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.
Antique Wooden Captain’s Chair Denmark
Located in Sakskøbing, DK
Sturdy Danish wooden armchair in the Windsor tradition, a local interpretation of the classic English design. The chair features turned baluster spindles, a curved backrest, and an H...
Beech
George Nakashima Captain's Chair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
George Nakashima Captain's Chair Beautiful original Dark Surface wonderful spline details Clients name to underside of the chair
Walnut
Antique Hand Carved American Windsor Bow-Back Chair, Circa 1790
Located in Elkhart, IN
A beautiful antique hand-carved Windsor bow-back side chair America, Circa 1790 Measures: 19”W x 16.5”D x 36.75”H. Seat height 17.25" Good original vintage condition. Appears to...
Wood
$795
H 31.5 in W 19.5 in D 16.9 in
Arne Hovmand-Olsen Captain's Chair, Teak & Jute, Danish Modern, 1960
Located in High Point, NC
This captain’s chair designed by Arne Hovmand-Olsen was made in Denmark, circa 1960. The curved back and tapered legs of this elegant chair show off the beautiful patina of the teak....
Jute, Teak
19th Century English Captain's Chair
Located in High Point, NC
19th century captain's chair from England. The chair is made from oak and has a seat made from elm. This type of chair was made for sitting for long periods of time and is very com...
Elm, Oak
$2,895
H 35.5 in W 22.5 in D 20.5 in
English Windsor Armchair of Ash and Elm with Captain's Wheel Back
Located in Austin, TX
A fine Windsor armchair of elm and ash woods from Georgian era England, featuring a bowed top rail over a pierced splat with spoked captain's wheel and spindle back, elegant serpenti...
Wood, Ash, Elm
Late 19th Century Oak Firehouse Captain Chair
Located in Germantown, MD
Late 19th Century Oak Firehouse Captain Chair Measures 19.5" in width, 22" in depth and 29.5" in height. Seat height is 17.5" and armheight 27.5". Seat interior width is 16" and seat...
Oak
Set of Four Country Danish Painted Windsor Captain's Chair
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Whimsical and festive set of four Windsor style captains chairs or smokers chairs featuring a hand-painted finish. 20th century country Danish chairs hav...
Wood
Antique Early 19th Century Windsor Elm Chair
Located in Houston, TX
Early 19th century windsor elm chair, England, circa 1800.
Elm
$1,186 / set
H 35.44 in W 21.26 in D 23.23 in
English antique set of 2 Windsor chairs with character, beautiful colouring
Located in Harderwijk, NL
This fantastic set of two antique low-back Windsor dining chairs has developed a beautiful patina over the years. The chairs feature a spindled backrest, a nicely shaped seat, and—th...
Wood
19th Century English Captain's Chair
Located in High Point, NC
19th century captain's chair from England. The chair is made from oak and has a seat made from elm. This type of chair was made for sitting for long periods of time and is very com...
Elm, Oak
$2,636
H 38.98 in W 23.04 in D 26.38 in
1960s Danish Frits Henningsen CH 18A High Back Chair in Oak by Carl Hansen & Son
By Frits Henningsen, Carl Hansen & Søn
Located in Knebel, DK
CH 18A high back windsor chair in oak designed by Frits Henningsen and made by Carl Hansen & Søn. The chair features very skilled craftmanship by the cabin...
Oak
Antique Americana Ebonized Brace Back Windsor Chair
Located in Germantown, MD
A beautifully crafted antique Windsor braceback side chair. This is in good condition with great patina and will be a great addition to your collection.
Hardwood
Antique Yew Wood Windsor Chair. English, Early 19th Century
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Superb piece of country furniture. Delightful colour Mainly yew wood. Elm seat and legs Crinoline stretcher Very honest piece. Totally original patina 2 old repairs shown in t...
Elm, Yew
Antique Yew Wood Windsor Chair. English, Early 19th Century
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Superb piece of country furniture. Delightful colour Mainly yew wood. Elm seat and legs Crinoline stretcher Very honest piece. Totally original patina Good condition. No re-po...
Elm, Yew
18th Century Primitive Welsh Windsor Armchair
Located in Chireno, TX
18th Century primitive Welsh Windsor armchair, or stick chair, circa 1740-1760. All-original: elm shaped-seat; ash back, arms and legs. Remnants of ear...
Ash, Elm, Paint
Antique Elm Windsor Stool, English, 19th Century
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Super little piece of country furniture. Very honest piece. Totally original patina Sturdy construction.
Elm
Sold
H 42.5 in W 33.5 in D 23 in
Antique American Windsor Folk Art Painted Stencil Back Boston Rocking Arm Chair
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique 19th century Boston rocker. Features a black painted finish with hand stencilled fruit and flower deisgns. Includes a contoured rail over a pierc...
Hardwood, Paint
Primitive Welsh Comb Back Windsor
Located in Chireno, TX
Primitive welsh comb back Windsor armchair constructed in a vernacular manner and "lobster pot" style, circa 1780-1800. All-original and in very good c...
Ash, Chestnut, Oak
Primitive Cornish Windsor Chair
Located in Chireno, TX
Primitive Cornish Windsor chair (circa 1750-1770) with a thick shaped seat fashioned from a slab of elm, supported by straightforward drawn legs and H-stretcher. Features a simple st...
Ash, Elm
Primitive Windsor Chair
Located in Chireno, TX
Primitive Windsor chair in yew and elm woods. Very sturdy with some restoration to arms. Constructed in a vernacular fashion circa 1770-1790 in the v...
Elm, Yew
Rustic 18th Century English Windsor Armchair
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine 18th century English comb back windsor armchair, probably West Country, the shaped crest supported by spoke-shaved spindles, the continuous arm and shallow seat with same profil...
Ash, Elm
18th Century English Comb Back Windsor Armchair
Located in Greenwich, CT
Very good 18th century English comb back Windsor armchair, the simple back supported by eight spindles, the bentwood arm with shaped end supp...
Ash, Sycamore
Comb Back Primitive Windsor
Located in Greenwich, CT
A unique primitive windsor chair with curved and eared comb-back crest rail over outs wept arm bow with slab elm seat standing on stick legs. Rich pa...
Elm
Apple Green Painted Child's Chair
Located in Nantucket, MA
Apple green painted child’s firehouse chair with shaped back and turned spindles and plank seat. Original paint and floral stenciling New England, c....
Maple, Pine