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 American Folk Art Furniture
Iron, Wrought Iron
1950s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Canvas, Wood, Paint
1970s European Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Textile, Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Early 1900s Antique Folk Art Furniture
Tin
Mid-20th Century Dutch Folk Art Furniture
Ceramic, Porcelain
1950s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Leather
20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Furniture
Wool
Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Swedish Folk Art Furniture
Pine
1890s German Antique Folk Art Furniture
Wood
20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Swedish Folk Art Furniture
Pine
Early 1900s American Antique Folk Art Furniture
Wool, Cotton
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Furniture
Mirror, Wood
Mid-20th Century Thai Folk Art Furniture
Textile, Beads, Sequins
Early 20th Century Folk Art Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Swedish Folk Art Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Swedish Folk Art Furniture
Pine
1920s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Wood, Oak, Beads
Mid-20th Century Balinese Folk Art Furniture
Wood
20th Century Unknown Folk Art Furniture
Pine
Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Furniture
Pottery
1920s Austrian Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Antler, Wood
1890s American Antique Folk Art Furniture
Wood, Giltwood, Paint
19th Century Indian Antique Folk Art Furniture
Bronze
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture
Birch, Pine
Late 20th Century Folk Art Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Metal
1840s English Antique Folk Art Furniture
Paper
1950s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Cane, Rattan, Pine
Mid-20th Century Canadian Folk Art Furniture
Canvas, Paint
Mid-20th Century German Folk Art Furniture
Oak
1840s English Antique Folk Art Furniture
Paper
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture
Pine
1790s Italian Antique Folk Art Furniture
Wood
1790s Norwegian Antique Folk Art Furniture
Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century Swedish Folk Art Furniture
Pine
1920s Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Walnut
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Furniture
Mirror, Wood
Early 19th Century Turkish Antique Folk Art Furniture
Silk
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Furniture
Wool
Early 20th Century British Folk Art Furniture
Pine
19th Century French Antique Folk Art Furniture
Straw
1840s English Antique Folk Art Furniture
Paper
1880s American Antique Folk Art Furniture
Wood
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture
Pine
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Folk Art Furniture
Walnut
1920s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century European Folk Art Furniture
Metal
1920s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Wood
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Folk Art Furniture
Wood, Paint
19th Century British Antique Folk Art Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century Philippine Folk Art Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century English Folk Art Furniture
Fabric
20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Wicker, Oak
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Wood
Early 1900s French Antique Folk Art Furniture
Mirror, Wood
Mid-20th Century German Folk Art Furniture
Metal, Silver