Folk Art Ceramics
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
Returnable Items Only
Folk Art Spill Vase Animal Farm Scene Attributed to Staffordshire England
Located in New York, NY
An animal farm scene pottery spill vase, Folk Art design, attributed to Staffordshire, circa early-20th century, England. A beautiful scene of dove birds on perch at top, and horse a...
Category
Early 20th Century English Folk Art Ceramics
Materials
Pottery
24" Polychrome Ceramic Painted Mexican Majolica Art Pottery Wall Plate Charger
Located in Dayton, OH
A beautiful 20th century Majolica Platter / Decorative Wall Plate. Made in Santa Rosa de Lima (Villagrán), Guanajuato. Features a hand painted still life of watermelon and other fruit. The foreground of the plate is blue along the top with a sand color towards the bottom.
Spanish-influenced Talavera and Italian Maiolica are sub-genres. Mexican Majolica...
Category
20th Century Folk Art Ceramics
Materials
Majolica
24" Polychrome Ceramic Painted Mexican Majolica Art Pottery Wall Plate Charger
Located in Dayton, OH
A beautiful 20th century Majolica Platter / Decorative Wall Plate. Made in Santa Rosa de Lima (Villagrán), Guanajuato. Features a hand painted still life with a basket of fruit besides a watermelon, grapes and a pineapple. In the center is a porcelain face with Cala Lily's. The foreground of the plate is blue and the rim has a green and black repeated bat / hourglass pattern.
Spanish-influenced Talavera and Italian Maiolica are sub-genres. Mexican Majolica...
Category
20th Century Folk Art Ceramics
Materials
Majolica
27" Polychrome Ceramic Painted Mexican Majolica Art Pottery Wall Plate Charger
Located in Dayton, OH
A beautiful 20th century Majolica Platter / Decorative Wall Plate. Made in Santa Rosa de Lima (Villagrán), Guanajuato. Features a hand painted still life of a compote with pears, grapefruit and a watermelon. A papaya, apples, bananas and more fruit are resting next to the compote. Towards the back right is a vase with yellow flower. The foreground of the plate is green with a yellow edge and black decorative pattern. Spanish-influenced Talavera and Italian Maiolica are sub-genres. Mexican Majolica...
Category
20th Century Folk Art Ceramics
Materials
Majolica
Sarreguemines French Majolica Pink Pig Pitcher, Vintage France
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Decorate a shelf or a kitchen counter with this elegant antique barbotine pitcher. Created by Sarreguemines, France in the 1930s, the pitcher depicts...
Category
1930s French Vintage Folk Art Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica
German Majolica Vintage Green Ceramic Deviled Egg Plate with Salt Pepper Shaker
Located in Nuernberg, DE
20th century German majolica plate platter for serving eggs with two chicken as salt and pepper shakers. Nice addition to your table or just to display. Please see detailed pictures ...
Category
1960s German Vintage Folk Art Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica
Sarreguemines French Majolica Pair of Vases with Ships, Vintage France
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful pair of vases made by Sarreguemines France. Underglaze mark. Nice addition to your table or just to display. Please see detailed pictures for vintage as found condition. Ma...
Category
1930s French Vintage Folk Art Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica
19th Century Swedish Folk Art Milk Bowl with Rooster Motif in Red, Green, and Br
Located in Grythyttan, SE
A large milk bowl crafted from ball clay features a rooster motif in red, green, and brown. This piece, originating from the mid-19th century, is adorned with engobe—a mixture of pip...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Ceramics
Materials
Stoneware
19th century Italian glazed ceramic sardines jar
Located in Milan, IT
Splendid 19th-century Italian glazed ceramic sardines jar
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Folk Art Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic
Tonala Folk Art Pottery Charger, Hand Painted Rabbit, Mexico, circa 1970's
Located in Chatham, ON
Tonala folk art pottery charger or wall plate - large size - hand made and hand painted with a rabbit, bird and foliage - elaborate border - unsigned - Mexico - circa 1970's.
Excellent vintage condition - no loss - no damage - no restoration - original metal hanger...
Category
Late 20th Century Mexican Folk Art Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic, Paint
Tonala Folk Art Pottery Charger, Hand Painted Swan, Mexico, Circa 1970's
Located in Chatham, ON
Tonala folk art pottery charger or wall plate - large size - hand made and hand painted with a swan and flowers - elaborate border - unsigned - Mexico - circa 1970's.
Excellent v...
Category
Late 20th Century Mexican Folk Art Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic, Paint
Antique Majolica Milk Pitcher with Pewter Lid, Bird Motif antique 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Decorate a shelf or a kitchen counter with this elegant antique milk pitcher. Created attributed to Sarreguemines, France in the 1900s. The milk j...
Category
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica
Vintage Playful Teapot by Allan Hellman Sweden 1967
Located in Grythyttan, SE
This playful and unique teapot, has different sides to it. Sometimes it looks like just a quirky tea pot with a bright mustard yellow inside. But in the view from some angles, this t...
Category
1960s Swedish Vintage Folk Art Ceramics
Materials
Clay
Folk Art Pottery Charger, Hand Painted Sheep, Signed, Greece, Circa 1970's
Located in Chatham, ON
M. MIXA?HE - Vintage folk art pottery charger or wall plate - large size - hand made and hand painted and incised with a sheep and flowers - applied slip decorative scrolls to the ba...
Category
Mid-20th Century Greek Folk Art Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic
Vintage Playful Teapot with Crab-like Features by Allan Hellman Sweden 1982
Located in Grythyttan, SE
This playful and unique teapot, has different sides to it. Sometimes it looks like just a quirky tea pot with a bright green inside. But in the view from some angles , this three leg...
Category
1980s Swedish Vintage Folk Art Ceramics
Materials
Clay
VIETRI - Vintage Hand Painted & Wheel Thrown Pitcher - Italy - 20th Century
By Vietri
Located in Chatham, ON
VIETRI - Vintage hand painted and wheel thrown terracotta pitcher - featuring a scenic view of the Amalfi coast - sponge decorated back with white glazed interior - signed on the bac...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Folk Art Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic
Late 20th Century Pottery Witch's Head Jack-o-lantern
Located in Charlotte, NC
A Late 20th century pottery witches head with hat jack-o-lantern, artist unknown. Ceramic pottery with glaze. Could be used with a candle. Likely crafted in the USA.
Measures: 10....
Category
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Ceramics
Materials
Pottery, Paint
Tlaquepaque Tonala Jug, Tonalá, Jalisco, Mexico, C1940
By Pre-Columbian
Located in London, GB
A wonderfully decorative earthenware jug from the Tonala valley, depicting a ‘Tlaquepaque’ scene with the most beautiful glazed artisanal composition. Graphic vivid colours depicting...
Category
1940s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Ceramics
Materials
Earthenware, Pottery
19Thc Sponge /Spatter Ware Water Pitcher
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19Thc Sponge ware soft paste water pitcher in fine condition.This pattern sponge is in a darker blue color.
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Folk Art Ceramics
Materials
Pottery
Mocha Pottery Jug with Earthworm Designs
Located in Downingtown, PA
Mocha Pottery Earthworm Jug,
circa 1820
The mocha pottery jug has two wide ocher bands each with an earthworm design. The top with a looping design and the lower one with a wavy ...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Folk Art Ceramics
Materials
Creamware, Pottery
Vintage Continental Terracotta Slipware Decorated Dish, Signed, 20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
Vintage - Continental - clear glazed terracotta slipware baking dish - the terracotta ground decorated with a stylized flat fish in yellow slip - indistinc...
Category
Mid-20th Century Portuguese Folk Art Ceramics
Materials
Terracotta
Sarreguemines French Majolica Corn on the Cob Lidded Tureen, Vintage France
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Serving bowl in the shape of a corn on the cob with a leaf. Underglaze mark. Nice addition to your table or just to display. Please see detailed pictur...
Category
1930s French Vintage Folk Art Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic, Majolica
Set of 6 Handmade Vintage Cups, Pozdisovce Czechoslovakia, 1950s
Located in Zohor, SK
Unique and rare set of vintage cups. Produced in Pozdisovce region in Czechoslovakia which is famous for the style. It always has a black/dark background w...
Category
1950s Slovak Vintage Folk Art Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic
Collection of 19th Century Spatter Ware / Soft Paste Pitchers, 3
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Collection of three 19th century spatter ware water pitchers in pristine condition. The shorter of the three is really quite unusual and is more of a desi...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Ceramics
Materials
Pottery
Set of TWELVE Ceramic Wall Tiles Square hand enamelled, circa 1930
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
These are a good set of twelve glazed ceramic wall tiles, hand enamelled with a bird theme, probably over an underglaze printed outline and dating to...
Category
Mid-20th Century British Folk Art Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic
Vintage Blue and White Delft Porcelain Spoon Rack
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Stunning Vintage Delfts Blauw blue and white porcelain spoon rack in very good condition.
Beautiful Dutch Delft hanging wall rack with blue and white han...
Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Folk Art Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic, Porcelain
Vintage Studio Pottery Green Leaf Platter, Unsigned, Canada, 20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
Large vintage studio pottery serving platter - realistically modelled/molded as a leaf - over-all dark green glaze with subtle iridescence - kiln/firing stilt marks to the base - uns...
Category
20th Century Canadian Folk Art Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic
Rare Sgraffito Redware Slip Decorated Pottery Charger Large Plate, 19th Century
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
A large charger plate made of Redware pottery, all hand decorated in the Sgraffito Slip Decorated technique, with a stylized floral pattern.
Thi...
Category
19th Century Unknown Antique Folk Art Ceramics
Materials
Earthenware
19th Century Sponge Ware Bulbous Soft Paste Pitcher
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century sponge ware soft paste design sponge soft paste pitcher. The condition is very good and this is most unusual.
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Ceramics
Materials
Pottery
Large Vintage Ceramic Plate Blue and White Dutch Holland Delft Charger
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Stunning large vintage Dutch Holland Delfts blue and white decorative plate.
Beautiful charger, the painting depicts a fisherman smoking a pipe.
It is signed by the artist, "Volen...
Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Folk Art Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic
Danish Piggy Bank for Charity, circa 1920s
Located in Copenhagen, K
Lovely piggy bank with inscription aiming to collect money for the society for children’s footwear. This union was established in 1889 and was still active in mid-1930s.
Category
1910s Danish Vintage Folk Art Ceramics
Materials
Iron
Large Ceramic Plate Blue and White Dutch Boch Delft Charger
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Stunning Boch Delfts blue and white plate in very good condition.
Beautiful charger that is in perfect condition.
The painting depicts a lady and some gentlemen in a tavern.
It is...
Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Folk Art Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic
19Thc Marbleized Stone Ware Piggy Bank
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a very early stone ware glazed piggy bank from New England. This is a handmade piggy bank in very good condition.
Category
1870s American Antique Folk Art Ceramics
Materials
Pottery
Black Clay Barro Negro Pottery Hot Chocolate Set Oaxaca Mexico Mugs & Fish Tray
Located in Topeka, KS
Handsome black clay or barro negro pottery hot chocolate set most likely from Oaxaca, Mexico consisting of 4 mugs, tray with Fish design, and wooden ...
Category
20th Century Mexican Folk Art Ceramics
Materials
Clay
Kähler, Denmark, Bowl in Black Glazed Ceramics with Blue and White Waves
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Kähler, Denmark. Bowl in black glazed ceramics with blue and white waves along the edge, 1930s-1940s.
Measures: 17 x 7 cm.
In very good condition.
Signed.
Category
1930s Danish Vintage Folk Art Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic
20th Century Ransbottom Cookie Jar
Located in Los Angeles, CA
20th century Robinson Ransbottom cookie jar. 2qt canister. Beautiful condition.
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Ceramics
Materials
Pottery
German Antique Handmade Salt Glazed Fruit Patterned Stoneware Bottle
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An exceptional and unusual antique German salt glazed hand worked stoneware bottle decorated with stylised fruit designs dating from the 19th centur...
Category
1870s German Antique Folk Art Ceramics
Materials
Stoneware
Vintage American Hand Thrown Art Pottery Jug Artisan Stoneware
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage American hand thrown art Pottery Jug Artisan stoneware
This is a vintage handcrafted American studio art Pottery blue glazed small pitcher.
Superb pottery jug immaculate hand thrown studio...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Ceramics
Materials
Pottery
Michael Andersen Ceramics from Bornholm, a Pair of Heads, National Costume
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Michael Andersen ceramics from Bornholm.
A pair of heads, national costume, hand painted.
Measures: 14.5 x 12.5 cm.
Perfect condition.
Category
20th Century Danish Folk Art Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic
English Pottery Pearlware Botanical Plates, circa 1840
Located in Downingtown, PA
English pottery pearlware botanical plates,
circa 1840
The folky painted plates have a scalloped rim. In the center of each plate is a large...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Folk Art Ceramics
Materials
Pearlware, Pottery
1970 Outsider Art Figural Stoneware Decorative Plate
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Charming outsider art charger / decorative plate depicting a jovial young girl. Pleasant color palette and figure with age-appropriate crazing to the glaze...
Category
1970s American Vintage Folk Art Ceramics
Materials
Stoneware
1880 French Country Pair of Navy Blue Edged Folk Art Majolica Decorative Plates
Located in New York, NY
Two quite rare earthenware sculptural decorative plates in barbotine, dated 1880, handcrafted in Clermont Ferrand, central part of France, by Charles ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Folk Art Ceramics
Materials
Majolica
18th Century European Earthenware Pitcher with Blue Colored Decoration
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
An 18th century European ceramic pitcher, most probably from Germany, with glazed decoration in blue colour representing flowers on a beige background. It has most probably been used...
Category
Late 18th Century German Antique Folk Art Ceramics
Materials
Earthenware
18th Century Faience Jug
Located in Copenhagen, K
Beautiful German faience jug from one of the Northern German factories.
Category
18th Century German Antique Folk Art Ceramics
Materials
Faience
Mochaware Mug Banded with Brown Slip Made in England, circa 1815
Located in Katonah, NY
A Mochaware mug decorated with bands of slip in light and midnight brown.
Between the midnight and light brown slip bands are three bands of inlaid rouletting decoration in geometric patterns.
Although made circa 1815, the inlaid rouletting gives the mug a surprisingly modern look.
The applied handle has exceptionally crisp acanthus leaf terminals.
Dimensions: 4.9" tall x 4.9" deep from spout to handle, 3.25" diameter
Condition: Excellent
Price $1600
Background of Mochaware:
Mocha decorated...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Folk Art Ceramics
Materials
Earthenware
Folk Art Sussex Pottery Pig Jug and Cup from the Belle-Vue Pottery, Rye
Located in Downingtown, PA
Best example I've ever had.
Folk Art Sussex pottery pig jug and cup,
from the Belle-Vue Pottery, Rye, UK,
circa 1870.
This Sussex pig from the Bell...
Category
1870s English Antique Folk Art Ceramics
Materials
Pottery
Kähler, HAK, Jug in Glazed Stoneware, Flowers on a Cream Colored Background
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Kähler, HAK. Jug in glazed stoneware. Flowers on a cream-colored background, 1930s-1940s.
Measures: 15 x 12 cm.
Signed.
In excellent condition.
Category
1930s Danish Vintage Folk Art Ceramics
Materials
Stoneware
Piggy Bank for Charity
Located in Copenhagen, K
Lovely piggy bank with inscription aiming to collect money for the society for children’s footwear. This union was established in 1889 and was still active ...
Category
1910s Danish Vintage Folk Art Ceramics
Materials
Iron
Rare Large Mochaware Bowl with Cable Decoration England Circa 1830
Located in Katonah, NY
We are pleased to offer this exceptionally large and rare mid-19th century English mochaware bowl. Each piece of mochaware is unique. Made in England ci...
Category
1830s English Antique Folk Art Ceramics
Materials
Creamware
Large Danish Skotterup Owl with Removable Head of Glazed Earthenware
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Large Danish Skotterup owl with removable head of glazed earthenware.
With incised pattern, Early 1900s.
In very good condition.
Measures: 52 x 27 cm.
Produced by the stoneware f...
Category
Early 20th Century Danish Folk Art Ceramics
Antique Art Pottery Green Ewer Probably Belgian, circa 1890
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A fine antique green glazed art pottery handled ewer with incised stylized floral designs picked out in black glazes with incised line designs around the body of the ewer. With mould...
Category
Late 19th Century Belgian Antique Folk Art Ceramics
Materials
Pottery
Antique Christmas Elf On Goose Money Bank
Located in Copenhagen, K
The Elf or "Nisse" as they are called in Denmark, used to live in every farmhouse, and you had to treat them nice to make them stay. Later on they became associated with Christmas an...
Category
1890s Danish Antique Folk Art Ceramics
Materials
Earthenware
Spanish Terracotta Albarello Vase / Vessel, 1960s
Located in Barcelona, ES
Glazed Terracotta vase in shades of green, blue, beige
Traditional spanish glazed ceramic vase "Albarelo" in green and blue pastel colors decoration with brown accents.
It has a mark on the bottom (IOX).
Spain, circa 1960s.
Popular pottery; Medical Ceramic-ware.
Measures: 21 cm H x 14,5 cm diameter // 8,26 in H x 5,70 in diameter.
More glazed and unglazed terracotta spanish...
Category
20th Century Spanish Folk Art Ceramics
Materials
Terracotta, Ceramic, Earthenware
Mid Century Fajalauza Handmade Terracotta Ceramic Lebrillo Bowl, Granada Spain
Located in Escalona, Toledo
Beautiful decorative terracotta ceramic bowl (Lebrillo) glazed in white and green Spanish Fajalauza from the mid-20th century, made and hand-painted, in this case with its characteri...
Category
1970s Spanish Vintage Folk Art Ceramics
Materials
Ceramic
Folk Art ceramics for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique folk art ceramics for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage ceramics created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, folk art, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, pottery and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art ceramics 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 ceramics, popular names associated with this style include Delft, Royal Copenhagen, Sarreguemines, 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 ceramics differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $60 and tops out at $5,500 while the average work can sell for $493.
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