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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Style: Folk Art
Period: Mid-20th Century
Charming Art Deco Mirrored Wall Display
Located in Riverdale, NY
Charming Mirrored Art Deco Wall Display from the 1940's. Shaped like a bird house, handmade of wood painted bright white with slightly Folksy/ Fr...
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Vintage Mexican Carved Wood Sculpture Polychrome Bookends Siesta Folk Art 1950s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
A pair of vintage 1950s North American Mexican handmade polychrome painted wood "Mexican Siesta bookends".
Beautiful, colorful design and a great example of Mexican Folk Art male and female wood sculpture book ends, Circa 1950s.
The set is hand-carved from wood and depicts a sleeping Mexican peasant...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Mid-20th Century Handmade Persian Kurd Pictorial Lion Throw Rug
Located in New York, NY
A vintage Persian Kurd throw rug handmade during the mid-20th century with a folk pictorial depiction of a lion.
Measures: 3' 6" x 4' 9"
P...
Category
Mid-20th Century Persian Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wool
Terracotta Water Jar From Mexico, Circa 1950´s
Located in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato
Terracotta water jar from the coast of Michoacan, Mexico, circa 1950´s
Category
1950s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Clay, Terracotta
Japanese Tall Ikebana Basket, Bamboo & Black Accents, 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 black fiber, addin...
Category
1960s Japanese Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
African Ethiopian Tribal Folk Art Painting 20th Century Battle Scene on Canvas
Located in Milano, MI
African Ethiopian painting imported to Italy by a diplomat during the Italian occupation of Ethiopia, in the late 1930s. This tribal folk art painting depicts a battle scene and the canvas is mounted on a parallelogram-shaped frame.
It is a large battle painting...
Category
Mid-20th Century Ethiopian Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Canvas
Authentic 1950s French Folk Art Coffee Table in Solid Oak and Terracotta
Located in leucate, FR
This unique coffee table, a genuine piece of French folk art from the 1950s. Crafted from solid oak, this sturdy and timeless piece highlights the beauty of aged wood, enhanced by wr...
Category
1950s French Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wrought Iron
Guerrero Pottery Bull Bank
Located in Fairfield, CA
A vintage Mexican folk art pottery bank. Hand made in Guerrero, Mexico. The bank is in the shape of bull with a rider, featuring beautiful hand painted te...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Pottery
Zabihi Collection Persian Pictorial Animal Gabbeh Rug
Located in New York, NY
a mid-20th-century Persian Gabbeh with an apricot colored lion on an ivory colored ground
Details
rug no. j4470
size 3' 3" x 4' 6" (99 x 137 cm)
Category
Mid-20th Century Persian Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wool
Early 20th Century Scratch Built Boat Model
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century Scratch Built Boat Model
The Pilote Niviere is a French working vessel which sailed from the early part of the 20th century to th...
Category
1940s French Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Metal
Vintage American Brass Sperm Whale Doorstop
Located in Chicago, IL
This vintage American brass sperm whale doorstop is a delightful blend of charm and functionality, perfect for adding a splash of coastal flair to your space. Cast in solid brass, th...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Brass
African Tuareg Mat
Located in New York, NY
An african Tuareg Mat depicting with a geometrice design. Tuareg mats are known for their durability because of their reed and leather materials. Ke...
Category
1930s North African Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Leather, Reed
Bali Hindu Textile Framed 'Kamasan' Painting, Indonesia C. 1940
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
An early 20th century 'Kamasan' cotton textile painting from Bali, Indonesia. The hand-painted image has great detail and depicts Balinese Hindu mythology. It is stretched over a can...
Category
1950s Balinese Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Cotton, Paint
Large Hand-Painted Venetian Carnival Sun Mask Folk Art Wall Sculpture
Located in London, GB
Venetian Carnival Sun Mask, Venetian Carnival Sun King Wall Sculpture, Sun King Mask, Venice Carnival Mask, Venetian Antique, Folklore Sun Mask, Folk Art Sun Mask, Theatre Mask, Mask...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Fiberglass, Paint
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
Painted French Tole Mushroom Decoration
Located in Houston, TX
Painted French tole mushroom decoration for planters or gardens. Circa 1950s. Probably originally created as a prop for a Parisian department store window or a theater. Twenty-six in...
Category
1950s French Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Steel
19x33 inches One of a Kind, 1 of a Pair of Vintage Pictorial Rug, Wall Hanging
Located in Spring Valley, NY
One of a kind and One of a pair of pictorial Turkish wall rugs dating back to mid 20th century.
This charming little work of art is depicting a beautiful natural scenery; a waterfa...
Category
Mid-20th Century Turkish Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
1950s "Prince Buddah" Circus Sideshow Banner
Located in Chicago, IL
1950s "Prince Buddah" circus sideshow banner.
Category
1950s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Iron
A "seashell" lamp - French folk art - 1960s
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
A seashell lamp, assembled from two real mother-of-pearl shells and electrified. A piece of French folk art from the 1960s.
perfect condition.
Can be US wired on request.
Category
1960s French Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Shell
Peruvian Retablo from the Evelyn Ackerman Estate
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Peruvian retablo purchased from the Evelyn Ackerman estate. This colorful piece features two hinged doors with floral paintings. The interior showcases small ceramic figurines in wha...
Category
Mid-20th Century Peruvian Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood, Ceramic
Vintage Thai Temple Charcoal Rubbing on Rice Paper
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Thai Temple charcoal rubbing. Hand crafted temple scenes at the Wat Pho temple located in Phra Nakhon district in Bangkok Thailand...
Category
Mid-20th Century Thai Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Paper
Pair Carved Wood Carousel Pigs, mid 20th century , France
Located in Buffalo, NY
Add a touch of whimsy to your space with these charming antique carousel figure's.. featuring a carved wooden pigs. Crafted with precision and mounted on a sturdy vintage industrial ...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Large Gypsy Oriental Salt Bag or Rug Embroidery Pillow
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Gorgeous oriental pillow or seat pillow. Handmade of woolen salt bag or Oriental rug. A beautiful item to put on your leather sofa or a bench. The height incl...
Category
1960s Unknown Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wool
Persian Animal Pictorial Pink Color Runner
Located in New York, NY
Make a bold statement in a hallway with this mid-20th-century tribal Persian runner featuring a folksy motif on a soft pink field. Various Animals are found within the field. The col...
Category
1940s Persian Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wool
Vintage Turned Wood Lamp Mahogany Maple and Walnut
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Beautiful turned wood lamp made of mahogany, maple and walnut. Wonderful graphics and artistry. Urn shaped body exposing varying wood grains and colors with a thin red piping.
37.5"...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Bali Hindu Textile Framed 'Kamasan' Painting, Indonesia C. 1920
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
A mid-20th century 'Kamasan' cotton textile painting from Bali, Indonesia. The hand-painted image has great detail and depicts Balinese Hindu mythology. Key features of this image ar...
Category
1950s Balinese Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Cotton, Paint
Zabihi Collection Lion Turkish 20th Century VIntage Rug
Located in New York, NY
MId 20th Century Turkish Rug with a lion motif
Details
rug no. 31818
size 1' 10" x 3' 4" (56 x 102 cm)
Category
Mid-20th Century Turkish Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wool
Primitive Handcrafted Organic Highback Naga Chair in Solid Teak, Wabi Sabi Style
Located in Odense, DK
One of a kind charming authentic primitive stump chair made in a single solid hardwood. Hand carved by the Naga tribe in India, ca 1970s.
A nice wabi...
Category
Mid-20th Century Indian Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Hardwood, Teak
Antique Persian Heriz Runner
Located in New York, NY
Geometric early 20th Century Persian Heriz Runner
Measures: 2'9'' x 9'5''.
Category
1930s Persian Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wool
1950s Asian Handcrafted Wood Burmese String Opera Marionette Wall Decor
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Exquisite Vintage 1950s Handcrafted Wooden Marionette with Burmese String, Reflecting Asian Opera Artistry.
This splendid Burmese-Thai marionette is a testament to masterful hand carving and intricate hand painting.
Adorned with ornate fabrics in red and gold colors heavily embellished with beads, sequins, colored glass, embroidery, and gemstones, this marionette is a true work of art. Whether you choose to display it on your wall, use it as a mobile to bring color to a child's room, or incorporate it into your authentic boho and ethnic decor, it will captivate your senses.
A fine representation of handcrafted village folk puppets from Asia, this marionette stands out for its unique quality.
What sets marionettes apart from regular puppets is their manipulation through strings controlled from above, offering an unparalleled range of movement. Operating these strings demands a high level of skill, making marionettes a cherished form of puppetry.
In Asia, marionette troupes were often sponsored and patronized by royalty, and while their performances were undoubtedly captivating and entertaining, they also served a significant cultural role.
This marionette is not only a collector's delight but also a stunning piece of art. It portrays Minthar, the prince, in all his vintage glory...
Category
Mid-20th Century Thai Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wood
20thc Hand Carved Wood Mermaid Statue
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This hand carved wood sculpture of a mermaid is in fine condition.It is hand carved and unsigned.So fantastic the surface and carving.
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Vintage Red Deer Antler Handle Cigar Cutter Germany 1960s or older
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Vintage cigar cutter with handmade red deer antler handle. One of a kind item. Highly collectable piece. Manufactured by a unknown Company in Germany.
Manufactured in Germany in prob...
Category
1960s German Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Metal
Zabihi Collection Vintage Turkish Goat Sheep Runner
Located in New York, NY
One-of-a-kind mid 20th century decorative caliber vintage Turkish rug with what looks to be 4 lonely sheep or goats on a camel field? tough to say
3'5'' x 6'7''
Category
Mid-20th Century Turkish Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wool
Wooden Carousel Horse / Zebra, European Hand-Carved Folk Art Sculpture
Located in Madrid, ES
Detailed and expressive, this authentic handmade carousel / merry-go-round zebra demonstrates how popular or folk style sculpture can reach the level of high art. With its original p...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Iron
Zabihi Collection Llama Goat Mini Turkish Anatolian Rug
Located in New York, NY
A cute one of a kind Mid-20th Century Hand-knotted Turkish Anatolian Pictorial small square rug depicting a llama goat on a red field
Measures: 2'8'' x 2'10''
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wool
African Ethiopian Tribal Folk Art Painting 20th Century
Located in Milano, MI
Ancient Ethiopian painting imported to Italy by a diplomat during the Italian occupation of Ethiopia, in the late 1930s. This genre scene painting is divided into eighteen squares bordered by a black frame and divided into three lines. The scene depicts the story of a couple with three children through the stories of their domestic life and their rural activity; each box has a caption written in the Amharic language. In the first line: they grind; they drink; …illegible… while they spin; they bring water.
In the second line: comb, cut your hair; treats your teeth; grind; they bring the wood; they bring water.
In the third section: they prepare beer; they prepare bread; they cook bread; they prepare lunch; while they eat; while they drink. This canvas is painted in shades of ocher and is mounteed on a ebonized frame. Dates back to the late 1930s. The canvas show minimal tears and signs of wear but we can customize a restoration.
The human figures are characterized by unrealistic proportions of the head and body and depicted in static positions. This sense of fixity and the narration in successive chapters in domestic environments make the paintings easily intelligible and suggestive.
A particularly fascinating aspect of Ethiopian art...
Category
Mid-20th Century Ethiopian Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Canvas
Uzbekistan Susani, Suitable as Bedspread or Table Cover
Located in Alessandria, Piemonte
Unusual color for this vintage Uzbekistan Suzani, suitable as bedspread, wall decoration or table cover.
There are little stains, but I'm asking less than its cost (I want to cl...
Category
Mid-20th Century Uzbek Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Cotton, Silk
Ken Edwards Signed Tonala Mexico Art Pottery Ewer Bud Vase with Bird
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage ceramic bud vase in shape of ewer was hand made by Ken Edwards in traditions of Tonala pottery. It is decorated with bird and abstrac...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Folk Art Adam and Eve from Midwest Lodge
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Fantastic hand-painted and carved lodge piece from the Midwest. Painting depicts Eve picking the apple from the snakes mouth. The Stand has a hand-carved snake that wraps around the ...
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Vintage Large Tonala Mexico Pottery Cat, Hand Painted, Signed
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Playful stretching Tonala pottery cat figurine is decorated with beautiful hand painted abstract geometric and floral designs in blue, green, and earthy brown palette. Variations in...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Pottery
Bubble Gum Pink Vintage Turkish Pictorial Runner
Located in New York, NY
Mid-20th century Turkish Anatolian Runner featuring humans and animals on a bubble gum pink field.
Measures: 2'10'' x 11'
Category
Mid-20th Century Turkish Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wool
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
1960s Vintage Moroccan Inlaid Hexagonal Wood Box
Located in North Hollywood, CA
1960s Handcrafted Bone Inlaid Trinket Moroccan Wood Trinket Box.
Handmade artisanal mid century inlaid trinket decorative lidded Moroccan box.
This hexagonal shaped decorative box ha...
Category
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Bone, Fruitwood
Running Deers Pictorial Vintage Karabagh Rug
Located in New York, NY
Lovely mid-20th century Russian Karabagh rug with 4 running deers on a scenic background and brown floral border.
Measures: 4'9" x 8'9".
Category
1950s Russian Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wool
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
Vintage Painted Wood Carnival Game Wheel
Located in Troy, MI
Found in the US, this painted wood carnival game wheel dates from the late 1940s/early 1950s. Wood wheel has colorful painted details and numbers separated by nails. The original lea...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Metal
Vintage Turned Wood Lamp Made of Mahogany, Maple and Walnut
Located in Nantucket, MA
Large turned wood lamp of urn-form made by gluing pieces of various types of wood together then lathe turning the block to reveal patterns of co...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Mahogany, Maple, Walnut
Rustic Bench, circa 1920, France
Located in Girona, Spain
Rustic bench
Made with chestnut structure and hand woven rattan cord seating.
Solid, sturdy and comfortable
Circa 1920, France
Very good vintage condition.
Category
Mid-20th Century French Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Chestnut, Cord
Vintage Hand Painted Rocking Horse
Located in New York, NY
Vintage hand painted carved horse.
Category
1940s Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Vintage Yeibichai Navajo-Style Textile
By Navajo
Located in Dallas, TX
79111 Vintage Yeibichai Navajo-Style Kilim Rug, 02'05 x 02'00. This handwoven wool vintage Navajo-style kilim Yeibichai rug is a masterful expression of spiritual tradition and artis...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wool
large butcher's block circa 1930
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
large butcher's block circa 1930
Comes directly from an old butcher's shop, deserves ordinary restoration, very healthy base
Category
1930s French Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Beech
Russian Lacquered Palekh Firebird Folk Art Keepsake Trinket Box USSR 5.5"
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage USSR Russian Firebird folklore / fairy tale keepsake trinket box featuring hinged lid, footed base and red interior.
Palekh
Zhar-Ptitsa (Slavic Firebird)
Chernishova (last n...
Category
Mid-20th Century Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Hardwood, Lacquer
Petite Devil Krampus Hand Puppet Toy, Antique Vintage Germany
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This is a wonderful depiction of Krampus or the devil puppet. The item is approximately 16 inches tall and has a fabric body to slip in with your hand. Height was measured from foot ...
Category
1930s Austrian Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Composition
Germany vintage Hausser Children's Tricycle 1950s / 60s - Old toy - Collectible
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Hausser Toy Company (also known from the Elastolin Figures) Germany blue red and beige children's tricycle, in iron, sheet metal and tubes -
This tricycle has small rotating pedals o...
Category
1950s German Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Metal
Vintage Dimitri Omersa Lion Leather Footstool, circa 1950s
Located in Vis, NL
Vintage Dimitri Omersa lion footstool with light wear and patina on the leather consistent with wear and age.
Category
1950s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Leather
Marble Solitaire Game Hardwood Board with 34 old Glass swirl Marbles, Circa 1930
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a good Marble Solitaire game, having a very good hardwood board and a complete set of 34 glass swirl marbles, all dating to the first half of the 20th century.
The circular ...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Glass, Hardwood
Primitive Folk Art Painted Pink Wall Shelf, Handmade Curio Cabinet, Spice Rack
Located in Chicago, IL
Charming handmade folk art wall shelf in pale pink paint with curvy side brackets. One of a kind and highly functional. Can be set on a surface or hung on the wall. Lovely for curios...
Category
1940s Unknown Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
American Folk Art Carved Pine Eagle
Located in Chicago, IL
Carved with confidence and quiet pride, this mid-20th century American Folk Art eagle is a striking example of the genre’s charm and honesty. Fashioned from solid pine, the eagle sta...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Pine
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.