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Folk Art Dressers

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
Antique Storage Piece in Oak, Early 20th Century
Located in Antwerp, BE
Antique storage piece in oak, early 20th century. Storage piece, bakery cabinet, made in Europe in the early 20th century. One-of-a-kind piece, originally used to rise bread. Can now be used as a dresser, a wardrobe, or even as a storage piece to display vinyl records or architectural plans. Measurements are: W 180 cm, D 64 cm, H 179 cm, D (open) 140 cm, W (open) 250 cm. Because of its historic value, this antique bakery...
Category

Early 20th Century European Folk Art Dressers

Materials

Oak

American Folk Art Tramp Art Miniature Wooden Dresser
Located in New York, NY
An American tramp art miniature dresser in cut and painted wood with four drawers and an inset mirror. Can be used easily as a jewelry box. Made in the 1920s. Original patina; no mar...
Category

1920s American Vintage Folk Art Dressers

Materials

Wood

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Early 20th Century Antique Traditional Spanish Pine Wood Dresser
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
This early 20th-century Spanish pine wood dresser exudes timeless elegance and rustic charm. Crafted from high-quality pine wood, this dresser boasts a beautiful natural grain that h...
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Early 20th Century Spanish Folk Art Dressers

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Wood

American Walnut High Boy Dresser by Cavalier
Located in Brooklyn, NY
High quality mid-century walnut dresser produced by Cavalier. Two door cabinet on top containing two notch top drawers and shelf storage. Four drawers below with two partitioned and ...
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1960s American Vintage Folk Art Dressers

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Walnut

Vintage Lacquered Dresser by American of Martinsville
Located in North Hollywood, CA
A stunning vintage lacquered dresser designed and manufactured by American of Martinsville in the United States, circa 1950s. This elegant dr...
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1950s American Vintage Folk Art Dressers

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Brass

American Art Deco Streamline Mahogany Dresser by Modernage, N.Y., 1930s
Located in Camden, ME
A Streamline four drawer mahogany dresser by Modernage Furniture Company of New York from the 1930s. The recessed plinth base continues as a raised panel along the right side of th...
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1930s American Vintage Folk Art Dressers

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Mahogany

Henredon Mid-Century Modern Campaign Oak Gentleman's Chest
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Mid-Century Modern Campaign style gentleman's chest, highboy, or armoire dresser By Henredon, "Artefacts" Collection USA, Circa 1970s Oak, with original brass har...
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Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Dressers

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Brass

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

Materials

Oak

Folk Art American Tramp Art Cabinet, Burlington, Vermont
Located in Downingtown, PA
Folk Art American Tramp Art Cabinet, A drawer marked Burlington, Vermont, One-drawer signed MR.R, early 20th century. The charming and rare miniatur...
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Early 20th Century American Folk Art Dressers

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Wood

Midcentury American Studio Crafted Walnut 6 Drawer Dresser
Located in BROOKLYN, NY
Mid-century American Studio crafted Richard Artschwager walnut 6 drawer dresser or chest of drawers. Good vintage condition with solid walnut round tapered knobs. Clean inside and ou...
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1960s American Vintage Folk Art Dressers

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Wood

American Mid-Century Modern Dresser by R-Way
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Stylish Mid-Century Modern dresser made by the American manufacturer R-Way. Sturdily constructed piece with a handsome walnut veneer exterior. Ample storage space provided by six dra...
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Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Dressers

Materials

Brass

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...
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Early 1900s American Antique Folk Art Dressers

Materials

Pine

Heals Limed Oak Art Deco Bedroom Furniture Suite, 1930s
Located in London, GB
Art Deco limed oak bedroom suite by Heals This very stylish bedroom suite has most fortunately survived together as one when so many others have b...
Category

1930s British Vintage Folk Art Dressers

Materials

Oak

Late 20th Century Asian Style Baker Milling Road Entertainment Storage Cabinet
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome vintage chinoiserie Baker Milling road Line entertainment storage cabinet with black lacquered Asian style finish and pewter-like patinated steel hardware. Similar in style to Baker’s own mid-century Far East Collection by Michael Taylor. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this is vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear. Please see photos and zoom in for details. We attempt to portray any imperfections, circa, late 20th century. Bold. Beautiful. And it’s by Baker!!!! This is a stunning vintage Asian style or chinoiserie entertainment storage cabinet by Baker, the Milling Road Line. It has an all-over sultry black lacquered finish with red peeking softly through the black giving it a beautiful Asian flair. The double doors are adorned with outer hinges on each door corner with circular hardware detail behind them and a lovely Asian style center circular hardware piece comprised of pewter-like patinated steel with three egg shaped pull details held by clasps and three rectangular brackets above holding a removeable Asian style metal rod lock which slides through each bracket to lock the cabinet. Cool feature with the double doors; they will open 90 degrees wide unless you unlatch the inside clasp and then they can open to 180 degrees and lay almost flat against the sides! Awesome!! The lower drawer features the same egg shaped pulls upon a circular pewter-like patinated hardware piece and pewter-like patinated feet caps on each foot. The details are simple but very stunning! When the double doors open it reveals a large open area with purposed holes or openings in the back and top of the cabinet, so if you choose to use it as an entertainment cabinet, it has proper air flow and is ready for your cords and components! Or if you choose, you could add more shelves or a hanging rod and use it as an armoire...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Folk Art Dressers

Materials

Metal

Previously Available Items
Antique Original Hand Painted Red Chest of Drawers with Blue Trees, Sweden circa
Located in Round Top, TX
Original hand painted brick red chest of drawers; four drawers painted with unique blue tree silhouettes against white background. Two brass pulls...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Dressers

Materials

Wood, Paint

Rustic 'Art Populaire' Folk Art Storage Piece from the Auvergne, France
Located in Antwerp, BE
Folk Art, rustic looking cabinet, travail d'art populaire', solid wood Wabi sabi, zen cabinet that would fit well in an Axel Vervoordt inspired decor. This cabinet is equally a scul...
Category

19th Century French Antique Folk Art Dressers

Materials

Pine

Delightful 19th Century Swedish Folk Art Dresser
Located in Helsingborg, SE
Delightful 19th century Swedish Folk Art dresser in its original faux wood painted finish with a great patinated surface. The dresser has four plate racks and two cupboard doors cont...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Dressers

Materials

Pine

  • Delightful 19th Century Swedish Folk Art Dresser
  • Delightful 19th Century Swedish Folk Art Dresser
  • Delightful 19th Century Swedish Folk Art Dresser
  • Delightful 19th Century Swedish Folk Art Dresser
H 79.93 in. W 44.49 in. D 16.93 in.
Stunning Early Century Danish Tramp Art Chest of Draws
By Tramp Art
Located in Søborg, DK
Stunning early century Danish tramp art chest of draws Great skill and attention to detail Very solid piece with not much wear but the varnish has ...
Category

1910s Danish Vintage Folk Art Dressers

Materials

Wood

Chest of Drawers Swedish, 19th Century Black Sweden
Located in New York, NY
A chest of drawers made during the late 19th century in Sweden. Painted in our Laserow Black. Updated hardware.   
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Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Dressers

Early 20th Century Naive Tramp Art Dresser
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century tramp art dresser, with all over scumble glaze, the back-board with an arrangement of shelves and mirrors, constructed from re-use...
Category

Early 20th Century British Folk Art Dressers

Materials

Pine

  • Early 20th Century Naive Tramp Art Dresser
  • Early 20th Century Naive Tramp Art Dresser
  • Early 20th Century Naive Tramp Art Dresser
  • Early 20th Century Naive Tramp Art Dresser
H 64.97 in. W 38.59 in. D 17.33 in.
Allmoge Commode with Faux Bois and Faux Marble Finish, Sweden, Dated 1842
Located in New York, NY
Swedish Allmoge commode, origin: Sweden, signed and dated 1842, with all original faux grain painted finish and faux marble top, and hardware.
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Dressers

Materials

Pine, Paint

Rustic Buffet 18th Century Popular Art
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Rare 18th century oak rustic buffet. Display stand for plates and dishes in the upper part and a paneled door with hinge in forged iron at the bottom...
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18th Century French Antique Folk Art Dressers

  • Rustic Buffet 18th Century Popular Art
  • Rustic Buffet 18th Century Popular Art
  • Rustic Buffet 18th Century Popular Art
  • Rustic Buffet 18th Century Popular Art
H 64.57 in. W 36.62 in. D 18.12 in.
Diminutive Primitive Dresser
Located in London, GB
A primitive dresser of diminutive proportions, Spanish, probably eighteenth century, the super structure with shaped friezes, on base of simple board...
Category

18th Century and Earlier Spanish Antique Folk Art Dressers

  • Diminutive Primitive Dresser
  • Diminutive Primitive Dresser
  • Diminutive Primitive Dresser
  • Diminutive Primitive Dresser
H 58.86 in. D 11.23 in.
Irish Coop Dresser
Located in London, GB
A nineteenth century Poplar coop dresser, Irish, of stepped form, the moulded cornice with fret cut frieze on two shelves with an arrangement of hinged co...
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19th Century Irish Antique Folk Art Dressers

Materials

Pine, Poplar

  • Irish Coop Dresser
  • Irish Coop Dresser
  • Irish Coop Dresser
  • Irish Coop Dresser
H 75.6 in. D 18.51 in.
Danish Painted Chest of Drawers
Located in Pasadena, CA
Danish painted chest of drawers with three drawers, a rare find at this age and with its original painted finish and hardware.
Category

19th Century Danish Antique Folk Art Dressers

Materials

Pine

  • Danish Painted Chest of Drawers
  • Danish Painted Chest of Drawers
  • Danish Painted Chest of Drawers
  • Danish Painted Chest of Drawers
H 37.5 in. W 57.5 in. D 24.5 in.

Folk Art dressers for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique folk art dressers for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Early 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage dressers 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, oak and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art dressers made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. 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 dressers differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $3,500 and tops out at $9,250 while the average work can sell for $6,375.

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