Folk Art Seating
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
late 19th Century Wabi Sabi 3 Leg Stool, Austria Around 1890s - 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This late 19th century wabi sabi 3 leg milking stool from Austria is an excellent example of this style. The piece has a square, rustic-looking seat made of wood and is supported by ...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
early 20th Century Wabi Sabi 3 Leg Stool, Austria Around 1920s - 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This early 20th century wabi sabi 3 leg milking stool from Austria is an excellent example of this style. The piece has a square, rustic-looking seat made of wood and is supported by...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
Early New England Decorated Childs Chair with Original Rush Seat
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This finely painted and decorated child's chair from New England has wonderful original gilding and fine stenciled splash. The rush seat is original to the chair. There is wear to be...
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
$1,320 Sale Price
20% Off
Stunning Hand Carved Folk-Art Stool, Grayish Blue, Finland Late 1800s
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful Finnish hand carved folk stool from the late 1800s. The stool retains the original blue colour commonly used in furniture back in the period. The stool seems to have had ...
Category
Late 19th Century Finnish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
Rare Norwegian Kubbestol, Primitive Telemark Rosemaling, Norway
Located in Skien, NO
Antique / Vintage Norwegian Kubbestol with Telemark Rosemaling, c. 1920-40s.
A sculptural piece of Norwegian heritage, this vintage Kubbestol (stump chair) is hand-carved from a sin...
Category
20th Century Norwegian Folk Art Seating
Materials
Birch, Beech, Pine, Bentwood
$3,200 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique 19th Century Primitive Wabi Sabi Mountain Chair
Located in OOSTERHOUT, NL
This antique mountain chair is a beautiful example of traditional South German craftsmanship from the early 19th century. Crafted from solid pine, it is assembled entirely with morti...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine, Paint
Beachcomber Spindle Back Chair in Walnut in Stock
Located in Los Angeles, CA
During the 18th century, a profound design movement took place in Wales. It was led by peasant-carpenters who, simply in an effort to create a practical seating option, produced one of the most elegant spindle back chairs of that time. It is known as the 'Welsh Stick Chair...
Category
2010s American Folk Art Seating
Materials
Oak, Walnut
Beachcomber Spindle Back Chair in Walnut
Located in Los Angeles, CA
During the 18th century, a profound design movement took place in Wales. It was led by peasant-carpenters who, simply in an effort to create a practical seating option, produced one of the most elegant spindle back chairs of that time. It is known as the 'Welsh Stick Chair...
Category
2010s American Folk Art Seating
Materials
Oak, Walnut
$2,300 / item
18th Century Swedish Rustic Folk Art Bench
Located in Kramfors, SE
Northern Swedish Folk Art bench from the late 1700s. The bench is Primitive and rustic and has a lot of character, especially given the original distressed paint and authentic patina...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
Pair of 20th Century Wabi Sabi 4 Leg Stool, Austria Around 1940s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This pair of 20th century wabi sabi 4 leg stools from Austria is an excellent example of this style. Each piece has a rustic-looking seat made of wood and ...
Category
1940s Austrian Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
1930s Italian rustic wood low stool
Located in Cantù, IT
1930s Italian rustic wood low stool
Category
20th Century Italian Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
early 20th Century Wabi Sabi 3 Leg Workshop Stool, German Folkart Around 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This early 20th century wabi sabi 3 leg workshop stool from Germany is an excellent example of this style. The piece has a square, rustic-looking seat made of wood and is supported b...
Category
Early 20th Century German Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
Folk Art Early 20th Century Wood Rustic Four Chairs
Located in Brescia, IT
Four rustic chairs
1900-1910
Hand-carved wood
Excellent condition.
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
Late 18th Century Folk Art Chair, Norway 1790’s
Located in Valby, 84
An exceptional Scandinavian folk art chair dating to circa 1790, originating from the border region between Norway and Sweden. Hand-carved from solid wood, this remarkable piece embo...
Category
1790s Norwegian Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood, Paint
Remarkable Folk Art Bench ca 1750 from Jämtland, Sweden
Located in Farsta, SE
Remarkable Folk Art Bench ca 1750 from Jämtland, Sweden
Its patina and smooth surfaces, combined with the board, makes it truly beautiful.
Sturdy bench with decorative carving on th...
Category
Mid-18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
Four Renaissance Style Pine Chairs, Painted in Browns
Greens, Finland 1950s
Located in Helsinki, FI
A beautiful set of 4 hand made and painted folk chairs from the 1950s. The chairs are made with the traditional Finnish folk renaissance style used in the 1700-1800s and are coloured...
Category
1950s Finnish Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
Windsor Paint-Decorated Comb-Back Rocking Chair
Located in Branford, CT
Fine Windsor paint decorated comb-back rocker chair. New England, circa 1820. Original paint and condition.
H 42" W 20-3/4" D 24" SH 15-1/2".
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
Early 19th Century French Walnut Folk Art Bench
Located in High Point, NC
Early 19th century walnut folk art bench from France. The seat is of pegged construction and is made from two boards with rounded corners. The seat is supported on two brackets, bo...
Category
19th Century French Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Walnut
Antique German Leather
Wood Armchair with Brass Nailhead Details
Located in Nuernberg, DE
beautiful lounge arm chair made of wood and leather with nailhead details. We think this example is from the 1910s, good condition. Minor patina and scratches on the leather, gives t...
Category
1910s German Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Leather, Nutwood
A Set of 6 BRUTALIST Handcrafted RUSTIC MID-CENTURY-MODERN Chairs, France 1960
Located in PARIS, FR
A set of 6 surprising tripod chairs, Modernist, Brutalist, Folk Art, Tribal Art, sculpted in massive wood, with beautiful floral organic motifs, to be attributed, France 1950.
This ...
Category
1950s French Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
Antique Swedish Charming Folk Art Chair, Original Condition with Genuine Patina
Located in Kramfors, SE
Swedish folk art chair, an antique so called höstol. Chairs like this would often stand in the hallway and during the winter hay or straw was stored in the drawer which was then used...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
Early 20th Century Wabi Sabi 4 Leg Milking Stool Seat, Sweden Around 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic 1910s or older, wood stool. Made of wood, hand painted, hand carved. Found at an estate sale in Stockholm, Sweden. Some paint lost and in shabby chic design, but this is old-...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
Oak 19th Century Primitive Wabi Sabi Mountain Chair
Located in OOSTERHOUT, NL
Traditional antique mountain chair from southern Germany. This distinctive and primitive chair is entirely handmade and assembled with mortise and tenon joints. Crafted from oak, thi...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Oak
A Traditional Camel Saddle / Stool A Traditional Camel Saddle
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Traditional Camel Saddle / Stool
A Traditional Camel Saddle constructed from several pieces of scratch carved olive wood, tied together with strips of hide to form a saddle stool ...
Category
1960s Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Olive
Antique Swedish Spindle Lounge Chair with Completely New Upholstery and Padding
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique Swedish spindle chair or lounge chair from the mid 1800s. The chair is comfortable and generous with a frame in blackened wood and a padded seat, back- and armrests. Unusual ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
Mexican Arena Outdoor Folding Bench
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1940, We offer this Mexican Arena Outdoor Folding Bench. This kind of benches were used in the arenas of Mexican wrestling that were presented in t...
Category
1940s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
19th Century Swedish Antique rustic Stamp chair folk Art " Kubb "chair
Located in Boden, SE
Swedish "Kubb "chair from the 18th-19th century. The "Kubb"chair is an old type of furniture, and is probably the first chair. It is found on depictions from the Viking Age...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
Original Red Painted Swedish Kubbestol Carved Log Chair
Located in Round Top, TX
Antique carved and painted kubbestol, a traditional Scandinavian chair crafted from a single log.
The lovely original brick red paint is accented by a carved, blue painted band. Some...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood, Paint
Antique Norwegian Kubbestol (Stump chair), with Carvings, 1800s.
Located in Asaa, DK
Antique Norwegian Kubbestol (Stump chair), with Carvings, 1800s.
Rare and charming Norwegian kubbestol circa 1850. These hollowed out chairs are traditionally from Sweden and Norway...
Category
Mid-19th Century Norwegian Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
18th Century Rustic country Primitive Folk Art Stool
Located in Boden, SE
18th Century Swedish Primitive Folk Art Chair from Northern Sweden.
This charming chair is a true piece of history. It was made by hand in No...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
A Primitive 18th century Country Comb Back Armchair
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Primitive 18th century Country Comb Back Armchair
A primitive Comb Back 18th/early 19th century, possibly West Country or Welsh, with a thick solid half moon seat seat on sturdy st...
Category
18th Century Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Elm
Swedish Folk Art, Farmers Stool, Wood, Sweden, 19th Century
Located in High Point, NC
A farmers wooden stool produced in Sweden, 19th century. Signed "B" on the seat.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
Antique Unusual Swedish Folk Art Chair with Antique Hand Carved Graffiti
Located in Kramfors, SE
Unusual Swedish folk art chair. Rustic and made by hand in solid pine, around the mid 1800s in northern Sweden. The chair has never been painted but is covered in 19th century grafit...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
A Pair of Early 1800s Farmhouse Pine Chair, Hand-crafted Folk Art, Norway
Located in Skien, NO
Pair of Norwegian Folk Art Chairs, circa 1800-1820
A significant and rare matched pair of early 19th-century side chairs from Rogaland/Vestland, Norway. Representing the height of v...
Category
Early 19th Century Norwegian Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine, Wool
$3,200 Sale Price / set
20% Off
19th Century Gustavian Stool with Original Paint
Located in Boden, SE
19th century Swedish Folk Art stool from Umea Vasterbotten, Northern Sweden.
A very charming stool.
The Stool`s seat is made of wood but is upholstered in a beautiful fabric.
Scr...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
19th C Childs Ladder Back Chair with Original Rush Seat
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th C childs ladder back chair with original rush seat. The seat is so beautiful. Pristine condition.
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Rattan, Wood
$716 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century Handmade English Chess Carved Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This amazing handmade English chess chair is hand carved. The chair seat is hand webbing made from hemp. The hand carved figurines and hand carved signatu...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood, Hemp
$956 Sale Price
20% Off
Italian 1920s Folk Art Sculpted Wood and Straw Armchair
Located in Milan, IT
Splendid Italian 1920s Folk Art Sculpted Wood and Straw Armchair.
Category
1920s Italian Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Straw, Wood
19th Century Original Painted and Carved Swedish Child
s Kubbestol Log Chair
Located in Round Top, TX
Antique carved and painted child's kubbestol, a traditional Scandinavian log chair (in a smaller scale).
The lovely original hand-painted flourishes are exceptional, hues of green, y...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood, Paint
Folk Art Chair from Finland ca 1930
Located in Farsta, SE
Folk Art chair from Finland ca 1930s
Made of Acid-stained Pine Wood
Consistent with age and use.
I call it mini Sauron throne.. One of a kind!
Height: ...
Category
1930s Finnish Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
Brutalist Set of 3 Stools and 1 Coffee Table, Solid Wood, France, 1960s
Located in leucate, FR
This primitive set was produced by a French craftsman in the 1960s.
The stools all have a slightly different shape, the table is of the same construc...
Category
1960s French Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
Tribal Molave Wood Stool with Carved Male Head
Located in Kastrup, DK
Philippine Tribal Stool in Carved Wood.
Unique small stool crafted from solid molave hardwood.
The front features a striking, hand-carved male head – a prominent example of tradition...
Category
Early 20th Century Philippine Folk Art Seating
Materials
Hardwood
19th Century Hand Painted and Carved Swedish Kubbestol Scandinavian Log Chair
Located in Round Top, TX
Antique carved and painted kubbestol, a traditional Scandinavian log chair.
The lovely original hand-painted flourishes are exceptional, hues of green, red and antique white flowers ...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood, Paint
Dated 1951 Rare Kubbestol, Telemark Rosemaling by Jon Gjelstad, Norway
Located in Skien, NO
Vintage Norwegian Kubbestol by Jon Gjelstad, Drangedal 1951
A magnificent and authentic example of mid-century Norwegian folk art, this hand-crafted Kubbestol (or log chair / stump ...
Category
1950s Norwegian Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Beech, Birch, Bentwood, Pine
$3,600 Sale Price
20% Off
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Chair
Located in Chicago, IL
This early 20th-century French Folk Art side chair, hand-carved from pine, embodies a modernist spirit with its playful silhouette and chunky saddle seat. What truly sets it apart is...
Category
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
Antique Swedish Rustic Folk Art Stool
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique Swedish rustic stool in folk art made with three legs. The stool has a round seat and is in its untouched original condition. The paint has become distressed with time and the resulting patina is full of rustic charm and character. This stool is from northern Sweden and made around the 1820s. Older stools...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
1700s Rustic Pine Kubbestol, Primitive Stump Chair, Telemark Rosemaling, Norway
Located in Skien, NO
An 18th Century Antique Kubbestol from Telemark, Norway – A Sculptural Piece of Scandinavian Folk Art
This exceptional Kubbestol, or traditional Norwegian stump chair, represents a ...
Category
18th Century Norwegian Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine, Wood
$4,800 Sale Price
20% Off
Folk Art Carved Wood "Foot" Stool
Located in Astoria, NY
Folk Art Carved Wood "Foot" Stool, with cream floral upholstery, signed "Amidon" to underside.
15" H x 14.5" W x 9" D.
Provenance: From a 201 E 66th Street Estate.
Category
20th Century Folk Art Seating
Materials
Upholstery, Wood
Hand Crafted Design Solid Wood Stool set, Belgium 1940
s
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Hand Crafted Folk Art Design Solid Wood Stool set. Made in Belgium, 1940's period. Solid beech or birch wood constructed square stools. Solid and sturdy low stools. Both are ...
Category
1940s Belgian Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Beech
$1,052 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Folk Art Rush Side Chair, Austria 1970
s
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Austrian Folk Art Side Chair with Rush Seat. Made in Austria, 1970's. Orange painted beech frame with rush woven seat. The chair has nice spi...
Category
1970s Austrian Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Rush, Beech
$765 Sale Price
20% Off
Late 19th Century Swedish Stump Chair in Solid Pine
Located in Kramfors, SE
Swedish stump chair manufactured from a hollowed tree trunk. The chair is primitive and has never been painted. The two bands going around the seat...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
Antique Ghanian Ashanti Style Stool with Leopard Carved, Africa
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Carved Antique African Leopard Ashanti Style Stool.
Early 20th Century Ghanaian Ashanti style leopard stool.
Animal leopard stool hand-carved wood from ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Ghanaian Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
Antique Wooden Captain’s Chair Denmark
Located in Sakskøbing, DK
Sturdy Danish wooden armchair in the Windsor tradition, a local interpretation of the classic English design. The chair features turned baluster spindles, a curved backrest, and an H...
Category
1880s Danish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Beech
Vernacular Ladder Back Fireside Chair
Located in Houston, TX
Vernacular ladder back fireside chair in birch with later rush seat. Unusual decorative turned finial ears atop the back's stiles. Wonderfully slightly misshapened wooden back cross ...
Category
Mid-19th Century European Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Rush, Birch
Antique Swedish Folk Art Country Carver Chairs in Kurbits Faux Wood Grain
Located in Lewes, England
Swedish Kurbits Folk Art pair of carver chairs in hand-painted faux wood grain with excellent level of detail and Kurbits hand-painted Folk Art motifs featuring feathers and swirls ...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Birch
$2,747 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Antique Circular Hand Carved Indonesian Padouk Wood Ottoman Seat
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
Beautifully carved Padouk wood boat builder's ottoman with skilled joinery work and fine details. Some chips and cracks present with old upholstery but structurally sound. Solid Pado...
Category
1920s Indonesian Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Padouk
$1,880 Sale Price
20% Off
early 20th Century Wabi Sabi 3 Leg Workshop Stool, German Folkart Around 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This early 20th century wabi sabi 3 leg workshop stool from Germany is an excellent example of this style. The piece has a square, rustic-looking seat made of wood and is supported b...
Category
Early 20th Century German Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
Swedish 19th Century Folk Art Side Chairs in Patinated Pinewood
Located in Odense, DK
A pair of beautifully patinated folk art chairs made in Sweden in the 19th century. Made from pinewood with black lacquered seats. Traditionally, these primitive chairs stood in the ...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
Rabbit covered in Fabric
Located in Pasadena, TX
This is a finely coated Rabbit in fabric. This rabbit is fabric coated. The fabric has a floral print.
Category
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Seating
Materials
Fabric
$240 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century Rustic Farmhouse Wabi Sabi Primitive Mountain Chair
Located in OOSTERHOUT, NL
Traditional antique mountain chair from southern Germany. This distinctive and primitive chair is entirely handmade and assembled with mortise and tenon joints. This example is made ...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
Folk Art seating for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique folk art seating 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 seating created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, folk art, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, softwood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art seating made in a specific country, there are Europe, Scandinavia, and Sweden pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original seating, popular names associated with this style include Alix Coco, Berber Tribes of Morocco, Bobby Falwell, and Thomas Chippendale. 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 seating differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $251 and tops out at $89,500 while the average work can sell for $2,400.