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.
$1,590 / item
19th Century Swedish Painted White Mora Clock
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Swedish 19th Century painted long case clock or Grandfather clock. This Scandinavian folk art clock is from the region of Småland, where the village of Lönshult is (see the name of t...
Pine, Paint
Antique Original Clock Cabinet from Sweden, Hand-Crafted Untouched Veneered Elm
Located in Kramfors, SE
Swedish antique clock cabinet made during the early to mid 1800s, circa 1820 to 1840. The cabinet is veneered and waxed elm. The lower cabinet is...
Elm
19th Century Original Blue Painted Swedish Mora Grandfather Clock
Located in Round Top, TX
Antique Swedish Mora Grandfather clock with original blue painted finish. The monogram indicates this clock was likely a wedding or dowry present. Pine longcase with original folk a...
Pine, Paint
$3,200Sale Price|20% Off
Original Acrylic on Wood Painting of Two Cardinals Nesting by A. Rangel Hidalgo
Located in Mexico, DF
Original signed acrylic painting on wood depicting a pair of Cardinals nesting by Alejandro Rangel Hidalgo. The painting was commissioned (and hence the name of the person that did) ...
Acrylic, Wood
Antique Swedish Painted Pine Long Case Clock with Original Clock Mechanism
Located in Kramfors, SE
Long case clock with red original paint from the mid 1800s. The clock is made in painted pine and dated with the year 1847. Originates from Hälsingl...
Pine
19th Century Antique Long Case Clock in Rococo Style from Northern Sweden
Located in Kramfors, SE
19th century antique long case clock from northern Sweden in rococo style. The clock is made around 1840 in Medelpad in northern Sweden. Curved shape and frame in pine with traces of...
Pine
19th Century Swedish Ántique Grandfather Clock Tall Case Clock Original Paint
Located in Boden, SE
19th century Folk Art tall case clock from Luleå Norrbotten, Northern Sweden. Made in wood. Nice details and beautiful carvings. Beautiful handpainted flowers on the front. The M...
Pine
19th Century Original Painted Swedish Mora Grandfather Clock
Located in Round Top, TX
19th-century Swedish Mora grandfather clock crafted in pine with an original painted finish. The surface is heavily distressed, revealing natural wood beneath; the overall effect rea...
Pine, Paint
Antique English Iron Clock Dial Face, Smuggler, Fully Working with Seconds Hand
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A lovely antique iron clock dial dating from 1850 featuring the legendary smuggler and brigand Will Watch. Beautifully painted in the vibrant colours of the theater, he was portrayed...
Brass, Iron
Antique Swedish Long Case Clock, Genuine Handmade with Original Blue Paint
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique Swedish longcase clock from around 1820 to 1840. The clock was made by hand in Hälsingland in Northern Sweden. The frame is solid pine w...
Pine
Dated 1976 Norwegian Rosemaling Wall Clock by Ingeborg Aaltvedt
Located in Skien, NO
Ingeborg Aaltvedt for Porsgrund Porcelain Rosemaling Wall Clock, Norway 1976 A rare Norwegian wall clock by Porsgrund Porcelain, hand-painted by artist Ingeborg Aaltvedt in 1976. Th...
Porcelain
World War 2 / WWII Era Wooden Airplane Propeller Folk Art Mantel Clock
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This wooden Folk Art made propeller clock is presumed to have originated in England and fashioned into a mantel clock in North America in circa 1960. T...
Wood
Antique English Iron Clock Dial Face, Country Garden, Fully Working
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A lovely antique iron English clock dial circa 1840 in its original enamel, charmingly decorated and English country garden flowers. With ancient craquelure, marks of a long life and...
Iron
$960Sale Price|20% Off
Unique Hand-Painted Stone Wall Clock with Bear Motif and Natural Moss
Located in Skien, NO
A unique sculptural wall clock crafted from a thin slice of natural stone, hand-painted with a forest scene featuring a gray bear among pine trees and grasses. The artist ingeniously...
Stone
Late 18th Century Original Painted Swedish Grandfather Clock
Located in Round Top, TX
Late 18th-century Swedish grandfather clock crafted in pine with original painted finish in blue, teal, red, and white. The clock features a curved bonnet that frames a dramatic cloc...
Pine, Paint
$2,396Sale Price|20% Off
Tramp Art Clock
Located in Houston, TX
Tramp Art Clock. Offered is a rare Tramp Art clock with fantastic detailing. This outstanding folk art clock features multiple staircases, some with canopies and many interesting lev...
Wood
Genuine Unusual Antique Northern Swedish Faux Paint Long Case Clock
Located in Kramfors, SE
Genuine long case clock from Sweden made during the first years of the 19th century, around 1810. The clock is unusual and genuine, from the village ...
Pine
Nautical pocket watch holder stand, sailing ship, carved, folk art, 1880 Germany
Located in Wien, AT
Particularly decorative pocket watch holder, made of hand-carved oak wood, manufactured around 1880 in Germany, probably in the Black Forest region. An exceptionally charming watch ...
Oak
Antique Genuine Swedish Pine Long Case Clock with Unusual Original Blue Paint
Located in Kramfors, SE
Genuine antique long case clock from northern Sweden. The clock is made around 1820 with a very well-made and elegant case in painted pine. The...
Pine
Christmas Antique English Iron Clock Dial Face - Rare Holy Family Dial - Working
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A Rare and lovely antique iron clock dial dating from around 1850. It features a charming painting of the Holy Family, Jesus, Mary and Joseph to the arch. Beautifully painted in the ...
Brass, Iron
Vintage Carved Wood and Poly Chrome Painted Figural Musical Clock Figurine
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This vintage hand carved and hand painted musical clock is unsigned, but presumed to have been made in or near Austria in circa 1950 in a Folk Art style. The carving depicts a male figure leaning against a post mounted Black Forest styled clock. The carving is quite detailed and well executed on all sides and has been hand painted in a realistic style. Both the clock and the music box are currently not working as both have been over-wound and would require servicing. The head of the carving should turn slightly left to right while the music box is playing, but in its current state it is unknown whether the mechanism functions and/or what tune the music box may play. In addition, there is currently no key for the clock, but these normally use a standard small music box...
Metal
Antique English Iron Clock Dial Face, Bird, Fully Working
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A lovely antique iron clock dial circa 1830 in its original enamel, charmingly decorated with birds and flowers. To the corners are charmingly painted flowers and summer fruits. With...
Iron
$1,250Sale Price|43% Off
Scandinavian 18th Century Folk Art Carved Watch Holder
Located in Copenhagen, K
Very beautiful and original painted Folk Art watch holder, made for the pocket watch when you were not wearing it.
Wood
Unusual Swedish Provincial 19th Century Tall Case Clock
Located in Allerum, SE
Rare and unusually large Provincial Swedish 19th century tall case clock in it's original finish. Dated 1867, Sweden.
Pine
Staffordshire Prattware Long Case Clock Model
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Staffordshire pottery Prattware model which features a long case clock with cherubs above the clock face, stood directly on the ground, no base. Flatback, decorated only to the front...
Earthenware
$5,034
H 94.89 in W 23.23 in D 8.27 in
19th Century Swedish Ántique Grandfather Clock Tall Case Clock Original Paint
Located in Boden, SE
19th century Folk Art tall case clock from Luleå Norrbotten, Northern Sweden. Made in wood. Nice details and beautiful carvings. Beautiful handpainted flowers on the front. The M...
Pine
19th Century Mahogany Wood Long Case Clock
Located in Tarry Town, NY
Mid-19th century William Fullerton mahogany wood case long case clock. The case clock is in good antique condition with visible wear appropriate consistent with age / use. The clock ...
Mahogany
$899
H 14.25 in W 6.5 in D 4.5 in
Vintage Carved Wood and Poly Chrome Painted Figural Musical Clock Figurine
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This vintage hand carved and hand painted musical clock is unsigned, but presumed to have been made in or near Austria in circa 1950 in a Folk Art style. The carving depicts a male figure leaning against a post mounted Black Forest styled clock. The carving is quite detailed and well executed on all sides and has been hand painted in a realistic style. Both the clock and the music box are currently not working as both have been over-wound and would require servicing. The head of the carving should turn slightly left to right while the music box is playing, but in its current state it is unknown whether the mechanism functions and/or what tune the music box may play. In addition, there is currently no key for the clock, but these normally use a standard small music box...
Metal
Carriage clock with case. 19th century
Located in Madrid, ES
Travel clock with case. Metal, glass, leather, etc. XIX century. Case with lid at the top and front with a transparent glass sheet, upholstered on the inside, containing a travel cl...
Metal, Other
1890s Arts and Crafts Advertising Grandfather Clock and Cabinet
Located in Peekskill, NY
This is a very rare and unusual Arts and Crafts advertising clock display cabinet. It reads.. Time to Use Cedarine Furniture Polish. This example is as clean and fresh as it gets and...
Wood
$4,624
H 87.01 in W 23.63 in D 7.88 in
C19th Century Swedish long case clock with gilded decoration and original paint
Located in London, GB
Wonderful early C19th Swedish long case clock from kougsta in the Jamtland region in an area of natural beauty of central Sweden. The painted face is numbered simply and framed with ...
Giltwood
Antique Original Blue Painted Grandfather Clock, Sweden Dated 1844
Located in Round Top, TX
Hand painted grandfather clock with exceptional original soft blue painted finish accented in red trim. Panel details, curved bonnet, slender case with lovely balance to face and bas...
Metal
100% Original Painted Swedish Mora Clock
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a 100% original painted Swedish Mora clock. I have installed new battery works. The original works are offered with this clock but they do not work.
Wood
George Nelson Original Vintage Brass and Wood Ball Wall Clock
Located in Oceanside, US
An iconic Original Ball Wall Clock designed in 1947 by George Nelson Associates and produced by the Howard Miller Clock Company in Zeeland, Michigan. This early example features a ra...
Brass
Original Painted Swedish Mora Clock
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a 100% original painted Swedish Mora clock, actually the style of this case is called "Friksdhal" from the mid-western part...
Pine
Original Painted Swedish Mora Clock , Dated 1823
Located in Round Top, TX
Original 19th-century Swedish Mora clock dated 1823, crafted from pine with its original blue and faded red painted finish. Exceptional carved details include fluted base, ribbon, tu...
Pine
Swedish Mora Clock 100% Original Paint
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a Swedish Mora Clock 100% Original Paint. the old works have been removed and New battery works installed. I do offer the Original works with every clock I sell.
Wood
1822 Swedish Folk Art Tall Case Clock with Original Paint
Located in Atlanta, GA
A striking example of Swedish folk art, this tall case clock dated 1822 is a celebration of craftsmanship and color. Retaining its untouched original painted surface, the case is ado...
Wood
Faience Wall Clock By Claude and Slavik Palley
Located in Doylestown, PA
A charming wall clock in hand-painted faience, by Claude (1927-2008) and Slavik (1920-2005) Palley. The Palleys created their pieces in Ivy-Sur-Seine France and were exclusively repr...
Faience
Swedish Original Painted Wedding Mora Clock Dated 1825
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
An early 19th Century original painted long case clock or Grandfather clock from Sweden. This folk art clock is more unique because it originally was made to celebrate the wedding b...
Pine
Original Brown Painted Swedish Mora Grandfather Clock, dated 1855
Located in Round Top, TX
Antique Swedish Mora Grandfather clock with original paint, dated 1855. Pine longcase with original folk art paint in traditional earth tones. The original clock required the commiss...
Pine, Paint
Original Green Painted Swedish Mora Grandfather Clock, Dated 1787
Located in Round Top, TX
Antique Swedish Mora Grandfather clock with original painted finish. Pine longcase with original folk art painted flowers in soft earth tones against a pale green background. Brick r...
Wood, Paint
18th Century Swedish Painted Mora Clock
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique Swedish Mora painted pine tallcase clock Original movement, pendulum and weight. Functions Repainted in 1907. Height: 84.5 x 21 Inches Wide x 9 Inches deep, Circa - 1800 ...
Wood, Pine
Antique English Iron Clock Dial Face, Bird, Fully Working
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A lovely antique iron clock dial circa 1820 in its original enamel, charmingly decorated with a bird and flowers. With ancient craquelure, marks of ...
Iron
Antique English Iron Clock Dial Face, Birds, Fully Working
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A lovely antique iron clock dial circa 1830 in its original enamel, charmingly decorated with birds and flowers. To the corners are charmingly paint...
Brass, Iron
Antique Northern Swedish Tall Long Case Clock
Located in Kramfors, SE
Tall long case clock in a classic rococo shape made in folk art. The clock is from northern Sweden and made around 1820 to 1840. Painted pine with a rustic surface with traces of the...
Pine
Sold
H 94.1 in W 24.41 in D 8.27 in
Antique Genuine Northern Swedish Unusual Painted Blue Green Long Case Clock
Located in Kramfors, SE
Long case clock from northern Sweden made during the late 1700s. The clock has the original blue-green paint with unusual decor. Time has also created a unique patina that adds to the clock’s character. Additionally the clock also has a detailed hand-carved headpiece. Far from all clocks...
Pine
Sold
H 17 in W 12 in D 2 in
Antique English Iron Clock Dial Face, Sailor Departs Ship Lyre, Fully Working
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A lovely antique iron clock dial dating from 1840 featuring the beautiful folk tale of a woman singing and playing a lyre for her lovers safe return...
Brass, Iron
Antique English Iron Clock Dial Face, Bird, Fully Working
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A lovely antique iron clock dial circa 1830 in its original enamel, charmingly decorated with a bird and flowers. With ancient craquelure, marks of ...
Brass, Iron