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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
Oversized Handmade Japanese Ikebana Floor Basket
Located in Malibu, CA
Vintage Japanese Ikebana Floor Basket. The basket features a unique design with a woven background & high-quality bamboo with freestyle form embellishing the underneath basket. Suita...
Category

20th Century Japanese Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Reed, Bamboo

Midcentury Pair of Wrought Iron Tripod Candleholders
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
Pair of wrought iron candleholders rised on tripod base, black painted. Measures: Height 17.50 in (44.5 cm) Width/Depth 6.50 in (16.5 cm).  
Category

Mid-20th Century German Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Iron

Set of 3 Antique Blue and White Delft Plates Hand Painted Netherlands Ca. 1800
Located in Katonah, NY
This set of three antique Delft plates was hand-painted in the Netherlands circa 1800. Each plate measures approximately 9 inches in diameter and ...
Category

Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Delft

Arts & Crafts Folk Art Chandelier w Music Making & Dancing Sculptures, Great Fun
Located in Lisse, NL
Unique and all handcrafted, practical size antique circular chandelier. Some chances you only get once in your life and that is exactly what we thought when we first saw this unique...
Category

Early 20th Century Swiss Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal, Iron

Vintage Large American Hand Woven Gathering Buttocks Basket
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage or antique oversized gathering basket features traditional rib or buttocks shape with the bent wood ring rim and handle. The plaited splints are carefully interwoven to carry...
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Wicker, Oak

Decorative Hand-Carved African Statue from Kenya
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Decorative ebony well hand-carved African statue of a young women. Handmade in Kenya, Africa.
Category

Mid-20th Century Kenyan Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Ebony

Royal Doulton Porcelain Figurine, "The Mendicant"
Located in Moreno Valley, 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

1960s Large Hand-carved Iron Wood American Bald Eagle Art Sculpture
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
A large hand-carved iron wood eagle perched on a tree stump and surveying the surroundings ready to fly. Hand carved wood vintage extremely detailed bald eagle perched upon rockery with glass eyes. Hand carved Ironwood Southwestern seri...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Antique Wooden Tramp Art Box Trinket Folk Art Unique Piece
Located in Poperinge, BE
Antique wooden rectangular tramp art box with hidden keyhole, elaborately decorated panels, stained dark brown. Folk art collector's item with a beautiful age patina from the early 2...
Category

Early 20th Century European Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Tonala Mexico Bird Figurine Folk Art Hand-painted 1960s
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Charming vintage Tonala pottery bird figurine is decorated with hand-painted decor of white bird in a landscape, framed with abstract bands of deco...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery

Mid 18th century hand painted traditional Swedish pine chest
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid 18th century hand painted traditional Swedish chest/box circa 1750. Stunning traditional Swedish box hand painted in the original paintwork.   Decorated on all sides with swags ...
Category

Mid-18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Iron

Blue Glazed Redware Character Jug Signed, 19th Century
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An antique folk art blue glazed redware pottery pottery jug or flask modelled as a man wears a night gown and night cap with a spout behind the man’s head wi...
Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Pottery

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 Large Ceramic Sitting Cat Figurine, Pink Sponge Ware Folk Art Style
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage ceramic cat figurine features hand-painted pink sponge ware decor with black accents on face and paws. The cat depicted sitting with tail curled around the hind legs, slightl...
Category

Late 20th Century Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery

Sterling Silver Rooster Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This sterling silver heavy hollow body rooster figure is signed 925 on the base and is in fine condition. Beautifully made and proportioned well. Great patina.
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Sterling Silver

1930's American Handwoven Tall Market Basket
Located in Red Lion, PA
This charming 1930s American handwoven tall market basket is a beautiful example of early 20th-century craftsmanship. Woven from natural splint materials and framed with firm bentwoo...
Category

1930s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Bentwood

19th Century Swedish antique genuine country Folk Art wooden trough / bowl
Located in Boden, SE
A genuine original painted antique wood trough from Luleå Northern Sweden The trough has a lovely color & patina. A nearly monumentaly large farme...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Pine

Swedish Craft, Bowl, Wood, Sweden, 19th Century
Located in High Point, NC
A hand-painted wood bowl produced in Sweden, 19th century.
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

18th Century Wooden Cross, Guanajuato, Mexico
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Wooden cross Guanajuato, Mexico Wood, paint 22 x 13 inches, (56 cm x 33 cm) 18th century A wonderful old wooden cross with a painted crucified Christ figure, an angel, possibly Mary Magdelene...
Category

18th Century Mexican Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood, Paint

American Copper Spread Winged Eagle Weathervane with Sphere and Arrow, C. 1880
Located in Charleston, SC
American molded copper spread winged eagle weathervane with circular sphere, arrow, and mounted on cast iron squared base. Weathervane has a fine natural verdigris patina in the orig...
Category

1880s American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Copper, Iron

Large Heavy Shiva Lignam Fertility Banalinga Stone Brahmanda Egg
Located in Dayton, OH
Shiva Lingam is a crypto-crystalline member of the Quartz family. This heavy stone is found in only one of seven sacred Indian rivers. Villagers visit the Narmada River in Onkar Mand...
Category

Late 20th Century Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Stone

Russian Hand Painted Lacquerware Palekh Miniature Table Box
Located in Forney, TX
A rare and exceptional finely painted vintage Imperial Russian lacquerware box. Exquisitely hand-crafted in the Palekhsky District (Палех) of wes...
Category

20th Century Russian Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Lacquer

Vintage Tonala Mexico Pottery Cat, Hand Painted
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Charming vintage Tonala pottery figurine depicts a reclining cat with folded front paws and raised head; the cat is looking forward with wide open, large eyes and a slightly surpris...
Category

20th Century Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery

Massive Vintage Cotton Elephant Covered in Indian Textiles
Located in Houston, TX
Massive vintage cotton elephant, covered in Indian textiles, retailed in the 1950s by Harrods. Exterior decorated in embroidered designs, tassels, tiny mirrors...
Category

1950s English Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Wire

Early Stone Tiki Garden Statue on Base
By Tiki
Located in Ferndale, MI
Unique two pice garden statue. Tiki style form sits in stand. Most likely cast cement.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Cement

19th Century French Folk Art Storage Basket
Located in Allerum, SE
Unusually large 19th century French folk art storage basket. coiled construction with straw and bark. Ca 1890 France.
Category

19th Century French Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Straw

Raku Ceramic Vessel Vase by Bob Green
Located in Bonita Springs, FL
Bob Green Southern Folk Art Burnished Raku Vessel This stunning burnished raku ceramic vessel by Bob Green, a celebrated Southern folk artist, showcases the captivating unpredictabil...
Category

Early 2000s American Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery

Antique Swedish Large Wooden storage box 1800's Handmade Folk Craft
Located in Forest, BE
Swedish antique pine and birch wooden storage box. The lady’s got them to store there small goods at the wedding. Fine quality of bentwood. It is a true piece from the early 19 cen...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Birch, Pine

Carved Cigar Store Native American Indian, Shop Trade Sign
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Carved Cigar Store Native American Indian, Shop Trade Sign This is a very rare find, he is an almost full size American Indian Chief, he is carved from one piece of wood ( a tree tr...
Category

1930s Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Mid-Century American Folk Art Wood Articulated Man Figure
Located in Farmington Hills, MI
We are very pleased to offer a Folk Art wooden articulated man, circa the 1950s. This nearly 5-foot tall, handcrafted piece, epitomizing Mid-century American craftsmanship, is made ...
Category

1950s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Hardwood

Carved Stone Cockatoo Sculpture
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Carved stone cockatoo sculpture caught in the action of landing on an amethyst geode. Featuring a lofty combination of colors and textures with an u...
Category

20th Century Brazilian Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Crystal

German Folk Art Grey and Cobalt Blue Stoneware Jar
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
A very decorative German folk art grey stoneware jar with cobalt-blue painting from the 1st half of the 20th century. Traditional Westerwald stoneware is a type of ceramic ware that was produced in the lower Westerwald and the Kannenbäckerland in the early modern period. Since the 17th century, it has been one of the dominant types of German stoneware. The technique for producing grey stoneware with cobalt blue painting proved...
Category

Early 20th Century German Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Stoneware

Turuza Wauja. Two-headed bird Sculpture-Bench, 2024 Brazilian wood
Located in PARIS, FR
Turuza Wauja – Two-headed Bird Sculpture-Bench, 2024 Hand-carved by Indigenous Wauja artisans from the Xingu region in Brazil, this remarkable sculpture-bench represents a two-heade...
Category

2010s Brazilian Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Hardwood, Shell, Paint

Stephen Huneck Carved Wooden Dog Footstool
By Steven Huneck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Stephen Huneck hand carved wooden dog footstool. Perfect as a foot stool, ottoman or playful sculpture. Dimensions 7" width x 20" depth x 15" height. Condition Good vintage condition.
Category

Late 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

WWI Trench Art Vases, French, 1917- Set of 2
Located in Ross, CA
WWI Trench art vases etched with the French Rooster, bows, and the year 1917. Trench art was art commonly made by soldiers with shell casings to pass the time in the trenches of WW...
Category

1910s French Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Vintage Large Brass Duck "Decoy" Decorative Sculpture
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Large Brass Duck "Decoy" Decorative Sculpture. Handcrafted decorative vintage collectible brass duck shape sculpture. Beautiful handcrafted large ca...
Category

Mid-20th Century European Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass, Copper

Rare Swedish Antique Wooden Bowl Made by Hand in Birch Root with a Carved Handle
Located in Kramfors, SE
Rare Swedish antique bowl from the late 1700s. This wooden bowl is oval with a large carved handle on the side, a very unusual detail hardly ever seen on bowls like this. It is made ...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Birch

Vintage Hand Carved & Painted Soapstone Tiger Box - Unsigned - Late 20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
Vintage hand carved and painted soapstone lidded box - taking the form of a seated tiger - unsigned - country of origin unknown - late 20th century. Excellent vintage condition - cl...
Category

Late 20th Century Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Soapstone

Sugarcane Harvesters From Puerto Rico Watercolor Painting by Epifanio Irizarry
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a Sugarcane Harvesters Scene Painting in Puerto Rico by Epifanio Irizarry. It depicts a watercolor painting of three sugarcane workers in a canaveral or cane landscape. One i...
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Canvas

Folk Art Hand Painted XL Colorful Gourd
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Folk Art Hand Painted XL Colorful Gourd 18 h x 16 diameter Original vintage unrestored Refer to images listed
Category

Late 20th Century Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Old Weathered Statue of a Putti Playing Tambourine
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Old Weathered Statue of a Putti Playing Tambourine The musical nymph is set on a square base This is a pleasantly weathered piece in good detail to be ...
Category

1920s Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Concrete

Chinese rice barrel
Located in 'S-HERTOGENBOSCH, NL
Rice barrel with lid. Decorated with cartouches with flowers and butterflies. China, early 19th century.
Category

1830s Chinese Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Antique Folk Art Ornately Carved Wooden Picture Frame with Birds & Flowers
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This ornately hand-carved picture frame is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from Eastern Europe, and date to approximately 1920 and done in a Folk Art style. The frame is co...
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Softwood

Chinese Checkered Papier-Mâché Box
Located in Chicago, IL
Formed around a simple wooden frame, this papier-mâché storage box is a charming example of Chinese folk art. Crafted with old newspapers and dyed rice paper, the box would have been...
Category

Mid-20th Century Chinese Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Paper

Late 19th Century Tramp Art Box
Located in Bradenton, FL
Vintage late 19th century Tramp Art Box inset with mirror and fabric. "Tramp Art" objects began in the 1870s, driven by the abundance of wooden cigar boxes and their availability to ...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Textile, Wood

Large Antique Carved Wood Male Bambara Chi Wara Antelope Figure
Located in Nantucket, MA
Chi wara is a ritual headdress used by the Bambara people in Mali. Portrayed as both male or female figures Chi ware is associated with agriculture. This larg...
Category

Early 1900s Malian Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Hardwood

Giant Advertising Presentation Glass Chalice for Bells Scotch Whisky
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Giant Advertising Presentation Glass Chalice for Bells Scotch Whisky This is an oversized Glass, made for Pub or Bar display advertising. The glas...
Category

1920s Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Quirky American Folk Art Human Form Chair
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Have a seat! One of a kind human form chair. Wonderfully carved muscles, toes, clenched fists for support. Looks like the chair is ready to go crawling ac...
Category

1940s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Monumental 80" Figurative Hand Carved Sculpture by Robert Brady
By Robert Brady 2
Located in Buffalo, NY
Robert Brady was born and raised in Reno, Nevada. Upon graduation from high school he attended the California College of The Arts in Oakland, Ca. receiving his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1969. Later he attended University of California, Davis, receiving a Masters of Fine art in 1975. Recently retired Emeritus, he served as Professor of Art from 1975-2013 at California State University, Sacramento. Trained as a potter, Brady’s interest quickly steered toward a path of ceramic object making and sculpture, ultimately gaining national and international recognition. Approximately 24 years later, Brady, fortuitously discovered the beauty and merits of wood as a sculptural medium. Since then, Robert has produced work in both clay and wood, with an emphasis on wood. Mixed media, bronzes, works on paper and functional pottery are also part of his output. Brady has had over 50 solo exhibits and participated in many group exhibitions throughout the United States, and Europe, both in private galleries and public Museums. His works can be found in permanent collections in galleries and museums such as The Smithsonian (Renwick), The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Arkansas Art Center, Little Rock, and the Stedelijik Museum in Amsterdam, Holland, as well as others. Lastly, his work is found in private collections too numerous to mention. He has received three National Endowment Individual Artist...
Category

1990s American Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Japanese Flat Ikebana Basket, Bamboo, Suruga Sensuji Style
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage bamboo Ikebana basket features an elongated, flattened form with prominent rounded handle. The basket is woven of thin round bamboo strips that are secured with transparent ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan

American Gilt Carved Wood and Poly Chromed Roman Guard Figurehead, Circa 1890
Located in Charleston, SC
American gilt carved wood and poly chromed nautical figurehead of Roman guard in military attire. Late 19th century.
Category

1890s American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood, Giltwood, Paint

Antique Swedish Wide Wooden Bowl with Original Paint and Authentic Patina
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique Swedish wooden bowl in good vintage condition with authentic patina and traces after use. The bowl has a round shape and is made from a single piece of wood that’s been hollo...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Matching Couple / Pair Large Polychromed Burmese Nat Temple Dancers
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Hand-carved wooden sculptures representing a traditional guardian or deity figure, often referred to as the "Lady of Popa," originating from Vietnam or Southeast Asia. These striking...
Category

Early 20th Century Burmese Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Teak

Large Early 20th.Century Pine Horse
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Large Early 20th.Century Pine Horse This is a substantial animal, he has previously been stripped back to mostly bare wood, which does help to show what sound condition he is in He...
Category

1910s Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Pine

Wood Carved Chinese Restaurant Entry Arch, circa 1940s
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Impressive and grand arch that graced the entry of a Chinese restaurant in the 1940s American Midwest. Impressively carved and double-sided solid wo...
Category

1940s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Cast Bronze Bull Bowl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Verdigris patinated bronze bowl with four mounted bull heads around the rim which serve as decor and handles. Marked "Hatti - Made in Turkey"   Dimensions 11" diameter x 5.75" height...
Category

Mid-20th Century Turkish Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Antique Agateware Saltglaze Cat, Staffordshire England, circa 1770
Located in Katonah, NY
This solid agateware cat was hand-crafted in Staffordshire, England, around 1770 from laminated salt-glazed stoneware. An exceptional example of 18th-century English ceramics, it co...
Category

1770s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Stoneware

Antique Swedish Wooden barrel 1800's Handmade Folk Craft great condition
Located in Forest, BE
Swedish antique pine hand crafted wooden barrel. Made to be used as a washing basin or a grain storage. Fine quality of bentwood. It is a true piece from the early 19 century. Beaut...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Birch, Pine

Early Leo Sewell Assembledge, Sculpture, Seated Male Figure
Located in Buffalo, NY
Early Leo Sewell Assembledge. Sculpture, seated male figure, signed and dated, 1977. A charming array of whimsical found objects, Italian chair incl...
Category

1970s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

Wabi-Sabi Vintage Wooden Bowl, Lombok, Organic Sculptural Centerpiece
Located in London, GB
Wabi-Sabi Lombok Wooden Bowl, Sculptural Hand-Carved Form, circa 1940s A monumental hand-carved wooden bowl from Lombok, Indonesia, dating to the 1940s. Carved from a single block o...
Category

1940s Indonesian Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

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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