Folk Art Decorative Objects
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.
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pine
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Iron
20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Concrete
1890s Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pine
Mid-20th Century Thai Folk Art Decorative Objects
Fabric, Wood
1970s African Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
Early 20th Century East Asian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
2010s Moroccan Folk Art Decorative Objects
Clay, Earthenware
Mid-20th Century Nepalese Folk Art Decorative Objects
Multi-gemstone, Brass
Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Pottery
18th Century Indian Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Brass
Mid-19th Century English Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Birdseye Maple, Giltwood
Late 20th Century Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects
Ceramic
20th Century Indian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Fabric, Wood
1860s Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pine
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Twig, Birch
Late 20th Century Vietnamese Folk Art Decorative Objects
Bamboo
2010s American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Metal, Steel
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pine, Paint
Mid-20th Century Chinese Folk Art Decorative Objects
Paper
Early 20th Century Swiss Folk Art Decorative Objects
Metal, Iron
20th Century Unknown Folk Art Decorative Objects
Ceramic
1880s American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Copper, Iron, Zinc
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Bronze, Copper
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects
Ceramic
20th Century Central African Folk Art Decorative Objects
Leather, Glass, Paint, Paper
Late 20th Century Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects
Paper
Early 18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Birch
2010s Moroccan Folk Art Decorative Objects
Clay, Earthenware
19th Century German Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wrought Iron
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Oak
1970s German Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Stoneware
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pine
Mid-20th Century Ethiopian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Leather, Straw
1940s European Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pine, Birch
Early 18th Century French Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Folk Art Decorative Objects
Iron
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pine
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Textile, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wicker, Rattan, Wood
20th Century Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects
Natural Fiber
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Iron
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pine
2010s American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Steel
1880s American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Copper, Iron
19th Century European Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Iron
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pine
Mid-20th Century Dutch Folk Art Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Porcelain
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Metal
Mid-20th Century Japanese Folk Art Decorative Objects
Boxwood
Early 20th Century German Folk Art Decorative Objects
Stoneware
2010s American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Metal, Steel
1930s Swedish Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Glass, Wood, Paper
Late 19th Century English Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
1970s German Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Metal
2010s American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Steel
19th Century European Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pine
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
1890s American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood, Giltwood, Paint
1810s Scandinavian Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
Late 20th Century Burmese Folk Art Decorative Objects
Bamboo
Early 20th Century German Folk Art Decorative Objects
Stoneware
Early 20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Decorative Objects
Brass
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Soapstone, Wrought Iron
20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Shell
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Iron