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.
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
$83Sale 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
$287Sale 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
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
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 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
$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
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
$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
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
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
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
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
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
Vintage Neoclassical Style Dolphin Candlestick Molded Clear Glass
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This gorgeous hand-blown and molded art glass candleholder is a striking sculptural piece created in the style of Gusevsky Crystal, Russia. Rendered as an elegant figural dolphin, th...
Art Glass
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
Vintage Italian Baroque-Style Bronze Candlestick Holders-Pair
Located in North Fort Myers, FL
A striking pair of vintage Italian Baroque-style candlesticks crafted with richly detailed scrolling rocaille and acanthus leaf motifs. The sculptural, tri-footed bases and fluted st...
Metal, Bronze
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
Antler Candlestick Holder with Bowl
Located in Eindhoven, NL
Decorative piece for on a dining table. Made of red deer antlers.
Antler
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
18th Century French Gothic Forged Wrought Iron Candle Holder
Located in Dallas, TX
Crafted in France circa 1780 and forged of solid iron, the candle holder stands on four scrolled legs over a turned central shaft decorated with a few ornamental discs. The tall wrou...
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
Carl Malmsten Candle Holders- Set of Four, Sweden, 1960s
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
Rare set of four candle holders designed by Carl Malmsten. Has an elegant swedish craftsman feel to them. These have been used and show signs of such. All are marked on bottom
Wood
Art Deco Candlesticks in Steel, Germany, 1930s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A set of Art Deco styled candlesticks. 'Staired' architecturally inspired base in engine turned aluminium. The tubes and candle holder are stan...
Aluminum, Stainless Steel
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
$1,098 / set
H 10.5 in W 3 in D 3 in
Vintage Silver-Plate Deco Style "Skyscraper" Candlesticks Pair Of
Located in North Miami, FL
The two different sizes of these amazing and stunning vintage silver plate Art Deco style candlesticks have the squared design that make up the...
Silver Plate
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