Folk Art Historical Memorabilia
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
Rare Krampus Devil Kewpie Celluloid Christmas Ornament Vintage, Austria 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A rare Christmas ornament from Germany or Austria. It is made of Celluloid and very delicate, this would be a great addition for your Christmas or feather tree. It is in nice conditi...
Category
1910s German Vintage Folk Art Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Wire
Rare Set of Six Mercury Glass & Cotton Christmas Ornament Vintage, 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A rare Christmas ornament set from Germany or Austria. Each is made from mouth blown glass, one of pressed cotton, this would be a great addition for your Christmas or feather tree. ...
Category
1910s German Vintage Folk Art Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Wire
Rare Set of Five Mercury Glass Christmas Ornament Vintage, 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A rare Christmas ornament set from Germany or Austria. Each is made from mouth blown glass, these would be a great addition for your Christmas or feather tree. Size always given for ...
Category
1930s German Vintage Folk Art Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Wire
Rare Set of Four Mercury Glass & Plastic Christmas Ornament Vintage, 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A rare Christmas ornament set from Germany or Austria. Each is made from mouth blown glass, the 4 mushrooms with wire are made of plastic and are younger age, this would be a great a...
Category
1910s German Vintage Folk Art Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Wire
West Germany Clip On Mercury Glass Wire Wrapped Bird on Nest Christmas Ornament
Located in Clifton Forge, VA
These are just sooo cute!! The mercury blown glass birds with long bristle tails, are sitting on spun cotton bedding, held into red mercury blown glass "ne...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Folk Art Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Wire
Pair of Canadian Folk Art Carved Japanese Internment Camp Figures or Sculptures
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This pair of Folk Art carved figures is believed to have been made by a Japanese immigrant to Canada either while or after being interned by the Canadian government during the Second World War. The male carved figure is hand painted in vibrant colors and the base reads: June 11, 1942" and "Ontario" underneath. The nude female carving...
Category
Mid-20th Century Canadian Folk Art Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Softwood
Rare Chenille Krampus Christmas Ornament Antique Austria, 1920s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Add a touch of vintage charm to your Christmas tree with this antique Austrian Christmas ornament. The unique design features a Krampus, it is the c...
Category
1920s Austrian Vintage Folk Art Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Composition, Wire
Pair of Original Anti-Vietnam War & Anti-President Nixon Posters on Heavy Paper
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This set of two vintage posters were produced in Vietnam in the early 1970s in protest of the Vietnam War and in particular President Nixon. These colo...
Category
1970s Vietnamese Vintage Folk Art Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Paper
Mercury Glass Two Bird Christmas Tree Clip-On Ornament, Vintage, German, 1920s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Two rare vintage clip-on bird ornaments, a bird and a parrot. perrot measures approximate 2.5" high and 4 7/8" in length, bird is approximate 3" high and 6" in length. These ornament...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Folk Art Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Mercury Glass
Set of Five Bell & a Pinecone Christmas Ornaments Vintage, German, 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A rare Christmas ornament set off five bell and one Pinecone glass ornaments. Each is made from thin mouth blown glass, this would be a great antique addition for your Christmas or f...
Category
1930s German Vintage Folk Art Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Wire
Set of Five Mercury Glass Ball Christmas Ornaments Vintage, German, 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A rare Christmas ornament set off five mercury glass ball ornaments. Each is made from thin mouth blown glass, this would be a great antique addition for your Christmas or feather tr...
Category
Early 20th Century German Folk Art Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Wire
Five Rare Christmas Ornaments Vintage, German, 1910s to 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A rare set of 5 Christmas ornaments. Each is made from thin mouth blown glass, this would be a great antique addition for your Christmas or feather tree. Included is a nice Reflector ornament from the 1930s, 2 small walnut feather tree ornaments from the 1910s and two flower bunch ornaments with glass balls and Dresden Sebnitz Christmas paper...
Category
1930s German Vintage Folk Art Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Wire
Large Portrait Photo of Luitpold Prince Regent of Bavaria 1886 Wood carved Frame
Located in Nuernberg, DE
An extraordinary Original Photograph of Luitpold Karl Joseph Wilhelm Ludwig, Prince Regent of Bavaria (12 March 1821 – 12 December 1912).
Beautiful hand crafted Black Forest style fr...
Category
1880s German Antique Folk Art Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Glass, Wood
Lot of Three Vintage Antique Mercury Glass Christmas Tree Topper German, 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A rare set of three feather tree glass Christmas tree topper from Germany. Each is made from mouth blown glass, would be a great antique addition for your Christmas or feather tree. ...
Category
Early 20th Century German Folk Art Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Glass
Gold & Orange Blown Mercury Glass Circus Lion Christmas Tree Ornament
Located in Clifton Forge, VA
This is a cute bright gold lion with orange mane and sweet blue eyes standing on his stool with the typical circus zig zag design. He is 3 1/2 inches tall and about 2 inches around. ...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Folk Art Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Blown Glass
Rare Mercury Glass Holiday Christmas Ornament Antique German Money Bag, 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Add a touch of vintage charm to your Christmas tree with this antique German glass ornament. The unique design features a money bag, perf...
Category
Early 1900s German Antique Folk Art Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Wire
Set of Five Embossed Candleholders Clips Santa Belsnickle Antique German 1890s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A rare Christmas candleholder clip set off five. Each is made from thin cheet metal, this would be a great antique addition for your Christmas or feather tree. These are out of the ...
Category
1890s German Antique Folk Art Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Wire, Sheet Metal
Rare Set of Two Santa Claus Mercury Glass Christmas Ornament Vintage, 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A rare Christmas ornament set of two. Each is made from mouth blown glass, this would be a great addition for your Christmas or feather tree. Size always given for the tallest item i...
Category
1930s German Vintage Folk Art Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Wire
Rare Set of Three Santa Claus Mercury Glass Christmas Ornament Vintage, 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A rare Christmas ornament set of three. Each is made from mouth blown glass, this would be a great addition for your Christmas or feather tree. Size always given for the tallest item...
Category
1930s German Vintage Folk Art Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Wire
Rare Set of Three Santa Claus Mercury Glass Christmas Ornament Vintage, 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A rare Christmas ornament set of three. Each is made from mouth blown glass, this would be a great addition for your Christmas or feather tree. Size always given for the tallest item...
Category
1930s German Vintage Folk Art Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Wire
Vtg Blown Glass Painted Peter Rabbit Easter Bunny Christmas Ornament Tree Topper
Located in Clifton Forge, VA
Such vintage sweetness!! I don't know if this is an early Peter Rabbit or Easter Bunny or just a Christmas ornament in the shape of a bunny but it is adorable!1 The ornament has been from clear glass into the bunny shape and is overpainted with the white & light brown fur, fun pink vest...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Folk Art Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Blown Glass, Paint
West Germany Blown Glass Brown Dog Christmas Ornament
Located in Clifton Forge, VA
What an adorable reddish brown shiny dog ornament. He is standing on his hind legs and is so cute, I just want to scratch his belly. There is white overpaint on his droopy ears, nos...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Folk Art Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Blown Glass
Blown Glass Angel Caroler Gold Robe West Germany Christmas Ornament
Located in Clifton Forge, VA
What an incredibly cute angel caroler Christmas ornament made from blown glass with textured yellow pieces glued to the head for hair and gold textured pieces glued down the front an...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Folk Art Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Blown Glass, Paint
Original 1960s Hand Painted Hippie Hardhat Bay Area Artifact
Located in Oakland, CA
Original 1960s hand painted Hippie hardhat, embellished with Peace Signs, Flowers and the words Peace, Love and Hi. Painted with green, silver, white and pale blue. The brim has cont...
Category
1960s American Vintage Folk Art Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Steel
Blown Glass Blue Baby Shoe/Boot Christmas Ornament w/ White Glitter Paint
Located in Clifton Forge, VA
This little blown glass Christmas ornament baby boot is as sweet as can be! It is in good condition and would make a fabulous gift for a baby's f...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Folk Art Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Blown Glass, Paint
Rare Set of Three Grape Christmas Ornament Vintage, 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A rare Christmas ornament set of three. Each is made from mouth blown glass, this would be a great addition for your Christmas or feather tree. Size alw...
Category
1930s German Vintage Folk Art Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Wire
Antique Hand Tooled Leather African Tribal Moroccan Bag Collectible, 1940s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Antique collectible leather African Moroccan satchel bag with flap decorated with traditional Moorish embroideries.
Hand-tooled in Marrakech, this is an old antique shoulder slim bag, merchants in Morocco when traveling used this bag under their coat to put their money and valuables and medicine.
This messenger shoulder leather African bag is one of a kind and reflect the folk artwork of the Berber Tribes of Morocco.
Antique leather African Moroccan satchel bag with flap decorated with traditional Berber embroideries.
Antique collectible leather bag, handmade in Morocco.
True vintage Berber bag collectible piece of decorative wall art. The leather is hand embroidered.
Artisan hand tooled very unusual and rare leather bag. Handmade from thick tan leather.
The strap is long enough to wear the bag at the shoulder or cross-body with it sitting above the hip. Under the flap, you'll find one long narrow main pocket.
This beautiful leather bag has been crafted in Morocco. This bag has a fold over fastening.
The bag craftsmanship embroidered consists of geometrical Moroccan Moorish designs.
This messenger shoulder leather African bag will be great as Moroccan Art wall decoration, just hanging from a hook or framed in a plexiglass presentation box.
Dimensions: H 9 in. x W 10.5 in. x D 0.75 in.
Total length 29 in. strap is 20 in.
circa 1920.
This messenger shoulder leather North African exotic bag...
Category
Early 20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Leather
Rare Mushroom, Clown and Boy Head Christmas Ornament Vintage, 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A rare Christmas ornament set of three. Each is made from mouth blown glass, this would be a great addition for your Christmas or feather tree. Size alw...
Category
1930s German Vintage Folk Art Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Wire
Rare Set of Four House, Teddy Bear and Fish Christmas Ornament Vintage, 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A rare Christmas ornament set of four. Each is made from mouth blown glass, this would be a great addition for your Christmas or feather tree. Size alwa...
Category
1930s German Vintage Folk Art Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Wire
Rare Santa, Clown and Lantern Christmas Ornament Vintage, 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A rare Christmas ornament set of three. Each is made from mouth blown glass, this would be a great addition for your Christmas or feather tree. Clown Head is approx. 3 1/4" high and 1 3/4" at the widest point, think it is approx. 1940s or older. Lantern is approx. 2 5/8" high (1910s) and the little Santa...
Category
1930s German Vintage Folk Art Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Wire
Trench Art Vase Dated 1918-19
Located in Fulton, CA
Extraordinary example of WWl Trench Art. Historical significance as this vase is signed by the soldier that crafted it, "Lieutenant Thorburn" including regiment "62nd Reg" and date "1918-19". Also inscribed A. E. F. The AEF helped the French Army on the Western Front during the Aisne Offensive (at the Battle of Château-Thierry and Battle of Belleau Wood...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Brass
Vintage Painted Wood Folk Art Showroom Trade Sign
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
American Folk Art trade sign with hand-carved "Showroom" letters and an arrow. The letters and backboard are in original paint, egg-white and petroleum green. The sign has recently b...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Pine
19th c Giant Wooden Advertising Thermometer NY Life Insurance Co "NYLIC"
Located in Savannah, GA
Giant sized forty seven inches tall wooden thermometer made by the Hoehn Company Thermomter Makers, Chambers Street, NYC. constucted of hard wood with a rounded top and beveled edges, it adverrtises NYLIC-New York Life Insurance Co. wanting Bright Young Men- Permanent Pay. Measuring Blood Heat, Summer Heat,Tempe Rate, Freezing and Zero, the glass thermometer...
Category
1890s American Antique Folk Art Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Metal
Rare Chenille Cotton Basket Christmas Ornament Antique, German, 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A rare Christmas ornament. It was made from Chenille, wire and cotton, this would be a great antique addition for your Christmas or feather tree.
Category
1910s German Vintage Folk Art Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Wire
Chinese Painted Bamboo Walking Stick, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This 19th-century walking stick from northern China is comprised of a length of thin bamboo that has been steamed and bent into a hook shape. The bamboo segments are painted in alter...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Folk Art Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Bamboo
Rare 1940's /50's New York Times Newspaper Display Cart, News Stand
Located in Buffalo, NY
Rare 1940's /50's New York Times Newspaper display cart, news stand, You would be hard pressed to find another!. Newspaper industrial rolling cart with fa...
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Metal, Steel
Antique Ceramic Majolica Josef Strnact Wall Plate with Landscape, Austria, 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This beautiful wall decoration plate is a nice addition to your Wall. It is marked at the back. A nice addition to your toleware room or Hollywood regency interior.
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Folk Art Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica
Antique Ceramic Majolica Josef Strnact Wall Plate with Landscape, Austria, 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This beautiful wall decoration plate is a nice addition to your Wall. It is marked at the back. A nice addition to your toleware room or Hollywood regency interior.
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Folk Art Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica
Rare English Hand Painted Railway Sign
Located in London, GB
Rare English hand painted railway sign.
An extremely rare example of an English hand painted on pine board railway sign. Naïve yet highly decorative in...
Category
Early 20th Century British Folk Art Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Pine
19th C English Field Artillery Ammunition Carrier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This 19th C English Field Artillery Ammunition Carrier dating about 1850 - 1860. The carrier has painted canvas over a wood frame and heavy leather carring handle. The carrier is sta...
Category
19th Century English Antique Folk Art Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Canvas, Wood, Paint
Original Pottery Sculpture Head Planter, General Charles De Gaulle
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Original Pottery sculpture head planter, general Charles De Gaulle Political Memorabilia.
This original, one-of-a-kind pottery sculpture head is a...
Category
1950s French Vintage Folk Art Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Clay
19th c Wooden Ceremonial Fraternal Masonic Crook and Metal Spear on Metal Bases
Located in Savannah, GA
Large size gold gilt wooden ceremonial fraternal Masonic Crook perched on a long painted wooden pole. Supported by a decorative three-footed metal base, the gilt wood crook itself me...
Category
1890s American Antique Folk Art Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Metal
Highly Decorative WWI Bombshell Trench Art Vase
Located in Tilburg, NL
Rare and unusual piece of trench art from World War I (1914-1918), Belgium.
Trench art was made during or after WW1. Soldiers used metal and used bombshells from the battlefields ...
Category
Early 20th Century Belgian Folk Art Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Brass
"Campfire Supreme" Marshmallow Tin, Boy Scout Motif, American, Circa 1915
Located in Incline Village, NV
This is a rare tin that was used to sell and promote marshmallows. The top of the tin is decorated to reflect the Boy Scouts in their ubiquitous camping tradition of sitting around t...
Category
1910s American Vintage Folk Art Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Tin
Antique WW1 Era Brass Trench Art Engraved Shell Casing Dinner Bell or Gong
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This very unique and interesting engraved shell casing is unsigned with respect to its maker, but presumed to have been made in possibly Kuwait or Turkey in circa 1917 in a Folk Art style. The shell casing is from an enormous solid brass artillery shell that has been cut and fashioned into a well tuned bell or gong. The shell has been engraved with various panels or vignettes such as doves, palm trees, a landscape and a central crest identifying the years it commemorates. The dinner, meeting or prayer bell...
Category
Early 20th Century Kuwaiti Folk Art Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Brass
World War 2 / WWII Era Wooden Airplane Propeller Folk Art Mantel Clock
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This wooden Folk Art made propeller clock is presumed to have originated in England and fashioned into a mantel clock in North America in circa 1960. T...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Folk Art Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Wood
Bicentennial Cast Iron Still Bank, American, Circa 1976
Located in Incline Village, NV
Shaped like a pyramid this cast iron penny bank was made to commemorate the 200 year anniversary of America; thus inscribed at the top (see image) 1776-1976. It is painted in white (...
Category
1970s American Vintage Folk Art Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Iron
Antique Pennsylvania Folk Art Painted Iron Railroad Sign
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Rare and historical Folk Art iron railroad sign from a Pennsylvania Station. Of impressive size and very well crafted, with an incredible age patina, a M...
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Iron
Antique Folk Art Carved Wooden Sculpture of the 'Old Grand Dad' Whiskey Logo
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique Folk Art carved wooden sculpture is initialed on the base, but the artist is unknown. It is presumed this carving was done in the United States in 1945 in a Folk Art sty...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Hardwood
Vintage Persian Bakhtiari Rug
Located in New York, NY
A vintage Persian Bakhtiari pictorial rug from the mid-20th century.
Measures: 3' 10" x 6' 8"
Category
Mid-20th Century Persian Folk Art Historical Memorabilia
Materials
Wool
Folk Art historical memorabilia for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique folk art historical memorabilia for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage historical memorabilia created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles, folk art, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art historical memorabilia made in a specific country, there are North America, United States, and Europe pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original historical memorabilia, popular names associated with this style include and Berber Tribes of Morocco. 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 historical memorabilia differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $40 and tops out at $15,000 while the average work can sell for $295.
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