Wood Folk Art Whale On Stand
Mid-20th Century Canadian Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Brass
Early 20th Century Canadian Other Native American Objects
Wood, Paint
People Also Browsed
Antique 1880s American Native American Native American Objects
Beads
Early 20th Century American Native American Native American Objects
Beads
20th Century American Tribal Native American Objects
Shell, Fabric
Late 20th Century Papua New Guinean Tribal Natural Specimens
Bamboo
Antique Late 19th Century American Native American Native American Objects
Beads
20th Century American Native American Native American Objects
Fur
Early 20th Century American Native American Native American Objects
Beads
Early 20th Century Congolese Tribal Tribal Art
Wood
20th Century American Mission Native American Objects
Brass
20th Century American Native American Native American Objects
Hide
Antique 1890s American Native American Native American Objects
Other
Antique Late 19th Century American Native American Native American Objects
Hide
Vintage 1970s Canadian Other Masks
Cedar, Paint
Early 20th Century Nigerian Tribal Tribal Art
Wood
Antique Early 19th Century North American Native American Objects
Wood
Antique Late 19th Century American Native American Native American Objects
Other
Recent Sales
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Nautical Objects
Wood
Antique 19th Century American Folk Art Nautical Objects
Cedar
Vintage 1940s American Folk Art Sculptures
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Weathervanes
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Weathervanes
Wood
Antique 1880s American Folk Art Nautical Objects
Paint, Cotton, Glass, Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Folk Art Animal Sculptures
Antique 19th Century American Folk Art Weathervanes
Pine
20th Century American Sculptures
Metal
20th Century American Folk Art Painted Furniture
Wood, Pine, Paint
A Close Look at folk-art Furniture
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.
Finding the Right folk-art for You
Folk art refers to a genre of art that shares the creator’s traditions, offering not just an artistic display but an opportunity to learn about a culture. Vintage, new and antique folk art typically reflects a heritage or location. It can include utilitarian objects and handmade art as diverse as weather vanes, portraiture and paintings, carnival art, quilts and duck decoys.
American folk art is frequently valued because of the traditional 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. Native American folk art includes functional objects reflecting their heritage, such as baskets, textiles and wooden pieces.
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 folk art on 1stDibs.