Folk Art Trunks and Luggage
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
French Petite Bridal Box from Normandy
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A fantastic antique marriage or bridal box–from Normandy, France–the petite trunk is decorated with stylized foliate details that grace the exterior. Once-vibrant pink and cream pain...
Category
18th Century French Antique Folk Art Trunks and Luggage
Materials
Metal
Swedish 19th Century Painted Pine Marriage Trunk
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A Swedish 19th century iron-bound painted marriage trunk that would be an unexpected and sentimental blanket chest or sweater storage. The exterior of this trunk is painted blue with...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Trunks and Luggage
Materials
Iron
Antique Swedish Wooden basket 1800
s painted in warm tones Handmade Folk Craft
Located in Forest, BE
Swedish antique pine and birch wooden barrel / basket . Fine quality of bentwood. It is a true piece from the late 18 century / early 19 century. Perfect in a kitchen or next to a d...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Trunks and Luggage
Materials
Birch, Pine
$714 Sale Price
20% Off
Original Green Painted Swedish Dome Top Trunk Dated 1840
Located in Round Top, TX
Original green painted dome top pine trunk from Sweden with wrought iron straps and side handles.
Monogram EFD and date "1840" indicate this trunk was likely a dowry or wedding prese...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Trunks and Luggage
Materials
Wrought Iron
Green painted Southern Yellow Pine 19th century carriage strong box forged iron
Located in Mobile, AL
Green folk painted Southern yellow pine carriage trunk or strong box. The size is just about perfect for liquor bottles, too. Dovetail construction with hand forged clasp and hinges. The original finish was likely brown and it looks like it got it's first coat...
Category
1840s American Antique Folk Art Trunks and Luggage
Materials
Wood
$1,196 Sale Price
20% Off
Handmade Leather Mexican Carrying Case, C.1900-1940
Located in San Francisco, CA
About
An all leather handmade carrying case from Mexico with incised leather on both sides and intact leather strap. The leather strap is woven throug...
Category
Early 20th Century Mexican Folk Art Trunks and Luggage
Materials
Leather
$100 Sale Price
46% Off
Original Blue Painted Swedish Dome Top Oak Trunk Dated 1827
Located in Round Top, TX
Original teal blue painted dome top oak trunk from Sweden with traditional hand-painted details include floral motif along top and front.
Monogram of ASD and date "1827" indicate thi...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Trunks and Luggage
Materials
Wrought Iron
French Petite Bridal Box from Normandy
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A fantastic antique marriage or bridal box from circa 1780 Normandy, France decorated with hand-painted floral details that grace every surface, including a small bird on the top. Vi...
Category
18th Century French Antique Folk Art Trunks and Luggage
Materials
Metal
Chinese Painted Folk Trunk, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Trunks and storage chests were the most ubiquitous form of household storage throughout the Ming and Qing dynasties. Used to store clothes, linens, kitchen utensils, and other miscel...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Folk Art Trunks and Luggage
Materials
Pine
18Thc Original Blue Painted Blanket Chest From New England
Located in Los Angeles, CA
18Thc Original blue painted dovetailed blanket chest from New England and has original bracket feet.The condition is very good.
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Trunks and Luggage
Materials
Wood
$2,760 Sale Price
20% Off
antique beech shepherd’s chest, 1850’s
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Low shepherd’s chest with a beautiful appearance and proportions. These chests were made in the same way for centuries. They were decorated with traditional magical geometric symbols...
Category
1850s Romanian Antique Folk Art Trunks and Luggage
Materials
Beech
Chinese Painted Folk Trunk, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Trunks and storage chests were the most ubiquitous form of household storage throughout the Ming and Qing dynasties. Used to store clothes, linens, kitchen utensils, and other miscel...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Folk Art Trunks and Luggage
Materials
Pine
Original Blue Painted Flat Top Trunk dated 1858
Located in Round Top, TX
The colorful blue paint is all original on this beautiful flat top trunk. Flowers were a traditional embellishment as seen on the front of this handcrafted trunk with monogram (BPD?)...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Trunks and Luggage
Materials
Iron
Original Blue Painted Dome Top Trunk from Sweden dated 1804
Located in Round Top, TX
Original blue painted dome top oak trunk from Sweden with traditional hand-painted details include floral motif along top and front.
Monogram of KND and date "1804" indicate this tru...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Trunks and Luggage
Materials
Wrought Iron
Original Blue and Orange Painted Swedish Small Dome Top Trunk Dated 1846
Located in Round Top, TX
Small dome top trunk from Sweden dated 1846. The burnished orange background and light blue accent is all hand painted in the traditional folk style of the era.
The worn patina adds...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Trunks and Luggage
Materials
Pine, Paint
Antique Swedish Folk Art Pine Trunk with Wrought Iron from the Mid 19th Century
Located in Kramfors, SE
Swedish folk art trunk from the mid 1800s. The trunk is made in northern Sweden and has old historic paint with initials and dating – 1875 – on the lid. The last letter of the initia...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Trunks and Luggage
Materials
Pine
Early 19th Century Hand-Painted Floral Trunk
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite early 19th-century painted trunk showcases the artistry and craftsmanship of its era. Adorned with vibrant floral motifs, primarily featuring roses and tulips, this pi...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Trunks and Luggage
Materials
Wood, Paint
Antique shepherd’s chest, 1820s
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Antique shepherd’s chest with geometric decoration from the Carpathian Highlands, ca. 1820. Also called sarcophagus chests or Wallachian chests because of their association with the ...
Category
1820s Romanian Antique Folk Art Trunks and Luggage
Materials
Beech
Original Ice Capades Travel Trunks, c.1940s
Located in Savannah, GA
A pair of Ice Capades travel trunks dating to their inception in the early ‘40s. A boys and a girls trunk, possibly used for skates or drums. Label on top for Ice Capades of ’42. N...
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Trunks and Luggage
Materials
Wood, Paint
$5,000 / set
Delightful Antique Painted Hope Chest with Handpainted Dutch Figures
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A wonderful folk art hand painted antique trunk or chest in a yellow gold having charming male and female Dutch peasants adorning the top. Great size fo...
Category
Early 1900s North American Antique Folk Art Trunks and Luggage
Materials
Wood
antique shepherd’s chest, 1850’s
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Low shepherd’s chest with a beautiful appearance and proportions. These chests were made in the same way for centuries. They were decorated with traditional geometric symbols. Reduce...
Category
1850s Romanian Antique Folk Art Trunks and Luggage
Materials
Beech
Antique shepherd’s chest, circa 1850
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Antique shepherd’s chest with a beautiful appearance and proportions. These chests were made in the same way for centuries. Reduced to a natural finish. Raw, authentic. Originating f...
Category
1850s Romanian Antique Folk Art Trunks and Luggage
Materials
Beech
Antique shepherd’s chest, 1850s
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Big shepherd’s chest with a beautiful appearance and proportions from around 1850. These chests were made in the same way for centuries. They were decorated with traditional magical ...
Category
1850s Romanian Antique Folk Art Trunks and Luggage
Materials
Beech
Vintage Hand-Painted Norwegian Folk Art Storage Chest or Blanket Trunk
Located in Seattle, WA
Charming vintage Scandinavian folk art painted wooden chest featuring hand-rendered scenes of traditional dancers and floral rosemaling designs. The trunk is painted in a blue gray t...
Category
Mid-20th Century Folk Art Trunks and Luggage
Materials
Wood
Original Painted Flat Top Trunk With Flowers, Austria dated 1804
Located in Round Top, TX
The paint is all original on this delightful flat top trunk from Austria.
The flowers in vases are depicted in the front panels, which was a popular folk art design throughout the 18...
Category
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Folk Art Trunks and Luggage
Materials
Wood, Paint
Early Colonial Stained Maple Handmade Travel Trunk / Chest with Hinged Top
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Handmade travel trunk carved from maple wood planks with applied steel hinges and clasp.
The hinged top opens to reveal a removable, divided tray providi...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Trunks and Luggage
Materials
Maple
Antique Scandinavian Round Storage Box “Tejne” Decorated Pine, Late 19th Century
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Large Antique Scandinavian storage box made from wood, made in the last half of 1800. It's most likely from Sweden or Denmark.
It's a so called "Tejne" made for storing and transp...
Category
Late 19th Century Scandinavian Antique Folk Art Trunks and Luggage
Materials
Wood
WWI Era Military Trunk Painted by Artist Ira Yeager
By Ira Yeager
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Amazing folk art military radio trunk with a painted bust of an native American Indian by artist Ira Yeager (American 1938-2022). WWI era canvas covered trunk used to store radio parts...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Trunks and Luggage
Materials
Brass
19th Century Zanzibar Trunk
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A 19th century Zanzibar trunk.
A superb piece showing the wonderful craftsmanship of the brass workers
This hardwood chest which originally was p...
Category
Early 19th Century Antique Folk Art Trunks and Luggage
Materials
Brass
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H 36 in W 2.75 in D 42 in
Extra Large Antique Original Paint European Blanket Chest Coffer Trunk c. 1800
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning, extra large circa 1800 hand painted European clothes trunk or marriage coffer chest with Acanthus leaf painting.
I have recently purchased a very large collection of these original, antique painted wardrobes...
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Early 1800s European Antique Folk Art Trunks and Luggage
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H 21.66 in W 49.41 in D 25.2 in
1901 Dated Love Heart Antique Original Paint Romanian Blanket Chest Coffer Trunk
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Early 1900s European Antique Folk Art Trunks and Luggage
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H 19.69 in W 47.45 in D 22.64 in
circa 1800 Extra Large Antique Original Paint German Blanket Chest Coffer Trunk
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this stunning, extra large circa 1800 hand painted German clothes trunk or marriage coffer chest with Acanthus leaf painting
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Late 19th Century Quebec Paint Decorated Plant Stand, circa 1890
Located in Nantucket, MA
Antique Quebec paint decorated plant stand or bucket bench, circa 1890, pine slat construction with three shelves, fluted backsplash and apron, and deli...
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1890s Canadian Antique Folk Art Trunks and Luggage
Materials
Pine
Large Antique Victorian Oak Banded Embossed Leather Dome Top Steamer Trunk Chest
Located in Dayton, OH
A large and impressive Victorian era dome top steamer trunk, circa 1870s. Features a tooled leather frame wrapped in black metal with oak banding ...
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1870s Antique Folk Art Trunks and Luggage
Materials
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H 28 in W 18.5 in D 35 in
19th Century Leather Carriage Trunk
Located in San Francisco, CA
An impressive and possibly unique custom made leather carriage trunk.
This could also be used as an end table with a glass top, or a seat if reinforced on the inside. Having origina...
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19th Century Antique Folk Art Trunks and Luggage
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Leather
English wooden screen with portraits and floral collage, 1800s
Located in MIlano, IT
English wooden screen with portraits and floral collage, 1800s
Three-door screen with wooden structure and entirely decorated with the collage technique. On each side there are floral motifs framing...
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19th Century English Antique Folk Art Trunks and Luggage
Materials
Metal
Previously Available Items
Antique Shepherd’s Chest, 1850s
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Low shepherd’s chest with a beautiful appearance and proportions. These chests were made in the same way for centuries. They were decorated with traditional magical geometric symbols...
Category
1850s Romanian Antique Folk Art Trunks and Luggage
Materials
Beech
19th Century Original Green Painted Box or Small Flat Top Trunk, Hungary
Located in Round Top, TX
Original green painted flat top pine box or small trunk with star pattern carved into the front and large dovetail joints.
Distress to the finish is reflective of generations of use...
Category
Late 19th Century Hungarian Antique Folk Art Trunks and Luggage
Materials
Pine, Paint
Large Original Green Painted Swedish Dome Top Trunk dated 1844
Located in Round Top, TX
Original green painted dome top oak trunk from Denmark with wrought iron straps and side handles.
Faded monogram and date "1844" indicate this trunk was likely a dowry or wedding pre...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Trunks and Luggage
Materials
Iron
Guatemalan Folk Painted Chest
Located in Chicago, IL
This colorful painted trunk dates to the mid-20th century and was lovingly crafted by traditional folk artisans in Guatemala. Ideal as a blanket chest, the wooden trunk is crafted of...
Category
Mid-20th Century Guatemalan Folk Art Trunks and Luggage
Materials
Pine
19th Century Original Blue Painted Pine Flat Top Trunk from Sweden
Located in Round Top, TX
The light blue paint is all original on this beautiful flat top trunk. A simple monogram of three letters indicate it may have been a wedding or dowry present.
This trunk has origina...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Trunks and Luggage
Materials
Wrought Iron
19th Century Original Hand Painted Swedish Dome Top Oak Trunk dated 1837
Located in Round Top, TX
Original blue painted dome top oak trunk from Sweden with wrought iron straps and side handles.
Monogram and date "1837" indicate this trunk was likely a dowry or wedding present.
Tr...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Trunks and Luggage
Materials
Wrought Iron
H 30 in W 57.25 in D 24.75 in
Antique shepherd’s chest, 1850s
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Low shepherd’s chest with a beautiful appearance and proportions from around 1850. These chests were made in the same way for centuries. They were decorated with traditional magical ...
Category
1850s Romanian Antique Folk Art Trunks and Luggage
Materials
Beech
Antique beech Shepherd’s Chest, 1820s
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Low shepherd’s chest with a beautiful appearance and proportions. These chests were made in the same way for centuries. They were decorated with traditional geometric decoration. Red...
Category
1820s Romanian Antique Folk Art Trunks and Luggage
Materials
Beech
Antique beech Shepherd’s Chest, 1820s
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Low shepherd’s chest with a beautiful appearance and proportions. These chests were made in the same way for centuries. They were decorated with tradit...
Category
1820s Romanian Antique Folk Art Trunks and Luggage
Materials
Beech
Antique beech Shepherd’s Chest, 1850s
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Low shepherd’s chest with a beautiful appearance and proportions. These chests were made in the same way for centuries. They were decorated with tradit...
Category
1850s Romanian Antique Folk Art Trunks and Luggage
Materials
Beech
Original Blue Painted Swedish Dome Top Trunk dated 1802
Located in Round Top, TX
Original painted dome top oak trunk from Sweden with traditional hand-painted details include floral and central house motif along top front.
The original blue painted finish has und...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Trunks and Luggage
Materials
Wrought Iron
Antique beech Shepherd’s Chest, 1850s
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Nice appearance and proportions for this small low shepherd’s chest. These chests were made in the same way for centuries. They were decorated with tra...
Category
1850s Romanian Antique Folk Art Trunks and Luggage
Materials
Beech
Folk Art trunks and luggage for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique folk art trunks and luggage for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Mid-20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage trunks and luggage created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles, folk art, case pieces and storage cabinets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art trunks and luggage made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and Scandinavia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original trunks and luggage, popular names associated with this style include and Ira Yeager. 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 trunks and luggage differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $155 and tops out at $5,000 while the average work can sell for $1,800.
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