embroidered, Moroccan style, inspired by Barbara Hutton’s villa in tangier, thread work in color antique gold and silver thread on silk velvet dedar Romeo and...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Folk Art Seating

Materials

Velvet, Silk

Seat Cushion Moroccan Style Hand Embroidery Antique Gold and Silver Thread
Seat Cushion Moroccan Style Hand Embroidery Antique Gold and Silver Thread

Seat Cushion Moroccan Style Hand Embroidery Antique Gold and Silver Thread

H 13.78 in W 37.41 in D 37.41 in
Set of Four Yellow Metal Outdoor Chairs in Black and White Check Fabric
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Charming yellow metal Windsor style chairs in new black and white gingham fabric.
Category

1940s American Vintage Folk Art Seating

Set of Four Yellow Metal Outdoor Chairs in Black and White Check Fabric
Set of Four Yellow Metal Outdoor Chairs in Black and White Check Fabric

Set of Four Yellow Metal Outdoor Chairs in Black and White Check Fabric

H 40 in W 21 in D 18 in

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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