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
Asian Burmese Carved Wood Temple Offering Lidded Box
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Burmese bamboo temple offering lidded box, basket.
This kind of wooden basket is used to transport and display offerings to Buddhist temples, in Asia....
Category
Early 20th Century South Asian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Bamboo
Brown & Cream White Stoneware Bowl by Andersson & Johansson, Höganäs, 1920s
Located in Grythyttan, SE
This exquisite hand-crafted Scandinavian stoneware decorative dish or Boel by Andersson & Johansson, Höganäs, features traditional folk art motifs in white against a rich terracotta-...
Category
1920s Swedish Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Stoneware
19th Century Swedish Table Top Box
Located in Bozeman, MT
Charming 19th century table top box in it's original finish, ca 1850 Sweden.
Category
19th Century European Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
Montopolyi Arno Italian Vase with Winged Guardians An unusual piece
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Montopolyi Arno Italian Vase with Winged Guardians
An unusual piece made in terracotta marked Montopolyi Arno, the vase a very attractive piece relief decorated with plants and 4 ...
Category
1950s Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Terracotta
Vintage White Marble Mughal Jeweled Elephant Sculpture Paper Weight
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage white marble Mughal Jeweled elephant sculpture paper weight.
Finely hand painted animal sculpture of an elephant with colorful gold, pink and red color paint.
Collectible ceremonial hand...
Category
Mid-20th Century Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble
Vintage Folk Art Estremoz Clay World Heritage Figurine Portugal by Jose Moreira
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Wonderful and detailed figure by this famous World Heritage maker. Heavily patinated, with flaking to original painted surfaces. Not cleaned, presented in as found condition.
Category
1950s Portuguese Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pottery
Scottish Ram in Polychrome Wood, 19th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb polychrome carved wooden ram from Scotland-19th century
Very elegant and surprising ram which is almost carved at life size which comes from a Manor in Scotland.
Uncommon ...
Category
19th Century Scottish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Hardwood
19th Century Swedish Folk Art Turned Bowl
Located in Allerum, SE
Fine 19th century Swedish folk art turned bowl in two colors with an great shape and original surface. Ca 1820 - 50 Sweden.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Set of 3 Wooden cups and bowls - Africa
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Set of 3 Wooden cups and bowls - Africa
Wabi Sabi Style - Decoration - Brutalist
Measures :
Clear Wood (1) : Ø20,5cm H:9cm
The highest (2) : Ø19cm H:25cm
Dark wood (3) : Ø20cm H:1...
Category
20th Century African Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Large Antique Ceramic Plate Blue and White Dutch Boch Delft Charger 1940s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Large Antique Ceramic Plate Blue and White Dutch Boch Delft Charger 1940s.
Stunning Boch Delfts blue and white plate in very good condition.
Beau...
Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
Unusual Swedish Provincial 19th Century Tall Case Clock
Located in Allerum, SE
Rare and unusually large Provincial Swedish 19th century tall case clock in it's original finish. Dated 1867, Sweden.
Category
19th Century European Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
candleholder from the Erzgebirge by Emil A. Schalling
Located in Kiel, SH
Typical angel clock candleholder by Emil A. Schalling from Erzgebirge, germany. The candleholder is in a used condition with some signs of age and use. The "Erzgebirge" is well known...
Category
1980s European Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Emile Deyrolle 19th Century Plaster, Wire and Wood Didactic Germination Models
Located in Buffalo, NY
LES FILS D'EMILE DEYROLLE, PARIS. Extremely rare set of four 19th century French painted plaster, wire and wood Didactic models depicting progression, ANATOMIE VEGETALE, beautifully ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wire
Hand Carved wooden Folk Art traditional Cookie Board. Set of 2
Located in Seattle, WA
This pair of traditional Cookies boards are hand carved with nice patina and character and feature holes on the back for hanging. Vintage Condition as pictured. Listing is for descri...
Category
1970s Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Quirky American Folk Art Human Form Chair
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Have a seat! One of a kind human form chair. Wonderfully carved muscles, toes, clenched fists for support. Looks like the chair is ready to go crawling ac...
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Vintage Philippine Rice Baskets, Set of 3
Located in Miami, FL
Offered are three hand-woven baskets with lids acquired in the early 1970s on an excursion to visit the rice paddies in the Philippines. They're ...
Category
1970s Philippine Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wicker
Carved Wood Folk Art Airplane, circa 1940s
Located in Santa Monica, CA
This carved wood Folk Art airplane has an amazing original paint surface and functional propeller and wheels.
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Sheet Metal
Large Hand-Carved Tribal Wooden Bowl from the Batak of Sumatra
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Large beautiful and sustainable hand carved wooden bowl with gorgeous leaf design from the Batak of Sumatra, mid-20th century.
Scaramanga's bowls are authentic old hand carved wooden bowls...
Category
Mid-20th Century Indonesian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Antique Cast Bronze of a Mythical Lion Beast
Located in North Hollywood, CA
An antique unusual cast bronze of a Mythical lion beast.
Bursting with character, the lion standing foursquare with his long tail curled back on itse...
Category
Early 20th Century African Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Antique 1920's Folk Art Picture Frame Beach Souvenirs Photos Shells Sand Card
Located in Munich, DE
This highly unusual picture frame was handcrafted in 1920 ca, probably as a souvenir of a nice sea side summer holiday.. It is made out of cardboard and sand and decorated with a var...
Category
1920s French Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Shell, Paper
Near Pair of Japanese Jizai Kagi Wood Koi Folk Art Sculptures
Located in Atlanta, GA
A near pair of wood koi fish from Japan circa 1860-90s of late Meiji Period. Hand-carved from solid wood, these sculptures are known as Jizai Kagi in Japane...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Iron
Beaded Ndebele Initiation Doll
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare imported commodity, glass beads have been a symbol of wealth and importance in south African cultures for centuries, and were exclusively distributed by the region's oba (king...
Category
Mid-20th Century South African Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Fabric, Cotton, Wood
Arts and Crafts Oak Basket A very attractive piece of Arts and Craft Folk Art
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Arts and Crafts Oak Basket
A very attractive piece of Arts and Craft Folk Art
The basket is made in Oak with a little carving and brass and copper decoration
It is 8” high, 14” w...
Category
1930s Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Oak
Vintage Boho Sergio Bustamante Paper Mache Bird on Pedestal
Located in west palm beach, FL
Make a bold artistic statement with this vintage Sergio Bustamante paper mâché bird sculpture, a whimsical yet elegant creation handcrafted in T...
Category
Late 20th Century Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood, Paper
Folk Art Heavy Carved Log Bench Rhinoceros Sculpture
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Folk Art heavy carved log wood bench in form of sculpture.
Category
20th Century Unknown Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Teak
"Pig" Found Object Sculpture by Leo Sewell
By Leo Sewell
Located in Wiscasset, ME
Leo Sewell (b. 1945) is an American "found object" artist. His assemblages of recycled material are in over 40 museums and in private collections worldwide.
Sewell was born in Ann...
Category
Early 2000s American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
Antique Tramp Art Box / Jewelry Box Carved Brass 1893 Chip Carved War Decoration
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Gorgeous Tramp Art box / Jewelry box marked 1893 and decorated with brass.
The box contains multiple guns & pike helmets and a lions head holding a brass ring to open the chest.
...
Category
1890s American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Small Sailor Whirligig, circa 1930-1940
Located in Nantucket, MA
Figural standing sailor whirligig, carved from Pine wearing a white hat with metal brim,
a blue sailor’s middy with scarf, striped red and white unde...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
Elephant Décor Planter
Located in Pasadena, TX
Late 20th century ceramic elephant garden planter
Handmade of ceramic. Nice addition to your home, patio or garden.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
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, painted with oxides from the region. Done with the hand-modeled technique and cooked in traditional wood-fired oven. Reyes has been constantly innovating with his hen collection, making this one of his most iconic works.
Ceramic artist, sculptor and painter, Manuel Reyes (Mexico City, 1972) atended the Escuela Nacional de Artes Plásticas in Xochimilco, México. He was later mentored by Royer Von Guten, Joy Laville...
Category
2010s Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic, Clay
Christmas Tree Stand Iron Folk Art German
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
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 si...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Iron
Vintage English Terra-Cotta Pot Man Sculpture for Home, Garden Cty Staffordshire
Located in Chicago, IL
Outstanding vintage English terra-cotta flower pot man. This guy is the perfect folk art host for most anywhere, here at the store we have him in the foyer welcoming guests...
Category
20th Century English Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Terracotta
Mexican Clay Sculpture Man with Bird on Head Ceramic Man Trunk Folk Art
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
Beautiful torso clay sculpture by Manuel Reyes, evoking
Ceramic artist, sculptor and painter, Manuel Reyes (Mexico City, 1972) atended the Escuela Nacional de Artes Plásticas in Xochimilco, México. He was later mentored by Royer Von Guten, Joy Laville...
Category
2010s Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic, Clay
Decorative Folk Art Handcrafted Exotic Wood Lacquered Belly Flower Vase
Located in Miami, FL
Decorative Folk Art handcrafted exotic wood lacquered belly flower vase.
A-762-335
Category
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Scottish Brass and Nickel Silver Horse Hobble, Bide A Blink, Circa 1830
Located in Charleston, SC
Scottish brass and nickel silver horse hobble with an eagle heads horse shoe handle and resting on the faithful servant creature Bide a Blink. Signature...
Category
1830s Scottish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass, Iron, Nickel
Large 19th Century Carousel Figure of a Scotsman
Located in Queens, NY
Large nineteenth century large carved and painted wooden figure representing a Scottish Highlander wearing a traditional plumed cap and uniform wit...
Category
19th Century Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood, Paint
Beakhorn Stump Blacksmith Anvil
Located in Hanover, MA
SATURDAY SALE
The first thing I thought upon seeing this was Constantin Brancusi's bird sculptures and the questions about the nature of abstract art it asked.
This is an early 20t...
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Iron
Vintage German Christmas Tree Stand Iron Folk Art .
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
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 si...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Iron
19th Century Scandinavian Folk Art Carved Oak Table Top Chest
Located in Norwich, GB
A lovely 19th century oak lidded-top table chest with hand carved leaf scrolls and roundel carvings, having swivel carrying handles to the sides.
The chest has a rustic charm and sh...
Category
19th Century European Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Oak, Pine
Large Antique English Trench Art Table Cannon
Located in Forney, TX
Antique English Trench Art mixed metal miniature howitzer - signal style table cannon. Hand-crafted, assembled in the early 20th century, fashioned in par...
Category
Early 20th Century European Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass, Bronze, Copper
Mattapoisett Basket, by Gladys Ellis, circa 1940s
Located in Nantucket, MA
Early Vintage Mattapoisett Basket, by Gladys Ellis, Mid 20th Century, a hand-crafted basket modeled after a Nantucket purse, having a round disk shape with open top, made of hand-sti...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Other
Charming Northern Swedish Handmade Folk Art Wooden Figurines
Located in Kramfors, SE
Charming hand-carved wooden figurines in folk art from northern Sweden. The set of 6 figurines are made by hand in solid Swedish pine and painted by My...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
1960s Large Hand-carved Iron Wood American Bald Eagle Art Sculpture
Located in North Hollywood, CA
A large hand-carved iron wood eagle perched on a tree stump and surveying the surroundings ready to fly.
Hand carved wood vintage extremely detailed bald eagle perched upon rockery with glass eyes.
Hand carved Ironwood Southwestern seri...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Late 19th Century Painted Articulated Figure with Overalls
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Late 19th century articulated figure with a nicely detailed carved face, navy overalls and red-painted shirt, tie, and shoe.
Category
19th Century Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wire
Green Lava Vessel 1
By LAKE BELL
Located in Sherman Oaks, CA
With a nod to the spontaneity and privileged imperfection that is the human condition, all of my pieces imbue an energy of function and whimsy.
The Green Lava 1 slipware vessel embo...
Category
2010s American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Stoneware
Earthenware Hungarian Pottery Hand Painted, circa 1900's
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Earthenware Hungarian Pottery Hand Painted, circa 1900's
Discover the timeless charm and artistry of this original hand-painted earthenware pottery, ...
Category
Early 20th Century Hungarian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Earthenware
Beaded Ndebele Ceremonial Doll
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare imported commodity, glass beads have been a symbol of wealth and importance in south African cultures for centuries, and were exclusively distributed by the region's oba (king). As beads become gradually more accessible throughout the 19th century, they began to displace the organic materials used in traditional art and attire.
This colorful example of African beadwork is a ceremonial doll...
Category
Mid-20th Century South African Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Twine, Cotton, Wood
Unusual Iron Welded Handmade Folk Art Locomotive, Train
Located in Buffalo, NY
Unusual iron welded handmade folk art locomotive, train, very well executed. Artist /maker unknown.
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Steel, Iron
Special Tramp Art Box of Drawers
Located in Mt Kisco, NY
An especially sweet four-drawer hand-carved "tramp art" box. The top is decorated with a symbolic heart and arrow, a common design element in Tramp Art. The drawers are embellished with porcelain knobs. Carved ladies boots...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Set of 5 Large Moss Green Glass Chemist or Pharmacy Jars
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
A set of 5 large moss green glass chemist or pharmacy jars
These are wonderful attractive jars from the mid 19th Century, they have been hand blown and labeled Worm Powders, Teet...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Cut Glass
Antique Swedish Wooden butter st1orage box 1800's Handmade Folk Craft
Located in Forest, BE
Swedish antique pine and birch wooden butter storage box . Fine quality of bentwood. It is a true piece from the early 19 century. Hand graved 1882 inside the lid. Nice addition in...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Birch, Pine
Monumental Figurative Wire Iron Sculpture, Female Figure Titled "DOMINATRIX
Located in Buffalo, NY
Monumental figurative wire iron sculpture, female figure titled "DOMINATRIX, amazing skilled artist, great sense of the human female form. Hand delivery avail to New York City or any...
Category
1970s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Iron, Wrought Iron
Earthenware Hungarian Pottery, circa 1900s
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Earthenware Hungarian Pottery, circa 1900s
This exquisite piece of early 20th century, this antique Hungarian pottery stands as a testament ...
Category
Early 20th Century Hungarian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Earthenware
Set of Six Carnival Knockdown Dolls
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Set of six vintage folk art carnival knockdown dolls crafted in canvas, hand painted on both sides, trimmed with cotton fur and weighted at the bottom....
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Cotton
Majestic Benin King Oba, Finely Carved Ebony Bust, Nigeria West Africa C1930s
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Truly a majestic Benin Oba. Beautifully and finely hand carved in Ebony hardwood from the 1930's
A piece of this quality and stature holds enormous presence...
Category
1930s Beninese Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Ebony
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
Poole Pottery Vase by Anita Harris Lovely vibrant colours. A delightful piece
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Poole Pottery Vase by Anita Harris
Lovely vibrant colours. A delightful piece by Anita Harris
In Volcano Colours an Aztec style design, this lovely bright oval vase is in good con...
Category
20th Century Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pottery
Set of Antique Carved and Painted Wood Candle or 'Cricket' Sticks with Brass
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This set of four carved and painted 'cricket stick' styled candlesticks are unsigned but presumed to have been made in Eastern Europe in circa 1930 in a folk art style. The sticks ar...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
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, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art decorative objects made in a specific country, there are Europe, 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, Jim Rose, Berber Tribes of Morocco, and Tonala Pottery. 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 $38 and tops out at $225,000 while the average work can sell for $1,105.
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