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.
Early 20th Century Folk Art Hand-Painted Collapsible Game Table / Chess Board
Located in Brooklyn, NY
H.C. Dallmeyer wooden square table hand-painted and converted to a game/chess/checkers table (ca. 1910, USA). Ingenious design with foldable legs that allow the piece to fully collap...
Wood
Handcrafted Folk Art Parquetry Game Table, Hexagonal Top, USA, 1930s
Located in Chicago, IL
An exceptional folk art parquetry game table (or entry table) c. 1930's. Each piece of this table has been meticulously hand crafted and placed in a geometric inlay pattern. The hexa...
Wood
English Oak Games Table with Green Felt Top, 1930s
Located in BÉTERA, ES
Elegant English games table crafted in solid oak, dating from the early 20th century. The table features a rectangular top with green felt playing surface, ideal for card games or us...
Felt, Hardwood
Custom Chess Set and Game Table
By Bridges over Time Originals
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A custom made walnut and maple chess set and game table we commissioned. It is solidly made with squares of curly maple and walnut. The table legs and borders are solid walnut. The c...
Birdseye Maple, Oak, Walnut
Mid Century Style Leather Top Game Table
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Mid-Century Modern style leather top square game table. The gilt-tooled leather top is ready for play, with pivoting hinged drawers on ...
Leather, Wood
$4,800
H 29.53 in W 21.26 in D 16.15 in
Game Table with Backgammon and Chess Board, France 19th century
Located in Belmont, MA
Discover an exceptional Victorian Game Table, originating from the 1860s. This rectangular table stands on four beautifully twisted legs, showcasing exquisite craftsmanship. The top ...
Kingwood
Italian Marble Chess Board, Mid-Century Modern Game Table, 1980s
Located in Albano Laziale, Rome/Lazio
Classic chess board in black and white marble with chess pieces to match in white and black marble as well.
Marble
Elegant Art Deco Game Table, circa 1930
By Léon Jallot
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Elegant French Art Deco game, in the style of Leon Jallot. Legs fitted with brass sabots. Removable top. Restored.
Brass
Chinese Puddingstone Top Game Table, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This 19th-century square table is inlaid with a solid slab of puddingstone, a conglomerate stone long appreciated for its beautifully irregular patterning. The inlay is a particularl...
Stone
Antique French 19th Game Table, Chess, Backgammon & Cards
Located in Senonches, Centre-Val de Loire
Antique 19th game table or side table, perfect in a living room or office. The table can be divided in three ways: the first with a chess board, the second with a read leather board ...
Walnut
$2,779Sale Price|20% Off
H 28.15 in W 23.82 in D 23.82 in
Antique Chess Table, English Oak, Games Table, Cotswold School, Mid 20th Century
Located in Hele, Devon, GB
This is an vintage chess table. An English, oak, satinwood and walnut games table in Cotswold School taste, dating to the mid 20th century, circa 1...
Satinwood, Walnut
Round Game Table With Marquetry Top, 1940s
Located in BÉTERA, ES
Charming mid-20th century Spanish game table featuring a beautifully inlaid chessboard top. The circular surface displays geometric marquetry motifs and a decorative border, all exec...
Wood, Hardwood
Early 19th Century American Painted Pine Tavern Table with Game Top
Located in Essex, MA
EARLY PAINTED TAVERN / GAMES TABLE Country Hepplewhite Pine Rectangular Table, early 19th c., with red painted surface, having a removable breadboard end top secured by side pegs, pa...
Pine
$5,800
H 30.7 in Dm 31.5 in
20th Century Art Nouveau Gaming Table/ Coffee Table, Brass Base, AT circa 1910
Located in Lichtenberg, AT
Outstanding early 20th century Art Nouveau mahogany gaming table/ coffee table out of Vienna/ Austria from the period around 1910. The round tabletop, covered by a protecting glass p...
Brass
Sold
H 27.5 in W 24 in D 24 in
Hand Crafted Primitive/ Folk Art Game Table. Checkers , chess , cards, dice
Located in Buffalo, NY
Charming Hand Crafted Folk Art Game Table with drawer,Original Top with incised designs ,, Checkers /chess board ,playing cards and dice ,Base and drawer also fully decorated, Very...
Wood
Rare Antique Early American Carnival Coin Toss Game Table
Located in Forney, TX
A scarce American carnival coin toss game. The rare and unusual antique hand carved and painted solid wood amusement park / county fair / mid-way gaming tabl...
Wood, Paint
Sold
H 27.6 in W 25 in D 25 in
American Folk Art Geometric Inlay Marquetry Game Table, Modernist, Art Deco
Located in Buffalo, NY
American Folk Art inlay Marquetry game table, modernist, Art Deco, stunning inlay top featuring walnut, rosewood, and other various woods placed in stylized geometric pattern, Art De...
Wood
Folk Art Parquetry Game Table
Located in San Mateo, CA
Intricately inlaid folk art game table. The inlay on the base is an unusual asymmetrical design. There is a slight warping to the top. There are a few ...