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
Fantastic Original Painted and Carved 19th Century Indian Plaque
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This wonderful original old surface plaque has a great old patina and a hand-carved and painted Indian chief. The Indian is in full original clothes with the feathers in his head. Wi...
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
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
19th Century Iron Indian Weathervane with Stand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic and rare original painted surface iron Indian weather vane, worn painted surface. Great original Directional's in iron and attached. This Indian weather vane was found in t...
Category
19th Century American 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
Art Deco Cubist Sculpture, circa 1930
Located in Houston, TX
Whimsical Art Deco patinated metal cubist sculpture, figure, or cardholder, circa 1930s. A fabulous Art Deco Folk Art sculpture!.
Category
1930s Unknown Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
One Pair of Charming Wooden Shoe Moulds Mounted as Bookends Great Character.
Located in Buchanan, MI
One pair of charming wooden shoe moulds mounted as bookends, comes with four leather bound books. Feel free to call with further questions.
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Steel
American Papier-Mache Camel Figure
Located in New York, NY
American life size camel figure standing on a platform base with hollow construction (attr: Luke Saunders Carnival Show, Michigan, Circa 1930)
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood, Paint
Brass Sculpture Inspired by Tribal Chinese Miao Hook Talisman
Located in New York, NY
A vintage brass sculpture, influenced by Miao Hook tribal talismans of China. It consists of two tightly wound coils connected with a stylized ...
Category
20th Century Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Scandinavian 18th Century Folk Art Carved Watch Holder
Located in Copenhagen, K
Very beautiful and original painted Folk Art watch holder, made for the pocket watch when you were not wearing it.
Category
Late 18th Century Danish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
19th Century Finely Carved and Gilded Scotsman Counter-Top Tobacco Trade Figures
Located in Nantucket, MA
Mid-19th Century carved and decorated counter-top Tobacconist’s Trade figures, circa 1850. Each with striking detail and beautiful patina, with the original gilding rubbed well into ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Unknown Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Rare Early 18th century Irish Carved Folk Art Talbot
Located in Greenwich, CT
Very rare carved and painted wood talbot, a now extinct breed of dog often found in heraldic devices in both England and Ireland, this example in original painted surface and possess...
Category
18th Century and Earlier Irish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
19th Century African Bronze Sculpture From Vienna Tobacco Museum
Located in Copenhagen, K
Rare bronze sculpture of native African smoking a large pipe
Provenance: Vienna Tobbacco Museum. This scultpure is pictured in the Kinsky Vienna auction catalog as # 467 or 468.
Category
19th Century Belizean Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Monumental Carousel Rooster Figure
Located in New York, NY
Carousel style (19/20th Cent) carved walnut monumental rooster figure on iron stand with brass pole
Category
19th Century Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Iron, Brass
German Hand Carved Wood and Painted Carousel Horse with Saddle Seat 19th Century
Located in Hollywood, SC
German hand carved wood and decorative painted carousel horse with flowing mane, hairy tail, upholstered saddle seat, original glass eyes, and mounted on a wrought iron scrolled brac...
Category
19th Century German Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood, Paint
Unusual "Stamp" Rose in Box
Located in Riverdale, NY
Unusual "Stamp" rose in box handcrafted "Rose" made of hundreds of French stamps, circa 1950s. Unusual French novelty in its own glass and brass framed casket.
...
Category
1950s French Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Folk Art Copper Finial Set
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Designer: Unknown.
Manufacturer: Unknown.
Period or Model: Early 1920s.
Specs: Copper.
Condition:
This Folk Art copper finial set are in used ...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Copper
19th Century Original Grey Painted Large Candle Box from New England
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic 19th century original grey painted handmade large scale candle box from New England .This wonderful slide top box has such great personality and great construction. It is e...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
Hammered Silver Plate Basket
Located in New York, NY
Small vintage hammered silver plate basket with a nursery theme depicting two children and two geese. Charming oval shape with scalloped edges, the handle with a twisted rope pattern, raised on small ball feet. Hallmarked: Meriden silver plate...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Silver
One-of -a-Kind Rooster Sculpture - France, Circa 1960s
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Impressive and characterful unique cockerel sculpture made of very heavy iron pieces.
Category
Mid-20th Century French Folk Art Decorative Objects
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
Direct Wood Carving of a Nude Woman
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A uniquely stylized direct wood carving of a nude woman. Unfortunately I cannot find any signature. Well executed.
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Wire Airplane Sculptures
Located in Darnestown, MD
Wire sculptures of two matching monoplanes. These were made by the same hand as the bicycles listed as item #U120310916064 and automobiles U120310916065. The planes measure 10 1/2" ...
Category
1930s Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wire
Fred Schumm Lifesize Whimsical Painted Wood Sculpture of a Nude
By Fred Schumm
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A great whimsical colorfully painted lifesize wood sculpture of a nude. The base has been re-painted black. It is signed on the leg Schumm, 1995.
The artist's statement from a 2007 article follows;
Fred Schumm does not view life through rose-colored glasses.
He doesn't have to.
Schumm, Rowan University's artist-in-residence, is a former U.S. Marine who lived through some of the most horrific battles of World War II. He served at Peleliu -- two months of carnage on a tiny Pacific atoll where 12,000 perished - and then four long months on the bloodied isle of Okinawa.
Since then, Schumm, 82, has mostly tried to see life's beauty. It's sort of like how sunlight, warm but ordinary to the naked eye, is refracted into myriad, impossibly beautiful combinations of color when viewed through a kaleidoscope.
And, like sunlight, he finds art everywhere.
"Inspiration is all around but mostly I'm inspired by the ancients," Schumm said recently. "I love Prehistoric African carvings, the works of ancient Greeks, Japanese and Chinese. I especially love Eskimo work."
The celebrated sculptor loves Eskimo work so much he once hitchhiked from his home state of Colorado to Alaska just to see native carvings.
"I wanted to see the TOTEM poles," he said. "The Alaskan Indians were fantastic artists."
Schumm, artist-in-residence since 2003, works with various hardwoods, stone, even metals. A studio in which he works at Westby Hall has pieces in various stages of completion, from an eight-foot-tall, stainless steel sculpture he calls "Aviary" to a solid, six-foot log of black locust...
Category
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
19th Century French Carousel Ride, Carved Wood Sparrow with Metal Body
Located in New York, NY
19th C. painted wood French Carousel ride, with the "body" made of iron rods. The bird figure has only one wing, as originally the other side had a spoke which connected to the cente...
Category
19th Century French Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
Wood Folk Art Carving of a Crocodile or Alligator
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A great wood Folk Art carving of an alligator or crocodile. It is not signed but appears to date to the 1960s based on the estate it came from.
Category
1960s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Large 19th Century Carousel Figure of a Scotsman
Located in New York, NY
Large nineteenth century large carved and painted wooden figure representing a Scottish Highlander wearing a traditional plumed cap and uniform wit...
Category
19th Century Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood, Paint
Late 19th Century Fiske Foundry Cast Iron Dog
Located in Santa Monica, CA
J.W. Fiske foundry attributed cast iron Whippet dog. Incredible white paint surface with many different layers of white paint.
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Iron
Wine Carrier Basket
Located in Napa, CA
Antique bottle carrier with wooden handle. Holds 4 bottles of wine.
Category
20th Century Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Tin
Jill Johnston Hand-Turned Maple Vessel
By Jill Johnston
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A beautiful hand-turned maple vessel signed on the base Jill Johnston N245 3-99 and maple. It has a ring of inlaid decoration.
Category
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Maple
Rare 19th Century Cast Iron Court Jester Folk Art Hanging Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic 19th century wall hanging folk sculpture of the English court jester, looks like the joker. This folky cast sculpture looks like it was somethi...
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Iron
Nude glass male dancer
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A great looking glass sculpture of a male nude dancer with incredible detail. Please see the work in the hands and feet.
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass
Chubac Albert, Large Painted Sculpture, Signed, Dated and Numbered
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
Chubac Albert (1925-2008), Sculpture,
Large iron sculpture painted in primary colors,
Signed, dated 1991 and numbered 3/3, France.
Measures : Hei...
Category
1990s French Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Iron
A Wooden Doll for a Religious Procession
Located in Washington, DC
A Wooden Doll for a Religious Procession.
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Vintage Carved Wooden Door Panels
Located in Napa, CA
Beautifully carved Pakistani wood doors from the 17th Century. Doorway consists of 3 panels.
Category
17th Century Pakistani Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
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
Dama a la Noche 1985 ceramic by Gadu
By Gadu
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A very unusual ceramic or terracotta with hollow eyes that bears a copper plaque on the base that reads "Dama en la Noche" Gadu. I believe the translation is lady in/of the night. It...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Terracotta
Assembly Line Folk Art Whirligig
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Amazing eight man assembly line whirligig. Attributed to an auto worker in Detroit. Fantastic original dry paint surface. Crank turns and figures move pe...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Folk Art Hunter Carving, circa 1930s
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Hand-carved wooden Folk Art hunter with a sheet metal hat. Original red, white and black paint surface.
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Sheet Metal
Iron Boot Scraper with Ram's Head Finial
Located in Greenwich, CT
A generous iron boot scrape with twisted shaft handle and bronze finial of a ram's head mounted on a heraldic helmet. Decorative scrolled base imprinted with "1928". In the manner...
Category
Early 20th Century English Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Iron, Bronze
Folk Art Cork Collection
Located in Seattle, WA
Folk Art Cork Manufacturer's Display piece with samples of all sizes and shapes of cork available for sale. Corks are arranged in geometric shapes and mounted on a velvet-covered bo...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Cork, Velvet, Wood
Wire Bicycle Sculptures
Located in Darnestown, MD
These two finely detailed wire sculptures depict slightly different bicycles. The piece on the left is actually a tricycle and on the right is what is called a bonecruncher. Both are...
Category
1930s Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Three Plaster and Sheet Metal Human Head Prototypes
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Very interesting collection of three male human head forms. We found them perched on a nickel-plated iron hat stands. The stands are marked Hugh Lynons & Co, Lansing MI. Most likely store display...
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Composition, Sheet Metal
English Folk Art Newel Post Figure of a Wildman
Located in Greenwich, CT
Most unusual English early 19th Century folk art carving of a wild man, most likely a newel post figure, depicted with groomed European hair, beard a...
Category
19th Century British Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Oak
Bottlecap Basket
Located in Darnestown, MD
This fabulous Bottle Cap Basket is true folk art. It is made of caps from Coca Cola; 7 Up and Dr. Pepper. The wood bottom makes the piece especially...
Category
1950s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
African Tribal Folk Art Basket
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Antique African wooden storage crate, hand-carved African Tribal motifs on wood and leather woven bottom.
Interested Folk Art Tribal African handcrafted crate probably Kenyan.
Wooden...
Category
Early 20th Century Kenyan Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Leather, Wood
Fabulous Hard Stone Carved Sculpture by Marcus Lyons
Located in Palm Springs, CA
This fabulous sculpture is by noted Palm Springs artist Marcus Lyons (b1949). The signature is indistinct but it is clearly his work. The subject matter is...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Stone
Horse Head Trade Sign, Last Quarter of the 19th Century
Located in York County, PA
An exceptional, painted American trade sign made from carved wood in the full-bodied form of a race horse’s head. Wonderful movement, tremendous f...
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
19th Century Monumental English Harvest Basket
Located in Buchanan, MI
19th century monumental English harvest basket, great at the foot of a bed or amazing coffee table.
Category
19th Century English Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Rattan
Charming Handwoven Nantucket Style Basket
Located in Buchanan, MI
Charming Handwoven Nantucket Style Basket
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Rattan
Indian Goddess Figurine Statue
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautifully authentic hand carved statue of an Indian deity goddess. Distressed paint finish.
Category
18th Century and Earlier Indian Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Paint
Early 20th Century German Statue by Franz Zelezny
By Franz Zelezny
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A hand carved statue of an elderly man, 'Der Frierende.'
Category
Early 20th Century German Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Pair of Carved Pine Toreadors with Red Capes
Located in New York, NY
Pair of Spanish style carved pine life size toreadors with red capes (19th Cent)
Category
19th Century Spanish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine, Wood
Oringinal Wood Carved Relief of a Man Fishing
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Wonderful vintage relief image of man fishing while sleeping against a tree. Hand carved early 20th century.
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Set Of Three Indian Folk Art Figures
Located in Asheville, NC
Set of three Indian figures vividly painted. They appear to be kneeling in prayer two have their hair in buns and the third wears a crown. It is likely that the third blue figure is ...
Category
20th Century Indian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Copper and Wood American Folk Art Boxer Whilrligig
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Spectacular American Folk Art whirligig found in Rockford, IL. Wonderful dry surface paint on boxers. Great working condition.
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Iron Perpetual Motion Folk Art Texas Zoo
Located in Santa Monica, CA
This black and white painted iron perpetual motion object was said to have been used to market the zebra exhibition at the San Antonio Zoo. The zebras...
Category
1950s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Iron
Pivoting Carved Wood Gull on Marble Base
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A wonderful carved wood bird in flight mounted on a bronze arm painted black which attaches to a marble base. The person we acquired this sculpture from claimed that it belonged to h...
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Heavy Terra Cotta Folk Art Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Heavy terra cotta Folk Art sculpture, made by a worker from the Modesto brick factory, with unused clay from the day.
Category
1960s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Terracotta
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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