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
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
$522 Sale Price
20% Off
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
Burmese Red Carved Wood Temple Offering Box
Located in Moreno Valley, 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
Antique Swedish Wooden Kitchen Cabinet 1846 Handmade Folk Craft great condition
Located in Forest, BE
Swedish antique pine hand build wooden kitchen cabinet. Made to be used as a dough plater storage to the left side and a storage to the right side. Fine quality of wood. It is a true...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Pine
19th Century Large Store Tea Tin Hand Painted Parnall & Sons Bristol, England
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous and large store tea tin by Parnall & Sons who were the people to see for outfitting your store and much more as the company grew from 1830. Hand painted showing a girl servi...
Category
Mid-19th Century British Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Metal
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
$1,180 Sale Price
20% Off
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
Antique Swedish Wooden barrel 1800's Handmade Folk Craft great condition
Located in Forest, BE
Swedish antique pine and birch hand painted wooden barrel. Made to be used as a washing basin. Fine quality of bentwood. It is a true piece from the early 19 century. Beautiful patin...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Birch, Pine
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 basket 1800's Handmade Folk Craft Blue and black
Located in Forest, BE
Swedish antique pine and birch wooden storage box. It was painted blue with black edges. Fine quality of bentwood. It is a true piece from the early 19 century. More units could be f...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Birch, Pine
Antique Swedish Wooden basket backpack 1800's Handmade Folk Craft
Located in Forest, BE
Swedish antique pine and birch wooden backpack storage box. It was use to pickup the berries in the woods. Fine quality of birch bentwood. It is a true piece from the early 19 centur...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Birch, Pine
Antique Swedish Wooden basket 1800's Handmade Folk Craft natural color
Located in Forest, BE
Swedish antique pine and birch wooden storage box. 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 ce...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Birch, Pine
Colorful Semi Precious Stone Rectangular Jewelry or Trinket Box with Lid
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A beautiful colorful decorative box with lid created from Carrara marble and inlaid with a variety of semi-precious stones. The sides are inlaid with a variety of stones in abstract ...
Category
20th Century Indian Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Stone
$2,400 Sale Price
20% Off
Swedish Folk Art Hunting Box Dated 1802 in Oak
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A Swedish oak-wood box from the Gustavian period dated 1802. The richly carved box with scenes of a dog hunting a deer, doves flying and black grouses. Decorated with a pattern of ro...
Category
Early 1800s Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass, Iron
$788 Sale Price
20% Off
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
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
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
$237 Sale Price
20% Off
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
Antique Hindu Brass Box with Peacocks and Elephants
Located in Moreno Valley, 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 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
Petite Indonesian Brass Betel Box, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This petite brass box was originally part of an early 20th century betel box set from Indonesia, one of several small containers that held the individual ingredients of a betel quid....
Category
Early 20th Century Indonesian Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Petite Indonesian Brass Betel Box, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This petite brass box was originally part of an early 20th century betel box set from Indonesia, one of several small containers that held the individual ingredients of a betel quid....
Category
Early 20th Century Indonesian Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Antique Swedish Forskrin, Folk Art Travel Box from the 1700s, Original Condition
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique folk art box, a so called Forskrin which was used when travelling for storing documents and valuables around the late 1700s. Made in nor...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wrought Iron
Shell Encrusted Rectangular Keepsake Box with Red Silk Lid
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Long rectangular shell encrusted box. Carefully applied shells decorate the top and bottom edges of this red board box in a variety of colors. At...
Category
20th Century English Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Shell, Silk, Paper
$960 Sale Price
20% Off
1960s Vintage Asian Large Hand Carved Wooden Humidor Footed Box
Located in Moreno Valley, 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
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
19th Century Swedish Folk Art Box
Located in Allerum, SE
19th century Swedish Folk Art wooden box with sliding lid and a customizable interior. Ca 1800 Sweden.
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Pine
$2,300 / item
Vintage Embossed Metal Trinket Box With Festive Village Scene
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A richly detailed vintage trinket box cast in metal with a gold-tone finish, showcasing an intricate relief of village life wrapping around the sides and continuing across the lid. T...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Metal
Old Wooden Tramp Art Box Jewelry Box Trinket Folk Art
Located in Poperinge, BE
Beautiful old tramp art box, jewelry box or trinket, trinket box, made in the first half of the 20th century, Belgium.
Beautiful form of folk art, anyone could make a tramp art obje...
Category
1920s Belgian Vintage Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Glass, Wood
Swedish 19th Century Wooden Folk Art Box With Shaving Knives
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A Swedish original painted Folk Art box. From the beginning of the 19th century, used to keep shaving knives and similar supplies. Included 3 knives with the razor blades in English ...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood
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
$960 Sale Price
20% Off
Shell Encrusted Rectangular Keepsake Box with Green Silk Lid
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Long rectangular shell encrusted box. Carefully applied shells decorate the top and bottom edges of this green board box in a variety of colors. ...
Category
20th Century English Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Shell, Fabric, Paper
$960 Sale Price
20% Off
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
Moroccan Brass Berber Tribal Flask
Located in Moreno Valley, 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
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
Large Swedish Antique Folk Art Hand Made Pine Flour Box
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique Swedish flour box made by hand in solid pine. The box is from northern Sweden and made around the mid 19th century, 1840 to 1850. The box is in untouched original condition w...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Pine
Antique Swedish Small Handmade Folk Art Box
Located in Kramfors, SE
Swedish folk art box made by hand in solid Swedish pine. The box is in original condition with the untouched original paint. Made in northern Sweden around the 1860s. It has most lik...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Pine
Asian Black and Red Round Box Lacquer Offering Vessel Urn
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
South Asian Burmese black and red lacquer box, offering vessel urn with compartment for storage.
This round lacquer ware box from Burma is made from bamboo and lacquer.
In Burma (now...
Category
Late 20th Century Burmese Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Bamboo
Antique Swedish Hand-Made Folk Art Pine Flour Box
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique hand-made flour box from Sweden made in folk art during the second half of the 19th century, around 1860 to 1870. These boxes were either hung on the...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Pine
Swedish Folk Art, Large Vessel, Pine, Sweden, 19th Century
Located in High Point, NC
A pine, large vessel or container produced in Sweden, 19th century.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Pine
Two 19th Century Ceramic Parrot Money Banks, Bornholm Denmark
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Fantastic 19th Century ceramic parrot money banks, Bornholm Denmark. We see this sitting atop books on a coffee or side table as well as foyer or dresser for loose coins. Wonderful ...
Category
Late 19th Century Danish Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Hand Made Dovetailed Pyrography and Inlaid Lid Keepsake Box with Photo Album
Located in Ferndale, MI
Beautifully made keepsake box. Hinged lid and spine are intricately inlaid with mother of pearl, exotic wood, beads. Backside has pyrographic image burned in. All nicely joined with dovetail detail. Not sure on country of origin. Backside image does show local dress for the area. Vintage photo album...
Category
Mid-20th Century Finnish Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
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
Antique African Moroccan Tribal Wood Flask 19th C.
Located in Moreno Valley, 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
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
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
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
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
Faux Malachite Leather Decorative Indian Maharaja Box
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A beautiful unique Indian motif box with a lid. This piece would be fantastic for storing cigars, tv remotes, or miscellaneous items on a dresser or coffee table. The top of the box ...
Category
20th Century Indian Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Leather, Faux Leather, Paint
$600 Sale Price
20% Off
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
Decorated Box with Overlays
Located in Nantucket, MA
Stained pine with hinged top, decorated with geometric design out of recycled piano keys. The interior with a removable organizing drawer. Illegible names with numbers are faintly wr...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Pine
Asian Burmese Carved Wood Temple Offering Lidded Box
Located in Moreno Valley, 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
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
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
Swedish Folk Art 19th-Century Bentwood Box - Svepask
Located in Kvidinge, SE
An old original Bentwood Box from the late 19th century
A beautiful piece full of history in oval shape with amazing patina and style with traces of age and use
"Svepask" was used ...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood, Bentwood, Pine
$373 Sale Price
30% Off
Vintage Folk Art Tramp Art Box With Mirror Detail
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage folk art Tramp art box featuring hand-carved geometric layers from reclaimed cigar box wood. The front displays a circular mirror framed in intricate relief work. The interio...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Boxes
Materials
Mirror, Wood
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
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
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
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
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.
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