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Folk Art Statues

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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Style: Folk Art
Color:  Gray
Pair of Carved Brownstone Recumbent Lions in the American Folk Art Style
Located in Katonah, NY
A rare pair of carved brownstone American Folk Art lions, in recumbent pose with full manes and tails curled to opposing sides, their expressive...
Category

1890s American Antique Folk Art Statues

Materials

Stone

Abstract Cubist Iron American Church Crucifix
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Vintage iron abstract cubist crucifix from American Church. Found in the midwest. Great detail. Quite heavy.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Statues

Materials

Iron

19th Century Cast Iron Fiske Cherub Boy Garden Statue
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Cherub garden statue attributed to Fiske Foundry, circa 1870s. Great original black surface with traces of old white paint surface. Holes in feet ...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Statues

Materials

Limestone, Iron

Concrete Soldier Statue circa 1900 Chicago Area Garden
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Exceptional 6 ft. tall American Folk Art concrete soldier statue with original paint surface and inset glass 'gem.' Fantastic workmanship. Originally pa...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Statues

Materials

Concrete

Late 19th Century Fiske Foundry Cast Iron Dog
Located in Santa Monica, CA
J.W. Fiske foundry attributed cast iron Whippet dog. Incredible white paint surface with many different layers of white paint.
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Statues

Materials

Iron

Related Items
Early 20th Century Cast Stone Garden Gnome Sitting on a Pad
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fantastic cast stone garden gnome from the early twentieth century. In fabulous condition with minimal wear from age and the elements. Gnome sitting...
Category

1920s American Vintage Folk Art Statues

Materials

Cast Stone

English Cast Iron Horse Head Garden Statue
Located in Mt Kisco, NY
A large rust patina cast iron horse head figure on a square base.
Category

Late 20th Century English Folk Art Statues

Materials

Iron

French Antique Cast-Stone Garden Sculpture of Boy with Bird, 4+ Ft in Height
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French cast-stone garden sculpture of boy with bird from the early 20th century. This antique statue from France, of cast-stone, features a young boy, standing against a small tree...
Category

20th Century French Folk Art Statues

Materials

Cast Stone, Stone

Bacchante in White Patinated Terracotta Circa 1900
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Beautiful Art Nouveau bacchant in plastered terracotta; her mane with bunches of grapes, leaves and vine tendrils, the inclination of her head with her sensual expression of satisfac...
Category

Early 1900s Antique Folk Art Statues

Materials

Terracotta

Italian Concrete Garden Cherub Statues
Located in Wichita, KS
Sold separately. Center featured cherub is sold. Early 20th century concrete Italian garden statues of cherubs /putti figures, c. 1920. These charming, angelic statues are suitable ...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Folk Art Statues

Materials

Concrete

Italian Concrete Garden Cherub Statues
Italian Concrete Garden Cherub Statues
H 24 in W 9.5 in D 7.75 in
Very Rare 19th Century Cast Iron Jockey Hitching Post
Located in Dublin, IE
A very rare 19th century cast iron equine hitching post in the form of a jock-ey. The jockey is classically dressed in the 19th century riding attire, com-prising of a black riding hat, red jacket and cream jodhpurs. The jockey is poised on a moulded blue plinth...
Category

19th Century English Antique Folk Art Statues

Materials

Iron

19th Century Classical Stone Bust
Located in NYC, NY
A good 19th century carved stone bust. The handsome figure in Greco-Roman attire with toga draped across the chest and a laurel wreath around his head. ...
Category

19th Century English Antique Folk Art Statues

Materials

Stone

19th Century Classical Stone Bust
H 36 in W 28 in D 12 in
Cast Iron Bust of Nike
Located in Bloomfield Hills, MI
We presents for your consideration, this cast-iron bust of Nike. A handsome decorative object for the garden, garden terrace, or interior space, Nike will add that layer of colle...
Category

20th Century English Folk Art Statues

Materials

Iron

Cast Iron Bust of Nike
Cast Iron Bust of Nike
H 24 in W 20 in D 20 in
Gorgeous Cast Stone Italian Statue
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Well detailed cast Vicenza stone garden statue of a young lady standing in robes and holding a basket of fruit, head slightly turned to the right; naturally weathered finish.
Category

20th Century Italian Folk Art Statues

Gorgeous Cast Stone Italian Statue
Gorgeous Cast Stone Italian Statue
H 52 in W 21 in D 14.5 in
19th Century Marble Statue of Livia After the Antique
Located in Essex, MA
Grand Tour Carved Marble Statue of the Empress Livia Drusilla After the Antique. A true depiction of the Classical Statue of Rome's First Empress. Livia Drusilla (30 January 59 BC – 28 September AD 29) was Roman empress...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Folk Art Statues

Materials

Statuary Marble

Pair of 19th Century Sandstone Lions
Located in Essex, MA
Pair of 19th century French sandstone lion fragments. Well carved and with very endearing features. Though fragmentary, these lions present as importan...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Folk Art Statues

Materials

Sandstone

18th or 19th Century White Marble Bust of a Young Woman
Located in Berlin, DE
The marble bust facing frontal with her eyes looking to her right. The hair fastened in a skillfull knot behind, the drapery covers her shoulders and breasts, with another section un...
Category

19th Century French Antique Folk Art Statues

Materials

Carrara Marble

Previously Available Items
Early Stone Tiki Garden Statue on Base
By Tiki
Located in Ferndale, MI
Unique two pice garden statue. Tiki style form sits in stand. Most likely cast cement.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Statues

Materials

Cement

Sculpture of Hawk Perched Upon Tree
Located in Houston, TX
Sculpture of hawk perched upon tree, masterfully executed in concrete. Large scale and impressive, this evocative sculpture is suitable for display in both indoor and outdoor settings.
Category

1950s French Vintage Folk Art Statues

Materials

Concrete

Sculpture of Hawk Perched Upon Tree
Sculpture of Hawk Perched Upon Tree
H 83 in W 45.25 in D 16 in
Vintage Concrete Stag Sculpture
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage concrete stag sculpture, a stately depiction of a noble stag at rest, hand-modeled by an anonymous master artist in France using concrete during...
Category

Early 20th Century French Folk Art Statues

Materials

Concrete

Vintage Concrete Stag Sculpture
Vintage Concrete Stag Sculpture
H 35.5 in W 33 in D 19.5 in
Swan Garden Statue Found in Upstate New York
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Large and graceful rustic swan garden statue. Found in upstate New York. Fantastic multi layered chunky original paint surface. Very substantial piece.
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Statues

Materials

Stone

Folk Art statues for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique folk art statues 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 statues created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include building and garden elements, decorative objects, folk art and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art statues 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 statues, popular names associated with this style include and Gerald DiGiusto. 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 statues differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $295 and tops out at $225,000 while the average work can sell for $6,000.

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