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: Early 20th Century
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
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
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
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
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
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
Swedish pair of tree chairs from the early 1900 Folk Art Peasant Seating
Located in Forest, BE
Confortable pair of Swedish hand carved pine trunk seats from the early 1900. Lots of history, patina and traces of time. Very good condition. Could be used to sit on a desk or a ta...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
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
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
Early 20th Century 1918 Folk Art Hand Carved Armchair with Carved Imagery
Located in Oakland, CA
Hand carved armchair dating from 1918, the entire chair is embellished with carved imagery. Various images derived from nature and other influences with some appearing to be surreal ...
Category
1910s American Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Hardwood
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
Folk Art Haagsche School Child Chair set, Netherlands 1920's
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Folk Art Populaire Haagsche School Design Style Child Chair set. Made in the Netherlands, 1910's / 20's. Handmade and carved oak child chairs ...
Category
1920s Dutch Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Oak
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
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
Original Painted Pine Bench With Storage, Hungary dated 1910
Located in Round Top, TX
Original hand painted folk art pine bench displays traditional brown faux wood background and colorful floral displays within painted panels in back and front.
Hinged bench seat open...
Category
Early 20th Century Hungarian Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine, Paint
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
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
Classic Swedish pine chairs set of 4 in solid pinewood Early 1900
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
Pair of Small Early Painted Folk Art Chairs or Side Tables
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Set of Two Smaller Folk Art Chairs or Side Tables With Original Paint and Patina.
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
Finnish circa 1900 hand-carved kubbstol in Pine
Located in Turku, Varsinais-Suomi
This one-of-a-kind Finnish hand-carved Pine Kubbstol from the 19th century is a unique piece of folk art. Handcrafted from a single piece of pine, its beautiful patina makes it a pop...
Category
Early 20th Century Finnish Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
Antique Circular Hand Carved Indonesian Padouk Wood Ottoman Seat
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Beautifully carved Padouk wood boat builder's ottoman with skilled joinery work and fine details. Some chips and cracks present with old upholstery but structurally sound. Solid Pado...
Category
1920s Indonesian Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Padouk
Early 20th Century Black & White Hand Beaded African Chair
Located in East Hampton, NY
This truly exquisite hand beaded chair by the Yoruba Artisans of Nigeria, best representation of furniture as art. And don't be shy to sit on them, because they are very comfortable. There is a Second matching chair available.
They were traditionally created for the Yoruba tribe kings and queens and are embellished with thousands of seed glass beads applied to fabric covers, which are then stitched or glued onto the chair frame - resulting in an exotic chair...
Category
Early 20th Century Nigerian Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood, Beads
Swedish Painted Folk Art Kubbstol Chair
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Folk Art Kubbstol chair from Northern Sweden. A Kubbstol chair is made from a hollowed tree trunk; from a single piece of wood that's been hewn out to form the seat, back and frame. ...
Category
Early 1900s Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
Early 20th Century Wabi Sabi 4 Leg Milking Stool Seat, Sweden Around 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic 1910s or older, wood stool. Made of wood, hand painted, hand carved. Found at an estate sale in Stockholm, Sweden. Some paint lost and in shabby chic design, but this is old-...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
Antique German Leather & Wood Armchair with Brass Nailhead Details
Located in Nuernberg, DE
beautiful lounge arm chair made of wood and leather with nailhead details. We think this example is from the 1910s, good condition. Minor patina and scratches on the leather, gives t...
Category
1910s German Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Nutwood, Leather
Antique Beechwood Children's Chair
Located in Budapest, HU
Antique children's highchair with an abacus and potty chair functions.
Made of steamed beechwood, with leather cover.
Manufactured around 1910.
Category
1910s Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Leather, Beech
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
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
American Folk Art Armchair
Located in Stockton, NJ
Very unique early 20th century American folk art chair made of reclaimed material. Fabulous patina to weathered frame.
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
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
Long Hand Painted Bench With Storage, Hungary circa 1900
Located in Round Top, TX
Antique hand painted bench with divided storage at just under 10' long .
Traditional Eastern European folk art painting with brick red/brown...
Category
Early 20th Century Hungarian Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood, Paint
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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