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.
Mexican Paper Mache Lion Coffee Table by SerMel Tonala Style Sergio Bustamante
Located in Topeka, KS
Incredible hand painted and handmade papier mâché lion coffee table in turquoise green by Sermel Tonala Jalisco, Mexico in the style of Sergio Bustamante. It is signed SerMel Tonala ...
Glass, Lacquer, Paper
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Shellwork Table
Located in Milford, NH
A wonderful folk art rectangular shellwork table featuring a top with foliate polychrome sand design around shells under glass, with the entire surface of the sides and legs covered with small seashells set...
Shell, Glass, Wood
Authentic 1950s French Folk Art Coffee Table in Solid Oak and Terracotta
Located in leucate, FR
This unique coffee table, a genuine piece of French folk art from the 1950s. Crafted from solid oak, this sturdy and timeless piece highlights the beauty of aged wood, enhanced by wr...
Wrought Iron
Green Art Populaire Side Table, France, 19th Century
Located in Antwerp, BE
Coffee table from 19th-century France, adorned in varying shades of verdant green. The tabletop features an intricate pattern reminiscent of Art Deco designs. Perfectly sized for any...
Wood
Handmade Folk Art Bar Coffee Table, India 1970's
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Handmade Folk Art Bar Coffee Table. Made in India, 1970's period. This round coffee table is made from hammered lead sheets over wood panels. This...
Copper, Lead
Hand Forged Wrought Iron Cocktail Table by Lance Cloutier, Circa 1970s
Located in Peabody, MA
A wrought iron coffee table fashioned in the 1970s by the renowned New England blacksmith artisan Lance Cloutier. Known today primarily for his iconic handwrought “bayonet” candlesti...
Wrought Iron
Studio Craft Solid Wood Coffee Table Mid-Century Modern, USA, 1970s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Studio Craft; Solid Wood; coffee table; Mid-Century Modern; USA; 1970s Wendell Castle; Roger Sloan; JB Blunk; Jawar; Richard Bronk; Gerald Mccabe; Bobby Falwell; David Scott; Charles Fischer; Howard...
Walnut
Moroccan Berber Table with Carved Tribal African Designs
Located in Moreno Valley, 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 ...
Wood
139cm Swedish folks fishnets knitting tools from 1793 Handmade Unique rare
Located in Forest, BE
This is a set of 3 different but similar wooden structures/tools to build fishnets. Used by folks in the countryside of Sweden. The smaller one is engraved 1793, the others are unmar...
Hardwood
1940s Heavily Carved Teak Gilt Wood Round Drum Coffee Tables, Set of 2
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning, tables you could hope to find. This is an ultra-rare opportunity to acquire what is, unequivocally, the best of the best, it be...
Wood
Midcentury Folk Art Olive Wood Coffee Table, Black Wire Legs, 1960
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Wonderful midcentury Folk Art Olive Wood Table The table top is made from slices of Olive wood which are screws together and set on black wire work legs A charming look to the ol...
Olive
Rustic Wooden Coffee Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rustic French rectangular wooden coffee table perfect for inside or outside.
Wood
H 17.75 in W 35 in D 25 in
1970s Giacometti Style Forged Wrought Iron & Glass Rectangle Coffee Table
By Paul Ferrante, Alberto and Diego Giacometti
Located in St. Louis, MO
1970s style, after Diego Giacometti. , Etruscan style hand wrought glass top iron coffee table, painted a dark copper / bronze finish with twisted steel supports and tree leaf moti...
Metal, Wrought Iron
H 16.93 in W 17.72 in D 50.6 in
1950s Oak Coffee Table with Magazine Rack and Ceramic Tiles, France
By Boleslaw Danikowski, Votre Maison, Guillerme et Chambron
Located in Paris, Ile-de-France
Oak coffee table with magazine rack and glazed ceramic tiles table top. Designed by Guillerme et Chambron for Votre Maison Top of table sporting 12 square glazed ceramic tiles by ...
Ceramic, Oak
H 14.38 in W 42.92 in D 28.94 in
Italian Design Wooden Coffee Table with Bar Compartment, 1970s
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
This is a stunning and sophisticated piece of mid-century furniture. 1970s Italian design often combines elegance and practicality, making this coffee table truly unique. Its rectan...
Glass, Plywood
H 21.26 in W 61.03 in D 29.14 in
French Early 20th Century Farmhouse Rustic Oak Coffee Table
Located in Nijmegen, NL
This coffee table was converted from an old oak farmhouse kitchen table. It retained a very nice patina and rich color over the years, has a practical size and one drawer.
Oak
H 23.63 in W 44.1 in D 25.6 in
Late 19th Century French Parquetry Inalid Side / Coffee Table
Located in Brighton, Sussex
A good quality French late 19th century parquetry inlaid Kingwood side / coffee table, having gilded ormolu moldings, raised on elegant cabriole legs.
Mahogany
H 20.75 in W 53.38 in D 31.25 in
19th Century French Elm Coffee Table
Located in High Point, NC
19th century elm coffee table from France. The top is banded all the way around and has lovely graining in the six board top. The top follows down to a simple apron, which contains...
Elm
H 18 in W 78.18 in D 23 in
French Designer, Coffee Table, Oak, Metal, Ceramic, France, 1950s
Located in High Point, NC
A metal and solid oak coffee or cocktail table with ceramic inlays, designed and produced in France, 1950s.
Metal
H 16.93 in W 56.7 in D 29.93 in
Rustic solid oak coffee table with a one piece top, France 1950s
By Le Corbusier, Pierre Jeanneret, Charlotte Perriand Cassina, Axel Vervoordt
Located in ECHT, NL
Rustic wabi sabi coffee table. Made in France in the 1950s. Made from solid oak. What makes this table special is that the top is a single slab of natural shaped oak. It has an amazi...
Oak
H 26.78 in W 12.6 in D 49.22 in
Maison Lancel Bar Coffee Table by Willy Rizzo, 1970s
Located in BAUD, FR
Rare and beautiful sliding coffee table in gilded finish, 1970s Cocktail bar table by Lancel in the style of Willy Rizzo A gold-painted cane is placed under glass, secured by a bras...
Wood
H 27.56 in W 18.12 in D 18.12 in
Hand Forged Wrought Iron Wine Table
Located in London, GB
A larger version of our wrought iron martini table. Perfect as a sofa or lamp table. Hand forged in England to a 1940s original design and finished with a natural bronze patina. Al...
Wrought Iron
H 12.6 in W 59.06 in D 27.56 in
J.C. Mahey Black Lacquer and Brass Bar Coffee Table 1970s
Located in Paris, IDF
This stunning coffee table is guaranteed to be the focus of attention when you entertain guests, and will make a fascinating centerpiece for your living room. Following the glamorous...
Brass
H 21 in W 25 in D 23.75 in
Danish Modern Style Coffee Table by Bassett
Located in South Charleston, WV
Solid surfboard stylized edges and magazine rack shelf. Features raised edges typical of Danish modern production, but American produced. Ideal for use as coffee or end table. In ex...
Oak, Walnut
H 16 in W 39 in D 25 in
A Heavy Coffee Table with Inset Iron Grill Panel
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Heavy Coffee Table with Inset Iron Grill Panel This table is made from a 19th century North African Door. It has a solid wood frame and has the decorative Wrought Iron security p...
Iron
H 10.04 in W 45.08 in D 34.26 in
1910s-30s Japanese antique Zataku low table, Wabi sabi coffee table. primitive
Located in 常陸大宮市, JP
From Tohoku area, Japan. This antique Zataku low table,was manufactured circa 1910s to 40s (Taisho to early Showa era), estimate from the style & conditions. It's still durable enou...
Wood
H 17 in W 27.75 in D 18 in
Vintage Boho Carved Wood Snail Coffee Table After Federico Armijo
By Federico Armijo
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Infuse your living space with unparalleled artistic charm and organic appeal with this vintage coffee table in the style of artist Frederick Armijo. This truly unique piece features ...
Metal
H 23 in W 12 in D 7 in
Petite French Brass Wine Table on a Horse Riding Theme
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Petite French Brass Wine Table on a Horse Riding Theme This very attractive table stands on a 2 Brass Horse Shoe Base, the oval top displays a handsome white mount The table is in g...
Brass
H 19.3 in W 49.22 in D 26.38 in
French Folk Table
Located in London, England
Incredible waney edge coffee table with the most eye catching grain. Adze carved details to the legs and edges. France 1970s. W 125cm x D 67cm x H 49cm
Elm
H 25.2 in Dm 25.6 in
Dutch Folk Art Hindeloopen Coffee Table, 19th Century
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Folk art tripod coffee table. Hand painted floral design. Produced in village in the Netherlands 'Hindeloopen' - Friesland. Elegant table with nicely sculptedl egs. Well preserve...
Wood
H 25.99 in W 35.63 in D 22.64 in
Antique Genuine Northern Swedish Low Folk Art Table
Located in Kramfors, SE
Genuine Swedish antique table in folk art from northern Sweden. The table is made by hand around 1840 from solid painted pine. The table has a la...
Pine
H 17 in W 20 in D 20 in
20th Century Southeast Asian Burmese Bronze Rain Drum Cocktail Table Green
Located in Dayton, OH
"Mid 20th century Bronze rain drum side tables. Having intricate geometric decoration throughout the top and body. Along the top are four beautifully realized frogs. The body showcased sculptural elephants, Koi fish and handles. Round glass top can be added for modernization. All night, the sound of rain on my sail, among the reeds- drop after drop leading my dreams through the rivers and lakes. -Chin Nung (1687–1764), from Mooring in the Rain at Sung-Ling Rain Drums, also known as Bronze Drums, are functional objects with a higher purpose. Originally crafted as tribal drums used in Southeast Asian rituals, their hollow bronze shape transforms the sound of monsoon rains into music. The characteristics that once endowed these drums with sacred power now make them objects of great aesthetic and acoustic beauty. Rain Drums originated with the Dong Son culture in Southeast Asia, dating as far back as the mid-to-late Bronze Age...
Bronze
H 16.5 in W 20 in D 20 in
20th Century Southeast Asian Burmese Bronze Rain Drum Cocktail Table
Located in Dayton, OH
"Mid-20th century Bronze rain drum side tables. Having intricate geometric decoration throughout the top and body. Along the top are four beautifully realized frogs. The body showcased sculptural elephants, Koi fish and handles. Round glass top can be added for modernization. All night, the sound of rain on my sail, among the reeds- Drop after drop Leading my dreams through the rivers and lakes. -Chin Nung (1687–1764), from Mooring in the Rain at Sung-Ling Rain Drums, also known as Bronze Drums, are functional objects with a higher purpose. Originally crafted as tribal drums used in Southeast Asian rituals, their hollow bronze shape transforms the sound of monsoon rains into music. The characteristics that once endowed these drums with sacred power now make them objects of great aesthetic and acoustic beauty. Rain Drums originated with the Dong Son culture in Southeast Asia, dating as far back as the mid-to-late Bronze Age...
Bronze
H 18.25 in W 23.5 in D 23.5 in
20th Century Southeast Asian Burmese Bronze Rain Drum Cocktail Table Green
Located in Dayton, OH
"Mid 20th century Bronze rain drum side table. Having intricate geometric decoration throughout the top and body. Along the top are four beautifully realized frogs. The body showcased sculptural elephants, Koi fish leaves and handles. Round glass top can be added for modernization. All night, the sound of rain on my sail, among the reeds- drop after drop leading my dreams through the rivers and lakes. -Chin Nung (1687–1764), from Mooring in the Rain at Sung-Ling Rain Drums, also known as Bronze Drums, are functional objects with a higher purpose. Originally crafted as tribal drums used in Southeast Asian rituals, their hollow bronze shape transforms the sound of monsoon rains into music. The characteristics that once endowed these drums with sacred power now make them objects of great aesthetic and acoustic beauty. Rain Drums originated with the Dong Son culture in Southeast Asia, dating as far back as the mid-to-late Bronze Age...
Bronze
H 18.25 in W 23.5 in D 23.5 in
Pair 20th Century Southeast Asian Burmese Bronze Rain Drum Cocktail Tables
Located in Dayton, OH
"Pair of mid 20th century Bronze rain drum side tables. Having intricate geometric decoration throughout the top and body. Along the top are four beautifully realized frogs. The body showcased sculptural elephants, Koi fish and handles. Round glass tops can be added for modernization. All night, the sound of rain on my sail, among the reeds- drop after drop leading my dreams through the rivers and lakes. -Chin Nung (1687–1764), from Mooring in the Rain at Sung-Ling Rain Drums, also known as Bronze Drums, are functional objects with a higher purpose. Originally crafted as tribal drums used in Southeast Asian rituals, their hollow bronze shape transforms the sound of monsoon rains into music. The characteristics that once endowed these drums with sacred power now make them objects of great aesthetic and acoustic beauty. Rain Drums originated with the Dong Son culture in Southeast Asia, dating as far back as the mid-to-late Bronze Age...
Bronze
H 15.56 in W 31.11 in D 31.11 in
Mexican Olinalá Lacquer And Wood Coffee Table
Located in Mexico City, MX
A ca. 1950s Mexican folk art coffee table from Olinalá, Guerrero. The wood structure is covered by hand-painted lacquer decoration depicting flowers and animals on a black background...
Wood, Lacquer