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Industrial Folk Art

INDUSTRIAL STYLE

Industrial floor lamps, bar stools, desks and other industrial-style furnishings have experienced a resurgence in popularity with the rise of interest in minimalist design.

It's a look that celebrates the past even as it suggests vigor, productivity and brawn. The newly chic industrial style of decor repurposes the simple, sturdy furniture of an earlier world of commerce — brushed-metal storage cabinets and display shelves, task lamps and pendant lights with enameled shades, work tables with worn wooden tops and cast-iron bases — and couples them with aesthetic touches emblematic of energy and optimism, from bright upholstery fabrics to flowers.

The rise in prominence of the industrial style has come hand-in-hand with the residential repurposing of former manufacturing and warehouse districts throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. In many loft apartments created in shuttered factories, the architectural envelope has been left intact.

Industrial-style interiors feature elements like raw brick walls, exposed steel beams and oak floors whose history is written in every pit and gouge. Iron and glass transom windows give definition and interest to small kitchen areas anchored by kitchen islands made of marble, steel and brass, while taxidermy or vintage neon signs serve as wall art in living rooms dotted with leather club chairs. Patina is the keynote to a decor in sync with such surroundings. 

On 1stDibs you will find industrial furniture designs that wear their age beautifully — and were built to last.

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Style: Industrial
Mounted Turnstile “To The Fun House” from Coney Island, New York
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A rare and Historical Industrial Era Mounted Turnstile from the Fun House at Coney Island, New York, featuring original painted finishes mounted on wood plinth with label reading, “T...
Category

Early 20th Century American Industrial Folk Art

Materials

Steel

Frazer Nash Huge Illuminated Advertising Painted Trade Sign
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Frazer Nash huge illuminated advertising painted trade sign This is an advertisement for the original and famous British racing car company Fraz...
Category

Early 20th Century Industrial Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Rare Early Enamel Sign Advertising Eley-Knoch Shot Gun Cartridges
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Rare early enamel sign advertising Eley-Knoch shot gun cartridges Very Rare old sign, is made in ceramic enamel it is a heavy piece with the usu...
Category

Mid-20th Century Industrial Folk Art

Materials

Enamel

Miroir industriel arrondi en métal 1930
Located in TOURCOING, FR
Miroir industriel arrondi en métal 1930
Category

1930s French Vintage Industrial Folk Art

Materials

Metal

Large Scale Vintage New York City Bus or Subway Roll, Brooklyn-Queens , 8th ave
Located in Buffalo, NY
Large Scale Vintage New York City Bus or Subway Roll, Brooklyn-Queens , 8th ave... Over 11 feet !! Great old sign, double sided.
Category

1940s American Vintage Industrial Folk Art

Materials

Korhogo Cloth, Canvas

Remington metal typewriter, 1909
Located in Manzano, IT
Remington metal typewriter, 1909 Style vintage Design period 1890 - 1919 Production period 1890 - 1919 Year of production 1900 Country of production United States Remington maker Rem...
Category

19th Century American Antique Industrial Folk Art

Materials

Metal

Vintage enamel fire sign, 1950s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
Charming vintage enamel 'FIRE' sign mlounted on a wooden and metal base. Its unclear if this was used by the fire brigade during interventions or if th...
Category

1950s American Vintage Industrial Folk Art

Materials

Enamel

1950 s Commercial Sign "All - Stainless Inc"
Located in Hanover, MA
Vintage commercial business sign from early 1950's for All - Stainless, Inc. 78" long by 12" high panel of patinated blue colored aluminum with 1/4" th...
Category

1950s American Vintage Industrial Folk Art

Materials

Aluminum

Antique Industrial Factory Work Table on Iron Castors
Located in Buffalo, NY
Antique Industrial factory work table on iron castors, simple design, handmade, heavy duty construction, hand delivery avail to New York City or any...
Category

1930s American Vintage Industrial Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Vintage Minneapolis-Moline SSP Neon Sign
Located in Dekalb, IL
c. 1930s/1940s; Minneapolis Moline Power Implement Co. - Hopkins/Minneapolis, MN Vintage single-sided porcelain tractor company neon sign. This piece advertises Minneapolis-Moline,...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Industrial Folk Art

Materials

Metal

Vintage Red Iron Facade Letter R, 1970s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial facade letter “R” was made during the 1970s in France and comes from an old advertising banner. The weight of the letter is 0,7 kg.
Category

1970s French Vintage Industrial Folk Art

Materials

Iron

Antique 19th Century English Wooden Finishing Plane
Located in Middleburg, VA
A fine 19th-century English joiner's finishing plane crafted from dense beechwood, with a rich patinated surface developed through decades of use. The sculpted rear handle and gracef...
Category

19th Century English Antique Industrial Folk Art

Materials

Metal, Iron, Wrought Iron

Pair of Industrial Bench Made "Westport" Style Factory Task Chairs, 1930s
Located in Buffalo, NY
Unusual handmade factory task chairs, late 1920s, early 1930s. Retain original gray painted surface. Wonderful patina. Nice design.
Category

1930s American Vintage Industrial Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Vintage Illuminated Letter E , 1980s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial illuminated letter E was made in Italy during the 1980s and comes from an old advertising banner. It features a vhite metal body and a white plexiglass cover....
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Industrial Folk Art

Materials

Iron

Wills Gold Flake Cigarettes Advertising Mirror
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Wills Gold Flake cigarettes advertising mirror Very rare old mirror, a bold picture of the Gold Flake packet set in an golden oak frame The m...
Category

Early 20th Century Industrial Folk Art

Vintage Grey Illuminated Letter M, 1970s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial illuminated letter “ m “ was made in Germany during the 1970s and comes from an old advertising banner. It features a black metal body and a grey plastic cove...
Category

1970s German Vintage Industrial Folk Art

Materials

Metal

Large Vintage Green Iron Facade Letter N , 1970s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial facade letter “N “was made during the 1970s in former Czechoslovakia and comes from an old advertising banner. The weight of the letter is 9 kg.
Category

1970s Czech Vintage Industrial Folk Art

Materials

Iron

L N E R Wooden Railway Sign
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
L & N E R Wooden Railway Sign This great British Railway sign is a piece of History, dating from the 1930s the sign is painted on a framed wooden board...
Category

Early 20th Century Industrial Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Double Sided Hanging No Smoking Please Gas Station Garage Enamel Sign
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Original 1930s double-sided enamel Stop Your Motor Please No Smoking Gas Station Garage Sign.
Category

Early 20th Century American Industrial Folk Art

Materials

Enamel

Vintage Red Iron Facade Letter R , 1970s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial facade letter “ r “ was made during the 1970s in Italy and comes from an old advertising banner. The weight of the letter is 0,7 kg.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Industrial Folk Art

Materials

Iron

Vintage Grey Illuminated Letter I , 1970s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial illuminated letter “ I “ was made in Germany during the 1970s and comes from an old advertising banner. It features a black metal body and a grey plastic cove...
Category

1970s German Vintage Industrial Folk Art

Materials

Metal

Vintage Dark Red Illuminated Letter E , 1980s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial plastic dark red facade illuminated letter E was made in Italy during the 1970s and comes from an old advertising banner. It is equipped with a LED strip. .T...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Industrial Folk Art

Materials

Plastic

Vintage Heavy Cast Iron Dog Lawn Sign
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this original Vintage Heavy Cast Iron Dog Lawn Sign. Made in iron with great patina
Category

1950s American Vintage Industrial Folk Art

Materials

Iron

Large European 1930 s Nautical Map Reader Magnifying Glass
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
This European set of two nautical magnifying glass map-readers are quite unusual and rarely found. It is fully encased in it's heavy wooden and metal enforced box. Hailing from betwe...
Category

1930s German Vintage Industrial Folk Art

Materials

Metal

Impressively Large Antique Ocean Liner Air Vent, circa 1900
Located in Beerse, VAN
Meet the “Gooseneck,” once used aboard an ocean liner to draw in fresh air. And as it once stood on the deck of that ocean liner, drawing in fresh sea air, it’s now ready to bring t...
Category

Early 20th Century Dutch Industrial Folk Art

Materials

Metal

Vintage Blue Plastic Illuminated Letter C , 1970s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial blue plastic illuminated letter C was made in Italy during the 1970s and comes from an old advertising banner. It is equipped with a LED strip.The weight of t...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Industrial Folk Art

Materials

Plastic

Circa 1900 French Wallpaper Printing Roll
Located in High Point, NC
Circa 1900 wallpaper printing roll from France made from pine.
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Industrial Folk Art

Materials

Pine

Vintage Red Facade Letter R , 1970s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial plastic facade letter R was made in Italy during the 1970s and comes from an old advertising banner “ ROSTICCERIA”. The weight of the letter is 0.5 kg.
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Industrial Folk Art

Materials

Plastic

Vintage Illuminated Letter N, 1980s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage Industrial illuminated letter N was made in Netherlands during the 1980s and comes from an old advertising banner. It features a grey m...
Category

1980s Dutch Vintage Industrial Folk Art

Materials

Metal

Very Large Antique Toleware Tea/Coffee Canister In Original Paint, Dutch
Located in Bristol, GB
ANTIQUE PAINTED SHOP DISPLAY STORAGE TIN On a larger-than-average scale, a dusky orange painted storage canister with gilt lettering. Inscribed ‘Brand Zoon, Tiel, Koffee, Th...
Category

Late 19th Century Dutch Antique Industrial Folk Art

Materials

Tin

Industrial Iron Wheel 19th Century Original Painted
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This folky Industrial wheel is in fine condition and retains the original red painted surface. The condition is very good.
Category

19th Century American Antique Industrial Folk Art

Materials

Iron

Hand Painted Dentist Trade Sign c.1940
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT Single sided wooden dentist tooth trade sign with gold and black letters. Hand painted, hand carved. Shown with a life size hand model for scale. CREATOR Unknown. ...
Category

Early 20th Century Industrial Folk Art

Materials

Wood

20th Century Blacksmith s Sign on Custom Mount
Located in Chicago, IL
A bold and striking 20th century American blacksmith's sign with an arm swinging a hammer against a block of metal on an anvil, and with sparks flying from the impact. We've had this...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Industrial Folk Art

Materials

Steel

Early 20th c. Monumental Belgian Flag c.1940-1950
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT An original monumental Belgian flag. CREATOR Unknown. DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.1940-1950. MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES Wool, Metal. CONDI...
Category

Early 20th Century Industrial Folk Art

Materials

Brass

Vintage Blue Plastic Illuminated Letter R, 1970s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial blue plastic illuminated letter R was made in Italy during the 1970s and comes from an old advertising banner. It is equipped with a LED strip. The letter can...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Industrial Folk Art

Materials

Plastic

Antique English Rolls Razor Safety Blade Sharpener
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this English rolls razor blade sharpener, circa 1930. Made by Rolls Razor, Ltd., of Cricklewood, London. The Rolls Safety Razor product was a sophisticated safety-razor whic...
Category

1930s English Vintage Industrial Folk Art

Materials

Metal

Very Early X-Ray Building Sign
Located in Peekskill, NY
This is one of the best signs I've ever had. It's 10 feet 8 inches long by 19 inches by 5 inches thick. The letters are painted in the negative, just like an X-ray. The letters are "...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Industrial Folk Art

Materials

Tin

Hand Painted Studebaker Wagons Sign c.1930
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT An original Studebaker hand-painted wooden sign, originally from a 1930s wagon shop. Emblazoned with "Studebaker Wagons" at the center and "New" and "Used" on either side, thi...
Category

Early 20th Century Industrial Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Vintage Red Iron Facade Letter N , 1970s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial facade letter “ N “ was made during the 1970s in Spain and comes from an old advertising banner. The weight of the letter is 1,7 kg.
Category

1970s Spanish Vintage Industrial Folk Art

Materials

Iron

Vintage Red Iron Facade Letter O , 1970s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial facade letter “ O “ was made during the 1970s in Spain and comes from an old advertising banner. The weight of the letter is 1,5 kg.
Category

1970s Spanish Vintage Industrial Folk Art

Materials

Iron

Vintage Dark Red Illuminated Letter N , 1980s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial plastic dark red facade illuminated letter “ Z “ was made in Italy during the 1970s and comes from an old advertising banner. It is equipped with a LED neon s...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Industrial Folk Art

Materials

Plastic

Vintage Blue Plastic Illuminated Letter U , 1970s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial blue plastic illuminated letter U was made in Italy during the 1970s and comes from an old advertising banner. It is equipped with a LED strip.The weight of t...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Industrial Folk Art

Materials

Plastic

Vintage Illuminated Letter N, 1970s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial illuminated letter N was made in Italy during the 1970s and comes from an old advertising banner. It features a black metal bod...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Industrial Folk Art

Materials

Iron

Vintage Illuminated Letter I, 1970s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial illuminated facade letter I was made in Italy during the 1970s and comes from an old advertising banner. It features a black bakelite body and a white plexigl...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Industrial Folk Art

Materials

Bakelite, Plexiglass

Vintage Dark Red Illuminated Letter Z , 1980s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial plastic dark red facade illuminated letter Z was made in Italy during the 1970s and comes from an old advertising banner. It is equipped with a LED strip. .T...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Industrial Folk Art

Materials

Plastic

Vintage Red Illuminated Letter I , 1970s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial red illuminated letter I was made in Italy during the 1970s and comes from an old advertising banner from an old carpet shop in Torino. It features a black i...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Industrial Folk Art

Materials

Metal

Antique Atlantic City Souvenir Penny Game from Boardwalk Empire
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A Historical artifact once used in the HBO series Boardwalk Empire. Maple cabinet with brass plaques and painted iron mechanism. Costing two quarters and a penny to play. Not tested ...
Category

20th Century American Industrial Folk Art

Materials

Metal

Vintage Grey Illuminated Letter N, 1970s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial illuminated letter “ n “ was made in Germany during the 1970s and comes from an old advertising banner. It features a black metal body and a grey plastic cove...
Category

1970s German Vintage Industrial Folk Art

Materials

Metal

Vintage Iron Milk Can Side Table, Powder Coated Bright Blue
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Large antique 20th Century heavy iron milk container with handle and lid. Great Folk Art to use in a farm or country rustic decor. Large, traditional, heavy pot, freshly powder coated bright metallic blue with an original removable lid. Keep your house organized by placing this beautiful, antique milk...
Category

1930s Vintage Industrial Folk Art

Materials

Iron

Large Early 20th Century American Usg Sheetrock Advertising Porcelain Sign
Located in Forney, TX
A scarce antique, circa 1920s /1930s, USG (United States Gypsum) porcelain enameled advertising sign, early 20th century, industrial American Art Deco Modern taste. The large blu...
Category

Early 20th Century American Industrial Folk Art

Materials

Metal, Enamel

Vintage Italian PIZZA Sign. 1970s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
Vintage industrial grey iron sing “PIZZA”. Set of five letters was made during the 1970s in Italy. Dimensions : Total width : 110 cm, Height : 30 cm ,Depth : 5 cm, Depth with wa...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Industrial Folk Art

Materials

Iron

Early 20thC Hubley Bouquet of Flowers Cast Iron Doorstops
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Antique cast iron Doorstops by Hubley in original paint. No breaks or cracks in excellent vintage condition with minimal wear to the paint....
Category

1920s American Vintage Industrial Folk Art

Materials

Iron

Pair of Antiques Money / Bank, Elephants
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Pair of Antiques money box / bank, elephants. One of them circa 1920, made in iron, the other circa 1960 made in aluminium.  
Category

1940s American Vintage Industrial Folk Art

Materials

Aluminum, Iron

Handmade Leather Gym Punching Boxing Heavy Bag
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this Leather Gym Punching Boxing Heavy Bag. This piece is made of vintage leather and vintage chains following the design of the ancients punching bags, totally handmade. In...
Category

2010s Mexican Industrial Folk Art

Materials

Leather

Large Vintage Yellow Iron Facade Letter A, 1960s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial facade letter “A” was made during the 1960s in former Czechoslovakia and comes from an old inscription POŠTA. In czech language Post Office. The weight of th...
Category

Mid-20th Century Czech Industrial Folk Art

Materials

Iron

Midcentury Friction Tin Litho Soft Top Toy Car Fiat 600 by Bandai Japan
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous and in near mint condition Fiat 600 with a rollback cloth convertible top. From a lot of seventeen that were probably stored from day one, and never played with. Made by Ban...
Category

1960s Japanese Vintage Industrial Folk Art

Materials

Metal

Large Vintage Yellow Iron Facade Letter P, 1960s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial facade letter “P” was made during the 1960s in former Czechoslovakia and comes from an old facade inscription POŠTA. In czech language Post Office. The weight...
Category

Mid-20th Century Czech Industrial Folk Art

Materials

Iron

Mid Century Tin Litho Mechanical Clockwork Windup Toy Skier Girl by Chein C1945
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous working tin Litho toy skier by the Chein toy co. C1945. In excellent vintage condition with minimal wear.
Category

1940s American Vintage Industrial Folk Art

Materials

Tin

Large Vintage Green Iron Facade Letter I , 1970s
Located in Kojetice, CZ
This vintage industrial facade letter “ I “was made during the 1970s in former Czechoslovakia and comes from an old advertising banner. The weight of the letter is 4 kg.
Category

Late 20th Century Czech Industrial Folk Art

Materials

Iron

1930s Original Gilbeys Invalid Port Enamel Advertising Pub Garden Bar Sign
Located in Sherborne, Dorset
For sale we have a very striking, original 1930s/40s advertising sign in red and white enamel on black-ground for ‘Gilbey’s Invalid Port’. The enamel sign has the most amazing patina...
Category

1930s British Vintage Industrial Folk Art

Materials

Metal, Enamel

Industrial folk art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Industrial folk art for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage folk art created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include folk art, more furniture and collectibles, building and garden elements and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, iron and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Industrial folk art made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original folk art, popular names associated with this style include Patrick Fitzgerald, A. C. Williams Company, American Flag Banner Co., and Coca Cola Bottling Co.. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for folk art differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $75 and tops out at $15,000 while the average work can sell for $561.

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