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
Folk Art Hand Painted XL Colorful Gourd
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Folk Art Hand Painted XL Colorful Gourd
18 h x 16 diameter
Original vintage unrestored
Refer to images listed
Category
Late 20th Century Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
19th Century French Folk Art Storage Basket
Located in Allerum, SE
Unusually large 19th century French folk art storage basket. coiled construction with straw and bark. Ca 1890 France.
Category
19th Century French Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Straw
Open Round Nantucket Lightship Basket by Sherwin Boyer
By Sherwin P. Boyer 1
Located in Nantucket, MA
With a dark rich patina. Made with oak staves, handle
and a mahogany base. In excellent condition.
Attributed to Sherwin Porter Boyer (1907-1964).
Measures: 6”.
Category
Mid-20th Century North American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Vintage Brown Nautical Sailing Ship Wood Box with Hinged Lid
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A vintage nautical theme jewelry or trinket box. This small rectangular brown box will be a great accent on a coffee table, dressing table, or on a bookshelf. It is created from wood...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
$262 Sale Price
25% Off
Southeast Asian Painted Offering Box
Located in Chicago, IL
This footed offering box from southeast Asia brings vibrant color and folk charm to modern interiors as a vide-poche or catch-all dish. The vintage box is shaped of hand-turned wood ...
Category
20th Century Southeast Asian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
collection of antique wig heads from late 18th - 19th century
Located in Saarbrücken, SL
- rare collection of 3 wide heads from 18th century to 19th century
- antiques from the period 1980-1910
- beautiful patina with traces of old craftsmanship
Category
Early 1900s 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
Tramp Art Box or Chest, Early 20th Century
Located in London, London
Tramp Art Box or Chest, Early 20th Century
Finely detailed tramp art box, hand-carved from layers of chip-carved wood and embellished with brass tacks. The intricate geometric cons...
Category
Early 20th Century French 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
Antique Swedish Wide Wooden Bowl with Original Paint and Authentic Patina
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique Swedish wooden bowl in good vintage condition with authentic patina and traces after use. The bowl has a round shape and is made from a single piece of wood that’s been hollo...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
19th Century Carved Pine Articulated Artists Lay Figure or Mannequin
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
13" Carved pine artists articulated mannequin or lay figure of a male with carved facial features.
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
19th Century Swedish antique rustic genuine Folk Art Wooden bowl with handle
Located in Boden, SE
Antique rustic primitive Folk art wooden bowl with handle manufactured in Luleå ,Northern Sweden. In Swedish called "Kåsa" It has been used as a drinking wessel.The bowl has an unus...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
19th Century Swedish Curtlery box / Tray
Located in Boden, SE
A charming early 19th Century two-section Cuterly tray with a handled -divider.
It has a lovely gray original color & stunning patina.
You can use it in your home in many different w...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
Moroccan Antique Brass Sugar Hammer
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Set of two Moroccan brass Berber tribal sugar hammer.
Moroccan Collectible Brass Berber Sugar Hammer,Brass Berber Tribal Sugar Hammer.
Authentic old Tuare...
Category
Early 20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
$1,350 / set
19th Century Swedish antique rustic Folk Art Wooden tray bowl original color
Located in Boden, SE
An large antique and unique organic wooden bowl / wooden tray. With highly appealing patina, with traces of use. This one in a unique blue painted color thats been patinated during i...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
Pair French Henriot Quimper Faience Bagpiper Figurines
Located in Winter Park, FL
A pair of French Henriot Quimper faience statues, or figurines, depicting men playing the traditional Breton bagpipe called a biniou. Polychrome glazed enameled earthenware, hand-pai...
Category
1920s French Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Faience
Mid 18th century Swedish pine chest decorated with labyrinth
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid 18th century Swedish pine chest decorated with labyrinth circa 1730.
Rare and beautiful Swedish pine chest. Traces of original paint to the outside with decorative metal strap...
Category
Mid-18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
Burmese Yun Lacquer Cup, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This delicate cup from the late 19th century is a lovely example of the Burmese art of lacquer (pan yun). Shaped from coiled bamboo and finished with cinnabar-red lacquer (hinthabada...
Category
Late 19th Century Burmese Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Bamboo
Antique Genuine Swedish Pine Long Case Clock with Unusual Original Blue Paint
Located in Kramfors, SE
Genuine antique long case clock from northern Sweden. The clock is made around 1820 with a very well-made and elegant case in painted pine. The...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
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 1970's Hand Painted Pair Of Folk Art Pottery - Signed by Artist
Located in San Carlos, CA
For Sale: Stunning 1970's Vintage Folk Art Pottery Vases
Add a touch of vintage charm to your home with this gorgeous pair of 1970's folk art pottery vases. Both vases showcase a di...
Category
1970s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pottery
$112 Sale Price
53% Off
Quirky American Folk Art Human Form Chair
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Have a seat! One of a kind human form chair. Wonderfully carved muscles, toes, clenched fists for support. Looks like the chair is ready to go crawling ac...
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
19th Century Tobacconist’s Trade Sign
Located in Greenwich, CT
English carved and polychrome decorated wood tobacconist’s trade sign in the form of a “Turk” wearing a distinctive headdress and dressed in a long robe, this advertising figure rela...
Category
19th Century British Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
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
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
Early 19th Century Rectangular Delft Tile with Rabbit
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Charming delft blue and white tile featuring a running rabbit. We see this piece displayed on a table or shelf and would make a wonderful addition to any collector of these desirabl...
Category
Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Delft, Paint
American Copper Spread Winged Eagle Weathervane with Sphere and Arrow, C. 1880
Located in Charleston, SC
American molded copper spread winged eagle weathervane with circular sphere, arrow, and mounted on cast iron squared base. Weathervane has a fine natural verdigris patina in the orig...
Category
1880s American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Copper, Iron
Antique Swedish genuine Folk Art Country Cutlery box dated 1857 Original paint
Located in Boden, SE
A charming mid 19th Century two-section Cuterly tray with a handled -divider.
The Tray is dated 1857 & signed KJD
It has a lovely original color & stunning patina.
You can use it in...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
Blue Glazed Redware Character Jug Signed, 19th Century
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An antique folk art blue glazed redware pottery pottery jug or flask modelled as a man wears a night gown and night cap with a spout behind the man’s head wi...
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pottery
Antique Swedish Small Handmade Folk Art Box
Located in Kramfors, SE
Swedish folk art box made by hand in solid Swedish pine. The box is in original condition with the untouched original paint. Made in northern Sweden around the 1860s. It has most lik...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
Hand Carved Wood Figural Bull Statue
Located in Cincinnati, OH
This skillfully executed hand carved figural bull is fully dimensional and has a rich brown color. The bull is depicted in a standing position atop a shaped wooden plinth. The muscular animal has been finished with realistic detail with particular attention given to the bull's facial features and folds of skin. The plinth itself is slightly domed at the center and bears carved elements which include a large rock and stylized plants.
The bull measures 8" tall and the base is 10.75" x 4.125". It weighs 1lb 15oz. The carved bull is in very good vintage condition with no cracks or signs of wear.
This early 20th century hand carved bull statue...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Vintage Folk Art Matchstick Prison Tramp Art Crucifix Jesus Christ Sculpture
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Folk Art Matchstick Prison Tramp Art Crucifix Jesus Christ Sculpture. Item featured is hand crafted of matchsticks, crucifix with figures, very nice antique item, quality Ame...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
19th C Branding Iron Candlestick
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th C branding iron candlestick, An authentic American wrought iron branding iron, now as a candlestick.
Stands 21-inches high, the base measures 7-inche...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wrought Iron
$716 Sale Price
20% Off
Beetle Cast Iron Shoe Horn or Boot Jack, Powder Coated Chartreuse, circa 1920's
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Vintage boot jack in cast iron freshly powder coated in bright chartreuse. The cast iron object is as functional as it is decorative. This bright and fun ...
Category
1920s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Iron
Carved Hand Chair after Pedro Friedeberg
Located in NYC, NY
A unique, hand-carved wood chair in the shape of a cupped hand with detailing down to the wrinkles and fingernails. The base whimsically detailed as a shirt cuff with buttons. Solid....
Category
1950s French Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Antique Rajasthani Footed Chest Box India 1900's
Located in Moreno Valley, 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
Pair of American Folk Art Tin Clad Pug Dog Bookends
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of American Folk Art Tin Clad Pug dog bookends
USA, circa 1940s
A great pair of hand-crafted, possibly one of kind American Folk Art Tin Clad pug d...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Tin
$1,000 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Small Carved Earthenware Vase with Floral Motif, circa 1940's
Located in Aramits, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Compact wheel-thrown earthenware vase, mid-20th century, circa 1940–1960. The form has a rounded body that rises to a narrow cylindrical neck with a slightly thickened rim. The surfa...
Category
1940s French Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic, Pottery
Early 19th century Swedish hand painted pine blanket box
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 19th century Swedish painted blanket box circa 1816.
Traditional rag painted Swedish box which is initialed and dated 1816. Flat top lid which makes it ideal for doubling up ...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine, Paint
24" Tall Antique Swedish Large Wooden Horse Carved Hand-Painted 19th Century
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Tall antique Swedish horse in carved wood with original patinated paint in off-white color with blue dots.
Made circa end of the 19th century.
Th...
Category
1890s Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Leather, Wood
Antique Native American Sweet Grass Basket with Lid in Pink and Green
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A six-sided woven sweet grass decorative basket in brown, with bright green and pink decorative design. This basket is created from tightly woven sweet grass. Sweet Grass holds deep ...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Natural Fiber
$187 Sale Price
25% Off
American Gilt Copper Full Bodied Horse Directional Weathervane, Fiske, C. 1870
Located in Charleston, SC
American gilt copper full bodied running horse directional weathervane with two gilt circular spheres resting on squared iron stand, J.W. Fiske, late 19th century.
Category
1870s American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Copper, Iron, Zinc, Gold Leaf
Set of two Swedish Root Basket from 19th-20th century
Located in Farsta, SE
Set of two Swedish Root Basket from 19th-20th century
Made from pine and spruce roots, these are very strong yet lightweight, with a beautiful pattern on the bottom.
Height: 12-14....
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine, Spruce
Salt-Glazed Solid Agateware Cat Carrying a Mouse England Mid 18th C. 1745-1760
By Thomas Whieldon Pottery
Located in Katonah, NY
Date / Origin: Staffordshire, England, circa 1745 – 1760
A seated cat with upright ears and grounded paws, holding a small brown mouse in its mouth.
The figure is formed from two pre...
Category
Mid-18th Century English Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Stoneware
Tramp Art Box, Large Scale and Unusual Form. Circa 1900
Located in Stamford, CT
Large scale tramp art box of unusual form. At 2 feet wide quite impressive in scale and equally impressive in the ambition of the craftsman who created it. The geometry of the psuedo...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
$1,560 Sale Price
20% Off
Swedish Folk Art, Unique Early 19th Century Farmers Bowl Painted Wood
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
An antique and unique organic wooden bowl. With highly appealing patina, and the inside of the bowl with faded painting makes this a unique and desirable piece. Produced in Sweden, e...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Vintage Mackenzie-Childs Style Cottage Single Light Candlestick
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Handmade Hand Painted Candle Holder Candlestick Ceramic.
Vintage Mackenzie-Childs Style Rose Cottage single light candlestick, candle holder.
Dimensions: 2.75" tall. 4.25" diameter a...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
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
20th Century African Woven Basket
Located in Winnetka, IL
Handwoven African basket made from natural plant fibers, featuring a tightly constructed structure and bold geometric patterning. The surface is composed of dyed reeds in rich tones ...
Category
Mid-20th Century African Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Natural Fiber
Italian Folk Maiolica Landscape Pitcher
Located in Atlanta, GA
A hand thrown tin-glazed earthenware pitcher of baluster form with a flared, scalloped rim and a strap handle. The body is decorated with a naive, hand-painted pastoral landscape in...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Earthenware
Figurines by Dr. Harley Niblack
Located in South Charleston, WV
This grouping of 3 figurines and 9 sculpture head figures were obtained directly from Dr. Harley Niblack by the consignor's father (who was also a woodt...
Category
1950s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
$3,590 / set
19th Century Carved Bull Sign
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Carved and painted wood bull sign. Life size head with carved and painted details, real horns fitted to the head by lead sleeves. The top of the head fashioned from a thick sheath of...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal, Iron
Vintage White Marble Mughal Jeweled Elephant Sculpture Paper Weight
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage white marble Mughal Jeweled elephant sculpture paper weight.
Finely hand painted animal sculpture of an elephant with colorful gold, pink and red color paint.
Collectible ceremonial hand...
Category
Mid-20th Century Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble
19th Century American Hand Carved Wood Horse Head
Located in Stamford, CT
American late 19th century hand carved wood head of a horse, stained black, shown wearing a bridal and bit, with mouth open as if in a full gallop. A very handsome piece of sculpture, likely a fragment from a larger piece, now mounted on a custom iron base. Great decoration for the equestrian or lover of horses. Great for mantel...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Wooden Hand Carved Tropical Fruit Basket 20 Pieces
Located in Den Haag, NL
Fantastic fruit basket. All kind off beautiful hand carved tropical fruit.
In all kind off different woods. All together in a Teak wood bowl.
Very goo...
Category
1980s Congolese Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Fruitwood
$909 Sale Price / set
33% Off
1810 Table Box, Red Floral Painted, Central Europe
Located in Vo', Veneto
Painted table top box/case
Measures: H.30 cm, W.48 cm, D.32 cm
Small hand-painted Tyrolean antique box, with red background. Decorated on all sides...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Fir
$1,261 Sale Price
27% Off
Antique Spanish Polychrome Ceramic Charger with a Bull Decoration
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Circa 1800 Spanish Majolica Faience centerpiece bowl or charger.
This charming collectible antique painted ceramic dish is decorated with a large rear facing bull and with polychrom...
Category
Early 19th Century Spanish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica
$472 Sale Price
79% Off
Moroccan Decorative Horse Sculpture Handbuilt and Handpainted by Potter Houda
Located in Marseille, FR
- Hand built decorative horse sculpture
- made of clay collected from the potter's surroundings.
- decorative motifs painted with a goat hair brush made by the potter to apply natu...
Category
2010s Moroccan Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Clay, Earthenware
$71 Sale Price / item
20% Off
Pair of Trench Art Candlesticks
Located in Chicago, IL
A wonderful and thought provoking pair of early 20th century American Trench Art candlesticks made from the spent brass casings of naval artillery shells.
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Early 19th Century Scandinavian Folk Art Mangle Board
Located in Greenwich, CT
Charming early 19th Century Swedish folk art mangle board having a stylized horse handle, the body with geometric carving and traces of original polychrom...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
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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