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: Single Piece
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Chair
Located in Chicago, IL
This early 20th-century French Folk Art side chair, hand-carved from pine, embodies a modernist spirit with its playful silhouette and chunky saddle seat. What truly sets it apart is...
Category
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
1970's Folk Art Wooden Cat Stool Side Table
Located in London, GB
1970's Folk Art Wooden Cat Stool Side Table
Painted wooden stool/table modelled as a cat.
An interesting quirky addition offering serval functions.
Wear commensurate of age.
Dimen...
Category
20th Century Folk Art Seating
Materials
Fruitwood, Paint
Long Hand Painted Bench With Interior Storage, Hungary circa 1880
Located in Round Top, TX
Antique hand painted bench with divided storage at over 9' long .
Traditional Eastern European folk art hand-painting reveals faded flourishes/flower borders along front against brow...
Category
Late 19th Century Hungarian Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood, Paint
Hand Carved Armchair in Oak & Velvet, Danish Cabinetmaker, Jugendstil, 1939
Located in Odense, DK
This Jugendstil armchair, crafted by a Danish cabinetmaker in 1939, is a timeless blend of elegance and craftsmanship. Made from oak, its frame boasts intricate hand-carved details i...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Folk Art Seating
Materials
Velvet, Oak
Early 19Thc Original Stenciled Hitchcock Child's Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19Thc Original stencil painted children's chair with original hand woven rush seat and in very sturdy condition.Fine undisturbed painted surface.
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
19th Century Swedish Folk Art chairs with original paint
Located in Boden, SE
A pair of similar 19th century Swedish country chairs. Very slight difference with great patina ,see pictures
Scraped by hand to its beautiful blue original color.
Such nice ext...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
Organic Tripod Bench in Solid Wood, France, 19th Century
Located in Antwerp, BE
Organic tripod folk art bench that beautifully captures the essence of the wabi-sabi philosophy, a Japanese tradition that appreciates the beauty of natural imperfection and the grac...
Category
19th Century French Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
Art Populaire Chest Bench, France, 17th Century
Located in Antwerp, BE
Carved chest bench from 17th century France. Made of rich, dark wood, this majestic piece embodies the epitome of refinement and grace. Intricate carved details showcase the craftsma...
Category
17th Century French Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
Original Red Painted Kubbestol Log Chair, Sweden circa 1860-80
Located in Round Top, TX
Antique carved and painted kubbestol, a traditional Scandinavian chair crafted from a single log.
The lovely original red paint is accented by a carved and black painted band. Much o...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood, Paint
Antique 19th Century Swedish Rosemaled Bench
Located in Peabody, MA
An antique pine bench hand painted in the Scandinavian rosemale tradition, circa 1800s. Most likely Swedish.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Paint, Pine
Vintage Beaded African Ceremony or Nobility Chair
Located in AMSTERDAM, NH
Mid 20th century vibrant red and white hand beaded African ceremony chair.
Originally crafted for Yoruba tribe kings and queens, these chairs boast a meticulous process involving th...
Category
Mid-20th Century Nigerian Folk Art Seating
Materials
Cotton, Wood, Beads
early 20th Century Wabi Sabi 3 Leg Workshop Stool, Italian Folkart Around 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This early 20th century wabi sabi 3 leg workshop stool from Italy is an excellent example of this style. The piece has a octagonal, rustic-looking seat made of wood and is supported ...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
Swedish Folk Art Chair Handmade in Oakwood, 1900s
Located in Odense, DK
Charming and unusual Swedish Folk Art chair made by a skilled craftsman in the early 20th century. The chair is constructed from solid oak and oak laminate decorative arm rests. The ...
Category
Early 1900s Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Oak
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
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
A Petit Point Embroidered Tapestry Upholstered Stool A Lovely piece
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
A Petit Point Embroidered Tapestry Upholstered Stool
A Lovely piece, the stool has a geometric designed embroidered wool seat set on a dark blue background, it is set on walnut cabr...
Category
1960s Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Beech
1940's Artisan Turned Oak Tripod Stool
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Artisan Hand Made Turned Oak Tripod Stool. Made in Belgium, 1940's period. Solid oak wood turned stool on three legs. Very well made with nice proportions. In very good, all ...
Category
1940s Belgian Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Oak
Unusual Turn of the Century Folk Art Spool Footstool
Located in Buffalo, NY
Turn or the Century hand made Folk Art spool foot stool with original mohair upholstery.
Category
1920s American Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Mohair, Wood
Panchetto Locus Solus Gae Aulenti Poltronova
By Gae Aulenti
Located in Milano, Lombardia
Il “Locus Solus” è stato concepito negli anni 60 e rappresenta un’icona del design moderno italiano. Caratterizzata da linee pulite e geometriche, la poltrona è stata realizzata con ...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Metal
Mid 20th Century Vintage Folk Art Found Objects Chair
Located in west palm beach, FL
Embrace the spirit of American folk art with this unique Vintage Chair crafted from found objects. Each piece tells a story, blending whimsy and heritage in a one-of-a-kind creation....
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Seating
Materials
Metal
Antique ASHANTI Queen Mother Carved Wooden Stool Ghana Africa
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Antique GHANA, ASHANTI "Queen Mother" type hardwood hand carved stool.
Hand-carved stool made by the Ashanti People of Ghana, West Africa.
It's carved from one piece of wood and has ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Ghanaian Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
Fine late 19th Century French Wooden Bench
Located in Mjöhult, SE
fine late 19th century French wooden bench with an great original surface and shape. Ca 1890 France.
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
Primitive Swedish Pine Log Chair or Kubbestol
Located in Houston, TX
Primitive Swedish pine log chair, or kubbestol, from Dalarna circa 1770-1789. Flip-seat for storage inside chair. Steamed bentwood banding. Fine, dry pale patina. The flip-seat has b...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Brass
Original Painted Small Bench, Hungary Dated 1841
Located in Round Top, TX
This delightful bench is a fun find due to its unique smaller scale at just over 3' long, perfect for a small space.
Original hand painted details include red flowers, date of 1841 a...
Category
Mid-19th Century Hungarian Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood, Paint
Antique Wooden Folding Chair, Black Forest Style carved Wood, 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This early 20th century folding chair from Germany is an excellent example of the black forest style. The piece has a rustic-looking seat made of wood and a wood carved backrest. The...
Category
1910s German Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Metal
Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Folkart Tripod Chair, Germany Vintage 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Interesting Brutalist wood tripod chair from Germany. the seat was cut out of a tree trunk. Historically used as a chair in the farmhouses in Germany in the 19th Century, this modern...
Category
1950s German Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
Early 20th Century Carved Lion Bench Oak and Pine Sweden
Located in Saint Ouen, FR
Stunning bench from the beginning of the 20th century in carved wood whose sides represent a lion. Made in Sweden, handmade in solid oak and pine with an incredible patina. Very nice...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Folk Art Seating
Materials
Oak, Pine
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
Italian 1940s folk art wood and plywood armchair
Located in Milan, IT
Splendid Italian 1940s folk art wood armchair
Category
1940s Italian Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood, Plywood
Unusually Long Swedish 19th Century Provincial Bench
Located in Mjöhult, SE
Unusually long Swedish 19th century provincial wooden bench in great original patination and with storage compartment to the interiors. Ca 1850 Sweden.
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
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
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
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
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
Painted Pine Storage Bench or Settle
Located in Baltimore, MD
This lovely storage bench has a long flat back rail scalloped at the corners where it meets the scrolled top of the high arm each end. Two bold stiles divide the back into three comp...
Category
Early 20th Century European Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
Hand Carved Mexican Modern Side Dining Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand carved Mexican modern side chair. The chair features a mahogany frame with a carved detailing along the front of the backrest. Perfect as an a...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Folk Art Seating
Materials
Mahogany
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
Hand Carved Mexican Modern Side Dining Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand carved Mexican modern side chair. The chair features a mahogany frame with a carved detailing along the front of the backrest. Perfect as an a...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Folk Art Seating
Materials
Mahogany
Hand Carved Mexican Modern Side Dining Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand carved Mexican modern side chair. The chair features a mahogany frame with a carved detailing along the front of the backrest. Perfect as an a...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Folk Art Seating
Materials
Mahogany
Hand Carved Mexican Modern Side Dining Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand carved Mexican modern side chair. The chair features a mahogany frame with a carved detailing along the front of the backrest. Perfect as an a...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Folk Art Seating
Materials
Mahogany
Rocking Chair "Svensk Hemslöjd" Sheepskin & Pinewood, Sweden, Early 20th Century
Located in Odense, DK
Unique rocking chair handmade by a Swedish cabinetmaker in the early 20th century.. Made in solid Scandinavian dark stained pinewood with a deep patina. Carved decorations. The chair...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine, Sheepskin
Original Black Painted Narrow Pine Bench With Storage, Hungary dated 1951
Located in Round Top, TX
Original hand painted black folk art pine bench with simple floral/vine folk art embellishments along the front and back; dated 1951.
Unique to this bench is the narrow depth at onl...
Category
Mid-20th Century Hungarian Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine, Paint
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 three legs. The stool has a simple, understated design which is typical of wabi sabi furniture...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
Craftsman Handmade Folk Art Milk Stool, late 1800's
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Original Craftsman Handmade Folk Art Milk Stool. Made in Belgium, late 1800's - early 1900's. Solid oak constructed stool with central handgrip. Simple in design, with 4 turned legs ...
Category
1890s Belgian Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Oak
Daniel Mack Signed Stripped Bark Maple Stick Arm Chair
Located in Parkesburg, PA
Daniel Mack Signed Stripped Bark Maple Stick Arm Chair
Folk Art - Adirondack Influenced - Stripped bark solid maple wood, hand rubbed natural finish. Inde...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Folk Art Seating
Materials
Maple
Original Painted Folk Art Bench With Carved Birds, Hungary dated 1933
Located in Round Top, TX
Original hand painted folk art pine bench displays exceptional traditional brown faux wood background and colorful green and red floral displays within painted panels along the front...
Category
Mid-20th Century Hungarian Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine, Paint
Unique 18th Century Chippendale Chair Family Heirloom, Extensive Repair.
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Unique 18th Century Chippendale Chair Family Heirloom, Extensive Repair.
This chair from the American Colonial era fills a special place in the field of antiques. Obviously, the own...
Category
18th Century American Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Mahogany
Genuine Antique Rare Folk Art Northern Swedish Bench or Sofa
Located in Kramfors, SE
Rare folk art bench or sofa from northern Sweden, unusually well-crafted with decorative panels and sculpted legs. It features carved wooden decorations at the top of the backrest an...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
Hand-Painted Cat Chair, 1990s
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Meet the perfect throne for feline enthusiasts and art connoisseurs alike! This hand-painted, one-of-a-kind chair is more than furniture - it's a statement piece. Take a seat and let...
Category
1990s Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
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
Unusual Northern Swedish Antique Unique Country Folk Art Chair
Located in Kramfors, SE
Unusual primitive country chair in folk art from Northern Sweden. The chair is a one of a kind piece made by hand in solid pine around 1820 to 1840. Old historic paint which has beco...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique 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
Children's Rocking Chair, Finland, early 1900s
Located in Espoo, FI
Step back in time with our charming and children's rocking chair, handcrafted in the early 1900s by an unknown talented Finnish artisan. This unique piece showcases Arts & Crafts des...
Category
Early 20th Century Finnish Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood, Birch
Pair of Maxie Lane Artist-made Tall Sculptural Bar Stools
Located in Somerton, GB
A pair of sculptural stools made by the artist Maxie Lane. Carved out of one piece of wood, they are unique and rustic.
The stools are tall perching seats. The raw and open wood fini...
Category
1990s English Folk Art Seating
Materials
Driftwood
Painted Pine Storage Bench or Settle
Located in Baltimore, MD
The rails and stiles of the back of this handsome storage bench create three frames, each with a trefoil (three leaf) stylized plant carving in the center. Similarly, one such carvin...
Category
Early 20th Century Hungarian Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
Pine Storage Bench or Settle in Original Decorative Paint
Located in Baltimore, MD
What an amazing bench! In line and form it is very much like other Central European storage benches we offer, albeit a very fine example. It has straight back rails enclosing three flat panels. The legs are straight and the integral arms are only slightly scrolled and enclose another flat panel. The seat lifts to reveal a deep storage well, divided into two compartments.
But the original finish is outstanding. The background is a deep oxblood on which black stripes are applied in such a pattern as to present as a stylized grain paint. Vertical here and horizontal there, laid straight or diagonally, or in arches.
The five rectangular panels have the tromp l’oeil effect of being raised panels. These and the diamonds and “arrow heads” appear to be faux grain painted as a maple or some similar species. The overall effect is stunning and rare.
This dealer purchased a Hungarian chest...
Category
Early 20th Century Hungarian Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
Primitive Welsh Splayed Leg Stool
Located in Houston, TX
Primitive Welsh splayed leg stool with rectangular-shaped slatted seat. This charming dark brown color wooden stool was probably built and used on a farm. ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Welsh Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Sculptural Wood Tripod Chair, Spain Vintage 1970s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Interesting Brutalist wood tripod chair from Spain. Notched holes in head rest and both arms. Historically used as a birthing chair. Great piece of functional sculpture. Good conditi...
Category
1970s Spanish Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
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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