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
Period: Mid-20th Century
Vintage Cape Dorset Inuit Stone Carving of a Seal, Unsigned, Canada, C.1960
s
Located in Chatham, ON
Vintage Cape Dorset Inuit soapstone (also called Steatite) carving of a seal - featuring fine simplified carving and details accentuating the form of the a...
Category
Mid-20th Century Canadian Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Stone
Sarreguemines French Majolica Pink Pig Pitcher, Vintage France
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Decorate a shelf or a kitchen counter with this elegant antique barbotine pitcher. Created by Sarreguemines, France in the 1930s, the pitcher depicts...
Category
1930s French Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica
Zabihi Collection Wild Dragon Vintage Tibetan Rug
Located in New York, NY
A colorful one-of-a-kind Tibetan rug from the 2nd quarter of the 20th century with a dragon motif
Measures: 3' x 5'5''.
Category
Mid-20th Century Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wool
1950s Catrin "Dandy" Mask, Tlaxcala, Mexico
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Catrin (Dandy) mask
Nahua people, Tlaxcala, Mexico
Wood, gesso, paint
1950s-1960s
Measures: 7? (17.8 cm) high, 6.5? (16.5 cm) wide, 5? (12.7 cm) deep
This mask is called the C...
Category
1950s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
Handmade WWII Era Folk Art Battleship Child
s Toy
Located in Red Lion, PA
This handmade folk art battleship from the early 1940s is a remarkable example of wartime craftsmanship, reflecting both the patriotic spirit and resourcefulness of the era. Crafted ...
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
$1,200 Sale Price
20% Off
Japanese Mashiko Mingei Bamboo Art Pottery Plate in the Manner of Shoji Hamada
Located in Studio City, CA
A quite beautiful and expertly crafted Japanese Mashiko Ware Mingei (folk craft/folk art) bamboo decorated pottery plate/low bowl quite similar to the works of master potter Shoji Ha...
Category
Mid-20th Century Japanese Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Pottery, Stoneware
20thc Hand Carved Wood Mermaid Statue
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This hand carved wood sculpture of a mermaid is in fine condition.It is hand carved and unsigned.So fantastic the surface and carving.
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
$1,036 Sale Price
20% Off
Hand-Carved Vintage Folk Art Wooden Tramp Art Style Storage Box
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Hand-Carved vintage Folk Art wooden Tramp Art style storage box from Poland.
This handcrafted Tramp Art style box is covered with geometric designs creating alternating depths on all...
Category
Mid-20th Century Polish Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Vintage Green Decorator Armoire With Currier
Ives Scenes
Located in Elkton, MD
The armoire features a green painted finish and two large doors adorned with Currier & Ives prints. The cupboard provides ample storage space and has a central locking mechanism with...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
A wood catchall mid-20th century French folk art
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
A remarkable catchall, emblematic of mid-20th century French folk art, stands out for its ingenious use of half a fruit tree trunk, likely from a cherry tree. This particular trunk s...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Fruitwood
$712 Sale Price
20% Off
Vintage Carved Wood Articulated Clown Figure
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Chunky hand carving with simple facial detailing a pointed hat. Found in the southern US. Presented on a custom museum stand.
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Vintage Bavarian Traditional Costume Jewelry Charivari with Hunting Pendants
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Bavarian Traditional Costume Jewelry Charivari with Hunting Pendants
A Bavarian Charivari from the middle of the 20th century. A beautiful piece of historical Bavarian folk ...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Silver
Rare 1950s Childs Size Carousel Motorcycle
Located in Peekskill, NY
This item is a lot smaller than it looks in the pictures. The handlebars are less that 2 foot tall. Its sized for a small child but has the proportions of a full size motorcycle. Tha...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Metal
Soldier on Horse Pull Toy Vintage Folk Art Ore Mountains, German, 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This old hand carved wooden Soldier and horse on wooden wheels Toy, was made in the Ore Mountains (Erzgebirge) in Germany. It remains fully functional. Crafted in Germany during the ...
Category
1950s German Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
large butcher
s block circa 1930
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
large butcher's block circa 1930
Comes directly from an old butcher's shop, deserves ordinary restoration, very healthy base
Category
1930s French Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Beech
Norwegian Folk Art Rosemaling Pine Trunk, c. 1956
Located in Skien, NO
1950s Norwegian Handcrafted Pine Trunk with professionally hand-painted rosemaling from Telemark, Norway
This exquisite solid pine trunk / chest, crafted in 1956, features intricate...
Category
Mid-20th Century Norwegian Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Iron
Set of 4 Swedish Folk Wooden Dala Horse Toys, circa 1960
By Nils Olsson
Located in Barcelona, ES
Set of 4 hand-painted Swedish wooden traditional Dala horse toy. Designed by Nils Olsson in Sweden, circa 1960. Materials: Wood In original condition, with minor wear consist...
Category
1960s Swedish Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Antique Carnival Prize Chalkware Bulldog Statue / Figure
Located in Cordova, SC
**Historical Background**
American carnival chalkware flourished from 1900-1950, with bulldogs being among the most popular prizes. These pieces were mass-produced as affordable carn...
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Plaster, Paint
Small Shell Encrusted Owl, Philippines
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A small shell encrusted owl created by hand from seashells. This piece depicts a bird, sitting upon a perch, with small eyes and plumage decorated from different color seashells.
...
Category
Mid-20th Century Philippine Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Shell
Rare Antique Distressed Carousel Horse on Iron Stand Sculpture
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Fantastic antique found unpainted carousel horse form having distressed wood, amazing character, and handsome custom iron stand. Makes a stunning folk art sculpture with monochromat...
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
$2,555 Sale Price
30% Off
Vintage Folk Art Landscape Oil Painting on Panel - Initialed - Mid 20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
Vintage folk art landscape oil painting on composite panel - indistinctly initialled in the lower right corner - mid 20th century.
Fair vintage condition - loss at the corners and e...
Category
Mid-20th Century Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
French pique assiette column
Located in Haaltert, BE
Large French pique assiette column with wooden base (50cm diameter) and brass casters. The wooden top has a diameter of 27cm. Pique assiette is a style of mosaic that incorporates ce...
Category
1950s French Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Earthenware
Mexican Equipale Folk Art Chair with Hand-Painted Scene 1930s
Located in Sakskøbing, DK
Rare vintage equipale chair from Mexico, dating to the 1930s. Entirely handcrafted using traditional techniques, it features a pigskin leather seat and backrest stretched over a ceda...
Category
1930s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Leather, Cedar, Paint
Vintage Brass Duck Head Vide Poche Trinket Valet Tray
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Handcrafted decorative vintage collectible brass valet tray duck head shape.
Beautiful handcrafted large cast brass bird form this handsome trinket tray is very well made and large scale.
A vintage solid brass mallard duck head compact tray for the dresser or home office desk, it has a place for keys, change, pens, keys, trinket holder, jewelry.
Heavyweight brass duck head...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Brass
Hand-Crafted Folk Art Primitive Elm Stool Sculptural Rustic Form
Located in London, GB
Hand-Crafted Folk Art Primitive Elm Stool Sculptural Rustic Form
This charming primitive stool embodies the honest beauty of hand-crafted English folk art. Made in England from sol...
Category
1930s English Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Elm
Vintage Bavarian Traditional Costume Jewelry Brooch, Bavaria ca. 1950s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Bavarian Traditional Costume Jewelry Brooch, Bavaria ca. 1950s
An old Bavarian traditional costume brooch, handmade from 835 silver. A beautiful piece of historical Bavarian...
Category
1950s German Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Metal
Vintage Persian Hamadan Rug
Located in New York, NY
A vintage Persian Hamadan rug from the mid-20th century. A very folksy rendition of the traditional Persian Sarouk pattern in a more contempory...
Category
Mid-20th Century Persian Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Vintage American Brass Sperm Whale Doorstop
Located in Chicago, IL
This vintage American brass sperm whale doorstop is a delightful blend of charm and functionality, perfect for adding a splash of coastal flair to your space. Cast in solid brass, th...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Brass
Parcheesi Game Board
Located in Branford, CT
Parcheesi gameboard with original green, black, yellow and red paint on putty ground. Plywood. Early to mid-20th century.
L 24" W 24".
Condition: Excellent original condition.
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Plywood
Zabihi Collection Orange Dragon Vintage Tibetan Rug
Located in New York, NY
Colorful one-of-a-kind Tibetan rug from the 2nd quarter of the 20th century with a dragon motif on a bright orange field
Measures: 3'1'' x 5'9''.
Category
Mid-20th Century Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wool
Saguaro Cactus Folk Art Lamp, Musicians
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Saguaro cactus Folk Art lamp featuring musicians and beverages. This lamp was pictured on page 219 in book Popular Arts of Mexico 1850-1950 by Donna McMenamin. Lamp shade measures ...
Category
1950s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
JARKO ZAVI - Studio Pottery Cottontail Rabbit Figure - Canada - Circa 1976
Located in Chatham, ON
JARKO ZAVI (Czech-Canadian 1907-1987) - Fine vintage studio pottery ceramic model of a cottontail rabbit on a plinth base - small size - featuring elaborate hand made and hand crafte...
Category
Mid-20th Century Canadian Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
1960s English Carnival Sign
Located in High Point, NC
1960s carnival art sign from England. It is advertising a cake walk on one side of the sign, and on the back has a charming message "Have a nice Victorian day". Great sign for any co...
Category
1960s English Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Vintage Boho Primitive Wood Box
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This charming vintage primitive wood box is a masterful example of mid-century folk art, blending rustic texture with a vibrant pop of color. Hand-c...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Rare Set of Three Grape Christmas Ornament Vintage, 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A rare Christmas ornament set of three. Each is made from mouth blown glass, this would be a great addition for your Christmas or feather tree. Size alw...
Category
1930s German Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wire
Vintage Haitian Painting of Animals in a Jungle by Jean Claude
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Enchanting mid century Haitian acrylic painting on canvas of African animals and ducks in a pond in a jungle setting executed in a distinctive naive style, signed Jean Claude in the ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Haitian Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Paint
American Mid-20th Century Folk Art Rooster Bootscrape
Located in Chicago, IL
Full of charm and personality, this mid-20th century American iron bootscrape takes the form of a cheeky rooster—one foot lifted mid-strut, tail feathers slightly ruffled, and a know...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Iron
Pillow Cover Made from a Vintage Turkish Block Printed Panel
Located in Istanbul, TR
It does not come with an insert.
Linen in the back.
Zipper Closure.
Dry Clean is recommended.
Category
Mid-20th Century Turkish Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Cotton
Woven Bamboo Wicker Ikebana Basket, Philippines Folk Art
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage Philippine Folk Art open basket features elongated cylindrical body and prominent handle. The body is plaited in tight weave in simple pattern; the fibers are darkened with ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Philippine Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
Vintage Small Engraved Brass Lota Vessel from India 1950s
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Add a touch of India's rich heritage to your home with this vintage small engraved brass lota from India, circa 1950s.
Hand-crafted from high-quality brass ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Indian Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Brass
Persian Kashan Rug
Located in New York, NY
An early 20th Century Persian Kashan rug
Measures: 1'3'' x 2'6''.
Category
Mid-20th Century Persian Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wool
$1,500
Swedish Blue Allmoge Painted Wooden Folk Art Bowl, Mid-20th Century
Located in Frederiksberg C, DK
Swedish Folk Art Painted Wooden Bowl in the Allmoge Tradition, Mid-20th Century
Charming Swedish folk art bowl in hand-painted wood, made in the allmoge tradition, likely dating fro...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Hand Carved Wooden Smoker Gnome Figure, Vintage German Black Forest Folk Art
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful hand carved wooden smoker figure, found at an estate sale in Nuremberg, Germany. We believe that this piece is from around 1930s or older. A nice addition to any room. Beau...
Category
1930s German Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Amish Wool Trip Around the World Quilt
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fine wool and mixed fabrics trip around the world Amish quilt was found in Lancaster County,Pennsylvania.It is mostly wool and mixed cottons as well.The condition is fantastic.
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wool
$2,600 Sale Price
20% Off
Set of 8 Sculptural French Alpine Chairs in Solid Oak, France, 1950s
Located in Almelo, NL
Set of 8 Sculptural French Alpine Chairs in Solid Oak, France, 1950s
Description:
A rare set of eight sculptural Alpine chairs, handcrafted in France during the 1950s from solid Fre...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Oak
1960s Original Dual Sided Hanging Light Up Ace Hardware Outdoor Logo
Located in Monrovia, CA
1960s Original Polycarbonate Face "Ace Hardware" Advertisement Signage. The Vintage Outdoor Sign Hangs which Displays A Double Sided Logo Of The Well Known "Ace Hardware" Logo. The Vintage Signage...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Aluminum
Vintage Mola Textile Pillowcase, Panama
Located in Istanbul, TR
-No insert.
-Hemp in the back.
-Zipper closure.
-Dry Cleaning is recommended.
Category
Mid-20th Century Panamanian Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Cotton
Character Stein of the Nuremberg Tower, City Wall Tower Lidded Beer Stein, 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A gorgeous beer stein, made in Germany by the famous Gerz Company. This beer stein has been made in Germany, circa 1960s. Absolutely gorgeous piece still in great condition, without ...
Category
1960s German Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Pewter
Figural Erotic Nutcracker Hand Carved in Oak, 1940s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Large figural nutcracker in the shape of a young naked women. It’s made from hand carved oak and assembled without the use of metal. She has got some legs. The legs measures up 21 cm...
Category
1940s European Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Oak
Pillowcase Made from an Anatolian Embroidered Skirt, 2nd Quarter 20th C.
Located in Istanbul, TR
The pillow case has been fashioned from a Western Anatolian Cotton embroidered dress skirt.
It does not come with an insert .
Linen in the back.
Zipper closure.
Dry Cleaning recomme...
Category
Mid-20th Century Turkish Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Cotton
Pillowcase Made from an Anatolian Embroidered Skirt, 2nd Quarter 20th C.
Located in Istanbul, TR
The pillow case has been fashioned from a Western Anatolian Cotton embroidered dress skirt.
It does not come with an insert .
Linen in the back.
Zipper closure.
Dry Cleaning recomme...
Category
Mid-20th Century Turkish Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Cotton
A. RUSHTON - Vintage Folk Art Oil Painting - Framed - Canada - Mid 20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
A. RUSHTON - Vintage folk art oil painting on canvas covered panel - signed lower right - framed (likely original) - Canada - mid 20th c...
Category
Mid-20th Century Canadian Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Paint
Ceramic Tiger Sculpture Portuguese Folk Art Orange Black Glaze 1960s
Located in Lisboa, PT
This striking ceramic tiger sculpture dates to the 1960s and originates from Portugal, a country renowned during this period for its expressive figurative ceramics and strong traditi...
Category
1960s Portuguese Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
$977 Sale Price
20% Off
1936 dated Folk Art Nude Portrait - Painting Oil on Canvas
Located in OOSTERHOUT, NL
Small, hand-painted nude painting in folk art style, dated 1936. The work is naive in execution but decorative in nature, and is set in a matching decorative frame. Origin: Belgium.
...
Category
1930s Belgian Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Canvas
"Uncle Wiggly" Toy Rabbit Wind Up Toy Signed "Gene Rosch" by Chein Toy Co C.1938
By J. Chein
Co.
Located in Incline Village, NV
Dancing rabbit wind up toy, "Uncle Wiggly", was made by the Chein Toy Company, of New York City, circa 1938. It was designed, and the creation of foremost leading toy inventor Gene ...
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Tin
Pillowcase Made from an Anatolian Embroidered Skirt, 2nd Quarter 20th C.
Located in Istanbul, TR
The pillow case has been fashioned from a Western Anatolian Cotton embroidered dress skirt.
It does not come with an insert .
Linen in the back.
Zipper closure.
Dry Cleaning recomme...
Category
Mid-20th Century Turkish Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Cotton
Lot of Four Vintage Steiff Animals, Squirrel Camel Hamster
Giraffe, 1960s
By Steiff
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This collection of stuffed animals includes 4 figures:
1) Miniature Steiff Squirrel (No button and flag, but cardboard label). About 3.75" high.
2) Steiff Hamster (parts of flag and...
Category
1960s German Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Mohair
Amish Wool Diamond In Square Crib Quilt Mounted
By Amish Quilts
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Amish Lancaster County all wool diamond in a square mounted crib quilt from a private collection in Pennsylvania.This is a late but great wool Amish crib quilt and almost all of thes...
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wool
Chinese Folk Painted Tray with River Landscape
Located in Chicago, IL
This lacquered serving tray is crafted with a hand-painted panel salvaged from a vintage Chinese cabinet. Selected for its charming folk art decoration, the found panel is painted wi...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Pine
Elegant Vintage Flower Brooch, Handmade from 835 silver, Germany ca. 1950s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Elegant Vintage Flower Brooch, Handmade from 835 silver, Germany ca. 1950s
An elegant vintage flower brooch, handmade from 835 silver with an oxidized finish. It features the famous...
Category
1950s German Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Silver
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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