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
Nantucket Lightship Basket, Made by Davis Hall on the South Shoal Lightship
Located in Nantucket, MA
Oval Nantucket lightship basket with shaped oak swing handle
ending in carved round “lollipop” ends and brass ears. Remnants of
the original paper label remains on the bottom. Made...
Category
Late 19th Century North American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Cane, Rattan, Oak
Pink Cast Iron Pig Money Bank or Doorstop with Wings, Denmark
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Danish piggy pink cast iron money bank or doorstopper with wings.
This smiling and charming Lady Pig is newly powder-coated in "pretty pink". She is good sturdy condition.
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Iron
Taserud candelabra, in wood and wrought iron, Swedish Folk
Located in Stockholm, SE
A traditional Taserud candelabra by Koppfeldt Arvika. In stained, hand cut wood and wrought iron candle holders.
A history of the Taserudsstaken:
The Taserudsstake is a strong sym...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Iron
A Charming Collection of Painted and Carved Decoy Ducks
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Charming Collection of Painted and Carved Decoy Ducks
This is a good group of 4,19th Century French Decoy Ducks, they are carved in wood and the feathers and features are painted...
Category
19th Century Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
Vintage Rattan and Twisted Root Woven Ikebana Basket
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage hand-woven ikebana basket features rounded shape with asymmetrical rim; the form is convenient for displaying it on a shelf, fireplace mantel, or a table. A prominent handle...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wicker, Rattan, Wood
Possibly Hand-Turned Solid Wood Mushroom Sculpture, Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Located in Seattle, WA
Studio-made decorative mushroom turned from solid hardwoods: a warm, honey-brown cap married to a lighter natural stem.Skillful lathe work highlights the cap's flowing cathedral grai...
Category
1970s Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Spanish Green Terracotta Bottle Vase / Vessel, 1940s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Eye-catching vase in green unglazed terracotta. Spain, 1940s
Catalan unglazed urn vase in green terracotta. Long neck and swollen body with engraved dot details at the bottom part
...
Category
20th Century Spanish Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Earthenware, Pottery, Terracotta
American Folk Art Carved Painted Wood Cat Sculpture
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage whimsical and playful American Folk Art carved wood sculpture features a hand carved and hand-painted seated cat with large expressive eyes and surprised look on its face. Th...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Montopolyi Arno Italian Plate with Dragon and Bear An unusual piece
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Montopolyi Arno Italian Plate with Dragon and Bear
An unusual piece made in terracotta marked Montopolyi Arno, the plate is a very attractive piece relief decorated with plants, a b...
Category
1950s Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Terracotta
19th Century Swedish antique rustic Folk Art Wooden box with original color
Located in Boden, SE
19th century Swedish folk art wooden box from Piteå, Norbotten Northern Sweden
The wooden box has untouched original color.
The box is stable in construction.
Nice storage inside.
Ha...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Iron
Large Folk Art Driftwood Horse Head Sculpture
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This large and substantial sculpture of a horse's head is unsigned, but believed to have been made in Canada in circa 1980. The sculpture is made completely of pieces of driftwood...
Category
Late 20th Century Canadian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Driftwood
Found and Salvaged Steel House Structure, Modern and Minimalist Sculpture
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
Jim Rose, known primarily for his steel furniture, was an avid collector and scoured salvage yards for unique and interesting items. Here, a collection of found steel is reworked, pr...
Category
2010s American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal, Steel
Early Swedish 19th Century Wooden Folk Art Box with Originally Paint
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A Swedish original painted Folk Art box. From the beginning of the 19th century, most likely used to keep writing supplies and office materials.
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
$760 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique American Folk Art Tramp Art Carved Box
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique American Folk Art Tramp Art Carved Box, probably Late 19th/Early 20th Century. A decorative box ornamented with layers of classic Tramp Art chip carved borders enclosing velvet ground panels centered by elongated star...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Velvet, Wood
Pair of Carved and Painted Horn Birds
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Chinese vintage carved and painted horn eagles or hawks with an alluring, stylized interpretation of these majestic birds of prey.
Category
20th Century Chinese Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Horn
$855 / set
Pair Of Hand Carved Wooden African Candle Holders, 1970s
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Pair Of Hand Carved Wooden African Candle Holders, 1970s
Category
1970s African Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Equine Decoupage Decorated Dairy Farm Milk Jug
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Whimsical decoupage decorated New England dairy farm lidded milk jug or bottle. Features an equine motif with images and labels of horses over a lacquered g...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
$675 Sale Price
25% Off
Antique Swedish Painted Pine Long Case Clock with Original Clock Mechanism
Located in Kramfors, SE
Long case clock with red original paint from the mid 1800s. The clock is made in painted pine and dated with the year 1847. Originates from Hälsingl...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
Taisho Period Japanese Carved Wood Netsuke of a Tiger
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Hand-carved Taisho period netsuke depicting a tiger with its head over its shoulder. The word netsuke is formed using the symbol ne (根) meaning “root" and tsuke (付) meaning “attach...
Category
Mid-20th Century Japanese Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Boxwood
Vintage Folk Art Set of 3 Carved Sitting Cat Sculptures
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage set of Folk Art sitting cat figurines was hand-carved from solid pieces of wood. The cats have elongated, minimal features, accentuated with hand-painted details on the face...
Category
20th Century Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
AJOUPA POTTERY - Studio Pottery Vide Poche - Signed - Trinidad - Circa 1990
Located in Chatham, ON
AJOUPA POTTERY - Vintage studio pottery glazed vide poche - featuring a wheel thrown terra cotta body, flaring sides and hand painted lizard to the center - glossy black, orange and ...
Category
Late 20th Century Trinidadian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Terracotta
Swedish antique rustic genuine Candlestick Holder 19th century dated 1827
Located in Boden, SE
A old antique swedish 18th century candlestick .
Dated 1827
Very charming and solid.
Lovely patina and very genuine.
Made in wood & brass.
Category
1820s Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Folk Art Hand-Made Iron Rooster
Located in Chicago, IL
A mischievous 20th century American folk art rooster sculpture with a wonderful disposition, and beautiful rusted finish. Perfect indoors or out!
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Iron
Olokun Head, Kingdom of Ife, Western Nigeria Hand Carved Hardwood
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Fascinating detailed Olokun head from the Kingdom of Ife in Western Nigeria.
Hand carved hardwood face with almond shaped eyes, neck creases and astounding facial incisions
Circa 1...
Category
Late 20th Century Beninese Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Hardwood
Found and Salvaged Steel House Structure on a Reclaimed Steel Plate, Wooden Base
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
Jim Rose, known primarily for his steel furniture, was an avid collector and scoured salvage yards for unique and interesting items. Here, a collection of found steel is reworked and...
Category
2010s American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal, Steel
Cast Iron Green Painted Rooster Sculpture Door Stop
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Very sturdy cast iron sculpture of a rooster. Could be used on a console or kitchen counter as a decorative centerpiece display or functional as a door stop.
Category
Early 20th Century European Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Iron
American Seagrass Basket, Circa 1920
Located in High Point, NC
Lovely American seagrass basket, probably from South Carolina or nearby region. Great patina.
Category
1920s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Seagrass
Unique small 18th Century Antique Rustic Tray bowl with original paint dat. 1792
Located in Boden, SE
18th Century unique small neat antique rustic wooden tray / serving bowl with untouched original paint in beautiful English red.
The tray is dated...
Category
1790s Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
Antique Sicilian Opera dei Pupi Theater Marionette, ca. 1930s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Sicilian Opera dei Pupi Theater Marionette, ca. 1930s
A large Sicilian theater (Opera dei Pupi) marionette, which is made of tin, wood and canvas ca. 1930s.
The Sicilian Pu...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
Large Sculpture Made of Handwoven Palm Leaves
Located in West Hollywood, CA
These large hand-woven palm sculptures are made from natural palm and provide rustic, organic modern, contemporary design for any home decor. Their unique w...
Category
2010s Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Palmwood
$1,950 / item
Vintage Rattan and Twisted Root Woven Hanging Ikebana Basket
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage hand-woven ikebana basket features flattened shape with rounded front, demilune bottom and straight back; the form is convenient for hanging the basket on the wall or displa...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wicker, Rattan, Wood
Hand Painted Midcentury Resin White Jumper Carousel Horse by C.W. Parker
By Charles Looff Or C.W. Parker
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Perfectly captured in all it’s glory, this vintage C.W. Parker carousel horse is sure to gallop your heart. One look at this radiant mare, and you’ll see why. The animal’s strength a...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
$2,396 Sale Price
20% Off
18th Century Swedish Antique Wood Trough /Serving bowl dated 1789 sign PPS OIS
Located in Boden, SE
A genuine antique wood trough dated 1789 and signed with ownermarks PPS OIS ,from Hälsingland Northern Sweden
A nearly monumentaly large farmers ...
Category
1780s Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
19th Century Large Store Tea Tin Hand Painted Parnall & Sons Bristol, England
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous and large store tea tin by Parnall & Sons who were the people to see for outfitting your store and much more as the company grew from 1830. Hand painted showing a girl servi...
Category
Mid-19th Century British Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
Danish 19th Century Wooden Folk Art Bible Box "Forget Me Not"
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Mid-19th century wooden box designed to look like a Bible. Text engraved with monogramme.
The four words in the corners are quite cute and charming:
Danish: "FOR - GLEM - MIG - EJ"...
Category
19th Century Danish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Nantucket Basket with Stencil Decorated Top, by Harry Hilbert, 1995
Located in Nantucket, MA
Nantucket Basket by Harry Hilbert, 1995, a Nantucket purse having a solid mahogany hinged top with colonial or federal style stenciled decoration on ebonized reserve, fine brass hinges minutely inlaid, and tropic wood cross-band inlay around perimeter; double carved wooden swing handles attached with bone mounts; nickel clasp; two tone woven cane wrap on oak staves; signed and dated by wood-burnt stamp on the mahogany bottom. This is a beautiful basket made with astounding craftsmanship by one of the finest artists in the field.
The basket remains in superb, barely used condition. I found one scuff above the stenciled reserve.
Harry Hilbert (1917 – 2010) was an acclaimed Nantucket Basket maker known for his fine inlay and superb craftsmanship. He originally made his baskets as personal gifts, but later sold them through Wayne Pratt...
Category
1990s American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Cane, Wood
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
Exceptional and Unusually Large 19th Century Swedish Folk Art Turned Bowl
Located in Bozeman, MT
Exceptional and unusually large 19th century Swedish / Scandinavian finely turned wooden folk art bowl in Its original finish, signed HE S. circa 1830, Sweden.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Mexican Antique Dolores Porras Clay Pottery Folk Art Ant Terracotta Vessel Vase
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
This one of a kind Mexican antique is one of few pieces Dolores had at her home at the time she passed away. Dolores portrays the flora from her garden in Santa María Atzompa, Oaxaca...
Category
1980s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Terracotta, Clay, Pottery
Swedish antique rustic genuine folk Art Washing board dated 1862
Located in Boden, SE
Swedish antique genuine washboard in pine dated 1862 with owner initials "MOD" The farmers and country-side folks were proud of the few things they owned and used to carve their init...
Category
1860s Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
Jim Rose - Construct No. 05, Salvaged Steel and Aluminum Industrial Objects
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
Jim Rose, known primarily for his steel furniture, was an avid collector and scoured salvage yards for unique, interesting items. Here he has welded together various metal pieces to...
Category
2010s American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal, Steel
Chinese Blossom Papier-Mâché Box
Located in Chicago, IL
Formed around a simple wooden frame, this papier-mâché storage box is a charming example of Chinese folk art. Crafted with old newspapers and dyed rice paper, the box would have been...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Paper
Folk Art Hand Carved Wood Sculpture of Walking Man, Ecuador 1950s-1960s
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Primitive wooden hand-carved Folk Art sculpture depicts a walking man in wide, loosely draped clothes and a hat, carrying a bundle in his hands. Highly detailed carving emphasizes th...
Category
Mid-20th Century Ecuadorean Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood, Olive
Rare Swedish Antique Blue Folk Art Box
Located in Kramfors, SE
Rare antique blue box in folk art from Sweden made during the mid 1800s. The box is an attractive size and can be used for anything from storing doc...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
Scandinavian Cake Copper Pan, Early 19th Century
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
An Early 19th Century Scandinavian copper cake mold. The handle and the feet are also in copper. If desired, this antique cake pan could easily be pol...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Copper
Large Round Green and Brown Woven Basket, Mexico
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A large round woven natural fiber basket in green. Handmade in Mexico by local artisans, this beauty will be fantastic hanging on a wall in a grouping of other baskets, or on a table...
Category
20th Century Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Natural Fiber
$200 Sale Price
20% Off
Vintage Sculpture of an American Eagle Carved in Seri Ironwood
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Sculpture of an American Eagle Carved in Seri Ironwood.
Vintage hand carved Ironwood Southwestern seri sculpture of an Eagle.
Dimensions: 5.5" x 3.5". circa 1970.
Ironwood hand carved eagle or falcon...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
18th Century Swedish Wooden Bowl
Located in Kvidinge, SE
18th Century wooden bowl with nice patina.
You can see the use of time
Fantastic bowl full of Swedish history
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
$1,332 Sale Price
30% Off
Vintage Carved Wooden Door Panels
Located in Napa, CA
Beautifully carved Pakistani Doorway, Consisting of 3 panels.
Category
19th Century Pakistani Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Genuine Unusual Antique Northern Swedish Faux Paint Long Case Clock
Located in Kramfors, SE
Genuine long case clock from Sweden made during the first years of the 19th century, around 1810. The clock is unusual and genuine, from the village ...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
Rare Large Mochaware Bowl with Cable Decoration England Circa 1830
Located in Katonah, NY
We are pleased to offer this exceptionally large and rare mid-19th century English mochaware bowl. Each piece of mochaware is unique. Made in England ci...
Category
1830s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Creamware
Sterling Silver Rooster Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This sterling silver heavy hollow body rooster figure is signed 925 on the base and is in fine condition.
Beautifully made and proportioned well. Great patina.
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Sterling Silver
Found and Salvaged Steel House Structure on a Reclaimed Steel Base
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
Jim Rose, known primarily for his steel furniture, was an avid collector and scoured salvage yards for unique and interesting items. Here, a collection of spare parts come together ...
Category
2010s American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal, Steel
Large Vintage Tribal Handwoven Ethnic Round Asian Basket
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Large Asian rattan handcrafted decorative bowl on bamboo stand.
Large vintage tribal handwoven bamboo ethnic round basket.
Deep bowl shape, woven with seagrass technique and decorate...
Category
Late 20th Century Asian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Seagrass, Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
19th Century Swedish Folk Art Vessel
Located in Allerum, SE
19th century Swedish Folk Art dug out tree trunk vessel. Ca 1850 Sweden.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Swedish Craft, Bowl, Wood, Sweden, 17th century
Located in High Point, NC
A wood bowl produced in Sweden, c. 17th century.
Category
17th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Nantucket basket attributed to the Coffin School, 1900's
Located in Kenilworth, IL
A classic vintage Nantucket berry basket with a turned hardwood base, scored with double incised circles. The base captures 41 curved ash stays woven together with split bamboo, and ...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Bamboo, Hardwood, Ash
Butcher's Piggy Bank
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This uniquely humorous piggy bank is the perfect blend of wit and practicality, designed in the shape of a plump, adorable pig. What sets it apart is the quirky butcher's diagram of ...
Category
20th Century Unknown Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
Swedish Craft, Wooden Bowl, Sweden, 17th Century
Located in High Point, NC
A wooden bowl designed and produced in Sweden in 1668.
“1668” inscription on bottom
Category
17th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Antique Rajasthani Footed Chest Box India 1900's
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Antique Rajasthani Shekhawati Merchant's Footed Chest Box India 1900's.
Early 20th Century Indian carved wood storage cash footed box used by merchants in ...
Category
Early 20th Century Indian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
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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