Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Americana and Folk Art (UNITED STATES, CA. 18th C.–20th C.)
Though the pieces are timeless, folk art emerged as a collecting genre only in the 1920s. Then as now, collectors focused on American artifacts. The earliest were prompted in part by the awareness of a nation changed: in that decade, for the first time the majority of U.S. citizens lived in cities, rather than on farms and in small towns. At the same time, the ascendance of modernism in art and design was countered by promoters of the Colonial Revival style. That movement drew from attics and barns old hand-carved furniture, stilted 19th-century family portraits, weathervanes and butter churns.
The best folk art items were purchased by an odd mix that included bohemians and intellectuals, along with J.P. Morgan and members of the Chrysler and Rockefeller families (who began funding, for instance, the restoration of Colonial Williamsburg in Virginia in the 1920s). If nostalgia played a role, the primary motivation for folk art collectors was — as it is today — a recognition of the artistic merit and cultural significance of pure, honest expressions of the human impulse toward beauty.
Simplicity is its hallmark, yet folk art defies a simple definition — and covers a vast amount of ground. Folk art has been called "the art of the everyday": objects created by people, with no formal training in the arts, for use in their daily lives. These include everything from tools and toys to quilts, baskets, jugs, dowry chests and duck decoys. Folk art is generally made by hand; works might be carved, sewn, chiseled, knitted, hammered, woven or embroidered and more. Such techniques were passed down through the generations — one reason folk-art collecting has been described as "a kind of archaeology." Folk art reveals the inherent values and traditions of a community, through time-honored crafts, decorative motifs and pictorial subject matter.
All folk art intrinsically reflects a sense of pride. "Americana" is folk art that does so overtly: through work that honors civic ideals and celebrates national and local achievements. Americana includes flags, bunting, carved bald eagles, and needlework with allegorical figures representing Liberty and Democracy; or helmets and buckets used by a volunteer fire brigade; or the trappings of fraternal organizations such as the Oddfellows. Collectors of Americana typically also collect American antique furniture that, while made in the workshops of a master cabinetmaker or joiner, reflects regional stylistic traits, tastes and quirks.
Almost all folk art is anonymous — and the prominent exception being signed work by early 19th-century itinerant portrait artists like the New Englander Ammi Phillips, whose 1835 portrait of a young girl and her pets was the first piece of folk art to sell for $1 million at auction. Until relatively recently, work by Phillips and his ilk was the prime focus of folk art collectors: the folk art of the Northeast defined the category. But recently, more attention and more scholarship have been devoted to the folk art of other regions: to the South, and the artwork of enslaved African Americans and their descendants; and to the Southwestern and early Latino folk art. Born in a time of change, folk art collecting is changing along with the nation.
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American Walnut Rocking Chair with Rush Seat. Circa 1870
Located in Hollywood, SC
American Walnut rocking chair with rush seat. 19th Century
Category
1870s American American Classical Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Materials
Rush, Walnut
Antique American Victorian Painted Portrait in Original Frame
Located in Chicago, IL
With a distinct hand, the painter has affectionately captured this child's delicate spirit. Highly detailed and of the utmost of skill, this painter showcases his/her abilities quite...
Category
19th Century American Victorian Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Materials
Canvas, Wood
American Bird's-Eye Maple Cabinet
Located in Buchanan, MI
Very clean and sculptural American bird's-eye maple cabinet finished on all four sides with bone handle, early 19th century.
Category
19th Century American Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Materials
Birdseye Maple, Bone
Barnraising Log Cabin Quilt
Located in Darnestown, MD
This is a classic Log Cabin Barnraising quilt in traditionally Pennsylvania colors. The use of lights and darks gives tremendous depth to the pattern. A note attached to the back re...
Category
19th Century American Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Materials
Cotton
Carved American Carnival Head, circa 1890s
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Finely featured carved man's head found in the southern United States. Most likely a late 19th century carnival head featured in a ball or ring toss game.
Category
19th Century American Folk Art Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Materials
Wood
19th C. Pair of Watercolors, American School
Located in Kittery Point, ME
Western Wild Birds, each monogrammed ES lower left.
Watercolor on Paper.
Category
19th Century American Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Materials
Paper
Early American Hooked Floral Rug, 1880's
Located in Milan, IT
Decorated by a floral pattern inspired by French Aubussons and Savonneries, this rare American hooked carpet is very finely woven using coloured...
Category
19th Century American Colonial Revival Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Materials
Wool
Nine Patch Quilt
Located in Darnestown, MD
Nine Patch Quilt made of fine, printed wool challis fabrics on both front and back. It has a wonderfully rich color palette. Measurements are 72" x 88...
Category
19th Century American Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Materials
Wool
American Mahogany Classical Acanthus Carved Four Poster Tester Bed. Circa 1815
By Anthony Gabriel Quervelle
Located in Hollywood, SC
American mahogany Classical carved four poster bed with molded edge tester, flanking swan necks headboard, acanthus carved bulbous post, origina...
Category
1810s American American Empire Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Materials
Brass
Paint-Decorated American Pedestal Table with Toleware Style Decoration
Located in York County, PA
Paint-decorated American pedestal table with toleware style decoration and gameboard-like graphics, 1830-1840, northern new England origin:
Small-scale American card table with a scalloped top and skirt, a square, tapered pedestal, and a scalloped base with spherical bun feet. The white-painted background is beautifully embellished with shades of scarlet red, green, blue, and tan, using a design that is precisely what is seen on tole-painted American tin ware...
Category
19th Century Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Materials
Wood
Early 19th Century Pewter and Granite Coffee Pot, Dated 1818
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Early American pewter and granite coffee pot in fantastic form. This wonderful goose neck coffee pot. Signed on base GRANITE IRON WARE, PTD. MAY ...
Category
19th Century American Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Materials
Granite, Pewter
American Walnut Chest of Drawers
Located in Hollywood, SC
American Walnut graduated chest of drawers with box wood string inlay, burl walnut carved skirt, and terminating on original splayed feet. Dealers please call for trade price.
Category
18th Century and Earlier American Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Evening Stars Quilt
Located in Darnestown, MD
This Evening Stars Quilt is a lovely variation of a traditional pattern. Placing one star within another and placing the red stars abutting one another creates a variety of optical i...
Category
19th Century American Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Materials
Cotton
Hand-Painted Patriotic Banner with the Seal of the State of Virginia
Located in York County, PA
HAND-PAINTED PATRIOTIC BANNER WITH THE SEAL OF THE STATE OF VIRGINIA AND GREAT FOLK QUALITIES:
Swallowtail format, patriotic vertical banner beari...
Category
19th Century Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Materials
Canvas
American Oil on Canvas Landscape in the Original Floral Gilt Frame. Circa 1850
Located in Hollywood, SC
American oil on canvas landscape with a flowing stream, trees and mountains, watering cows in the foreground, sun in the background, encompassed on the original stretchers and the or...
Category
1850s American American Empire Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Materials
Canvas, Giltwood, Paint
American Coin Silver Calling Card Case
Located in New York, NY
American coin silver calling card case. The Gorham Corp., Providence, Rhode Island, circa 1850s. Measures: @3 1/2 inches high x @2 1/2 inches wide. H...
Category
19th Century American Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Materials
Silver
Duncan Phyfe American Empire Mahogany Sideboard
By Duncan Phyfe
Located in New York, NY
American Empire mahogany sideboard with two pedestal cabinets and 4 carved column supports centering a lower mirror under 3 drawers ...
Category
Late 18th Century American Empire Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Materials
Mahogany, Mirror
American Classical Eglomise Gilt Mirror with Rope and Medallion Carvings C. 1815
Located in Hollywood, SC
American Classical gilt carved wood eglomise mirror with decorative sphere, medallion, and rope carvings, and painted eglomise of American frigate ships at war...
Category
1810s American American Empire Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Materials
Glass, Giltwood, Paint
Mennonite Touching Stars Quilt
Located in Darnestown, MD
This Mennonite Touching Stars quilt clearly reflects the Victorian era in which it was made. The stars are made of totally irregular pieces simila...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Materials
Wool
American Sheraton Tiger Maple and Cherry Chest of Drawers. Circa 1820
Located in Hollywood, SC
American Sheraton tiger maple and cherry four drawer chest of drawers with original cherry knobs, flanking turned bulbous ringed columns, and resting on the original turned bulbous f...
Category
19th Century American Sheraton Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Materials
Cherry, Maple
American Wire and Brass Fire Fender
Located in Hollywood, SC
American wire and brass fire fender with pleassing wire work and ball finials.
Category
18th Century and Earlier American Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
An American Queen Anne Painted Wing Chair Possibly New Hampshire
Located in Sheffield, MA
Of typical form with shaped wings and cabriole legs ending in pad feet
Height 49 in.
Height 49 in.
Category
18th Century and Earlier Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Pair of American Andirons
Located in Hollywood, SC
Pair of American brass andirons with urn top finial, urn finial log stop, and hand chased acorn & oak leaf motif
Category
19th Century American Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Pair of Bradley and Hubbard American Country Wrought Iron Andirons
By Bradley & Hubbard
Located in New York, NY
Pair of American Country (19th Century) wrought iron andirons with sunburst and face design (BRADLEY & HUBBARD) (PRICED AS Pair)
Category
19th Century American Rustic Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Materials
Wrought Iron
American Mahogany Candle Stand (Baltimore)
Located in Hollywood, SC
American crotch mahogany tilt top candle stand with turned bulbous pedestal terminating on tripod reeded scrolled legs with bun feet.
Category
19th Century American Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
American Gasolier
Located in Hollywood, SC
American gilt bronze and crystal eighteen light gasolier with floral and shell motif. Has been converted to electricity.
Category
19th Century Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
American White Pine Carved Molded Edge Fire Place Mantel, Circa 1800
Located in Hollywood, SC
American White Pine fire place mantel with carved molded edges, one board back, and rectangular carved vertical legs with squared plinths . Early 19th Century . Fire Box Dim. 40" Tall / 40.5" Wide...
Category
Early 1800s American American Colonial Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Materials
Pine
Pair of American Bronze Dog Sculpures
By A. Belokopytoff
Located in Hollywood, SC
Pair of American Bronze dog sculptures resting on original round plinths. Dealers please call for trade price.
Category
19th Century American Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Materials
Bronze
American Solid Mahogany Gate Leg Table, circa 1820
Located in Savannah, GA
American solid mahogany gate leg dining or sofa table with a beautiful graining and French polish, circa 1820.
Category
19th Century American Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Materials
Mahogany
American Mahogany Gilt & Marble Top Cornucopia Pier Table. Circa 1810
Located in Hollywood, SC
American flame mahogany marble top pier table with gilt carved capitals , flanking cornucopias, original mirror, and terminating on gilt acanthus lions paw feet. All original. Early...
Category
1810s American American Empire Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Materials
Marble
American Mahogany Bow Front Sideboard . Circa 1815
Located in Hollywood, SC
American mahogany bow front sideboard with a single drawer , flanking cabinets, lower case compartment & terminating on turned bulbous legs . Mid-Atlantic . Early 19th Century.
Category
1810s American American Colonial Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Materials
Mahogany
Large Bronze Architectural Plaque from New York City
Located in Los Angeles, CA
From the National American Building, formerly located at 340 Madison Avenue, New York City. This building was constructed in 1927 and was designed by the renowned architect Joseph H....
Category
Early 20th Century American Neoclassical Revival Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Materials
Bronze
American 19th Century Still Life Painting
Located in Southampton, NY
American 19th century still life painting of a compote of fruit on a table arranged with more fruit in a custom 20th century painted frame.
Category
19th Century American Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
American Mahogany Partners Desk
Located in Hollywood, SC
American mahogany partners desk with carved acanthus, baise top, and ending on lions paw feet. Desk has original wooden knobs and casters.
Category
19th Century American Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
American Mahogany Oval Library Table. Circa 1820
Located in Hollywood, SC
American mahogany oval library table with carved acanthus leaf pedestal and lions paw feet. Attributed to Anthony Quervelle. Early 19th Century.
Category
19th Century American American Classical Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Materials
Mahogany
19th Century Rare New England Brass Wall Bracket with Hearts & Stars
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Early 19th century brass wall bracket from New England. This fantastic folky wall hanger could be used to display leather fire buckets or other American objects. This wonderful as fo...
Category
19th Century American Folk Art Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Materials
Brass
Pair Of American Brass Dog Doorstops / Book Ends. Circa 1870
By A. Belokopytoff
Located in Hollywood, SC
Pair of American brass dog doorstops / bookends sitting on squared decorative plinths. Late 19th Century
Category
1870s American American Empire Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Materials
Brass
19th Century Tobacconist’s Trade Sign
Located in Greenwich, CT
English carved and polychrome decorated wood tobacconist’s trade sign in the form of a “Turk” wearing a distinctive headdress and dressed in a long robe, this advertising figure rela...
Category
19th Century British Folk Art Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Materials
Wood
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...
Category
19th Century American Folk Art Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Materials
Iron
American Mahogany and Gilt Marble Pier Table , Philadelphia Circa 1815
Located in Hollywood, SC
American mahogany marble top pier table with carved acanthus floral edge, marble corner columns, original mirror, and terminating on gilded carved floral lions paw feet. Philadelphi...
Category
1810s American American Empire Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Materials
Marble
American Folk Art Limestone Carving Snake, Shield and Stump
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Detailed American Folk Art limestone carving of a rattle snake wrapped around a tree stump and shield or coat of arms, circa 1870. Found in Tennessee. A very nice heavy and solid piece.
Category
19th Century American Folk Art Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Materials
Limestone
Pair of American Wrought Iron & Brass Urn Finial Andirons . Circa 1780
Located in Hollywood, SC
Pair of American wrought iron andirons with brass urn finial tops, scrolled decorative spit hook , and terminating on penny feet. Column...
Category
1780s American American Colonial Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Materials
Brass, Wrought Iron
American Cherry Chest of Drawers with Flanking Fluted Quarter Columns, VA C 1780
Located in Hollywood, SC
American Cherry five drawer chest of drawers with a carved molded edge top, flanking fluted quarter columns, original brasses, and terminating on the original ogee bracket feet. Virg...
Category
1780s American American Colonial Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Materials
Brass
American Crotch Mahogany Glass Front Bookcase. Circa 1850
Located in Hollywood, SC
American book matched crotch mahogany two door glass front bookcase with gadrooned molded edges, adjustable interior shelving, lower fitted compartmentalized cabinets over intricate...
Category
19th Century American Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
19th Century Iron Indian Weathervane with Stand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic and rare original painted surface iron Indian weather vane, worn painted surface. Great original Directional's in iron and attached. This Indian weather vane was found in t...
Category
19th Century American Folk Art Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Materials
Iron
American Cherry Candle Stand
Located in Buchanan, MI
Very interesting American cherry candle stand with exaggerated spider arched legs giving it a contemporary feel.
Category
19th Century American Federal Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Materials
Cherry
Horse Head Trade Sign, Last Quarter of the 19th Century
Located in York County, PA
An exceptional, painted American trade sign made from carved wood in the full-bodied form of a race horse’s head. Wonderful movement, tremendous f...
Category
19th Century American Folk Art Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Materials
Wood
American Mahogany Two Tiered Supper Table. Circa 1840
Located in Hollywood, SC
American mahogany two tiered supper table with brass decorative column supports, reeded and turned tripod pedestal, and terminating on original brass casters. Early 19th Century
Category
19th Century American American Classical Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Materials
Brass
American Walnut Hinged Armoire with Arched Doors and Interior Shelving. C. 1810
Located in Hollywood, SC
American Walnut hinged Armoire with a carved molded cornice, arched paneled doors, flanking acanthus carved bulbous columns, interior removable shelving, and resting on the original ...
Category
1810s American American Empire Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Materials
Steel
Extremely Rare Weftwork Bedspread, Mid-19th Century
Located in York County, PA
This highly unusual textile is executed in a style called weftwork. Made of cotton and wool, it dates to the mid-19th century. While there is at least one known maker of weftwork bed...
Category
19th Century Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Materials
Wool
Pair of American Wrought Iron Shield Andirons with Decorative Crossbar, C. 1820
Located in Hollywood, SC
Pair of American wrought iron spiral ball finial andirons with flanking medallion shields supporting hanging finial chains, scrolled spit hooks, decorative centered spiral crossbar, ...
Category
1820s American American Empire Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Materials
Iron, Wrought Iron
American Regency Mahogany Sutherland Table
Located in Hollywood, SC
American Regency Cuban mahogany sutherland drop leaf table with turned reeded legs and original wood casters.
Category
19th Century American Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
American Bronze and Wrought Iron Fire Fender
Located in Hollywood, SC
American wrought iron fire fender with bronze fluted finial balls & twisted pulls, centered birdcage decorative bar, and surmounted by scrolle...
Category
19th Century American Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
American Mahogany Demi-lune Game Table. Circa 1810
Located in Hollywood, SC
American mahogany flip top demi-lune game table with double gate legs, Burl walnut skirt, intricate inlaid Satinwood, terminating on bulbous reeded legs. Dealers please call for tra...
Category
19th Century American Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Pair of American Mission Monumental Wrought Iron Andirons
Located in New York, NY
Pair of American Mission-style (19/20th Century) monumental wrought iron andirons with basket tops and a detachable swivel kettle holder. (PRICED AS Pair)
Category
19th Century American Mission Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Materials
Wrought Iron
American Hepplewhite Birch Fall Front Inlaid Desk. Circa 1810
Located in Hollywood, SC
American Hepplewhite birch fall front desk with carved hinged molded edge top, fitted interior consisting of seven drawers over seven pigeon holes, with a leather writing surface. L...
Category
1810s American Hepplewhite Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Materials
Brass
Pair of American Architecural Engravings Depicting Taverns
Located in San Francisco, CA
A handsome pair of American architectural engravings depicting taverns; each depicting a 3-story building with accompanying floor plans; each titled 'Design for a First Class Tavern'.
Category
19th Century American Antique Americana and Folk Art Antiques and Collectibles
Charleston Mahogany Classical Tester Bed. Charleston, Circa 1815-20
Located in Hollywood, SC
Charleston Classical mahogany four poster tester bed with acanthus, pineapple, and barley twist foot posts, simple tapered head posts, original ...
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