Skip to main content

Folk Art Posters

FOLK ART STYLE

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.

5
to
3
1
5
5
5
562
409
208
85
34
14
11
6
5
1
1
5
2
1
2
1
1
1
1
Height
to
Width
to
4
2
2
1
3
3
1
1
1
1
1
Style: Folk Art
"Howard Finster Puts Micky Mouse in a Kid's World" - Color Art Poster
By Howard Finster
Located in East Quogue, NY
The poster features a whimsical detail from an original painting by outsider artist Howard Finster titled "Howard Finster Puts Micky Mouse in a Kid's World." Known for his collaborat...
Category

1980s American Vintage Folk Art Posters

Materials

Paper

1915 ‘Carter the Great’ Banner by Otis Lithograph, Cleveland
By Otis Lithograph Co.
Located in Surrey, BC
A large and early Folk Art paper banner (on linen backing) promoting famous American magician, Charles Joseph Carter (1874-1936), known as 'Carter the Great...
Category

1910s American Vintage Folk Art Posters

Materials

Linen, Paper

Jim Houser Earthman Silkscreen Spector Gallery Artwork Philly Margaret Kilgallen
By Jim Houser
Located in Hyattsville, MD
1999 Earthman, Spector Gallery, show announcement silk screened artwork, Philadelphia, PA by Jim Houser. Measures: W 12 x H 18 in. Shipped unframed.
Category

1990s American Folk Art Posters

Materials

Paper

Large University Chart “Physical Map of Africa” by Bacon
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Large university chart “Physical Map of Africa” by Bacon W&A K Johnston’s Charts of Physical Maps By G W Bacon, This is colorful Physical map of North America, it is large lithograph set...
Category

Early 20th Century Folk Art Posters

Materials

Linen

French School Teacher Educational Paintings "La Pipe", circa 1930s
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Painted by a school teacher in rural Hautes Pyrenees, France. Based on the Toto, Lili, Rene and Jojo French educational stories. It is likely that the s...
Category

1930s French Vintage Folk Art Posters

Materials

Paper, Watercolor

Related Items
Macchina Inutile 2 Lithograph by Renato Volpini, 1970s
Located in Montelabbate, PU
Machine useless2" one of a series of useless machines by Renato Volpini (Naples, December 10, 1934 - Milan, February 3, 2017) material screen printing w...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Folk Art Posters

Materials

Paper

Margaret Ash Abstract, 1950s Mixed Media Painting
Located in San Diego, CA
Abstract mixed media painting on panel titled "Pacific #2" by Margaret Ash, circa 1950s. Retains label from Esther Bear Gallery in Santa Barbara, California.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Posters

Original 1950s Aqua-Lung U.S. Divers Company Scuba Diving Poster
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This is a rare scuba diving poster from the US Divers Company. We have three different posters available. Please see our other items. Framed posters in pi...
Category

1950s American Vintage Folk Art Posters

Materials

Paper

1990 World Cup Italia '90 Original Vintage Poster
Located in Winchester, GB
The 1990 FIFA World Cup was the 14th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It was held in Italy from 8th June to 8th July 1990. The t...
Category

1990s Italian Folk Art Posters

Materials

Paper

1990 World Cup Italia '90 Original Vintage Poster
1990 World Cup Italia '90 Original Vintage Poster
Free Shipping
H 39.4 in W 27.6 in D 0.1 in
A 1930 Inaugural World Cup Poster
Located in Pewsey, GB
A truly rare poster from the officially issued monochrome version of the 1930 World Cup poster bearing the all-important official stamp of the Comite Ejectivo of the governing body o...
Category

1930s Uruguayan Vintage Folk Art Posters

Materials

Paper

A 1930 Inaugural World Cup Poster
A 1930 Inaugural World Cup Poster
H 52 in W 28 in D 1 in
Phil Greenwood 'English', Primrose Moon, Limited Edition Etching
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
Primrose moon (1st Image) - New Edition, etching and aquatint, edition Size : 90 - Unframed. Other images show other works available by this artist. Phil Greenwood...
Category

2010s British Folk Art Posters

Materials

Paper

1970 World Cup Mexico Original Vintage Poster
Located in Winchester, GB
The 1970 FIFA World Cup was hosted by Mexico from 31st May – 21st June, and was the 9th edition of the quadrennial event. It was the first event to be held in North America, and was ...
Category

1970s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Posters

Materials

Linen, Paper

1970 World Cup Mexico Original Vintage Poster
1970 World Cup Mexico Original Vintage Poster
Free Shipping
H 22 in W 19.5 in D 0.1 in
Phil Greenwood 'English', Primrose Morn, Limited Edition Etching
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
Primrose Morn (1st Image) - New Edition, etching and aquatint, edition size: 90 - Unframed. Other images show other works available by this artist. Phil Greenwood...
Category

2010s British Folk Art Posters

Materials

Paper

Phil Greenwood 'English', Limited Edition Etching and Aquatint, River Light
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
River Light - limited edition, etching and aquatint, edition size: 90 - Unframed. Other images show other works available by this artist. Phil Greenwood...
Category

2010s British Folk Art Posters

Materials

Paper

Get Carter
Located in London, GB
Original US production still for Michael Caine's Classic, 1971 gangster thriller. Directed by Mike Hodges. This is one of the best images from the film. The piece is conservation fr...
Category

1970s American Vintage Folk Art Posters

Materials

Paper

Get Carter
Get Carter
H 10 in W 8 in D 0.1 in
The Great Gatsby 1975 Polish A1 Film Movie Poster, Flisak
Located in Bath, Somerset
The charming Art Deco infused Polish film poster for The Great Gatsby starring Robert Redford and Mia Farrow. Wonderfully quirky design by Flisak. ...
Category

20th Century Polish Folk Art Posters

Materials

Paper

The Beatles by Richard Avedon, Look Magazine, Offset Lithographs, Framed
Located in New York, NY
The Beatles by Richard Avedon, offset lithographs, for Look Magazine, framed. Set of 4 Look Magazine Beatles posters with bright colors and minor toning and handling wear. The posters are in very good condition - having been stored in the original shipping tube (included in the listing). Each poster has been archivally floated on a white matte board, under UV plexiglass and framed in a 1.25 inch white lacquer wood cube molding. Measurements: Sheet image sizes: 31 inches H; x 22.5 inches W; Framed size: 39 inches H x 30 inches W x 1.25 inches D. Printed in the lower left of each poster is the band member's name; E.g., JOHN LENNON photographed by Richard Avedon for Look Magazine. Original Look Magazine shipping tube is emblazoned with groovy psychedelic "Beatles", shows the recipient's address and the sender's return address: Beatles Posters Box 1 Look Building Des Moines, IA. 50304 Background of Avedon/Beatles Collaboration: The Beatles were photographed by Richard Avedon on August 11th, 1967. The shoot took place at a photography studio in a penthouse at Thompson House, 200 Gray's Inn Road, London, England. The American photographer took a number of shots of the group, four of which were later embellished with psychedelic effects. The posters were printed by Waterlow & Sons Ltd of London/ The publisher's information appears in the lower right margin of each poster. One a side note, Avedon sold the copyrights of both the photos he took that day and his psychedelic embellishments, executed in post production, to NEMS Enterprises, Ltd. - a firm run by the Beatles music manager Brian Epstein. On Aug 27, 1967, sixteen days after Avedon’s Beatles photo session, Beatles manager Brian Epstein died from an overdose of Carbitol. The Beatles were shocked. By strange twist of fate, the Beatles were attending Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s meditation seminar at Bangor, North Wales. The guru they had just met in London became a substitute for their use of psychedelics and a cushion for their bereavement. Avedon, unknowingly to the Beatles, or even himself, had captured this true spiritual essence just weeks before. January 1968 was the initial concurrent publication of the Avedon photos...
Category

1960s English Vintage Folk Art Posters

Materials

Paper

Previously Available Items
Vintage Lithograph Serie "Niños mexicanos" by Gustavo Montoya
Located in San Antonio, TX
Vintage Lithograph circa 1980s Serie "Niños mexicanos" by Gustavo Montoya of boy in orange and girl in yellow holding instruments. Montoya's serigraphs in vibrant colors are on wove ...
Category

20th Century Mexican Folk Art Posters

Materials

Paper

Vintage Lithograph Serie "Niños mexicanos" by Gustavo Montoya
Located in San Antonio, TX
Vintage Lithograph circa 1980s Serie "Niños mexicanos" by Gustavo Montoya of sitting girl dressed in yellow and holding a doll. Montoya's serigraphs in vibrant colors are on wove pap...
Category

20th Century Mexican Folk Art Posters

Materials

Paper

Vintage Lithograph Serie "Niños mexicanos" by Gustavo Montoya
Located in San Antonio, TX
Beautiful vintage Lithograph circa 1980s Serie "Niños mexicanos" by Gustavo Montoya of sitting girl dressed in pink and holding a slice of watermelon. Montoya's serigraphs in vibrant...
Category

20th Century Mexican Folk Art Posters

Materials

Paper

Lithograph Serie "Niños mexicanos" by Gustavo Montoya
Located in San Antonio, TX
Vintage Lithograph circa 1980s Serie "Niños mexicanos" by Gustavo Montoya of sitting boy in blue, holding a piggy bank. Montoya's serigraphs in vibrant colors are on wove paper. This...
Category

20th Century Mexican Folk Art Posters

Materials

Paper

Original Mexican Wrestling Poster "Bufalo Allen"
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this unique and original Mexican wrestling poster, circa 1992. About this kind of posters: During the golden age of Mexican wrestli...
Category

1990s Mexican Folk Art Posters

Materials

Paper

Original Mexican Wrestling Poster ‘Arena Revolución’
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this unique and original Mexican wrestling poster, circa 1992. About this kind of posters: During the golden age of Mexican wrestli...
Category

1990s Mexican Folk Art Posters

Materials

Paper

San Francisco Panama-Pacific Exposition of 1915 Souvenir Banner & Entrance Badge
Located in San Francisco, CA
the black banner with embroidered decals of the Palace of Varied Industries, flowers, and a seal; along with the opening day ribbon with button and pin; The Panama–Pacific...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Posters

Materials

Fabric

19th Century Bargains Broadside, circa 1867
Located in Essex, MA
A 19th century printed graphic broadside advertisement, promoting bargains! on cotton goods, and much more, from Judson Wilcox of Simsbury, Connecticut, including a "good assortment ...
Category

1860s American Antique Folk Art Posters

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paper

19th Century Bargains Broadside, circa 1867
19th Century Bargains Broadside, circa 1867
H 13.25 in W 10.25 in D 0.5 in
Self Framed Tin Advertising "Frazer Axle Grease" American, circa 1900
By The American Art Works
Located in Incline Village, NV
Rare piece of Americana; an advertising item that would have been hanging in a general store in rural America at the turn of the century, singing the praises and virtues of using Frazer Axle grease, and lamenting what happens when not applied; a product used obviously for lubricating the wheels and axles of horse drawn carts and wagons. This is an original self framed tin sign, manufactured circa 1900 by the American Art Works Company, established in 1895 in Coshocton, Ohio (See image; label and logo in lower right hand corner). They would eventually go on to merge with similar type companies and become the Meeks Company. The Frazer Axle Grease company would have commissioned American Art Works to produce the sign and then they would have distributed it to their jobbers, retailers and sellers. The sign is in excellent condition; there is no rust, and the colors are nice and bright. The term "self framed" references the 3" black border which is part of the entire composition; a 1" border is then folded over and hammered down and attached to wooden stretchers which support the sign. Note the context of the images on the sign. To the right you have the successful well dressed farmer with healthy horses and a well maintained wagon, saying to his counterpart "My Friend don't cry! Get your wagon fixed up and then use the Frazer Axle Grease petroleum. Grease both black and white will ruin your axles every time". To the left you have the obviously less successful farmer in a broken down wagon with underfed horses saying "If I had used Frazer Axle Grease I would not have had this trouble". Dimensions: 25 1/2" high x 37 3/4" wide x 1" deep An example of this sign was featured on "Antiques Road...
Category

Early 1900s American Antique Folk Art Posters

Materials

Tin

Buffalo Bill Movie Poster American, circa 1912
Located in Incline Village, NV
Authentic Buffalo Bill chromolithograph movie poster on paper featuring William Cody (Buffalo Bill) in the Three Reel film "The Life of Buffalo Bill" (191...
Category

1910s American Vintage Folk Art Posters

Materials

Paper

Original Vintage Poster Miro 1978 Festival Exhibition Lithograph Poster original
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
Artist: Joan Miro Year 1972. Dimensions: 129 x 89 cm Condition: Excellent Format: Linen backed.  
Category

1970s French Vintage Folk Art Posters

"We Keep the Latest Novels" Advertising Sign
Located in Essex, MA
A late 19th century printed advertising sign, in white type on a navy blue field on paper, "We Keep The Latest Novels", in a period grain painted wood frame.
Category

1890s American Antique Folk Art Posters

Materials

Glass, Paper, Wood

Folk Art posters for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique folk art posters for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage posters created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include wall decorations, folk art, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with paper, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art posters made in a specific country, there are North America, United States, and Europe pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original posters, popular names associated with this style include Jim Houser, and Otis Lithograph Co.. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for posters differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $799 and tops out at $6,500 while the average work can sell for $1,029.

Recently Viewed

View All