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.
$4,476Sale Price / set|20% Off
Mexican Art Populaire Artisan Made Leather Table & Chairs by Wim Rietveld
By Wim Rietveld
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Mexican Folk Art Populaire / Artisan Made Leather Table & Chair set. Attributed to Wim Rietveld. Made in Mexico, 1970's period. Crafts...
Leather, Wood
Artistic Hand Painted Whimsical Mckenzies Child Style Table and Stools, Set of 3
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Transport yourself back to the sleek and sophisticated 1930s with this exquisite dining chairs set. The ultra rare chairs exudes an air of history and refinement. Outstanding design ...
Wood, Paint
Rustic Knotty Pine Cabin Cottage Table & Chairs Handmade Kitchen Dining Set
Located in Clifton Forge, VA
This is a fantastic little knotty pine handmade table with 2 chairs, perfect for a rustic cabin, cottage or breakfast nook. The pine is thick cut (the table top is 2 inches thick) an...
Pine
Table 8seat Farmhouse Folk Vernacular Cherry 5ftlong Set 8 Ash Ladderback Chairs
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
The top with beautiful rich colour for which cherrywood is known figuring and the edge rounded. In four sections as cherry trees are slow growing. The frieze unusually moulded and ...
Cherry
Folk Art Brutalist Style Copper Etched Dining Table Chairs, Set of 5
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Indulge in the timeless elegance of this exquisite, Southwestern Style hand crafted, one of kind dining set, dating back to the 1980s. Outstanding design is exhibited throughout Craf...
Metal, Copper
Swedish Folk Art Carved Oak Wood Painted Tulip Dining Table Chairs, Set of 7
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning and rare, sculptural, hand crafted and painted, dining table set you could hope to find. Outstanding design is exhibited through...
Wood, Paint
Expandable Leather Sculpture Dining Table Custom Made by Chapter & Verse NYC
By Chapter & Verse
Located in Palm Springs, CA
An amazing “Furniture as Art” piece. This expandable custom order dining table was made by the amazing team at “Chapter and Verse NYC”. The table is made with an art sculpture wood b...
Walnut
Lovely Dining Set, Four Chairs and a Dining Room Table
Located in New York, NY
This set includes a dining room table that includes an attachment. The table is approximately 53 inches long, but the extension adds 16 inches, making it nearly 70 inches in length. ...
Wood
Midcentury Italian Set of 4 Chairs and Table, 1970
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The midcentury Italian set of four chairs and table from the 1970s, crafted in giunco wood, exudes a rustic charm and timeless elegance. The chairs feature a stylish and ergonomic de...
Rush
$6,450 / set
H 32.88 in W 78.75 in D 63.19 in
Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Set with Table, Bench, Set of Chairs
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Dining room set consisting of a dining table, bench, and pair of chairs, solid beech, Scandinavia, 1980s This expansive dining room set is a rare find, distinguished by its exceptio...
Beech
French Cherry & Oak Farmhouse Dining Table c. 1900
Located in Warminster, GB
A cherry, oak and elm farmhouse dining table with pull-out breadboard. French, c. 1900. Stock ref. #3155 In good sturdy order. Sympathetically restored with characterful wear thro...
Cherry, Elm, Oak
McGuire Style Rattan Dining Table & Chairs
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Odd rattan bases with woven faux leather seats with high backs. Table has rattan base with oval glass top. 2 arm chairs measure 49" H x 26 1/4" W x 26" D. Seat height 18 1/2". 6 ...
Rattan
$1,800
H 45 in W 43 in D 34 in
Original 1950s Wim Rietveld Friso Kramer Articulating Drafting Table Desk Patina
By Wim Rietveld
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Rare Wim Rietveld 'Reply' articulating drafting table. The hinging mechanism was a collaborative design with Wim Rietveld and Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel in 1958. Adjustable at...
Steel
Vintage Rustic Handmade Weathered Pine Coffee Table
Located in Pasadena, CA
This vintage handmade coffee table is crafted from weathered pine, showcasing a rich patina and beautifully worn surface that speaks to its age and use. The thick plank top features ...
Pine
Cherry Farmhouse Table
Located in Cheshire, GB
Cherry farmhouse table or desk, the large rectangular top above block freeze. All raised up on four turned tapered legs. Dimensions: Height 31...
Cherry
$2,295
H 29 in W 42 in D 42 in
MCM Set 4 Krueger Chairs & Tulip Style Base Game or Dining Table Faux Wood Top
Located in Topeka, KS
Wonderful vintage Mid-Century Modern set of 4 Krueger chairs of molded fiberglass shell bodies with seats & backs of mottled creamy beige Naugahyde upholstery, and black painted sled...
Metal
Scandinavian Rustic Dining Table in Pine
Located in Waalwijk, NL
Dining table, pine, Scandinavia, 1950s This dining table captures the aesthetic sensibilities associated with designers Carl Malmsten, Göran Malmvall, and Axel Einar Hjorth. With it...
Pine
Faux Bamboo 7 Piece Dining Set 6 Chairs Table
By Weiman
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Seven piece dining room set made by Weiman furniture, a very high-quality American manufacturer. Well known for making sofas designed by Vladimir Kagan. This set has an extraordinary lacquer finish on it, which is in very good condition. All structurally sound beautiful and unique dining room set...
Fabric, Wood
Sold
H 29.53 in W 70.87 in D 29.14 in
Antique Swedish Folk Art Farm County Dining Table In Pine. Six Chairs In Leather
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Absolutely beautiful late 19th century Swedish 'Folk Art' country farm dining table in pine with six matching pine dining chairs inline and sturdy tan leather. Because of the dry-out...
Pine, Leather