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
Recognized Seller Listings
Vintage American Wind Up Tin Toy "Milton Berle" Crazy Car by Marx Toy Co C.1952
Located in Incline Village, NV
The "Milton Berle" car is one of a series of "Crazy Cars" manufactured by the Louis Marx Toy Company of New York City; this one being one of the more prolific examples, owing to the ...
Category
1950s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Tin
Swedish Folk Art, Farmers Stool, Wood, Sweden, 19th Century
Located in High Point, NC
A farmers wooden stool produced in Sweden, 19th century. Signed "B" on the seat.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Napoleonic Folk Art Calligraphy Drawing
Located in Greenwich, CT
Unique pen and ink Folk Art drawing with calligraphy boarder depicting Napoleon triumphant in Russia (a French fantasy) with a French flag flying over a Russian palace surrounded by ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Pen, Paper, Giltwood
Swedish Maker, Small Chair, Pine, 19th Century
Located in High Point, NC
A solid pine side chair designed and produced in Sweden, 19th century.
18.5" seat height
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Pine
Antique Mickey Mouse & Minnie Mouse Train Hand Car by Disney & Lionel Circa 1934
By Walt Disney
Located in Incline Village, NV
Vintage Mickey/ Minnie Mouse Toy Wind-Up pre-war handcar (train car) circa 1934; by The Lionel Train Company in collaboration with Walt Disney Enterprises. The wind-up toy car features Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse pumping alternatively, up and down as if moving the car across the tracks or floor. It actually works by winding up the car by the winding stem with the original vintage clockwork key. When wound, place down on the floor or on train tracks (O Gauge) and the handcar will move across the floor while a bell chimes (see video attached to listing). It is okay to simply leave the key on the stem.
The car is in original red hand paint with Mickey and Minnie in colors of black, white, green dress to Minnie; red outfit on Mickey; both have oversized original orange boots, while Minnie is sporting a wooden red hat. They both have their original tails. Both figures are 4 1/2" resin composition and in full paint, excellent coverage with very little paint lacking, if at all. All four legs are restored, which is the case with almost all examples. The car itself is metal and painted red with a gold manufacturing logo in the center stating "Mickey Mouse Handcar" copyright "Walt Disney"; "The Lionel Corporation, New York"; "Made in U.S. of America". "No. 1100".
Great working; great looking iconic cross collectible antique toy...
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Metal
Rare Norwegian Kubbestol, circa 1850, Origin Telemark, Norway
Located in New York, NY
Rare Norweigen Kubbestol, circa 1850, origin: Telemark, Norway
Rosemaling and acanthus carvings in this extraordinary Kubbestol indicate it is most likely from Telemark, Norway, a region known for this exact carving and painting. A Kubbestol is a traditional Scandinavian chair carved from a single log...
Category
19th Century Norwegian Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Fir, Paint
Vintage "Barnacle Bill" Tin Windup Toy by The Chein Company, N.Y.C Circa 1930's
Located in Incline Village, NV
"Barnacle Bill" was a very popular cartoon character for whom this toy was named after and was made in the 1930's by the J. Chein Toy Company of New York City. There is some evidence...
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Tin
Children's Bowling Game of "Fancy Ten Pins" by Spears Works Bavaria, Circa 1935
By JW Spears 1
Located in Incline Village, NV
This rare and unique game is in excellent all original condition with it's original, highly lithographed colorful box, This seemingly little used pre-war game is completely intact an...
Category
1930s Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Metal and Wood American Bird Cage, Circa 1905
Located in Incline Village, NV
Hand made Folk Art American wire metal and painted wood birdcage, probably from Pennsylvania circa 1905. Having a rectangular body with a dome top; suitable for hanging, or surface decorative presentation, this birdcage is functional albeit it lacks a perch. The single door entry/exit is spring loaded, and there is a metal slide out removable tray at the bottom. The tole painting...
Category
Early 1900s American Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Metal
Rare Early 19th Century Artist's Mannequin
Located in Greenwich, CT
Early 19th century carved walnut artist's model, unusually carved with full head of curly hair and mustachioed face, the limbs articulated and possessing good rich patination.
Category
1820s European Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Walnut
“Ethan Allen” Running Horse Weathervane by Harris & Co. Boston, Ma.
By Harris & Co.
Located in Incline Village, NV
This "Ethan Allen" running horse weathervane was one of the more popular ones manufactured by the prolific copper weathervane makers of the late 19th century, "Harris & Co." of Bosto...
Category
1880s American Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Copper
Early 19th Century Scandinavian Folk Art Mangle Board
Located in Greenwich, CT
Charming early 19th Century Swedish folk art mangle board having a stylized horse handle, the body with geometric carving and traces of original polychrom...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
British Sailor's Woolwork of a Ship in Dramatic Seas off a Coastline
Located in Downingtown, PA
British Sailor's Woolwork of a Ship in Rough Seas,
Circa 1875
The British sailor's woolie depicts a starboard view of a three-masted ship under sail in extremely rough weather as th...
Category
1870s English Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wool
British Sailor's Woolwork of a Royal Navy Second Rate Battleship
Located in Downingtown, PA
British Sailor's Woolwork of a Royal Navy Second Rate Battleship,
Circa 1875
The charming simple sailor's woolie depicts a starboard side view of a Royal Navy second rate battleship...
Category
1870s English Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wool
Swedish Craft, Bowl, Wood, Sweden, 19th Century
Located in High Point, NC
A wooden bowl produced in Sweden, 19th Century.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Vintage Mexican Serape from Mexico
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A finely crafted and vibrantly hued striped hand loomed wool serape from Saltillo, Mexico.
Category
1920s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wool
Cast Iron Doorstop "Conestoga Covered Wagon" Hubley Manufacturing C0; Circa 1930
Located in Incline Village, NV
The iconic "Conestoga Covered Wagon" cast iron doorstop, being pulled by a team of horses, is one of the few western theme doorstops, and is much revered by collectors of western mem...
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Iron
English Mocha Pottery Creamware Earthworm Jug
Located in Downingtown, PA
English Mocha Pottery Creamware Earthworm Jug,
Circa 1800-10
The creamware jug with a pinched spout and a leaf terminal handle and a flared foot has two wide molded bands with alter...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Creamware, Pottery
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
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
Swedish Craft, Bowl, Wood, Sweden, 19th Century
Located in High Point, NC
A wood bowl produced in Sweden, 19th century.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Scandinavian Stump Chair, Late 1700s - Early 1800s
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful stump chair with beautiful scars and wonderful repairs that add to its charm and uniqueness. The chair was aquired from Sweden and is most probably from a Swedish origin....
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Pine
"Lady Seated in Chair Reading" Money Box/ Still Bank by a. Biagioni, Circa 1925
Located in Incline Village, NV
Penny bank made by Italian Angelo Biagioni for the French market (see image with marking on the back of the chair), circa 1910. Biagioni, born in 1870, was a well known sculptor who crafted objects for resale to the European market. Money boxes (or still banks as they are called in America) were one of the more unique and more difficult items to find by this artist as most objects were basic uni-dimensional sculptered pieces. What makes it more rare is the unfortunate requirement to break and smash the bank open to get the coins out, as there was no mechanism to remove the money. The subject matter of the bank is that of a nicely dressed older lady seated in a chair reading a book.
The bank is in all original condition and paint with no restoration or touch-up of any kind.
This is a nice addition to any bank or toy collection, or simply to have as a "stand alone" unique item.
Dimensions : 4 1/4" deep x 3 3/8" wide x 8 5/8" high.
Note: After 40 plus years of dealing and collecting toys and banks, I am justly qualified to guarantee and present the authenticity of antique and vintage still banks...
Category
1910s French Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Pottery
Rare and Vibrant Painted Blanket Chest
Located in West Chester, PA
A rare and bright blanket chest in brilliant reds contrasted with blacks. The decoration is nicely painted with urns and flowers flanked by pillars and ...
Category
1780s American Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Pine
Antique English Pottery Horse with Sponged Decoration Circa 1800
Located in Katonah, NY
This pottery figure of a horse is sponge decorated in shades of pink and brown.
It was made at St. Anthony’s Pottery, located in Newcastle Upon Tyne, England, between 1800 and 1810.
...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Pottery
19th Century Swedish Folk Art Chandelier
Located in Allerum, SE
19th century Swedish folk art Chandelier in it's original condition. Turned and painted wood and metal. Ca 1800 - 1850 Sweden.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Iron
18th-Century Mocha Pottery Mug with Ochre Slip Ground
Located in Downingtown, PA
Mocha pottery mug with ochre slip ground,
circa 1790-1810
The cylindrical mug with a flared foot has an ochre-colored slip ground with a wide white band at the rim with a nar...
Category
1790s English Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Pottery
Six Kobe Toys, Japanese, Meiji Period, circa 1895
By Kobe Toys
Located in Incline Village, NV
Kobe Toys are very mysterious and not much is known about them. They were created and hand made, strictly for tourists and foreigners (never exported) during ...
Category
1890s Japanese Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Ebony
Late 19th Century Flat Bottom Toy Noah's Ark with 34 Figures. German Circa 1880
Located in Incline Village, NV
Offered for sale is a very traditional Folk Art item; a handcrafted Noah's Ark toy with 34 hand-painted and hand-carved animals (includes Noah and Naamah). The flat bottom ark indica...
Category
1880s German Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Mechanical Bank "Pelican, " Made of Cast Iron, circa 1878
By John Gerrard
Located in Incline Village, NV
The Pelican Mechanical Bank is made of cast iron and was manufactured by The J. & E. Steven's Manufacturing Company, in Cromwell, Connecticut in 1878. It was, however, created by John Gerard of the Trenton Lock & Hardware Company in Trenton, New Jersey. This is probably the best example I've had for sale and is in excellent all original condition and paint. Often times the top beak of the pelican is replaced or repaired this example has the original beak. There were several variations made of the figure in the pelican's mouth. This is the "mammy" example. The bank was finished in both a gold and a dark...
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Iron
"Lady and Baby by The Wishing Well" Still Bank, German, circa 1910
Located in Incline Village, NV
Very interesting wooden still bank with lots going on. All hand-carved of wood with four small circular risers elevating the base. There is a water pump with a bucket hanging from it and a metal pumper attached to the top. A hand-carved and painted brown pine tree is attached at the opposite corner with a large water well to the other corner. A lady with outstretched arms and a "King Cole" type headdress seems to be reaching out to her baby dressed in green who is lying down on top of the well, next to the coin slot. Perhaps she is about to bathe her. A bird looks on from atop the perch protruding from the pump. Dominant hand painted colors are different shades of brown and all original with no repaint. Very nice all original paint and condition with a small chip missing here and there to this handmade, kind of "folksy", and very well done bank (see images). A round circular key lock trap for releasing the coins is on the underneath, along with "Wishing Well German" handwritten on the opposite corner (see image). Whether written by an earlier collector or maker is not known.
Dimensions: 4" square x 3 5/8" high.
A unique one of a kind piece to add to a collection of still banks and a nice addition to a Folk Art collection (from my own collection).
I am a leading specialist in the field of antique coin...
Category
1910s German Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Framed 18th c. Merchant Trade Sign
Located in Greenwich, CT
A late 18th century/early 19th century trade sign from a Dutch West Indies shipping merchant. The carved wood and polychromed sign depicts a winged-foot Mercury figure surrounded by ...
Category
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
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
Circus Poster by Ringling Bros, circa 1971 "Buffalo Bill’s Wild West"
Located in Incline Village, NV
This bright and colorful, action packed circus poster portrays the quintessential Buffalo Bill images with Indians and western scenes, characters in full regalia that were used in his wild west shows...
Category
1970s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Paper
Advertising Tin Sign "The Delaware Insurance Company of Philadelphia" Circa 1885
By The Delaware Insurance Company of Philadelphia
Located in Incline Village, NV
This is a very rare and early (circa 1885) tin advertising sign, commissioned by the Delaware Insurance Company, located and founded in Philadelphia in 1835. It was probably made by noted late 19th century sign maker, Sentenne & Green, of New York City, established in the 1870's. With an Indian motif, the sign features a Native American Indian, front and center, decorated in a brown and green headdress; with red, cream and aqua clothing and a large gold medallion...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Tin
Circus Poster by Ringling Bros., circa 1971, Portraying Six Seated Clowns
Located in Incline Village, NV
This bright and colorful circus poster depicts six seated clowns with their backs to the audience and an alphabet letter on their back spelling out the word "Circus". It is a reissued poster by Ringling Brothers from 1971 of one of their original 1936 promotional circus posters.
To commemorate their 100th anniversary, in 1971, Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey, produced reissues of some of their select and most famous authentic posters dating from 1883 until the 1930's. There were 30 different posters, and they were advertised as "The only antique posters authorized by the greatest show on...
Category
1970s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Paper
19th Century Swedish Folk Art Chair
Located in Allerum, SE
19th century Swedish Folk Art chair in it's original condition. Ca 1820 Sweden.
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Pine
British Sailor's Woolwork of Royal Navy Ship
Located in Downingtown, PA
British Sailor's Woolwork of Royal Navy Ship,
The sailor's woolwork or woolie depicts a starboard view of a Second-Rate Royal Navy Ship with three masts. T...
Category
1870s English Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wool
Vintage Tin Wind-up Toy "Clown in A Barrel" by J Chein & Co. American Circa 1935
Located in Incline Village, NV
Made by J. Chein & Company Circa 1935 in New York City; originally inventoried as #258 (same number as similar looking Popeye toy dated 1932) and was named "Mechanical Clown Barrel Walker". The name of the maker "Chein" is stamped as a logo to the rear of the barrel (see image). This is one of the earlier toys that Chein made.
The lithography and hand paint are in gorgeous original condition with bright colors of red and gold to the barrel, flesh tones to the clown, who sports a multi colorful smiling face.
The toy works great; simply wind the attached key wind in the back 1/2 revolution; place on the hard surface----the clown waddles across the floor, back and forth, while shaking his head to and fro (see accompanying video with this listing to see it work)
In addition to being quite a scarce toy it is even more difficult to find in this fine condition. Often times the head is lacking or replaced from rough usage and surface rarely maintains this beautiful finish. This particular example is completely original with no restorations, repairs, or touch up paint of any kind. There is a small 5/8" superficial indentation to the front top of barrel (see image). This would make a proud addition to any collection of vintage toys or Americana.
Dimensions: 7 1/2" high x 3 1/4" wide x 4" deep
See my other listings of vintage toys.
Provenance: From a recently acquired West Coast collection of fine quality tin toys.
Note: After 40 plus years of dealing and collecting toys, I am justly qualified to guarantee and present the authenticity of antique and vintage toys and children's playthings; important considering the fakes and reproductions in the marketplace. My toys operate properly and are as stated and accurately described.
it would behoove an enterprising collector, dealer, or decorator to take advantage of the opportunity to buy as many of the vintage...
Category
1930s Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Tin
Exceptional Exotic Carousel Zebra by Karl Muller
Located in Greenwich, CT
A late 19th century-early 20th century carousel zebra by eminent creater Karl Muller in carved, painted wood. Ex-coll. Muller/Thummel studio in Molbitz, Ge...
Category
1890s German Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Vintage Children's Toy Savings Bank "U.S. Mail". American, Circa 1920
Located in Incline Village, NV
Children's Savings Coin Bank "U.S. Mail" bank , also known as a "still bank"; was American made, circa 1920. This is well made, sturdy, and all original. It is made of cast iron and hand painted in original green paint with gold highlighting. There is no repaint and no restoration.
The coins were deposited through the "letter depository"; lift the lever and drop in a coin (see image). When the bank is full, coins are removed by undoing the original square nut in back and the screw in front. Cast into two parts and now separated, the coins are easily collected. Put back together again to insure parts don't go missing (which happened often) and original screw and nut are maintained.
This bank was manufactured circa 1920 by the A.C. Williams Company, Chagrin Falls, Ohio. They made many cast iron toys, banks and other products during their time of operation until World War II.
The "U.S. Mail" bank is referenced on page 102 #853 in "The Penny Bank Book" by Andy and Susan Moore...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Iron
English Mocha Pottery Pearlware Earthworm Jug
Located in Downingtown, PA
English Mocha Pottery Pearlware Earthworm Jug,
Circa 1800-20
The pearlware mocha jug has three bands of blue slip and four of a white ground with two red-brown lines. The blue slip...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Pearlware, Pottery
Rare Vintage "Rolly Dolly" Musical Toy; Germany, Circa 1895
Located in Incline Village, NV
Vintage and rare "Rolly Dolly" Musical Toy by unknown German manufacturer; circa 1895; contemporaneous with early Schoenhut toys, it depicts a "Well Dres...
Category
1890s German Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Composition
German Tinplate Clockwork Wind Up Toy by the Lehman Co. "Balky Mule" Circa 1909
Located in Incline Village, NV
Perhaps the wildest action of all the Lehman toys, said to resemble Ernest Paul Lehman's temperament (founder of the company), "Balky Mule" was first manufactured in 1897 in Berlin (Brandenburg), and had a multi decade run; this example is from around 1909 (see image with markings to the rear of the carriage). The toy is catalogued as "EPL #425" and documented on page 59 and 60 of the book "Lehman Toys" by Jurgen & Marianne Cieslik, published in 1982.
To operate the toy; wind up the attached clockwork key on the underneath of the carriage and place the toy on the floor. Do not over-wind and be gentle, as the toy is aggressive and over 100 years old. The toy will go backwards and forward, and the clown will pop up and down as the cart goes in several different directions across the floor until it winds down (see video accompanying the listing for guidance).
The toy is found broken and/or inoperable, more often than not, because of the rough action, and typical abuse by children (after all, it was a toy).
This example is in very nice original condition and works well. The lithography and hand paint is bright and original with no touch up or repaint. The hand paint is; flesh tones to the face of the clown, red trousers, orange hair, and grey paint to the seat of the carriage. The clothing to the clown figure is still intact and all original. The lithography to the wheels features brightly colored clowns and a German marking logo. What is really unusual is the fact that the donkey still has all four of its loosely attached original legs, considering the aggressive action of the toy. The metal on the donkey is actually treated with "fabric like" paint, to simulate fur.
All in all this is a really cool toy and a "must have" for the collector of tin toys, or someone who simply wants a wonderful example of an early, "turn of the century" iconic wind up toy.
Provenance: Recently acquired from a prominent toy collection in Los Angeles, California
Dimensions: 7 1/2" long x 3" wide x 5" high
Note: After 40 plus years of dealing and collecting toys, I am justly qualified to guarantee and present the authenticity of antique and vintage toys and children's playthings; important considering the fakes and reproductions in the marketplace
it would behoove an enterprising collector, dealer, or decorator to take advantage of the opportunity to buy as many of the vintage tin...
Category
Early 1900s German Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Tin
Vintage "Siren Fire Chief" Car by The Marx Toy Company, New York, Circa 1930
By Marx Toy Co.
Located in Incline Village, NV
Made of pressed steel and in excellent all original condition, this wind-up toy has just about all of it's original strong paint with zero touch-up and no restoration (see images). It works great (video available upon request), and is quite substantial and sturdy in stature and size at 14 1/2" long; almost has the feel of a keystone or buddy L piece.
Girard made an almost identical vehicle, so it is my feeling that Marx bought the patent from them and manufactured under their own name.
There are no scratches or dents and the original gold stenciled writing to the doors and engine hood states "Fire Dept...
Category
1930s Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Metal
British Sailor's Woolwork of Three Royal Navy Ships, Circa 1885
Located in Downingtown, PA
British sailor's woolwork of three royal navy ships
Circa 1885
The British sailor woolwork depicts an unusual scene of three different types of Royal Navy Ships which are all flying the White...
Category
1880s English Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wool
Mechanical Bank 'Sentry', circa 1925
Located in Incline Village, NV
"Sentry" tin mechanical bank is very difficult to find, having been made in Germany by the company Saalheimer & Strauss for the British market. The rif...
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Tin
Sailor's Woolwork of HMS Reindeer Made by Henry Payn Hopper
Located in Downingtown, PA
Sailor's Woolwork of HMS Reindeer of a Large Size,
Made by Henry Payn Hopper,
Circa 1865-70
The large woolie depicts a starboard side view of the HMS Reindeer under steam and sail. ...
Category
1860s English Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wool
Vintage "Rolly Dolly" Musical Toy "BoBo The Clown". German, Circa 1927
Located in Incline Village, NV
Vintage hard to find "Rolly Dolly" Musical Toy, of German manufacture, circa 1927; depicts a clown by the nickname of "BoBo"; named after a famous clown during that period ----BoBo ...
Category
1920s German Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Composition
Swedish Maker, Bowl, Wood, 19th Century
Located in High Point, NC
An antique solid wood bowl, produced in Sweden in the 19th century.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Vintage Wind Up Tin Toy "Monkey Riding A Horse" by Haji Co., Japan, Circa 1958
Located in Incline Village, NV
Made in Tokyo, Japan by The Haji Company (see image for mark/logo), this all tin vintage wind up toy, circa 1958, depicts a "Monkey Riding A Horse". It ...
Category
1950s Japanese Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Tin
Equestrian Circus Poster by Ringling Bros Ca. 1971 Featuring "Miss Helen Girard"
Located in Incline Village, NV
There is a lot going on in this equestrian themed, bright and colorful circus poster portraying famous early 20th century circus performer "Miss Helen Girard". She is in a horse drawn cart in one image, while two men ride horses in two other images, and Helen Girard in full portrait is featured on the left. Her claim to fame is stated at the bottom "Empress of the Equestrian World" and "Side Saddle Queen". This is a reissued poster by Ringling Brothers from 1971 of one of their original, very early, 1903 promotional circus posters.
To commemorate their 100th anniversary, in 1971, Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey, produced reissues of some of their select and most famous authentic posters...
Category
1970s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Paper
Vintage French Toy "Les Acrobates", circa 1920
By G. Doloy
Located in Incline Village, NV
Rare 100 year old French toy in it's original box depicting two acrobats attached to a wire frame with brown barrel weights, cascading down a green metal ladder. Once assembled (loop...
Category
1920s French Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Tin
"Kadi" Pre-war Wind-Up Toy by Lehman Company. Germany Circa 1905
Located in Incline Village, NV
"Kadi" is the name of this rare Chinese themed vintage German made mechanical toy; depicting two turn of the century Chinese men with pigtails walking along, while carrying a large t...
Category
Early 1900s German Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Tin
Large Port Scene Painting of a View of Valletta Harbour, Malta
Located in Downingtown, PA
Large Port scene painting of a view of Valletta Harbour, Malta,
Oil on canvas,
Mid-19th century.
The massive painting was made from the upper gardens...
Category
Mid-19th Century Maltese Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Paint
Swedish Craft, Bowl, Wood, Sweden, 18th Century
Located in High Point, NC
An organic wood bowl produced in Sweden, 18th century.
Category
18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Swedish Designer, Table Lamp, Burl Wood, Sweden, 1940s
Located in High Point, NC
A burl wood table lamp designed and produced in Sweden, c. 1940s.
Dimensions of Lamp (inches): 9.65” H x 5.35” Diameter
Dimensions of Shade (inches): 7” Top Diameter x 10” Bottom Di...
Category
1940s Swedish Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Burl
19th Century Tobacconist’s Trade Sign
Located in Greenwich, CT
English carved and polychrome decorated wood tobacconist’s trade sign in the form of a “Turk” wearing a distinctive headdress and dressed in a long robe, this advertising figure rela...
Category
19th Century British Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
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.