Wooden Barber Pole
Antique Mid-19th Century American Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Wood, Giltwood, Paint
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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.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022The meaning of a barber pole relates to the original function of the profession. Barbers once performed bloodletting, a medical procedure once believed to treat a variety of conditions. The red and blue stripes are said to represent the colors of blood flowing through arteries and veins, while the white color relates to the color of the bandages applied after a treatment. On 1stDibs, find a variety of antique and vintage barber poles.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2024To understand what the colors on a barber pole mean, you first need to know a bit about the history of barbering. Before barbers began offering haircuts and shaves, they specialized in bloodletting, which was once believed to treat illness and disease and promote good health. The colors on a barber pole relate to this history. Red signifies arterial blood, while blue represents venous blood. Finally, the white color is a nod to the bandages that barbers applied after providing treatment. On 1stDibs, explore an assortment of barber poles.
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