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.
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Style: Folk Art
Whaler Made Bone and Ebonized Wood Round Lidded Box, circa 1850
Located in Stamford, CT
Whaler made antique bone and ebonized wood round box, circa 1850. With pierced bone medallion and delicately carved bone spiral decorative supports on the...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Bone, Wood
Folk Art Hand-Carved Wooden Box with Grapes and Leaves
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Breathtaking folk art hand-carved wooden box with grapes, vine and leaf detail.
This Dionysian solid wood box is a compliment to any kitchen, great for recipe cards or tea bags. Can also be used for mementos, 420, or a vintage postcard collection.
Category
20th Century Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
Antique Swedish Wooden barrel early 1800's Handmade Folk Craft great condition
Located in Forest, BE
Swedish antique pine hand carved wooden barrel. Made to be used as a grain storage. Fine quality of wood. It is a true piece from the early 19 century. Beautiful patina on the inside...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Pine
Antique Swedish Wooden butter st1orage box 1800's Handmade Folk Craft
Located in Forest, BE
Swedish antique pine and birch wooden butter storage box . Fine quality of bentwood. It is a true piece from the early 19 century. Hand graved 1882 inside the lid. Nice addition in...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Birch, Pine
Burmese Red Carved Wood Temple Offering Box
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Burmese red lacquered temple offering box called "Hsunok".
Burmese offering basket made of carved bamboo wood painted and lacquered in hues of red and oranges.
The lid adopts a Burmese temple shape, with a sharp top surmounting a gadroon dome.
This kind of basket is used to display offerings to Buddhist temples, in Asia.
During most of the 19th century Burma was ruled by members of the Konbaung dynasty, the last dynasty that would rule the country.
This Asian Burmese red offering...
Category
Early 20th Century South Asian Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Bamboo
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 Folk Art, Large Vessel, Pine, Sweden, 19th Century
Located in High Point, NC
A pine, large vessel produced in Sweden, 19th century.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Pine
Decorative Wood Carved Tramp Art Keepsake Box or Sailors Valentine with Heart
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A superb Folk Art sailors valentine Tramp Art keepsake box. Wide in form, this beautiful Primitive wood carved box features the letters S and M with a heart between on both sides. Tw...
Category
19th Century English Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Metal
18th Century Swedish Folk Art Box Dated 1752 with Sliding Lid
Located in Stockholm, SE
An exceptional 18th-century Swedish folk art box, dated 1752, showcasing traditional rural craftsmanship. Carved from solid wood, the box features a finely fitted sliding lid and dis...
Category
18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Birch
Antique Folk Art Northern Swedish Handmade Flour Box
Located in Kramfors, SE
Folk Art flour box from northern Sweden. The box was made by hand during the mid-1800s from pine and was used to store flour. Boxes like this would be standi...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Pine
Scandinavian 18th Century Folk Art Hat Or Wick Box
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Large Danish wooden hat or wig box of wood with original painting.
Category
Mid-18th Century Danish Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
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
Folk Art Hand Painted Trinket Box in the Style of Peter Hunt Circa 1940s
By Peter Hunt
Located in Peabody, MA
Primitive hand decorated trinket box in the style of the noted Provincetown folk artist Peter Hunt, ca. 1940s. Humorous interior label indicates it is "four of four of a kind" and ...
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood, Paint
Antique African Moroccan Tribal Wood Flask 19th C.
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Antique North African Moroccan tribal wood flask.
Rare late 19th century powder flask box from the Rif, Northern Morocco with a drum-shaped body hand carved wood with ethnic motifs, nice geometric carvings and very fine patina.
Collector large carved wooden vessel with brass embossed in the shape of a turtle with a long neck.
Dimensions: 11"L x 3" H x 5" diameter.
Designed with practicality in mind, this flask features two robust metal rings on the side, perfect for securely attaching it to a belt or satchel, making it an ideal companion for hunting. The upper, narrower section includes a precisely drilled hole, providing easy access to the powder inside, underscoring the flask's functional yet artistic design.
This wood gunpowder flask...
Category
Late 19th Century Moroccan Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
Vintage Indian Handcarved Wooden Decorative Box
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Handcarved wooden trinket box with carved geometric shapes, small handmade ornamental indentations and cream white decor on the lid. Rustic organic ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Indian Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Metal
Scandinavian Tine, or Svepask, Painted Bentwood Oval-Shape Box
Located in Houston, TX
Scandinavian tine, or svepask, painted bentwood oval-shape box circa late 19th century, probably from the Sogn og Fjordane region. Box is created from thin layers of steam-bent wood ...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Iron
Colorful Semi Precious Stone Rectangular Jewelry or Trinket Box with Lid
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A beautiful colorful decorative box with a lid created from Carrara marble and inlaid with a variety of semi-precious stones. The sides are inlaid with a variety of stones in abstrac...
Category
20th Century Indian Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Stone, Jade, Carrara Marble
Unusual "Stamp" Rose in Box
Located in Riverdale, NY
Unusual "Stamp" rose in box handcrafted "Rose" made of hundreds of French stamps, circa 1950s. Unusual French novelty in its own glass and brass framed casket.
...
Category
1950s French Vintage Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Bronze
VintageScandinavian Folk Art Hand Towel Box in Mixed Woods, 1970s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Ornate and decorative paper towel box in handcrafted and lacquered wood: teak, oak, mahogany, cherry, walnut etc. It is very practical and offers a cheap ref...
Category
1970s Scandinavian Vintage Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
19th Century Swedish Table Top Box
Located in Bozeman, MT
Charming 19th century table top box in it's original finish, ca 1850 Sweden.
Category
19th Century European Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Pine
African Tuareg Hand-Tooled Black Leather Box
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Hand tooled black leather box from Africa.
Very fine workmanship with tribal traditional African symbols on black leather.
Tuareg style probably Maurit...
Category
Early 20th Century Mauritanian Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Leather
Antique French Storage Box with Hand-Painted Clown Motif
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Ca. late 19th century French oak storage box with hand-painted 'clown' decoration to the top and a floral motif to the bottom component. Attractive color...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Oak, Paint
19th Century Swedish Wabi-Sabi Oak Lidded Box with Hand-Carved Patina
Located in Stockholm, SE
A soulful 19th-century lidded box handcrafted in Sweden from solid oak, showcasing the quiet beauty of the wabi-sabi aesthetic. This simple, round form reveals a deep, weathered pati...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Oak
Folk Art Jewelry Box from the 1940s in Copper with Women Nude
Located in Berlin, DE
This charming jewelry box from the 1940s was made out of copper
and is hand-dented.
It shows a nudist art of a woman. It is in a beautiful original condition.
A unique piece whic...
Category
1940s German Vintage Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Copper
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
Wrought Iron Hand Painted Folk Art Train Mailbox
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique, Large and functional wrought Iron Mailbox. The piece is a functional mailbox with a pull handle in the front, several train cars, with the last being open to hold boxes and ...
Category
20th Century Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wrought Iron
Anthony Redmile Shell Encrusted Duck or Swan Box Redmile Objects London England
Located in W Allenhurst, NJ
Beautiful RARE Anthony Redmile shell encrusted swan or duck form box, 20th c.
Red lined interior with "redmile objects london - england' stickers. Substantial weight.
Category
Mid-20th Century English Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Shell, Lacquer
Antique Box Casket Australien Aboriginal Oil Painting of a Lizard
Located in Munich, DE
This highly unusual wooden box is painted int he tradition of Australien Aboriginies. The box is made from blackened wood and painted with oil colors.
Category
1910s Australian Vintage Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
Folk Art Painted Document Box 19th Century American
Located in Hudson, NY
A spectacular and fine, painted and stenciled, pine documentbox. The original blue paint having turned a dark green over time with the varnished finish, typical of Boston pieces. Yo...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Furniture > Decorative Objects > Boxes > Decorative Boxes
Located in North Hollywood, CA
African Moroccan Wood and Leather Flask 19th century wood and tooled leather.
A North African Moroccan wood and tooled leather powder flask finely with brass nails.
are antique 19th century handmade leather and brass flask.
Rare late 19th century powder flask box from the Rif, Northern Morocco with a drum-shaped body hand carved wood with ethnic motifs, nice geometric carvings and very fine patina.
Collector large carved wooden vessel with brass studded in the shape of a turtle with a long neck.
Designed with practicality in mind, this flask features two robust metal rings on the side, perfect for securely attaching it to a belt or satchel, making it an ideal companion for hunting. The upper, narrower section includes a precisely drilled hole, providing easy access to the powder inside, underscoring the flask's functional yet artistic design.
This wood gunpowder flask...
Category
Late 19th Century Moroccan Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Leather, Wood
Pair of 19th Century Ceramic Parrot Money Banks, Bornholm Denmark
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Pair of 19th century ceramic parrot money banks, Bornholm Denmark.
Category
Late 19th Century Danish Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Italian Jewelry or Decorative Box, Early 20th Century
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Early 20th Century Italian jewelry box. This sweet petite box is a perfect piece to hold jewelry or any small collectibles. Sitting atop a vanity, d...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
Vintage Handcrafted and Carved Wood Box Leaf Motif, Jewelry Box, Keepsake Box
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage handmade beautifully carved wooden box, jewelry box or keepsake box.
The Inside has 2 compartments which measure 3.38 x 3.38 inches.
No makers mark.
A-916-335
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood, Walnut
Antique African Moroccan Tribal Carved Wood Flask 19th C.
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Antique North African Moroccan tribal wood flask.
Rare late 19th century powder flask box from the Rif, Northern Morocco with a drum-shaped body hand carved wood with ethnic motifs, brass studded nails, nice geometric carvings and very fine patina.
Collector large carved wooden vessel in the shape of a turtle with a long neck.
Dimensions: 10"L x 3" H x 5.75" diameter.
Designed with practicality in mind, this flask features two robust metal rings on the side, perfect for securely attaching it to a belt or satchel, making it an ideal companion for hunting. The upper, narrower section includes a precisely drilled hole, providing easy access to the powder inside, underscoring the flask's functional yet artistic design.
This wood gunpowder flask...
Category
Late 19th Century Moroccan Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass, Bronze
Petite Indian Swivel Box
Located in Chicago, IL
This petite keepsake box with a swivel lid is crafted in the tradition of Indian bidri-ware, with a dark metal body decorated with simple silver inlay. Composed of a zinc and copper ...
Category
20th Century Indian Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Metal, Silver
Round Primitive Ceramic Decorative Trinket Studio Pottery Dish with Lid in Brown
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A round studio pottery trinket dish in brown. This piece will be perfect for a nightstand, coffee table, or bar. It is round and glazed in a deep brown. The lid on the top features a...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Ceramic, Clay
Early 20th Century Folk Art "American Eagle" Silhouette Decorative Box
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Folk art decorative box with eagle motif in attractive red paint (ca. 1910-1920, USA). The hinged top opens to reveal a divided storage compartment, per...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood, Paint
Moroccan Brass Berber Tribal Flask
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Great decorative Moroccan Tribal flask..
African decorative brass with front richly decorated with embossed brass and overlay.
The valve stem turns and open.
Truly a conversation mu...
Category
Early 20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Javanese Solid Teak Storage Box with Engravings Mid-20th Century
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This teak storage box comes for the Island of Java, Indonesia. Dating to the Mid-20th Century it was crafted from a single block of teak. It features ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Indonesian Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Teak
Pennsylvania Sponge Decorated Box On Later Stand
Located in Essex, MA
Square form with hinged lid with original brass bail handle. Faux bois decoration. The matt black painted wood base with square section legs and H form stretchers.
Category
1840s American Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Pine
Antique French Folk Art Keepsake Box
Located in Charleston, SC
This beautiful hand decorated keepsake box has a beautiful green velvet on the outside. The top shows a metal cross with shell decorations. The inside is Lined with a silk green on t...
Category
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Metal
19th Century Indonesian Red and Black Lacquered Document Box with Brass Handles
Located in Middleburg, VA
This 19th century red and black lacquered Indonesian document box is a beautiful way to keep your important papers tucked away. Made of richly patinated teak with intricate red and b...
Category
19th Century Indonesian Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Teak
Antique Hand Painted Four Drawer Jewelry Casket or Decorative Box
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique four drawer wooden jewelry or decorative box is unmarked, but believed to date to the early 20th century. The top and sides of the box are ornately painted with borders ...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Softwood
Swedish Butter Box with Zig-Zag Design
Located in Houston, TX
Swedish butter box with zig-zag design carved imprint. Light colored faded wooden finish.
Note: Due to regional changes in humidity and climate during shipping, antique wood may shr...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
Special Tramp Art Box of Drawers
Located in Mt Kisco, NY
An especially sweet four-drawer hand-carved "tramp art" box. The top is decorated with a symbolic heart and arrow, a common design element in Tramp Art. The drawers are embellished with porcelain knobs. Carved ladies boots...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
Round Walnut Box Profusely Carved with Roses A truly magnificent piece
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Round Walnut Box Profusely Carved with Roses
A truly magnificent piece, you cannot help but admire the skill that was involved to create this one
It would have first been hand turne...
Category
1950s Vintage Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Walnut
Folk Art Boot and Shoe Cleaning Box with Foot Shaped Shoe Rest
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Folk Art Boot and Shoe Cleaning Box with Foot Shaped Shoe Rest
A handy and attractive little piece, the handle of the polish box doubles up as a rest to put the foot on to polish t...
Category
1960s Vintage Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Pine
3 19th century Hand Made Treen Items, Pounce, Plumb Bob, Bodkin
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
3 19th century Hand Made Treen Items, Pounce, Plumb Bob, Bodkin
An interesting sewing item with a bodkin, needle case and thread winder in one, a Sycamo...
Category
19th Century Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Sycamore
18th Century Pencil Box with King Christian VII Monogramme
Located in Copenhagen, K
Beautifully carved wooden box with the carving inscription of King Christian VII, and anno 1780.
Category
Late 18th Century Danish Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
19th Century Treen Money Box A fine 19th century treen money box
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
19th Century Treen Money Box
A fine 19th century treen money box, made in fruitwood with brass feet and handle, the money box is in good condition for its age, lovely colour and pat...
Category
1880s Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Fruitwood
Hand-Painted Folk Art Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Modern folk meets old-school charm. This hand-painted farmhouse-style box features a slanted, hinged lid, a lower drawer, and all the sweet details—hearts, tulips, scallops—that nod ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
A Treen Sphere Enclosing Needle and Thread Spool
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Treen Sphere Enclosing Needle and Thread Spool
A wonderful piece when unscrewed to open it reveals inside a needle case at the centre and a double thread spool which slips over it...
Category
19th Century Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Olive
Butchers Balance Scales, Advertising Palethorpes’ Sausages
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Butchers Balance Scales, Advertising Palethorpes’ Sausages
Palethorpes’ Sausage Scales with Brass Bell Weights
The scale has a brass weight plate on one...
Category
1920s Vintage Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Iron
Decorated Victorian Pine Blanket Box with Stud-work Design
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Decorated Victorian Pine Blanket Box with Stud-work Design
This is a very attractive pine box, it has been decorated with a tulip design in brass stud work
The pine has darkened w...
Category
19th Century Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Pine
Decorative Re Painted 19th Century Wine Box, Trug
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Decorative re painted 19th century wine box, trug.
A delightful piece painted over, advertising Roy Hugo Butcher.
The Carrier is made in pine and painted ...
Category
Mid-20th Century 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.