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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
Period: 20th Century
Mushroom Botanical Scientific Specimen Model Europe, 1950s or older
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This rare vintage model of a botanical scientific specimen depicts a mushroom native to Central Europe. This kind of items are used as teaching material in German schools or as showp...
Category

20th Century Czech Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paper

Art Nouveau Cast Iron Christmas Tree Stand, Vintage, German, 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This beautiful Art nouveau silver 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 to 1.88 i...
Category

1910s German Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Metal, Iron

Glass Parrot Bird Christmas Tree Clip-On Ornament, Vintage, German, 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A rare antique clip-on bird ornament, it's a beautiful parrot. This ornament, is made from ultra-thin hand blown glass, hand painted with a kind of cold paint, would be a great antiq...
Category

Early 20th Century German Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Mercury Glass

Mid-Century American Folk Art Wood Articulated Man Figure
Located in Farmington Hills, MI
We are very pleased to offer a Folk Art wooden articulated man, circa the 1950s. This nearly 5-foot tall, handcrafted piece, epitomizing Mid-century American craftsmanship, is made ...
Category

1950s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Hardwood

Original Hand Painted Pine Bench with Storage, Hungary circa 1920-40
Located in Round Top, TX
Original hand painted folk art pine bench displays traditional brown faux wood background and colorful floral motif. Back has 3 decorative spindles, slightly curved armrests and hing...
Category

Early 20th Century Hungarian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pine, Paint

Set of Two Mushrooms Scientific Models Europe , Germany 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This rare vintage set of two different types of mushrooms, show Models which are native to middle Europe. This kind of items are used as teaching material in German schools. Colorful...
Category

1960s German Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paper

Antique Mexican Jaguar Mask
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1960. We offer this antique Mexican Jaguar mask made in leather, mirror for eyes and boar bristles. These masks depict jaguars and tigers used in ...
Category

1960s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Leather

Moroccan Silver Choker Collectible Berber Jewelry
Located in North Hollywood, CA
A Moroccan Tribal jewelry vintage chocker inlaid with colorful glass beads in red and green and dangling coins. German silver, but not of the standard of sterling and richly embelli...
Category

Mid-20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Metal

Mushroom Botanical Scientific Specimen Model Europe, 1950s or older
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This rare vintage model of a botanical scientific specimen depicts a mushroom native to Central Europe. This kind of items are used as teaching material in German schools or as showp...
Category

20th Century Czech Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paper

Nantucket Cocktail Purse by Jose Formoso Reyes, circa 1950
By Jose Formoso Reyes
Located in Nantucket, MA
Nantucket Cocktail Purse by Jose Formoso Reyes, circa 1950, a very early Nantucket diminutive oval woven purse made during the first few years Reyes was m...
Category

1950s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Cane, Rattan, Pine

Folk Art Hand Painted Wooden Trade Sign
Located in Nantucket, MA
Antique Folk Art hand painted double-sided wooden trade sign dating from the early 20th Century... 1920s? 1930s? A wonderful whimsical sign most likely...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pine

Wooden Nutcracker, Mid-Century French Folk Art, Carved Geometric Motifs, 1960s
Located in ROUEN, FR
Wooden Nutcracker, Mid-Century French Folk Art, Carved Geometric Motifs, 1960s Elegant and sculptural Nutcracker, a nice example of French Folk Art ! Both sides are engraved with f...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood, Fruitwood

Large Red and White Hand Painted Ceramic Italian Soup Cup, Italy
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A beautiful large hand painted soup cup with handle made in Italy. Italian folk pottery has become highly coveted in recent years. This piece features a hand ...
Category

20th Century Italian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Paint

Stunning Large Santa Claus Belsnickel Candy Container German Christmas, Vintage
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This vintage Belsnickle Santa Claus candy container made of composition, cardboard and wood was made in the 20th century and is a charming addition ...
Category

20th Century German Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Composition

Japanese Antique Root wood burl sculpture display stand, flower stand wabi sabi
Located in 常陸大宮市, JP
Tree root display stand (Dai), made from antique wood burl, which looks like a lion dog / Komainu / Foo dog. The product of 1930s to 50s (mid Showa period) estimate from the style & ...
Category

20th Century Japanese Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood, Burl

Elmer Crowell Quarter Sized Canada Goose Decoy, circa 1930s
Located in Nantucket, MA
Antique Quarter Sized Canada Goose Decoy, by J.Elmer Crowell, East Harwich, MA (1862 - 1952), circa 1928 - 1943, a hand carved and painted diminutive Can...
Category

1930s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Cedar

Folk Art Adam and Eve from Midwest Lodge
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Fantastic hand-painted and carved lodge piece from the Midwest. Painting depicts Eve picking the apple from the snakes mouth. The Stand has a hand-carved snake that wraps around the ...
Category

1930s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

A Large Pair of Extraordinary Decorative Early 20th C. Wooden Barn Doors
Located in Nashua, NH
A beautiful pair of very large interlocking hardwood barn doors which have been in storage in a 19th C. New England barn for many many years. Each door is very intricately and beautifully decorated on their interior sides with a lattice and sunburst wooden...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

1 of the 36 Unique Antique Relief Tiles, circa 1920, Faiencerie de Bouffioulx
By OTHR
Located in Rijssen, NL
36 pcs. Exceptional antique wall tiles, circa 1922, Faiencerie de Bouffioulx. In the rich colors deep blue, honey, purple and greyish blue tones. The image is applied in relief. The ...
Category

Early 1900s Belgian Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Antique Vintage Spun Cotton Stork Bird Christmas Ornament Germany 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A rare Christmas ornament. It was made from wire and cotton, this would be a great antique addition for your Christmas or feather tree. You can also use it just to display it in a de...
Category

1930s German Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wire

Hackney Horse Weathervane
Located in Branford, CT
Hackney horse weathervane attributed to E. G. Washburn & Co. Molded hollow body copper with natural verdigris surface. American, circa 1900. H 24-1/2 in. L 22-1/2 in. 
Category

Early 1900s American Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Copper

Original Vintage Set of 20 Mexican Wrestling Masks
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this Original Vintage Set of 20 Mexican Wrestling Masks. Found from an old factory that manufactured masks for wrestling shows for the Arena Mex...
Category

1970s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Fabric

1941 Folk Art Patience Bottle Signed And Dated
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A symbolic Christian patience bottle with a cross flanked by miniature bells, the front with a ladder, tools, plants and rooster. The bottle contains a signed paper label, dated Octo...
Category

20th Century Argentine Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Other

Pink Antique Karabagh Caravan Rug
Located in New York, NY
A russian Karabagh from the 2nd quarter of the 20th century with a pictorial caravan motif in pink Measures: 3'10'' x 8'2''.
Category

20th Century Russian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool

Early 20th century English fairground carousel central fragment
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century English fairground carousel central fragment A hand carved example of a vibrant and highly decorative fairground carousel central mirror panel. With its original...
Category

1920s British Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pine

Vintage Pond Yacht
Located in Norwell, MA
Wooden pond yacht with natural finish and painted white above the waterline. Linen sails, blue deck. 70" long x 11 1/2" wide x 78" ...
Category

Early 20th Century British Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Brass, Lead

African American Pine Burr Quilt
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Exceptional African American pine burr quilt. All hand quilted and pieced. Found in Selma, Alabama. Fantastic color placement and design. These quilts ...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Textile

Asian Gilt Bronze Teppanom Kneeling Thai Sacred Angels
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Two Asian gilt bronze Teppanom kneeling Thai sacred angels. Bronze gilded temple guardians in a sitting position. These temple guardians were made in Th...
Category

Mid-20th Century Thai Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Fox Terrier Mohair Composition Candy Container by Suchard Company, German, 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful dog candy container. Made of paper mache, covered with mohair and has glass eyes. Nice addition to your Christmas or new years collection or decoration. It is from the 19...
Category

1930s German Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Composition

Chinese Folk Painted Rooster Tray
Located in Chicago, IL
This lacquered serving tray is crafted with a hand-painted panel salvaged from a vintage Chinese cabinet. Selected for its charming folk art decoration, the found panel is painted wi...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pine

Wood Carved Chinese Restaurant Entry Arch, circa 1940s
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Impressive and grand arch that graced the entry of a Chinese restaurant in the 1940s American Midwest. Impressively carved and double-sided solid wo...
Category

1940s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Mexican Wrestler Painting
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1970, we offer this rare Mexican Wrestler Acrilic Painting.
Category

1970s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Paint

Rural Folk Art Painting, Oil on Masonite "Homestead" by John Moulton, Circa 1938
Located in Incline Village, NV
John Moulton (from Montana) had a cult following in his later years, his paintings were admired for their warmth, simplicity, and "down to earth" style; portraying rural settings and...
Category

1930s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Paint

Buddha Hand in Patinated Bronze, Mounted on Base, Thailand, 20th Century
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
We present a magnificent Buddha hand in patinated bronze, a rare and elegant piece dating from the 20th century. This masterpiece of Asian art embodies serenity and wisdom, charact...
Category

20th Century Thai Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass, Bronze

Trio of Metal Horses on Wood Bases
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of three metal horses mounted on wood bases. These charming horses came out of the same collection. Sizes: 1) 13.5"H X 11"W X 3.5"D 2) 14.5"H X 10.5"W X 3.5"D 3) 12.5"H X 8.5"W ...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Metal

Antique 1920's Folk Art Picture Frame Beach Souvenirs Photos Shells Sand Card
Located in Munich, DE
This highly unusual picture frame was handcrafted in 1920 ca, probably as a souvenir of a nice sea side summer holiday.. It is made out of cardboard and sand and decorated with a var...
Category

1920s French Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Shell, Paper

Moroccan Antique Brass Sugar Hammer
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Set of two Moroccan brass Berber tribal sugar hammer. Moroccan Collectible Brass Berber Sugar Hammer,Brass Berber Tribal Sugar Hammer. Authentic old Tuare...
Category

Early 20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Brass

Chinese Bookends of Soapstone hand carved, Republic Period circa 1920s
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
These are a beautiful pair of Chinese soapstone Bookends made in China during the Republic period, Circa 1920. These bookends are individ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Soapstone

Beautiful Folk Art Wood Carved Chair Foot Rest Stool, Vintage German 1920s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
An interesting brutalist stool with hand carved legs, seat and great patina. Great piece of functional sculpture. It is in great vintage condition and is structurally sound. Nice add...
Category

1920s German Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Vintage Hand-Painted Wooden Jewelry Trinket Box - Folk Art Style
Located in Seattle, WA
This charming vintage wooden jewelry box features hand-painted floral designs in a traditional folk art style. With vibrant, delicate flower...
Category

1970s Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Larger Than Life Extravagant Folk Art Sculpture
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Outrageous larger than life piece of Folk Art painstakingly composed of found objects such as sea shells, beads, toys, vintage jewelry buttons, and bottle caps (to name a few). There...
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Shell

Pair Carved Wood Carousel Pigs, mid 20th century , France
Located in Buffalo, NY
Add a touch of whimsy to your space with these charming antique carousel figure's.. featuring a carved wooden pigs. Crafted with precision and mounted on a sturdy vintage industrial ...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Large Modern Owl Sculpture on Hanging Perch by Sergio Bustamante
Located in Pasadena, CA
Perched on a thin crossbar, this owl sculpture made by Sergio Bustamande stares at the viewer with painted eyes, their spiraling, hypnotic contours. The green and gold of its gaze su...
Category

1970s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Metal, Brass, Copper

Hand-Painted Wooden Double Doors in Original Frame, circa 1930
Located in Evergreen, CO
Hand-painted in the folk art style that is typical of the Northern European area of the Netherlands and Belgium, these charming doors in their original frame feature a floral and fowl motif. A framed arched transom with six vertical spindles crowns the door. The dimensions of the door opening are 24 inches wide x 69 inches high. A latch across the mid-section of the door and door bolts...
Category

Early 20th Century Dutch Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

German Tinplate Clockwork Wind Up Toy By Ernest Paul Lehman "Quack Quack" C 1903
Located in Incline Village, NV
This is a very popular Lehman wind up toy; emblematic of "whimsy" typical of Ernest Paul Lehman whose toy company opened in Brandenburg, Germany in 1881.. The action portrays a mama ...
Category

Early 1900s German Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Tin

Antique Block Printed Quilt Top, Uzbekistan, Early 20th C.
Located in Istanbul, TR
These quilt tops are supposed to be from Tashkent of Uzbekistan and mostly used for the purpose along with as lining for a group of chapans from the area. This is for sure is a prod...
Category

Early 20th Century Uzbek Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Cotton

Vintage "Barnacle Bill" Tin Windup Toy by The Chein Company, N.Y.C Circa 1930's
Located in Incline Village, NV
"Barnacle Bill" was a very popular cartoon character for whom this toy was named after and was made in the 1930's by the J. Chein Toy Company of New York City. There is some evidence...
Category

1930s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Tin

Folk Art Carved and Painted Owl Decoy, USA, 1900's
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Folk Art carved and painted owl decoy, USA 1900's A decorative barn owl carving decoy Original paint with even wear. Mounted over a new iron stand. We have...
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Monumental Fiberglass Lion Sculpture Drinking Fountain mFG. by F.A.S.T Corp
Located in Buffalo, NY
Monumental Fiberglass Lion Sculpture Drinking Fountain mFG. by F.A.S.T Corp..Salvaged from Crystal Beech ,famed amusement park in Ontario Canada,, Amazing Cartoon Lion ,complete with...
Category

1970s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Chrome

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Jigger Doll Mr Sideburns
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Jigger Doll A great example of an early 20th century American hand carved folk art articulated jigger doll. With brilliantly shaped body and hand painted facial features with cool side burns. Stood on a wire stand...
Category

1920s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pine

Professionally Framed Moroccan Belt Fragment, Early 20th C.
Located in Istanbul, TR
First the fragment has been hand backed on a linen fabric, then stretched over a wooden stretcher and finished with a wooden frame. Early 20th C.. Morocco Ready to go on a wall.
Category

Early 20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Silk

2 Miniature Picture Frames Erhard & Söhne Antique German Dollhouse Toy 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This rare Set of two Pictures framed in Gold plated ormulu frames is a must-have for Dollhouse and Doll collectors and enthusiasts alike. With its beautiful intricate design, it is suitable for any room and adds a touch of elegance to your Dollhouse. You will get 2 Erhard and Söhne Frames and one framed pictures with a landscape to place it in your dollhouse. Made of high-quality gold-plated metal 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 Erhard & Söhne dollhouse toy...
Category

Early 1900s German Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Metal, Gold Plate

Beautiful vintage Italian mura glass centerpiece by Domenico Rugiano
Located in Cantù, IT
Beautiful vintage Italian mura glass centerpiece by Domenico Rugiano
Category

20th Century Italian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Murano Glass

Vintage Polish Folk Art Hand-Painted Wooden Playing Card Holder by Irena Makowey
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Unique card holder composed of two original small-scale folk art paintings depicting figures with card suits by Polish artist, Irena Makowey, protected by two glass inserts to front ...
Category

1960s Polish Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Glass, Wood

Vintage Gujarat Saurashta Ethnic Beaded Textile India Framed
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage hand made Gujarat Saurashta Ethnic beadead textile India. Hand Beaded Guarat Indian panel textile framed in a lucite box. Amazing work of hand beading by Chakla Indian, Gujarat state, Saurashtra or Kutch region. Such a nice piece of visual interest, and a beautiful acquisition for any textile lover. Vintage Chakla hand-embroidered wall hanging, Rabari of Gujarat Beadwork, Patchwork. The method of work is a tri-bead system (tran moti-no thansiya), worked row-by-row, three beads being taken up at each stitch; on the return row, the stitching of the beads moves forward one position, so that as the work progresses row-by-row a close rhomboid network is formed.The beadwork is set into a frame of applique silk material Manufacturing Process: Handmade Materials: Cotton, silk. Period: Late 19th/ early 20th century. Most native beadwork...
Category

Early 20th Century Indian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Fabric

Spanish Green Ceramic Jug Vase, 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eye-catching Andalusian Handled Jar or Vessel in Green Glazed Ceramic. Spain, 1950s This outstanding jar vase has engraved geometric details thorough creating a beautiful pattern. Si...
Category

20th Century Spanish Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Santa Claus Belsnickle Chocolate Mold Antique 1910s, Walter, Berlin
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A gorgeous chocolate mold. Made of metal, marked Walter, Berlin and #1714. Beautiful and ready to use or display, with nice patina. The 1890s to 1920s were the golden age of Chocolat...
Category

1910s German Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Metal

Santa Claus Belsnickle Chocolate Mold Antique 1910s, German Walter, Berlin
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A gorgeous chocolate mold. Made of metal, marked Walter, Berlin and #4572. Beautiful and ready to use or display, with nice patina. The 1890s to 1920s were the golden age of Chocolat...
Category

1910s German Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Metal

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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