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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
Period: 20th Century
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

Set of 35 Handmade Antique Ceramic Tiles, Dutch, 1920s
By OTHR
Located in Rijssen, NL
This is a amazing and unique set of 35 antique handmade ceramic tiles. Manufactured in Holland, circa 1920s. Stylized design. These tiles would be charming displayed on easels, frame...
Category

1920s Austrian Vintage Folk Art Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Ceramic

1 of the 350 Handmade Antique Ceramic Tiles by Devres, France, 1920s
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

1 of the 350 Handmade Antique Ceramic Tiles by Devres, France, 1920s
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

Set of Four Iron Bavarian Beer Garden Folding Chairs, Hacker Pschorr Munich
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This set is so outstanding in form, utility and patina that we couldn't resist. The chairs, most of which have some paint loss due to decades of use, are made from metal and plastic ...
Category

1980s German Vintage Folk Art Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Vintage Iron and Oak Bavarian Beer Garden Folding Chairs and Table Set Germany
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This set is so outstanding in form, utility and patina that we couldn't resist. The chairs, most of which have some loss of color due to decades of use, are made of metal and trimmed...
Category

1960s German Vintage Folk Art Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Set of 6 of Total 120 Dutch Dark Green Glazed Ceramic Tiles by Le Glaive, 1930
Located in Rijssen, NL
This is an amazing set of Dutch dark green handmade tiles. A beautiful and color. With 6 different stylized designs. We offer 20 tiles from the same design. In total 120 tiles with 6...
Category

1930s Belgian Vintage Folk Art Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Ceramic

Life-size Weathered Cast Iron Statue of a Hunting Dog
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Life-size Weathered Cast Iron Statue of a Hunting Dog A very handsome Chap, he is sitting down and he is fully 3 dimensional and looks good from all sides Our faithful hound is sitt...
Category

1960s Vintage Folk Art Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

A Large Pair of Extraordinary Decorative Early 20th C. Wooden Barn Doors
Located in Nashua, NH
A beautiful pair of very large interlocking hardwood barn doors which have been in storage in a 19th C. New England barn for many many years. Each door is very intricately and beautifully decorated on their interior sides with a lattice and sunburst wooden...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wood

20th Century American Brass Ear of Corn Door Handle
Located in Chicago, IL
Enhance your home's charm with this delightful 20th-century American cast brass ear of corn door handle, adorned with a rich dark bronze patina. Crafted with whimsy and precision, it...
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Brass

1950s Solid Cast Brass American Federal Eagle Door Knocker
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage 1950s solid cast brass American Federal Eagle door knocker. Large heavy solid cast brass American federal eagle with shield design door ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Pipe Smoking Resting Vintage German Yard or Garden Gnome Statue, 1920s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A gorgeous character ceramic figural gnome statue. This character statue has been made in Germany, in the 1920s or older. Absolutely gorgeous item with lo...
Category

1920s German Vintage Folk Art Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Earthenware

Pipe Smoking Standing Vintage German Yard or Garden Gnome Statue, 1920s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A gorgeous character ceramic figural gnome statue. This character statue has been made in Germany, in the 1920s or older. Absolutely gorgeous item with lo...
Category

1920s German Vintage Folk Art Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Earthenware

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 1/2" wide across base. Condit...
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

blacksmithing tools, 1940s.
Located in Felino, IT
Set of seven metal forging tools (shears and tongs) from a blacksmith's workshop, 1940s-1950s. Various types and sizes. Measurements given refer to the largest tool. Good condition: ...
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Folk Art Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wrought Iron

Gerald DiGiusto Caryatids 1977 Sculpture
Located in Hudson, NY
This sculpture grouping titled "Caryatids" was created in 1977 by listed American artist Gerald DiGiusto. The inspiration for Gerald DiGiusto to create these incredible pieces was f...
Category

1970s American Vintage Folk Art Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Metal, Steel, Cut Steel

Cast Iron Doorstop "Conestoga Covered Wagon" Hubley Manufacturing C0; Circa 1930
Located in Incline Village, NV
The iconic "Conestoga Covered Wagon" cast iron doorstop, being pulled by a team of horses, is one of the few western theme doorstops, and is much revered by collectors of western mem...
Category

1930s American Vintage Folk Art Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

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

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 Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Fabric

Cast Iron Doorstop "Colonial Woman" American, Circa 1930
By Littco
Located in Incline Village, NV
"Colonial Woman" cast iron doorstop was manufactured by the Littco Products Company, Littlestown, Pennsylvania; circa 1930 during the heart of the depression. It was distributed to g...
Category

1930s American Vintage Folk Art Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Iron

Cast Iron Doorstop "Floral Arrangement in Green Vase" Amercan, Circa 1930 SCARCE
Located in Incline Village, NV
My title for this beautiful and excellent condition cast iron doorstop is appropriately called "Floral Arrangement in Green Vase". I have not seen this before, and it is not noted in...
Category

1930s American Vintage Folk Art Building and Garden Elements

Materials

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

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

Blacksmith Made Iron Game Hanger, Kitchen Utensil or Pot Hanger
Located in Chillerton, 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

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

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 Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Cement

Timber man Vintage German Yard or Garden Gnome Statue, 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A gorgeous character ceramic figural gnome statue. This character statue has been made in Germany, in the 1910s or older. Absolutely gorgeous item with lo...
Category

1910s German Vintage Folk Art Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Earthenware

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 Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Stucco, Wood

tuscan oil jar. 40s
Located in Felino, IT
olive oil jar. ,use vase / tuscan terracotta umbrella stand, 1940s. made entirely of handmade and kiln-fired terracotta. frost-proof and very durable. can be used as an umbrella stan...
Category

1940s European Vintage Folk Art Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Terracotta

Diamond Shaped Zinc Roof Finial or Garden Ornament Sculpture
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 Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Zinc

Delft Ceramic Decorative Tile Featuring a Man on Horse
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 Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Ceramic, Clay

Large Modernist Abstract Kinetic Metal Hanging Sculpture
Located in Buffalo, NY
Large 60" x 60" Modernist Abstract kinetic metal hanging sculpture. Attributed to Yaacov Agam. Eight metal squares graduating in size. Sculpture has been outside for 40-50 years show...
Category

1970s American Vintage Folk Art Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Metal

Cement Pagoda Garden Ornament
Located in New York, NY
Charming cast stone pagoda landscape ornament in 3 sections Dimensions: 26.5" H x 11" W x 11" D. Dealer: S138XX.
Category

Mid-20th Century Asian Folk Art Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Cement

Fantastic Painted and Carved Wood Oversized Chef Nutcracker Figure
Located in Bridgeport, CT
This oversize carved and painted wood figure is adorned with a fabric apron and has a wonderfully painted oversize chef hat. He is holding a board with three sized containers with on...
Category

20th Century Folk Art Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wood

Folk Art Wood See-Saw
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This vintage wooden horsehead see-saw teeter-totter from the 1940s is a unique piece of Americana. The remnants of old gray, red, and blue paint add to its vintage charm, making it a great decorative sculpture for any room. However, due to its age it is not recommended for children to use as a toy. This teeter-totter is a rare find of vintage Americana.
Category

1940s American Vintage Folk Art Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Wood

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

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 Building and Garden Elements

Materials

Tin

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

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

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

1 of 52 Handmade Antique Ceramic Tiles by Devres, France, 1920s
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

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

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

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

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

Set of 6 of Total 120 Dutch Blue Glazed Ceramic Tiles by Le Glaive, 1930
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

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

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

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

Set of 6 of Total 120 Dutch Blue Ceramic Tiles by Gilliot Hemiksen, 1930s
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

1 of the 144 Handmade Antique Ceramic Iles by Devres, France, circa 1910s
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

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

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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