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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
Period: 1970s
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

Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Wood Tripod Chair and Foot Rest, German Vintage
Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Wood Tripod Chair and Foot Rest, German Vintage

Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Wood Tripod Chair and Foot Rest, German Vintage

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

Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Sculptural Wood Tripod Chair, Spain Vintage 1970s
Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Sculptural Wood Tripod Chair, Spain Vintage 1970s

Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Sculptural Wood Tripod Chair, Spain Vintage 1970s

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 the chair handles. The trefoil is a frequently occurring emblem in the architectural ...
Category

1970s Spanish Vintage Folk Art Seating

Materials

Wood

Pair of Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Sculptural Wood Tripod Chair, Spain Vintage
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Sculptural Wood Tripod Chair, Spain Vintage

Pair of Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Sculptural Wood Tripod Chair, Spain Vintage

Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Wood Tripod Chair Foot Rest Stool, Spain Vintage
Located in Nuernberg, DE
An interesting brutalist stool with hand carved legs and great patina. Great piece of functional sculpture. It is in great vintage condition and is structurally sound. Nice addition ...
Category

1970s Spanish Vintage Folk Art Seating

Materials

Wood

Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Wood Tripod Chair Foot Rest Stool, Spain Vintage
Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Wood Tripod Chair Foot Rest Stool, Spain Vintage

Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Wood Tripod Chair Foot Rest Stool, Spain Vintage

Folk Art Rush Side Chair, Austria 1970's
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Austrian Folk Art Side Chair with Rush Seat. Made in Austria, 1970's. Orange painted beech frame with rush woven seat. The chair has nice spi...
Category

1970s Austrian Vintage Folk Art Seating

Materials

Rush, Beech

Folk Art Rush Side Chair, Austria 1970's
Folk Art Rush Side Chair, Austria 1970's

Folk Art Rush Side Chair, Austria 1970's

1970’s Indian Tripod Female and Male Chairs
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Pair of Indian hand carved and painted wood male and female chairs. This were purchased in India in the 1970’s. In beautiful original condition...
Category

1970s Indian Vintage Folk Art Seating

Materials

Wood

1970’s Indian Tripod Female and Male Chairs
1970’s Indian Tripod Female and Male Chairs

1970’s Indian Tripod Female and Male Chairs

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

Studio Furniture American Craft Stool Mid-century modern 1960s USA
Studio Furniture American Craft Stool Mid-century modern 1960s USA

Studio Furniture American Craft Stool Mid-century modern 1960s USA

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

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Sculptural Mango Wood Chair Modern Organic

H 19.69 in W 18.9 in D 17.72 in
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Art Nouveau Side Chair Designed by Thonet, Austria, 1910

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H 33.08 in W 14.18 in D 14.97 in
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H 29.14 in W 18.9 in D 18.9 in
Pair Of Italian Modern Sculptural Lounge Chairs
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Pair Of Italian Modern Sculptural Lounge Chairs
Pair Of Italian Modern Sculptural Lounge Chairs

Pair Of Italian Modern Sculptural Lounge Chairs

H 32.5 in W 34.25 in D 31.5 in
Antique Swedish Folk Art Rustic Pine Chair
Located in Kramfors, SE
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H 31.11 in W 11.82 in D 11.82 in
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Located in Kramfors, SE
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Antique Swedish Original Folk Art Chair
Antique Swedish Original Folk Art Chair

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H 30.71 in W 14.57 in D 14.57 in
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Located in Bjuråker, SE
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Vintage Folk Art Equipale Ostrich Chair Leather Mexico 1970s

Vintage Folk Art Equipale Ostrich Chair Leather Mexico 1970s

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H 30 in W 22 in D 21 in
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....
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1970s American Vintage Folk Art Seating

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J.L. Nipper Style Outsider Folk Art Painted Alligator Bench/Sculpture
J.L. Nipper Style Outsider Folk Art Painted Alligator Bench/Sculpture

J.L. Nipper Style Outsider Folk Art Painted Alligator Bench/Sculpture

H 21.25 in W 73 in D 12.25 in
Gascón Wood and Bulrush Folding Chair, 1970's
Located in FERROL, ES
Gascon folding chair, 1970's Made of black lacquered beech wood and braided bulrush seat. Good general condition with light signs of wear from normal use. Dimensions: 78 x 5...
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1970s Spanish Vintage Folk Art Seating

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Gascón Wood and Bulrush Folding Chair, 1970's
Gascón Wood and Bulrush Folding Chair, 1970's

Gascón Wood and Bulrush Folding Chair, 1970's

H 30.71 in W 20.08 in D 19.69 in
Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Sculptural Wood Tripod Chair, Spain Vintage 1970s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
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Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Sculptural Wood Tripod Chair, Spain Vintage 1970s
Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Sculptural Wood Tripod Chair, Spain Vintage 1970s

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H 32.25 in W 19.5 in D 13.25 in
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Located in HEVERLEE, BE
Remarkable high back art populaire or 'equipale' dining chairs from mexico. Exotic weaved wooden frames upholstered with ostrich leather. The backrests are also upholstered creating...
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1970s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Seating

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Vintage art populaire mexican dining chairs set of 6, 1970s
Vintage art populaire mexican dining chairs set of 6, 1970s

Vintage art populaire mexican dining chairs set of 6, 1970s

H 46.07 in W 27.56 in D 19.69 in
Mexican Art Populaire Dining Chair, Folk Art, Leather, Wood, 1970's
Located in Antwerp, BE
Studio Craft, Folk Art, dining chair that would fit well in a rustic modern or eclectic interior. Originally designed and made in Mexico, this stool was distributed by the famous "B...
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Mexican Art Populaire Dining Chair, Folk Art, Leather, Wood, 1970's
Mexican Art Populaire Dining Chair, Folk Art, Leather, Wood, 1970's

Mexican Art Populaire Dining Chair, Folk Art, Leather, Wood, 1970's

H 30.71 in W 20.87 in D 17.72 in
Pair of Coyote and Jaguar Benches by Mario Lopez Torres 1974
By Mario Lopez Torres
Located in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato
Pair of vintage animal benches by folk artist Mario Lopez Torres. Tzintzuntzan, Michoacan, Mexico, circa 1970s-early 1980s. Hand formed and hand woven. Fu...
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1970s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Seating

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Reed

Pair of Coyote and Jaguar Benches by Mario Lopez Torres 1974
Pair of Coyote and Jaguar Benches by Mario Lopez Torres 1974

Pair of Coyote and Jaguar Benches by Mario Lopez Torres 1974

H 31.5 in W 33 in D 16.5 in
Arthur Court Antler Motif Aluminum Chairs
By Arthur Court
Located in Stamford, CT
Fabulous Arthur Court signature antler motif, pair of vinyl upholstered aluminum chairs.
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1970s American Vintage Folk Art Seating

Materials

Aluminum

Arthur Court Antler Motif Aluminum Chairs
Arthur Court Antler Motif Aluminum Chairs

Arthur Court Antler Motif Aluminum Chairs

H 41.25 in W 30 in D 33.5 in
Completely Wack Red Pig Chair
Located in New York, NY
One of a kind "Outsider Art" Pig Chair. It is composition over a wood frame, with pink upholstery, complete with teats, and a tail. The chairs is heavy, solid, and sturdy, the uphols...
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1970s American Vintage Folk Art Seating

Materials

Composition

Completely Wack Red Pig Chair
Completely Wack Red Pig Chair

Completely Wack Red Pig Chair

H 50 in W 26 in D 30 in
Amazing Signed Matthew Witkop Funky Hand-Carved Stool
By Matthew Witkop
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This funky hand-carved stool is made from walnut and is signed and dated by Matthew Witkop and dated August 1974. It is all hand-carved and peg. The seat is in the shape of a kidney ...
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1970s American Vintage Folk Art Seating

Materials

Wood

Amazing Signed Matthew Witkop Funky Hand-Carved Stool
Amazing Signed Matthew Witkop Funky Hand-Carved Stool

Amazing Signed Matthew Witkop Funky Hand-Carved Stool

H 31 in W 15 in D 13 in
Painted Art Chair
Located in Rochester, NY
One of a kind artisan chair decorated with finely detailed and vibrant hand painted interpretations of the works of Picasso, Botero and Van Gogh. Great as found condition, structural...
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1970s Unknown Vintage Folk Art Seating

Painted Art Chair
Painted Art Chair

Painted Art Chair

H 30 in W 12 in D 13 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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