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: Early 20th Century
Sitting Tuxedo Cat Door Stop Painted Cast Iron, American Folk Art
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage or antique cast iron door stop features a tuxedo cat form with polychrome painted decor. The realistically sculpted cat is depicted sitting with its head turned to a side and...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Metal, Iron
Large Antique English Trench Art Table Cannon
Located in Forney, TX
Antique English Trench Art mixed metal miniature howitzer - signal style table cannon. Hand-crafted, assembled in the early 20th century, fashioned in par...
Category
Early 20th Century European Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Brass, Bronze, Copper
Antique Chinese Checkers Game Board with Original Paint and Blue Accents
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A solid wood antique Chinese Checkers game board. This piece is from Pennsylvania and was created in the early 1900s. It is created from wood and features hand-drilled holes for marb...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paint
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
$325 Sale Price
30% Off
Ink Pads for Fabrics, India, Early 20th Century
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Stamp composed of a set of small welded copper plates forming a bird motif. These stamps were to be printed on the drapery.
Indian work, circa 1900.
Category
Early 20th Century Indian Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Copper, Iron
$227 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair of American Folk Art Inlaid Lyre-Form Tables, circa 1900
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of American Folk Art Inlaid Lyre-Form Tables, circa 1900
This refined and visually striking pair of American Folk Art lyre-form tables, dating to circa 1900, exemplifies the en...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Hardwood, Birch, Cherry, Maple, Walnut
Beakhorn Stump Blacksmith Anvil
Located in Hanover, MA
SATURDAY SALE
The first thing I thought upon seeing this was Constantin Brancusi's bird sculptures and the questions about the nature of abstract art it asked.
This is an early 20t...
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Iron
$1,650 Sale Price
50% Off
Tramp Art Box or Chest, Early 20th Century
Located in London, London
Tramp Art Box or Chest, Early 20th Century
Finely detailed tramp art box, hand-carved from layers of chip-carved wood and embellished with brass tacks. The intricate geometric cons...
Category
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Early 20th Century English Folk-art Policeman Whirligig Figure
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century English Folk-art Policeman Whirligig Figure
An early 20th Century hand carved English folk-art policeman whirligig figure. With natural wear and patina this figur...
Category
Early 20th Century British Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Pine
Spelter Still Bank "Seated Cat with a Bow" German, circa 1920
Located in Incline Village, NV
The term "spelter" refers to a zinc/lead metal compound used to pour and make castings. Because of the thinness of the castings there is great detail to the subject matter of these banks. Spelter banks...
Category
1920s German Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Spelter
18/1900s A Fine Bena Lulua Mask - Primitive African Folk Art
Located in Skien, NO
Antique Bena Lulua Mask
Late 1800s to Early 1900s – Democratic Republic of the Congo
This striking primitive folk art mask hails from the Bena Lulua people of the Democratic Republi...
Category
Early 20th Century Congolese Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Softwood
$2,800 Sale Price
20% Off
Italian Jewelry or Decorative Box, Early 20th Century
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Early 20th Century Italian jewelry box. This sweet petite box is a perfect piece to hold jewelry or any small collectibles. Sitting atop a vanity, d...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Burmese Red Carved Wood Temple Offering Box
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Burmese red lacquered temple offering box called "Hsunok".
Burmese offering basket made of carved bamboo wood painted and lacquered in hues of red and oranges.
The lid adopts a Burmese temple shape, with a sharp top surmounting a gadroon dome.
This kind of basket is used to display offerings to Buddhist temples, in Asia.
During most of the 19th century Burma was ruled by members of the Konbaung dynasty, the last dynasty that would rule the country.
This Asian Burmese red offering...
Category
Early 20th Century South Asian Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Bamboo
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
Set of two Wood Vintage Pull Toys, 20th Century
Located in Chappaqua, NY
Set of two vintage wood pull toys, 20th Century. Charming folk art circus wagon and pair of ducks. Circus wagon has applied lithograph of performing ch...
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood, Paper
Wooden Buffer for Printing Fabrics, India, Early 20th Century
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Wooden pad with trefoil patterns used to decorate fabrics.
India, early 20th century.
Category
Early 20th Century Indian Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
$132 Sale Price
20% Off
Bali Hindu Textile Framed
Kamasan
Painting, Indonesia, Early 20th Century
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
An early 20th century 'Kamasan' cotton textile painting from Bali, Indonesia. The hand-painted image has great detail and depicts Balinese Hindu mythology. It has been framed with a ...
Category
Early 20th Century Balinese Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Cotton, Paint
$1,480 Sale Price
20% Off
Early 20th Century Black
White Hand Beaded African Chair
Located in North Miami, FL
This truly exquisite hand beaded chair by the Yoruba Artisans of Nigeria, best representation of furniture as art. And don't be shy to sit on them, because they are very comfortable. There is a Second matching chair available.
They were traditionally created for the Yoruba tribe kings and queens and are embellished with thousands of seed glass beads applied to fabric covers, which are then stitched or glued onto the chair frame - resulting in an exotic chair...
Category
Early 20th Century Nigerian Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood, Beads
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
Finnish Rustic Folk Art Stool in Solid Pine, 19th Century
Located in Karis, Nyland
A charming rustic folk art stool from Finland, dating to the late 19th or early 20th century. Crafted from solid pine, this piece exudes vernacular craftsmanship with its raw, hand-h...
Category
Early 20th Century Finnish Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Pine
3.5ft African Tribal Art Large Bronze Baule Ancestor Sitting King Figure Statue
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Origin: Ivory Coast, Baule Peoples
Dimensions: 14” W x 14” D x 43” H
Discover the elegance and spiritual depth of African tribal artistry with this Large Bronze Seated Ancestor Figur...
Category
Early 20th Century African Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Bronze
1920
s German Airplane Penny Toy by Kellerman (Mounted on Marx "Lucky Stunt")
Located in Incline Village, NV
Great item for toy collectors and those who collect aeronautical items. Being offered is a very rare German Penny Toy from the 1920’s, manufactured by the well known, and quality toy...
Category
1920s German Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Tin
Antique Seychour Rug with Fox Pictorials and Floral Patterns, from Rug
Kilim
Located in Long Island City, NY
Hand-knotted in wool and originating from Russia circa 1920-1930, this collectible 4x5 antique rug is a very rare Caucasian rug of the titular Seychour (sometimes spelled Zeikhour) p...
Category
1920s Russian Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wool
Amazing Multicolor Ground Geometric Color Antique Log Cabin American Hooked Rug
Located in New York, NY
Early 20th Century Log Cabin American Hooked Rug ( 2'7" x 3'3" - 80 x 100 )
Category
1920s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wool
19th Century Austrian Carved Pine Folk Art Farmer and His Oxen Model
Located in London, GB
19th century carved pine folk art farmer and his oxen model
We are proud to offer a unique example of a late 19th century hand carved pine folk art model of a farmer and his oxen. R...
Category
Early 1900s Austrian Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Pine
Antique Bessarabian Tapestry
Located in Los Angeles, US
This exceptional antique Bessarabian tapestry, woven circa 1900, exemplifies the rich pictorial and decorative traditions of Eastern European folk textiles. At the center is a finely...
Category
Early 20th Century Romanian Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Sweden Arte Povera Kitchen Rack
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1900s ceramic wall spice rack hand painted and glazed ceramic containers. Original condition. Wood base is hand made.
Category
Early 1900s Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Rustic Folk Art Cabinet, France, Early 20th Century
Located in Antwerp, BE
Folk Art; Art Populaire; Cabinet; Sideboard; Buffet; Rustic; Early 20th Century;
Folk art cabinet in a fascinating shade of green, a perfect blend of functionality and aesthetics. B...
Category
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
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
1930s Austrian Horse Toy
By Craft and Folk Art Museum
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
Beautiful 1930s Austrian horse toy. Wonderful patina.
Category
1920s Austrian Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Bentwood
$2,800
Two Tribal Bronze Konga Anklet Leg Band
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
An early 20th century antique African tribal leg band (ankle bracelet),
These leg bands were both currency and status symbols for the Mongo tribe of northwest Congo.
They were ma...
Category
Early 20th Century Congolese Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Bronze
$1,850 / set
"In The Shade of The Old Apple Tree" Tin Advertising Sign, American, circa 1906
Located in Incline Village, NV
Outstanding example of this iconic and highly sought after tin advertising sign made by the Shonk Company, Chicago, Illinois, circa 1906. The subject matter depicts a farm scene with...
Category
Early 1900s American Antique Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Tin
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
Early 20th Century English Metal Fairground Crown Light
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century English Metal Fairground Crown Light
A unique example of an early 20th Century metal scratch-built fairground light in the shape of a c...
Category
1920s British Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Metal
Pair of Reindeer Antique Still Banks, American, circa 1910
Located in Incline Village, NV
These two authentic cast iron antique still banks depict a large reindeer and a smaller one standing nearby. Together, they make a wonderful Christ...
Category
1910s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Iron
1 of 52 Handmade Antique Ceramic Tiles by Devres, France, 1920s
By Devres
Located in Rijssen, NL
One of 52 antique French handmade ceramic tiles. Manufactured by Devres, circa 1920s. Colorful pattern in yellow, red and green. These tiles would be charming displayed on easels, fr...
Category
1920s Austrian Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Ceramic
Folk Art Ship Model
Located in Doylestown, PA
A naive Folk Art ship model in carved wood with fabric sails and elaborate rigging, American, circa 1900.
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
$1,650
Vintage Cast Iron Book of Knowledge Mechanical Bank, Punch
Judy, 20th Century
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Hand-painted cast iron mechanical bank "Punch and Judy Bank."
A vintage book of knowledge Punch & Judy mechanical bank offers polychrome cast cons...
Category
Early 20th Century Taiwanese Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Iron
Early 20th Century English Folk Art Jigger Doll Mr Shoes
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 brilliantly shaped shoes, moustache and top hat. Stood on a wire stand...
Category
1920s British Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Pine
Pair Of Early 20th Century Folk Art Decoy Ducks
Located in Hastings, GB
Great pair of circa 1910-1920 folk art decoy ducks, hand crafted in cork and wood, each with an old iron bracket to the base, probably used to pull them along in the water. Each of t...
Category
1910s English Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood, Cork
Antique Hubley Cast Iron Parrot Doorstop – Original Hand-Painted Finish
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This rare antique Hubley cast iron parrot doorstop is a stunning example of early 20th-century craftsmanship. Featuring a beautifully sculpted...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Metal
Early 20th Century American Oil Painting of River Landscape by Athol Ewing
Located in Fort Collins, CO
Bright and beautifully painted spring scene, depicting river flowing through trees with a farm in the background. A windmill can be seen in the background. By early American artist A...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Paint
1930
s Southwestern-Style Eye Dazzler Kilim Rug
Located in Dallas, TX
77872 Vintage Eye Dazzler Southwestern style Kilim Rug, 02'07 x 02'09. This handwoven wool vintage Eye Dazzler Southwestern style Kilim exemplifies the captivating vibrancy and intri...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wool
1930
s Southwestern-Style Crystal Kilim Rug
Located in Dallas, TX
77776 Vintage Crystal Southwestern style Kilim Rug, 02'02 x 03'01. This vintage Crystal Southwestern style Kilim rug, meticulously handwoven in wool, captures the unique blend of tra...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wool
$2,127 Sale Price
33% Off
Superb Antique Folk Art Parquetry Casket Styled Writing Box or Lap Desk
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This exquisite antique parquetry writing box or lap desk is unsigned, but presumed to have been made in Canada in approximately 1900 in a Folk Art style. The box itself, including th...
Category
Early 20th Century Canadian Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Softwood
French Tramp Art Carved Wood Wall Mirror, 1920s
Located in Chicago, IL
A French Tramp Art wall mirror from the early 20th century, hand-carved in relief with layered floral rosettes and foliate bands. The frame is constructed from dark-stained wood, its...
Category
1920s French Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Mirror, Wood
Classic Maine Eider Drake Decoy, circa 1920s
Located in Nantucket, MA
Classic antique Maine Eider Drake Decoy, circa 1920s, with head tucked back in contented posture. Decoy is in well worn original paint with touch-ups to the black areas. The neck has obvious very old crack but is strong and stable. The great painted surface is dry and weathered. Looks and is a true down east "Old Salt...
Category
1920s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wood
Early 20th Century, Handmade Persian Senneh Kilim Accent Rug
Located in New York, NY
An antique Persian Senneh Kilim flatweave accent rug handmade during the early 20th century.
Measures: 3' 11" x 6' 1".
Category
Early 20th Century Persian Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wool
Early-20th Century Boul Club Sign
Located in London, GB
Early-20th Century Boul Club Sign
A complete one off, in the form of a hand carved / painted oversized Boul club advertising sign dated 1922. Completely u...
Category
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Pine
English Jigger Doll
Located in London, GB
English Jigger Doll
We are proud to offer an early 20th century hand carved folk art English jigger doll example. Carved from pine and joined with brass supports. Jig dolls are traditional wooden or tin-plate ‘toys’ for adults or children. Obtained from a private collection in London and untouched in form with all its original featured intact. They are dolls with loose limbs that step dance...
Category
1920s British Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Pine
$1,706
Rare Antique Wooden Child
s Ride on Wooden Toy Boat by Nautilus Toy Co. London
Located in Buffalo, NY
Rare antique wooden child's ride on wooden toy boat by Nautilus Toy Co. London wonderful Folk Art object. 1920s ride on toy made by the Nautilus Toy Compan...
Category
1920s English Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Metal
Early 20th Century Fairground Roulette Wheel
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century Fairground Roulette Wheel
French in its origin, this early 20th century hand crafted pine roulette wheel is in full working order. With its original metal wheel ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Pine
Antique American Hooked Rug
Located in New York, NY
Early 20th Century American Hooked Rug 4'2" x 6'10"
Category
1910s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Wool
Danish Cabinetmaker Spindle Chairs in Solid Stained Elmwood, Early 20th Century
Located in Odense, DK
Set of 4 charming folk art style spindle back chairs made in Denmark in the early 20th century by a cabinetmaker. The chairs are made from solid stained elmwood with an amazing grain...
Category
Early 20th Century Danish Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Elm
Tall Teak Wood Asian Folk Art Sculpture of Elderly Man
Located in Evergreen, CO
Carved from a substantial piece of teak, this masterpiece is nearly 3 and a half feet tall. It features an elderly, bearded man carrying a bowl of food, possibly noodles, with two ma...
Category
Early 20th Century Asian Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Teak
Handcrafted Antique Tinned Copper Metal Betel Box, India
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Beautiful handcrafted antique tinned copper decorative octagonal betel box with with lid, handle and brass latch.
The metal is delicately and int...
Category
Early 20th Century Indian Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Brass, Copper, Tin
Antique American Folk Art Tramp Art Carved Box
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique American Folk Art Tramp Art Carved Box, probably Late 19th/Early 20th Century. A decorative box ornamented with layers of classic Tramp Art chip carved borders enclosing velvet ground panels centered by elongated star...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Velvet, Wood
Mexican Original Painted Wedding Chest
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fine hand crafted & painted Mexican wedding trunk is in fine condition.Notice all the brass trim & brass nail heads or tacks are all origina...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Metal
$1,508 Sale Price
20% Off
Early 20th Century Pharmacy Sign
DRUGS
Painted on a Single Board
Located in Nantucket, MA
American folk art trade sign from an apothecary or pharmacy with the word 'DRUGS' in black paint with white shadow lines on an orange ground. Painted on a single pine plank with notc...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Pine, Paint
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Shellwork Table
Located in Milford, NH
A wonderful folk art rectangular shellwork table featuring a top with foliate polychrome sand design around shells under glass, with the entire surface of the sides and legs covered with small seashells set...
Category
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Furniture
Materials
Shell, Glass, Wood
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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