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.
Early 20th Century English Pond Boat
Located in Troy, MI
Found in England, this pond boat dates from the 1920s. This appears to be a model racing cutter with four, blue cloth sails. There are brass details and fittings and black rigging. T...
Brass
Early 20th Century English Pond Boat with Blue Paint
Located in Troy, MI
Found in England, this pond boat dates from the 1920s. This appears to be a model racing cutter with four cloth sails. The boat hull is painted blue and the stained deck looks like t...
Metal
Robert Fultons Steamship "The Clermont" in a Spectacular Model Form 6.5 ft long
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Spectacular Model Form of the Steamship The Clermont built Robert Fulton and serving as New Yorks first Steamship on the Hudson. This model has a motor ( not checked for function) an...
Metal
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
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
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
Edwardian Shellwork Valentine Diorama, Royal Navy Cruiser, Star Form, Circa 1900
Located in Downingtown, PA
Edwardian Shellwork Valentine Diorama, Royal Navy Cruiser, Star Form, English, Circa 1900–1910 This shellwork diorama presents a chromolithograph of a Royal Navy cruiser beneath a d...
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
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 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
$1,834Sale Price|20% Off
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
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
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
$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
British Sailor’s Woolwork Woolie of a Royal Navy Ship Flying the Red Ensign
Located in Downingtown, PA
British Sailor’s Woolwork Woolie of a Royal Navy Ship Flying the Red Ensign Circa 1850–1864 This large British sailor’s woolwork depicts a majestic three-masted, square-rigged ship ...
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
$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
$4,111Sale Price|20% Off
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
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
$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
$5,215Sale Price|20% Off
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
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
Melinda Kirkpatrick Large Folk Art Whale Painting, “The Forgotten Language”
Located in Downingtown, PA
Melinda Kirkpatrick Large Folk Art Whale Painting, “The Forgotten Language” Contemporary This large painting in acrylic on panel shows a sperm whale swimming across the full width o...
Acrylic
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
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
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
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
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
$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
Antique Double Sailor's Valentine with Heart and Rose, from Barbados, circa 1870
Located in Nantucket, MA
Antique Double Sailor's Valentine with Heart and Rose, from Barbados, circa 1870, a pair of handcrafted shell collages mounted in walnut octagonal shadowboxes, hinged together and mo...
Shell, Walnut
19th Century Sailor's Woolie of a Top-Schooner for "A Kind Mother"
Located in Nantucket, MA
19th Century Sailor's Woolie of a Top-Sail Schooner, circa 1860, a sailor's handcrafted woolwork picture of a Top-Sail or "Jackass" Schooner (having Fore-and-Aft rigged sails on the ...
Wool, Yarn
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
19th Century Sailor's Woolie with Ship at Anchor Within Oval Cartouche, ca 1850
Located in Nantucket, MA
19th Century Sailor's Folk Art Woolie with Ship at Anchor Within Oval Cartouche, ca 1850, depicting a square-rigged single decker warship under furled sails, anchor chain leading off...
Wool
Sailor's Woolworks Pair, Union Jack, Stars and Stripes, Ensigns, Velvet Ground
Located in Downingtown, PA
Sailor's Woolworks Pair, Union Jack, Stars and Stripes, Ensigns, Velvet Ground Circa 1880 This rare pair of late 19th-century sailor's woolworks, or "woolies," is unusual on two cou...
Wool, Velvet
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
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 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
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. Stamped " Old Ironside " and was originally commission by George Washington, Early 20th Ce...
Bronze
Antique Folk Art Boat Model
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Whimsical 19th century one of a kind folk art boat model crafted in hardwoods and found objects, retaining the original paint, in an eccentric composition with cannons, smoke stacks ...
Wood, Hardwood
Wooden Model Sailing Ship by J. Romero
Located in Highland, IN
A wonderful piece of folk art, this wooden sailing ship crafted by J. Romero (signed on the base) is intricately detailed, and the finely crafted rope rigging is particularly compell...
String, Wood
British Sailor's Woolwork of HMS Reindeer, By Henry Payn Hopper
Located in Downingtown, PA
British Sailor's Woolwork of the Royal Navy Screw Sloop HMS Reindeer, Attributed to Crew Member Henry Payn Hopper British, Circa 1867–1871 This large and historically significant Br...
Wool
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
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
British Sailor’s Woolwork of a Merchant Ship Flying the Red Ensign, Circa 1875
Located in Downingtown, PA
British Sailor’s Woolwork of a Merchant Ship Flying the Red Ensign Circa 1875 This British sailor’s woolwork, or “woolie,” presents a portside view of a large three-masted, full-rig...
Wool
French Faience Nautical Pattern Plate, circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
Large 19th French decorative plate with nautical pattern (boats, fishs baskets, lighthouse), circa 1900.
Ceramic
Circa 1960s German & French Navis-Plath Binnacle in Case for a Life Boat
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Circa 1960s Navis-Plath binnacle in case for a life boat, Germany & France. Brass & iron in dovetailed case. Crafted in Germany and assembled by Poitevin-Duault in Bordeaux, France. ...
Brass, Iron
19th Century Hand-Carved Ebony Stemmed Cup, Nautical Folk Art, USA
Located in Stamford, CT
19th century whaler made carved and turned ebony stemmed cup. "Manila P.I." painted on one side. Manila, Philippine Islands would have been a port of call on ...
Ebony
$1,345 / item
Ship in bottle diorama "Seamaid" English circa 1920
Located in Central England, GB
This is a very fine example of the art of building a model ship in a glass bottle. It is constructed in a large rectangular whiskey bottle. The ship is a three masted barque named Se...
Fabric, Glass