Folk Art Decorative Objects
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.
to
187
1,161
83
27
50
396
715
110
176
265
141
24
9
20
29
21
25
34
45
19
15
25,767
14,497
8,814
5,516
3,857
3,120
2,217
1,681
1,383
1,271
1,094
1,081
985
916
912
668
642
581
689
322
245
166
150
756
455
570
371
284
265
235
Height
to
Width
to
1,271
1,232
1,243
25
19
9
8
7
Style: Folk Art
Japanese Tall Ikebana Basket, Bamboo, Suruga Sensuji Style
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage bamboo Ikebana basket features tall cylindrical shape with prominent rounded handle. The basket is woven of thin round bamboo strips that are secured with light brown fiber, ...
Category
1960s Japanese Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wicker, Rattan, Bamboo
Large Wooden Tramp Art Box Folk Art Gold 20th Century
Located in Poperinge, BE
Large tramp art box with lid and brass handle, folk art object made of layered pieces of gold, partly gold colored, from the late first half of the 20th century.
Beautiful form of f...
Category
1940s European Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Mountain Hut Lodge Haus Wachenfeld Metal Money Box Piggy Bank, Vintage 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Gorgeous vintage metal money bank. A beautiful decorative item in metal. Made in Germany, circa 1920s to 1930s as a souvenir building bank. Nice addition to any collection, desktop, ...
Category
1910s German Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
1991 Jose Rodriguez Fuster "Guajiros Con Caballo" Ceramic #5 Sculpture, Cuba
By José Rodríguez Fuster
Located in San Carlos, CA
For Sale: Exquisite Ceramic Folk Art by Jose Rodriguez Fuster
"Guajiros Con Caballo" Ceramic #5 (1991)
We are delighted to offer a stunning piece of ceramic folk art by the renowned...
Category
1990s Cuban Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
Vintage Large Ceramic Sitting Cat Figurine, Pink Sponge Ware Folk Art Style
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage ceramic cat figurine features hand-painted pink sponge ware decor with black accents on face and paws. The cat depicted sitting with tail curled around the hind legs, slightl...
Category
Late 20th Century Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic, Pottery
Early 20th century continental decorative carousel horse
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 20th century continental decorative carousel horse circa 1900.
Unique continental painted merry-go-round horse circa 1900. Excellent opportunity to own this highly decorative ...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Oak, Paint
Spanish Green Terracotta Handled Vase / Vessel
Located in Barcelona, ES
Stunning Iberian style eight handled jar or vessel in green unglazed terracotta. Spain, 1940s
Catalan unglazed vase in green terracotta. Elegant piece, beautiful from all sides and i...
Category
20th Century Spanish Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Terracotta, Earthenware, Pottery
Seresier Louis-Juste Haitian Cut Steel Sculpture Spirit God & Birds
Located in Rochester, NY
Seresier Louis-Juste ( Haitian / Croix des Bouquets, b. 1952 ) recycled sculpted cut steel standing sculpture of a Loa / Lwa ( a spirit god in the voodoo religion of Haiti ) and bird...
Category
1970s Haitian Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Steel
Two Dala horses. Hand-painted with floral motifs on a blue background. Folk art.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Pre-owned goods are exempt from import duties for U.S. customers.
Therefore, no import tariffs will be applicable to your purchase.
Two Dala horses. Hand-painted with floral motifs...
Category
20th Century Swedish Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Large Heavy Shiva Lignam Fertility Banalinga Stone Brahmanda Egg
Located in Dayton, OH
Shiva Lingam is a crypto-crystalline member of the Quartz family. This heavy stone is found in only one of seven sacred Indian rivers. Villagers visit the Narmada River in Onkar Mand...
Category
Late 20th Century Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Stone
Stoneware Jars with Cobalt Blue Floral Motif from Westerwald, Germany, Set of 3
Located in Grythyttan, SE
Crafted in the traditional style of gray pottery adorned with cobalt blue floral motif, these salt-glazed stoneware jars hails from the Westerwald...
Category
1970s German Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Stoneware
Guerrero Pottery Bull Bank
Located in Fairfield, CA
A vintage Mexican folk art pottery bank. Hand made in Guerrero, Mexico. The bank is in the shape of bull with a rider, featuring beautiful hand painted te...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pottery
Original African Figure Statue Beaded Head, African Art, 2000s
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Beautiful African tribe beaded bust. This is a stunning piece made of clay and adorned with beads.
It may have some irregularities, which add to its uniqueness and charm.
Please avo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Cameroonian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Clay, Beads
Early 19th Century Norwegian Rose Painted Wood Bowl
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A fabulous antique "rose maling" painted bowl dated 1842. Displays beautifully on a coffee table or side table standing alone or filled with fruit on a kitchen counter.
Category
19th Century Norwegian Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood, Paint
Beautiful Wooden Metal coated Tang-Style Horse, Vintage Asia, 1980s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful decorative horse statue. Some wear with a nice patina, but this is old-age. Wooden horse coated with metal. Very decorative and nice to display ...
Category
1980s Chinese Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
Vintage Large Tonala Mexico Pottery Cat, Hand Painted, Signed
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Playful stretching Tonala pottery cat figurine is decorated with beautiful hand painted abstract geometric and floral designs in blue, green, and earthy brown palette. Variations in...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic, Pottery
Vintage Large American Hand Woven Gathering Buttocks Basket
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage or antique oversized gathering basket features traditional rib or buttocks shape with the bent wood ring rim and handle. The plaited splints are carefully interwoven to carry...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wicker, Oak
19th Century Swedish Antique Rustic Folk Art Wooden Trough/ Serving Bowl
Located in Boden, SE
19th century antique rustic Swedish antique wooden tray/ Serving bowl from Boden ,Northern Sweden .
A farmers handcrafted tray or serving bowl ...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
Antique Wooden Tramp Art Box Trinket Folk Art Unique Piece
Located in Poperinge, BE
Antique wooden rectangular tramp art box with hidden keyhole, elaborately decorated panels, stained dark brown. Folk art collector's item with a beautiful age patina from the early 2...
Category
Early 20th Century European Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Antique Tramp Art Box with Mirrors Folk Art Collectible
Located in Poperinge, BE
Beautiful antique tramp art box with mirrored panels on the sides and top, pointed feet and a triangular lid, partly covered with green velvet inside and decorated with a small mirro...
Category
Early 20th Century European Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Mirror, Wood
Hand Carved & Hand Painted Rooster Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand carved & hand painted rooster sculpture. Very folky rooster.
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
20th Century American Folk Art Carved Stop Sign
Located in Chicago, IL
A 20th century American Folk Art hand-carved and painted wood stop sign mounted on a custom steel stand.
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood, Paint
Nantucket Purse with Painted Seascape on Top, by Barbara Grey, circa 1995
Located in Nantucket, MA
Vintage Nantucket Purse by Barbara Grey, circa 1995, a covered oval Nantucket basket, with cane weave on rattan staves, braided leather shoulder strap, turned bone peg, and having a ...
Category
1990s American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Cane, Rattan, Wood
Japanese Tall Ikebana Basket, Bamboo & Black Accents, Suruga Sensuji Style
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage bamboo Ikebana basket features tall cylindrical shape with prominent rounded handle. The basket is woven of thin round bamboo strips that are secured with black fiber, addin...
Category
1960s Japanese Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
Three Antique Dutch Delft Plates Netherlands Circa 1800
By Delft
Located in Katonah, NY
Made in the Netherlands circa 1800, these three Dutch Delft plates exhibit a naive yet energetic quality.
The center of each dish features a beautifully hand-painted arrangement of l...
Category
Early 1800s Dutch Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Delft
Antique Folk Art Painted Picture Frame. English, Circa 1830
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Lovely painted picture frame
Great piece of folk art
Original paint. Painted on pine.
The measurement given below is the outside of the frame
Internally it measures 9.75 x 8.25 i...
Category
1820s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
18th Century Swedish Primitive Organic Wooden Bowl with Original Paint
Located in Boden, SE
An antique and unique organic wooden bowl. With highly appealing patina, with traces of use. Produced in Sweden, 19th century.
The bowl has original paint.
Beautiful in any room,a ...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
Antique Swedish Wooden storage box 1865 Handmade Folk Craft
Located in Forest, BE
Swedish antique pine and birch wooden storage box. . Fine quality of bentwood. It is a true piece from the 19 century. Initials are hand painted on the top 1865 and hand engraved und...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Birch, Pine
Hand-Painted Large Faience Figures: Pair French Lions, Luneville c.1800
By Luneville
Located in Katonah, NY
This large pair of French faience lions was hand-painted at the Luneville factory in France circa 1800.
They feature bold yellow and black manes, wide...
Category
Early 19th Century French Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Faience
Vintage Mackenzie-Childs Style Cottage Single Light Candlestick
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Handmade Hand Painted Candle Holder Candlestick Ceramic.
Vintage Mackenzie-Childs Style Rose Cottage single light candlestick, candle holder.
Dimensions: 2.75" tall. 4.25" diameter a...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
Handmade Japanese Ikebana Floor Basket
Located in Malibu, CA
Vintage Japanese Ikebana Floor Basket. The basket features a unique design with a woven background & high-quality bamboo with freestyle form embellishing the underneath basket.
Suita...
Category
20th Century Japanese Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Bamboo, Reed
Hand-Carved English Yorkshire Terrier Box, Circa 1930's
Located in High Point, NC
Vintage English hand-carved box in the form of a Yorkshire Terrier. This box just grabs your heart and squeezes it with the fluffy coat of fur and the sweet expression. This piece ...
Category
1930s English Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Fruitwood
Hand Carved 20th Century Wooden Musician Figure by ANRI, Italy
By ANRI
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful hand carved wooden Figure, found at an estate sale in Germany. We believe that this piece is from around 1990s, because it's dated at the base like seen in picture. A nice ...
Category
1990s Italian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
19th Century Tramp Art Jewelry Box
Located in High Point, NC
19th century tramp art jewelry box from England. The box has a domed top with layers upon layers of molded edges, leading up to a graceful formed...
Category
19th Century English Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Fruitwood
Early 20th Century Vintage Artists Paint Box and Pallet, Denmark
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Danish Vintage Artists Paint Box and Pallet, Early 20th Century
Well loved Danish artists traveling wooden box with everything needed to paint on location. This charming box, acqui...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Japanese Flat Ikebana Basket, Bamboo, Suruga Sensuji Style
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage bamboo Ikebana basket features an elongated, flattened form with prominent rounded handle. The basket is woven of thin round bamboo strips that are secured with transparent ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Japanese Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
24" Tall Antique Swedish Large Wooden Horse Carved Hand-Painted 19th Century
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Tall antique Swedish horse in carved wood with original patinated paint in off-white color with blue dots.
Made circa end of the 19th century.
Th...
Category
1890s Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Leather, Wood
Found and Salvaged Steel Industrial Objects on 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, interesting items. Here, a beautifully rusted tobacco box, a steel egg...
Category
2010s American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal, Steel
19th Century French Folk Art Storage Basket
Located in Allerum, SE
Unusually large 19th century French folk art storage basket. coiled construction with straw and bark. Ca 1890 France.
Category
19th Century French Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Straw
Rare Pair of Fireman's Axe Parade Torches
Located in York County, PA
Rare pair of fireman’s axe parade torches, 1860-1880:
Pair of fireman’s axe parade torches with traditional wooden axe handles and the heads made o...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Vintage Rattan and Twisted Root Woven Ikebana Basket
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage hand-woven ikebana basket features rounded shape with asymmetrical rim; the form is convenient for displaying it on a shelf, fireplace mantel, or a table. A prominent handle...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wicker, Rattan, Wood
Antique Black Tramp Art Frame Folk Art Picture Frame Carved Wood Carved Oak
Located in Munich, DE
This fine size tramp art picture frame was hand crafted and hand carved in the last decades of the nineteenth century. It is decorated with for pointed stars, square and rectangular...
Category
1890s European Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Oak
19th Century Swedish Provincial Spice Box
Located in Bozeman, MT
Charming 19th century Swedish provincial spice box in its original condition with two sliding doors and one drawer. The interior contains eight compartments intended for different dr...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
Antique Swedish Soapstone Stone Pot with Hand Wrought Iron and a Genuine Patina
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique Swedish stone pot made from a hollowed stone – soapstone. With hand wrought iron bands that wrap around and strengthens it. Made during the mid 1800s in northern Sweden. Full...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Soapstone, Wrought Iron
Welded Owl Metal Sculpture, France 1970s
Located in ROUEN, FR
Welded Owl Metal Sculpture, France 1970s.
Handcrafted sculpture, composed of various metal pieces welded together.
A nice piece of folk art with a lovely patina !
Note : On the ri...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal, Iron, Sheet Metal
Folk Art Metal Mallard Duck Decoy late 1950s
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage metal duck decoy from the late 50s. Wonderful piece of Folk Art duck sculpture handmade with metal sheet comprising the body and attached metal head. Hand painted to simulate...
Category
1950s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
18th Century Swedish genuine country Folk Art box with original paint
Located in Boden, SE
A very beautiful folk Art box from Burträsk ,Västerbotten Northern Sweden.
A very decorative original painting that is typical of that region.
Nice salmon pink original painting ins...
Category
1890s Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
1940s Day Basket Co. Handwoven White Oak Long Market Basket with Stamped Handle
Located in Red Lion, PA
1940s Day Basket Co. Handwoven White Oak Long Market Basket with Stamped Handle
This charming 1940s handwoven market basket by the Day Basket Company of Maryland is a beautiful and ...
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Oak
Mexican Dia De Los Muertos Day of the Dead La Catrina Folk Art Figure Sculpture
Located in Studio City, CA
A quite wonderful Mexican Day of the Dead (Dia De Los Muertos festival held throughout Mexico) La Catrina symbolic skeleton figure.
La Catrina is the festival’s most recognizable image/figure. She is the model of a high-society woman who has met Death, her maker. She represents something between the fear induced by her skeletal form and the revelry exhibited by the comical way she is typically portrayed, making her a perfect symbol of the Mexican holiday. She often appears in paintings, window displays, and costumes all around Mexico during the Day of the Dead festivities.
La Catrina was originally conceived in the early 1900s by newspaper illustrator and printmaker José Guadalupe Posada...
Category
20th Century Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Textile, Wood, Paper
19thC Antique Folk Art Treenware Carved Turned Wood Tea Caddy Box Handpainted
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This striking antique 19th-century treenware tea caddy is a beautiful example of folk art craftsmanship. Skillfully hand-carved and turned from wood, this charming caddy features a r...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Puerto Rican Hand Crafted Wood Rooster Sculpture
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a Puerto Rican Hand Crafted Wood Rooster Sculpture by Emilio Rosado. It depicts a hand carved and hand painted white, red, yellow and plum color standing proud and tall roost...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Horse Head Trade Sign, Last Quarter of the 19th Century
Located in York County, PA
An exceptional, painted American trade sign made from carved wood in the full-bodied form of a race horse’s head. Wonderful movement, tremendous f...
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Antique French Painted Cast Concrete Rooster Garden Statue
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This charming antique French painted concrete rooster statue is a striking piece of vintage farmhouse décor. Crafted from solid cast concrete, it showcases intricate feather detailing and a weathered patina that adds to its rustic appeal. The statue is hand-painted in white with red, yellow, and green accents, giving it an authentic aged look.
Perfect for indoor or outdoor use, this robust sculpture makes a wonderful decorative piece for gardens, patios, or farmhouse-style interiors. Whether used as a statement ornament, a focal point in a garden setting, or a collectible item, this vintage rooster...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Concrete
Spanish Green Ceramic Jug Vase, 1950s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eye-catching Andalusian Handled Jar or Vessel in Green Glazed Ceramic. Spain, 1950s
This outstanding jar vase has engraved geometric details thorough creating a beautiful pattern. Si...
Category
20th Century Spanish Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica
Vintage Rattan and Twisted Root Woven Hanging Ikebana Basket
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage hand-woven ikebana basket features flattened shape with rounded front, demilune bottom and straight back; the form is convenient for hanging the basket on the wall or displa...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wicker, Rattan, Wood
Moroccan Decorative Cat Sculpture Handbuilt and Handpainted by Potter Houda
Located in Marseille, FR
- Hand built decorative cat sculpture
- made of clay collected from the potter's surroundings.
- decorative motifs painted with a goat hair brush made b...
Category
2010s Moroccan Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Clay, Earthenware
Carved Wooden African Head
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A wonderful hand carved head of Hardwood. A stunning sculpted and carved piece. A stand alone decorative piece or can be used as a large book end. Trul...
Category
20th Century African Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood, Hardwood
Large Antique Northern Swedish Woven Birch Root Decorative Basket with Handle
Located in Kramfors, SE
Large antique root basket from northern Sweden. The basket is woven with birch root around the 1880s and is unusually large. Good vintage condition with some minor marks and traces o...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Birch
Folk Art decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique folk art decorative objects 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 decorative objects created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, folk art, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art decorative objects made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original decorative objects, popular names associated with this style include Mosche Bianche, Jim Rose, Berber Tribes of Morocco, and Tonala Pottery. 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 decorative objects differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $38 and tops out at $225,000 while the average work can sell for $1,105.