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.
$82Sale 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 Brutalist Candle Holders, American Studio Art Pottery
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage ceramic or pottery candelabras feature sculptural forms with large urn shaped candle holders mounted on tall bases with relief decor element...
Ceramic, Pottery
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
Primitive Branding Iron Candlestick, American Folk Art
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Antique primitive hand-forged wrought iron candle holder features lettered cattle brand base, with initial "R", and straight handle; the top, presented with slight separation and an ...
Iron, Wrought 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
18th Century Wrought Iron Candle Holder
Located in Allerum, SE
18th century Swedish folk art wrought iron Candle Holder. ca 1780 Sweden.
Wrought Iron
$649Sale Price|20% Off
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
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
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
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
Swedish antique rustic genuine candle stick dated 1750 folk art Country
Located in Boden, SE
A decorative candlestick dated 1750. It has been converted from an old steelyard scale into a candlestick. Brass candle holder from the same period. So beautiful, decorative, and fun...
Iron
$457Sale Price / set|20% Off
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 genuine Folk Art Candle stick dated 1844 Country 19th Century
Located in Boden, SE
A decorative candlestick dated 1844 signed FM It has been converted from an old steelyard scale into a candlestick. Brass candle holder from the same period. So beautiful, decorative...
Iron
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 19th Century Folk Art Painted Wood Candlestick
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Swedish Folk Art 19th century wood and iron Antique candlestick. We are offering an early 19th Century (could be older) Folk Art candlestick from Sweden. This candlestick is a rare p...
Iron
Set of Three Antique Mercury Glass Candle Stick Germany 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A striking set of three Antique Patinated Mercury Glass Candle stick dating to the turn of the century, early 20th century. Beautifully crafted from moulded glass with a silvered int...
Glass
$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
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 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
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
Pair of Vintage Brown Glazed Studio Pottery Candlesticks
Located in Memphis, TN
Description A charming pair of vintage ceramic candlesticks with substantial turned forms and a warm, richly glazed surface. Each is shaped with a broad circular base and a rhythmic...
Ceramic
$283Sale 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
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
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
$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
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
Folk Art Hand-Painted Wood Candlesticks, Poland, Early 20th Century
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
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
Charles Greber Pottery Candle Holder
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A really beautifully glazed candle holder out of a collection of wonderful art pottery. It has a collection sticker on it's base. Great glaze.
Pottery
Swedish Modern Set of 21 Candle Holders in Brass
Located in Örebro, SE
Swedish modern set of 21 candle holders in brass. Unknown designer and maker, most probably produced In Sweden. Marked with an unknown label, as seen on the pictures. Good vintag...
Brass
Memphis Style 1980s Metal Stick Person Candle Holders
Located in Fairfield, CA
A vintage 1980s memphis style stick person black metal candle holder. The stick person holds a wine glass in one hand and there is a candle holder in the other hand. Quirky wavy hair...
Metal
$961Sale Price|20% Off
H 6.7 in Dm 3.94 in
Antique Pair of Candle Holder Silver Rococo Style Candlesticks, 1900s Home Decor
By G.A. Berg
Located in Wembley, GB
Pair of Silver Plated Candlesticks by G.A.B Rococo Style, Sweden 1900 A scarce and elegant pair of antique silver-plated Rococo-style candlesticks by the renowned Swedish silversmit...
Gold Plate, Silver, Sterling Silver
Pair of Edwardian Oak Candlesticks, Circa 1900
Located in High Point, NC
Pair of Edwardian oak candlesticks from England, circa 1900. The candle cups have elegant shape to them and have bobeches beneath them for catching the candle drippings. The stems ...
Oak
Swiss Brutalist wrought iron Candle Holder
Located in Bern, BE
Swiss Brutalist wrought iron candle holder dating from the 1960's. Made by W. Müller Metalfabrik, Ersigen, Switzerland. With placement for two candle holders. Original makers label ...
Metal
Playful Brutalist Candle Holder in Wrought Iron
Located in Tilburg, NL
This is a playfully sculpted brutalist candle holder in wrought iron. Most probably mid 20th century. Great details like the playful curled feet, the leaf like top and the very nic...
Wrought Iron
Metal Antler Candlestick
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautifully designed candlestick. Made of metal with striations throughout, the candlestick sits perfectly on any table, console, side or mantle. A delightful addition to many c...
Metal
Brutalist Mid Century wrought iron candle holder
Located in BELFORT, FR
Mid century and brutalist style wrought iron candle holder. Perfect condition.
Wrought Iron
$320 / set
H 3.75 in W 3.15 in D 2.17 in
Pair of Brutalist Mid Century wrought iron candle holder sticks
Located in BELFORT, FR
Pair of mid century and brutalist style wrought iron candle holders. Perfect condition.
Wrought Iron
Mid Century Brutalist Candle Holder in Wrought Iron 1960s
Located in Tilburg, NL
Mid Century Brutalist Candle Holder in Wrought Iron, Europe, 1960s. This is a wonderful and fairly large mid century candle holder in wrought iron with a very distinct chain like br...
Wrought Iron
$320 / set
H 7.5 in W 6.5 in D 2.2 in
Pair of Sculptural Brass and Black Ring Candle Holders, Postmodern, 1980s
Located in Toronto, CA
Strikingly architectural and refined, this pair of Postmodern candleholders exemplifies the sculptural sophistication of 1980s European design. Each piece features a bold black circu...
Metal, Brass
Pair of Whimsical Hand-Painted Ceramic Mermaid Candlestick Holders
Located in North Fort Myers, FL
Playful pair of hand-painted ceramic mermaid candlestick holders featuring bold colors, sculptural detailing, and lots of coastal personality. Ea...
Ceramic
Early 19th Century Swedish Folk Art Candle Holder
Located in Bozeman, MT
Unusual early 19th century Swedish Folk Art candle holder in pine and iron. Ca 1820 Sweden.
Iron
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