Folk Art Decorative Objects
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
Wonderful Bronze Antelope Sculpture Signed Gorham Founders OGLM on Base
By Gorham CO.
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful patinated bronze of free standing antelope sculpture signed Gorham founders OGLM on rectangular base.
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Monumental Figurative Wire Iron Sculpture, Female Figure Titled "DOMINATRIX
Located in Buffalo, NY
Monumental figurative wire iron sculpture, female figure titled "DOMINATRIX, amazing skilled artist, great sense of the human female form. Hand delivery avail to New York City or any...
Category
1970s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Iron, Wrought Iron
Vintage Folk Art Bob Dylan Bust
Located in Charleston, SC
This fantastic sculpture of Bob Dylan is made of plaster and finished in a verdigris patina and is gold leafed. Acquired from an Augusta estate, where there was a plethora of Bob Dy...
Category
1970s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Gold Leaf
Swedish Folk Art Bulb Vase with Floral Motif by Maggie Wibom for Bo Fajans, 1930
By Bo Fajans
Located in Grythyttan, SE
Swedish Folk Art Bulb Vase with Purple and Mustard Yellow Glaze by Maggie Wibom for Bo Fajans, 1930
Bulb-shaped vase featuring a semi-transparent glaze adorned with minuscule purple ...
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Stoneware
Vintage Murano Hand Crafted Green and Blue Koru Representing a Fern Frond
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Vintage Murano Hand Crafted Green and Blue Koru
Representing a Fern Frond uncurling the Koru is a representation of the New beginning
The piece is 7” tall, 4.5” wide and 1.5” deep
F...
Category
1950s Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Art Glass
Mexican Burnished Clay Hand Oaxaca Sculpture Mixtec Ceramic with Red Face
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
This Mexican red ceramic clay hand sculpture is a piece by artist Manuel Reyes. Made with clay from Oaxaca and Zacatecas, painted with oxides from the reg...
Category
2010s Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic, Clay
Jim Rose - Construct No. 05, Salvaged Steel and Aluminum Industrial Objects
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
Jim Rose, known primarily for his steel furniture, was an avid collector and scoured salvage yards for unique, interesting items. Here he has welded together various metal pieces to...
Category
2010s American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal, Steel
Large Italian Giltwood Ornamental Corona Crown, Late 19th Century
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Italian Architectural Element Giltwood 19th Century Carved Corona Crown
Large gilt-wood element, featuring decorative acanthus leaves, carving around the...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Giltwood
Found and Salvaged Steel Industrial Objects on Wooden Base
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
Jim Rose, known primarily for his steel furniture, was an avid collector and scoured salvage yards for unique, interesting items. Here, a beautifully rusted tobacco box, a steel egg...
Category
2010s American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal, Steel
Moroccan Decorative Horse Sculpture Handbuilt and Handpainted by Potter Houda
Located in Marseille, FR
- Hand built decorative horse sculpture
- made of clay collected from the potter's surroundings.
- decorative motifs painted with a goat hair brush made by the potter to apply natu...
Category
2010s Moroccan Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Clay, Earthenware
Moroccan Decorative Cat Sculpture Handbuilt and Handpainted by Potter Houda
Located in Marseille, FR
- Hand built decorative cat sculpture
- made of clay collected from the potter's surroundings.
- decorative motifs painted with a goat hair brush made...
Category
2010s Moroccan Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Clay, Earthenware
Eight Curlews by Guy Taplin
Located in Maidstone, GB
An original piece of English folk-art sculpture by the acclaimed British sculptor Guy Taplin (b. 1939). Eight individual wooden birds carved and painted, th...
Category
1990s British Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Driftwood
French 19th Century Folk Art Leather Box
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful weathered Folk Art box made out of wood and covered with leather. Working lock and key.
France, circa 1850
Weathered, small losses.
Category
19th Century French Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Leather, Wood
Jim Rose Barn House Structure, Welded Steel Sculpture Made with Salvaged Steel
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
This is a welded steel sculpture made by furniture creator Jim Rose. It is sustainable design created from salvaged and recycled steel panels left over from his larger projects. These sculptures reference traditional American Folk Art barn...
Category
2010s American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Steel
Large French 19th Century Hand Carved Wooden Fragment of a Marionette
Located in Buisson, FR
Very nice handcarved fragment of a marionette.
France, circa 1850. Weathered, small losses and old repairs
Measurement include the wooden base.
Category
19th Century French Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Textile, Wood
Wrought Iron Rooster Candlestick Holder Horshoe Folk Art
Located in Vancouver, BC
For those brave enough to forge a life of light. The rooster lights the day at the crack of dawn to make claims to the work yet to be done.
Out from the horseshoe sprouts this lovi...
Category
1940s Swedish Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wrought Iron
Pair of 19th century folk art stoneware ceramic bottles realised in La Borne
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
La Borne - France
Realised circa 1850
Pair of 19th century stoneware ceramic bottles
unique pieces
Original good condition
number one
height 25 cm
large 12 cm
number two
heigh...
Category
19th Century French Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
Rare Antique Children Carousel Zebra, Germany 1920s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Rare Antique Children Carousel Zebra, Germany 1920s
Item e7300
A wooden carved children's carousel zebra with multicolored painting, made in Germany around 1910. Unrestored original ...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
20th Century Terracotta Bust of an old Gentleman, Germany 1936
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This is an impressive bust formed with terracotta of an old man. This beautiful sculpture is hand formed, 20th century. Signed by Artist and dated 1936. It makes a nice addition to a...
Category
Late 20th Century German Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Terracotta
19th Century Devil Letter Opener
Located in Oakland, CA
19th Century cast bronze devil letter opener, having a rich patina to the bronze with the Devil's face near the base of the handle, an unusual item.
Category
1890s American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Quirky 20th Century American Pewter Corncob Candelabra
Located in Chicago, IL
This mid-20th-century American solid pewter corncob candelabra with four brass arms is a marvel of quirky design. Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, it stands as a testamen...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass, Pewter
Large Figurative African Mangbetu Anthropomorphic Vessel / Jar
Located in Studio City, CA
This is a fantastic piece likely made by the Mangetu tribe of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is finely detailed and quite large and hefty. These pieces were originally made...
Category
20th Century Congolese Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Terracotta
Set of Three Vintage Portuguese Tulipiere
Located in Chicago, IL
Transport yourself to the vibrant landscapes of Portugal with this captivating set of three vintage 20th century Portuguese blue and white gl...
Category
20th Century Portuguese Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Terracotta
Vintage Tin Box Cookie Jar Belsnickle Santa Claus Vintage Germany, 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This beautiful decorative Christmas Tin Box with Santa or Belsnickle Picture is a true treasure. It was made in Germany, around 1930s. These are very hard to get. A real enrichment f...
Category
1930s German Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Tin
Antique Children Carousel Lama Sculpture, Germany late 19th Century
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Children Carousel Lama Sculpture, Germany late 19th Century
Item e7296
A wooden carved children's carousel lama statur decorated with polychrome painting, made in Germany aro...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Rare Antique Children Carousel Pig, Germany ca. 1920s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Rare Antique Children Carousel Pig, Germany ca. 1920s
Item e7291
A wooden carved children's carousel pig with polychrome painting, made in Germany around 1920. Original unrestored co...
Category
Early 20th Century German Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Ken Edwards Signed Tonala Mexico Art Pottery Ewer Bud Vase with Bird
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage ceramic bud vase in shape of ewer was hand made by Ken Edwards in traditions of Tonala pottery. It is decorated with bird and abstract flowers design in blue, green, and bro...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
18th Century European Painted Bentwood Box
Located in Newark, GB
A lovely piece of Continental European folk art, this oval bentwood box has been painted with a landscape scene showing a huntsman with a rifle aiming at a stag or deer from behind a...
Category
18th Century European Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Bentwood
Vintage French Wicker Laundry Basket with Lid This is an excellent example and
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Vintage French Wicker Laundry Basket with Lid
This is an excellent example and in remarkably good condition, this strong basket is divide...
Category
1920s Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wicker
Paperweight with Seashore Theme Handmade with Real Sea Shells & Crab, circa 1970
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a beautiful handmade English acrylic paperweight having a seashore theme with real items and dating to the 20th century, circa 1970.
This paperweight is handmade of real i...
Category
20th Century English Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Acrylic
Old Decorative African Wabi Sabi Wooden Hand Carved Mortar Bowl, Early 1900s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Old and decorative hand carved wooden bowl / mortar produced in Africa early 1900s. In good original condition.
Dimensions: H: 40 cm / 15.75" Diameter: 34 cm / 13.40"
Category
1920s Ethiopian Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Hand Carved Folk Art Willow Wood Angel Figurative Sculpture Poland C.1950
Located in London, GB
Hand Carved Folk Art Willow Wood Angel
Poland C.1950
Willow votive figurine in the form of an angel. Hand painted.
Rustic folk art for a touch of whimsy.
In very good condition co...
Category
Mid-20th Century Polish Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Willow
Italian 16th century Hand Carved Wooden Lion
Located in Buisson, FR
Unique period piece. Extremely rare 16th century Italian hand carved lion. Most likely once part of a piece of furniture. Beautifully carved in a simple folk art way with traces of i...
Category
16th Century Italian Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Early 20th Century Leather Sculpture of a Horse
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
An Early 20th Century animal figurative sculpture of a rising horse in leather and papier-maché. This decorative equine figure is standing with the help of its tail. There is quite a...
Category
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Leather
19th Century Folk Art Wood Black Painted Box
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Folk Art Wood Black Painted Box, Mid to late 19th Century.
Charming handcrafted black painted box with unbeatable patina. The interior features off white paint and there is a bras...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Ceramic Square Bottle Vase with Naive-Style Motifs in Brown Glaze
Located in Grythyttan, SE
Exuding a distinctive charm, this square-shaped bottle vase features rounded corners and is adorned with captivating painted motifs in brown, beige, and black glazes. The vase's brow...
Category
Late 20th Century Swedish Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Earthenware
Swedish Hand-Carved 19th Century Wooden Folk Art Wabi Sabi Bowl in Pine
Located in Örebro, SE
This is a beautiful Swedish hand-carfted, carved 19th century wooden bowl in Wabi Sabi style.
It comes made in an oblong piece of pine, perhaps a thin trunk but more likely a thick ...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
Antique Adjustable Dressmaker Skinny Mannequin , Austria, 1890s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A great looking originally used by Austrian tailors and dressmakers for draping, alterations, and creating the latest fashion, this vintage dressmaker mannequin is also a great piece...
Category
1890s Austrian Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Vintage Medium Black Olive Pot
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Vintage Medium Black Olive Pot
Discover the timeless charm of our Vintage Medium Black Olive Pot, a testament to the beauty of rustic elegance. Crafted with meticulous attention to ...
Category
19th Century European Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic, Terracotta
Swedish Hand-Krafted Turned 19th Century Wooden Folk Art Wooden Bowl in Pine
Located in Örebro, SE
This is a beautiful Swedish hand-carfted 19th century wooden bowl in Wabi Sabi style.
It comes made in pine with lovely patina reflecting its age and use.
It has a few decorative lo...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
Swedish Hand-Krafted Turned 19th Century Wooden Folk Art Wooden Bowl in Pine
Located in Örebro, SE
This is a very beautiful Swedish hand-carfted 19th century wooden bowl in Wabi Sabi style.
It comes made in pine with lovely patina reflecting its age and frequent use.
It has a few...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
Antique Adjustable Dressmaker Curvy Mannequin , Austria, 1890s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A great looking originally used by Austrian tailors and dressmakers for draping, alterations, and creating the latest fashion, this vintage dressmaker mannequin is also a great piece...
Category
1890s Austrian Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Folk Art Boot and Shoe Cleaning Box with Foot Shaped Shoe Rest
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Folk Art Boot and Shoe Cleaning Box with Foot Shaped Shoe Rest
A handy and attractive little piece, the handle of the polish box doubles up as a rest to put the foot on to polish t...
Category
1960s Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
Brass Sculpture of Monkey Holding Business Card Holder, Late 19th Century
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Late 19th Century Brass Sculpture of Monkey Holding Business Card Holder
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Earthenware Hungarian Pottery, circa 1900s
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Earthenware Hungarian Pottery, circa 1900s
Discover the enchanting charm of this antique Hungarian Folk Art pottery, a genuine earthenware treasure that promises to infuse your spac...
Category
Early 20th Century Hungarian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Earthenware
Vintage Small Black Olive Pot
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Vintage Small Black Olive Pot - 19th Century
Discover the timeless charm of our Vintage Small Black Olive Pot, a testament to the beauty of rustic elegance. Crafted with meticulou...
Category
19th Century European Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
Folk Art Antique Carved Walnut Statue of Abraham Lincoln Circa 1880s Era
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a very large, larger than life, folk art or primitive carved statue of Abraham Lincoln. The piece looks like it was made by a naive artist and was from a northern New Jersey ...
Category
1880s American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Walnut
Small mid 19th century Swedish painted pine strong box
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Small mid 19th century swedish painted pine strong box circa 1842.
Beautiful small scandinavian strong box, presented with scraped back paint to reveal original. Feintly still bari...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine, Paint
Pair of 19th Century Tole Painted Gilt and Green Pawfoot Jardinieres
Located in Chicago, IL
Pair of 19th century tole painted ("Tôle Peinte") gilt and green pawfoot jardinieres. Composed entirely of metal, the square bases are painted to look like red marble.
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
Vintage Swiss Made Comtoise Pocket Watch with Hunters Motives
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Swiss Made Comtoise Pocket Watch with Hunters Motives
A very nice vintage pocket watch manufactured by ARSA (Auguste Reymond S. A.), Switzerland. The case is made of metal a...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
Antique Unusually Large Wooden Bowl, Swedish Handmade with Original Hardware
Located in Kramfors, SE
Unusually large wooden bowl from northern Sweden. The bowl is an antique from the early 1800s, made by hand and completely unique. It has original hardware and handles in iron. Attra...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
Small Scandinavian 19th century original painted sarcophagus box
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Small 19th century original painted sarcophagus box circa 1870.
Beautiful decorative box with original paint. Sarcophagus shaped lidded box in original paint with traces of origin...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine, Paint
Antique Wood Animal Horse Sculpture, Northern Swedish Folk Art Original Paint
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique wooden horse sculpture from northern Sweden. The horse is from around 1850 and has a body in pine with original paint. The sculpture is made by hand and a one of a kind piece...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
Vintage Brass Tennis Racket Clip 1980s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Brass Tennis Racket Clip 1980s.
A vintage paper clip holder featuring a brass tennis racket.
Brass Tennis Racket Paper Holder Clip, Desk an...
Category
Late 20th Century French Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Royal Doulton Porcelain Figurine “Omar Khayyam” Persian Scholar 1964
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Royal Doulton “Omar Khayyam” Persian Scholar 1964 Decorative Porcelain Figurine.
Made in England, by Royal Doulton England. finely painted porcelain figure collectable, high ...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
1950s Wooden Fireman Sculpture
By Hennecke
Located in Antwerp, BE
1950s wooden fireman sculpture or fire-fighter sculpture.
This original old fireman was made for Hennecke, a German company who is known for wooden carnival sculptures.
The fireman sculptures were used on the fire truck of the merry-go-round, fairground - funfair.
Not many of these original wooden fireman sculptures still exists and are mostly stuck in private collections of fairground sculptures and carnival art.
It's also a great sculpture for a fireman or a former fireman.
Would look great in a collection of fireman collectibles between old and antique fire helmets, antique and vintage fire extinguishers, fireman statues...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Vintage Deruta Italian Hand Painted Majolica Sun Face Cache Pot Jardinière 18"
By Deruta
Located in Dayton, OH
A beautiful 20th century jardiniere by Deruta pottery. Features a polychrome finish with elegant scrolling folitate motifs. The planter has three figural sunfaces along the exterior....
Category
20th Century Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Majolica
Early 20th Century Ceramic Fruit Bowl
Located in Lučenec, SK
This is a beautiful ceramic glazed fruit bowl. The space around the figures was carved out by hand..
Category
1910s Belgian Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
Folk Art decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique folk art decorative objects 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 decorative objects created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, folk art, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art decorative objects 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 decorative objects, popular names associated with this style include Mosche Bianche, Jim Rose, Berber Tribes of Morocco, and Tonala Pottery. 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 decorative objects differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $38 and tops out at $225,000 while the average work can sell for $1,105.
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