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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: Mid-20th Century
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

Set of 2 Bamboo Handcrafted French Riviera Stools, circa 1960
Located in Barcelona, ES
Mid-Century Modern pair of bamboo and rattan handcrafted stools , circa 1960. Traditionally manufactured in France. By unknown designer. In original condition with minor wear cons...
Category

1960s French Vintage Folk Art Seating

Materials

Bamboo

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

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

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

Panchetto Locus Solus Gae Aulenti Poltronova
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

Scandinavian Country Style Design Red Side Chairs, Sweden 1960's
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Scandinavian Country Style Design Red Lacquer and Rope Side Chair set of 2. Made in Sweden, 1960's period. High gloss red lacquered frame with woven rope seat. Turned and car...
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Folk Art Seating

Materials

Rope, Beech

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

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

Set of Ten wooden Tavern Chairs out of the Humbser Brewery Fürth Bavaria, 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A set consisting of 10 chairs out of the Humbser brewery in Fürth Bavaria. These chairs were used in the brewery restaurant's dining room for years. After the brewery closed, we were...
Category

1950s German Vintage Folk Art Seating

Materials

Wood

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

Pair of Basque Folk Art Tripod Stools c1950 France
Located in Trensacq, FR
Fabulous pair of oak tripod stools from mid-century France. Beautifully turned and carved with barley twist legs and circular seats. Versatile three-legged tabouret stools, which c...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Folk Art Seating

Materials

Oak

Mid Century set with 2 Directors Chairs and a Coffee Table
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Mid Century set with 2 Directors Chairs and a Coffee Table A great set with 2 lounging chairs and a coffee table, these would work very well both indoor and out, the chairs are mad...
Category

1960s Vintage Folk Art Seating

Materials

Canvas

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

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

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

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

Anne-Lise Aas, Stools. A set of three
By Anne-Lise Aas
Located in Stockholm, SE
A fine set of three stools designed by Anne Lise Aas (1925–2020). They are made of oak which stained in a brownish/black color. The seats are have a rope knitting which is original a...
Category

1950s Norwegian Vintage Folk Art Seating

Materials

Oak

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

Folk Art Brutalist Design SAW Back Side Chair set, France 1960's
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage French Folk Art Brutalist Design SAW Back Side Chair set of 2. Made in France, 1960's period. Light oak constructed chairs with Saw mod...
Category

1960s French Vintage Folk Art Seating

Materials

Steel

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

Swedish Designer, Side Chair, Wood, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A wood side or lounge chair designed and produced in Sweden, c. 1930s. Seat height: 15”
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Folk Art Seating

Materials

Wood

Early 20th Century Swivel Piano Stool with Red Velvet Seat, Belgium
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This charming early 20th century four-legged upholstered swivel 'Bobbin' stool in ebonised wood with a red velvet seat is in very good condition. It is...
Category

1930s German Vintage Folk Art Seating

Materials

Wood

Large-Scale Swedish Pine Dugout Log Armchair (Kubbestol)
Located in Houston, TX
Large-scale Swedish pine dugout log armchair, or kubbestol, hand-carved circa 1930s. Thick seat. Natural-shaped branch-like arms. Mid-brown color and dry ...
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Folk Art Seating

Materials

Pine

1960s Folk Art Rustic Hand Carved Monumental Rocking Horse Chair
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning, full rocking horse chair you could hope to find. This is an ultra-rare opportunity to acquire what i...
Category

1960s American Vintage Folk Art Seating

Materials

Leather, Upholstery, Wood

Pair of Basque Tripod Chairs 1950s European Folk Art
Located in Trensacq, FR
A fabulous pair of oak three-legged chairs, crafted in the Basque region of France/Spain C1950. Beautifully decorated with carved flowers and diamond detailing, these chairs are a r...
Category

Mid-20th Century European Folk Art Seating

Materials

Oak

Vintage Egyptian Camel Saddle Stool
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Egyptian, North Africa camel saddle shape stool. Traditionally used to ride camels in the desert of Africa and the Middle East, this camel saddle...
Category

Mid-20th Century Egyptian Folk Art Seating

Materials

Brass

Brutalist Set of 3 Low Stools and 1 Coffee Table, Solid Wood, France, 1960s
Located in leucate, FR
This primitive set was produced by a French craftsman in the 1960s. The stools all have a slightly different shape, the table is of the same constru...
Category

1960s French Vintage Folk Art Seating

Materials

Wood

Handcrafted Folk Art Rustic Oak Dining Chair Set, France, 1940s
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Handcrafted Folk Art Rustic Oak Dining Chair set of 6. Made in France, 1940s period. Handmade handcrafted and carved solid oak const...
Category

1940s French Vintage Folk Art Seating

Materials

Oak

Primitive Handcrafted Organic Highback Naga Chair in Solid Teak, Wabi Sabi Style
Located in Odense, DK
One of a kind charming authentic primitive stump chair made in a single solid hardwood. Hand carved by the Naga tribe in India, ca 1970s. A nice wabi...
Category

Mid-20th Century Indian Folk Art Seating

Materials

Hardwood, Teak

Vintage Folk Art Marquetry Inlay Footstool Ottoman Stool Display Stand
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Folk Art Marquetry Inlay Large Footstool Ottoman Stool. Item features nice small size, marquetry inlay top, solid wood construction, beautiful wood grain, very nice vintage i...
Category

Mid-20th Century Folk Art Seating

Materials

Wood

Vintage Folk Art Marquetry Inlay Small Footstool Ottoman Stool
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Folk Art Marquetry Inlay Small Footstool Ottoman Stool. Item featured is a nice small Size, marquetry inlay top, solid wood construction, beautiful wood grain, very nice vint...
Category

Mid-20th Century Folk Art Seating

Materials

Wood

Pair of Studio Art Chairs in Carved Wood
Located in East Hampton, NY
This pair of hand crafted sculptural wood chairs feature 3 legs and extraordinary details to back rest and seat - SEE detail images and video provided. Architecturally wonderful! TH...
Category

1960s Bulgarian Vintage Folk Art Seating

Materials

Wood

Lloyd Loom Easy Chair Delightful Shabby Lloyd Loom Armchair
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Lloyd Loom easy chair This delightful Shabby Lloyd Loom armchair dating from the early 20th century The chair is a generous sweeping shape and has a comfy sprung seat...
Category

1930s Vintage Folk Art Seating

Materials

Wicker

20th Century Wabi Sabi 4 Leg Stool, Germany circa 1930s or Older
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This 20th century wabi sabi 4 leg workshop stool from Germany is an excellent example of this style. The piece has a round, rustic-looking seat made of wooden planks and is supported by four spindle legs. The stool has a simple, understated design which is typical of wabi sabi furniture...
Category

1930s German Vintage Folk Art Seating

Materials

Wood

A Set of 6 BRUTALIST Handcrafted RUSTIC MID-CENTURY-MODERN Chairs, France 1960
Located in PARIS, FR
A set of 6 surprising tripod chairs, Modernist, Brutalist, Folk Art, Tribal Art, sculpted in massive wood, with beautiful floral organic motifs, to be attributed, France 1950. This ...
Category

1950s French Vintage Folk Art Seating

Materials

Wood

Pareja de butacas corcho
Located in Madrid, ES
Conjunto de dos butacas de corcho realizas en la región de Extremadura por los pastores con el corcho que se saca de los alcornoques. Tiene un estructura interna de hierro que las...
Category

1950s Spanish Vintage Folk Art Seating

Materials

Iron

Folk Art Chair from Finland
Located in Farsta, SE
One of a kind Folk Art chair from Finland Acid-stained Pine 1930s Consistent with age and use.
Category

1930s Finnish Vintage Folk Art Seating

Materials

Pine

Set of 6 Swiss Handmade Farm House Carved Dining Chairs, Switzerland, 6 Pieces
Located in Madison, WI
Absolutely stunning RARE complete set of 6 Swiss Solid wood farm house traditional dining chairs. The chairs are handmade and display beau...
Category

1950s Swiss Vintage Folk Art Seating

Materials

Walnut

Antique Ghanian Ashanti Style Stool with Leopard Carved, Africa
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Carved Antique African Leopard Ashanti Style Stool. Early 20th Century Ghanaian Ashanti style leopard stool. Animal leopard stool hand-carved wood from ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Ghanaian Folk Art Seating

Materials

Wood

Vintage Egyptian African Camel Saddle Stool
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Egyptian, North Africa camel saddle shape stool. A middle eastern wood and leather camel saddle wood bench designed with a wooden frame and a bla...
Category

Mid-20th Century Egyptian Folk Art Seating

Materials

Cowhide, Wood

Vintage Moroccan Floor Pillow Seat Cushion Made from a Berber Old Rug
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Moroccan vintage floor pillow seat cushion made from a Tribal Berber rug. Square shape with nice faded earth tone colors for the top and rich warm...
Category

Mid-20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Seating

Materials

Wool

Rare 1940's /50's New York Times Newspaper Display Cart, News Stand
Located in Buffalo, NY
Rare 1940's /50's New York Times Newspaper display cart, news stand, You would be hard pressed to find another!. Newspaper industrial rolling cart with fa...
Category

1940s American Vintage Folk Art Seating

Materials

Metal, Steel

Hand Made Anglo Indian Folk Art Bench
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Hand made Anglo Indian Folk Art bench The bench has been very skilfully made using old architectural materials and carvings it is a completely unique and one off piece It has t...
Category

Mid-20th Century Folk Art Seating

Materials

Teak

Vintage Dimitri Omersa Lion Leather Footstool, circa 1950s
Located in Vis, NL
Vintage Dimitri Omersa lion footstool with light wear and patina on the leather consistent with wear and age.  
Category

1950s American Vintage Folk Art Seating

Materials

Leather

Antoni Rzasa Polish Folk Art Carved Wood Chair
Located in New York, NY
Polish Folk Art carved and sculpted wood chair created by renown Polish artist and sculptor Antoni Rzasa (1919-1980). The chair features a carved back with a sculpted nude woman. The bottom of the seat features a 'made in Poland' stamp and the artist's carved signature, country of origin, and date of fabrication ('1958-1959'). During the 1960s, Antoni Rzasa was known as one of the most famous Polish sculptors. His sculptures are feature simple forms and a specific style inspired by Folk Art. His works are found in the collections of the National Museum in Warsaw, Kraków and Poznan, in the Polish Army...
Category

1950s Polish Vintage Folk Art Seating

Materials

Wood

Carved Hand Chair after Pedro Friedeberg
Located in NYC, NY
A unique, hand-carved wood chair in the shape of a cupped hand with detailing down to the wrinkles and fingernails. The base whimsically detailed as a shirt cuff with buttons. Solid....
Category

1950s French Vintage Folk Art Seating

Materials

Wood

Pair of Folk Art Chairs with Tractor Seats, France, 1950s
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Almost-pair of French "homemade" iron chairs with very comfortable! tractor seats. Original paint.
Category

Mid-20th Century French Folk Art Seating

Materials

Iron

Folk Art Wrought Iron Stool with Tractor Parts, France, circa 1950s
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Unique sculpturesque artist's stool made out of assembled wrought iron tractor parts.
Category

Mid-20th Century French Folk Art Seating

Natural Live Edge Tripod Table France Late 20th Century
Located in Trensacq, FR
Organic three-legged tree slab table handcrafted in France, circa 1970. Well made, heavy, solid and sound with no hardware. Live edge, good grain, gre...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Folk Art Seating

Materials

Wood

Vintage Folk Art Red Nautical Martime Viking Clipper Ship Side Accent Chair
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage folk art nautical maritime design side chair featuring a hand painted Viking Clipper ship with rope twist border sailing the ocean with a red ensign or ""Red Duster"" flag, w...
Category

Mid-20th Century Folk Art Seating

Materials

Wool, Hardwood

Rustic Bench, circa 1920, France
Located in Girona, Spain
Rustic bench Made with chestnut structure and hand woven rattan cord seating. Solid, sturdy and comfortable Circa 1920, France Very good vintage condition.
Category

Mid-20th Century French Folk Art Seating

Materials

Chestnut, Cord

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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