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.
1940s Old Mr. Boston Figural Bottle Advertising Clock by Gilbert
Located in Dekalb, IL
1940s; Old Mr. Boston Distillery Co. - Boston, MA, with Gilbert Clock Co. movement Large bottle-form advertising clock constructed from painted composition with an inset round clock...
Composition, Enamel, Metal
$790 / item
H 3.15 in Dm 19.3 in
Huge Bakelite Industrial Train Station Round Wall Clock from the 1940s
Located in Vienna, AT
Up to three big loft or industrial wall clocks from the 1940s. straight and beautiful design, with a domed clocks face, the housing is made of dark brown / black Bakelite. Measures: ...
Glass, Bakelite
$3,040Sale Price|20% Off
H 6.11 in W 5.12 in D 1.86 in
Luxury Vintage Stirrup Table Clock Maquet Paris, Nice 8 Jours, France, 1940s
Luxury vintage stirrup desk / table clock Maquet Paris - Nice 8 Jours, France, 1940s Clock with Equestrian / Polo / Racing horse Motifs in the style of Hermes (exactly the same model but with hermes marks...
Metal
Dunhill Brass and Wood Domed Desk Clock, circa 1940s
By Dunhill
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Dunhill of London STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco / Gothic Dome METAL / MATERIAL: Brass and Wood CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: 7" X 9" X 2 1/2" MOVEMENT / CALIBER: Back Winding DIAL / HANDS: Silvered with Gilt Markers ATTACHMENT / LENGTH: / Regular Length WARRANTY: 18 months on the movement LIFETIME SERVICE COMMITMENT The house of Dunhill is one of England's premier gentleman's clothier. They specialized in the finest in everything. If you were British Royalty, your finery came from them. From Clocks to clothing, to smoking attire and accoutrements, Alfred Dunhill was the place to go. They had locations all over the world, in the finest shopping areas. I remember they had until recently a store in Beverly Hills as well. This clock represents the finest in English styling and will look great on a smaller mantle...
Brass
Vintage Warren Kessler Brass Table Clock, Pocket Watch Style, 1940s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Vintage Warren Kessler brass Pocket Watch style table clock with stand, featuring a cream-colored dial with bold black Roman numerals and decorative filigree hands. Mechanical French...
Brass
Gilbert Rohde Table Clock
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Gilbert Rohde Clock Model #4706 Chrome Plated Aluminum and Glass Manufactured by Herman Miller Clock Co. An Iconic example of Art Deco Design
Chrome
Art Deco Pink Champagne Glass Mantel Clock Gilbert Rohde
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Art Deco mantel clock in the style of Gilbert Rohde. Clock works excellent and is in excellent vintage condition. Sound wiring. Can be parcel posted safely.
Steel
$140Sale Price|20% Off
H 4.25 in W 4 in D 2.25 in
Mid-Century Modern Telechron Electric Clock by GE, Brass & Wood, 1940s
Located in Chula Vista, CA
AMBIANIC presents Electric Clock Telechron General Electric 7H209 Maker label 4.25 h x 4 w x 2.25 d Electric. Non-Working condition. Preowned unrestored. Refer to images
Brass
1980's Postmodern Advertising Wall Clock by RADO of Switzerland
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare Rado wall clock advertizing for store owners double tone silver and black beautiful condition the face is made of polished acrylic and aluminium back , battery operated clock ci...
Aluminum
ATO Electric Table Clock, 1940s
By Léon Hatot
Located in Paris, FR
ATO is a prestigious watchmaking brand founded by Léon Hatot (1883–1953). He studied at the National School of Watchmaking in Besançon from 1895 to 1898. Between 1918 and 1919, a fac...
Metal, Chrome
1960s by Lorenzo Burchiellaro Metal Figure Table Clock
Located in Brescia, IT
Lorenzo Burchiellaro 1960s. Metal table clock Perfect working order.
Metal
Ernst Watch Art Deco Brass Table Clock, Switzerland, 1930s-1940s
Located in Roma, IT
Elegant and unique Art Deco table clock featuring a sculptural clear celluloid frame with a solid brass base and accents. This refined piece was produced in Switzerland during the 19...
Brass
$915Sale Price|20% Off
H 70.87 in W 7.88 in D 3.94 in
Art nouveau style clock made in Italy of curved iron plaster handmade 1940s
Located in Palermo, IT
The object shown in the image is a stand or column clock. This type of clock is designed to be placed on the floor, serving as a piece of furniture. The model shown has a metal frame...
Brass, Iron
Irish Bog Ash Desk Clock
Located in Dallas, TX
Presenting a lovely piece of Irish Folk Art, namely, an irish bog ash desk clock over 3000 yeas old !! This is a piece of bog ash …….. petrified ashwood p...
Ash
Antique Staffordshire Pottery Watch Stand with Figures of Children
Located in Katonah, NY
A wonderful Staffordshire pottery watch holder flanked by two children. Above them bocage decoration with three small birds among the leaves. The piece has excellent enameling. The...
Pottery