Folk Art
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
Early 19th Century Grain Painted Firkin
Located in Nantucket, MA
Early 19th Century Grain Painted Firkin, possibly late 18th Century, a hand crafted firkin or bucket, having a round lid above a barrel-stave built vessel held by wooden hoops, on so...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Pine
Zabihi Collection Lion Turkish 20th Century VIntage Rug
Located in New York, NY
MId 20th Century Turkish Rug with a lion motif
Details
rug no. 31818
size 1' 10" x 3' 4" (56 x 102 cm)
Category
Mid-20th Century Turkish Folk Art
Materials
Wool
Original Mexican Retablo "Exvotos" Oil on Tin
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1950.We offer this original exvoto.
Votive paintings in Mexico go by several names in Spanish such as “ex voto,” “retablo” or “lámina,” which refer to their purpose, place oft...
Category
1950s Mexican Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Tin
Robert 'Mouseman' Thompson Folk Art Carved Oak Oval Cutting or Cheese Board
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This solid oak oval cutting board was made by the renowned English furniture maker Robert 'Mouseman' Thompson in his signature Arts & Crafts style. The cutting board has a raised han...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Folk Art
Materials
Oak
Mata Ortiz Polychrome Effigy Pot by Mauro Quezada, 1989
By Mauro Quezada
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Polychrome effigy pot
Mauro Quezada
Hand coiled low fired clay
1989
Pueblo Quezada, Mata Ortiz, Chihuahua, Mexico
Measures: 4.75 inches height x 5.5 inches...
Category
Late 20th Century Mexican Folk Art
Materials
Clay, Paint
Italian Folk Art Fish Sculpture from 18th/19th Century Fragments Found Objects
Located in Forney, TX
A fabulous large Italian folk art fish sculpture. Hand-crafted in the 21st century using found 18th and 19th century architectural fragments and decorative antique / vintage elements...
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Folk Art
Materials
Shell, Driftwood, Giltwood, Reclaimed Wood
American Folk Art Ship Painting, 1927
Located in Savannah, GA
A folk art ship oil on board, painted by Mrs. E.O. Ricks (Bettie Tully Ricks, 1879-1959) of Alabama in 1927.
27 ¾ by 15 ¾ inches
Category
1920s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
Primitive carved sandstone
Located in Miami, FL
Archaïque polished probably ritual stone ring from Central America or Caraïbe island .
Face carved and polished sandstone or granite.
Category
15th Century and Earlier Unknown Antique Folk Art
Materials
Sandstone
Folk Art Portrait Painting "Young Girl In a Red Dress", American, Circa 1825
Located in Incline Village, NV
Lovely full length portrait of a young girl in this folk art painting; oil on canvas mounted on board. She is posing wearing an attractive and colorful red dress while holding a flor...
Category
1820s American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Canvas
Moroccan Vintage Berber Tribal Ethnic Cuff
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Moroccan Berber tribal bracelet from the High Atlas of Morocco.
Handcrafted by Berber women using Moroccan silver nickel.
The...
Category
20th Century Moroccan Folk Art
Materials
Metal
19th Century Sailor's Decorated Sea Chest, signed.
Located in Nantucket, MA
Antique Sailor's Sea Chest, Late 19th Century, a British sailor's sea chest made from tropic hardwood, possibly teak, of heavy, solid brass-bound construction with dove-tailed joints...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Folk Art
Materials
Hardwood
19th Century Decorated Sea Chest
Located in Nantucket, MA
19th Century Decorated Sea Chest, having a hinged lid with breadboard edges, above a dovetailed case with applied molding around base, the original wooden beckets with relief carved ...
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
NOËL GUAY - Vintage Folk Art Pine Pig Sculpture - Canada - Late 20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
ATELIER NOËL GUAY - Vintage pine sculpture of a pig - featuring a well modelled form with an intricately chiseled coat, large drooping ears and closely cropped tail - unvarnished fin...
Category
Late 20th Century Canadian Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Antique 19th Century Copper Rooster Weathervane
Located in Houston, TX
This 19th-century American rooster weathervane boasts intricate craftsmanship, with brass finish over copper, a testament to the era's skilled artisans. Standing proudly atop its dir...
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Copper
Scandinavian 19th Century Folk Art Wood Grain Shovel
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
This charming folk art shovel is all wood. The patina on this 19th Century piece is incredible and would make a wonderful wall ornament. This shovel would also be impressive added ...
Category
Late 19th Century Scandinavian Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
French Turn of the Century Hand Carved Tramp Art Folk Mirror with Raised Motifs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French hand carved Tramp Art folk wall mirror from the early 20th century, with raised motifs. We currently have two available, priced and sold $1,750 each. Created in France at th...
Category
Early 20th Century French Folk Art
Materials
Mirror, Wood
Antique Wingender Pottery New Jersey Blue Decorated Stoneware Pottery
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique Bristol glazed stoneware pitcher.
By the Wingender Pottery of Haddonfield, NJ.
Of ovoid form with a narrow footed base, an incised & d...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Stoneware
Large Sculpture / Wall Hanging Titled "PLAY" W.N.Y. Artist John Tracey
Located in Buffalo, NY
Wonderful ,3-dimentional whimsical wall sculpture titled "PLAY" hand crafted by Western New York artist John Tracy..comprised of more than 1000 children's colorful wooden blocks, wheels,, shapes etc. After collecting for ten years ,John had this great idea to create a monumental piece of art which took him over 9 months to assemble... Pictures do NO justice!! This piece is Museum worthy.
John Tracey...
Category
2010s American Folk Art
Materials
Steel
Antique Erik Molin Swiss Carved Birch Old Man Nutcracker Figurine w Fish Tail 8"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Erik Molin (Swedish 1855-1933) hand carved birch nut cracker (Nötknäckare). Depicts an elderly man with moustache and monacle / eyepatch, wearing a double breasted coat and ...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Folk Art
Materials
Birch
A Charming Folk Art Decoy Duck
Located in London, GB
England, circa 1900
An English folk art wooden decoy duck, with original paintwork in red umber and charcoal grey.
Height 15.00cm
Width 35.00cm
Depth 15.00cm
Category
Early 20th Century English Folk Art
Materials
Wood
1885 Kentucky Crazy Quilt
Located in Louisville, KY
This 1895 folk art crazy quilt out of Kentucky is an absolute work of art. The selection of bright and unique fabrics of that era are combined in random stained glass fashion. Stunni...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Fabric
'King Kong' by American Outsider Artist B.D. Floyd
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
'King Kong' by American Outsider Artist B.D. Floyd
American, late 20th century
Oil on Artist Board 21 inches by 24 inches high
Framed 28 inches by 32 inches high
"King Kong" by Ame...
Category
Late 20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Mexican Arbol de la Vida Tree Life Dolls ColorFolk Art Ceramic Clay Candelabra
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
This colorful tree of life (árbol de la vida) with a toy like aspect is a unique piece by Marco Antonio Castillo, son of renowned artist Alfonso Castillo. Hand made with natural clay...
Category
2010s Mexican Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic, Clay
Blue Floral Painted Chest dated 1848
Located in Albignasego, IT
Blue Painted Chest dated 1848
Measurements: Height 63 cm – Width 129 cm – Depth 65 cm
Period: 1848
Origin: Tyrol
Essence: Fir
Description:
Tyrolean painted chest entirely painted i...
Category
1840s Italian Antique Folk Art
Materials
Fir
19th Century POW Shoe Snuff Box
Located in London, GB
19th Century POW shoe snuff box
We are proud to offer a 19th century POW carved wooden snuff box, The toenails have likely been replaced over time. T...
Category
1880s Unknown Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Late 18th Century Blu Painted Blanket Chest
Located in Albignasego, IT
Alpine (European Mountain Region) painted chest
Measurements: H. 65 cm – W. 150 cm – D. 75 cm
Period: approximately 1770
Origin: Tyrol
Essence: Fir
Tyrolean chest decorated with wo...
Category
1770s Italian Antique Folk Art
Materials
Fir
Swedish Folk Art 19th-Century Bentwood Box in Pine
Located in Örebro, SE
This is a Swedish wooden box, so-called svepask, from the second half of the 19th century.
This type of vessel was used when the daily provisions were carried out to the fields or to...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art
Materials
Bentwood, Pine
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
Materials
Pine
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
Materials
Metal
Mid-Century Prison Art Box from Cigarette Packs
Located in Forney, TX
A rare vintage prison art box, mid-20th century, colorful round folk art box with removable lid, handmade from a large tin can and cigarette packs.
...
Category
Mid-20th Century Folk Art
Materials
Tin
Carved Wooden Milliners Head, Vintage Austria, circa 1920s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Adorable unique wood carved head. Austria, 1920s or older. Ideal decoration item, used in the displaying and making of hats. Hand carved from wood. Nice display piece in any room. Fo...
Category
1920s Austrian Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Vintage Bavarian Traditional Costume Jewelry Charivari with Hunting Pendants
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Bavarian Traditional Costume Jewelry Charivari with Hunting Pendants
A Bavarian Charivari from the middle of the 20th century. A beautiful pie...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Folk Art
Materials
Metal, Silver
New England Quilt Oak Leaf Pattern Circa 1900
Located in Hudson, NY
Striking and beautiful New England quilt with oakleaf pattern. Investor investive condition with a highly modernist design pattern. Found in Maine, this quilt made from pumpkin orang...
Category
Early 1900s American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Cotton
Carnival Midway Sideshow Banner
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Original hand-painted canvas sideshow banner for carnival midway sideshow entrance. Not signed but most likely out of Chicago Tent and Awning's banner ...
Category
1950s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Canvas
Early Folk Art American Two Sided Framed Military Drawing with Map
Located in Savannah, GA
This unusual set of drawings in a double sided frame came out of an old New England Estate in a Beacon Hill, Boston home. From what we have gathered...
Category
Late 18th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Glass, Wood, Paper
Found and Salvaged Steel House Structure, Modern and Minimalist Sculpture
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 and interesting items. Here, a collection of found steel is reworked, pr...
Category
2010s American Folk Art
Materials
Metal, Steel
Antique European Carved & Painted Folk Art Table Pair
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Charming antique Scandinavian folk art tables.
These have an old world feel to them.
Hand carved with painted floral design.
Not signed ...
Category
Early 20th Century Scandinavian Folk Art
Materials
Wood
C1940 Hand Crafted Wooden French Folk Art Airplane with Moving Parts
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous hand crafted Art Deco styled airplane with the French colors on its tail. All there except for the tails wheel. Otherwise in excellent antique condition with minimal wear. ...
Category
1940s French Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Plastic, Hardwood, Paint
Arma Christi Calvary, France 19th Century
Located in PARIS, FR
Superb and rare Arma Christi calvary, popular work, France end of the 19th century. Beautifully executed work.
Fair condition. Several small misses and ancient restaurations. Seen ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
A wooden lantern mold France 1950
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
This wooden lantern mold, originating from a former paper lantern manufacturing facility, is a superb decorative piece, boasting a highly graphic design. It consists of seven detacha...
Category
1950s French Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Early 20th Century Folk Art English Whirligig/Weathervane Figure
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century Folk Art English Whirligig/Weathervane Figure
A quirky and charming example of an early 20th Century English folk art whirligig / Weathervane Figure. Stood on a r...
Category
1920s British Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood
A rare 19th century folk art diorama of two sailing vessels racing at sea.
Located in Central England, GB
This most attractive mid 19th century folk art cased diorama shows a view at sea with a large three mast English ship being chased in a racing situation by a smaller and faster singl...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Folk Art
Materials
Other
Traditional 19th century painted kitchen rack
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Traditional 19th century painted kitchen rack circa 1880.
Beautiful piece of rustic european woodenware from hungary.
This piece when fixed to the wall was originally used for stor...
Category
Late 19th Century Hungarian Antique Folk Art
Materials
Pine, Paint
Wrought iron candlestick or cellar rat, Normandy, France, early 20th century.
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
Wrought iron candlestick or cellar rat, Normandy, France, early 20th century. Worn but in good and complete condition. Superb piece of folk art.
Category
Early 20th Century French Folk Art
Materials
Steel
Vintage Bavarian Traditional Costume Jewelry Cufflinks
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Bavarian Traditional Costume Jewelry Cufflinks
A pair Bavarian cufflinks from the middle of the 20th century. A beautiful piece of historical Bavarian folk art jewelry, a re...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Folk Art
Materials
Metal, Silver
19th Century New England Folk Art Schooner Weathervane
Located in Nantucket, MA
19th Century New England Folk Art Schooner Weathervane, circa 1890, having a carved and painted wooden hull with bowsprit, spars and deck house; wooden masts with wire standing rigging; iron anchors; sheet metal main sail, American flag, and flat-cut sailor manning the helm. The schooner has great lines and style - very graceful sheer, nicely shaped clipper bow, that whimsical sailor at helm...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Folk Art Sculpture of Shore Bird
Located in Houston, TX
The Folk Art Sculpture of the shore bird is a radiant manifestation of creativity and imagination, blending elements of nature with artistic expression. Crafted as a composite heron,...
Category
20th Century Folk Art
Materials
Composition, Metal
A wood catchall mid-20th century French folk art
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
A remarkable catchall, emblematic of mid-20th century French folk art, stands out for its ingenious use of half a fruit tree trunk, likely from a cherry tree. This particular trunk s...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Folk Art
Materials
Fruitwood
Mid Century Japanese Tin Litho Friction Toy Car Chevrolet Station Wagon C1956
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fantastic Japanese tin litho toy car from the mid to late fifties. A Chevrolet Station Wagon in excellent vintage condition with minimal wear, practi...
Category
1950s Japanese Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Carved and Decorated Sperm Whale Figure, circa 1900
Located in Nantucket, MA
Antique Carved Sperm Whale, circa 1900, a fine and early hand carved figure of a sperm whale with carved and painted detail to open jaw, in original black paint with highlights. A ve...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Pine
Sue Benner Cellular Structure I Nine Ovals Quilt Circa 2006
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Beautiful hand made quilt by famed quilter Sue Benner. According to her site "While pursuing a degree in molecular biology and a master's in biomedical illustration, Sue Benner crea...
Category
Early 2000s American Folk Art
Materials
Fabric
19th Century Sailor's Woolie with Trapunto Sails
Located in Nantucket, MA
19th Century Sailor's Woolie, circa 1860, a sailor's folk art woolwork picture of a British frigate with white trapunto sails, the ensign of the White Fleet at the stern, and the fle...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wool
Miniature Model Wooden Canoe, American Circa 1950's
Located in Incline Village, NV
While this model canoe might have been used as a salesman sample, whereby merchants, carried it from town to town to encourage sales, it was more than likely used as a demonstration ...
Category
1950s Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood
African Hand Crafted Zebra Hide Zulu Shield with Leather Lashing
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An original Zulu Shield made of Zebra Hide and lashed with woven leather. The inside back is made of wood, and handle portion was cured, covered and paint...
Category
20th Century African Folk Art
Materials
Zebra Hide, Wood, Paint
69th Battery Royal Field Artillery Framed Commemorative Embroidery
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
69th Battery Royal Field Artillery Framed Commemorative Embroidery
A stunning piece, in fine detail applied and embroidered tapestry, showing the counties and campaigns from 1855 ...
Category
19th Century Antique Folk Art
Materials
Silk
Modernist Welded Rebar / Steel And Animal Bone Abstract Sculpture
Located in Buffalo, NY
Modernist Welded Rebar / Steel And Animal Bone Abstract Sculpture .. Amazing use of space, Well executed,, balanced.. Artist unknown.Purchased from estate filled with high end art an...
Category
1970s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Steel
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
Materials
Softwood
Carved Wooden Milliners Head, Vintage Italy, circa 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Adorable unique wood carved head. Italy, 1930s or older. Ideal decoration item, used in the displaying and making of hats. Hand carved from wood. Nice display piece in any room. Foun...
Category
1930s German Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Folk Art folk art for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique folk art 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 folk art created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include folk art, decorative objects, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art 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 folk art, popular names associated with this style include Berber Tribes of Morocco, Mosche Bianche, Jim Rose, and Nils Olsson. 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 folk art differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $35 and tops out at $49,500 while the average work can sell for $1,387.
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