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.
$140Sale Price|28% Off
Early Swedish 19th Century Blue Glass Candy Bowl or Yoghurt Dish
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Early Swedish 19th Century blue glass candy bowl or dish. This type of glass bowl was typically used for yoghurt and other dairy products.
Art Glass
$177Sale Price|43% Off
Uredale Glass Paperwight Pebble Shape Star Decoration, North Yorkshire 20th C
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is an unusual hand-made Art-Glass paperweight from Uredale Glass, Masham, North Yorkshire, England which we date to the late 20th century. The paperweight is hand made in the...
Glass
Hand Painted Antique Germany Beer Glass City View Munich, 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A gorgeous character Munich beer drinking glass. It has been made in Germany, circa 1900s. Absolutely gorgeous piece hand painted and still in great condition, without damage. Shows ...
Glass
$1,440Sale Price|34% Off
Danish 19th Century Cobalt Blue Glass Hip Flask By Holmegaard
By Holmegaard
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Danish 19th century cobalt blue glass hip flask by Holmegaard The flask is "tear-drop" shaped and has the most amazing deep and vibrantly blue colo...
Art Glass
Blue Glass Gulvase by Otto Bauer for Holmegaard
By Holmegaard, Otto Bauer
Located in Little Burstead, Essex
The smallest in the set of five sizes of this classic glass vase.
Blown Glass
$3,355
H 2.6 in W 6.3 in D 6.23 in
Large Italian Alexandrite and Green Sommerso Murano Glass Bowl, Dish or Ashtray
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Antonio da Ros for Cenedese large and heavy vintage Mid-Century Modern Italian Murano glass bowl, serving dish or ashtray, circa 1965-1975. Utilizing the Sommerso technique this larg...
Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Fenton Art Nouveau Iridescent Cut Glass Bowl, Early 20th Century
Located in Miami, FL
A very good quality American Fenton art glass dish dating from the early 20th century. The moulded glass dish stands raised on a pedestal and is of rounded ...
Cut Glass, Art Glass
Antique Green Opaline Uranium Glass Tazza Bowl, 19th Century
Located in Rostock, MV
Opaline Alabaster glass with turned-out wavy rim. Enamel and gilding decoration featuring vines and grapes. Bohemia, 19th century.
Opaline Glass
$1,300
H 2.25 in W 7.25 in D 5.5 in
Antonio da Ros Asymetric Murano Glass Sommerso Bowl/Dish, Uranium/Blue
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful uranium Murano glass bowl designed by Antonio Da Ros.
Glass
$3,655
H 5.32 in Dm 9.06 in
Antique French Turquoise Enamelled Opaline Dish, Plate, Bowl, 19th Century
Located in Rostock, MV
Exceptional turquoise Opaline Glass serving dish with gilding and enamel decoration stands on a 5-feet base features turned-out scalloped rim very ...
Opaline Glass
1960's Danish Glass Bowl by Per Lütken for Holmegaard
By Holmegaard, Per Lütken
Located in Knebel, DK
Danish glass bowl by Per Lütken for Holmegaard - 1960's.
Glass
Vintage Italian Murano Red and Clear Sommerso Glass Bowl, Dish or Ashtray
Located in Landau an der Isar, Bayern
Antonio da Ros for Cenedese (attributed) heavy vintage Italian Murano glass bowl or ashtray, circa 1960-1970. Utilizing the Sommerso technique this heavy piece of glass features two ...
Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Early 19th Century Swedish Folk Art Turned Bowl
Located in Bozeman, MT
Fine early 19th century Swedish Folk Art turned bowl in it's original color with great patina to the surface. Ca 1820 Sweden.
Pine
Vintage 1960s Murano Glass 'Tutti Frutti' Paperweight by AVEM
By Arte Vetraria Muranese (AVEM)
Located in Bresso, Lombardy
Made in Italy, 1960s. This paperweight is made in Murano glass. It is a "Tutti frutti" model. This is a vintage piece, therefore it might show slight traces of use, but it can be con...
Murano Glass
$642
H 12.5 in W 5 in D 5 in
Mid Century Holmegaard Glass Decanter By Michael Bang Rare Crown Stopper Denmark
By Holmgaard, Jacob Bang
Located in North Miami, FL
This vintage smokey gray gradient blown glass cinched decanter bottle was designed by Michael Bang for Holmegaard. It is called the Kluk Kluk. He was a major designer for the company. This is from the 1960s. What is most unusual about this is the rare crown stopper that was only made for the Danish markets. This was brought back from Denmark by a collector. For the upper class homes, this was used at the time for liquors and serving special schnapps. Great barware. The small gray gradient bowl seen in the photos must be purchased separately and was only used in this instance for a mini photo still life...
Blown Glass
Murano Sommerso Glass Horse Head Bust Signed Italian
Located in North Miami, FL
This Italian Murano Sommerso glass horse head is signed Bortaro. It is lovely and in then colors of black, gray and clear. The mane of hair in hand b...
Blown Glass
Set of Two Mackenzie- Childs Flower Market Hand-Painted Goblets Glasses
Located in New Orleans, LA
Make any occasion more special by setting the table with this pair of Mackenzie-Child's flower garden goblets. These glasses are perfect for serving chilled water, wine or summer dri...
Glass, Paint
Set of Two Mackenzie- Childs Flower Market Hand-Painted Champagne Glasses
Located in New Orleans, LA
Make any occasion more special by setting the table with this pair of Mackenzie-Child's flower garden water goblets. These glasses are perfect for serving chilled water, wine or summ...
Glass, Paint
19th Century Swirled Glass Vase, Likely Zanesville Ohio
Located in Doylestown, PA
A lovely swirled amber glass vase, mid 19th century, likely by the Zanesville Glass Company, normal wear with bubbles and a pontil scar in the base.
Blown Glass
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
Blown Glass Saxe Blue Decorative Pumpkin
By LAGU
Located in İSTANBUL, TR
Saxe Blue pumpkin, where beautiful colors come together in the form of a pumpkin, is a candidate to add color to your home! -Made from hand blown glass. -A unique hand made decorative object. -Designed by experienced glass blowers in a pumpkin form. -Unique art glass. -Hot split. GLASS USE...
Blown Glass
Blown Glass Green Decorative Pumpkin
By LAGU
Located in İSTANBUL, TR
GREEN PUMPKIN, where beautiful colors come together in the form of a pumpkin, is a candidate to add color to your home! -Made from hand blown glass -A unique hand made decorative o...
Blown Glass
Blown Glass White Colorful Decorative Pumpkin
By LAGU
Located in İSTANBUL, TR
White colorful pumpkin, where beautiful colors come together in the form of a pumpkin, is a candidate to add color to your home! -Made from hand blown glass. -A unique hand made de...
Blown Glass
Blown Glass Dark Blue Decorative Pumpkin
By LAGU
Located in İSTANBUL, TR
DARK BLUE PUMPKIN, where beautiful colors come together in the form of a pumpkin, is a candidate to add color to your home! -Made from hand blown glass -A unique hand made decorati...
Blown Glass
Blown Glass Red Decorative Pumpkin
By LAGU
Located in İSTANBUL, TR
Red pumpkin, where beautiful colors come together in the form of a pumpkin, is a candidate to add color to your home! -Made from hand blown glass. -A unique hand made decorative obje...
Blown Glass
Blown Glass Blue Decorative Pumpkin
By LAGU
Located in İSTANBUL, TR
BLUE PUMPKIN, where beautiful colors come together in the form of a pumpkin, is a candidate to add color to your home! -Made from hand blown glass -A unique hand made decorative ob...
Blown Glass
Blown Glass Coral Decorative Pumpkin
By LAGU
Located in İSTANBUL, TR
CORAL PUMPKIN, where beautiful colors come together in the form of a pumpkin, is a candidate to add color to your home! -Made from hand blown glass -A unique hand made decorative obj...
Blown Glass
Blown Glass Orange Decorative Pumpkin
By LAGU
Located in İSTANBUL, TR
Orange pumpkin, where beautiful colors come together in the form of a pumpkin, is a candidate to add color to your home! -Made from hand blown glass -A unique hand made decorative ...
Blown Glass