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Folk Art Furniture

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
19thC Animal Themed Lithographed Alphabet Children s "Learning Blocks" Ca. 1880
Located in Incline Village, NV
Lovely complete set of 19th century Victorian alphabet and word learning blocks; fully intact and colorful lithography to the top and bottom sides with domestic, zoo, and wild animal...
Category

1880s American Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paper

"William Tell" Mechanical Toy Savings Bank. American, Circa 1896 (All Original)
Located in Incline Village, NV
"William Tell" mechanical bank was patented and manufactured in 1896 by the J. & E. Steven's Company in Cromwell, Connecticut (please see image of the underneath with patent informat...
Category

1890s American Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Iron

Antique Austrian Christmas Krampus Companion Belsnickel Figure, 1920s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This unique Christmas figurine from Austria features a handmade figurine of the Christmas character Krampus, Belsnickel's companion. The vintage piece dates from the 1920s or older a...
Category

20th Century Austrian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Composition

Ringling Bros. and Barnum Bailey Circus Black Leopard Framed Vintage Poster
Located in Savannah, GA
This large and very colorful vintage Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Baily Circus ink on paper poster features a charging black leopard with a ferocious grimace. Printed by the Erie Li...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paper

Italian Antique Cabinet
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is an antique Italian cabinet. It is probably quite old, dating back to the 1700s or 1800s. The texture it has acquired over the years gives it a dignified appearance that is ...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Teak

Antique 19th Century Painted Folk Art Farmhouse Bridal Cabinet
Located in OOSTERHOUT, NL
Antique bridal cabinet dating from around 1820-1840, from Franconia, southern Germany. Its weathered character and original paintings give it a stunning appearance. Both the design o...
Category

Early 19th Century German Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pine, Paint

Amish Postage Stamp Chain Doll Quilt
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Amish doll quilt from Holmes County ,Ohio in a mini postage stamp chain pattern.Fine quilting and piecing. These original doll quilts are quite rare and very hard to find.This came f...
Category

Late 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Cotton

Amish Postage Stamp Chain Doll Quilt
Amish Postage Stamp Chain Doll Quilt
€806 Sale Price
20% Off
German bridal cabinet, dated 1852
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A beautiful cabinet from rural southern Germany, dating from 1852. It was originally given as a wedding gift. Crafted from solid pine, it is hand-painted in vibrant colors. It has it...
Category

1850s German Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pine

Mounted Half-Hull Wooden Boat Builder s Model of a Sloop
Located in San Francisco, CA
a large and handsome hand-crafted antique American half-hull wooden boat builder's model of a sloop with fin keel and spade rudder all constructed of laminated mahogany in a warm hon...
Category

1920s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Mahogany

Early 20th Century Vintage Artists Paint Box and Pallet, Denmark
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Danish Vintage Artists Paint Box and Pallet, Early 20th Century Well loved Danish artists traveling wooden box with everything needed to paint on location. This charming box, acqui...
Category

Early 19th Century Danish Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Brass

Folk art wedding chest from 1849
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A pine wedding chest from 1849. The illustrations are traditional with images of flowers and tulips. The chest was part of a dowry package and would have been in the clean room of th...
Category

1840s German Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pine

Rustic Carnival Wheel of Fortune Circa 1940s Folk Art Americana
Located in Oakland, CA
Rustic carnival "Wheel of Fortune" circa 1940s, constructed of various solid woods both solid and plywood, the wheel is painted in weathered hues of red and yellow with images of dom...
Category

1940s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Metal

Early 19th Century Decorated Swedish Corner Cabinet
Located in Kramfors, SE
Rare corner cabinet from northern Sweden made during the first years of the 19th century, 1810 to 1820. The cabinet is pine and made in two parts. It has the original decoration paint with the authentic patina of time. The paint is unusually intricate and varied with both floral motifs and marbling. That points to it being an expensive cabinet...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pine

Antique Large Painted Folk Art Farmhouse Bridal Chest 1753
Located in OOSTERHOUT, NL
A unique antique bridal chest dating from 1753, from southern Germany. This piece of furniture is attractively and traditionally painted in a soft light blue with floral motifs. This...
Category

1750s German Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pine, Paint

Antique Painted Folk Art Farmhouse Bridal Cabinet 1868
Located in OOSTERHOUT, NL
An extraordinary antique pine bridal cabinet dating from 1868. This cabinet is simply designed but beautifully painted in green with floral decorations on the panels. The wedding dat...
Category

1860s German Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pine, Paint

Oversized Handmade Japanese Ikebana Floor Basket
Located in Malibu, CA
Vintage Japanese Ikebana Floor Basket. The basket features a unique design with a woven background high-quality bamboo with freestyle form embellishing the underneath basket. S...
Category

20th Century Japanese Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Reed, Bamboo

Vintage American Wind Up Tin Toy "Milton Berle" Crazy Car by Marx Toy Co C.1952
Located in Incline Village, NV
The "Milton Berle" car is one of a series of "Crazy Cars" manufactured by the Louis Marx Toy Company of New York City; this one being one of the more prolific examples, owing to the ...
Category

1950s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Tin

c. 1911 Antique Norwegian Kubbestol, Hand-painted "Saint George and the Dragon"
Located in Skien, NO
Over 100 years old - A unique, handcrafted antique chair from the Nordic region, dated 1911! A sculptural piece of Norwegian heritage, this early 20th-century Kubbestol, or “stump c...
Category

Early 20th Century Norwegian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Beech, Birch, Bentwood, Pine

Original Hand Painted 19th Century Pine Single Door Armoire, Hungary
Located in Round Top, TX
This lovely painted armoire still maintains the quality and details of the original hand-painted folk art finish. The soft, gentle colors with delightful floral motifs are beautifull...
Category

Mid-19th Century Hungarian Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

Original Vintage Set of 7 Mexican Children Wrestling Masks
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this Original Vintage Set of 7 Mexican Children Wrestling Masks. Found from an old factory that manufactured masks for wrestling shows for the Arena Mexico. Made from fantas...
Category

1970s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Fabric

42x50 Vintage Signed Original Abstract Mid CenturymModern Folk Art Painting 1974
Located in Troy, MI
Massive abstract folk art painting signed by the artist and dated 1974 A colorful statement piece in greens and reds with yellow center eye detail Presumably originated in the Santa...
Category

1970s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Paint

Large Hand Carved Bear
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fine large hand carved brown bear has amazing details in the carving.The condition is very good.This came from a log cabin collection.
Category

1930s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Large Hand Carved Bear
Large Hand Carved Bear
€1,016 Sale Price
20% Off
Rare 1923 Wurlitzer Calliola Orchestral Band . "Old Time Circus Calliope
Located in Buffalo, NY
Wurlitzer Calliola is a specific type of large, elaborate, self-playing musical instrument, essentially a grand carousel or band organ, often with a beautiful wooden case, designed ...
Category

1920s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Metal, Iron

Antique Painted Folk Art Farmhouse Bridal Cabinet 1773
Located in OOSTERHOUT, NL
Antique painted cupboard dating from 1773, from the Swabian Alb, southern Germany. Its heavy, weathered character and the original paintings give it an extraordinary appearance. Both...
Category

1770s German Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pine, Paint

Set of Four Swedish Folk Art Rooster Candle Holders, 1980s
Located in Frederiksberg C, DK
Set of Four Swedish Folk Art Rooster Candle Holders, 1980s Charming set of four Swedish folk art candle holders, crafted in the 1980s and shaped as stylised roosters. Made from soli...
Category

1980s Swedish Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Mid Century Aztec Calendar Large Circular Inlaid Wood
Located in Bradenton, FL
Mid Century Aztec Calendar Large Circular Inlaid Wood Rare 72 Inch, Hand-Carved, Aztec Circular Wooden Calendar from Mexico. The calendar, or "Sun Ston...
Category

1960s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Folk Art Pottery Charger - Hand Painted Flowers Swirls - Mexico - Circa 1980 s
Located in Chatham, ON
Mexican folk art terra cotta charger or plate - large size - hand made and featuring hand painted flowers and elaborate border with swirls (all cold painted) - unsigned - Mexico - ci...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

1900s-1920s Japanese antique 2 tier wooden tansu cabinet w/ openwork wabi sabi
Located in 常陸大宮市, JP
Japanese antique 2 tier small tansu cabinet with sliding doors - made of quality Sugi cedar, finished with persimmon tannin burnt pine ink. Product of circa 1900s - 1920s (lat...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood, Cypress

Three Antique Grulich Christmas Nativity Scene Landscape Parts for Decoration
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful Rare Antique Grulich Nativity Scene Decoration parts — Late 19th Century This rare and culturally significant nativity figure scene parts originates from the historic Krá...
Category

Late 19th Century Czech Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

British Sailor s Woolwork of Royal Navy Ship off Land, Signed Dated WR 1865
Located in Downingtown, PA
British Sailor's Woolwork of Royal Navy Ship off Land, Signed & Dated WR 1865. Crafted with meticulous detail, this charming miniature woolwork depicts a Royal Navy ship sailing nea...
Category

Mid-19th Century Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool

Antique Painted Folk Art Farmhouse Bridal Chest 1911
Located in OOSTERHOUT, NL
This beautiful antique bridal chest dates from 1911 and features highly decorative painting. This piece originates from Romania and is a stunning example of folk art from that period...
Category

1910s Romanian Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pine, Paint

Set of 6 Wooden Folk Chairs
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This set of six French provincial chairs (one of which is an armchair) dates back to the early 20th century. Featuring solid wood backs and legs and woven rush seats, they display a ...
Category

Early 20th Century French Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Mexican Dia De Los Muertos Day of the Dead La Catrina Folk Art Figure Sculpture
Located in Studio City, CA
A quite wonderful Mexican Day of the Dead (Dia De Los Muertos festival held throughout Mexico) La Catrina symbolic skeleton figure. La Catrina is the festival’s most recognizable image/figure. She is the model of a high-society woman who has met Death, her maker. She represents something between the fear induced by her skeletal form and the revelry exhibited by the comical way she is typically portrayed, making her a perfect symbol of the Mexican holiday. She often appears in paintings, window displays, and costumes all around Mexico during the Day of the Dead festivities. La Catrina was originally conceived in the early 1900s by newspaper illustrator and printmaker José Guadalupe Posada...
Category

20th Century Mexican Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Textile, Wood, Paper

Danish Primitive Folk Art Tape Heddle Band Loom
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Impressive Danish carved and painted tape loom, Denmark. Tape looms were historically used to weave narrow bands of fabric, such as belts, ribbons, and strap...
Category

Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

Rare Set of Five Mercury Glass Christmas Ornament Vintage, 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A rare Christmas ornament set from Germany or Austria. Each is made from mouth blown glass, these would be a great addition for your Christmas or feather tree. Size always given for ...
Category

1930s German Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wire

19Thc Decorated Stoneware Crock Cowden Wilcox Pa.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fine decorated 19thc stone ware crock from Cowden & Wilcox in Harrisburg,Pennsylvania.This folky tulip hand painted & decorated large three gallon crock is in fine condition.It ...
Category

Mid-19th Century American Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pottery

Pair of French Wrought Iron Martini Tables
Located in London, GB
Wrought iron martini tables, hand made in England inspired by an original 1940s French design. Finished with a natural bronze patina as sta...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Iron

Mexican Muralists by Desmond Rochfort
Located in Bradenton, FL
Mexican Muralists by Desmond Rochfort. Softcover book published in 1998 by Chronicle Books of San Francisco. Printed in Hong Kong, illustrated, 240 pages.
Category

1990s Hong Kong Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Paper

Folk Art Painting by Black Joe Jackson, Titled "We Be Pickn Sum Flars" US 1960 s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A large-scale painting by folk/outsider artist Black Joe Jackson (American, 1922-1997) . Jackson's theme derives from his childhood memories in the American South. Raised in a poor ...
Category

1960s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Plywood

Framed Antique Ottoman Embroidery Fragment , Late 19th Century.
Located in Istanbul, TR
First the fragment has been hand backed on a linen fabric, then stretched over a wooden stretcher and finished with a wooden frame. Late 19th Century. Turkey Ready to go on a wall. ...
Category

Late 19th Century Turkish Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Silk

hand painted pine cabinet, circa 1850
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Cupboard from the rural south of Germany, dating from around 1850. The cupboard was probably given as a wedding gift. This cupboard is made of solid pine and is hand-painted in sligh...
Category

1850s German Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pine

Gypsy Caravan Circa 1900 - Built by Watts of Bridgewater
Located in Bagshot, GB
Now I know we all wish to have that barn find, but this truly is a great barn find!!! 45 years it has been dry stored, and you can see from the condition that this original Gypsy Ca...
Category

Early 20th Century British Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Early 20th century hand carved puppet head
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century hand carved puppet head Dimensions in inches: H 8.5” x W 4” x D 4” Age: Early 20th Century Origin: England Condition: Aged Ov...
Category

1920s British Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pine

19Thc Pennsylvania Tulips Applique Quilt
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19Thc Pennsylvania applique quilt from Lancaster County,Pennsylvania in fine condition.This amazing applique quilt comes from a very special folk art & quilt collection. The double tulips applique is quite unique and found in Pennsylvania folk art...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Cotton

Antique Original Clock Cabinet from Sweden, Hand-Crafted Untouched Veneered Elm
Located in Kramfors, SE
Swedish antique clock cabinet made during the early to mid 1800s, circa 1820 to 1840. The cabinet is veneered and waxed elm. The lower cabinet is...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Elm

18th Century Wooden Cross, Guanajuato, Mexico
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Wooden cross Guanajuato, Mexico Wood, paint 22 x 13 inches, (56 cm x 33 cm) 18th century A wonderful old wooden cross with a painted crucified Christ figure, an angel, possibly Mary Magdelene...
Category

18th Century Mexican Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

Antique Carved Architectural Wooden Figural Plaque, 17th Century
Located in Bishop s Stortford, Hertfordshire
A carved architectural wooden panel mounted on a pedestal base dating from the 17th century. The hard wood panel is carved in deep relief from three pieces of wood. The three figures...
Category

17th Century European Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Mid Century Large Motorized Hand Made Chris Craft Cabin Cruiser C1955
By Chris Craft Boats
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous and large cabin cruiser boat model with an untested motor and batteries. 41.5 inches long and sitting on a brand new custom made stand with a nautical theme. In very good vi...
Category

1950s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Metal

Large Wooden Tramp Art Box Folk Art Gold 20th Century
Located in Poperinge, BE
Large tramp art box with lid and brass handle, folk art object made of layered pieces of gold, partly gold colored, from the late first half of the 20th century. Beautiful form of f...
Category

1940s European Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Wire Fox Terrier Iron Door Stop, Hubley
Located in Riverdale, NY
Charming Iron Wire Haired Fox Terrier Door Stop with intact original paint attributed to Hubley circa 1910. Hard to find with original patinaed cold ...
Category

1910s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Iron

Miniature Travelling Chess Set Game Inlaid Walnut Box handmade, circa 1930 s
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a good quality handmade miniature or travelling wood chess set game of 32 pieces in its own inlaid walnut box, which we date to the early 20th century, circa 1930's. The che...
Category

Early 20th Century British Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Knick Knack Tabernacle by Rodney Greenblat
Located in Dallas, TX
Perhaps philosophically having more in common with a Renaissance schatzkammer or a Baroque English country house than anything designed in the 20th century this 'Knick Knack Tabernac...
Category

1980s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century Pennsylvania Folky Sheraton Cherry Chest of Drawers
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique wooden chest of drawers. With a terrific old finish. In cherry wood with a polar secondary, turned wooden pulls, and r...
Category

Mid-19th Century North American Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood, Cherry

Professionally Framed Antique Ottoman Turkish Embroidery
Located in Istanbul, TR
First the fragment has been hand backed on a linen fabric, then stretched over a wooden stretcher and finished with a wooden frame. Late 19th C. Ottoman Turkey Ready to go on a wall....
Category

Early 20th Century Turkish Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Silk

19th Century Scandinavian Folk Art Bentwood Tine Box "Svepask", Pine Rattan
Located in Helsinki, FI
A fine Scandinavian, most probably Swedish, folk art svepask (bentwood box) with lid, late 19th to early 20th century. Crafted in pine with beautiful details, this traditional box is...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Rattan, Pine

Midcentury Pair of Wrought Iron Tripod Candleholders
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
Pair of wrought iron candleholders rised on tripod base, black painted. Measures: Height 17.50 in (44.5 cm) Width/Depth 6.50 in (16.5 cm).  
Category

Mid-20th Century German Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Iron

Early 20th Century folk art fairground massacre knock down figure
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century folk art fairground massacre knock down figure A folk art / primitive hand-crafted fairground knock down game figure. Constructed from pine and metal, hand painted detail with metal support hinges when the figure is knocked off...
Category

1920s French Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pine

Folk Art Wall Mirror, Hand-Painted Floral Motifs and Gilded Frame, Peru 1970s
Located in ROUEN, Normandie
Folk Art Wall Mirror, Hand-Painted Floral Motifs and Gilded Frame, Peru 1970s Add a touch of vibrant folk charm to your space with this 1970s Peruvian mirror. The wooden frame fea...
Category

Late 20th Century Peruvian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Glass, Mirror, Wood, Giltwood, Paint

19th Century Tramp Art Jewelry Box
Located in High Point, NC
19th century tramp art jewelry box from England. The box has a domed top with layers upon layers of molded edges, leading up to a graceful formed...
Category

19th Century English Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Fruitwood

Antique Painted Folk Art Farmhouse Bridal Cabinet 1769
Located in OOSTERHOUT, NL
Exceptional antique bridal cabinet from 1769. The design of this piece is very primitive and simple, as is the painting. The whole is finished with a faux-wood painting, and the pane...
Category

1760s German Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pine, Paint

Folk Art furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique folk art furniture 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 furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include folk art, decorative objects, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art furniture 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 furniture, popular names associated with this style include Berber Tribes of Morocco, Mosche Bianche, Jim Rose, and Nils Olsson. 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 furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $20 and tops out at $225,000 while the average work can sell for $1,252.

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