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.
Folk Art Carved Wood Robot, Geometric Figure, Signed 1989
Located in Round Top, TX
Carved wood, artist-made robot figure, complete with moveable arms, legs and head. He can even do the splits! Artist signed and dated to bottom of feet. Great folk art piece to pla...
Wood
$2,895
Old Hickory Center Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Old Hickory Center Table on Three legs.This folky side table or gaming table is in amazing condition.This is a hand made & carved table. It is a sturdy and could work well as a car...
Wood
C.A Paudalho. Artisan Center Table in Wood
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Exceptional center table, unique piece of extreme beauty and utility. Made by wood master C.A Paudalho in the Brazilian northeast during the 1970's. This big artist made a few custom...
Wood
Round Center Table
Located in Annville, PA
Our most robust drum table this large Round Center Table has eye catching appeal with satin wood banding, carved knees and a thick top with three d...
Mahogany
$6,300Sale Price|47% Off
H 30.5 in W 40.25 in D 40.25 in
Stunning Exotic Wood Antique Breakfast Table or Center Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
If you are looking for something completely unique and special, look no further - this absolutely stunning antique breakfast table features the most beautiful exotic wood and would make an ideal Statement piece in any interior. We are unsure of the type of wood - however it is wood, possibly an Amboyna Burl, as we had completed a full restoration and noticed the wood grain was still present after sanding down a light portion of it. It appears to have been painstakingly assembled / tessellated with each piece on its edge highlighting the amazing burled wood grain. While we are a bit uncertain on some of the details of this table - one thing we know for sure is that it is one of the most remarkable pieces of furniture (or in this case functional art) that we have seen. As for age - we do not know when this was made but when we acquired it, it had decades of age giving us the feeling this is an antique piece from earlier 20th Century. We just completed a full restoration with a beautiful lacquer coat giving it plenty of protection for regular use as a center table, cafe or dining table, or as a large sculpture pedestal table. So beautiful, and so special - ready to grace any fine interior space as a Statement piece. This exotic wood breakfast table...
Wood
$3,270
H 31 in Dm 36 in
Hollywood Regency White Carved Wood Center Table W/ 3 Italian Terracotta Monkeys
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a mid-century carved fruitwood tree form table with a glass top. There are three Italian terracotta monkeys swinging and climbing from the branch canopy. I have added a 48 in...
Terracotta, Glass, Fruitwood
Craftsman's Mixed Wood Center Table
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A well made and very decorative circular table constructed of a darker wood plank top mounted on a pale wood base. The apron is made of different shapes in four layers. Raised on thr...
Wood
NEW! DOOQ! MODERN! On The Rocks Center Table in Wood
By DOOQ
Located in Lisbon, PT
A harmonious exploration of contrasts, the On the Rocks table bridges the organic and the futuristic. Designed as a piece to be admired and cherished, it invites a dialogue between t...
Wood
$3,410
H 31.5 in Dm 28.35 in
Italian Neoclassical Round Walnut Center Table with Carved Figural Legs, 1920s
Located in Almelo, NL
Italian Neoclassical Round Walnut Center Table with Carved Figural Legs, Italy, 1920s A refined Italian neoclassical-style center table crafted in Italy during the 1920s. Executed i...
Walnut
French Gilt Carved Wood Original Marble Top Console, Circa 1790
Located in Charleston, SC
French gilt carved wood original marble top console with articulated carved skirt, fluted legs, and laurel wreath with twisted rope. Late 18th century
Marble
Round Center Table
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Round art deco inspired center table in deep mahogany grain. Please confirm location NY or NJ
Mahogany
Antique Elm Wood Low Center Table or Coffee Table
Located in Old Town Orange, CA
Elm coffee table 45”rd. X 26”h Vintage antique elm wood coffee table with beautiful antique weathered patina top Beautiful antique patina, with weathering and age, these are solid an...
Elm
Harp Center Table
Located in Annville, PA
Produced and designed by Niagara Furniture to match many of our other Duncan Phyfe inspired items the Harp Center Table can be used in many places throughout the home. Ideal for an e...
Mahogany
ADN Round Center Table
Located in Paris, FR
Center table ADN round with base hand carved in solid polished walnut wood. With Tempered glass top, 12mm thickness. Base dimensions: Diameter 61cm. Available on request in: Diameter...
Glass, Walnut
Mahogany Center Table
Located in Annville, PA
A gorgeous, high quality Mahogany Center Table with plenty of presence to brighten up any room. Banded and figured mahogany top, hand carved solid mahogany base and real gold leaf ac...
Mahogany
Sold
H 27.17 in Dm 29.14 in
19th Century Swedish Folk Art Center Table with Originalpaint Swedish Antiques
Located in Boden, SE
19th Century Swedish Center table from Burtrask Vasterbotten ,Northern Sweden. A charming & deliciosly colorful table with original painting. Fine wood imitation painting. The tab...
Pine
19th Century American Tramp Art Carved Round Table with Tripod Base
Located in Atlanta, GA
This richly carved Tramp Art table dates to the late 19th century and exemplifies the imaginative, labor-intensive woodworking tradition associated with American folk furniture of th...
Softwood
1930’s Folk Art American Center Table
Located in Chicago, IL
1930’s handmade Folk Art center table. Made in United States
Wood
Antique Italian Ships Wheel Table, Helm From Giuseppe Verdi
Located in Forney, TX
A rare and important Italian ship's wheel table, circa 1920s, comprising the large oak and brass helm salvaged from the Italian passenger steam ship Giuseppe Verdi, rising on cylindrical patinated metal base, ending on quadripartite supports, topped with a thick circular glass tabletop. Provenance / History / Acquisition: Salvaged from the 916 passenger steam ship Giuseppe Verdi (1915-1928). The S.S. Giuseppe Verdi made numerous voyages from Southern Italy to Ellis Island, NYC, between 1915 and 1928, bringing with it numerous immigrants to the United States. The ship was sold to Kinkai Yusen of Japan and renamed Yamato Maru in 1928, then in 1943 sunk by a torpedo during WW2. Acquired from the highly reputable auction house, Austin Auction Gallery, est.1983, Austin, Texas. Special Estate Collection of French & Italian Antiques catalog...
Brass
19th Century American Blue Painted Center Oval Table
Located in Wiscasset, ME
Early 19th century American table in fabulous early blue paint. Featuring a pair of bulbous urn supports set on a stretcher base with scroll carved feet. The color has a Swedish Gu...
Wood, Paint
Electric Blue Painted Round Table with Zinc Top
Located in Wiscasset, ME
19th century country Hepplewhite style with tapered legs. Fantastic early electric blue paint and zinc top with excellent provenance. 41.5" diamete...
Zinc
Victorian Folk Art Inlaid Center Table or Lamp Table
Located in Nantucket, MA
Extensively inlaid center table or lamp table in the Arts & Crafts style. The entire parquet surface incorporating scrolls, hearts and geometric patterns executed in domestic and exo...
Wood
Vintage Faux Bois Table
Located in Chireno, TX
Vintage faux bois table from France.
Concrete
Mario Torres Wicker Table
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Whimsical wicker or reed table featuring a Palm Tree pedestal and large birds, possible Egrets or Herons with brass eyes, beaks, and feet. The expertly woven rattan reed is tightly w...
Wicker
Vintage French Twig Table
Located in Chireno, TX
Vintage "twig" table from France, circa 1950-1970. Round oak and pine top supported by base constructed from bark-covered oak branches and twigs.
Oak, Pine
18th Century Swedish Folk Art Table from Härjedalen
Located in Kramfors, SE
Unusual Folk Art table from northern Sweden, Härjedalen. The table has never been painted and have under the years Gotten a natural patina. I'm very good condition. The tabletop has ...
Pine
Folk Marquetry Occasional Table with Geometric Design
Located in Nantucket, MA
Late 19th century American marquetry table with contrasting checkerboard design throughout. Made of various woods including Oak, Pine and Fruitwoods...
Fruitwood, Oak, Pine