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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: Mid-20th Century
Japanese Okimono Bronze Figure of a Rat 1950s
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Japanese Okimono Bronze Figure of a Rat. DIMENSIONS: Height: 6.25 in Width: 4.25 in Depth: 3.5 in. Hand made in Japan circa 1950s. A large heavy vintage bronze statue of a rat made i...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Bronze

American Sideshow "Double" Banner by Johnny Meah
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Vividly painted American sideshow banner with larger than life subject matter. Painted by the self-titled Czar of Bizarre, Johnny Meah. Both banners are signed. The Harold huge banner is cleverly signed with the "H" in the legs of Harold's huge chair.
Category

1960s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Canvas

Persian Kashan Rug
Located in New York, NY
An early 20th Century Persian Kashan rug Measures: 1'3'' x 2'6''.  
Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool

1930s American Hooked Rug ( 3' x 3'2" - 91 x 112 )
Located in New York, NY
1930s American Hooked Rug ( 3' x 3'2" - 91 x 112 )
Category

1930s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool

Vintage Oriental Persian Turkish Wool Rug Red with Floral Ornaments
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Originating from Turkey in the 1950s, this vintage hand made wool rug is a beautiful addition to any room. We like to see it in your Hallway or Living room. These rugs were used for ...
Category

1950s Turkish Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool

Vintage Jo Mead Painted Composite Pretzel and Crown Mirrored Bakery Trade Sign
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pretzel and crown with cross trade sign mirror circa 1960s by Jo (Josephine) Mead, a trailblazer of female design entrepreneurship whose eponymous 'Jo Mead Designs' began in Illinois...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Plaster, Paint

Antique ASHANTI Queen Mother Carved Wooden Stool Ghana Africa
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Antique GHANA, ASHANTI "Queen Mother" type hardwood hand carved stool. Hand-carved stool made by the Ashanti People of Ghana, West Africa. It's carved from one piece of wood and has ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Ghanaian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Majolica Deruta Raffaellesco Decorative Ceramic Wall Plate 14'75 inches
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
A large vintage Deruta Raffaellesco decorative wall plate with scalloped rim. Majolica hand-painted with magnificent detailing and artwork, extraordina...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Spanish Folk Art Sangria Pitcher C1950
Located in Trensacq, FR
Spanish Folk Art Sangria Jug or Wine Pitcher Early 20th Century. Wonderful yellow ochre high glaze flat-bottomed ceramic vessel. Beautiful and practica...
Category

1950s Spanish Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Zabihi Collection Pictorial Animal Motif Vintage Turkish Rug
Located in New York, NY
Wonderful Turkish Anatolian accent intermediate size rug depicting a pair of large lions in between an infamous Turkish commander. His name is inscribed on the rug. The inscriptions ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Turkish Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool

Mid-20th Century Vintage Umbrella Stand, Deep, Floral, Ceramic Stick Pot
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is a mid-20th century vintage umbrella stand, a deep, floral ceramic stick pot. Attractively decorated with loose-hand flowers and foliage Blue ba...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage Cotton Elephant Covered in Indian Textiles
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage cotton elephant, covered in Indian textiles, retailed in the 1950s by Harrods. Interior frame composed of wire and straw. Textiles originally s...
Category

1950s English Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wire

Wooden Trade Sign Advertising Model of Kissel Gold Bug Speedster
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Wooden Trade Sign Advertising Model of Kissel Gold Bug Speedster A Car made famous by Amelia Earhart the Kissel Gold Bug Speedster thought of as one of the ...
Category

1950s Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Plywood

Mid 20th Century American Hooked Rug ( 3'10" x 4'6" - 117 x 137 )
Located in New York, NY
Mid 20th Century American Hooked Rug ( 3'10" x 4'6" - 117 x 137 )
Category

1950s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool

African Ghana Wood Decorative Mask Wall Sculpture
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage African Wood Decorative Mask Sculpture. Hand-carved African Mask from Ghana. African decorative wall mask sculpture, hand-carved of sese wood with intricate patterns. The African mask is carved and embossed with geometrical designs that forms a symbol of power, love and serenity. Great decorative piece of African wall art...
Category

Mid-20th Century Ghanaian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Vintage Jerusalem Ceramic Tile Handcrafted in Palestine Wall Decor
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Jerusalem Ceramic Tile Handcrafted in Palestine. Decorative Hand-painted Jerusalem ceramic tile with colorful floral ornament, olives and leaves in a Naif design style. A gla...
Category

Mid-20th Century Palestinian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Circa 1960s German & French Navis-Plath Binnacle in Case for a Life Boat
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1960s Navis-Plath binnacle in case for a life boat, Germany & France. Brass & iron in dovetailed case. Crafted in Germany and assembled by Poitevin-Duault in Bordeaux, France. ...
Category

1960s French Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Brass, Iron

Large and Impressive Eastern European Folk Art Carved Panel Mermaid Siren Sun
Located in Ferndale, MI
Large impressive Eastern European Folk Art carved Cedar panel. Large panel feature mythical creatures and symbols. Mermaids, Sirens, anchors,...
Category

Mid-20th Century Ukrainian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Cedar

1960s Vintage Moroccan Inlaid Hexagonal Wood Box
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
1960s Handcrafted Bone Inlaid Trinket Moroccan Wood Trinket Box. Handmade artisanal mid century inlaid trinket decorative lidded Moroccan box. This hexagonal shaped decorative box ha...
Category

Mid-20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Bone, Fruitwood

Cast Iron Doorstop "Conestoga Covered Wagon" Hubley Manufacturing C0; Circa 1930
Located in Incline Village, NV
The iconic "Conestoga Covered Wagon" cast iron doorstop, being pulled by a team of horses, is one of the few western theme doorstops, and is much revered by collectors of western mem...
Category

1930s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Iron

Three Hand Carved Folk Art Canes / Sticks by Joseph Deveau, Circa 1950s
Located in Peabody, MA
A pair of folk art hand carved canes or walking sticks and a small stick by Joseph Deveau (1901-1999). Deveau lived most of his life in Essex, MA., bu...
Category

1950s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pine

Traditional Hardwood Crocodile Carving, Nigeria, cira 1970s
Located in Aramits, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Decorative Folk Art hand-carved hardwood crocodile, with lots of details in the carving. Nigeria, circa 1970s.
Category

Mid-20th Century Nigerian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Hardwood

Zabihi Collection Pictorial Human Horse Vintage South Persian Runner
Located in New York, NY
Rare Persian runner depicting three men and women in between a mustached gentleman sitting on his horse. 3'1'' x 10'3''
Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool

Peruvian Retablo from the Evelyn Ackerman Estate
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Peruvian retablo purchased from the Evelyn Ackerman estate. This colorful piece features two hinged doors with floral paintings. The interior showcases small ceramic figurines in wha...
Category

Mid-20th Century Peruvian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood, Ceramic

Vintage Handmade Peruvian Couple Folk Art Dolls
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Handcrafted Peruvian Couple Folk Art Collectible Dolls. Handmade vintage collectible Cusco Peruvian dolls feature stuffed bodies, sewn-on faces, and braided black yarn hair. ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Peruvian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Fabric

French Tole Flowers Bunch Decoration, circa 1940
Located in Austin, TX
Interesting French tole decoration bunch of flowers in a basket, maybe a dummy board.
Category

1940s French Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Tôle

Folk Art Hand Carved Spruce Whimsy Chain
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Nice, whimsical Folk Art chain whittled from one continuous piece of wood (spruce, in this case). One end features a hook, the other a clasp. The wood h...
Category

1950s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Spruce

Vintage Persian Khamseh Pictorial Rug with Dervish Scene, Persian Wall Hanging
Located in Dallas, TX
76195 Vintage Persian Khamseh Pictorial rug with Dervish Scene, Persian wall hanging. Ancient Persia boasts the true origin of viticulture and wine drinking as celebrated in this han...
Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool

A Charming Pair of Male and Female Bathroom Toilet Signs Ladies and Gentlemen
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Charming Pair of Male and Female Bathroom Toilet Signs Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls no home should be without these, painted Cast iron Loo signs The signs are 7” high, 3...
Category

Mid-20th Century Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Iron

Llama Goat Mini Turkish Anatolian Rug
Located in New York, NY
A cute one of a kind Mid-20th Century Hand-knotted Turkish Anatolian Pictorial rug depicting a llama goats on a red field Measures: 2'2'' x 3'.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool

World War 2 / WWII Era Wooden Airplane Propeller Folk Art Mantel Clock
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This wooden Folk Art made propeller clock is presumed to have originated in England and fashioned into a mantel clock in North America in circa 1960. T...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Folk Art Camel Persian Serab Pictorial People Runner
Located in New York, NY
Make a bold statement in a hallway with this early 20th century tribal Persian Serab runner featuring a folksy motif on a camel brown field. Various Animal and Human figures are foun...
Category

1930s Persian Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool

Charming Hand Made Diorama Shadow Box of Maine Fisherman
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Charming one of a kind hand made diorama or shadow box of a Maine fisherman in his boat. Incredible details from fish in a bucket on board the boat to sea gulls flying above. A Mai...
Category

1950s North American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Glass, Wood

Running Deers Pictorial Vintage Karabagh Rug
Located in New York, NY
Lovely mid-20th century Russian Karabagh rug with 4 running deers on a scenic background and brown floral border. Measures: 4'9" x 8'9".
Category

1950s Russian Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool

O'Henry Fred Johnson Salem Witch Trials Sideshow Spider Girl Banner
Located in Santa Monica, CA
O'Henry Tent and Awning sideshow banner with original shipping tag. Unusual subject matter and fantastic story from the Salem witch trails to Spider Girl. ...
Category

1940s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Canvas

Vintage Carved Wood and Poly Chrome Painted Figural Musical Clock Figurine
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This vintage hand carved and hand painted musical clock is unsigned, but presumed to have been made in or near Austria in circa 1950 in a Folk Art style. The carving depicts a male figure leaning against a post mounted Black Forest styled clock. The carving is quite detailed and well executed on all sides and has been hand painted in a realistic style. Both the clock and the music box are currently not working as both have been over-wound and would require servicing. The head of the carving should turn slightly left to right while the music box is playing, but in its current state it is unknown whether the mechanism functions and/or what tune the music box may play. In addition, there is currently no key for the clock, but these normally use a standard small music box...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Metal

Large Rare Herters Co. Vintage Antique Folk Art Wood Black Swan Decoy Sculpture
Located in Studio City, CA
A fantastic, exceptionally rare large hand-carved Herters (Herter's) Company black swan decoy sculpture that features a beautiful, natural wood grain patina that comes with age. T...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Large turned wood base lamp in oak, French work, 1960s
Located in Lyon, FR
Large oak base lamp, anonymous work made in France in the 1960s. Beautiful craftsman work with these multiple pieces of wood assembled then turned to make it an imperfect yet perfect...
Category

1960s French Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Oak

19x33 inches One of a Kind, 1 of a Pair of Vintage Pictorial Rug, Wall Hanging
Located in Spring Valley, NY
One of a kind and One of a pair of pictorial Turkish wall rugs dating back to mid 20th century. This charming little work of art is depicting a beautiful natural scenery; a waterfa...
Category

Mid-20th Century Turkish Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool, Cotton

African Senufo Korhogo Large Mid-Century Folk Art Mud Cloth Textile Painting
Located in Studio City, CA
A fantastic, wonderfully designed African tribal art Korhogo Textile painting by the Senufo people of Korhogo, Ivory Coast. Korhogo textile painting (This type of cloth painting c...
Category

Mid-20th Century Ivorian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Textile, Cotton, Paint

Signed Bustamante Brass Fireplace Screen / Wall Animal Sculpture
Located in Stamford, CT
Mexican artist, Sergio Bustamante wall sculpture or fireplace screen with a Garden of Eden menagerie of flora and fauna. Lions, giraffes, birds, butterflies, turtle, armadillo, rabbi...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Brass, Copper

Vintage German Christmas Tree Stand Iron Folk Art .
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hugh Christmas tree stand made of iron. The stand is decorated with three large hands painted Santa Claus. The Santa Claus is decorated on both si...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Iron

George Edouard Tremblay Folk Art Hooked Rug, Mat or Tapestry of a Winter Scene
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This framed hooked rug or mat was done by the well known George Edouard Tremblay of Quebec Canada in approximately 1940 in his period Folk Art style. The rug or mat is done with wool...
Category

Mid-20th Century Canadian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool, Burlap, Pine

Early 20th Century English Folk-Art Farmer and His Wife Model
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century folk-art farmer and his wife model We are proud to offer an unusual hand carved folk-art model of a farmer and his wife sat on a cart pulled by two oxen. This ite...
Category

1940s European Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pine

Vintage Beaded African Ceremony or Nobility Chair
Located in AMSTERDAM, NH
Mid 20th century vibrant red and white hand beaded African ceremony chair. Originally crafted for Yoruba tribe kings and queens, these chairs boast a meticulous process involving th...
Category

Mid-20th Century Nigerian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Cotton, Wood, Beads

Vintage Italian Primitive Floral Painting on Reclaimed Wood
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Vintage primitive floral still life on reclaimed wooden panels having a lovely curved top. Found in an antique store in Calabria about 30 years ago.
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Reclaimed Wood

Vintage 1960s Mexican Folk Art Large Papier-Mâché Hand Painted Angel Candelabra
Located in St. Louis, MO
Impressive 1960s large Mexican folk art hand painted papier-mâché angel with 5 arm candelabra. Hand painted details over white robe, include hair, face, gold gilt rope collar, pink a...
Category

1960s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Metal

20th Century Native American Painted Totem Pole A painted animal totem
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
20th Century Native American Painted Totem Pole A painted animal totem. Animal totems are believed to have spiritual significance, watching over Pacific Northwest Indian tribes and...
Category

1960s Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Beech, Birdseye Maple

Unusual Vintage Paper Mache Folk Art, Parade "Carnival" Mask
Located in Buffalo, NY
Unusual vintage papier mâché Folk Art..parade "carnival" theater mask.
Category

1960s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Paper

Moroccan Ethnic Berber Throw Pillow
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Moroccan Berber ethnic handwoven tribal throw pillow made from a vintage rug. The front and the back are made from a different rug, front is more...
Category

Mid-20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool

Massive Vintage Cotton Elephant Covered in Indian Textiles
Located in Houston, TX
Massive vintage cotton elephant, covered in Indian textiles, retailed in the 1950s by Harrods. Exterior decorated in embroidered designs, tassels, tiny mirrors...
Category

1950s English Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wire

Early 20th Century American Hooked Rug ( 4' x 7'1" - 122 x 216 )
Located in New York, NY
Early 20th Century American Hooked Rug ( 4' x 7'1" - 122 x 216 )
Category

1930s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool

Early 20th Century Native American Navajo Rug
Located in Chicago, IL
Woven around 1900, this exceptionally rare large-format Navajo rug is a striking example of Indigenous artistry on an ambitious scale. At its center lies a natural brown diamond meda...
Category

1930s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool

Tramp Art Silver Leaf Mirror
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Tramp Are mirror with exquisite silver leaf detail, a stunning example of folk art craftsmanship. The intricate geometric patterns and layered designs showcase the artistry and creat...
Category

Mid-20th Century Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Silver Leaf

Vintage Folk Art Hand-Carved Wood and Bottlecap Snake on Octagonal Base
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Folk art snake made from naturally aged/rusted bottle caps stacked and strung on wire to mimic the reptile's sinuous form (ca. 1920s/30s, USA). Features hand-carved/painted wooden he...
Category

1930s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Metal, Aluminum

Moroccan Vintage Green Olive Jar
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Moroccan vintage, 1960's green olive jar, or planter. Handcrafted by the Berber people in Tamgroute Morocco. Great glazed earthenware with different hu...
Category

Mid-20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Earthenware

The Sad Dog Carving by C. Beckstead 1949
Located in London, GB
The Sad Dog Carving by C. Beckstead 1949 We love this little fella, named The Sad Dog carving by C. Beckstead from Canada in 1949. Made from pine. C. Beckstead is a well renowned fo...
Category

1940s Canadian Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pine

George Edouard Tremblay Folk Art Hooked Rug, Mat or Tapestry of a Winter Scene
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This framed hooked rug or mat was is being attributed to the well known artist George Edouard Tremblay of Quebec Canadaand dates to approximately 1940 and done in his period Folk Art style. The rug or mat is done with wool on burlap which has been mounted on masonite board and framed in a rustic styled wooden frame. The rug depicts a winter woodland scene with a horse and sleigh and sugar shack...
Category

Mid-20th Century Canadian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool, Burlap, Pine

Chinese Blossom Papier-Mâché Box
Located in Chicago, IL
Formed around a simple wooden frame, this papier-mâché storage box is a charming example of Chinese folk art. Crafted with old newspapers and dyed rice paper, the box would have been...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Paper

Scandinavian Country Style Design Red Side Chairs, Sweden 1960's
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Scandinavian Country Style Design Red Lacquer and Rope Side Chair set of 2. Made in Sweden, 1960's period. High gloss red lacquered frame with woven rope seat. Turned and car...
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Rope, Beech

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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