Folk Art Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
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.
1950s African Vintage Folk Art Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ebony
1950s French Vintage Folk Art Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Wood
Mid-20th Century French Folk Art Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Wood, Hardwood, Boxwood, Fruitwood
1940s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Earthenware, Pottery
Early 20th Century Folk Art Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Metal
1980s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver
20th Century American Folk Art Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Sterling Silver
1990s American Folk Art Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Pottery
Early 19th Century English Antique Folk Art Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Pearlware, Pottery
1980s American Vintage Folk Art Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Pottery
Early 20th Century English Folk Art Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Pottery
1990s American Folk Art Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Pottery
20th Century Folk Art Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Majolica
20th Century Folk Art Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Majolica
20th Century Folk Art Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Majolica
Late 18th Century Norwegian Antique Folk Art Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Pine, Paint
20th Century French Folk Art Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Copper
20th Century American Folk Art Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Shell, Polystyrene
Mid-20th Century Portuguese Folk Art Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ceramic, Paint
Late 19th Century German Antique Folk Art Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Epoxy Resin, Maple
1960s French Vintage Folk Art Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Earthenware
1960s French Vintage Folk Art Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Earthenware
1870s German Antique Folk Art Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Copper
1960s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ceramic, Terracotta, Paint
Early 20th Century Hungarian Folk Art Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Earthenware, Paint
1970s American Vintage Folk Art Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Pottery
1970s Italian Vintage Folk Art Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Brass
1960s German Vintage Folk Art Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ceramic, Majolica
1990s Italian Folk Art Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Stainless Steel
1930s French Vintage Folk Art Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ceramic, Majolica
1890s German Antique Folk Art Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Metal
1920s Danish Vintage Folk Art Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Wood
1940s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Stone, Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century British Folk Art Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Copper
20th Century Mexican Folk Art Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Agate, Sterling Silver
1930s French Vintage Folk Art Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ceramic, Majolica
20th Century Mexican Folk Art Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Raffia
Mid-20th Century Peruvian Folk Art Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Silver
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Folk Art Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Majolica, Pottery
Early 1900s German Antique Folk Art Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ceramic
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Stoneware
1990s American Folk Art Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Pottery
1950s Spanish Vintage Folk Art Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ceramic
1950s English Vintage Folk Art Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ceramic
1990s American Folk Art Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Pottery
Early 2000s American Folk Art Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Pottery
1920s German Vintage Folk Art Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Metal
19th Century Italian Antique Folk Art Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Unknown Folk Art Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Stoneware
Mid-20th Century Italian Folk Art Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Art Glass
1970s Italian Vintage Folk Art Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Glass, Art Glass
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Glass
Mid-20th Century German Folk Art Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Pottery
19th Century English Antique Folk Art Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ceramic, Pottery
1910s German Vintage Folk Art Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Metal
1890s Guatemalan Antique Folk Art Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ceramic
Late 20th Century Mexican Folk Art Serveware, Ceramics, Silver and Glass
Ceramic, Paint