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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
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

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...
Category

1890s Austrian Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

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

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

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

Swedish Folk Art Bulb Vase with Floral Motif by Maggie Wibom for Bo Fajans, 1930
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 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

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

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

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

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...
Category

1890s Austrian Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

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

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

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

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

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...
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

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

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

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

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

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

Found and Salvaged Steel House Structure, Modern and Minimalist Sculpture
Located in Chicago, IL
Jim Rose, known primarily for his steel furniture, was an avid collector and scoured salvage yards for unique and interesting items. Here, a collection of found steel is reworked, pr...
Category

2010s American Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal, Steel

English Windjammer Folk Art Plane, circa 1930
Located in London, GB
We are proud to offer an early 20th century Folk Art wooden hand painted red bi-plane from a windjammer. A wonderful self-taught engineering example demonstrating great proportions a...
Category

1930s British Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Wonderful Bronze Antelope Sculpture Signed Gorham Founders OGLM on Base
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

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

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

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 th...
Category

Early 20th Century Hungarian Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Earthenware

Vintage Hand Carved Nut Woodenware Catchall, 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Found in Austria at an estate sale, this hand carved nut catchall is perfect for the collector. Nice Mid Century collectible to display in your home. Made by Talarico about 1960s.
Category

1960s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Vintage Carved Wood and Poly Chrome Painted Figural Musical Clock Figurine
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This vintage hand carved and hand painted musical clock is unsigned, but presumed to have been made in or near Austria in circa 1950 in a Folk Art style. The carving depicts a male figure leaning against a post mounted Black Forest styled clock. The carving is quite detailed and well executed on all sides and has been hand painted in a realistic style. Both the clock and the music box are currently not working as both have been over-wound and would require servicing. The head of the carving should turn slightly left to right while the music box is playing, but in its current state it is unknown whether the mechanism functions and/or what tune the music box may play. In addition, there is currently no key for the clock, but these normally use a standard small music box...
Category

Mid-20th Century Austrian Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

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

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 gloss finish, marked on the bottom. This figurine was produced in England by Royal Doulton in 1964. The model number is HN2247. It was modeled by the artist N. Nicoll. Dimensions: 6.5 inches tall and 5.5 inches wide. Omar Khayyam was a famous Persian scholar who made contributions to mathematics, philosophy and astronomy. It would make a fine gift or a great addition to your collection. Maker Identification: He has a Royal Doulton crown and lion stamp on his under base identifying him as Royal Doulton Figurine...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

Early 20th Century American Cast Iron Eagle
Located in Chicago, IL
This early 20th century American cast iron Bald Eagle statue captures the majestic strength and spirit of this national symbol. With its wings fully ...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Iron

Vintage Deruta Italian Hand Painted Majolica Caffaggiolo Cachepot Jardinière 22"
Located in Dayton, OH
A beautiful 20th century Caffaggiolo jardiniere by Deruta pottery. Features a polychrome finish with elegant scrolling folitate motifs. The planter is handled with figural northwind ...
Category

20th Century Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Majolica

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 m...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Pine

Earthenware Hungarian Pottery Hand Painted, circa 1900's
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Earthenware Hungarian Pottery Hand Painted, circa 1900's Discover the timeless charm and artistry of this original hand-painted earthenware pottery, ...
Category

Early 20th Century Hungarian Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Earthenware

Vintage Deruta Italian Hand Painted Majolica Sun Face Cache Pot Jardinière 18"
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

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

Petite Indian Swivel Box
Located in Chicago, IL
This petite keepsake box with a swivel lid is crafted in the tradition of Indian bidri-ware, with a dark metal body decorated with simple silver inlay. Composed of a zinc and copper ...
Category

20th Century Indian Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal, Silver

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

Contemporary Artisan Oolitic Limestone Bowl
Located in Houston, TX
Contemporary artisan oolitic limestone bowl or basin from England.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Limestone

Earthenware Hungarian Pottery, circa 1900s
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Earthenware Hungarian Pottery, circa 1900s Step back in time and embrace the enchanting rustic elegance of the early 20th century, a treasure from th...
Category

Early 20th Century Hungarian Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Earthenware, Terracotta

Found and Salvaged Steel House Structure on a Reclaimed Steel Plate, Wooden Base
Located in Chicago, IL
Jim Rose, known primarily for his steel furniture, was an avid collector and scoured salvage yards for unique and interesting items. Here, a collection of found steel is reworked and...
Category

2010s American Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal, Steel

Handcrafted Antique Tinned Copper Metal Betel Box, India
Located in North Hollywood, 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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Tin, Copper, Brass

Found and Salvaged Steel House Structure on a Reclaimed Steel Base
Located in Chicago, IL
Jim Rose, known primarily for his steel furniture, was an avid collector and scoured salvage yards for unique and interesting items. Here, a collection of spare parts come together ...
Category

2010s American Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal, Steel

Soapstone Hand-Carved Bust of Brahma with Four Faces
Located in North Hollywood, CA
This bust is a beautiful representation of lord Brahma. Brahma is a part of the holy trinity of Hinduism along with Vishnu the Preserver and Shiva the destroyer. He is depicted in Hi...
Category

20th Century Thai Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Soapstone

Small Swedish Folk Art Painted Box
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A Swedish allmoge folk art painted little box with a combination lock most probably from the region of Dalarna in central Sweden. Hand carved and origi...
Category

1920s Swedish Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Pine

Vintage Folk Art Wood Sculpture of a Pig Running into a Tree by R. Harper 1991
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Folk Art Wood Sculpture of a Pig running into a Tree by R Harper 1991 This piece is a handcrafted wooden sculpture by artist R Harper signed and dated 4-91. This one of a kind flying pig sculpture is made of solid wood and had been hand-carved and hand painted by an artisan to create a stunning work of art. Colors are green and pink and brown. Dimensions: 11 x 11 x 5.5 inches. This sculpture is a statement piece, humoristic style wood farm sculpture...
Category

Late 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Indian Brass Betel Nut Box, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This ornate Indian betel nut box dates back to the early 20th century. Known in India as a paan daan, this box was used in the ritual of chewing betel nut or...
Category

Early 20th Century Indian Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass, Copper

Earthenware Hungarian Pottery, circa 1900s
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Earthenware Hungarian Pottery, circa 1900s This exquisite piece of European pottery, originating from Hungary, stands as a testament to the artistic ...
Category

Early 20th Century Hungarian Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Earthenware

Indian Etched Brass Vanity Box, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This Indian three-tier box was crafted in the early 20th century and originally used as a vanity chest or jewelry box. Etched with an elegant all-over floral motif, the brass box is swathed in a rich red pigment with a metallic sheen and dotted with pops of blue, white, and green on the blossoms. Like an accordion sewing box...
Category

Early 20th Century Indian Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Tramp Art Box, Large Scale and Unusual Form. Circa 1900
Located in Stamford, CT
Large scale tramp art box of unusual form. At 2 feet wide quite impressive in scale and equally impressive in the ambition of the craftsman who created it. The geometry of the psuedo...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Earthenware Hungarian Pottery, circa 1900s
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Earthenware Hungarian Pottery, circa 1900s This 19th-century glazed dark brown Hungarian pottery piece is a charming 10" high and 10" diameter antiq...
Category

Early 20th Century Hungarian Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Earthenware

Early 19th century Swedish Burl Bowl
Located in Greenwich, CT
Good and nicely patinated hand carved burl bowl of charming uneven dimensions, Swedish, circa 1810, with good oxidation and rustic "make do" repairs.
Category

1810s Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Burl

Earthenware Hungarian Pottery, circa 1900s
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Earthenware Hungarian Pottery, circa 1900s Discover the elegance of history with this Antique Terracotta Enamel Vase from Hungary, dating back to the...
Category

Early 20th Century Hungarian Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Earthenware, Terracotta

Royal Doulton "the Carpet Seller" Moroccan Decorative Porcelain Figurine
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Royal Doulton "the carpet seller," Moroccan figurine of a carpet seller. Made in England, by Royal Doulton England, the "Carpet Seller," Royal Doulto...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

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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