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.
Midcentury Folk Art Oak Box Hand Carved with Bear Attack
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Unusual box for cigars, tobacco or personal smalls. It is hand-tooled and features a hand-carved lid in solid oak. The scene is carved in a style that is expressionistic bordering on...
Oak
Black Forest Hand-Carved Wooden Terrier Box
Located in Northport, MI
This is a joyful novelty- a Black Forest hand-carved Terrier box. A beautifully executed piece with exceptional detail, right down to the tail. This terrier’s hind legs are attached ...
Wood
18th Century Round Lacquer Wood Erotic Tobacco Snuffbox
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Small round 18th century tobacco snuffbox or pillbox with two painted separate scenes. Very versatile piece that could also hold jewelry or small trinkets. This piece makes a wonderf...
Wood, Lacquer, Paint
18/19th cent. Snuff box in solid wood with crucifixion
Located in Zemst, BE
18/19 th century snuff box Probably France Folk art Handcarved in solid wood box On the top a crucifixion scene in openwork technique On the sides extremely fine handcarved architu...
Hardwood
19th Century English Tobacco Jar
Located in Chicago, IL
A piece that bridges the line between function and quiet artistry, this 19th-century English tobacco jar carries the charm of something handmade, meant to be lived with. Its barrel f...
Maple, Walnut
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....
Brass
Maranao Brass Betel Box, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Decorated in relief and cloaked in an antique patina, this curious brass case is an early 20th century betel nut box, attributed to the Maranao people of the island of Mindanao, Phil...
Brass
Moroccan Brass Berber Tribal Flask, Hand-Crafted Folk Art, 1920
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...
Brass
Maranao Silver Inlaid Betel Box, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Decorated with silver inlay and cloaked in an antique patina, this curious brass case is an early 20th century betel nut box, attributed to the Maranao people of the island of Mindan...
Brass, Silver
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...
Stone, Jade, Carrara Marble
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....
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....
Brass
Russian tobacco containers with carved and painted decoration, treen, C 1890
Located in Central England, GB
This rare pair of Russian folk art treen tobacco containers are beautifully hand turned from one solid piece of limewood. They have well hollowed interiors with a neatly fitting lid ...
Wood
Handcrafted Antique Tinned Copper Metal Betel Box, India
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Beautiful handcrafted antique tinned copper decorative octagonal betel box with with lid, handle and brass latch. The metal is delicately and int...
Brass, Copper, Tin
19th Century Country English Chest with House Facade
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Charming folk art 19th-century country English pine blanket chest or box featuring a Georgian manor house facade on the outside. The storage box has a hinged top and handles on each ...
Iron
A 1930s Art Deco Hand-Carved Oak French Box
Located in Aci Castello, IT
This is a 1930s French Art Deco hand-carved oak box, showcasing a unique blend of craftsmanship and geometric flair characteristic of the Art Deco period. Solid oak wood, noted for i...
Oak
$3,774
H 11.82 in W 10.63 in D 5.91 in
Rare Antique 4 Tier Black Forest Jewelry Box Fruitwood 19th Century Hand Carved
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
A beautiful, very finely carved antique black forest jewelry box from the late 19th/ early 20th century made in Switzerland. A large and impressive four-tiered piece with 6 swing o...
Fruitwood
$519Sale Price|20% Off
H 6.07 in W 16.42 in D 11.62 in
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, ...
Pine
$3,758
H 7.29 in W 8.67 in D 5.32 in
Stunning Original Antique Hand Carved Black Forest Wood Cigar Box Humidor House
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this rather lovely antique original circa 1880 Black Forest Wood musical Cigar box Humidor with built in music box A very good looking and well ...
Wood
19th Century Majolica Palissy Tobacco Jar Thomas Sergent
Located in Austin, TX
Large Majolica Palissy tobacco jar attributed to Thomas Sergent, circa 1880 unsigned. Naturalistic movement of the end of 19th century. The jar have the shape of a trunk with a bir...
Majolica, Ceramic, Faience
19th Century Treenware Walnut Tobacco Jar
Located in High Point, NC
19th century hand turned treen tobacco box made from walnut. The lid is expertly turned and is topped with a finial over a fabulous hand turned base. The walnut is a handsome color...
Walnut
French Carved Snuff Box, Mid-19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The elaborately carved snuff box with a scene of two mermaids on the cover and deeply carved shell on the reverse.
Boxwood
19th Century English Dresser Box
Located in High Point, NC
19th century English dresser box made from exquisitely grained rosewood. The box has wonderfully inlaid patterns on the top and front in...
Ivory, Rosewood
French Black Forest Carved Wood Box Circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
French Black Forest Carved Wood Box Circa 1900. Flowers & leaves. H / 4.5 inches. 7 by 4.8 inches.
Wood
Carved Shoe Form Treen Snuff Box with Carved Shamrock, 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
Probably Irish given the carved shamrock, with hinged top and robust leaf like carving. A small chip to bottom of toe and two small holes on the bottom likely from former mounting.
Wood
Sold
H 1.19 in Dm 2.52 in
Small Danish 18th Century Pillbox or Snuffbox with King Christian 4th Monogram
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Small round Danish 18th century wooden pillbox or snuffbox with royal King Christian the 4th monogram. Very versatile piece that could also hold jewelry or small trinkets. This piece...
Wood
Sold
H 9 in W 12.25 in D 12.25 in
A whimsical antique Black Forest hand carved wood figural tobacco humidor box.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A whimsical antique Black Forest hand carved wood figural tobacco humidor box. Modeled as a dog with removable head and glass inset eyes.
Glass, Wood
Burmese Yun Lacquer Betel Box, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
In many southeast Asian cultures, offering guests a betel quid to chew was the fundamental symbol of hospitality. A blend of leaves, nuts, seasonings, and sometimes tobacco, betel was kept in finely worked and decorated boxes. This round Burmese betel box...
Bamboo
Early 20th Century, Amazing Hand Carved Indian Cigar Box
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century amazing hand carved Indian cigar box. We share what we love, and we love this Victorian Indian hand carved cigar box. Without doubt one of the best examples, we...
Wood
Square Russian Hand Painted Lacquered Wooden Box, Signed
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Rare Large Antique Russian Hand Painted Lacquered Wooden Box, Signed in Cyrillic. This square two part box has two signature at the lower right si...
Wood, Lacquer
Early 19th Century Pennsylvania Carved and Painted Pipe Box
Located in Nantucket, MA
Early 19th century Pennsylvania carved and painted pipe box. Masterfully carved and painted pipe box designed to hang on the wall or stand on a mantle. The backboard carved with a po...
Wood, Paint
Sold
H 1.5 in W 4 in D 3 in
Russian Lacquer Box "Morning in the Woods" after a Painting by Ivan Shishkin
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A handcrafted box of papier mâché and black lacquer. The work is done by a miniaturist coping the work of an original oil on canvas titled "Morning in the Woods" by Ivan Shishkin and...
Lacquer
19th Century Hand Carved Coquilla Nut Tobacco Box
Located in Stamford, CT
A wonderfully carved Coquilla nut tobacco or snuff box. Portuguese, first half of the 19th century. The top with a portrait of woman holding a flower with a ribbon in her hair. The f...
Nutwood
Early 20th Century Kashmir Papier Mâché Hand Painted Tobacco Jar
Located in London, GB
A wonderful example of an early 20th century handcrafted papier mâché tobacco jar. Hand painted detailing an intricate floral pattern in various colours and gold leaf. The base still...
Paper
Sold
H 0.9 in Dm 2.45 in
Small Danish 18th Century Pillbox or Snuffbox with King Christian 4th Monogram
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Small round Danish 18th century wooden pillbox or snuffbox with royal King Christian the 4th monogram.
Wood
Sold
H 4.25 in Dm 5 in
Silver Betel Box / Cannister from Laos, 19th Century, Repousse Work and Chasing
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Silver betel box / Cannister from Laos. 19th century. Repousse work and chasing. This finely worked container comprises a box, lid and inner tray and ...
Silver
Bellows Snuff Box
Located in Greenwich, CT
Rare mahogany snuff box in the form of a pair of miniature bellows, having inlaid brass nail decoration, the top reading "Forget Me Not", the other...
Brass