Folk Art Decorative Objects
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.
1830s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Creamware
1990s British Folk Art Decorative Objects
Driftwood
1990s British Folk Art Decorative Objects
Driftwood
1960s Japanese Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
1960s German Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Beech
19th Century Haitian Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Hardwood, Ebony
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pine
Late 20th Century Folk Art Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Pottery
1990s American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Cane, Rattan, Wood
Early 20th Century Swedish Folk Art Decorative Objects
Oak, Paint
20th Century Spanish Folk Art Decorative Objects
Terracotta, Earthenware, Pottery
1970s Haitian Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Cameroonian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Clay, Beads
1990s Italian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
Mid-20th Century Japanese Folk Art Decorative Objects
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
1940s German Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Copper
2010s Moroccan Folk Art Decorative Objects
Clay, Earthenware
2010s Moroccan Folk Art Decorative Objects
Clay, Earthenware
Late 20th Century Folk Art Decorative Objects
Stone
Late 19th Century Scandinavian Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood, Paint
1960s Japanese Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Bentwood
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Birch, Pine
19th Century Norwegian Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood, Paint
1980s Chinese Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Metal
Late 20th Century Unknown Folk Art Decorative Objects
Ceramic
20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
Mid-20th Century Chinese Folk Art Decorative Objects
Paper
1890s Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Leather, Wood
Early 20th Century Unknown Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Velvet, Wood
Early 1800s Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Stone
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pine
Early 20th Century Norwegian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pine
Mid-20th Century Unknown Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pine
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pine
2010s American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Metal, Steel
1890s European Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Oak
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Brass
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Decorative Objects
Limestone, Sandstone, Marble
Mid-20th Century Folk Art Decorative Objects
Padouk
1910s German Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Metal
1990s Cuban Folk Art Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood, Olive
1930s English Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Fruitwood
Early 18th Century French Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Concrete
2010s American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Steel
20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
Early 1900s Scandinavian Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
20th Century Spanish Folk Art Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Majolica
20th Century Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects
Textile, Wood, Paper
17th Century French Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Brass
2010s Moroccan Folk Art Decorative Objects
Clay, Earthenware
Late 19th Century European Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Brass
Mid-20th Century Chinese Folk Art Decorative Objects
Paper
1890s Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pine
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
Mid-19th Century English Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Birdseye Maple, Giltwood
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pine, Paint
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
2010s American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Steel
2010s American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Metal, Steel
20th Century African Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood, Hardwood
1920s Belgian Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Oak
Mid-20th Century Folk Art Decorative Objects
Blown Glass, Art Glass
16th Century Burmese Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Sandstone
2010s American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Metal, Steel
Mid-20th Century Thai Folk Art Decorative Objects
Fabric, Wood
Early 1900s Portuguese Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Majolica, Pottery
2010s Moroccan Folk Art Decorative Objects
Clay, Earthenware
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pine