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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
Italian Bookcase
Located in Cirencester, GB
We sourced this 19th Century bookcase or dresser from a house in the mountains North of Verona. Beautiful authentic hand painted designs, some restoration including re varnishing th...
Category

Late 19th Century Italian Antique Folk Art Bookcases

Materials

Pine

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

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 "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

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

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

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

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19th Century Mahogany Turned Standing Shelf
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Bookcase, oak, walnut, brass and glass, Italy, circa 1950. This sophisticated, large bookcase designed in Italy comes in a great size. With a nice variety of storage compartment and...
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1950s Italian Vintage Folk Art Bookcases

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Italian Bookcase in Walnut and Oak
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Midcentury modular bookcase, Italy 1950
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Midcentury  modular bookcase, Italy 1950
Midcentury  modular bookcase, Italy 1950
$4,981
H 86.62 in W 58.08 in D 10.63 in
Vintage Pair of Italian Etageres / Bookcases
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
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Vintage Pair of Italian Etageres / Bookcases
Vintage Pair of Italian Etageres / Bookcases
$1,950 / set
H 49.25 in W 15.75 in D 12.25 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.   
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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...
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19th Century English Antique Folk Art Bookcases

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Oak, Pine

English Painted Breakfront Bookcase
English Painted Breakfront Bookcase
$13,980
H 91 in W 81.5 in D 20 in
Large Modular Wood Bookcase, Italy, 1960s
Located in Milan, IT
Large modular bookcase composed by movable black painted shelves and wood uprights with brass feet. More uprights and shelves available.
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1960s Italian Vintage Folk Art Bookcases

Materials

Brass

Large Modular Wood Bookcase, Italy, 1960s
Large Modular Wood Bookcase, Italy, 1960s
$4,623
H 116.15 in W 90.56 in D 7.88 in
Carved Oak book rack by Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson
Located in Brønshøj, DK
Stunning vintage oak book rack by Robert Thompson (also known as mouseman) from the 1960's. A simple and beautiful rack with the characteristic carved mouse signature. Robert "Mous...
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1960s English Vintage Folk Art Bookcases

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Carved Oak book rack by Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson
Carved Oak book rack by Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson
$1,015
H 7.96 in W 17.92 in D 8.08 in
Modular wooden bookcase, Italy, 1970s
Located in Santa Margherita Ligure, IT
Modular wooden bookcase, consisting of large central drawer and three adjustable shelves as desired Production period 1970s, Italy
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Folk Art Bookcases

Materials

Wood

Modular wooden bookcase, Italy, 1970s
Modular wooden bookcase, Italy, 1970s
$2,628
H 68.12 in W 41.34 in D 13.78 in
19th Century French Neoclassical Style Painted Bookcase
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Imposing 19th century French library bookcase or cabinet featuring a weathered, painted finish. The two-part case is crafted in the Greco-Roman style with decorative pilaster columns...
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19th Century French Antique Folk Art Bookcases

Materials

Brass

19th Century French Neoclassical Style Painted Bookcase
19th Century French Neoclassical Style Painted Bookcase
$15,000
H 102.5 in W 103.5 in D 22.5 in
Vintage Bookcase, Italy, 19th century
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage bookcase is an orginal modern furniture realized in the second half of 19th century  Realized by Italian manufacture Bookcase with shelves supported by a column with the up...
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19th Century Italian Antique Folk Art Bookcases

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Wood

Vintage Bookcase, Italy, 19th century
Vintage Bookcase, Italy, 19th century
$492 Sale Price
25% Off
H 44.89 in W 27.96 in D 16.54 in
19th Century French Hand-Carved Painted Buffet deux Corps Cabinet from Normandy
Located in Miami, FL
A fine quality 19th Century hand-carved and hand-painted two body buffet built by skilled artisans from Pays de Caux, Normandy, France. Intricately carved. This Cauchois buffet from the 19th Century comes from the prominent Vanderbilt Estate...
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19th Century French Antique Folk Art Bookcases

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Wood, Paint

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.
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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...
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Mid-20th Century English Folk Art Bookcases

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Oak

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,...
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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 ...
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Early 20th Century American Folk Art Bookcases

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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.   
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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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