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
Hand Carved Wood Moroccan Ethnic Large Spoon
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Hand Carved antique African Moroccan burl wood large spoon.
Large Moroccan ethnic folk art hand crafted and carved large cooking spoon.
Great patina, rou...
Category
Early 20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Toy Wind-Up Double Decker Bus by Ferdinand Strauss Toy Co. Circa 1925
By STRAUSS
Located in Incline Village, NV
Antique Wind-Up Double Decker open air bus by the Ferdinand Strauss Toy Company, New York; circa 1925; is quite a large and substantial toy resembling ver...
Category
1920s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Tin
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
Carved and Painted Six Whale Species Board Made by Nantucket Whaler, circa 1940
By Captain George Grant
Located in Nantucket, MA
Made by George Grant of Nantucket (1857-1942).
Grant, the son of whaling captain Charles Grant, was born in 1857 during a whaling voyage. His mother, ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Pine, Paint
Pair of Small Early Painted Folk Art Chairs or Side Tables
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Set of Two Smaller Folk Art Chairs or Side Tables With Original Paint and Patina.
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
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
1 of the 31 Unique Antique Relief Tiles, circa 1920 S.A. Pavillions
By OTHR
Located in Rijssen, NL
Several pcs. exceptional antique wall tiles, Société des Pavillions, Florennes (S.A. des Pavillions). Beautiful quality.
The dimensions per tile are 5,9inch (15 cm) × 5,9 inch (15 c...
Category
1920s French Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Antique Southwestern-Style Ganado-Inspired Kilim Rug
Located in Dallas, TX
77775 Antique Southwestern-Style Ganado-Inspired Kilim Rug, 02'11 x 03'11. This striking antique handwoven wool kilim rug is a powerful representation of the Ganado-inspired aestheti...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wool
Pair of French Tramp Art Mirrors with Geometric Carved Frames, circa 1900
Located in Atlanta, GA
This pair of French Tramp Art mirrors, dating to circa 1900, offers a striking example of the genre’s intricately layered and hand-carved aesthetic. Each frame is built from repeated...
Category
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood
Antique Wooden Pot or Tekhi from Nepal, 1900s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Antique Wooden Pot or Tekhi, from Nepal, 13" Tall, circa 1900s
Early 20th century wood pot from Nepal, this particular style of wooden container, pot has a r...
Category
Early 20th Century Nepalese Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
African Tribal Art Mask Parchment Wall Shade Sconces in Red
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Pair of African Tribal Art mask parchment wall shade sconces.
These Art pieces could be used as large wall lamp shade.
Iron frame covered with hide w...
Category
Early 20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Iron
Gilt Wood Tramp Art French Folk Mirror with Raised Pyramidal Motifs, circa 1900
Located in Atlanta, GA
A gilt wood French Tramp Art Folk mirror from the Turn of the Century, with hand-carved raised pyramidal motifs. Attracting our eyes with its rustic charm, this French Turn of the Ce...
Category
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood
Karl Viktor Mayr, Austrian Oil on Canvas "An Exotic Nude Girl"
By Karl Viktor Mayr
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Karl Viktor Mayr (Austrian, 1882-1974) a very fine Austrian oil on canvas "An Exotic Nude Girl" depicting a young semi-nude woman, revealing her breast...
Category
Early 1900s Austrian Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Canvas, Giltwood
1900s Scandinavian Wooden Horse
Located in High Point, NC
Like a mysterious inhabitant of a fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen, this wooden quadruped crafted in Scandinavia circa 1900 exudes a gentle melancholy of the North. The whitenes...
Category
Early 1900s Scandinavian Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Early 20th Century English Ventriloquist Dummy
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century English Ventriloquist Dummy
An unusual example of a hand-crafted early 20th Century English ventriloquist dummy. With tailored made velour outfit with pearl but...
Category
1920s British Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Cotton, Velvet, Wood, Paper
French Wooden Table Top Football Soccer Game
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
French wooden table top football soccer game
This is one for the Boys, it is a 1930s table football game from France, the game has the players in white ...
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Backdrop Dated 1907 Depicting the Rocky Mountains
Located in Santa Fe, NM
Rare truly.
Summer camp play backdrop depicting an abstract interpretation of the Rocky Mountain range.
Condition is very good, this was found rolled up in a garage likely in place f...
Category
Early 1900s American Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Paint
Early 20th Century Handmade Persian Tribal Pictorial Story Accent Rug
Located in New York, NY
An antique Persian tribal Shiraz accent rug handmade during the early 20th century with a medallion incorporating 6 globes representing a pictorial depiction of Classic tales.
Mea...
Category
Early 20th Century Persian Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wool
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
Vintage "Dapper Clown" Roly Poly Toy; Scarce. Germany Circa 1915
Located in Incline Village, NV
Vintage hard to find "Rolly Dolly" Toy; unknown German maker, circa 1915; I have named "Dapper Clown"; this is one of the more rare "Rolly Dolly's" (really rare in this condition). Today we call these toys "Roly Poly's". You knock them over and they always "right" themselves and get upright; probably after the 17th C. Japanese "Daruma Dolls" at some level.
I'm not sure of the actual thematic genesis of this character, but the excellent condition, very simply, separates this from any other similar Roly Poly's, Watch the attached video to see how it was played with to better appreciate the condition. 8" high puts it in the "taller" category for this toy.
Made of paper mache, makers of these roly poly's were produced quite prolifically by the same type of German cottage industry that produced Noah...
Category
1910s German Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Composition
Antique Indochinese Art Deco Rug in Gold with Kirin Pictorials, from Rug & Kilim
Located in Long Island City, NY
Hand-knotted in wool circa 1920-1930, this 9x11 antique 9x11 Indochinese Art Deco rug is a rare and exciting curation from the Rug & Kilim collection.
On the Design:
This is an ex...
Category
1920s Chinese Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wool
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
Antique Asian Bronze Chariot with Dragon Head Pulled by Horses
By Rajhastani
Located in North Hollywood, CA
From the Ramakien a Thai Ramayana.
A scene from Ramakian or Ramayan, the Indian epic Lakshman riding in a chariot along with Rama and Sita sitting in the back.
After his victory over Ravana, Sri Rama prepares to leave for Ayodhya, Rama now told Vibheeshan that there was just one more day...
Category
Early 20th Century Indian Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Bronze
English Brown Wicker Dog Kennel Basket
Located in Houston, TX
English brown wicker dog kennel or pet carrier (circa 1900-1910), rare large-scale and in good condition. Forged iron door and latch loop. Door openi...
Category
Early 1900s English Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Iron
Vintage Concrete Seagull Sculpture
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage Concrete Seagull Sculpture
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Concrete
Wooden Buffer for Printing Fabrics, India, Early 20th Century
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Wooden pad with trefoil patterns used to decorate fabrics.
India, early 20th century.
Category
Early 20th Century Indian Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Scratch-Built Ship Model, Circa 1900
Located in Doylestown, PA
A wonderful scratch-built ship model of a steam-sailer with full rigging, on a stand, circa 1890
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Large Wild West Cowboy and Horse Sculpture
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Gilt brass sculpture on stand, depicting a celebrating cowboy on a wild horse with great patina.
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Brass
Early 20th Century, Circus Balancing Balls
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century circus balancing balls.
We share what we love, and we love these rare early 20th century hand crafted wood and glass mirror English circus balancing balls. Each section is hand crafted using pins...
Category
1920s British Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood
Early 20th Century American Hooked Rug ( 6'2" x 6'5" - 188 x 196 )
Located in New York, NY
Early 20th Century American Hooked Rug ( 6'2" x 6'5" - 188 x 196 )
Category
1910s Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wool
Nautical Folk Art Hand Carved Wooden Whimsy
Located in Brooklyn, NY
American whimsy with traditional 'ball in cage' decoration, all carved and whittled from one continuous piece of wood, circa early 20th century. The bottom tip suggests that this pie...
Category
1910s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Betzalel Hand-Made Silver Filigree Spice Box
Located in New York, NY
This is a meticulously handcrafted silver filigree spice box, created in the Bezalel School of Arts and Crafts tradition, a hallmark of early 20th-century Jewish artistic expression ...
Category
Early 20th Century Israeli Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Silver
Early 20th Century English Fairground Carousel Boards
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century English Fairground Carousel Boards
A matched pair of early 20th century hand crafted pine English fairground carousel boards, that would have been part of a larg...
Category
1920s British Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Pine
Amish All Wool Lancaster Co. Pa Diamond in A Square Quilt
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This amazing rare Amish all wool Lancaster County,Pennsylvania Diamond in a square quilt comes from a thirty year old private quilt collection.The condition is very mint with no moth...
Category
1920s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wool
Vintage St. Therese Chalkware Bust
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Large St. Therese chalkware bust found on the east coast of the United States. Great early paint surface with the right amount of ware and age. Depicts ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Composition
Rare Folk Art Iron Shooting Gallery Carnival Ram Sculpture
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Fabulous folk art freestanding animal sculpture made from found carnival art shooting gallery iron ram. Rich with authentic character, the brown patinated surface is pocked with bul...
Category
Early 1900s American Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Iron
Patriotic Flag Quilt Old Glory
Located in Darnestown, MD
Nothing could be more of the moment than this patriotic flag quilt depicting Old Glory.
It was most likely made either for the admission of Arizona into st...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Cotton
Tall Teak Wood Asian Folk Art Sculpture of Elderly Man
Located in Evergreen, CO
Carved from a substantial piece of teak, this masterpiece is nearly 3 and a half feet tall. It features an elderly, bearded man carrying a bowl of food, possibly noodles, with two ma...
Category
Early 20th Century Asian Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Teak
Traditional Wooden Artist Mannequin Model Doll Vintage Italy, 1920s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A handmade wooden Artist mannequin model - all joints move as they should. Found on a Estate sale in Verona, Italy.
Shows some wear - but looks beautiful on display! Some scratches a...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Metal
Early 20th Century American Hooked Rug ( 6' x 9' - 183 275 )
Located in New York, NY
Early 20th Century American Hooked Rug ( 6' x 9' - 183 275 )
Category
1910s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wool
Vtg Blown Glass Painted Peter Rabbit Easter Bunny Christmas Ornament Tree Topper
Located in Clifton Forge, VA
Such vintage sweetness!! I don't know if this is an early Peter Rabbit or Easter Bunny or just a Christmas ornament in the shape of a bunny but it is adorable!1 The ornament has been from clear glass into the bunny shape and is overpainted with the white & light brown fur, fun pink vest...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Blown Glass, Paint
Folk-Art Cabinet from Cortina d'Ampezzo – Early 20th Century, Barkwork
Located in PARIS, FR
This extraordinary cabinet is a rare piece of Italian craftsmanship, hailing from Cortina d'Ampezzo in the early 1900s. Completely covered in dark, meticulously nailed bark, it showc...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Large Antique Carved Wood Female Bambara Chi Wara Antelope Figure
Located in Nantucket, MA
Chi wara is a ritual headdress used by the Bambara people in Mali. Portrayed as both male or female figures Chi ware is associated with agriculture. This fema...
Category
Early 1900s Malian Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
Irish Horseshoe Coat and Tack Rack by B McMullen A fine quality piece
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Irish Horseshoe Coat and Tack Rack by B McMullen
A fine quality piece made in Walnut by B McMullen saddlery
Beautifully made in the shape of a horseshoe with 8 hand forged farrier...
Category
1910s Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Walnut
Abraham Lincoln Head Folk Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Early 20Thc Hand carved head of Lincoln.This folky head has a black painted shirt.
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Wood Lawn Bowling Game Original Caddy and Bowling Balls, circa 1900
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Lawn bowling set and caddy. The best orange and yellow paint. Great as a display or design accessory. Or play the game! Complete and as good as it gets. Includes 14 wood carved pins...
Category
Early 1900s North American Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Earthenware Hungarian Pottery, circa 1900s
Located in Ventura, CA
Earthenware Hungarian Pottery, circa 1900s
This exquisite piece of European pottery, originating from Hungary, stands as a testament to the artistic ...
Category
Early 20th Century Hungarian Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Earthenware
Moroccan Tribal Berber Wooden Sugar Hammer
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Moroccan tribal Berber wooden sugar hammer.
Handcrafted by the Berber women of Morocco, hand-carved wood with tribal design, this folk art instrument is a...
Category
Early 20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Unusually Oversized Folk art Spinning Top
Located in London, GB
Unusually Oversized Folk art Spinning Top
An unusually oversized late 19th Century hand carved folk art spinning top. Detailed with Welsh style geometric ...
Category
Early 1900s British Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Set of Folk Art Baskets, France, Early 20th Century
Located in Antwerp, BE
Beautiful collection of four folk art baskets, crafted with meticulous skill and care in the time-honored tradition of coiled baskets. Each basket testifie...
Category
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Straw
Early 20th Century Black & White Hand Beaded African Chair
Located in North Miami, FL
This truly exquisite hand beaded chair by the Yoruba Artisans of Nigeria, best representation of furniture as art. And don't be shy to sit on them, because they are very comfortable. There is a Second matching chair available.
They were traditionally created for the Yoruba tribe kings and queens and are embellished with thousands of seed glass beads applied to fabric covers, which are then stitched or glued onto the chair frame - resulting in an exotic chair...
Category
Early 20th Century Nigerian Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood, Beads
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
Carved Asian Wooden Bench / Settee Floral Decoration Elements Myanmar 1920s
Located in Salzburg, AT
Carved Asian wooden bench / settee floral details Myanmar 1920s
The bench may be small, but it is extremely decorative - a pleasure to look at.
Straight-lined construction with squ...
Category
1920s Burmese Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Fabric, Hemp, Wood
1920s American Hooked Rug ( 2'10" x 18'4" - 85 x 560 )
Located in New York, NY
1920s American Hooked Rug ( 2'10" x 18'4" - 85 x 560 )
Category
1920s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wool
SCULPTED DEEP RED ANTIQUE LIBRARY BOOK CARVED FROM ROCK PART OF A LARGE SUiTE
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this Absolutely exquisite, hand carved from solid rock library book which is part of a suite
I have six of ...
Category
Early 1900s English Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Stone
1920’s French Whimsical Monumental Balloon Wall Hangings - a Pair
Located in Charleston, SC
One of a kind!!! These are so fun, I can’t stand it! A pair of early 20th century French Whimsical Monumental Balloon Wall Hangings. The balloons look like lolly pops...
Category
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
Two Tribal Bronze Konga Anklet Leg Band
Located in North Hollywood, CA
An early 20th century antique African tribal leg band (ankle bracelet),
These leg bands were both currency and status symbols for the Mongo tribe of northwest Congo.
They were ma...
Category
Early 20th Century Congolese Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Bronze
French Turn of the Century Brown and Black Tramp Art Mirror with Medallions
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French Turn of the Century brown and black Tramp Art mirror from circa 1900 with raised circular medallions. Embark on a journey through time with th...
Category
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood
Folk Art furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique folk art furniture for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include folk art, decorative objects, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art furniture made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original furniture, popular names associated with this style include Berber Tribes of Morocco, Mosche Bianche, Jim Rose, and Nils Olsson. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $20 and tops out at $225,000 while the average work can sell for $1,252.
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