Folk Art Furniture
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.
1960s Swedish Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Wood
19th Century Antique Folk Art Furniture
Wood
20th Century French Folk Art Furniture
Ceramic, Terracotta
1950s Swiss Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Walnut
Late 20th Century Thai Folk Art Furniture
Fruitwood
Early 20th Century Folk Art Furniture
Mirror, Giltwood
20th Century Caribbean Folk Art Furniture
Paint
1990s Folk Art Furniture
Ceramic
1790s French Antique Folk Art Furniture
Pine
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Metal
Early 20th Century British Folk Art Furniture
Pine
Early 2000s Australian Folk Art Furniture
Wood
Early 20th Century Unknown Folk Art Furniture
Zinc
Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Furniture
Brass
1990s American Folk Art Furniture
Cane, Wood
Early 1800s Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture
Iron
1850s English Antique Folk Art Furniture
Wool
21st Century and Contemporary Peruvian Folk Art Furniture
Ceramic, Terracotta
Mid-20th Century Haitian Folk Art Furniture
Cane, Acrylic, Wood
Late 19th Century Antique Folk Art Furniture
Paint
1860s English Antique Folk Art Furniture
Wool
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Furniture
Paint, Paper
Late 19th Century English Antique Folk Art Furniture
Wool
Early 20th Century Indian Folk Art Furniture
Metal
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Furniture
Tin
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture
Pine
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Furniture
Other
Early 1900s British Antique Folk Art Furniture
Pine
1970s Swedish Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century Folk Art Furniture
Cotton
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Pine
20th Century Canadian Folk Art Furniture
Ceramic
Mid-19th Century Welsh Antique Folk Art Furniture
Pottery
Mid-20th Century Turkish Folk Art Furniture
Wool
1970s Ethiopian Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Canvas
1940s German Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Copper
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Brass
Late 20th Century Chinese Folk Art Furniture
Wood, Paint, Paper
Mid-20th Century Turkish Folk Art Furniture
Wool
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Furniture
Brass
1910s German Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Metal
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Wood
1970s Central Asian Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Hardwood, Paint
Early 20th Century Peruvian Folk Art Furniture
Pottery
Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Furniture
Ceramic
Early 19th Century British Antique Folk Art Furniture
Slate
Early 20th Century German Folk Art Furniture
Metal
1820s American Antique Folk Art Furniture
Linen, Thread
1930s Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Wool
Late 20th Century Folk Art Furniture
Bamboo
1970s Ethiopian Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Canvas
1910s German Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Wire
Early 20th Century Folk Art Furniture
Wool
19th Century Antique Folk Art Furniture
Paint, Paper
1950s German Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Metal, Brass
1970s Swedish Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Wood, Paint
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Furniture
Velvet
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture
Pine