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
Swedish Craft, Bowl, Wood, Sweden, 19th Century
Located in High Point, NC
A wood bowl produced in Sweden, 19th century.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Swedish Craft, Bowl, Wood, Sweden, 19th Century
Located in High Point, NC
A hand-painted wood bowl produced in Sweden, 19th century.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Swedish Craft, Trough, Pine, Sweden, 19th Century
Located in High Point, NC
A sizeable pine trough or bowl produced in Sweden, 19th Century.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
Swedish Craft, Bowl, Wood, Sweden, 19th Century
Located in High Point, NC
A wooden bowl produced in Sweden, 19th Century.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Swedish Craft, Bowl, Wood, Sweden, 19th Century
Located in High Point, NC
A wood bowl produced in Sweden, 19th century.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Swedish Craft, Bowl, Burl Wood, Sweden, 19th Century
Located in High Point, NC
A burl wood bowl produced in Sweden, 19th century.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Swedish Craft, Bowl, Wood, Sweden, 17th century
Located in High Point, NC
A wood bowl produced in Sweden, c. 17th century.
Category
17th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
1960s Vintage Asian Large Hand Carved Wooden Humidor Footed Box
Located in North Hollywood, CA
1950s Vintage Asian Large Hand Carved Wooden Humidor Box.
Hand-carved Kashmiri style Mid 20th century wood box richly decorated overall with s...
Category
Mid-20th Century Indian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Jim Rose - Construct No. 03, 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 washers, nuts, ...
Category
2010s American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal, Steel
Antique Real Skull of a Duck, Germany ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Real Skull of a Duck, Germany ca. 1900s
An antique taxidermied skull of the duck (Anas platyrhynchos domestica) mounted on an ebonized wooden ...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood, Bone
Greenlandica, small sculpture in soapstone. Polar bear and hunter.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Greenlandica, small sculpture in soapstone. Polar bear and hunter.
Greenland mid-20th century.
In good condition, with a few small chips.
Dimensions: L 8.0 cm x W 4.7 cm x H 5.0 cm.
...
Category
Mid-20th Century Greenlandic Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Soapstone
Decorated Victorian Pine Blanket Box with Stud-work Design
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Decorated Victorian Pine Blanket Box with Stud-work Design
This is a very attractive pine box, it has been decorated with a tulip design in brass stud work
The pine has darkened w...
Category
19th Century Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
Late 20th Century Nude Figure Sculpture, Unsigned
Located in Charleston, SC
Nude sculpture figure of woman kneeling. Late 20th century.
Category
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Clay
Unique small 18th Century Antique Rustic Tray bowl with original paint dat. 1792
Located in Boden, SE
18th Century unique small neat antique rustic wooden tray / serving bowl with untouched original paint in beautiful English red.
The tray is dated...
Category
1790s Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
Tall Swedish organic wooden wabi sabi style sculpture
Located in Valby, 84
Rare big wabi sabi style sculpture made in Sweden in the 1970’s.
The sculpture is hand crafted by talented Swedish artist in solid wood which has been partially stained and mounted ...
Category
1970s Swedish Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
Vintage Christmas Nutcracker Figure Wood Erzgebirge Germany
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Folk Art vintage wooden nutcracker figure from the Erzgebirge. The region Erzgebirge formerly Eastern Germany is famous for this special kind of nutc...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Swedish Craft, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1900
Located in High Point, NC
An unglazed terra-cotta earthenware vase designed and produced in Sweden, c. 1900.
Category
Early 1900s Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Earthenware
Early 19th Century Swedish Folk Art Travel Box / Chest with Originalpaint
Located in Boden, SE
Early 19th century Swedish Folk Art travel box from Skellefteå Västerbotten, Northern Sweden.
Beautiful untouched originalpaint.
Decorated with handwrought iron around the box and ov...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
M.A. Hadley Chicken Dish / Plate, United States, 20th Century
Located in Costa Mesa, CA
M.A. Hadley Chicken Dish / Plate, United States, 20th Century
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
Swedish Craft, Dish, Wood, Sweden, 19th Century
Located in High Point, NC
A wood serving dish produced in Sweden, 19th century.
“A” on bottom side
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Beaded Ndebele Ceremonial Doll
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare imported commodity, glass beads have been a symbol of wealth and importance in south African cultures for centuries, and were exclusively distributed by the region's oba (king). As beads become gradually more accessible throughout the 19th century, they began to displace the organic materials used in traditional art and attire.
This colorful example of African beadwork...
Category
Mid-20th Century South African Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Fabric, Cotton, Wood
Mexican Burnished Clay Chicken Kitchen Vessel Hen Egg Basket Decoration
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
This Mexican ceramic hen is an egg basket, perfect to keep eggs fresh -- a utilitarian kitchen piece by artist Manuel Reyes. Made with clay from Oaxaca and Zacatecas, painted with oxides from the region. Done with the hand-modeled technique and cooked in traditional wood-fired oven. Reyes has been constantly innovating with his hen collection, making this one of his most iconic works.
Ceramic artist, sculptor and painter, Manuel Reyes (Mexico City, 1972) atended the Escuela Nacional de Artes Plásticas in Xochimilco, México. He was later mentored by Royer Von Guten, Joy Laville...
Category
2010s Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Clay, Ceramic
Beaded Ndebele Ceremonial Doll
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare imported commodity, glass beads have been a symbol of wealth and importance in south African cultures for centuries, and were exclusively distributed by the region's oba (king). As beads become gradually more accessible throughout the 19th century, they began to displace the organic materials used in traditional art and attire.
This colorful example of African beadwork...
Category
Mid-20th Century South African Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood, Fabric, Cotton
Mexican Burnished Clay Chicken Kitchen Hen Egg Basket Decoration Hen Brown
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
This Mexican ceramic hen is an egg basket/container, perfect to keep eggs fresh -- a utilitarian kitchen piece by artist Manuel Reyes. Made with clay from Oaxaca and Zacatecas, painted with oxides from the region. Done with the hand-modeled technique and cooked in traditional wood-fired oven. Reyes has been constantly innovating with his hen collection, making this one of his most iconic works.
Ceramic artist, sculptor and painter, Manuel Reyes (Mexico City, 1972) atended the Escuela Nacional de Artes Plásticas in Xochimilco, México. He was later mentored by Royer Von Guten, Joy Laville...
Category
2010s Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic, Clay
Antique Thai Woven Wicker Bamboo Baby Carrying Basket Backpack 20"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique folk art tribal woven wicker and bamboo baby carrying basket from Thailand.
Dimensions:
9.5” x 9” x 19.5” (Width x Depth x Height)
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Bamboo, Wicker
19th Century Swedish Antique Rustic Folk Art Wooden Trough/ Serving Bowl
Located in Boden, SE
19th century antique rustic Swedish antique wooden tray/ Serving bowl from Boden ,Northern Sweden .
A farmers handcrafted tray or serving bowl ...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
19th Century Folk Art Wooden Hand Glove Stretcher
Located in Downingtown, PA
Folk Art Wooden Hand Glove Stretcher,
19th century
The wood model of a hand is mounted on a stepped wood base. The hand has a lovely aged color and is a great piece of folk art.
Di...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
A Hand-Carved Wabi Sabi Wooden Mortar, Africa, c. Early 20th Century
Located in Hønefoss, 30
Beautiful Hand-Carved Wabi Sabi Mortar that works perfectly for a planter. By unknown designer in Africa, c. early 20th Century.
Wear consistent with age and use showing wonderful ...
Category
Early 20th Century Ethiopian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Moroccan Decorative Dragon Sculpture Handbuilt and Handpainted by Potter Houda
Located in Marseille, FR
- Hand built decorative dragon sculpture - big format
- made of clay collected from the potter's surroundings.
- decorative motifs painted with a goat hair brush made by the potter...
Category
2010s Moroccan Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Clay, Earthenware
Swedish Craft, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1900
Located in High Point, NC
A yellow-glazed earthenware vase designed and produced in Sweden, c. 1900.
Category
Early 1900s Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Earthenware
Chinese rice barrel
Located in 'S-HERTOGENBOSCH, NL
Rice barrel with lid. Decorated with cartouches with flowers and butterflies.
China, early 19th century.
Category
1830s Chinese Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
8-19th Century Wooden Horse
Located in Kastrup, DK
A Indian 18-19th century hand-carved wooden horse decorated with polychrome colors.
In original untouched condition with a beautiful age-related patina, showing the antique authentic...
Category
18th Century Indian Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
19th Century Swedish Antique Rustic Folk Art Wooden Trough/ Serving Bowl
Located in Boden, SE
19th century big rustic Swedish antique wooden tray/ Serving bowl from Boden Norrbotten,Northern Sweden.
A farmers handcrafted tray or serving bowl or centerpiece.
A highly function...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
Greenlandica, Taki Petersen. Massive sculpture in soapstone. Hunter and seal
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Greenlandica, Taki Petersen.
Heavy and massive sculpture in soapstone depicting a hunter and a seal.
In excellent condition.
Signed and dated 80.
Dimensions: H 15.7 cm. x L 13.5 cm.
Category
1980s Greenlandic Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Soapstone
Bespoke Wine Box Gift Box, Tidy, Hamper, Caddy
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Bespoke Wine Box Gift Box, Tidy, Hamper, Caddy
This attractive piece can be put to many uses, with Christmas and Thanks Giving just around the corner, it would make a great hamper ...
Category
Early 2000s Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Cedar
Antônio Julião. Wood Sculpture
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Exceptional sculpture made by artist Antônio Julião, one of the great exponents of Brazilian popular art. This piece of museological importance was made in the 1970's and is one of t...
Category
1970s Brazilian Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Swedish Craft, Bowl, Earthenware, Sweden, 1900
Located in High Point, NC
A glazed terracotta earthenware vase with hand-painted green details, produced in Sweden, c. 1900.
Category
Early 1900s Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Earthenware
Anniversary Magnum Gift Box, Tidy, Hamper, Caddy
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Anniversary Magnum Gift Box, Tidy, Hamper, Caddy
This attractive piece can be put to many uses, with Christmas and Thanks Giving just around the corner, i...
Category
Early 2000s Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Cedar
Swedish Butter Box with Zig-Zag Design
Located in Houston, TX
Swedish butter box with zig-zag design carved imprint. Light colored faded wooden finish.
Note: Due to regional changes in humidity and climate during shipping, antique wood may shr...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Copper cauldron, anonymous, Sweden, 1880s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Cauldron, anonymous,
Sweden. 1880s.
Copper cauldron.
Dimensions:
H: 22 cm
D: 59 cm
Category
1880s Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Copper
19th Century Swedish Provincial Spice Box
Located in Mjöhult, SE
Charming 19th century Swedish provincial spice box in its original condition with two sliding doors and one drawer. The interior contains eight compartments intended for different dr...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
Greenlandica, tupilak in soapstone. Greenland mid-20th century.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Greenlandica, Tupilak.
Traditional, magic Greenlandic figurine carved in soapstone.
Greenland mid-20th century.
In good condition, with damage to the base (see photo).
Dimensions: H...
Category
Mid-20th Century Greenlandic Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Soapstone
Fully Articulated Artist's Model Of Horse, Signed
Located in Bradenton, FL
Antique hand-carved artist's model of a horse, fully articulated at every level including wooden ears. Has a horsehair tail. Fixed on a brass stem and raised on a wooden base. Artist signed on base as Philippe Leo.
Category
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
1960s Large Hand-carved Iron Wood American Bald Eagle Art Sculpture
Located in North Hollywood, CA
A large hand-carved iron wood eagle perched on a tree stump and surveying the surroundings ready to fly.
Hand carved wood vintage extremely detailed bald eagle perched upon rockery with glass eyes.
Hand carved Ironwood Southwestern seri...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
19th Century Swedish Folk Art Root Wood Bowl
Located in Mjöhult, SE
Fine organic Mid-19th Century Swedish Folk Art root wood bowl, circa 1820.
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Antique Fajalauza Glazed Terracotta Ceramic Lebrillo Bowl, Granada Spain
Located in Escalona, Toledo
"Lebrillo" bowl in blue, green and ivory glazed terracotta ceramic from Fajalauza Española from the early 20th century, fully elaborated and painted by hand.
Fajalauza is a style th...
Category
Early 20th Century Spanish Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
Folk Art Geometric Inlaid Wood Small Hinged Box
Located in West Chester, PA
Hand made geometric inlaid wooden hinged xox with red enameled interior.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Greenlandica, Ortôrak, large sculpture of a lying seal made of soapstone.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Greenlandica, Ortôrak, large sculpture of a lying seal made of soapstone.
In good condition with signs of use.
Signed and dated 82.
Dimensions: Length 30.0 x Hight 10.0 cm x depth 10...
Category
1980s Greenlandic Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Soapstone
Swedish Craft, Bowl, Pine, Sweden, c. 1900
Located in High Point, NC
A pine bowl produced in Sweden, c. 1900.
Category
Early 1900s Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
Antique Swedish Small Handmade Folk Art Box
Located in Kramfors, SE
Swedish folk art box made by hand in solid Swedish pine. The box is in original condition with the untouched original paint. Made in northern Sweden around the 1860s. It has most lik...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
Bespoke Wine Box Gift Box, Tidy, Hamper, Container This attractive piece can b
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Bespoke Wine Box Gift Box, Tidy, Hamper, Container
This attractive piece can be put to many uses, with Christmas and Thanks Giving just around the corner, it would make a great ham...
Category
Early 2000s Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Cedar
Greenlandica, Sarak, Greenlandic woman in profile, sculpture in soapstone.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Greenlandica, Sarak, Greenlandic woman in profile, sculpture in soapstone.
1970/80s.
In excellent condition.
Signed.
Dimensions: H 14.0 cm x L 12.0 cm x W 6.0 cm.
Soapstone - also kn...
Category
1970s Greenlandic Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Soapstone
Pair of Vintage Bird Form Lidded Baskets - Finely Woven - Late 20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
Vintage - finely woven - pair of bird form lidded baskets - articulated feathers, beaks and eyes - possibly Indonesian - mid/late 20th century.
Ex...
Category
Late 20th Century Asian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wicker
1960s Vintage Moroccan Inlaid Hexagonal Wood Box
Located in North Hollywood, CA
1960s Handcrafted Bone Inlaid Trinket Moroccan Wood Trinket Box.
Handmade artisanal mid century inlaid trinket decorative lidded Moroccan box.
This hexagonal shaped decorative box ha...
Category
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Bone, Fruitwood
Greenlandica, Jakob Keke. Sculpture in soapstone.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Greenlandica, Jakob Keke, Kungmiut, East Greenland.
Sculpture in soapstone.
Approximately from the 1970s.
In excellent condition.
Label.
Dimensions: L 14.5 cm x H 7.5 cm x W 5.5 cm.
Category
1970s Greenlandic Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Soapstone
Bespoke Wine Box Gift Box, Tidy, Hamper, Caddy
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Bespoke Wine Box Gift Box, Tidy, Hamper, Caddy
This attractive piece can be put to many uses, with Christmas and Thanks Giving just around the corner, it would make a great hamper ...
Category
1990s Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Cedar
Greenlandica, SP, Greenlandic artist. Sculpture in soapstone. Two polar bears.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Greenlandica, SP, Greenlandic artist. Sculpture in soapstone.
Two polar bears
In good condition with minor signs of use.
Signed SP 83.
Measurements: H 15.5 cm x L 13.0 cm.
Category
20th Century Greenlandic Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Soapstone
Greenlandica, soapstone sculpture on a marble base. Mid-20th C.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Greenlandica, soapstone sculpture on a marble base. Greenland.
Mid-20th century.
In excellent condition.
Dimensions: L 20.0 cm x H 13.0 cm x W 7.0 cm.
Soapstone - also known as Steat...
Category
Mid-20th Century Greenlandic Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Soapstone
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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