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.
Metal Money Box Piggy Bank, Antique Vintage Sweden
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A charming mid-century Swedish tin bank issued by Postverket (the Swedish Postal Service), known as the "Sparlåda" (Savings Box). Designed to encourage regular saving, these colorful...
Metal
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
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
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
Antique Black Forest Brienz Wood Carved Dog Letter Opener 1890s, Austria Vienna
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautifully carved and richly expressive, this antique dog head letter opener is a fine example of late 19th-century Black Forest or Brienz craftsmanship. Hand-carved from wood, the ...
Glass, Wood
Paper knife, brass blade, stag horn handle with dachshund dog head. France 1890.
Located in Milan, IT
The letter opener or paper knife was originally used to cut the pages of hand-printed books, where the folding of printed sheets created closed edges that required cutting the paper ...
Brass
Handmade Uredale Glass Paperweight, Pebble Shape with Star Design, UK
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is an unusual hand-made Art-Glass paperweight from Uredale Glass, Masham, North Yorkshire, England which we date to the late 20th century. The paperweight is hand made in the...
Glass
$407Sale Price|61% Off
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 ...
Chrome, Wrought Iron
Royal Doulton The Mendicant Figurine, Hand-Painted Porcelain, 1939
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Royal Doulton The Mendicant, Moroccan figurine of a man wearing a turban and playing a tamburine. High glazed, finely modeled bone china with exquisi...
Porcelain
African Tuareg Hand-Tooled Black Leather Box, Mauritania, 1950
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Hand tooled black leather box from Africa. Very fine workmanship with tribal traditional African symbols on black leather. African Tuareg style probably ...
Leather
20th Century Bronze Letter Opener in African Tribal Art Bakota Style
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Brass Figural Letter Opener, Bakota Style, Gabon, 20th Century This striking brass letter opener is crafted in the Bakota style of Gabon, Central Africa. The piece displays elegant ...
Bronze
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
Small Danish Wooden Tobacco Jar, circa 1800-1825
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Small Circular Danish wooden tobacco jar, circa 1800-1825 The jar has "TOBAK" and illustrations of two chalk pipes painted on one side of the jar...
Birch
19th Century Swedish Painted Child Size Vanity Mirror
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A second half of the 19th century Scandinavian vanity mirror for kids. This Little hand painted in "Faux bois" technique mirror has a little...
Mirror, Pine
$304Sale Price|85% Off
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...
Ceramic
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
Royal Doulton "The Gaffer" British Porcelain Figurine
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Royal Doulton "The Gaffer". Made in England, by Royal Doulton England, "The Gaffer". Royal Doulton, H.N. 2053, finely painted porcelain figure of "The Gaffer", collectable, high gl...
Porcelain
Vintage Hand-Carved Marble Bookends, Aztec Mayan Design, Mexico, 1950s
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Pair of vintage green and white marble Aztec Mayan stone bookends. Vintage handcrafted large heavy natural marble bookends with Aztec Mayan green head on a pyramidal form. These are very substantial, heavy and well handmade bookends. They are hand carved white with white natural color of the marble and the green marble carved Mayan head...
Marble
Vintage Bronze Fire Hydrant Wrench
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage fire hydrant wrench, a solid bronze piece which can still be used as a wrench, however, due to the wonderful sheen and weight makes...
Bronze
Royal Doulton "the Carpet Seller" Moroccan Decorative Porcelain Figurine
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Royal Doulton "the carpet seller," Moroccan figurine of a carpet seller. Made in England, by Royal Doulton England, the "Carpet Seller," Royal Doulto...
Porcelain
Set of Two Moroccan Antique Tribal Powder Case Flasks
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Antique Moroccan Decorative Bottle. Destined to be a conversation piece no matter where you place it, this is another of those rare items you'll only find at Mosaik. Moroccan Antique...
Brass, Tin
Early 18th Century Wooden Folk Art Ink Sander
Located in Copenhagen, K
Very lovely wooden ink sander with small carvings all around it.
Wood
18th Century Folk Art Wood and Wrought Iron Candleholder
Located in Copenhagen, K
Adjustable wrought iron and wood candle holder with wood base and snipe nail.
Iron
Khaki Size 6 Log Bowl by Loyal Loot Hand Made from Reclaimed Wood
Located in calgary, CA
Perfect as a feature objet d'art on your table or shelves, a catch-all for jewellery and special items, or displayed as a group for a striking centrepiece. Each Log Bowl is unique and makes the perfect one of a kind gift. Log Bowls combine the beauty of a tree in its natural state with a high-gloss, vibrant finish. Each bowl is handmade using locally reclaimed trees of all varieties (fallen or cut down due to infrastructure or inclement weather). The trees are hand selected, gathered, turned and finished by Loyal Loot...
Wood, Willow
Charming Victorian Hand Carved Pine Stationary Box
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A charming Victorian hand carved pine stationary box The Box is good quality and in very good condition for its age, the hand carved sloping doors on...
Pine
Vintage Wooden Letter Opener With Folk Style Art on Handles.
Located in Seattle, WA
Makers Mark Reading “Spindlermuhle” on the Back. Translate From German to a Town in the Czech Republic. Vintage Condition Consistent with Age as Pictured. Dimensions. 8 W ; 1 1/2 D
Wood
$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
Brass Dog Head Letter Clip on Green Onyx Base, Germany, 1920s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Brass Dog Head Letter Clip on Green Onyx Base, Germany, 1920s This elegant letter and document clip from the 1920s is a unique desk accessory and a perfect gift for dog lovers. The c...
Onyx, Brass
Carl Auböck Model #4233-4 Brass and Leather Paper Knife
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4233-4 Brass and Leather Paper Knife Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural knife is executed in polished brass and handwoven brown leather...
Brass
Neoclassical Style Metal Tissue Box Cover
Located in Sheffield, MA
Add style and the finishing touch to your countertop or nightstand with this antiqued gold toned top and grey ribbed metal body tissue box cover to pr...
Metal
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
$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
Italian 1970s Metal Dachshund Dog Shaped Desk Pencil Holder
Located in Milan, IT
Italian 1970s Metal Dachshund Dog Shaped Desk Pencil Holder
Metal
$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
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 5.32 in W 1.58 in D 0.6 in
Margeuritte Daisy Letter Opener Page Turner Coupe Papier One-of-a-Kind France
Located in Trensacq, FR
Unique One-of-a-Kind Marguerite Daisy Letter Opener / Coupe-Papier / Page Turner — Signed “Didier” Beautifully detailed, hand crafted love token depicting a single stemmed bloom. A ...
Brass, Metal
Sold
H 5.25 in W 6 in D 2.13 in
Boy on a Gilt Elephant Metal Money Box Piggy Bank, Antique Austria 1890s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Gorgeous vintage metal money bank. A beautiful decorative item in metal. Made in Austria, circa 1890s to 1900s. Nice addition to any collection, desktop, living room or children's ro...
Metal
Sold
H 2.63 in W 2.75 in D 3.38 in
Mountain Hut Lodge Haus Wachenfeld Metal Money Box Piggy Bank, Vintage 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Gorgeous vintage metal money bank. A beautiful decorative item in metal. Made in Germany, circa 1920s to 1930s as a souvenir building bank. Nice addition to any collection, desktop, ...
Metal
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 8 in W 0.5 in D 0.5 in
Samurai Sword Faux Bamboo 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 piece ...
Brass, Bronze
19th Century Devil Letter Opener
Located in Oakland, CA
19th Century cast bronze devil letter opener, having a rich patina to the bronze with the Devil's face near the base of the handle, an unusual item.
Bronze
Vintage Brass Tennis Racket Clip 1980s
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Brass Tennis Racket Clip 1980s. A vintage paper clip holder featuring a brass tennis racket. Brass Tennis Racket Paper Holder Clip, Desk an...
Brass
Vintage Christmas Nutcracker Figure Wood Erzgebirge Germany
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Folk Art vintage wooden nutcracker figure from the Erzgebirge. The region Erzgebirge formerly Eastern Germany is famous for this special kind of nutc...
Wood
Collection of English Glass "Dump" Weights
Located in Greenwich, CT
Nice collection of 5 English 19th Century blown glass "dump" or "end of day" weights in various sizes, all with slight aqua tones. Reportedly, these weights were made by the glassbl...
Blown Glass
Sold
H 7.1 in W 12.6 in D 7.9 in
Wooden Box, casket, Carved Antler, Tramp Art, 1880, Austria/Black Forest Germany
Located in Wien, AT
Spectacular wooden box, advanced tramp art, made circa 1880 in the Salzburg region - Austria or Bavaria, Germany. The box has a substructure of basswood, inside partly cherry wood. ...
Horn, Wood
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