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Folk Art Commodes and Chests of Drawers

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
Japanese vintage urushi small Kiri tansu box chest of drawers, wabi sabi mingei
Located in 常陸大宮市, JP
Japanese vintage small box tansu chest of drawers, Kohikidashi, fully made of Kiri (Paulownia). Refinished by seller with traditional black Urushi ...
Category

20th Century Japanese Folk Art Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

18th Century Original Painted Large Pine Chest of Four Drawers, Denmark
Located in Round Top, TX
This large chest of four drawers is a wonderful find. The hand-painted finish is all original, dating to the mid to late 1700's. The lovely floral painted details and flourishes wer...
Category

Mid-18th Century Danish Antique Folk Art Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood, Paint

Early 20th Century Folky Chest of Drawers
Located in Chicago, IL
Charming and full of character, this early 20th-century American chest of drawers showcases a playful folk art sensibility, blending rustic craftsmanship with whimsical design. The e...
Category

1930s American Vintage Folk Art Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Oak

Antique Faux Grain Painted Wood Chest Of Drawers
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A wide antique two- drawer chest in a brown and black faux grain paint overall. The top has canted corners in front and a separately made molding on the edge. Both long drawers have...
Category

19th Century Antique Folk Art Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Rustic Oak "Folk art" Wooden Chest of Drawers, France circa 1920's
Located in Den Haag, NL
Rustic Oak "Folk art" Wooden Chest of Drawers, France circa 1920's
Category

1920s French Vintage Folk Art Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Oak

Antique Swedish Tall and Narrow Original Sideboard
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique Swedish tall sideboard in an unusually tall and narrow model with an uncommon function. Underneath the table top the sideboard has a large sugar hack attached. This is very u...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine

19th Century Pennsylvania Folky Sheraton Cherry Chest of Drawers
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique wooden chest of drawers. With a terrific old finish. In cherry wood with a polar secondary, turned wooden pulls, and r...
Category

Mid-19th Century North American Antique Folk Art Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood, Cherry

19th Century Portuguese Tramp Art Chest with Hidden Compartments and Lift Top
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Portuguese Tramp Art chest from the 19th century with hand-carved raised décor, lift top, hidden compartments and dark patina. This 19th-century Portuguese Tramp Art chest charms w...
Category

19th Century Portuguese Antique Folk Art Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Salvador Corona Hand Painted Cabinet, Mexico / Tucson, 1940s, Signed
Located in Kansas City, MO
Beutiful Salvador Corona hand painted and signed cabinet with drawers, Mexico / Tucson, 1940s. Good original condition with honest attractive wear.
Category

1950s American Vintage Folk Art Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Cupboard Painted Green Gold Hairnets Riding Boots Glove Vintage Equestrian Horse
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
- Unusual eye-catching, characterful cupboard for a bootroom, hall or tackroom - Fun equestrian interest The top with a moulding at the back and a solid moulded edge. Two long dr...
Category

1970s English Vintage Folk Art Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Tall Original Painted Pine Chest of Five Drawers, Dated 1850
Located in Round Top, TX
Tall original painted pine chest of five drawers with half column accents dated 1850. Four larger drawers have two brass pulls; upper narrow drawer has one small pull. Note the origi...
Category

Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Folk Art Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Maine Circa 1830 Grain Painted Chest Of Drawers
Located in Hudson, NY
Absolutely beautiful, circa 1830's, grain painted, graduated chest of drawers. Likely from Maine or possibly Vermont , the workmanship is absolutely beautiful . From the fully turned...
Category

1830s American Antique Folk Art Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood, Pine, Paint

Original Painted Large Chest of Three Drawers dated 1894
Located in Round Top, TX
The lovely floral painted wreaths painted along the top of this large chest of 3 drawers is all original; look closely and you will see a name and faded date of 1894. This traditiona...
Category

Late 19th Century Hungarian Antique Folk Art Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

19th C Lancaster County Original Painted Small Bin
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This amazing all original paint decorated or grain painted over mustard painted base is dovetailed construction & square nails as well. The lid comes off and has a brass shaker...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine

Original Folk Art Painted Chest of Three Drawers, Hungary circa 1850-70
Located in Round Top, TX
The soft colors are all original on this hand-painted antique chest of 3 drawers from Hungary. The lovely floral painted panels were a traditional folk art design of the era set agai...
Category

Mid-19th Century Hungarian Antique Folk Art Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine, Paint

Swedish Trompe l'Oeil Commode/bed
Located in PARIS, FR
This charming Swedish trompe-l’œil commode is a masterpiece of both design and functionality. Painted with a faux wood patina, it cleverly mimics the appearance of a traditional thre...
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Chest in natural wood from the alpine pastures
Located in PARIS, FR
This grand natural wood chest from the alpine regions of Northern Italy captures the charm and rustic beauty of traditional mountain craftsmanship. Inspired by the Queyras style, a d...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Folk Art Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Folk Art Commode
Located in Vista, CA
Folk Art commode, most likely made for a wedding gift with Initials JF circa 1820.
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Folk Art Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

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Faux Bamboo Blue Painted Four Drawer Chest of Drawers
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Lots of detail on this sturdy chest of drawers. This four drawer faux bamboo chest has been painted in a Gustavian shade of blue. Very versatile piece that could be used in a living ...
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Early 2000s European Folk Art Commodes and Chests of Drawers

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Japanese Antique Chests of Small Drawers , Wabi-Sabi
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Small 18th Century Blue-Painted Baroque Chest of Drawers
Located in Kastrup, DK
A small blue-painted Baroque chest of drawers with a serpentine front and three drawers, each featuring original locks and keyhole brass fittings. Beautifully restored by a conserva...
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18th Century Danish Antique Folk Art Commodes and Chests of Drawers

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Small 18th Century Blue-Painted Baroque Chest of Drawers
Small 18th Century Blue-Painted Baroque Chest of Drawers
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H 16.74 in W 17.72 in D 11.82 in
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Located in London, GB
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Late 18th Century English Antique Folk Art Commodes and Chests of Drawers

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Large 18th Century Mahogany Chest of Drawers
Large 18th Century Mahogany Chest of Drawers
$5,840
H 47 in W 49.5 in D 24.5 in
Japanese Antique Black Drawer / Storage Tansu / 1868s / Wabi-Sabi Mingei
Located in Iwate-gun Shizukuishi-cho, Iwate Prefecture
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1860s Japanese Antique Folk Art Commodes and Chests of Drawers

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Japanese Antique Chests of Drawers, Meiji Era'1868-1912'Wabi Sabi
Located in Hitachiomiya-shi, 08
This is antique chests of drawers was crafted in the Late Meiji Era(1868-1912). The aged texture of the cedar wood gives this chest a sense of depth and warmth. The black urushi (Ja...
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Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Folk Art Commodes and Chests of Drawers

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Previously Available Items
Danish Folk Art Chest of Drawers with Original Painting by Niels P. Dyhr
Located in Kastrup, DK
Large Danish chest of drawers, crafted in 1833 by cabinetmaker Niels P. Dyhr in Nykøbing Mors, Denmark. A highly decorative and exceptionally well-preserved piece, showcasing rich, o...
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Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Folk Art Commodes and Chests of Drawers

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Pine

19th Century Original Painted Large Pine Chest of Three Drawers, Hungary
Located in Round Top, TX
The soft colors are all original on this large hand-painted antique chest of 3 drawers from Hungary. The brick red/brown finish faux wood background was a traditional style element o...
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Late 19th Century Hungarian Antique Folk Art Commodes and Chests of Drawers

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Brass

Danish Antique Green Chest of Drawers, 1850s.
Located in Asaa, DK
Danish Antique Green Chest of Drawers, 1850s. Stunning large and impressive five drawer pine dresser made in Denmark around 1850, professionally r...
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Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Folk Art Commodes and Chests of Drawers

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Pine

Danish Antique Green Chest of Drawers, 1850s.
Danish Antique Green Chest of Drawers, 1850s.
H 44.1 in W 50.4 in D 23.82 in
Mid 19th Century Original Painted Chest of Two Drawers, Sweden
Located in Round Top, TX
The colorful painted finish is all original on this chest with two deep drawers, monogram on top (WC?). Generations of use are revealed in the distress to the painted finish, many ar...
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Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

19th Century Swedish Chest of Drawers from Northern Sweden
Located in Kvidinge, SE
19th century bureau This is genuine country furniture from northern Sweden, made around 1840 to 1850. The chest is made of solid pine, later painted in red on a black background, i...
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Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Original Blue Painted Chest of Five Drawers, Denmark circa 1820
Located in Round Top, TX
Large pine chest of five drawers with carved fluted details along top narrow drawer and lower skirt, crowned by dentil molding. It is the original blue hand-painted finish with red a...
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Early 19th Century Danish Antique Folk Art Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Brass

Large Hand Painted Blanket Chest of Three Drawers, Hungary dated 1872
Located in Round Top, TX
The soft colors are all original on this hand-painted antique chest of 3 drawers from Hungary. The lovely panels with hand painted flourishes were a traditional folk art design of th...
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Late 19th Century Hungarian Antique Folk Art Commodes and Chests of Drawers

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Brass

Large hand painted 19th century chest of drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Large hand painted 19th century chest of drawers circa 1820. Substantial european pine chest of drawers quite possibly from hungary. Hand painted in a black and red tonal colour sc...
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Early 19th Century Hungarian Antique Folk Art Commodes and Chests of Drawers

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Pine, Paint

19th century hand painted Swedish chest of drawers
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century hand painted swedish chest of drawers circa 1840. Good quality swedish commode, quite possibly from the dalarna reg...
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Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Pine, Paint

Consolidated set of 5 items - Primitive Wabi Sabi Chest, France, 19th Century
Located in Antwerp, BE
Consolidated listing for 5 Items, please reference the below listings for full set of images outlining condition f_35826672 - Rustic Primitive Dining Table, France, Early 20th Century - $6,550 f_37621162 - Rustic Travail Populaire Dining Table, France, Early 20th Century - $8,200 f_33901112 - Primitive Wooden Dining Table, France, 1940s - $12,300 f_33746772 - Robust Primitive Dining or Console Table, 19th Century - $11,500 f_33657262 - Primitive Wabi Sabi Chest...
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19th Century French Antique Folk Art Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Wood

Original Painted Chest of 3 Drawers Blanket Chest With Flowers, Circa 1860-80
Located in Round Top, TX
The vibrant colors are all original on this hand-painted antique chest of 3 large drawers from Hungary. The lovely floral painted panels were a traditional folk art design of the era...
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Late 19th Century Hungarian Antique Folk Art Commodes and Chests of Drawers

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Brass

Pair of Blue 19th Century Swedish Gustavian Nightstands
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A pair of Gustavian blue painted Swedish nightstands or night tables from the second half of the 19th Century in painted pine wood. These folk art Gustavian style pieces with a charm...
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1850s Swedish Antique Folk Art Commodes and Chests of Drawers

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Pine

Folk Art commodes and chests of drawers for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique folk art commodes and chests of drawers 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 commodes and chests of drawers created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include case pieces and storage cabinets, folk art and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, pine and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art commodes and chests of drawers made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and France pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original commodes and chests of drawers, popular names associated with this style include and Salvador Corona. 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 commodes and chests of drawers differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $850 and tops out at $6,850 while the average work can sell for $4,106.

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