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.
Large Antique Victorian Ship Diorama, Cased Maritime Folk Art Model, 19th C.
Located in Bristol, GB
ANTIQUE SHIP DIORAMA A scratch built folk art model of a three masted British ship, possibly a barque rigged clipper hybrid. Fully rigged with ...
Brass
Nautical Folk Art: British Sailor's Woolwork of Royal Navy Ships
Located in Downingtown, PA
Nautical Folk Art: A Rare Pair of Royal Navy Sailor's Woolworks, Same Sailor Artist, Circa 1865-70 This magnificent, matched pair of mid-Victorian British sailor's woolworks—affecti...
Wool
Mid-Century Nautical Buoy From the S.S. Normandie The French Line
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Very special piece with alot of history behind it. Looks to be accurate from many perspectives, physical appearances show it was repainted over what was the original coat of paint wi...
Canvas, Rope, Paint
20th C, Hand Crafted Tall Copper Electrified Lighthouse Table Lamp
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Amazing craftsmanship in this one of a kind piece hand crafted from copper. Hammered repousse in and around the entire lighthouse. Tall 33 inches by 14 diameter with an 11 inch balcony. Entirely lights up, Tower with a large dome light...
Copper
19th Century English Folk Art Encased Ship Diorama
Located in London, GB
19th Century Folk Art Encased Ship Diorama A delightful and highly decorated example of a late 19th century English folk art ships model diorama...
Glass, Wood
$1,200Sale Price|20% Off
Handmade WWII Era Folk Art Battleship Child's Toy
Located in Red Lion, PA
This handmade folk art battleship from the early 1940s is a remarkable example of wartime craftsmanship, reflecting both the patriotic spirit and resourcefulness of the era. Crafted ...
Wood
Large Mahogany Antique Boat Model
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Inspired model of a boat or skiff expertly crafted in mahogany, probably by a boat builder, having a graceful form and has acquired a well earned patina only time can give.
Mahogany
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Shellwork Table
Located in Milford, NH
A wonderful folk art rectangular shellwork table featuring a top with foliate polychrome sand design around shells under glass, with the entire surface of the sides and legs covered with small seashells set...
Shell, Glass, Wood
American Gilt Carved Wood and Poly Chromed Roman Guard Figurehead, Circa 1890
Located in Charleston, SC
American gilt carved wood and poly chromed nautical figurehead of Roman guard in military attire. Late 19th century.
Wood, Giltwood, Paint
British Sailor’s Woolwork of a Second Rate Ship of the Line Entering Port
Located in Downingtown, PA
British Sailor’s Woolwork of a Second Rate Ship of the Line Entering Port Circa 1865 This dramatically composed British sailor’s woolwork depicts a Royal Navy second rate ship of th...
Wool
British Sailor’s Woolwork of the ‘Outer Gabbard’ Lightship
Located in Downingtown, PA
Safe Harbor: British Sailor’s Woolwork of the ‘Outer Gabbard’ Lightship Circa 1910 This rare and evocative sailor’s woolwork, or "woolie," serves as a folk-art tribute to the Outer ...
Wool
British Sailor’s Woolwork of a Three-Masted Ship Flying the Red Ensign Circa 186
Located in Downingtown, PA
British Sailor’s Woolwork of a Three-Masted Ship Flying the Red Ensign Circa 1865-75 This large British sailor’s woolwork depicts a majestic three-masted, square-rigged ship under a...
Wool
$1,200Sale Price|20% Off
Handmade WWII Era Folk Art Battleship Child's Toy
Located in Red Lion, PA
This handmade folk art battleship from the early 1940s is a remarkable example of wartime craftsmanship, reflecting both the patriotic spirit and resourcefulness of the era. Crafted ...
Wood
Early 20th Century English folk art scratch-built ship model of S.V Liverpool
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century English folk art scratch-built ship model of S.V Liverpool One of the best examples we have uncovered, an early 20th Century example of an English folk art scrat...
Metal
$525Sale Price|30% Off
Vintage Hand Crafted Scale Model of a Fishing Boat - Canada - Mid 20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
Vintage hand crafted scale model of a fishing boat - featuring a detailed interior with two seats, a removable fishing net with floats and a coiled rope to the front - the wood left ...
Wood
Sailor's Keepsake: Edwardian Shellwork Valentine Diorama of Ship
Located in Downingtown, PA
Sailor's Keepsake: Edwardian Shellwork Valentine Diorama 🐚 ________________________________________ This is a charming and historically evocative Edwardian Shellwork Diorama, a clas...
Shell
Scale Model of a Fully Fitted Whale Boat, circa 1950s
Located in Nantucket, MA
Vintage Scale Model of a Fully Fitted Whale Boat, circa 1950s, a hand crafted wooden model of a carvel hulled whale boat having a smooth strake edge to edge construction, fully fitte...
Wood
British Sailor's Woolwork of a Royal Navy Second Rate Battleship
Located in Downingtown, PA
Stitches of the Sea: A Royal Navy Masterpiece in Wool British, Circa 1875 This engaging example of British Sailor's Woolwork, commonly known as a "Woolie," dates to approximately 18...
Wool
Pair of American Bronze USS Constitution Ship Wheel Bookends Ironside, C. 1927
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of American Bronze USS Constitution ship wheel bookends resting on rectangular bases, " Old Ironside " Early 20th Century.
Bronze
British Sailor's Woolwork Picture of Five Ships Off a Coastline
Located in Downingtown, PA
A Fleet in Thread: The Victorian Sailor's Grand Panorama British, Circa 1875 This engaging and substantial artwork serves as a superb example of the "woolie," a distinctive form of ...
Wool
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...
Metal
19th Century Sailor's Woolie of a Double Decker Ship of the Line, circa 1850
Located in Nantucket, MA
19th Century Sailor's Folk Art Woolie with a Double Decker Ship of the Line, ca 1850, depicting a larboard side view of a square-rigged double decker warship under standing rigging, ...
Wool
$7,554
Vintage Pond Yacht
Located in Norwell, MA
Wooden pond yacht with natural finish and painted white above the waterline. Linen sails, blue deck. 70" long x 11 1/2" wide x 78" ...
Brass, Lead
Antique Sailors Folk Art 'Sweetheart' Cushion In Glass Case, Late 19th Century
Located in Bristol, GB
ANTIQUE FOLK ART CUSHION Originally would have been a love token made by a sailor on a long voyage and then gifted to their sweetheart. A highly embellished example with a wealth ...
Metallic Thread
Antique Sailors Bugbear, Naive Folk Art Carved Coconut, Late 18th/Early 19th C.
Located in Bristol, GB
ANTIQUE FOLK ART CARVING An intricately carved coconut with a face on one side which makes use the naturally occurring holes and pits of the coconut to form a man’s eyes and mouth...
Coconut
19th Century Sailor's Woolie of Approaching a Lighthouse, circa 1850
Located in Nantucket, MA
Exceptional Mid 19th Century Sailor's Woolie of Naval Ship Approaching a Lighthouse, circa 1850, a very finely crafted sailor's woolwork with great variety of very short stitches inc...
Wool, Yarn
20th Century Diorama Folk Art Three Mast Model Ship in a Bottle English, C 1930
Located in Central England, GB
A fine Diorama Folk Art Model ship in a bottle This skilfully made diorama of a three-mast early 19th century sailing ship at harbour with a raised landscape behind and cottages set...
Glass
19th Century Sailor's Woolie of Flag Bedecked Triple Decker Ship of the Line
Located in Nantucket, MA
19th Century Sailor's Woolie of Flag-Bedecked Triple Decker Ship of the Line, circa 1850, a British sailor's hand-crafted woolwork picture with a larboard side view of a triple decke...
Wool
19th Century Sailor's Folk Art Inlaid Wall Pocket
Located in Nantucket, MA
19th Century Sailor's Folk Art Inlaid Wall Pocket, likely third quarter of the century, a sailor's hand-crafted folk art wall box or pocket, fashioned with oak sides and pine back, t...
Wood
Early 20th Century Folk Art Scratch Built Ship
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century Folk Art Scratch Built Ship Without doubt, one of the nicest examples of an early 20th Century English folk art ship model named Victoria. Amazing detail and charm...
Brass
British Sailor's Woolwork of the Screw Frigate H.M.S. Fox
Located in Downingtown, PA
"Homecoming": British Sailor's Woolwork of the Screw Frigate H.M.S. Fox, Circa 1875 A charming and detailed British sailor's woolwork (or "woolie"), depicting a portside view of the...
Wool
Three mast ship diorama in a Scottish whiskey bottle circa 1930, folk art design
Located in Central England, GB
We have for sale this exceptional ship-in-a-bottle, a three-mast sailing ship set in a seascape diorama. It has been built in a pinched (indentation) Scottish whiskey bottle, and it ...
Glass
British Woolwork of a Family of Man, Wife and Child on the Seashore with Ship
Located in Downingtown, PA
The Sailor's Glimpse: Woolwork of a Family Object: Rectangular Woolwork Picture Origin: British (Sailor's Folk Art) Date: Circa 1860 Medium: Wool, Silk Thread on Fabric Ground, Fram...
Wool
Sailor’s Woolwork of HMS Atalanta, Royal Navy Training Frigate Under Full Sail
Located in Downingtown, PA
Sailor’s Woolwork of HMS Atalanta, Royal Navy Training Frigate Under Full Sail Circa 1878-80 This large and historically significant British sailor’s woolwork depicts HMS Atalanta, ...
Wool
$1,650
Folk Art Ship Model
Located in Doylestown, PA
A naive Folk Art ship model in carved wood with fabric sails and elaborate rigging, American, circa 1900.
Wood
$3,840Sale Price|20% Off
Antique Nantucket Ship's Wheel Dining Table
By Nancy Chase
Located in Nantucket, MA
Antique ship's wheel dining table from Nantucket Island, made by the renowned Scrimshaw artist Nancy Chase (1931-2016). Nancy bought this Late 19th Century Ship's Wheel from an antiq...
Glass, Wood
Sailor's Woolwork of Royal Navy Five-Masted Ship under Steam, Minotaur Class
Located in Downingtown, PA
Victorian Ironclad: A Sailor’s Woolwork of a Minotaur-Class Five-Masted Ship Circa 1880 This impressive and rare sailor’s woolwork, or "woolie," offers a meticulously detailed ports...
Wool
19th Century Sailor's Woolie of the Ship JANE Under Full Sail
Located in Nantucket, MA
Early to Mid 19th Century Sailor's Woolie of the Merchant Ship JANE Under Full Sail, circa 1840s, a hand-crafted sailor's woolwork picture depicting a larboard side view of fully rig...
Wool, Cotton
Nautical Folk Art Hand Carved Wooden Whimsy
Located in Brooklyn, NY
American whimsy with traditional 'ball in cage' decoration, all carved and whittled from one continuous piece of wood, circa early 20th century. The bottom tip suggests that this pie...
Wood
19th Century Shipwright's Half Hull Model
Located in Nantucket, MA
Late 19th Century Shipwright's Half Hull Model, a hand carved half hull model built in lifts (a series of separate horizontal planks stacked or laminated together to form the hull), ...
Pine
18th or 19th Century French Ship Chandler's Trade Sign
Located in Nantucket, MA
18th or 19th century French ship chandler's trade sign, circa 1800, an oval pine double sided sign built with large dove-tails, advertising Cooperage and...
Pine
Collection of Wall Mounted Souvenir Paddles
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Collection of seven souvenir paddles all with Indian Chiefs. Four marked "Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin Dells, Kalamazoo, Mitch, and Tunnis." On painted green display rack. Each unique ...
Wood
Nest of Three 19th Century Signed Nantucket Lightship Baskets
Located in Nantucket, MA
Nest of three Nantucket lightship baskets, the swing handles, staves and the ears ( which attach the handle to the basket) are all carved from oak. The bottoms are made from pine and each are stenciled with the maker's mark, "R Folger Maker Nantucket Mass." Rowland Folger (1803-1883) is considered one of Nantucket's first makers of lightship baskets. His baskets are very durable and were definitely used as utilitarian.These three baskets were discovered in an attic, where they were living for the last 90 years...
Brass
Vintage Thomas Walker & Sons Nautical Trade Sign with Ship Log Instrument
Located in Morristown, NJ
A vintage trade sign from the esteemed Thomas Walker & Sons Ltd, renowned makers of ship’s logs and chronometers in Southampton, UK. The sign is be...
Metal
Collection of 19th Century American Eel Fishing Gigs
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Collection of nine early blacksmith-made iron eel fishing gigs. Collected in the Northeast. Majority are hand-forged. Heights range from 10" - 18.". Stands range...
Iron
19th Century Sailor's Folk Art Woolie with Ship of the Line and Sloop, ca 1850
Located in Nantucket, MA
19th Century Sailor's Folk Art Woolie with Triple Decker Ship of the Line and Sloop, ca 1850, depicting a starboard side view of a majestic square-rigged...
Wool
Nantucket Lightship Basket, Made by Davis Hall on the South Shoal Lightship
Located in Nantucket, MA
Oval Nantucket lightship basket with shaped oak swing handle ending in carved round “lollipop” ends and brass ears. Remnants of the original paper label remains on the bottom. Made...
Cane, Rattan, Oak
Carved Pine Half Hull Model of a Coasting Schooner
Located in Nantucket, MA
Antique Carved Pine Half Hull Model of a Coasting Schooner, circa 1920, a hollow-carved shell half hull model with clipper bow and great shear, and nice serpentine carved trailboard....
Pine
American Three Masted Clipper Ship in Bottle on Original Wood Stand, Circa 1880
Located in Charleston, SC
American three masted clipper ship in bottle with cloth rigging in full sail on a painted sea, flanked by a sea side town with evergreen trees, a pain...
Glass, Wood, Paint
19thC Nautical Six Spoke Solid Brass Yacht Steering Wheel. American, Circa 1870
Located in Incline Village, NV
This 19th century American solid brass ship steering wheel was, more than likely, from a yacht. Fishing and commercial boats were more inclin...
Brass
19th Century Nantucket Sailor Made Fringe
Located in Hudson, NY
Sailor-made from Nantucket, often called "McNamara's Lace" or fancy work, was typically crafted from durable materials found on ships, primarily fishing twine, white cotton rope, or tarred hemp. These functional art pieces, such as baskets, hammocks, and belts, were created using square knots during long voyages. This is an absolutely beautiful piece of sailor made macrame fringe. On it is a tag from the nineteen twenties stating " decoration for sea chest made on nantucket whale...
Twine
19th Century Unique Folk Art Guernsey Shell Diorama Display
Located in London, GB
19th century unique Folk Art Guernsey shell diorama display We are proud to offer a unique folk-art hand-crafted example of a seashell diorama. Display...
Natural Fiber
Monumental 19th Century Fisherman Atop Fish Double Whirligig Weather Vane
Located in Nantucket, MA
Monumental 19th century fisherman atop fish double whirligig weather vane, from Harpswell, Maine, circa 1890, an exceptionally large rustic weather vane from a fisherman's shanty, with whirligig arms on figure and at tip of fish's snout. Great little details include the individual fingers on the tips of the arms. Very worn weathered traces of the original paint. Descended within the family from the Great Grandfather maker. Truly an exceptional piece of New England folk art...
Pine
Swedish Folk Art Light Fixture
Located in New York, NY
The Swedish shipbuilders' longtime tradition of hanging scale-sized models of finished ships in churches for protection of ship and crew has inspired suc...
Wrought Iron
Large Vintage Hand Blown Glass Fishing Float A good Example, hand blown
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Large Vintage Hand Blown Glass Fishing Float A good Example, hand blown with a large pontil and hand knotted hemp rope net, in good antique condition The float is 12” in diameter an...
Blown Glass
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 ...
Glass
Vintage Nautical Table Lamp with Patinated Brass Boat Propeller Base
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Impressive nautical table lamp composed of a nylon rope wrapped stem anchored by a vintage boat propeller, (circa 1970s, USA). Accents and prope...
Brass
Sailor's Woolie of the American Protected Cruiser "USS Chicago", circa 1885
Located in Nantucket, MA
Antique Sailor's Woolie of the American Protected Cruiser "USS Chicago", circa 1885, a sailor's hand crafted folk art woolwork picture of a bark-rigged auxiliary steam sailor with in...
Wool
19th Century Seascape with Lighthouse
Located in Nantucket, MA
19th Century seascape with lighthouse, circa 1890, an oil on canvas view of a white-washed lighthouse tower on a small offshore rocky ledge, most...
Canvas
19th Century Diorama of Sailing Ship ‘Eleanor’
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th Century diorama of the sailing ship ‘Eleanor’ in original glazed case. Painted antique shadowbox diorama of a three-masthead clipper ship alo...
Glass, Wood