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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
French Riviere Table Lamp Handmade With Shells, France Early 20th Century
Located in Mombuey, Zamora
Shells lamp handmade very original. Possibly unique piece-This beautiful and original lamp sculpture of natural shells or conch shells It's like an illuminated sculpture A very elaborate piece with very good work done with small shells. It is a very unique piece that will attract attention wherever it is placed, due to its originality and the quality of its work. More than illuminating, it is a lamp worthy of being on a pedestal and being displayed and admired. It is equally spectacular for each of the 4 faces Antique Artisan...
Category

Early 20th Century French Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Shell

Figurines by Dr. Harley Niblack
Located in South Charleston, WV
This grouping of 3 figurines and 9 sculpture head figures were obtained directly from Dr. Harley Niblack by the consignor's father (who was also a woodt...
Category

1950s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Rare 19th Century Cast Iron Court Jester Folk Art Hanging Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic 19th century wall hanging folk sculpture of the English court jester, looks like the joker. This folky cast sculpture looks like it was somethi...
Category

19th Century American Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Iron

Sailor s Woolwork of HMS Reindeer Made by Henry Payn Hopper
Located in Downingtown, PA
Sailor's Woolwork of HMS Reindeer of a Large Size, Made by Henry Payn Hopper, Circa 1865-70 The large woolie depicts a starboard side view of the HMS Reindeer under steam and sail. ...
Category

1860s English Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool

Hand-Carved Stone Candelabra, Three-Branched Design, Morocco 1970s
Located in ROUEN, Normandie
Hand-Carved Stone Candelabra, Three-Branched Design, Morocco 1970s Moroccan candleholder carved from stone and adorned with very thin geometric patterns on both sides. Artisanal wo...
Category

Mid-20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Stone, Limestone, Soapstone

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 Furniture

Materials

Pine

Shoe Shop or Cobblers Trade Sign, Leather Hob Nail Boot
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Shoe Shop or Cobblers Trade Sign, Leather Hob Nail Boot This is a wonderful piece, made by a cobbler, it is a giant size Leather Hob Nail boot, it has been painted up as an adver...
Category

Early 1900s Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Leather

Vintage Folk Art Marquetry Inlay Small Footstool Ottoman Stool
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Folk Art Marquetry Inlay Small Footstool Ottoman Stool. Item featured is a nice small Size, marquetry inlay top, solid wood construction, beautiful wood grain, very nice vint...
Category

Mid-20th Century Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Zabihi Collection 19th Century Angora Wool Antique Oushak Small Throw Rug
Located in New York, NY
a late 19th-century angora wool small Turkish Oushak Rug Details rug no. j4603 size 2'1'' x 3'1"
Category

Late 19th Century Turkish Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool, Angora

Large 19th Century Swedish Folk Art Fabric Wall Hanging
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
Large 19th Century Folk Art fabric wall hanging from Dalarna, Sweden. Depicting urns with flowers and fabulous colours. Originally would have been used to line a wall in a Swedish ho...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Canvas

Rare Norwegian Carved Tankard Featuring Gnomes, Mid-18th Century
Located in Wiscasset, ME
The entire tankard is surrounded by a family of gnomes. Early peg construction, in excellent overall condition. Fair bet that you'll never see another one like this!
Category

1760s Norwegian Antique Folk Art Furniture

19th Century American Hand Carved Wood Horse Head
Located in Stamford, CT
American late 19th century hand carved wood head of a horse, stained black, shown wearing a bridal and bit, with mouth open as if in a full gallop. A very handsome piece of sculpture, likely a fragment from a larger piece, now mounted on a custom iron base. Great decoration for the equestrian or lover of horses. Great for mantel...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Scale Model of a Fully Fitted Whale Boat, circa 1950s
Located in Nantucket, MA
Vintage Scale Model of a Fully Fitted Whale Boat, circa 1950s, a hand crafted wooden model of a carvel hulled whale boat having a smooth strake edge to edge construction, fully fitte...
Category

1950s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Swedish Iron Weather-Vane with Dragon with Date 1704
Located in New York, NY
Swedish metal (iron) weather-vane of a dragon's head on sword shaped stem. The date "1704" is impressed on the dragon's head which most likely refers the age of the house o...
Category

18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Iron

20th Century Vintage Horn Chair and Ottoman
Located in North Hollywood, CA
This stunning vintage horn chair and ottoman, crafted in the United States during the 20th century, is a true statement piece that brings a touch of rustic elegance to any space. The...
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Horn, Cowhide, Wood

Burmese Yun Lacquer Cup, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This delicate cup from the late 19th century is a lovely example of the Burmese art of lacquer (pan yun). Shaped from coiled bamboo and finished with cinnabar-red lacquer (hinthabada...
Category

Late 19th Century Burmese Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Bamboo

A pair of late 19th Century polychrome painted wooden Indian figures
Located in London, GB
A pair of late 19th Century polychrome painted wooden Indian figures. It’s likely that these figures were brought back to Britain from India as ...
Category

Early 1900s Indian Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pine

Latin American Santos de Palos Wood Carved St. Michael Sculpture
Located in Guaynabo, PR
A renown tradition in Latin America the making of Santos de Palos by masters carvers since the 19th century. They hand carved and painted the saints inspired in their personal religi...
Category

20th Century Unknown Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Vintage "Dapper Clown" Roly Poly Toy; Scarce. Germany Circa 1915
Located in Incline Village, NV
Vintage hard to find "Rolly Dolly" Toy; unknown German maker, circa 1915; I have named "Dapper Clown"; this is one of the more rare "Rolly Dolly's" (really rare in this condition). Today we call these toys "Roly Poly's". You knock them over and they always "right" themselves and get upright; probably after the 17th C. Japanese "Daruma Dolls" at some level. I'm not sure of the actual thematic genesis of this character, but the excellent condition, very simply, separates this from any other similar Roly Poly's, Watch the attached video to see how it was played with to better appreciate the condition. 8" high puts it in the "taller" category for this toy. Made of paper mache, makers of these roly poly's were produced quite prolifically by the same type of German cottage industry that produced Noah...
Category

1910s German Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Composition

Rustic Folk Art Travail Populaire Cabinet, France 19th Century
Located in Aartselaar, BE
Rustic cabinet, travail populaire, art populaire, folk art, primitive, 19th century This rustic travail populaire cabinet, handcrafted from solid wood in France around 1800, embodie...
Category

19th Century French Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood, Oak

Zabihi Collection Double Lion Vintage Turkish Gallery Size Runner
Located in New York, NY
Wonderful Turkish Anatolian gallery size rug depicting a pair of large lions with other pictorial figures and humans. The inscriptions on the rug makes us believe the rug was given a...
Category

Mid-20th Century Turkish Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool

Scandinavian Grandchild Clock with Painted Flowers Decorations
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Tall and narrow grandfather floor clock in the original yellow and flower decoration, possible Denmark or Scandinavian for sure, circa 1875. Du...
Category

Late 19th Century Scandinavian Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Brass

Swedish Designer, Side Chair, Wood, Sweden, 1930s
Located in High Point, NC
A wood side or lounge chair designed and produced in Sweden, c. 1930s. Seat height: 15”
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Set of Five Small American Folk Art Fish Decoys
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Group of five Folk Art fish decoys composed of painted tinned iron sheet metal or aluminum fins and tails and carved wooden weighted lead bodies, some with ...
Category

1940s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Lead

Antique German Folk Art Spun Cotton Wool Santa Claus Ornament Doll Figurine
Located in Dayton, OH
Large antique German spun cotton wool Santa Claus Christmas ornament doll with hand painted composition face. Measure: 9".
Category

Early 20th Century Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Wool, Cotton

3x3.8 Ft Handmade 1970s Turkish Kilim Rug with Colorful Poms, Great for KidsRoom
Located in Spring Valley, NY
This lively handwoven rug was produced by Kurdish villagers in Central Turkey for daily use in third quarter of the 20th century. These splendid vintage weavings were used in various ways such as wall-hangings, bedding covers...
Category

1970s Turkish Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool

Early 20th Century English Folk Art Jigger Doll
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century English Folk Art Jigger Doll A great example of an early 20th century English hand carved folk art articulated jigger doll. With charming hand carved boots, moustache and top hat, metal pins in its joints for articulation purposes. Stood on a metal wire stand...
Category

1920s British Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pine

Cigar or Tobacco Shop Trade Sign, Carving of an Indian Chief
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Cigar or Tobacco Shop Trade Sign, Carving of an Indian Chief This charming and very rare piece, this is a fine example of an American favourite the Cigar Store Indian Counter Top Tra...
Category

1920s Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Large 19thc Hand Carved Butter Bowl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19Thc Hand turned or carved butter bowl with a nice mellow patina.The condition is very good.Found in Pennsylvania.
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Victorian Folk Art House Table or Wall Art
Located in Litchfield, CT
Circa late 1800s, wood, and glass, American, possibly New York. Charming beyond belief, this polychrome Folk Art House was originally made to feature a ...
Category

1890s American Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Antique Mid 19th Century Tramp Art Picture Frame Carved Oak
Located in Munich, DE
This large tramp art frame is handcrafted from carved oak segments. It is in good condition with some minor losses to the edges. It has been phot...
Category

Mid-19th Century German Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Oak

1 of the 144 Handmade Antique Ceramic Iles by Devres, France, circa 1910s
Located in Rijssen, NL
This is a amazing and unique set of 511 antique French handmade ceramic tiles. Manufactured by Devres, circa 1910s. Stylized design. Each patte...
Category

1910s French Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Set of two Swedish Root Basket from 19th-20th century
Located in Farsta, SE
Set of two Swedish Root Basket from 19th-20th century Made from pine and spruce roots, these are very strong yet lightweight, with a beautiful pattern on the bottom. Height: 12-14....
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pine, Spruce

18th Century British School, Portrait of Lady and Child
Located in Basildon, GB
18th Century British School, Portrait of Lady and Child, oil painted on board in a naïve style, framed in a gold coloured frame. Partial old handwritten note on the back of the pai...
Category

18th Century English Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood, Oak

Hand-Painted Northwest Coast Totem Motif Studio-Made Wall Cabinet
Located in Northport, MI
A rare and expressive wall-mounted cabinet crafted by an unknown studio artisan, likely in the Pacific Northwest, and dating from the mid-20th century. This one-of-a-kind piece maste...
Category

1960s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

Folk Art Styled Airstream Travel Trailer Toy
By Craft and Folk Art Museum
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A toy Airstream Folk Art styled travel trailer with silver faded and patina paint having a lift up back end and side door revealing beds, sink and livin...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood, Plywood

Zabihi Collection Lion Turkish Runner
Located in New York, NY
Surreal Vintage Turkish Lion Pictorial Runner 3'9'' x 9'5''
Category

Mid-20th Century Turkish Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool

19th Century Double Sailor s Valentine
Located in Nantucket, MA
Antique Double Sailor's Valentine, circa 1880, a pair of handcrafted shell collages mounted in mahogany octagonal shadowboxes, hinged together and mounted with a clasp and a chain for hanging. This valentine features a heart and the message "Forget Me Not." The valentine is in great condition, but does of course have a few shells that have come loose over the past century and a half. The cases remain in great condition as well. Each Measures: 9-1/8 in H x 9-1/8 in W Victorians in the Age of Exploration and its accompanying Eclectic Movement embraced arts and crafts from around the world. Shell boxes are frequently seen, and even the odd shell diorama...
Category

Late 19th Century Bajan Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Shell, Mahogany

19th Century Carousel Ornament Painted Cast Iron King Mask Amusement Folk Art
Located in Forney, TX
A rare European antique hand painted cast iron carnival carousel embellishment. Once decorating a 19th century country fair carousel amusement ride, the sculptural ornament depict...
Category

19th Century European Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Iron

19th Century Carved Pine Articulated Artists Lay Figure or Mannequin
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
13" Carved pine artists articulated mannequin or lay figure of a male with carved facial features.
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pine

Green Satin Log Cabin Quilt
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Green satin log cabin quilt in pristine condition. The backing is in a baby blue shambrae cotton fabric.
Category

1940s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Cotton, Satin

Green Satin Log Cabin Quilt
Green Satin Log Cabin Quilt
$716 Sale Price
20% Off
Early 20th Century Folk Art Zinc Barbers Pole Trade Sign
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century folk art zinc barbers pole trade sign. An early 20th century hand crafted zinc barbers pole trade sign. Hand painted and of naïve construction. Lots of characte...
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Zinc

Antique Architectural Hand Carved Wood Temple Sculpture from India
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Antique Architectural Hand Carved Wood Indian Temple Sculpture from Gujarat. An Indian hand carved architectural temple carving from Gujarat w...
Category

19th Century Indian Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Early 19thc Hand Woven Red Blue Coverlet Pillows-Set of Four
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Early woven coverlet pillows with fantastic blue linen backings. The inserts are down & feather fill.
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Cotton

French Turn of the Century Hand Carved Tramp Art Folk Mirror with Raised Motifs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French hand carved Tramp Art folk wall mirror from the early 20th century, with raised motifs. We currently have two available, priced and sold $1,750 each. Created in France at th...
Category

Early 20th Century French Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Wood

Vintage Iron Dog Black Painted Lawn Sign Dont Eat My Dog Why Would You Do That
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Fantastic patina on this vintage garden yard dog sign. Certainly a piece that would make a statement in any yard or garden.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Metal, Iron

Original Brown Painted Swedish Pine Corner Cabinet Cupboard dated 1839
Located in Round Top, TX
This original brown painted corner cabinet is an excellent example of Swedish country craftsmanship with traditional folk art paint and design. The date of 1839 indicates it may have...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pine, Paint

Genuine Antique Swedish Handmade Folk Art Pine Rustic Table with Drawer
Located in Kramfors, SE
Handmade folk art table from northern Sweden made around the mid 1800s, circa 1840. The table is made by hand and is in untouched original condition with the original first paint. Th...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pine

Swedish Craft, Bowl, Pine, Sweden, c. 1900
Located in High Point, NC
A pine bowl produced in Sweden, c. 1900.
Category

Early 1900s Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pine

Hand-Painted Spanish Ceramic Tile Mural by Sevillarte
Located in Antwerp, BE
Hand-Painted Spanish Ceramic Tile Mural by Sevillarte, Signed by H. Carol C. — Floral Still Life, ca. Late 20th Century This stunning ceramic tile mural is a vivid testament to the ...
Category

20th Century Spanish Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wrought Iron

Antique Toy Steamroller C1940 Style of Buddy L
By Buddy L. 1
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Large Steamroller toy from the forties. In the style of Buddy L. Repainted and some hardware replaced. In excellent vintage condition with minimal wear. Can be...
Category

1940s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Steel

Open Round Nantucket Lightship Basket by Sherwin Boyer
By Sherwin P. Boyer 1
Located in Nantucket, MA
With a dark rich patina. Made with oak staves, handle and a mahogany base. In excellent condition. Attributed to Sherwin Porter Boyer (1907-1964). Measures: 6”.    
Category

Mid-20th Century North American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Brass

Pair of Antique Cast Iron Elements as Table Lamps
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A large and very solid feeling pair of antique iron architectural elements as lamp bases. Three part shaped iron elements with decorative motifs with leaves on the tops and bottoms. ...
Category

19th Century Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Iron

West Germany Mercury Glass Large 4" Silver Grape Bunch Christmas Tree Ornament
Located in Clifton Forge, VA
This is a wonderful large mercury glass hand blown Christmas ornament in the shape of a bunch of grapes. The grapes are silver in color with a leaf on each side that has a sugary fin...
Category

1950s German Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Mercury Glass

"De Laval" Tin Advertising Sign, American, circa 1905, Near Mint
Located in Incline Village, NV
Having started in Sweden, the company opened up in America in 1888 as the "De Laval Cream Separator Company" in New York City, with a production plant ...
Category

Early 1900s American Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Tin

19th Century Sailor s Woolie of a Steam Frigate Under Good Head of Steam
Located in Nantucket, MA
19th Century Sailor's Woolie of a Steam Frigate Under Good Head of Steam, circa 1870s, a British sailor's hand-crafted woolwork picture of an Auxiliary Steam Ship or "Steam Frigate,"...
Category

1870s English Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool

Early Vintage Chein Company All Tin Toy Wind-Up Limousine, American, Circa 1930
Located in Incline Village, NV
This is one of the earlier, New York City based, J. Chein Company, tin toy pieces. They started doing lithography in 1930. This toy wind-up sedan was made circa 1930 and is brightly ...
Category

1930s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Tin

Vintage Bavarian Traditional Costume Jewelry Charivari with Hunting Pendants
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Bavarian Traditional Costume Jewelry Charivari with Hunting Pendants Item e7409 A Bavarian Charivari from the middle of the 20th century. A beautiful piece of historical Bava...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Metal, Silver

Beetle Cast Iron Shoe Horn or Boot Jack, Powder Coated Chartreuse, circa 1920 s
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Vintage boot jack in cast iron freshly powder coated in bright chartreuse. The cast iron object is as functional as it is decorative. This bright and fun ...
Category

1920s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Iron

Genuine Unusual Antique Northern Swedish Faux Paint Long Case Clock
Located in Kramfors, SE
Genuine long case clock from Sweden made during the first years of the 19th century, around 1810. The clock is unusual and genuine, from the village ...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pine

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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