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: Early 20th Century
Early 20th century English fairground carousel central fragment
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century English fairground carousel central fragment
A hand carved example of a vibrant and highly decorative fairground carousel central mirror panel. With its original...
Category
1920s British Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Pine
Moroccan Antique Brass Sugar Hammer
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Set of two Moroccan brass Berber tribal sugar hammer.
Moroccan Collectible Brass Berber Sugar Hammer,Brass Berber Tribal Sugar Hammer.
Authentic old Tuare...
Category
Early 20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Brass
Santa Claus Belsnickle Chocolate Mold Antique 1910s, Walter, Berlin
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A gorgeous chocolate mold. Made of metal, marked Walter, Berlin and #1714. Beautiful and ready to use or display, with nice patina. The 1890s to 1920s were the golden age of Chocolat...
Category
1910s German Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Metal
Santa Claus Belsnickle Chocolate Mold Antique 1910s, German Walter, Berlin
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A gorgeous chocolate mold. Made of metal, marked Walter, Berlin and #4572. Beautiful and ready to use or display, with nice patina. The 1890s to 1920s were the golden age of Chocolat...
Category
1910s German Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Metal
Antique American Carousel Horse Carnival Ride Attrib Charles Dare
Located in Forney, TX
A charming antique, circa 1920, American track machine carousel horse amusement ride attributed to legendary carver Charles W. Dare Company (United States), now mounted on a custom r...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
Trio of Metal Horses on Wood Bases
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of three metal horses mounted on wood bases. These charming horses came out of the same collection.
Sizes:
1) 13.5"H X 11"W X 3.5"D
2) 14.5"H X 10.5"W X 3.5"D
3) 12.5"H X 8.5"W ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Metal
Vintage Pond Yacht
Located in Norwell, MA
Wooden pond yacht with natural finish and painted white above the waterline. Linen sails, blue deck.
70" long x 11 1/2" wide x 78" ...
Category
Early 20th Century British Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Brass, Lead
Folk Art Scratch Built Boat, Early 20th C
Located in London, GB
Scandinavian folk art boat of 2 rigged masts - completely scratch built from pine and teak wood. Original paint finish. Handmade and dating from the earl...
Category
Early 20th Century Scandinavian Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Steel
Antique, Vernacular 1912 Swedish Log Chair, Traditional Carved Kubbstol
Located in Stockholm, SE
Antique Folk Art Kubbstol from Sweden. A Kubbstol is a dug-out pine trunk chair. It's a primitive construction with a simple design and this particular piece is made from a large lo...
Category
1910s Swedish Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Pine
Antique Religious Carved Polychrome Painted Devotional Icon Triptych Folk Art
Located in Forney, TX
A stunning rustic antique Christian carved wood devotional painting triptych, early 20th century or most likely much older, handmade religious folk art in Medieval / Middle Ages tast...
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Metal
Santa Claus Belsnickel Papermache Candy Container German Christmas 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful German Belsnickle / Santa Claus candy container. Was probably made before World War One in Germany. We attribute this to the fact that he is wearing a spiked helmet. Scat...
Category
Early 20th Century German Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Paper
Original Mexican Retablo "Exvotos" Oil on Tin
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this original Mexican Retablo "Exvotos" oil on tin, circa 1920.
Category
1920s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Metal
1920s-40s Japanese vintage large low table or bench. Wabi sabi japandi
Located in 常陸大宮市, JP
New finds from an old elementary school in Ibaraki pref., Japan.
This vintage low table - or bench, was manufactured circa 1920s to 40s (early Showa era), estimate from the style & ...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Cypress
Antique Moroccan Leather Bag Belonging to a Family of Water Carriers
Located in Munich, DE
This magnificent leather bag is covered on it's front entirely with old coins,
As has often been the case with this kind of bags, the strap might ...
Category
1920s Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Leather
Santa Claus Belsnickle on Donkey Mule Chocolate Mold Antique 1900s Germany
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A gorgeous chocolate mold. Made of metal, not marked. Beautiful and ready to use or display, with nice patina. The 1890s to 1920s were the golden age of Chocolate production and cons...
Category
Early 1900s German Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Metal
African American Pine Burr Quilt
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Exceptional African American pine burr quilt. All hand quilted and pieced. Found in Selma, Alabama. Fantastic color placement and design. These quilts ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Textile
Stunning Swiss Antique Pine Cottage Set, Hutch, Table, Chairs w Awesome Carvings
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare folk art set with great carvings on cottage cupboard, table and matching chairs.
If you are looking for a unique set for your chalet, home, cott...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Brass
Hand Carved Large Vintage Antique Wood Duck Decoy Sculpture, Early 20th Century
Located in Studio City, CA
A fantastic early to Mid-20th Century hand-carved and painted wood duck or mallard decoy with glass eyes. This piece has an wonderful color and texture.
From an impressive Los Angeles vintage duck and antique swan decoy...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
Arts & Crafts Folk Art Chandelier w Music Making & Dancing Sculptures, Great Fun
Located in Lisse, NL
Unique and all handcrafted, practical size antique circular chandelier.
Some chances you only get once in your life and that is exactly what we thought when we first saw this unique...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Metal, Iron
Rustic Oak "Folk art" Wooden Chest of Drawers, France circa 1920's
Located in Den Haag, NL
Rustic Oak "Folk art" Wooden Chest of Drawers, France circa 1920's
Category
1920s French Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Oak
Turkish Hand Block Printed Square Panel, Bokhca, 1st Half 20th Century
Located in Istanbul, TR
This is a folk art textile from the 1st half of 20th C. The art of block printing is still being practiced in various parts of Turkey and this example is from Tokat.
Category
Early 20th Century Turkish Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Cotton
Antique Tall Patinated Brass Turkish Ottoman Spice Coffee Pepper Grinder
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful antique rare pepper coffee spice grinder, hand made an incredible mechanical piece hand hammered one of a kind rare piece with some inscription...
Category
Early 20th Century Turkish Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Brass
Monumental and Unusual Folk Art Stage Coach Figure and Horses, 1927
Located in Buffalo, NY
Monumental and unusual Folk Art stage coach figure and horses, 1927. All hand executed, amazing detail, working lamps, velvet interior on coach.
Category
1920s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Leather, Velvet, Plaster
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
Antique Red Tole Metal Tea Coffee Countertop Storage Bin
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Wonderful patina on this antique general store tea or coffee canister. Certainly a unique piece that could used on a kitchen counter or in a reta...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Metal
Antique Armenian Marash Embroidery, Late 19th Early 20th Century
Located in Istanbul, TR
Probably the most prominent and iconic Armenian embroideries comes from Marash, a city in Turkey.
Overall condition is pretty good for its age.
Ple...
Category
Early 20th Century Turkish Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Cotton
Antique Decorative Cross with Flower and Butterfly Motif - Early 20th Century
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A hand made ornate antique cross featuring intricate floral, butterfly, and leaf motifs. The design showcases a series of raised, textured flowers and leaves arranged symmetrically a...
Category
Early 20th Century Mexican Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Metal
Pichhavai Hindu Painting of Radha and Krishna with Female Gopis
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Large Pichhavai Hindu Painting of Radha and Krishna with Female Gopis.
Pichhwai Hindu Painting of Krishna and Radha framed under glass.
Kris...
Category
Early 20th Century Indian Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Silk, Glass, Wood
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Rooster Weathervane
Located in Chicago, IL
A charming early 20th American Folk Art carved pine rooster weathervane with a wonderful silhouette with a large tail, applied wings, and copper legs all supported by an iron rod wit...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Pine
Lot of Three Putz Toy Gnomes Antique German Erzgebirge Christmas 1920s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Antique German set of three Putz toy Santa gnomes. All of them are genuine antique German Christmas scene figures. As they are all old, most show the expected signs of age and use. This is a fabulous set of toy figures. The Measurements given in the dimensions section refers to the tallest item pictured. This extraordinary set dates from around 1920s - 1930s0 and was made in the Erzgebirge area (Ore Mountains) in Germany. This is a nice addition to any Christmas Decoration or just for your collection of old German toys.
For explanation:
Putz items, by true definition, were any figures or buildings that when displayed together, told the Biblical story of the birth of Christ. The term today is loosely used for any item that is used under a Christmas tree to create a Christmas “garden” or “yard.” Buildings, homemade or mass produced, composition figures and animals, bottle brush trees and any assortment of various accessories, possibly a toy train and usually a Nativity set at the heart of the display are just a few things that might spark one’s creativity when designing a “putz” for under the tree.
Elaborate “putz” scenes reached their heights in the 1920s and 1940s. Today you will generally find them under the trees of diehard collectors of antique Christmas items...
Category
1920s German Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Composition
Fully Articulated Artist's Model Of Horse, Signed
Located in Bradenton, FL
Antique hand-carved artist's model of a horse, fully articulated at every level including wooden ears. Has a horsehair tail. Fixed on a brass stem and raised on a wooden base. Artist signed on base as Philippe Leo.
Category
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Hand Carved Large Vintage Antique Wood Duck Decoy Sculpture, Early 20th Century
Located in Studio City, CA
A fantastic early to Mid-20th Century hand-carved and painted wood duck or mallard decoy. This piece has an wonderful color and texture.
From an impressive Los Angeles vintage duck and antique swan decoy...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
Santa Claus Belsnickle Miniature Chocolate Mold Antique 1900s, German
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A gorgeous chocolate mold. Made of metal, not marked. Beautiful and ready to use or display, with nice patina. The 1890s to 1920s were the golden age of Chocolate production and cons...
Category
Early 1900s German Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Metal
Professionally Framed Silk and Cotton Ikat Fragment, Uzbekistan, E 20th 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.
E 20th C. Uzbekistan.
Ready to go on a wall.
Fram...
Category
Early 20th Century Uzbek Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Silk
Large Pichhavai Painting of Krishna with Female Gopis Dancing
By Rajhastani
Located in North Hollywood, CA
A large Pichhavai painting of Krishna with female Gopis dancing
Krishna playing flute on a bed of lotus, the composition is enclosed in a lush gree...
Category
Early 20th Century Indian Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Silk
Glass Parrot Bird Christmas Tree Clip-On Ornament, Vintage, German, 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A rare antique clip-on bird ornament, it's a beautiful parrot. This ornament, is made from ultra-thin hand blown glass, hand painted with a kind of cold paint, would be a great antiq...
Category
Early 20th Century German Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Mercury Glass
Large Antique German Chocolate Mold with Bunnies and Chickens
Located in Redding, CT
Large Antique German Chocolate Mold with Bunnies and Chickens. Nice hinged double door German chocolate mold. The molds themselves have ...
Category
Early 20th Century German Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Tin
Original Vintage Beatrix Potter Print. Peter Rabbit And Friends C.1905
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Lovely image by Beatrix Potter
Rescued from an early edition of " The Tale of Two Bad Mice "
Possibly a 1st edition from 1904
The measurement given is the paper size not the actua...
Category
Early 1900s British Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Paper
Large Devil or Krampus Marionette by a Master Puppet Maker, Antique Austria
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This is a wonderful depiction of Krampus or the devil puppet. The item is approximately 32 inches tall and has a skeleton, arms and legs made of wood. Height was measured from foot t...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Composition, Metal, Brass
Early 20th Century Navajo Rug
Located in Chicago, IL
This early 20th century Navajo rug is a striking example of Indigenous textile artistry—woven with natural wool in a bold, graphic composition that feels at once timeless and modern....
Category
1920s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wool
Early 20th Century Hand Painted Decoy Duck, Antique German
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Found in Germany at an estate sale, this hand carved and hand painted duck decoy is perfect for the collector. Well used by a previous hunter the paint has faded through time althoug...
Category
1910s German Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
Antique Sicilian Opera dei Pupi Theater Marionette, ca. 1930s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Sicilian Opera dei Pupi Theater Marionette, ca. 1930s
A large Sicilian theater (Opera dei Pupi) marionette, which is made of tin, wood and canvas ca. 1930s.
The Sicilian Pu...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Metal
Zabihi Collection Chinese Batou Pictorial Rug
Located in New York, NY
1920s Chinese Batou Scatter size Rug
Details
rug no. j2234
size 3' x 6' 1" (91 x 185 cm)
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wool
Chinese Eternal Prosperity Storage Coffer, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This rustic seven-door coffer from the early 20th century balances modern simplicity with humble, timeworn materials. Attributed to artisans of Xinjiang province in Western China, th...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Pine
Child' Wind Up Toy "Crawling Beetle" by The Lehman Toy Co. Germany, Circa 1900
Located in Incline Village, NV
Listed as #431 in the Lehman catalogues this wonderful vintage children's wind up toy, manufactured by the prestigious and iconic Lehman Toy Company of Germany; was patented in 1895 (see image--markings under wing ). The toy was made for over 25 years and was quite popular. When wound up using the underside attached clockwork( key (see attached movie) the toy depicts the six legged beetle crawling across the floor by moving it's legs back and forth while flapping it's wings in the air. All the markings "Pat. U.S.A." "D.R.G.M." "Pat April 23, 1895" "Lehman" are clearly marked under the wing (see image). It is lithographed and hand painted in colors of bluish green wings, a red and white head, yellow and black under wings, with red and blackish green legs.
This particular example is completely original ,which is highly unusual for this toy as a search of other examples would reveal that one or several of the legs are typically lacking, or repaired, as are the fragile wings as well. There is no restoration and no touch up paint of any kind. to this toy. It is original in every respect.
The toy is catalogued as "EPL #431" and documented on page 59 and 60 of the book "Lehman Toys" by Jurgen & Marianne Cieslik, published in 1982.
Dimensions: 4 1/4" long x 2" high x 4" wide
Provenance: Recently acquired from a highly regarded West Coast collection of antique wind...
Category
Early 1900s German Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Tin
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
Hand-Painted Wooden Double Doors in Original Frame, circa 1930
Located in Evergreen, CO
Hand-painted in the folk art style that is typical of the Northern European area of the Netherlands and Belgium, these charming doors in their original frame feature a floral and fowl motif. A framed arched transom with six vertical spindles crowns the door. The dimensions of the door opening are 24 inches wide x 69 inches high. A latch across the mid-section of the door and door bolts...
Category
Early 20th Century Dutch Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th Century Swedish pine rustic hanging cabinet for working tools
Located in Boden, SE
Very charming wall cabinet from the early 20th century. The cabinet has never been painted.
It is built from old sugar boxes.
It has 2 doors at the top & a divided drawer compartment...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Pine
Scissor Art Silhouette with Mirrored Frame
Located in Savannah, GA
A scissor art silhouette of a courting scene with a mirrored frame, c.1920s.
11 inches wide by 8 inches tall
Category
1920s Unknown Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Paper
Early 20th Century Carved and Painted Wood Whirligig
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Carved and painted wooden soldier whirligig. Early 20th century American. Soldier has a leather hat with wooden brim. Presented on simple custom museum...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Vintage "Masuyama" Lehman Wind-Up Toy. German, Circa 1913 Rare
Located in Incline Village, NV
Early 1900's German hand painted and lithographed tin wind-up toy, by premier tin and whimsical toy maker, Ernest Paul Lehman, circa 1913. This charming and unique toy portrays a Ja...
Category
1910s German Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Tin
Mountain Hut Lodge Black Forest Wood Carved Money Box Piggy Bank, Vintage 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Gorgeous vintage money bank. A beautiful decorative item in hand carved wood. Made in Austria, circa 1910s or older as a souvenir bank. Lock is in working condition.
The tradition of...
Category
1910s German Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Burmese Yun Lacquer Container, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
In many southeast Asian cultures, offering guests a betel quid to chew was the fundamental symbol of hospitality. A blend of leaves, nuts, seasonings, and sometimes tobacco, betel was kept in finely worked and decorated boxes. This round container was originally the lid to a Burmese betel box...
Category
Early 20th Century Burmese Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Bamboo
Rare Set of Four Mercury Glass & Plastic Christmas Ornament Vintage, 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A rare Christmas ornament set from Germany or Austria. Each is made from mouth blown glass, the 4 mushrooms with wire are made of plastic and are younger age, this would be a great a...
Category
1910s German Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wire
Lot of Eight Miniature Antique German Dollhouse Toys Accessories 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This rare and exquisite miniature set of 8 antique German Dollhouse Miniatures is a must-have for Dollhouse and Doll collectors and enthusiasts al...
Category
Early 1900s German Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Pewter
Pillowcase made from an Early 20th Century Indian Phulkari Wedding Shawl
Located in Istanbul, TR
It does not come with an insert .
Linen in the back.
Zipper closure.
Dry clean is recommended.
Category
Early 20th Century Indian Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Silk
Early 20th Century American Amish Quilt ( 6' x 6'6" - 183 x 198 )
Located in New York, NY
Early 20th Century American Amish Quilt ( 6' x 6'6" - 183 x 198 )
Category
1920s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Cotton
Large Antique Cast Iron Seated Frog Door Stop
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Large Antique cast iron seated frog door stop.
USA, Circa 1920s.
A rare and unusual model, of large size, depicts a seated green frog on a r...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Iron
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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