Folk Art Wall Decorations
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.
Mid-18th Century Paraguayan Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations
Wood
Mid-19th Century English Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations
Wool
1840s German Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations
Maple, Paper
Mid-20th Century Persian Folk Art Wall Decorations
Wool
20th Century American Folk Art Wall Decorations
Paper
20th Century American Folk Art Wall Decorations
Paper
Early 20th Century Persian Folk Art Wall Decorations
Wool
20th Century Cuban Folk Art Wall Decorations
Paper
20th Century American Folk Art Wall Decorations
Paper
20th Century American Folk Art Wall Decorations
Paper
Late 19th Century German Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations
Wood
20th Century American Folk Art Wall Decorations
Fabric, Thread, Wood
20th Century American Folk Art Wall Decorations
Paper
Late 18th Century American Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations
Linen
20th Century American Folk Art Wall Decorations
Paper
Early 1900s Spanish Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations
Ceramic
20th Century French Folk Art Wall Decorations
Paper
Mid-20th Century French Folk Art Wall Decorations
Wool
20th Century Malian Folk Art Wall Decorations
Wood
1840s English Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations
Pine, Paper
21st Century and Contemporary North American Folk Art Wall Decorations
Paper
1960s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Wall Decorations
Acrylic, Wood
20th Century Panamanian Folk Art Wall Decorations
Fabric, Glass, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Wall Decorations
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Wall Decorations
Paper
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations
Wood
20th Century American Folk Art Wall Decorations
Paper
20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Wall Decorations
Paper
20th Century American Folk Art Wall Decorations
Paper
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Wall Decorations
Canvas, Wood
1930s Swedish Vintage Folk Art Wall Decorations
Glass, Wood, Paper
Late 20th Century English Folk Art Wall Decorations
Paper
Early 20th Century Greek Folk Art Wall Decorations
Softwood
Early 2000s African Folk Art Wall Decorations
Paper
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Wall Decorations
Wool
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations
Canvas, Wood
1990s Mexican Folk Art Wall Decorations
Acrylic
19th Century European Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations
Canvas, Wood
Late 19th Century English Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations
Maple, Paper
1960s American Vintage Folk Art Wall Decorations
Pottery, Wool, Cane, Rope
1830s English Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations
Paper
19th Century British Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations
Wool
18th Century Scandinavian Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations
Wool
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations
Canvas
Late 20th Century Indian Folk Art Wall Decorations
Paper
1820s English Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations
Textile
1990s American Folk Art Wall Decorations
Metal
20th Century Haitian Folk Art Wall Decorations
Paint
1960s American Vintage Folk Art Wall Decorations
Canvas, Paint
2010s American Folk Art Wall Decorations
Wire
1970s American Vintage Folk Art Wall Decorations
Paint
Late 18th Century Danish Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations
Wood
Late 20th Century Indian Folk Art Wall Decorations
Paper
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Wall Decorations
Canvas
1990s Mexican Folk Art Wall Decorations
Paper
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Wall Decorations
Wood
Late 19th Century Welsh Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations
Canvas
20th Century English Folk Art Wall Decorations
Paint