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
Collection of 5 Antique Wrought Iron Eel Forks
Located in Søborg, DK
A collection of 5 wrought iron eel forks from the 18th century.
Extremely decorative and each one unique.
Each one is a work of art.
Sizes vary from 38 cm to 50 cm.
Would look am...
Category
18th Century Danish Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wrought Iron
19th Century Sailor's Woolie with an Auxiliary Ship and Schooner, circa 1880
Located in Nantucket, MA
19th Century Sailor's Folk Art Woolie with an Auxiliary Ship and Schooner, circa 1880, a sailor's folk art hand stitched wool yarn picture of a British Ship-Rigged Steam Sailor with ...
Category
1880s English Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wool
19th Century Sailor's Woolie of Frigate, circa 1840
Located in Nantucket, MA
19th Century Sailor's Woolie of a Frigate, circa 1840, a British sailor's hand crafted woolwork depicting a British single decker frigate under full sail, flying ensign of the red fl...
Category
1840s English Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wool
Collection of 5 Antique Wrought Iron Eel Forks
Located in Søborg, DK
A collection of 5 wrought iron eel forks from the 18th century.
Extremely decorative and each one unique.
Each one is a work of art.
Sizes vary from 52 cm to 37 cm.
Would look am...
Category
18th Century Danish Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wrought Iron
20th Century Folk Art Original Painting
Located in New York, NY
Striking acrylic painting depicting New England town. A haunting figure appears in the corner. A unique, and unusual scene.
Signed by artist.
Category
1960s North American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Acrylic
Collection of 5 Antique Wrought Iron Eel Forks
Located in Søborg, DK
A collection of 5 wrought iron eel forks from the 18th century.
Extremely decorative and each one unique.
Each one is a work of art.
Sizes vary from 37 cm to 42 cm.
Would look am...
Category
18th Century Danish Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wrought Iron
Aage Hogfeldt Outsider Art Clown Sculpture
Located in Savannah, GA
Aage Hogfeldt
(American, 1925-2014)
A clown bust made from concrete and found lamp parts.
10 by 10 by 17 inches
In 1954 Aage Hogfeldt founded an artist...
Category
1950s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Concrete, Wire
Early 20th Century Hand Painted Duck Decoy Antique, USA owned by Bob Tillbutt
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Found in Germany at an estate sale, this hand carved and hand painted duck decoy is perfect for the collector. Well used by a previous hunter the paint has faded through time althoug...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
19th Century French Folk Art Horse on Wheels
Located in Hastings, GB
Charming French Folk Art Horse, mounted on naïve wooden wheels with a padded fringed leather saddle and dating to the mid-19thCentury. Superb detailing, this is a well-loved, well us...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Folk Art
Materials
Leather, Wood
Signed Original "Raggedy Ann" Watercolor c. 1928
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Don't miss out on a truly unique, once-in-a-lifetime piece of genuine folk art. This endlessly whimsical watercolor features an intriguing playful still life of Johnny Gruelle's icon...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Glass, Wood, Paper
American American Painted Cast Iron "Old Salt" Maine Fisherman Doorstop
Located in Downingtown, PA
American Painted Cast Iron "Old Salt" Maine Fisherman Doorstop or Bookend,
Hubley Manufacturing Company,
The 1920s.
The two larger figures depict an old salt fisherman standing ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Mounted Late 19th Century American Appliqué Textile
Located in Chicago, IL
Transport yourself to the late 19th century with this exquisite American appliqué textile, a testament to traditional craftsmanship. At its heart, a ...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Cotton, Linen
A folk art diorama model passenger ship in a bottle English circa 1930
Located in Central England, GB
This early 20th century ship in a bottle diorama is of a rarer subject being an early large steam ocean going passenger liner set in a scene just off the shoreline with a lighthouse ...
Category
Mid-20th Century British Folk Art
Materials
Glass
Modernist Mid Century American Folk Art Hooked Rug of a Cat dated 1963
Located in San Francisco, CA
Perfectly charming Folk Art small wool rug or wall hanging of a modernist style cat.
There is some minor staining, and a few lose loops and minor repair on edges.
Signed and dated '6...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Wool
Folk Art Sculpture of a Man
Located in Hudson, NY
Folk Art Sculpture of a Man
Unsigned. This piece was found in the Catskill Mountains, NY.
He came from the estate of an important NYC modernist dealer.
H...
Category
Mid-20th Century Folk Art
Materials
Hardwood
1920s Églomisé Checker Board with Advertising Surround From Middletown CT.
Located in Savannah, GA
This unique Églomisé checkerboard with a wooden frame is surrounded by 1920s advertising from Middletown, Connecticut.
"Églomisé is a French term me...
Category
1920s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Glass, Wood
19th Century Apothecary Mortar & Pestle Countertop Trade Sign or Sale Stimulator
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Apothecary trade sign or sale stimulator in the form of a mortar and pestle in gilt wood. The mortar of cylindrical waisted form with a central half round band and stepped rings at t...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Mid 18th Century Floral Painted Blanket Chest
Located in Albignasego, IT
Tyrolean painted chest
H. 81 – W. 147 – P. 69
Ancient Tyrolean chest, entirely built in fir wood. The surface has been decorated with a dark brown background color, semi-covering, ...
Category
Mid-18th Century Austrian Antique Folk Art
Materials
Fir
Found and Salvaged Steel Structure on a Wooden Base
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 spare parts come together ...
Category
2010s American Folk Art
Materials
Metal, Steel
French Tailor's Mannequin, early 20th Century
Located in Berghuelen, DE
French Tailor's Mannequin, early 20th Century
French 20th century tailor's mannequin. Made of paper, fabric and metal. It features a mechanism inside which allows the tailor to adju...
Category
Early 20th Century French Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Late 19th Century Folk Art Bumbass instrument
Located in London, GB
Late 19th Century Folk Art Bumbass instrument
A rare example of a late 19th Century folk art Bumbass instrument form, we have only ever uncovered one other example in the past 10 ...
Category
Early 1900s Unknown Antique Folk Art
Materials
Brass
Vintage Swedish Painting of Klara sjö
Located in Oxford, GB
This swedish watercolour of Klara sjö is a canal in central Stockholm believed to be 1920/30s watercolour on paper a work of art by G or C Hagen unknow artist offers a beautiful wint...
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Paper
19th Century Sailor's Woolie of HMS Avenger, circa 1847
Located in Nantucket, MA
19th Century Sailor's Woolie of HMS Avenger, circa 1847, a sailor's hand crafted woolwork picture of the Sidewheel Paddle Frigate HMS AVENGER (1845 -1847), a starboard side view of the small bark rigged auxuliary steam sailer with fore and main topsails backed, all other sails furled, under a dramatic sky, with silk banner...
Category
1840s English Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wool
J. Gruber - Portrait of a Bavarian Folksy Man with Wine Glass, Oil on Wood
Located in Berghuelen, DE
J. Gruber - Portrait of a Bavarian Folksy Man with Wine Glass, Oil on Wood
An colorful oil painting depicting a wine drinking folksy Bavarian man in his sunday robe. Painted on wood with pastel colors around 1950s. Framed with antique wooden gilded frame...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Swedish Folk Art Floral Bouquet In Urn Vase Hand Painted Teak Tray
Located in New York, NY
Wonderful Swedish folk art circular teak tray with hand painted floral bouquet in urn motif on top side. Natural ribbon teak on underside.
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Folk Art
Materials
Teak, Paint
Mid Century Modern Studio Pottery Christmas Ornaments by Peggy Beaver- Set of 39
Located in Cordova, SC
Thirty-nine piece set of Mid Century ceramic pottery Christmas ornaments hand crafted by Peggy Beaver who was quite the artist in Columbia, SC. The white glaze “frosting” has chipped...
Category
1950s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic
Neapolitan Polychrome Terracotta Nativity Heads from the 1700s Set of Ten Figures
Located in Milan, IT
Neapolitan Nativity Scene Heads in Terracotta from the 1700s set of ten traditional Neapolitan nativity scene figurine heads, in polychrome terracotta from the 1700s, small collectio...
Category
Early 18th Century Italian Antique Folk Art
Materials
Pottery, Paper
Inge Woelfle - Portrait of a Bavarian Folksy Man, Oil on Wood
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Inge Woelfle - Portrait of a Bavarian Folksy Man, Oil on Wood
An colorful oil painting depicting a folksy Bavarian man in his sunday robe. Painted on wood with pastel colors around 1950s. Framed with wooden carved and gilded frame in Baroque style. Painted by Inge Woelfle. Signed on the right top corner.
Alpine oil...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Mid Century Large Motorized Hand Made Chris Craft Cabin Cruiser C1955
By Chris Craft Boats
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous and large cabin cruiser boat model with an untested motor and batteries. 41.5 inches long and sitting on a brand new custom made stand with a nautical theme. In very good vi...
Category
1950s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Coastal Shiny Shell Folk Art Photo Frame
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A beautiful seashell-encrusted photo frame. Accommodates two photos in an oval shape.
Dimensions:
6.25" Wide
4.5" Tall
1" Deep.
Category
20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic, Shell
Collection of Handmade Mexican Folk Art Masks
Located in Atlanta, GA
Collection of Handmade Mexican Folk Art Tin Masks, Mexican, circa 1950s. Each mask is unique and extremely detailed. The largest mask measures 21"...
Category
1950s Mexican Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Copper, Tin
Antique Danish Mangle Board Wedding Love Gift Painted Wood with Horse Handle
Located in Aarhus C, DK
Antique Danish mangle board (clothing and bedding press) from ca. 1800 to 1850.
It is made from oak wood which is hand carved with a rich decoration with geometric blossoms and lots...
Category
Early 19th Century Scandinavian Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Country Made Village Cricket Score Board A Charming Country made piece
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Country Made Village Cricket Score Board
A Charming Country made piece, the board has all the usual information needed during a match
The board is 16” high, 36” wide 4” deep
TVY161
Category
1950s Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Beech
Zabihi Collection Vintage Persian Pictorial Rug
Located in New York, NY
Mid-20th Century Persian Pictorial small square rug
Measures: 3'' x 4'1'' circa 1940.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Wool
Vintage Folk Art Carved Wood Juvenile Size Carousel Figure of a Standing Lion
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Vintage half-scale carved wood carousel figure by Robert Demechko (1938-1923). Called "Leo" a carved and bleached or limed wood figure of a standing male lion with glass eyes and dec...
Category
Late 20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Wood
A Pair Of John Bauer Wooden Carved Wall Sculptures
By John Bauer
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A pair of wooden carved and hand painted birch wood panels representing a moose and a troll with a child. These figures were taken from the famous Swedish painter and illustrator Joh...
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Birch
Swedish Flemish Weave Riding Pad "The Parrot"
Located in Eskilstuna, SE
The Parrot is one of the most characteristic patterns in Scania Weave textiles. This textile Parrot cushion was once woven to be used as a riding pad. It is approximately one century...
Category
1920s Swedish Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wool
Found and Salvaged Steel Structure on a Steel & Wooden Circular Base
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 spare parts come together ...
Category
2010s American Folk Art
Materials
Metal, Steel
Paul Walker - Outsider Art Checkerboard
Located in Savannah, GA
Paul Edward Walker
(American, b.1949)
Checkerboard
oil on board
signed “Art by Paul Walker”, “Nov. 97, Savannah, GA”
26 by 20 inches; ¾ inches deep
Paul Walker is a Savannah, G...
Category
1990s American Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
Scandinavian Folk Art Hand Carved Oak Mangle Board
Located in New York, NY
Scandinavian folk art mangle board, hand carved oak with traditional designs. Carved wooden horse was used as handle for pressing linen.
Mangle boards were given as a wedding gift fr...
Category
19th Century Danish Antique Folk Art
Materials
Oak
1800's Swedish Mortar made of solid Öland limestone.
Located in Boden, SE
Mortars made of Öland limestone in the 1800's was used by many in Sweden.
They was known for its durability and ability to withstand wear over time.
In good vintage and charmy condit...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art
Materials
Stone
Original Vintage Hand-Carved Relief Panel Fragment depicting a Bird
Located in Leesburg, VA
Original Vintage Hand-Carved Relief Panel Fragment depicting a Bird
Anonymous
Southern Asia, probably India; first-half of the 20th century
Wood
Approximate size: 7.8 x 2.6 x 9.2 i...
Category
Early 20th Century Indian Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Folk Art Preening White Winged Scoter Decoy by Reggie Birch
Located in Nantucket, MA
Folk Art Preening White Winged Scoter Decoy by Reggie Birch, circa 2000, in the manner of a Gus Wilson Monhegan Island decoy, hand carved of white cedar with neck and head turned back to preen feathers on the back, with carved detail to eyes, bill nares, inlet neck, raised wings and upswept tail; the paint is deliberately distressed and aged to produce a striking patina. The wood is as dried as an antique, and the decoy has been worked to appear well used in the field. One would never suspect this was not an actual antique if not for the prominent signature on the bottom.
Reggie Birch is a renowned award-winning decoy carver from Chincoteague Island...
Category
Late 20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Cedar
Inge Woelfle - Portrait of a Bavarian Folksy Man with Pipe, Oil on Wood
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Inge Woelfle - Portrait of a Bavarian Folksy Man with Pipe, Oil on Wood
An colorful oil painting depicting a pipe smoking folksy Bavarian man in his sunday robe. Painted on wood with pastel colors around 1950s. Framed with wooden carved and gilded frame in Baroque style. Painted by Inge Woelfle. Signed on the right top corner.
Alpine oil...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Monumental Modern Abstract Painting by Valery Kleverov (A.A. Kaebep) Russian 75
Located in Buffalo, NY
KLEVER Modernist Abstract Painting -
(A.A. Kaebep) (Klever) (Russian, 20th Century), dated, 1975. Signed and dated lower right corner "AA Kaebep '75".
(translated form Russian) Kl...
Category
1970s Russian Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Canvas, Paint
Mexican Vintage Ken Edwards Tonala Pottery Hand Painted Quail Bird
By Ken Edwards
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Ken Edwards Mexican ceramic quail bird form Tonala Pottery.
Beautiful vintage Mexican hand made and hand painted TONALA Art Pottery.
Deco...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art
Materials
Pottery
Swedish folk art watercolour “Kungsklippan", 1932
Located in Oxford, GB
This Swedish folk art watercolour farm house located in Kingsklippan, Sweden on winter scene is a unique and timeless piece of art. Crafted with an aged brown tone, the painting has ...
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Paper
Oil Painting “Palaios” 1969
Located in Oxford, GB
This unique "Palaios" art painting by MW Saunders is a timeless piece dating back to 1968, featuring intricate artwork and vibrant colours. Perfect for any collector or art enthusias...
Category
1960s Swedish Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood
J. Gruber - Portrait of a Bavarian Folksy Man with Beer Mug, Oil on Wood
Located in Berghuelen, DE
J. Gruber - Portrait of a Bavarian Folksy Man with Beer Mug, Oil on Wood
An colorful oil painting depicting a beer drinking folksy Bavarian man in his sunday robe. Painted on wood with pastel colors around 1950s. Framed with antique wooden gilded frame...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Decorative and Mid Century African Hand Made Wooden and Hide Tribal Drum, 1900s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare and beautiful handmade drum in painted wood and hide produced i Africa early 1900s / 20th century. In original condition.
Very decorative and genuine and works well with many c...
Category
Early 20th Century Kenyan Folk Art
Materials
Hide, Wood
Antique Painted Lyre Shaped Easel Fireplace Screen. English Late 19th Century
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful painted fireplace screen
Original paint. No re-touches.
Naively painted wood surround and tin floral panel.
The floral panel is in Dutch baroque style
Country House con...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Folk Art
Materials
Tin
Ketch Pond Yacht, c.1900
Located in Savannah, GA
A gaff rigged ketch pond yacht on display stand, circa 1900.
All original paint, riggings and six sails.
68 ½ inches wide by 12 inches deep by 62 inches tall
Category
Early 1900s Unknown Antique Folk Art
Materials
Canvas, Wood
A four mast 18th century ship in a bottle, English folk art circa 1920
Located in Central England, GB
This very good example has been hand built in a smaller sized square bottle than normally seen. It contains a large four mast 18th century ship fully rigged and with open sails leaving the shoreline which has high cliffs and buildings whilst about to pass a lighthouse. The scale and detail are very good and it has been very nicely hand painted. These rare folk art bottles...
Category
Early 20th Century British Folk Art
Materials
Glass
Four Meissen Porcelain Plaques Depicting the Four Seasons
Located in London, GB
This delicately detailed set of four allegorical porcelain plaques portrays family scenes within the theme of the four seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter.
Spring can be ide...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Found and Salvaged Industrial Objects, Metal Sculpture on Base
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
Known for his steel furniture, Jim Rose was an avid collector and scoured salvage yards for unique, interesting items. Here he has paired various repurposed finds together to create...
Category
2010s American Folk Art
Materials
Steel, Metal
Vintage Folk Art Glazed Terracotta Shoe - Signed & Dated - U.S. - Circa 1966
Located in Chatham, ON
Vintage American folk art glazed terracotta shoe - hand modeled - signed and dated on the base - United States - circa 1966.
Good vintage condition - hand modeled body as intended b...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Terracotta
Early 20th Century Folk Art French Weather-Vane Plane
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century Folk Art French weather-vane plane.
For sale in this lot is an early 20th century handmade Folk Art French weather-vane plane. Th...
Category
1940s British Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Mid-19th Century Folk Art Horn Carved Nun Figure
Located in London, GB
Mid-19th Century Folk Art Horn Carved Nun Figure
A rare and unusual example of a mid-19th Century hand carved folk art figure of a Nun. Made from the t...
Category
1880s Unknown Antique Folk Art
Materials
Horn
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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