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Folk Art Furniture

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
Creator: Unknown
Highly Decorative 19th Century European Italian Cleaver, Kitchen Utensil
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Antique 19th century European cleaver. Made from hand-wrought iron with wood handle. Great as a graphic wall decoration. Found at an estate sale in Bolzano; Italy. Nice to display wi...
Category

Mid-19th Century Austrian Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Iron

Pair of Impressive Mounted Woolly Mammoth Teeth Bookends
Located in San Francisco, CA
Pair of impressive mounted Woolly Mammoth teeth bookends. Each tooth is set into a carved out block of wood, then the hole was fill and teeth surround...
Category

15th Century and Earlier American Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Enamel

African Hand Carved Mortar in Solid Wood Produced in Africa, ca Early 1900s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare and beautiful African mortar hand carved in solid wood with great patina and signs from age and use. Very decorative and unique. Dimensions: He...
Category

1910s Ethiopian Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Highly Decorative WWI Bombshell Trench Art Vase
Located in Tilburg, NL
Rare and unusual piece of trench art from World War I (1914-1918), Belgium. Trench art was made during or after WW1. Soldiers used metal and used bombshells from the battlefields ...
Category

Early 20th Century Belgian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Brass

Vintage Custom 'Flower' Table Lamp
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage custom flower table lamp circa 1950-1979. Custom lamp composed of paper, wire, wood and papier-mâché, Lamp shades are paper flowers. All han...
Category

1970s Japanese Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Brass, Wire

Framed Mary and Jesus Child Wax Miniature Portrait, Brass and Glass Italy, 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A lovely sentimental christianity portrait of Mary holding the Jesus Child. Framed in a beautiful brass or ormolu frame, circa 1930s or older. Portrait made of Wax. A very pretty pi...
Category

1930s Italian Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Brass

Decorative Hand-Carved African Statue from Kenya
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Decorative ebony well hand-carved African statue of a young women. Handmade in Kenya, Africa.
Category

Mid-20th Century Kenyan Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Ebony

19Thc Donkey Door Stop with Nodder Head
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This folky and heavy donkey door stop is in fine condition and in working order. The head bobs back and forth when moved. It has a wonderful untouched patina.
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Iron

Vintage Egyptian Camel Saddle Stool
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Egyptian, North Africa camel saddle shape stool. Traditionally used to ride camels in the desert of Africa and the Middle East, this camel saddle...
Category

Mid-20th Century Egyptian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Brass

19Thc Marbleized Stone Ware Piggy Bank
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a very early stone ware glazed piggy bank from New England. This is a handmade piggy bank in very good condition.
Category

1870s American Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pottery

Green Swirl Ceramic Touring Pottery Folk Art Pot in Green and Brown
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A beautiful green, brown, and cream touring pot or planter. This piece is glazed on the interior in rich emerald verdigris blue-green glaze and will be perfect for use as a planter. Bottom reads in black: Made in Cripple Creek...
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Marbled Roadside Pottery Malachite Look Bowl in with Glazed Turquoise Interior
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A petite small clay roadside decorative touring bowl. This catchall or dish is short, and wide, and decorated with a malachite look green marbled design on the exterior. The inside is glazed in deep verdigris or turquoise. A lovely piece of earthenware, it is hand made and marked on the bottom with: Central City...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Earthenware, Paint

Late 19th Century Folk Art Oil on Canvas Painting of Dogs Hunting on Rural Lake
Located in Middleburg, VA
Late 19th Century Folk Art Oil on Canvas Painting of Dogs Hunting on Rural Lake American School oil on canvas, featuring two hunting dogs flushing waterfowl on the shores of a rural lake. Signed indistinctly in lower right corner, likely on original stretcher. Oak frame is period, possibly the original. Provenance: The Americana Collection of Barbara M. and the late Charlie Hunter...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Canvas, Paint

Antique Danish Weather Vane in the Form of a Cockerel
Located in Søborg, DK
A very decorative antique Danish weather vane in the form of a cockerel. Made from steel plate and dated 1922. Nice patina to the surface and mounted on to a granite set.
Category

1920s Danish Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Steel

Blue-Painted Wooden Swedish Basket
Located in Houston, TX
Blue-painted wooden Swedish basket, or caddy, circa 1880-1910. Bentwood handle, rectangular tapered shape and sturdy nail construction. Losses to origina...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Steel

Whimsical Ceramic Pink and Green Spring Theme Platter Made in Portugal
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A whimsical round ceramic platter made in Portugal. The decorative plate is decorative in whimsical design of Spring. A rabbit in gray, castle and bird are surrounded by hand painted flourishes and stylized flowers. A braided ceramic...
Category

20th Century Portuguese Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Paint

Original Antique Ethnographical Print, New Caledonian Warrior, 1817
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful ethnographical print. Showing a warrior from New Caledonia Copper-plate engraving. Artist unknown. Published by Mackenzie And Dent. 1...
Category

1810s English Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Paper

Coastal Rectangular Sea Shell Encrusted Wall Mirror
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A rectangular seashell encrusted framed mirror. The perfect way to add a touch of coastal flare to your home, this beauty is created from wood, and embellished across the front and s...
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Shell, Mirror, Wood

Round Decorative Ceramic Maroon Blue and Yellow Floral Motif Dish, Portugal
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A beautiful round decorative dish with scalloped pierced edges. The center of this piece is hand painted with green, maroon, yellow, and blue design. The edges are scalloped and outl...
Category

20th Century Portuguese Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Paint

Green Swirl Ceramic Touring Pottery Vase
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A beautiful green, brown, and cream touring pottery vase. Wide at the bottom, and slim towards the top, this piece will be a fantastic pop of color in any space. Glazed on the inside in a verdigris blue. Bottom reads in black: Made in Cripple Creek...
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Santa Claus Cookies Christmas Plate with Gnome and Angel Motif, Antique German
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This beautiful Christmas plate is a nice addition to your Decoration for Santa Claus eve. It is marked at the back. Display Santas cookies in a nice way. Santa Claus will be delighte...
Category

Early 20th Century German Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Rectangular Carved Wood Bird Motif Box with Hinged Lid and Batik Interior
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A beautiful rectangular Sumatra hinged box with a Phoenix bird motif. An excellent piece to display on a coffee table or side table. This lovely box features a colorful phoenix (or p...
Category

20th Century Indonesian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

Hand Carved Volk Art Box with Mermaid & Brass Intarsia, Warsaw
Located in Esbjerg, DK
The fish-women or mermaid has been a symbol of the City of Warsaw, Poland since 1622. This box made around the beginning of the 20th century has a lot going on. Brass inlay 3 x W for...
Category

Early 1900s Polish Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Brass

Colorful Semi Precious Stone Rectangular Jewelry or Trinket Box with Lid
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A beautiful colorful decorative box with a lid created from Carrara marble and inlaid with a variety of semi-precious stones. The sides are inlaid with a variety of stones in abstrac...
Category

20th Century Indian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Stone, Jade, Carrara Marble

Signed Schooner Ship Oil Painting By J.Koitor
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19Thc oil painting of a ship oil painting in frame.This New England ship is probably from Greece.The Greek flag is on the ship as well. It is signed J.Katons.
Category

1890s American Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Paint, Canvas, Wood

Antique Ceramic Egg Shape Native American Hand Decorated Seed Pots, Set of 2
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A pair of ceramic egg shape Native American seed pots. Each pot is ovular and egg-like in shape and features a small hole at the base of each pot. Pots like these were used to store ...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Paint

Traditional Silver Torque Necklace Chocker from Rajasthan India
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Traditional torque or Hansuli silvered necklace choker from Lambadi or Banjara and Sugali People, Andhra Pradesh, India.t India, circa 1940. Fabulous vi...
Category

Early 20th Century Indian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Metal, Silver Plate

Traditional Ethnic Woven Ajat Basket Borneo Indonesia
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Handmade ethnic aged Borneo Ajat basket made from natural Rattan. Motifs of Burung Kenyalang / Hornbill Bird. Traditional ethnic Borneo woven natural organic fiber rattan basket A ...
Category

1950s Indonesian Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Canvas, Wood

Vintage African Urembo Beaded Necklace Choker Kenya
Located in North Hollywood, CA
African Urembo Beaded vintage necklace choker by the Maasai Tribe Kenya Vintage African Urembo beaded necklace choker. Handmade in Kenya by the ...
Category

Late 20th Century Kenyan Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Beads

Wood Carved Folk Art Deer 20th Century German Black Forest Hat Coat Rack, 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful whimsical 20th century German Black Forest carved head hat or coat rack with a small roe deer wood carved head, with four roe deer legs as hooks, ...
Category

1930s German Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Colorful Semi Precious Stone Rectangular Jewelry or Trinket Box with Lid
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A beautiful colorful decorative box with lid created from Carrara marble and inlaid with a variety of semi-precious stones. The sides are inlaid with a variety of stones in abstract ...
Category

20th Century Indian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Stone

Large Sea Shell Appetizer Plates, Set of 5
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Bring a touch of the coastal vibe to your next dinner party. This set of 5 large shells are meant for appetizers or dessert plates. Colors vary from white to light pink/purple and cr...
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Shell

Gold Framed Embroidered Needlepoint Floral and Peacock Wall Hanging
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A lovely square framed hand embroidered wall hanging of a peacock and roses. This beautiful piece has been cross stitched by hand in a variety of bright and bold colors. A peacock ta...
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Thread, Wood

Colorful Embroidered and Quilted Textile Wood and Glass Tray with Figural Motif
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A beautiful wooden serving tray featuring a hand-embroidered quilted figural motif textile under glass. This colorful serving tray will be fantastic either hung on a wall or used to ...
Category

20th Century Panamanian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Glass, Wood

Decorative Mughal Motif Box with Hinged Lid
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A beautiful Mughal motif wood box with a hinged lid. This lovely box will be a great way to hold jewelry or other trinkets. The top features a battle scene with two men on horses in ...
Category

20th Century Indian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Folk Art Trompe L'Oeil Ruffled Shell Vase
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A unique vase created from seashells. Strung together, the rim of the vase is formed to resemble a ruffled look. The body of the base is round, with a wider bottom. Set a clear glass...
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Shell

Folk Art Carved Wood Dog Face Wall Hanging, Sumatra
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A beautiful one-of-a-kind carved wood wall hanging of a dog. This piece was sourced from Indonesia and is made of light wood. It depicts the face of a dog with black painted spots an...
Category

20th Century Indonesian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

Papier Mâché Cat Sculpture in Black and White
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A black and white papier mâché kitten sculpture. This fun figurine depicts a cat with white paws and nose, and a black body. Its soft black eyes see...
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Paint, Paper

African Tribal Art Mask Parchment Wall Shade Sconces in Red
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Pair of African Tribal Art mask parchment wall shade sconces. These Art pieces could be used as large wall lamp shade. Iron frame covered with hide w...
Category

Early 20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Iron

Shell Encrusted Cat Figurine
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A whimsical shell-covered cat figurine. Delicately applied seashells cover this feline figurine in an array of browns. Great for the kitten lover, or for ...
Category

20th Century Philippine Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Shell

Hand Carved African Zebra Bookends
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Nice pair of hand carved heavy wood bookends African Zebra sculptures. This fine detailed hand carved and hand painted elephant bookends. Each zebra sculpture with base and side is...
Category

Mid-20th Century Kenyan Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Hardwood

20thc Rare Flag Quilt W/ Star Corner Blocks
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This amazing flag quilt with 48 hand quilted stars is in amazing condition. It is a one of a kind flag quilt. We sold this quilt over 21 years ago and got it back from the original b...
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Cotton

Hand Painted Feline Motif Upholstered Leopard Print Wood Chair in Green & Orange
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A whimsical hand painted wooden chair with upholstered leopard print cushion. The back of this piece is wood, with a stylized carved design in or...
Category

20th Century Portuguese Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Wood, Paint

Vintage Turkish Embroidered Folk Art Textile in Purple, Wall Hanging or Throw
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful hand embroidered textile from Turkey that is perhaps 30 or 40 years old. A whimsical example of textile Folk Art.
Category

Late 20th Century Turkish Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool

Set of Four 19th C Original Painted Pennsylvania Plank Bottom Chairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These chairs were found in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and are in very good and sturdy condition. Beautiful set of four mauve colored hand painted plank bottom chairs...
Category

19th Century American Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Tulipwood

Moroccan Berber Tuareg Metal Tribal Flask Overlay
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Great decorative Moroccan Berber Tuareg metal brass powder flask. African decorative brass with front richly decorated with Moorish embossed brass ocverlay. Moroccan tribal powder fl...
Category

20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Brass

19th Century Rare Stick Spatter Rabbit Plates / Set of Four
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These wonderful 19th century hand painted rabbit plates are in pristine condition. Its very hard to find sets of four of the rabbit and frog stick spatter...
Category

19th Century American Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage Brass Duck Head Vide Poche Trinket Valet Tray
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Handcrafted decorative vintage collectible brass valet tray duck head shape. Beautiful handcrafted large cast brass bird form this handsome trinket tray is very well made and large scale. A vintage solid brass mallard duck head compact tray for the dresser or home office desk, it has a place for keys, change, pens, keys, trinket holder, jewelry. Heavyweight brass duck head...
Category

Mid-20th Century European Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Brass

Portugese Garland Flower Motif Decorative Vide-Poche, Portugal
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A whimsical flower motif decorative plate. This piece was hand painted in Portugal. It features scalloped pierced edges in a blue glaze. The center is decorated with floral garlands ...
Category

20th Century Portuguese Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Paint

Wooden German Folk Art Coffin - Box, circa 1900
Located in Esbjerg, DK
German Volk art box. Scaled down coffin. Hand carved with characteristic primitive detailing. Measurements: H 5 inches, W 10.25 inches, D 6.2 inches.
Category

Early 1900s German Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Colorful Hand Embroidered Textile Wood and Glass Tray with Lizard Motif
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A beautiful wooden serving tray featuring a hand-embroidered quilted lizard motif textile under glass. This colorful serving tray will be fantastic either hung on a wall or used to s...
Category

20th Century Panamanian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Glass, Wood

African Urembo Beaded Vintage Necklace Choker by the Maasai Tribe Kenya
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage African Urembo beaded necklace choker. Handmade in Kenya by the maasai tribe. Urembo means “beauty” and the handmade pattern and unique ...
Category

Late 20th Century Kenyan Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Beads

Woven Porcupine Wood Decorative Basket
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A decorative "Porcupine" woven wood basket with a handle. Dimensions: 15.5" Wide 12.5" Deep 15" Tall.   
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Vintage American Hand Thrown Art Pottery Jug Artisan Stoneware
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage American hand thrown art Pottery Jug Artisan stoneware This is a vintage handcrafted American studio art Pottery blue glazed small pitcher. Superb pottery jug immaculate hand thrown studio...
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pottery

Late 19th Century Bronze "Punch" Door Stop
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This 19th century Punch doors stop from Punch and Judy. A famous puppeteer show in England since 1662. It is in amazing condition. This door stop is mo...
Category

1890s American Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Set of 4 Chinoiserie Yellow Hemp Placemats with Double Happiness, Philippines
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Vintage set of four hemp placemats with Chinese symbol at the bottom right. (We believe it to say “Double Happiness”, however we have not confirmed this...
Category

Mid-20th Century Philippine Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Hemp

Mid Century Ceramic Vessel Vase or Carafe in Blue and Brown, Signed
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A unique ceramic jug or vase with a handle. This piece is created from ceramic and circular in form. The body is decorated in a textured blue and brown design. The neck is narrow, an...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Paint

Decorative Wood Carved Tramp Art Keepsake Box or Sailors Valentine with Heart
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A superb Folk Art sailors valentine Tramp Art keepsake box. Wide in form, this beautiful Primitive wood carved box features the letters S and M with a heart between on both sides. Tw...
Category

19th Century English Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Metal

Folk Art furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique folk art furniture for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include folk art, decorative objects, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art furniture made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original furniture, popular names associated with this style include Berber Tribes of Morocco, Mosche Bianche, Jim Rose, and Nils Olsson. 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 furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $20 and tops out at $225,000 while the average work can sell for $1,252.

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