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.
$4,390Sale 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
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
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
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
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
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
$5,431 / set
H 27.56 in W 47.25 in D 47.25 in
Scandinavian Cabinetmaker Rustic Set of Table and Benches in Solid Pine 1940s
Located in Meer, VAN
Wonderful Scandinavian Cabinetmaker Rustic Set of Table and Benches in Solid Pine, 1940s. The characteristic artisan farmhouse set is from Scandinavia, 1940s. It is a round table an...
Wood, Pine
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
Wim Rietveld 'Reply' Drafting Tables for Ahrend de Cirkel, 1958
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Wim Rietveld
Located in Los Angeles, CA
The 'Reply' drafting table was a collaborative design by Wim Rietveld and Friso Kramer, produced by Ahrend de Cirkel beginning in 1958. Each table features a wood laminate top adjust...
Metal, Enamel
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
1970's Rustic Modern Solid Knotty Pine Lodge Style End Table by Null
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Rustic modern is the best way we can describe this truly unique end table. You don't need a ski lodge or Hemingway-esque cabin to integrate this into...
Fabric, Pine
Antique French Provincial Cherry Farmhouse Dining Table
Located in Bradenton, FL
French Provincial Cherry Farmhouse Table. Table features a scalloped apron, cabriole legs, and two storage drawers, one at each end and both fitted with turned wooden knobs. The scal...
Cherry
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
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
$1,600
H 29.53 in W 51.19 in D 35.44 in
Wim Rietveld & Friso Kramer Drafting Table for Ahrend de Cirkel, Dutch, 1959
By Ahrend de Cirkel, Wim Rietveld, Friso Kramer
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
An extra-large Dutch modernist drafting table designed by Wim Rietveld and Friso Kramer for Ahrend de Cirkel, 1959. It is a true piece of post-war Dutch industrial design: rational, structural and completely functional, and today just as attractive as a statement desk as it is as a working drafting table. Design The table shows everything that defined Dutch design of the period: honest materials, visible mechanics and clear construction. The generous top (120 x 80 cm) can be adjusted in height and angle by means of two characteristic rotary knobs on either side of the steel frame. The laminated steel hinge system is both a technical solution and a visual signature of the design. The frame is made of lacquered steel with a slim, architectural profile, and the warm-toned laminate top forms a subtle contrast with the industrial base. The construction is robust yet visually light. Condition Very good condition considering its age, with minimal signs of use. The mechanisms function smoothly and the structure is stable and original. Please see the photos for details. Dimensions: width 130 cm, depth 90 cm, height 75 cm. Tabletop 120 x 80 cm. Height in horizontal position adjustable from 73 cm (lowest) to 114 cm (highest). About the designers Wim Rietveld (1924–1985), son of Gerrit Rietveld, developed his own industrial design language focused on serial production, structural clarity and affordability. Friso Kramer (1922–2019) is one of the most influential Dutch industrial designers of the 20th century, known for his minimalist, engineering-driven designs such as the Revolt chair. Together they designed several pieces for Ahrend and De Cirkel, and their work is held in the collections of museums such as the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam. How to use it Use it as intended, as a drafting or drawing table for an architect, designer or artist, or set it flat as a large desk or work table in a home office or studio. It also makes a strong display table in a shop or gallery. It pairs well with Kramer's Revolt and Result chairs, Gispen and Tubax furniture, Jean Prouvé-style industrial pieces and other mid-century modern and industrial design. Keywords: Friso Kramer drafting table...
Steel
$1,400 / set
H 31.5 in W 19 in D 15 in
Maurice Burke Dining Set Tulip Dining Table and Chairs - 5 Pieces
By Burke, Inc.
Located in Esperance, NY
For sale is this very nice vintage dining set that includes four Burke chairs and table, The table measures H 29.5” W 38”
Fiberglass
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