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
739
3,255
1,989
5,407
164
89
197,639
114,051
42,900
32,813
16,158
11,821
10,587
10,494
9,718
8,897
7,259
6,726
6,389
6,337
6,135
5,660
4,866
3,757
196
1,668
3,543
253
1,052
1,403
580
143
88
189
228
131
195
171
198
72
56
2,579
1,284
1,111
689
598
2,228
1,730
1,425
751
637
5,660
5,587
5,614
122
25
20
15
10
Style: Folk Art
Scratch-Built Ship Model, Circa 1900
Located in Doylestown, PA
A wonderful scratch-built ship model of a steam-sailer with full rigging, on a stand, circa 1890
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Picasso Limited Edition Artist Rug/Wall hanging by Desso, Netherlands, 1996
Located in Buffalo, NY
Picasso limited edition artist rug or Wall hanging by Desso, Netherlands 1996
Based on the work of Pablo Picasso entitled "Le peintre et son...
Category
1990s Dutch Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wool
Collection of (3) Native American Folk Art Canoes
Located in Chicago, IL
Collection of (3) Native American Folk Art Children's Toy Canoes most likely made between the 1940's and 1950's. Two of the Folk Art Children's Canoes were made from Birchbark, while...
Category
1950s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood, Birch
Pair of Polychromed Framed Wood Panels with Flower Filled Urns Boiserie Panels
Located in Atlanta, GA
This beautiful pair of wood-painted panels is likely from the 1800s. They showcase the charm and artistry of folk art at that time.
They are a great size, which makes them easy to w...
Category
1890s Dutch Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wool, Paint
Norman Rockwell's People Hardcover Book by Susan E. Meyer 1987
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Norman Rockwell's People Hardcover Book by Susan E. Meyer 1987.
Firsthand remarks, providing a warm and human picture of Rockwell, are taken from interviews with approximately fifty ...
Category
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Paper
Vintage Brass Looped Hunter's Horn Bugle Made into a Table Lamp by Robert Abbey
By Robert Abbey
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage brass looped hunter's bugle made into a table lamp.
handcrafted Robert Abbey table lamp.
Vintage decorative brass hunting horns, British horn bugle, or military brass Instr...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Brass
Traditional Large Iron Hanging Pub Sign, The Boot
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Traditional large iron hanging pub sign. The Boot
This is a large and heavy piece dating from the beginning of the 20th Century, it is double sided though the paint on one side is...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Iron
Early 19th Century painted pine blanket box
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 19th century painted pine blanket box circa 1828.
Fine example of the traditional method of storage in sweden, utilising the plentiful pine and hand decorating.
Rectangular b...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Pine, Paint
Moor Head Matt Vases Collection "Messina" Set of 2 Pieces, Handmade in Italy
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
This collection is a work of art that make a statement in modern décor and in the modern cultural art world. It can be used as a vase containing flowers, or as a beautiful centerpiec...
Category
2010s Italian Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Gold Leaf
Early 20th Century English Metal Fairground Crown Light
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century English Metal Fairground Crown Light
A unique example of an early 20th Century metal scratch-built fairground light in the shape of a c...
Category
1920s British Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Metal
Mexican Wood Toy Colorful Wheel of Fortune Folk Art Handmade Artisanal Mechanic
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
By master artisans Sanjuana España Rodríguez and husband Guillermo Trejo Soriano (Guanajuato, México) have been known for hand crafting Mexican traditional toys. Sanjuana's late fath...
Category
2010s Mexican Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Acrylic, Wood
Pair of Decorative Ceramic Sconces
Located in Malibu, CA
Incredible pair of ceramic sconces that can be plugged in or hardwired. Delicate hanging ceramic discs create beautiful shadows when the sconces are ill...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
1960s English Carnival Sign
Located in High Point, NC
1960s carnival art sign from England. It is advertising a cake walk on one side of the sign, and on the back has a charming message "Have a nice Victorian day". Great sign for any co...
Category
1960s English Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Folk Art Styled Airstream Travel Trailer Toy
By Craft and Folk Art Museum
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A toy Airstream Folk Art styled travel trailer with silver faded and patina paint having a lift up back end and side door revealing beds, sink and livin...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood, Plywood
Early 20th Century folk art fairground massacre knock down figure
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century folk art fairground massacre knock down figure
A folk art / primitive hand-crafted fairground knock down game figure. Constructed from pine and metal, hand painted detail with metal support hinges when the figure is knocked off...
Category
1920s French Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Pine
Table Lamp With 4 Tier Deer Hoof With Nickel Bands And Antler Finial
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Mid-Century table lamp with 4-tier deer hoof with nickel bands and brass fitted antler finial.
Shade is not included.
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Organic Material
Architectural hardwood Ornament (Singa) from the Toba Batak people, Sumatra.
Located in Leuven , BE
The central image in Toba Batak art is the singa, a supernatural creature whose likeness protects individuals, homes, and communities from malevolent supernatural forces. The name singa derives from the Sanskrit word meaning lion. However, the Toba Batak singa...
Category
Late 19th Century Indonesian Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
Magnificent Judaica Auction Catalog, Cedarhurst Gallery May 2016
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Magnificent Judaica Auction Catalog, Cedarhurst Gallery, May 2016.
Great reference catalog for antique collectible Judaica.
Among the Sales Items Are Silver Work: Spice Towers, Torah...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Paper
Early 20th Century English Folk Art Whirligig Figure
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century Folk Art whirligig figure
We are proud to offer a true example of an early 20th century whirligig figure. Hand carved from scrat...
Category
1920s British Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Pine, Paint
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
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
Middle Eastern Women Face Veil Bedouin, Sinai Bedouin Desert Garment
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Middle Eastern Bedouin women face veil, from the Bedouin tribes of the Sinai Desert.
An amazing Niqab, Negev Bedouin veil from Palestine.
Worked on a base of...
Category
1910s Egyptian Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Textile
1850-1950 Folk Art Rustic Wood Guitar Harp Decorative Wall Hanging or Sculpture
Located in Topeka, KS
Fantastic 20th Century Folk Art Rustic wood Guitar Harp or Harp Guitar decorative wall hanging or sculpture. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind that this...
Category
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wire
Pair Of Danish 18th Century Pewter Salt Cellars
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Pair of Danish 18th century pewter salt cellars.
Category
18th Century Danish Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Pewter
Swedish Folk Art, Large Vessel, Pine, Sweden, 19th Century
Located in High Point, NC
A pine, large vessel or container produced in Sweden, 19th century.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Pine
Large Vintage Latin American Hispanic Devil Diablo Folk Art Mask with Horns
Located in Studio City, CA
A fantastic piece. Really quite unique. We have not seen another quite like it.
Made from heavy wood and features real horns.
Likely South or Central American or perhaps from Mexico.
Has clear signs of use and age so we are estimating early to mid-20th century.
Would make for a terrific addition to any folk or tribal mask collection...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
Bronze Jewelry or Pocket Watch Holder Display Stand, France
Located in Barntrup, DE
Adorable bronze jewelry stand or ring tree, ornate with summer meadow details. France, mid-20th century.
Dimensions: height 8.5 cm / 3.34 in; width 8.5 cm / 3.34 in; length 14 cm / ...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Set of two Wood Vintage Pull Toys, 20th Century
Located in Chappaqua, NY
Set of two vintage wood pull toys, 20th Century. Charming folk art circus wagon and pair of ducks. Circus wagon has applied lithograph of performing ch...
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paper
Antique 19th century pewter hourglass
Located in Bilzen, BE
A 19th century 4-column hourglass made entirely of pewter.
Height 17.5 cm, base 10 x 10 cm.
Category
19th Century German Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Pewter
Seated "Cat with a Bow" Still Bank, American, circa 1922
By Grey Iron Casting Company
Located in Incline Village, NV
"Cat with a Bow Seated" cast iron still bank is a difficult bank to acquire and is listed in Andy Moore's "The Penny Bank Book" as #364 and rated a "D" (A to F rarity scale--A most c...
Category
1920s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Iron
Antique Sailor's Folk Art Woolie of a Single Decker Ship of the Line, circa 1850
Located in Nantucket, MA
Antique Sailor's Folk Art Woolie of a Single Decker Ship of the Line, circa 1850, a sailor's folk art woolwork picture handcrafted of woolen and silk yarn in a bold variety of stitch...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wool, Silk
Set of 35 Antique Ceramic Tiles by Pas De Calais Desvres, France, circa 1850s
By Desvres
Located in Rijssen, NL
Recently lifted from its original home, this amazing and unique set of 35 antique French handmade ceramic tiles. Designed by Maison four maintraux-Hornoy and manufactured for Pas de ...
Category
1850s French Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Vintage Tin Wind Up Toy "Boy Skier" by J. Chein & Co. American Circa 1950
Located in Incline Village, NV
Very nice condition all tin, vintage wind up toy by J. Chein Company, New York City, circa 1950, "Boy Skier"; in all original paint and lithography; in ...
Category
1950s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Tin
Organic Modern Natural Hand Carved Wood Folk Art Abstract Sculpture on Stand
Located in Studio City, CA
A rather engaging modern abstract folk art wood sculpture on a display stand. The piece is hand-carved from a single piece of lighter wood (no...
Category
20th Century Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Chinese Polychrome Lucky Fish
Located in Chicago, IL
Hand-crafted from reclaimed wood, this artisanal koi sculpture is a traditional symbol of harmony and luck. For Buddhists, such a fish represents a freedom from all restraints. The f...
Category
20th Century Chinese Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Midcentury Pair of Wrought Iron Tripod Candleholders
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
Pair of wrought iron candleholders rised on tripod base, black painted.
Measures:
Height 17.50 in (44.5 cm)
Width/Depth 6.50 in (16.5 cm).
Category
Mid-20th Century German Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Iron
Mercury Glass Santa Holding Tree Christmas Tree Ornament
Located in Clifton Forge, VA
This is an adorable little
This is an adorable little Santa holding tight to his miniature Christmas Tree. He is bright shiny red on his coat and hat but the red darke...
Category
20th Century Unknown Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Mercury Glass
1950's Papier mâché french theatre head
Located in Diest, BE
A 1950's rare original James Ensor style papier mâché theatre head. This item was obtained via a private collection (France).
Category
1950s French Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Paper
Mechanical Bank "Child's Clock Bank" Japan, circa 1950s
By Marusan
Located in Incline Village, NV
A unique and quite scarce bank, made in Japan by the Marusan Company for the American market in the 1950's; this all tin bank is known as (according to the gr...
Category
1950s Japanese Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Tin
Antique Asian Polished Gold Brass Ashta Lakshmi Hindu Pot India
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Antique polished Asian brass Ashta Lakshmi Hindu pot, intricately embossed with the figures of the eight manifestations of Devi Lakshmi, the revered Hindu goddess of wealth.
Each of ...
Category
20th Century Indian Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Brass
Early 20th Century Persian Kerman Pictorial Nomadic Pastoralism Accent Rug
Located in New York, NY
An antique Persian Kerman accent rug handmade during the early 20th century. The urban workshop weavers of Kerman considered the lifestyle of their t...
Category
Early 20th Century Persian Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wool
Zabihi Collection Pictorial Animal Motif Vintage Turkish Rug
Located in New York, NY
Wonderful Turkish Anatolian accent intermediate size rug depicting a pair of large lions in between an infamous Turkish commander. His name is inscribed on the rug. The inscriptions ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Turkish Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wool
Open Round Nantucket Lightship Basket with Original Paper Label
By Sherwin P. Boyer 1
Located in Nantucket, MA
Made with oak staves, handle, mahogany base and attached brass ears, in excellent condition. The poem on the label reads” I was made in Nantucket, I’m strong and stout. Don’t lose me or burn me and I’ll never wear out", which was a poem handed down by Mitchy Ray. Made by Sherwin Porter Boyer, (1907-1964).
Sherwin Boyer was one of the first generation of Nantucket basket
makers in the “purse” period, starting in the late 1940s and working
up until his death in 1964. A contemporary to Jose Reyes...
Category
Mid-20th Century North American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Brass
Antique Chinese Buddhist Rug
Located in New York, NY
An early 20th-century Chinese Buddha rug.
Measures: 2'3'' x 4'3''.
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wool
Embroidered Miao Baby Carrier Textile
Located in Chicago, IL
The connection between love and embroidery is nowhere stronger than among the minority peoples of China. Hand-stitched by a mother herself or gifted by the women in her family, the t...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Silk, Cotton
Sag Harbor Whale Scrimshaw Cribbage Board
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
Authentic Scrimshaw carved into and antique tortoise shell with brass legs. Carved aboard the Ship Argonaut. A whaling ship from Sag Harbor New York from 1814-1832. The detailed carv...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Tortoise Shell
Pair of Small Vintage Concrete Ducks Garden Ornaments
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Set of charming ducks with a lovely, aged patina. This chippy pair could be used indoors or outdoors. We see them sitting on a coffee table atop books or in an outdoor garden. Certai...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Concrete
Large Antique Carved Wood Female Bambara Chi Wara Antelope Figure
Located in Nantucket, MA
Chi wara is a ritual headdress used by the Bambara people in Mali. Portrayed as both male or female figures Chi ware is associated with agriculture. This fema...
Category
Early 1900s Malian Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
Inuit Soapstone Seal Hunter
Located in Mexico City, MX
A Inuit carved dark green soapstone seal hunter. The sculpture is signed and dated 1974 on the bottom by an unidentified artist.
Category
1970s Canadian Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Soapstone
Pair of Maxie Lane Artist-made Tall Sculptural Bar Stools
Located in Sherborne, GB
A pair of sculptural stools made by the artist Maxie Lane. Carved out of one piece of wood, they are unique and rustic.
The stools are tall perching seats. The raw and open wood fini...
Category
1990s English Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Driftwood
Pair of Small Early Painted Folk Art Chairs or Side Tables
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Set of Two Smaller Folk Art Chairs or Side Tables With Original Paint and Patina.
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Toy Steamroller C1940 Style of Buddy L
By Buddy L. 1
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Large Steamroller toy from the forties. In the style of Buddy L. Repainted and some hardware replaced. In excellent vintage condition with minimal wear. Can be...
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Steel
Vintage Turkish Rooster Rug
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Turkishmat size rug depicting a rooster on an ivory field. Dated 1976
Measures: 1'10" x 2'.
Category
1970s Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wool, Foam, Cotton
Vintage Leopoldo de Mexico Aztec Mayan Red Clay pottery folk art Vase
Located in Seattle, WA
This Vintage Aztec Mayan Red Clay pottery is signed and confirmed as Leopolde de Mexico. It is a Folk art Vase or Jug. Vintage Condition as pictured. Listing is for described item on...
Category
1970s Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Clay
British Sailor's Large Woolwork with Ship named The City of Rome on a Rough Sea
Located in Downingtown, PA
British Sailor's Large Woolwork with Ship named The City of Rome on a Rough Sea,
Nineteenth Century.
The large sailor's woolwork or woolie depicts a view of the ship, SS City of Rome, with three funnels and four masts. On the bow is stitched the ships name "CITY OF ROME". She flies a number of flags: the Red Ensign on the foremast, an anchor flag on the main mast, a red banner on the mizzenmast as well as an American flag on the jigger mast.
There are two smaller ships in the foreground, all on a choppy sea with multiple colors of blue and white. The wool is within a maple frame.
She is considered one of the most beautiful steamships built, with her classic clipper bow and sail rigging illustrating the transitional period of sail to steam
Frame: 26 1/4 inches high x 33 1/4 inches wide x 2 1/10 inches deep.
Now with Museum Conservation Glass.
Reference:
City of Rome was a British ocean liner, built by the Barrow Ship Building Company for the Inman Line to be the largest and fastest liner on the North Atlantic route. Though not achieving the requested specifications due to design compromise, and so returned to Barrow-in-Furness after only six voyages, she is considered one of the most beautiful steamships built, with her classic clipper bow and sail rigging illustrating the transitional period of sail to steam. The Anchor Line managed her on various routes until 1900. She was scrapped in 1902.
Development and design
The completion of the Guion Line's Arizona in 1879 forced all major trans-Atlantic companies to consider building new high-speed passenger liners. Designed by William John, who later would design the United States Navy's first battleship, the USS Texas...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wool
Vintage Thomas Walker & Sons Nautical Trade Sign with Ship Log Instrument
Located in Morristown, NJ
A vintage trade sign from the esteemed Thomas Walker & Sons Ltd, renowned makers of ship’s logs and chronometers in Southampton, UK. The sign is be...
Category
1950s English Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Metal
Antique Ottoman Inkwell Qalamdan and Pen Case in Brass, Turkey
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Antique Turkish Brass Pencil Case Qalamdan and Inkwell From The Ottoman Empire
The interior of the brass case is divided into compartments to ho...
Category
Mid-19th Century Turkish Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Brass
19th Century Combination Chair and Table
Located in Kramfors, SE
Primitive combined chair and table. This folk art combination furniture is a good example of 19th century compact living. The goal was to fit as many uses into the same item or a lim...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique 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.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Vintage Metal Wagons
Wiener Werkstatte Textile
Wood Handrail
Wood Tobacco Figure
146 X 12
18th Century French Bronze Putto
18th Century Copper Bowl
1960 Wrought Iron Dining Table With Glass
19th Century Italian Marble Clocks
5 Ft Sofa
606 Art
7 Ft Mirror
77 Etched
A G S Mirror
Albert Dammouse
Altar Fruit
Angel Table Marble
Anri Italy