Folk Art Desks and Writing Tables
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.
to
1
Height
to
Width
to
Depth
to
4
3
7
1,604
655
355
331
325
215
200
191
143
110
99
93
81
54
52
27
22
7
7
7
3
3
2
1
5
3
2
2
2
7
7
7
Style: Folk Art
Early 19th Century Folk Art Side Table or Desk, Scandinavia
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Danish or Swedish Rectangular Folk Art Table or Desk.
The table has tonnes of charm, wear and tear to the finish that gives thus table an unbeatable patina. Most of the original pai...
Category
Early 19th Century Scandinavian Antique Folk Art Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine
Antique Swedish Writing Table Desk, Genuine Red and Blue Painted Folk Art
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique Swedish folk art writing table from the village of Alfta in Hälsingland in northern Sweden. The desk is made in Swedish pine and is in untouched original condition. A notable...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine
Swedish Folk Art Desk from Dalarna
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Swedish folk art desk from the area of Dalarna, scraped to original paint. This would make a wonderful decorators piece.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
19th Century Masonic Table with Leather Bible Compartment Flip Lid Compass Legs
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Rare and fabulous 19th century faux book with compass legs as legs. Mustard paint on the legs with Gilt on the pages of the leather bound book. Looks to be original tassle.. Possibly...
Category
1860s American Antique Folk Art Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Hardwood, Paint
Burl Top Ash Table
Located in Greenwich, CT
Very desirable early to mid-19th century ash table, the top comprising two bookmatched planks of highly figured burl ash, having double thickness carved rope twist applied edge, the ...
Category
1830s European Antique Folk Art Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Ash
Rare Early American Country Pyrography Desk
Located in Forney, TX
A rare, one-of-a-kind antique American folk decorated desk with beautifully aged distressed patina found in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee.
Hand-crafted in the Southern United States in the late 19th century, featuring elaborate hand carving and pyrography wood burning decoration in classical motif, kneehole desk form with raised gallery dated "1899", having a topped with a single door cabinet, supported by two columns of three drawers.
Provenance / Acquisition:
Found in a Mt. Juliet, Tennessee farmhouse
Acquired from highly reputable auction house, Bright Star Antiques, Sulfur Springs, Texas. Specializing in early American antiques...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Table Pine Dining Desk Classical Leg Vernacular Folk
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
Pine farmhouse table with a single plank top
Rare to find a piece of vernacular or folk furniture with sophisticated features like the leg turnings on this table
Length 206cm 81...
Category
19th Century French Antique Folk Art Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine
Related Items
Modern Burl Dining Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Modern burl wood dining table, with Parsons style legs, one drawer, a 'rustic' warm brown finish with subtle distressing and a hand-rubbed finish.
Dimen...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Folk Art Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Early 19th Century Goncalo Alves partners desk
Located in Martlesham, GB
A superb quality large early 19th Century Goncalo Alves (also known as tigerwood) partners desk, the moulded edge top having a olive green coloured leather writing surface decorated ...
Category
1840s British Antique Folk Art Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Hardwood
Antique William IV Writing Table / Desk
Located in London, GB
An outstanding antique William IV writing table / desk. This was made in England, it dates from around the 1830-1840 period.
It is of the utmost quality, this stands on bold legs wi...
Category
1830s British Antique Folk Art Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Leather, Wood
Diminutive Country French Provincial Fruitwood Writing Table Desk
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Late 19th century country French provincial style diminutive writing table or desk crafted from fruitwood. The desk features a case decorated on all sides with a whimsical carved bra...
Category
19th Century French Antique Folk Art Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Bronze
Italian Antique Rustic Table Desk Writing Table
Located in Carimate, Como
Very charming and elegant Italian table or desk writing table with stylish carved legs, wood and central drawer. Ideal in any room as a small stand alone corner desk as well as next ...
Category
20th Century Italian Folk Art Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Country English Pine Farmhouse Desk or Writing Table
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Late 19th century charming country English farmhouse desk, writing table, or server featuring a rustic aged patina. Constructed from pine fronted by two large storage drawers. The to...
Category
19th Century English Antique Folk Art Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine
Desk Swedish Gustavian Style
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a 2 drawer Swedsh Gustavian style desk.
Category
1950s Swedish Vintage Folk Art Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Mid-Century Table with Wheels, Italy, 19th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Mid-century table with wheels realized by italian manufactory in the mid-20th Century.
Central drawer.
Good condition.
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Folk Art Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Metal
Desk Swedish Gustavian Style 2 Drawer
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a unique Swedish Gustavian style desk. its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White"
Category
1880s Swedish Antique Folk Art Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine
Desk Swedish Gustavian Style
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a unique 3 drawer Swedish Gustavian style desk. its been restored and repainted with Milk Paints "Oyster White"
Category
1880s Swedish Antique Folk Art Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine
19th Spanish Side Table with Cared Turned Legs and Iron Stretcher
Located in Miami, FL
19th Spanish side table with turned legs and iron stretcher.
The top has a beautiful grain and patina.
Category
Mid-19th Century Spanish Antique Folk Art Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Iron
George I Style Burl Walnut and Walnut Writing table
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Antique George I Style burl walnut and walnut writing table, circa 1920's.
With a book matched burl walnut top with yew wood crossbanding, the front of the frieze with a drawer with brass hardware the sides and back of the frieze with burl walnut, resting on walnut cabriole legs. With an old paper label indicating this writing table was made in England. Also with a label indicating this table was sold at one time by legendry Los Angeles design firm Cannell and Chaffin...
Category
1920s English Vintage Folk Art Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Brass
Previously Available Items
Folk Art Secretary Style Desk
Located in Chicago, IL
c. 20th century. Handmade and hand painted. Roof drops down to a desk or storage. Extra storage below.
Desk Height - 29.5"
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Folk Art Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Primitive Hand Crafted Writing Desk in Pine, Made by a Swedish Carpenter, 1800s
Located in Odense, DK
This primitive desk, hailing from 19th-century Sweden, reflects the rustic charm and simplicity of traditional craftsmanship. Meticulously crafted in pine wood, the desk showcases th...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine
H 28.55 in W 38.59 in D 29.53 in
Antique Swedish Pine Folk Art Trestle Table
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique Swedish trestle table from Northern Sweden made during the mid 1700s. The table is solid and primitive with a simple construction...
Category
Mid-18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
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.
Category
Early 19th Century Spanish Antique Folk Art Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Walnut
Rustic Tramp Art Notch Carved Secretary Desk
Located in Queens, NY
Rustic Tramp Art secretary desk with two drawers, a low back and side gallery, and notch-carved edges and legs.
Category
20th Century Folk Art Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Vintage Thai School Desk with Painted Desktop, North Thailand, Mid-20th Century
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Vintage Thai school desk with painted desktop, North Thailand, mid-20th century.
If there are any doubts about the universality of human experience this d...
Category
1950s Thai Vintage Folk Art Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood, Paint
H 27.5 in W 23.5 in D 15 in
Folk Art Root Table
Located in Houston, TX
Folk Art root table featuring serpent motif. Rare form with bottom shelf, original untouched finish and nice shaped backsplash. Desk top height is 29 inches.
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Small Asian Red And Yellow Painted Folk Art Desk-Top Writing Desk
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Small Asian red and yellow painted folk art desk-top writing desk
The desk top is collapsable, please see detailed images listed.
Category
1960s Southeast Asian Vintage Folk Art Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
Late 18th Century Northern Swedish Blue Folk Art Trestle Table
Located in Kramfors, SE
Blue folk art trestle table from northern Sweden. The table is made with a drawer and all parts are original to the table. Scraped to the original blue pai...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine
Clock Cabinet with Writers Flap from Northern Sweden
Located in Kramfors, SE
Clock cabinet with writers flap manufactured around the year 1800.
The cabinet is scraped to original paint. It is also possible to disassemble the cabinet, see pictures. The bottom...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine
Table Desk Swedish, 19th Century, Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Table desk Swedish, 19th century, Sweden. A table or desk made in Sweden during the 19th century in wood. Beautiful patina.
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Wood
19th Century Gustavian Styled Swedish Folk Art Table
Located in Kramfors, SE
Gustavian styled Swedish folk art table. The legs have corner consoles and the surface has been dry scarped to its original paint. Manufactured during the early 19th century. Height ...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Desks and Writing Tables
Materials
Pine
Folk Art desks and writing tables for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique folk art desks and writing tables for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage desks and writing tables created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include tables, folk art and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, pine and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art desks and writing tables made in a specific country, there are Europe, Scandinavia, and Sweden pieces for sale on 1stDibs. 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 desks and writing tables differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,700 and tops out at $29,000 while the average work can sell for $4,203.