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Folk Art Decorative Objects

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
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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Clay, Earthenware

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...
Category

2010s American Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Steel

Small Antique Treen Glove Powderer and Companion Piece. C.1850
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Lovely shaped treen glove powderer 5 holes in the top Beautiful colour of wood. Possibly pearwood The companion piece is turned bone. About the same date. I don't know what its fu...
Category

1850s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Antique Green Glass Apothecary Bottle, English 18th Century
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful piece of glass Beautiful colour of green Traces of the original label " Tinct. Opii " Tiny bruise to top edge. Shown in the last image
Category

Late 18th Century English Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

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...
Category

20th Century English Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Serpentine

Paperweight with Seashore Theme Handmade with Real Sea Shells & Crab, circa 1970
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a beautiful handmade English acrylic paperweight having a seashore theme with real items and dating to the 20th century, circa 1970. This paperweight is handmade of real i...
Category

20th Century English Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Acrylic

Pair of Faux Bois Iron Log Sculptures
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of Faux Bois iron log sculptures. Unusual vintage pair of faux bois iron log planters or sculptures. This unique pair of faux bois sculptures would...
Category

Mid-20th Century Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Iron

19th Century Swedish Antique Rustic Folk Art Wooden Trough/ Serving Bowl
Located in Boden, SE
19th century antique rustic Swedish antique wooden tray/ Serving bowl from Boden ,Northern Sweden . A farmers handcrafted tray or serving bowl or centerpiece. A highly functional ob...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Pine

Greenlandica, Jakob Keke. Sculpture in soapstone.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Greenlandica, Jakob Keke, Kungmiut, East Greenland. Sculpture in soapstone. Approximately from the 1970s. In excellent condition. Label. Dimensions: L 14.5 cm x H 7.5 cm x W 5.5 cm.
Category

1970s Greenlandic Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Soapstone

Greenlandica, small sculpture in soapstone. Polar bear and hunter.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Greenlandica, small sculpture in soapstone. Polar bear and hunter. Greenland mid-20th century. In good condition, with a few small chips. Dimensions: L 8.0 cm x W 4.7 cm x H 5.0 cm. ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Greenlandic Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Soapstone

Vintage Blown Glass Christmas Ornaments, German, Set of Three
Located in Ferndale, MI
Set of three blown glass Christmas ornament including one charming gnome/dwarf and two houses. Colors are bright. Clean condition as expected for the age. White, Pink, Gold House Di...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Wire

Vintage Christmas Ornaments, Flocked Blown Glass, Set of Three
Located in Ferndale, MI
Set of three vintage Czech blown glass Christmas ornament two Santas and one house. Made in the 1960's, this is a classic style ornament, made with quality blown glass and hand finis...
Category

Mid-20th Century Czech Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Wire

19th Century Swedish Antique Rustic Folk Art Wooden Trough/ Serving Bowl
Located in Boden, SE
19th century big rustic Swedish antique wooden tray/ Serving bowl from Boden Norrbotten,Northern Sweden. A farmers handcrafted tray or serving bowl or centerpiece. A highly function...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Pine

Bespoke Wine Box Gift Box, Tidy, Hamper, Caddy
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Bespoke Wine Box Gift Box, Tidy, Hamper, Caddy This attractive piece can be put to many uses, with Christmas and Thanks Giving just around the corner, it would make a great hamper ...
Category

1990s Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Cedar

Set of three folk art wood pieces, Sweden, 19th century
Located in Maastricht, NL
A set of two 19th century wooden folk art pieces from Sweden: two round, lockable boxes and one barrel with a copper opening. Barrel dimensions: W 17cm / 6.7" D 14,5cm / 5.7" H 11,...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Copper

Greenlandica, Taki Petersen. Massive sculpture in soapstone. Hunter and seal
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Greenlandica, Taki Petersen. Heavy and massive sculpture in soapstone depicting a hunter and a seal. In excellent condition. Signed and dated 80. Dimensions: H 15.7 cm. x L 13.5 cm.
Category

1980s Greenlandic Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Soapstone

Greenlandica, tupilak in soapstone. Greenland mid-20th century.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Greenlandica, Tupilak. Traditional, magic Greenlandic figurine carved in soapstone. Greenland mid-20th century. In good condition, with damage to the base (see photo). Dimensions: H...
Category

Mid-20th Century Greenlandic Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Soapstone

Greenlandica, Sarak, Greenlandic woman in profile, sculpture in soapstone.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Greenlandica, Sarak, Greenlandic woman in profile, sculpture in soapstone. 1970/80s. In excellent condition. Signed. Dimensions: H 14.0 cm x L 12.0 cm x W 6.0 cm. Soapstone - also kn...
Category

1970s Greenlandic Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Soapstone

Greenlandica, soapstone sculpture on a marble base. Mid-20th C.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Greenlandica, soapstone sculpture on a marble base. Greenland. Mid-20th century. In excellent condition. Dimensions: L 20.0 cm x H 13.0 cm x W 7.0 cm. Soapstone - also known as Steat...
Category

Mid-20th Century Greenlandic Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Soapstone

Early Nantucket Creel Shaped Purse by Jose Formoso Reyes, circa 1950s
Located in Nantucket, MA
Early Nantucket Creel Shaped Purse by Jose Formoso Reyes, circa 1950s. An early free woven basket (made without a mold) that features a pentagonal creel-shaped pine bottom and maple ...
Category

1950s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Cane, Rattan

Folk Art Geometric Inlaid Wood Small Hinged Box
Located in West Chester, PA
Hand made geometric inlaid wooden hinged xox with red enameled interior.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Late 20th Century Nude Figure Sculpture, Unsigned
Located in Charleston, SC
Nude sculpture figure of woman kneeling. Late 20th century.
Category

Late 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Clay

Bespoke Wine Box Gift Box, Tidy, Hamper, Caddy
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Bespoke Wine Box Gift Box, Tidy, Hamper, Caddy This attractive piece can be put to many uses, with Christmas and Thanks Giving just around the corner, it would make a great hamper ...
Category

Early 2000s Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Cedar

Vintage Jose Reyes Nantucket Purse with Rosewood Top, circa 1960
Located in Nantucket, MA
Vintage Jose Reyes Nantucket Purse with Rosewood Top, circa 1960s, an oval cane woven covered basket with fine rosewood top plate, shaped swing handle, carved bone peg and handle att...
Category

1960s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Rattan, Cane

Antique Real Skull of a Fox, Germany ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Real Skull of a Fox, Germany ca. 1900s An antique taxidermied skull of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) mounted on an ebonized wooden turned base. Derived from the biological col...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Bone, Wood

Greenlandica, old hunter with a seal on his back, sculpture in soapstone.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Greenlandica, an old hunter with a seal on his back. Sculpture in soapstone. Mid-20th century. In good condition with two small chips. Dimensions: H 15.0 cm x W 3.5 cm.
Category

Mid-20th Century Greenlandic Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Soapstone

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 turned base. Derived from the biol...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Bone, Wood

Fully Articulated Artist's Model Of Horse, Signed
Located in Bradenton, FL
Antique hand-carved artist's model of a horse, fully articulated at every level including wooden ears. Has a horsehair tail. Fixed on a brass stem and raised on a wooden base. Artist...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Grønlandica, Sarak, Greenlandic hunter in profile, sculpture in soapstone.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Grønlandica, Sarak, Greenlandic hunter in profile, sculpture in soapstone. 1970/80s. In excellent condition. Signed. Dimensions: H 10.5 cm x W 8.0 cm.
Category

1970s Greenlandic Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Soapstone

Alphaious Campbell Wood Carved Profile of a Man
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Alphaious Campbell carved wood wall hanging, c.1987. The painted folk art piece showcases various profiles of a bearded man. Dimensions 9" width x 32.5" height Condition Excellent...
Category

Late 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Fully Articulated Artist's Model Of Horse, Signed
Located in Bradenton, FL
Antique hand-carved artist's model of a horse, fully articulated at every level including wooden ears. Has a horsehair tail. Fixed on a brass stem and raised on a wooden base. Artist...
Category

Early 20th Century French Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Greenlandica, Ortôrak, large sculpture of a lying seal made of soapstone.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Greenlandica, Ortôrak, large sculpture of a lying seal made of soapstone. In good condition with signs of use. Signed and dated 82. Dimensions: Length 30.0 x Hight 10.0 cm x depth 10...
Category

1980s Greenlandic Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Soapstone

Greenlandica, wooden sculpture of a hunter in profile. Hand-carved. Mid-20th C.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Greenlandica, wooden sculpture of a hunter in profile. Hand-carved. Mid-20th century. In very good condition. Dimensions: H 12.5 cm x D 8.0 cm x W 7.0 cm.
Category

Mid-20th Century Greenlandic Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Greenlandica, SP, Greenlandic artist. Sculpture in soapstone. Two polar bears.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Greenlandica, SP, Greenlandic artist. Sculpture in soapstone. Two polar bears In good condition with minor signs of use. Signed SP 83. Measurements: H 15.5 cm x L 13.0 cm.
Category

20th Century Greenlandic Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Soapstone

Greenlandica, three pieces of soapstone and a black pouch with a keyring.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Greenlandica, three pieces of soapstone and a black pouch with a keyring. Features a ptarmigan, seal, and hunter. Artists : Nem Paamiut, Josef Josefsen. Signed 76 (ptarmigan) and 20...
Category

20th Century Greenlandic Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Soapstone

Greenlandica, Taki Petersen, lying seal in soapstone. 1977
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Greenlandica, Taki Petersen, lying seal in soapstone. In excellent condition with signs of use. Signed and dated 77. Dimensions: L 19.0 cm x W 7.5 cm x H 9.5 cm.
Category

1970s Greenlandic Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Soapstone

Bespoke Wine Box Gift Box, Tidy, Hamper, Caddy
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Bespoke Wine Box Gift Box, Tidy, Hamper, Caddy This attractive piece can be put to many uses, with Christmas and Thanks Giving just around the corner, it would make a great hamper o...
Category

Early 2000s Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Cedar

1960s Vintage Moroccan Inlaid Hexagonal Wood Box
Located in North Hollywood, CA
1960s Handcrafted Bone Inlaid Trinket Moroccan Wood Trinket Box. Handmade artisanal mid century inlaid trinket decorative lidded Moroccan box. This hexagonal shaped decorative box ha...
Category

Mid-20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Bone, Fruitwood

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. Derived from the biological col...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Bone, Wood

Bespoke Wine Box Gift Box, Tidy, Hamper, Caddy
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Bespoke Wine Box Gift Box, Tidy, Hamper, Caddy This attractive piece can be put to many uses, with Christmas and Thanks Giving just around the corner, it would make a great hamper ...
Category

Early 2000s Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Cedar

Mexican Burnished Clay Chicken Kitchen Vessel Hen Egg Basket Decoration
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
This Mexican ceramic hen is an egg basket, perfect to keep eggs fresh -- a utilitarian kitchen piece by artist Manuel Reyes. Made with clay from Oaxaca and Zacatecas, painted with ox...
Category

2010s Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Clay, Ceramic

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 turned base. Derived from the b...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood, Bone

Mexican Burnished Clay Chicken Kitchen Hen Egg Basket Decoration Hen Black
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
This Mexican ceramic hen is an egg basket, perfect to keep eggs fresh -- a utilitarian kitchen piece by artist Manuel Reyes. Made with clay from Oaxaca and Zacatecas, painted with ox...
Category

2010s Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Clay

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...
Category

20th Century Belgian Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Bespoke Wine Box Gift Box, Tidy, Hamper, Container This attractive piece can b
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Bespoke Wine Box Gift Box, Tidy, Hamper, Container This attractive piece can be put to many uses, with Christmas and Thanks Giving just around the corner, it would make a great ham...
Category

Early 2000s Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Cedar

Mexican Burnished Clay Chicken Kitchen Hen Egg Basket Decoration Hen Brown
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
This Mexican ceramic hen is an egg basket/container, perfect to keep eggs fresh -- a utilitarian kitchen piece by artist Manuel Reyes. Made with clay from Oaxaca and Zacatecas, paint...
Category

2010s Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Clay

1950s Vintage Hand Carved Wooden Kashmiri Jewelry Box India
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Traditional Carved Walnut Bone Inlaid Storage Jewelry Box. Kashmiri hand carved trinket box with hinged lid shallow relief carving and bone inlay with interior lined with bl...
Category

Mid-20th Century Indian Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Moroccan Decorative Dog Sculpture Handbuilt and Handpainted by Potter Houda
Located in Marseille, FR
- Hand built decorative dog sculpture - made of clay collected from the potter's surroundings. - decorative motifs painted with a goat hair brush made...
Category

2010s Moroccan Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Clay, Earthenware

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Clay, Earthenware

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...
Category

2010s Moroccan Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Clay, Earthenware

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 Decorative Objects

Materials

Clay, Earthenware

Couple of S size, moorish heads, lady and gentleman. Handmade in sicily
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
Handmade in Italy Sicilian design moorish heads
Category

2010s Italian Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

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 base. Derived from the biological ...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Bone, Wood

1960s Vintage Asian Large Hand Carved Wooden Himidor Footed Box
Located in North Hollywood, CA
1950s Vintage Asian Large Hand Carved Wooden Humidor Box. Hand-carved Kashmiri style Mid 20th century wood box richly decorated overall with stylized floral carving, bicolor light an...
Category

Mid-20th Century Indian Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

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 reg...
Category

2010s Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Clay

Mexican Burnished Clay Chicken Kitchen Vessel Hen Egg Basket Decoration Birds
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
This Mexican ceramic hen is an egg basket, perfect to keep eggs fresh -- a utilitarian kitchen piece by artist Manuel Reyes. Made with clay from Oaxaca and Zacatecas, painted with ox...
Category

2010s Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Clay

Mexican Burnished Clay Chicken Kitchen Vessel Hen Egg Basket Decoration Flowers
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
This Mexican ceramic hen is an egg basket, perfect to keep eggs fresh -- a utilitarian kitchen piece by artist Manuel Reyes. Made with clay from Oaxaca and Zacatecas, painted with ox...
Category

2010s Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Clay, Ceramic

Small Swedish Folk Art Painted Box
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A Swedish allmoge folk art painted little box with a combination lock most probably from the region of Dalarna in central Sweden. Hand carved and origi...
Category

1920s Swedish Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Pine

Folk Art decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique folk art decorative objects 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 decorative objects created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, folk art and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, steel and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art decorative objects made in a specific country, there are North America, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original decorative objects, popular names associated with this style include Mosche Bianche, Berber Tribes of Morocco, Tonala Pottery, and Victor Anicet. 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 decorative objects differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $1,450 and tops out at $2,800 while the average work can sell for $1,750.

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