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
Swedish Folk Art, Large Vessel, Pine, Sweden, 19th Century
Located in High Point, NC
A pine, large vessel or container produced in Sweden, 19th century.
Category
19th Century Swedish 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
Antique Folk Art Swedish Pine Trough Bowl
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique wood trough bowl in folk art from Sweden made during the mid 1800s, around 1850. The bowl is a utility item which was used daily in the hou...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
Vintage Bronze Hindu Bronze "Nandi Bull" Cow Sculpture
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Patinated Hindu Bronze "Nandi Bull" Sculpture, circa 1950s.
An Indian vintage Nandi bull sculpture from the mid 20th century, with carved motifs a...
Category
Mid-20th Century Indian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Wrought Iron Hand Painted Folk Art Train Mailbox
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique, Large and functional wrought Iron Mailbox. The piece is a functional mailbox with a pull handle in the front, several train cars, with the last being open to hold boxes and ...
Category
20th Century Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wrought Iron
19th Century Swedish Antique Wooden Trough/ Serving Bowl
Located in Kvidinge, SE
A stunning antique Wooden Trough/ Serving Bowl with lovely patina
These troughs were orginally designed to store milk but where often used as a serving bowl and been used true out g...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
$571 Sale Price
30% Off
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
Couple of S size, moorish heads, lady and gentleman. Handmade in sicily
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
Handmade in Italy Sicilian design moorish heads
Category
2010s Italian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
$387 Sale Price / set
25% Off
Antique Folk Art Northern Swedish Handmade Flour Box
Located in Kramfors, SE
Folk Art flour box from northern Sweden. The box was made by hand during the mid-1800s from pine and was used to store flour. Boxes like this would be standi...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
19thc Green Painted Hiney Basket
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19Thc Original dark green painted hiney basket in fine undisturbed painted surface.This basket comes to East Meets West Antiques from a private folk art collection.This basket is in...
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
$700 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century Dutch Carved Monumental Wood Eagle Figure Seated on a Pedestal
Located in Queens, NY
Continental 19th century Dutch life-sized carved wooden eagle figure with open mouth on square pedestal.
Category
19th Century Dutch 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
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
$1,650 Sale Price
50% Off
Mid Century Folk Art Hand Painted Flower Design Serving Bowl
Located in San Carlos, CA
🌼 Beautiful Vintage Folk Art Pottery Serving Bowl – Signed by Artist 🌼
Add a touch of vintage, Mid Century charm and artistry to your collection or home decor with this gorgeous v...
Category
1960s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pottery
$119 Sale Price
20% Off
Whimsical Surfer Sculpture by Mitch Berg
Located in San Diego, CA
A really cool and whimsical surfer sculpture by Mitch Berg, circa 2008. The piece is in good vintage condition and measures 10.5" W x 4.5" D x 15" H. ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
$340 Sale Price
20% Off
Swedish Folk Art, Sizeable Serving Bowl or Tray, Solid Light Wood, c. 1900
Located in High Point, NC
A solid wood, sizeable farmers tray or serving bowl designed and produced in Sweden, circa 1900.
Category
Early 1900s Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
19th Century Carved Walnut Effeminacy Male Figure
Located in London, GB
19th century carved walnut effeminacy male figure
We are proud to offer a unique and highly decorative 19th century hand carved walnut figure of an effeminacy male form. Unusual in its figurative posture and detail. This includes the figure standing in a side on pose with flirtatious gesture, a loosely draped over shoulder silk sheet, female form breasts and overly masculine facial details. This item is heavily patinated due to its age. This figure may have at some point in its lifetime have been part for a larger wall carving...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Walnut
Collection of Six Sponge Ware Mush Cups and Saucers
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These amazing extra large 19thc mush cups & saucers sponge ware are in mint condition and great colors.They are so unusual and very rare to find in a collection of six !
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pottery
$1,836 Sale Price / set
26% Off
Terracotta Whistling Vase - Chorrera culture - Ecuador
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Terracotta Whistling Vase - Chorrera culture - Ecuador
Pre-Columbian art - Decoration - Ethnic
Measures : 11cmx11cm H:21.5cm
Material : Terracotta with brown slip Culture
Wear consi...
Category
20th Century Ecuadorean Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Terracotta
Danish 19th Century Brass Surveying or Level Tool on Tripod
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Surveyors tripod level tool from the late 19th century. The tripod is made of wood and the level is brass. The wood tripod is 39.75in high.
Category
Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
$699 Sale Price
29% Off
Pair of 19th Century Ceramic Parrot Money Banks, Bornholm Denmark
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Pair of 19th century ceramic parrot money banks, Bornholm Denmark.
Category
Late 19th Century Danish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
$199 Sale Price
53% Off
Large Vintage Hand Carved Wooden Ouroboros Snake Bowl
Located in Oxnard, CA
Here is a very cool and unique carved wooden bowl with a double Ouroboros motif. It is a large and substantial piece, crafted out of solid Walnut or possibly Rosewood. A great piece ...
Category
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Walnut
German Shepard 1950 s Statue
Located in Los Angeles, CA
German Shepard 1950 s gesso Italian vintage statue .
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Gesso
$680 Sale Price
20% Off
Royal Copenhagen Hand Painted Porcelain Young Girl Peasant Feeding a Calf
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a Royal Copenhagen glazed hand painted porcelain figurine of a Danish young girl peasant feeding a calf from a big bucket. Below the base, it is found the Royal Copenhagen ha...
Category
20th Century Danish Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
$116 Sale Price
20% Off
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
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
Antique Hand Painted Dutch Theme Enamelware Metal Trivet Collectible 1920s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Antique early 20th century Hand Painted Dutch Theme Enamelware Metal circa 1920's.
Hand-painted decorative antique Dutch scene metalware hand made In North Europe, Netherlands, or G...
Category
Early 20th Century Dutch Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
Early 19th Century Swedish Folk Art Candle Holder
Located in Bozeman, MT
Unusual early 19th century Swedish Folk Art candle holder in pine and iron. Ca 1820 Sweden.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Iron
Vintage Carved Wood Articulated Clown Figure
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Chunky hand carving with simple facial detailing a pointed hat. Found in the southern US. Presented on a custom museum stand.
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
French Mounted Horse Hoof Inkwell and Pen Holder, Late 19th Century
Located in Labrit, Landes
Mounted horse hoof inkwell with horseshoe pen holder
Inkwell shoe ferrer pen holder with beautiful finish, popular art work
Shipping:
L11 P19 ...
Category
1890s French Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Chrome, Wrought Iron
Antique Northern Swedish Folk Art Cutlery Basket
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique folk art basket from the mid 1800s, a so called cutlery basket. The basket is for storing cutlery and is made by hand in pine in northern Sweden...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
Wooden African Mortar and Pestle
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Handcrafted in Africa, wooden footed mortar and pestle.
Great patina this kind of Moroccan mortar are used to grind spices.
Nicely carved, the wood has some cracks on the bottom.
...
Category
19th Century African Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
$950 / set
Petite Indian Swivel Box
Located in Chicago, IL
This petite keepsake box with a swivel lid is crafted in the tradition of Indian bidri-ware, with a dark metal body decorated with simple silver inlay. Composed of a zinc and copper ...
Category
20th Century Indian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal, Silver
Brass Sculpture of Monkey Holding Business Card Holder, Late 19th Century
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Late 19th Century Brass Sculpture of Monkey Holding Business Card Holder
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Old Decorative African Wabi Sabi Wooden Hand Carved Mortar Bowl, Early 1900s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Old and decorative hand carved wooden bowl / mortar produced in Africa early 1900s. In good original condition.
Dimensions: H: 40 cm / 15.75" Diameter: 34 cm / 13.40"
Category
1920s Ethiopian Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Patina mermaids Candle Holders and Incense Burner
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This Mermaids Candle Holders and Incense Burner is a rare and popular piece of patina art, featuring intricate designs of mermaids. These candle ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
Vintage Boho Shanghai Weave Ram Basket
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Add a delightful touch of handcrafted charm and function with this vintage woven ram basket. Skillfully constructed using traditional weaving techniques, this piece features an endea...
Category
1970s Chinese Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Bamboo, Rattan, Wicker
$440 Sale Price
20% Off
Large Antique Papier Maché Carnival Masks, 1900s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
For sale are these rare, large early 20th century carnival masks made from wood and painted papier maché.
Although looking a little creepy and intriguing they have a great decorat...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood, Paper
$2,342 / set
Solid Wood Carved Sculpture of Traveler on Wine/Beer Barrel
Located in San Francisco, CA
Solid Wood Carved Sculpture of Traveler on Wine/Beer Barrel
Swiss or German, possibly the mountainous Black Forest area. Hand crafted by a truly skilled carver, a bear can be seen ...
Category
19th Century European Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood, Paint
Decorative Mughal Motif Box with Hinged Lid
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A beautiful Mughal motif wood box with a hinged lid. This lovely box will be a great way to hold jewelry or other trinkets. The top features a battle scene with two men on horses in ...
Category
20th Century Indian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Fabric, Wood
$200 Sale Price
27% Off
Vintage Handmade Ceramic Figure of a Young French Girl Holding a Rose
Located in New Orleans, LA
This is a lovely and delicate hand made clay art girl figurine in a lavender print dress with a lace overlay that stands 7" tall and is Holding Flowers....
Category
1980s French Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Clay, Earthenware, Pottery, Textile, Polyester
$98 Sale Price
49% Off
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
Staffordshire Pearlware Piper with Dog Bocage Figure
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Staffordshire pottery pearlware bocage figure with a musical theme which features a boy playing a pipe. His dog by his side, stood on a shaped base. Decorated 'in the round' - decora...
Category
1820s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Swedish Hand-Carved 19th Century Wooden Folk Art Wabi Sabi Bowl in Pine
Located in Örebro, SE
This is a beautiful Swedish hand-carfted, carved 19th century wooden bowl in Wabi Sabi style.
It comes made in an oblong piece of pine, perhaps a thin trunk but more likely a thick ...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
Weathered Spot Welded Metal Cactus Folk Art Sculpture in Pale Blue/Green
Located in Round Top, TX
Sheet metal, spot-welded cactus sculpture in the perfect state of rust + paint, de-evolution…faded to the softest blue/green…beaten and battered by the natural elements and ready to ...
Category
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Cut Steel
$945 Sale Price
30% Off
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
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
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
Mounted Submarine Toilet Humor Sculpture
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
There’s trench art, and then there’s toilet humor - this is a little bit of both! Creative & fun sculpture composed of a copper toilet float, mounted on ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal, Copper
Vintage Boho Hand Carved Boot
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Discover a truly unique piece of signed folk art with this captivating vintage hand-carved wooden boot, skillfully crafted and dated 1980 by the artisan "Dawson French." Expertly scu...
Category
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Vintage Terracotta Terrier Sculpture
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage terracotta terrier sculpture. This handsome terra cotta terrier figure is realistic in size and features.
Perfect home accent for the dog lover!
Category
1940s Unknown Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Terracotta
Chinese Folk Painted Tray with Railway Scene
Located in Chicago, IL
This lacquered serving tray is crafted with a hand-painted panel salvaged from a vintage Chinese cabinet. Selected for its charming folk art decoration, the found panel is painted wi...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
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
Sheryl C. Benjamin "Musk Ox" Carved Raspberry Alabaster Stone Table Sculpture
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Sheryl Cannold Benjamin (American, 1924 - 2023) "Musk Ox" Carved Raspberry Alabaster Stone Large Table Sculpture on Laminated Pedestal Base, Approx 110 lbs. Circa Late 20th Century. ...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Alabaster
Early 20th Century Indonesian Carved Wooden Seated Gentleman
Located in Dallas, TX
Presenting a glorious early 20th century Indonesian carved wooden seated gentleman.
This is Beautiful bit of ‘treen’ carved most likel...
Category
Early 20th Century Indonesian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Hardwood
Bonbon Chouval Terre/Sculpture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Bonbon Chouval (Horse Biscuit in Creole) was originally a traditional pastry from the island of Martinique. Carelessly shaped as a horse, the biscuits were sold on the village m...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Caribbean Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
$2,484 / item
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
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
French Hand-Painted Lady Sculpture Door Stop in Solid Cast Iron
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Late 19th century door stop, France, circa 1880.
This lady sculpture is made in heavy solid cast iron and is in it original hand-painted colors.
Category
19th Century English Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Iron
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
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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