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.
Lindstroms Steeple Chase Metal Game Board
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Lindstroms Steeple Chase Game Board Race Horse game Where you shoot the ball from the dedicated spring shot area on the right and land within the zones to get points. Instructions a...
Metal
Wooden Linstroms Poker PinBall Game
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Linstroms Poker Pin Ball Game The marbles are shot up into the board and where the balls land is how you get your poker hand. Each player gets 5 shots. Instructions are on back of b...
Wood
Handmade Miniature Chess Set with Walnut Inlaid Box with magnetic pieces, 20th C
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very good quality handmade Miniature or Travelling wood chess set game of 32 pieces in its own inlaid hardwood box, which we date to the 20th century. The small dimensions...
Brass
Lindstroms Gold Star Metal Game Board
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Metal Marble game Bioard. Lindstroms Gold Star game. Shoot marble and land in specific locations for points to win. Lindstroms Toy and Tools Company
Metal
Miniature Travelling Chess Set Game handmade in walnut Inlaid box, circa 1940s
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a good quality handmade Miniature or travelling wood chess set game of 32 pieces in its own inlaid hardwood box, which we date to the mid 20th century, circa 1940s. The smal...
Brass
Decorative Hand-Carved Wooden Mancala Game Board, African, Mid-20th Century
Located in Odense, DK
A hand-carved wooden mancala game board showcasing a sculptural and well-balanced form. The top features a series of carved wells used for traditional counting games, while the base ...
Wood
Miniature Travelling Chess Set Game Inlaid Walnut Box handmade, circa 1930's
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a good quality handmade miniature or travelling wood chess set game of 32 pieces in its own inlaid walnut box, which we date to the early 20th century, circa 1930's. The che...
Wood
$960Sale Price|20% Off
Cats Cats Cats Painting Outsider Folk Artist Gloria Laposka
Located in South Burlington, VT
13 different cats are depicted in this charming -vibrant hand painting A framed oil painting on canvas panel by Self Taught Outsider Surrealist Folk Artist Gloria Antoinette Laposk...
Canvas, Wood
$760Sale Price|20% Off
Side Show Circus By Self Taught Outsider Folk Artist Gloria Laposka
Located in South Burlington, VT
Side Show A framed and inspired color print in the manner of Self Taught Outsider Surrealist Folk Artist Gloria Laposka (1922-2015) A unique and vibrant colored work depicting si...
Canvas, Paper
Antique Mechanical Racing Game, "Jeu de Course" by M.J. & Cie
Located in San Francisco, CA
This antique mechanical game is known as "Jeu de Course" (The Race Game). Not for kiddies, it was a popular parlor and betting game produced in France during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The game includes six hand-painted lead horses ridden by jockeys in colorful silks. A lever on the front (marked with a cast plaque with the letters M.J. & Cie) activates the internal mechanism, causing the horses to revolve around the felt-covered track on a circular lane with cast metal "lamp post" gates. The winner is the horse that stops closest to the finish line, which was originally marked by a small flag (missing in this antique example). This game is housed in a wooden box with lid, finished in black with gold accents. A Jeu de Course game (specifically one by M.J. & Cie) is featured in a key scene in the 1993 movie “Dave.” It is central during an emotional moment between Dave Kovic (played by Kevin Kline, impersonating President Bill Mitchell) and First Lady Ellen Mitchell (played by Sigourney Weaver). Dave is playing with the mechanical horse race game...
Metal, Lead
American Folk Art Silk Woven Birdseye Maple Chess & Checkers Board, c.1880
Located in Savannah, GA
Exceptional American folk art parlor game board featuring silk ribbons forming bold red and blue squares inset beneath glass within a bird's-eye maple frame; rare textile constructio...
Birdseye Maple
Antique Parcheesi Folk Art Game Board
Located in San Francisco, CA
On offer is a handmade Parcheesi game board signed on the back by Alice Muckelston, whose love of the game is expressed in the painted hearts. Parcheesi is an American adaptation of ...
Plywood, Paint
$596Sale Price|25% Off
19thc Wooden Folk Art Gaming Wheel with Original Red Paint & Cardinal Design
Located in Savannah, GA
19th Folk Art gaming wheel featuring four cardinals and hand painted numbers, it retains the original red and yellow paint. A charming piece of Americana that would make a colorful w...
Metal
Antique Carrom Large Wooden Game Board Double-Sided No. 1 Archarena Style 'E'
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Antique carrom large wooden game board double-sided no. 1 Archarena Style (E). Antique Carrom Company 1907 Wood Game Board Double Sided, made in USA...
Wood
$956Sale Price|20% Off
19th C Original Painted Game Board
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th C original painted game board. Nice original Salmon and black paint.
Wood
$1,036Sale Price|20% Off
19thc Original Painted Game Board
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19Thc Original cream & black painted game board from Pennsylvania.This game board has the original picture frame molding. The patina is the best.
Wood
Marble Solitaire Game Hardwood Board with 34 old Glass swirl Marbles, Circa 1930
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a good Marble Solitaire game, having a very good hardwood board and a complete set of 34 glass swirl marbles, all dating to the first half of the 20th century. The circular ...
Glass, Hardwood
$780Sale Price|20% Off
19th C Original Painted Checkerboard
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th C Original painted checkerboard.
Wood, Paint
$680Sale Price|20% Off
Karaoke Sister Singers Unique Painting Self Taught Folk Artist Gloria Laposka
Located in South Burlington, VT
"Karaoke Singers At A Night Club" Vibrant Colored Hand Painting Unique Oil Painting by Self Taught Outsider Surrealist Folk Artist Gloria Antoinette Laposka (1922-2015) Said Lapo...
Canvas
$1,596Sale Price|20% Off
19th C Original Painted Checkerboard Game Board
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th C original painted checkerboard game board. Board has great Grungy paint. Great Pitina.
Wood
$946Sale Price|36% Off
Joyful Dancers Painting Self Taught Outsider Folk Artist Gloria Laposka, Unique
Located in South Burlington, VT
"Joyful Dancers" Vibrant Colored Hand Painting Unique Oil Painting by Self Taught Outsider Surrealist Folk Artist Gloria Antoinette Laposka (1922-2015) Said Laposka: "The paintings...
Canvas
Antique Carrom Company Large Wood Game Board Double Sided
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Antique carrom large wooden game board double-sided. Antique Carrom Company 1907 wood game board double sided, made in USA. Each corner of the boar...
Wood
$1,296Sale Price|20% Off
Early 20th Century Aunt Sally English Fairground Game
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century aunt sally english fairground game. We share what we love, and we love this oversized early 20th Century example of a carved wood Fairground Aunt Sally knock do...
Pine
Original Painted Game Board, Signed and Dated
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Original painted game board - signed and Dated 1935.
Wool, Paint
Dixieland Banjos Painting Self Taught Outsider Folk Artist Gloria Laposka
Located in South Burlington, VT
Dixieland Banjos Unique Oil Painting by Self Taught Outsider Surrealist Folk Artist Gloria Laposka (1922-2015) A unique and vibrant colored , hand painted oil on board Folk Art mas...
Canvas
$600Sale Price|20% Off
The Violin Player Painting Outsider Folk Artist Gloria Laposka
Located in South Burlington, VT
"Violin Player" Vibrant Colored Hand Painting A framed oil painting on canvas panel by Self Taught Outsider Surrealist Folk Artist Gloria Antoinette Laposka (1922-2015) Said Lapo...
Canvas, Wood
$9,012Sale Price|30% Off
Sag Harbor Whale Scrimshaw Cribbage Board
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
Authentic Scrimshaw carved into and antique tortoise shell with brass legs. Carved aboard the Ship Argonaut. A whaling ship from Sag Harbor New York from 1814-1832. The detailed carv...
Tortoise Shell
$1,200Sale Price|20% Off
Le Cage Au Folle Unique Painting Self Taught Folk Artist Gloria Laposka 1987
Located in South Burlington, VT
"Le Cage au Folle" Vibrant Colored Hand Painting Signed and Dated 1987 Unique Oil Painting by Self Taught Outsider Surrealist Folk Artist Gloria Antoinette Laposka (1922-2015) Said...
Canvas
Antique Coins Game Used in Mexican Fairs
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1980. We offer this antique coins game used in Mexican Fairs. The piece is placed on the floor and coins are thrown from a certain distance. The ide...
Wood
$960Sale Price|20% Off
Playing Cards At The Dolphin Painting Outsider Folk Artist Gloria Laposka
Located in South Burlington, VT
Playing Cards Under Candle Light At The Green Dolphin Inn - Vibrant Colored Hand Painting An oil painting on canvas panel by Self Taught Outsider Surrealist Folk Artist Gloria A...
Canvas
$1,996Sale Price|20% Off
Highly Unusual American Folk Art "Yale vs. Harvard" Spinning Wheel Game C. 1900
Located in Atlanta, GA
American, circa 1900. A highly unusual American folk art game board. Hand designed and painted likely in New England by an Ivy Leaguer which features a 4 corner "Yale Vs. Harvard" d...
Wood, Paint
Marble Solitaire Game 10 inch Hardwood Board 35 mixed Stone Marbles, circa 1945
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very attractive complete game of Marble Solitaire with a hardwood circular board and 35 mixed stone marbles, probably French. The circular turned board is made of polished hardwood, with a good grain figure. The board has 32 equi-spaced holes with an additional one in the centre and a gallery to the outer perimeter. Three small circular pads have been attached to the base of the board to protect the surface it sits on. It comes complete with a full set of 35 (32 Plus 3 spare) handmade playing marbles of mixed stone, clay and agate and of different colours. Some of the clay marbles...
Stone
19th C Checkerboard Game Board
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th C original painted checkerboard game board.
Wood
$600Sale Price|20% Off
Toys Toys Early Painting Self Taught Outsider Folk Artist Gloria Laposka, Unique
Located in South Burlington, VT
"Toys Toys and more Toys" an early concept Vibrant Colored Hand Painting An early, unique concept oil painting on canvas panel by Self Taught Outsider Surrealist Folk Artist Gloria...
Canvas
19th Century Bocce Balls, France, Set of Three
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Late 19th to early 20th century bocce balls, France, set of three boxwood, iron and brass nails. The first ball has the letters PP in brass, the second ha...
Brass, Iron
$1,480Sale Price|20% Off
Flower Dancing In The Meadow Oil Painting Outsider Folk Artist Gloria Laposka
Located in South Burlington, VT
A Trio of Young Women Are Dancing in a meadow of colorful flowers - Vibrant Colored Hand Painting A framed oil painting on canvas panel by Self Taught Outsider Surrealist Folk Arti...
Canvas, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Game Board Box
Located in Chicago, IL
This mid-20th century American wooden game board box is as charming as it is versatile, offering timeless entertainment in a compact, travel-friendly design. Crafted from wood with a...
Wood
$356Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Hardwood Game Board with Marble Solitaire & Tiddlywinks, 1925
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a complete combination board game of marble solitaire and tiddlywinks, dating to the early 20th century. This is a most unusual and very de...
Glass, Hardwood
"The frog game", vintage game in wood and painted iron, early 20th
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Measures : 44,5x58cm TH:88cm H:74cm Materials : Wood - Iron Barrel game or wooden frog game, a traditional game of skill. The Barrel Game, also known as the "Frog Game," is one of t...
Iron, Sheet Metal
"Flag Stix" Vintage Children's Board Game PlaySet C.1947, by "Noveltoy Co" U.S.A
Located in Incline Village, NV
Fabulous all original condition to this vintage boxed colorful children's play set that provides the ability to create different international flags using the wooden sticks provided;...
Wood, Paper
Set of Five Children's Lithographed Alphabet Nesting Blocks, American Circa 1915
Located in Incline Village, NV
Lovely set of colorful early 1900's lithographed five block set of alphabet nesting blocks; used as both an educational item as well as toy/game amuseme...
Paper
$1,480Sale Price|20% Off
Ship In A Bottle Master Maker Painting Outsider Folk Artist Gloria Laposka
Located in South Burlington, VT
"Ship In A Bottle" Master Model Maker Vibrant Colored Hand Painting A framed oil painting on canvas panel by Self Taught Outsider Surrealist Folk Artist Gloria Antoinette Laposka (...
Canvas, Wood
$1,600Sale Price|20% Off
Song And Musical Merry Makers Painting Outsider Folk Artist Gloria Laposka
Located in South Burlington, VT
"Song And Music Merry Makers" Vibrant Colored Hand Painting Unique Oil Painting by Self Taught Outsider Surrealist Folk Artist Gloria Antoinette Laposka (1922-2015) Said Laposka: "...
Canvas
$1,200Sale Price|20% Off
Family Beach Holiday Painting Self Taught Outsider Folk Artist Gloria Laposka
Located in South Burlington, VT
"Beach Holiday" Vibrant Colored Hand Painting An oil painting on canvas panel by Self Taught Outsider Surrealist Folk Artist Gloria Antoinette Laposka (1922-2015) Said Laposka:...
Canvas
$760Sale Price|20% Off
Pickle Barrel Maker Painting Self Taught Outsider Folk Artist Gloria Laposka
Located in South Burlington, VT
"Pickel Barel Maker" Vibrant Colored Hand Painting An early oil painting on canvas panel by Self Taught Outsider Surrealist Folk Artist Gloria Antoinette Laposka (1922-2015) Sai...
Canvas
Early Twentieth Century Folk Art Framed Velvet Quilt Chess / Checker Board
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Unique Folk Art chess / checker board composed of a handmade, burgundy velvet quilt with beige, white and gold stitched accents, all housed within a glass-fronted oak frame (ca. 1910...
Velvet, Glass, Oak
$952Sale Price|20% Off
American Painted Folk Art Game Board for Checkers or Chess, C. 1840
Located in Atlanta, GA
A boldly graphic American folk art game board, hand-painted in red, black, and forest green with yellow dividing lines, dating to the mid-19th century, circa 1840–1860. Constructed f...
Wood, Paint
$1,200Sale Price|20% Off
Green Dolphin Inn Gathering Painting Outsider Folk Artist Gloria Laposka
Located in South Burlington, VT
A Gathering At The Green Dolphin Inn - Vibrant Colored Hand Painting An oil painting on canvas panel by Self Taught Outsider Surrealist Folk Artist Gloria Antoinette Laposka (19...
Canvas
$1,200Sale Price|20% Off
Shoreline Dance Picnic Painting Self Taught Outsider Folk Artist Gloria Laposka
Located in South Burlington, VT
Shoreline Dance And Picnic Vibrant Colored Hand Painting An oil painting on canvas panel by Self Taught Outsider Surrealist Folk Artist Gloria Antoinette Laposka (1922-2015) Sai...
Canvas
Young Girl And Her Best Friend Dog Unique Painting Folk Artist Gloria Laposka
Located in South Burlington, VT
Vibrant Colored Hand Painting "Young Girl and her Dog" Unique Oil Painting by Self Taught Outsider Surrealist Folk Artist Gloria Laposka (1922-2015) A unique and vibrant colored , ...
Canvas
Paint Decorated Games Board
Located in Nantucket, MA
Paint decorated ochre and brown double-sided game board, one side with Canadian checkers, the other with Parcheesi, Canada, circa 1890. Measures: 25 1...
Country Made Village Cricket Score Board A Charming Country made piece
Located in Godshill, 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
Beech