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.
American Historical Flask, George Washington and Zachary Taylor, Circa 1848
Located in Darien, CT
A mid-19th century American historical flask in aqua glass, featuring molded relief portraits of George Washington and Zachary Taylor. This pairing ap...
Blown Glass
Mezcal Demijohn From Southern Oaxaca, Circa 1930´s
Located in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato
Orange-tinted mezcal demijohn from southern Oaxaca, Circa 1930´s.
Blown Glass
Vintage Large Folk Art Tonala Sandstone Pottery Vase, 1960's
By Ken Edwards
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Large Folk Art Tonala Sandstone Pottery Vase, 1960s. Vintage Large Folk Art Tonala sandstone pottery vase with bird and flowers signed. Vintage large sandstone vase textured and hand-painted with an abstract bird and floral raised glazed decoration. Beautiful Vintage Mexican Ceramic Vase in the style of Ken Edwards. Hand-crafted vintage Tonala...
Pottery
Pair of 19th century folk art stoneware ceramic bottles realised in La Borne
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
La Borne - France Realised circa 1850 Pair of 19th century stoneware ceramic bottles unique pieces Original good condition number one height 25 cm large 12 cm number two heigh...
Ceramic
Set of 5 Large Moss Green Glass Chemist or Pharmacy Jars
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A set of 5 large moss green glass chemist or pharmacy jars These are wonderful attractive jars from the mid 19th Century, they have been hand blown and labeled Worm Powders, Teet...
Cut Glass
Antique Tekhi Wooden Pot from Nepal, Hand-Carved Hardwood, 1900s
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Antique Wooden Pot or Tekhi, from Nepal, 13" Tall, circa 1900s Early 20th century wood pot from Nepal, this particular style of wooden container, pot has a r...
Hardwood
Vintage Three Feathers Whiskey Oversized Store Display Advertising Glass Bottle
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Oversized store display/advertising bottle for Three Feathers Whiskey (ca. 1940s, USA). Composed of amber glass with dual labels and original wooden stopper. Specks present to the gl...
Glass, Wood, Paper
Antique Demijohn, Carboy or Jimmyjohn
Located in New York, NY
Whether you like to call them, carboy or demijohn or jimmy john, they all refer to the same glass containers. Carboy originates from the Persian word; qarabah. Demijohn comes from the French; dame-Jeanne, or Lady Jane and derives from the 17th century and refers to any glass vessel, with a large body, capable of holding from 5 and 16 gallons of liquid, with a small neck and presumably encased in wicker. In England, demijohn refers to an imperial gallon...
Glass
Tonala Mexico Bird Figurine Folk Art Hand-painted 1960s
By Ken Edwards, Tonala Pottery
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Charming vintage Tonala pottery bird figurine is decorated with hand-painted decor of white bird in a landscape, framed with abstract bands of deco...
Ceramic, Pottery
Vintage Tonala Pottery Cat Sculpture, Hand-Painted, Mexico, 1960s
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Charming vintage Tonala pottery figurine depicts a reclining cat with folded front paws and raised head; the cat is looking forward with wide open, large eyes and a slightly surpris...
Ceramic, Pottery
$650 / item
H 11.42 in Dm 6.3 in
Ceramic Demijohn Bottle Mexican Mezcal Container Clay Oaxaca Rustic Design
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
Take tradition to evolve, transform, and innovate are all part of Omar Hernández’s work. Born in a pottery town he was taught from a young age the fundamentals. It was later when Oma...
Clay, Ceramic, Pottery
$598
H 6.7 in Dm 4.14 in
Mid-Century Modern Studio Pottery Barro Negro Vase from Lama Oaxaca Mexico 1960s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Mid-Century Modern Studio Pottery Barro Negro Vase from Lama Oaxaca, Mexico, 1960s
Pottery
Vintage Large Tonala Mexico Pottery Cat, Hand Painted, Signed
By Ken Edwards, Tonala Pottery
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Playful stretching Tonala pottery cat figurine is decorated with beautiful hand painted abstract geometric and floral designs in blue, green, and earthy brown palette. Variations in...
Ceramic, Pottery
Crystal Centerpiece Vase, Circa 1950's American
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
American Crystal Vase from the 1950's Substantial vase with many uses. Would make a wonderful addition to any home as a centerpiece filled with fresh flowers or standing alone on a...
Crystal
Mid-20th Century French Apothecary or Pharmacy Jars, Set of 14
Located in Dallas, TX
Decorate a bathroom, vanity, or powder room with this elegant collection of fourteen apothecary containers. Crafted in France circa 1960, each clear glass jar features its original l...
Glass
Vintage Tonala Pottery Large Cat Sculpture, Hand-Painted
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Charming large Tonala pottery figurine depicts a reclining cat with folded front paws and raised head; the cat is looking forward with wide open, large eyes and a slightly surprised ...
Ceramic, Pottery
$1,245
H 23.63 in W 50.4 in D 0.99 in
Chinese Signboard with Gold Coloured Calligraphy from Hardwood, C. 1900
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
With a wood coloured base this signboard (crafted entirely from wood) highlights 3 large gold coloured Chinese Characters. The signboard dates to the early 20th Century and has aged ...
Wood, Paint
White Raku Cylindrical Vase from Sta. María Atzompa, Oaxaca
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This decorative vase, crafted from Aztompa clay, is a piece that blends tradition and contemporary expression in an elegantly simple cylindrical silhouette. Its luminous white fini...
Ceramic
Extra Large Vintage Handmade Ceramic Pottery Floor Vase, Germany, 1960s
By Sawa Ceramic
Located in Kirchlengern, DE
Article: Pottery Ceramic Vase Floorvase Origin: Germany Decade: 1960s Description: original vintage 1960s pottery ceramic vase made in Germany. High qu...
Ceramic
Decorative Bottle By Claude and Slavik Palley
Located in Doylestown, PA
A charming decorated bottle in hand-painted faience, by Claude (1927-2008) and Slavik (1920-2005) Palley. The Palleys created their pieces in Ivy-Sur-Seine France and were exclusivel...
Faience
Ken Edwards Signed El Palomar Tonala Mexico Art Pottery Bottle with Cork 1960s
By Ken Edwards
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Ken Edwards Hand Painted Signed El Palomar Tonala Mexico Art Pottery Bottle with Cork 1960s. Vintage Folk Art Mexican pottery handcrafted beautifully...
Ceramic
Set of Three 19th Century Three Antique Decorated Wooden Italian Flasks -
Located in Catania, Sicilia
A set of Three Antique Decorated Wooden Flasks hand-craved inl Sicily in the second half of 19th century
Wood
Antique Green Glass Apothecary Bottle, English 18th Century
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful piece of glass Beautiful colour of green Traces of the original label " Tinct. Opii " Tiny bruise to top edge. Shown in the last image
Glass
Moroccan Tribal Wood Flask
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Moroccan tribal flask. 19th Century studded flasks finely engraved designs. Collector flask in large carved wooden vessel with brass studded and leather covered. Dimensions: 10" x...
Wood
3 Very Large Antique Apothecary or Old Chemist Jars Shop Display
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
3 Very Large Antique Apothecary or Old Chemist Jars Shop Display These superb large jars are hand blown clear glass, they would have stood on a top s...
Blown Glass
1950s French Friar Ceramic Liquor Bottle
Located in High Point, NC
A selection of ceramic bottles from France, produced between the 1950s and 1970s. With their floor length brown cassocks cinched at thick waists with a rope, these friar themed vinta...
Ceramic, Cork
Vintage French Ceramic Bottle
Located in High Point, NC
A glazed ceramic bottle, depicting a hunter standing on top of a pointer dog. Made in France between 1950 and 1960, a wealth of charming detail lends verisimilitude to the absurd sce...
Ceramic
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, cle...
Cane, Pine
Sold
H 7.875 in W 4.25 in D 4.25 in
San Gimignano Italy Porcelain Hand Painted Folk Art Bird Flower Bottle Jug
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage hand painted ceramic bottle made in San Gimignano, Italy, painted with flowers and a bird in the shape of a vase, pharmacy bottle or jug. Measures: 8”.
Pottery
Taxidermy Hoof Water Bottle Canteen
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A bottle built into and around a taxidermy hoof - woven lanyard strap is beautifully made and attached my chain to the bottom of the hoof. A handsome decorative piece and also use...
Animal Skin
Ceramic Mezcal Jug from Mexico, circa 1970s
Located in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato
Ceramic Mezcal Jug from Tuliman, Guerrero. The pitcher-like vessel has been repaired on its left arm rung by a leading ceramicist in the area. Rare and unus...
Ceramic