Folk Art Decorative Objects
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.
Late 20th Century Chinese Folk Art Decorative Objects
Rattan
1960s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Aluminum
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Brass
1940s European Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
1910s German Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Metal
19th Century French Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Straw
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pine
Late 20th Century Folk Art Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Pottery
1960s Japanese Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
1990s Cuban Folk Art Decorative Objects
Ceramic
20th Century Spanish Folk Art Decorative Objects
Terracotta, Earthenware, Pottery
1960s Japanese Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
1970s Haitian Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Steel
Late 20th Century Folk Art Decorative Objects
Stone
Early 1800s Dutch Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Delft
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pine
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pine, Paint
21st Century and Contemporary Cameroonian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Clay, Beads
1990s American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Cane, Rattan, Wood
1980s Chinese Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Metal
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Bentwood
Late 20th Century Unknown Folk Art Decorative Objects
Ceramic
20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Birch, Pine
1930s English Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Fruitwood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood, Paint
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
1970s Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Birch, Pine
19th Century English Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Fruitwood
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pine
2010s American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Metal, Steel
20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Decorative Objects
Limestone, Sandstone, Marble
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pine
1890s Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Leather, Wood
20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Shell, Clay
1890s European Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Oak
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood, Olive
Late 19th Century Scandinavian Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century Swedish Folk Art Decorative Objects
Oak, Paint
1990s Italian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pine
1960s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Brass
Early 20th Century Israeli Folk Art Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Brass
Mid-20th Century Folk Art Decorative Objects
Blown Glass, Art Glass
20th Century Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects
Textile, Wood, Paper
20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Brass
1960s German Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Beech
Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Pottery
19th Century Haitian Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Hardwood, Ebony
18th Century Indian Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
2010s Moroccan Folk Art Decorative Objects
Clay, Earthenware
17th Century French Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Brass
2010s American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Metal, Steel
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood, Olive
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pine
1990s British Folk Art Decorative Objects
Driftwood
Early 20th Century Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Pottery, Stoneware
Early 1900s Portuguese Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Majolica, Pottery
20th Century African Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood, Hardwood
Mid-20th Century Thai Folk Art Decorative Objects
Fabric, Wood
Late 19th Century European Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Brass
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pine
1920s Belgian Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Oak
Early 1900s Scandinavian Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
Early 20th Century East Asian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood