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Folk Art Busts

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
20th Century Terracotta Diana Goddess of the Hunt Bust France 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This is an impressive bust formed with terracotta of Diana Goddess of the Hunt. This beautiful sculpture is hand formed, 20th century. Signed by Artist but can not identify the maker...
Category

Early 20th Century German Folk Art Busts

Materials

Terracotta, Ceramic

Soapstone Hand-Carved Bust of Brahma with Four Faces
Located in North Hollywood, CA
This bust is a beautiful representation of lord Brahma. Brahma is a part of the holy trinity of Hinduism along with Vishnu the Preserver and Shiva the destroyer. He is depicted in Hi...
Category

20th Century Thai Folk Art Busts

Materials

Soapstone

Antique 1930s Judge Theatre Papier Mâché Head from Paris
Located in London, GB
Antique 1930s judge theatre papier mâché head from Paris This lot is a rare original 1930s papier mâché French theatre heads. This item was obtain...
Category

1930s French Vintage Folk Art Busts

Materials

Paper

Hand Made Stylized Folk Art Wooden Mannequin
Located in Troy, MI
New, hand-crafted mannequin torso composed of spaced and layered unfinished wood. Created and acquired from an English artist.         
Category

2010s English Folk Art Busts

Materials

Wood

The Virgin Mary Bust, 'Virgin Mary House' Replica Compressed Marble Powder No:2
By LAGU
Located in İSTANBUL, TR
This sculpture depicts the Virgin Mary, who is known as the mother of Jesus in Christian mythology. Weighing 1.5 kg, this sculpture is produced from pressed marble powder and made us...
Category

2010s Turkish Folk Art Busts

Materials

Statuary Marble

Large Oversize Asian Round Decorative Figural Head with Chinese Calligraphy
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Large oversize round Asian decorative head in red and gold. This piece is perfect for a bookshelf, or as a statement piece for a side table. Painting i...
Category

Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Folk Art Busts

Materials

Plastic, Plaster

20th Century Terracotta Bust of an old Gentleman, Germany 1936
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This is an impressive bust formed with terracotta of an old man. This beautiful sculpture is hand formed, 20th century. Signed by Artist and dated 1936. It makes a nice addition to a...
Category

Late 20th Century German Folk Art Busts

Materials

Terracotta

Vintage Carved Wood Pinocchio Sculpture
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage carved wood Pinocchio sculpture. Charming vintage carved wood Pinocchio sculpture. This interesting bust of Pinocchio is well made with a m...
Category

20th Century Folk Art Busts

Materials

Birch

17th Century French Stone Bust
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
An extremely rare 17th Century French life size headless bust of a robed male mounted on a steel base. This bust has had a small amount of restoration, ...
Category

17th Century French Antique Folk Art Busts

Materials

Stone

Hand Made Folk Art Pottery Sculpture of a Mans Head
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A wonderful sculpture of a mans head... reminiscent of an Italian icon, the piece is unique and a wonderful stand alone decorative piece or can be used as a paper weight or bookend. ...
Category

20th Century Folk Art Busts

Materials

Pottery

Achille D'Orsi Sculpture Pescatorello, Early 1900s
By Achille D'Orsi
Located in bari, IT
Bronze sculpture on black marble base depicting a young boy holding some pots. Engraved signature of the artist. Manufactured in Italy, early 20th century.
Category

Early 1900s Italian Antique Folk Art Busts

Materials

Bronze

Artist’s Model, Bust of a Young Woman on a Slate Block
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Artist’s Model, Bust of a Young Woman on a Slate Block This is a very attractive hand made piece dating from the middle of the 20th Century, it was discovered in an Art Studio durin...
Category

1960s Vintage Folk Art Busts

Materials

Clay

"Man with Cup" by Allan Winkler
Located in Chicago, IL
Although this whimsical sculpture by Allan Winkler has the look of outsider art, this ceramic work stems from the art school-trained artist’s interest in...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Folk Art Busts

Materials

Ceramic

Outsider Art Fluorescent Papier-Mâché Bust Sculpture by Stephen Slomko
By Stephen Slomko
Located in Brooklyn, NY
For your consideration is this rare, one-of-a-kind bust by self-taught American outsider artist, Stephen Slomko (1929-2013). Slomko lived and worked in Farmingdale, New Jersey and up...
Category

1990s American Folk Art Busts

Materials

Polystyrene, Paper, Paint

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Antique Hand Carved Panel
Located in New York, NY
Antique hand carved architectural panel from Toraja. This carving symbolizes the protection of the home. Originally used as an exterior panel. Grea...
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Early 1900s Antique Folk Art Busts

Materials

Wood, Reclaimed Wood

Antique Hand Carved Panel
Antique Hand Carved Panel
$390
H 16 in W 13 in D 0.5 in
Jim Rose Barn House Structure, Welded Steel Sculpture Made with Salvaged Steel
Located in Chicago, IL
This is a welded steel sculpture made by furniture creator Jim Rose. It is sustainable design created from salvaged and recycled steel panels left over from his larger projects. These sculptures reference traditional American Folk Art barn...
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2010s American Folk Art Busts

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Steel

Antique, Rare & Decorative Pair of Hand Carved and Hand Painted Horse Sculptures
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning and unique pair of matching horse sculptures. With a combined experience of almost 30 years in the antiques trade, we were thrilled to once again find beautifully hand-crafted and decorative antiques that we had never seen before. From the density and the weight we can see and feel that these highly decorative horse sculptures are made of a tropical hardwood. Like, for example, with antique mirror frames or church sculptures these horses too were first covered with a mixture of chalk and glue so that the paint would hold longer. And, as so often is the case with antiques, the colors that were used for painting these horses are so much more beautiful than anything you find in this day and age that they truly are an absolute joy to look at. From the colors, the wear, the materials and the techniques that were used to create these horses we can see that these are 19th century antiques. However and unfortunately we lack the knowledge to be able to tell you from which country these highly decorative and sizeable works of art originate. We just can't find matching style horse sculptures anywhere on the worldwide web. They could be Chinese or Nepalese, but they could also be Persian or Arabian. We just have not been able to find out. What we do know is that they are definitely antique, they are in beautiful condition (with some wear, consistent with their age), they are highly decorative, probably unique and they have a look and feel that will instantly change the atmosphere of the room they are in. Mind you, our sharp price for this wonderful pair of horse sculptures...
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Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Folk Art Busts

Materials

Wood

Antique Atlantic City Souvenir Penny Game from Boardwalk Empire
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A Historical artifact once used in the HBO series Boardwalk Empire. Maple cabinet with brass plaques and painted iron mechanism. Costing two quarters and a penny to play. Not tested ...
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Busts

Materials

Metal

Antique Asian Chinese Horn Dragons Head Victorian Vintage Walking Stick Cane
Located in Dublin, Ireland
Very Unusual Horn Sectional Hand Carved Chinese Walking Stick or Dress Cane of outstanding quality, last half of the Nineteenth Century. The ...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Folk Art Busts

Materials

Sterling Silver

Hand Carved Gilt Standing Thai Buddha
Located in Ferndale, MI
A decorative hand carved Thai giltwood standing Buddha on a lotus flower with black square base. The costume is layered and flowing and peaceful grin facial expression . Serenity and...
Category

20th Century Folk Art Busts

Materials

Giltwood

Hand Carved Gilt Standing Thai Buddha
Hand Carved Gilt Standing Thai Buddha
$200 Sale Price
20% Off
H 17.38 in W 8.25 in D 4.25 in
Asian Khmer Cambodia Stoned Carved Head Bust of Male Buddhist Buddha Shiva Deity
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderfully sand stone-carved Asian deity figure / sculpture likely from Cambodia. The detailed head is likely that of the divinity deity Shiva, sometimes referred to as the smiling God-King. The features are clearly reminiscent of the carvings found at both Bayon Temple at Angkor Thom...
Category

19th Century Cambodian Antique Folk Art Busts

Materials

Sandstone

Large Bronze Buddha Head with Stand Thailand
Located in Atlanta, GA
A impressive bronze Buddha head fragment displayed on wood stand circa late 19th century. The Buddha was cast in the early "U Thong" style that flourished between the 12-13rd century A.D in Central Thailand. The Buddha iconography of that period is exemplified by the influence from Mon and Khmer kingdom, featuring a more square face and a characteristic small band between the hairline and the forehead. This large Buddha head...
Category

19th Century Thai Antique Folk Art Busts

Materials

Bronze

Large Bronze Buddha Head with Stand Thailand
Large Bronze Buddha Head with Stand Thailand
$5,000 Sale Price
33% Off
H 32.5 in W 11 in D 11 in
The Wind, Original Marble Sculpture, 1920s
Located in Roma, IT
The Wind is an original marble sculpture made by Anonymous artist and realized in the 1920s. A beautiful white marble sculpture representing a female portrait as the personificati...
Category

1920s Italian Vintage Folk Art Busts

Materials

Marble

The Wind, Original Marble Sculpture, 1920s
The Wind, Original Marble Sculpture, 1920s
$3,095
H 11.03 in W 13.78 in D 5.91 in
Jim Rose Barn House Structure, Welded Steel Object Made with Salvaged Steel
Located in Chicago, IL
This is a welded steel sculpture made by furniture creator Jim Rose. It is sustainable design created from salvaged and recycled steel panels left over from his larger projects. These sculptures reference traditional American Folk Art barn house models or bird houses. This sculpture works alone on a shelf or table or can be grouped with other house sculptures by the artist. Each house sculpture is unique in design and color. Jim Rose Structure #168 found steel with natural rust patina and paint 6h x 4.50w x 2.50d in 15.24h x 11.43w x 6.35d cm Jim Rose b. 1966 Bio Born in Indiana, Jim Rose lived in Europe until he returned to the United States to attend college. After one year at Bard College, Jim transferred to the School of the Art Institute in Chicago (SAIC) where he graduated in 1988 with a BFA. His skillful interpretation of the Shaker design is a result of intense research and field study of Shaker furniture, architecture, culture and history. After over two decades of dedicated work, he has mastered the minimalism of the Shaker technique and created his own unique visual vernacular. The quilts of Gee's Bend have become a monumental influence taking this artist's work to new levels of unique interpretation and artistry. His selection of aged steel results in a patina directly related to that of aged wood while his colored strips beautifully mimic worn cloth. Each piece of furniture is masterfully made and intended for daily use. Jim Rose’s steel furniture is featured every year at SOFA Chicago for the past 25 years. Jim Rose b. 1966, Wisconsin Education 1989 B.F.A., Sculpture, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, IL 1988 Student at Large, Welding Technology, Triton College, Chicago, IL 1985 Undergraduate Photography Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, New York Awards 2008 Wisconsin Arts Board Fellowship Award, Madison, WI 2005 Elizabeth R. Raphael Founder’s Prize, Society for Contemporary Craft, Pittsburgh, PA 2003 Grant Recipient for Shaker Interpretations in Cast Iron, PA Arts Assoc / WI Arts Board 2003 Arts/Industry Residency Program for Visual Artists, John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan, Wisconsin Solo Exhibitions 2017 New Work, Tory Folliard Gallery, Milwaukee, WI 2012 Simply Steel, Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, Wausau, WI 2007 Variation, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL 2003 New Work, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL 2001 Shaker in Steel / New Work, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL 2000 Shaker in Steel / New Work, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL 1999 Hands and Heart to Steel III, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL National Exhibitions 2017-2018 SOFA Chicago – Gallery Victor Armendariz 2016 - 1995 SOFA Chicago, New York, Palm Beach - Ann Nathan Gallery 2011 - 2002 Art Chicago - Ann Nathan Gallery Group Exhibitions 2017 Coming Attractions: Inaugural Exhibition, Gallery Victor Armendariz, Chicago, IL 2017 Living with Art: The Newman Collection, 108 Contemporary, Tulsa, Oklahoma 2016 Form Follows Function: The Intersection of Art and Craft, The Hardy Gallery...
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2010s American Folk Art Busts

Materials

Steel

Antique Chinese Hand Painted Fan with Calligraphy, c. 1900
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
A Chinese hand-painted fan with hand-painted calligraphy (with two different drawing on either side). The fan's frame is crafted from bamboo and also includes wood engravings. The ca...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Folk Art Busts

Materials

Bamboo

1930 Wooden Carnival Game by French Game & Novelty, Milwaukee, WI
Located in Surrey, BC
Unusual Folk Art wooden carnival game in working condition and with original paint. Players bet on which city the spring-released airplane will land on. Made by French Game & Novelty...
Category

1930s American Vintage Folk Art Busts

Materials

Wood

Previously Available Items
Original African Figure Statue Beaded Head, African Art, 2000s
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Beautiful African tribe beaded bust. This is a stunning piece made of clay and adorned with beads. It may have some irregularities, which add to its uniqueness and charm. Please avo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Cameroonian Folk Art Busts

Materials

Clay, Beads

Mid-20th Century Folk art Carved Male Wooden Bust
Located in London, GB
Mid-20th Century Folk art Carved Male Wooden Bust “He could have smiled at least”, An unusual folk art carved wooden bust in the form of a grumpy looking man. Carved from a single p...
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Mid-20th Century French Folk Art Busts

Materials

Wood

Vintage Folk Art Bob Dylan Bust
Located in Charleston, SC
This fantastic sculpture of Bob Dylan is made of plaster and finished in a verdigris patina and is gold leafed. Acquired from an Augusta estate, where there was a plethora of Bob Dy...
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1970s American Vintage Folk Art Busts

Materials

Gold Leaf

Vintage Folk Art Bob Dylan Bust
Vintage Folk Art Bob Dylan Bust
H 19 in W 15 in D 10.25 in
1950s Vintage Mexican Folk Art Metal Tin Mask with Piercing Green Eyes
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1950s Vintage Mexican Folk Art Metal Mask with Piercing Green Eyes Small Tin mask made in metal sheets with green marbles eyes. Chain inside to hang on wall. ...
Category

1950s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Busts

Materials

Metal

Vintage Italian Pottery Old Sicilian Caltagirone Head Vase Majolica Moor
Located in Wilton, CT
Old Sicilian pottery Moorish head vase, circa early/mid 20th century. 17" high, 11" diameter. Repair to back of vase, as shown.
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Folk Art Busts

Materials

Pottery

Vintage Boxing Dummy
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Great form! vintage boxing practice dummy. Presented on cast iron museum stand. Realistic features. Torso lifts off stand. Dimensions on stand: 19.5 x...
Category

1930s American Vintage Folk Art Busts

Materials

Latex, Rubber

Vintage Boxing Dummy
Vintage Boxing Dummy
H 56.5 in W 15.75 in D 19.5 in
White Plaster Death Mask Male Head on Stand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
White plaster death mask male head on stand. A plaster cast of a males head, possibly a death mask or a mold for a Hollywood prosthetic. The head is...
Category

20th Century Folk Art Busts

Materials

Plaster

Native American Brown Faux Bois Ceramic Bust of a Warrior Titled Brave, 1969
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A faux bois ceramic bust of a Native American warrior titled “Brave”. This folk art piece is created in ceramic, and hollow on the inside. The sculpture depicts a Native American war...
Category

1960s American Vintage Folk Art Busts

Materials

Ceramic, Paint

Vintage French Papier Mache Brightly Painted Carnival Heads
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A variety of large brightly-painted vintage French papier mâché Carnival or ‘caricature’ type heads.  
Category

20th Century French Folk Art Busts

Materials

Paper

19th American Carving in the Form of Lady Liberty's Head
Located in Nantucket, MA
A masterfully carved pine head of Lady Liberty in an upward gazing pose and wearing a headband with a large star, on a custom base. Painted in verdigris green, the carving was probably part of a larger carving, perhaps a ships figurehead or for a public space. Carvings of this scale were often associated with the work of shipcarvers who carved various elements for ships, such as, figureheads, trail boards, pilot house eagles...
Category

1870s American Antique Folk Art Busts

Materials

Wood, Paint

19th Century Amercian Folkart Self Taught Unique Pine Milliners Busts
Located in London, GB
19th century pine milliners busts We are proud to offer a rare pair of hand carved late 19th century milliner busts, each example is made from a singl...
Category

1890s American Antique Folk Art Busts

Materials

Pine, Paint

Mid-20th Century Balinese Carved Woman Bust
Located in Dallas, TX
Presenting a very nice mid-20th century Balinese carved woman bust. From Bali, circa 1960. Exotic hardwood hand carved to depict a Balinese Lady ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Balinese Folk Art Busts

Materials

Hardwood

Folk Art busts for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique folk art busts for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage busts created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, folk art, asian art and furniture and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, ceramic and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art busts made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original busts, popular names associated with this style include Achille D'Orsi, and Stephen Slomko. 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 busts differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $565 and tops out at $3,600 while the average work can sell for $1,415.

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