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
Hanging Mexican Wooden Cupid with Bow
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rosy-cheeked wooden cupid to bring love into your life. This is a unique, hand-carved, hand-painted wooden cupid with a wire suspension and removable wooden bow...
Category
20th Century Mexican Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Modernist Painted Steel and Black Marker Graffitied Sculpture, Metzen/Merisola
By John Metzen
Located in Buffalo, NY
Modernist Abstract painted steel and black marker Graffitied sculpture, by John Metzen/ Michael Merisola, Welded and painted steel, Great color proportion ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Steel
Nest of Three 19th Century Signed Nantucket Lightship Baskets
Located in Nantucket, MA
Nest of three Nantucket lightship baskets, the swing handles, staves and the ears ( which attach the handle to the basket) are all carved from oak. The bottoms are made from pine and each are stenciled with the maker's mark, "R Folger Maker Nantucket Mass." Rowland Folger (1803-1883) is considered one of Nantucket's first makers of lightship baskets. His baskets are very durable and were definitely used as utilitarian.These three baskets were discovered in an attic, where they were living for the last 90 years...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Brass
Folk Art Travail Populaire Cabinet, France, 19th Century
Located in Antwerp, BE
19th-century travail populaire cabinet from Bretagne, France. Reflecting the essence of French Wabi Sabi, this solid wood armoirette embodies the zen-like harmony and refined simplicity of folk art. Adorned with delicate sand dollar carvings, this sculptural storage...
Category
19th Century French Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Pine
Monumental Jesus and Virgin Mary Folk Art Sculptures from the Jesuit Center
Located in Hamburg, PA
A religious pair of monumental wooden sculptures depicting Jesus and Mary from the Berks County Pennsylvania Jesuit Center. This dynamic ha...
Category
20th Century Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
18th Century Swedish Folk Art Root Wood Bowl
Located in Mjöhult, SE
Fine organic late 18th century Swedish / Scandinavian folk art root wood bowl in it's original finish, great patination and an skilfully executed brass repair. Ca 1790.
Category
18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Early 20th Century Hand Painted Duck Decoy 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 t...
Category
Early 20th Century German Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century Folk Art Zinc Barbers Pole Trade Sign
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century folk art zinc barbers pole trade sign.
An early 20th century hand crafted zinc barbers pole trade sign. Hand painted and of naïve construction. Lots of characte...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Zinc
Original Antique Print of a Chinese Actor in the San Francisco Theatre
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of a Chinese actor in the San Francisco Theatre
Woodcut engraving
Text on verso
Published circa 1890
Free shipping.
Category
1890s English Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Paper
Block Printed Lumbar Pillow Cover from Western Anatolia, Turkey, 1st Half 20th C
Located in Istanbul, TR
It does not come with an insert but a bag made from a plain cotton fabric to accommodate insert materials.
Linen in the back.
Zipper closure.
Dry Cleaning is recommended
Anatolian Rustic block printed textiles...
Category
Mid-20th Century Turkish Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Cotton
Vintage Studio Pottery Unglazed Cream Ceramic Pitcher
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A pretty piece of studio pottery. Unglazed and unpainted, this pitcher is created from clay and has no signature. It would be a beautiful piece for display on a shelf or table.
Dim...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Antique Miniature Folk Art Yellow Painted Dresser Chest of Drawers 11"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique miniature chest of four drawers, painted in yellow with brown details and red and orange folk art style flowers.
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Hardwood, Paint
Wood Carved Red and White American Folk Art Barber Pole Trade Sign Sconce, C1920
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Great Americana! c. 1920s American Folk Art wood and iron carved barber pole. Layers of thick original red and white hand painted surface. Substantial iron mounts and iron strapping around neck of sconce. Unique wall sconce...
Category
1920s North American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Iron
Rare 1950s Childs Size Carousel Motorcycle
Located in Peekskill, NY
This item is a lot smaller than it looks in the pictures. The handlebars are less that 2 foot tall. Its sized for a small child but has the proportions of a full size motorcycle. Tha...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Metal
Exceptional 1750 Red and Blu Painted Blanket Chest, Central Europe
Located in Albignasego, IT
Small Antique painted blancket chest
Measures: H. 31cm - L. 72cm - P. 45cm
Rare small chest in painted fir wood.
The decorations are geometric, of an intense blue color, with ...
Category
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Fir
20th Century Diorama Folk Art Three Mast Model Ship in a Bottle English, C 1930
Located in Central England, GB
A fine Diorama Folk Art Model ship in a bottle
This skilfully made diorama of a three-mast early 19th century sailing ship at harbour with a raised landscape behind and cottages set...
Category
20th Century English Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Glass
Early 20th Century English Folk Art Figure
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century English Folk Art Figure
We share what we love, and we love this early 20th Century example of an English doubl...
Category
1920s European Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Pine
American Folk Art Cowboy and Horse Whirligig
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Tall one of a kind cowboy and horse spinning whirligig American Folk Art piece. Most likely from a larger folk art environment. Sheet steel constructi...
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Iron, Sheet Metal
Antique Swedish Intricate Bronzed Chandelier
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique Swedish bronzed chandelier made during the mid 1800s, around 1850 to 1860. The chandelier is made in bronzed metal with a richly deco...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Metal
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
Greenlandica, Wooden Figure, Inuit in Traditional Clothes, Approx, 1960s/70s
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Greenlandica. Wooden figure. Inuit in traditional clothes.
Approx. 1960s/70s.
In perfect condition.
Dimensions: W 12.0 x H 27.5 cm.
Category
1960s Greenlandic Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Japanese Midcentury Earthenware Art Pottery Vase
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Interesting, midcentury, Japanese, matte tan, earthenware, art pottery vase features a tapered body, intricately carved and incised in a leaf pattern with Japanese markings on it's u...
Category
Mid-20th Century Japanese Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Early 20th Century American Hooked Rug ( 9' x 9' - 275 x 275 )
Located in New York, NY
Early 20th Century American Hooked Rug ( 9' x 9' - 275 x 275 )
Category
1910s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wool
Giant Wood Early 20th Century Hand Painted Americana Barber Shop Sign
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Large and chunky Americana! Fantastic and original Barber Shop trade sign in the shape of a barber pole. Great statement piece. Layers of super graphic red and white original paint. ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Original Antique Print of a Rock Dove, circa 1880, 'Unframed'
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of a rock dove.
Unframed. It gives you the option of perhaps making a set up using your own choice of frames.
Lithograph after Alexander Francis Lydon.
Original ...
Category
1880s English Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Paper
Early 20th Century American Hooked Rug ( 2'3" x 3' - 68 x 92 )
Located in New York, NY
Early 20th Century American Hooked Rug ( 2'3" x 3' - 68 x 92 )
Category
1920s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wool
Manuel Sandoval Valez Latin American Figurative Ceramic Sculpture of a Newsboy
Located in Miami, FL
Manuel Sandoval Valez Latin American figurative Ceramic sculpture of a newsboy
Offered for sale is a folk art-style terracotta ceramic sculpture of a newsboy by Manuel Sandoval Va...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Peruvian Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Terracotta
Block Printed Lumbar Pillow Cover from Western Anatolia, Turkey, 1st Half 20th C
Located in Istanbul, TR
It does not come with an insert but a bag made from a plain cotton fabric to accommodate insert materials.
Linen in the back.
Zipper closure.
Dry cleaning is recommended.
Anatolian rustic block printed textiles...
Category
Early 20th Century Turkish Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Cotton
Ebony Wood Hand Carved African Elephant
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Hand carved wood ebony African elephant.
Handcrafted in Africa.
One of the tusk is damaged
Category
Early 20th Century African Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Ebony
Reverse Glass Painting of Saint George and the Dragon
Located in Stamford, CT
Verre églomisé, or reverse glass painting with gilding of Saint George and the Dragon. St George shown riding his steed, slaying the dragon...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Glass
Early 20th Century American Hooked Rug ( 2'3" x 3' - 68 x 92 )
Located in New York, NY
Early 20th Century American Hooked Rug ( 2'3" x 3' - 68 x 92 )
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wool
Sarreguemines French Majolica Corn on the Cob Lidded Tureen, Vintage France
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Serving bowl in the shape of a corn on the cob with a leaf. Underglaze mark. Nice addition to your table or just to display. Please see detailed pictur...
Category
1930s French Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica
1930s American Hooked Rug ( 18" x 4'4" - 51 x 132 )
Located in New York, NY
1930s American Hooked Rug ( 18" x 4'4" - 51 x 132 )
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wool
19th C Two Draw Sewing Box with Porcelain Knobs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th C Two Draw Sewing box with Porcelain knobs. Great Condition.
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pareja de butacas corcho
Located in Madrid, ES
Conjunto de dos butacas de corcho realizas en la región de Extremadura por los pastores con el corcho que se saca de los alcornoques.
Tiene un estructura interna de hierro que las...
Category
1950s Spanish Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Iron
19th Century Folk-Art Hand-Crafted Bedpost Doll Figure
Located in London, GB
19th century folk-art hand-crafted bedpost doll figure
A rare and highly artistic example of an English 19th century folk art bedpost doll figure. With hand carved detail including ...
Category
1880s British Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Folk Art Reverse Painted and Foil Exhibition Sign in Gilt Frame
Located in Nantucket, MA
Folk Art exhibition sign, reverse painted glass with reserved text backed in gold and silver crinkled foil reading "Exhibition / of / Paintings / on / Glass / By Edgar F. Curtis"
E...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Foil
19th Century Patriotic Shield Painting Featuring John Adams
Located in Wiscasset, ME
Folk art patriotic shield painting of John Adams, dating to around 1876 and of a large size measuring 41" x 34.5". It is an oil on canvas laid down to boards. There is writing on the back of the boards, but I cannot make out what it says. There is another similar piece to this that features another signer of the constitution in the Smithsonian collection. This piece came from a collection in Portsmouth...
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Paint
Vanille Fraise Round Rug with Earthy Colors by Rag Home
By RAG home
Located in Jakarta Selatan, ID
RAG HOME’s products are hand-tufted carpets and rugs inspired by Rannisa Soraya’s, the founder and creative director of the brand, love for travels, music, ar...
Category
2010s Asian Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wool, Acrylic
Late 19th Century Quebec Paint Decorated Plant Stand, circa 1890
Located in Nantucket, MA
Antique Quebec paint decorated plant stand or bucket bench, circa 1890, pine slat construction with three shelves, fluted backsplash and apron, and deli...
Category
1890s Canadian Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Pine
Sterling Silver Rooster Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This sterling silver heavy hollow body rooster figure is signed 925 on the base and is in fine condition.
Beautifully made and proportioned well. Great patina.
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Sterling Silver
Late 19th Century Hand Carved And Painted Wooden Carousel Horse Head
Located in Aramits, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Hand-carved and painted massive wooden horse head, late 19th century, probably from a small carousel or children's toy. Very nice patina through peeling paint and wear.
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Rare & Hand Painted Near Antique Folk Art Metal Salmon Sign from Fish Monger's
Located in Lisse, NL
Large size and all hand-crafted metal salmon sign.
This vintage salmon sign is another one of our recent great finds. The former owner told us how he, about three decades ago, had purchased this unique antique in France. Over the years we have seen and sold all kinds of antiques, but this was only the second time that we had the opportunity to purchase a vintage (or near-antique) fish sign and we were immediately thrilled. Not only because of the extraordinary size, but also because of the rarity, the details and the marvelous colors. This kind of workmanship you simply don't find anymore in this day and age. We have searched the worldwide web and you simply cannot find these sculptural signs anywhere. The aging has made this salmon even more beautiful and realistic, because the crazing of the paint makes it look like you can see its scales. This handcrafted, folk-art-like antique looks like it is made of zinc, but we think it is thick tin. This large salmon will look great in a fish monger's, but it can also be the perfect decoration in the office of a salmon farm, in a fisherman's lodge, in a mancave or in a fishing (gear) shop. It was originally made to hang, either in an open space or up against the wall (as shown in our photos) but with one or two brackets this work of art could also be displayed on a very large desk...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Metal
20th C. Hand Carved Egyptian Revival Folk Art Bali Cat Sculpture Statue
Located in Dayton, OH
20th century hand carved folk art wooden cat form sculpture or statue. Features a knockdown design with elegant form. Features pointy claws, curled tale an...
Category
20th Century Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Hardwood, Paint
Set of 2 Hand Painted Inspirational Rowing Oars or Paddles Priced Individually
Located in Stamford, CT
Set of 2 hand painted inspirational rowing oars or paddles. Priced individually. Each in a rustic painted design having inspirational writings.
Only two left: "BISTRO" & "OUTDOOR"
Category
Late 20th Century Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Rajasthani Footed Chest Box India 1900's
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Antique Rajasthani Shekhawati Merchant's Footed Chest Box India 1900's.
Early 20th Century Indian carved wood storage cash footed box used by merchants in ...
Category
Early 20th Century Indian Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Metal
J. Hübner Carved Wood Carousel Horse, Early 20th Century, Germany
Located in Antwerp, BE
Antique Carousel horse by J.Hübner.
A hand-carved wooden carousel horse made by Atelier Hübner Germany - Josef Hübner - Joseph Hubner.
This piece of Carnival Art - funfair roundabout horse - Merry-go-round Horse
dates circa 1910 and has sulfide eyes, a real tale and stirrups.
It's a European Springer Horse - Jumping Horse - Galopping Horse
on a metal base.
During his life, already more then 110 years !! it does have some old restorations
and old repainting but that gives this antique horse the charm of his history: making people and children happy and offer them a ride.
Antique carved horses - Antique German Carousel Horses - Hübner horses...
Category
Early 20th Century German Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Metal
Early 20th Century American Hooked Rug ( 2'3" x 3'3" - 68 x 99 )
Located in New York, NY
Early 20th Century American Hooked Rug ( 2'3" x 3'3" - 68 x 99 )
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wool
Charming Folk Art Copper Weathervane with Dog
Located in Atlanta, GA
20th Century American Folk Art Weathervane artisan made from copper with an adorable dog perched atop the arrow. Amazing facial details and a natural aged patina bring all the charm ...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Copper, Iron
Antique Spanish Polychrome Ceramic Charger with a Bull Decoration
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Circa 1800 Spanish Majolica Faience centerpiece bowl or charger.
This charming collectible antique painted ceramic dish is decorated with a large rear facing bull and with polychrom...
Category
Early 19th Century Spanish Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica
Vintage Handcrafted and Carved Wood Box Leaf Motif, Jewelry Box, Keepsake Box
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage handmade beautifully carved wooden box, jewelry box or keepsake box.
The Inside has 2 compartments which measure 3.38 x 3.38 inches.
No makers mark.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood, Walnut
Antique Mythical Tiger Finial Bronze Palanquin Handle 18-19th Century
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Antique 18th 19th Century Palanquin Mythical Lion or Tiger Finial Bronze Handle.
Large heavy Indian Mythological bronze palanquin fitting cast via the lost wax technique, beautifully stylized and crafted in the form of protective mythological creature.
Palanquin finials were used to adorn the pole ends of the palanquin or palki.
A fine and massive example of a palanquin pole finial with good detail and fine patina.
India, circa: 18th/19thc.
The Palanquin handle...
Category
19th Century Indian Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Greenlandica, Woman Wearing Greenlandic Dress, Approx, 1960s/70s
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Greenlandica. Woman wearing Greenlandic dress. Made of wood and fabric.
Approx. 1960s/70s.
In perfect condition.
Dimensions: W 9.0 x H 29.0 cm.
Category
1960s Greenlandic Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Japanese Antique Ancient Sueki Sue Ware Wabi-Sabi Pottery Vase Vessel Urn
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderful, unique, and handcrafted piece of ancient Japanese Sueki Sue ware pottery dating back to the 500-600s (6th-7th century). Sueki/ Sue pottery was a ...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Japanese Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Pottery, Stoneware
Sconce Wall Freestanding Portable Tin Mirror Cresting
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
Extremely rare survival of a vernacular tin wall sconce
Unusually incorporating mirror plate which was an expensive material suggesting this was made for an affluent customer
The m...
Category
18th Century English Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Metal
Pair of World War I Brass Trench Art Shells/Vases, France
Located in London, GB
Pair of French Trench Art vases / shell casings from the World War I vases.
Trench art objects are holders of soldiers' memories and reminders of th...
Category
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Brass
1800s White Swedish Drop-Leaf Table
Located in Kramfors, SE
Swedish double drop-leaf table in folk from the early 1800s. The table has a leaf on each side and double gates under both. The white paint is original and has become distressed from...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Pine
Mid-20th Century English Papier Mache Giraffe Puppet Head
Located in London, GB
Mid-20th Century English Papier Mache Giraffe Puppet Head
A charming example of a mid-20th Century English Papier Mache giraffe puppet head. M...
Category
1950s British Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Paper
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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