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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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Item Ships From: Mexico
Style: Folk Art
19th Century Mexican Lacquered Box
Located in Mexico City, MX
This chest from the 19th century is a majestic example of the technique known as ‘maque’, or lacquer, developed in Mexico over the centuries. It is lacquered in an orange background and profusely decorated on all sides. On its front a the ornament of two symmetrical Mexican flags...
Category

1850s North American Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Mexican Burnished Clay Hand Oaxaca Sculpture Mixtec Ceramic with Red Face
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
This Mexican red ceramic clay hand sculpture is a piece by artist Manuel Reyes. Made with clay from Oaxaca and Zacatecas, painted with oxides from the reg...
Category

2010s Mexican Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Clay

Arbol de la Vida Bull Colorful Ceramic Mexican Folk Art Tree of Life
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
Beautiful folk art piece made by La Familia Castillo. Handmade in clay and painted with acrylic paint. Created by master artisan Soledad Martha Hernández and her son Marco Antonio C...
Category

2010s North American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Large Antique 925 Silver "Arbol de la Vida" Bell
Located in Mérida, YU
This is a very nice "Arbol de la Vida" Bell. Handmade of solid .925 Silver that Weights 1,240 grams. Exceptional craft and in very good condition. Every single pice and detail is ori...
Category

1980s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Silver

Mexican Arbol de la Vida Tree Life Dolls ColorFolk Art Ceramic Clay Candelabra
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
This colorful tree of life (árbol de la vida) with a toy like aspect is a unique piece by Marco Antonio Castillo, son of renowned artist Alfonso Castillo. Hand made with natural clay...
Category

2010s Mexican Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Clay

Antique Monalisa handmade painted replica.
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Painted during 1972 and 1976. We offer this Antique Monalisa handmade painted replica signed by Lourdes Cúe.
Category

1970s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Linen

Antique Mexican Hand painted Olinalá Screen Divider
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Antique Mexican Hand painted Olinalá Screen Divider Circa 1930. We offer this rare and beautiful Antique Mexican Hand painted Olinalá Screen Divider made in Olinalá Mexico. About Ol...
Category

1930s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Terracotta Water Jar From Guerrero, Mexico, Circa 1960´s
Located in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato
Hand painted terracotta water jar from Tuliman, Guerrero, Mexico, circa 1960´s.
Category

1960s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Terracotta, Paint

OPERA: Pair of Contemporary Mexican Midwife Birthing Chairs in Mohair Velvet
Located in colima, MX
Reminiscent of the "Sillas Parteras" or Midwife Birthing Chairs made by Don S. Shoemaker in the 1960s, Ópera reveres the profound and dramatic journey of labor and birth — a prayer o...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Mohair, Velvet, Oak

Beautiful large José María de Servín Painting of Stylized Cello Player
Located in Mexico, DF
José María de Servin was born in La Piedad, Michoacán in central Mexico in 1917. As a small child, he moved with his family to Guadalajara, Jalisco State, Mexico. He studied paintin...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Burlap

Mexican Antique One of a Kind Flower Pot Clay Dolores Porras Ceramic Vase
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
Dolores Porras Enríquez is widely known throughout Mexico and the world for being the creator of a technique rooted in the land of Oaxaca: pottery in natural color, glazed and decora...
Category

1980s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Enamel

Mexican Ceramic Jug Vase Fishes 1994 Dolores Porras Folk Art Decorative Vessel
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
Dolores Porras Enríquez is widely known throughout Mexico and the world for being the creator of a technique rooted in the land of Oaxaca: pottery in natural color, glazed and decora...
Category

1990s Mexican Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Enamel

Handmade lamp made in cut steel
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1970. We offer this Handmade lamp made in cut steel. Great vintage conditions.
Category

1970s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Cut Steel

Original Mexican Retablo "Exvotos" Oil on Tin
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this original Mexican ex voto. Michoacán México 1958 J. Jesus Huaracha Orejel da gracias a dios nuestro señor que por intersección de San Nic...
Category

1950s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Metal

Rare and Antique Mexican Carousel Horse
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1920. We offer this wonderfully charming Carousel Horse from Mexico. Handmade caved from wood with fabulous patina.
Category

1910s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Mexican Burnished Clay Chicken Kitchen Vessel Hen Egg Basket Decoration
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
This Mexican ceramic hen is an egg basket, perfect to keep eggs fresh -- a utilitarian kitchen piece by artist Manuel Reyes. Made with clay from Oaxaca and Zacatecas, painted with oxides from the region. Done with the hand-modeled technique and cooked in traditional wood-fired oven. Reyes has been constantly innovating with his hen collection, making this one of his most iconic works. Ceramic artist, sculptor and painter, Manuel Reyes (Mexico City, 1972) atended the Escuela Nacional de Artes Plásticas in Xochimilco, México. He was later mentored by Royer Von Guten, Joy Laville...
Category

2010s Mexican Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Clay, Ceramic

Mexican Burnished Clay Chicken Kitchen Hen Egg Basket Decoration Hen Brown
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
This Mexican ceramic hen is an egg basket/container, perfect to keep eggs fresh -- a utilitarian kitchen piece by artist Manuel Reyes. Made with clay from Oaxaca and Zacatecas, painted with oxides from the region. Done with the hand-modeled technique and cooked in traditional wood-fired oven. Reyes has been constantly innovating with his hen collection, making this one of his most iconic works. Ceramic artist, sculptor and painter, Manuel Reyes (Mexico City, 1972) atended the Escuela Nacional de Artes Plásticas in Xochimilco, México. He was later mentored by Royer Von Guten, Joy Laville...
Category

2010s Mexican Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Clay

Carousel Day of the Dead Ceramic Mexican Folk Art by Familia Castillo
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
Beautiful folk art piece made by La Familia Castillo. Handmade in clay and painted with acrylic paint. Day of the Dead theme. Created by master artisan Soledad Martha Hernández and...
Category

2010s North American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Mexican Burnished Clay Hand Oaxaca Sculpture Mixtec Ceramic Organic Pre-Hispanic
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
This Mexican ceramic clay hand sculpture is a piece by artist Manuel Reyes. Made with clay from Oaxaca and Zacatecas, painted with oxides from the region. Done with the hand-modeled technique and cooked in traditional wood-fired oven. The hand is decorated with birds on each finger, inspired by a textile from Chiapas. Manuel mentions the main character is a friend of his that had a great love for birds and nature. Ceramic artist, sculptor and painter, Manuel Reyes (Mexico City, 1972) atended the Escuela Nacional de Artes Plásticas in Xochimilco, México. He was later mentored by Royer Von Guten, Joy...
Category

2010s Mexican Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Clay

Mexican Burnished Clay Chicken Kitchen Vessel Hen Egg Basket Decoration Birds
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
This Mexican ceramic hen is an egg basket, perfect to keep eggs fresh -- a utilitarian kitchen piece by artist Manuel Reyes. Made with clay from Oaxaca and Zacatecas, painted with oxides from the region. Done with the hand-modeled technique and cooked in traditional wood-fired oven. Reyes has been constantly innovating with his hen collection, making this one of his most iconic works. Ceramic artist, sculptor and painter, Manuel Reyes (Mexico City, 1972) atended the Escuela Nacional de Artes Plásticas in Xochimilco, México. He was later mentored by Royer Von Guten, Joy Laville...
Category

2010s Mexican Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Clay

Vintage Turkish Rug
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this Vintage Turkish Rug.
Category

1970s Turkish Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool

Mexican Burnished Clay Chicken Kitchen Vessel Hen Egg Basket Decoration Flowers
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
This Mexican ceramic hen is an egg basket, perfect to keep eggs fresh -- a utilitarian kitchen piece by artist Manuel Reyes. Made with clay from Oaxaca and Zacatecas, painted with oxides from the region. Done with the hand-modeled technique and cooked in traditional wood-fired oven. Reyes has been constantly innovating with his hen collection, making this one of his most iconic works. Ceramic artist, sculptor and painter, Manuel Reyes (Mexico City, 1972) atended the Escuela Nacional de Artes Plásticas in Xochimilco, México. He was later mentored by Royer Von Guten, Joy Laville...
Category

2010s Mexican Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Clay, Ceramic

Mexican Antique Arbol de la Vida Folk Art Candelabra Ceramic Day of the Dead
By Alfonso Castillo Orta
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
Created by late master Alfonso Castillo Orta in 1999 in the town of Izucar de Matamoros, in the state of Puebla, Mexico. The traditional "arboles de l...
Category

1990s Mexican Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Acrylic, Ceramic, Clay

Beautiful Sculpture of Goat carved in wood by Israeli Artist
Located in Mexico, DF
Beautiful robust sculpture of a Goat carved from a solid mahogany block by an Israeli artist (the signature in Hebrew letters is illegible). The goat is st...
Category

Mid-20th Century Israeli Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Vintage Handmade Advertising Tire Iconic Bibendum Michelin Man
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1970. We offer this Vintage Handmade Advertising Tire Iconic Bibendum Michelin Man.
Category

1970s North American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Resin

Large Sculpture Made of Handwoven Palm Leaves
Located in West Hollywood, CA
These large hand-woven palm sculptures are made from natural palm and provide rustic, organic modern, contemporary design for any home decor. Their unique w...
Category

2010s Mexican Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Palmwood

Mexican Talavera Guanajuato Pottery Urn Signed Capello
Located in Guadalajara, Jalisco, MX
Beautiful ceramic urn made in the city of Guanajuato in the 60s.
Category

1960s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pottery

Antique Mexican Demon Mask
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this rare antique Mexican Demon mask in wood, circa 1970. The mask makes a sound when moved.
Category

1970s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Mexican Diablo Mask
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this rare and very antique Mexican Diablo mask in wood, circa 1940. Great patina.
Category

1940s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Large Sculpture Hand Carved in Mahogany of Sleeping Man with Large Hat
By Alberto Oliva
Located in Mexico, DF
Beautifully hand carved sculpture of sleeping man with large "Sombrero", signed by "Olvera México". The sculpture was carved in two separate chunks of Mahogany, one for the hat and a...
Category

1960s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Antique Tortilla Press Maker in Mesquite Wood
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this antique tortilla press maker in mesquite wood, circa 1950.
Category

1950s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Cutting and Presenting Board Made of Wood and Copper Handle in Pig's Foot Form
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
circa 1970. We offer this Cutting and Presenting Board Made of Wood and Copper handle in pig's foot form.
Category

1970s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Copper

Pair of Tlaquepaque Vases
Located in Guadalajara, Jalisco, MX
Beautiful vases made in Mexico by incredible artists from the city of Guadalajara.
Category

19th Century Mexican Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pottery

Pair of Antique Handmade Water Bottles
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1940, we offer this pair of antique handmade water bottles.
Category

1940s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Glass

Four Postcards Sets Printed by The Taller de Gráfica Popular
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1950. We offer this 4 sets of postcards printed by the Taller de Gráfica Popular, each set includes 12 postcards. El Taller de la Gráfica Popular is a collective of engravers founded in Mexico in 1937 by the artists Leopoldo Méndez...
Category

1950s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Paper

Vintage Mexican Enamelware
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this vintage Mexican enamelware, circa 1940.
Category

1940s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Metal, Enamel

Early 20th Century Mexican Alms Box
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this early 20th century Mexican Alms box.
Category

Early 20th Century Mexican Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Set of Mexican Papier-Mâché Masks 1
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1960. We offer this antique set of 8 Mexican papier-mâché masks 100% handmade and paited with anilina (natural pigments).
Category

1960s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Paper

Antique Mexican White Enamel Bucket
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this antique Mexican white enamel bucket, circa 1940.
Category

1940s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Metal, Enamel

Antique Big Size Mexican Wood Tray
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
A wonderful Antique big size Mexican hand carved wood t with wonderful patina.
Category

Early 20th Century North American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Rare to Find Folk Art Jaguar Mask Found in Zitlala, Guerrero, Mid-20th Century
Located in Guadalajra, Jal
This style of Tigre (Mexican colloquial for Jaguar) mask is from Zitlala, Guerrero, they are used on the feast day of the Holy Cross on May 3rd, 4th, and 5th. As part of the activit...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Leather

Antique Coins Game Used in Mexican Fairs
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1980. We offer this antique coins game used in Mexican Fairs. The piece is placed on the floor and coins are thrown from a certain distance. The ide...
Category

1980s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Familia Lorenzo, Hand-Painted Wood, Mexican Loteria
By Familia Lorenzo
Located in Mexico City, MX
This colorful set of pieces was created by the Mexican artist Fernando Lorenzo. Produced with vinyl paint on wood, these works recreate on a bigger scale images from the popular Mexi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Contemporary Clay Sculpture by Serapio Medrano
Located in Guadalajra, Jal
Terracota Sculptures handmade by Serapio Medrano, son of the late Candelario Medrano.  
Category

2010s Mexican Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Terracotta

Antique Set of Mexican Papier-Mâché Masks 2
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1960. We offer this antique set of 5 Mexican papier-mâché masks 100% handmade and paited with anilina (natural pigments).
Category

1960s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Paper

Original Cover of Mexican Comic "Sensacional de Maestros"
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this amazing original cover painted in gouache in excellent vintage condition, issue 291 "Al gato y al ratón jugabas con mi chon", circa 1990. About the Sensacional Comics as part of the Mexican Culture: "Sensacional" is the generic name of a handful of Mexican comics published at the end of the 1970s (1979 to be exact) and whose "boom" remained in force within the Mexican idiosyncrasy for around 20 years, (all the decade of the 80's and 90's) to then go downhill and "evolve", so to speak, until they become sexually explicit...
Category

1990s Mexican Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Acrylic

Original Photo of "El Santo" a Famous Mexican Wrestler
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1970, We offer this Original Photo of "El Santo" a famous Mexican Wrestler. Rodolfo Guzmán Huerta (23 September 1917 – 5 February 1984), known profes...
Category

1970s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Paper

Sergio Bustamante 1970's Paper Mache Giraffe
Located in Guadalajara, Jalisco, MX
Beautiful hand-crafter paper mache bust sculpture of a Giraffe by Mexican Artist Sergio Bustamante from his 1970's period. Overall great condition, t...
Category

1970s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Paper

Set of 4 Vintage Mexican Wrestling Fighters Figures
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this fantastic set of 4 Mexican wrestling fighters, made in plastic and hand painted, circa 1970. Excellent vintage conditions.
Category

1970s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Plastic, Paint

Original Mexican Retablo "Exvotos" Oil on Tin
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this original Mexican Retablo "Exvotos" oil on tin, circa 1920.
Category

1920s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Metal

Original Mexican Oil on Canvas by Ismael Rivera
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this rare and original handmade painted in oil on canvas by Mexican painter Ismael Rivera, includes signature, circa 1950.
Category

1950s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Canvas

Mexican Burnished Clay Figures Folklore with Wooden Frame Folk Art Oaxaca Wall
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
This Folk Art piece is a beautiful representation of the Candela festivity in Yanhuitlan, Oaxaca. A folkloric wall hanging representation of musicians, dancers, and tradition. Artist Manuel Reyes...
Category

2010s Mexican Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Clay, Ceramic, Wood

Original Cover of Mexican Comic "Sensacional De Maestros"
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this amazing original cover painted in gouache in excellent vintage conditions, circa 1990 issue 226 "Pecho a Pechito llegaré a hojalatear tu corazón". About the Sensacional Comics as part of the Mexican Culture: "Sensacional" is the generic name of a handful of Mexican comics published at the end of the 1970s (1979 to be exact) and whose "Boom" remained in force within the Mexican idiosyncrasy for circa 20 years, (all the decade of the 1980s and 1990s) to then go downhill and "evolve", so to speak, until they become sexually explicit...
Category

1990s Mexican Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Paper

Ceramic Hen Whistle from Mexico, 1980s
Located in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato
Painted ceramic hen whistle from Morelos, Mexico, 1980s. These figure were available in the traveling carnivals in the early 1980s.
Category

1980s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

19th Century Original Mexican Retablo "Exvoto" Oil on Tin
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Dated 1870, we offer this 19th century original Mexican retablo "Exvoto" oil on tin, due to the effects of time, the writing has been erased but we can read the nex: “Le aconteció esta desgracia al niño Monico Rico el día 26 de Diciembre de 1870 que lo tumbo un caballo le quebró una pierna “This misfortune happened to the child Monico Rico on December 26, 1870, when a horse knocked him down and broke his leg Votive paintings...
Category

1870s Mexican Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Metal

Mexican Antique Dolores Porras Clay Pottery Folk Art Terracotta Vessel Vase
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
This one of a kind Mexican antique is one of few pieces Dolores had at her home at the time she passed away. Dolores portrays the flora from her garden...
Category

Early 2000s Mexican Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Clay, Pottery, Terracotta

Set of Ceramic Carnival Animal Figures from Mexico, Circa 1980´s and 1990´s
Located in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato
Set of 3 ceramic carnival animal figures from Morelos, Mexico. These colorful figures were hand crafted and hand painted using paint glaze. The lively pieces were prominent in the 19...
Category

1990s Mexican Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Clay

Seth of Three Mexican Pendant Lamps in Star Shape
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1960, We offer this fantastic seth of three Mexican pendant lamps in star shape.
Category

1960s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Art Glass

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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