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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
Brass Mortar and Pestle
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A vintage Mortar and Pestle of brass. The piece is quite patinated, but could easily be brought to a full gleaming shine. Mortars and pestles ahve been around for many years = to c...
Category

19th Century European Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Vintage Marble Flagpole Finial on Steel and Lucite Base, Denmark
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Early 20th Century Danish vintage marble flagpole finial on steel and lucite base. Desk accessory or decorative object/sculpture.
Category

Early 20th Century Danish Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble, Chrome

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

Early 20th century continental decorative carousel horse
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 20th century continental decorative carousel horse circa 1900. Unique continental painted merry-go-round horse circa 1900. Excellent opportunity to own this highly decorative ...
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Oak, Pine, Paint

Ken Edwards Signed El Palomar Tonala Mexico Art Pottery Bottle with Cork 1960s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Ken Edwards Hand Painted Signed El Palomar Tonala Mexico Art Pottery Bottle with Cork 1960s. Vintage Folk Art Mexican pottery handcrafted beautifully...
Category

Late 20th Century Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Jim Rose Barn House Structure, Welded Steel Sculpture Made with Salvaged Steel
Located in Chicago, IL
This is a welded steel sculpture made by furniture creator Jim Rose. It is sustainable design created from salvaged and recycled steel panels left over from his larger projects. Thes...
Category

2010s American Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Steel

Mid 19th century Swedish folk art painted box
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid 19th century Swedish folk art painted box circa 1865. Good quality swedish pine metal bound box.  Decorated with original ragwork paint and blue painted strap work.  Hand painte...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

Antique Unique Large Swedish Genuine Patina Folk Art Wooden Bowl
Located in Kramfors, SE
Unique Swedish folk-art bowl in a very unusual boat like shape. This wooden bowl is large and wide with date “1782” underneath along with a set of initials. An unusual detail is the ...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Pine

Standing Wooden Sea Shell Encrusted Photo Frame for 4" x 6" Photo
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A beautiful standing sea shell encrusted photo frame. This frame holds a 4" x 6" photo and can be displayed horizontally or vertically. The frame is created using hand-applied seashe...
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood, Glass, Shell

A whimsical antique Black Forest hand carved wood figural tobacco humidor box.
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A whimsical antique Black Forest hand carved wood figural tobacco humidor box. Modeled as a dog with removable head and glass inset eyes.
Category

20th Century German Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass, Wood

Moroccan Decorative Dog Sculpture Handbuilt and Handpainted by Potter Houda
Located in Marseille, FR
- Hand built decorative dog sculpture - made of clay collected from the potter's surroundings. - decorative motifs painted with a goat hair brush made...
Category

2010s Moroccan Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Clay, Earthenware

Moroccan Decorative Fish Sculpture Handbuilt and Handpainted by Potter Houda
Located in Marseille, FR
- Hand built decorative fish sculpture - made of clay collected from the potter's surroundings. - decorative motifs painted with a goat hair brush made by the potter to apply natur...
Category

2010s Moroccan Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Clay, Earthenware

Moroccan Decorative Cat Sculpture Handbuilt and Handpainted by Potter Houda
Located in Marseille, FR
- Hand built decorative cat sculpture - made of clay collected from the potter's surroundings. - decorative motifs painted with a goat hair brush made...
Category

2010s Moroccan Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Clay, Earthenware

1960s Handmade Folk Art Decorative Trinket Bowl
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Midcentury Handmade Folk Art decorative trinket keepsake lidded bowl. Copper inlay Hand carved wood Unsigned 6 diameter x 2.25 h Preowned Vintage condition unrestored. Original finis...
Category

1960s Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Copper

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

Hand Carved Wood Pig with Original Paint, Signed
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand carved wooden pig with original paint. Signed David Barber. Very well done. 33 W x 19.5 H x D.
Category

1970s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood, Paint

Early 20th Century French Butcher's Shop Sign
Located in Chicago, IL
A playful early 20th century French painted steel butcher's shop sign in the shape of a pig, and mounted on a custom steel table-top mount. The sign...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Steel

19th Century American Nautical Inlaid Box
Located in Stamford, CT
19th Century American sailor made nautical themed inlaid ships wheel on the top, also called the helm. The front, sides and back are inlaid with geometric cir...
Category

Mid-19th Century American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Ebony, Fruitwood, Mahogany

19thc Miniature Original Painted Mustard Basket
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19thc Miniature original painted basket from New England in very good condition.Amazing mustard paint and condition.
Category

19th Century American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Hemp

19th Century Swedish Antique Rustic Folk Art Wooden Bowl dated 1862
Located in Boden, SE
19th century Swedish folk Art wooden bowl dated 1862 Signed LOS A stunning antique organic wooden bowl with lovely patina You can see the use of time. The bowl has ownershipmarking ...
Category

1860s Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Pine

Hand-made Tonala Pottery Folk Art Fish Vase Made in Mexico
Located in Fort Washington, MD
Rare folk pottery vase from the town of Tonalá in Mexico, shaped in the form of a fish standing on his one tail with the mouth wide open, exaggerated face features hand-painted in co...
Category

20th Century Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Pottery

Original Red Painted Carved Pine Wooden Bowl, Sweden circa 1880
Located in Round Top, TX
Original Swedish Folk Art carved pine wooden bowl with original red paint and warm patina. These bowls were used throughout families and often passed down generation to next generati...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Pine, Paint

Swedish Carved Wooden Bowl, circa 1880
Located in Round Top, TX
Original Swedish folk art pine carved wooden bowl with light patina. These bowls were used throughout families and often passed down generation to next generation. This bowl remains ...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Pine, Paint

Original Red Painted Swedish Pine Wooden Bowl, circa 1880
Located in Round Top, TX
Original Swedish Folk Art pine carved wooden bowl with original red paint and warm patina. These bowls were used throughout families and often passed down generation to next generati...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Pine, Paint

Greek island terracotta atmospheric pierced hanging lantern Hydra 1993
Located in London, GB
Discovered in an artisan studio on the island of Hydra off the Saronic Islands in Greece in 1993. This handcrafted artisan piece of terracotta pottery, creates a wonderful sheltere...
Category

1990s Greek Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Terracotta

19th Century Walnut and Satin Wood Box With Geometric Inlay
Located in Stamford, CT
Wonderful 19th century American box with intricate and beautiful geometric and star pattern inlay, alternating between walnut and satin wood triangles, squares and bands. Possibly s...
Category

Mid-19th Century American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Fruitwood, Walnut

Greenlandica, collection of seven various bone tools
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Greenlandica, a collection of various bone tools, comprising seven pieces in total. Originating from Greenland. Dating back to approximately the 1970s. The largest piece measures:...
Category

1970s Greenlandic Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Other

Japanese Okimono Bronze Figure of a Rat 1950s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Japanese Okimono Bronze Figure of a Rat. DIMENSIONS: Height: 6.25 in Width: 4.25 in Depth: 3.5 in. Hand made in Japan circa 1950s. A large heavy vintage bronze statue of a rat made i...
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Antique Tibetan Egg Shaped Box with Turquoise Blue Stone Inlay
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Antique Tibetan Nepal Egg Shaped Box with Gilt Interior and Turquoise Blue Stone Inlay. Antique Chinese Tibetan brass filigree with turquoise beads egg ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Nepalese Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Multi-gemstone, Brass

Swedish Folk Art, Unique 19th Century Farmers Bowls set of 2
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
Set of two antique and unique organic wooden bowls. With highly appealing patina, with traces of use. Produced in Sweden, 19th century. These bowls where very important for many fam...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Large 36" Tall Reclaimed Wood Folk Art Sculpture of a Horse
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very nice wooden horse sculpture made out of multiple reclaimed wood pieces.
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Reclaimed Wood

PAIR Large Grotesque Dogs earthenware pottery sculptures, 19th Century Italian
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
These are a large PAIR of antique earthenware (or terracotta) pottery Grotesque Dog sculptures, all hand made and dating to the 19th Century, probably made in Italy. These life-size...
Category

19th Century Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic, Earthenware, Pottery

Collection of Round Finely Woven-Birch Swedish Cheese Baskets
Located in Houston, TX
Collection of round finely woven-birch Swedish cheese baskets, dating to late 19th or early 20th century. Two available of differing sizes. Sold together...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Birch

Found and Salvaged Industrial Steel Object Sculpture Arrangement
Located in Chicago, IL
Made from found industrial objects, this face takes on different looks at every angle. A wedge, sprockets, gears are adhered to a found painted steel plate to complete this "Flatlay Face" Jim Rose Flatlay Face No. 06, 2021 found industrial objects 4.25h x 9.50w x 9.50d in 10.79h x 24.13w x 24.13d cm JR0300 Jim Rose b. 1966, d. 2023 Bio Born in Indiana, Jim Rose lived in Europe until he returned to the United States to attend college. After one year at Bard College, Jim transferred to the School of the Art Institute in Chicago (SAIC) where he graduated in 1988 with a BFA. His skillful interpretation of the Shaker design is a result of intense research and field study of Shaker furniture, architecture, culture and history. After over two decades of dedicated work, he has mastered the minimalism of the Shaker technique and created his own unique visual vernacular. The quilts of Gee's Bend have become a monumental influence taking this artist's work to new levels of unique interpretation and artistry. His selection of aged steel results in a patina directly related to that of aged wood while his colored strips beautifully mimic worn cloth. Each piece of furniture is masterfully made and intended for daily use. Jim Rose’s steel furniture is featured every year at SOFA Chicago for the past 25 years. Jim Rose b. 1966, Wisconsin Education 1989 B.F.A., Sculpture, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, IL 1988 Student at Large, Welding Technology, Triton College, Chicago, IL 1985 Undergraduate Photography Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, New York Awards 2008 Wisconsin Arts Board Fellowship Award, Madison, WI. 2005 Elizabeth R. Raphael Founder’s Prize, Society for Contemporary Craft, Pittsburgh, PA 2003 Grant Recipient for Shaker Interpretations in Cast Iron, PA Arts Assoc / WI Arts Board 2003 Arts/Industry Residency Program for Visual Artists, John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan, Wisconsin Solo Exhibitions 2017 New Work, Tory Folliard Gallery, Milwaukee, WI 2012 Simply Steel, Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, Wausau, WI 2007 Variation, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL 2003 New Work, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL 2001 Shaker in Steel / New Work, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL 2000 Shaker in Steel / New Work, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL 1999 Hands and Heart to Steel III, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL National Exhibitions 2017-2018 SOFA Chicago – Gallery Victor Armendariz 2016 - 1995 SOFA Chicago, New York, Palm Beach - Ann Nathan Gallery 2011 - 2002 Art Chicago - Ann Nathan Gallery Group Exhibitions 2017 Coming Attractions: Inaugural Exhibition, Gallery Victor Armendariz, Chicago, IL 2017 Living with Art: The Newman Collection, 108 Contemporary, Tulsa, Oklahoma 2016 Form Follows Function: The Intersection of Art and Craft, The Hardy Gallery, Ephraim, Wi 2015 NEO, Chipstone Foundation, Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee, WI 2015 ICFF, Furniture Society, Javits Convention Center, New York City, NY 2013 Vahki Revisited, The Enduring Spirit of a Craft Collection” Mesa Contemporary Arts, Mesa, AZ 2013 Fearless Furniture, Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites, Indianapolis, IN 2013 Inaugural Exhibition, Museum Wisconsin of Art, West Bend, WI 2012 Sitting Pretty: Furniture from RAM’s Collection, Racine Art Museum, WI 2011 Hiding Places: Memory in the Arts, John Michael Kohler Arts Center, WI 2010 Living with Art, Strohl Art Center, Chautauqua Institution, NY 2009 Summer in Wisconsin, Tory Folliard Gallery, Milwaukee, WI 2009 High Honors, James Watrous Gallery, Madison, WI 2008 Second Lives: Remixing the Ordinary, Museum of Art and Design, NY 2007 Transformation 5: Contemporary Works in Found Materials, Art Association, Jackson, WY 2007 Transformation 5: Contemporary Works in Found Materials, Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, Houston, TX (traveling exhibition) 2006 Show us Your Drawers, Herron School of Art, Indianapolis, IN 2006 Marriage of the Minds...
Category

2010s American Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Steel

Giant Advertising Presentation Glass Chalice for Bells Scotch Whisky
Located in Chillerton, 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

19Thc Original Blue Painted Mini Butter Bowl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19Thc Original blue painted butter bowl with amazing patina. This bowl is in fine condition and is a rare small size.
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Swedish Dala Horse by Grannas Anders Olsson Hemsjöjd
Located in Balen, BE
Vintage Swedish Dala Horse by Nils Olsson for Grannas A. Olssons Hemslöjd, circa 1990s. The horse is in good vintage condition and is hand-painted red with decorative accents. This D...
Category

1990s Swedish Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Pine, Paint

J. Hübner Carved Wood Carousel Horse, Early 20th Century, Germany
Located in Antwerp, BE
Antique Carousel horse by J.Hübner. A hand-carved wooden carousel horse made by Atelier Hübner Germany - Josef Hübner - Joseph Hubner. This piece of Carnival Art - funfair roundabout horse - Merry-go-round Horse dates circa 1910 and has sulfide eyes, a real tale and stirrups. It's a European Springer Horse - Jumping Horse - Galopping Horse on a metal base. During his life, already more then 110 years !! it does have some old restorations and old repainting but that gives this antique horse the charm of his history: making people and children happy and offer them a ride. Antique carved horses - Antique German Carousel Horses - Hübner horses...
Category

Early 20th Century German Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

19th Century Swedish Folk Art Turned Bowl
Located in Mjöhult, SE
Fine 19th century Swedish folk art turned bowl in two colors with an great shape and original surface. Ca 1820 - 50 Sweden.
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

19th Century French Vineyard Grape Picker's Hotte Hod
Located in Forney, TX
A charming antique French country grape picker's hotte / hod. Hand-crafted in Provincial France in the mid-19th century, rustic farmhouse construction, part of the traditional wine making process, this large wooden basket...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Iron

Tramp Art Match Book Sewing Box Early 20th Century
Located in Stamford, CT
Wonderful and whimsical tramp art sewing box made with old matchbooks. The colorful geometric patterns make this a compelling and just plain fun piece of folk art. Cloth top for hold...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Silk, Paper

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

Christmas Antique English Iron Clock Dial Face - Rare Holy Family Dial - Working
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A Rare and lovely antique iron clock dial dating from around 1850. It features a charming painting of the Holy Family, Jesus, Mary and Joseph to the arch. Beautifully painted in the ...
Category

19th Century British Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass, Iron

Jim Rose Barn House Structure, Welded Steel Sculpture Made with Salvaged Steel
Located in Chicago, IL
This is a welded steel sculpture made by furniture creator Jim Rose. It is sustainable design created from salvaged and recycled steel panels left over from his larger projects. These sculptures reference traditional American Folk Art barn house models or bird houses. This sculpture works alone on a shelf or table or can be grouped with other house sculptures by the artist. Each house sculpture is unique in design and color. Jim Rose Structure No. 245 repurposed painted steel 6.50h x 8w x 3d in 16.51h x 20.32w x 7.62d cm JR0333 Jim Rose b. 1966, d. 2023 Bio Born in Indiana, Jim Rose lived in Europe until he returned to the United States to attend college. After one year at Bard College, Jim transferred to the School of the Art Institute in Chicago (SAIC) where he graduated in 1988 with a BFA. His skillful interpretation of the Shaker design is a result of intense research and field study of Shaker furniture, architecture, culture and history. After over two decades of dedicated work, he has mastered the minimalism of the Shaker technique and created his own unique visual vernacular. The quilts of Gee's Bend have become a monumental influence taking this artist's work to new levels of unique interpretation and artistry. His selection of aged steel results in a patina directly related to that of aged wood while his colored strips beautifully mimic worn cloth. Each piece of furniture is masterfully made and intended for daily use. Jim Rose’s steel furniture is featured every year at SOFA Chicago for the past 25 years. Jim Rose b. 1966, Wisconsin Education 1989 B.F.A., Sculpture, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, IL 1988 Student at Large, Welding Technology, Triton College, Chicago, IL 1985 Undergraduate Photography Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, New York Awards 2008 Wisconsin Arts Board Fellowship Award, Madison, WI 2005 Elizabeth R. Raphael Founder’s Prize, Society for Contemporary Craft, Pittsburgh, PA 2003 Grant Recipient for Shaker Interpretations in Cast Iron, PA Arts Assoc / WI Arts Board 2003 Arts/Industry Residency Program for Visual Artists, John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan, Wisconsin Solo Exhibitions 2017 New Work, Tory Folliard Gallery, Milwaukee, WI 2012 Simply Steel, Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, Wausau, WI 2007 Variation, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL 2003 New Work, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL 2001 Shaker in Steel / New Work, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL 2000 Shaker in Steel / New Work, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL 1999 Hands and Heart to Steel III, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL National Exhibitions 2017-2018 SOFA Chicago – Gallery Victor Armendariz 2016 - 1995 SOFA Chicago, New York, Palm Beach - Ann Nathan Gallery 2011 - 2002 Art Chicago - Ann Nathan Gallery Group Exhibitions 2017 Coming Attractions: Inaugural Exhibition, Gallery Victor Armendariz, Chicago, IL 2017 Living with Art: The Newman Collection, 108 Contemporary, Tulsa, Oklahoma 2016 Form Follows Function: The Intersection of Art and Craft, The Hardy Gallery, Ephraim, Wi 2015 NEO, Chipstone Foundation, Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee, WI 2015 ICFF, Furniture Society, Javits Convention Center, New York City, NY 2013 Vahki Revisited, The Enduring Spirit of a Craft Collection” Mesa Contemporary Arts, Mesa, AZ 2013 Fearless Furniture, Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites, Indianapolis, IN 2013 Inaugural Exhibition, Museum Wisconsin of Art, West Bend, WI 2012 Sitting Pretty: Furniture from RAM’s Collection, Racine Art Museum, WI 2011 Hiding Places: Memory in the Arts, John Michael Kohler Arts Center, WI 2010 Living with Art, Strohl Art Center, Chautauqua Institution, NY 2009 Summer in Wisconsin, Tory Folliard Gallery, Milwaukee, WI 2009 High Honors, James Watrous Gallery, Madison, WI 2008 Second Lives: Remixing the Ordinary, Museum of Art and Design, NY 2007 Transformation 5: Contemporary Works in Found Materials, Art Association, Jackson, WY 2007 Transformation 5: Contemporary Works in Found Materials, Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, Houston, TX (traveling exhibition) 2006 Show us Your Drawers, Herron School of Art, Indianapolis, IN 2006 Marriage of the Minds...
Category

2010s American Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Steel

Beaded Ndebele Initiation Doll
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare imported commodity, glass beads have been a symbol of wealth and importance in south African cultures for centuries, and were exclusively distributed by the region's oba (king...
Category

Mid-20th Century South African Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Fabric, Cotton, Wood

Swedish Craft, Bowl, Wood, Sweden, 19th Century
Located in High Point, NC
A small pine bowl produced in Sweden, 19th Century.
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Abercrombie & Fitch Ceramic Piggy Bank
Located in Atlanta, GA
Abercrombie & Fitch ceramic piggy bank, England, circa 1950s. Modeled after their famous leather animal toys and footstools, this little ...
Category

1950s English Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage Folk Art Faux Bois Bark Covered Bottle
Located in Seguin, TX
Vintage bottle covered in wood and textured putty to resemble bark. Wire mesh with wood pieces and shaped putty in dark brown over bottle, accented with silver and gold paint. Ove...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Composition

Mid 19th Century Swedish Folk Art small Travel box /chest with original paint
Located in Boden, SE
Mid 19th Century Swedish Folk Art Travel box from Skellefteå Västerbotten, Northern Sweden. Beautiful untouched original paint. Dated 1858 Decorated with handwrought iron around the ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Iron

Mid-Century Modern "Parents and Child" Marble Stone Sculpture, Kenya
Located in Deland, FL
Introducing a heart-warming abstract sculpture depicting parents with a child in embrace. Hand-carved in solid marble by a Kenyan artisan this exquisite, petite sculpture is the perf...
Category

1970s Kenyan Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Marble

Beaded Ndebele Initiation Doll
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare imported commodity, glass beads have been a symbol of wealth and importance in south African cultures for centuries, and were exclusively distributed by the region's oba (king...
Category

Mid-20th Century South African Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Fabric, Cotton, Wood

Vintage Vietnamese Backpack Basket
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Vintage Vietnamese Backpack Basket. A woven form starting with a square bamboo base tapering up to an open round sturdy mouth with a a smooth interior surface, specifically used in t...
Category

Late 20th Century Vietnamese Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Bamboo

Found and Salvaged Industrial Steel Object Sculpture Arrangement
Located in Chicago, IL
Made from found industrial objects, this face takes on different looks at every angle. A wedge, sprockets, gears are adhered to a found painted steel plate to complete this "Flatlay Face" Jim Rose Flatlay Face No. 05, 2021 found industrial objects 4.50h x 10.75w x 10.75d in 11.43h x 27.30w x 27.30d cm JR0299 Jim Rose b. 1966, d. 2023 Bio Born in Indiana, Jim Rose lived in Europe until he returned to the United States to attend college. After one year at Bard College, Jim transferred to the School of the Art Institute in Chicago (SAIC) where he graduated in 1988 with a BFA. His skillful interpretation of the Shaker design is a result of intense research and field study of Shaker furniture, architecture, culture and history. After over two decades of dedicated work, he has mastered the minimalism of the Shaker technique and created his own unique visual vernacular. The quilts of Gee's Bend have become a monumental influence taking this artist's work to new levels of unique interpretation and artistry. His selection of aged steel results in a patina directly related to that of aged wood while his colored strips beautifully mimic worn cloth. Each piece of furniture is masterfully made and intended for daily use. Jim Rose’s steel furniture is featured every year at SOFA Chicago for the past 25 years. Jim Rose b. 1966, Wisconsin Education 1989 B.F.A., Sculpture, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, IL 1988 Student at Large, Welding Technology, Triton College, Chicago, IL 1985 Undergraduate Photography Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, New York Awards 2008 Wisconsin Arts Board Fellowship Award, Madison, WI. 2005 Elizabeth R. Raphael Founder’s Prize, Society for Contemporary Craft, Pittsburgh, PA 2003 Grant Recipient for Shaker Interpretations in Cast Iron, PA Arts Assoc / WI Arts Board 2003 Arts/Industry Residency Program for Visual Artists, John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan, Wisconsin Solo Exhibitions 2017 New Work, Tory Folliard Gallery, Milwaukee, WI 2012 Simply Steel, Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, Wausau, WI 2007 Variation, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL 2003 New Work, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL 2001 Shaker in Steel / New Work, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL 2000 Shaker in Steel / New Work, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL 1999 Hands and Heart to Steel III, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL National Exhibitions 2017-2018 SOFA Chicago – Gallery Victor Armendariz 2016 - 1995 SOFA Chicago, New York, Palm Beach - Ann Nathan Gallery 2011 - 2002 Art Chicago - Ann Nathan Gallery Group Exhibitions 2017 Coming Attractions: Inaugural Exhibition, Gallery Victor Armendariz, Chicago, IL 2017 Living with Art: The Newman Collection, 108 Contemporary, Tulsa, Oklahoma 2016 Form Follows Function: The Intersection of Art and Craft, The Hardy Gallery, Ephraim, Wi 2015 NEO, Chipstone Foundation, Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee, WI 2015 ICFF, Furniture Society, Javits Convention Center, New York City, NY 2013 Vahki Revisited, The Enduring Spirit of a Craft Collection” Mesa Contemporary Arts, Mesa, AZ 2013 Fearless Furniture, Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites, Indianapolis, IN 2013 Inaugural Exhibition, Museum Wisconsin of Art, West Bend, WI 2012 Sitting Pretty: Furniture from RAM’s Collection, Racine Art Museum, WI 2011 Hiding Places: Memory in the Arts, John Michael Kohler Arts Center, WI 2010 Living with Art, Strohl Art Center, Chautauqua Institution, NY 2009 Summer in Wisconsin, Tory Folliard Gallery, Milwaukee, WI 2009 High Honors, James Watrous Gallery, Madison, WI 2008 Second Lives: Remixing the Ordinary, Museum of Art and Design, NY 2007 Transformation 5: Contemporary Works in Found Materials, Art Association, Jackson, WY 2007 Transformation 5: Contemporary Works in Found Materials, Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, Houston, TX (traveling exhibition) 2006 Show us Your Drawers, Herron School of Art, Indianapolis, IN 2006 Marriage of the Minds...
Category

2010s American Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Steel

Beaded Ndebele Ceremonial Doll
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare imported commodity, glass beads have been a symbol of wealth and importance in south African cultures for centuries, and were exclusively distributed by the region's oba (king...
Category

Mid-20th Century South African Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Fabric, Cotton, Wood

Folk Art Carved and Painted Owl Decoy, USA, 1900's
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Folk Art carved and painted owl decoy, USA 1900's A decorative barn owl carving decoy Original paint with even wear. Mounted over a new iron stand.
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Found and Salvaged Industrial Steel Object Sculpture Arrangement
Located in Chicago, IL
Made from found industrial objects, this face takes on different looks at every angle. A wedge, sprockets, gears are adhered to a found painted steel plate to complete this "Flatlay Face" Jim Rose Flatlay Face No. 07, 2021 found industrial objects 3.25h x 8.25w x 8.25d in 8.26h x 20.95w x 20.95d cm JR0301 Jim Rose b. 1966, d. 2023 Bio Born in Indiana, Jim Rose lived in Europe until he returned to the United States to attend college. After one year at Bard College, Jim transferred to the School of the Art Institute in Chicago (SAIC) where he graduated in 1988 with a BFA. His skillful interpretation of the Shaker design is a result of intense research and field study of Shaker furniture, architecture, culture and history. After over two decades of dedicated work, he has mastered the minimalism of the Shaker technique and created his own unique visual vernacular. The quilts of Gee's Bend have become a monumental influence taking this artist's work to new levels of unique interpretation and artistry. His selection of aged steel results in a patina directly related to that of aged wood while his colored strips beautifully mimic worn cloth. Each piece of furniture is masterfully made and intended for daily use. Jim Rose’s steel furniture is featured every year at SOFA Chicago for the past 25 years. Jim Rose b. 1966, Wisconsin Education 1989 B.F.A., Sculpture, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, IL 1988 Student at Large, Welding Technology, Triton College, Chicago, IL 1985 Undergraduate Photography Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, New York Awards 2008 Wisconsin Arts Board Fellowship Award, Madison, WI. 2005 Elizabeth R. Raphael Founder’s Prize, Society for Contemporary Craft, Pittsburgh, PA 2003 Grant Recipient for Shaker Interpretations in Cast Iron, PA Arts Assoc / WI Arts Board 2003 Arts/Industry Residency Program for Visual Artists, John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan, Wisconsin Solo Exhibitions 2017 New Work, Tory Folliard Gallery, Milwaukee, WI 2012 Simply Steel, Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, Wausau, WI 2007 Variation, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL 2003 New Work, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL 2001 Shaker in Steel / New Work, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL 2000 Shaker in Steel / New Work, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL 1999 Hands and Heart to Steel III, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL National Exhibitions 2017-2018 SOFA Chicago – Gallery Victor Armendariz 2016 - 1995 SOFA Chicago, New York, Palm Beach - Ann Nathan Gallery 2011 - 2002 Art Chicago - Ann Nathan Gallery Group Exhibitions 2017 Coming Attractions: Inaugural Exhibition, Gallery Victor Armendariz, Chicago, IL 2017 Living with Art: The Newman Collection, 108 Contemporary, Tulsa, Oklahoma 2016 Form Follows Function: The Intersection of Art and Craft, The Hardy Gallery, Ephraim, Wi 2015 NEO, Chipstone Foundation, Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee, WI 2015 ICFF, Furniture Society, Javits Convention Center, New York City, NY 2013 Vahki Revisited, The Enduring Spirit of a Craft Collection” Mesa Contemporary Arts, Mesa, AZ 2013 Fearless Furniture, Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites, Indianapolis, IN 2013 Inaugural Exhibition, Museum Wisconsin of Art, West Bend, WI 2012 Sitting Pretty: Furniture from RAM’s Collection, Racine Art Museum, WI 2011 Hiding Places: Memory in the Arts, John Michael Kohler Arts Center, WI 2010 Living with Art, Strohl Art Center, Chautauqua Institution, NY 2009 Summer in Wisconsin, Tory Folliard Gallery, Milwaukee, WI 2009 High Honors, James Watrous Gallery, Madison, WI 2008 Second Lives: Remixing the Ordinary, Museum of Art and Design, NY 2007 Transformation 5: Contemporary Works in Found Materials, Art Association, Jackson, WY 2007 Transformation 5: Contemporary Works in Found Materials, Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, Houston, TX (traveling exhibition) 2006 Show us Your Drawers, Herron School of Art, Indianapolis, IN 2006 Marriage of the Minds...
Category

2010s American Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Steel

Big 19th Century Swedish genuine rustic Wooden bowl organic shape
Located in Boden, SE
An antique and unique organic wooden bowl. With highly appealing patina, with traces of use. Produced in Sweden, early 19th century. The bowl has original paint inside Beautiful i...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Pine

19th Century Swedish Folk Art Woven basket genuine rustic
Located in Boden, SE
A fantastic 19th Century Swedish Folk Art root Basket made of woven twigs & birch bark. It comes from an old farmhouse in Luleå Norrbotten Northern Sweden. The basket is not jus...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Twig, Birch

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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