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Folk Art Lighting

FOLK ART STYLE

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.

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Style: Folk Art
Unusual Folk Art, Bespoke Billiard Themed Floor Lamp, 8-Ball, Modernist
Located in Buffalo, NY
Unusual Folk Art, Bespoke Billiard Themed floor lamp.. 8-ball. Modernist, que sticks, Hand crafted, Shade measuring 16" in diameter.
Category

1940s American Vintage Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Brass

A Pair of Copper Ships Mast Head Lights
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Pair of Copper Ships Mast Head Lights The lamps are round with thick bowed and ridged glass, they are original nautical pieces with excellent character A great decorators ceiling ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Copper

Vallauris Pottery Aquarium Lamp Signed Kérina Monaco A Trompe l oeil aquarium
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Vallauris Pottery Aquarium Lamp Signed Kérina Monaco A Trompe l'oeil aquarium Lamp, in earthenware and signed underneath. Many versions were made of these “kitsch” lamps...
Category

1950s Vintage Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Earthenware

Superb Large Brass Sextant Ceiling Light from the Captains Cabin
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Superb large brass sextant ceiling light from the captains cabin A very good quality lamp it has been made in the form of a brass sextant, it is centrally hung with a large shade at each end (like a snooker table light...
Category

Early 20th Century Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Brass

French Brass Greyhound Statue Lamp
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
French brass greyhound statue lamp A handsome piece made in Brass and Iron with a bronzed finish to the dog 3 Dimensional and looks great from all ...
Category

Early 20th Century Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Brass

Organic Folk Art Wall Lamp, Hand Sculpted Wooden Bear, Eino Kypärä, Finland 1997
Located in Helsinki, FI
A soulful piece of Finnish folk art from 1997 by Eino Kypärä, crafted with a deep respect for nature and material. The wall lamp combines oak and birch with a hand-carved bear figure...
Category

1990s Finnish Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Birch, Oak

Pair of Sculptural Wall Sconces – French Artist, 1980snches
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
An unique pair of 1980s French sculptural wall sconces, crafted from natural chestnut branches selected for their organic lines and expressive character. Partially stripped bark re...
Category

1980s French Vintage Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Wood

Wall Sconce Tin Circular Single Arm Illustrated Furnituretreasury Wallacenutting
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
Surviving pieces of vernacular lighting are extremely rare and it is hard to source convincing re-creations. These are copies of a period sconce illustrated in Furniture Treasury by ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Tin

Tatupeba Table Lamp in Natural Straw Fiber Small - EU plug typ C.
Located in BR
Prized as the best work of its category in the Novos Talentos Brasileiros (New Brazilian Talents) Award in 2020, the Tatubepa lamp is a piece with unique and valuable design. It was ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Sheet Metal

Table Lamp With 4 Tier Deer Hoof With Nickel Bands And Antler Finial
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Mid-Century table lamp with 4-tier deer hoof with nickel bands and brass fitted antler finial. Shade is not included.
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Organic Material

“Watneys” Pub Lantern, Hanging Iron Lantern A Great looking piece
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
“Watneys” Pub Lantern, Hanging Iron Lantern A Great looking piece, the lantern is larger than life, it would once have been hung outside of a Pub The Lamp is fully working, the side...
Category

1950s Vintage Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Iron

Pair of Solid Brass Two-Light Wall Sconces, Vintage, Austria, 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A stunning pair of heavy brass wall sconces. Each consisting of a stylish Farmhouse style design. Each fixture requires two European E14 / 110 Volt candelabra bulbs, each bulb up to ...
Category

1950s German Vintage Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Metal, Brass

Hammered Brass Folk Art Modernist Floor Lamp
Located in San Mateo, CA
Amateur craftsman made modernist floor lamp. The lamp is a little arts and crafts, art deco and machine age combined. A great imaginative form, the lamp is made of found brass pieces...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Brass

Folk Art Carved Wood Lamp
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Folk art carved wood lamp. Wood base is 9" square. The wood lamp (including base) measures 23" high. Total height from base to the bottom of socket...
Category

1950s American Vintage Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Brass

French Flok Art, Huge Grape Vine Floor Lamp, France, circa 1960
Located in leucate, FR
French Folk Art. Beautiful grape vine floor lamp. Base made with a large vine with several arms, which makes it very stable, a small table is integrated at 26''. For sale without ...
Category

1960s French Vintage Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Wood

Antique Hand Carved Folk Art Pendant Light w. Accordion Playing Madchen on Top
Located in Lisse, NL
Rare and beautifully handcrafted Arts & Crafts light fixture for black forest enthousiasts. If you are looking for unique antiques that tell something about life in different parts ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Rope, Wood, Oak

c1920 s French Folk Art/ Carved Wood Figural Breton Couple Wall Sconces
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Pair 1920's French Folk Art Carved Wood Breton Figural Wall Sconces. I saw these and I thought that they would look good in a country setting.
Category

1920s French Vintage Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Wood

Timeworn Tole Chandelier With Glass Grape Clusters And Figural Panel
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A six light tole chandelier in verdigris painted finish. With a center shaped frame and attached center platform for a dark painted flat figural panel- two seated figures enjoying dr...
Category

20th Century Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Metal

Architecual Element Lamp w/ Floral Ticking Shade
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Zinc Architectural Element lamp w/ Floral Ticking shade Lamp with Shade H 64 Lamp Base 9 x 11 x 45 H Shade top: 14.5 Dia shade bottom: 22 Dia.
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Zinc

Folk Art Carved Wood Lamp, small
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Folk art carved wood lamp. Wood base is 7.75" square. The wood lamp (including base) measures 15" high. Total height from base to the bottom of socket is 19". Lamp has been profess...
Category

1960s American Vintage Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Brass

Vintage Wood Marquetry Lamp
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Dramatic modern form lamp with a combination of marquetry with parquetry. Measurements are 11" diameter base, 30" high to the top of the finial. Height to the bottom of the socket is...
Category

1930s American Vintage Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Wood

Folk Art Parquetry Carved Wood Lamp, Dots
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Folk art parquetry carved wood lamp with dots. Wood base is 5.5" diameter. The wood lamp (including base) measures 16" high. Total height from base to the bottom of socket is 19"...
Category

1960s American Vintage Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Brass

1990 s Whimsical Folk Art MacKenzie-Childs Ceramic Floor Lamp
Located in Burbank, CA
Vintage folk art floor lamp for sale. Manufactured by the unique and fabulous MacKenzie-Childs, and is a one-of-a-kind. It was hand painted by the artists and is signed and dated 199...
Category

1990s American Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Ceramic

Pair of Guillerme et Chambron Wall Sconces Oak Wood Ceramic French Folk Art 60
Located in Miami, FL
Very rare example of Guillerme et Chambron oak sconces with some ceramic Bobech by Danikowski 100 watts bulb max US wired , in working condition 2 pairs available. Priced by pair, Ha...
Category

1950s French Vintage Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Oak

Vintage Nautical Table Lamp with Patinated Brass Boat Propeller Base
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Impressive nautical table lamp composed of a nylon rope wrapped stem anchored by a vintage boat propeller, (circa 1970s, USA). Accents and prope...
Category

1970s American Vintage Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Brass

Coastal Folk Art Sea Shell Encrusted Table Lamp with Harp
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A tall wooden lamp encrusted with natural seashells. This piece will be a wonderful addition to a living room or nightstand. The lamp itself is created from wood and has a square bas...
Category

1970s American Vintage Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Shell, Wood

Vintage Boho Marquetry Wood Lamps - A Pair
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Illuminate your space with the warmth and craftsmanship of this striking pair of vintage turned wood table lamps. Masterfully constructed using a segmented or marquetry technique, th...
Category

Late 20th Century American Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Metal

Wood Parquetry Lamp
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Dramatic form lamp with a parquetry pattern. Lamp measure 23" high from base to the bottom of socket and base is 8.5". Lamp has been professionally rewired for 3 way light bulbs.
Category

1940s American Vintage Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Wood

Tall Hand-Carved Wood Folk Art Ball in Cage Whimsy Lamp
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Here is a very charming, yet modern, hand-carved wood lamp. The carver is unknown, but the "ball in cage" technique has been a popular subject in folk art pieces for decades. Based o...
Category

1960s American Vintage Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Wood

A Novelty Lighthouse Floor Lamp Great fun and the ideal piece for a seaside
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Novelty Lighthouse Floor Lamp Great fun and the ideal piece for a seaside theme, this one off piece is made in wood and has an old reconditioned brass Nautical Post light at the t...
Category

1960s Vintage Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Brass

Pair of Folk Art Iron Lamps
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Black and gold wrought iron filigree lamps with hand painted shades.
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Iron

Vintage Turned Wood Lamp Mahogany Maple and Walnut
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Beautiful turned wood lamp made of mahogany, maple and walnut. Wonderful graphics and artistry. Urn shaped body exposing varying wood grains and colors with a thin red piping. 37.5"...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Wood

Vintage Turned Wood Lamp Made of Mahogany, Maple and Walnut
Located in Nantucket, MA
Large turned wood lamp of urn-form made by gluing pieces of various types of wood together then lathe turning the block to reveal patterns of co...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Mahogany, Maple, Walnut

Vintage Boho Hand Carved Temple Mask Lamp
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This powerful and intricate vintage table lamp is a masterpiece of hand-carved folk art. Featuring a complex, multi-faced temple mask design, the lamp base is a captivating sculpture...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Brass

A Rustic Antler-Form Table Lamp
Located in San Francisco, CA
composed of interlocking antlers resting on a circular wooden base
Category

1960s American Vintage Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Antler

Folk Art Table Lamp of Dogwood Weaving Shuttles
Located in Hanover, MA
Vintage folk art table lamp made in the mid-20th century from three brass tipped weaving shuttles on a matching wood stand. Affixed to each shuttle by ...
Category

1950s American Vintage Folk Art Lighting

One of a Kind Italian Pair Deco Modern Art Lamps with Cast Brass Carnival Masks
Located in New York, NY
1980s vintage Italian pair of very rare lamps, entirely handmade in cast polished brass, uniquely decorated with carnival masks in different sizes, each different from the other, rai...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Brass, Metal

Vintage Moroccan Folk Art Parchment Wall Sconce
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Large African Tribal Art parchment wall shade sconce featuring a large triangle hide form stitched on iron and hand painted surface. These vintage hand crafted Folk Art pieces could be used as wall lamp shade or just decorative wall Art. Iron frame covered with hide parchment which has been hand painted with red, safron, yellow and tan in henna tribal tattoo designs and has a decorative iron surround are perfect for soft subtle lighting. These Folk Art lamp shades sit over your existing wall light fitting. There are no electrics within the lampshade. They will look great over an electric fitting or just as an African Tribal Art wall decoration. Large African Tribal wall shade: 23" H x 11" W x 6" D. Handcrafted and hand painted in Marrakech, Morocco by women artist. Great conversation curiosity Tribal Art piece. One of a kind design, there are 3 pieces available in the same shape they are listed individually. Art & Craft from Morocco. African Wall Decor...
Category

20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Iron

Large Moroccan Tribal Art Parchment Wall Shade Sconce
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Large pair of African Tribal Art parchment wall shade sconce featuring a large triangle hide form stitched on iron and hand painted surface. These art piec...
Category

20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Iron

Large African Tribal Art Parchment Wall Shade Sconce
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Large African Tribal Art parchment wall shade sconce featuring a large triangle hide form stitched on iron and hand painted surface. These Art pieces could ...
Category

20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Iron

Tatupeba Floor Lamp BLACK in Natural Palm Fiber - EU plug typ C
Located in BR
Prized as the best work of its category in the Novos Talentos Brasileiros (New Brazilian Talents) Award in 2020, now comes in a new version as a floor lamp. the Tatubepa lamp is a p...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Sheet Metal

Quirky Hunting Shooting Table Lamp
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Quirky Hunting & Shooting Table Lamp A great little piece, it has a (replica) Flint Lock gun set as the upright on brass lamp, it has an embossed brass ...
Category

1960s Vintage Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Brass

Impressive Ceramic Floor or Table Lamp in Mystic and Majestic Mayan Style
Located in Doornspijk, NL
This eye catching floor or table lamp in Mayan style truly is an impressive piece. Its foot is a large ceramic statue of a queen and her child, or a king ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Ceramic, Suede, Velvet

Sculpted Pelican on the Wharf Table Lamp
Located in Pasadena, TX
This lamp is folk art. It depicts a pelican on a wharf. Its base is a slab of o tree with 3 cut limbs depicting a wharf. The wharf has ropes and nets and a finely carved pelican sitt...
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Wood, Paint

A Stunning French Leopard Print Table Lamp This is a one off Artisan Piece
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Stunning French Leopard Print Table Lamp This is a one off Artisan Made piece, the lamp is overlaid with fine tissue which is patterned with gold leaf and leopard fur markings, bo...
Category

1970s Vintage Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Paper

Vintage Folk Art Gun Lamp of Wrought Iron and Driftwood
Located in Atlanta, GA
Vintage Folk Art table lamp handmade in the shape of a gun/ rifle using driftwood and wrought iron and having an antique horseshoe mounted as the fro...
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Wrought Iron

Tatupeba table Lamp GOLDEN BROW in Natural Palm Fiber Small - EU plug typ C.
Located in BR
Prized as the best work of its category in the Novos Talentos Brasileiros (New Brazilian Talents) Award in 2020, the Tatubepa lamp is a piece with unique and valuable design. It was ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Sheet Metal

Tatupeba Floor Lamp GOLDEN BROWN in Natural Palm Fiber - EU plug typ C
Located in BR
Prized as the best work of its category in the Novos Talentos Brasileiros (New Brazilian Talents) Award in 2020, now comes in a new version as a floor lamp. the Tatubepa lamp is a p...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Sheet Metal

Tatupeba Sconce Lamp BLACK in Natural Palm Fiber LARGE - EU plug typ C
Located in BR
Prized as the best work of its category in the Novos Talentos Brasileiros (New Brazilian Talents) Award in 2020, the Tatubepa lamp is a piece with unique and valuable design. It was ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Sheet Metal

Vintage Boho Hand Painted Female Floor Lamp
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A spectacular and truly one-of-a-kind piece of functional sculpture, this vintage floor lamp is a testament to artistic vision and playful design. Drawing inspiration from Folk Art a...
Category

Late 20th Century American Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Fabric, Wood, Paint

Carved Wooden Shabby Gilt Table Lamp This is a great statement piece
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Carved Wooden Shabby Gilt Table Lamp This is a great statement piece, it has a chunky carved base, the old paint has a distressed appearance it is mostly in an old gold and bronze f...
Category

1920s Vintage Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Pine

Tatupeba Sconce Lamp GOLDEN BROWN in Natural Palm Fiber LARGE - EU plug typ C
Located in BR
Prized as the best work of its category in the Novos Talentos Brasileiros (New Brazilian Talents) Award in 2020, the Tatubepa lamp is a piece with unique and valuable design. It was ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Brazilian Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Sheet Metal

American Folk Art Table Lamp, Hand-Carved Pine, Circa 1850
Located in Hudson, NY
Very stylish folk art carving of an urn with flame. Likely from a hears of the mid nineteenth century. This sculpture is hand carved from pine and retains the original painted and gi...
Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Gold

Stig Blomberg Bronze Table Lamps, Sweden, 1970
Located in Bronx, NY
Pair of Stig Blomberg table lamps from the 1970s by the Swedish artist Stig Blomberg. The pair has each expressionist lion heads embedded on the sides of the lamps very detailed on ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Bronze

Spanish Folk Art Floor Standing Standard Lamp
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Spanish Folk Art floor standing standard lamp A traditionally turned, carved and painted piece from Spain. This wooden lamp stands on a square ba...
Category

Mid-20th Century Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Softwood

Bulbous Folk Art Painted Table Lamp
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Bulbous folk art painted table lamp. This an attractive pottery lamp painted in a folk art style, in crackle finish Gold, Cream and Red, the paint has now aged in colour and developed a charming finish, the lamp has its own pleated silk lamp...
Category

Mid-20th Century Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Pottery

African Senufo Bird Carved Wood Sculpture, set as a Tall Lamp
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
African Senufo Bird Carved Wood Sculpture, set as a Tall Lamp This wonderful antique carving has been set on a circular plinth which supports a lamp lighting it from above This is a...
Category

19th Century Antique Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Pine

Chandelier Green Painted Gilded Iron Dutch 16 Branch 3 tier Folk Vernacular 30"
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
RARE FOLK OR VERNACULAR, 19TH CENTURY, GREEN PAINTED AND GILDED, 3 TIER, CHANDELIER WITH 16 BRANCHES OR ARMS, 76cm., 30” high Exudes folk/vernacular charm, character and atmosphere ...
Category

1830s Dutch Antique Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Wood

Folk Art Style Carved and Painted Table Lamp
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Folk Art Style carved and painted table lamp. This lamp has a carved decoration painted in cream with gold highlights, the lamp comes with a new coarse linen lamp shade. The lamp...
Category

Mid-20th Century Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Softwood

Folk Art Root Carved Table Lamp
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Folk Art root carved table lamp. This is a very attractive if somewhat unusual piece, it is an old root carving which has been adapted to change it into a charming table lamp, the...
Category

Early 20th Century Folk Art Lighting

Materials

Bog Wood

Folk Art lighting for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique folk art lighting 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 lighting created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include lighting, folk art, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art lighting 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 lighting, popular names associated with this style include Berber Tribes of Morocco, Valter Costa Lima, EGLO Leuchten, and Guillerme et Chambron. 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 lighting differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $150 and tops out at $29,950 while the average work can sell for $1,105.

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