Native American broadly describes any Indigenous people in North America and encompasses hundreds of tribes and groups, all with distinct cultures. Native American–style furniture and decor likewise varies widely, from pieces created by Indigenous people to those appropriated by non-native designers.
Indigenous furniture’s rich heritage includes the bentwood boxes of the Northwest Coast carved from cedar for storing household or ceremonial objects. Generations of Native American people have made baskets for holding household items, with those in the Northeast using sweetgrass and those in the Southeast using pine needles and wicker. Artisans in the Plateau region wove watertight pieces like cradles from plant materials. Although these objects were intricately made, they were usually utilitarian rather than decorative.
The colonization of North America and the removal of Indigenous people from their lands led to the suppression of these practices. Many styles that used Native American motifs — such as Southwestern style, which was heavily influenced by the geometric patterns of Navajo textiles — have historically not involved Indigenous creators and, instead, have taken their traditions without their tribal context.
When decorating a home with Native American–style furniture, it is important to do so respectfully, by understanding the origins of motifs and objects and examining who profits from their sale. There are now Indigenous-led companies, such as Cherokee designer Cray Bauxmont-Flynn’s Amatoya and Totem House Design, promoting Indigenous work in furniture and home decor. Supporting Indigenous artists and artisans is essential to confronting the still pervasive issue of cultural appropriation in design.
Find a collection of Native American living room furniture, folk art, rugs and carpets, decorative objects and other items on 1stDibs.
R. S. Macdonald, 'Raven Stealing the Sun', Framed Drawing, Canada, C.2001
Located in Chatham, ON
R. S. MACDONALD (Unknown/Unidentified Artist) - 'Raven Stealing the Sun' - Aboriginal colored pencil drawing on paper - original metal frame with single matte board and glass - title...
Metal
19th Century Northern Plains Hide Painting
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Northern Plains hide painting, buffalo society, pre-reservation. Two buffalo heads, two full body buffalos, two thunderbirds and buffalo sun shield in ...
Other
Framed Surrealistic Drawing by Pedro Friedeberg
Located in Atlanta, GA
Artist: Pedro Friedeberg (Mexican, 1936-) Title:Le Tombeau D'Hemingway Year: 1963 Medium: Ink and watercolor on paper: Size: 14 3/4 x 19 1/2 plus 3 inch frame Mark: upper lef...
Paper
$3,750
H 11.25 in W 4.5 in D 18.75 in
19th C. Plains Native American Roach Headdress, Deer & Porcupine Hair
Located in Denver, CO
This exceptional 19th-century Plains Indian roach headdress is a rare and visually striking example of traditional Native American ceremonial regalia. ...
Fur
$2,550Sale Price / set|40% Off
H 4.25 in W 4 in D 10.75 in
Antique 1880s Arapaho Moccasins, Plains Indian Hide with Beadwork Detail
Located in Denver, CO
This exceptional pair of antique Arapaho moccasins dates to circa 1880, offering a rare and authentic example of 19th-century Plains Indian craftsmanship. Hand-sewn from native-tanne...
Hide, Glass, Beads
$4,500
H 15 in W 22 in D 4 in
Antique Sioux Plains Native American Beaded Buckskin and Canvas Possible Bag
Located in Denver, CO
This antique 19th-century Sioux beaded possible bag is a remarkable example of Plains Indian artistry and craftsmanship. Constructed from soft buck...
Hide, Canvas, Beads
$2,650
H 0.125 in W 7.25 in D 11 in
19th-Century Kiowa-Apache Beaded Hide Bag with Geometric Motifs, Plains Art
Located in Denver, CO
This rare and beautifully preserved 19th-century Kiowa-Apache hide bag is an exceptional example of Plains Native American artistry and craftsmanship. Expertly hand-stitched from nat...
Hide, Beads
$2,250
H 8 in W 2.75 in D 3 in
19th-Century Southern Cheyenne Beaded Moccasins with Tipi Motifs, Plains Art
Located in Denver, CO
This exceptional pair of 19th-century Southern Cheyenne beaded moccasins, circa 1880, is a rare and authentic example of Plains Native American craftsm...
Hide, Beads
$1,760Sale Price|20% Off
H 24 in W 8 in D 1 in
Fantastic Original Painted and Carved 19th Century Indian Plaque
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This wonderful original old surface plaque has a great old patina and a hand-carved and painted Indian chief. The Indian is in full original clothes with the feathers in his head. Wi...
Pine
Framed Drawing by Mexican Artist José Luis Cuevas
Located in Atlanta, GA
Ink and watercolor on Paper by José Luis Cuevas (Mexican, b.1934). Featuring characters from a story line inscribed lower left as the following (see d...
Paper
$4,500 / set
H 4 in W 3.5 in D 9 in
19th-Century Salish Plateau Moccasins with Appliquéd Heart & Foliate Motifs
Located in Denver, CO
Step back to the 19th century with this exceptional pair of antique moccasins attributed to the Salish (Flathead) peoples of the Plateau region, circa 1880. Expertly handcrafted from...
Hide, Thread
19th Century Ceremonial Indian Drum
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fantastic early handmade bark covered drum has the original hide covering and in great condition. Has a wonderful aged patina.
Wood, Leather
$6,800
H 48 in W 32 in D 0.125 in
Late 19th-Century Navajo Germantown Eyedazzler Rug with Vibrant Zigzag Design
Located in Denver, CO
This exceptional 19th-century Navajo Germantown rug is a dazzling example of Native American textile art from the late 1800s. Handwoven in a striking E...
Wool
19th Century Apache Large Earthenware Pot
Located in Nantucket, MA
Antique Apache Large Earthenware Pot, Second Half 19th Century, a very large hand molded clay spheroid vessel, a classic "Olla," with it's original rawh...
Earthenware
Lakota Sioux Painted Buffalo Hide by Merle Locke
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Lakota Sioux warrior painting on buffalo hide by Merle Locke. Paint on contemporary buffalo hide. Painting of 16 warriors riding on horseback, each carrying feathered coup sticks, surrounded by geometric motifs. Captioned "Lakota On Victory" and signed by the artist at lower right corner. Merle Locke is a member of the Oglala Lakota tribe, having grown up in the Porcupine district of the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. He is known for his ledger art paintings, evoking the style's origins amongst the Plains tribes in the 1860s. By this time, buffalo had become increasingly scarce, and the older tradition of Plains hide painting...
Other
David Chethlahe Paladin Signed and Framed Art Lithograph, 16/20
Located in Miami, FL
Lithograph by Native American Artist David Chethlahe, 16/20. "David Chethlahe Paladin (1926-1984) is an influential artist in terms of his contributions to the development of contemporary Native...
Paper
"American Indian Triage" by D.J. Lafon
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A very thought provoking etched image of an American Indian with folded United States flag as an eye patch. "American Indian Triage" 1 of limited edition of 10 prints by Oklahoma artist D.J. Lafon, (1929-2011) Professionally framed with black frame and very light grey mat. Signed and numbered. Pictured with Eames wire rocking chair...
Paper
Sold
H 20 in W 25.75 in D 1 in
Original Cheyenne Ledger Drawing "Initiation Day - Cheyenne Bowstring Society"
Located in Denver, CO
Original James black mixed media traditional style ledger drawing depicting Initiation Day for the Cheyenne Bowstring Society. Oil based colored pencil...
Paper