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.
Italian Maiolica Pharmacy Jar
Located in Atlanta, GA
A tin-glazed earthenware apothecary jar of waisted cylindrical form with a flared rim and footed base. The body is decorated with vibrant polychrome scalloped bands in deep yellow, o...
Earthenware
$1,350 / set
Pair of Italian Maiolica Pharmacy Albarelli
Located in Atlanta, GA
A matched pair of tin glazed earthenware pharmacy vessels of baluster form with flaring rims and domed footed bases. Each Albarello is hand-painted in a traditional polychrome palet...
Earthenware
Traditional Bencharong Thai Colorful Hand Painted Ceramic Urn
Located in Rümmingen, BW
Note: Only for decorative use. Not suitable for food This colorful Thai Bencharong Vessel beautifully reflects traditional craftsmanship, featuring intricate hand-painted flowery mo...
Ceramic
$960Sale Price|20% Off
Giovanni De Simone teapot
Located in Pasadena, TX
This is an excellent example of Giovanni De Simone's work! It's hand painted and crafted by the artist himself. This piece is titled "Midnight Sunlight". It has a small chip on the ...
Pottery, Paint
1920s Painted and Decoupage Folk Art Decorated Antique Dairy Farm Milk Jug
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Whimsical Decoupage and Painted Dairy Farm Milk Jug with a Sweet Folk Art Design.. would make a Great Umbrella Stand. Unknown artist ... age approximate.
Metal, Iron
Folk Art Treenware Vase or Urn of Inlay Wood
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A wonderfully hand-crafted greenware vase or urn - the inlay and marquetry is wonderfully intricate and detailed. With a little glass insert, a small tumbler...
Wood
Art Deco Hand Painted Earthenware Vase with Worms, 1920s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Unusual and organically shaped pottery vase decorated with worms or eels. Designed and manufactured by Knabstrup in Denmark during the 1920s. Measurements: H: 15 cm, D: 12 cm at the ...
Earthenware
Scandinavian 18th Century Folk Art Hat Or Wick Box
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Large Danish wooden hat or wig box of wood with original painting.
Wood
Giovanni de Simone Hand-Painted Jug Vase
Located in Skokie, IL
Giovanni de Simone Hand-Painted Jug Vase This three-sided handled jug vase by famed Italian artist Giovanni de Simone (1930-1991) is an original gem. The...
Ceramic
1920s Art Deco Jug in Disko Metal by Krone Copenhagen
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A very early Art Deco styled jug made in Denmark during the 1920s. Japanese or Chinese inspired decor. It is made from Disko Metal an alloy made mainly from pewter with applied verdi...
Metal
Richard Ginori Giovanni Gariboldi Vase Ceramic, 1950, Italy
Located in Milano, IT
Richard Ginori Giovanni Gariboldi vase ceramic, 1950, Italy.
Ceramic
Richard Ginori Giovanni Gariboldi Ceramic, 1950, Italy
Located in Milano, IT
Richard Ginori Giovanni Gariboldi ceramic, 1950, Italy.
Ceramic
$1,083
H 11.82 in W 11.82 in D 1.19 in
Giovanni de Simone Ceramic Tile Italian Design Multi-Color Swordfish Marlin 1970
Located in Palermo, Sicily
Giovanni de Simone ceramic tile Italian design multi-color swordfish marlin.
Ceramic
$10,220
H 19.97 in Dm 8.67 in
Colorful Hand Painted Ceramic Midcentury Umbrella Stand by Eberhard Dänzer, 1965
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Stunning, unique one off & rare Mid-Century Modern vintage umbrella Stand or holder signed and dated (5.1.1965) by the German artist Eberhard Dänzer (1935-2008) Karlsruhe, Germany in...
Ceramic
Antique Millefiori Jug in Blue and Green, Fratelli Toso Murano ca. 1920s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Millefiori Jug in Blue and Green, Fratelli Toso Murano ca. 1920s A colorful millefiori murrine glass jug manufactured by Vetreria Fratelli Toso, Murano around 1920. Made of ...
Art Glass, Murano Glass
Sculptural Trench Art Vase 1920s
Located in Meer, VAN
Sculptural Trench Art Vase, Europe, 1920s. This is a very beautiful and sculptural trench art vase - made from a bombshell from the First World War. Great...
Metal
1940s Brown and Ivory Hand-Crafted Moroccan Ceramic Vase
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
1940s Antique Brown and Ivory Hand-Crafted Moroccan Ceramic Vase.Very decorative chiseled small brown and ivory cor ceramic handcrafted by artisans in Fez Morocco.Hand-graved etched ceramic with ivory Arabic poetry calligraphy.Mouth opening is 5 in.Size: 10 inches height x 6.5 in diameter.Circa 1940s, Hand made in Fez Morocco.About Ceramic Islamic Art. Islamic ceramic etched art is a form of ceramic artwork that invves intricate designs, calligraphy, and patterns etched or incised onto the surface of ceramic objects. Ceramic Artwork: Ceramic art is the practice of creating objects, scptures, or vessels using clay and other natural materials, such as minerals and water. The process invves shaping the clay, either by hand or using a potter's wheel, and then firing it in a kiln at high temperatures to harden it. The firing process transforms the clay into a durable, non-porous material, making it suitable for functional and decorative purposes. Islamic Ceramic Etched Art: In Islamic ceramics...
Ceramic
Hand-Carved Ebony African Statue by Unknown Sculptor, Folk Art, Kenya
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Decorative ebony well hand-carved African statue of a young women. Handmade in Kenya, Africa.
Ebony
Sold
H 21.5 in W 10 in D 10 in
Talavera El Carmen Spain Pottery Blue & White Lidded Mantel Urn Vase 22"
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage Spanish Talavera El Carmen folk art pottery, ceramic lidded mantel urn. Traditional urn shape beautifully decorated with blue and white foliate swirls and designs. Signed on ...
Ceramic
18th Century Blue & White Delft Vase with a Large Cow Scenery
By Delft
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Dutch Blue and White Delft Vase with a Large Cow Scenery, signed and marked, 1764.
Delft
Antique Black Stoneware Etched Snake Motif Vase, Signed
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A unique mat-black etched vase with a snake motif. This beautiful vessel is hand-crafted and decorated around the body with textured snakes around th...
Clay
Well-Crafted 1960's Folk Art Mixed-Wood Inlaid Vessel
Located in San Francisco, CA
This handsome one-of-a-kind hand-crafted vase of beautifully figured walnut and birdseye maple.
Bentwood
19th Century Terracotta Olive Oil Jug from Portugal
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
19th century terracotta olive oil jug from Portugal. A wonderful Portuguese antique olive oil jar, this piece has a beautiful shape, handle to one si...
Shell-Covered Terracotta Cache-Pots
Located in Chireno, TX
Shell-covered terracotta cache-pots. One of a kind pair of terracotta cache-pots covered with shells in a variety of shapes and colors. Priced as a pair.
Shell, Terracotta
Sophisticated Hand Painted Ceramic Figurative Folk Art Vase
Located in New York, NY
This very sophisticated vase features an incredible dimensional figurative face in handmade ceramic with hand-painted detailing on a speckled glazed finish. An excellent example of A...