Skip to main content

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
704
3,262
1,987
5,415
164
90
197,661
114,186
42,904
32,768
16,195
11,828
10,607
10,477
9,761
8,946
7,262
6,740
6,458
6,416
6,128
5,669
4,866
3,770
195
1,668
3,552
254
1,060
1,402
583
145
88
190
225
131
198
171
197
72
56
2,580
1,285
1,115
688
594
2,231
1,740
1,432
752
637
5,669
5,596
5,623
123
25
20
15
10
Style: Folk Art
Antique Mexican Hand painted Olinalá Screen Divider
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Antique Mexican Hand painted Olinalá Screen Divider Circa 1930. We offer this rare and beautiful Antique Mexican Hand painted Olinalá Screen Divider made in Olinalá Mexico. About Ol...
Category

1930s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Beautiful 1 Liter Antique Germany Lidded Porcelain Veterans Beer Stein, 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A gorgeous beer stein, made in Germany. This beer stein has been made in Germany, circa 1900s. Absolutely gorgeous piece still in great condition, without damage. Lid works properly. It is a 1 Liter...
Category

Early 1900s German Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pewter

Lot of Deer, Rabbit & Hunter Putz Toy Antique German Erzgebirge Christmas 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Antique German set of 14 Putz stick-legged Deers, Bunny Rabbits, Fox and a Hunter. All of them are genuine antique German Christmas nativity scene or paradise yard garden...
Category

Early 20th Century German Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Composition

Pelican Copper Weathervane Mounted on Base
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Antique metal weathervane in the shape of a Pelican. The metal has developed a rich patina over time, with a mix of greenish oxidation and brown rust, indicative of age and exposure...
Category

1930s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Copper, Iron

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

19th Century Swedish Ántique Grandfather Clock Tall Case Clock Original Paint
Located in Boden, SE
19th century Folk Art tall case clock from Luleå Norrbotten, Northern Sweden. Made in wood. Nice details and beautiful carvings. Beautiful handpainted flowers on the front. The M...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pine

Pair of French Wrought Iron Martini Tables
Located in London, GB
Wrought iron martini tables, hand made in England inspired by an original 1940s French design. Finished with a natural bronze patina as sta...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Iron

Antique Armenian Marash Embroidery, late 19th Century Turkey
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

Late 19th Century Turkish Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Cotton

Antique Japanese large 2-step wood step stool, Fumidai wabi sabi organic mingei
Located in 常陸大宮市, JP
Antique Wooden step stool, "Fumidai", made of Sugi Cedar - New finds from a Kominka (old traditional style house) in Ibaraki pref., Japan. Manufactured in Circa 1900s - 1930s (Taisho...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood, Cedar

Woven Tule 'Icpalli' Bench made in Mexico from LUTECA
Located in New York, NY
From a craft object to relevant design, these special pieces, made in Mexico, were created to add warmth and texture to your interior. Intended for indo...
Category

2010s Mexican Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Seagrass

Puerto Rican Hand Crafted Wood Rooster Sculpture
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a Puerto Rican Hand Crafted Wood Rooster Sculpture by Emilio Rosado. It depicts a hand carved and hand painted white, red, yellow and plum color standing proud and tall roost...
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Vintage American Brass Sperm Whale Doorstop
Located in Chicago, IL
This vintage American brass sperm whale doorstop is a delightful blend of charm and functionality, perfect for adding a splash of coastal flair to your space. Cast in solid brass, th...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Brass

19th Century Swedish Allmoge Folk Art Bentwood Chest
Located in Pearland, TX
An incredible Swedish hand-painted chest, having hand-forged iron straps and fittings. Original key included.
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Bentwood

Early 20th century fairground figure
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century fairground figure In the form of Benito Mussolini this early 20th century hand carved French fairground knockdown figure is in or...
Category

Early 20th Century French Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pine

Nantucket Purse with Painted Seascape on Top, by Barbara Grey, circa 1995
Located in Nantucket, MA
Vintage Nantucket Purse by Barbara Grey, circa 1995, a covered oval Nantucket basket, with cane weave on rattan staves, braided leather shoulder strap, turned bone peg, and having a ...
Category

1990s American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Cane, Rattan, Wood

18th Century Swedish genuine country Folk Art box with original paint
Located in Boden, SE
A very beautiful folk Art box from Burträsk ,Västerbotten Northern Sweden. A very decorative original painting that is typical of that region. Nice salmon pink original painting ins...
Category

1890s Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pine

Santa Claus Belsnickle Chocolate Mold Antique 1910s, German Christmas
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

1910s German Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Metal

Girl in beautiful Dress, Antique German Dollhouse Doll Toy 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This rare and exquisite miniature antique German Bisque Head, Arms and Leg Doll is a must-have for Dollhouse and Doll collectors and enthusiasts alike. With its beautiful Outfit, it is suitable for any room and adds a touch of elegance to your Dollhouse. The set includes The Doll with the Outfit, all in very good condition. Made of Fabric, Bisque Porcelain parts and handmade by skilled craftsmen, this original piece is a testament to the rich history of German toys. Whether you're a fan of entertainment or vintage items, this dollhouse toy...
Category

Early 1900s German Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Porcelain, Fabric

Bali Hindu Textile Framed 'Kamasan' Painting, Indonesia C. 1950
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
A mid-20th century 'Kamasan' cotton textile painting from Bali, Indonesia. The hand-painted image has great detail and depicts Balinese Hindu mythology. Key features of this image ar...
Category

1950s Balinese Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Cotton, Paint

Stoneware Jars with Cobalt Blue Floral Motif from Westerwald, Germany, Set of 3
Located in Grythyttan, SE
Crafted in the traditional style of gray pottery adorned with cobalt blue floral motif, these salt-glazed stoneware jars hails from the Westerwald...
Category

1970s German Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Stoneware

Early 20th Century Handmade Persian Malayer King Solomon Pictorial Accent Rug
Located in New York, NY
An antique Persian Malayer accent rug handmade during the early 20th century. The inscription cartouche indicates the subject is King Solomon and the date is circa 1911. in a frogged...
Category

Early 20th Century Persian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool

19th Century Hand Written Persian Book
Located in London, GB
19th century oil on board of a Blacksmith Of rectangular form, the papier Mache and ebonised cover is finely painted, covered in flowers and a circular motif to the central section...
Category

1850s Unknown Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Paper

Early 20th Century Scandinavian Faded Wooden Milliners Head, 1900's
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Beautiful faded wooden gent milliners hea from the early 1900's. The faded lines and the non-treated wood give this head his beautiful character. Absolutely top of the line decorati...
Category

Early 1900s Scandinavian Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Set of 15 Large Original Antique Animal Prints, 1830s
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great set of animal prints Lithographs after the drawings by Cpt. brown. Original hand color. Unframed The measurement given below is for one print.
Category

1830s Scottish Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Paper

Original Antique Print of Golden Oriole, 1847 'Unframed'
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of golden oriole. Unframed. It gives you the option of perhaps making a set up using your own choice of frames. Lithograph after Cpt. brown with original hand color. P...
Category

1840s English Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Paper

19th Century Swedish antique genuine rustic Bent wood box with original paint
Located in Boden, SE
19th Century Swedish Folk Art Bentwood Box from Hälsingland, Northern Sweden. Oval box with lid. Originalpainted with nice patina after several hundred years of use. Beautifully pain...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pine

Iconic Pair of Sicilian Ceramic Heads from Caltagirone
Located in Budapest, HU
Fascinating traditional handmade ceramic planters from private collection.
Category

20th Century Sicilian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage Toy Wind-Up "Baby L" Speedboat by Lindstrom Toy Co., American Circa 1933
Located in Incline Village, NV
Vintage toy speed boat manufactured by the Lindstrom Toy Company of Bridgeport Connecticut, circa 1933 or earlier; the Lindstrom company having been founded in 1913, made quality tin...
Category

1930s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Tin

Late 19th Century American Tramp Folk Art Draws
Located in London, GB
Late 19th century American tramp folk art draws We share what we love, and we love this late 19th American set of tramp art draws. Made from old cigar boxes...
Category

Early 1900s American Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pine

Folk art wedding chest from 1849
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A pine wedding chest from 1849. The illustrations are traditional with images of flowers and tulips. The chest was part of a dowry package and would have been in the clean room of th...
Category

1840s German Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pine

Antique American Folk Art Tramp Art Carved Box
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique American Folk Art Tramp Art Carved Box, probably Late 19th/Early 20th Century. A decorative box ornamented with layers of classic Tramp Art chip carved borders enclosing velvet ground panels centered by elongated star...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Guatemalan Folk Painted Chest
Located in Chicago, IL
This colorful painted trunk dates to the mid-20th century and was lovingly crafted by traditional folk artisans in Guatemala. Ideal as a blanket chest, the wooden trunk is crafted of...
Category

Mid-20th Century Guatemalan Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pine

Antique Greek Rhodes Bed Tent Embroidery, late 18th Early 19th Century.
Located in Istanbul, TR
A rare panel in reasonably good condition from Rhodes of Greece that was a part of a bed tent once.
Category

Early 19th Century Greek Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Silk

Mid 19th Century Swedish Antique Rustic Small Folk Art Sofa
Located in Boden, SE
A charming antique sofa from the mid-1800s. The sofa is from Boden Norrbotten, Northern Sweden It's petite and compact, perfect for smaller spaces. The sofa has a foldable lid tha...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pine

Set of three Mexican Retablos "Exvotos"
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this Set of three Mexican Retablos "Exvotos". The three pieces are prints with a finish that makes them look old.
Category

2010s Mexican Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Metal

Framed Maxwell Mays Folk Art Oil on Canvas, Ferris Wheel By The Harbor, 1975
Located in Morristown, NJ
Maxwell Mays (1918-2009) American painter and illustrator. Signed and dated 1975, a framed oil on canvas. This painting captures a lively and nostalgic scene of a carnival featurin...
Category

1970s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Canvas, Wood, Paint

18th Century Original Painted Large Pine Chest of Four Drawers, Denmark
Located in Round Top, TX
This large chest of four drawers is a wonderful find. The hand-painted finish is all original, dating to the mid to late 1700's. The lovely floral painted details and flourishes wer...
Category

Mid-18th Century Danish Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

Moroccan Decorative Cat Sculpture Handbuilt and Handpainted by Potter Houda
Located in Marseille, FR
- Hand built decorative cat sculpture - made of clay collected from the potter's surroundings. - decorative motifs painted with a goat hair brush made b...
Category

2010s Moroccan Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Clay, Earthenware

Original Hand-Painted Pine Bench with Storage, circa 1890-1920
Located in Round Top, TX
Original hand painted folk art pine bench displays traditional brown faux wood background and floral motif. Solid back, slightly curved armrests and hinged bench seat revealing inter...
Category

Late 19th Century Hungarian Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pine, Paint

"Boy Riding An Alligator" Vintage Wind-Up Toy by J. Chein Co., N.J., Circa 1935
Located in Incline Village, NV
Manufactured circa 1935 by The J. Chein Company in Harrison, New Jersey, this vintage tin toy, when wound up, depicts a young boy in islander garb, trying to ride an alligator who da...
Category

1930s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Tin

Mexican Paper Mache Lion Coffee Table by SerMel Tonala Style Sergio Bustamante
Located in Topeka, KS
Incredible hand painted and handmade papier mâché lion coffee table in turquoise green by Sermel Tonala Jalisco, Mexico in the style of Sergio Bustamante. It is signed SerMel Tonala ...
Category

Late 20th Century Mexican Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Glass, Lacquer, Paper

Antique Indian Tanjore Goddess Laxmi Painting
Located in New York, NY
Antique Tanjore Indian painting of Laxmi, the goddess of beauty, wealth and prosperity. She sits resplendently on a lotus flower, symbol of enlightenment. The elephants playfully spr...
Category

20th Century Indian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Yoruba Royal Beaded Chair Made in West Africa
Located in London, GB
Yoruba Royal Beaded Chair, West Africa A traditional Yoruba royal beaded chair, handcrafted in West Africa. These chairs were historically made for Yoruba kings and high-ranking ind...
Category

Late 20th Century Sahrawi Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Fabric, Wood, Beads

19th c. American Folk Tramp Art Crown of Thorns Cross in a Large Scale
Located in Savannah, GA
This late 19th century large scale American Folk "Tramp" Art double sided "Crown of Thorns" cross is made up of thousands of carved and joined pieces, held together with the joinery ...
Category

1890s American Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Art Nouveau Cast Iron Christmas Tree Stand, Vintage, German, 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This beautiful Art nouveau green and golden color cast iron Christmas tree stand, was made in Germany, in the 1910s. A nice addition for your Christmas decoration. It holds a stem up...
Category

1910s German Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Metal, Iron

Midcentury Persian Folk Handmade Throw Rug in Red
Located in New York, NY
A vintage Persian Hamadan folk rug handmade during the mid-20th century in scatter/throw rug size with a red field filled with geometric botehs (paisleys).
Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool

Antique Tibetan Egg Shaped Box with Turquoise Blue Stone Inlay
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Antique Tibetan Nepal Egg Shaped Box with Gilt Interior and Turquoise Blue Stone Inlay. Antique Chinese Tibetan brass filigree with turquoise beads egg ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Nepalese Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Multi-gemstone, Brass

Rare 911 Porsche Friction Tin Toy by Bandai Toy Co. Made in Japan Circa 1960's
Located in Incline Village, NV
Offered here is a whitish/cream colored friction tin toy 911 Porsche circa 1960's, marked at the bottom; "Porsche" in addition to the Bandai Toy Company logo embossed, along with "Made in Japan" designation being noted. The Bandai Toy Company is a post war toy company established in Taito, Japan circa 1950 and is still conducting business today, albeit, it has shifted from toy manufacturing to video toy accessories. This is a very rare toy and is coveted by collectors of both toys and fast cars. Except for the odd and minor scratch here and there, the toy is in very nice, all original condition with absolutely no restoration or touch up to the paint or mechanism (see images). The action and friction functionality works well (see video). Motor and engine mechanics and nomenclature are colorfully displayed through the plastic rear trunk window (see image); while the colorful interior can be seen through the side window. Car is all tin, with rubber tires and plastic windows. Dimensions: 10 1/4" long x 4" wide x 3 1/4" high. Priced competitively; note that this toy doesn't become available very often and the few that have turned up in recent years , don't work and are several hundred dollars more than mine. 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; important considering 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

1960s Japanese Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Tin

Folk Art Carved Eagle Chairs
Located in Hanover, MA
Very unusual pair of chairs, hand carved, possibly using a chainsaw as well as other blades, of a fierce looking eagle with unfurled wings, its talons on the feet of a man on all fou...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Circus Poster by Ringling Bros., circa 1971, "Clown Standing over Tents"
Located in Incline Village, NV
This highly animated, bright and colorful circus poster portrays a fabulous looking clown in white frilled garb with red stripes, welcoming everyone to see the "Greatest Show on Earth...
Category

1970s Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Paper

8-19th Century Wooden Horse
Located in Kastrup, DK
A Indian 18-19th century hand-carved wooden horse decorated with polychrome colors. In original untouched condition with a beautiful age-related patina, showing the antique authentic...
Category

18th Century Indian Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Vintage Indonesian Kain Batik Tulis, Solo (Surakarta), Java, 1950
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Vintage Indonesian Kain Batik Tulis, Solo (Surakarta), Java, 1950. A traditional meticulously hand drawn wax resist painting by canting on cotton of a spirited phoenix pattern inters...
Category

1950s Javanese Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Cotton

A Mounted 17th Century Folk Art Brass Bassinoire Cover from France
Located in Buisson, FR
This pierced brass decorative element from France was originally the cover of a bassinoire from the 1600s. A bassinoire is a device where hot coals are inserted into a vented recept...
Category

17th Century French Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Brass

Brass Sculpture of Monkey Holding Business Card Holder, Late 19th Century
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Late 19th Century Brass Sculpture of Monkey Holding Business Card Holder
Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Brass

Antique African Bronze Bracelet Currency Bangle Tribal Artifact
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Antique African bronze bracelet currency bangle Tribal art. High quality bronze currency bracelet from west Africa. Traditionally used in monetary fu...
Category

Mid-20th Century African Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Black Leopard Framed Vintage Poster
Located in Savannah, GA
This large and very colorful vintage Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Baily Circus ink on paper poster features a charging black leopard with a ferocious grimace. Printed by the Erie Li...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paper

Carved Wood Sculpture of the Hindu Deity Nandi With Pedestal, Circa 1920
Located in Point Richmond, CA
South Indian carved wood sculpture depicting the Hindu Deity of Nandi, a recumbent black bull figure, known within the Hindu faith as the vehicle for Siva, often depicted in sculptur...
Category

20th Century Indian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Hardwood

Antique Black Forest Brienz Wood Carved Dog Walking Stick, 1890s, Austria Vienna
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful hand carved dog head walking stick cane. Manufactured in the Black Forest or Brienz Area at the end of the 19th century. Wonderfully expressive representation of a bulldog ...
Category

1890s Austrian Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Glass, 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.

Recently Viewed

View All