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
Vintage Jose Reyes Nantucket Purse with Rosewood Top, circa 1960
Located in Nantucket, MA
Vintage Jose Reyes Nantucket Purse with Rosewood Top, circa 1960s, an oval cane woven covered basket with fine rosewood top plate, shaped swing handle, carved bone peg and handle att...
Category
1960s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Rattan, Cane
Swedish Craft, Bowl, Wood, Sweden, 19th Century
Located in High Point, NC
A wood bowl produced in Sweden, 19th century.
“HLHS” inscription on bottom
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
French Tailor's Mannequin, early 20th Century
Located in Berghuelen, DE
French Tailor's Mannequin, early 20th Century
French 20th century tailor's mannequin. Made of paper, fabric and metal. It features a mechanism inside which allows the tailor to adju...
Category
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
Swedish Craft, Bowl, Wood, Sweden, 19th Century
Located in High Point, NC
A wood bowl or trough produced in Sweden 19th century.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
German Shepard 1950 s Statue
Located in Los Angeles, CA
German Shepard 1950 s gesso Italian vintage statue .
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Gesso
Tall Handmade Folkloristic Geometric Decor Ceramic Vase
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Unusual tall folkloristic ceramic earth toned vase with hand-carved geometric decor. Triangular burgundy and dusty green shapes on earth colored base with circular relief pattern and...
Category
20th Century Unknown Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic, Clay, Pottery, Stoneware
Swedish Craft, Bowl, Wood, Sweden, 19th Century
Located in High Point, NC
A wood bowl produced in Sweden, 19th century.
“BÖL.EAS.” on bottom.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Swedish Craft, Bowl, Wood, Sweden, 19th Century
Located in High Point, NC
A wood bowl produced in Sweden, 19th century.
“E” symbol on bottom side
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Ebony Benin Kingdom, Bust Carving Of A Young Nigerian Warrior, 1970's
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Hand carved ebony hardwood bust of a young Benin warrior
Traditionally carved Benin artistry
Circa 1970
Height 10.75 inch, Width 5.5 inch, Depth 2.75 inc...
Category
Late 20th Century Beninese Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Ebony
Swedish Designer, Bowl, Wood, Iron, 1782
Located in High Point, NC
A wood bowl with metal repair produced in Sweden, 1782.
Category
1780s Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Iron
Swedish Craft, Bowl, Wood, Sweden, 19th Century
Located in High Point, NC
A blue-painted wooden bowl produced in Sweden, 19th century.
“JPS.R” inscription on bottom
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Swedish Craft, Bowl, Wood, Sweden, 18th Century
Located in High Point, NC
An organic wood bowl produced in Sweden, 18th century.
Category
18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Early 19th Century Swedish Folk Art Turned Bowl
Located in Mjöhult, SE
Fine early 19th century Swedish Folk Art turned bowl in it's original color with great patina to the surface. Ca 1820 Sweden.
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
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
Small Heavy Hand Forged Iron Bucket This is a lovely small bucket
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Small Heavy Hand Forged Iron Bucket
This is a lovely small bucket, this charming piece has a rounded shape and a hanging ring in the handle
The cauldron is in good well aged con...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Iron
Swedish Craft, Bowl, Wood, Sweden, 19th Century
Located in High Point, NC
A wood bowl produced in Sweden, 19th century.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Swedish Craft, Bowl, Wood, Sweden, 19th Century
Located in High Point, NC
A wood bowl produced in Sweden, 19th century.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Jim Rose - Construct No. 02, 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 washers and cyl...
Category
2010s American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal, Steel
Found and Salvaged Industrial Objects, Metal Sculpture on Base
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
Known for his steel furniture, Jim Rose was an avid collector and scoured salvage yards for unique, interesting items. Here he has paired various repurposed finds together to create...
Category
2010s American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Steel, Metal
Swedish Craft, Bowl, Wood, Sweden, 19th Century
Located in High Point, NC
A wood bowl produced in Sweden, 19th century
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Found and Salvaged Steel Industrial Objects on 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, interesting items. Here, a beautifully rusted tobacco box, a steel egg...
Category
2010s American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal, Steel
Swedish Craft, Bowl, Sweden, 19th Century
Located in High Point, NC
A wooden bowl produced in Sweden, 19th century.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Vintage Christmas Nutcracker Figure Wood Erzgebirge Germany
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Folk Art vintage wooden nutcracker figure from the Erzgebirge. The region Erzgebirge formerly Eastern Germany is famous for this special kind of nutc...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Swedish Craft, Bowl, Wood, Sweden, 19th Century
Located in High Point, NC
A red-painted wood bowl produced in Sweden, 19th Century.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Swedish Craft, Bowl, Wood, Sweden, 19th Century
Located in High Point, NC
A wood bowl produced in Sweden, 19th century.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Swedish Craft, Bowl, Wood, Sweden, 19th Century
Located in High Point, NC
A wooden bowl designed and produced in Sweden, 19th century
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Swedish Craft, Bowl, Wood, Sweden, 19th Century
Located in High Point, NC
A wood bowl produced in Sweden, 19th century.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Swedish Craft, Bowl, Burl Wood, Sweden, 19th Century
Located in High Point, NC
A burl wood bowl produced in Sweden, 19th century.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Swedish Craft, Bowl, Wood, Sweden, 19th Century
Located in High Point, NC
A wood bowl produced in Sweden, 19th century.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Swedish Craft, Bowl, Wood, Sweden, 19th Century
Located in High Point, NC
A hand-painted wood bowl produced in Sweden, 19th century.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Swedish Craft, Bowl, Wood, Sweden, 19th century
Located in High Point, NC
A red-painted wood bowl designed and produced in Sweden, 19th century.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Swedish Craft, Bowl, Wood, Sweden, 19th Century
Located in High Point, NC
A wooden bowl produced in Sweden, 19th Century.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Swedish Craft, Trough, Pine, Sweden, 19th Century
Located in High Point, NC
A sizeable pine trough or bowl produced in Sweden, 19th Century.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
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
Swedish Craft, Bowl, Wood, Sweden, 19th century
Located in High Point, NC
A wood bowl designed and produced in Sweden, 19th century.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Swedish Craft, Bowl, Wood, Sweden, 19th Century
Located in High Point, NC
A wood bowl produced in Sweden, 19th century.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Swedish Craft, Bowl, Wood, Sweden, 19th Century
Located in High Point, NC
A red-painted wood bowl produced in Sweden, 19th Century
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Round hand-carved Italian gray marble pesto mortar from the 19th century
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Round hand-carved Italian gray marble pesto mortar from the 19th century
Category
1860s Italian Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble
Vintage Mexican Talavera Mave Multicolored Floral Decor Ceramic Vase
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Handmade Mexican Talavera Mave ceramic vase delicately decorated by hand. Floral, organic decor in blue, green and dark yellow on a creamy light yello...
Category
Early 20th Century Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic, Stoneware, Pottery
Antique Thai Woven Wicker Bamboo Baby Carrying Basket Backpack 20"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique folk art tribal woven wicker and bamboo baby carrying basket from Thailand.
Dimensions:
9.5” x 9” x 19.5” (Width x Depth x Height)
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Bamboo, Wicker
19th Century Swedish Antique Rustic Folk Art Wooden Trough/ Serving Bowl
Located in Boden, SE
19th century big rustic Swedish antique wooden tray/ Serving bowl from Boden Norrbotten,Northern Sweden.
A farmers handcrafted tray or serving bowl or centerpiece.
A highly function...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
1960s Vintage Asian Large Hand Carved Wooden Humidor Footed Box
Located in North Hollywood, CA
1950s Vintage Asian Large Hand Carved Wooden Humidor Box.
Hand-carved Kashmiri style Mid 20th century wood box richly decorated overall with s...
Category
Mid-20th Century Indian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Decorated Victorian Pine Blanket Box with Stud-work Design
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Decorated Victorian Pine Blanket Box with Stud-work Design
This is a very attractive pine box, it has been decorated with a tulip design in brass stud work
The pine has darkened w...
Category
19th Century Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
18th Century French or Italian Santo Nativity Figure
Located in Nantucket, MA
18th century French or Italian Santo Nativity Figure, a hand carved and painted fruitwood figure for a Christmas Crèche or Krippe. Excellent and delicate details to the head and hands. The half figure stands on a dowel set into platform base, dressed in original fine linen robe...
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Linen, Fruitwood
Swedish Craft, Dish, Wood, Sweden, 19th Century
Located in High Point, NC
A wood serving dish produced in Sweden, 19th century.
“A” on bottom side
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Antique Real Skull of a Duck, Germany ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Real Skull of a Duck, Germany ca. 1900s
An antique taxidermied skull of the duck (Anas platyrhynchos domestica) mounted on an ebonized wooden ...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood, Bone
Pipe Smoking Standing Vintage German Yard or Garden Gnome Statue, 1920s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A gorgeous character ceramic figural gnome statue. This character statue has been made in Germany, in the 1920s or older. Absolutely gorgeous item with lo...
Category
1920s German Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Earthenware
Early 19th Century Swedish Folk Art Travel Box / Chest with Originalpaint
Located in Boden, SE
Early 19th century Swedish Folk Art travel box from Skellefteå Västerbotten, Northern Sweden.
Beautiful untouched originalpaint.
Decorated with handwrought iron around the box and ov...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
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
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). As beads become gradually more accessible throughout the 19th century, they began to displace the organic materials used in traditional art and attire.
This colorful example of African beadwork...
Category
Mid-20th Century South African Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Fabric, Cotton, Wood
Coastal Shiny Shell Folk Art Photo Frame
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A beautiful seashell-encrusted photo frame. Accommodates two photos in an oval shape.
Dimensions:
6.25" Wide
4.5" Tall
1" Deep.
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic, Shell
Puerto Rican Santos de Palos -Three Wise Men Wood Carved Sculptures
Located in Guaynabo, PR
A renown tradition in Puerto Rico is the making of Santos de Palos by masters carvers since the 19th century. They hand carved and painted the saints inspired in their personal relig...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
8-19th Century Wooden Horse
Located in Kastrup, DK
A Indian 18-19th century hand-carved wooden horse decorated with polychrome colors.
In original untouched condition with a beautiful age-related patina, showing the antique authentic...
Category
18th Century Indian Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Antique Real Skull of a Rabbit, Germany ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Real Skull of a Rabbit, Germany ca. 1900s
An antique taxidermied skull of the rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) mounted on an ebonized wooden tur...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Bone, Wood
Mexican Burnished Clay Chicken Kitchen Hen Egg Basket Decoration Hen Brown
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
This Mexican ceramic hen is an egg basket/container, perfect to keep eggs fresh -- a utilitarian kitchen piece by artist Manuel Reyes. Made with clay from Oaxaca and Zacatecas, painted with oxides from the region. Done with the hand-modeled technique and cooked in traditional wood-fired oven. Reyes has been constantly innovating with his hen collection, making this one of his most iconic works.
Ceramic artist, sculptor and painter, Manuel Reyes (Mexico City, 1972) atended the Escuela Nacional de Artes Plásticas in Xochimilco, México. He was later mentored by Royer Von Guten, Joy Laville...
Category
2010s Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic, Clay
Vintage Hand Carved Nut Woodenware Catchall, 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Found in Austria at an estate sale, this hand carved nut catchall is perfect for the collector. Nice Mid Century collectible to display in your home. Made by Talarico about 1960s.
Category
1960s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Swedish Craft, Vase, Earthenware, Sweden, 1900
Located in High Point, NC
An unglazed terra-cotta earthenware vase designed and produced in Sweden, c. 1900.
Category
Early 1900s Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Earthenware
Greenlandica, small sculpture in soapstone. Polar bear and hunter.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Greenlandica, small sculpture in soapstone. Polar bear and hunter.
Greenland mid-20th century.
In good condition, with a few small chips.
Dimensions: L 8.0 cm x W 4.7 cm x H 5.0 cm.
...
Category
Mid-20th Century Greenlandic Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Soapstone
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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