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.
1960s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Brass
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pine
20th Century Indian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Fabric, Wood
19th Century British Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Iron
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Iron
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
20th Century Thai Folk Art Decorative Objects
Giltwood
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Art Glass
20th Century Indian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Shell
Late 19th Century Indian Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Brass
1820s Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Brass
1950s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Cane, Rattan, Pine
20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Sterling Silver
1790s Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Metal
Early 20th Century Italian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Metal
1970s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pottery
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Twig, Birch
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Iron
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Birch, Pine
Mid-20th Century Ecuadorean Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood, Olive
2010s Moroccan Folk Art Decorative Objects
Clay, Earthenware
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Iron
Late 19th Century North American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Cane, Rattan, Oak
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Mid-19th Century Burmese Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Teak
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
19th Century French Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Copper, Iron
1860s Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pine
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Copper
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
Mid-18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Metal
1930s German Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Tin
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Birch, Pine
Early 20th Century Indian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Tin, Copper, Brass
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects
Paste, Paint, Paper
2010s American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Metal, Steel
Late 20th Century Asian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wicker
1890s Austrian Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Bamboo, Hardwood, Ash
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Iron
Mid-20th Century Unknown Folk Art Decorative Objects
Brass
1910s French Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pottery
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Iron
Mid-20th Century Folk Art Decorative Objects
Metal
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Iron
Early 18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Birch
1890s German Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Metal
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
1940s Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
1780s Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pine
20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Metal
2010s Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Chinese Folk Art Decorative Objects
Soapstone
Late 19th Century Finnish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Metal
Early 20th Century Swedish Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pine
20th Century Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
20th Century Japanese Folk Art Decorative Objects
Bamboo, Reed
Mid-20th Century Indian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Metal
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pine
2010s Moroccan Folk Art Decorative Objects
Clay, Earthenware
20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
2010s Turkish Folk Art Decorative Objects
Statuary Marble
20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Shell, Fabric, Wood
1890s German Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
1890s Austrian Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
Early 20th Century Canadian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Softwood
Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pottery, Ceramic
Late 20th Century Beninese Folk Art Decorative Objects
Hardwood
20th Century Russian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Lacquer