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.
1990s Cuban Folk Art Decorative Objects
Ceramic
20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Metal
2010s American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Steel
20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
Early 20th Century Japanese Folk Art Decorative Objects
Bamboo
19th Century African Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
Early 20th Century Canadian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Softwood
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pine
Late 20th Century Beninese Folk Art Decorative Objects
Hardwood
1920s Austrian Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Bentwood
2010s American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Steel
Early 2000s Australian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
20th Century Indian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Hardwood, Paint
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pine
19th Century British Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Iron
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pine
19th Century European Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pine
20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Iron
Mid-20th Century Polish Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
Mid-20th Century Swedish Folk Art Decorative Objects
Straw
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
1920s British Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
1970s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Brass
20th Century Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects
Ceramic
20th Century Sicilian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Ceramic
Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Delft, Paint
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
1950s German Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Metal, Brass
Mid-20th Century Swedish Folk Art Decorative Objects
Straw
1820s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pottery
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pine
19th Century European Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Terracotta
19th Century Indian Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Metal
Late 20th Century Brazilian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Ceramic
20th Century Russian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Lacquer
Early 20th Century Burmese Folk Art Decorative Objects
Bamboo
1860s Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pine
20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Steel
2010s Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Clay
20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Metal
1980s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Ceramic
21st Century and Contemporary American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Clay, Terracotta
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pine
1830s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Creamware
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Iron, Lead
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Art Glass
2010s American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Steel
1790s Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pine
1930s French Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Iron
1940s Swedish Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Bentwood
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pine
1960s Polish Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Earthenware
Mid-20th Century Swedish Folk Art Decorative Objects
Iron
Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
2010s Italian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Gold Leaf
Mid-19th Century German Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Oak
Mid-20th Century Swedish Folk Art Decorative Objects
Straw
1920s Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Brass
Mid-20th Century Kenyan Folk Art Decorative Objects
Ebony
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Decorative Objects
Soapstone, Limestone, Stone
Early 20th Century Japanese Folk Art Decorative Objects
Bamboo
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pine
1960s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Brass
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Velvet, Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Folk Art Decorative Objects
Bamboo, Wicker
Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects
Brass
19th Century Scandinavian Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
1890s German Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pottery
20th Century North American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Iron
1980s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
Late 20th Century North American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pottery