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.
Vintage Gueridon Pedestal Table in Birch Root Sweden
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A Swedish vintage birch wood gueridon or small pedestal table with the top made in carved birch root. These 20th Century folk art objects were typical in the region of "Dalsland" in ...
Birch
Work of Folk Art circa 1900-1930, Charming Gueridon Made of Wood and Wood Inlay
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Work of Folk Art circa 1930, charming Gueridon made of wood and wood inlay, circa 1900-1930 flaws and defects, but pretty good condition.
Wood
Work of Folk Art circa 1900-1930, Charming Gueridon Made of Wood and Wood Inlay
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Work of Folk Art circa 1930, charming Gueridon made of wood and wood inlay, circa 1900-1930 flaws and defects.
Wood
Art Deco Rustic Wood Gueridon Side Table
Located in New York, NY
A small rustic round wood and glass side or drinks table, in the Art Deco style, circa late-20th century. This side or drinks table has all the hallmarks of Art Deco design including...
Glass, Wood
Italian 1930s Painted Wood Guéridon Table with Gilt Accents and Hoofed Feet
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Italian painted wood guéridon side table from the mid-20th century, with gilded accents and hoof legs. Born in Italy during the first half of the 20th century, this unusual guérid...
Wood
French Art Nouveau Wood and Brass Gueridon
Located in Long Island City, NY
In a Secession style, with a stained oak base and a hammered brass tin top.
Brass
Jules Leleu Gueridon, circa 1930, France
By Jules Leleu
Located in Girona, Spain
Jules Leleu Gueridon, Made with mahogany and plated brass, circa 1930, France. Classic Art Deco design Sunburst table top 4 Art Deco designed Legs positioned on a pedestal base with bronze details Signed Good vintage condition. Jules Leleu (June 17, 1883–1961) was a French furniture designer. Born in Boulogne-sur-Mer, France, Leleu studied decorative painting and at the age of 26 succeeded his father in the family painting business. With his brother he began work in the Decorating field. After World War I, Leleu specialized in furniture making. He opened a Paris gallery, Maison Leleu, in 1924 and exhibited at the 1925 Exposition Industrielle et Arts Decoratifs, winning a grand prize at the exposition. Leleu designed the Grand Salon of the Ambassadors at the Society of Nations in Geneva and the French Embassies of several nations as well as the ocean liners SS Ile de France...
Brass
Swedish Art Deco Round Golden Elm End or Side Table
Located in Atlanta, GA
Swedish Art Deco round golden elm end or side table. Beautifully detailed pedestal base made of flame birch.
Birch, Elm
$890
H 23 in W 12 in D 11.25 in
American Arts and Crafts Plant Stand Gueridon from Pennsylvania, circa 1900s
Located in Red Lion, PA
American Arts and Crafts Plant Stand Gueridon from Pennsylvania, circa 1900s This beautiful American Arts and Crafts plant stand or gueridon is a fine example of early twentieth-cen...
Wood
French 1930s Art Deco Gueridon Table
Located in Devon, England
Wonderfully stylish and totally authentic French, Art Deco Gueridon, dating to the 1930s. Fabulous piece of furniture to display items, perhaps figures or any other prized pieces. We...
Walnut
Solid Oak Guéridon, Art Deco Modernist, France, Circa 1930
Located in VÉZELAY, FR
Solid Oak Guéridon, Art Deco Modernist, France, Circa 1930 Features: Style: Art Deco Modernist Material: Solid oak Origin: France, circa 1930 Function: Guéridon, side table, end tab...
Wood, Oak
$5,806
H 23.63 in Dm 14.97 in
French Art Deco Gueridon Table / Side Table in Black Wood and Red Marble, 1930s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Gorgeous Gueridon Table in Black Carved Wood and Red Marble Top France, 1930s-1940s Black Wooden Red Marble Gueridon Side Table / Drinks Table Manufactured at the late Art Deco Perio...
Marble
$7,250 / item
H 35 in W 24 in D 22 in
Moorish Handcrafted Octagonal Pedestal Table Inlaid with Mosaic Marquetry
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Moroccan Moorish style walnut octagonal pedestal table inlaid with mosaic marquetry. The tabletop is of octagonal form, decorated with various g...
Fruitwood, Walnut
$1,257
H 29.93 in Dm 22.84 in
Midcentury Round Italian Gueridon Table with Marble Resin Top and Metal, 1950s
Located in Roma, IT
Amazing midcentury round gueridon table with marble resin top and metal. This wonderful piece was designed in Italy during the 1950s. This great piece has a fantastic marbled resi...
Metal
Bronze Pedestal Table by Jacques Jarrige "Bella"
Located in New York, NY
A sculptural and elegant interpretation of the classic guéridon or bistro table, Bella is a unique work in bronze by Jacques Jarrige that transforms function into expressive form. Th...
Bronze