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.
139
2
to
12
92
45
141
140
140
2,996
2,043
1,413
1,169
870
803
786
785
461
449
429
338
294
286
153
141
135
88
7
47
85
2
36
30
7
3
4
9
9
9
2
2
4
1
Height
to
Width
to
60
55
38
24
8
53
51
49
15
13
4
2
2
1
1
Style: Folk Art
Rare Antique Japanese Carved Stone Garden Cottage Model
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Rare and complete Antique Japanese carved stone architectural model of a traditional Folk Cottage. Having a doorway and grid window at the fron...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Stone
19th Century Copper Cooking Pot, Cauldron
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
19th century copper cooking pot, Cauldron
This is a lovely early cooking pot, it has been made in hand beaten copper The pot is wider at the bas...
Category
1820s Antique Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Copper
19th Century Fireside Companion Set, Fireside Tools with Frogs
Located in Chillerton, 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
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 Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wood
Large Black Glazed Earthenware Pot, 20th Century
Located in London, GB
Large black Glazed earthenware pot, 20th century
A large treacle-glazed stoneware pot of baluster form, mid 20th Century.
Dimensions: 40 x 36 cm.
Category
20th Century English Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Earthenware
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
Art Deco Cast Iron Christmas Tree Stand, Vintage, German, 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This beautiful Art Deco green and golden color cast iron Christmas tree stand, was made in Germany, in the 1930s. A nice addition for yo...
Category
1930s German Vintage Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron, Metal
Large Antique East African Carved Wood & Bronze Antelope Deer Folk Art Sculpture
Located in Forney, TX
A large, rare, and most impressive antique hand carved and painted wood and metal stylized antelope African folk art sculpture with beautifully aged distressed patina.
Handmade in East Africa, dating to around the late 19th / early 20th century, possibly earlier, this scarce, one-of-a-kind, museum quality work, features a richly detailed patinated bronze head and tail with etched textural elements, tall ears and faux ringed...
Category
Late 19th Century African Antique Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Bronze
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...
Category
1920s Belgian Vintage Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Ceramic
18th Century Copper and Iron Estate Made Weather Vane
Located in Hastings, GB
An incredible large estate made weather vane on a later base. Beautifully worn and with a wonderful patina, the vane features honest later repairs in copper to the centre, dating to ...
Category
1790s English Antique Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Copper, Iron
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 Building and Garden Elements
Materials
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...
Category
1920s French Vintage Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Ceramic
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 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
American Turned Newel Finial Post
Located in Chicago, IL
Dated to the early 20th century, this antique turned newel post was crafted from American oak with a simple ball finial top. The original dark finish...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Oak
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 Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Steel
Set of 6 of Total 120 Dutch Blue Glazed Ceramic Tiles by Le Glaive, 1930
By Le Glaive
Located in Rijssen, NL
This is an amazing set of Dutch blue handmade tiles. A beautiful and color. With 6 different stylized designs. We offer 20 tiles from the same design. In total 120 tiles...
Category
1930s Belgian Vintage Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Ceramic
Cast Stone Pagoda Garden Ornament
Located in New York, NY
Single square cement pagoda landscape ornament in two sections;
Dimensions: 18" H x 14" W x 14" D.
Dealer: S138XX
Category
20th Century Asian Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Cast Stone
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 Building and Garden 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 Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wood, Lacquer, Paint
Large Antique Cast Iron Seated Frog Door Stop
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Large Antique cast iron seated frog door stop.
USA, Circa 1920s.
A rare and unusual model, of large size, depicts a seated green frog on a r...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
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 Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wood
Decorated Dutch Antique Copper Bowl / Pot with Lid, 18th Century, Dated 1750
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Antique copper bowl with lid, 18th century
Beautiful and richly decorated antique copper pot with lid with a very attractive decorated dec...
Category
18th Century Dutch Antique Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Copper, Metal
Large Hand-Carved Cypress Knee Figural Sculpture After Botticelli's Venus, 1970s
Located in San Francisco, CA
An impressively sized and strikingly beautiful semi-nude female figural sculpture strongly evocative of Sandro Botticelli's "Birth of Venus", hand-carved from an unusually large cypr...
Category
1970s American Vintage Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Cypress
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 Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Copper
Hand Painted Wooden Railings from a Fair Ground
Located in Chillerton, 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
Hand-Painted Wooden Double Doors in Original Frame, circa 1930
Located in Evergreen, CO
Hand-painted in the folk art style that is typical of the Northern European area of the Netherlands and Belgium, these charming doors in their original frame feature a floral and fowl motif. A framed arched transom with six vertical spindles crowns the door. The dimensions of the door opening are 24 inches wide x 69 inches high. A latch across the mid-section of the door and door bolts...
Category
Early 20th Century Dutch Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wood
Folk Art Americana Victorian Carved Mirrored Carousel Panels
Located in New York, 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
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...
Category
1930s European Vintage Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Ceramic
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
Heavy Quality Brass Fireside Companion Set, Horses
Located in Chillerton, 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 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
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...
Category
1910s French Vintage Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Ceramic
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 Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Mother-of-Pearl, Wood, Lacquer, Paint
Green Swirl Ceramic Touring Pottery Folk Art Pot in Green and Brown
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A beautiful green, brown, and cream touring pot or planter. This piece is glazed on the interior in rich emerald verdigris blue-green glaze and will be perfect for use as a planter.
Bottom reads in black:
Made in Cripple Creek...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Ceramic
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
Wooden Architectural Gou Mata Temple Elements, India, Ca 1900
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Very decorative wooden architectural elements made in India around the year 1900.
These carriers, each 28 centimeters high, were part of ...
Category
Early 1900s Indian Antique Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wood
19th Century Carved and Polychrome Pair of Continental Laplander Painted Figures
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Continental Laplander (19th Century) carousel style carved and painted life-size figures.
Category
19th Century Antique Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wood
Set of Unique Antique 32 Ceramic Tiles with Fisch by Onda, Spain, circa 1900
Located in Rijssen, NL
34 pcs. Exceptional antique wall tiles, white with cobalt blue and moss green image of a fish (Onda, Spain Valencia).
The dimensions per tile are 5....
Category
Early 1900s Spanish Antique Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Ceramic
Moroccan Vintage Green Olive Jar
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Moroccan vintage, 1960's green olive jar, or planter.
Handcrafted by the Berber people in Tamgroute Morocco.
Great glazed earthenware with different hu...
Category
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Earthenware
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
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
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
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 Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wood
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
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
Pair of Ceramic Round Shaped Japanese Hibachi's
Located in Stamford, CT
Pair of 19th century ceramic shaped Japanese hibachi's with three vertical incisions either side and paper applique decor.
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Ceramic
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
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
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
Musical Note Wrought Iron Andirons Stamped Nashville TN, 1920s
Located in Stamford, CT
Musical note wrought iron andirons stamped Nashville TN, circa 1920s.
Category
1920s American Vintage Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
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 Building and Garden Elements
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 Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Limestone, Iron
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
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 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
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
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
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.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Metal Garden Chair Set
English Brass Fire Tools
Neo Gothic Furniture
Fire Poker
Vintage Style Garden
Wrought Patio Mid Table
Garden Chairs Modern Metal
Mid Century Garden Set Table And Chairs
Russell Woodard Iron
Garden Chair With Cushion
Retro Russell Woodard Patio Furniture
Black Modern Fireplace Tools
Wood Fireplace Mid Century
Antique Screens France
Mid Century Patio Wrought Iron Table
Antique Cast Iron Fireplace Set
Midcentury Wrought Iron Patio Tables
Used Rattan Garden Furniture