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.
Art Deco Cast Iron Christmas Tree Stand, Vintage, German, 1920s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This beautiful antique green color cast iron Christmas tree stand, was made in Germany, in the 1920s or older. A nice addition for your Christmas decoration. It holds a stem up to 2....
Metal, Iron
Art Deco Cast Iron Christmas Tree Stand, Vintage, German, 1920s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This beautiful antique green color cast iron Christmas tree stand, was made in Germany, in the 1920s or older. A nice addition for your Christmas decoration. It holds a stem up to 2 ...
Metal, Iron
1 of the 350 Handmade Antique Ceramic Tiles by Devres, France, 1920s
By Devres
Located in Rijssen, NL
This is a large set of 350 antique French handmade ceramic tiles. Manufactured by Devres, circa 1920s. Colorful pattern in yellow, red and green. These tiles would be charming displa...
Ceramic
Gypsy Caravan Circa 1900 - Built by Watts of Bridgewater
Located in Bagshot, GB
Now I know we all wish to have that barn find, but this truly is a great barn find!!! 45 years it has been dry stored, and you can see from the condition that this original Gypsy Ca...
Wood
Large Copper Architectural Eagle
Located in Nantucket, MA
Spread wing eagle perched on a sphere, molded copper, with a great gilded surface on the front. The back has a nice natural veridigris, American, Late 19th early 20th century. Purpor...
Copper
Early 19th Century Sheet Iron Weathervane. Folk Art
Located in Hudson, NY
This is a very highly animated and extremely well constructed, early 19th century sheet iron weathervane. Please do look at the detailed images. The construction and surface are abso...
Iron
Large Cast Iron House Trees Polychrome Door Stopper, American 19th Century
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Cast Iron House Trees Polychrome Door Stopper or Large Bookend 19th Century original painted cast iron doorstop has great patina. This heavy weight doorsto...
Iron
Vintage Folk Art / Early Pharmacy Wooden Signage of Pestle & Mortar 19th Century
Located in Oakland, CA
Late 19th early 20th Century Pharmacy sign wooden pestle and mortar, the piece shows the many years it was exposed to the elements with a fine patina becoming said piece. The paint i...
Wood, Paint
1 of the 31 Unique Antique Relief Tiles, circa 1920 S.A. Pavillions
By OTHR
Located in Rijssen, NL
Several pcs. exceptional antique wall tiles, Société des Pavillions, Florennes (S.A. des Pavillions). Beautiful quality. The dimensions per tile are 5,9inch (15 cm) × 5,9 inch (15 c...
Ceramic
Pair of Antique Cast Iron Elements as Table Lamps
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A large and very solid feeling pair of antique iron architectural elements as lamp bases. Three part shaped iron elements with decorative motifs with leaves on the tops and bottoms. ...
Iron
1 of 52 Handmade Antique Ceramic Tiles by Devres, France, 1920s
By Devres
Located in Rijssen, NL
One of 52 antique French handmade ceramic tiles. Manufactured by Devres, circa 1920s. Colorful pattern in yellow, red and green. These tiles would be charming displayed on easels, fr...
Ceramic
1 of the 350 Handmade Antique Ceramic Tiles by Devres, France, 1920s
By Devres
Located in Rijssen, NL
This is a large set of 350 antique French handmade ceramic tiles. Manufactured by Devres, circa 1920s. Colorful pattern in yellow, red and green. These tiles would be charming displa...
Ceramic
$1,536Sale Price|50% Off
Italian 16th/ 17th Century Folk Art Forged Iron Coat of Arms
Located in Buisson, FR
Unique and wonderful folk art coat of arms, Depicting a eagle holding a rabbit, two crosses and two castle's and on the top a grotesque head. This beautiful period piece is made out ...
Iron
Set of 35 Antique Ceramic Tiles by Pas De Calais Desvres, France, circa 1850s
By Desvres
Located in Rijssen, NL
Recently lifted from its original home, this amazing and unique set of 35 antique French handmade ceramic tiles. Designed by Maison four maintraux-Hornoy and manufactured for Pas de ...
Ceramic
Huge French Iron Pot Hanger, Kitchen Utensil or Game Hanger A great piece
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Huge French Iron Pot Hanger, Kitchen Utensil or Game Hanger A great piece with lots of Character, the design is based on traditional game hanger, it i...
Iron
Giant Wood Early 20th Century Hand Painted Americana Barber Shop Sign
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Large and chunky Americana! Fantastic and original Barber Shop trade sign in the shape of a barber pole. Great statement piece. Layers of super graphic red and white original paint. ...
Wood
Early 20th Century Carnival Carousel Funhouse Architectural Columns
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Fun antique architectural elements from carnival carousel or funhouse ride. Layers of beautiful original park paint. Great scale for wall art or to act as a frame for something else. Unique and original fairground art!
Wood
1 of the 144 Handmade Antique Ceramic Iles by Devres, France, circa 1910s
By Devres
Located in Rijssen, NL
This is a amazing and unique set of 511 antique French handmade ceramic tiles. Manufactured by Devres, circa 1910s. Stylized design. Each patte...
Ceramic
Hand-Crafted Moroccan Caidale Tent by Berber Tribes, 20 ft x 40 ft
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Moroccan traditional caidale tent are used outdoor for ceremonial events, wedding, parties. For centuries the tribal people of Morocco's Atlas Mountains ...
Fabric
Delft Ceramic Decorative Tile Featuring a Man on Horse
By Delft
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Delft tile featuring a noble man riding a horse. This characterful Delftware tile a man on horseback in expressive blue coloring on a whit...
Ceramic, Clay
Vardo Wagon Panels, circa 1880
Located in London, GB
Carved wooden gypsy vardo wagon panels, circa 1880 This lot is a very rare and unique set of 6 hand carved wooden gypsy Vardo travelling wagon panel strips. The wooden panels wou...
Wood
Rare Set of Two Qing Dynasty Chinese Architectural Temple Brackets
Located in Forney, TX
An original matched pair of exceptionally carved Chinese temple architectural ornaments, the ornate decorative brackets salvaged from an early Qing Dynasty temple, the richy detailed...
Wood, Lacquer, Paint
1 of the 36 Unique Antique Relief Tiles, circa 1920, Faiencerie de Bouffioulx
By OTHR
Located in Rijssen, NL
36 pcs. Exceptional antique wall tiles, circa 1922, Faiencerie de Bouffioulx. In the rich colors deep blue, honey, purple and greyish blue tones. The image is applied in relief. The ...
Ceramic
$1,440Sale Price|20% Off
Diamond Shaped Zinc Roof Finial or Garden Ornament Sculpture
By Ira Yeager
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Fascinating objet d'art created and painted by artist Ira Yeager (American 1938-2022). Crafted from patinated zinc with an aged patina and verdigris. The four-sided diamond shape is ...
Zinc
Pair of Qing Dynasty Chinese Religious Temple Architectural Ornament
Located in Forney, TX
A scarce pair of Qing Dynasty temple architectural ornaments, the decorative antique building element fragments each elaborately hand carved, polychrome painted and lacquered, richly detailed featuring two figural pairs accented...
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood, Lacquer, Paint
19th Century French Carousel Ride, Carved Wood Sparrow with Metal Body
Located in New York, NY
19th C. painted wood French Carousel ride, with the "body" made of iron rods. The bird figure has only one wing, as originally the other side had a spoke which connected to the cente...
Metal
Set of 6 of Total 120 Dutch Blue Glazed Ceramic Tiles by Le Glaive, 1930
Set of 6 of Total 120 Dutch Blue Ceramic Tiles by Gilliot Hemiksen, 1930s
By Gilliot
Located in Rijssen, NL
This is an amazing set of Dutch blue handmade ceramic tiles. Manufactured by Gilliot Hemiksen, 1930s. With 6 different stylized designs. We offer 20 tiles from the same design. In total 120 tiles...
Ceramic
1 of the 100 Unique Antique Relief Tiles, circa 1920 S.A. Pavillions
Located in Rijssen, NL
Several pcs. exceptional antique wall tiles, Société des Pavillions, Florennes (S.A. des Pavillions). Beautiful quality. The dimensions per tile a...
Ceramic
Cast Iron Clock Face Surround from Observatory Clock Tower Double-Sided
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Very cool cast iron clock face surround, observatory time. Double-sided with great paint surface. Substantial heavy duty iron hooks. Lots of potential...
Iron
Pair of 19th Century Monumental Folk Art Doorways Mounted as Room Divider
Located in Manhasset, NY
Pair of monumental Folk Art doorways mounted as room dividers. These large and impressive very fine carved doors are hinged together and can easily come apart to be used as their int...
$3,614 / item
8 Old Fairground Art Panels circa 1930
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
8 old fairground art panels circa 1930 probably panels of an old carousel. These panels are slightly curved from origin and the base is in pine. Ther...
Pine
$1,101 / set
A Pair of Antique Wood and Iron Window Shutters
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Pair of Antique Wood and Iron Window Shutters These are decorative chestnut shutters with Iron Rod insets, they have naturally distressed paint this is worn and shabby showing the...
Chestnut
Half Round Blacksmith Made Folding Iron Game Hanger, Kitchen Utensil Hanger
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Half Round Blacksmith Made Folding Iron Game Hanger, Kitchen Utensil Hanger A great piece it is a half round shape with 5 large hooks which can be folded up when not required, it s...
Iron
Antique Burmese Carved Architectural Wood Pole
Located in Atlanta, GA
A striking architectural pole carved from solid teak that was used for building construction in Burma circa 19th century. Serving both structural and ornamental purposes, this types of carved poles...
Wood
Maritime Architectural Element
Located in Stamford, CT
A maritime architectural element of painted and carved wood representing Neptune.
Wood