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.
2010s Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Clay
19th Century European Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Terracotta
Early 20th Century British Folk Art Decorative Objects
Stone
Late 20th Century Folk Art Decorative Objects
Paper
1920s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Driftwood
Late 19th Century Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Paint
1950s Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Terracotta
20th Century Zimbabwean Folk Art Decorative Objects
Stone
Early 2000s Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects
Terracotta, Clay, Pottery
1930s Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Oak
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood, Pine
2010s Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Clay
Early 19th Century English Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Creamware
1960s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Acrylic, Wood
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
19th Century European Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Ceramic
1960s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Brass
1920s Swedish Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Stoneware
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Iron
1950s Kenyan Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Ebony
Late 19th Century French Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood, Fruitwood, Nutwood
20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Steel
1930s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Blown Glass
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Earthenware, Pottery
1870s Italian Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pine
2010s Italian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Gold Leaf
1950s French Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
Early 20th Century Hungarian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Earthenware
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Gesso, Wood
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
1770s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Stoneware
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pottery
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Metal
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pine
Mid-20th Century German Folk Art Decorative Objects
Iron
1950s Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
20th Century Russian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Silver, Enamel
Mid-20th Century North American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Antler, Horn, Leather, Wood
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pine
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pine
1960s Austrian Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Brass, Bronze
Mid-20th Century Swedish Folk Art Decorative Objects
Straw
Early 1900s American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Cane, Wood
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pottery
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
Early 20th Century European Folk Art Decorative Objects
Brass, Bronze, Copper
Late 20th Century Beninese Folk Art Decorative Objects
Ebony
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Sheet Metal
Late 20th Century Malaysian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Ceramic
1880s Austrian Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Brass
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Metal
Mid-18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Birch
1860s Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pine
2010s Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Clay
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
2010s Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Acrylic, Clay
1950s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Mid-20th Century Italian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Folk Art Decorative Objects
Hardwood, Lacquer
20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Metal