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.
9
1,134
88
24
to
143
787
395
1,246
1,209
1,219
23,473
14,534
8,088
5,103
3,800
2,959
2,086
1,577
1,249
1,246
1,150
1,062
928
884
804
622
618
582
52
350
732
112
197
247
139
32
10
19
28
24
26
31
42
20
20
Height
to
Width
to
659
312
235
125
110
524
399
302
216
187
25
23
9
8
7
Style: Folk Art
Set of Three Big Swedish Root Baskets
Located in Farsta, SE
A set of three big swedish root baskets.
Made out of pine roots and spruce, circa 1750-1890
Biggest basket:
height: 22,5 cm
diameter: 48 cm
Mediu...
Category
Mid-18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
Chippewa Birch Bark, Quills & Sweetgrass Box with Tulip - Canada - Early 20th C.
Located in Chatham, ON
Vintage Chippewa (also known as Ojibwe) birch bark lidded box with porcupine quill decoration and sweetgrass rims fastened with black thread - featuri...
Category
Early 20th Century Canadian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Softwood
Australian Aboriginal Carved Ancestor Figure with Ochre Paint
Located in Atlanta, GA
Hand-carved wood ancestor figure with surface pictorial carving showing kangaroo hunting and decorated with black and red paint and white and yellow ocher pigment. The figure slightly leans forward as made.
The piece was carved by aboriginal artist...
Category
Early 2000s Australian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Mid-19th Century Painted Swedish Water Carrier
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid-19th Century painted Swedish water carrier, circa 1860.
Although we have seen many of these on our travels this one without doubt is the best. In original blue/green paint, cl...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Cane, Pine
Mid-19th Century Swedish Painted Table Top Writing Desk
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid-19th Century swedish painted table top writing desk circa 1850.
Good quality table top bureau, presented in original scraped back paint. ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine, Paint
Late 19th Century Sheet Iron and Metal Trotting Horse Weathervane
Located in Incline Village, NV
Late 19th century sheet iron and metal "Trotting Horse" weathervane. It has a nice weathered color and patina and is very authentic with six "healthy" bullet holes to boot.
I basi...
Category
1890s Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Sheet Metal
Near Pair of Japanese Jizai Kagi Wood Koi Folk Art Sculptures
Located in Atlanta, GA
A near pair of wood koi fish from Japan circa 1860-90s of late Meiji Period. Hand-carved from solid wood, these sculptures are known as Jizai Kagi in Japane...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Iron
Monumental Antique Hand Carved Wooden Trough or Bowl Wabi Sabi, 19th Century
Located in Tilburg, NL
Monumental antique carved wooden trough or bowl, 19th century.
This is a rare antique hand carved wooden trough or bowl, which can be used for decoration or as a (fruit) bowl or m...
Category
19th Century European Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Spanish Green Terracotta Bottle Vase or Vessel
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
Moroccan Brass Berber Tribal Flask
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Great decorative Moroccan Tribal flask..
African decorative brass with front richly decorated with embossed brass and overlay.
The valve stem turns and open.
Truly a conversation mu...
Category
Early 20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Two Vintage Virginia Metalcrafters Solid Brass Leaves, Gloxinia and Calathea
Located in Doraville, GA
Two heavy vintage solid brass leaves, manufactured in Waynesboro, Virginia by Virginia MetalCrafters. The leaves were designed by Oskar Hansen, are hand made, hand finished and of th...
Category
1960s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Antique English Iron Clock Dial Face, Smuggler, Fully Working with Seconds Hand
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A lovely antique iron clock dial dating from 1850 featuring the legendary smuggler and brigand Will Watch. Beautifully painted in the vibrant colours of the theater, he was portrayed...
Category
19th Century British Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass, Iron
18th Century Swedish Primitive Organic Wooden Bowl with Original Paint
Located in Boden, SE
An antique and unique organic wooden bowl. With highly appealing patina, with traces of use. Produced in Sweden, 19th century.
The bowl has original paint.
Beautiful in any room,a ...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
Antique English Iron Clock Dial Face, Country Garden, Fully Working
Located in Belper, Derbyshire
A lovely antique iron English clock dial circa 1840 in its original enamel, charmingly decorated and English country garden flowers. With ancient craquelure, marks of a long life and...
Category
19th Century British Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Iron
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
Pair of Inuit Children on a Sledge Made of Soapstone
Located in Copenhagen, DK
A pair of Inuit children on a sledge made of soapstone.
Approximately: 1970/1980s.
In good condition, signs of use.
Sticker.
Dimensions: L 8.0 x D 4.0 x H 8.5 cm.
Category
1970s Canadian Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Soapstone
Antique Northern Swedish Folk Art Cutlery Basket
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique folk art basket from the mid 1800s, a so called cutlery basket. The basket is for storing cutlery and is made by hand in pine in northern Sweden...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
Hand-Carved African Ethiopian Wooden Bowl with Handle
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Hand hewn and hand carved African Ethiopian wooden bowl with handle.
Original large vintage Ethiopian tribal wood bowl hand carved bowl from a ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Ethiopian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Hardwood
Pair of Tlaquepaque Vases
Located in Guadalajara, Jalisco, MX
Beautiful vases made in Mexico by incredible artists from the city of Guadalajara.
Category
19th Century Mexican Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pottery
Monumental Antique Architectural Wood Carving Perched Eagle Bird
Located in Forney, TX
I think it's safe to say you have never seen a bird this big before!
A rare, nearly 8ft tall, one-of-a-kind antique architectural hand carved wood sculptural element, in the form ...
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Large 19th Century Polychromed Statue of a Burmese Nat Temple Dancer
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Absolutely beautiful large polychromed Burmese temple dancer from the 19th century hand carved out of a piece of teak. Very decorative piece of art. 127 cm / 50 Inches tall. Please n...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Teak
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Box
Located in Chicago, IL
A fascinating and truly unique early 20th century American Folk Art box with the most wonderful Greek temple design with eight blue painted Doric columns around the perimeter and wit...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Mounted Submarine Toilet Humor Sculpture
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
There’s trench art, and then there’s toilet humor - this is a little bit of both! Creative & fun sculpture composed of a copper toilet float, mounted on ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal, Copper
Nantucket Basket by A.D. Williams (1867 - 1927), circa 1890
Located in Nantucket, MA
Antique Nantucket Basket by A.D. Williams (Nantucket: 1867 - 1927), circa 1890, an oval open Nantucket basket with cane weave on oak staves, w...
Category
1890s American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Cane, Oak
Pair of American Cast Iron Hand Painted Preening Ducks on Squared Base, C 1880
Located in Hollywood, SC
Pair of American cast iron hand painted preening ducks resting on squared bases. Late 19th Century.
Category
1880s American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Iron
Balinese Carved Wood Statue of a Female Dancer
Located in Doylestown, PA
A carved wood statue of a female Balinese dancer in traditional clothing, late 19th century-early 20th century. Retains much of its original painted fi...
Category
19th Century Balinese Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Woven Grounds Chair, Prototype, Award Winning by Vanessa Lee Jackson/ Sculpture
By Oliver Lee Jackson
Located in Buffalo, NY
Woven Grounds Chair, prototype. Award winning by Vanessa Lee Jackson/ sculpture.
narrate my version of beauty through traditional practices of craft. I a...
Category
2010s Canadian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Iron
Scandinavian Hand Painted 19th Century Pine Strong Box
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Scandinavian hand painted 19th century pine strong box circa 1840.
Good example of traditional rustic Swedish woodwork. Painted in a russet red paint with hand painted cream drag...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Steel
English Brown Wicker Dog Kennel Basket
Located in Houston, TX
English brown wicker dog kennel or pet carrier (circa 1900-1910), rare large-scale and in good condition. Forged iron door and latch loop. Door openi...
Category
Early 1900s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Iron
19th Century Nantucket Lightship Bushel Basket by George Gardner
Located in Nantucket, MA
Very rare 19th century Nantucket Lightship Bushel Basket by George C. Gardner of Nantucket Island (1809 - 1889), an oversized round open basket handcrafted with a fat rattan weave on wide wooden splint staves, a carved wooden heart-shaped handle which is deeply notched above and below the rim and extends under the weave a full half-way down their staves, and a round pine bottom deeply inscribed "George C. Gardner." Captain Gardner lived at 141 Main Street and was also known for making shorebird decoys.
The bottom plate...
Category
1870s American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Rattan, Wood
19th Century Hand Painted Tine Decorative Box
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century hand painted tine decorative box circa 1860.
Good quality Swedish tine box, used for storing valuables or foods for secure storage. This examp...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
Antique Folk Art Ornately Carved Wooden Picture Frame with Birds & Flowers
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This ornately hand-carved picture frame is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from Eastern Europe, and date to approximately 1920 and done in a Folk Art style. The frame is co...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Softwood
Large Swedish Rustic Trencher Bowl
Located in Houston, TX
Large Swedish rustic trencher bowl, hand-carved in beech. Old iron staple repairs. Dates to 19th century.
Note: Original/early finish on antique and vin...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Matching Couple / Pair Large Polychromed Burmese Nat Temple Dancers
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Absolutely rare and beautiful couple of two large matching polychromed Burmese temple dances from the 19th century hand-carved out of a piece of teak.
These two dancers are a great ...
Category
Early 20th Century Burmese Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Teak
American Copper Full Bodied Pig Directional Weathervane on Stand, circa 1880
Located in Hollywood, SC
American Copper full bodied pig directional weathervane resting on squared iron stand, late 19th century.
Category
1880s American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Copper, Iron, Zinc
19th Century Swedish Antique Rustic Rare Wooden Bowl
Located in Boden, SE
An exceptional large rare 19th century primitive Swedish carved wooden knot bowl. Shows a dry textured finish showing a stunning aged patina. A truly remarkable piece.
Old cracks oc...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Folk Art Wood See-Saw
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This vintage wooden horsehead see-saw teeter-totter from the 1940s is a unique piece of Americana. The remnants of old gray, red, and blue paint add to its vintage charm, making it a great decorative sculpture for any room. However, due to its age it is not recommended for children to use as a toy. This teeter-totter is a rare find of vintage Americana.
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Hand Carved Mexican Folk Art Archangel, circa 1940-1970 (FREE SHIPPING)
Located in San Francisco, CA
About
Hand carved, painted Mexican wooden folk art archangel on custom stand.
Creator Unknown. Mexico.
Date of manufacture circa 1940-1970.
Materials and techniques paint, w...
Category
Early 20th Century Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood, Paint
Vase-jug, Chodziez, 1950s
Located in Chorzów, PL
Porcelain jug vase produced by Chodziez in the 1950s.
Very good condition without damage.
Measures: height 25 cm, width 17 cm.
Category
1950s Polish Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Porcelain
19th Century Swedish Antique Rare Unique Rustic Folk Art Wooden Bowl Dated 1864
Located in Boden, SE
19th century antique rustic rare Swedish Wooden bowl from Dalarna Northern Sweden.
Dated 1864
The surfaces are naturally patinated due tue age,
You can see the use of time.
A tru...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
Set of Three Swedish Folk Art, Unique 19th Century Farmers Bowls
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
Set of 3 antique and unique three sizes organic wooden bowls. With highly appealing patina, with traces of use. Produced in Sweden, 19th century.
These bowls where very important f...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Three Virginia Metalcrafters Brass Leaves, One Angel Wing and Two Holly Leaves
Located in Doraville, GA
Three vintage solid brass leaves, manufactured in Waynesboro, Virginia by Virginia MetalCrafters. The leaves were designed by Oskar Hansen, are hand made, hand finished and of the hi...
Category
1960s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Mexican Tonala Hand Painted Colorful Pottery Dove
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Mexican Tonala hand painted pottery dove Folk Art.
Rita Tilleya Yelapa Mexico hand painted ceramic bird dove.
Warm earth tone polychrome color...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
Antique Folk Art Rustic Farmhouse Log Cabin Shaped Toy Chest Storage Box
Located in Dayton, OH
Rare and antique folk art doll house box or toy chest in the shape of a rustic green cabin with two glass windows and a shingle roof.
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass, Hardwood, Paint
American Gilt Copper Full Bodied Horse Directional Weathervane, Fiske, C. 1870
Located in Hollywood, 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
Antique Architectural Parcel Gilt Wrought Iron Sculpture
Located in Forney, TX
A one-of-a-kind antique wrought iron sculpture, comprising 18th and 19th century architectural elements, in a rustic parcel gilt finish, including door lock, latch, and skeleton key,...
Category
19th Century European Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze, Wrought Iron
Ebony Wood Hand Carved African Elephant
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Hand carved wood ebony African elephant.
Handcrafted in Africa.
One of the tusk is damaged
Category
Early 20th Century African Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Ebony
"Lady Seated in Chair Reading" Money Box/ Still Bank by a. Biagioni, Circa 1925
Located in Incline Village, NV
Penny bank made by Italian Angelo Biagioni for the French market (see image with marking on the back of the chair), circa 1910. Biagioni, born in 1870, was a well known sculptor who crafted objects for resale to the European market. Money boxes (or still banks as they are called in America) were one of the more unique and more difficult items to find by this artist as most objects were basic uni-dimensional sculptered pieces. What makes it more rare is the unfortunate requirement to break and smash the bank open to get the coins out, as there was no mechanism to remove the money. The subject matter of the bank is that of a nicely dressed older lady seated in a chair reading a book.
The bank is in all original condition and paint with no restoration or touch-up of any kind.
This is a nice addition to any bank or toy collection, or simply to have as a "stand alone" unique item.
Dimensions : 4 1/4" deep x 3 3/8" wide x 8 5/8" high.
Note: After 40 plus years of dealing and collecting toys and banks, I am justly qualified to guarantee and present the authenticity of antique and vintage still banks...
Category
1910s French Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pottery
19th Century, Swedish, Antique Rustic Folk Art Wooden Bowl with Nice Patina
Located in Boden, SE
Late 19th century Swedish antique rustic wooden bowl from Northern Sweden.
Genuine & rustic with incredible patina after several hundreds years of ...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
Pair of Antique Handmade Water Bottles
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1940, we offer this pair of antique handmade water bottles.
Category
1940s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Glass
Christian School Candle House
Located in Santa Barbara, CA
This charming heavy iron candle house was made as a table centerpiece for a Private Prep School. It was designed to look like the school icon, the to...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Iron
Exceptional and Unusually Large 19th Century Swedish Folk Art Turned Bowl
Located in Mjöhult, SE
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
1920s Belgian Decorative Ceramic Bowl
Located in High Point, NC
Delicate and whimsical, this vintage decorative ceramic bowl offers a woodland fantasy. Made in Belgium in the 1920s, the piece is shaped like a basket: but a basket composed of leav...
Category
20th Century Belgian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
Greenlandica, Figurine of a Polar Bear Carved in Soapstone, Approx. 1960-1970s
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Greenlandica, figurine of a polar bear carved in soapstone.
Approx. 1960-1970s.
In good condition, signs of use.
Dimensions: W 13.0 x H 9.0 cm.
Category
1960s Greenlandic Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Soapstone
Set of Seven Candleholders by Nagel and Stoffi, German, 1970s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Unusual set of seven midcentury modular triangle shaped chrome candle holders by BMF. Made in Germany in the 1970s. The candleholders can be stacked in whichever design you wish with...
Category
1970s German Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
Italian Faience 18th Century Majolica Riser with Annunciation
Located in Milan, IT
From Central Italy a 18th century Majolica Riser consisting of a flat circular dish with raised edge, resting on a base with a simple shape. The ...
Category
Mid-18th Century Italian Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Majolica
Rustic Large Folk Art Swedish Wood Bowl
Located in Farsta, SE
A big beautiful wooden bowl from 1900-century.
It has a light soft color and a smooth surface, at one time long ago small house-mices has eaten a way on the side. This ads character...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Birch
Large 19th Century Polychromed Statue of a Burmese Nat Temple Dancer
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Absolutely beautiful large polychromed Burmese temple dancer from the 19th century hand-carved out of a piece of teak.
Very decorative piece of art. 127 cm / 50 Inches tall.
Pleas...
Category
Mid-19th Century Burmese Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Teak
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.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
19th Century Tall Clock
Clocks With Birds
Green Mantel
Antique Writing Desk Box
Mexican Spanish Colonial Furniture
Antique Childrens Plates
Pair Mounted Pedestal
Turquoise 1940
Sea Accessories
Gilt Red Marble
Stamped Desk French
Large Antique Saw
Antique Batteries
Antique Battery
Victorian Gentleman
Japanese Ceramics Master
Ancient Egyptian Antiques
Longcase Clock Pendulum Antique Clocks