Skip to main content

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.

to
809
3,622
2,132
5,949
178
116
198,455
115,315
44,185
33,265
16,576
12,237
10,867
10,832
9,981
8,923
7,348
6,665
6,489
6,391
6,243
6,159
4,910
3,745
232
1,788
3,929
294
1,180
1,540
680
153
91
203
249
149
206
190
207
86
63
2,852
1,487
1,150
826
670
2,379
2,022
1,694
854
673
6,243
6,167
6,196
121
25
19
18
18
Style: Folk Art
Antique Danish Mangle Board Love Token with Horse from 1754.
Located in Asaa, DK
Antique Danish Mangle Board Love Token with Horse from 1754. Made in Denmark. Danish folk art board with a black horse as a handle for mangling, dated 1754. These wooden boards wer...
Category

Mid-18th Century Danish Antique 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 but a bag made from cotton fabric to accommodate insert m...
Category

Mid-20th Century Turkish Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Cotton

C.1880 American Folk Art Top Hat Hatmaker’s Trade Sign
Located in Briarcliff Manor, NY
A hard-to-find and charming sheet iron hatmaker’s,trade sign from the mid to late 19th century. The sculptural curves of the brim and the hat itself are engaging and amusing. This...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Iron

19Thc Original Cream Painted Quilt Rack
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This 19thc Original cream painted quilt rack is in fine sturdy condition.Found in Pennsylvania.
Category

1890s American Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Rare Set of Six Mercury Glass Cotton Christmas Ornament Vintage, 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A rare Christmas ornament set from Germany or Austria. Each is made from mouth blown glass, one of pressed cotton, this would be a great addition for your Christmas or feather tree. ...
Category

1910s German Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wire

Massive Vintage Cotton Elephant Covered in Indian Textiles
Located in Houston, TX
Massive vintage cotton elephant, covered in Indian textiles, retailed in the 1950s by Harrods. Exterior decorated in embroidered designs, tassels, tiny mirrors...
Category

1950s English Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wire

Zabihi Collection Horse Pictorial Persian Wall Kilim
Located in New York, NY
Accent size Persian Kilim from the late 20th century with what looks like a colorful horse surrounded by small trees on a dark ground color Measures: 4'3'' x 7'2''. This was origin...
Category

Late 20th Century Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool

“40 Acres and a Mule” Satirical Folk Art Painting, American School, 19th C.
Located in Atlanta, GA
“40 Acres and a Mule” Satirical Folk Art Painting, American School, Late 19th Century Oil on Canvas, laid to stiff board. Measures: 22.875" w x 19.125" h A compelling and historic...
Category

19th Century American Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Canvas, Giltwood, Paint

A vintage kinetic balance object of a small rowboat/Vintage iron balance toy
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This unique iron balancer appears to have been manufactured overseas. It depicts a man wearing a hat paddling a small boat. This delicately balanced piece sways back and forth thanks...
Category

Late 20th Century Dutch Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Iron

Exceptional 1750 Red and Blu Painted Blanket Chest, Central Europe
Located in Vo , Veneto
Small Antique painted blancket chest Measures: H. 31cm - L. 72cm - P. 45cm Rare small chest in painted fir wood. The decorations are geometric, of an intense blue color, with ...
Category

Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Fir

Zabihi Collection Light Blue Animal Persian Qum Room Size Rug
Located in New York, NY
early 20th century Persian Tabriz Pictorial rug in predominant light blue featuring a flurry of small animals floating in field and border. Measures: 7'4" x 11'1".
Category

Early 20th Century Persian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool

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

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

Late 19th Century Bulgarian Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Silk

Zabihi Collection Vintage Moroccan Animal Flat-Weave Kilim
Located in New York, NY
a mid 20th century Folk art Animal motif Moroccan Kilim 2' x 4' ~ item j4719
Category

Mid-20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool

Antique Satyr Figural Cigar Cutter, silvered Metal, Austria, 1910s or earlier
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Early Silvered Metal Satyr Cigar Cutter, Austria, circa 1910 or Earlier A rare and finely detailed cigar cutter in silvered metal, crafted in the early 1910s or possibly earlier. Th...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Metal, Silver Plate

Pine Trunk or Blanket Chest in Decorative Paint
Located in Baltimore, MD
We love these extra long blanket chests. Placed against the wall it has as many uses as the variety of things you can put in it, or it can make a p...
Category

Late 19th Century Hungarian Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pine

1940s Burmese Lacquered Red Tray Large Size Bamboo Thai Stand
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Early 20th century large Burmese lacquered bamboo tray handcrafted red Thai lacquered rattan footed stand. This Thai features a drum shape circular tray top sitting above a body rhythmically accented with spindle motifs, the ensemble resting on a confirming plinth. Burmese (Myanmar) lacquer ware has a long tradition dating back to the 13th century. Lacquer in Burma is called “Thitsi” meaning the sap of a Thitsi Tree (Melanhorrea Usitata). Typically, bamboo and wood are used as a frame or base in making lacquer work. This table tray stand called a “Dang lan”. This stand is constructed with woven bamboo that is then applied with many layers of lacquer. Black lacquered frame covered with red lacquer. A large high quality handcrafted wooden elevated tray...
Category

Mid-20th Century Thai Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Rattan, Wood, Paper, Bamboo

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

Hand-Carved Folk Art Hand Sculpture, Rustic Wood, Circa 1960s, USA
Located in Round Top, TX
This unique, hand-carved wooden sculpture of a hand was created by a Colorado folk artist known for his rustic, heartfelt style. The piece showcases the warmth, character, and expres...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Metal

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

Framed Antique Silk and Cotton Ikat Fragment, 19th C.
Located in Istanbul, TR
First the fragment has been hand backed on a linen fabric, then stretched over a wooden stretcher and finished with a wooden frame. Late 19th C. Uzbekistan Ready to go on a wall. Fr...
Category

19th Century Uzbek Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Silk

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

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

1770s German Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pine, Paint

Zinc and Gold Horse Head Butchers Trade Sign Flemish 1860
Located in Hastings, GB
19th century Flemish gilt zinc horse head trade sign. This beautiful hand made sign was used by a Flemish butcher and dates to circa 1860. There are still remnants of the beautiful g...
Category

1860s Belgian Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Zinc

Original Folk Art Painted Side Table With Large Drawer, Hungary circa 1890
Located in Round Top, TX
This side table is both unique and charming, thanks to the original painted finish and the decoratively carved trestle "X" style base. Note the traditional folk art style of paint, w...
Category

Late 19th Century Hungarian Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pine, Paint

Japanese Aging Toy Soccer Ball/ Object / 1970-1990s / Wabi-sabi Mingei
Located in Iwate-gun Shizukuishi-cho, Iwate Prefecture
This is an old toy soccer ball. Over the years, the outer material has peeled off, exposing the inner material. The appearance, which has changed naturally over time, has a beauty th...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Other

BOTTLE OPENER 1910 Antique Figurative Painted Bottle Opener In Solid Cast Iron
Located in Miami, FL
Antique bar figurative cast iron bottle opener. This is an elusive antique bar bottle opener created in America during the turn of the 19th century, back in 1900 and 1910. Crafted i...
Category

1910s North American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Iron

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

Large Port Scene Painting of a View of Valletta Harbour, Malta
Located in Downingtown, PA
Large Port scene painting of a view of Valletta Harbour, Malta, Oil on canvas, Mid-19th century. The massive painting was made from the upper gardens...
Category

Mid-19th Century Maltese Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Paint

large Santa Claus Belsnickle Christmas Chocolate Mold Antique 1890s, German
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A gorgeous chocolate mold. Made of metal, not marked. Beautiful and ready to use or display, with nice patina. The 1890s to 1920s were the golden age of Chocolate production and cons...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Metal

large Santa Claus Belsnickel Papermache Candy Container German Christmas 1920s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Early 20th Century German Belsnickle / Santa Claus Candy Container, Paper Mâché Cardboard This beautiful German Belsnickle / Santa Claus candy container dates to the early 20t...
Category

1920s German Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Paper

Santa Claus Belsnickel Papermache Candy Container German Christmas 1920s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Early 20th Century German Belsnickle / Santa Claus Candy Container, Paper Mâché Cardboard This beautiful German Belsnickle / Santa Claus candy container dates to the early 20t...
Category

1920s German Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Paper

Santa Claus Belsnickel Papermache Candy Container German Christmas 1920s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Early 20th Century German Belsnickle / Santa Claus Candy Container, Paper Mâché, wood & Cardboard This beautiful German Belsnickle / Santa Claus candy container dates to the early 2...
Category

Early 20th Century German Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Paper

Joaquin Taller Tinta Ecuador Bird MCM Sculpture - 1960s
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Wear consistent with age and use. The artisan metalsmith crafted bird table sculptures, heavily influenced by South American historical design elements. Joaquin Taller Tinta Ecuador...
Category

20th Century Colombian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Metal

19th Century German Folk Art Bird Cage
Located in Hastings, GB
A charming late 19th century hand crafted primitive folk art bird cage, in the manner of a chateau, painstakingly detailed with hand painted r...
Category

1890s German Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Iron

Early Brown Navajo Weaving Pillows -Pair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic early 20thc Navajo Indian saddle blanket pillows with mohair backings.The inserts are down & feather fill.Sold as a pair.
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool

Ca. 1900 RUSTIC Hanging Cabinet, Scandinavian Country Style Farmhouse Cupboard
Located in Skien, NO
Primitive antique Arts and Crafts hanging cabinet, kitchen cabinet, key cabinet, small wall cupboard with stunning wood carving floral / dragon style pattern from the end of the 19th century / ca. 1900. Handcrafted / Handmade / Hand-Painted Victorian / National Romantic style / Arts and Crafts Style...
Category

Early 1900s European Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood, Birch

Early German Antique Wooden Painted Nutcracker By Ulbricht
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Classic German Nutcracker Figure from the 1930's. This nutcracker features a charming guy with a black top hat and a long nose similar to Pinocchio. ...
Category

Early 20th Century German Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

Antique Swedish Copper Cake Baking Mold Form
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Scandinavian early 19th Century copper cake baking mold pan featuring an intricate tiered design. In the past in Scandinavia there was an important cake b...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Copper

Original Painted Cast Iron Cow
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Early 20th century cast-iron original painted cow in very good condition. Nice patina to the paint & is in rare form.
Category

1930s American Vintage Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Iron

Original Painted Cast Iron Cow
Original Painted Cast Iron Cow
$556 Sale Price
20% Off
Framed Antique Eastern European Embroidery Fragment , Early 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. Early 20th Century. Bulgaria Ready to go on a wall...
Category

Early 20th Century Bulgarian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wool

Original Hand Painted Swedish Cabinet dated 1798
Located in Round Top, TX
Painted cabinets were a traditional element of Swedish country homes, this one is particularly lovely as it still maintains the original hand-painted finish with floral bouquet and f...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

19th century Swedish hand painted dome top coffer
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century swedish hand painted dome top coffer circa 1824. Fine example of swedish traditional hand painted furniture made from oak. Dome shaped lid with original hinges.  Hand ...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Iron

Early 20th Century Double-Sided "Kings Head" Hand Painted Metal English Pub Sign
Located in Brooklyn, NY
English two-sided handmade and painted metal pub sign depicting a king of clubs with the text "Flowers" above and "Kings Head" below (ca. early 1900s, England). Identical imagery and...
Category

Early 20th Century English Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Metal

Antique Painted Folk Art Farmhouse Bridal Chest
Located in OOSTERHOUT, NL
Primitively decorated/painted bridal chest from Germany. This is a unique model with a domed lid and a soft pink color. The chest features beautiful painted panels with flowers. This...
Category

Early 19th Century German Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Pine, Paint

Antique American Wood Spool Table, Circa 1900
Located in Rochester, NY
Antique American wood spool table in the most beautifully aged original worn dry white painted surface. Measures 24" h x 24" w x 16" d and 15" h x 16" w x 12" d to floating half shel...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

French Tramp Art Mirror with Notched Wood Frame and Geometric Medallions, 1900s
Located in Atlanta, GA
A striking example of French Tramp Art craftsmanship from the turn of the 20th century, this circa 1900 mirror features a meticulously layered frame composed of carved and notched wo...
Category

Early 20th Century French Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Mirror, Wood

Vintage American Framed Oil on Canvas - Boy with a Toy Boat, Signed Trevor James
By Ammi Phillips
Located in Morristown, NJ
Vintage folk art style oil painting by Trevor James depicting a young boy holding a sailboat. The boy has a very sweet face and the stray curl of hair on his forehead further adds to...
Category

1990s American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Canvas, Wood, Paint

Flores Dome Pendant by Nani Goods in Red Clay Cobalt Glaze
Located in South Pasadena, CA
The Flores Dome Pendant draws inspiration from both Brutalist design and Mexican folk traditions, balancing sculptural strength with minimalist ornament. Hand-formed from red clay, t...
Category

2010s North American Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Ceramic, Stoneware

Folk Art Portrait Painting "Young Girl In a Red Dress", American, Circa 1825
Located in Incline Village, NV
Lovely full length portrait of a young girl in this folk art painting; oil on canvas mounted on board. She is posing wearing an attractive and colorful red dress while holding a flor...
Category

1820s American Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Canvas

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

Australian Indigenous Aboriginal Art Wandjina Spirit Figure Bark Painting
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderful, unique, and very engaging original indigenous Australian Aboriginal painting featuring a Wandjina figure. The painting is made with natural earth pigments which are han...
Category

20th Century Australian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

Professionally Framed Silk and Cotton Ikat Fragment, Uzbekistan, E 20th C.
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. Uzbekistan. Ready to go on a wall. Fram...
Category

Early 20th Century Uzbek Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Silk

Original Antique Print of a Racehorse, 1847
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of a racehorse presented in an antique oak frame Lithograph after George Stubbs with original hand color. Published, 1847. Free UK shipping
Category

1840s English Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Oak, Paper

Antique Wooden Mallet Wood Carver or Auctioneer Tool, Vienna, Austria, 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Antique Wooden Mallet, Early 1900s or Earlier – Vienna, Austria A beautifully aged wooden mallet, discovered at an estate sale in Vienna, Austr...
Category

Early 20th Century Austrian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood

Late 19th Century Carved Wooden Angel
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Impressive wood carved angel with amazing detail. Certainly the work of a master carver. Found among the entire contents of a Catholic Church in the Midwest which was said to have cl...
Category

19th Century American Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Gesso, Wood, Paint

Stone Carved Asian Buddhist Temple Sculpture Statue Head of Buddha, 19th Century
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderful hand carved stone-carved antique Southeast Asian Buddha head/bust temple/shrine sculpture, possibly from the Thai, Burma, Laos region but perhaps also Japan/China. The v...
Category

19th Century Asian Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Stone

Antique Dutch Dark Blue Glazed Ceramic Tiles
Located in Rijssen, NL
This is an amazing set of dark blue handmade tiles of a Dutch scenery of sailing ships. With 6 different stylized designs. These tiles would be charming displayed on easels, framed or incorporated into a custom tile design. Please note that the price is for a set of 6 tiles...
Category

20th Century Belgian Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Ceramic

Wall Mirror, Frame, Tramp Art, Folk Art, richly carved, 1870, Austria
Located in Wien, AT
A very richly decorated example of the famous tramp art frames of Austria, from the 1880s. The frame of the mirror is crafted in a layered construction, with extra raised shapes on t...
Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Softwood, Spruce

19th Century Decorative Painted wood Wall Shelf with Drawers
Located in London, GB
This 19th-century decorative wall shelf with drawers exemplifies the refined charm of period craftsmanship. Constructed from painted wood, it combines practicality with aesthetic app...
Category

19th Century Antique Folk Art Furniture

Materials

Wood, Paint

Folk Art furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique folk art furniture for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage furniture created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include folk art, decorative objects, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art furniture made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original furniture, popular names associated with this style include Berber Tribes of Morocco, Mosche Bianche, Jim Rose, and Nils Olsson. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for furniture differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $20 and tops out at $225,000 while the average work can sell for $1,252.

Still Thinking About These?

All Recently Viewed