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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
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 Boxes

Materials

Olive

A Treen Sphere Enclosing Needle and Thread Spool
A Treen Sphere Enclosing Needle and Thread Spool

A Treen Sphere Enclosing Needle and Thread Spool

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 Boxes

Materials

Wood

Special Tramp Art Box of Drawers
Special Tramp Art Box of Drawers

Special Tramp Art Box of Drawers

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

19th Century Original Folk Art Painted Chest of Drawers
19th Century Original Folk Art Painted Chest of Drawers

19th Century Original Folk Art Painted Chest of Drawers

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 Boxes

Materials

Walnut

Round Walnut Box Profusely Carved with Roses A truly magnificent piece
Round Walnut Box Profusely Carved with Roses A truly magnificent piece

Round Walnut Box Profusely Carved with Roses A truly magnificent piece

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 Boxes

Materials

Pine

Folk Art Boot and Shoe Cleaning Box with Foot Shaped Shoe Rest
Folk Art Boot and Shoe Cleaning Box with Foot Shaped Shoe Rest

Folk Art Boot and Shoe Cleaning Box with Foot Shaped Shoe Rest

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 Boxes

Materials

Sycamore

3 19th century Hand Made Treen Items, Pounce, Plumb Bob, Bodkin
3 19th century Hand Made Treen Items, Pounce, Plumb Bob, Bodkin

3 19th century Hand Made Treen Items, Pounce, Plumb Bob, Bodkin

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 Boxes

Materials

Wood

18th Century Pencil Box with King Christian VII Monogramme
18th Century Pencil Box with King Christian VII Monogramme

18th Century Pencil Box with King Christian VII Monogramme

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 Boxes

Materials

Fruitwood

19th Century Treen Money Box A fine 19th century treen money box
19th Century Treen Money Box A fine 19th century treen money box

19th Century Treen Money Box A fine 19th century treen money box

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 Boxes

Materials

Pine

Decorated Victorian Pine Blanket Box with Stud-work Design
Decorated Victorian Pine Blanket Box with Stud-work Design

Decorated Victorian Pine Blanket Box with Stud-work Design

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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