Folk Art Furniture
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.
Early 20th Century African Folk Art Furniture
Mahogany
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Folk Art Furniture
Wood, Hardwood
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture
Pine
19th Century Dutch Antique Folk Art Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Fabric, Wool
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture
Pine
20th Century German Folk Art Furniture
Composition
1940s Unknown Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century Persian Folk Art Furniture
Wool, Cotton
20th Century Japanese Folk Art Furniture
Wood, Cedar
Mid-20th Century Nepalese Folk Art Furniture
Multi-gemstone, Brass
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture
Pine
Late 20th Century Unknown Folk Art Furniture
Blown Glass
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Persian Folk Art Furniture
Wool
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Furniture
Wood, Mirror
Mid-20th Century Japanese Folk Art Furniture
Tin
Early 1900s Italian Antique Folk Art Furniture
Wood
1880s American Antique Folk Art Furniture
Pine
Mid-20th Century Egyptian Folk Art Furniture
Brass
1970s Indian Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Fabric, Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century Folk Art Furniture
Wool
1920s Belgian Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Oak
Mid-19th Century Burmese Antique Folk Art Furniture
Teak
Late 19th Century Turkish Antique Folk Art Furniture
Silk
1820s American Antique Folk Art Furniture
Bone, Walnut
1930s German Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Metal
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture
Pine
Mid-20th Century Thai Folk Art Furniture
Fabric, Wood
1960s Japanese Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Tin
18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Swedish Folk Art Furniture
Hardwood, Pine
20th Century Central African Folk Art Furniture
Leather, Glass, Paint, Paper
Early 1900s German Antique Folk Art Furniture
Metal
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Cedar
20th Century Indian Folk Art Furniture
Cotton
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Folk Art Furniture
Wood, Hardwood
Early 1900s English Antique Folk Art Furniture
Paper
19th Century British Antique Folk Art Furniture
Glass, Wood
Mid-20th Century Balinese Folk Art Furniture
Silk
Early 20th Century Israeli Folk Art Furniture
Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Folk Art Furniture
Paint
1910s German Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Metal, Iron
20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Indian Folk Art Furniture
Copper, Iron
Mid-20th Century Canadian Folk Art Furniture
Paint, Paper
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Furniture
Mirror, Wood
Mid-20th Century Folk Art Furniture
Wool
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture
Pine
1950s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Tin
Late 19th Century German Antique Folk Art Furniture
Wood
20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Shell, Mirror, Wood
1950s Japanese Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Metal
Early 20th Century Danish Folk Art Furniture
Elm
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Furniture
Wood, Mirror
1870s American Antique Folk Art Furniture
Pottery
1910s Austrian Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Antler, Wood
Mid-20th Century French Folk Art Furniture
Wood
1940s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Earthenware, Pottery
1880s American Antique Folk Art Furniture
Copper, Iron, Zinc
1950s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Leather
Mid-20th Century Folk Art Furniture
Wool
Mid-20th Century Turkish Folk Art Furniture
Wool
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture
Wood
1890s American Antique Folk Art Furniture
Wool
Early 1900s Scandinavian Antique Folk Art Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Bronze, Copper
1960s German Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Ceramic, Majolica
20th Century British Folk Art Furniture
Nickel
1920s Unknown Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Mirror, Paper
Early 20th Century Folk Art Furniture
Wool
Late 20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Furniture
Fabric
Early 1900s German Antique Folk Art Furniture
Composition