Folk Art Building and Garden 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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Style: Folk Art
Monumental Figurative Wire Iron Sculpture, Female Figure Titled "DOMINATRIX
Located in Buffalo, NY
Monumental figurative wire iron sculpture, female figure titled "DOMINATRIX, amazing skilled artist, great sense of the human female form. Hand delivery avail to New York City or any...
Category
1970s American Vintage Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron, Wrought Iron
Moss Covered Garden Bench
Located in Hastings, GB
Probably the mossiest bench you will ever set eyes upon, dating to the 1950's this wooden bench has been left to let nature do its work and the result is stunning, it is covered on e...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wood
Cast Iron Statue of a Hunting Dog With a Pheasant A very contented Chap
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Cast Iron Statue of a Hunting Dog With a Pheasant
A very contented Chap, he is sitting on a deep oval plinth he is fully 3 dimensional and looks good from all sides
Our faithful ho...
Category
1960s Vintage Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Kentucky Horse Farm Fireplace Mantel Horse Legs
Located in Santa Monica, CA
This pair of giant sculptural wooden horse legs, at 5 ft. tall, was once part of a large mantel at the home of a horse ranch in Kentucky. Said to have been A...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wood
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...
Category
1930s French Vintage Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Pine
$3,604 / item
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...
Category
1960s Vintage Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
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...
Category
1960s Vintage Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Antique Folk Art Wire/Wood Birdcage
Located in Sheffield, MA
The antique bird house is composed of wire and wood framing and floor. The front facade has an arched center section and side "towers." There are th...
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wood
19th century polychrome arms mounted in wood 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 French Antique Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wood, Paint
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 Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Limestone, Iron
Early 20th Century Root and Twig Tabletop Plant Stand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Early folky twig and root tabletop stand in great condition. This cool three-leg planter is so well made and has a great worn patina. It is very strong ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Twig
$1,320 Sale Price
20% Off
Anglo-Raj Mughal Bronzed Copper Vessel Bucket
Located in North Hollywood, CA
19th century Anglo Raj Mughal bronzed metal copper vessel water or milk bucket.
Originally used to carry water, this hand-hammered metal vessel from India ...
Category
19th Century Indian Antique Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Brass, Copper
Pair of Vintage Hand Painted Planters in the Style of VIlleroy and Boch Acapulco
Located in Cordova, SC
Vintage pair of planters, strikingly similar to Villeroy and Bach’s Acapulco line of dinnerware. There is some chipping to the paint but there are still plenty of colors and patterns...
Category
1970s American Vintage Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Terracotta, Paint
Vintage Cast Iron Doorstop "Carpenter" American, circa 1910
Located in Incline Village, NV
From the Alice in Wonderland series, this full figured American cast iron doorstop features the "Carpenter" and he is sitting down with hands on knees, a ruler in his back pocket, often referred to as "taking a break". Unknown manufacture albeit the number "665" is stamped at the lower part of the hollowed out interior (see image. The doorstop is completely original in excellent all original paint, with no repairs, no restoration, and no touch up paint. It is nicely painted in brown, orange, and black, with flesh tones to the face and hands. Dimensions are 5 3/4" High x 4" Deep x 3" Wide. It has quite a bit of weight to it considering it's size. Excellent age crazing and patina throughout. The doorstop is circa 1910, judging by the finish and the popularity of Alice in Wonderland in America.
The doorstop is referenced on page 200 in "The Doorstop Book" by John and Nancy Smith...
Category
1910s American Vintage Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Antique Indonesian Carved Deer Architectural Temple Sculpture
Located in Forney, TX
A rare and incredible Indonesian hand carved and painted red deer architectural salvaged temple ornament.
Dating to the 19th century or earlier, hand-...
Category
19th Century Southeast Asian Antique Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wood, Paint
Pair of Small Vintage Concrete Ducks Garden Ornaments
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Set of charming ducks with a lovely, aged patina. This chippy pair could be used indoors or outdoors. We see them sitting on a coffee table atop books or in an outdoor garden. Certai...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Concrete
Hubley Dolly Dingle And Bobby Blake Door Stops, Designed By Grace Drayton
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Hubley soup kids door stop pair including the boy holding a cat while the girl is holding a doll. Marked on back as shown.
Dimensions: 9 1/2" tall and 5...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
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...
Category
1890s American Antique Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wood, Paint
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 Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wood
Folk Art Americana Victorian Carved Mirrored Carousel Panels
Located in Queens, NY
5 American Victorian stripped and decorated carved carousel panels with oval etched mirror (priced each).
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wood
Antique Glazed Terracotta Jar, Italy, 1900s
Located in Milan, IT
Antique glazed terracotta jar, Italy, 1900s.
Category
Early 1900s Italian Antique Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Terracotta
$2,114 Sale Price
29% Off
Collection of Three Cast Iron Star Victorian Daughters of the Revolution Markers
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Collection of three Daughters of the Revolution cast iron star markers. Marked GAR Thos Feushaw Post 75 Conn.
Category
1890s North American Antique Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Antique Carved Eagle Form Architectural Decorative Element
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A large scale carved eagle with its wings closed as it reaches outward. Its feet are perched on a scrolled detail on a block form base. With fine stylized carved feathers and eyes a...
Category
19th Century Antique Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
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 Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wood
Organic Folk Art Jardiniere Plant Stand with Real Branches and Twigs
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning Early 1900 Handmade Folk Art Jardiniere.
This antique, one piece plant stand is a fine example of the craftsmanship and the wonderful designs of bygone times. Where else th...
Category
Early 20th Century German Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wood
19th Century Cast Iron Native American Andirons, circa 1880
Located in Nantucket, MA
Rare 19th century cast iron Native American Andirons, circa 1880, thought to be an image of the Wampanoag Sachem Massasoit (1581 - 1661), earl...
Category
1880s American Antique Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Signed American Folk Art Wrought Iron Fireplace Tool Holder
Located in Forney, TX
A vintage American folk art, Western Ranch style, hand forged and welded wrought iron fireplace tool holder. Handcrafted in Texas, the artisan who made it cutout signed...
Category
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
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...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Vintage Boho Patinated Copper Horse Weathervane
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Bring timeless charm and equestrian elegance into your home with this Vintage Boho Patinated Copper Horse Weathervane Sculpture. Expertly craf...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Bronze, Copper
$1,000 Sale Price
20% Off
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...
Category
1890s British Antique Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wood
Vintage English Terra-Cotta Pot Man Sculpture for Home, Garden Cty Staffordshire
Located in Chicago, IL
Outstanding vintage English Terra-Cotta Flower Pot Man. This guy is the perfect folk art host for most anywhere, here at the store we have him in the foyer welcoming guests...
Category
20th Century English Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Terracotta
Vintage Cast Iron Doorstop "Lady With Flowers", American, circa 1915
Located in Incline Village, NV
This hollow back figural doorstop features an attractive young lady carrying flowers in one arm, and a long shawl in her other arm. The doorstop is in an abundance of excellent origi...
Category
1910s American Vintage Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
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...
Category
1920s French Vintage Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Ceramic
Green Painted Wood Garden Cart
Located in Stamford, CT
Small charming hand crafted wood flower cart painted green. The cart surface is 17.5" by 11.5". Great for a flower shop or the garden. The wheel does not turn.
It is a decorative item.
Category
1950s American Vintage Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wood
$340 Sale Price
20% Off
Vintage Hand Carved Wood Blacksmith Statue
Located in South Bend, IN
A unique hand carved wood statue of a blacksmith
20th century
Measures: 11" W x 9" D x 32.75" H.
Good original vintage condition.
Category
20th Century Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wood
Solid Teak Wood Column Base of Traditional Javanese House, Organic c. 1900
By Southeast Asia
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
A wonderful soild teak wood column base the once occupied the interior structure of a traditional Javanese "Limasan" house. Limasan houses have a design ancestry of more than a mille...
Category
Early 20th Century Indonesian Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Teak
Iron Boot Scraper with Ram's Head Finial
Located in Greenwich, CT
A generous iron boot scrape with twisted shaft handle and bronze finial of a ram's head mounted on a heraldic helmet. Decorative scrolled base imprinted with "1928". In the manner...
Category
Early 20th Century English Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron, Bronze
Pair of Terracotta Shoe Planters, circa 1960
Located in High Point, NC
Pair of large terracotta planters in the shape of a pair of shoes.
Category
20th Century English Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Terracotta
19th Century Wrought Iron and Brass Firedog Andirons
Located in Savannah, GA
Rare small size pair of wrought iron Christmas tree shaped firedog andirons with decorative brass finials.
See measurements below.
Category
1820s Unknown Antique Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Brass, Wrought Iron
Solid Teak Wood Column Base of Traditional Javanese House, Organic c. 1900
By Southeast Asia
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
A wonderful soild teak wood column base the once occupied the interior structure of a traditional Javanese "Limasan" house. Limasan houses have a design ancestry of more than a mille...
Category
Early 20th Century Indonesian Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Teak
1940s Heavily Hand Carved Folk Art Figurative Chairs Table Set, Set of 5
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
On offer on this occasion is one of the most stunning, table and chairs you could hope to find. This is an ultra-rare opportunity to acquire what is the most spectacular and beautifu...
Category
1940s Vintage Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wood
Large Antique Folk Art Dovecote in Gray Paint
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A notable antique Dovecote with a very Architectural presence having good size and in all original condition. Wood painted in pale gray with a cupola ...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wire
Folk Art Industrial Forged and Blackened Iron Andirons with Scroll Feet, c. 1940
Located in New York, NY
AFP0598
A pair of vintage andirons, made in the folk art style with truck axles, topped with a bouquet of engine valve stems and terminating in scrolled feet. The iron in a blackened...
Category
1940s Vintage Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wrought Iron
Heavy Quality Brass Fireside Companion Set, Horses
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Heavy quality brass fireside companion set, horses
This is a heavy quality set on its own stand, shovel, tongs, poker and hearth brush, the s...
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Brass
Antique Folk Art Dog And Cat Form Brass Andirons
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An authentic Pair of Antique Cat and Dog Andirons in original as found condition. Ca. early 20th c. hollow cast brass. Each seated and looking out. The cat with a wide curled tail, t...
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Brass
$1,295 / set
Solid Teak Wood Column Base of Traditional Javanese House, Organic c. 1900
By Southeast Asia
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
A wonderful soild teak wood column base the once occupied the interior structure of a traditional Javanese "Limasan" house. Limasan houses have a design ancestry of more than a mille...
Category
Early 20th Century Indonesian Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Teak
Solid Teak Wood Column Base of Traditional Javanese House, Organic c. 1900
By Southeast Asia
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
A wonderful soild teak wood column base the once occupied the interior structure of a traditional Javanese "Limasan" house. Limasan houses have a design ancestry of more than a mille...
Category
Early 20th Century Indonesian Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Teak
A Charming Pair of Male and Female Bathroom Toilet Signs Ladies and Gentlemen
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Charming Pair of Male and Female Bathroom Toilet Signs
Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls no home should be without these, painted Cast iron Loo signs
The signs are 7” high, 3...
Category
Mid-20th Century Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
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 Building and Garden Elements
Materials
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 Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Concrete
Large Antique Chinese Bronze Foo Dog Foo Lion Door Plates
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Large Antique Chinese Bronze Foo Dog Foo Lion Door Plates
A stunning pair of Door plates, they are made in bronze and are very heavy, these may originally have had handles through ...
Category
19th Century Antique Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Bronze
$8,914 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Hand Painted Wooden Railings from a Fair Ground
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Hand painted wooden railings from a fair ground
Great decorative pieces, there are 2 of these one 5ft long and the other 8ft
Each has a 3.5” wide to...
Category
Mid-20th Century Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wood
$1,741 / set
Iron Swordfish Created by a Nebraksan Farmer, circa 1940s
By Byron Groelz
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Iron swordfish created by Byron Groelz, a farmer from Phillips, Nebraska. Born around 1900, Mr. Groelz made decorative iron for an environment on his ranch.
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
French Versailles Grotto Stone Planter
Located in Bloomfield Hills, MI
Fleurdetroit presents. for your consideration a pair of stone encrusted planters, reminiscent of the grotto at Versailles.
A traveler through the twentieth century, this stone trou...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Stone
$5,500 / set
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...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
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 Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wood
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...
Category
19th Century Antique Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Chestnut
$1,114 / set
Blacksmith Made Iron Game Hanger, Kitchen Utensil or Pot Hanger
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Blacksmith Made Iron Game Hanger, Kitchen Utensil or Pot Hanger
A great piece with lots of Character, if you don’t need it to hang your game on how about your pots or kitchen utens...
Category
1920s Vintage Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
Pair of Folk Art Chairs with Tractor Seats, France, 1950s
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Almost-pair of French "homemade" iron chairs with very comfortable! tractor seats. Original paint.
Category
Mid-20th Century French Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
19th Century Fireside Companion Set, Fireside Tools with Frogs
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
19th century fireside companion set, fireside tools with frogs.
This is a long handled set on its own stand, shovel, tongs, and poker with wonderful twisted style to the handles, ...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Brass
Folk Art building and garden elements for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique folk art building and garden 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 building and garden elements created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include building and garden elements, folk art, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, wood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art building and garden elements made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original building and garden elements, popular names associated with this style include OTHR, Devres, Berber Tribes of Morocco, and Hubley Manufacturing Company. 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 building and garden 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 $225,000 while the average work can sell for $1,396.
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