Folk Art Sculptures
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.
1
522
43
11
to
57
448
111
5,289
4,870
2,177
688
620
576
511
388
370
351
272
201
196
182
94
66
52
44
17
121
384
54
100
148
65
14
8
8
25
24
21
14
21
8
4
Height
to
Width
to
301
174
82
51
40
576
565
576
222
181
165
52
44
15
8
7
5
4
Style: Folk Art
Moroccan Decorative Dragon Sculpture Handbuilt and Handpainted by Potter Houda
Located in Marseille, FR
- Hand built decorative dragon sculpture - big format
- made of clay collected from the potter's surroundings.
- decorative motifs painted with a goat hair brush made by the potter...
Category
2010s Moroccan Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Clay, Earthenware
Jim Rose Barn House Structure, Welded Steel Sculpture Made with Salvaged Steel
By Jim Rose
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. Thes...
Category
2010s American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Steel
Beautiful Wooden Red Tang-Style Horse, Vintage Asia, 1980s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful decorative horse statue. Some wear with a nice patina, but this is old-age. Wooden horse colored in red, with some metal and stone parts. Very decorative and nice to disp...
Category
1980s Chinese Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Moroccan Decorative Horse Sculpture Handbuilt and Handpainted by Potter Houda
Located in Marseille, FR
- Hand built decorative horse sculpture
- made of clay collected from the potter's surroundings.
- decorative motifs painted with a goat hair brush made by the potter to apply natu...
Category
2010s Moroccan Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Clay, Earthenware
Jim Rose Barn House Structure, Welded Steel Object Made with Salvaged Steel
By Jim Rose
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. Thes...
Category
2010s American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Steel
The Eyes Say It All, Assamblage with Found Objects
By Rick Farrell
Located in Chicago, IL
A found object is a natural or man-made item, or fragment of an item that is found by an artist and kept because of some intinsic interest the artist sees in it. Beginning with Picas...
Category
2010s North American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Metal, Wire
19th Century Life Sized Horse Trade Sign from a Tack Shop in Pennsylvania
Located in Charleston, SC
19th century life sized horse trade sign from a tack shop in Pottsville, PA. Horse is made of cast iron, wood, and papier mâché. The tail and cast iron ears are removable. Original f...
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Iron
American Vintage Toleware Metal Goose Decoy Table Sculpture
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Painted toleware metal goose decoy table sculpture, America, 1930s
The metal decoy is seated in basic custom made oval wooden base.
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Mexican Burnished Clay Hand Oaxaca Sculpture Mixtec Ceramic with Red Face
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
This Mexican red ceramic clay hand sculpture is a piece by artist Manuel Reyes. Made with clay from Oaxaca and Zacatecas, painted with oxides from the region. Done with the hand-mode...
Category
2010s Mexican Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic, Clay
Carved and Painted Merganser
By Frank Finney
Located in Nantucket, MA
Red breasted Merganser Drake carved in a sleeping pose. Made from Tupelo wood with carved eyes, pinned head, attached flat lead weight and leather line tie
Great painted antique sur...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary North American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Softwood
Carved Wood Figure of a Dog
Located in Essex, MA
In a seated position. Provenance: Dingman Estate.
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Royal Doulton "the Carpet Seller" Moroccan Decorative Porcelain Figurine
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Royal Doulton "the carpet seller," Moroccan figurine of a carpet seller.
Made in England, by Royal Doulton England, the "Carpet Seller,"
Royal Doulton, H.N. 1464, finely painted porc...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
19th Century Wrought Iron Dog Sculpture or Paperweight Of A Retriever
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
19th Century wrought iron dog sculpture or paperweight of a retriever.
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wrought Iron
Abercrombie & Fitch Ceramic Piggy Bank
Located in Atlanta, GA
Abercrombie & Fitch ceramic piggy bank, England, circa 1950s. Modeled after their famous leather animal toys and footstools, this little piggie looks just like stitched leather, but ...
Category
1950s English Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Jim Rose Barn House Structure, Welded Steel Sculpture Made with Salvaged Steel
By Jim Rose
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. Thes...
Category
2010s American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Steel
Chinese Painted Lucky Fish
Located in Chicago, IL
Hand-carved from reclaimed wood, this rustic fish sculpture recreates early 20th-century Chinese folk art designs. The fish is carved with a squat, rounded body and brightly painted ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Chinese Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Vintage Instructional Mushroom Model
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage instructional mushroom model from an art school in France. Entire set pictured together in last three images.
Category
1940s French Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Concrete
Signed Bustamante Brass Fireplace Screen / Wall Animal Sculpture
Located in Stamford, CT
Mexican artist, Sergio Bustamante wall sculpture or fireplace screen with a Garden of Eden menagerie of flora and fauna. Lions, giraffes, birds, butterflies, turtle, armadillo, rabbi...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Brass, Copper
Mid Century Gerald Pat Hannah Canadian Carved Wood Figure Rose
Located in Dayton, OH
Mid century carved wood folk art figure by Gerald Pat Hannah, titled “Rose,” showing an old woman in a dark hat and coat with a purse on her arm. “One of the original three Hannah br...
Category
Mid-20th Century Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Hardwood, Paint
Early Leo Sewell Assembledge, Sculpture, Seated Male Figure
By Leo Sewell
Located in Buffalo, NY
Early Leo Sewell Assembledge. Sculpture, seated male figure, signed and dated, 1977. A charming array of whimsical found objects, Italian chair included.
Category
1970s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Monumental Dorothy Gillespie Metal Ribbon Wall Sculpture
By Dorothy Gillespie
Located in Buffalo, NY
Stunning Dorothy Gillespie metal ribbon wall sculpture, wonderful usr of color, texture and space. Photos do not do this piece of art any justice, truly beautiful in person, strong p...
Category
1980s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Hand-Carved Wood Folk Art Organic Ball Sphere
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique hand-carved folk art-style wood gazing ball. A friend of bookshelves and coffee tables. A lovely garden accent. An organic doorstop.
A compliment to any room-- great suppo...
Category
20th Century Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Royal Doulton Porcelain Figurine, "The Mendicant"
Located in Ferndale, MI
High glazed, finely modeled bone china with exquisite colors. One of designer, Leslie Harradine finest Royal Doulton firgurines, "The Mendicant" (1929-1969). A smiling, humble, beard...
Category
Early 20th Century English Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
Early 20th Century Hand Carved and Painted Chalkware Chimpanzee
Located in Brooklyn, NY
American painted chalkware chimpanzee circa 1920s. These figurines date back as far as the 1800s and were often used as carnival prizes. Chalkware is composed of plaster of Paris (a ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Plaster
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 obtained via a private collection in Ly...
Category
1930s French Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Paper
Moroccan Decorative Fish Sculpture Handbuilt and Handpainted by Potter Houda
Located in Marseille, FR
- Hand built decorative fish sculpture
- made of clay collected from the potter's surroundings.
- decorative motifs painted with a goat hair brush made by the potter to apply natur...
Category
2010s Moroccan Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Clay, Earthenware
Pair of Faux Bois Iron Log Sculptures
Located in Houston, TX
Unusual vintage pair of faux bois iron log planters or sculptures. This unique pair of faux bois sculptures would look great as a cocktail table accessory or in a bookcase. Real conv...
Category
Mid-20th Century Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Iron
Cute Pink Pig Porcelain Cigar Ashtray, Antique, German, 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Gorgeous vintage cigarette or cigar ashtray. A beautiful decorative item, with nice patina, probably missing something at the eye and also has a small chip at the rim (please see det...
Category
1910s German Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Vintage Instructional Mushroom Model
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage instructional mushroom model from an art school in France. Entire set pictured together in last three images.
Category
1940s French Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Concrete
American Cast Iron Mamie Door Stop with Original Paint, Circa 1890
Located in Charleston, SC
American cast iron Mamie doorstop with original paint, Late 19th century.
Category
1890s American Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Iron
Vintage Bulldog Brush Holder
Located in Antwerp, BE
Lovely handcrafted wooden Brush Holder - Gentleman's Brush Set in the shape of a English Bulldog - American Bulldog - French Bulldog - Dog Figurine with glass Eyes.
On the Bottom is ...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
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 Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Moroccan Decorative Dragon Sculpture Handbuilt and Handpainted by Potter Houda
Located in Marseille, FR
- Hand built decorative dragon sculpture
- made of clay collected from the potter's surroundings.
- decorative motifs painted with a goat hair brush made by the potter to apply nat...
Category
2010s Moroccan Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Clay, Earthenware
Macy's Department Store Window Display Dogs 1930's
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Collie and Borzoi from a 1930s New York Macy's store display in New York.
Collie dimensions: 34" x 22" x 13".
Borzoi dimensions: 36" x 46" x 14".
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Composition
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 Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic, Paint
Polished Brass Monkey Paperweight Pen Tray Card Holder
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage office desk polished brass monkey paperweight, pen tray holder or card holder, eye glass holder, catchall.
Handcrafted solid brass, Metal Art, Monkey is holding the tray on ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Andhra Pradesh Brass Vegetable Cheese Coconut Grater in the Shape of a Turtle
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Andhra Pradesh solid brass cheese or vegetable grater in the shape of a turtle. Andhra Pradesh, in particular, has a history of outstanding metal workmanship or “Vishwakarmas”, which...
Category
20th Century Indian Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Brass, Copper
Antique Cast Iron Umbrella Back Plate of Admiral Nelson
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Antique painted iron plaque depicting a standing Admiral Nelson clutching a telescope in his only hand while standing next to an anchor wrapped in rope to one side and an anchor to t...
Category
19th Century Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Iron
Large Figurative African Mangbetu Anthropomorphic Ceramic Vessel or Jar
Located in Studio City, CA
This is a wonderful piece likely made by the Mangetu tribe of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is finely detailed and quite large and hefty. These pieces were originally made...
Category
20th Century Congolese Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
1880s French Horse Tricycle
Located in High Point, NC
A horse tricycle from France, produced circa 1880. An antique children’s toy in the form of a leaping white horse with black bridle on three iron wheels. A charmingly simple mechanis...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Moroccan Decorative Hen Sculpture Handbuilt and Handpainted by Potter Houda
Located in Marseille, FR
- Hand built decorative hen sculpture
- made of clay collected from the potter's surroundings.
- decorative motifs painted with a goat hair brush made by the potter to apply natura...
Category
2010s Moroccan Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Clay, Earthenware
Bronze Framed Brass African Mask on Black Glass Table Art
Located in Miami, FL
Decorative bronze framed brass African mask on black glass table art.
No markings.
It is very heavy and shows a warm patina.
Category
Mid-20th Century African Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Bronze, Brass
Jim Rose Barn House Structure, Welded Steel Object Made with Salvaged Steel
By Jim Rose
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. Thes...
Category
2010s American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Steel
Hand Carved Wood Figural Bull Statue
Located in Cincinnati, OH
This skilfully executed hand carved figural bull is fully dimensional and has a rich brown color. The bull is depicted in a standing position atop a shaped wooden plinth. The muscula...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
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 a distinctive multi-pointed ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Shell
Vintage German Christmas Tree Stand Iron Folk Art .
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Hugh Christmas tree stand made of iron. The stand is decorated with three large hands painted Santa Claus. The Santa Claus is decorated on both sides with a Santa in red coat holding...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Iron
Kentucky Horse Farm Fireplace Mantel Horse Legs
Located in Santa Monica, CA
This pair of giant sculptural wooden horse legs, at 5 ft. tall, was once part of a large mantel at the home of a horse ranch in Kentucky. Said to have been Amish carved.
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Antique German Black Forest Carved Violin Musical Group Table Lamp, c1880
By Black Forest
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique German Black Forest table lamp offers carved sculptural base with music instrument grouping to include violin, bow and book, wired for US electrical use, c1880
Measures - ...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Moroccan Decorative Cat Sculpture Handbuilt and Handpainted by Potter Houda
Located in Marseille, FR
- Hand built decorative cat sculpture
- made of clay collected from the potter's surroundings.
- decorative motifs painted with a goat hair brush made by the potter to apply natura...
Category
2010s Moroccan Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Clay, Earthenware
Italian Tole Potted Poppies Table Ornament
Located in Riverdale, NY
Italian cold painted tole poppies table ornament. The white scalloped footed pot holds a symmetrical cluster of large and small metal poppies in varied shades of pinky orange. The le...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Jim Rose Barn House Structure, Welded Steel Sculpture Made with Salvaged Steel
By Jim Rose
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. Thes...
Category
2010s American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Steel
Jim Rose Barn House Structure, Welded Steel Object Made with Salvaged Steel
By Jim Rose
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. Thes...
Category
2010s American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Steel
Ceramic Sculpture with a Group of Playing Putti's 19th Century Belgium
Located in Antwerp, BE
Beautiful in detail and charming 19th century unglazed terracotta sculpture. Features a design of three cherubic children with lamps and fruit, playing with two goats on the base of ...
Category
1890s Belgian Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
Jim Rose Barn House Structure, Welded Steel Sculpture Made with Salvaged Steel
By Jim Rose
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. Thes...
Category
2010s American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Steel
Carved Wooden Sculpture by Ecuadorian Artist Luis Potosi
Located in Chicago, IL
A hand carved wooden sculpture by Ecuadorian artist Luis Potosi (1937 -). Artist plaque on the back.
Category
Mid-20th Century Ecuadorean Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Satirical Hitler Figure from 2nd World War Occupied Denmark
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
This satirical Hitler sculpture was made to depict and mock the Nazi occupation of Denmark during 1940s. According to legend a Danish pig farmer kept this sculpture located in his pi...
Category
Early 20th Century Danish Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Antique Styled Folk Art Carved and Painted Wood Figure Hanging Sheriff Study
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Dating from possibly the Victorian period, this Folk Art styled carved and hand painted wooden sculpture depicts an effigy of a Wild West Sheriff hanging with his hands behind his ba...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Hardwood, Paint
Jim Rose Barn House Structure, Set of Two Nesting House Sculptures in Steel
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
This is a welded steel sculpture made by furniture creator Jim Rose. It is created from salvaged steel panels left over from his larger projects. These sculptures reference tradition...
Category
2010s American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Steel
