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 Irish "Erin go Bragh" Silk Embroidered Picture with Green Gems
By Interi
Located in Columbia, SC
19th century Irish embroidered silk picture with a gold frame adorned with an antique silver braid and aventurine, emerald, and topaz polished stones. The picture shows the phrase, ...
Multi-gemstone
Antique Real Skull of a Rabbit, Germany ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Real Skull of a Rabbit, Germany ca. 1900s An antique taxidermied skull of the rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) mounted on an ebonized wooden tur...
Bone, Wood
Set of four vintage Deer Antlers 1900 on Hand-Carved Wood, Blackforest-Austia
Located in Vienna, AT
Set of four vintage deer antlers from 1900, incorporated into a carved wooden plaque, elegantly flanked by oak leaves. A fine example of traditional Central European craftsmanship, c...
Antler, Nutwood
$8,500 / set
31 Brazilian Silver Amulets
Located in New York, NY
These 31 Brazilian amulets, or balangada, were hammered from sheets of silver in the 19th century to form pomegranates, sugar apples, guava, and other...
Silver
Greenlandica, collection of seven various bone tools
Located in København, Copenhagen
Greenlandica, a collection of various bone tools, comprising seven pieces in total. Originating from Greenland. Dating back to approximately the 1970s. The largest piece measures:...
Other
Vintage Boho Diecast Wrought Iron Rider on Horseback
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Capture the spirit of adventure and classic equestrian charm with this Vintage Boho Diecast Rider On Horseback. Crafted from durable wrought iron and hand-painted in subtle hues of b...
Wrought Iron
$2,348 / set
H 8.27 in Dm 1.58 in
A Family of Greenlandic Tupilak 's - Hand-Carved in Reindeer Stag & Bone
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A group of 5 Greenlandic Tupilaq 's - mythological shaman figurines hand-carved in Reindeer stag and bone. A tupilak is a traditional avenging monster and carved figure from Greenlan...
Bone
$1,395
H 12.1 in W 5 in D 4.5 in
Early 1900s Hand Carved and Colored Wooden Mountaineer Sculpture / Statue
Located in Lisse, NL
Unique and finely carved sculpture for the black forest and mountaineer enthousiasts. If you are or if you have a friend who is a mountaineering enthousiast then this hand carved mo...
Wood
$220
H 6.5 in W 5.13 in D 2 in
Bronze Etruscan Horse with Rider Sculpture on Marble Base, Greece Vintage, 1970s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This is a bronze sculpture, in the style of the antique statues and figures of the Etruscans is a gorgeous interior furnishing item. it is an incredibly stylized Etruscan horse with ...
Metal
$24,000 / set
H 12.5 in W 12.25 in D 9 in
German Silver Jousting Knights on Horseback Sculptures A Pair
Located in Bradenton, FL
Dramatic Pair of Silver Jousting Knights on Horseback Sculptures. Sculptures depict armored jousting knights mounted on caparisoned horses, captured in mid-charge with lances extended and swords at their sides. These works exemplify the romantic Historicism movement of the late 19th/early 20th centuries, when master silversmiths revived medieval themes with extraordinary craftsmanship. Each knight is rendered in full plate armor, complete with visored helmet, articulated breastplate, gauntlets, and decorative plumes. Both figures grasp long spears in forward motion while finely cast swords rest at their hips. The horses are equally detailed, shown in dynamic stride with raised forelegs, their armor and saddlecloths embellished with heraldic shields and ornate motifs. The sculptural bases are equally impressive, adorned with relief crests, cartouches, and gothic tracery. This era saw a resurgence of medieval tournaments and courtly imagery in art and decorative objects. Apparently unmarked but without a doubt Hanau Germany silver...
Silver
Bronze Sculpture by Johan Vierthaler, Germany, 1900s
Located in Brussels, BE
Bronze Sculpture by Johan Vierthaler, Germany, 1900s
Bronze
Rare Silver Balangandãs - 20th Century Brazilian Native Hanging Amulet
Located in Rio De Janeiro, BR
Mid 20th century brazilian silver hanging amulet from native culture in Brazil. Known as "Penca de Balangandãs" was used in the ancient times as an amul...
Sterling Silver
$930
H 6.3 in W 25.2 in D 6.3 in
Nordic Mid-Century Hand-Forged Wrought Iron Dachshund Sculpture, Finland, 1950s
Located in Kangasala, FI
A charming mid-century hand-forged wrought iron sculpture of a Dachshund, crafted by a skilled Nordic blacksmith in the mid-20th century. This expressive piece captures the playful ...
Wrought Iron
$1,950
H 27.25 in W 26.5 in D 5 in
19th Century Thick Black Hide Circular Shield Arrusi People Ethiopia, Africa 27"
Located in Point Richmond, CA
19th Century thick black hide circular shield from the Arrusi people of Ethiopia, Africa. A thick hard shield with heavy embossed design, perhaps a bit like an animal in the center....
Hide
Handcrafted Brutalist Wrought Iron Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A striking handcrafted Brutalist sculpture in wrought iron, distinguished by its raw, organic form and unmistakable handmade character. Constructed entirely by hand, the sculptural ...
Wrought Iron
$412Sale Price|30% Off
H 3.55 in W 25.6 in D 2.76 in
1960s Antique Large Penca De Balangandan Afro-American Amulet Tinplate, Brazil
Located in Andernach, DE
Absolutely unique very large creole 'Penca De Balangandan' from Brazil from around 1960. Tin base, possibly silver plated. Traditional slave amule...
Tin
Composition of a Plaster Skull Decorated with Butterflies
Located in Leuven , BE
A modern approach to taxidermy with this plastered skull covered with shells of green beetles. The helmet-like covering is made from the Blue Morpho butterfly, and they are known to ...
Organic Material, Plaster
Decorative hand-woven mask from Panama, Burro by Ethic&Tropic
By Ethic&Tropic
Located in Warsaw, PL
Decorative hand-woven mask from Panama, Mascara by Ethic&Tropic Extraordinary art and decorative items, these masks come from the shamanic beliefs and rituals of indigenous Embera t...
Cane
Sold
H 6.3 in W 7.09 in D 5.91 in
Studio pottery hand created mythical sculpture of the many faces of sea urchins
Located in Central England, GB
This incredibly complicated hand sculpted work of art is the work of a very creative and imaginative artist the likes of which we have never seen before. There is a simple inscribed...
Clay
Antique Real Skull of a Badger, Germany ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Real Skull of a Badger, Germany ca. 1900s An antique taxidermied skull of the badger (Meles meles) mounted on an ebonized wooden turned base. ...
Bone, Wood
Antique Real Skull of a Crow or Magpie, Germany ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Real Skull of a Crow or Magpie, Germany ca. 1900s An antique taxidermied skull of the crow (Corvidae) mounted on an ebonized wooden turned bas...
Bone, Wood
Antique Real Skull of a Duck, Germany ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Real Skull of a Duck, Germany ca. 1900s An antique taxidermied skull of the duck (Anas platyrhynchos domestica) mounted on an ebonized wooden ...
Wood, Bone
Vintage Felipe Benito Archuleta Style Wooden Watermelon Folk Art
By Felipe Archuleta
Located in Charleston, SC
A vintage folk art watermelon which has been carved from wood and hand painted. This piece is attributed to master New Mexican carving artist Felip Archuleta, who carved animals, watermelons and whirly...
Wood, Paint
Cornish Carved Serpentine Stoneware Model of a Lighthouse
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stylish Cornish carved red serpentine stone ware model of a lighthouse dating from the early to mid 20th Century. The lighthouse is carved from a sing...
Serpentine
Pair of Triton Sea Shell Sculptures
Located in Forney, TX
A pair of unique folk art sculptures completely comprised of natural triton shells. Ball form, each spiral trumpet sea shell protruding outward, creating ...
Shell
Folk Art Seashell Flower Motif Bouquet in a Stone Vessel
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A bouquet of seashell flowers potted in a stone vessel. This unique piece of folk art will be a gorgeous addition to a dining table, coffee table, or ...
Stone
Vintage Instructional Mushroom Model
Located in Chireno, TX
Vintage instructional mushroom model from an art school in France. Entire set pictured together in last three images.
Concrete
Vintage Instructional Mushroom Model
Located in Chireno, TX
Vintage instructional mushroom model from an art school in France. Entire set pictured together in last three images.
Concrete
Vintage Instructional Mushroom Model
Located in Chireno, TX
Vintage instructional mushroom model from an art school in France. Entire set pictured together in last three images.
Concrete
Vintage Instructional Mushroom Model
Located in Chireno, TX
Vintage instructional mushroom model from an art school in France.
Concrete