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.
Victorian Antique Smoker’s Cane Walking Stick with Money & Matches Box
Located in Shippensburg, PA
VICTORIAN SMOKING CANE WITH A ROTATING MONEY BOX AND MATCH COMPARTMENT Unmarked, probably English; late 19th/early 20th century 35" H x 2 1/8" W An interesting smoker's cane, the ...
Nickel
Antique Handmade Wood Money Box with Hardware from 19th Century, China
Located in Yonkers, NY
An antique handmade Chinese money box with metal hardware from the 19th century. This rectangular box is made of two-tone wood. The front displays a ...
Brass
Antique Victorian mahogany storage box
Located in Ipswich, GB
Antique Victorian mahogany storage box having a quality antique mahogany storage box with red interior. D. 1860
Mahogany
$545Sale Price|20% Off
H 4.73 in W 10.52 in D 7.68 in
Antique Victorian Quality Rosewood Jewellery Box
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique Victorian quality rosewood jewellery box having a quality rosewood lift up lid opening to reveal a fitted blue velvet interior and a storage compartment with beautiful origin...
Rosewood
Antique Victorian quality rosewood jewellery box
Located in Ipswich, GB
Antique Victorian quality rosewood jewellery box having a quality antique Victorian rosewood jewellery box with a lift up lid opening to...
Rosewood
$1,187Sale Price|20% Off
H 6.3 in W 12.41 in D 9.85 in
Antique Victorian Quality Figured Walnut Sewing Box
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique Victorian quality figured walnut sewing box having a brass handle to the lift up top opening to reveal a fitted interior, drop down front opening to reveal a storage drawer ...
Walnut
$315Sale Price|65% Off
H 6 in W 13 in D 7 in
Victorian Era Tramp Art Chip Carved Trunk/ Box with Additional Glove Box
Located in Waxahachie, TX
2 handmade boxes included. Rare 1800s Tramp Art Lion Door knocker Hand Carved Storage Box / Jewelry Box / Crimson Velvet with Brass Hardware With intricate and elaborate decoration, ...
Brass
Antique Early Victorian Jewellery Box with Tray, England, 1840
Located in High Peak, GB
P080 An elegant antique early Victorian rosewood sewing box or jewellery box with beautifully scroll inlaid front and hinged top which open to reveal newly relined interior with lift...
Wood
Antique Sailors Valentines Shell Match Box, American, 1940
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Antique Sailors Valentines sea Shell box with department for matches. Unusual design, collectible piece.
Shell
Money Boxes
Located in London, England
Collection of 18 tin money boxes. Circa 1950
Tin
1890s Antique Victorian Sterling Silver Tobacco Box
Located in Jesmond, Newcastle Upon Tyne
An exceptional, fine and impressive antique Victorian English sterling silver tobacco box; an addition to our smoking related silverware collection. This exceptional antique Victorian sterling silver tobacco box has a plain oval rounded form. The underside of this box is embellished with a bright cut engraved stemmed rose, floral and foliate design; this indicates the high quality of the piece, as typically the underside would remain unembellished. The upper portion of this antique silver tobacco box...
Sterling Silver, Silver
Vintage Italian Smoker's Box Jewelry Box Onyx Natural Stone
Located in Poperinge, BE
Vintage cigarette case or jewelry box made of natural onyx stone, decorated with gold-colored (copper-plated) metal fittings, Italian in origin, marked G.S.E. Ottone Garantito, circa...
Onyx, Metal, Brass
Antique Victorian Quality Rosewood Writing Box
Located in Suffolk, GB
Antique Victorian quality rosewood writing box having a rectangular shaped quality rosewood lift up top opening to reveal a lift up writing surface opening to reveal two storage comp...
Other
U.S. Constitution Anniversary Folk Art Box c.1937
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT Hand crafted box with lid celebrating the 150th anniversary of the constitution—dated Sept. 17, 1937. Multiple engraved and burnished words and images. CREATOR Unknown. ...
Wood
Early 20th Century Hand Carved Cigar Casket
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century hand carved cigar casket. We share what we love, and we love the amount of detail that has gone into creating this amazing cigar box. Covered in some wonderfully intricate carved scenes. Including animals such as wild birds, deer, pigs, fantasy looking beasts and monkeys, hunts man with guns...
Wood
Early 20th Century Hand Carved Indian Box
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century hand carved Indian box We share what we love, and we love the detail of this hand carved Indian box, likely to have been u...
Wood
19th Century Brass Cigar Box
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
19th Century brass cigar box. The Cigar box is made in brass and lined with wood. The brass is inscribed in Hebrew wishing the user Fortune and Goodwill The Cigar Box is in gen...
Brass
Folk Art Sailor's Wood Ditty Box
Located in Downingtown, PA
Folk Art Sailor's wood ditty box, Early 20th century The Folk Art sailor's rectangular wood box is inlaid with lighter colored wood inlays of various sub...
Wood
Early 19th Century Hand Carved Prisoner of War Box
Located in London, GB
Early 19th Century Hand Carved Prisoner of War Box A purist example of a 19th Century hand carved prisoner of war (POW) token box. Detailed in wo...
Wood
Antique Mexican Cigarette Box Dispenser
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
This antique cigarette dispenser is made of very small pieces of wood, when the top is opened the cigar is offered, it has a space where th...
Wood