Elephant Puppet
20th Century European Other Carnival Art
Wood
People Also Browsed
Vintage 1930s Italian Art Deco Ceramics
Ceramic
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vases
Pottery, Paint
Late 20th Century French Prints
Paper
Vintage 1970s American Folk Art Carnival Art
Paper
Mid-20th Century Picture Frames
Silk
Mid-20th Century Expressionist Figurative Paintings
Oil, Board
20th Century Polish Posters
Paper
Mid-20th Century English Art Deco Posters
Paper
Vintage 1960s Italian Posters
Paper
1930s Figurative Paintings
Oil, Canvas
Mid-20th Century American Paintings
Canvas, Giltwood
Vintage 1930s American Paintings
Vintage 1930s Swedish Art Deco Urns
Porcelain
Vintage 1970s American Animal Sculptures
Bronze
Vintage 1970s Expressionist Prints
Paper
20th Century Polish Posters
Paper
Recent Sales
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Toys
Rubber
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Toys
Rubber
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Toys
Rubber
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Toys
Rubber
20th Century Tanzanian Tribal Sculptures
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Toys
Rubber
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Toys
Rubber
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Toys
Rubber
Antique Late 19th Century Italian Collectibles and Curiosities
Rope, Wood
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Toys
Rubber
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Toys
Rubber
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Toys
Rubber
Vintage 1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Toys
Rubber
Finding the Right Folk Art for You
Folk art refers to a genre of art that shares the creator’s traditions, offering not just an artistic display but an opportunity to learn about a culture. Vintage, new and antique folk art typically reflects a heritage or location. It can include utilitarian objects and handmade art as diverse as weather vanes, portraiture and paintings, carnival art, quilts and duck decoys.
American folk art is frequently valued because of the traditional skills involved, like weaving, hand-carving wood and even stonework. Many folk artists are self-taught, while some train as apprentices within their community. By using available materials and taking a personal approach to their creations, artists ensure each piece is unique and conveys a story. Native American folk art includes functional objects reflecting their heritage, such as baskets, textiles and wooden pieces.
During the Great Depression, artistic materials in America were hard to come by, so artisans used discarded wood from cigar boxes and shipping crates to make highly stylized, notched pieces — most often picture frames and boxes — that are today sought after by collectors. This folk art style is called tramp art and was popular from roughly 1870 until the 1940s.
Folk art brings vibrant culture and traditions into your home. Browse an extensive collection of folk art on 1stDibs.