Folk Art Seating
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
19th Century Scandinavian Folk Art Child’s Chair, circa 1820
Located in Valby, 84
A rare and beautifully primitive Scandinavian child’s chair, hand-carved from solid wood with incredible patina and wear from centuries of use. The chair’s naive yet sculptural form ...
Category
1820s Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
Pair of French Folk Art Chairs C1930
Located in Trensacq, FR
Fabulous pair of wooden Folk Art chairs from France C1930. Unusual pine seating with curved planks on the back and legs giving off an almost 'Art Deco' vibe. This versatile duo will...
Category
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Seating
Materials
Metal
Antique Yew Wood Windsor Chair. English, Early 19th Century
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Superb piece of country furniture.
Delightful colour
Mainly yew wood. Elm seat and legs
Crinoline stretcher
Very honest piece.
Totally original patina
2 old repairs shown in t...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Elm, Yew
Antique Unusual Swedish Folk Art Chair with Antique Hand Carved Graffiti
Located in Kramfors, SE
Unusual Swedish folk art chair. Rustic and made by hand in solid pine, around the mid 1800s in northern Sweden. The chair has never been painted but is covered in 19th century grafit...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
Göran Malmvall Classic Swedish pine chairs set of 7
Located in Forest, BE
Set of 7 (price for each) classic, minimal and elegant lightweight comfortable pinewood chairs from Sweden around 1950. These are massive pine that shows a nice warm colour. They wer...
Category
1950s Swedish Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Hardwood, Pine
Antique Swedish Folk Art Bench, Rare Primitive Folk Art Furniture
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique folk art bench from Sweden made around 1820. The bench is made by hand in solid pine and has never been painted. Rare primitive folk art furniture. Unusually curved, rococo l...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
German Sheep Stool by Hans Peter Krafft for Meier 1970s
By Hans Peter Krafft
Located in Lisboa, PT
A rare and highly collectible life-sized German Sheep Stool, designed by Hans Peter Krafft and produced by Meier in the 1980s. This remarkable piece perfe...
Category
1970s German Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Leather, Wool, Birch
Rustic Antique Swedish Folk Art Pine Bench or Sofa with Birch Faux Paint
Located in Kramfors, SE
Rustic antique Swedish bench in folk art from northern Sweden. The bench is made around 1820 by hand with a frame in solid pine. Original seat ...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
Pair of French Wooden Tripod Stools C1950
Located in Trensacq, FR
Pair of French tripod stools c1950
A good pair of wooden Basque-style wood tripod stools from midcentury France. These versatile handcrafted three-legged tabouret stools, can also b...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
Hand Carved Dog Bench by Stephen Huneck
Located in Chicago, IL
Stephen Huneck, a renowned American folk artist, left behind a legacy of creativity and craftsmanship that continues to inspire today. This hand-carved wood dog bench...
Category
1990s American Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
Yoruba Royal Beaded Chair Made in West Africa
By Yoruba Tribe
Located in London, GB
Yoruba Royal Beaded Chair, West Africa
A traditional Yoruba royal beaded chair, handcrafted in West Africa. These chairs were historically made for Yoruba kings and high-ranking ind...
Category
Late 20th Century Sahrawi Folk Art Seating
Materials
Fabric, Wood, Beads
Sculptural 19th Century Horn Chair with Footstool
Located in Chicago, IL
A sculptural armchair and matching footstool from the late 19th century, artfully assembled from the curving forms of American cattle horns. At once delicate and dramatic, the chair ...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Horn, Wool, Wood
Pair of Folk Side Chairs, Swiss Alp, Escabelle
Located in Sherborne, GB
A pair of delightful Swiss escabelle, folk art simple side chairs that are from a long tradition in Northern and Eastern Europe. This pair are not exactly the same, but have the same...
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Oak
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 Seating
Materials
Walnut
Handwoven Tule Lounge Chair Made in Mexico from LUTECA
Located in New York, NY
From a craft object to relevant design, these special pieces that are made in Mexico, were created to add warmth and texture to your interior. Intended for indoor or covered outdoor use, they are a reminder of the incredible workmanship and know-how passed down through generations and generations, dating back as far as the Mayans. As well as fostering and adapting historical values and crafts, some of which are now almost extinct, the project is a cultural endeavor that combines the highest quality weaving skills of local master craftsmen with the preservation of endangered manufacturing technique that supports an entire village eco-system. In stock. Ships from Mexico...
Category
2010s Mexican Folk Art Seating
Materials
Seagrass
Classic Swedish pine chairs set of 4 in solid pinewood Early 1900
Located in Forest, BE
Set of 4 classic, minimal and elegant lightweight comfortable pinewood chairs from Sweden around 1900. These are massive pine that shows a nice warm patina. We did not touch anything...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Folk Art Seating
Materials
Hardwood, Pine
Primitive Handcrafted Organic Highback Naga Chair in Solid Teak, Wabi Sabi Style
Located in Odense, DK
One of a kind charming authentic primitive stump chair made in a single solid hardwood. Hand carved by the Naga tribe in India, ca 1970s.
A nice wabi...
Category
Mid-20th Century Indian Folk Art Seating
Materials
Hardwood, Teak
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 Seating
Materials
Walnut
Woven Tule 'Icpalli' Bench made in Mexico from LUTECA
Located in New York, NY
From a craft object to relevant design, these special pieces, made in Mexico, were created to add warmth and texture to your interior. Intended for indo...
Category
2010s Mexican Folk Art Seating
Materials
Seagrass
Beautiful Folk Art Wood Carved Chair Foot Rest Stool, Vintage German 1920s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
An interesting brutalist stool with hand carved legs, seat and great patina. Great piece of functional sculpture. It is in great vintage condition and is structurally sound. Nice add...
Category
1920s German Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
Painted Pine Storage Bench or Settle
Located in Baltimore, MD
This massive pine double storage bench has a long straight back rail with an applied crest about five inches high. The back rails and stiles frame two short flat panels, a pattern re...
Category
Early 20th Century Hungarian Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
Charming Antique Primitive Folk Art Chairs, from Northern Sweden Made in Pine
Located in Kramfors, SE
Charming antique primitive chairs in folk art made in northern Sweden. Made by hand in solid pine around the year 1800 which makes them around 220 years old. Original paint which has...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
Antique Finnish Folk Art Rustic Pine Chair
Located in Karis, Nyland
Finnish folk art chair made during the late 1800s. The chair is hand-crafted from pine with beautifully sculptured seat and backrest. The legs, seat and vertical backrest have a intr...
Category
Late 19th Century Finnish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
A Set of 6 BRUTALIST Handcrafted RUSTIC MID-CENTURY-MODERN Chairs, France 1960
Located in PARIS, FR
A set of 6 surprising tripod chairs, Modernist, Brutalist, Folk Art, Tribal Art, sculpted in massive wood, with beautiful floral organic motifs, to be attributed, France 1950.
This ...
Category
1950s French Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
19th Century Swedish Folk Art “Allmoge” Chair in Pine, 1880’s
Located in Valby, 84
An authentic and beautifully aged Swedish “Allmoge” (Folk Art) chair, dating from circa 1880. Crafted in solid pine, this chair exemplifies the rustic simplicity and practical elegan...
Category
1880s Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
Vernacular Green-Painted Swedish Stool
Located in Houston, TX
Vernacular green-painted Swedish stool with back, dating to 19th century. True folk art piece constructed in pine circa 1860-1879. Green painted finish on upper part of chair is larg...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
Vintage Egyptian Camel Saddle Stool
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Egyptian, North Africa camel saddle shape stool.
Traditionally used to ride camels in the desert of Africa and the Middle East, this camel saddle...
Category
Mid-20th Century Egyptian Folk Art Seating
Materials
Brass
Spanish Rustic Wood Tripod Stool or Side Table
Located in Barcelona, ES
Folk Art Carved Wood Farmer Stool, Spain, 1930s-1940s.
From Catalonia, Spain this tripod stool show Primitive carvings on the legs and a nice top with fo...
Category
20th Century Spanish Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
Patinated Swedish Folk Art Side Chairs in Pinewood from 19th. Century
Located in Odense, DK
Charming patinated Swedish folk art chairs made in the 19th. century. All in pinewood and original paint. Great for a side chair or as a small table.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
Original Painted Bench with Storage, Sweden circa 1820-40
Located in Round Top, TX
This original hand painted Swedish pine bench displays a brick red/brown faux wood background and simple folk art motif along the front panel and back.
The bench seat opens/is remove...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Linen, Pine, Paint
Early 18th Century Swiss Pine Back Stool
Located in London, GB
A Swiss pine back stool with an open heart carving on the back panel.
Swiss, early 18th century
Dimensions: H 85 x W 40 x D 34.5 cm.
Category
Early 18th Century Swiss Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine, Wood
Pair of Mid-Century Modern Brutalist Sculptural Wood Tripod Chair, Spain Vintage
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A pair of interesting brutalist wood tripod chairs from Spain, with a trefoil motif adorning all the chair handles. The trefoil is a frequently occur...
Category
1970s Spanish Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
Original Hand Painted Pine Bench with Storage, Hungary circa 1920-40
Located in Round Top, TX
Original hand painted folk art pine bench displays traditional brown faux wood background and colorful floral motif.
Back has 3 decorative spindles, slightly curved armrests and hing...
Category
Early 20th Century Hungarian Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine, Paint
Vintage Folk Art Equipale Leather Ostrich Armchair Mexico 1970s
Located in Sakskøbing, DK
This unique Folk Art leather chair, crafted by Equipale in Mexico during the 1970s, features an exotic woven wooden frame covered in luxurious ostrich leather. Completely handmade, i...
Category
1970s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Ostrich Leather, Cedar
19th Century hand painted folk art corner seat
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century hand painted folk art corner seat circa 1880.
We are pleased to offer this rare traditional piece of hungarian furniture, hand painted in a blue/green and red colour sc...
Category
Late 19th Century Hungarian Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine, Paint
Swedish Stump Chair late 1700 century
Located in Farsta, SE
Exceptional Swedish Stump Chair ca 1650–1700
Crafted from driftwood sourced in Dalarna, Northern Sweden, this remarkable chair is made from a sing...
Category
1690s Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
Decorative Antique Sled, Wrought Iron with a Wood Seat, German 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This early 20th century sleigh from Germany is an excellent example of a child's toy or likely a display piece for your doll or teddy bear collection. The piece has a rustic looking ...
Category
Early 20th Century German Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
Mid 19th Century Swedish Antique Rustic Small Folk Art Sofa
Located in Boden, SE
A charming antique sofa from the mid-1800s. The sofa is from Boden Norrbotten, Northern Sweden It's petite and compact, perfect for smaller spaces.
The sofa has a foldable lid tha...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
Göran Malmvall Classic Swedish pine chairs set of 7
Located in Forest, BE
Set of 7 classic, minimal and elegant lightweight comfortable pinewood chairs from Sweden around 1950. These are massive pine that shows a nice warm colour. They were completely restored.
_________________________________________________________
Swedish art refers to the visual arts produced in Sweden or by Swedish artists. Sweden has existed as a country for over 1,000 years, and for times before this, as well as many subsequent periods, Swedish art is usually considered as part of the wider Nordic art of Scandinavia. It has, especially since about 1100, been strongly influenced by wider trends in European art. After World War II, the influence of the United States strengthened substantially. Due to generous art subsidies, contemporary Swedish art has a big production per capita...
Category
1950s Swedish Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Hardwood, Pine
Swedish Rustic Folk Art Primitive Chair
Located in Kramfors, SE
Rustic folk art chair from Northern Sweden. The chair is unique and hand-made into a primitive example of an antique chair. The pine has never been pa...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
Indoor-Outdoor Modern River Rock Masonry Tuffet Stool by Lland
By Rachel Shillander
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Masonry Tuffet stool is made from a common injection molded plastic child's stool, reimagined by cladding it in stone masonry. This piece represents the artist's personal appreciation for the physical characteristics, permanence, and labor-intensive construction of masonry.
The Masonry Tuffet Stool is made to order. Due to the means and methods of laying masonry and the natural variations in stone, no two items are exactly the same, but final piece will use the same white river rock. The dimensions of each piece vary within reason, therefore weight and size are approximate. Please specify felt or rubber feet.
Fabricated in 2019 by Rachel Shillander...
Category
2010s American Folk Art Seating
Materials
Stone
1970s Whimsical Textile Animals Green Colorful Serpentine Wingback Settee Sofa
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning and rare, wingback settee you could hope to find. Outstanding design is exhibited throughout. The beautiful sofa is statement pi...
Category
1970s European Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Textile, Upholstery, Wood, Paint
Pair of Vintage Faux Bois Benches
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of vintage faux bois benches from France circa 1950-1979. Sold together and priced $19,600 for the pair.
Dimensions on the two benches slightly vary:
1st bench: Height 37.5 in...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Folk Art Seating
Materials
Concrete
Tromp l'Œil Surrealist-Style Folk Art Settee Bench
Located in Round Top, TX
Surrealist-Style textile settee with a folk art frame in original green paint.
We've added a vintage textile in a rope print that gives it a one-of-a-kind look that we absolutely lo...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Seating
Materials
Textile, Wood
Mid 19th century rustic Swedish hand painted pine bench
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid 19th century rustic Swedish painted pine bench circa 1860.
Here we present a traditional Swedish bench, complete in it's original hand painted deep red and green colour scheme.
...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine, Paint
Vintage Moroccan Floor Pillow Seat Cushion Made from a Berber Old Rug
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Moroccan vintage floor pillow seat cushion made from a Tribal Berber rug.
Square shape with nice faded earth tone colors for the top and rich warm...
Category
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wool
Handmade Vintage Small Folk Art Carved and Painted Vanity Bench Stool
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
A vintage, handmade floral folk art vanity bench/stool. This wonderful little seat features a full wood construction, with stunning hand carved floral design side panels. Each side i...
Category
20th Century Unknown Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
Set of Four 19th C Original Painted Pennsylvania Plank Bottom Chairs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These chairs were found in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and are in very good and sturdy condition. Beautiful set of four mauve colored hand painted plank bottom chairs...
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Tulipwood
Swedish Folk Art 'Spinning-Chair' late 19th century
Located in Farsta, SE
Swedish Folk Art 'Spinning-Chair' late 19th century
This chair was partially made from old spinning wheel parts.
Made out of pine, featuring old repairs and a beautiful patina.
Hei...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
Beachcomber Spindle Back Chair in Walnut
Located in Los Angeles, CA
During the 18th century, a profound design movement took place in Wales. It was led by peasant-carpenters who, simply in an effort to create a practical seating option, produced one of the most elegant spindle back chairs of that time. It is known as the 'Welsh Stick Chair...
Category
2010s American Folk Art Seating
Materials
Oak, Walnut
Set of Ten wooden Tavern Chairs out of the Humbser Brewery Fürth Bavaria, 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A set consisting of 10 chairs out of the Humbser brewery in Fürth Bavaria. These chairs were used in the brewery restaurant's dining room for years. After the brewery closed, we were...
Category
1950s German Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
Handcrafted Folk Art Rustic Oak Dining Chair Set, France, 1940s
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Vintage Handcrafted Folk Art Rustic Oak Dining Chair set of 6. Made in France, 1940s period. Handmade handcrafted and carved solid oak const...
Category
1940s French Vintage Folk Art Seating
Materials
Oak
Near Pair of Antique Welsh Country Ladder back Chairs. C.1800
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Fabulous near pair of elm ladder back chairs
One is slightly taller than the other
Lovely original patina and colour
Great in a Folk Art interior
Sturdy construction
The measure...
Category
Early 1800s Welsh Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Elm
Set of Four 19th Century Primitive Swedish Folk Art Pine Chairs
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Rustic set of four 19th century primitive country Swedish hand-carved folk art farmhouse chairs crafted from pine. The set features a well-worn and weathered patina with a gracefully...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
early 20th Century Wabi Sabi 3 Leg Workshop Stool, German Folkart Around 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This early 20th century wabi sabi 3 leg workshop stool from Germany is an excellent example of this style. The piece has a square, rustic-looking seat made of wood and is supported b...
Category
Early 20th Century German Folk Art Seating
Materials
Wood
Danish Folk Art Armchair in Solid Oak & Gotland Sheepskin, Mid 19th Century
Located in Odense, DK
Step back in time and immerse yourself in the rich heritage of Denmark with this extraordinary Danish Folk Art armchair from the mid-19th century. Handcrafted with remarkable attenti...
Category
Late 20th Century Danish Folk Art Seating
Materials
Lambskin, Wool, Oak
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 Seating
Materials
Elm
Sculptural Swedish Kubbestol, Early 20th Century Folk Art Chair in Solid Wood
Located in Valby, 84
Beautiful Swedish kubbestol likely originating from the Dalarna region of Sweden, known for its rich folk art traditions and distinctive woodcraft, carved from a single solid tree tr...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Folk Art Seating
Materials
Pine
Folk Art seating for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique folk art seating 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 seating created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, folk art, tables and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, softwood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art seating made in a specific country, there are Europe, Scandinavia, and Sweden pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original seating, popular names associated with this style include Alix Coco, Berber Tribes of Morocco, Bobby Falwell, and Thomas Chippendale. 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 seating differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $251 and tops out at $89,500 while the average work can sell for $2,400.