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.
19th Century French Oak Occasional Table with Barley-Twist Legs
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
Elegant 19th-century French occasional table in solid oak, distinguished by its beautifully turned barley-twist legs and richly sculpted supports. The table features an ingenious fo...
Oak
Work of Folk Art circa 1930, charming Gueridon made of wood and wood inlay
Located in Mouscron, WHT
Work of Folk Art circa 1930, charming Gueridon made of wood and wood inlay, circa 1900-1930 flaws and defects.
Wood
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
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
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
19th Century French Charles X Gueridon Table with Bronze & Marble
Located in Queens, NY
French Charles X-style (19/20th Century) round bronze gueridon end table with 3 scroll legs supporting a black marble top and shelf with a lower stretcher having a finial.
Marble, Bronze
$5,116
H 30.71 in W 51.19 in D 37.41 in
Antique French Oak Extension Table with Barley Twist Legs, Late 19th Century
Located in Casteren, NL
This antique oak extension table was made in France in the late 19th century and is a striking example of traditional craftsmanship with strong historical character. The table stands...
Oak
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
French 19th Century Bistro Table - Gueridon
Located in Round Top, TX
Classical mid-19th century Bistro Table - Gueridon from the Provence area of France. Soundly constructed from cast iron with a beautifully patina'd marble top.
Marble, Iron
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
An ART-DECO MODERNIST CONSOLE or GUERIDON, France 1930
Located in PARIS, FR
An elegant, rigorous and sculptural side table or console, Art Deco, Modernist, Neo-Classical, beautiful construction of circular and rounded (dark oak covered) wood elements, at the...
Wood
19th Century Mahogany Side Table with Barley Twist Legs
Located in Aramits, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
19th century square walnut side table raised on four exquisite barley twist legs. Detailed, carved stretchers with urn-shaped carved finial and brass ball and claw...
Brass
19th Century French Bronze Gueridon Table with Black Stone Top
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A French Bronze Gueridon, 19th Century The bronze cross frame base to black stone inset top. A fine traditional Campaign form having Bronze Strap frames with the legs terminating in...
Stone, Bronze
$1,193
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
$3,638
H 43.71 in W 14.97 in D 14.97 in
An ART-DECO ART-NOUVEAU PEDESTAL, GUERIDON or SIDE TABLE, France 1930
Located in PARIS, FR
A simple and elegant, high pedestal, "gueridon" or side table, Art Deco, NeoClassical, high square structure mounted on high thin legs simply stylised at the crossover of Art Nouveau...
Marble
Italian Brass Base Glass Top Round Lamp Table Gueridon Stand
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern solid brass swan heads motive base round pedestal shape occasion table gueridon. Made in Italy.
Brass
Guéridon Art Déco attribué à Jules LELEU 1930's
By Jules Leleu
Located in TOURCOING, FR
Guéridon Art Déco attribué à Jules LELEU 1930's Jules Leleu (1883–1961) est l’un des plus grands noms du mobilier Art déco français. Issu d’une famille d’ébénistes, il fonde la mais...
Walnut
Early 20th Century Italian Walnut Pedestal Table with Sunburst Design
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
We present this Italian pedestal table, crafted from walnut wood and dating back to the early 20th century. If you are looking for a furnishing piece that is not merely functional bu...
Walnut
Sold
H 22.25 in Dm 18.12 in
Folk Art Gueridon, Tramp Art Wooden Pedestal or Side Table, Belgium 19th Century
Located in ROUEN, Normandie
Folk Art Gueridon, Tramp Art Wooden Pedestal or Side Table, Belgium 19th Century Rare gueridon, striking example of Folk Art craftsmanship, showing clear inspiration from the Tramp ...
Wood, Fruitwood