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.
Brutalist Swedish Folk Art Table with Pillar Log Legs 1800s
Located in Farsta, SE
Brutalist Swedish Folk Art Table 1800s Beautiful tabletop with patina, many marks, and signs of consistent use and wear. The post legs are naturally weathered with old red paint. No...
Pine
Antique American Folk Art Wood Spool Table, Circa 1900
Located in Rochester, NY
Antique American folk art 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 ...
Wood, Paint
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
Amazing Large 20thc Hickory Dinning Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Amazing large 20thc round Old Hickory Dinning table. Measures 48 inches in diameter and 30 inches high. Great strong a sturdy construction. A strong and thick coat of marine varni...
Wood
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
Small 18th Century antique country rustic folk art table with drawer
Located in Boden, SE
Small charming country table from northern Sweden. The table is a genuine folk art furniture from around 1850. It is made by hand in solid pine. The table is in untouched condition ,...
Pine
19th Century Swedish Folk Art Table in Original Paint
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Early 19th Century Folk Art Gustavian table. From Halsingland, Sweden. In original blue paint. Circa 1840.
Wood
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
Small 19th Century Swedish Folk Art Table
Located in Kramfors, SE
Northern Swedish small folk art table from around 1850. The table is painted pine with the original first layer of paint that has the authentic patina of time. The paint has also bec...
Pine
19th Century Oversized Allmoge Étagère or Plant Stand, Sweden, Circa 1820
Located in New York, NY
Exceptional, Swedish, 19th century, allmoge oversized round étagère or plant stand with wonderfully hand-carved base, origin: Sweden, circa 1820 - 1840
Softwood
Table Dining Trestle Table Swedish 19th Century Dark Brown Paint Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Trestle table dining table made during the 18th century in Sweden. Repainted in a distressed dark brown finish. Seats 6 comfortably with 2 extra seats on the short ends.
Wood
19Thc Original Cream Painted Farm Table From Pennsylvania
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fine hand made oval farm table is in original cream painted surface and square nail construction.The scrub or unpainted top is all original with a fine patina. The fact that thi...
Wood
19th Century Swedish Hand Painted Tilt Top Tripod Table Lamp Table
Located in Southampton, GB
Swedish, tilt top tripod table, hand painted in a folky manner, Original, worn scumbled paint, depicting a central heart motif, a cross and an anchor. Sweden, circa 1860. Height - ...
Pine
French Garden Table, Painted Top, Iron/wood base, c. 1900
Located in ALHAURÍN EL GRANDE, Malaga
Garden table, France, circa 1900. Painted wood base with a circular painted top. The top is worked in concentric bands: a red marble-effect centre with a small roundel, then cream an...
Iron
18th Century Swedish antique rustic Trestle Table Dated 1766 with Original Paint
Located in Boden, SE
18th Century Swedish antique rustic Folk Art Trestle table from Örnsköldsvik Ångermanland, Northern Sweden. A very charming small and genuine table with a...
Pine
Genuine Antique Swedish Handmade Folk Art Pine Rustic Table with Drawer
Located in Kramfors, SE
Handmade folk art table from northern Sweden made around the mid 1800s, circa 1840. The table is made by hand and is in untouched original condition with the original first paint. Th...
Pine
Antique Swedish Small Folk Art Country Table
Located in Kramfors, SE
Folk art country table from northern Sweden made around 1820 to 1840 in pine. The table is an authentic Swedish country antique in untouched original condition. The faux paint is ori...
Pine
Mid-Century French Folk Art Painted Beechwood Table, France, 1960s
Located in Almelo, NL
Mid-Century French Folk Art Painted Beechwood Table, France, 1960s A joyful expression of color and craftsmanship, this mid-century folk art table hails from France and dates to the...
Beech
Mid-20th Century Thai Gilded Wood Temple Table Stand, Folk Art Style
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
South East Asian brown lacquered wood gilded temple square low table stand. Burmese, Myanmar stand with curved legs decorated with green and clear glass mirrors overlaid. Uses in temples as stand for deities statues...
Wood
Antique Folk Art Ornately Decorated Pyro Two Tiered Accent Table
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique Folk Art pyro decorated two tiered table is unsigned, but presumed to have been made in the United States in approximately 1900 i...
Wood
Vintage Hand crafted folk Art Horse Head Smokers Stand with Geometric Design
Located in Seattle, WA
Set a top turned pedestal base with a starburst inlay design, the stand includes a single drawer for storage and a top fitted with two removable pressed glass ashtrays surrounded by ...
Wood
Majestic Dinning Table in Mahogany and Polished Brass
Located in Paris, FR
Dining table Majestic with solid mahogany coated in fine wood venner details are in polished brass and brass sheets. Exceptional piece.
Brass
$1,276Sale Price|20% Off
H 30.7 in W 50.4 in D 31.3 in
Antique French Provincial Wood Table, Patinated Finish, Circa 1900
Located in High Point, NC
A wood patinated table from France, produced circa 1900. An antique occasional table with original yellow patination, featuring a sliding side drawer with engraved floral motif metal...
Wood
$878Sale Price|20% Off
H 15.36 in W 19.3 in D 17.33 in
French Brutalist Oak Coffee Table Three Legs, circa 1960
Located in Labrit, Landes
French midcentury coffee table made with the trunc of an oak tree. The cracks in the wood and the bark still present contribute to the authenticity to a piece already marked by its b...
Oak
Larkin Solid Antique Oak Quatersawn Table, circa 1900s
By Larkin & Co.
Located in Germantown, MD
Beautiful Solid Antique oak Quarter sawn library table with drawer by Larkin. Original label present. Sturdy construction. Stretcher shelf is 9"H. Beauti...
Oak
Early 20th-Century Rustic Solid Fir Table with Front Drawer
Located in Pont-Saint-Martin, IT
An authentic early 20th-century rustic table crafted in solid fir wood, featuring a simple, sturdy, and functional design typical of everyday furniture from the period. The front is...
Fir
$3,304Sale Price|20% Off
H 24.41 in W 29.53 in D 16.15 in
Antique Italian 18th Century Rustic Baroque Wood Side Table with Turned Legs
Located in Firenze, IT
This antique Italian baroque period rustic table dating back to early 18th century all hand cut and carved boasts a lovely shape, great proportions and convenient size. This organic table's aesthetic expresses simplicity, humbleness, and being in tune with nature, whilst appreciating the beauty of age and natural wear and imperfections. The table can be used on a daily basis as a side or serving table near your sofa or as a night stand but also as a lovely tiny desk...
Wood
18th Century Swedish Country Folk Art Pine Table
Located in Kramfors, SE
Folk Art country table from northern Sweden made in pine during the late 1700s. The charming table is an unusual country furniture in genuine untouched condition with original paint....
Pine
Early 20th Century Side Table with Original Paint
Located in Troy, MI
Painted wood side table found in England, circa 1900s. Original red paint on table top and green paint on base. Unknown maker.
Wood
Late 18th Century Swedish Rustic Folk Art Pine Table
Located in Kramfors, SE
Folk Art country table in from Northern Sweden. The table is elementary and rustic and made during the late 1700s. Hand-made in solid pine and never painted. The wood bare surface ha...
Pine
$6,464 / item
H 27.56 in W 102.37 in D 59.06 in
Moooi Container Bodhi 7156 Large Oval Dinning Table with Black Oak Top
By Moooi, MARCEL WANDERS
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Container Table Bodhi Oval, designed by Marcel Wanders studio, contains the classic Container Table feet, but with wooden wraps. The wooden slats add a softness to the design, lo...
Oak
19th Century Swedish Folk Art Table in Original Paint
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Early 19th Century Folk Art Gustavian table. From Halsingland, Sweden. In original blue paint. Circa 1840.
Wood
$3,995
H 30.25 in W 70.5 in D 30.25 in
Antique 18th Century French Oak Country Parquetry Refectory Dining Table 1680
Located in Portland, OR
A good antique French late 17th century country oak refectory, dining table, circa 1680. The table with a overhanging parquetry top, and having a shaped skirt on all four sides. The ...
Oak
Sold
H 27.56 in W 55.12 in D 27.56 in
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
19Thc Original White Painted Farm Table / Desk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19Thc Original white painted farm table / desk with a drawer and peg construction.This fine table was found in the mid west and is in fine as found condition.The top is a scrub top o...
Wood
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
Antique Carved Oak And Pine Folk Art Tripod Table, 19Th Century
Located in Bristol, GB
ANTIQUE OCCATIONAL TABLE A folk art carved oak table top with stylised floral and naturalistic decoration in a naive style. Raised on a stained pine base with a baluster stem and ...
Oak, Pine
American folk art table with applied quilt cover
Located in Great Barrington, MA
American folk art table with applied quilt cover
Fabric
Rare Swedish Antique Blue Painted Folk Art Country Table
Located in Kramfors, SE
Rare antique country table from Sweden in folk art. The table is made in solid Swedish pine and is from the area Forsa in Hälsingland. The table ...
Pine
French Live Edge Table C1960
Located in Trensacq, FR
Fabulous free-form live edge tripod table from C1960s France. A cross-section Walnut slab with three chunky 'branch' legs. A great piece full of character with an interesting shape ...
Walnut, Wood
1940s French Wooden Side Table with Marquetry Detail
Located in High Point, NC
This charming wooden side table was produced in France, circa 1940. A small side table with a rare marquetry detail and a beautiful polished finish with veined accents. The spade leg...
Wood
English Laburnum Root Wood Table, Early 20th Century
Located in London, GB
English Laburnum root wood table, Early 20th Century A charming rustic laburnum-wood occasional table. The polished top rests on a later stick-base retaining its natural bark. ...
Wood
1930s French Wooden Bar Table with Decoupage
Located in High Point, NC
A simple, elegant design and a unique decorative device make this 1930s bar table a rare find. Sourced from France, a trio of slender legs support a circular tabletop, adorned with a...
Glass, Wood
19th Century Swedish Folk Art Painted Table
Located in Kramfors, SE
Swedish painted folk art table from northern Sweden made during the early to mid 19th century, around 1820 to 1840. The table is in untouched original condition with original paint. ...
Pine
19th Century Swedish Folk Art Table
Located in Kramfors, SE
Swedish folk art table from the around the 1850s. The table is a slightly different model where the table top can be folded up and opened to a storage space underneath. The apron has...
Pine