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Folk Art Inkwells

FOLK ART STYLE

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.

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Style: Folk Art
Ceramic Inkwell, Late 19th Century, Sweden
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Fantastic ceramic inkwell, with what seems to be a pottery oven in the midst of two naivistic lions. You lift of the top lid to place pens and lift up the two lions heads for ink. Co...
Category

1870s Swedish Antique Folk Art Inkwells

Materials

Ceramic

Ceramic Inkwell, Late 19th Century, Sweden
Ceramic Inkwell, Late 19th Century, Sweden

Ceramic Inkwell, Late 19th Century, Sweden

French Mounted Horse Hoof Inkwell and Pen Holder, Late 19th Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
Mounted horse hoof inkwell with horseshoe pen holder Inkwell shoe ferrer pen holder with beautiful finish, popular art work Shipping: L11 P19 ...
Category

1890s French Antique Folk Art Inkwells

Materials

Chrome, Wrought Iron

French Mounted Horse Hoof Inkwell and Pen Holder, Late 19th Century
French Mounted Horse Hoof Inkwell and Pen Holder, Late 19th Century

French Mounted Horse Hoof Inkwell and Pen Holder, Late 19th Century

Related Items
19th Century French Bronze and Marble Inkwell
Located in New Orleans, LA
Crafted of brilliant doré bronze and fine brocatelle marble, this wonderful Napoleon III-period inkwell is as functional as it is beautiful. In a style reminiscent of Louis XV Rococo...
Category

19th Century French Antique Folk Art Inkwells

Materials

Marble, Bronze

19th Century French Bronze and Marble Inkwell
19th Century French Bronze and Marble Inkwell

19th Century French Bronze and Marble Inkwell

H 9.25 in W 20.5 in D 11 in
Wood Pen Holder, Black and gold Color Japan 19th Century
Located in Auribeau sur Siagne, FR
Wood Pen Holder, Black and gold Color Japan 19th Century
Category

19th Century Japanese Antique Folk Art Inkwells

Materials

Wood

Wood Pen Holder, Black and gold Color Japan 19th Century
Wood Pen Holder, Black and gold Color Japan 19th Century

Wood Pen Holder, Black and gold Color Japan 19th Century

H 1.19 in W 9.85 in D 2.76 in
Late 19th Century Reddish Wood Desktop / Revolving Desk Bookcase
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
An antique compact book mill with rotating function. The bookmill is made of solid mahogany wood, inlaid with copper and zinc .It has four storage com...
Category

1880s French Antique Folk Art Inkwells

Materials

Brass

Late 19th Century Reddish Wood Desktop / Revolving Desk Bookcase
Late 19th Century Reddish Wood Desktop / Revolving Desk Bookcase

Late 19th Century Reddish Wood Desktop / Revolving Desk Bookcase

Free Shipping
H 12.6 in W 9.45 in D 9.45 in
19th Century English Cased Drawing Set Length of Longest Tool
Located in Buchanan, MI
An 19th century English cased drawing set length of longest tool. Measures: 6 1/4 inches.
Category

19th Century English Antique Folk Art Inkwells

Materials

Brass

19th Century English Cased Drawing Set Length of Longest Tool
19th Century English Cased Drawing Set Length of Longest Tool

19th Century English Cased Drawing Set Length of Longest Tool

H 2 in W 7.5 in D 6 in
Antique Pen Holder, Wild Boar Foot, Late 19th Century
Located in Greven, DE
Exceptional pen holder made from a wild boar foot. Beautiful craftsmanship from the late 19th century. .
Category

Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Folk Art Inkwells

Materials

Bone

Antique Pen Holder, Wild Boar Foot, Late 19th Century
Antique Pen Holder, Wild Boar Foot, Late 19th Century

Antique Pen Holder, Wild Boar Foot, Late 19th Century

H 5.12 in W 5.52 in D 3.15 in
19th Century French Longwy Ceramic Inkwell
By Faïenceries et Emaux de Longwy
Located in Winter Park, FL
A 19th century French Longwy ceramic desk set with inkwells and candle holders. Beautiful cloisonné enamel floral design with vibrant blue pink, rose, green and yellow on bright turq...
Category

19th Century French Antique Folk Art Inkwells

Materials

Ceramic

19th Century French Longwy Ceramic Inkwell
19th Century French Longwy Ceramic Inkwell

19th Century French Longwy Ceramic Inkwell

H 5.75 in W 10.25 in D 5.25 in
Pair of Grand Tour Egyptian Porphyry Obelisks, 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The pair of obelisks with gilt lion faces on front base and gilt lion paws at corners, signed indistinctly. Rome dated 1893.
Category

1890s Italian Antique Folk Art Inkwells

Materials

Porphyry, Bronze

Pair of Grand Tour Egyptian Porphyry Obelisks, 19th Century
Pair of Grand Tour Egyptian Porphyry Obelisks, 19th Century

Pair of Grand Tour Egyptian Porphyry Obelisks, 19th Century

H 20 in W 4 in D 4 in
19th Century French Enameled Champlevé Inkwell
Located in Lisbon, PT
A 19th century french champlevé enameled gilt bronze ornate with colorful blue, green, yellow enameling over the bronze base in a Sevres style decor with a pen rest. Width: 8,07 i...
Category

19th Century French Antique Folk Art Inkwells

Materials

Bronze

19th Century French Enameled Champlevé Inkwell
19th Century French Enameled Champlevé Inkwell

19th Century French Enameled Champlevé Inkwell

H 3.55 in W 8.08 in D 6.7 in
Empire Painted and Lacquered Spyglass, Early 19th Century
Located in Spencertown, NY
The adjustable spyglass with gilt brass trim and original leather case.
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Folk Art Inkwells

Materials

Lacquer

Empire Painted and Lacquered Spyglass, Early 19th Century
Empire Painted and Lacquered Spyglass, Early 19th Century

Empire Painted and Lacquered Spyglass, Early 19th Century

H 2.5 in Dm 2 in
Vintage Cricket Ball Inkwell
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Rare Novelty Cricket Inkwell. A wonderful leather covered traveling inkwell in the shape of a cricket ball. This is a very desirable, rare and unusual ob...
Category

Early 20th Century British Folk Art Inkwells

Materials

Brass

Vintage Cricket Ball Inkwell
Vintage Cricket Ball Inkwell

Vintage Cricket Ball Inkwell

H 2.37 in Dm 2.37 in
19th Century French Enameled Champlevé Inkwell
Located in Forney, TX
A stunning and rare French mid-19th century encier in Louis Revival taste with Moorish Arabesque influence. Handcrafted in Champlevé enameled gilt bronze with ornate and colorful blue, pink, red, green and white enameling over the heavily shaped and scalloped base, that borders the stunning Severes style (I have not removed it to check for a makers mark) enameled porcelain tray scene of frolicking putti. The stunning enameling continues on the raised inkwell body and hinged lid with finial. Opposite, two raised balls act as a pen rest, the inkstand raising on four ball feet. Similar to French cloisonne, each champlevé design is a one-of-a-kind work of art. A beautiful warm verdigris patina adds to its character and charm. This wonderful antique objet...
Category

Mid-19th Century Antique Folk Art Inkwells

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

19th Century French Enameled Champlevé Inkwell
19th Century French Enameled Champlevé Inkwell

19th Century French Enameled Champlevé Inkwell

H 3.5 in W 6 in D 4 in
Enamel cloissoné and gilt bronze inkwell. France, late 19th century.
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Enamel cloissoné and gilt bronze inkwell. France, late 19th century.
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Folk Art Inkwells

Materials

Bronze, Enamel

Enamel cloissoné and gilt bronze inkwell. France, late 19th century.
Enamel cloissoné and gilt bronze inkwell. France, late 19th century.

Enamel cloissoné and gilt bronze inkwell. France, late 19th century.

H 2.76 in W 9.85 in D 5.12 in
Previously Available Items
Pair of Arthur Court Rabbit Trinket Boxes
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of amusing Arthur Court trinket boxes or inkwells with brass rabbit heads, legs and arms. One having turned wood body the other a coconut bodyy. Signed Arthur Court and dated 19...
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Inkwells

Pair of Arthur Court Rabbit Trinket Boxes
Pair of Arthur Court Rabbit Trinket Boxes

Pair of Arthur Court Rabbit Trinket Boxes

H 8.5 in W 4 in D 4 in

Folk Art inkwells for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Folk Art inkwells for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 19th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage inkwells created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with animal skin, ceramic and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art inkwells made in a specific country, there are Europe, France, and Scandinavia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for inkwells differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $350 and tops out at $985 while the average work can sell for $668.

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