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 Inspired Carved Walnut Fish & Shell Motif Console Table W/ Marble Top
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a late 20th century folk art inspired console table with Italian marble. The frieze is carved with a fish and shell motif. The joints are nice, and the four tapered legs are ...
Marble
Signed Adam Mathews Side Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This 20thc Original black painted candle stand is in fine & sturdy condition.It is signed by the maker Adam Mathews and is a copy of a shaker side table or candle stand from New Engl...
Wood
Signed Birds Eye Maple Side Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fine 20thc original paint decorated taper leg one drawer stand has a birds eye maple drawer.The draw under the bottom is signed by the maker.The condition is very good and sturd...
Wood
$650Sale Price|20% Off
Early 20th century wooden farm console brutalist folk art
Located in STRASBOURG, FR
French folk art console table typical of early 20th century farm furniture, made in nailed solid pinewood. The bottom part can be used to store wine bottles. In great condition for i...
Pine
Signed American Folk Art Rootwood Console Table by R.W. Reinhold, Dated 1880
Located in Houston, TX
An American folk art console table hand-crafted from solid rootwood and signed and dated "R.W. Reinhold 1880" on the underside. The sculptural design features a beautifully figured p...
Wood
19th Century Folk Art Brutalist Highly Carved Wood Figurative Console Table
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Indulge in the timeless elegance of this exquisite hand crafted folk art table, dating back to the early 19th Century. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, the versatile glas...
Iron
Art Deco Console Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
Deco style Hyedua veneered console table, the rectangular top supported by two offset pewter Argento panels hand-painted with flying cranes and with acrylic bases and capitals, on a ...
Wood
Lovely Early 20th Century Marble Top Console Table
Located in Dublin, IE
A lovely quality early 20th Century marble top mahogany console table. The shaped and moulded Rosso Levante marble top raised over panelled frieze with applied flowerhead paterae, eg...
Marble
Early 20th Century Spanish Carved Walnut Console Table
Located in Miami, FL
Early 20th century Spanish carved walnut console table with two drawers and green marble top. This early 20th century Spanish Console tabl...
Marble
19th Century Tuscan Carved Walnut Console Table
Located in Dallas, TX
The 19th Century Tuscan Carved Walnut Console Table is a stylish and elegant piece of furniture with a rich history. The table features a beautifully carved pedestal base, adding a t...
Walnut
Live Edge Bird's Eye Maple Coffee Table, Circa 1960's
Located in High Point, NC
FABULOUS live edge coffee table made from bird's eye maple and cypress, circa 1960's. This is a lovely coffee or cocktail table with a gorgeous slab of bird's eye maple with a live ...
Birdseye Maple, Cypress
Art Deco Inspired Walnut Console Table Made by Carrocel
By Carrocel
Located in North York, ON
Art Deco inspired walnut console table made by Carrocel. This beautiful hand crafted, made to order console table featuring stunning walnu...
Brass
19th Century Carved Oak Console Table
Located in High Point, NC
19th century oak console table from England with a wonderfully detailed hand carved backsplash over the top of the table, which has a beveled and car...
Oak
Vintage Bird’s Eye Maple “Waterfall” Executive Desk
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Introducing a beautiful vintage executive desk, expertly designed in the United States during the 1970s, that seamlessly blends functionality with artistic flair. This desk showcases...
Birdseye Maple
$3,379
H 33.08 in W 81.5 in D 31.5 in
Large Swedish Gustavian Folk Art Console Table in Original Red Paint, Circa 1800
Located in Kastrup, DK
Large Swedish Gustavian Folk Art console table crafted in pine, dating from around 1800. The substantial plank top displays a beautifully aged surface with a rich patina developed th...
Pine
Vintage Marble Top Carved Console Wall Table
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Exuding classical European charm and Neoclassical elegance, this vintage console table features an exquisite contoured marble top resting upon a carved wooden base. The thick marble ...
Marble
$3,400
H 30.32 in W 55.12 in D 15.75 in
20th Century Spanish Console Fold Out Farm Table with Wood Stretcher
Located in Miami, FL
20th century Spanish console fold out farm table Works as both a dining table and console. Measure extended : 31.49 in.
Iron
$2,595
H 36 in W 42 in D 15.5 in
Lane Museum of American Folk Art, Authentic Reproduction Pine Console Table
Located in Southampton, NJ
Lane Furniture limited production solid pine two tier console table with scalloped gallery top and generously sized single drawer; in warm natural honey finish. Signed "Authentic rep...
Pine
Antique Weathered Folk Art Painted Pedestal with Peacock
Located in OOSTERHOUT, NL
A unique antique pedestal from the 1920s, crafted from a distinctive combination of wood and zinc. This decorative piece is painted and adorned on all sides with an intricate motif o...
Zinc
Sold
H 54 in W 17 in D 15 in
Vintage Articulated Life-Size Wooden Man Sculpture Modular Coffee Table, Bar
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage articulated wooden human figure sculpture made in Germany, circa 1970s, crafted from solid 1.5” thick wood with a rich, warm patina developed over decades. This rare, fully j...
Pine
Original Painted Swedish Console Dated 1849
Located in Round Top, TX
This Swedish console retains its remarkable original painted pine base in dark blue, red, yellow, and white. Three front panels feature faded florals, birds, borders, and a central d...
Pine
Chinese Interlocking Coin Offering Table
Located in Chicago, IL
This rustic, four-drawer altar coffer balances modern simplicity with humble, timeworn materials. Attributed to artisans of Xinjiang province in Western China, the sideboard is craft...
Pine
American Folk Art Console Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Brimming with charm and personality, this 20th-century American Folk Art garden room table is a delightful mix of whimsy and craftsmanship. Crafted from solid oak and painted in a ri...
Oak
Sold
H 29.14 in W 30.71 in D 14.97 in
Antique Northern Swedish Rustic Game Table in Pine with Distressed Black Paint
Located in Kramfors, SE
This hand-crafted side table is from northern Sweden and made during the late 1700s. It features a solid pine frame and a rustic, distressed surface with original black paint. The wo...
Pine
Swedish Craftsman, Console Table, Wood, Sweden, 19th Century
Located in High Point, NC
A carved wood console table produced in Sweden, 19th century.
Wood
Swedish 19th Century Trestle Table
Located in Allerum, SE
Honest late 19th century provincial Swedish trestle table with an iron base and great patination. Ca 1880 Sweden
Iron
Antique Swedish Small Folk Art Console Table
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique country console table in folk art from Sweden. The table is a genuine Swedish country house furniture from around 1790 to 1800. The tab...
Pine
19th Century Spanish Provincial Desk Table
Located in Allerum, SE
19th century Spanish provincial bleached walnut desk table with one drawer and great patination to the surface. Ca 1820 Spain.
Walnut
19th Century Swedish Provincial Table
Located in Allerum, SE
Honest and good 19th century Swedish provincial table with three drawers, two on the front and one on the left side. The left front drawer is only d...
Pine
Massive 18th Century Swedish Vernacular Folk Art Table
Located in Allerum, SE
Massive and very rare 18th century Swedish vernacular folk art table. Ca 1750. Two plank top sitting on two wooden posts. Originally used in two ways, the wooden posts where used for...
Pine