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
Antique Brass Jam Pan. English 19th Century
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great rustic accessory for the country kitchen
Country house condition. Original patina to brass and rusty iron handle
Free UK shipping
Category
1870s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass, Iron
Pair of Trench Art Candlesticks
Located in Chicago, IL
A wonderful and thought provoking pair of early 20th century American Trench Art candlesticks made from the spent brass casings of naval artillery shells.
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Antique Swedish genuine Birch bark container
Located in Boden, SE
The antique birch bark container was traditionally used as a storage vessel for food, dried herbs, or other valuable items. Its durable and waterproof properties made it ideal for pr...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Birch
Monumental Jesus and Virgin Mary Folk Art Sculptures from the Jesuit Center
Located in Hamburg, PA
A religious pair of monumental wooden sculptures depicting Jesus and Mary from the Berks County Pennsylvania Jesuit Center. This dynamic ha...
Category
20th Century Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood, Paint
Swedish Craft, Bowl, Wood, Sweden, 1814
Located in High Point, NC
A wooden bowl produced in Sweden in 1814.
“M 1814” engraving on side
Category
1810s Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Wire Airplane Sculptures
Located in Darnestown, MD
Wire sculptures of two matching monoplanes. These were made by the same hand as the bicycles listed as item #U120310916064 and automobiles U120310916065. The planes measure 10 1/2" ...
Category
1930s Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wire
Early 19th century Swedish hand painted pine blanket box
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 19th century Swedish painted blanket box circa 1816.
Traditional rag painted Swedish box which is initialed and dated 1816. Flat top lid which makes it ideal for doubling up ...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine, Paint
19th Century Swedish Folk Art Adjustable Wooden Candlestick
Located in Valby, 84
This 19th-century Swedish allmoge candlestick represents a long-standing Nordic tradition of functional, handcrafted objects for everyday use. Made from locally sourced wood and moun...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Hand-Carved and Painted 19th Century Cigar Store Figure
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand-Carved and Painted 19th Century Cigar Store Figure.
The man is hand carved from one piece of wood. He is probably late 19th century and over pa...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Antique Wood Animal Horse Sculpture, Northern Swedish Folk Art Original Paint
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique wooden horse sculpture from northern Sweden. The horse is from around 1850 and has a body in pine with original paint. The sculpture is m...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
Moorish Heads Vases Collection "Cool Gray", Set of 2 Pieces, Handmade in Italy
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
This collection is a work of art that make a statement in modern décor and in the modern cultural art world. It can be used as a vase containing flowers, or as a beautiful centerpiec...
Category
2010s Italian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Gold Leaf
Ceramic Glazed Square Plate with Hand Painted Designs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ceramic plate features a square shape with turned up corners. The plate is glazed in a soft cream and beige coloring with speckling throughout. The piece is finished with two hand pa...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
19th Century Swedish Antique Rare Unique Rustic Folk Art Wooden Bowl Dated 1864
Located in Boden, SE
19th century antique rustic rare Swedish Wooden bowl from Dalarna Northern Sweden.
Dated 1864
The surfaces are naturally patinated due tue age,
You can see the use of time.
A tru...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
19th Century, Swedish Antique Rustic Wooden Bowl with Handle
Located in Boden, SE
19th century Swedish antique handmade wood bowl with handle from the first half of the 19th century. The bowl with handle from northern Sweden i...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
19th Century American Hand Carved Wood Horse Head
Located in Stamford, CT
American late 19th century hand carved wood head of a horse, stained black, shown wearing a bridal and bit, with mouth open as if in a full gallop. A very handsome piece of sculpture, likely a fragment from a larger piece, now mounted on a custom iron base. Great decoration for the equestrian or lover of horses. Great for mantel...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
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 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
Clay, Ceramic
Fourteen Birds by Guy Taplin
Located in Basildon, GB
An original piece of English folk-art sculpture by the acclaimed British sculptor Guy Taplin (b. 1939). Fourteen birds painted and carved wood mounted to a ...
Category
1990s British Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Driftwood
Antique Swedish Wooden bowl 1800's Handmade Folk Craft nice details
Located in Forest, BE
Swedish antique birch hand made wooden bowl. Made to be used as a dining dish / plate. Fine quality of handwork. this is are true piece from the early 19 century. Beautiful patina o...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Birch
Vintage Handcrafted and Carved Wood Box House Motif, Trinket Box, Keepsake Box
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage handmade beautifully carved wooden trinket box, jewelry box or keepsake box.
Depicting a village scene with Houses & Palm Trees.
Folk Art ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Peruvian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood, Walnut
Vintage Three Feathers Whiskey Oversized Store Display Advertising Glass Bottle
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Oversized store display/advertising bottle for Three Feathers Whiskey (ca. 1940s, USA).
Composed of amber glass with dual labels and original wooden stopper.
Specks present to the gl...
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass, Wood, Paper
A Mounted 17th Century Folk Art Brass Bassinoire Cover from France
Located in Buisson, FR
This pierced brass decorative element from France was originally the cover of a bassinoire from the 1600s. A bassinoire is a device where hot coals are inserted into a vented recept...
Category
17th Century French Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Antique Hubley Cast Iron Parrot Doorstop – Original Hand-Painted Finish
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This rare antique Hubley cast iron parrot doorstop is a stunning example of early 20th-century craftsmanship. Featuring a beautifully sculpted...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
Duck Decoy Three-Piece Sculpture by Herb Watson
Located in San Diego, CA
A very cool and unique duck decoy three-piece sculpture by Herb Watson, circa 1987. The detail, craftsmanship and painting of the ducks is amazing; they look absolutely real! The set includes a green winged teal drake and hen (3.25"W x "7D x 3.5"H) on a round pond...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood, Paint
Folk Art Cork Collection
Located in Seattle, WA
Folk Art Cork Manufacturer's Display piece with samples of all sizes and shapes of cork available for sale. Corks are arranged in geometric shapes and mounted on a velvet-covered bo...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Cork, Velvet, Wood
19th Century Swedish Wooden bowl dated 1868
Located in Boden, SE
18th century Swedish Antique Rustic wooden bowl with nice patina from Dalarna Northern Sweden.
The bowl has an oval shape.
The surfaces are naturall...
Category
1860s Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
Large Hand-Carved Cypress Knee Figural Sculpture After Botticelli's Venus, 1970s
Located in San Francisco, CA
An impressively sized and strikingly beautiful semi-nude female figural sculpture strongly evocative of Sandro Botticelli's "Birth of Venus", hand-carved from an unusually large cypr...
Category
1970s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Cypress
Vintage Large Folk Art Tonala Sandstone Pottery Vase, 1960's
By Ken Edwards
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Large Folk Art Tonala Sandstone Pottery Vase, 1960s.
Vintage Large Folk Art Tonala sandstone pottery vase with bird and flowers signed.
Vintage large sandstone vase textured and hand-painted with an abstract bird and floral raised glazed decoration.
Beautiful Vintage Mexican Ceramic Vase in the style of Ken Edwards.
Hand-crafted vintage Tonala...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pottery
Vintage Sculpture of an American Eagle Carved in Seri Ironwood
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Sculpture of an American Eagle Carved in Seri Ironwood.
Vintage hand carved Ironwood Southwestern seri sculpture of an Eagle.
Dimensions: 5.5" x 3.5". circa 1970.
Ironwood hand carved eagle or falcon...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Antique Swedish Wooden butter storage 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. Painted blue and faded trough time. Nice addition...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Birch, Pine
Antique Swedish Wooden barrel early 1800's Handmade Folk Craft great condition
Located in Forest, BE
Swedish antique pine hand carved wooden barrel. Made to be used as a grain storage. Fine quality of wood. It is a true piece from the early 19 century. Beautiful patina on the inside...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
Norwegian Wood Black Golden Painted Candlesticks, 1980s
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Set of vintage Norwegian wooden candle sticks with black and gold paint in intricate organic patterns. Beautiful vintage condition.
Norway, 1970s.
Category
20th Century Norwegian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Ebony Benin Kingdom, Bust Carving Of A Young Nigerian Warrior, 1970's
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Hand carved ebony hardwood bust of a young Benin warrior
Traditionally carved Benin artistry
Circa 1970
Height 10.75 inch, Width 5.5 inch, Depth 2.75 inc...
Category
Late 20th Century Beninese Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Ebony
19th Century Italian / Sicilian Large Hand-Crafted Puppet Marionette
Located in London, GB
19th Century Italian / Sicilian Large Hand-Crafted Puppet Marionette
In the rare form of an Arabic clothed gentle with long turned up moustache. The head, hands and feet are all h...
Category
1870s Italian Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
Swedish Craft, Bowl, Wood, Sweden, 19th Century
Located in High Point, NC
A red-painted wood bowl produced in Sweden, 19th Century
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
19th Century Swedish antique rustic genuine Folk Art Wooden bowl with handle
Located in Boden, SE
Antique rustic primitive Folk art wooden bowl with handle manufactured in Luleå ,Northern Sweden. In Swedish called "Kåsa" It has been used as a drinking wessel.The bowl has an unus...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
Vintage Boho Original Studio Pottery Face Vase
Located in west palm beach, FL
Add whimsy and artisan charm to your collection with this Vintage Boho Original Studio Pottery Face Vase. Boldly sculpted and hand-glazed in rich green with earthy golden highlights,...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Clay, Pottery
Alabama Folk Art Pottery grouping Montgomery area pre-WW2 anonymous craftsman
Located in Mobile, AL
Bark decorated folk pottery grouping. These are believed to be tourist ware made by an unidentified couple in the Montgomery area before and about the time of WW2. To date, their nam...
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pottery
Antique Spanish Polychrome Ceramic Charger with a Bull Decoration
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Circa 1800 Spanish Majolica Faience centerpiece bowl or charger.
This charming collectible antique painted ceramic dish is decorated with a large rear facing bull and with polychrom...
Category
Early 19th Century Spanish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica
Monumental Antique Architectural Wood Carving Perched Eagle Bird
Located in Forney, TX
I think it's safe to say you have never seen a bird this big before!
A rare, nearly 8ft tall, one-of-a-kind antique architectural hand carved wood sculptural element, in the form ...
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Antônio Julião. Wood Sculpture
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Exceptional sculpture made by artist Antônio Julião, one of the great exponents of Brazilian popular art. This piece of museological importance was made in the 1970's and is one of the richest sculptures made by said artist, where he generously sculptured several tropical animals...
Category
1970s Brazilian Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Vintage Wood Giraffe Sculpture, c. 1930-1950
Located in Kastrup, DK
A charming vintage wooden giraffe. Hand-carved from hardwood (tropical wood) with brown and black painted surface.
From Africa, c. 50-100 years...
Category
Early 20th Century African Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Fantastic Original Painted and Carved 19th Century Indian Plaque
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This wonderful original old surface plaque has a great old patina and a hand-carved and painted Indian chief. The Indian is in full original clothes with the feathers in his head. Wi...
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
Brown Ceramic Pitcher or Vase by Andersson & Johansson, Höganäs, Sweden, 1920s
Located in Grythyttan, SE
This rare Swedish folk art stoneware pitcher or vase, crafted by Andersson & Johansson for Höganäs in Sweden, features a striking brown body with cream-white decoration. Designed by ...
Category
1920s Swedish Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Stoneware
Soapstone Hand-Carved Bust of Brahma with Four Faces
Located in North Hollywood, CA
This bust is a beautiful representation of lord Brahma.
Brahma is a part of the holy trinity of Hinduism along with Vishnu the Preserver and Shiva the destroyer.
He is depicted in Hi...
Category
20th Century Thai Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Soapstone
Pair of Folk Art Engraved & Applied Style Four Light Copper Candle Sconces
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Folk Art Engraved & Applied Style Four Light Copper Candle Sconces
This pair of early 20th-century Western Folk Art engraved and applied-style four-light copper candle scon...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Copper
Folk Art Metal Mallard Duck Decoy late 1950s
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage metal duck decoy from the late 50s. Wonderful piece of Folk Art duck sculpture handmade with metal sheet comprising the body and attached metal head. Hand painted to simulate...
Category
1950s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
Pair of Wall Plaques Modelled as an Old Couple
Located in Montreal, QC
Pair of terra cotta wall plaques modelled in high relief and painted, portraying an old couple looking out the window.
Category
19th Century Austrian Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Terracotta
Moorish Head Matt Vases Collection "Vittoria", Set of 3, Handmade in Italy
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
This collection is a work of art that make a statement in modern décor and in the modern cultural art world. It can be used as a vase containing flowers, or as a beautiful centerpiec...
Category
2010s Italian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Gold Leaf
Mexican Burnished Clay Mother and Child Oaxacan Sculpture Mixtec Ceramic
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
Maricela Gómez López, a hardworking mother and artist portrays her life through her work. Living and growing up in Santo Domingo Yanhuitlán, a small town in central Mexico, the role ...
Category
2010s Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic, Clay
19th Century French Folk Art Marquetry Box with Inlaid Star, Jewelry or Chest
Located in ROUEN, FR
19th Century French Folk Art Marquetry Box with Inlaid Star, Jewelry or Cigar Chest
Beautiful decorative wooden box or small chest.
Folk Art from the 1890s, it features an inlaid s...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood, Fruitwood, Nutwood
Mackenzie-Childs Flower Market Set of Oval Tray and Box, Retired Pieces
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage MacKenzie-Childs set of oval tray and square box with lid is decorated with Flower Market pattern on white background; the steel underbodies are color-glazed in white and de...
Category
2010s North American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal, Enamel
Burmese Red Carved Wood Temple Offering Box
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Burmese red lacquered temple offering box called "Hsunok".
Burmese offering basket made of carved bamboo wood painted and lacquered in hues of red and oranges.
The lid adopts a Burmese temple shape, with a sharp top surmounting a gadroon dome.
This kind of basket is used to display offerings to Buddhist temples, in Asia.
During most of the 19th century Burma was ruled by members of the Konbaung dynasty, the last dynasty that would rule the country.
This Asian Burmese red offering...
Category
Early 20th Century South Asian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Bamboo
Mexican Burnished Clay Woman with Child Oaxacan Sculpture Mixtec Ceramic
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
This Mexican ceramic clay hand sculpture is a piece by artist Maricela Gómez López. Made with clay from Oaxaca and Zacatecas, painted with oxides from the region. Done with the hand-...
Category
2010s Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic, Clay
Moorish Heads Vases Collection "Red and Gold", Set of 2, Handmade in Italy
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
This collection is a work of art that make a statement in modern décor and in the modern cultural art world. It can be used as a vase containing flowers, or as a beautiful centerpiec...
Category
2010s Italian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Gold Leaf
Found and Salvaged Steel Structure on a Steel & Wooden Circular Base
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
Jim Rose, known primarily for his steel furniture, was an avid collector and scoured salvage yards for unique and interesting items. Here, a collection of spare parts come together ...
Category
2010s American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal, Steel
Vintage Gouda Pottery Jug with Stopper, Hand Painted, Holland, 20th Century
By Gouda Vase
Located in Chatham, ON
Vintage Gouda folk art pottery jug or decanter with stopper - hand painted stylized floral decoration to the front and back - clear high gloss glaze with...
Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
Mexican Terracotta Articulated Doll Figure, 1920's
Located in Stamford, CT
Amusing Mexican terracotta doll figure with articulated limbs. Since it is solid terracotta it is likely this is a mold from which other dolls were made. As a folk art sculpture it i...
Category
Early 20th Century Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Terracotta
Antique Swedish genuine Folk Art Country Cutlery box dated 1857 Original paint
Located in Boden, SE
A charming mid 19th Century two-section Cuterly tray with a handled -divider.
The Tray is dated 1857 & signed KJD
It has a lovely original color & stunning patina.
You can use it in...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique 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, 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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