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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
Tall Handmade Folkloristic Geometric Decor Ceramic Vase
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Unusual tall folkloristic ceramic earth toned vase with hand-carved geometric decor. Triangular burgundy and dusty green shapes on earth colored base ...
Category

20th Century Unknown Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Clay, Pottery, Stoneware

19th Century antique rustic Swedish tray bowl with original paint
Located in Boden, SE
19th century big rustic Swedish antique wooden tray/ Serving bowl with untouched original paint from Örnsköldsvik ,Ångermanland Northern Sweden. A farmers handcrafted tray or servin...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Pine

Antique Folk Art Grain Painted Blanket Chest with Strap Hinges, Dated 1846
Located in Big Flats, NY
An antique Folk Art blanket chest or trunk offers grain painted wood construction with central date of 1846, strap hinges and interior patch ...
Category

Mid-19th Century American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Paint, Wood

19th Century Swedish Root Bowl with Old Repair, Folk Art Carved Wood Bowl
Located in Bochum, NRW
Gorgeous Swedish Root Bowl with Old Repair. Root bowl in an organic shape, marked underneath with 3-4 letters. Original condition as found. Dimensions: 29x20x9cm
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Pine

Swedish Craft, Bowl, Pine, Sweden, c. 1900
Located in High Point, NC
A pine bowl produced in Sweden, c. 1900.
Category

Early 1900s Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Pine

Swedish Craft, Bowl, Wood, Sweden, 19th Century
Located in High Point, NC
A wooden bowl designed and produced in Sweden, 19th century
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

English Folk Art Newel Post Figure of a Wildman
Located in Greenwich, CT
Most unusual English early 19th Century folk art carving of a wild man, most likely a newel post figure, depicted with groomed European hair, beard a...
Category

19th Century British Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Oak

Vintage Cape Dorset Inuit Stone Carving of a Seal, Unsigned, Canada, C.1960's
Located in Chatham, ON
Vintage Cape Dorset Inuit soapstone (also called Steatite) carving of a seal - featuring fine simplified carving and details accentuating the form of the a...
Category

Mid-20th Century Canadian Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Stone

Antique Swedish Small Handmade Folk Art Box
Located in Kramfors, SE
Swedish folk art box made by hand in solid Swedish pine. The box is in original condition with the untouched original paint. Made in northern Sweden around the 1860s. It has most lik...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Pine

Organic Modern Natural Hand Carved Wood Folk Art Abstract Sculpture on Stand
Located in Studio City, CA
A rather engaging modern abstract folk art wood sculpture on a display stand. The piece is hand-carved from a single piece of lighter wood (no...
Category

20th Century Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Porte Dogon Terre/Sculpture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Traditional Dogon architecture throughout a Dogon village consists of a series of unique and exceptional mud buildings which the Artist, Victor Anicet, featured in an organic sculptural manner in his Porte Dogon...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Caribbean Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Folk Art Yew Burr Sculpture Carved Human Form Life Size
Located in Cheltenham, GB
Exceptional folk art sculpture depicting a human head and body dressed in a waving organic form cloak with a bone eyepiece. Exceptional patina with strong carved flowing lines produ...
Category

19th Century British Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Yew

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

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

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

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

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

Folk Art / Pop-Art Comic Strip Papier Mache Teddy Bear Sculpture
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine folk-art papier-mache sculpture. In the form of a teddy bear. The papier mache appears to be from various 20th Century Philippine comic books, such as Superkat by L.S. M...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Paper, Plaster

Swedish Folk Art Bulb Vase with Floral Motif by Maggie Wibom for Bo Fajans, 1930
Located in Grythyttan, SE
Swedish Folk Art Bulb Vase with Purple and Mustard Yellow Glaze by Maggie Wibom for Bo Fajans, 1930 Bulb-shaped vase featuring a semi-transparent glaze adorned with minuscule purple ...
Category

1930s Swedish Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Stoneware

Terracotta Articulated Doll Santos Figure Wearing a Bowler Hat
Located in Stamford, CT
Unusual, and quite 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...
Category

Early 20th Century Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Clay, Terracotta

Vintage Asian Bronze Singing Hammered Bowl
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Asian Hammered Bronze Singing Bowl 1950s. Asian Bronze Vessel Singing Bowl. A special collectible piece. Made from bronze, a good heavy wei...
Category

Mid-20th Century Nepalese Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Ceramic Square Bottle Vase with Naive-Style Motifs in Brown Glaze
Located in Grythyttan, SE
Exuding a distinctive charm, this square-shaped bottle vase features rounded corners and is adorned with captivating painted motifs in brown, beige, and black glazes. The vase's brow...
Category

Late 20th Century Swedish Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Earthenware

1960 Spanish Glazed Terracotta Vase / Albarello in Green, Blue and Beige Hues
Located in Barcelona, ES
Glazed Terracotta vase in shades of green, blue, beige Traditional spanish glazed ceramic vase "Albarelo" in green and blue pastel colors decoration with brown accents. It has a mark on the bottom (IOX). Spain, circa 1960s. Popular pottery; Medical Ceramic-ware. Overall Measures: 21 cm H x 14,5 cm diameter // 8,26 in H x 5,70 in diameter. More glazed and unglazed terracotta spanish...
Category

20th Century Spanish Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Terracotta, Ceramic, Earthenware

American Folk Art Metal Basket of Beaded Fruit, Early 20th Century
Located in Downingtown, PA
American Folk Art metal basket of beaded fruit, Basket early 20th Century, fruit 1940s-60s. The dramatic early 20th Century metal openwork basket cont...
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

Large Hand Carved Duck Sculpture by Miguel Ruelas
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice large hand carved duck sculpture by Miguel Ruelas, circa 1980s. The detail, craftsmanship and painting in this piece is lifelike and truly amaz...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood, Paint

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

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

19th Century Big antique rustic country Swedish Wooden bowl
Located in Boden, SE
19th century Swedish wooden bowl from Northern Sweden. A genuine 19th century Swedish Folk Art Wooden bowl with lovely patina. The bowl has a fantastically fine wood carving in the ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Pine

Beetle Cast Iron Shoe Horn or Boot Jack, Powder Coated Chartreuse, circa 1920's
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Vintage boot jack in cast iron freshly powder coated in bright chartreuse. The cast iron object is as functional as it is decorative. This bright and fun ...
Category

1920s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Iron

Large Figurative African Mangbetu Anthropomorphic Ceramic Vessel or Jar
Located in Studio City, CA
This is a wonderful piece likely made by the Mangetu tribe of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is finely detailed and quite large and hefty. These pieces were originally made...
Category

20th Century Congolese Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Terracotta

Large Split Oak American Spale Gathering Basket
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage or antique oversized basket in a traditional spale shape features a bent wood ring rim with handles on each side. The basket is formed of a split oak with graphic weave patte...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood, Oak, Beads

Vintage Indian Handcarved Wooden Decorative Box
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Handcarved wooden trinket box with carved geometric shapes, small handmade ornamental indentations and cream white decor on the lid. Rustic organic ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Indian Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

Ebony Wood Hand Carved African Elephant
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Hand carved wood ebony African elephant. Mid-20th Century Hand-Carved African Elephant Sculpture in Solid Ebony Wood Hand-carved African elephant sculpture, crafted from dense solid ...
Category

1950s Kenyan Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Ebony

Antique Genuine Folk Art Swedish Unusual Blue Handmade Wood Plate or Trough
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique Swedish wooden plate or trough made in northern Sweden around 1820 to 1840. The trough has original blue paint. The blue paint is unusual...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Pine

American Craft, Bowl, Wood, USA, c. 1900
Located in High Point, NC
A wooden bowl produced in the US, c. 1900.
Category

Early 1900s American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Antique Folk Art Carved Gesso over Wood and Hand Painted Native Man Statue
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Presumed to date from the late 19th century, this life-sized Folk Art carved and hand painted study depicts a Native man dressed in traditional attire and holding a staff. The artist is unknown and this sculpture is unsigned and done in a very realistic style. The carving, likely done in Cyprus wood...
Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Softwood, Paint

Pair of 19th century folk art stoneware ceramic bottles realised in La Borne
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
La Borne - France Realised circa 1850 Pair of 19th century stoneware ceramic bottles unique pieces Original good condition number one height 25 cm large 12 cm number two heigh...
Category

19th Century French Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Unusual "Stamp" Rose in Box
Located in Riverdale, NY
Unusual "Stamp" rose in box handcrafted "Rose" made of hundreds of French stamps, circa 1950s. Unusual French novelty in its own glass and brass framed casket. ...
Category

1950s French Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Striking Hand carved large wood Sculpture of Crocodile from Mexico
Located in Mexico, DF
Striking sculpture of a crocodile hand-carved and etched in solid wood with great craftsmanship and detail, made in Mexico. An impressive yet whimsical depiction of a menacing open-m...
Category

1950s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Hardwood

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

Circa 1930's English Hand-Carved Terrier
Located in High Point, NC
Circa 1930's hand-carved terrier dog from England. The terrier is very sassy, wearing a top hat. Charming carving with nice proportions and a lavish coat of fur. This little guy w...
Category

1930s English Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Fruitwood

Greenlandica, Jakob Keke. Sculpture in soapstone.
Located in København, Copenhagen
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

Swedish Craft, Bowl, Wood, Sweden, 19th Century
Located in High Point, NC
A wood bowl produced in Sweden, 19th century. “E” symbol on bottom side
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Vintage Gouda Pottery Jug with Stopper, Hand Painted, Holland, 20th Century
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

19th Century Swedish Antique Rustic Folk Art Wooden Bowl dated 1862
Located in Boden, SE
19th century Swedish folk Art wooden bowl dated 1862 Signed LOS A stunning antique organic wooden bowl with lovely patina You can see the use of time. The bowl has ownershipmarking ...
Category

1860s Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Pine

Moorish Heads Vases "Catania Purple", Handmade in Italy, 2019, Unique Design
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

Greenlandica, Figurine of a Polar Bear Carved in Soapstone, Approx. 1960-1970s
Located in København, Copenhagen
Greenlandica, figurine of a polar bear carved in soapstone. Approx. 1960-1970s. In good condition, signs of use. Dimensions: W 13.0 x H 9.0 cm.
Category

1960s Greenlandic Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Soapstone

Swedish Folk Art, Unique 19th Century Farmers Bowl
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
An antique and unique organic wooden bowl. With highly appealing patina, with traces of use. Produced in Sweden, 19th century. These bowls where very important for many families; t...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

19th Century Swedish Root Wood Bowl
Located in Bozeman, MT
Sculptural early 19th century Swedish root wood bowl with a natural organic form. ca 1800 Sweden.
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

"Retablo No. 4 (Blackbird)" by Patrick Fitzgerald
Located in Chicago, IL
The intricate retablos of contemporary artist Patrick Fitzgerald are his means of paying homage to the musicians that inspired him throughout his life. Derived from Mexican votive...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Other

Swedish Craft, Trough, Pine, Sweden, 19th Century
Located in High Point, NC
A sizeable pine trough or bowl produced in Sweden, 19th Century.
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Pine

Studio Pottery Ceramic Vase or Ink Pot in Lavender and Brown
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A beautiful piece of studio pottery, this round clay vase will add interest to any space. It is created from clay, and glazed in brown on the bottom, a...
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Paint

Fantastic Oversized 19th Century Walnut Wall Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This wonderful handmade walnut wall box has a hinged lift top and is in great condition. This oversize box could be used on a counter or a wall. The construct...
Category

19th Century American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Walnut

Early 20th Century Folk Art "American Eagle" Silhouette Decorative Box
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Folk art decorative box with eagle motif in attractive red paint (ca. 1910-1920, USA). The hinged top opens to reveal a divided storage compartment, per...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood, Paint

Swedish 'Timplåda' Wooden Box, dated 1824
Located in Farsta, SE
Swedish 'Timplåda' Wooden Box, dated 1824 A 'timplåda' is a traditional Swedish wooden box, handcrafted with care. Popular during the 18th and 19th centuries, these boxes were used ...
Category

1820s Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Birch

Westmoore Pottery Lion, Signed 2005
Located in High Point, NC
Large pottery lion of clear yellow glaze having applied curly clay mane, tail, and whiskers, pencil hole eyes, grinning expression, signed on the bottom "2005 WESTMOORE POTTERY...
Category

Early 2000s American Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Pottery

Patriotic Flag Whirligig
Located in Lancaster, PA
Celebrate American craftsmanship with this charming c. 1940 patriotic whirligig. Crafted from wood and metal, this delightful piece features two men and an American flag, capturing a...
Category

Mid-20th Century North American Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Paint

Hand-Carved Ironwood Pheasant Sculpture – Vintage Southwestern Art
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This exquisite hand-carved ironwood pheasant sculpture showcases masterful craftsmanship with detailed feather etchings and a graceful pose. The rich, dark hues of the ironwood enhan...
Category

Mid-20th Century Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Iron

Royal Doulton Porcelain Figurine, "The Mendicant"
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Royal Doulton The Mendicant, Moroccan figurine of a man wearing a turban and playing a tamburine. High glazed, finely modeled bone china with exquisi...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Porcelain

"Wallace" Skating at the Park, Fine Craft Painted Rabbit, Canada, Circa 1997
Located in Chatham, ON
"Wallace" Skating at the Park - Fine craft raw wood sculpture with a painted finish highlighted with India ink - made from a solid pine branch with...
Category

Late 20th Century Canadian Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Softwood, Paint

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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