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: 19th Century
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
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
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
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
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
Pair of Original Green Painted Kubbestol Chairs, Sweden circa 1880
Located in Round Top, TX
A "kubbestol" is a traditional Scandinavian chair made from a single log. As they are collector items, to find a pair with original paint is a special find.
Notice the deep green and...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood, Paint
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
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
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
19th century hand painted folk art corner seat
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century hand painted folk art corner seat circa 1880.
We are pleased to offer this rare traditional piece of hungarian furniture, hand painted in a blue/green and red colour sc...
Category
Late 19th Century Hungarian Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine, Paint
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
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
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
Near Pair of Antique Welsh Country Ladder back Chairs. C.1800
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Fabulous near pair of elm ladder back chairs
One is slightly taller than the other
Lovely original patina and colour
Great in a Folk Art interior
Sturdy construction
The measure...
Category
Early 1800s Welsh Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Elm
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
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
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
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
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
19th Century Ash and Elm Cricket Table Stool
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
19th Century Ash and Elm Cricket Table Stool
This is a very rare country piece, the stool is made in ash and elm, the seat is made from a solid slice of the tree you can see by th...
Category
1870s Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Elm
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
Mid 19th Century Swedish Antique Rustic Small Folk Art Sofa
Located in Boden, SE
A charming antique sofa from the mid-1800s. The sofa is from Boden Norrbotten, Northern Sweden It's petite and compact, perfect for smaller spaces.
The sofa has a foldable lid tha...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
Set of Four Black Forest Carved Tavern Bavarian Inn Chairs, 1890s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A set of four interesting brutalist wood carved from the Bavarian Alps or Black Forest Area , with a motif adorning all chair Backrests. Each Stool is in very good, used condition, t...
Category
Late 19th Century Spanish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
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
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
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
Swedish wabi sabi style folk art chair
Located in Valby, 84
Rare Swedish folk art chair in solid dark stained wood made by a very talented craftsman in the middle of the 19th century in Sweden.
The chair has some beautiful details like the v...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
6 Antique Swedish Folk Art Farm County Dining Chairs In Pine And Tan Leather
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Absolutely beautiful set of six late 19th century Swedish 'Folk Art' country farm dining chairs in pine with sturdy tan leather.
The measurements of...
Category
1890s Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Leather, Pine
High Antique Swedish Bench of Solid Pine Partly with Grey Paint Mid 19th Century
Located in Aarhus C, DK
Slim and tall Antique Swedish country side bench handmade in mid 19th century period by a local carpenter.
The bench is made of solid pine partly with the original grey paint.
It ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine, Paint
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
Painted Danish Armchair Dated 1818
Located in Houston, TX
Painted Danish armchair dated 1818, with carved inscription on back "P.K.S & K.P.D." over an inscription, which translates to, "sit on me and rest." Rope seat on slanted turned front...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Rope, Wood
Original Hand Painted Small Bench With High Back, Hungary circa 1860-80
Located in Round Top, TX
This delightful high back bench is a rare find due to it's unique small size and elaborate original hand-painted finish.
Please enlarge photos to appreciate the many details of the p...
Category
Late 19th Century Hungarian Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood, Paint
Norwegian folk art chair 1850’s
Located in Valby, 84
Decorative Rare Norwegian folk art chair with the original red and green painted wood and the original sea grass webbing from the 1850’s.
The chair...
Category
1850s Norwegian Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Seagrass, Wood
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
Swedish Maker, Small Chair, Pine, 19th Century
Located in High Point, NC
A solid pine side chair designed and produced in Sweden, 19th century.
18.5" seat height
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
Art Populaire Bench, France, 19th Century
Located in Antwerp, BE
Folk Art; Primitive Bench; Monoxylite Wood; 19th Century; France; Wabi Sabi; Rustic; Craftsmanship; Arts & Crafts; Art Populaire
Rustic art populaire bench from 19th century France,...
Category
19th Century French Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
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
Rustic Welsh Cricket Stool
Located in Greenwich, CT
A small stool with rustic charm in elm having thick rectangular plank top with canted corners and chamfered underside on three (cricket) spoke legs. Great mellow color and swirling g...
Category
Early 19th Century Welsh Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Elm
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
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
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
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
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
Long Waiting Room Seat or Hall Bench This Is a Very Sturdy and Heavy Piece
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Long Waiting Room Seat or Hall Bench
This is a very sturdy and heavy piece, the back and seat are newly upholstered, in an abstract design in aut...
Category
1890s Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Walnut
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
Rustic Folk Art Bench, Spain, 19th Century
Located in Antwerp, BE
Folk Art; Primitive Bench; Monoxylite Wood; 19th century; Spain; Wabi Sabi; Rustic; Craftsmanship; Arts & Crafts;
Rustic two-seater bench from 19th century Spain, with a charming ...
Category
19th Century Spanish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
Antique Small Ladder Back Green Primitive Rustic Chair with Deer Hide Seat
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique small ladder back green primitive rustic chair with deer hide seat. Item features deer hide leather seat, attractive warm patina, stretcher base, sol...
Category
19th Century Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Leather, Wood
English Ladder Back Armchair, Early 19th Century
Located in London, GB
English Ladder back armchair, Early 19th Century
A country-made early 19th century ladder back armchair. Made in Ash with great patina and origi...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Ash
Pair of Antique High Back Windsor Chairs with Hexagonal Sheet
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
A high-back windsor chair with a very rare hexagon seat. An excellent design with a sense of tension. An antique product with a very good overall atmo...
Category
1880s British Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Ash
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
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
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 Ash and Elm Captain's Chair, English, 19th Century
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Super piece of country furniture.
Very honest piece.
Totally original patina
No re-polishing or restorations
Sturdy construction.
Free UK shipping.
...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Elm, Ash
English Elm Corner Chair, Early 19th Century
Located in London, GB
English Elm Corner chair, Early 19th Century
An early 19th Century corner chair made in elm with a rush seat and an unusual simulated bamboo details in the seat back.
A lovely ...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Elm
Milking Stool with original Hand Painted Folk Art Scene, English 19th Century
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a 19th century, English milking stool, with a chamfered rectangular Elm top having a hand painted, Folk Art, country scene on it. It has ...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Elm, Oak
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
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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