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: Mid-20th Century
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
By Le Glaive
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Hand-Wrought Black Iron Snake Andirons
Located in St. Louis, MO
Vintage pair of hand-wrought black iron snake form andirons.
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wrought Iron
Folk Art Metal & Wire Rooster Chair
Located in Hanover, MA
It is impossible not to smile when sitting on the back of this vintage metal craft rooster. Constructed of scrolled metal wire loops it is strong ...
Category
1950s American Vintage Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Steel
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
Pair of Monogrammed 1950s Folk Art Flower Pot Holders
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Delightful pair of hand-fashioned iron pot holders, with twisted iron stems, painted green, red and yellow. Each stand holds four pots. Monogrammed "G"...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Iron
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
Swedish wooden wabi sabi style planter 1940’s
Located in Valby, 84
Rare solid wooden planter in a Wabi Sabi style made by a talented Swedish craftsman in the 1940’s in Sweden.
The planter is the perfect planter for inside your home and will look gr...
Category
1940s Swedish Vintage Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Birch
Large Mexican Folk Art Wrought Iron Rooster Weathervane, c. 1940
Located in San Francisco, CA
A large circa 1940 Mexican Folk Art wrought iron rooster weathervane presented on a rustic reclaimed wood base.
Features a sheet metal rooster perche...
Category
1940s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Building and Garden Elements
Materials
Wrought Iron, Sheet Metal
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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