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.
$85Sale Price / item|20% Off
Moroccan Terracotta Candle Holder Handbuilt and Handpainted by the Potter Houda
Located in Marseille, FR
- Handbuilt freckles terracotta candle holder - made of clay collected from the potter's surroundings. - made in the Moroccan Rif mountains by Houda Approximate measurements: 1....
Clay, Earthenware
Pair of French Mid Century Folk Art Iron Cockerel/Rooster Candlesticks C1970s
Located in Trensacq, FR
A fabulous pair iron Cockerel/Rooster candlesticks in the style of Jean Touret and Les Artisans de Marolles C1970s France. Hand forged zoomorphic, Folk Art, one-of-a-kind set of can...
Steel, Iron
Pair of Folk Art Hand Painted Wood Candlesticks
Located in Toronto, CA
This is a wonderful pair of folk art candlesticks from Poland. Probably early twentieth century. Beautifully hand painted with flowers and leaves, the candlestick rest on a trio of b...
Wood
$180Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century Folk Art Cast Iron Green Painted Candlestick
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Single French Cast Iron Candlestick In The Original Green Painted Patina, 19th Century
Iron
$293Sale Price / set|29% Off
Norwegian Wood Black Golden Painted Candlesticks, 1980s
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Set of vintage Norwegian wooden candle sticks with black and gold paint in intricate organic patterns. Beautiful vintage condition. Norway, 1970s.
Brass
Midcentury Pair of Wrought Iron Tripod Candleholders
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
Pair of wrought iron candleholders rised on tripod base, black painted. Measures: Height 17.50 in (44.5 cm) Width/Depth 6.50 in (16.5 cm).
Iron
Set of Four Swedish Folk Art Rooster Candle Holders, 1980s
Located in Frederiksberg C, DK
Set of Four Swedish Folk Art Rooster Candle Holders, 1980s Charming set of four Swedish folk art candle holders, crafted in the 1980s and shaped as stylised roosters. Made from soli...
Wood
Vintage Mackenzie-Childs Style Cottage Single Light Candlestick
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Handmade Hand Painted Candle Holder Candlestick Ceramic. Vintage Mackenzie-Childs Style Rose Cottage single light candlestick, candle holder. Dimensions: 2.75" tall. 4.25" diameter a...
Ceramic
18th Century Swedish Folk Art Candle Holder Iron stick
Located in Boden, SE
Unusual early 19th century Swedish Folk Art candle holder in pine and iron. Ca 1790-1810 Sweden. Lovely patina.
Iron
Pair of Turned Wood Candlesticks, Early 20th Century
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A pair of small-scale turned wood candlesticks with a compact, sculptural profile. Each features stacked ring detailing at the neck and a softly flared base, giving them a grounded, ...
Wood
Set of Five Tall Folk-Art Candleholders, France, circa 1950s
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Unique set of five handmade Folk Art iron candleholders, raised on wavy triangular bases, with tall stems adorned with leaves along their lengths, and topped with large, flat candleh...
Iron
A pair of Traditional Rustic Swedish Wooden Candlestick holder from Taserud
Located in Skarpnäck, SE
A beautifully matched pair of traditional Swedish handcrafted two-armed wooden candlesticks, known as “Taserudsstaken,” originating from the Arvika region of Dalarna, Sweden. Rooted ...
Oak
Swedish antique rustic genuine Candlestick Holder 19th century dated 1827
Located in Boden, SE
A old antique swedish 18th century candlestick . Dated 1827 Very charming and solid. Lovely patina and very genuine. Made in wood & brass.
Brass
Set of Antique Carved and Painted Wood Candle or 'Cricket' Sticks with Brass
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This set of four carved and painted 'cricket stick' styled candlesticks are unsigned but presumed to have been made in Eastern Europe in circa 1930 in a folk art style. The sticks ar...
Brass
18th Century Wrought Iron Candle Holder
Located in Allerum, SE
18th century Swedish folk art wrought iron Candle Holder. ca 1780 Sweden.
Wrought Iron
Candlestick deer antler optics, oak wood tramp art 1900s South-Germany / Austria
Located in Wien, AT
Very attractive candlestick, tramp folk art, made around 1900 in southern Germany or Austria. The candlestick offers space for one candle, is made of oak wood and has a deer antler ...
Oak
Late 18th Century Swedish antique iron stick genuine rustic with owner mark
Located in Boden, SE
An old antique swedish 18th century iron & wooden candlestick . The candle stick has a owner mark AAS. Very charming and solid. The candlestick is called "Stumpastake" in swedish. T...
Iron
19th Century Swedish Folk Art Adjustable Wooden Candlestick
Located in Valby, 84
This 19th-century Swedish allmoge candlestick represents a long-standing Nordic tradition of functional, handcrafted objects for everyday use. Made from locally sourced wood and moun...
Wood
$716Sale Price|20% Off
19th C Branding Iron Candlestick
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th C branding iron candlestick, An authentic American wrought iron branding iron, now as a candlestick. Stands 21-inches high, the base measures 7-inche...
Wrought Iron
Ceramica D'Amore Vietri Italian Pottery Candle Holder
By Vietri
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Ceramica D'Amore Vietri Italian hand-painted ceramic pottery candle holder. Handcrafted in Italy circa 1960s. Italian small round ceramic candle holder hand decorated with a geometri...
Ceramic, Pottery
Early 20th Century Hand Carved Wooden Heron Sculpture
Located in Fort Collins, CO
Beautifully hand carved and hand painted scultpure depicting a heron standing on a podium. Though the exact origin is unknown, based on our research it is likely from a Southeast Asi...
Wood, Paint
candleholder from the Erzgebirge by Emil A. Schalling
Located in Kiel, SH
Typical angel clock candleholder by Emil A. Schalling from Erzgebirge, germany. The candleholder is in a used condition with some signs of age and use. The "Erzgebirge" is well known...
Wood
Swedish Folk Art Candleholder in Carved Birch with Star Detail, 1920s
Located in Göteborg, SE
A striking example of Scandinavian folk art, this handcrafted candleholder is carved in solid birch and features a bold, symmetrical silhouette crowned with a five-pointed star. Made...
Birch
Twisted Iron Folk Art Candleholder, France, circa 1920s
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Unusual Folk Art candleholder made of twisted iron, painted silver. Triangular base, adorned with a cross.
Iron
Pair of Tall Hand-Carved Candlesticks
Located in Dallas, TX
Vintage pair of Art Deco style Balinese candlesticks, hand-carved.
Wood
$815 / set
H 7.29 in W 3.63 in D 3.63 in
Pair of Royal Delft Blue and White Hand-Painted Ceramic Candlesticks
By Royal Delft
Located in AMSTERDAM, NL
Hand-painted Royal Delft candlesticks by De Porceleyne Fles decorated in classic blue and white and offered as a pair with original Delft boxes. This rare and elegant pair of Royal ...
Ceramic, Delft, Earthenware
Crocodile Candle Holder
Located in Paris, FR
Candle Holder Crocodile with metal structure in brass vintage finish, for 1 candle, candle not included.
Metal, Brass
$1,092 / set
H 11.5 in Dm 8.3 in
Rare & Sturdy Pair of Brutalist Forged Wrought Iron Candlesticks / Candleholders
Located in Lisse, NL
Stylish and very strong pair of timeless candle sticks. If you are looking for beautiful Arts & Crafts antiques to grace your living space then this hand-crafted and timeless pair c...
Wrought Iron
$1,750Sale Price|20% Off
H 11.13 in Dm 4.63 in
Pair of 19th Century French Brass Neoclassical Candlesticks
Located in Pembroke, MA
A pair of very finely-chased French brass candlesticks, circa 1870 in the neoclassical style (could be electrified as table lamps). Bases are decorated with rose vines.
Brass
Pair of Late 19th Century or Early 20th Century Seven-Light Candelabra
Located in Long Island City, NY
An Excellent Pair of Late 19th/Early 20th Century Louis XV Style Parcel-Gilt and Patinated Bronze Seven Light Candelabra Each with openwork tripod base cast with hoof feet, the standard with three cherub busts...
Bronze
Set of Four Swedish Folk Art Rooster Candle Holders, 1980s
Located in Frederiksberg C, DK
Set of Four Swedish Folk Art Rooster Candle Holders, 1980s Charming set of four Swedish folk art candle holders, crafted in the 1980s and shaped as stylised roosters. Made from soli...
Wood
$595 / set
H 11.02 in W 3.94 in D 3.94 in
Pair of Italian Postmodern Metal Candlesticks, Memphis Style, 1980s
Located in Stockholm, SE
A pair of Italian postmodern candlesticks from the 1980s, executed in metal with a graphic, architectural composition characteristic of Memphis-inspired design. Each piece is constr...
Stone, Metal
$19,200Sale Price|20% Off
H 28.35 in Dm 13.78 in
Amazing Pair of French 19th Century Bronze and Gilt Bronze Candelabras
Located in Rome, IT
A fine pair of French 19th century bronze and gilt bronze candelabras, each with a dark bronze delicious dancing putto figures and parrots holding aloft three scrolled candle-branche...
Bronze
"Hand" wall candlesticks, black ceramic, France, 1980
Located in BARCELONA, ES
Hand-shaped wall light. Black ceramic designed and produced in France in the 1980s. It can be used as candlesticks, book rests or simple wall decoration object. It will bring a real ...
Ceramic, Earthenware, Porcelain
Mid-Century Brutalist Wrought Iron Candleholder 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Brutalist Wrought Iron Candleholder, 1960s, in Very Good conditions. Designed 1960 to 1969. Additional information: Materials: Wrought Iron Color: Black Styles: Brutalis...
Wrought Iron
Pair of Painted Wood Candlesticks
Located in North Salem, NY
Attractive pair of new painted wood candlesticks.
Wood
Patina mermaids Candle Holders and Incense Burner
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This Mermaids Candle Holders and Incense Burner is a rare and popular piece of patina art, featuring intricate designs of mermaids. These candle ...
Metal
18th Century Hand Forged Wrought Iron Fireplace Trivet
Located in London, GB
18th Century Hand Forged Wrought Iron Fireplace Trivet An unusual example in the form of a tall or even elegant design, 18th Century hand crafted wrought iron trivet. The forged...
Wrought Iron
Wrought Iron Rooster Candlestick Holder Horshoe Folk Art
Located in Vancouver, BC
For those brave enough to forge a life of light. The rooster lights the day at the crack of dawn to make claims to the work yet to be done. Out from the horseshoe sprouts this lovi...
Wrought Iron
Ted DeGrazia Los Ninos Hand Thrown South Western Pottery Ceramic Candle Holder
By Ted Degrazia
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage candle holder, made by renown Ted De Grazia south western artist from Tucson AZ. Vintage Hand-thrown DeGrazia " Los Ninos" Sandstone Votive Candle Co...
Ceramic
Swedish Craft, Small Candlesticks, Cane, Sweden, 19th Century
Located in High Point, NC
A pair of small woven cane candlesticks produced in Sweden, 19th Century. Holds 0.85” candles
Cane
18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Iron Stick
Located in Boden, SE
An old antique swedish 18th century iron candlestick . Very charming and solid. The candlestick is called "Stumpastake" in Sweden These were good when you wanted to take advantage of...
Iron
Sold
H 5.44 in W 5.25 in D 2.5 in
Mexican Terracotta Folk Art Tree of Life Candlestick Holder with Birds
Located in New York, NY
A Mexican terracotta pottery candlestick holder 'Tree of Life' with flower and birds, in the Folk Art style, circa mid to late-20th century, Mexico. Piece has a hand-painted white pl...
Terracotta, Plaster, Paint
19th Century Swedish Wrought Iron Candlestick
Located in Allerum, SE
Good early 19th century Swedish / Scandinavian folk art wrought iron candlestick. Ca 1800 Sweden.
Iron
Black Forged Hammered Iron Candlesticks, Berry, France, c. 1900
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Handmade hammered forged iron from turn of the century France.
Iron
Sold
H 17.25 in W 7.25 in D 7.25 in
Early 20th c. Mexican Painted Wood and Cooper Candestick, c.1910-1940
Located in San Francisco, CA
About An original hand painted, hand made wooden candlestick with a copper top. Made in Mexico. Creator unknown. Date of manufacture c.1910-1940. Materials and techniques pai...
Brass
Large Asian Bronze Elephant with Trunk Up
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Large Asian style metal bronze sitting elephant with raised trunk Bronze elephant figurine statue cast metal sculpture Art. Verdigris finished cast bras...
Bronze, Brass
Earthenware Candlestick, Koło, Poland, 1960s
Located in Chorzów, PL
Earthenware candlestick produced in Poland in the 1960s. Very good condition. Measures: Height 16.5 cm; width 19cm.
Earthenware