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.
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Velvet, Wood
Late 19th Century French Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood, Fruitwood, Nutwood
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
2010s American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Metal, Steel
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
15th Century and Earlier Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pine
Mid-20th Century Swedish Folk Art Decorative Objects
Straw
20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pine
1970s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Metal, Steel, Cut Steel
1890s German Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wicker, Rattan, Wood
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
Mid-19th Century American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Brass, Iron
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Hardwood
Mid-20th Century European Folk Art Decorative Objects
Metal
2010s Italian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Gold Leaf
20th Century Russian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Silver, Enamel
Late 19th Century Finnish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Metal
1950s French Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Steel
1920s Belgian Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Oak
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pine
19th Century British Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
18th Century and Earlier Irish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pine
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pine
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Fabric, Wood
20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Natural Fiber
Early 20th Century Swedish Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pine
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Oak
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects
Paste, Paint, Paper
Mid-20th Century Swedish Folk Art Decorative Objects
Iron
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Birch, Pine
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pine
1940s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Glass
Mid-20th Century Thai Folk Art Decorative Objects
Bronze
1990s American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Cane, Wood
1960s Italian Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pottery, Paint
Late 19th Century Moroccan Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Brass, Bronze
20th Century Indian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Fabric, Wood
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Birch, Pine
2010s Moroccan Folk Art Decorative Objects
Clay, Earthenware
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
1920s British Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Shell, Clay
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pine, Paint
20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Iron
Early 20th Century Asian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood, Paint
1970s African Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
20th Century Central Asian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Birch
20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Decorative Objects
Brass
1890s Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Leather, Wood
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Metal
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wrought Iron
1960s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Aluminum
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Iron
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood, Paint