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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: Early 20th Century
Early 20th Century Pharmacy Sign 'DRUGS' Painted on a Single Board
Located in Nantucket, MA
American folk art trade sign from an apothecary or pharmacy with the word 'DRUGS' in black paint with white shadow lines on an orange ground. Painted on a single pine plank with notc...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pine, Paint

Early 20th Century American Hooked Rug ( 1'10" x 14' - 56 x 427 )
Located in New York, NY
Early 20th Century American Hooked Rug ( 1'10" x 14' - 56 x 427 )
Category

1920s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool, Fabric, Jute

Early 20th Century American Hooked Rug ( 2'3" x 3' - 68 x 92 )
Located in New York, NY
Early 20th Century American Hooked Rug ( 2'3" x 3' - 68 x 92 )
Category

1920s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool

Block Printed Lumbar PillowCover from WesternAnatolia Turkey 1stHalf 20thCentury
Located in Istanbul, TR
It does not come with an insert but a bag made from a plain cotton fabric to accommodate insert materials. Linen in the back. Zipper closure. Dry Cleaning is recommended Anatol...
Category

Early 20th Century Turkish Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Cotton

Antique Zinc Red Hat Maker Trade Sign, France, Early 20th Century
Located in Antwerp, BE
XXL Antique hat maker's trade sign, made in France circa 1900 - 1920. This large sign was used as advertising - eyecatcher on the storefront. A large facade sign - advertising sign in front of the hat shop - hat maker's store - red hat facade sign It's a spectacular XXL red hat - red top hat made of hand- painted and hand-crafted zinc. When you look at the spectacular shape, you see that the brim of the hat is completely curled, so can only be done by an art maker - craftsman. The original metal bracket is no longer with this hat trade sign...
Category

Early 20th Century French Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Zinc

Large Devil or Krampus Marionette by a Master Puppet Maker, Antique Austria
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This is a wonderful depiction of Krampus or the devil puppet. The item is approximately 32 inches tall and has a skeleton, arms and legs made of wood. Height was measured from foot t...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Composition, Metal, Brass

c 1920 Brass Star of David Chandelier from Chicago Synagogue
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Historical and significant brass electrified Star of David from the last grand Chicago synagogue, Agudas Achim. Beautiful when lit. Hard to believe these were hung as chandeliers in ...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Brass

Early 20th Century American Hooked Rug ( 1'6'' x 20'2'' - 46 x 615 )
Located in New York, NY
Early 20th Century American Hooked Rug ( 1'6'' x 20'2'' - 46 x 615 )
Category

Early 1900s American Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool

Antique Ceramic Majolica Josef Strnact Wall Plate with Landscape, Austria, 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This beautiful wall decoration plate is a nice addition to your Wall. It is marked at the back. A nice addition to your toleware room or Hollywood regency interior.
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Folk Art Scratch Built Boat, Early 20th C
Located in London, GB
Scandinavian folk art boat of 2 rigged masts - completely scratch built from pine and teak wood. Original paint finish. Handmade and dating from the earl...
Category

Early 20th Century Scandinavian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Steel

Persian Mahal Animal Pictorial Rug
Located in New York, NY
Room-size Persian Mahal rug with a Pictorial Animal all-over Pattern from the 1st quarter of the 20th century Measures: 8'6'' x 13'5''.
Category

Early 20th Century Persian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool

Early 20th Century American Hooked Rug ( 2'10" x 3'9" - 86 x 115 )
Located in New York, NY
Early 20th Century American Hooked Rug ( 2'10" x 3'9" - 86 x 115 )
Category

1920s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool

Traditional Large Hanging Pub Sign, Wethered’s Winterbourne Arms
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Traditional large hanging pub sign. Wethered’s winterbourne arms This is a large and heavy piece dating from the first half of the 20th Century, it is double sided though the pain...
Category

Early 20th Century Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Metal

Wooden Decoy Duck on Stand, circa 1910
Located in Hastings, GB
Beautiful early 20th century French decoy duck. Hand carved in wood and hand painted, the decoy has a movable head that can be turned left or right, it is a...
Category

1910s French Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Iron

1900s Octagonal Framed "Madonna and Child" Italian Oil Painting
Located in Catania, Sicilia
An Italian popolar oil on canvas depicting Madonna and baby Jesus, framed in a hand carved fruitwood frame. It's in perfect conditions.
Category

Early 1900s Italian Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Canvas, Paint, Fruitwood

Early 20th Century French Folk Art Shellwork Table
Located in Milford, NH
A wonderful folk art rectangular shellwork table featuring a top with foliate polychrome sand design around shells under glass, with the entire surface of the sides and legs covered with small seashells set...
Category

Early 20th Century French Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Shell, Glass, Wood

1 of 52 Handmade Antique Ceramic Tiles by Devres, France, 1920s
Located in Rijssen, NL
One of 52 antique French handmade ceramic tiles. Manufactured by Devres, circa 1920s. Colorful pattern in yellow, red and green. These tiles would be charming displayed on easels, fr...
Category

1920s French Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Bali Hindu Textile Framed 'Kamasan' Painting, Indonesia, Early 20th Century
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
An early 20th century 'Kamasan' cotton textile painting from Bali, Indonesia. The hand-painted image has great detail and depicts Balinese Hindu mythology. It has been framed with a ...
Category

Early 20th Century Balinese Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Cotton, Paint

Antique Folk Art Stitched Woven Floral Labyrinth Star Sawtooth Quilt Blanket
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique hand stitched blue and white bedspread / blanket / coverlet / quilt with sawtooth border and blocks embroidered with woven interlocked eight po...
Category

Early 20th Century Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Cotton

Antique Ceramic Majolica Josef Strnact Wall Plate with Landscape, Austria, 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This beautiful wall decoration plate is a nice addition to your Wall. It is marked at the back. A nice addition to your toleware room or Hollywood regency interior.
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Majolica

Vintage Folk Art Winter Snow Landscape Long Format Painting
Located in Seguin, TX
Antique circa 1915 oil on wood board folk art winter forest scene painting, wood is from an old tobacco crate . Signed Rozella D'Hizar. Unframed, edge wear.
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

Early 20th Century Folk Art "American Eagle" Silhouette Decorative Box
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Folk art decorative box with eagle motif in attractive red paint (ca. 1910-1920, USA). The hinged top opens to reveal a divided storage compartment, per...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

Antique German Christmas Scene Doll in Sled, with Music Box, 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This beautiful Bisque Head doll, with a smaller baby doll, is seated in a metal sled. The doll has brown glass eyes, blonde hair and teeth. The coat is made of pressed cotton. The sl...
Category

Early 20th Century German Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Metal

Early 20th C Large Black Forest Carving with Bird and Nest
Located in Troy, MI
Circa 1920s large hand carved Black Forest piece with an intricately rendered bird and nest. This is just under 16” tall and is 9” wide. Very good antiq...
Category

Early 20th Century German Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

3 Masted Sailing Ship in a Bottle
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
3 masted sailing ship in a bottle Detailed model ship diorama within a spirit bottle dates to circa 1920. It portrays a three masted fully r...
Category

Early 20th Century Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Art Glass

Vintage Painted Wood Folk Art Showroom Trade Sign
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
American Folk Art trade sign with hand-carved "Showroom" letters and an arrow. The letters and backboard are in original paint, egg-white and petroleum green. The sign has recently b...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pine

Pair of World War I Brass Trench Art Shells/Vases, France
Located in London, GB
Pair of French Trench Art vases / shell casings from the World War I vases. Trench art objects are holders of soldiers' memories and reminders of th...
Category

Early 20th Century French Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Brass

Beetle Cast Iron Shoe Horn or Boot Jack, Powder Coated Chartreuse, circa 1920's
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Vintage boot jack in cast iron freshly powder coated in bright chartreuse. The cast iron object is as functional as it is decorative. This bright and fun ...
Category

1920s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Iron

Antique German Paper Mache Bobble Head Mule Donkey Pull Cart Toy
Located in Dayton, OH
Rare antique German paper mache composition bobble head mule / donkey / horse pull toy figure standing with a small feed manger on a platform rollin...
Category

Early 20th Century Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Hardwood, Paper

Carved Pine Breakfast Bed Tray Table
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Carved pine breakfast bed tray table. This is a good Country Piece, it has a scratch carved decoration on the top. It is a bed tray with foldaw...
Category

Early 20th Century Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pine

Cigars Store / Trade Folk Art Wooden Carved Sign. c 1900
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
American Folk art wooden "CIGARS" sign from the 1920's. Great old Store Trade sign. Wood cut to cigar shape. Lettered in Gold Paint. In good conditions, it was a in doors sign. Perfect for any cigar smoker. Cigars History: A cigar is basically dried tobacco leaves that are rolled and wrapped by other tobacco leaves in order to give you a full tobacco smoking experience. Cigars are becoming more popular all around the world recently because they are exposed to a pop culture where a lot of famous people like Michael Jordan and Arnold Schwarzenegger smoke them. In order to understand why cigars have become very well-known, we need to take a good look at their history and where they came from. That way, we can truly understand this pop phenomenon. Here is a brief history of cigars. Origin of Cigars The exact origin of cigars is not entirely known but historians believe that cigars were first invented by the ancient Mayans. The ancient Mayans would collect tobacco leaves and wrap them up in a plantain leave in order to smoke it. An ancient Mayan pot...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Santa Claus Gnome Christmas Chocolate Mold Antique 1920s, Austria
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 consumption throughout Europe. Many cities and towns had competing chocolate shops with wonderful window displays filled with intricate, molded solid chocolate figures to entice hungry passersby. By this time, they had perfected the art of molding chocolate by using metal molds. The most known and best Manufactory for this kind of molds was the famous Anton Reiche...
Category

1920s Austrian Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Metal

Antique Tramp Art Diamond 2 Tier Hinged Wood Jewelry Presentation Box
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Tramp Art Diamond 2 Tier Hinged Wood Jewelry Presentation Box. Item features stunning work and carving, hinged lid with interior mirror, moha...
Category

Early 20th Century Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Early 20th Century Hand Painted Duck Decoy Antique German
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Found in Germany at an estate sale, this hand carved and hand painted duck decoy is perfect for the collector. Well used by a previous hunter t...
Category

1910s German Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

Antique Primitive Rustic Wooden Octagonal Sledge Hammer Carpenter Mallet
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique primitive / rustic hand crafted heavy wooden mallet with octagonal shaped head and rounded handle. Measures: 14".
Category

Early 20th Century Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Hardwood

Quirky Stick Stand, made with a WW1 Propellor
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Quirky Stick Stand, made with a WW1 Propellor This an attractive piece of early nostalgic memorabilia, the propeller is made in wood and originates from an early aeroplane, it is silver at the tip, it stands on a teak plinth...
Category

Early 20th Century Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Bentwood

Tramp Art Secretary Desk of Diminutive Size
Located in Downingtown, PA
Tramp Art Secretary Desk of Diminutive Size, late-19th century. The secretary desk is black over red with thumb-nail moldings. The top with dra...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Rare Chenille Cotton Basket Christmas Ornament Antique, German, 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A rare Christmas ornament. It was made from Chenille, wire and cotton, this would be a great antique addition for your Christmas or feather tree.  
Category

1910s German Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wire

Vintage Folk Art Ship on River Landscape Long Format Painting
Located in Seguin, TX
Antique circa 1915 oil on wood board folk art river scene with ship flying American flag painting, wood is from an old tobacco crate. Unsigned. ...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

Early 20th Century American Hooked Rug ( 2'6" x 4'2" - 76 x 127 )
Located in New York, NY
Early 20th Century American Hooked Rug ( 2'6" x 4'2" - 76 x 127 )
Category

1920s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool

Giant Wood Early 20th Century Hand Painted Americana Barber Shop Sign
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Large and chunky Americana! Fantastic and original Barber Shop trade sign in the shape of a barber pole. Great statement piece. Layers of super graphic red and white original paint. ...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Early 20th Century English Folk Art Puppet Figure
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century English folk art puppet figure We share what we love, and we love this early 20th century articulated folk art puppet figure. Made from hand carved pin, The base (handle) moves up and down to animate the puppets head. Arms are moved with the sticks. Original linen clothes...
Category

1920s European Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pine

Antique Folk Art Ornately Carved Wooden Picture Frame with Birds & Flowers
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This ornately hand-carved picture frame is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from Eastern Europe, and date to approximately 1920 and done in a Folk Art style. The frame is co...
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Softwood

Lot of sixteen Cookie Marzipan Backing Molds Antique Austria, 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A gorgeous set of sixteen molds for your Christmas Bakery. Made of metal. Beautiful and ready to use or display, with nice patina. Fantastic piece for each collector. Found at an est...
Category

1910s Austrian Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Metal

Pair of Carved Giltwood Mexican Folk Art Vanity Mirrors
Located in Forney, TX
A striking pair of antique hand carved gilded solid wood table mirrors. Inspired by Italian design, this magnificent Mexican folk art features elegant oval shaped mirrors with brilliant gold gilt (dore bronze) finish, intricate piecered scrolling frames with floral blossom accents, rising on turned pedestal stand, with circular molded edge base. Mixing classic contrasting elements of antique warm...
Category

Early 20th Century Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Giltwood

Trench Art Vase Dated 1918-19
Located in Fulton, CA
Extraordinary example of WWl Trench Art. Historical significance as this vase is signed by the soldier that crafted it, "Lieutenant Thorburn" including regiment "62nd Reg" and date "1918-19". Also inscribed A. E. F. The AEF helped the French Army on the Western Front during the Aisne Offensive (at the Battle of Château-Thierry and Battle of Belleau Wood...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Brass

Indian Folk Art Painted Cupboard
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Indian folk art painted cupboard This is an unusual piece, the cupboard stands on a small plinth, it is painted in the detailed Indian Folk Art Style ...
Category

Early 1900s Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Paint

Early 20th Century Hand Carved Indian Box
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century hand carved Indian box We share what we love, and we love the detail of this hand carved Indian box, likely to have been u...
Category

1920s Indian Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Rare English Hand Painted Railway Sign
Located in London, GB
Rare English hand painted railway sign. An extremely rare example of an English hand painted on pine board railway sign. Naïve yet highly decorative in...
Category

Early 20th Century British Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pine

Early 20th Century Folk Art Zinc Barbers Pole Trade Sign
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century folk art zinc barbers pole trade sign. An early 20th century hand crafted zinc barbers pole trade sign. Hand painted and of naïve construction. Lots of characte...
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Zinc

Early 20th Century Scratch Built Church Model
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century scratch built Church model We share what we love, and we love this scratch-built pine model of a church. Hand carved detail with gla...
Category

Early 1900s British Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

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

Antique Rajasthani Footed Chest Box India 1900's
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Antique Rajasthani Shekhawati Merchant's Footed Chest Box India 1900's. Early 20th Century Indian carved wood storage cash footed box used by merchants in ...
Category

Early 20th Century Indian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Metal

Early 20th Century English Folk Art Whirligig Figure
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century Folk Art whirligig figure We are proud to offer a true example of an early 20th century whirligig figure. Hand carved from scrat...
Category

1920s British Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pine, Paint

Early 20th Century Carved Wooden Miniature Pequot Ship's Figurehead Model
Located in Nantucket, MA
Early 20th Century Carved Wooden Miniature Pequot Ship's Figurehead Model, circa 1920s, a wonderful folk art carving of a Pequot-Mohican Indian in the form of a ship's figurehead: this is in fact the figurehead of the Whale Ship...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pine

Folk Art Brigantine Weathervane by Frank Adams, Martha's Vineyard, circa 1930s
Located in Nantucket, MA
Folk Art Brigantine Weathervane by Frank Adams (1871 - 1944), West Tisbury, Martha's Vineyard, circa 1930s, a hand built weathervane of a brigantine with square-rigged foremast and fore-and-aft-rigged mainmast, with wooden hull, characteristic cut sheet metal sails with folded fore-edges, and wire rigging. The weathervane is in original nicely weathered paint and condition. Frank Adams was a folk artist on the Vineyard best known for his duck decoys, but also for these weathervanes, ship models, miniature decoys...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Metal

Pair of Early 20th Century Folk Art Tole Peinte Lamps with Black Shades
Located in Middleburg, VA
Pair of Early 20th Century Folk Art Tole Peinte Lamps with Black Shades. One lamp has the number 1 and the other has the number 13. New black Gorden shades with inside gold...
Category

Early 20th Century French Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Tin

Very Long Racing Scull or Oar from Eton College Windsor
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Very Long Racing Scull or Oar from Eton College Windsor This is a fine quality extra long oar from Eton College, the spoon or blade has blue chevrons ...
Category

Early 20th Century Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Ash

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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