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
Mid-Century Quebec Folk Art Carved & Polychrome Pahined Robed Clergyman & Child
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This hand-carved wooden sculpture is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from Quebic Canada and date to approximately 1950 and done in the period Folk Art style. The sculpture ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Canadian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
Unusual Hand Carved Clown Motif Umbrella, Paragon, S. Fox & Co
By S. Fox & Co.
Located in Buffalo, NY
Unusual Hand Carved Clown Motif Umbrella, Paragon, S. Fox & Co
Category
1920s English Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
Folk Art Magnificent Oxidized Rustic Iron Man Sculpture
Located in Miami, FL
Magnificent iron man sculpture. Consists of saw blades as arms, a crumpled bucket as head with a tractor seat as its main body. Two skinny square iron legs keep it all upright and ar...
Category
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
Huge Antique Scandinavian Folk Art Carved Wooden Handled Hardwood Bowl
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This extremely large and substantial Folk Art carved bowl is presumed to have originated from Scandinavia, possibly Sweden, in approximately 1860 in the period country Folk Art style. This bowl is hand crafted from a hardwood and spans two feet across and six inches deep and has a single wooden handle inset on one side of the rim. This antique bowl shows all its original wear and age and was likely crafted originally as a large dough bowl.
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Hardwood
A Set of Black Americana Baseball Memorabilia Folk Art Figures, Circa 1930s-40s
Located in Atlanta, GA
This collection of three Black Americana baseball figures, circa 1930s-1940s, are attributed to the San Antonio folk artist, Control Valadez. The set of Black memorabilia, sometimes called Black Americana, includes a pitcher, catcher & batter, each having been set and raised onto a custom iron base. They are all quite chippy with losses, nice patina and showing of age, still retaining much of their original paint colors. Likely once outdoor ornaments, we would suggest, due to their delicate condition, that these pieces remain indoors. Though historically, much black memorabilia portrayed racist and offensive ideas, there was also art, such as this collection, which reflects a more positive connotation, commemorating athletic achievements within the black community. These nicely sized baseball sculptures...
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Iron
Whimsical Wood Sculpture by Noted NJ Artist Fred Schumm
By Fred Schumm
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A wonderful wood sculpture by the noted NJ artist Fred Scumm. It is inscribed near the base with no date. Likely from the late 1980s or early 1990s. Colorfu...
Category
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
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
Khaki Size 6 Log Bowl by Loyal Loot Hand Made from Reclaimed Wood
Located in calgary, CA
Perfect as a feature objet d'art on your table or shelves, a catch-all for jewellery and special items, or displayed as a group for a striking centrepiece.
Each Log Bowl is unique and makes the perfect one of a kind gift.
Log Bowls combine the beauty of a tree in its natural state with a high-gloss, vibrant finish. Each bowl is handmade using locally reclaimed trees of all varieties (fallen or cut down due to infrastructure or inclement weather). The trees are hand selected, gathered, turned and finished by Loyal Loot...
Category
Early 2000s Canadian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood, Willow
"Man with Cup" by Allan Winkler
Located in Chicago, IL
Although this whimsical sculpture by Allan Winkler has the look of outsider art, this ceramic work stems from the art school-trained artist’s interest in...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
Green Luster Lava Bowl
By LAKE BELL
Located in Sherman Oaks, CA
With a nod to the spontaneity and privileged imperfection that is the human condition, all of my pieces imbue an energy of function and whimsy.
This decorative speckled stoneware co...
Category
2010s American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Stoneware
18/19th Century Bodhisattva
Located in SE
Bodhisattva, a religious sculpture, probably made in India 1750-1850.
The sculpture has been painted and gilded, but with very little remains.
Bodhisattva, in Buddhism, is one who s...
Category
Late 18th Century Indian Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
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
Large Bamana Marionette Figure of Charming Police Man, African Figure
Located in Buffalo, NY
Large Bamana marionette figure of a charming police man. African figure retains original paint, amazing patina, also retains original fabric wrap. (outfit).
Category
20th Century African Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Fabric, Wood
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
Beautiful Sculpture of Goat carved in wood by Israeli Artist
Located in Mexico, DF
Beautiful robust sculpture of a Goat carved from a solid mahogany block by an Israeli artist (the signature in Hebrew letters is illegible).
The goat is st...
Category
Mid-20th Century Israeli Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Mahogany
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
Modernist Painted Steel and Black Marker Graffitied Sculpture, Metzen/Merisola
By John Metzen
Located in Buffalo, NY
Modernist Abstract painted steel and black marker Graffitied sculpture, by John Metzen/ Michael Merisola, Welded and painted steel, Great color proportion ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Steel
Arts and Crafts Leather Model of an Elephant Junior Bull
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Arts and Crafts Leather Model of an Elephant
This is a rare and beautiful find from the early part of the 20th Century, it was made for Liberty and is known as “Junior Bull”
This ...
Category
1930s Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Leather
Primitive Animal Face Jug Clay pottery Folk art Head pitcher Sculpture.
Located in Seattle, WA
This Piece is possibly Mayan Aztec in origin and depicts the face of an animal in 3D as well as floral motifs on the jug itself. This Piece has nice patina and character. Vintage Con...
Category
1970s Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Clay
Primitive hand carved and handmade Mask
Located in Seattle, WA
This primitive handmade mask sculpture is a true work of art. This possible Folk Art piece is unknown in origin but perfect for those who appreciate the beautify of pottery and the c...
Category
1970s Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pottery
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
Contemporary Artisan Oolitic Limestone Bowl
Located in Houston, TX
Contemporary artisan oolitic limestone bowl or basin from England.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary English Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Limestone
Large Zebra Design Floor Vase, Umbrella Stand
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Large Zebra Design Floor Vase, Umbrella Stand
This beautiful looking piece is round in shape, and painted, the painted decoration of a Zebra runs all the way around, it is 24” tall ...
Category
1970s Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
Swedish Woven Fruit Basket
Located in Houston, TX
Swedish woven fruit basket with traces of old paint. This charming basket's flap secures with leather strap and buckle.
Note: Regional differences ...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Birch, Paint
Primitive Horse Carving
Located in Nantucket, MA
A Folk Art carved wood and gesso painted standing horse
with painted cloth saddle and horse hair tail
Mounted on a later made black painted platform.
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Gesso, Pine, Paint
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
Vintage Novelty Ceramic Trompe-L’oeil Waste Paper Basket
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Vintage Novelty Ceramic Trompe-L’oeil Waste Paper Basket
The container is made with ceramic leather book spines, a fun Trompe-L’oeil and a very attr...
Category
Mid-20th Century Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Leather
Round Walnut Box Profusely Carved with Roses A truly magnificent piece
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Round Walnut Box Profusely Carved with Roses
A truly magnificent piece, you cannot help but admire the skill that was involved to create this one
It would have first been hand turne...
Category
1950s Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Walnut
Vase-jug, Chodziez, 1950s
Located in Chorzów, PL
Porcelain jug vase produced by Chodziez in the 1950s.
Very good condition without damage.
Measures: height 25 cm, width 17 cm.
Category
1950s Polish Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
19th Century Treen Money Box A fine 19th century treen money box
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
19th Century Treen Money Box
A fine 19th century treen money box, made in fruitwood with brass feet and handle, the money box is in good condition for its age, lovely colour and pat...
Category
1880s Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Fruitwood
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
Concrete Soldier Statue circa 1900 Chicago Area Garden
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Exceptional 6 ft. tall American Folk Art concrete soldier statue with original paint surface and inset glass 'gem.' Fantastic workmanship. Originally pa...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Concrete
Pop Surrealist Sculpture by Robert Brock, circa 1974
Located in Buffalo, NY
Pop surrealist sculpture by Robert Brock, cirac 1974. Laminate and cast plaster
Brock was born in Tacoma, Ohio and was a graduate of the University of Dayton, Dayton Art Institute...
Category
1970s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Laminate, Plaster, Wood
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
Piggy Bank for Charity
Located in Copenhagen, K
Lovely piggy bank with inscription aiming to collect money for the society for children’s footwear. This union was established in 1889 and was still active ...
Category
1910s Danish Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Iron
Len Norman, American 20th Century the Prestidigitator Whirligig
Located in Buchanan, MI
Len Norman, American 20th century) the prestidigitator. Assembled and painted whirligig depicting a magician and body sawing act
Measures: 23" x 27" x 12".
Category
20th Century Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
A Treen Sphere Enclosing Needle and Thread Spool
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
A Treen Sphere Enclosing Needle and Thread Spool
A wonderful piece when unscrewed to open it reveals inside a needle case at the centre and a double thread spool which slips over it...
Category
19th Century Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Olive
American Folk Art Limestone Carving Snake, Shield and Stump
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Detailed American Folk Art limestone carving of a rattle snake wrapped around a tree stump and shield or coat of arms, circa 1870. Found in Tennessee. A very nice heavy and solid piece.
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Limestone
Artist’s Model, Bust of a Young Woman on a Slate Block
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Artist’s Model, Bust of a Young Woman on a Slate Block
This is a very attractive hand made piece dating from the middle of the 20th Century, it was discovered in an Art Studio durin...
Category
1960s Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Clay
18th Century Folk Art Wood and Wrought Iron Candleholder
Located in Copenhagen, K
Adjustable wrought iron and wood candle holder with wood base and snipe nail.
Category
Early 18th Century Danish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Iron
Brass Sculpture Inspired by Tribal Chinese Miao Hook Talisman
Located in Astoria, 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
Charming Victorian Hand Carved Pine Stationary Box
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
A charming Victorian hand carved pine stationary box
The Box is good quality and in very good condition for its age, the hand carved sloping doors on...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
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
1960’s Folk Art Flag Waving on Stand
Located in Charleston, SC
FOLK ART CARVED AND PAINTED WOODEN PATRIOTIC FLAG, single-sided form retaining an old painted surface over gesso. 20th century. Acquired from a folk art collector, where many pieces...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood, Paint
Vintage Wooden Letter Opener With Folk Style Art on Handles.
Located in Seattle, WA
Makers Mark Reading “Spindlermuhle” on the Back. Translate From German to a Town in the Czech Republic. Vintage Condition Consistent with Age as Pictured.
Dimensions. 8 W ; 1 1/2 D
Category
1970s Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Russian Kovsch in Silver Gilt, Cloisonné Enamel and Silver Pearl
Located in London, GB
Russian kovsch in silver gilt, cloisonne enamel and silver pearl
Russian, 20th Century
Height 7cm, width 12cm, depth 7cm
This kovsch is a meticulously crafted piece, made by marryin...
Category
20th Century Russian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Silver, Enamel
18th Century Pencil Box with King Christian VII Monogramme
Located in Copenhagen, K
Beautifully carved wooden box with the carving inscription of King Christian VII, and anno 1780.
Category
Late 18th Century Danish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Vintage Boho Mosaic Memory Jugs - a Pair
Located in west palm beach, FL
Add a touch of eclectic charm to your décor with this captivating pair of vintage boho mosaic memory jugs. Each jug is a one-of-a-kind piece, intricately a...
Category
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pottery
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
Mexican Burnished Clay Chicken Kitchen Vessel Hen Egg Basket Decoration Birds
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
This Mexican ceramic hen is an egg basket, perfect to keep eggs fresh -- a utilitarian kitchen piece by artist Manuel Reyes. Made with clay from Oaxaca and Zacatecas, painted with oxides from the region. Done with the hand-modeled technique and cooked in traditional wood-fired oven. Reyes has been constantly innovating with his hen collection, making this one of his most iconic works.
Ceramic artist, sculptor and painter, Manuel Reyes (Mexico City, 1972) atended the Escuela Nacional de Artes Plásticas in Xochimilco, México. He was later mentored by Royer Von Guten, Joy Laville...
Category
2010s Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic, Clay
Japanese Midcentury Earthenware Art Pottery Vase
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Interesting, midcentury, Japanese, matte tan, earthenware, art pottery vase features a tapered body, intricately carved and incised in a leaf pattern with Japanese markings on it's u...
Category
Mid-20th Century Japanese Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
Signed 19th Century Swedish Wooden Bowl
Located in New York, NY
Wooden bowl in a painted pine. Made during the early 19th Century by P. Nordkvist. Beautiful condition.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
Eight Curlews by Guy Taplin
Located in Basildon, GB
An original piece of English folk-art sculpture by the acclaimed British sculptor Guy Taplin (b. 1939). Eight individual wooden birds carved and painted, th...
Category
1990s British Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Driftwood
Vintage Novelty Waste Paper Basket the Container Is Made in Wood
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Vintage Novelty Waste Paper Basket
The container is made in wood with pictures of books and shelves on all 4 sides, a fun and a very attractive conversation piece
The container...
Category
1960s Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Softwood
Three Virginia Metalcrafters Brass Leaves, One Angel Wing and Two Holly Leaves
Located in Doraville, GA
Three vintage solid brass leaves, manufactured in Waynesboro, Virginia by Virginia MetalCrafters. The leaves were designed by Oskar Hansen, are hand made, hand finished and of the hi...
Category
1960s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Early 18th Century Wooden Folk Art Ink Sander
Located in Copenhagen, K
Very lovely wooden ink sander with small carvings all around it.
Category
Early 18th Century Danish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Butchers Balance Scales, Advertising Palethorpes’ Sausages
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Butchers Balance Scales, Advertising Palethorpes’ Sausages
Palethorpes’ Sausage Scales with Brass Bell Weights
The scale has a brass weight plate on one...
Category
1920s Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Iron
French Zinc Horse Head, circa 1930
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
French zinc horse head, circa 1930
Category
Early 20th Century European Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Zinc
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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