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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
Vintage Nahua Pottery Chililico Hidalgo Mexican Folk Art Animal Candleholders
Located in Forney, TX
A most charming pair of two rare and whimsical indigenous Nahua peoples pottery animal folk art candleholders. Handmade in the village of Chililico, Hidalgo, Central Mexico, primiti...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pottery

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 Antique Print of a Jaguar, 1847 Unframed
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of a jaguar. Unframed. It gives you the option of perhaps making a set up using your own choice of frames. Lithograph after Cpt. brown with original hand color. Publis...
Category

1840s English Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Paper

Hand Painted Ceramic Flower Pot From Mexico
Located in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato
Hand painted ceramic flower pot from San Agustin Oapan, Guerrero, Mexico. Circa 1980´s. Strong folk art piece hand painted with good detail.
Category

1980s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Terracotta, Calico

Folk Art Carved Eagle Chairs
Located in Hanover, MA
Very unusual pair of chairs, hand carved, possibly using a chainsaw as well as other blades, of a fierce looking eagle with unfurled wings, its talons on the feet of a man on all fou...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Painted Folk Art Bridal Cabinet 1846
Located in OOSTERHOUT, NL
An extraordinary antique pine bridal cabinet dating from 1846. This cabinet is simply designed but beautifully painted with floral ornamentation on the panels, while the rest of the ...
Category

Mid-19th Century German Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pine

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: 3'4'' x 5'7''.
Category

Mid-20th Century Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool

Professionally Framed Ottoman Embroidery Fragment, Turkey, E 20th 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. E 20th C. Ottoman Turkey Ready to go on a wall. ...
Category

Early 20th Century Turkish Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Silk

Early 19th century hand painted Swedish folk art coffer
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 19th century hand painted swedish folk art coffer circa 1810. Good quality swedish blanket chest presented in original paint with hand painted floral wreath to the front, init...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pine, Paint

Charming 19th Century Swedish Folk Art Chair
Located in Kramfors, SE
Charming Swedish folk art chair from Hälsingland in Sweden. The chair is made during the early 1800s in Swedish pine. It has the original paint which has become naturally distressed ...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pine

French Tramp Art Mirror with Deeply Carved Geometric Frame, Circa 1900
Located in Atlanta, GA
A striking French Tramp Art mirror from the early 20th century, crafted circa 1900 with a distinctive layered chip-carved frame in dark wood. The stepped construction of the surround...
Category

Early 20th Century French Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Wood

Original Painted German Shrunk Armoire with Four Seasons, Dated 1802
Located in Round Top, TX
This German shrunk or armoire still maintains the quality and details of the original hand-painted finish with a unique and colorful background. The four seasons are represented in e...
Category

19th Century German Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

Scottish Early 20th C. Pond Yacht
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
This charming antique “pond yacht” from Scotland will appeal to the sailor, the toy collector, the kid-at-heart types alike for the sporty and real...
Category

20th Century Scottish Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Metal

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

Tramp Art Chip Carved Mirror Frame, Dated 1910
Located in Nantucket, MA
Antique Tramp Art Chip Carved Mirror Frame, Dated 1910, having a carved and pierced arched top above a rectangular surround, fashioned with multi-layered diamonds and bull's eyes, in...
Category

1910s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Scrap Wood

Beautiful Santa Claus Figure Candy Container Vintage German Christmas
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A rare Santa figure with a tree in his hand. Very characterful representation and expressive in its appearance. Velvet dust cover as clothing. Was probably a candy container, but the...
Category

1930s German Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Composition

Decorative Hand-Carved African Statue from Kenya
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Decorative ebony well hand-carved African statue of a young women. Handmade in Kenya, Africa.
Category

Mid-20th Century Kenyan Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Ebony

19thc Sponge Ware Pitcher
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19Thc Sponge ware pottery pitcher in fine condition.Great blue color and condition.
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pottery

19thc Sponge Ware Pitcher
19thc Sponge Ware Pitcher
$760 Sale Price
20% Off
Large Purvis Young Abstract Outsider Folk Art Painting on Board, Attributed
Located in Miami, FL
Large Purvis Young Abstract Outsider Folk Art Painting on Board, Attributed Offered for sale is a large attributed Purvis Young (1943-2010) abstrac...
Category

Late 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

Vintage Tonala Mexico Pottery Cat, Hand Painted
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Charming vintage Tonala pottery figurine depicts a reclining cat with folded front paws and raised head; the cat is looking forward with wide open, large eyes and a slightly surpris...
Category

20th Century Mexican Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery

19th Century Original Red Painted Bucket/ Crock Shelf From Pennsylvania
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand made Pennsylvania wooden crock shelf. Four tier shelf with great stability. The wonderful red hue has a great tone. Great patina to the body. Very strong and sturdy.
Category

19th Century American Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Coastal Oval Sea Shell Encrusted Wall Mirror
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A shell encrusted mirror that will bring the beach indoors. A perfect reminder of the beach, this mirror is oval in form and created from wood. Shells are painstakingly placed throug...
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Shell, Mirror, Wood

Antique Asian Bronze Chariot with Dragon Head Pulled by Horses
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
From the Ramakien a Thai Ramayana. A scene from Ramakian or Ramayan, the Indian epic Lakshman riding in a chariot along with Rama and Sita sitting in the back. After his victory over Ravana, Sri Rama prepares to leave for Ayodhya, Rama now told Vibheeshan that there was just one more day...
Category

Early 20th Century Indian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Bronze

Primitive Folk Art Chair Fäbostol ca 1750, Dalarna, Sweden
Located in Farsta, SE
Primitive Folk Art Chair 'Fäbostol' ca 1750, Dalarna, Sweden A primitive birch wood chair with a beautiful patina, smooth surface, and wear consistent with age and use. Heigth: 66....
Category

Mid-18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Birch

Mercury Glass Santa Holding Tree Christmas Tree Ornament
Located in Clifton Forge, VA
This is an adorable little This is an adorable little Santa holding tight to his miniature Christmas Tree. He is bright shiny red on his coat and hat but the red darke...
Category

20th Century Unknown Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Mercury Glass

Pair of Magnificent Antique French Carved Wood Panels Depicting the Four Seasons
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An Extraordinary Pair of early 20th century carved wood Panels depicting the Four Seasons. Tall narrow unpainted panels with high relief carved decoration with motifs of the Four Sea...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Original Antique Print of Cats, 1847 Unframed
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of cats. Unframed. It gives you the option of perhaps making a set up using your own choice of frames. Lithograph after Cpt. brown with original hand color. Published,...
Category

1840s English Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Paper

Early American Late 19th Early 20th Century Folk Art Painting in Tramp Art Frame
Located in Fort Collins, CO
Exceptional and never before seen Early American folk art oil painting. The scene appears to depict a man telling a woman bad news, presumably of her husband's passing. The subject p...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

Antique Folk Art Live Edge Cypress Wall Hat Rack/Mirror
Located in New Orleans, LA
A charming and unusual antique folk art naturally live edge cypress wall mirror with three cypress knee’s for hanging hats or coats. Totally handcrafted with love as it is carved i...
Category

1910s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Wood

Early 19th Century Swedish Folk Art Painted 2 Piece Step Back Cabinet
Located in Charleston, SC
This lovely 2 piece cabinet has a beautiful floral design with the main colors being yellow, green, and a rustic red. The lower portion has 2 doors wit...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pine, Paint

Monumental Jesus and Virgin Mary Folk Art Sculptures from the Jesuit Center
Located in Hamburg, PA
A religious pair of monumental wooden sculptures depicting Jesus and Mary from the Berks County Pennsylvania Jesuit Center. This dynamic ha...
Category

20th Century Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

Antique Dachshund Dog Salt Pepper Shakers with .800 Silver Heads, Germany 1900
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Antique Dachshund Dog Salt & Pepper Shakers with .800 Silver Heads, Germany, circa 1900 Description A rare and charming pair of dachshund-form salt and pepper shakers, sourced from ...
Category

Early 1900s German Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Silver

Tonala Folk Art Bird Mexican Hand Painted Colorful Pottery 1960s
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Tonala Folk Art Pottery Plate Hand Painted Flying Bird, Mexico, circa 1960's. Vintage Mexican Tonala hand painted pottery bird Folk Art. Flora de la Cruz ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Antique Brass Baby Rattle Whistle Bell Dangles, India
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Antique brass baby rattle whistle bell dangles, India. Handcrafted baby rattle in openwork designs with whistle handle and three decorative bell dangles. ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Indian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Brass

19th Century German Carved Polychrome Carousel Horse by P. Schneider
Located in Forney, TX
A rare antique, circa 1890s, German hand carved and painted wood carousel horse carnival fair ride by Peter Schneider (famous for making the first double decker carousel in 1898). ...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Orientalist Oil on Canvas A Portrait of A Young Moroccan Girl
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Orientalist oil on canvas portrait of a young girl, painting depicting an orientalist girl dressed in traditional garments. Meticulous attention was given to every detail of ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Prison Folk Art Matchstick Model Boat Ship Maritime Night Light Sculpture 31"
Located in Dayton, OH
Mid century three tiered prison folk art / tramp art model steam boat sculpture. Upcycled cardboard framing structure, matchstick exterior with glossy...
Category

Mid-20th Century Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Metal

Antique Unique Clothes Rack in Pine, Made by Hand in Northern Sweden
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique unique clothes rack made by hand from northern Sweden. The clothes rack is made around the year 1900 in painted pine. Original condition and original paint with some distress...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pine

19th Century Decorated Stoneware Blue Decorated Crock
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fine double handled blue decorated stone ware crock is in good condition with minor chip on interior. There is an embossed three above the hand painted and decorated flowers on ...
Category

1850s American Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pottery

1900s Antique Hand Carved Wooden Cane
Located in Plainview, NY
An early 20th century hand carved wood men's cane. The cane features beautiful hand carving of flowers painted in multiple colors. The name of what it seems to be the original owner ...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

19th Century Swedish antique genuine rustic Bent wood box with original paint
Located in Boden, SE
19th Century Swedish Folk Art Bentwood Box from Hälsingland, Northern Sweden. Oval box with lid. Originalpainted with nice patina after several hundred years of use. Beautifully pain...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pine

Rare Set of Four Mercury Glass Plastic Christmas Ornament Vintage, 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A rare Christmas ornament set from Germany or Austria. Each is made from mouth blown glass, the 4 mushrooms with wire are made of plastic and are younger age, this would be a great a...
Category

1910s German Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wire

Rare Pair of Tyrolean Walnut Armchairs 18th Century
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
Rare Pair of Tyrolean Walnut Armchairs 18th Century Crescent arm ending in rounded terminals surmounted by a traditional crest with pierced heart supported by six turned columns s...
Category

Late 18th Century Austrian Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Walnut

Majestic Benin King Oba, Finely Carved Ebony Bust, Nigeria West Africa C1930s
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Truly a majestic Benin Oba. Beautifully and finely hand carved in Ebony hardwood from the 1930's A piece of this quality and stature holds enormous presence...
Category

1930s Beninese Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Ebony

German Tinplate Clockwork Wind Up Toy By Ernest Paul Lehman "Quack Quack" C 1903
Located in Incline Village, NV
This is a very popular Lehman wind up toy; emblematic of "whimsy" typical of Ernest Paul Lehman whose toy company opened in Brandenburg, Germany in 1881.. The action portrays a mama duck walking along with her three baby chicks in tow being carried in a basket from behind. The toy is nicely lithographed with a greenish yellow basket; light and dark green baby chicks, and the mother duck with yellow green features and an orange and white undercoat. The underneath of the basket is filled with markings documenting the genesis of the toy. "Paak Paak" German for "Quack Quack": are clearly spelled out along with "Lehman" "Pat. U.S.A. March 12, 1903". Printed on the side #645 indicating the catalogue number (see image). To operate: wind up the attached clockwork key on the right side; release while still in your hand to see what happens; wind up some more and then gently place on the floor to watch the baby chicks bob up and down as mama pulls them forward. Very few examples are intact---legs usually absent and mechanisms broken, and examples are incomplete because of rough play. This example is completely original with no restoration of any kind and no touch up to the lovely surface. The toy is catalogued as "EPL #645" and documented on page 197 of the book "Lehman Toys" by Jurgen & Marianne Cieslik, published in 1982. This would be a wonderful addition for the discerning collector of antiques children...
Category

Early 1900s German Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Tin

Hand-painted armchair by Gerard Rigot
Located in TOURS, FR
Unique Hand-painted armchair by Gerard Rigot
Category

1990s French Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Vintage Lidded Basket Handmade Bamboo Handwoven Rattan Nautical Seashell 1980
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Coastal Folk Art lidded round basket handmade Bamboo and handwoven Rattan in blonde and white Plastik Seashell decoration. Nautical Bohemian ...
Category

1980s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Bamboo, Rattan, Cane, Plastic, Wood

Folk Art Bridal Chest, dated 1795
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
This pine bridal chest from 1795 is a beautiful and authentic example of late 18th-century folk furniture. The chest is richly painted with traditional floral motifs, symbolizing lov...
Category

1790s German Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Iron

Large Original Antique Print of Hornbills, circa 1835
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of Hornbills Unframed. It gives you the option of perhaps making a set up using your own choice of frames. Lithograph after Cpt. Brown with original hand color. ...
Category

1830s English Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Paper

Oversized Carved Boot Trade Sign, Early 20th Century an Arresting Cobbler’s Sign
Located in New York, NY
Oversized Carved Boot Trade Sign, Early 20th Century An arresting cobbler’s sign hand-carved from solid wood and fashioned as a Victorian lace-up ankle...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Metal

Tramp Art, Mirror Frame for photos, hand carved, 1890, Schwarzwald / Austria
Located in Wien, AT
Charming frame or mirror (mirror glass can be installed at any time upon request), from around 1890, in tramp art, made in the Black Forest in Germany or Austria. The frame shape is...
Category

1890s Austrian Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Contemporary Handmade Flayed Man Tantra Accent Rug
Located in New York, NY
A modern Afghan Tantra rug with a pictorial depiction of a flayed man handmade during the 21st century. Original versions were employed by Vajrayana Budd...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Afghan Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool

Chinese Painted Folk Trunk, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Trunks and storage chests were the most ubiquitous form of household storage throughout the Ming and Qing dynasties. Used to store clothes, linens, kitchen utensils, and other miscel...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pine

Mid-20th Century Handmade Persian Kurd Pictorial Lion Throw Rug
Located in New York, NY
A vintage Persian Kurd throw rug handmade during the mid-20th century with a folk pictorial depiction of a lion. Measures: 3' 6" x 4' 9" P...
Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool

Set of 8 Antique Christmas Putz Houses, , Christmas Decorations
By Leo Putz
Located in Buffalo, NY
8 Antique Christmas Putz Houses Here we have from the local estate of the original owner a VERY Rare group of 8 Large Putz Houses in their original b...
Category

1950s Japanese Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Paper

Vintage Wood Carved Painting of Bavarian or Alpine Mountain Village
Located in Chattanooga, TN
The hills are brought to life in this carved wood painting of an Alpine valley homestead. This scene could be Germany, Austria or Switzerland… rep...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Hardwood

Framed Maxwell Mays Folk Art Oil on Canvas, Ferris Wheel By The Harbor, 1975
Located in Morristown, NJ
Maxwell Mays (1918-2009) American painter and illustrator. Signed and dated 1975, a framed oil on canvas. This painting captures a lively and nostalgic scene of a carnival featurin...
Category

1970s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Canvas, Wood, Paint

Handmade Burl Wood Table Lamp with Wicker Shade, Finland, 1940s
Located in Karis, Nyland
A Finnish table lamp from the 1940s with a handmade sculptural burl wood base and later wicker shade. The turned and carved form of the base highlights the organic character of the b...
Category

1940s Finnish Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood, Burl

Rare Antique Grulich Christmas Nativity Figure, late 19th Century Folk Art
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful Rare Antique Grulich Nativity Figure — Late 19th Century This rare and culturally significant nativity figure originates from the historic Králiky region (formerly Grulic...
Category

Late 19th Century Czech Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Vintage Burmese Kalaga Tapestry Embroidered Wall Hanging 1960
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Burmese Kalaga Tapestry Circa 1960. Burmese Kalaga Elephant, Lion, Horse, Peacock and Turkey displayed on this intricate Silk Tapestry Wall Hanging Framed Textile Art...
Category

Mid-20th Century Thai Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Textile, Beads, Sequins

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.