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.
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
$371Sale Price|25% Off
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
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
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
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Demilunes or Center Table
Located in San Angelo, TX
Here is a beautiful pair of 19th century Swedish Gustavian demilune tables with carved detail above each leg. These are perfect to flank a f...
Wood, Pine, Paint
$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
19th Century Swedish Center Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
This elegant 19th-century Swedish center table is a beautiful example of Gustavian design, showcasing refined craftsmanship and timeless appeal. The table features a round top with c...
Pine
Late 19th century Swedish birch oval center table
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Late 19th century Swedish birch oval center table circa 1895. Fine quality Karl Johan inspired center table. Quarter veneered flame birch top with an ebonised inlaid border and fu...
Birch
Swedish 19th Century Empire Oval Center Table, circa 1830
Located in Atlanta, GA
A striking Swedish Empire oval center table, circa 1830, distinguished by its bold architectural form and richly carved pedestal base. Crafted during the first half of the 19th centu...
Wood
19th century Swedish empire birch circular center table
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century Swedish birch circular center table circa 1870. This empire circular table, often know as a drum table due to it's rotating capabilities lends itself to be the perfect ...
Birch
19th Century Italian Center Table with Marquetry
Located in Stahnsdorf, DE
19th Century Center table with marquetry, Italy, Ca.1860 Walnut with fruit woods, Late 19th century Italian octagonal center table with...
Walnut
19th Century Rosewood Regency Pedestal Table Base Only
Located in Sheffield, MA
Early 19th century English Regency rosewood tripod pedestal base. Listing does not include marble top as shown in photo.
Rosewood
Antique Italian Carved Walnut Wood Table Console Desk
Located in Carimate, Como
A magnificent and impressive Italian antique walnut table with three full width shelves that can be opened from both sides with greatly carved and beveled top and beautiful carved tu...
Wood
19th century carved walnut marquetry center table
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century carved walnut center table with inlay circa 1870. We are pleased to offer this stunning center table of generous proportions. Circular top with scalloped moulded edge....
Walnut
$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
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
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
Chopping Block/Butcher Block Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
All original chopping block from Kroger Foods (has original label on side). Maple wood is in yellow toned and has traces of old green paint. From the Midwest, early 20th century. Top...
Wood
Unusual Large Architectural Victorian Pine Spool Table
Located in New York, NY
Hard to find form, three tier center table, with beveled pine shelves, and spool vertical elements. Normal wear to ( original ) finish. Solid and sturdy condition.
Pine