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.
Antique Solid Wood Vanity or Console – Custom Hand-Painted Boho Tropical Décor
Located in North Fort Myers, FL
A truly one-of-a-kind antique solid wood vanity or entryway console, thoughtfully reimagined with a custom hand-painted and decoupage boho tropical motif. This piece blends Old World...
Wood
$2,522 / item
The 'Matisse' Etagere
Located in London, GB
The 'Matisse' wrought iron side table. A hand made and patinated wrought iron etagere with whimsical Matisse style cut-out decoration. Made to order based on a 1960s original. Avail...
Wrought Iron
$1,436 / set
Pair of French Wrought Iron Martini Tables
Located in London, GB
Wrought iron martini tables, hand made in England inspired by an original 1940s French design. Finished with a natural bronze patina as sta...
Iron
Antique Rustic Hardwood Low Side Table. English C.1800
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Fabulous rustic low side table Made from very heavy tropical hardwood I particularly like the simplicity of this piece Amazing patina and colour. Completely original with no rest...
Wood
19th Century American Tramp Art Carved Round Table with Tripod Base
Located in Atlanta, GA
This richly carved Tramp Art table dates to the late 19th century and exemplifies the imaginative, labor-intensive woodworking tradition associated with American folk furniture of th...
Softwood
Exceptional Swedish 'Hednabord' Table early 1800 century
Located in Farsta, SE
Exceptional Swedish 'Hednabord' Table early 1800 century 'Hednabord' is one of the earliest types of freestanding tables made in Sweden. This rustic, primitive style of table-making...
Pine
Antique American Folk Art Wood Spool Table, Circa 1900
Located in Rochester, NY
Antique American wood spool table in the most beautifully aged original worn dry white painted surface. Measures 24" h x 24" w x 16" d and 15" h x 16" w x 12" d to floating half shel...
Wood, Paint
Folk Art Swedish Antique Drop-Leaf Dining Table with Drawers and Rustic Paint
Located in Kramfors, SE
Folk art dining table from northern Sweden. Antique drop-leaf table with one leaf on each side and two gates for each leaf which makes it a stable and steady table. Can be used with ...
Pine
19th Century Italian Farm Table.
Located in Allerum, SE
Large 19th century Italian provincial / country pine wood table with one drawer. ca 1850 - 90, Italy.
Pine
George III Oak Cricket Table
Located in London, GB
A George III Oak Cricket table with circular top above a triform base with tapering legs joined by a raised shelf. Solid construction and rich overall patina. Bears the typical old ...
Oak
$1,996Sale Price|20% Off
18Thc Tavern Table W/ Drawer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fine 18thc walnut tavern table with the original drawer and hardware pull.The condition is very good on this New England side table.
Wood
Surrealist Handcrafted Cat-Shaped Stool
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Crafted from solid tropical hardwood, this stool features a stylized feline silhouette with expressive carved detailing on the head and legs. Its design blends naivety and character,...
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
Genuine Swedish Folk Art Table in Baroque Style, Original Blue Paint with Patina
Located in Kramfors, SE
Genuine folk art table in baroque style from northern Sweden. The table is unique and made by hand in solid pine around 1840. Natural untouched condition with the first blue paint th...
Pine
$4,547Sale 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
Antique Swedish Folk Art Authentic Pine Hand-Crafted Trestle Table, Dining Table
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique Swedish dining table in folk art from the early 1800s. The table is a so called trestle table with a heavy table top on a sturdy l...
Pine
Early 19th Century Folk Art Side Table or Desk, Scandinavia
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Danish or Swedish Rectangular Folk Art Table or Desk. The table has tonnes of charm, wear and tear to the finish that gives thus table an unbeatable patina. Most of the original pai...
Pine
XL Coffee Table by Angel Pazmino for Muebles de Estilo
Located in Beerse, VAN
XL coffee table by Angel Pazmino for Muebles de Estilo. The table is signed and dated on the bottom with pencil. Probably with the name of the then owner and the year in which the t...
Leather, Oak
Table handmade in Sweden, late 19th Century, beautiful blend of jugend & allmoge
Located in Stockholm, SE
A beautiful table made in the end of the 19th century, a beautiful mixture of jugend and swedish folk furniture / allmoge. Perfect as a library table, desk or kitchen table. H 79.5 c...
Wood
Early 20th century wooden farm console brutalist folk art
Located in STRASBOURG, FR
French folk art console table typical of early 20th century farm furniture, made in nailed solid pinewood. The bottom part can be used to store wine bottles. In great condition for i...
Pine
Antique Swedish Folk Art 'Hedna Table'
Located in Kramfors, SE
Very unusual primitive folk art table with the authentic patina after over 3 centuries of use. The table is an early example of the so called Hedna Table w...
Birch, Pine
Half moon tables, marbled table tops, Allmoge /Swedish provincial style, 1860s.
Located in Stockholm, SE
A pair of half moon / demi lune tables with original marbled top (painted to look as marble, typical for Allmoge), Swedish provincial style / Allmoge. Size as round table: diam 120...
Wood
Scandinavian Antique Table of Pine Wood with Green Patinated Frame, 19th Century
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Antique Scandinavian country side working table from the 19th century made of pine wood. The frame of table is hand painted with matte green pai...
Pine, Paint
$3,383 / item
Pair of traditional painted Swedish side tables
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Pair of traditional painted Swedish side tables, circa 1870. Rare pair of rural Swedish side tables, which we found on our travels around Sweden. Hand painted in traditional colou...
Pine, Paint
Welsh Fruit wood Cricket Table
Located in Faversham, GB
A beautiful 19th century cricket table with a generous thick pine top and a fruit wood base. Beneath a symmetrical cupids bow frieze and raised on gently chamfered square section bl...
Fruitwood
Authentic 1950s French Folk Art Coffee Table in Solid Oak and Terracotta
Located in leucate, FR
This unique coffee table, a genuine piece of French folk art from the 1950s. Crafted from solid oak, this sturdy and timeless piece highlights the beauty of aged wood, enhanced by wr...
Wrought Iron
$3,746Sale Price|25% Off
Mexican Paper Mache Lion Coffee Table by SerMel Tonala Style Sergio Bustamante
Located in Topeka, KS
Incredible hand painted and handmade papier mâché lion coffee table in turquoise green by Sermel Tonala Jalisco, Mexico in the style of Sergio Bustamante. It is signed SerMel Tonala ...
Glass, Lacquer, Paper
19th Century Masonic Table with Leather Bible Compartment Flip Lid Compass Legs
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Rare and fabulous 19th century faux book with compass legs as legs. Mustard paint on the legs with Gilt on the pages of the leather bound book. Looks to be original tassle.. Possibly...
Leather, Hardwood, Paint
large butcher's block circa 1930
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
large butcher's block circa 1930 Comes directly from an old butcher's shop, deserves ordinary restoration, very healthy base
Beech
Moroccan Pedestal Table in Moorish Hand Painted Design Octagonal Shape 1960s
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage 1960s Moroccan pedestal table. hand painted Moroccan side table on a dark maroon background color with floral and geometric designs in blue and ochre colors. Moroccan octagon...
Wood
Hand Crafted and Hand Painted Folk Art Cat Table
Located in Pasadena, TX
This is a piece of Folk Art. It may be more of a sculpture than a side table. This table was made to depict a whimsical styled cat. The head and legs are attached by mortise and teno...
Wood
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
Folk Art Inspired Carved Walnut Fish & Shell Motif Console Table W/ Marble Top
Located in Kennesaw, GA
This is a late 20th century folk art inspired console table with Italian marble. The frieze is carved with a fish and shell motif. The joints are nice, and the four tapered legs are ...
Marble
Unusually Charming 19th Century Swedish Folk Art Table with original paint.
Located in Boden, SE
Charming small folk art table from Önsköldsvik, Northern Sweden . It’s completely hand-made in Swedish pine and every detail is carefully considered. Made during the early 1800s, around 1810, the table has some wear and distress after time and use. The size and proportions makes it an excellent side table or bed sidetable...
Pine
$3,040Sale Price|20% Off
Mid-20th Century Teak Clamshell Garden Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Sculptural, whimsical, and a touch surreal, this mid-20th century hand-carved teak garden table brings the romance of the Italian grotto tradition into the everyday. The base is form...
Teak
19th Century Combination Chair and Table
Located in Kramfors, SE
Primitive combined chair and table. This folk art combination furniture is a good example of 19th century compact living. The goal was to fit as many uses into the same item or a lim...
Pine
American Folk Art Jack Daniel's Barrel-Top and Cypress Root Table, Circa 1960s
By Jack Daniels
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
American Folk Art Jack Daniel's Barrel-Top and Cypress Root Table, Circa 1960s A striking example of mid-20th-century American folk art furniture, this one-of-a-kind table combines ...
Wood
Tramp Art Sewing Stand/Side Table
Located in Mt Kisco, NY
A hand-carved sewing box stand.
Wood
$630Sale Price|53% Off
Hand Carved Occasional Side End Lamp Table, 1905 Liberty's London
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Liberty Hand Carved Side Table. Heavily Carved with Large Poppy Flowers. A very good-looking piece, it's hand-carved from top to bottom with floral detailing.
Wood
Rustic Wooden Coffee Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rustic French rectangular wooden coffee table perfect for inside or outside.
Wood
19th Century Swedish Folk Art Pine Side Table
Located in Kramfors, SE
Rare folk art table from Sweden, dated underneath to 1819. The table is pine and has the warm patina of aged wood. Marked with the owners house mark which w...
Pine
Antique Swedish Folk Art Dining Trestle Table Fit for 4-6 People in Solid Pine
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique dining trestle table fit for 4-6 people. This folk art, trestle table is from northern Sweden and made around 1830. Made by hand in solid pine and never painted. The table to...
Pine
$536Sale Price|54% Off
French Hand Painted Side Table Early 20th Century Folk Art
Located in Trensacq, FR
Vintage Folk Art hand-painted table C1940s France. Charming French wooden side table beautifully decorated with a floral arrangement. A lovely example of early 20th century French 'A...
Wood
Antique Wrought Iron and Walnut Handpainted "Pledge of Allegiance" School Desk
Located in Pasadena, TX
This is a statement piece for all American Patriots. Its the Pledge Of Allegiance handpainted on an antique school desk. The desk dates the early 20th century. Its made of wrought Ir...
Wrought Iron
19th Century Swedish Trestle Table
Located in Bozeman, MT
Good early 19th century Swedish provincial trestle table with good patination. ca 1820 Sweden.
Pine
Antique Swedish Folk Art Country House Side Table with Drawer in Empire Style
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique folk art table in empire style from northern Sweden. This country house furniture is made around 1840 to 1850 with a frame in solid pine. The table is in untouched condition ...
Pine
19th Century Swedish Folk Art Painted Side Table with Drawer
Located in Round Top, TX
This delightful pine side table comes from the Swedish countryside and still maintains the original faux wood painted finish with contrasting brown top. The single drawer has the fai...
Pine, Paint
Spanish Rustic Wood Tripod Stool or Side Table
Located in Barcelona, ES
Folk Art Carved Wood Farmer Stool, Spain, 1930s-1940s. From Catalonia, Spain this tripod stool show Primitive carvings on the legs and a nice top with fo...
Wood
French pique assiette column
Located in Haaltert, BE
Large French pique assiette column with wooden base (50cm diameter) and brass casters. The wooden top has a diameter of 27cm. Pique assiette is a style of mosaic that incorporates ce...
Earthenware
Provincial 19th Century Swedish Trestle Table
Located in Allerum, SE
19th century Swedish provincial twin stretcher trestle table. Great patination & proportions with the unusually large depth. Ca 1820, Sweden.
Pine
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
$3,840Sale Price|20% Off
American Folk Art Inlaid Twig and Rootwood Snake Table
Located in Chicago, IL
Wildly intricate yet distinctly American, this one-of-a-kind, artist-made table sits squarely in the lineage of American folk art—where resourcefulness meets imagination, and nature ...
Wood, Birch
$3,116Sale Price|20% Off
18th Century Original Red Painted Hutch Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fantastic all original red painted lift top table with shoe feet and early rose head nails. All original hardware and construction. Take notice to the very narrow seat base. Such a great sweet size. This fantastic folky shaped table is strong and sturdy.This original scrub top table...
Wood
Folk Arts Low Side / Breakfast Matchsticks Table by Thomas McAulay 1971
Located in Miami, FL
Wonderful handmade work by Thomas B, McAulay, Folk Arts Naive Matchstick Low Table from 1971. Uses for this low table are: next to a low chair or couch, for serving meals in bed or c...
Wood
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Shellwork Table
Located in Milford, NH
A wonderful folk art rectangular shellwork table featuring a top with foliate polychrome sand design around shells under glass, with the entire surface of the sides and legs covered with small seashells set...
Shell, Glass, Wood
$1,772Sale Price|30% Off
Swedish Folk Art Kurbits Country Drop-Leaf Table, Late 19th Century
Located in Lewes, England
Unusual antique Swedish Kurbits drop-leaf table hand-printed in the Classic Folk Art tradition of mid Sweden, circa late 19th century. The 4 turned legs are in country style and t...
Pine
Antique Swedish Folk Art Side Table with A Large Drawer and Original Paint
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique folk art table from Sweden dated 1862. Made by hand in solid pine with the original first layer of paint. The table is rectangular with a large drawer and painted initials an...
Pine
Folk Art Table from Northern Sweden
Located in Chireno, TX
Rustic folk art table from Northern Sweden circa 1820-1839. Venacular side table painted in faux grain. All original painted finish on apron and legs. Painted finish on top of table ...
Gold Leaf
$250Sale Price|71% Off
Antique Folk Art Round Extendable Table
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Antique folk art round table extendable height. MADD of solid heavy wood.
Wood
19th Century Swedish Combination Furniture Table and Chair
Located in Kramfors, SE
Folk Art combination furniture table and chair. Combination furniture are great for small spaces and this works well as a coffee table or side table. Made early 1800s, circa 1820-184...
Pine