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Folk Art For Sale
Nelson Chess Set in Corno Italiano and Palladium-Plated Brass, Mod. 3010
By A. Andreucci, Arcahorn Srl.
Located in Recanati, Macerata
A modern interpretation of the iconic game of chess, our Nelson chess set will delight generations of players or collectors. Artisan crafted from Corno Italiano and crowned with pall...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Folk Art

Materials

Glass, Wood, Lacquer

Antique French Carpenter’s Workbench – Early 20th-Century Oak and Ash Worktable
Located in SAINT-CLÉMENT-DE-LA-PLACE, FR
This French antique workbench is a true testament to traditional craftsmanship, embodying the passion for woodworking. Made from noble materials such as solid oak and ash for excepti...
Category

Early 20th Century French Arts and Crafts Folk Art

Materials

Oak

Antique Bridal Bench, Scandinavian Wabi Sabi, c 1600s
Located in Hønefoss, 30
Antique Norwegian bridal bench made from rare black alder, this bridal bench approximately dates back to the 17th century. Wear consistent with age and use adds character, with a b...
Category

17th Century Norwegian Romantic Antique Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Zabihi Collection American Navajo Blanket Rug
Located in New York, NY
An early 20th-century American Navajo Blanket Rug Details rug no. j3080 size 2' 6" x 4' 6" (76 x 137 cm)
Category

20th Century American Native American Folk Art

Materials

Wool

SECOND HALF OF THE 18th CENTURY NEOCLASSICAL PAPER PEINT WITH VENUS
Located in Firenze, FI
Wonderful papier peint painted in lean tempera on paper, applied on canvas, with carved wooden frame, painted with tempera and gold paste. The papier peint represents Venus as if she...
Category

Late 18th Century French Neoclassical Revival Antique Folk Art

Materials

Canvas, Wood, Paint, Paper

Mid-Century Rope Mirror Adrien Audoux & Frida Minet
Located in Austin, TX
Mid-Century Rope Mirror Adrien Audoux & Frida Minet.
Category

1960s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Folk Art

Materials

Rope, Mirror

Chaffinch Vichtauer Hand Carved Wood Bird Black Forest Folk Art, Austria, 1920s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful Austrian 20th century, carved wood bird, mounted on a stand for hanging. The tradition of these in Austria called "Viechtauer" birds goes back to the early 19th century w...
Category

1920s Austrian Black Forest Vintage Folk Art

Materials

Wood, Paint

C.1930 Grandmother Flower Garden Hexagon Quilt
Located in Louisville, KY
This quilt is c. 1930. Created with a wonderful color palette of what appears to be feed sack fabric, meticulously arranged with pattern orientations in mind, accented by a dusty pea...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Folk Art

Materials

Fabric

British Sailor's Woolwork of Royal Navy Ship in Rough Seas- HMS Sultan
Located in Downingtown, PA
British Sailor's Woolwork of Royal Navy Ship in Rough Seas, HMS Sultan, Circa 1875 The British sailor's woolwork or woolie depicts a starboard view of a three-masted Royal Navy ship...
Category

1870s English Folk Art Antique Folk Art

Materials

Textile, Wool

Woodpecker Vichtauer Hand Carved Wood Bird, Black Forest Folk Art, 1870s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A stunning large size Austrian 19th century, carved wood bird, mounted on a stand for hanging. The tradition of these in Austria called "Viechtauer" birds goes back to the early 19th...
Category

1870s Austrian Black Forest Antique Folk Art

Materials

Wood, Paint

New Konya Fine Modern Kilim Central Anatolian Rug Turkish Carpet
Located in Tokyo, JP
This is a Central Anatolian Modern 'New' Fine Kilim from the Konya region with a rare and beautiful color composition. As early as the 13th century Marco Polo noted, in his account...
Category

2010s Turkish Kilim Folk Art

Materials

Wool, Natural Fiber

Fine Long Vintage Native American graduated Navajo Silver bead Necklace 30 inch
Located in London, GB
Long graduated Navajo stamped silver bead Necklace 30 inch circa 1960s. .
Category

20th Century American Folk Art

Materials

Silver

English 19th Century Painting of Racing Pigeons
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
Fabulous 19th century oil painting on canvas of a group of four racing pigeons pecking in the grass. The work is unsigned but recalls the influence of artist Edward Henry Windred, fa...
Category

19th Century English Other Antique Folk Art

Materials

Canvas, Wood, Paint

New Manisa Fine Handwoven Modern Kilim West Anatolian Rug Turkish Wool Carpet
Located in Tokyo, JP
This is a Western Anatolian Modern 'New' Fine Kilim from the Manisa region with a rare and beautiful color composition. This kilim is woven according to traditional kilim technique...
Category

2010s Turkish Kilim Folk Art

Materials

Wool, Natural Fiber

New Manisa Fine Handwoven Modern Kilim West Anatolian Rug Turkish Wool Carpet
Located in Tokyo, JP
This is a Western Anatolian Modern 'New' Fine Kilim from the Manisa region with a rare and beautiful color composition. This kilim is woven according to traditional kilim technique...
Category

2010s Turkish Kilim Folk Art

Materials

Wool, Natural Fiber

Chess Game Set - Pietra Dura Marble 19th Century Italy
Located in Stockholm, SE
A stunning chessboard in Pietra Dura marble produced in Italy in the mid 19th century. The chessboard is framed with a wooden frame. The chess pieces are made in metal and are probab...
Category

Mid-19th Century Italian Classical Roman Antique Folk Art

Materials

Marble

Early 20th Century Porcelain Heinz Advertising Sign
Located in Dekalb, IL
c. 1900s; H.J. Heinz Co. - Pittsburgh Large circular, single-sided porcelain Heinz advertising sign. This piece features the iconic Heniz 57 Varieties typeface with the iconic pick...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art

Materials

Porcelain

Vintage Simon Beer Dimensional Advertising Sign
Located in Dekalb, IL
c. 1970s/1980s; The William Simon Brewery - Buffalo, NY Vintage embossed composite, faux wood advertising sign. This piece advertises Simon Pure, a regional beer from upstate New Y...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Folk Art

Materials

Ceramic, Plastic

Early 19th Century Floral Painted Cupboard Wardrobe
Located in Vo', Veneto
Antique Painted Wardrobe Measurements: H. 185 cm – W. 148 (167 to the frames) cm – D. 55 (63 to the frames) cm Period: circa 1810 Origin: Tyrol Wood: Fir Description: Tyrolean pain...
Category

Early 1800s Austrian Directoire Antique Folk Art

Materials

Fir

"The Second World War, " by Winston Churchill
Located in Austin, TX
The Second World War by Winston Churchill from Houghton-Mifflin Company, Boston. A vintage edition of Winston Churchill's six-volume memoir, The Second World War, for which he was a...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Modern Folk Art

Materials

Paper

Large Hooked Rug with a Seated Cat, ca 1880-1910
Located in York County, PA
LARGE HOOKED RUG WITH A SEATED CAT AS THE HOME SQUARE OF A DESIGN STYLED AFTER A PARCHEESI GAME BOARD, WITH STAR-LIKE, 6-PETAL FLOWERS IN EACH CORNER...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art

Materials

Wool

Extraordinary Vichtauer Hand Carved Wood Bird, Black Forest Folk Art, 1870s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A stunning large size Austrian 19th century, carved wood bird, mounted on a stand for hanging. The tradition of these in Austria called "Viechtauer" birds goes back to the early 19th...
Category

1870s Austrian Black Forest Antique Folk Art

Materials

Wood, Paint

German Folk art bridal cabinet, 1809
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A beautiful cabinet from the rural south of Germany dating from 1809. The cabinet was once given as a wedding gift to a lady called Anna Barbara. This cabinet is made of solid pine a...
Category

Early 1800s German Folk Art Antique Folk Art

Materials

Wrought Iron

Beautiful Vichtauer Hand Carved Wood Bird, Black Forest Folk Art, Austria, 1920s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful Austrian 20th century, carved wood bird, mounted on a stand for hanging. The tradition of these in Austria called "Viechtauer" birds goes back to the early 19th century w...
Category

1920s Austrian Black Forest Vintage Folk Art

Materials

Wood, Paint

Marble Solitaire Game 10 inch Hardwood Board 35 mixed Stone Marbles, circa 1945
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very attractive complete game of Marble Solitaire with a hardwood circular board and 35 mixed stone marbles, probably French. The circular turned board is made of polished hardwood, with a good grain figure. The board has 32 equi-spaced holes with an additional one in the centre and a gallery to the outer perimeter. Three small circular pads have been attached to the base of the board to protect the surface it sits on. It comes complete with a full set of 35 (32 Plus 3 spare) handmade playing marbles of mixed stone, clay and agate and of different colours. Some of the clay marbles...
Category

20th Century French Folk Art Folk Art

Materials

Stone

Blue Tit Vichtauer Hand Carved Wood Bird, Black Forest Folk Art, Austria, 1920s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful Austrian 20th century, carved wood bird, mounted on a stand for hanging. The tradition of these in Austria called "Viechtauer" birds goes back to the early 19th century w...
Category

1920s Austrian Black Forest Vintage Folk Art

Materials

Wood, Paint

Crossbill Vichtauer Hand Carved Wood Bird, Black Forest Folk Art, Austria, 1920s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful Austrian 20th century, carved wood bird, mounted on a stand for hanging. The tradition of these in Austria called "Viechtauer" birds goes back to the early 19th century w...
Category

1920s Austrian Black Forest Vintage Folk Art

Materials

Wood, Paint

Semi Old Vintage Handwoven Wool Mut Kilim Central Anatolian Rug Turkish Carpet
Located in Tokyo, JP
This is a South Anatolian Vintage / Semi-old Handwoven Kilim from the town of Mut in Mersin Province, located in the Mediterranean region of Anatolia, Turkey. These kilims are renown...
Category

Late 20th Century Turkish Kilim Folk Art

Materials

Wool, Cotton, Natural Fiber

Native American Antique Large Micmac model Birch Bark canoe Woodlands C 1850
Located in London, GB
Native American Antique Large Micmac model Birch Bark canoe Woodlands C 1850 A superb Large Micmac Model Birch bark canoe with floral quill work decoration. Native American Woodla...
Category

19th Century American Antique Folk Art

Materials

Birch

Vintage Italian Lapiz Lazuli Chess Board 1980s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Embark on a journey of opulence with our Vintage Italian Lapis Lazuli Chess Board, a striking piece from the 1980s. This exquisite chess board, meti...
Category

1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Folk Art

Materials

Lapis Lazuli

Set of 3 Decorative Swedish Folk Art Pieces, c. 1900-1930
Located in Frederiksberg C, DK
Set of 3 Decorative Swedish Folk Art Pieces, Hand-Carved and Hand-Painted, c. 1900-1930 This charming set consists of three beautifully crafted decorative items: a large spoon, a sm...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Folk Art Folk Art

Materials

Wood

B and B Stinger Lighted Glass Sign
Located in Dekalb, IL
c. 1950s/1960s; Le Palais Bénédictine - Fécamp, Seine-Maritime, France This piece advertises a drink known as a "B and B Stinger", which is Benedictine & Brandy, mixed with crème de...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Folk Art

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paint

Ararat Rugs Akstafa Kazak Rug - 19th C. Caucasian Revival Carpet Natural Dyed
Located in Tokyo, JP
Origin and Inspiration: This stunning revival of the Akstafa Kazak Rug is a modern creation deeply rooted in the rich weaving traditions of the Caucasus, specifically inspired by the...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Revival Folk Art

Materials

Wool, Natural Fiber, Organic Material

Rare 19th Century Swedish Dala Horse in Original Polychrome Paint
Located in Kastrup, DK
Rare hand-carved Dala horse in pine wood with original polychrome paint. Sweden, circa 1840. The tradition of carved wooden Dala horses dates back to the 16th century — the earliest...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Folk Art Antique Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Beautiful Vichtauer Hand Carved Wood Bird, Black Forest Folk Art, Austria, 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful Austrian early 20th century, carved wood bird, mounted on a stand for hanging. The tradition of these in Austria called "Viechtauer" birds goes back to the early 19th cen...
Category

1910s Austrian Black Forest Vintage Folk Art

Materials

Wood, Paint

E A Othello Signed Haiti Original Haitian Folk Art Village Scene Oil Painting
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautiful and complexly designed original folk art painting by Haitian artist E. A. (Angel) Othello. This work features a tranquil village scene with local people spotted througho...
Category

1970s Haitian Folk Art Vintage Folk Art

Materials

Canvas, Paint

Unique 19th Century French Shop Sign with a Grouse
Located in Buisson, FR
Brilliant and unique shop-sign. A painted grouse made out of sheet iron or zinc that is placed within a hand forged iron frame that is made to hang. France circa 1850-1900 Weathered...
Category

19th Century French Folk Art Antique Folk Art

Materials

Metal

Stoneware Chess Game, Andrée Hirlet, Paris c. 1960
By Andrée Hirlet-Albrieux
Located in St Ouen, FR
Exceptional achievement in modeled stoneware with great attention to details giving each piece an intrinsic decorative value. Handwritten signature on the back of the chessboard. M...
Category

1960s French Folk Art Vintage Folk Art

Materials

Stoneware

Semi Old Vintage Handwoven Wool Mut Kilim Central Anatolian Rug Turkish Carpet
Located in Tokyo, JP
This is a South Anatolian Vintage / Semi-old Handwoven Kilim from the town of Mut in Mersin Province, located in the Mediterranean region of Anatolia, Turkey. These kilims are renown...
Category

Late 20th Century Turkish Kilim Folk Art

Materials

Wool, Cotton, Natural Fiber

Antique Vintage Rustic Bird Folk Art Fairground Shooting Target
Located in Stockbridge, GB
Antique Vintage Rustic Bird Folk Art Fairground Shooting Target A superb original steel fairground shooting target. A one off folk art piece of nostalgic fairground fun. It is useab...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Rustic Folk Art

Materials

Cut Steel

Vintage Ethnic Himalayan Tibetan Turquoise Coral Necklace
Located in London, GB
Vintage Ethnic Himalayan Turquoise Coral Necklace A beautiful necklace of Tibetan Turquoise beads interspersed with natural red coral and silver beads with silver clasp Period 2nd ...
Category

20th Century Tibetan Folk Art

Materials

Silver

Antique Maori hard wood stick staff Tiki design Oceanic Polynesian
Located in London, GB
Antique Maori hard wood stick staff Tiki design Oceanic Polynesian A Finely carved antique Maori hard wood stick A  Maori hard wood staff or walking ...
Category

Early 20th Century New Zealand Folk Art

Materials

Hardwood

19th Century Middle Eastern Copper and Silver Ve
Located in Middleburg, VA
19th Century Middle Eastern Copper and Silver Vessel with copper chain handle. Richly decorated with hand-hammered peacocks and Arabic lettering. A captivating 19th-century Middle E...
Category

19th Century Persian Moorish Antique Folk Art

Materials

Metal, Silver, Copper

Nautical Folk Art Ship Diorama in Tramp Art Frame
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Nautical Folk Art Ship Diorama in Tramp Art Frame Antique ship diorama with full rigged square sails. A waterline model sailing in painted putty ...
Category

20th Century Unknown Folk Art Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Early 20Thc Full Body Fish Weather Vane
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This full body copper fish weather vane is mounted on a wood block and is in fine condition with a wonderful aged patina. This is a custom made base and the Cod fish vane is in copp...
Category

19th Century American Adirondack Antique Folk Art

Materials

Copper

Bespoke Antique Victorian Carved Ivory Dog Head Magnifying Glass Object of Vertu
Located in Forney, TX
A most charming fine quality antique Victorian era object of vertu magnifying glass, custom made from various earlier elements. English refinement, sophistication, and Victorian ele...
Category

19th Century English Victorian Antique Folk Art

Materials

Metal

Reliquary Kota, Gabon, 1925
Located in Paris, FR
This exceptional Kota reliquary comes from the Mahogwe tribe, which lives along the Ogooué River in Gabon. The Mahogwe are part of the Kota ethnic group located in the northeastern r...
Category

1920s Gabonese Tribal Vintage Folk Art

Materials

Brass

Solid Oak Workshop Workbench
Located in SAINT-CLÉMENT-DE-LA-PLACE, FR
This workbench is a real work table. The base and the thick top are made of oak. The tray is pierced with holes for the « valet » (metal piece in the shape of a sign which is used t...
Category

1930s French Arts and Crafts Vintage Folk Art

Materials

Oak

Antique Native American Plain indians Tomahawk , 19th C .
Located in Leuven , BE
This tomahawk is nicely decorated with original copper nails and colourful feather attributes that have been replaced in a later period.Comes with its custom made stand.
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art

Materials

Iron

Pre Columbian Calima vessel Columbia ancient South America
Located in London, GB
Pre Columbian  Calima vessel Columbia ancient South America  A Calima vessel featuring double spouted stirrup vessel with incised design in red clay   Calima circa 200 BC- 400 AD Col...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Colombian Antique Folk Art

Materials

Clay

Cute Vichtauer Hand Carved Wood Bird Black Forest Folk Art Austria 1890s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful Austrian late 19th century, carved wood bird, mounted on a stand for hanging. The tradition of these in Austria called "Viechtauer" birds goes back to the early 19th cent...
Category

Late 19th Century Austrian Black Forest Antique Folk Art

Materials

Wood, Paint

Cute Vichtauer Hand Carved Wood Bird, Black Forest Folk Art, Austria, 1920s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful Austrian 20th century, carved wood bird, mounted on a stand for hanging. The tradition of these in Austria called "Viechtauer" birds goes back to the early 19th century w...
Category

1920s Austrian Black Forest Vintage Folk Art

Materials

Wood, Paint

Marble Solitaire Game Hardwood Board with 34 old Glass swirl Marbles, Circa 1930
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a good Marble Solitaire game, having a very good hardwood board and a complete set of 34 glass swirl marbles, all dating to the first half of the 20th century. The circular ...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Folk Art Folk Art

Materials

Glass, Hardwood

Scrimshaw of whale tooth with whaler named Fox and engraved Greek vase 1850s
Located in Milan, IT
Scrimshaw of an engraved whale tooth, datable to around the mid-19th century, of fine workmanship length cm 12.5, depicting on one side whaling ship with islands and birds in the ba...
Category

Mid-19th Century Antique Folk Art

Materials

Bone

Young Male Nudes At Water Fall Painting Outsider Folk Artist Gloria Laposka
Located in South Burlington, VT
"Young Male Nudes At A Forest Waterfall" Vibrant Colored Hand Painting A rare and unique oil painting by self taught outsider surrealist folk artist Gloria Antoinette Laposka (1922...
Category

Late 20th Century American Folk Art Folk Art

Materials

Canvas

Early 19th Light Blue Floral Painted Cabinet
Located in Vo', Veneto
Antique Painted Wardrobe with Flowers Dimension: H. 195 cm – W. 126 (142 to the corners) cm – D. 47 (58 to the corners) cm Period: 1800 circa Origin: Alps Wood: Fir Description: Alpine painted wardrobe with two doors, entirely painted in light blue. The upper cornice is softly shaped and the doors follow the same curvature. The latter are depicted with rich cups of flowers, containing roses, tulips, carnations, primroses and bells, and the typical Tyrolean hearts wrapped in a floral garland with apotropaic symbols. Ramages and floral decorations are present on the entire surface and on the notches. Inside, the wardrobe offers ample space, which can be customized with the addition of shelves and/or a clothes hanger pole. This antique Alpine wardrobe...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Neoclassical Antique Folk Art

Materials

Fir

Early 20th Century Brazilian Metal Hanging Amulet 'Penca de Balangadas'
Located in Barcelona, ES
Early 20th Century Brazilian Metal Hanging Amulet 'Penca de Balangadas' – Circa 1890 Discover the captivating history behind this early 20th-century metal hanging amulet, known as '...
Category

1890s Brazilian Tribal Antique Folk Art

Materials

Brass

Double Sided Vintage Marlboro Light Up Cigarette Pack, 1990s USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is the perfect Americana statement piece to add interest to any interior. This incredible vintage advertising light up box by Marlboro is eye-catching showpiece. These lights we...
Category

1990s American Folk Art

Materials

Steel

Zabihi Collection American Navajo Blanket
Located in New York, NY
an early 20th century American Navajo blanket rug Details rug no. r5834 size 1' 4" x 3' 1" (41 x 94 cm)
Category

Early 20th Century American Native American Folk Art

Materials

Wool

Large Anri Carved Wooden Sculpture Last Supper By Osvaldo Moroder 1980s or older
By ANRI
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This vintage wood carving by Anri is a beautiful work of art depicting " The Last Supper " Jesus and the Twelve Disciples. Marked on the Back and the ground. This wooden sculpture wa...
Category

1980s Italian Baroque Vintage Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Antique Carved Slate Miniature Chest of Drawers. Welsh, Late 19th Century
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
A charming miniature chest of drawers made from carved slate With dummy drawers and Prince of Wales feathers detail. Miniature chests, bureaus and similar pieces of folk art were c...
Category

Late 19th Century Welsh Folk Art Antique Folk Art

Materials

Slate

American Portrait Miniature of a Woman in a White Gown, Thomas Story Officer
Located in Downingtown, PA
American portrait miniature by Thomas Story Officer, Woman in a White Gown, Signed "T.S. Officer, Pinxt", The 1830s The American portrait miniature signed by Thomas Story Officer depicts a beautiful young woman, her red hair “Coeffure a la Chinoise”, sitting in a red chair confidently looking out towards the painter and us, the viewers.  She wears a white dress with a pin in the center of her chest.  Based on her style of dress and her hair, we believe this was painted while Officer was in Philadelphia. It is signed to the lower right "T.S. Officer, Pinxt" along at edge. The reverse has a small oval glass Dimensions: 3 inches high x 2 3/16 inches wide x 1/4 inch deep Reference: Thomas S. Officer: Miniature and Portrait Painter, Gardner Library,  Author: Merri Lou Schaumann. Born in Carlisle in 1810, this gifted artist trained in Philadelphia, traveled extensively and won awards for his paintings. In 1872, James Miller McKim wrote a series of reminiscences for the Carlisle Herald newspaper about the places and people of Carlisle in an earlier day. He wrote that “David Smith, a boot and shoemaker, had two sons… one of whom early developed a taste for art and finally devoted himself to miniature painting as a profession. He was a contemporary, and for a while, a rival of Mr. Thomas Officer, though I believe he never reached the celebrity attained by that gifted young artist. Mr. Officer, by the way, was one of the last miniature painters of any eminence produced by this country, the daguerreotype and photographer having come in to sweep away the entire profession.” Thomas Story Officer was born in Carlisle on August 15, 1810, to cabinetmaker John Officer and his second wife Margaret. He trained in Philadelphia with the well-known portrait painter Thomas Sully and began his career there in the 1830s. Officer left Philadelphia occasionally to paint portraits in Mobile, Alabama in 1837, in Richmond, Virginia in 1845, and in New York City from 1846-1849 where he became a member of the National Academy of Design. In 1842, Officer intended to travel to Mexico and needed a passport. He asked Attorney Charles B. Penrose, formerly of Carlisle, to write a letter of recommendation for him. In his letter to Fletcher Webster, Esq., Penrose wrote, “This will be handed to you by Thomas S. Officer, Esq., a friend of mine, and a native artist of Pennsylvania, who is a gentleman of great talents and respectability. Intending to visit Mexico, he wishes to procure passports at the State Department…”  Officer was issued a passport in July 1842. He was described as 30 years old, 5’ 11” with a “full and round forehead, bluish-gray eyes, an ordinary nose, medium mouth, ordinary chin, sallow complexion with an oval face and brown hair.” Officer went to Mexico and later to Australia. In 1854, he opened a studio in Sandridge, Australia, and while there he “entered several oil portraits in the 1854 Melbourne Exhibition preparatory to sending them to the 1855 Paris Exhibition.” Officer left Australia, and in 1855 he settled in San Francisco where he would spend the last years of his life. He set up a portrait painting department in James Johnson’s photographic gallery in San Francisco. In 1857, Officer received a bronze medal for his oil portraits exhibited at The First Industrial Exhibition of the Mechanics’ Institute of San Francisco, as well as awards at several other exhibits in 1858. A short piece in the San Francisco newspaper, Alta, on October 30, 1859, read, “Mr. Thomas S. Officer, the talented portrait painter, lies near to death’s door and is in pecuniary distress. Out of the many to whose pleasure he has contributed by his gay, social manners, as well as by his pleasing artistic productions, may there not be found someone who will extend a helping hand?”  Officer died on December 8, 1859. Almost an entire column in the January 18, 1860 edition of the Carlisle Herald, was devoted to a very long and informative obituary of Officer taken from the Alta, California newspaper. Officer was buried in the now defunct Lone Mountain Cemetery in San Francisco. In 2014, the Cumberland County Historical Society received a bequest of a portrait painted by Thomas Officer from the estate of historian John J. Snyder, Jr. It joined a miniature portrait already a part of the Society’s museum collection in Carlisle, not far from where Officer was born. Notes: The May 28, 1834 edition of the Carlisle Weekly Herald reported that Thomas S. Officer had "...within the last few weeks, taken the portraits of several gentlemen of this borough...Mr. O. is principally self-taught, and although young, already evinced a degree of taste, judgment, and talent..." A short biography of Officer can also be found in Early American Portrait Painters in Miniature by Theodore Bolton, published by F. F. Sherman (New York, 1921). The entire book is one line  Bio. of Officer on page 117. See Officer’s portrait...
Category

1830s American American Empire Antique Folk Art

Materials

Ivory

Native American Plains Indian Ceremonial Chief staff ;
Located in Leuven , BE
Original Ceremonial Chief Staff from beginning 20th C. Feathers have been replaced at a later date.Very rare item;
Category

20th Century Folk Art

Materials

Hardwood

Antique Primitive Side Table, Scandinavian Wabi Sabi, c 1600s
Located in Hønefoss, 30
Rare antique Norwegian primitive side table, circa 1600s. Made from black alder. Wear consistent with age and use showing beautiful patina. Newer legs.
Category

17th Century Norwegian Romantic Antique Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Pre-Columbian Chimu Avian vessel ancient south America Circa 10 -15th century AD
Located in London, GB
A very cute small grey ware vessel of a bird transforming into a squirrel type creature with hands held in front, highlighting the principle of duality often depicted in the pre Columbian art Pre-Columbian Chimu vessel...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Peruvian Antique Folk Art

Materials

Pottery

1834 Alpine Floral Painted Cabinet
Located in Vo', Veneto
1834 Alpine Floral Painted Cabinet Measurements: H. 170 cm – W. 100 (107 to the frames) cm – D. 53 (57 to the frames) cm Period: 1834 Origin: B...
Category

1830s German Neoclassical Antique Folk Art

Materials

Fir

Large Vintage Mexican Blue and Ivory Talavera Pottery Bowl
Located in New York, NY
Large vintage Mexican hand thrown and decorated blue and ivory pottery bowl with floral design.
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art

Materials

Pottery

Pair of Stools Made in Wood in Dice Form
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this Pair of Stools Made in Wood in Dice Form, circa 1970. Made in Mexico Fully restored. Ready to use as stools or side tables.
Category

1970s Mexican Other Vintage Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Beautiful Vichtauer Hand Carved Wood Bird, Black Forest Folk Art, Austria, 1920s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful Austrian early 20th century, carved wood bird, mounted on a stand for hanging. The tradition of these in Austria called "Viechtauer" birds goes back to the early 19th cen...
Category

1920s Austrian Black Forest Vintage Folk Art

Materials

Wood, Paint

Beautiful Vichtauer Hand Carved Wood Bird, Black Forest Folk Art, Austria, 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful Austrian early 20th century, carved wood bird, mounted on a stand for hanging. The tradition of these in Austria called "Viechtauer" birds goes back to the early 19th cen...
Category

1910s Austrian Black Forest Vintage Folk Art

Materials

Wood, Paint

Vintage Coco de mer container decorative arts décor
Located in London, GB
Vintage Coco de mer container decorative arts décor A coco de mer nut from the Seychelles islands carved on the back side to make a decorative contai...
Category

19th Century Seychellois Antique Folk Art

Materials

Coconut

1812 Light Painted Alpine Cabinet
Located in Vo', Veneto
Painted Cabinet Dated 1812 Measurements: H. 176 cm – L. 110 (120 at the frames) cm – D. 50 (55 at the frames) cm Period: 1812 Origin: Tyrol Essence: Fir Description: Antique painte...
Category

1810s Italian Neoclassical Antique Folk Art

Materials

Fir

Vintage Brionvega R126 Radiophonograph by Achille Castiglioni, 1980s
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Brionvega RR126 Radiophonograph realized by Achille and Pier Giacomo Castiglioni. The RR126 model was designed by the Castiglioni brothersin 1964, commissioned and then subs...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Folk Art

Materials

Metal

Vintage, New and Antique Folk Art

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.

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