Skip to main content

Folk Art Decorative Boxes

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.

to
26
170
1
7
93
70
1
24
29
3
1
2
2
5
2
2
1
904
612
588
470
183
150
107
95
94
89
83
81
80
60
43
23
19
140
60
55
39
22
84
82
97
65
56
29
28
Height
to
Width
to
171
171
171
5
1
1
Style: Folk Art
Large Wooden Tramp Art Box Folk Art Gold 20th Century
Located in Poperinge, BE
Large tramp art box with lid and brass handle, folk art object made of layered pieces of gold, partly gold colored, from the late first half of the 20th century. Beautiful form of f...
Category

1940s European Vintage Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

Pink and Purple Sea Shell Encrusted Hinged Box with Purple Velvet Interior
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Elevate your space with this exceptionally rare vintage seashell box, a true testament to artisanal craftsmanship and natural beauty. Adorned with a curated arrangement of hand-selected seashells in soft lavenders, rose-pinks, creams, and ivory, this one-of-a-kind coastal treasure box evokes the romance of old-world seaside glamour. Likely crafted in the mid-20th century, this shell-encrusted jewelry box features a charming domed lid and intricate shell mosaic work—making it a standout addition to any vintage coastal decor, cottagecore aesthetic, or grandmillennial interior. Whether styled on a vanity, nestled into a bookshelf, or offered as a luxurious gift, this box blends nostalgia with natural elegance. Key Features: Authentic vintage seashell trinket box, circa 1950s–1970s Completely handmade using real seashells, no two alike Gorgeous palette of pastel shells: mauve, blush, ivory, taupe Functional hinged lid and purple velvet-lined interior Ideal for jewelry storage, keepsakes, or as an heirloom gift Excellent vintage condition with rich patina and natural wear Styling Ideas: Style atop a Louis XV bombe chest...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Shell

Mid 18th century hand painted traditional Swedish pine chest
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid 18th century hand painted traditional Swedish chest/box circa 1750. Stunning traditional Swedish box hand painted in the original paintwork.   Decorated on all sides with swags ...
Category

Mid-18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Iron

Antique Swedish Wooden storage box 1865 Handmade Folk Craft
Located in Forest, BE
Swedish antique pine and birch wooden storage box. . Fine quality of bentwood. It is a true piece from the 19 century. Initials are hand painted on the top 1865 and hand engraved und...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Birch, Pine

Small 19th Century original painted sarcophagus box
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Small 19th century original painted sarcophagus box circa 1870. Beautiful decorative box with original paint.   Sarcophagus shaped lidded box in original paint with traces of origin...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Pine, Paint

Vintage Hand Carved & Painted Soapstone Tiger Box - Unsigned - Late 20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
Vintage hand carved and painted soapstone lidded box - taking the form of a seated tiger - unsigned - country of origin unknown - late 20th century. Excellent vintage condition - cl...
Category

Late 20th Century Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Soapstone

Hand-Carved English Yorkshire Terrier Box, Circa 1930's
Located in High Point, NC
Vintage English hand-carved box in the form of a Yorkshire Terrier. This box just grabs your heart and squeezes it with the fluffy coat of fur and the sweet expression. This piece ...
Category

1930s English Vintage Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Fruitwood

Antique Black Forest Brienz Hand Carved Trinket Box, Folk Art 1890s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Found in Germany at an estate sale, this hand carved trinket box or catchall is perfect for the collector. Nice antique collectible to display in yo...
Category

1890s German Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

Hand-Carved Vintage Folk Art Wooden Tramp Art Style Storage Box
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Hand-Carved vintage Folk Art wooden Tramp Art style storage box from Poland. This handcrafted Tramp Art style box is covered with geometric designs creating alternating depths on all...
Category

Mid-20th Century Polish Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

19th Century Swedish Provincial Spice Box
Located in Bozeman, MT
Charming 19th century Swedish provincial spice box in its original condition with two sliding doors and one drawer. The interior contains eight compartments intended for different dr...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Pine

19th Century Folk Art Wood Black Painted Box
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Folk Art Wood Black Painted Box, Mid to late 19th Century. Charming handcrafted black painted box with unbeatable patina. The interior features off white paint and there is a bras...
Category

Mid-19th Century American Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

Antique Wooden Tramp Art Box Trinket Folk Art Unique Piece
Located in Poperinge, BE
Antique wooden rectangular tramp art box with hidden keyhole, elaborately decorated panels, stained dark brown. Folk art collector's item with a beautiful age patina from the early 2...
Category

Early 20th Century European Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

Chinese Checkered Papier-Mâché Box
Located in Chicago, IL
Formed around a simple wooden frame, this papier-mâché storage box is a charming example of Chinese folk art. Crafted with old newspapers and dyed rice paper, the box would have been...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Paper

Antique Swedish Large Wooden storage box 1802 Handmade Folk Craft
Located in Forest, BE
Swedish antique pine and birch wooden storage box. The lady’s got them to store there small goods at the wedding. Fine quality of bentwood. It is a true piece from the early 19 centu...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Birch, Pine

19th Century Swedish antique genuine rustic Bent wood box with original paint
Located in Boden, SE
19th Century Swedish Folk Art Bentwood Box from Hälsingland, Northern Sweden. Oval box with lid. Originalpainted with nice patina after several hundred years of use. Beautifully pain...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Pine

Antique Swedish Large Wooden storage box 1800's Handmade Folk Craft
Located in Forest, BE
Swedish antique pine and birch wooden storage box. The lady’s got them to store there small goods at the wedding. Fine quality of bentwood. It is a true piece from the early 19 cen...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Birch, Pine

Antique Tramp Art Box with Mirrors Folk Art Collectible
Located in Poperinge, BE
Beautiful antique tramp art box with mirrored panels on the sides and top, pointed feet and a triangular lid, partly covered with green velvet inside and decorated with a small mirro...
Category

Early 20th Century European Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Mirror, Wood

Early 19th century Swedish hand painted pine blanket box
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 19th century Swedish painted blanket box circa 1816. Traditional rag painted Swedish box which is initialed and dated 1816.  Flat top lid which makes it ideal for doubling up ...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Pine, Paint

Late 19th Century Tramp Art Box
Located in Bradenton, FL
Vintage late 19th century Tramp Art Box inset with mirror and fabric. "Tramp Art" objects began in the 1870s, driven by the abundance of wooden cigar boxes and their availability to ...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Textile, Wood

Scandinavian hand painted 19th century pine strong box
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Scandinavian hand painted 19th century pine strong box circa 1840. Good example of traditional rustic Swedish woodwork.  Painted in a russet red paint with hand painted cream drags....
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Metal

Antique Swedish flour Wooden storage box 1800's Handmade Folk Craft blue painted
Located in Forest, BE
Swedish antique pine and birch wooden flour box. All made by hand, the lid is perfectly adjusted to the barrel. Fine quality of bentwood. It is a true piece from the late 18 century ...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Birch, Pine

Large Antique Carved Painted Collectibles Box with Lions
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Antique carved wood painted box featuring two lions. This rectangular box features a hinged lid made of iron. The box is perfect for collectables as well as securing important docume...
Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Metal

Vintage Boho Tramp Art Lidded Box
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Discover the intricate beauty of this Vintage Boho Tramp Art Lidded Box, a testament to folk artistry and meticulous craftsmanship. This unique piece showcases the distinctive chip-c...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Scandinavian hand painted folk art pine box
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Scandinavian hand painted folk art pine box circa 1850. Fine example of traditional Swedish hand painted woodenware. Slight dome topped lid which opens to reveal a unfitted interio...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Pine, Paint

Antique Genuine Swedish Folk Art Box Made by Hand in Pine with Authentic Patina
Located in Kramfors, SE
Swedish folk art box made by hand in solid pine. This box is made in northern Sweden during the mid 1800s, around 1850, and is in original condition with the first layer of paint. Th...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Pine

Mid 18th century Swedish pine chest decorated with labyrinth
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid 18th century Swedish pine chest decorated with labyrinth circa 1730. Rare and beautiful Swedish pine chest.   Traces of original paint to the outside with decorative metal strap...
Category

Mid-18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Metal

18th Century Swedish genuine country Folk Art box with original paint
Located in Boden, SE
A very beautiful folk Art box from Burträsk ,Västerbotten Northern Sweden. A very decorative original painting that is typical of that region. Nice salmon pink original painting ins...
Category

1890s Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Pine

Antique Swedish Wooden barrel 1800's Handmade Folk Craft great condition
Located in Forest, BE
Swedish antique pine hand crafted wooden barrel. Made to be used as a washing basin or a grain storage. Fine quality of bentwood. It is a true piece from the early 19 century. Beaut...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Birch, Pine

Early 20th century Norwegian pokerwork tine box
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 20th century Scandinavian pokerwork tine box circa 1904. Beautiful quality small Norwegian pokerwork tine box.  Stunning desktop item, with carved dragons to the sides and aro...
Category

Early 20th Century Norwegian Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Pine

Early 20th Century Vintage Artists Paint Box and Pallet, Denmark
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Danish Vintage Artists Paint Box and Pallet, Early 20th Century Well loved Danish artists traveling wooden box with everything needed to paint on location. This charming box, acqui...
Category

Early 19th Century Danish Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

19th Century Swedish Allmoge Folk Art Bentwood Chest
Located in Pearland, TX
An incredible Swedish hand-painted chest, having hand-forged iron straps and fittings. Original key included.
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Bentwood

Mid 19th century Swedish folk art painted box
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid 19th century swedish folk art painted box circa 1865. Good quality swedish pine metal bound box.  Decorated with original ragwork paint and blue painted strap work.  Hand painte...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Metal

Antique Hindu Brass Box with Peacocks and Elephants
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Antique Hindu brass decorative box. This is an antique Mughal style brass Indian ornate locking trinket box container. It has six compartments that lock ...
Category

Late 19th Century Indian Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

19th Century Swedish antique rustic Folk Art Wooden box with original color
Located in Boden, SE
19th century Swedish folk art wooden box from Piteå, Norbotten Northern Sweden The wooden box has untouched original color. The box is stable in construction. Nice storage inside. Ha...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Iron

Early 19th Century painted pine blanket box
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 19th century painted pine blanket box circa 1828. Fine example of the traditional method of storage in sweden, utilising the plentiful pine and hand decorating. Rectangular b...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Pine, Paint

Small mid 19th century Swedish painted pine decorative box
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Small mid 19th century Swedish painted pine strong box circa 1842. Beautiful small Scandinavian strong box, presented with scraped back paint to reveal original.  Feintly still bari...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Metal

Swedish folk art painted wooden box "Timplåda" with sliding lid
Located in Kvidinge, SE
Painted box with a typical Swedish art work decor, dated 1836. A 'timplåda' is a traditional Swedish wooden box, handcrafted with care. Popular during the 18th and 19th centuries, ...
Category

1830s Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Pine

Vintage Swedish, decorated, bent wooden box. Handpainted 'Kurbits' style.
Located in Skarpnäck, SE
A beautiful vintage bent wooden box known as a "Svepask" from Sweden. This item can be dated to 1947 and derives from Gagnef in the Dalarna region. It has been decorated with a tradi...
Category

1940s Swedish Vintage Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Bentwood

Antique Wooden and Cardboard Apothecary Pharmacy Storage Jar for Valerian Root
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1900s wooden and cardboard apothecary pharmacy storage jar or box for Valerian Root. Nice addition to your room or just for use it on your desk. Found at an estate sale...
Category

Early 1900s German Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Plywood, Paper

1960s Vintage Moroccan Inlaid Hexagonal Wood Box
Located in North Hollywood, CA
1960s Handcrafted Bone Inlaid Trinket Moroccan Wood Trinket Box. Handmade artisanal mid century inlaid trinket decorative lidded Moroccan box. This hexagonal shaped decorative box ha...
Category

Mid-20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Bone, Fruitwood

Swedish 18th Century Yellow Folk Art Painted Wooden Box
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A painted turn of the 18th-19th Century Swedish Folk Art wood box, with original yellow paint on the exterior. The original ochre yellow color has be...
Category

1790s Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Metal

Antique Rajasthani Footed Chest Box India 1900's
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Antique Rajasthani Shekhawati Merchant's Footed Chest Box India 1900's. Early 20th Century Indian carved wood storage cash footed box used by merchants in ...
Category

Early 20th Century Indian Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Metal

Swedish Marriage Box
Located in Greenwich, CT
A Swedish dowry box presented to the bride by her parents on the occasion of her marriage, decorated with homemade pigments in traditional folk-art patterns in faded grey blues and s...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

Large Folk Art Sea Shell Encrusted Tissue or Kleenex Box Cover
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A large folk art sea shell encrusted tissue box. This shell-covered box is the perfect way to add coastal design to a space. It is rectangular in sh...
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Shell, Fabric, Wood

Chinese Blossom Papier-Mâché Box
Located in Chicago, IL
Formed around a simple wooden frame, this papier-mâché storage box is a charming example of Chinese folk art. Crafted with old newspapers and dyed rice paper, the box would have been...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Paper

Antique American Folk Art Tramp Art Carved Box
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique American Folk Art Tramp Art Carved Box, probably Late 19th/Early 20th Century. A decorative box ornamented with layers of classic Tramp Art chip carved borders enclosing velvet ground panels centered by elongated star...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Velvet, Wood

19th Century Original Grey Painted Large Candle Box from New England
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic 19th century original grey painted handmade large scale candle box from New England .This wonderful slide top box has such great personality and great construction. It is e...
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Pine

Signed Ukrainian Bent and Pierced Oval Birch Box
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A very well crafted Oval Birch Box with an interesting and stylish pierced and colored surface treatment, thick bent wood handle and woven top edge. At one end, the bent panel has th...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Birch

Folk Art Geometric Inlaid Wood Small Hinged Box
Located in West Chester, PA
Hand made geometric inlaid wooden hinged xox with red enameled interior.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

Rare Swedish Antique Blue Folk Art Box
Located in Kramfors, SE
Rare antique blue box in folk art from Sweden made during the mid 1800s. The box is an attractive size and can be used for anything from storing doc...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Pine

Mid 19th Century Swedish Folk Art small Travel box /chest with original paint
Located in Boden, SE
Mid 19th Century Swedish Folk Art Travel box from Skellefteå Västerbotten, Northern Sweden. Beautiful untouched original paint. Dated 1858 Decorated with handwrought iron around the ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Iron

Asian Burmese Carved Wood Temple Offering Lidded Box
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Burmese bamboo temple offering lidded box, basket. This kind of wooden basket is used to transport and display offerings to Buddhist temples, in Asia....
Category

Early 20th Century South Asian Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Bamboo

Danish 19th Century Wooden Folk Art Bible Box "Forget Me Not"
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Mid-19th century wooden box designed to look like a Bible. Text engraved with monogramme. The four words in the corners are quite cute and charming: Danish: "FOR - GLEM - MIG - EJ"...
Category

19th Century Danish Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

19th Century hand painted tine decorative box
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century hand painted tine decorative box circa 1860. Good quality Swedish tine box, used for storing valuables or foods for secure storage.  This example in it's original blue ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Pine, Paint

Antique Swedish Wooden basket 1800's Handmade Folk Craft natural color
Located in Forest, BE
Swedish antique pine and birch wooden basket. It was left with the natural wood who now have a charming patina. Fine quality of bentwood. It is a true piece from the early 19 century...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Birch, Pine

Early Swedish 19th Century Wooden Folk Art Box with Originally Paint
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A Swedish original painted Folk Art box. From the beginning of the 19th century, most likely used to keep writing supplies and office materials.
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Pine

Antique Tramp Art Box / Jewelry Box Carved Brass 1893 Chip Carved War Decoration
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Gorgeous Tramp Art box / Jewelry box marked 1893 and decorated with brass. The box contains multiple guns & pike helmets and a lions head holding a brass ring to open the chest. ...
Category

1890s American Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Brass

1960s Vintage Asian Large Hand Carved Wooden Humidor Footed Box
Located in North Hollywood, CA
1950s Vintage Asian Large Hand Carved Wooden Humidor Box. Hand-carved Kashmiri style Mid 20th century wood box richly decorated overall with s...
Category

Mid-20th Century Indian Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Wood

19th Century Blue Swedish Folk Art Chest or Box
Located in Kramfors, SE
Blue folk art chest or box from Sweden. The chest is in untouched original condition with the first layer of original paint. Hand wrought hardware in iron with functional lock and key.
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Pine

Mid 19th century Swedish painted pine shaped box
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Rustic tine pine work box of large proportions circa 1850. Shaped and metal bound edges and hinges.  Original handles and paint. Hinges have broken, which could be fixed but presen...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes

Materials

Pine

Folk Art decorative boxes for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique folk art decorative boxes 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 decorative boxes created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, folk art, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, softwood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art decorative boxes made in a specific country, there are Europe, Scandinavia, and Sweden pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original decorative boxes, popular names associated with this style include Berber Tribes of Morocco, Anthony Redmile London, Arthur Court, and Frank Finney. 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 decorative boxes differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $95 and tops out at $4,600 while the average work can sell for $850.

Recently Viewed

View All