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
Children's Bowling Game of "Fancy Ten Pins" by Spears Works Bavaria, Circa 1935
By JW Spears 1
Located in Incline Village, NV
This rare and unique game is in excellent all original condition with it's original, highly lithographed colorful box, This seemingly little used pre-war game is completely intact an...
Category
1930s Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
"Uncle Wiggly" Toy Rabbit Wind Up Toy Signed "Gene Rosch" by Chein Toy Co C.1938
Located in Incline Village, NV
Dancing rabbit wind up toy, "Uncle Wiggly", was made by the Chein Toy Company, of New York City, circa 1938. It was designed, and the creation of foremost leading toy inventor Gene ...
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Tin
Mattapoisett Basket, by Gladys Ellis, circa 1940s
Located in Nantucket, MA
Early Vintage Mattapoisett Basket, by Gladys Ellis, Mid 20th Century, a hand-crafted basket modeled after a Nantucket purse, having a round disk shape with open top, made of hand-sti...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Other
Set of Six Black Forest Roe Deer Trophies on Wooden Plaques - Germany
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Set of Six Black Forest Roe Deer Trophies on Wooden Plaques - Germany
A set of six old trophies of roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), mounted on wooden panels with different styles. Th...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Antler, Wood
Vintage Handcrafted and Carved Wood Box House Motif, Trinket Box, Keepsake Box
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage handmade beautifully carved wooden trinket box, jewelry box or keepsake box.
Depicting a village scene with Houses & Palm Trees.
Folk Art ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Peruvian Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood, Walnut
Carved Wooden Milliners Head, Vintage Germany, circa 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Adorable unique wood carved head. Germany, 1960s. Ideal decoration item, used in the displaying and making of hats. Hand carved from wood. Nice display piece in any room. Found at an...
Category
1960s German Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Rare Set of Three Grape Christmas Ornament Vintage, 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A rare Christmas ornament set of three. Each is made from mouth blown glass, this would be a great addition for your Christmas or feather tree. Size alw...
Category
1930s German Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wire
1950s Folk Art Hand Carved Wooden Kangaroo Wine Bottle Holder Pourer Dispenser
Located in Miami, FL
We offer a 1950s hand carved wooden kangaroo wine bottle holder, pourer or dispenser.
Made out of one piece of wood with lovely details.
Good vintage condition with some chips to the...
Category
1950s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
1 of 2 Swedish Vintage Folk Art Handpainted Wooden Candelabra, 1960s
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Large folkoristic wooden hand-crafted candelabra with seven arms attached on thin, slightly adjustable metal rods. Handpainted in Nordic folklore style with burgundy, rose, green and...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Metal
Pair Handmade Painted Acrobatic Papier Mache Clowns Mexico Attr Jeanne Valentine
By Jeanne Valentine
Located in Topeka, KS
Fabulous handmade & hand painted vintage acrobatic Papier Mache clowns from Mexico attributed to Jeanne Valentine a pair. Beautiful condition, keeping...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Paste, Paint, Paper
20th Century Swedish Rag rug
Located in Boden, SE
A fantastically Swedish Rag Rug in beautiful color & pattern.
Handwoven in Boden Northern Sweden .
The rug is freshly washed.
Vintage & antique Swedish Rag Rugs from Sweden comes in ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Cotton
Pillow Cover Made from a Vintage Indian Block Printed Textile
Located in Istanbul, TR
It does not come with an insert.
Linen in the back.
Zipper closure.
Dry clean is recommended.
Item above is made from a vintage and used textile th...
Category
Mid-20th Century Indian Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Cotton
Alabama Folk Art Pottery grouping Montgomery area pre-WW2 anonymous craftsman
Located in Mobile, AL
Bark decorated folk pottery grouping. These are believed to be tourist ware made by an unidentified couple in the Montgomery area before and about the time of WW2. To date, their nam...
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Pottery
Vintage Javanese Kain Panjang and Matching Selendang Batik Tulis, Cirebon
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Vintage Indonesian Kain Panjang and Matching Selendang Batik Tulis, Cirebon, Java 1960.
A fine hand drawn wax resist painting by canting on cotton of a traditional flora and fauna pa...
Category
1960s Javanese Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Cotton
Vintage Steinbock Enamelware Oval Dish Hand-Made in Austria
By Steinböck 1
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Studio Steinbock Austria enamelware small oval dish, vide poche, appetizer platter.
Beautiful handcrafted enameled oval metal bowl decorated with vivid shades of blue, green and gold, hand painted with precision detail and color with floral and two peacocks design.
Absolutely gorgeous vintage enamel trinket dish by "Email Studio Steinbock".
Handmade Austrian Steinbock studio enamel ware...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Metal, Copper
Pillow Case Made from a Vintage Turkish Crouchet Table Cloth
By Seref Ozen
Located in Istanbul, TR
Creating utiliterian textiles in croucet technique is still a very popular craftsmanship.
It does not come with an insert.
Linen in the back.
Zipper Closure.
Dry Cleaning is recomen...
Category
Mid-20th Century Turkish Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Cotton
Rare Jaguar Wood Figure Found in Chilapa, Guerrero, Southern México, ca. 1940
By NONO
Located in Guadalajra, Jal
This vintage hand carved and hand painted Tiger, is presumed to have been made in or near Chilapa, Guerrero in circa 1940 in a Folk Art style. The carving has been made in a naive st...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Parcheesi Game Board
Located in Branford, CT
Parcheesi gameboard with original green, black, yellow and red paint on putty ground. Plywood. Early to mid-20th century.
L 24" W 24".
Condition: Excellent original condition.
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Plywood
Kokeshi Doushin or Child's Mind, by Takeda Masashi, 1960-70s, Japan
Located in Lyon, FR
Kokeshi "Doushin" aka "Esprit d'enfant", années 1960-1970, par Takeda Masashi. Une kokeshi que l'on adore pour ses formes rondes et sa simplicité presque rustique. Place belle est la...
Category
1960s Japanese Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Zabihi Collection Orange Dragon Vintage Tibetan Rug
Located in New York, NY
Colorful one-of-a-kind Tibetan rug from the 2nd quarter of the 20th century with a dragon motif on a bright orange field
Measures: 3'1'' x 5'9''.
Category
Mid-20th Century Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wool
Hand Made Dovetailed Pyrography and Inlaid Lid Keepsake Box with Photo Album
Located in Ferndale, MI
Beautifully made keepsake box. Hinged lid and spine are intricately inlaid with mother of pearl, exotic wood, beads. Backside has pyrographic image burned in. All nicely joined with dovetail detail. Not sure on country of origin. Backside image does show local dress for the area. Vintage photo album...
Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Brass
Beaded Ndebele Ceremonial Doll
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare imported commodity, glass beads have been a symbol of wealth and importance in south African cultures for centuries, and were exclusively distributed by the region's oba (king). As beads become gradually more accessible throughout the 19th century, they began to displace the organic materials used in traditional art and attire.
This colorful example of African beadwork...
Category
Mid-20th Century South African Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Cotton, Wood, Fabric
Turkish Figural 20th Century Rug
Located in New York, NY
Mid-20th century anatolian mat with a peculiar facial motif on a lavender field.
Measures: 1'7" x 2'7”.
Category
Mid-20th Century Turkish Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wool
Mid Century Surrealist Hand Painted Art Panel Folk or Fairground Art 1960s
Located in Meer, VAN
Mid Century Surrealist Hand Painted Art Panel Folk or Fairground Art, Europe, 1960s.
This is a very unique and strange piece of folk / fairground art from mid 20th century. Hand pai...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
African Moroccan Tribal Tuareg Khoumya Leather Dagger Paper Cutter
Located in North Hollywood, CA
African Moroccan Tuareg tribal Khoumya arm dagger in dark brown leather sheath.
great to use as a paper cutter on desk.
Handcrafted by Artisans in south Morocco, very fine quality craftsmanship with a stamped leather engraved with Moroccan Tuareg geometric tribal designs.
The arm dagger was a weapon widely used by people across Africa in the Sahara and Sudanic Africa, from the central Sahara to North Cameroon, from Nigeria to Somalia.
It was worn in a sheath attached to the inner side of the left forearm by a loop,
Metal steel blade shows some rust, leather in very good condition.
Size: 13 inches length x widest part 1.5 inches. Blade is 1 inch.
Africa, Morocco circa 1940s.
Great Islamic antique Nomadic Tuareg knife dagger...
Category
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Metal
Modernist Folk Art George Nelson/ Calder Style Kinetic Sculptural Weathervane
Located in Buffalo, NY
Modernist Folk Art George Nelson / Calder Style Kinetic Sculptural Weathervane .. Amazing design,, Retains original finish ,paint. Great color / patina..Pictures do it no justice,
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Metal
Early 20th Century Jigger Doll
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century jigger doll
We are proud to offer an early 20th century hand carved jigger doll. Made for a light pine wood, with hand carved detail across its face and lovely Chelsea boots. Jig dolls or les gigueux are old and established wooden or tin – plate “toys...
Category
1930s British Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Pine
Miniature Dogon Ladder: A Path to Personal Growth and Spiritual Enlightenment
Located in Stockholm, SE
Symbolically, miniature ladders like the Dogon ladder can hold various meanings depending on the context in which they are used and their cultural or historical background. For example, a miniature ladder can be a metaphor for ambition and personal growth, representing the desire to reach new heights or overcome obstacles. In spiritual contexts, a ladder can symbolize a path to wisdom or enlightenment, reflecting a personal quest to achieve higher consciousness or insight.
The interpretation of its design is multifaceted and may reflect a combination of traditional, cultural, and personal values. It serves as a beautiful symbol for those seeking inner guidance, a personal altar...
Category
1940s Malian Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
Folk Art Hand Painted Trinket Box in the Style of Peter Hunt Circa 1940s
By Peter Hunt
Located in Peabody, MA
Primitive hand decorated trinket box in the style of the noted Provincetown folk artist Peter Hunt, ca. 1940s. Humorous interior label indicates it is "four of four of a kind" and ...
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
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
Pair of 20th Century Wabi Sabi 4 Leg Stool, Austria Around 1940s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This pair of 20th century wabi sabi 4 leg stools from Austria is an excellent example of this style. Each piece has a rustic-looking seat made of wood and ...
Category
1940s Austrian Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Mid Century Barber Shop Sign
Located in Nantucket, MA
Early Vintage Barber Shop Sign, circa late 1950s to early 1960s, a hand-painted sheet metal sign with old prices for old hair cuts. The sign remains in very good condition with only ...
Category
1950s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Sheet Metal
Early Vintage Chein Company All Tin Toy Wind-Up Limousine, American, Circa 1930
Located in Incline Village, NV
This is one of the earlier, New York City based, J. Chein Company, tin toy pieces. They started doing lithography in 1930.
This toy wind-up sedan was made circa 1930 and is brightly ...
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Tin
Set of Three Vintage Halloween Squeaker Toy Noise Maker - Fun & Colorful Devil
Located in Nuernberg, DE
The colorful orange face on this old Halloween noise makers are obvious devils. Each has sinister eyes and a smile that shouldn’t be trusted. There is a s...
Category
1930s German Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paper
Vintage Swedish, decorated, bent wooden box. Handpainted 'Kurbits' style.
Located in Skarpnäck, SE
A beautiful vintage bent wooden box known as a "Svepask" from Sweden. This item can be dated to 1947 and derives from Gagnef in the Dalarna region. It has been decorated with a tradi...
Category
1940s Swedish Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Bentwood
Frankenstein or the Modern Prometheus Hardcover Book 1950 Edition
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Frankenstein or the Modern Prometheus hardcover book, 1950s Edition.
Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley's legendary horror story is presented in an illustra...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Paper
Swedish Folk Art Bulb Vase with Floral Motif by Maggie Wibom for Bo Fajans, 1930
By Bo Fajans
Located in Grythyttan, SE
Swedish Folk Art Bulb Vase with Purple and Mustard Yellow Glaze by Maggie Wibom for Bo Fajans, 1930
Bulb-shaped vase featuring a semi-transparent glaze adorned with minuscule purple ...
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Stoneware
Mythical Balinese Painting in Original Carved Frame by W Rejamus
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Mythical Balinese Painting in Original Carved Frame by W Rejamus
Wonderfull detail and incredibly colourful characters, very well executed, all in all a very interesting piece and s...
Category
1960s Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Teak
Sarreguemines French Majolica Pair of Vases with Ships, Vintage France
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful pair of vases made by Sarreguemines France. Underglaze mark. Nice addition to your table or just to display. Please see detailed pictures for vintage as found condition. Ma...
Category
1930s French Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica
1960’s Vintage Folk Art Studio Pottery Bud Vase
Located in San Carlos, CA
Exquisite Vintage Folk Art Studio Pottery Vase – Unique Relief Surface & Gentle Beige Hues
Add a touch of timeless elegance to your home decor with this wonderful piece of vintage f...
Category
1960s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Pottery
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
Hand Crafted Primitive/ Folk Art Game Table. Checkers , chess , cards, dice
Located in Buffalo, NY
Charming Hand Crafted Folk Art Game Table with drawer,Original Top with incised designs ,, Checkers /chess board ,playing cards and dice ,Base and drawer also fully decorated, Very...
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Zabihi Collection Colorful Dragon Vintage Tibetan Rug
Located in New York, NY
A colorful one-of-a-kind Tibetan rug from the 2nd quarter of the 20th century with a colorful dragon motif
Measures: 3'1'' x 5'1''.
Category
Mid-20th Century Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wool
Unusual "Stamp" Rose in Box
Located in Riverdale, NY
Unusual "Stamp" rose in box handcrafted "Rose" made of hundreds of French stamps, circa 1950s. Unusual French novelty in its own glass and brass framed casket.
...
Category
1950s French Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Bronze
Zabihi Collection Blue Turkish Goat Accent Rug
Located in New York, NY
One-of-a-kind Turkish goat motif Konya rug from the middle of the 20th century
Measures: 4' x 5'10''
Category
Mid-20th Century Persian Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wool
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
Original Pottery Sculpture Head Planter, General Charles De Gaulle
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Original Pottery sculpture head planter, general Charles De Gaulle Political Memorabilia.
This original, one-of-a-kind pottery sculpture head is a...
Category
1950s French Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Clay
African Ghana Wood Decorative Mask Wall Sculpture
Located in North Hollywood, 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
Set of Seven Vintage Trench Art Brass Goblets with Bakelite Card Suit Bases
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Unique set of seven diminutive trench art goblets in brass (circa 1930s, USA).
Formed from artillery shell stems supported by black bakelite bases.
Bases are both card suit-forms (tw...
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Brass
Folk Art Geometric Inlaid Wood Small Hinged Box
Located in West Chester, PA
Hand made geometric inlaid wooden hinged xox with red enameled interior.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
James Vullo Oil on canvas .. W.P.A. /ASHCAN Portrait of a Man 1930's
By James Vullo
Located in Buffalo, NY
James Vullo Oil on canvas .. W.P.A. /ASHCAN Portrait of a Man 1930's ..Powerful image.. retains original frame, original label Albright Knox Art Gallery (A.K.G.) Buffalo NY
1938, ...
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Canvas, Wood, Paint
Vintage Burmese Betel Box “Kun-It”
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Vintage Burmese Betel Box “Kun-It”, a cylindrical woven container with a deep lid and shallow interior tray, all covered in layers of red black and...
Category
Mid-20th Century Burmese Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Bamboo, Lacquer
Folk Art Sculpture of a Man
Located in Hudson, NY
Folk Art Sculpture of a Man
Unsigned. This piece was found in the Catskill Mountains, NY.
He came from the estate of an important NYC modernist dealer.
H...
Category
Mid-20th Century Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Hardwood
West Germany Mercury Glass Large 4.5" Santa Head Christmas Tree Ornament
Located in Clifton Forge, VA
What a great large mercury glass Santa head Christmas tree ornament. The beard, mustache, hat band and pompom are all covered with a sugary snow looking finish but the back, face and...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Mercury Glass
Hand Carved Folk Art Wood Basket
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Hand carved Folk Art wood basket depicting fruit. We had the wood professionally refinished. Basket measures 15" wide, 3.5" deep and 16.75" high.
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Collection of Worldwide Traveler's Hand Carved Folk Art Masks
Located in Atlanta, GA
Collection of worldwide traveler's hand carved folk art masks, circa 1940s - 1970s, possibly earlier. We purchased the estate of an Atlanta Coca Cola executive, who traveled the worl...
Category
1950s Balinese Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Orange Vintage Tibetan Rug
Located in New York, NY
Colorful one-of-a-kind Tibetan rug from the 2nd quarter of the 20th century feauturing a bright orange field
Measures: 3'2'' x 5'6''.
Category
Mid-20th Century Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wool
E. SIMCOE - Vintage Oil Painting on Panel - Unframed - Canada - Mid 20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
E. Simcoe - Vintage Impressionist style oil painting on panel - signed - unframed - Canada - mid 20th century.
Excellent vintage condition - very clean - no loss - no damage - no re...
Category
Mid-20th Century Canadian Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Masonite, Paint
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.