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.
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...
Metal
Rare Asian camphorwood jewelry box from the 1950s
By Mice di rugiano domenico e c. s.n.c.
Located in Cantù, IT
Rare Asian camphorwood jewelry box from the 1950s
Wood
Vintage Hand Painted Cowboy Box
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This charming wooden box is a unique piece of original folk art, featuring an expressive hand-painted profile portrait of a figure in traditional attire set against a serene, gabled-...
Wood, Paint
Vintage Dutch Spice Canister Set of Six with Windmill Design, 1960
Located in Coral Gables, FL
Charming vintage set of six Dutch spice canisters, individually labeled Cinnamon, Ginger, Nutmeg, Allspice, Pepper, and Cloves. Crafted in tin, each square canister features a warm m...
Metal
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...
Brass
Rare Russian Gzhel Hand-painted Blue White Porcelain Church Trinket Box
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Rare small lidded trinket box with church-shaped handle on the lid is hand painted in two tone blue on white porcelain background. Floral decor on the body of the box and on the lid,...
Porcelain, Ceramic
Tramp Art Jewelry Box - Wooden Decorative Box - Green Velvet Top - America 1910s
Located in ROUEN, Normandie
Tramp Art Jewelry Box - Wooden Decorative Box with Green Velvet - America 1910s Striking American Tramp Art jewelry or decorative box, hand-carv...
Velvet, Wood, Fruitwood, Pine
Vintage Tramp Art Wood Box
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Crafted using intricate chip-carving and layered whittling techniques, this vintage folk art tramp art box features a highly textured geometric facade and multi-tiered lid. The woode...
Wood, Fabric
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...
Brass
19th Century Swedish Table Top Box
Located in Bozeman, MT
Charming 19th century table top box in it's original finish, ca 1850 Sweden.
Pine
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
Early 19th Century Norwegian Folk Art Birch Butter Box with Carved Female Finial
Located in Kastrup, DK
Folk art: Norwegian lidded box (butter box) crafted in birch with rich woodcarving. The lid finial carved as a seated woman. Lid and rim decorated with reliefs of oak leaves, acorns,...
Birch
„Caffeol Moretto Bricco“ Advertising Coffee Tin Box Can Vintage Italy
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A charming and highly collectible Italian coffee advertising storage tin, dating to the 1940s or earlier. This decorative canister features richly detailed coffee-themed imagery, evo...
Tin
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
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...
Birch, 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...
Shell, Fabric, Wood
$524Sale Price|20% Off
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...
Birch, Pine
19th Century Folk Art Rectangular Wood Pencil Trinket Box
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Danish charming handcrafted box with unbeatable patina. This storage or keepsake box is in untouched original condition with age-appropriate wear from use. The wooden lid slides effo...
Metal
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...
Pine
Antique Scandinavian Wooden Container Tejne Original Blue Paint, Sweden ca 1850s
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Antique Scandinavian wooden container with original blue paint. It´s most likely from Sweden and most likely made around 1850. We suppose it has been used for storage of food. It ...
Wood
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...
Iron
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...
Birch, Pine
Folk Art Dowry Box, Lombok Indonesia, Cowrie, Painted Palm & Bamboo 1950’s Sasak
Located in London, GB
Sasak Dowry Box, Lombok Indonesia, Cowrie & Painted Palm 1950’s Handwoven and richly adorned, this 1950’s Sasak dowry box from Lombok, Indonesia, captures the ceremonial artistry of...
Other
Dowry Box, Lombok Indonesia, Cowrie, Painted Palm & Bamboo 1950’s
Located in London, GB
Dowry Box, Lombok Indonesia, Sasak, Cowrie & Painted Palm 1950’s Handwoven and richly adorned, this 1950’s Sasak dowry box from Lombok, Indonesia, captures the ceremonial artistry o...
Other
19th Century American Birdseye Maple Box with Brass Accents
Located in Stamford, CT
19th century birdseye maple box with brass nail head decoration and iron lock plate and hasp. This box is hand crafted with beautiful dovetail joints visible on the corners, evidence...
Brass, Iron
Folk Art Polish Wooden Jewelry Box - Hand-Painted with Pyrographic Decor - 1930s
Located in ROUEN, Normandie
Folk Art Polish Wooden Jewelry Box - Hand-Painted with Pyrographic Decor - 1930s Decorative wooden (birch) box featuring finely executed pyrographed ornamentation. Enhanced with ha...
Wood, Birch
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
Mid-Century Holland Floral Tin Nesting Canister Set of Four
Located in Coral Gables, FL
An atmospheric set of four mid-century nesting canisters made in Holland, formed from decorated tinplate and graduated in size so that each vessel fits inside the next. No legible fa...
Metal
$14,104Sale Price|20% Off
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...
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
Wood, Walnut
Vintage Tin Box Cookie Jar Belsnickel Santa Claus Vintage Germany, 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This beautiful decorative Christmas Tin Box with Santa or Belsnickle Picture is a true treasure. It was made in Germany, around 1930s. These are very har...
Tin
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.
Oak
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....
Bamboo
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...
Soapstone
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. ...
Bronze
$600Sale Price|20% Off
Fantastic Oversized 19th Century Walnut Wall Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This wonderful handmade walnut wall box has a hinged lift top and is in great condition. This oversize box could be used on a counter or a wall. The construct...
Walnut
African Tuareg Hand-Tooled Black Leather Box, Mauritania, 1950
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 ...
Leather
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...
Birch, Pine
Swedish 1840 Slide Top Box
Located in Greenwich, CT
Scandinavian bridal pantry box dated 1840 and having original and very decorative painted surface, the sliding lid with heavily chamfered edge and betrothed initials dividing the "18...
Birch
19thC Antique Folk Art Treenware Carved Turned Wood Tea Caddy Box Handpainted
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This striking antique 19th-century treenware tea caddy is a beautiful example of folk art craftsmanship. Skillfully hand-carved and turned from wood, this charming caddy features a r...
Wood
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...
Wood, 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...
Pine
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...
Pine
Decorative traditional 19th century hand painted Swedish box
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Decorative traditional 19th century hand painted Swedish box circa 1840. We are pleased to offer this strong box from our travels around Scandinavia. Hand painted with yellow flora...
Iron
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...
Wood
Folk Art Dowry Box, Lombok Indonesia, Cowrie, Painted Palm & Bamboo 1950’s Sasak
Located in London, GB
Sasak Dowry Box, Lombok Indonesia, Cowrie & Painted Palm 1950’s Handwoven and richly adorned, this 1950’s Sasak dowry box from Lombok, Indonesia, captures the ceremonial artistry of...
Other
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...
Wood
$2,400Sale Price|20% Off
Polychrome Semi-Precious Stone Hexagonal Inlaid Box, 20th Century
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A finely crafted polychrome semi-precious stone box featuring an intricate hexagonal mosaic inlay composed of richly colored natural stones. The lid displays a jewel-like honeycomb p...
Stone, Onyx, Granite, Marble
$1,180Sale Price|20% Off
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...
Pine
Folk Art Marquetry Box or Chest with Inlaid Star, French 19th Century
Located in ROUEN, Normandie
Folk Art Marquetry Box or Chest with Inlaid Star, French 19th Century Beautiful decorative wooden box or small chest. Folk Art from the 1890s, it features an inlaid star motif on t...
Wood, Fruitwood, Nutwood
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.
Shell, Lacquer
$810 / item
Swedish 'Timplåda' Wooden Box, dated 1824
Located in Farsta, SE
Swedish 'Timplåda' Wooden Box, dated 1824 A 'timplåda' is a traditional Swedish wooden box, handcrafted with care. Popular during the 18th and 19th centuries, these boxes were used ...
Birch
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...
Birch, 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...
Birch, Pine
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"...
Wood
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
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...
Wrought Iron
Traditional 19th century hand painted Scandinavian box
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Traditional 19th century hand painted Scandinavian box circa 1860. Rustic made piece from Sweden that was used to help secure a person's possessions. Oval shaped with a slight dome...
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...
Bamboo
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 ...
Wood