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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
Folk Art Animal Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful art glass animal sculpture, Folk Art design, circa mid-20th century. Sculpture is hand-blown art glass of farm animals, from base to top, a horse, dog, cat, and rooster. ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Blown Glass, Art Glass

Original Painted Pine Baby Cradle Rocker, Sweden 1850-55
Located in Round Top, TX
This delightful baby cradle was hand-crafted by a loving family in the mid 1800's. Note each of the narrow ends with dates and monograms. The original painted finish with red/orange panels, white flowers and green leaves is also gently appealing where the paint is worn away from years of use revealing the aged pine. The faux wood brown background was the traditional folk art style of the era. This wood cradle has been restored and waxed. It is solid/structurally sound. A new base/bottom has been added. An old alteration is seen along the rockers where it was raised up. Antique cradles...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pine, Paint

Hand Woven Bessarabian Kelim with Floral Pattern, 1940
Located in Vienna, Austria
A beautiful hand woven wool kelim rug . Woven in to the black wool background are stylised variations of plants in bright colours.Produced in Beserarabia, in south-eastern Europe on...
Category

1940s Moldovan Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool

19th Century Austrian hand carved folk art wall candle holder
Located in London, GB
19th Century Austrian hand carved folk art wall candle holder This is a very unusual piece of folk art, made from hand carved wood in 2 pieces as the pipe is removable and could hav...
Category

1870s Austrian Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Mettlach German Villeroy & Boch Beer or Vine Pitcher Ceramic Pewter Lidd
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Experience the allure of a bygone era with our stunning Antique Mettlach German Villeroy & Boch Beer or Vine Pitcher. This masterpiece encapsulates the artistry of German craftsmansh...
Category

1880s German Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pewter

Carved Canada Goose by Frank Finney
By Frank Finney
Located in Nantucket, MA
Canada swimming goose, hollow carved with glass eyes and lead plate Signed/incised and titled on the bottom, "The Swimmer, Frank S Finney" circa 1980.
Category

Late 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Victorian Antique Smoker’s Cane Walking Stick with Money & Matches Box
Located in Shippensburg, PA
VICTORIAN SMOKING CANE WITH A ROTATING MONEY BOX AND MATCH COMPARTMENT Unmarked, probably English; late 19th/early 20th century 35" H x 2 1/8" W An interesting smoker's cane, the ...
Category

20th Century British Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Nickel

African Tuareg Silver Pewter Tea Pot from Mauritania
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage African Tuareg Tea pot Mauritania Mid-20th century Tuareg teapot from Mauritania, Africa, Western Sahara. Handcrafted of pewter, copper and brass...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mauritanian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Brass, Copper, Pewter

Hand Carved Wooden Balinese Busts Sculptures
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage midcentury hand carved ebony wooden Balinese busts sculptures. Hand carved sculpture in wood depicting a Balinese couple. Bust of a man and wom...
Category

Mid-20th Century Balinese Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

20thc Hand Carved Wood Mermaid Statue
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This hand carved wood sculpture of a mermaid is in fine condition.It is hand carved and unsigned.So fantastic the surface and carving.
Category

1940s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

20th Century Table Lamp with Shells
Located in Buggiano, IT
Table lamp with plastic sphere manually coated with shells, very elegant. In working condition. Equipped with original 20th century European wiring. We recommend buyer consults an ex...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Shell, Plastic

Santa Claus Belsnickle Christmas Chocolate Mold Antique 1900s, German
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 cons...
Category

Early 1900s German Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Metal

American Copper Spread Winged Eagle Weathervane with Sphere and Arrow, C. 1880
Located in Charleston, SC
American molded copper spread winged eagle weathervane with circular sphere, arrow, and mounted on cast iron squared base. Weathervane has a fine natural verdigris patina in the orig...
Category

1880s American Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Copper, Iron

A four mast 18th century ship in a bottle, English folk art circa 1920
Located in Central England, GB
This very good example has been hand built in a smaller sized square bottle than normally seen. It contains a large four mast 18th century ship fully rigged and with open sails leaving the shoreline which has high cliffs and buildings whilst about to pass a lighthouse. The scale and detail are very good and it has been very nicely hand painted. These rare folk art bottles...
Category

Early 20th Century British Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Glass

19th Century Double Sailor's Valentine
Located in Nantucket, MA
Antique Double Sailor's Valentine, circa 1880, a pair of handcrafted shell collages mounted in mahogany octagonal shadowboxes, hinged together and mounted with a clasp and a chain for hanging. This valentine features a heart and the message "Forget Me Not." The valentine is in great condition, but does of course have a few shells that have come loose over the past century and a half. The cases remain in great condition as well. Each Measures: 9-1/8 in H x 9-1/8 in W Victorians in the Age of Exploration and its accompanying Eclectic Movement embraced arts and crafts from around the world. Shell boxes are frequently seen, and even the odd shell diorama...
Category

Late 19th Century Bajan Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Shell, Mahogany

Butcher's Piggy Bank
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This uniquely humorous piggy bank is the perfect blend of wit and practicality, designed in the shape of a plump, adorable pig. What sets it apart is the quirky butcher's diagram of ...
Category

20th Century Unknown Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Persian Tabriz Hunting Animal Pictorial Rug
Located in New York, NY
Room size Persian Tabriz rug with a Pictorial Animal Hunting Pattern from the 1st quarter of the 20th Century Measures: 9'7'' x 12'10''.
Category

20th Century Persian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool

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

Early 20th Century Chinese Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Soapstone

Haitian Painting on Canvas of a Still life by Gabriel Alix
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Standout vintage Haitian acrylic painting on canvas of a still life with fruit, executed with a spirited naive flair by noted artist Gabriel Alix. Present...
Category

Mid-20th Century Haitian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Cane, Acrylic, Wood

Five Mechanical Bank Trade Cards in Frame, circa 1880s
Located in Incline Village, NV
Five mechanical bank trade cards are displayed in two separate frames. In one frame are three polychrome trade cards, which the salesmen typically carrie...
Category

19th Century American Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Paper

Victorian green & gold Cast Iron Christmas Tree Stand, Vintage, German, 1890s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This beautiful Art nouveau green and golden color cast iron Christmas tree stand, was made in Germany, in the 1910s. A nice addition for your Christmas decoration. It holds a stem up...
Category

1890s German Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Metal, Iron

Wooden Carousel Horse / Zebra, European Hand-Carved Folk Art Sculpture
Located in Madrid, ES
Detailed and expressive, this authentic handmade carousel / merry-go-round zebra demonstrates how popular or folk style sculpture can reach the level of high art. With its original p...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Iron

1920's -30's Hand Painted "DRUGS" wood sign
Located in Buffalo, NY
1920's -30's Hand Painted "DRUGS" wood sign ... Great old sign,, Tons of character,, Retains original finish / patina..
Category

1920s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

Exceptional 1750 Red and Blu Painted Blanket Chest, Central Europe
Located in Vo', Veneto
Small Antique painted blancket chest Measures: H. 31cm - L. 72cm - P. 45cm Rare small chest in painted fir wood. The decorations are geometric, of an intense blue color, with ...
Category

Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Fir

Decorative Antique Sled, Wrought Iron with a Wood Seat, German 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This early 20th century sleigh from Germany is an excellent example of a child's toy or likely a display piece for your doll or teddy bear collection. The piece has a rustic looking ...
Category

Early 20th Century German Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Pewter Bowl Tureen Rose Flower Final Lid German 1920s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A gorgeous Lidded bowl or tureen, made in Germany. The Lid decorated with a rose flower handle. with makers mark and 95% sign for the tin content. Found at an Estate Sale in Nurembe...
Category

Early 20th Century German Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pewter

Tramp Art Box, c.1890
Located in Savannah, GA
A three lid pedestal tramp art box, circa 1890s. Larger compartment under top. Velvet lined. 10 ¾ inches wide by 7 ¾ inches deep by 10 ¼ inches tall
Category

1890s Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Velvet, Wood

Antique shepherd’s chest, 1820s
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Antique shepherd’s chest with geometric decoration from the Carpathian Highlands, ca. 1820. Also called sarcophagus chests or Wallachian chests because of their association with the ...
Category

1820s Romanian Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Beech

Hand painted Pine Wedding Cabinet, anno 1782
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A beautiful cabinet from the rural south of Germany dating from 1782. The cabinet was once given as a wedding gift. Made of solid pine and hand painted in vibrant colours. The cabine...
Category

1780s Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Iron

Collection of Three Vintage Swedish Dala Horses by Nils Olsson, Sweden Folk Art
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
This is a collection of three Swedish Dala Horses by Nils Olsson. These are hand-carved and hand-painted wood. The larger one is approximately 5" high, 4.75" wide, and 1.25" deep. Th...
Category

1970s Swedish Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

Vintage Mata Ortiz Style Mexican Pottery Set
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Mexican Mata Ortiz style small clay studio pottery set. Mata Ortiz pottery style with black, red and green geometric designs on red clay. The set comprise of a covered vess...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pottery

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Rooster Weathervane
Located in Chicago, IL
A charming early 20th American Folk Art carved pine rooster weathervane with a wonderful silhouette with a large tail, applied wings, and copper legs all supported by an iron rod wit...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pine

Antique Swedish Rustic Folk Art Stool
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique Swedish rustic stool in folk art made with three legs. The stool has a round seat and is in its untouched original condition. The paint has become distressed with time and the resulting patina is full of rustic charm and character. This stool is from northern Sweden and made around the 1820s. Older stools...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pine

Antique Thai Buddhist Temple Pediment
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Antique Thai Buddhist Temple Pediment. An architectural remnant of an assembled teak triangular gable carved with elaborate and symmetrical “kanok” veget...
Category

19th Century Thai Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Teak

Ikat Panel, Uzbekistan, Early 20th Century.
Located in Istanbul, TR
An attractive rare ıkat panel dating back to early 20th C.
Category

Early 20th Century Uzbek Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Silk

Chinese Checkered 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

19th Century Gold Giltwood Carved Letters William Trade Sign
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Classic 19th century American wood trade sign with chunky hand carved and gold painted letters. Ready to display.
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Folk Art Pine Wood Salmon Fish Decorated in Burn Umber Paint
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Heavily patinated pine salmon fish with remnants of paint. This piece has an old hole in the center where it was mounted as a sign. It currently has a piece of wire to hang on the wa...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pine

Antique Silk Warp Cotton Weft Ikat Panel, Late 19th C. Uzbekistan
Located in Istanbul, TR
This is a bold example to the late 19th C. Uzbek skates. It has traces of use and some wear. Lined with a mid 20th C. roller printed fabric.
Category

Late 19th Century Uzbek Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Cotton, Silk

German Folk Art Grey and Cobalt Blue Stoneware Jar
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
A very decorative German folk art grey stoneware jar with cobalt-blue painting from the 1st half of the 20th century. Traditional Westerwald stoneware is a type of ceramic ware that was produced in the lower Westerwald and the Kannenbäckerland in the early modern period. Since the 17th century, it has been one of the dominant types of German stoneware. The technique for producing grey stoneware with cobalt blue painting proved...
Category

Early 20th Century German Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Stoneware

Pink Cast Iron Pig Money Bank or Doorstop with Wings, Denmark
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Danish piggy pink cast iron money bank or doorstopper with wings. This smiling and charming Lady Pig is newly powder-coated in "pretty pink". She is good sturdy condition.
Category

Mid-20th Century Danish Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Iron

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

Early 20th Century Uzbek Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Silk

Vintage Multi-Colored Patch-Work Designed Wool Rug 4'1''x7'2''
Located in Torrance, CA
This vibrant hand-woven wool rug is a celebration of color, culture, and craftsmanship. This one-of-a-kind patchwork piece is composed of repurposed vintage fragments, each featuring...
Category

Early 20th Century Turkish Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool

Pink Pig Lucky Charm Mohair Composition Candy Container, Antique, Austria, 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful pink pig candy container. Made of paper mache, covered with mohair and has glass eyes. Nice addition to your Christmas or new years collection or decoration. It is from t...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Composition

Original Antique Bird Print, the Savi's Warbler, circa 1870
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of a savi's warbler Unframed. It gives you the option of perhaps making a set up using your own choice of frames. Lithograph with original hand color. Published,...
Category

1870s English Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Paper

Taserud candelabra, in wood and wrought iron, Swedish Folk
Located in Stockholm, SE
A traditional Taserud candelabra by Koppfeldt Arvika. In stained, hand cut wood and wrought iron candle holders. A history of the Taserudsstaken: The Taserudsstake is a strong sym...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Iron

Asian Black and Red Round Box Lacquer Offering Vessel Urn
Located in North Hollywood, CA
South Asian Burmese black and red lacquer box, offering vessel urn with compartment for storage. This round lacquer ware box from Burma is made from bamboo and lacquer. In Burma (now...
Category

Late 20th Century Burmese Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Bamboo

Zabihi Collection Persian Pictorial Animal Gabbeh Rug
Located in New York, NY
One-of-a-kind Persian animal motif Gabbeh rug from the middle of the 20th century Measures: 4'1'' x 6'
Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool

Antique Swedish Wooden plates 1800's Handmade Folk Craft great series
Located in Forest, BE
Swedish antique birch hand made wooden plates. Made to be used as a dining plates. Fine quality of handwork. these are true piece from the early 19 century. Beautiful patina on the ...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Birch

Marvelous Antique Carved Wood Locksmith Trade Sign
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A wonderful early 20th century carved mahogany locksmith trade sign in the shape of a large key. Makes an unexpected piece of wall art as a found object with tons of character.
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Gemstone Gilt Bronze Mounted Rock Crystal Vessel Offering Bowl
Located in Forney, TX
A spectacular Mughal Empire Period (1526-1857) precious gemstone set gilt bronze ormolu mounted carved rock crystal vessel Buddhist altar offering bowl....
Category

19th Century Tibetan Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Multi-gemstone, Rock Crystal, Ormolu

Vintage American Hand Carved Wooden Decoy Duck Bookends (Pair)
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautifully sculpted and incredibly nostalgic pair of wooden decoy duck bookends. These realistic looking, duck bookends have a timeless and classic look. Made in the 1980's, these r...
Category

1980s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Moroccan Berber Table with Carved Tribal African Designs
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Moroccan Berber cable hand-carved with tribal African designs. Rectangular wooden coffee table hand-carved wit tribal designs by skilled Moroccan artisans in Marrakech. Dark brown ...
Category

20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Set of 3 Decorative Swedish Folk Art Pieces, c. 1900-1930
Located in Frederiksberg C, DK
Set of 3 Decorative Swedish Folk Art Pieces, Hand-Carved and Hand-Painted, c. 1900-1930 This charming set consists of three beautifully crafted decorative items: a large spoon, a sm...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Cast Iron Bulldog Dog Door Stopper Statue
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Cast Iron Bulldog Dog Door Stopper Statue. Versatile piece that can be used functionally as well as add to a collection of these vintage cast iron figures.
Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Iron

Portrait of Mary Elizabeth Dyer, Aged 4. Dated 1829
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
A lovely naive portrait of a young girl Interesting provenance on the verso Watercolour on paper. Condition report- Some surface loss, foxing and a tiny hole top left Presented ...
Category

1820s English Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Paper, Birdseye Maple

Framed Antique Ottoman Embroidery Fragment 19th century.
Located in Istanbul, TR
First the fragment has been hand backed on a linen fabric, then stretched over a wooden stretcher and finished with a wooden frame. Late 19th C. Turkey Ready to go on a wall. Framed...
Category

19th Century Turkish Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Silk

Pair Scottie Dogs Atop Book Theme Japanese Puzzle Bank Occupied Japan Circa 1948
Located in Incline Village, NV
Quite an unusual piece for bank collectors or just for those seeking a unique collectible. This is a coin bank made of all wood; walnut and inlay here and there; simulating a stack and shelf of books; a pair of "Scottie dogs" (terriers) on top of the bank completes the decoration. The slot on top of the bank accommodates the saving of coins. When it is full; the method of opening the bank to remove the coins, exemplifies the ultimate in Japanese ingenuity. A video attached to the listing displays the foregoing. With the books facing you; slide the two front bottom panels to the left; slide the bottom right panel forward (tilt forward) exposing the opening; slide out the enclosed loose key; push everything back; slide left half of front panel to the left; the middle book drops down exposing the key hole; insert and turn the key to the right to open; lift the hinged lid; remove coins and reverse the process to start over again. Fantastic item!!! This bank was made in Japan, right after World War ll, during the occupation, around 1948. It is a further manifestation of a mid to early 19th century tradition of hiding documents and money in boxes with "tricks" and a multiplicity of "moves" to unlock a box or trunk. With these banks, it is all about condition and completeness, considering the rough play and use it was subject to from trying to figure out how to open it. This particular bank is in excellent and all original, complete condition with no repairs and no replacements, and is from my own personal collection of banks; having been in my possession since 1985. Worth noting is that this example was featured in "Antiquing and Collecting" magazine September 2003 edition in an article on Japanese Puzzle...
Category

1940s Japanese Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

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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