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Folk Art 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
1810 Table Box, Red Floral Painted, Central Europe
Located in Vo', Veneto
Painted table top box/case Measures: H.30 cm, W.48 cm, D.32 cm Small hand-painted Tyrolean antique box, with red background. Decorated on all sides...
Category

Early 19th Century Italian Antique Folk Art Boxes

Materials

Fir

Rare Asian camphorwood jewelry box from the 1950s
Located in Cantù, IT
Rare Asian camphorwood jewelry box from the 1950s
Category

20th Century Central Asian Folk Art Boxes

Materials

Wood

Moroccan Berber Tuareg Metal Tribal Flask Overlay
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Great decorative Moroccan Berber Tuareg metal brass powder flask. African decorative brass with front richly decorated with Moorish embossed brass ocverlay. Moroccan tribal powder fl...
Category

20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Boxes

Materials

Brass

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 Boxes

Materials

Birch, 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 Boxes

Materials

Pine

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 Boxes

Materials

Shell, Fabric, Wood

Antique Swedish Folk Art Tea Caddy in Hand-Carved Wood, 19th century
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A fine hand-tooled and ebonized wooden tea canister of Swedish origin - circa 1850-1890. Folk art piece made by an unknown artisan. Measurements: H: 18 cm, Diameter: 15 cm.
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Boxes

Materials

Oak

African Tuareg Hand-Tooled Black Leather Box
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Hand tooled black leather box from Africa. Very fine workmanship with tribal traditional African symbols on black leather. African Tuareg style probably ...
Category

Early 20th Century Mauritanian Folk Art Boxes

Materials

Leather

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, ...
Category

19th Century British Antique Folk Art Boxes

Materials

Brass

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 Boxes

Materials

Iron

Early 19th Century Swedish Folk Art Travel Box / Chest with Originalpaint
Located in Boden, SE
Early 19th century Swedish Folk Art travel box from Skellefteå Västerbotten, Northern Sweden. Beautiful untouched originalpaint. Decorated with handwrought iron around the box and ov...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Boxes

Materials

Pine

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 Boxes

Materials

Metal

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 Boxes

Materials

Pine

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 Boxes

Materials

Bone, Wood

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 Boxes

Materials

Plywood, Paper

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 Boxes

Materials

Wood, Paint

Tramp Art Box, Large Scale and Unusual Form. Circa 1900
Located in Stamford, CT
Large scale tramp art box of unusual form. At 2 feet wide quite impressive in scale and equally impressive in the ambition of the craftsman who created it. The geometry of the psuedo...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Boxes

Materials

Wood

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 Boxes

Materials

Textile, Wood

Vintage Boho Cut Branches Box
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A stunning example of rustic folk art, this lidded box is a captivating celebration of natural materials. The entire piece is masterfully constructed from a mosaic of cross-cut tree ...
Category

Late 20th Century American Folk Art Boxes

Materials

Wood

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 Boxes

Materials

Pine

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 Boxes

Materials

Wood, Walnut

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 Boxes

Materials

Wood

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 Boxes

Materials

Velvet, Wood

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 Boxes

Materials

Bamboo

Antique Red Tole Metal Tea Coffee Countertop Storage Bin
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Wonderful patina on this antique general store tea or coffee canister. Certainly a unique piece that could used on a kitchen counter or in a reta...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Boxes

Materials

Metal

Antique Swedish Wooden butter storage 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. Painted blue and faded trough time. Nice addition...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Boxes

Materials

Birch, Pine

Folk Art Hand Painted Trinket Box in the Style of Peter Hunt Circa 1940s
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 Boxes

Materials

Wood, Paint

Painted 19th Century American Document Box
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 Boxes

Materials

Brass

Antique African Moroccan Tribal Carved 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, 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 Boxes

Materials

Brass, Bronze

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...
Category

Early 20th Century Philippine Folk Art Boxes

Materials

Brass

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 Boxes

Materials

Ceramic, Clay

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 Boxes

Materials

Pine

Antique Folk Art Box with Carved and Painted Cottage Scenes
Located in Atlanta, GA
Incredible Folk Art hand-carved and painted box with a charming cottage with tiled roof on the hinged lid. Three sides feature scenes of trees behind white fences and the box is rais...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Folk Art Boxes

Materials

Velvet, Wood, Paint

19th Century Tramp Art Box with Chip-Carved Decoration, Date and Velvet Inside
Located in Atlanta, GA
A 19th century Tramp Art rectangular wooden box featuring elaborate chip-carved decoration. Each side of this box is adorned with hand-carved tiered frames of four-layered notches, characteristic of the traditional chip-carving technique of Tramp Art, a 19th century form Folk Art that transforms salvaged materials into furniture and art. The lid, attached to the base with hinges, is covered with a burgundy velvet pad bordered by a chip-carved trim centered around a carved lion head. The lid, which lifts by a ring pull, opens to reveal a velvety green storage...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Boxes

Materials

Wood

Antique Swedish Large Wooden 'svepask' storage box, 1851, Handmade Folk Craft
Located in Balen, BE
Antique Swedish Large Wooden 'Svepask' Storage Box – Dated 1851, Handmade Folk Craft A rare and authentic example of 19th-century Swedish folk art, this large 'Svepask' storage box ...
Category

1850s Swedish Antique Folk Art Boxes

Materials

Bentwood

Furniture > Decorative Objects > Boxes > Decorative Boxes
Located in Moreno Valley, 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 Boxes

Materials

Leather, Wood

Vintage Hand-Painted Wooden Jewelry Trinket Box - Folk Art Style
Located in Seattle, WA
This charming vintage wooden jewelry box features hand-painted floral designs in a traditional folk art style. With vibrant, delicate flower...
Category

1970s Vintage Folk Art Boxes

Materials

Wood

Superb Antique Folk Art Parquetry Casket Styled Writing Box or Lap Desk
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This exquisite antique parquetry writing box or lap desk is unsigned, but presumed to have been made in Canada in approximately 1900 in a Folk Art style. The box itself, including th...
Category

Early 20th Century Canadian Folk Art Boxes

Materials

Softwood

1960s Vintage Moroccan Inlaid Hexagonal Wood Box
Located in Moreno Valley, 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 Boxes

Materials

Bone, Fruitwood

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...
Category

Early 20th Century Philippine Folk Art Boxes

Materials

Brass, Silver

Handcrafted Creative Critters Animal Figurine Jewelry Box Tropical Wood, Pair
Located in Miami, FL
A pair of handcrafted animal figures, sculpture, keepsake or jewelry box. Made out of the finest fruitwood and tropical beechwood planks laminate i...
Category

Late 20th Century American Folk Art Boxes

Materials

Beech, Hardwood, Fruitwood

Tramp Art Box or Chest, Early 20th Century
Located in London, London
Tramp Art Box or Chest, Early 20th Century Finely detailed tramp art box, hand-carved from layers of chip-carved wood and embellished with brass tacks. The intricate geometric cons...
Category

Early 20th Century French Folk Art Boxes

Materials

Wood

Burmese Yun Lacquer Betel Box
Located in Chicago, IL
Intricately decorated with red and black lacquer, this petite Burmese betel box is a lovely example of a traditional craft. A blend of betel leaves, areca nuts, slaked lime, and some...
Category

20th Century Burmese Folk Art Boxes

Materials

Bamboo

Swedish 19th Century Bentwood Travel Box or Chest
Located in Buisson, FR
Rare Swedish travel box with stunning patina and hand forged iron details. Sweden, circa 1800-1850. Weathered H:21cm W:37cm D:29cm
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Boxes

Materials

Wood

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 Boxes

Materials

Fabric, Wood

19th Century Scandinavian Folk Art Carved Oak Table Top Chest
Located in Norwich, GB
A lovely 19th century oak lidded-top table chest with hand carved leaf scrolls and roundel carvings, having swivel carrying handles to the sides. The chest has a rustic charm and sh...
Category

19th Century European Antique Folk Art Boxes

Materials

Oak, Pine

Vintage Handcrafted and Carved Wood Box House Motif, Trinket Box, Keepsake Box
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage handmade beautifully carved wooden trinket box, jewelry box or keepsake box. Depicting a village scene with Houses & Palm Trees. Folk Art ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Peruvian Folk Art Boxes

Materials

Wood, Walnut

19th Century Original Folk Art Painted Chest of Drawers
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
19th Century original Folk Art painted chest of drawers. A Very attractive painted pine chest of drawers, it is decorated with flowers on the top and sides, the drawer fronts and ...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Folk Art Boxes

Materials

Paint

Vintage Round Ethnic Hand-Tooled Tuareg Leather Box African Folk Art Mauritania
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Hand-Tooled Tuareg Leather Box – Vintage African Folk Art, Mauritania This exquisite vintage round leather box showcases the artistry of West African craftsmanship, likely Tuareg in ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mauritanian Folk Art Boxes

Materials

Leather

Large Tramp Art Hinge Lid Box
Located in Mt Kisco, NY
A handcrafted Tramp Art box or small chest. A detailed design on four tapered feet. The interior is lined with white quilted fabric and the lid is fitted with a large finial. The bot...
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Folk Art Boxes

Materials

Wood

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...
Category

19th Century English Antique Folk Art Boxes

Materials

Maple, Walnut

Antique Trap Art Keepsake Layered Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Decorated with multiple geometric layers of hand cut wood, featuring a hinged lid opening to a spacious storage with lock (included). Small mirror inside under the lid. Velvet gree...
Category

Early 19th Century European Antique Folk Art Boxes

Materials

Mirror, Wood

Petite Burmese Yun Betel Box, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
An exquisite example of Burmese artistry, this palm-sized container dates to the late 19th century and was likely originally used as a betel box (kun-it). A blend of betel leaves, ar...
Category

Late 19th Century Burmese Antique Folk Art Boxes

Materials

Bamboo

Vintage Hand Carved Nut Woodenware Catchall, 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Found in Austria at an estate sale, this hand carved nut catchall is perfect for the collector. Nice Mid Century collectible to display ...
Category

1960s American Vintage Folk Art Boxes

Materials

Wood

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 Boxes

Materials

Oak

Victorian Treenware Hanging Salt Box, 19th Century.
Located in Hannover, DE
I present to you a set of beautiful hanging salt box from the 19th century. The two are made out of wood, rich in colour and patination, They can be left standing but the intention b...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Folk Art Boxes

Materials

Wood

Collectible spectacular rare big box, casket, tramp art, folk art, 1885, Austria
Located in Wien, AT
This incredibly rare box is made in the famous austrian tramp art around 1880 to 1890, its a extraordinary richly decorated example of these boxes. The object is rectangular in shap...
Category

1880s Austrian Antique Folk Art 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 Boxes

Materials

Brass

Indonesian Brass Betel Tray, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This open brass box was originally the case of an early 20th century betel box set from Indonesia, filled with small containers that held the individual ingredients of a betel quid. ...
Category

Early 20th Century Indonesian Folk Art Boxes

Materials

Brass

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 Boxes

Materials

Birch

Folk Art boxes for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique folk art 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 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 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 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 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 $848.

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