Folk Art Architectural Elements
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.
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Item Ships From: USA
Style: Folk Art
Large Italian Giltwood Ornamental Corona Crown, Late 19th Century
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Italian Architectural Element Giltwood 19th Century Carved Corona Crown
Large gilt-wood element, featuring decorative acanthus leaves, carving around the...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Folk Art Architectural Elements
Materials
Giltwood
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...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Architectural Elements
Materials
Iron
Moroccan Traditional Caidale Tent 20 ft x 40ft
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Moroccan traditional caidale tent are used outdoor for ceremonial events, wedding, parties.
For centuries the tribal people of Morocco's Atlas Mountains have passed down the art of h...
Category
Late 20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Architectural Elements
Materials
Fabric
1930s Architectural Model, 'Doll House', Modernist Adobe Home, Interior Lighting
Located in Buffalo, NY
1930s Architectural Model, possibly a hand made doll house? Modernist Adobe Home. Amazing design, proportion. Color, patina, surface. Very detailed. Removable exterior walls, working light fixtures in each room as well as outdoor porch light.
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Architectural Elements
Materials
Stucco, Wood
19th century polychrome arms mounted in iron base
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of charming hand painted arms from a 19th century figure. The hand painted arms are mounted on an octagonal base.
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Folk Art Architectural Elements
Materials
Wood, Paint
Cast Bronze Door Bells
By Lland
Located in Calabasas, CA
Cast Bronze Door Bell, styled after the Eames House, Case Study #8, Oaxacan Folk Art Door Bell. The Bell is lost wax cast from a clay Ox Cart Bell sourced from Oaxaca. It has 4 sound...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Folk Art Architectural Elements
Materials
Bronze
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 ...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Architectural Elements
Materials
Zinc
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!
Category
1890s American Antique Folk Art Architectural Elements
Materials
Wood
American Folk-Art Finial with Dove
Located in Doylestown, PA
An American folk-art tin rooftop finial with a dove on top, circa 1900 or earlier, rusted finish.
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Architectural Elements
Materials
Tin
Delft Ceramic Decorative Tile Featuring a Man on Horse
By Delft
Located in North Hollywood, 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...
Category
Early 20th Century Dutch Folk Art Architectural Elements
Materials
Ceramic, Clay
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. ...
Category
19th Century Antique Folk Art Architectural Elements
Materials
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. ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Architectural Elements
Materials
Wood
Antique Child's Wheelbarrow, Mid-19th Century
Located in Downingtown, PA
Great for flowers, plants, wine. It is small enough to be placed on a sideboard for display.
Antique Child's Wheelbarrow,
Mid-19th century
The Canadian child's wheelbarrow is insc...
Category
Mid-19th Century Canadian Antique Folk Art Architectural Elements
Materials
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...
Category
Early 19th Century Asian Antique Folk Art Architectural Elements
Materials
Wood, Lacquer, Paint
Folk Art Wood Wheel Sculptural Element
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gorgeous and unique hand-crafted wooden wheel with 2 "spokes". Possibly from a small wooden wagon or cart.
The 5" thick wheels are carefully carved fr...
Category
19th Century Antique Folk Art Architectural Elements
Materials
Steel
Pair of Green Hand Made Wooden Corbels
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Green corbels perfect to hold your shelf and bring some fun maximalist style to any wall. These are lightweight as they are made of wood. Each piece can be easily installed with scre...
Category
20th Century Folk Art Architectural Elements
Materials
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...
Category
Late 19th Century North American Antique Folk Art Architectural Elements
Materials
Copper
19th Century Baroque Carved Polychromed Architectural Column Capital Table Pair
Located in Forney, TX
An early 19th century pair of Baroque hand carved and painted wooden architectural salvaged exterior building elements, now repurposed and fashioned for use as one-of-a-kind pedestal tables.
Intricately detailed, whimsical sulptural design, executed in classical corinthian column capital form, having spiral scroll volutes, acanthus leaf carvings, figural ancient mask...
Category
19th Century Antique Folk Art Architectural Elements
Materials
Wood
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...
Category
Early 19th Century Asian Antique Folk Art Architectural Elements
Materials
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood, Lacquer, Paint
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...
Category
19th Century Burmese Antique Folk Art Architectural Elements
Materials
Wood
19th Century Wood Clock Face
Located in New York, NY
Interesting weathered wood clock face with painted hands.
The back story is a local (Upstate NY) church was being built around the mid-19th century, ...
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Architectural Elements
Materials
Wood
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...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Architectural Elements
Materials
Iron
Pair of 19th Century Monumental Folk Art Doorways Mounted as Room Divider
Located in Stamford, CT
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...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Folk Art Architectural Elements
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...
Category
19th Century French Antique Folk Art Architectural Elements
Materials
Metal
Maritime Architectural Element
Located in Stamford, CT
A maritime architectural element of painted and carved wood representing Neptune.
Category
19th Century English Antique Folk Art Architectural Elements
Materials
Wood
Danish Early 19th Century Iron Weather-Vane With Rose Finial, Dated 1821
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Danish early 19th century iron weather-vane with rose finial, dated 1821.
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Folk Art Architectural Elements
Materials
Iron
19th Century Agile Painted Wooden Figure
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
According to tradition earlier at Schackenborg Castle. Similar figure of a soldier, is to be found at the Danish National Museum.
Schackenborg Castle came to belong to the Schack family 11 generations ago. The last count had no children...
Category
19th Century Danish Antique Folk Art Architectural Elements
Materials
Wood
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Pair of 19th Century Victorian Cast Iron Wall Brackets
Located in Wormelow, Herefordshire
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Late 19th Century Antique Folk Art Architectural Elements
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Two Dormer Windows in Cast Iron from the 19th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Two 19th century polychrome cast iron dormer windows
in very good condition
Beautiful patina.
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Two Carved Mayan Deity Limestone Architectural Carvings or Elements
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Two carved Mayan deity limestone architectural carvings or / elements, 19th century or older
The larger measures 7" W x 5.5" H x 4.5" D with a 2.5" protrusion
The smaller measures ...
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19th Century Central American Antique Folk Art Architectural Elements
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Bronze Door Handle and Bell Push with Brutalist Design 20th Century, European
Located in London, GB
A rectangular bronze push or pull door handle, with Brutalist geometric design, together with matching bell push, mid-late 20th century, European.
This is a heavy handle, made of ca...
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Mid-20th Century European Folk Art Architectural Elements
Materials
Brass, Bronze
H 6.82 in W 4.34 in D 2.6 in
Pair of 17th/ 18th Century Italian White Marble Baroque Ornaments
Located in Buisson, FR
Unique and very beautiful pair weathered white marble baroque ornaments. They most likely once adorned a church altar.
Original period pieces, Italy, ci...
Category
17th Century Italian Antique Folk Art Architectural Elements
Materials
Marble
Antique Cast Brass Lion Wreath Door Knocker
Located in Ross, CA
19th century brass door knocker in the form of a hand holding a laurel wreath and a lions head.
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Folk Art Architectural Elements
Materials
Brass
Decorative 19th Century Wrought Iron Gate Panel
Located in Mckinney, TX
A mid-19th century blacksmith-made wrought iron gate panel of scrolling design. Once painted white, the panel now has a beautifully weathered patina. ...
Category
Mid-19th Century European Antique Folk Art Architectural Elements
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Wrought Iron
10 ft+ Tall French Pair of Glass Paneled Wood Doors from the Early 20th C.
Located in Atlanta, GA
This is a pair of over-sized French doors from the early 20th century. These antique French doors are substantial, standing at a height of more than 10 feet! Each door has 18 glass panels, framed by vertically slatted wood at the upper and lower portions of the door. The doors have old paint and patina, slightly differing in colors on each door. These massive antique French glass panel doors...
Category
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Architectural Elements
Materials
Wood, Glass
H 131.5 in W 48 in D 1.5 in
Bronze Door Knockers Lion Motif 9"
Located in Somis, CA
A pair of beautiful bronze lion knockers. The mythical lion has large bulging eyes above wide open mouth. Curly hair surround the face, repeated in the eye brows which flank the prominent forehead. Antiqued finish with mellow gold patina. Fantastic as door knockers or hand towel rings...
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Late 20th Century Chinese Folk Art Architectural Elements
Materials
Bronze
Late 18th / Early 19th Century Italian Giltwood Neoclassical Angel
Located in Buisson, FR
Very nice handcarved giltwood neoclassical angel,
Italy, circa 1780-1820.
Weathered, small losses
Measurements include the wooden base.
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Folk Art Architectural Elements
Materials
Wood
Pair of Just Andersen, Denmark 1930s Art Deco Pewter Stylised Bird Pipe Holders
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Pair of Just Andersen of Denmark, Pewter stylised bird pipe holders
Although a pair, they are not identical - each has it's own characteristics
Circa 1930's
Stamped on each base
...
Category
1930s Danish Vintage Folk Art Architectural Elements
Materials
Pewter
No Reserve
H 2.5 in W 4.25 in D 1.5 in
2 Hispano Moorish Hinged Doors, 19th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Magnificent pair of oak hining doors (saloon doors) from the 19th century Hispano Moorish style
The doors have a lock so it's possible to lock the doors....
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19th Century Spanish Antique Folk Art Architectural Elements
Materials
Oak
Previously Available Items
Moroccan Handcrafted Set of 110 Cement Tiles
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Set of 110 hand made encaustic vintage cement tiles.
Moroccan handcrafted and hand-painted cement tiles with traditional Marrakech color.
These are...
Category
1990s Moroccan Folk Art Architectural Elements
Materials
Cement
Midcentury Pair of Cast Alminum Garden Geese Indoor Outdoor with Patina
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous pair of cast aluminum geese which are finely detailed and in excellent vintage condition with minimal wear. Lots of patina as they have lived outdoor most of their lives. Me...
Category
1960s American Vintage Folk Art Architectural Elements
Materials
Aluminum
Danish Early 19th Century Iron Weather-Vane With Rose Finial, Dated 1821
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Danish early 19th century iron weather-vane with rose finial, dated 1821.
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Folk Art Architectural Elements
Materials
Iron
Wrought Iron Armillary
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An Armillary is a measurement of the heavens that dates back to the 14th Century. In modern homes, beause they are usually made of wrought iron, they work very nicely in the garden a...
Category
20th Century European Folk Art Architectural Elements
Materials
Wrought Iron
18th/19th Century Moroccan Mosque Architectural Ornament Steeple Finial Pair
Located in Forney, TX
A magnificent pair of Moroccan mosque architectural ornaments. Exquisitely hand-crafted in the 18th / 19th century, the rare, one of a kind religious folk art works, richly hand carv...
Category
Early 19th Century Moroccan Antique Folk Art Architectural Elements
Materials
Wood
H 26 in W 10.5 in D 9 in
19th Century Dragon Weathervane
By Cushing and White
Located in Nantucket, MA
The body is molded copper with sheet coper wings, the tongue is made of zinc, with late 19th early 20th in service gilding thoughout the body and sphere. The rod and shaft have a gre...
Category
Late 19th Century North American Antique Folk Art Architectural Elements
Materials
Copper
Moroccan Handcrafted Set of 12 Cement Tiles
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Moroccan handcrafted and hand-painted cement tiles with traditional Marrakech color.
These are authentic Moroccan encaustic tiles hand made by artisans i...
Category
1990s Moroccan Folk Art Architectural Elements
Materials
Cement
Early 20th Century Folk Art Copper Whale Weathervane
Located in Nantucket, MA
Early weathervane in the form of a sperm whale in copper, of hollow body form with raised tail, open mouth and applied eyes. Retaining original verdigris patina.
New England, circa ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Architectural Elements
Materials
Copper
Wonderful Gold Leaf and Black Rooster Weathervane
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Striking vintage weathervane having black painted metal rooster and rotating directional wheel with gold leaf accents. There's an ingenious mountin...
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Architectural Elements
Materials
Metal
Wonderful Painted Two Sided Iron Sign with Bucolic Deer
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A rare find in a large found object sign, having heavy iron two sided painted decorative scene with evergreen and two bucolic deer.
Category
1920s American Vintage Folk Art Architectural Elements
Materials
Iron
Early 1900s Swedish Folk Art Window Shutters Screen with Hand Painted Birds
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Fabulous piece of Swedish Folk Art. Handmade window shutters with cut out floral design and hand painted birds.
Stands on it's own at 5-1/2 feet long. All original. A perfect eclect...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Folk Art Architectural Elements
Materials
Wood
19th Century Hand Forged Heavy Iron Arrow
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Fantastic chunky 19th century hand-forged iron arrow. Great shelf decoration. Could be wall mounted. Very solid piece.
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Architectural Elements
Materials
Iron
Folk Art architectural elements for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique folk art architectural elements for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage architectural elements created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include building and garden elements, folk art, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art architectural elements made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original architectural elements, popular names associated with this style include OTHR, Devres, Berber Tribes of Morocco, and Delft. 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 architectural elements differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $70 and tops out at $32,500 while the average work can sell for $1,200.
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