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.
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
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 Gueridon or Pedestal Table 1950s
Located in Meer, VAN
Art Deco Gueridon or Pedestal Table, Europe, 1950s. This is a gueridon or pedestal table in art deco style made out of solid and veneered wood. Probably French or Belgian, 1950s. Gr...
Wood, 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
19th century marble topped centre table / Gueridon
Located in Budleigh Salterton, GB
Good quality 19th century mahognay and marble topped Gueridon French circa 1860;s Height 74 cms , width 97cms depth 97cms
Sapele Wood
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
19th Century Italian Walnut Gueridon Table or Side Table
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
We offer this splendid 19th-century Italian walnut gueridon table. This extremely refined table features distinctive features. The top has a distinctive shape with a contoured edge,...
Walnut
20th Century Vintage Italian Round Pedestal Table or Smoking Table
Located in Casale Monferrato, IT
We offer this delightful vintage Italian walnut pedestal table dating back to the 1990s. A perfect table for the living room, very simple without excessive ornamentation. Featuring ...
Walnut
19th Century French Marble Topped Gueridon or Centre Table
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Very good quality 19th Century French marble topped gueridon or centre table. Circa 1860.
Mahogany
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
$1,235
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
$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
$12,950Sale Price|34% Off
H 30 in Dm 23 in
French 19th Century Mahogany & Ormolu Guéridon Side-Table, Attr. François Linke
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A very fine French 19th-20th century Louis XVI style mahogany and gilt bronze (Ormolu) mounted guéridon side table with marble top, attributed to François Linke, (1855-1946). The sin...
Ormolu