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-20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood, Paint
1970s Greenlandic Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Soapstone
Mid-20th Century Chinese Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pine
Late 20th Century Folk Art Decorative Objects
Paper
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood, Paint
1970s Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Clay
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Burl
1950s Portuguese Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pottery
1820s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Earthenware
Early 1900s Italian Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood, Hardwood
1920s Unknown Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood, Paint, Hardwood
Mid-20th Century Folk Art Decorative Objects
Leather
1960s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Terracotta
1970s Brazilian Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Terracotta, Paint
Mid-20th Century Asian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Hardwood
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Ceramic
20th Century Unknown Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
1870s American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Rattan, Wood
1970s Greenlandic Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Soapstone
1970s Greenlandic Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Other
20th Century Danish Folk Art Decorative Objects
Porcelain
20th Century Folk Art Decorative Objects
Bronze
1940s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Metal, Enamel
1970s Greenlandic Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Soapstone
1960s Greenlandic Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Soapstone
Mid-20th Century Swedish Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
20th Century Greenlandic Folk Art Decorative Objects
Soapstone
Mid-20th Century Chinese Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pine
21st Century and Contemporary American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Earthenware, Wood
Mid-20th Century Greenlandic Folk Art Decorative Objects
Soapstone
Mid-20th Century Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
Early 20th Century Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
Early 1900s Malian Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Hardwood
20th Century Central African Folk Art Decorative Objects
Brass
Mid-20th Century Greenlandic Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
Late 19th Century French Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pine
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Mahogany, Wood
1910s Danish Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Iron
20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Metal
Early 20th Century Dutch Folk Art Decorative Objects
Metal
Late 20th Century Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects
Terracotta, Paint
1970s Canadian Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Soapstone
Mid-20th Century Argentine Folk Art Decorative Objects
Bronze
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Walnut
2010s American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Stoneware
Early 20th Century Unknown Folk Art Decorative Objects
Softwood
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pottery
21st Century and Contemporary Caribbean Folk Art Decorative Objects
Ceramic
21st Century and Contemporary Caribbean Folk Art Decorative Objects
Ceramic
21st Century and Contemporary American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Other
Mid-20th Century Italian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Softwood
Early 20th Century South Asian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Bamboo
21st Century and Contemporary Caribbean Folk Art Decorative Objects
Ceramic
21st Century and Contemporary Caribbean Folk Art Decorative Objects
Ceramic
21st Century and Contemporary Caribbean Folk Art Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Folk Art Decorative Objects
Iron
Mid-20th Century English Folk Art Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood





