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

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

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

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

Folk Art Outsider Screen Room Divider Shelf Studio Modern
Located in Ft Lauderdale, FL
Folk Art Outsider Screen Room Divider Shelf Studio Modern A one-off design by Calcutta, India-based artist P. Mohanta. Purchased in early 2000 from a Calcutta gallery. Composed of fo...
Category

Late 20th Century Indian Folk Art Bookcases

Materials

Wood

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

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

Related Items
Carved oak open bookcase
Located in Cheshire, GB
Heavily carved open bookcase the large rectangular top with carved moulded edge. Above adjustable shelves are flanked by carved columns. All raised up on a plinth base. Dimensions He...
Category

Early 20th Century British Folk Art Bookcases

Materials

Oak

Carved oak open bookcase
Carved oak open bookcase
H 45 in W 55 in D 15 in
Contemporary Room Divider Shelving "30/30 S" in Oak by Casey Lurie Studio
Located in Chicago, IL
Part room divider, part bookcase, part screen, the "30/30" series is an extremely versatile shelving system. Named for the degrees of the alternately angled dividers which give the p...
Category

2010s North American Folk Art Bookcases

Materials

Wood

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
H 42.25 in W 39.25 in D 8.38 in
19th Century Mahogany Hanging Shelf
Located in High Point, NC
19th century mahogany shelf from England. The top and base have brass finials, following down to three shelves, all made from single boards. The shelves are separated by wonderfully ...
Category

19th Century English Antique Folk Art Bookcases

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century Mahogany Hanging Shelf
19th Century Mahogany Hanging Shelf
H 29.25 in W 25.5 in D 7.13 in
Swedish Painted Open Bookcase
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
19th century Swedish two part painted open bookcase, with small columns on the uprights. 1840. Top shelf depth is 10". Code: 8517 Dimensions: W: 61.5" (156.2 cm) H: 84.5" (214.6 c...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Bookcases

Materials

Pine

Swedish Painted Open Bookcase
Swedish Painted Open Bookcase
H 84.5 in W 61.5 in D 18 in
Late 19th Century American Tramp Folk Art Draws
Located in London, GB
Late 19th century American tramp folk art draws We share what we love, and we love this late 19th American set of tramp art draws. Made from old cigar boxes...
Category

Early 1900s American Antique Folk Art Bookcases

Materials

Pine

Korean 19th Century Two-Toned Wooden Cabinet with Brass Hardware
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Korean wooden cabinet from the 19th century, with four drawers, two sets of double doors and brass hardware. Born in Korea during the 19th cent...
Category

19th Century Korean Antique Folk Art Bookcases

Materials

Wood

Contemporary Room Divider Shelving "30/30 L" in Oak by Casey Lurie Studio
Located in Chicago, IL
Part room divider, part bookcase, part screen, the "30/30" series is an extremely versatile shelving system. Named for the degrees of the alternately angled dividers which give the p...
Category

2010s North American Folk Art Bookcases

Materials

Wood

Early 19th Century American Painted Bookcase
Located in Wiscasset, ME
An early American painted bookcase of nice shallow dimension. From either New York or New England, of step back-form with a molded cornice over double glazed doors, over double cabi...
Category

Early 19th Century Antique Folk Art Bookcases

Materials

Wood, Paint

Monumental 19th Century French Blue Painted Bookcase
Located in Staffordshire, GB
circa 1860 Monumental 19thC French Blue Painted Bookcase Sourced from the South of France sku 1416 W340 x D38 x H253 cm Base W321 x D38 x H94 cm Top W340 x D32 x H159 cm.
Category

19th Century Antique Folk Art Bookcases

Materials

Fruitwood

19th Century Style Painted Open Bookcase
Located in Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Unusual 19th century style painted open bookcase. Dimensions: 88 inches (224 cms) wide 15 inches (38 cms) deep 86.5 inches (220 cms) high.  
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Folk Art Bookcases

Materials

Pine

Mid-Century Room Dividing Bookcase
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Vintage American made "Cado" unit in walnut. Three sections connected and held by tension rods, to be placed anywhere in your home or office. Shelving, cabinets storage and a flip to...
Category

Mid-20th Century Folk Art Bookcases

Materials

Walnut

Mid-Century Room Dividing Bookcase
Mid-Century Room Dividing Bookcase
H 87.75 in W 91.25 in D 11 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

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

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

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

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

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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