Skip to main content

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.

to
806
3,360
2,008
5,553
160
107
200,002
113,198
43,319
33,443
16,298
12,184
10,748
10,739
9,942
8,969
7,213
6,772
6,434
6,393
6,147
4,899
3,778
206
1,686
3,661
267
1,060
1,466
623
141
84
187
234
132
199
177
197
72
61
2,651
1,329
1,144
688
603
2,250
1,812
1,494
790
651
5,820
5,759
5,774
122
25
19
19
12
Style: Folk Art
Cigar or Tobacco Shop Trade Sign, Carving of an Indian Chief
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Cigar or Tobacco Shop Trade Sign, Carving of an Indian Chief This charming and very rare piece, this is a fine example of an American favourite the Cigar Store Indian Counter Top Tra...
Category

1920s Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Original Haitian Haiti Folk Art Coastal Village Scene Oil Painting Signed Pierre
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautifully colored and wonderfully composed original Haitian Folk Art painting. This work features a tranquil coastal village landscape scene with local people spotted throughout...
Category

20th Century Haitian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

Antique Carved Slate Miniature Chest of Drawers. Welsh, Late 19th Century
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
A charming miniature chest of drawers made from carved slate With dummy drawers and Prince of Wales feathers detail. Miniature chests, bureaus and similar pieces of folk art were c...
Category

Late 19th Century Welsh Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Slate

American Quilt of Undocumented Pattern Circa 1875
Located in Hudson, NY
Striking and beautiful New England quilt in the princess feather and rose pattern. Excellent condition with a highly folky design pattern. Found in , this quilt made from blue and re...
Category

1830s American Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Cotton

Antique Asian Bronze Chariot with Dragon Head Pulled by Horses
Located in North Hollywood, CA
From the Ramakien a Thai Ramayana. A scene from Ramakian or Ramayan, the Indian epic Lakshman riding in a chariot along with Rama and Sita sitting in the back. After his victory over Ravana, Sri Rama prepares to leave for Ayodhya, Rama now told Vibheeshan that there was just one more day...
Category

Early 20th Century Indian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Light Blue Animal Persian Tabriz Rug
Located in New York, NY
early 20th century Persian Tabriz Pictorial rug in predominant light blue featuring a flurry of animals floating in field and border. majority of the animals look like sea horses and...
Category

Early 20th Century Persian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool

Scandinavian Almue Stool in Wood & Fabric, Late 19th Century
Located in Odense, DK
A charming little wooden stool with a square seat and four turned legs, each featuring subtle decorative shaping. The seat is covered with a patterned woven textile, showcasing a rec...
Category

Late 19th Century Scandinavian Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Beech, Oak

Japanese Tall Bamboo Ikebana Basket with Tinted Handle, Suruga Sensuji Style
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage bamboo Ikebana basket features tall cylindrical shape with prominent rounded handle. The basket is woven of thin round bamboo strips that are secured with burned or tinted b...
Category

1960s Japanese Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan

Large Blue & White Delft Plate, Dutch Porcelain Wall Dish or Plaque
Located in Miami, FL
Dutch blue and white Delft porcelain plate or dish. This Delft blue and white porcelain wall dish or plaque depicts the countryside of the Netherlands. A very decorative Delft por...
Category

20th Century Dutch Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Porcelain

Georgian Palladian Corner Cupboard
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine George II hanging corner cupboard with great architectural details, the pedimented top with keystone arch over two panel door flanked by fluted pilasters, the interior with love...
Category

Mid-18th Century English Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pine

Folk Art Marquetry Box or Chest with Inlaid Star, French 19th Century
Located in ROUEN, Normandie
Folk Art Marquetry Box or Chest with Inlaid Star, French 19th Century Beautiful decorative wooden box or small chest. Folk Art from the 1890s, it features an inlaid star motif on t...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood, Fruitwood, Nutwood

British Sailor's Woolwork of Royal Navy Ship Anchored in Bay
Located in Downingtown, PA
British Sailor's Woolwork of Royal Navy Ship Anchored in Bay, Circa 1860-75 This charming sailor's woolwork, commonly referred to as a "woolie," presents a Royal Navy frigate at anc...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool

Antique Gemstone Gilt Bronze Mounted Rock Crystal Vessel Offering Bowl
Located in Forney, TX
A spectacular Mughal Empire Period (1526-1857) precious gemstone set gilt bronze ormolu mounted carved rock crystal vessel Buddhist altar offering bowl....
Category

19th Century Tibetan Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Multi-gemstone, Rock Crystal, Ormolu

Antique Late 19th Century Wooden Abacus with Brass Rods and Wood Beads
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This antique late 19th-century wooden abacus is a timeless tool of calculation, showcasing beautifully crafted natural wood beads in alternating shades of brown and black. The frame ...
Category

1890s Czech Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Brass

Early 19th Century American Double Sided Games Board
Located in Incline Village, NV
Very early American wooden games board; probably the oldest I have handled, this dates to about circa 1835 and exhibits the markings of a typical cottage industry type manufacture (not unlike very early Noah's Arks). Obviously entirely hand crafted; measurements are not exactly square (left to right; top to bottom), probably made of a local soft wood, and hand painted with squares not perfectly delineated. Black light and "loop" inspection reveals age crazing and original paint that, in conjunction with original wear and no attempt to touch up, dates it to the early 19th century. Most definitely American, as the last thing an English immigrant would have brought to America at that time would have been a game. When closed, or in the folding position, the board game simulates and is made to look like two books resting side by side (see images), and thusly, was made to sit on a book shelf, either horizontally or vertically; and to be pulled out to play games when desired, which would have been either the game of checkers (draughts), chess, or backgammon. The board opens up to a two sided game option. On one side is the proverbial 64 square (English/ American version) of chess or checkers; and on the other side is a backgammon board. Both sides are hand painted in gold and black, with a rust colored border around the checkerboard. The interior backgammon play area is also black and gold with the same color rust area to the central part. Nail hinges in the center frame, pivot the two sides to open, while a leather covering borders the edge trim, which is 50% lacking on the hinge side. I state the condition to be good, considering it's age, it's use, and the fact that it is still very "usable" and, if taken care of, will probably continue to be so for nearly another 200 years! The checkers, (12) black pieces and (12) yellow (the correct numbers) are hand carved in wood and hand painted. The backgammon pieces (stored in period wooden box) contain 14 yellow hand painted and carved pieces and (13) black ones. (15) of each color are used to play backgammon (simply use the checkers, which are just about the same size (see images) to make up the difference. Most antique game boards...
Category

1830s American Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Carved Canada Goose by Frank Finney
By Frank Finney
Located in Nantucket, MA
Canada swimming goose, hollow carved with glass eyes and lead plate Signed/incised and titled on the bottom, "The Swimmer, Frank S Finney" circa 1980.
Category

Late 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique 1920s Folk Art Picture Frame Beach Souvenirs Photos Shells Sand Card
Located in Munich, DE
This highly unusual picture frame was handcrafted in 1920 ca. probably as a souvenir of a nice sea side summer holiday. It is made out of cardboard and sand and decorated with a vari...
Category

1920s French Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Shell, Paper

Original Antique Print of A Grey Horse, 1847 'Unframed'
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of a grey horse Unframed. It gives you the option of perhaps making a set up using your own choice of frames. Lithograph after George Stubbs with original hand color. ...
Category

1840s English Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Paper

Ethnic Parchment African Art Wall Sconce
Located in North Hollywood, CA
African tribal art parchment wall shade sconce featuring a large triangle hide form stitched on iron and hand painted surface. These Moroccan art pieces could be used as wall lamp s...
Category

20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Iron

Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Wood Tripod Chair and Foot Rest, German Vintage
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A interesting brutalist wood tripod chair from Germany, with a matching foot rest or table. Great piece of functional sculpture. Stool and foot rest is in great vintage condition and...
Category

1970s German Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Professionally Framed Silk and Cotton Ikat Fragment, Uzbekistan, L 19th C.
Located in Istanbul, TR
First the fragment has been hand backed on a linen fabric, then stretched over a wooden stretcher and finished with a wooden frame. L 19th C. Uzbekistan. Ready to go on a wall. Fram...
Category

Late 19th Century Uzbek Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Silk

French 19th Century Portrait of a Flower Girl
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A heartwarming, late 19th century French oil-on-linen portrait of a young girl bearing a garland of pink flowers, painted in a technique of folk art naivete for emotional, rather tha...
Category

19th Century French Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Foil

Uzbek Velvet Suzani Pillowcase, early 20th Century. Uzbekistan
Located in Istanbul, TR
-No insert. -Linen in the back. -Zipper closure. -Dry Cleaning is recommended.
Category

Early 20th Century Uzbek Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Silk

Primitive Wall Shelf in Pine, By a Swedish Carpenter, Late 19th Century
Located in Odense, DK
A truly authentic wall shelf / vitrine, made by a Swedish carpenter in the late 19th century. Constructed from durable pine wood, the shelf exudes a rustic charm characteristic of pr...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Glass, Pine

Original Antique Print of An English Sporting Dog, 1847 'Unframed'
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of a sporting dog, a bloodhound. Unframed. It gives you the option of perhaps making a set up using your own choice of frames. Lithograph after Cpt. Brown with original...
Category

1840s English Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Paper

Large 19th Century Polychromed Statue of a Burmese Nat Temple Dancer
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Hand-carved wooden sculpture representing a traditional guardian or deity figure, often referred to as the "Lady of Popa," originating from Vietnam or Southeast Asia. This striking p...
Category

Mid-19th Century Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Teak

New England Quilt Drunkards Path Pattern Circa 1885
Located in Hudson, NY
Striking and beautiful New England quilt in the drunkards path pattern. Excellent condition with a highly modern design pattern. Found in Maine, this quilt made from blue and red pri...
Category

1880s American Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Cotton

Early 19th Century Scandinavian Folk Art Chair
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Large 19th Century Scandinavian Folk Art chair in the form of a Kubbestol (log chair). A wonderful piece of rural Scandinavian heritage. Seat r...
Category

Early 19th Century Scandinavian Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pine

Zabihi Collection Vintage Pictorial Horse Karabagh Rug
Located in New York, NY
One of a kind 2nd quarter of the 20th Century Karabagh runner with 4 large horses walking and colliding into one another 5' x 9'9''
Category

Early 20th Century Persian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool

Vintage Owl Bookends Wood Spain, 1960s
Located in Den Haag, NL
Very nice hand carved wooden owls. 1960s Spain.
Category

1960s Spanish Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Fruitwood

Mid 19th century hand painted Swedish oak coffer
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid 19th century hand painted swedish oak coffer circa 1852. Beautiful dome top coffer made from solid oak.  Hand painted using traditional methods in a green, brown and yellow sche...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Iron

Vintage American Framed Oil on Canvas - Boy with a Toy Boat, Signed Trevor James
By Ammi Phillips
Located in Morristown, NJ
Vintage folk art style oil painting by Trevor James depicting a young boy holding a sailboat. The boy has a very sweet face and the stray curl of hair on his forehead further adds to...
Category

1990s American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Canvas, Wood, Paint

Important Folk Art Trade Sign
Located in Greenwich, CT
A mid 19th Century folk art trade sign of demilune form, depicting a Native American chief holding a peace pipe and tomahawk wearing a headdress of white and red feathers, wearing a decorated tunic, supported by “s” scrolls, possibly a cover for a paddle boat wheel...
Category

19th Century American Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Important Folk Art Trade Sign
Important Folk Art Trade Sign
$10,320 Sale Price
20% Off
Five Rare Christmas Ornaments Vintage, German, 1910s to 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A rare set of 5 Christmas ornaments. Each is made from thin mouth blown glass, this would be a great antique addition for your Christmas or feather tree. Included is a nice Reflector ornament from the 1930s, 2 small walnut feather tree ornaments from the 1910s and two flower bunch ornaments with glass balls and Dresden Sebnitz Christmas paper...
Category

1930s German Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wire

Folk Art Parquetry Carved Wood Lamp
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Folk art parquetry carved wood lamp. The wood lamp measures 20" high and 7" diameter. Total height from base to the bottom of socket is 23.5". We added a 3 inch brass neck with ...
Category

1960s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Brass

American Folk Art Wood and Iron Farm Bureau Weathervane Advertising Sign
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Great looking cartoon Midwestern Americana weathervane. Farm Bureau Insurance started in 1921. This great piece most likely was a premium or advertising piece. Hand painted wood with...
Category

1940s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Iron

Set of three Mexican Retablos "Exvotos"
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this Set of three Mexican Retablos "Exvotos". The three pieces are prints with a finish that makes them look old.
Category

2010s Mexican Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Metal

Antique shepherd’s chest, 1820s
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Antique shepherd’s chest with geometric decoration from the Carpathian Highlands, ca. 1820. Also called sarcophagus chests or Wallachian chests because of their association with the ...
Category

1820s Romanian Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Beech

Tramp Art Secretary Desk of Diminutive Size
Located in Downingtown, PA
Tramp Art Secretary Desk of Diminutive Size, late-19th century. The secretary desk is black over red with thumb-nail moldings. The top with dra...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Turn of the Century Green Romanian Box Bench
Located in Cirencester, GB
This settle or bench is early 20th Century, possibly older. Original green and red paint full of rustic charm and an exquisite example of folk craftsmanship. Wonderful natural colo...
Category

Early 20th Century Romanian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pine

Fine Hand-Forged Iron Floor Lamp Pair
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A particularly noteworthy pair of iron floor lamps with delicate traditional form standing on tripod bases having a primitive three-toe foot. The upper portions with scrolled iron el...
Category

19th Century Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Iron

19th Century French Folk Art Storage Basket
Located in Allerum, SE
Unusually large 19th century French folk art storage basket. coiled construction with straw and bark. Ca 1890 France.
Category

19th Century French Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Straw

German Folk-Art Bridal Chest, anno 1829
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
German bridal chest made in 1829. Hand-painted with beautiful fine details. The iron hinges are hand-forged. The chest is made of pine. There is a compartment on the inside for valua...
Category

1820s German Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wrought Iron

Day Of The Dead Offering Vessel From Mexico
Located in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato
Day of the Dead offering vessel pot from the Mixteca region of Oaxaca, Mexico, circa 1970´s
Category

1970s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Clay, Terracotta

Folk Art Pottery Charger - Hand Painted Flowers & Swirls - Mexico - Circa 1980's
Located in Chatham, ON
Mexican folk art terra cotta charger or plate - large size - hand made and featuring hand painted flowers and elaborate border with swirls (all cold painted) - unsigned - Mexico - ci...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

19th Century German Carved Polychrome Carousel Horse by P. Schneider
Located in Forney, TX
A rare antique, circa 1890s, German hand carved and painted wood carousel horse carnival fair ride by Peter Schneider (famous for making the first double decker carousel in 1898). ...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Professionally Framed Antique Ottoman Turkish Embroidery
Located in Istanbul, TR
First the fragment has been hand backed on a linen fabric, then stretched over a wooden stretcher and finished with a wooden frame. Late 19th C. Ottoman Turkey Ready to go on a wall....
Category

Early 19th Century Turkish Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Silk

Antique Amish Dimond Quilt Lancaster Pennsylvania
Located in Atlanta, GA
A large Amish quilt of center diamond pattern made from a red, green and light blue fine wool and cotton blend and backed by chambray cotton panel. The center diamond in the square p...
Category

Early 1900s American Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool, Cotton

19th Century Swedish Ántique Grandfather Clock Tall Case Clock Original Paint
Located in Boden, SE
19th century Folk Art tall case clock from Luleå Norrbotten, Northern Sweden. Made in wood. Nice details and beautiful carvings. Beautiful handpainted flowers on the front. The M...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pine

Late 19th Century Quebec Paint Decorated Plant Stand, circa 1890
Located in Nantucket, MA
Antique Quebec paint decorated plant stand or bucket bench, circa 1890, pine slat construction with three shelves, fluted backsplash and apron, and deli...
Category

1890s Canadian Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pine

Original Blue Painted Sideboard Cabinet, Sweden dated 1843
Located in Round Top, TX
While you can frequently find original painted Swedish trunks, it is difficult to find a cabinet or sideboard with exceptional original folk art paint such as this one. The two panel...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pine, Paint

Vintage American Folk Art Painting of a Cat, Oil on Wood
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Charming American Folk Art oil painting on wood features orange cat sitting next to fish bowl with gold fish. The painting is executed ...
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Mettlach German Villeroy & Boch Beer or Vine Pitcher Ceramic Pewter Lidd
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Experience the allure of a bygone era with our stunning Antique Mettlach German Villeroy & Boch Beer or Vine Pitcher. This masterpiece encapsulates the artistry of German craftsmansh...
Category

1880s German Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pewter

Pillowcase made from a Mid 20th C. English Crewel work embroidery
Located in Istanbul, TR
It does not come with an insert . Linen in the back. Zipper closure. Dry clean is recommended.
Category

Mid-20th Century English Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool

Orlando Hand Bears attributed Portrait of a Boy Before a Landscape
Located in Sharon, CT
Perhaps the dropped hand is the most obvious of the Bears 'tells'. But just about every aspect of our painting is Bears, from the landscape background to the positioning of the subje...
Category

1830s American Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Canvas, Paint

Hand Carved & Hand Painted Rooster Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand carved & hand painted rooster sculpture. Very folky rooster.
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Haitian Painting on Canvas of a Still life by Gabriel Alix
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Standout vintage Haitian acrylic painting on canvas of a still life with fruit, executed with a spirited naive flair by noted artist Gabriel Alix. Present...
Category

Mid-20th Century Haitian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Cane, Acrylic, Wood

Folk Art Ship Model
Located in Doylestown, PA
A naive Folk Art ship model in carved wood with fabric sails and elaborate rigging, American, circa 1900.
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Swedish Soapstone Stone Pot with Hand Wrought Iron and a Genuine Patina
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique Swedish stone pot made from a hollowed stone – soapstone. With hand wrought iron bands that wrap around and strengthens it. Made during the mid 1800s in northern Sweden. Full...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Soapstone, Wrought Iron

19th Century Pennsylvania Folky Sheraton Cherry Chest of Drawers
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique wooden chest of drawers. With a terrific old finish. In cherry wood with a polar secondary, turned wooden pulls, and r...
Category

Mid-19th Century North American Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood, Cherry

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.

Recently Viewed

View All