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
Contemporary Hunting Dog Painted Iron Sculpture by José Jerónimo
Located in Coimbra, PT
Hunting Dog by José Jerónimo single piece of art.
Iron sculpture with use of tools and other objects.
Dimensions 22,00 x 10,00 x 42,00 cm
Private collection.
Category
Late 20th Century Portuguese Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal, Iron
18th Century Swedish Folk Art Box Dated 1752 with Sliding Lid
Located in Stockholm, SE
An exceptional 18th-century Swedish folk art box, dated 1752, showcasing traditional rural craftsmanship. Carved from solid wood, the box features a finely fitted sliding lid and dis...
Category
18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Birch
Pair of Life Size Antique Carved and Painted Swan Figures
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A large and impressive pair of hand carved Swans which may have at one time been decoys having fine form and presence. In newer white paint with black beaks and eyes. The unpainted interiors clearly showing the marks of hand-carving.
Measures: Length 37", depth 12", height 22"
Condition: Please see detail photos. The Pair with stable age cracks with one neck repaired, bubbled paint...
Category
19th Century Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
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
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
$6,800 Sale Price
20% Off
Rustic Large Folk Art Handled Natural Organic Wood Carved Bowl, 1800s
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderful bowl with beautiful natural wood grain and glowing colorful patina acquired with age. This piece has a very organic, wabi-sabi feel to it.
From a collection of older w...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
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
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
Set of 3 Antique South German Stoneware Jugs – 19th Century, Handcrafted
Located in Antwerp, BE
Set of 3 Antique South German Stoneware Jugs – 19th Century, Handcrafted
A striking trio of 19th-century handmade stoneware jugs from Southern Germany, each with its own distinct ch...
Category
19th Century German Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Stoneware
Large Cast Bronze Buddha Hand Sculpture on Stand
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Oversized cast bronze Buddhist hand mounted on a black wooden stand and is covered with a great patina.
A vintage oversized Thai bronze sculpture...
Category
Mid-20th Century South Asian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Swedish Butter Box with Zig-Zag Design
Located in Houston, TX
Swedish butter box with zig-zag design carved imprint. Light colored faded wooden finish.
Note: Due to regional changes in humidity and climate during shipping, antique wood may shr...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Circa 1900 Hand-Carved Pine Horse
Located in High Point, NC
Circa 1900 hand carved pine horse. This is a wonderful piece of folk art, and may have been a glorious rocking horse when it was made. The horse was painted at one time, as there a...
Category
Early 1900s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
Antique Architectural Parcel Gilt Wrought Iron Sculpture
Located in Forney, TX
A one-of-a-kind antique wrought iron sculpture, comprising 18th and 19th century architectural elements, in a rustic parcel gilt finish, including door lock, latch, and skeleton key,...
Category
19th Century European Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze, Wrought Iron
Nantucket "Double Lollipop" Basket, circa 1900
Located in Nantucket, MA
Antique and extremely rare Nantucket "double lollipop" basket, circa 1900, a shallow oval swing handled basket with carved wooden staves, handle and bottom plate, and cane weave. The...
Category
Early 1900s American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Cane, Wood
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
Moorish Heads Vases Collection "Catania Green", 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
Hand-Carved Wooden Folk Art Figures
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Kenneth Anthony Krogmeir carvings. Mr. Krogmeir was a dairy farmer from Fort Madison, Iowa. He also owned a small sawmill that he operated for personal use and for milling wood for n...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
$12,500 / set
1960s Handmade Folk Art Decorative Trinket Bowl
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Midcentury Handmade Folk Art decorative trinket keepsake lidded bowl.
Copper inlay Hand carved wood
Unsigned
6 diameter x 2.25 h
Preowned Vintage co...
Category
1960s Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Copper
Greenlandica, Taki Petersen. Massive sculpture in soapstone. Hunter and seal
Located in København, Copenhagen
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
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
Vintage Marble Flagpole Finial on Steel and Lucite Base, Denmark
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Early 20th Century Danish vintage marble flagpole finial on steel and lucite base. Desk accessory or decorative object/sculpture.
Category
Early 20th Century Danish Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble, Chrome
Pair of Black Smith Art Sculptures of a Bicyclist and a Hunter, circa 1900s
Located in New York, NY
Fabulous pair of hand-forged iron sculptures from a black smith, circa 1900s of man on a bicycle with a cigar and a hunter with his dog, bird and gun. T...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Iron
Swedish Craft, Bowl, Burl Wood, Sweden, 19th Century
Located in High Point, NC
A burl wood bowl produced in Sweden, 19th century.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Burl
Rustic Chofa Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Antique Rustic Chofa Sculpture. Solid woodblock Folk Art carving of Thai or Lao Chofa sculpture. Carved from a sold piece of wood having a very weathered patina. Heavy wear to the...
Category
1890s Thai Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
$750 / item
Mahogany Jewelry Box with Mirror
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Mahogany box with inlaid mother of pearl and mirror, on small round brass feet.
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Mahogany, Mother-of-Pearl
$312 Sale Price
26% Off
Set of Two Moroccan Antique Tribal Powder Case Flasks
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Antique Moroccan Decorative Bottle. Destined to be a conversation piece no matter where you place it, this is another of those rare items you'll only find at Mosaik.
Moroccan Antique...
Category
1920s Moroccan Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass, Tin
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
Refined African metal vase with fine hand-made decorations
Located in Argelato, BO
Rare and refined African metal vase with handmade decorations, an object of great charm capable of furnishing your home space with style and elegance
Category
1880s African Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
Large 18th Century Swedish Wabi-Sabi Hand-Carved Dough Bowl with Spoon
Located in Stockholm, SE
A large and heavy hand-carved wooden dough bowl from 18th to early 19th century Sweden, showcasing the beauty of wabi-sabi through its raw texture, asymmetrical lines, and timeworn p...
Category
18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Oak
Vintage Wooden Harlequin Jester Figure
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Striking vintage wood sculpture of a stoic harlequin, clad in a diamond-patterned silver and ochre bodysuit with a matching pointed cap. The angular form and muted expression give it...
Category
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Paint
Ceramic Sculpture with a Group of Playing Putti's 19th Century Belgium
Located in Antwerp, BE
Beautiful in detail and charming 19th century unglazed terracotta sculpture. Features a design of three cherubic children with lamps and fruit, playing with two goats on the base of ...
Category
1890s Belgian Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Terracotta
$1,425 Sale Price
20% Off
Black and White Hand-Crafted Ceramic Chicken Sculpture, Animal Figurine Folk Art
By Iittala
Located in Miami, FL
Scandinavian Modern Iittala style black and white glazed ceramic chicken, handmade in the USA.
Life-size stylized chicken animal sculpture for any interior design.
A-595-335
Category
1980s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
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
Decorative Wood Carved Tramp Art Keepsake Box or Sailors Valentine with Heart
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A superb Folk Art sailors valentine Tramp Art keepsake box. Wide in form, this beautiful Primitive wood carved box features the letters S and M with a heart between on both sides. Tw...
Category
19th Century English Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
$960 Sale Price
20% Off
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
Set of Antique Handmade Bottles
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1940, we offer this set of antique handmade bottles. The amber bottle has a scratch, but it is not broken. *see pic 3.
Category
1940s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass
$500 / set
1810 Table Box, Red Floral Painted, Central Europe
Located in Vo', Veneto
Painted table top box/case
Measures: H.30 cm, W.48 cm, D.32 cm
Small hand-painted Tyrolean antique box, with red background. Decorated on all sides...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Fir
$1,252 Sale Price
27% Off
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
$396 Sale Price
20% Off
"Retablo No. 5 (An Attic of Records)" 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
French Antique Dark Brown Wooden Bowl in Oak Produced in France Early 1800s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare decorative hand carved wabi sabi dark brown wooden bowl / tray in oak produced in France early 1800s. In good original condition with beautiful patina.
Dimensions: H: 9,5 cm / ...
Category
1810s French Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Oak
Swedish Craft, Bowl, Wood, Sweden, 19th Century
Located in High Point, NC
A wood bowl produced in Sweden, 19th century.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
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 19th Century Wooden Folk Art Box With Shaving Knives
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A Swedish original painted Folk Art box. From the beginning of the 19th century, used to keep shaving knives and similar supplies. Included 3 knives with the razor blades in English ...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Wet-Cut Mosaic Wall Decoration
Located in Rockaway, NJ
One of a kind original piece of earthenware ceramic featuring several custom and proprietary glaze chemistries, including luster glazing.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Earthenware, Wood
Art Glass Rooster Set, circa 1970s
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful handmade art glass rooster family sculpture set (4), circa 1970s. Four (4) roosters in set, blown glass, hand-crafted. Art glass colors i...
Category
1970s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Art Glass
$220 Sale Price / set
20% Off
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
Fantastic Nantucket Hand Carved and Painted Folk Art Seagull Sculpture
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A wonderful Folk Art carved and hand painted wooden seagull on base having an authentic weathered patina and faded grey, black and yellow color palette.
Category
1950s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
$1,516 Sale Price
20% Off
Giovanni De Simone platter
Located in Pasadena, TX
This is a wonderful vintage example of Giovanni De Simone's work! It was created and hand-painted by the artist himself. It's signed and dated on the verso. This piece was rendered b...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pottery, Paint
Moorish Heads Vases Collection "Ragusa", Set of 3 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
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
19th C Branding Iron Candlestick
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th C branding iron candlestick, An authentic American wrought iron branding iron, now as a candlestick.
Stands 21-inches high, the base measures 7-inche...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wrought Iron
$716 Sale Price
20% Off
Pair of German Hand Carved Wood Figurative Sculptures of Two Boys Musicians
Located in Barntrup, DE
An adorable pair of hand-carved wooden figurines of two boys playing the whistle, Germany, the first half of the 20th century.
Dimensions: Height 38 cm / 14.96 in, width circa 12 cm ...
Category
1930s German Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Staffordshire Pearlware 'John Wesley' Bust
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Staffordshire pottery pearlware bust with a religious theme which features John Wesley, resting on a plinth base. Decorated 'in the round', decoration to front and reverse. Open bott...
Category
1820s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pottery
Folk Art Jewelry Box from the 1940s in Copper with Women Nude
Located in Berlin, DE
This charming jewelry box from the 1940s was made out of copper
and is hand-dented.
It shows a nudist art of a woman. It is in a beautiful original condition.
A unique piece whic...
Category
1940s German Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Copper
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
Found and Salvaged Steel House Structure on a Reclaimed Steel Plate, Wooden 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 found steel is reworked whi...
Category
2010s American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal, Steel
Large Patinated Solid Wood Sculpture, Early 20th Century.
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Large patinated solid wood sculpture, early 20th century.
Patinated solid wood sculpture, religious art, early 20th century.
H: 84 cm, W: 25 cm, D: 22 cm
Category
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
19th Century Gilt and Gesso Frame attributed to President James Polk Estate
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Early 19th century gilt and gesso picture frame. Found at an estate sale in Columbia, Tennessee. Objects from the sale were attributed to President James K. Polk's estate. Fantastic ...
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Gesso, Wood
Early 20th Century Oak Splint Basket
Located in Chicago, IL
A wonderful early 20th century hand-woven oak splint gathering basket with a single bent oak handle, a double banded rim, and a lovely wonky shape. Found in Wisconsin.
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Oak
Shell Encrusted Rectangular Keepsake Box with Red Silk Lid
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Long rectangular shell encrusted box. Carefully applied shells decorate the top and bottom edges of this red board box in a variety of colors. At...
Category
20th Century English Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Shell, Silk, Paper
$960 Sale Price
20% Off
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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