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.
19th Century Wooden Butter Mold with Carved Floral Interior
Located in Lisse, NL
Wonderful antique wooden butter mold with a charming hand-carved floral decoration to the interior. This rustic and highly decorative butter mold was once used for shaping and decor...
Iron
$156Sale Price|20% Off
Barbed Wire Collection / Display Mounted on a Texas Shaped Plaque
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Barbed Wire Collection / Display Mounted on a Texas Shaped Plaque.
Steel
20th Century American Folk Art Carved Stop Sign
Located in Chicago, IL
A 20th century American Folk Art hand-carved and painted wood stop sign mounted on a custom steel stand.
Wood, Paint
Gilt Thai Ceremonial Headdress, Hand-Crafted Folk Art, 20th Century
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Ceremonial Thai headdress usually worn for wedding or religious ceremonies. Hand-crafted in Thailand. Gilt Thai Ceremonial Headdress circa ...
Giltwood
Arts & Crafts Folk Art Chandelier with Four Folkloristic Male Figures
Located in Lisse, NL
A museum-quality Arts & Crafts folk art chandelier, conceived and handcrafted in southern Germany in the early years of the 20th century. This exceptional sculptural pendant transcen...
Iron
Arts & Crafts Folk Art Chandelier w Music Making & Dancing Sculptures, Great Fun
Located in Lisse, NL
Unique and all handcrafted, practical size antique circular chandelier. Some chances you only get once in your life and that is exactly what we thought when we first saw this unique...
Metal, Iron
Large Cast Bronze Buddha Hand Sculpture, Folk Art, Thai, 1950, Mounted
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Oversized cast bronze Buddhist hand mounted on a black wooden stand and is covered with a great patina. A vintage oversized Thai bronze sculpture...
Bronze
American Copper Spread Winged Eagle Weathervane with Sphere and Arrow, C. 1880
Located in Charleston, SC
American molded copper spread winged eagle weathervane with circular sphere, arrow, and mounted on cast iron squared base. Weathervane has a fine natural verdigris patina in the orig...
Copper, Iron
$795Sale Price|42% Off
A Mounted 17th Century Folk Art Brass Bassinoire Cover from France
Located in Buisson, FR
This pierced brass decorative element from France was originally the cover of a bassinoire from the 1600s. A bassinoire is a device where hot coals are inserted into a vented recept...
Brass
18th Century Wooden Cross, Guanajuato, Mexico
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Wooden cross Guanajuato, Mexico Wood, paint 22 x 13 inches, (56 cm x 33 cm) 18th century A wonderful old wooden cross with a painted crucified Christ figure, an angel, possibly Mary Magdelene...
Wood, Paint
Rare antique Whistle Soda cast iron advertising shaped display
Located in Stamford, CT
Rare cast iron antique Whistle Soda advertising piece. This figurative shaped hand has a screw off thumb that was made to hold an hourglass shaped bot...
Iron
$1,024Sale Price|20% Off
Folk Art Wooden Flag Sculpture, Painted, USA, Circa 1960s
Located in Charleston, SC
FOLK ART CARVED AND PAINTED WOODEN PATRIOTIC FLAG, single-sided form retaining an old painted surface over gesso. 20th century. Acquired from a folk art collector, where many pieces...
Wood, Paint
Full Size 1950s Model Divers Helmet, Shop Display Piece
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Full Size 1950s Model Divers helmet, shop display piece The Helmet is a Rare Piece of Chandlery Shop Display, the helmet is a full size piece made in...
Brass
Antique Chinese Weaving Stick Shuttle, Early 20th Century
Located in Chicago, IL
This long, wooden carving is an early 20th century Chinese weaving shuttle, once used by skilled artists in Yunnan province to weave textiles of cotton, hemp and silk upon the loom. Known as a stick shuttle, the rustic tool is simply designed with a slender handle and two prongs at either end to hold yarn or thread. Elevated by a custom steel stand, the antique shuttle...
Wood
20Thc Original Painted Lighthouse Iron Bank -Hubley
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This original cream painted light house bank is stamp " Light of The World " on the front face of the bank.This is a published "Hubley " bank in the book of Hubley banks & doorstops....
Iron
Mounted Submarine Toilet Humor Sculpture
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
There’s trench art, and then there’s toilet humor - this is a little bit of both! Creative & fun sculpture composed of a copper toilet float, mounted on ...
Metal, Copper
$795Sale Price|42% Off
A Mounted 17th Century Folk Art Brass Bassinoire Cover from France
Located in Buisson, FR
This pierced brass decorative element from France was originally the cover of a bassinoire from the 1600s. A bassinoire is a device where hot coals are inserted into a vented recept...
Brass
Indonesian Painted Buffalo, Cow Bell Decorative Folk Art Sculpture, wall art
Located in London, GB
Antique Indonesian Buffalo Racing Cowbell Painted Wood with Rope Handle Discover this antique Indonesian buffalo racing cowbell, traditionally strapped around the necks of water bu...
Wood
Large Antique English Trench Art Table Cannon
Located in Forney, TX
Antique English Trench Art mixed metal miniature howitzer - signal style table cannon. Hand-crafted, assembled in the early 20th century, fashioned in par...
Brass, Bronze, Copper
$950 / item
Antique Wooden Bocce Ball Collection Mounted
Located in Stamford, CT
A collection of 5 antique wooden Bocce balls all mounted on custom made steel stands. Dense heavy wood. Beautiful untouched surfaces. Very organic and primitive looking. The Balls th...
Wood, Hardwood
Indonesian Painted Buffalo, Cow Bell Decorative Folk Art Sculpture, wall art
Located in London, GB
Antique Indonesian Buffalo Racing Cowbell Painted Wood with Rope Handle Discover this antique Indonesian buffalo racing cowbell, traditionally strapped around the necks of water bu...
Wood
Vintage Child Shoe Forms by Melissa Levinson, Iron Base, 1900-1909
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of three wooden child size shoe forms mounted on an iron base.
Iron
Antique Architectural Parcel Gilt Wrought Iron Sculpture
Located in Forney, TX
A one-of-a-kind antique wrought iron sculpture, comprising 18th and 19th century architectural elements, in a rustic parcel gilt finish, including door lock, latch, and skeleton key,...
Bronze, Wrought Iron
Pair of brass and metal figurines with wooden base depicting Knights
By Mice di rugiano domenico e c. s.n.c.
Located in Cantù, IT
Pair of Brass and Metal Figurines with Wooden Base Depicting Medieval Knights, 20th century
Metal
Vintage American Hand-Carved Wood Shoe Molds Bookends, Size 6.5, 1930s
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage pair of American wood women shoe form molds mounted as bookends Vintage wooden shoe making mold from the 1930s. A pair of shoe form converted to bookends, these well carved solid wood shoe mould would have been used to make handmade shoes. These molds were traditionally made for each customer and would be used each time they came into the cobbler for a new pair of shoes. They are in good original condition with the patina and metal that shows age. Cobbler molds size 6.5 B model 258 Made from solid wood, I love these moulds because of their individual nature but also they are almost a piece of sculpture. Since the shoe form themselves were used as molds to make shoes, there are pin-pricks and wear present from frequent use in addition to naturally aged patina. They work well as bookends or simply as tabletop sculptures. These elegant women wooden shoes bookends form mold make a great addition to your vintage decor. Vintage hand carved wood cobbler shoe molds...
Wood
Jon Michael Route Original Bronze Titled Two Georgia Songbirds
Located in Oakwood, GA
Original By Artist Jon Michael Route Titled "Two Georgia Songbirds" Hot Patina and Laquer Finish Copper, Pewter, & Brass Signature on lower right Comes with easy to mount hardware. F...
Brass, Copper, Pewter
Vintage Marble Flagpole Finial on Steel and Lucite Base, Denmark
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Early 20th Century Danish vintage marble flagpole finial on steel and lucite base. Desk accessory or decorative object/sculpture.
Marble, Chrome
One Pair of Charming Wooden Shoe Moulds Mounted as Bookends Great Character.
Located in Buchanan, MI
One pair of charming wooden shoe moulds mounted as bookends, comes with four leather bound books. Feel free to call with further questions. Would look great in a private library
Steel
Mid-20th Century Ceremonial Comb, Luba People, Zaire, D. R. Congo
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Ceremonial comb, Luba People, Zaire, D. R. Congo Made of palm leaf midribs, this large, graphic comb has a pinched waist and is held together with finely wrapped wire. Presented o...
Wire
$2,600
H 8.67 in W 7.09 in D 9.65 in
Mexican Ceramic Corn Skull Sculpture Hand Crafted Folk Art Day of the Dead
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
“My purpose in making this skull is to represent the different types of native maize that since remote times have brought food security to our ancestors, giving them the time to develop the knowledge and arts to the extent they did,” says Mexican ceramist Omar Hernández...
Ceramic, Clay
19th Century German Carved Wooden Deers Head
Located in London, GB
19th century carved wooden deer’s head We are proud to offer a delightful example of a 19th century hand carved German deer’s head. This ite...
Pine, Paint
Folk Art Carved and Painted Owl Decoy, USA, 1900's
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Folk Art carved and painted owl decoy, USA 1900's A decorative barn owl carving decoy Original paint with even wear. Mounted over a new iron stand. We have...
Wood
Antique Folk Art Horse Sculpture
Located in Sheffield, MA
Wonderfully charming hand-carved 19th Century American folk art horse sculpture on stand. Pay special attention to its face and the carved details to appreciate this fine specimen. ...
Wood
$3,500
H 71.75 in W 70 in D 0.5 in
1960s Folk Art Metal Room Divider with Animals, Figures and Naturalistic Objects
Located in Lancaster, PA
This is a vintage, hand-cut metal folding screen or room divider, having an iron frame with openwork brass figures. The piece dates to the 1960s and was purportedly crafted in Spain....
Metal
19th Century Wooden Rocking Horse
Located in Sheffield, MA
The 19th century charming and rustic rocking horse now mounted on two straight boards is made of handcrafted wood pieces cleverly assembled, and has a leather saddle, reins and stirrups. A great addition for those who collect Early American country antiques...
Wood
$11,800Sale Price|20% Off
H 14.25 in Dm 9 in
Verdigris Bronze Art Deco Centerpiece Supported by Three Nude Male Figures
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Spectacular and very rare, this large, high style Art Deco bronze centerpiece with a beautiful verdigris patina, consisting of a semi-spherical dish richly decorated with a dense pat...
Bronze
French Folk Art Sculpture of a Horse in Leather
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A hand-made folk art sculpture of a horse from the End of 19th Century/ Early 20th Century. This French made papier mâché horse is wrapped in leather, presented in its authentic old ...
Leather, Paper
Large Folk Art Driftwood Horse Head Sculpture
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This large and substantial sculpture of a horse's head is unsigned, but believed to have been made in Canada in circa 1980. The sculpture is made completely of pieces of driftwood...
Driftwood
Early 20th Century French Hand-Carved Wood Folk Art Duck Decoy
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Early 20th Century Hand-Carved Folk Art Duck Decoy. The duck 's head is movable and the body features wonderful patina throughout including traces of the original paint. Wonderful co...
Wood, Paint
Quirky American Folk Art Human Form Chair
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Have a seat! One of a kind human form chair. Wonderfully carved muscles, toes, clenched fists for support. Looks like the chair is ready to go crawling ac...
Wood
Painted French Tole Mushroom Decoration
Located in Chireno, TX
Painted French tole mushroom decoration for planters or gardens. Circa 1950s. Probably originally created as a prop for a Parisian department store window or a theater. Twenty-six in...
Steel
Painted French Tole Mushroom Decoration
Located in Chireno, TX
Painted French tole mushroom decoration for planters or gardens. Circa 1950s. Probably originally created as a prop for a Parisian department store window or a theater. Twenty-six in...
Steel
Mid-20th Century Folk Art Ram's Horn Wall Mount Plaque
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Impressive mounted ram's horn wall-hanging. These horns have been mounted to a shaped piece of wood which brings an overall softness to the piece, and some character.
Antler, Horn, Leather, Wood
Sold
H 2.5 in W 12 in D 12 in
Antique Majolica Pottery Palissy Ware Lobster 12" Plate Casadinho Portugal 1900
By Bernard Palissy
Located in Portland, OR
A large antique Bernard Palissy style majolica pottery lobster charger plate, by "Joaquim G. Roque Casadinho", Portugal, circa 1900. The plate is decorated with a large lobster to th...
Majolica, Pottery
Early 20th Century American Pond Sailboat in Custom Wall Mount
Located in Chicago, IL
This early-20th-century American pond sailboat hull is the ultimate found object, transformed into a contemporary statement piece worthy of any collector’s wall. Its weathered white-...
Wood
Sold
H 4.5 in W 9.88 in D 1.38 in
Barbed Wire Collection / Display Mounted on a Oklahoma Shaped Plaque
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Barbed Wire Collection / Display Mounted on a Oklahoma Shaped Plaque.
Steel
Early 20th Century American Cast Iron Eagle
Located in Chicago, IL
This early 20th century American cast iron Bald Eagle statue captures the majestic strength and spirit of this national symbol. With its wings fully ...
Iron
19th Century Folk Art Wooden Hand Glove Stretcher
Located in Downingtown, PA
Folk Art Wooden Hand Glove Stretcher, 19th century The wood model of a hand is mounted on a stepped wood base. The hand has a lovely aged color and is a great piece of folk art. Di...
Wood
1960s Belgian Decorative Ceramic Wall Plate
Located in High Point, NC
A ceramic wall decoration created in 1960s Belgium. Pastel, brimming with 1960s charm, with a tasteful patina, enigmatically playful wall decoration brings warmth and a decorative fl...
Ceramic
Trio of Metal Horses on Wood Bases
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of three metal horses mounted on wood bases. These charming horses came out of the same collection. Sizes: 1) 13.5"H X 11"W X 3.5"D 2) 14.5"H X 10.5"W X 3.5"D 3) 12.5"H X 8.5"W ...
Metal
Sold
H 31.5 in Dm 19.7 in
Arts & Crafts Folk Art Chandelier with 4 Music Making Men Sculptures, Great Fun
Located in Lisse, NL
Unique and all handcrafted, practical size antique chandelier. Some chances you only get once in your life and that is exactly what we thought when we first saw this unique Arts & Crafts pendant. In the earliest years of the 1900s creating decorative items for use in homes, chalets and restaurants in the South of Germany was still very much 'en vogue'. This art of hand-carving items was handed down generation after generation and therefor besides professionals, a large number of non-professionals too would love to do this as a pastime. In this day and age most men cannot even drive a screw in the wall, simply because 'we' were raised behind computers and everything 'we' use in our homes is cheaper to replace than to repair. This marvelous light fixture, to us, also is reminiscent of what life used to be like before electricity, radio, television etc. People still had to create a good atmosphere themselves. They would do so in all kinds of ways and making music together would be one of them. Judging from the smiles on their faces these 'old guys' really are enjoying themselves. We also love the way in which they are dressed. Clearly in those days wearing clothes to keep you warm was more important than how you looked. No brands, no nonsense, just be yourself and that is good enough. These fun loving guys are sitting on a brick wall and we believe they are sitting with their backs against some sort of large stove or oven. The hand carved and hand painted arms of this unique, Arts and Crafts era pendant...
Metal
19th Spanish Colonial Santos Hands, Set of Three, Mounted
Located in Stamford, CT
Interesting and unusual group of three Spanish Colonial painted plaster hands, two mounted on marble bases and one on a custom wood stand. Whimsical, or just creepy, they are uniqiue. Likely hands from santos figures, which often break off. The previous collector thought enough of them to have them beautifully mounted. Give someone a hand! Provenance: Artist Karl Mann...
Marble