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.
Unicorn Mythical Creature Vienna Bronze Letter Opener, Antique Austria 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1960s Austrian letter opener. It has a nice patina. I did not clean it, so the next owner can decide what he wants to do with it. This highly collectible vintage piec...
Brass, Bronze
Old Sámi Carved Folk Art Birch Bark Canister & Wooden Boot
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A couple of interesting decorative and still very useable pieces from the indigenous people the Samies who lives in areas in Norway, Finland, Sweden and the Kola Peninsula of Russia....
Birch
Early Swedish 19th Century Wooden Folk Art Box with Originally Paint
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A Swedish original painted Folk Art box. From the beginning of the 19th century, most likely used to keep writing supplies and office materials.
Pine
Swedish 19th Century Wooden Folk Art Box With Shaving Knives
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A Swedish original painted Folk Art box. From the beginning of the 19th century, used to keep shaving knives and similar supplies. Included 3 knives with the razor blades in English ...
Wood
Scandinavian Ceramic Microcosmos Pen-Holder w. Blue Tits on a Birch Branch
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A naturalistic pen-holder in the shape of this glazed ceramic micro cosmos with a blue tit family (Parus caeruleus) going on with life on an old 'tired' birch wood branch with cracks...
Ceramic
$379
H 6 in W 6.5 in D 2.5 in
Intricately Hand Carved, Vintage Asian Midcentury Heavy Wooden Square Printing
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Splendid intricately hand carved large heavyweight wooden square printing block from Asia Traditionally used for hand held block printing ink or dye to textiles and paper Fully fun...
Hardwood
Marble Desk Pen Holder Organizer
Located in New York, NY
A substantial marble desk pen/pencil/marker holder organizer, in the modern style, Midcentury Modern design period, circa mid-20th century. Organizer can hold small pieces of paper, ...
Marble
$330 / item
H 1 in W 11 in D 4 in
Crystal Pen Tray with Brass Accents – Luxury Clear Pen Holder for Desk
By DAINTE INC
Located in Monroe, NY
Elevate your workspace with the Crystal Pen Tray, a modern and sophisticated pen holder for desk organization that combines the brilliance of clear crystal with polished brass accents. Minimalist yet distinctive, this tray is designed to reflect your refined taste while keeping your essentials stylishly organized. Measuring 11’’ wide, 4.25’’ deep, and 1.25’’ high, and weighing 4 lbs, this crystal pen holder for desk is compact yet substantial, offering durability and timeless elegance. The universal grooves are carefully designed to fit pens and pencils of all sizes, while the extendable brass tray slides out to provide extra space for storing paper clips, pins, or other desk accessories. This luxury pen tray holder is not just functional—it is also a decorative piece of crystal desk décor, making it an ideal choice for executive offices, home workstations, or as a stylish gift. Pair it with the matching crystal and brass business card holder...
Crystal, Brass
19th Century Swedish hand painted pine storage box
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century hand painted pine storage box circa 1840. We are pleased to offer this original painted storage box. Hand painted florals to the lid with initials mjd and an anno date...
Pine
Carl Auböck #7211 Letter Opener "Turned", Austria 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #7211 letter opener "Turned", Austria 2022.
Brass
Staffordshire Dalmatian Pen Holder, Circa 1960's
Located in High Point, NC
Vintage 1960's pen holder in the form of a Dalmatian made in the Staffordshire region of England. The Dalmatian is recumbent, with front legs crossed in an elegant fashion, and sitt...
Ceramic
$1,285
H 8.5 in W 21 in D 13.75 in
19th Century Swedish Folk Art Hand Painted Wedding Marriage Brides's Box
Located in San Francisco, CA
An early to mid 19th century Swedish wedding or bride's box. The detail to this early period box is quite exquisite. The oval base is beautifully decorated depicting love birds hand painted in earthy shades of cream and cinnamon with black detailing. Sweden 1820-1850. A Swedish wedding box (historically known in Swedish as a brudkista or bridal chest) is a traditional, hand-painted wooden vessel historically gifted to a bride by her parents or groom to commemorate her marriage. Serving as a cultural equivalent to the Western "hope chest" or dowry coffer, these beautiful pieces of Scandinavian folk art were used to store a young woman’s bridal trousseau, including hand-woven household linens, textiles, family heirlooms, and personal valuables. Today, genuine 18th- and 19th-century antique Swedish wedding boxes...
Wood, Pine
$569Sale Price|20% Off
H 7.88 in W 19.69 in D 3.94 in
Swedish Folk Art Hand-Carved Wooden Candelabra, 1940s
Located in Karis, Nyland
A rare Swedish five-arm candelabra, handmade from solid wood in the 1940s. The design blends folk tradition and modernist sculpture - its bold silhouette and rhythmic surface carving...
Wood
19th Century Swedish Allmoge Folk Art Bentwood Chest
Located in Pearland, TX
An incredible Swedish hand-painted chest, having hand-forged iron straps and fittings. Original key included.
Bentwood
19th Century Sewing Box by Maison Aucoc, Paris
By A. Aucoc
Located in Paris, FR
Late 19th century oval sewing box decorated with crowned monogram. The case contains five gold and steel sewing utensils embellished with small flowers. Labeled on the inside: AUCOC A PARIS. Weight: 27.6 g, circa 1860 Dimension: W 4.5 in, D 2.4in, H .8in. Dimension: L 11.5cm, P 6cm, H 2cm. La Maison Aucoc...
Gold, Steel
$284Sale Price|20% Off
H 6.3 in W 6.3 in D 8.67 in
Old Wooden Tramp Art Box Jewelry Box Trinket Folk Art
Located in Poperinge, BE
Beautiful old tramp art box, jewelry box or trinket, trinket box, made in the first half of the 20th century, Belgium. Beautiful form of folk art, anyone could make a tramp art obje...
Glass, Wood
Carved wooden box 60's folk art
Located in Ternay, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Lovely 60's carved and stained solid wood box, quality folk art and handcrafted work. Beautiful vintage condition, with traces of age and use throughout (see photos).
Wood
1930's Pair of Native American Chief Brass Bookends
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1930s Indian brass bookends. Native American Chief bookends. Three dimensional Indian Chief. Brass is signed/ inscribed in the back of the bookends.
Brass
Sold
H 7 in W 6.5 in D 4 in
A Charming Horse Shoe and Stirrup Stationary or Letter Rack This is a very attr
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Charming Horse Shoe and Stirrup Stationary or Letter Rack This is a very attractive and useful piece, the rack is made in brass, it has a stirrup at the centre of 2 horseshoes set...
Brass
Sold
H 9.13 in W 1.25 in D 0.13 in
Bulldog Pug Dogs Vienna Bronze Letter Opener, antique Austria 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 19th century Austrian letter opener with Pug Dog motive. It has a nice patina. I did not clean it, so the next owner can decide what he wants to do with it. This highly collectible antique piece is in very good condition, consistent with age and use. Nice addition to your room, desktop or just for your collection of pug dog items...
Bronze, Brass
Sold
H 0.75 in W 11.5 in D 4 in
Bulldog Pug Dogs Vienna Bronze Trinket Tray or Catchall, antique Austria 1890s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic late 19th century Austrian Trinket tray, or catchall. Vintage brass trinket dish with Pug Dog motive. It has a nice patina. I did not cle...
Bronze
Swedish Wooden Folk Art Box With Originally Paint, Dated 1814
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A 19th Century Swedish original blue painted Folk Art box with original polychrome decoration. Dated 1814 with the initial of the female owner IGD, most likely used to keep writing supplies and office materials...
Pine
Sold
H 22 in W 9 in D 4 in
Huge Rare Antique English Magnifying Glass Lens circa 1910 Decorative Stand
Located in London, GB
Huge rare antique English magnifying glass lens circa 1910 decorative stand. For sale in this lot is a very unusual and uniquely oversized antique solid glass telescopic magnified...
Brass
A Late 19th Century Carved Vase from Tree Branch
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A folk art carved vase from a tree branch with bark. Originating from France c. 1880. This piece has a rustic, almost wabi sabi sensibility to it, with emphasis on the natural beauty...
Wood