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Folk Art Bookcases

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
Primitive Early 20th Century French Shelf in Patinated Oak, Wabi Sabi, 1920s
By Pierre Jeanneret
Located in Odense, DK
This striking three-bay bookcase, crafted from solid oak, features a warm, rich patina that highlights the wood’s natural grain and age. Generous in scale and presence, its bold, arc...
Category

Early 20th Century French Folk Art Bookcases

Materials

Oak

Primitive Early 20th Century French Shelf in Patinated Oak, Wabi Sabi, 1920s
Primitive Early 20th Century French Shelf in Patinated Oak, Wabi Sabi, 1920s

Primitive Early 20th Century French Shelf in Patinated Oak, Wabi Sabi, 1920s

$3,400
Robert 'Mouseman' Thompson Folk Art Carved Oak Oval Cutting or Cheese Board
By Robert Thompson
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This solid oak oval cutting board was made by the renowned English furniture maker Robert 'Mouseman' Thompson in his signature Arts & Crafts style. The cutting board has a raised han...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Folk Art Bookcases

Materials

Oak

Robert 'Mouseman' Thompson Folk Art Carved Oak Oval Cutting or Cheese Board
Robert 'Mouseman' Thompson Folk Art Carved Oak Oval Cutting or Cheese Board

Robert 'Mouseman' Thompson Folk Art Carved Oak Oval Cutting or Cheese Board

$799
Exceptional Painted Bookcase with Gold Leaf Carvings
Located in Vo', Veneto
Exceptional bookcase painted in blue and red with gold leaf carvings. Two large side pillars, with richly carved scrolls, lacquered and gilded wi...
Category

1810s Italian Antique Folk Art Bookcases

Materials

Fir

Exceptional Painted Bookcase with Gold Leaf Carvings
Exceptional Painted Bookcase with Gold Leaf Carvings

Exceptional Painted Bookcase with Gold Leaf Carvings

$32,841
Folk Art "Picassiette" Deux-Corps, France, 19th Century
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Rare and unusual dresser decorated with colorful bits of broken porcelain -- in typical French Folk Art tradition, but unusual on a piece of this size ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Folk Art Bookcases

Folk Art "Picassiette" Deux-Corps, France, 19th Century
Folk Art "Picassiette" Deux-Corps, France, 19th Century

Folk Art "Picassiette" Deux-Corps, France, 19th Century

$45,759
Medium Sized Hand Grain Painted Folk Art Bookcase
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Charming hand grain painted folk art small to medium sized bookshelf. Great in a bathroom!
Category

1970s American Vintage Folk Art Bookcases

Materials

Wood

Medium Sized Hand Grain Painted Folk Art Bookcase
Medium Sized Hand Grain Painted Folk Art Bookcase

Medium Sized Hand Grain Painted Folk Art Bookcase

$1,650
American Folk Art Red Painted Hanging Wall-Mounted Shelf, 19th century
Located in Shippensburg, PA
AMERICAN RED-PAINTED HANGING WALL SHELF Probably Pennsylvania circa the first half of the 19th century Item # 310ZPI05Q A compelling and most useful open bookcase, the simple and austere form features an arched and molded cornice around a central tapered-and-fluted wedge over four graduated shelves that are dovetailed into the stiles, the shelf edges decorated with reeding and wonderful tight reeding along the length of the pilasters. The wall shelf retains a fine early and perhaps original red painted surface. Provenance: * Collection of Hattie Brunner...
Category

19th Century American Antique Folk Art Bookcases

Materials

Wood, Paint

American Folk Art Red Painted Hanging Wall-Mounted Shelf, 19th century
American Folk Art Red Painted Hanging Wall-Mounted Shelf, 19th century

American Folk Art Red Painted Hanging Wall-Mounted Shelf, 19th century

$3,300
19th Century SE Asian Highly Carved Wooden and Gilded Floor/Wall Cabinet
Located in Dallas, TX
PRESENTING an EXCEPTIONAL AND RARE 19C SE Asian Highly Carved Wooden and Gilded Floor or Wall Case or cabinet featuring Hindu Gods. OUTSTANDING and VERY RARE! Mid 19th Century, cir...
Category

Mid-19th Century Cambodian Antique Folk Art Bookcases

Materials

Gold Leaf

19th Century SE Asian Highly Carved Wooden and Gilded Floor/Wall Cabinet
19th Century SE Asian Highly Carved Wooden and Gilded Floor/Wall Cabinet

19th Century SE Asian Highly Carved Wooden and Gilded Floor/Wall Cabinet

$4,500
American Folk Art Painted Pine Teal Bookcase on Casters with Removable Shelves
Located in Brooklyn, NY
American folk art bookcase retaining its original teal and orange paint (ca. 1920, USA). Features five removable shelves and the original caster wheels for easy mobility. A unique pi...
Category

1920s American Vintage Folk Art Bookcases

Materials

Metal

American Folk Art Painted Pine Teal Bookcase on Casters with Removable Shelves
American Folk Art Painted Pine Teal Bookcase on Casters with Removable Shelves

American Folk Art Painted Pine Teal Bookcase on Casters with Removable Shelves

$1,800
Related Items
Large Pair 19thC English Grain Ebonised Pine Bookcases
Located in Staffordshire, GB
circa 1900 Large Pair 19thC English Grain Ebonised Pine Bookcases Price is each - X1 left sku 1039 Together W202 x D54 x H206 cm Base W195 x D50 x H91 cm Top W202 x D54 x H115 cm
Category

Early 20th Century Folk Art Bookcases

Materials

Pine

Large Pair 19thC English Grain Ebonised Pine Bookcases
Large Pair 19thC English Grain Ebonised Pine Bookcases

Large Pair 19thC English Grain Ebonised Pine Bookcases

$12,076 Sale Price
20% Off
H 81.11 in W 79.53 in D 21.26 in
Mid-19th Century French Fruitwood Buffet Deux Corps with Bonnet Top and Fluting
Located in Atlanta, GA
Mid-19th century French fruitwood buffet deux corps with bonnet top and fluting detail.   
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Folk Art Bookcases

Materials

Fruitwood

Mid-19th Century French Fruitwood Buffet Deux Corps with Bonnet Top and Fluting
Mid-19th Century French Fruitwood Buffet Deux Corps with Bonnet Top and Fluting

Mid-19th Century French Fruitwood Buffet Deux Corps with Bonnet Top and Fluting

$7,600
H 99 in W 58.5 in D 29 in
Wabi Sabi Primitive Bookshelf, 1800s, Scandinavia
Located in Hønefoss, 30
Wabi-sabi primitive bookshelf from Scandinavia, 1800s. Handcrafted with timeworn character and rich patina, celebrating the beauty of age and imperfection.
Category

Late 19th Century Norwegian Antique Folk Art Bookcases

Materials

Pine

Wabi Sabi Primitive Bookshelf, 1800s, Scandinavia
Wabi Sabi Primitive Bookshelf, 1800s, Scandinavia

Wabi Sabi Primitive Bookshelf, 1800s, Scandinavia

$2,468
H 43.71 in W 40.16 in D 9.45 in
19th Century Mahogany Turned Standing Shelf
Located in High Point, NC
19th Century English standing shelf made from mahogany. It has lovely hand turned finials and shelf supports in a bobbin pattern, and is resting on love...
Category

19th Century English Antique Folk Art Bookcases

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Mahogany Turned Standing Shelf
19th Century Mahogany Turned Standing Shelf

19th Century Mahogany Turned Standing Shelf

$2,695
H 42.25 in W 39.25 in D 8.38 in
Tall Early 19th Century French Painted Glazed Bibliothèque, Bookcase
Located in Basingstoke, Hampshire
A tall early 19th century french painted glazed Bibliothèque - bookcase. Of tall and slender proportions. Displaying a pair of glazed doors over a pair of arched panel doors opening ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Folk Art Bookcases

Materials

Walnut

Tall Early 19th Century French Painted Glazed Bibliothèque, Bookcase
Tall Early 19th Century French Painted Glazed Bibliothèque, Bookcase

Tall Early 19th Century French Painted Glazed Bibliothèque, Bookcase

$5,776
H 108.67 in W 54.34 in D 14.97 in
Opinion Ciatti Original Ptolomeo Medium Bookcase
By Bruno Rainaldi, Opinion Ciatti
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Original Ptolomeo is the free-standing bookcase that doesn’t require any further presentation: it is simple, revolutionary, innovative, as sudden as ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Folk Art Bookcases

Materials

Steel

Opinion Ciatti Original Ptolomeo Medium Bookcase
Opinion Ciatti Original Ptolomeo Medium Bookcase

Opinion Ciatti Original Ptolomeo Medium Bookcase

From $1,380 / item
CortenStainless SteelBlack with Stainless Steel BaseWhite with Stainless Steel Base + 2 more
H 63 in W 13.78 in D 4.73 in
19th Century French Buffet a Deux Corps or Sideboard
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century French buffet à deux corps from the town of Caux in Normandy, made of solid oak with raised panels and chapeau de gendarme crown with carved details. Buffet provides a...
Category

19th Century French Antique Folk Art Bookcases

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Buffet a Deux Corps or Sideboard
19th Century French Buffet a Deux Corps or Sideboard

19th Century French Buffet a Deux Corps or Sideboard

$3,500
H 94.75 in W 57 in D 20 in
Japanese Wooden Cabinet, Early 20th Century, Japan, Wabi Sabi
Located in Tokyo, Tokyo
A characterful Japanese archival cabinet from the early 20th century, crafted from wood and defined by its deeply grooved doors and minimalist construction. The front panels open to ...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Folk Art Bookcases

Materials

Wood

Japanese Wooden Cabinet, Early 20th Century, Japan, Wabi Sabi
Japanese Wooden Cabinet, Early 20th Century, Japan, Wabi Sabi

Japanese Wooden Cabinet, Early 20th Century, Japan, Wabi Sabi

$650
H 26.19 in W 37.41 in D 17.72 in
Pair of Late 19th Century Painted French Bibliotheques
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of late 19th century painted French bibliotheques. Hand-carved in mortise and tenon construction. Originally constructed as built-in pieces. Without backs - made to be secured t...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Folk Art Bookcases

Materials

Brass, Iron

Pair of Late 19th Century Painted French Bibliotheques
Pair of Late 19th Century Painted French Bibliotheques

Pair of Late 19th Century Painted French Bibliotheques

$16,000 / set
H 98.5 in W 63.38 in D 15.75 in
English Painted Breakfront Bookcase
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Wonderful early 19th century English painted breakfront bookcase. Good carved decoration and astragal glazing. Fitted with adjustable shelving. 1830. Code: 8693 Dimensions: W: 81.5...
Category

19th Century English Antique Folk Art Bookcases

Materials

Oak, Pine

English Painted Breakfront Bookcase
English Painted Breakfront Bookcase

English Painted Breakfront Bookcase

$13,779
H 91 in W 81.5 in D 20 in
Early 20th Century French Pine Wood Bibliotheque, 1900s
Located in LEGNY, FR
Early 20th century French "pitch pine" wood bibliotheque in three parts removable. Four ornaments at the top which can be removable. (You can see only two ornaments on the picture b...
Category

Early 20th Century French Folk Art Bookcases

Materials

Pine, Glass

Early 20th Century French Pine Wood Bibliotheque, 1900s
Early 20th Century French Pine Wood Bibliotheque, 1900s

Early 20th Century French Pine Wood Bibliotheque, 1900s

$2,408 Sale Price
20% Off
H 98.82 in W 88.98 in D 23.63 in
French 19th Century Painted Bibliotheque
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A French 19th century painted pine bibliotheque with original glass-front doors and charming, buttery yellow finish. At less than 13” deep, this antique case piece is a wonderful sol...
Category

19th Century French Antique Folk Art Bookcases

Materials

Brass

French 19th Century Painted Bibliotheque
French 19th Century Painted Bibliotheque

French 19th Century Painted Bibliotheque

$6,500
H 101.5 in W 47 in D 12.5 in
Previously Available Items
Swedish Craft, Bookcase, Pine, Nails, 19th Century Sweden
Located in High Point, NC
An antique shelf or bookcase / apothecary cabinet. Produced in Sweden 19th century. Likely originally placed atop another cabinet.
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Bookcases

Materials

Pine

Swedish Craft, Bookcase, Pine, Nails, 19th Century Sweden
Swedish Craft, Bookcase, Pine, Nails, 19th Century Sweden

Swedish Craft, Bookcase, Pine, Nails, 19th Century Sweden

H 31.11 in W 73.82 in D 11.42 in
Robert 'Mouseman' Thompson Folk Art Carved Oak Desk Top Book Trough or Stand
By Robert Thompson
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This solid oak desk top book trough was made by the renowned English furniture maker Robert 'Mouseman' Thompson in his signature Arts & Crafts style. The...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Folk Art Bookcases

Materials

Oak

Robert 'Mouseman' Thompson Folk Art Carved Oak Desk Top Book Trough or Stand
Robert 'Mouseman' Thompson Folk Art Carved Oak Desk Top Book Trough or Stand

Robert 'Mouseman' Thompson Folk Art Carved Oak Desk Top Book Trough or Stand

H 8 in W 17.63 in D 8.25 in
Folk Art Outsider Screen Room Divider Reclaimed Studio Indian Modern One off
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Folk Art outsider screen room divider reclaimed studio Indian modern one-off design by Calcutta, India artisan P. Mohanta. Purchased from Calcutta gallery comprised of found objects,...
Category

Late 20th Century Indian Folk Art Bookcases

Folk Art Outsider Screen Room Divider Reclaimed Studio Indian Modern One off
Folk Art Outsider Screen Room Divider Reclaimed Studio Indian Modern One off

Folk Art Outsider Screen Room Divider Reclaimed Studio Indian Modern One off

H 60 in W 44 in D 10 in
19th Century Folky Inlaid Bible Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This 19th century bible box is all handcrafted and hand inlaid pieces on the cover. The key hole is a hand-carved white heart. The condition is ...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Bookcases

Materials

Wood

19th Century Folky Inlaid Bible Box
19th Century Folky Inlaid Bible Box

19th Century Folky Inlaid Bible Box

H 4 in W 14 in D 13 in
Swedish Bookcase Ladder, 19th Century, Sweden
Located in New York, NY
A Swedish bookcase ladder made during the 19th century in Sweden. Made from pine.   
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Bookcases

Swedish Bookcase Ladder, 19th Century, Sweden
Swedish Bookcase Ladder, 19th Century, Sweden

Swedish Bookcase Ladder, 19th Century, Sweden

H 79.5 in W 30 in D 6.5 in

Folk Art bookcases for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique folk art bookcases for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage bookcases created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets, folk art, asian art and furniture and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, softwood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art bookcases made in a specific country, there are Europe, Asia, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original bookcases, popular names associated with this style include and Robert Thompson. 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 bookcases differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $799 and tops out at $41,064 while the average work can sell for $4,875.

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