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
Recognized Seller Listings
Mocha Seaweed Pottery Pearlware Coffeepot, circa 1800-1830
Located in Downingtown, PA
Mocha Seaweed Pottery Pearlware Coffeepot,
circa 1800-1830
The footed coffeepot and cover are attractively decorated with bands of different color...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Pearlware, Pottery
Whirligig Depicts Woman Churning Butter, American, circa 1940
Located in Incline Village, NV
Ubiquitous 20th century theme for whirligigs, this example depicts a woman churning butter, with the action being driven by wind powered four blade propellers in the front. As the wi...
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
American Child's Sampler, Circa 1887 by "Clara R. Nolan"
Located in Incline Village, NV
Charming American Sampler by "Clara R. Nolan"; well made, bright and colorful, with an intricate needlepoint floral rose petal border in colors of red...
Category
1880s Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Linen
19th Century Swedish Root Wood Bowl
Located in Allerum, SE
19th century Swedish Folk Art root wood bowl, signed IES. Ca 1830s Sweden
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
"Drummer Boy" Tin-wind-up Toy by Louis Marx, New York City, circa 1940's
Located in Incline Village, NV
This 1940's "Drummer Boy" brightly colored lithographed tin wind-up toy capitalizes on the popularity of marching bands, spawned from World War II and the preponderance of patriotism...
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Tin
American Folk Art Metal Basket of Beaded Fruit, Early 20th Century
Located in Downingtown, PA
American Folk Art metal basket of beaded fruit,
Basket early 20th Century, fruit 1940s-60s.
The dramatic early 20th Century metal openwork basket cont...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Metal
Bicentennial Cast Iron Still Bank, American, Circa 1976
Located in Incline Village, NV
Shaped like a pyramid this cast iron penny bank was made to commemorate the 200 year anniversary of America; thus inscribed at the top (see image) 1776-1976. It is painted in white (...
Category
1970s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Iron
"De Laval" Tin Advertising Sign, American, circa 1905, Near Mint
Located in Incline Village, NV
Having started in Sweden, the company opened up in America in 1888 as the "De Laval Cream Separator Company" in New York City, with a production plant ...
Category
Early 1900s American Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Tin
"Billiken" Cast Iron Still Bank, American, Circa 1909
Located in Incline Village, NV
Original "Billiken" cast iron still bank patented in 1908 by Florence Pretz (patent number on the back in raised letters "NO39BO3". It was manufa...
Category
Early 1900s American Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Iron
Vintage "Rolly Dolly" Clown Toy Attributed Schoenhut Company, Germany Circa 1920
By Schoenhut
Located in Incline Village, NV
Vintage "Rolly Dolly" Clown Toy possibly by The Schoenhut Toy Company, Germany, circa 1920; capitalizing on the popularity of the circus clown during t...
Category
1920s German Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Composition
Wooden Footed Tray, USA 1900's
Located in New York, NY
A footed tray in what appears to be solid Elm, most likely a single-purpose object carved by a craftsman, can be used for rings.
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Vintage Free Wheeling Green Lithographed All Tin Racing Car. French, Circa 1930
Located in Incline Village, NV
Circa 1930's free wheeling green lithographed all tin racing car, with attached pressed steel driver; it is probably of French manufacturer (the only time I have seen for sale was from a French toy dealer). This scarce toy has markings resembling early racing cars with the streamlined style graphics in yellow and green; standard grill; exhaust four manifolds to each side, and a spare tire attached to the rear; looks like an early Le Mans type car with the spare (see images). Other markings include the number "3:" on each side; "510 x 1" on the rear tire"; and probably the makers mark and logo, which I can't identify, on the top right behind the driver (see images).
Not being a wind-up or a friction toy, this racing car was pushed across the floor by hand or/and used as an accessory in a toy train layout...
Category
1930s French Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Tin
American Feltwork Picture of Fruit in a Footed Bowl, Probably New York State
Located in Downingtown, PA
American Feltwork Picture of Fruit in a Bowl,
Probably New York State,
Circa 1890-1910
The large framed American feltwork picture is extremely striking with strong original colors. The feltwork depicts a group of different fruit in an openwork metal footed bowl...
Category
1890s American Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Textile, Felt
Folk Art Sign-Maker's Sample Board in Original Paint
Located in Greenwich, CT
A Folk Art two-sided sign maker's sample board in original paint, one side having square color samples with various border treatments, each panel numbered (one through 25), the other...
Category
Late 18th Century English Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
American Mocha Yellow Ware Jug with Puce Seaweed Decoration
Located in Downingtown, PA
American Mocha Yellow Ware Jug with Puce Seaweed Decoration,
mid-19th century
The American yellow ware bulbous jug has continuous bands of brown and white and a large band of puce sea weed design which runs below the spout and through the ridged loop handle.
Condition: Good- no repair or damage.
Dimensions: 6 1/4 inches high x 8 inches wide x 5 1/2 inches wide.
Reference:
American yellowware...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Pottery
Carved Bantam Wearing a Crown
Located in Greenwich, CT
An early 19th century French carved bantam sporting a crown, well carved in pine. Good detailing to face, plumage, tail feathers and feet. Possibly originally from a ring toss game...
Category
19th Century French Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Pine
Polish Terrazzo Tile from a Synagogue
Located in New York, NY
This is a 19th-century Polish terrazzo tile, dating to around the 1880s, originally used in a synagogue. The rectangular tile features a light blue background adorned with a white St...
Category
Late 19th Century Polish Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Terrazzo
English Folk Art Newel Post Figure of a Wildman
Located in Greenwich, CT
Most unusual English early 19th Century folk art carving of a wild man, most likely a newel post figure, depicted with groomed European hair, beard a...
Category
19th Century British Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Oak
Unusual Moroccan Berber Boucherouite Rug
Located in Milan, IT
Woven with the exclusive use of recycled yarns of various type, ranging from cotton to lurex, this represents 'art brut' within the domain of the textile arts. Weavings such as this ...
Category
Late 20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Cotton
Rare Mid-19th Century Prussian "Vierlander" Armchair
Located in Greenwich, CT
Rare mid-19th century "Vierlander" armchair, Prussia 1850, with owner's name "Hinrich Eggers", constructed of inlaid fruitwoods and walnut, with turned bone finials, the central back...
Category
1850s German Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood, Walnut
Spelter Still Bank "Seated Cat with a Bow" German, circa 1920
Located in Incline Village, NV
The term "spelter" refers to a zinc/lead metal compound used to pour and make castings. Because of the thinness of the castings there is great detail to the subject matter of these banks. Spelter banks...
Category
1920s German Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Spelter
Folk Art Americana Iron Eagle on Driftwood Base, circa 1910
Located in Incline Village, NV
Very unique piece of folk art. Horseshoe parts and elements of horseshoes have been hand forged and connected together along, with other unidentifiable iron parts to create this Ame...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Metal
Abstract Moroccan Berber Boucherouite Rug
Located in Milan, IT
A very unusual Berber rug from the Boujad region, located on the foothills of the central High Atlas mountains of Morocco, with a background in polychrome stripes onto which are asym...
Category
Late 20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Cotton
"Dutch Boy" Themed Chocolate Mold Pattern Circa 1915, Belgium
Located in Incline Village, NV
Made circa 1915, this hammered tin mold is unmarked but probably was made in Belgium vis a vis the "Dutch Boy" theme. This two part chocolate mold pattern wa...
Category
1910s Belgian Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Metal
Elvis Presley Commemorative Mechanical Bank "Cleveland Rock and Roll" circa 2006
By Reynolds Toys
Located in Incline Village, NV
Made to commemorate the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame located in Cleveland, Ohio, this cast aluminum mechanical bank depicts Elvis Presley in full gala attire, typical of Elvis, with wh...
Category
Early 2000s American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
18th Century English Folk Art Chair
Located in Greenwich, CT
Most unusual English oak armchair with profuse carving to rails, crest and arms and possessing great color and patination. Custom crewelwork cushion over later plank seat, carved to ...
Category
1760s English Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Oak
Folk Art Oil on Canvas, circa 1830 Attributed to S.V.D. Schans, Unsigned
Located in Incline Village, NV
This American portrait descended through same family from 1830s until July 2012, when I acquired it from executor in Oregon. Early family had lived in New England. It is unusual to h...
Category
1820s American Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Canvas
Vintage Cast Iron Doorstop "Carpenter" American, circa 1910
Located in Incline Village, NV
From the Alice in Wonderland series, this full figured American cast iron doorstop features the "Carpenter" and he is sitting down with hands on knees, a ruler in his back pocket, often referred to as "taking a break". Unknown manufacture albeit the number "665" is stamped at the lower part of the hollowed out interior (see image. The doorstop is completely original in excellent all original paint, with no repairs, no restoration, and no touch up paint. It is nicely painted in brown, orange, and black, with flesh tones to the face and hands. Dimensions are 5 3/4" High x 4" Deep x 3" Wide. It has quite a bit of weight to it considering it's size. Excellent age crazing and patina throughout. The doorstop is circa 1910, judging by the finish and the popularity of Alice in Wonderland in America.
The doorstop is referenced on page 200 in "The Doorstop Book" by John and Nancy Smith...
Category
1910s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Iron
Rare Large Moroccan Berber Boucherouite Rug
Located in Milan, IT
Woven with the exclusive use of recycled yarns of various type, ranging from cotton to lurex, this represents 'art brut' within the domain of the textile arts. Weavings such as this ...
Category
Late 20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Cotton
Early, Swedish Allmoge Poker / Stove Chair, Origin: Sweden, circa 1750
Located in New York, NY
Early, Swedish allmoge poker / stove chair, origin: Blekinge, Southern Sweden, circa 1750
Provenance: Private Manor House, Sweden
These chairs were u...
Category
18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Rush, Wood
Wonderful Scottish Folk Art Tea Caddy
Located in Greenwich, CT
Most unusual early 19th century Scottish carved Folk Art tea caddy, the lid with foliate carving and knob finial, the body taking its design from the more hi style sarcophagus form b...
Category
Early 19th Century Scottish Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Birch
Dramatic Moroccan Berber Boucherouite Rug
Located in Milan, IT
Woven with the exclusive use of recycled yarns of various type, ranging from cotton to lurex, this represents 'art brut' within the domain of the textile arts. Weavings such as this ...
Category
Late 20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Cotton
A Silver Shabbat Shot Cup, Poland 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
A Folk Art Silver Shabbat Shot Cup, made in Poland in the 19th Century.
This Ceremonial Silver shot cup was designated for Shabbat use as engraved on ...
Category
19th Century Polish Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Silver
Swedish Designer, Candelabra, Wood, Sweden, 1900
Located in High Point, NC
A brown and yellow-painted organic candelabra designed and produced in Sweden, c. 1900.
fits 0.70”-0.75” diameter candles
Category
Early 1900s Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th Century Dutch Carved Monumental Wood Eagle Figure Seated on a Pedestal
Located in Queens, NY
Continental 19th century Dutch life-sized carved wooden eagle figure with open mouth on square pedestal.
Category
19th Century Dutch Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Russian Kovsch in Silver Gilt, Cloisonné Enamel and Silver Pearl
Located in London, GB
Russian kovsch in silver gilt, cloisonne enamel and silver pearl
Russian, 20th Century
Height 7cm, width 12cm, depth 7cm
This kovsch is a meticulously crafted piece, made by marryin...
Category
20th Century Russian Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Silver, Enamel
Swedish Folk Art, Sizeable Serving Bowl or Tray, Solid Light Wood, c. 1900
Located in High Point, NC
A solid wood, sizeable farmers tray or serving bowl designed and produced in Sweden, circa 1900.
Category
Early 1900s Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Folk Art Americana Victorian Carved Mirrored Carousel Panels
Located in Queens, NY
5 American Victorian stripped and decorated carved carousel panels with oval etched mirror (priced each).
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Pair of African Cowrie Fertility Idol Figures
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of African (19/20th Cent) seated Cowrie fertility idol figures with a surface of small shells and beads and mounted on modern silver metal bases
Category
20th Century African Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Shell, Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century Bezalel Jerusalem Shabbat Tray
Located in New York, NY
Early 20th century Bezalel Jerusalem wooden tray inlaid with Jerusalem stone and mother of pearl.
The large tray is carved with the Seven Species on its...
Category
Early 20th Century Israeli Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Marble
Signed 19th Century Swedish Wooden Bowl
Located in New York, NY
Wooden bowl in a painted pine. Made during the early 19th Century by P. Nordkvist. Beautiful condition.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Pine
Pair of Carved Pine Toreadors with Red Capes
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Spanish style carved pine life size toreadors with red capes (19th Cent)
Category
19th Century Spanish Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Pine, Wood
19th Century Oversized Allmoge Étagère or Plant Stand, Sweden, Circa 1820
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional, Swedish, 19th century, allmoge oversized round étagère or plant stand with wonderfully hand-carved base, origin: Sweden, circa 1820 - 1840
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Softwood
A Hand Painted Stone by Ilya Schor
Located in New York, NY
This enchanting hand-painted stone by Ilya Schor is a captivating celebration of joy, festivity, and folk artistry. Signed on the back by the artist and marked with its place of crea...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Stone
Burl Bowl from USA
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A well scaled bowl carved from a single piece of burled maple.
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Maple
19th Century Diorama of Sailing Ship ‘Eleanor’
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th Century diorama of the sailing ship ‘Eleanor’ in original glazed case.
Painted antique shadowbox diorama of a three-masthead clipper ship alo...
Category
19th Century Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Glass, Wood
Bench Swedish Red Wood, 19th Century, Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Bench Swedish red wood, 19th century, Sweden. A bench made during the early 19th century in Sweden. Original paint in a dark red shade.
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Vintage Moroccan Boucherouite Berber Prayer Rug
Located in Milan, IT
Woven by using exclusively recycled yarns of various type, ranging from cotton to lurex, Boucherouite Berber rugs represent a unique facet of Moroccan textile art...
Category
Late 20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Cotton
Pottery Vase, Northern Thailand, 14th-16th Century
Located in New York, NY
Natural feldspathic, wood-ash glazed ceramic vessel with four small handles and a flared mouth.
OUR REFERENCE N7597
Category
16th Century Thai Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
A Hand Painted Stone by Ilya Schor
Located in New York, NY
This beautifully hand-painted stone by Ilya Schor captures a richly detailed scene infused with warmth, folklore, and storytelling. Featuring a Hasidic man standing on a bridge, the ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Stone
Der Frierende' by Franz Zelezny
By Franz Zelezny
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A hand carved statue of an elderly man, 'Der Frierende.'
Category
Early 20th Century German Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
19th Century French Wig Stand by Louis Danjard
Located in New York, NY
This Surreal-looking object was made as a wig stand in mid-19th century France by Louis Danjard. It was probably in the legendary Folk Art collection of the important American sculpt...
Category
19th Century French Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Iron
1880s Rustic Copper Cauldron – Handcrafted Swedish Pot with Handles
Located in Stockholm, SE
Cauldron, anonymous,
Sweden. 1880s.
Copper cauldron.
Dimensions:
H: 22 cm
D: 59 cm
Category
1880s Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Copper
Folk Art Sussex Pottery Pig Jug and Cup from the Belle-Vue Pottery, Rye
Located in Downingtown, PA
Best example I've ever had.
Folk Art Sussex pottery pig jug and cup,
from the Belle-Vue Pottery, Rye, UK,
circa 1870.
This Sussex pig from the Bell...
Category
1870s English Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Pottery
Portrait of Elizabeth Van Dyck Vosburg by Pieter Vanderlyn (The Gansevoort Limne
By Gansevoort Limner
Located in West Chester, PA
Portrait of Elizabeth "Betje" Van Dyck Vosburg., c. 1725. Unsigned, in original frame; accompanied by a Van Dyke family bible printed in Amsterdam in 1702. Condition: Minor repairs, ...
Category
18th Century and Earlier American Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Canvas
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.