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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: New York
Style: Folk Art
Sad Pigeon Pictorial Persian Kilim Wall Hanging
Located in New York, NY
Scatter size Persian Kilim from the late 20th century with a large lonely white pigeon getting cuddled by a boy and a girl on a blue field This was originally belonging to a private...
Category

Late 20th Century Persian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool

Rare Antique Wooden Child's Ride on Wooden Toy Boat by Nautilus Toy Co. London
Located in Buffalo, NY
Rare antique wooden child's ride on wooden toy boat by Nautilus Toy Co. London wonderful Folk Art object. 1920s ride on toy made by the Nautilus Toy Compan...
Category

1920s English Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Metal

Early 20th Century American Hooked Rug ( 7' x 8' - 213 x 245 )
Located in New York, NY
Early 20th Century American Hooked Rug ( 7' x 8' - 213 x 245 )
Category

1920s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool

Japanese Double Gourd Ikebana Woven Basket and root
Located in Buffalo, NY
20th Century Japanese Double Gourd Ikebana Woven Basket and Root.. amazing sculpture / art.. Retain original inserts.. one basket re-glued , repaired.. (see photo)
Category

20th Century Japanese Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wicker, Wood

Vintage Turkish Rooster Rug
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Turkishmat size rug depicting a rooster on an ivory field. Dated 1976 Measures: 1'10" x 2'.
Category

1970s Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool, Cotton, Foam

1930s Austrian Horse Toy
By Craft and Folk Art Museum
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
Beautiful 1930s Austrian horse toy. Wonderful patina.
Category

1920s Austrian Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Bentwood

Monumental 80" Figurative Hand Carved Sculpture by Robert Brady
By Robert Brady 2
Located in Buffalo, NY
Robert Brady was born and raised in Reno, Nevada. Upon graduation from high school he attended the California College of The Arts in Oakland, Ca. receiving his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1969. Later he attended University of California, Davis, receiving a Masters of Fine art in 1975. Recently retired Emeritus, he served as Professor of Art from 1975-2013 at California State University, Sacramento. Trained as a potter, Brady’s interest quickly steered toward a path of ceramic object making and sculpture, ultimately gaining national and international recognition. Approximately 24 years later, Brady, fortuitously discovered the beauty and merits of wood as a sculptural medium. Since then, Robert has produced work in both clay and wood, with an emphasis on wood. Mixed media, bronzes, works on paper and functional pottery are also part of his output. Brady has had over 50 solo exhibits and participated in many group exhibitions throughout the United States, and Europe, both in private galleries and public Museums. His works can be found in permanent collections in galleries and museums such as The Smithsonian (Renwick), The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Arkansas Art Center, Little Rock, and the Stedelijik Museum in Amsterdam, Holland, as well as others. Lastly, his work is found in private collections too numerous to mention. He has received three National Endowment Individual Artist...
Category

1990s American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Swedish Antique Toy Rocking Horse, All Original, Origin: Sweden, circa 1870
Located in New York, NY
Swedish antique toy rocking horse, origin: Sweden, circa 1870 - 1900. Beautiful, untouched, original condition including the paint, ...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Iron

19th Century American Hooked Rug 8' 8" x 8' 9"
Located in New York, NY
19th Century American Hooked Rug 8'8" x 8'9".
Category

1890s American Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool

Modernist / Folk Art Hand Embroidered Silk and Iron 3-panel Screen / Devider
Located in Buffalo, NY
Super unusual Modernist / Folk Art hand embroidered silk and iron 3-panel Screen / Room Divider. Appears to be totally hand crafted.. Three Classic mid Century Modern designed Iron ...
Category

1950s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Iron

Ulo Tribal Akha Woman's Headdress with Framework of Bamboo and Beads
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Ulo Akha woman's Tribal headdress adorned with framework of bamboo, beads, pompons, seeds and other unique items. Immerse yourself in the rich cultural tapestry of Northern Thailan...
Category

Early 20th Century Thai Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Bamboo, Beads

One of a Kind Italian Pair Deco Modern Art Lamps with Cast Brass Carnival Masks
Located in New York, NY
1980s vintage Italian pair of very rare lamps, entirely handmade in cast polished brass, uniquely decorated with carnival masks in different sizes, each different from the other, rai...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Brass, Metal

American 19th Century Hooked Rug Depicting a Dalmatian
Located in Hudson, NY
Hooked and shirred hearth rug, New England, circa 1850s in wool, cotton and linen. This dramatic folk art piece is in excellent condition. Depicting a recu...
Category

1850s Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool, Cotton, Linen

Folk Art Found Object Doll TOTEM by Bill Fink, Bergdorf Goodman
By Bill Fink
Located in New York, NY
Fantastic doll TOTEM sculpture composed of European doll parts, European and American vintage tin tea caddies, fire bell, and topped by a whimsical tin bird...
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Metal

Lady Deer Colorful Pictorial Vintage Karabagh Rug
Located in New York, NY
Lovely mid-20th century Russian Karabagh rug with 4 ladies and deer’s surrounded by a floral border. Love the neon green field, you see some of the green in the border too Size: 4...
Category

1950s Russian Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool

Large Hand Painted Double Sided Arrow "Radio Trade In" Folk Art Trade/Store Sign
Located in Buffalo, NY
Large Hand Painted, Double Sided Arrow "Special" Radio Trade In sale,,,,Folk Art Trade/Store Sign,,Wonderful size,,amazing crackle paint, patina..Great subject.
Category

1930s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Masonite, Paint

Vintage Turkish Anatolian Pictorial Rug
Located in New York, NY
A vintage Turkish Anatolian pictorial rug from the mid-20th century. A self-taught artist has depicted six buildings and one smokestack in a co...
Category

Mid-20th Century Turkish Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool

Carved Walnut Dog Nut Cracker
Located in New York, NY
The finely carved hound's head with glass eyes, with mouth opening to receive nuts.
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Swedish Gustavian Dowry Chest with Exceptional Interior Painting, Dated 1782
Located in New York, NY
An exceptional Swedish Gustavian dowry chest with original paint on the interior and exterior. The interior painting depicts a marriage scene and...
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Iron

Pair of Neutral Tabriz Pictorial Reindeer Mats
Located in New York, NY
A pair of neutral Persian Tabriz rugs from the mid-20th century with a set of reindeer's staring at each other, Measuring 21'' x 34'' respectively.  
Category

20th Century Persian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool

Vintage Hand Painted Rocking Horse
Located in New York, NY
Vintage hand painted carved horse.
Category

1940s Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Unusual Vintage Paper Mache Folk Art, Parade "Carnival" Mask
Located in Buffalo, NY
Unusual vintage papier mâché Folk Art..parade "carnival" theater mask.
Category

1960s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Paper

Early 20th Century Double-Sided "Kings Head" Hand Painted Metal English Pub Sign
Located in Brooklyn, NY
English two-sided handmade and painted metal pub sign depicting a king of clubs with the text "Flowers" above and "Kings Head" below (ca. early 1900s, England). Identical imagery and...
Category

Early 20th Century English Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Metal

Antique Rosen Style Folk Art Fruit Still Life Oil on Canvas Painting, C1830
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Severin Rosen Style Folk Art Fruit Still Life Oil on Canvas Painting Seated in Giltwood Frame C1830 Measures- 18''H x 22.25''W x 2.5''D; 14.5''...
Category

Early 19th Century Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Canvas, Paint

Early 19th Century Hand-Painted Floral Trunk
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite early 19th-century painted trunk showcases the artistry and craftsmanship of its era. Adorned with vibrant floral motifs, primarily featuring roses and tulips, this pi...
Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

Wonderful Folk Art Hand Made Antique Grasshopper Sculpture
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A fantastic folk art antique hand made sculpture of a huge grasshopper having aged patina. One of a kind.
Category

1940s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Reclaimed Wood

Early 20th Century American Hooked Rug ( 9' x 9' - 275 x 275 )
Located in New York, NY
Early 20th Century American Hooked Rug ( 9' x 9' - 275 x 275 )
Category

1910s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool, Fabric

Pair of Early Carved Italian Theater Statues
Located in Peekskill, NY
We date these carvings to the early 19th century but they may be much earlier than that. They come as a pair and priced as a pair. I'm told that these were architectural elements fr...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Gesso

1930s American Hooked Rug
Located in New York, NY
1930s American Hooked Rug ( 2'6" x 4'2" - 76 x 127 )
Category

1930s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool

Nautical Folk Art Hand Carved Wooden Whimsy
Located in Brooklyn, NY
American whimsy with traditional 'ball in cage' decoration, all carved and whittled from one continuous piece of wood, circa early 20th century. The bottom tip suggests that this pie...
Category

1910s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Seychour Rug with Fox Pictorials and Floral Patterns, from Rug & Kilim
Located in Long Island City, NY
Hand-knotted in wool and originating from Russia circa 1920-1930, this collectible 4x5 antique rug is a very rare Caucasian rug of the titular Seychour (sometimes spelled Zeikhour) p...
Category

1920s Russian Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool

Italian Modern Venetian Handmade Blue and Gold Carnival Mask with Feathers
Located in New York, NY
This Folk Art cobalt blue mask is a real Venetian creation, entirely hand-drawn and handcrafted with gold decor and white stone. Italian Artists have realized this piece in full res...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Metal, Metallic Thread

Vintage Folk Art Hand-Carved "Ball in Cage" Obelisk Whimsy Sculpture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Folk Art whimsy 'ball in cage' obelisk sculpture whittled from one continuous piece of wood and adhered to a wooden plinth base, circa 1940s. The carved supports holding the two ball...
Category

1940s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Zabihi Collection Chinese Pictorial Animal Early 20th Century Rug
Located in New York, NY
An early 20th-century Peking Chinese Pictorial Rug Details rug no. j4233 size 2' 3" x 4' 5" (69 x 135 cm)
Category

Early 20th Century Mongolian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool

31 Brazilian Silver Amulets
Located in New York, NY
These 31 Brazilian amulets, or balangada, were hammered from sheets of silver in the 19th century to form pomegranates, sugar apples, guava, and other...
Category

Mid-19th Century Brazilian Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Silver

Bernard Steffen "Persian Panorama" Tri-Fold Wood Screen, Bernard Steffen Denmark
Located in Buffalo, NY
"Persian Panorama" Folkart, tri-fold screen or room divider serigraphed by Bernard Steffen, designed by Georg Jensen, Denmark, Limited production. Numb...
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Mid-20th Century Handmade Caucasian Karabagh Pictorial Lion Accent Rug
Located in New York, NY
A vintage Caucasian Karabagh rug handmade during the mid-20th century with a pictorial design of 2 male lions facing off. Measures: 4' 9" x 7' 8".
Category

Mid-20th Century Caucasian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool

Sculptural Antique Folk Freestanding Wooden Drum with Leather Drumhead
Located in Yonkers, NY
An antique wooden drum with leather drumhead. Sculptural and freestanding, this antique Indonesian wooden drum is a striking piece that effortlessly combines form and function. Toppe...
Category

19th Century Indonesian Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Leather, Wood

Pair of African Cowrie Fertility Idol Figures
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of African (19/20th Cent) seated Cowrie fertility idol figures with a surface of small shells and beads and mounted on modern silver metal bases
Category

20th Century African Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Shell, Wood, Paint

Sergio Bustamante Early Lion Papier-mâché Sculpture Hand-painted, 1975
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Sergio Bustamante (20th century, Mexican) life sized paper mache lion from the early years of his Family Workshop Studio in Tlequepaque, Jalisco, Mexi...
Category

Late 20th Century Mexican Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Paper

Zabihi Collection Vintage Persian Pictorial Balouch Gallery Rug
Located in New York, NY
An Ivory ground Balouch pictorial gallery rug from the middle of the 20th century Details rug no. 31363 size 4' 8" x 11' 1" (142 x 338 cm)
Category

Mid-20th Century Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool

Vintage Persian Pictorial Hamadan Rug
Located in New York, NY
A vintage Persian Hamadan carpet from the mid-20th century with a pictorial folk design of Safavid ruler, Shah Abbas. Measures: 1' 6" x 2' 4".
Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool

1930s American Braided Rug ( 8' R - 245 R )
Located in New York, NY
1930s American Braided Rug ( 8' R - 245 R )
Category

1930s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool, Fabric

1930s American Hooked Rug ( 3' x 3'2" - 91 x 112 )
Located in New York, NY
1930s American Hooked Rug ( 3' x 3'2" - 91 x 112 )
Category

1930s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool

Early 20th Century American Hooked Rug
Located in New York, NY
Early 20th Century American Hooked Rug 4'2" x 6'10"
Category

1910s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool

Grain Painted Blanket Chest Pennsylvania Circa 1830
Located in Hudson, NY
Painted blanket chest with turned feet. Rectangular lid with applied molding above dovetail jointed case . An absolute delight, this festive jewel made of dense poplar with a buttern...
Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Poplar, Paint, Nutwood

Antique Kurdish Rug Gold Red Striped Geometric Pattern
Located in Long Island City, NY
Hand knotted in wool originating from Turkey circa 1900-1910, this antique rug connotes a traditional Kurdish rug design with a coarse, lush knotting in the richer hues cordoned off ...
Category

19th Century Turkish Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool

Vintage Turkish Tulu Rug
Located in New York, NY
A vintage Tulu Turkish rug from the mid-20th century. A wide plain saturated marsala colored border with a beige open field. No ditzy ornamentation. Totally graphic with a very long ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Turkish Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool

Vintage Turkish Tulu Rug
Vintage Turkish Tulu Rug
$1,900 Sale Price
20% Off
Early 20th Century American Hooked Rug with Tumbling Block Pattern
Located in New York, NY
Early 20th Century American Hooked Rug with Tumbling Block Pattern 2'10" x 3'9" - 86 x 114
Category

1920s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool

Albert Paley Sculpture / Hanging Plant Shepard Hooks, 1980's
Located in Buffalo, NY
A lovely HAND FORGED Albert Paley piece believed to be from the 1980s, Produced in Rochester NY for a friend of Albert's that enjoyed her garden. Custom , Modernist one of a kind s...
Category

1980s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Iron

Emile Deyrolle 19th Century Plaster, Wire and Wood Didactic Germination Models
Located in Buffalo, NY
LES FILS D'EMILE DEYROLLE, PARIS. Extremely rare set of four 19th century French painted plaster, wire and wood Didactic models depicting progression, ANATOMIE VEGETALE, beautifully ...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wire

Ulo Tribal Akha Woman's Headdress with Framework of Bamboo and Beads
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Ulo Akha woman's Tribal headdress adorned with framework of bamboo, beads, pompons, seeds and other unique items. Immerse yourself in the rich cul...
Category

Early 20th Century Thai Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Bamboo, Beads

1930s American Hooked Rug ( 6' x 8'4" - 183 x 254 )
Located in New York, NY
1930s American Hooked Rug ( 6' x 8'4" - 183 x 254 )
Category

1920s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool

Large Contemporary / Modernist Folk Art Oil on Canvas by M J Meyrs, c.2008
Located in Buffalo, NY
Large oil on canvas painting by M J MYERS... depicting bar scene,, Amazing use of color ,space and texture,,, Born in Buffalo, NY and raised in the city of Tonawanda, MJ Myers attended the State University at New Paltz where he received a Bachelors of Fine Arts with a concentration in Drawing and Painting and a minor in Art History. Deeply embedded in the Buffalo art world, Myers works as an art handler for the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, UB Anderson Gallery, and Frank Lloyd Wright's Darwin D.Martin house. His work has been shown at multiple galleries as well as in many performances by the Buffalo, NY performance troupe Torn Space Theater. In 2014, MJ performed his first wedding painting...
Category

Early 2000s American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Canvas, Paint

Unusual Cast Iron & Led World Globe. ROTATING. sculpture / desk accessory
Located in Buffalo, NY
Unusual Cast Iron & Led World Globe. ROTATING. sculpture / desk accessory, Smooth 360* rotation, (see vedio) gentleman I purchased it from claims it was made for the Worlds Fair ??...
Category

1930s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Iron, Lead

Early Papier Mâché Folk Art Store Display "Stork and Baby"
Located in Buffalo, NY
Early papier mâché Folk Art store display "Stork and Baby". Charming depiction stylized stork and baby, retains original paint, slight damage to beak...
Category

1930s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Paper

Mid-20th Century Handmade Persian Pictorial Flatweave Kilim Throw Rug
Located in New York, NY
A vintage Persian pictorial flatweave Kilim throw rug handmade during the mid-20th century. Measures: 3' 6" x 4' 6".
Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool

Early 20th Century Black & White Hand Beaded African Chair
Located in North Miami, FL
This truly exquisite hand beaded chair by the Yoruba Artisans of Nigeria, best representation of furniture as art. And don't be shy to sit on them, because they are very comfortable. There is a Second matching chair available. They were traditionally created for the Yoruba tribe kings and queens and are embellished with thousands of seed glass beads applied to fabric covers, which are then stitched or glued onto the chair frame - resulting in an exotic chair...
Category

Early 20th Century Nigerian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood, Beads

Vintage Persian Bakhtiari Rug
Located in New York, NY
A vintage Persian Bakhtiari pictorial rug from the mid-20th century. Measures: 3' 10" x 6' 8"
Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool

Vintage Persian Bakhtiari Rug
Vintage Persian Bakhtiari Rug
$2,300 Sale Price
20% Off
Assortment of Five Small Indian Repoussé Brass Decorative Dish Bowls
Located in Yonkers, NY
An assortment of give unique Indian brass bracelets from the 19th century that could be used as ashtrays or candy dishes. Charming our eyes with their intricate designs, this assortm...
Category

19th Century Indian Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Brass

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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