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.
Victorian Sailor’s Woolwork Picture of the Merchant Ship ‘China’ Circa 1860–1875
Located in Downingtown, PA
Victorian Sailor’s Woolwork Picture of the Merchant Ship ‘China’ Circa 1860–1875. Wool on canvas; figured maple frame. A fine and well-preserved Victorian sailor’s woolwork picture...
Wool
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.
Pottery
Santa Claus Cookies Christmas Plate with Gnome and Angel Motif, Antique German
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This beautiful Christmas plate is a nice addition to your Decoration for Santa Claus eve. It is marked at the back. Display Santas cookies in a nice way. Santa Claus will be delighte...
Porcelain
Antique Porsgrund Porcelain Chocolate Pot / Sjokolademugge, Norway, 1906–1914
Located in Bergen, NO
Rare antique chocolate pot produced by Porsgrunds Porselænsfabrik, Norway, circa 1906–1914. This elegant early 20th century porcelain piece fea...
Porcelain
Porcelain figure "The Old Man and the Goldfish", Gzhel, Russia (USSR), 1960s
By Gzhelsky Experimental Studio
Located in Rīga, LV
This Soviet porcelain figure “The Old Man and the Goldfish” was made by the Turyginsky Porcelain Factory in Gzhel, Russia, during the 1960s. The figure is inspired by the well-known...
Porcelain
Villeroy & Boch, Design Gérard Laplau, Set of Six Porcelain Plates
Located in København, Copenhagen
Villeroy & Boch, design Gérard Laplau. A set of six porcelain plates with motifs of families, villages and biblical scenes in a naive style. Measuring:...
Porcelain
Beautiful 1 Liter Antique Germany Lidded Porcelain Veterans Beer Stein, 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A gorgeous beer stein, made in Germany. This beer stein has been made in Germany, circa 1900s. Absolutely gorgeous piece still in great condition, without damage. Lid works properly. It is a 1 Liter...
Pewter
Porcelain figure "Malachite box", Dulevo porcelain factory, Russia (USSR), 1968
Located in Rīga, LV
This Soviet porcelain figure “The Malachite Box” was made by the Dulevo Porcelain Factory in 1968. The figure shows a young woman seated beside a small green box decorated to resemb...
Porcelain
Four Meissen Porcelain Plaques Depicting the Four Seasons
Located in London, GB
This delicately detailed set of four allegorical porcelain plaques portrays family scenes within the theme of the four seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. Spring can be ide...
Metal
Rare Vintage Chulucanas Pottery Platter with Birds Decor Peru
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Rare vintage platter or bowl is decorated with a design of four birds in pink and green, surrounding a central orange circle. The colors stand out beautifully against traditional rich black-colored background. Most of traditional Chulucanas pottery...
Clay, Ceramic, Pottery
Villeroy & Boch, Design Gérard Laplau, Set of Six Deep Porcelain Plates
Located in København, Copenhagen
Villeroy & Boch, design Gérard Laplau. A set of six deep porcelain plates with motifs of families, villages and biblical scenes in a naivist style. In ...
Porcelain
Sweden Arte Povera Kitchen Rack
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1900s ceramic wall spice rack hand painted and glazed ceramic containers. Original condition. Wood base is hand made.
Ceramic
$495 / item
H 2.25 in Dm 4.75 in
2 Chinese Blue and White Porcelain Bowls from the Ship Wrecked "Tek Sing"
Located in Palm Beach, FL
In 1822 the Chinese Junk "Tek Sing" or true star sank in the south China sea, where the ship and its cargo remained until salvaged in 1999. These antique blue...
Porcelain
$326Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 5.52 in Dm 5.71 in
Karolina Porcelain Coffee Service, Poland, 1950s / 1960s
Located in Chorzów, PL
Porcelain coffee set, a rare design of the Karolina set from the mid-twentieth century. The service includes a jug, milk jug, sugar bowl, 6 cups and 6 saucers. One saucer has more...
Porcelain
$292Sale Price|25% Off
H 0.75 in Dm 7.9 in
Chinese Export Porcelain Plate Rose Medallion Hand Painted, Qing, circa 1875
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very decorative Chinese Export, porcelain, Rose Medallion dish or plate which we date to the 19th century, Qing dynasty, circa 1875. I...
Porcelain
$3,000Sale Price|50% Off
H 11.82 in W 11.82 in D 19.69 in
Porcelain Figure Group Playing the Blind Man's Buff 19th Century, German
Located in Lantau, HK
Porcelain figure group playing the Blind man's buff Beautifully crafted artwork, hand painted 19th century, French. Dimensions: 50 x 30 x 30 cm (approximate). Shipping cost not in...
Porcelain
Art Deco Design Porcelain Plate Collectible Villeroy and Boch
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Villeroy and Boch 1900 Art Deco design, woman with parrot. Villeroy & Boch Design 1900 Porcelain collectible plate. The subjects coll...
Porcelain
$825 / set
H 2 in Dm 4.5 in
19thc Royal Crown Derby Demitasse Service for Eight Chinoiserie Imari Pattern
By Royal Crown Derby Porcelain
Located in Savannah, GA
19th century Royal Crown Derby demitasse service, Imari pattern #198, in classical Japanese chinoiserie taste having a beautiful painted Imari palett...
Porcelain
Vintage Germany Hutschenreuther Novum Porcelain Coffee Pot
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage white porcelain teapot with lid and a cobalt blue stylised flower burst design on each side. Minimalist porcelain coffee pot or tea po...
Porcelain
Blue porcelain pot with silver applications
Located in Porto, PT
Description: Blue porcelain pot with silver applications with garlands and bows, sitting on a base with friezes and three cut-out feet. Metal: Silver. Origin: Portuguese. Brand: java...
Silver
Antique Chinese Cup & Saucer, circa 1840
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique Chinese cup & saucer, circa 1840.
Porcelain
$187Sale Price|60% Off
H 7.88 in W 9.06 in D 5.12 in
Capodimonte porcelain shell with hand-painted coral, 1960s
Located in Catania, IT
Beautiful Capodimonte porcelain shell with hand-painted coral. The body is in splendid condition, no signs of wear or broken or missing parts. Marked on the bottom, see photos for de...
Porcelain
$386 / set
H 0.79 in Dm 6.7 in
Mix & Match, Six Contemporary Porcelain Bread Plates with Multicolored Flowers
Located in MILAN, IT
If you are looking for an unique tableware in order to make your lunch special and chic every day, this "Mix and Match" bread porcelain set of six is the perfect solution. It is an e...
Porcelain
$4,900
H 14.5 in Dm 15.75 in
Antique French Rococo Shell Design Porcelain Centerpiece, Circa 1865-1875.
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique French Rococo Shell Design Porcelain Centerpiece, Circa 1865-1875. This is a charming centerpiece, with three cherubs supporting the shell and the...
Porcelain
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 English Porcelain Boy in Hat Pepper or Pounce Pot
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A delightful antique English porcelain pounce or pepper pot modelled as a young boy wearing a full length coat and hat dating from the 19th century. This quality pot is very lightly ...
Porcelain
Villeroy & Boch Naif Dinner Plates in Porcelain, Designed by Gérard Laplau
Located in København, Copenhagen
Villeroy & Boch Naif dinner plates in porcelain. A set of seven dinner plates decorated with naive motifs. Motifs of families, villages and biblical scenes in naïve style. Designed by Gérard Laplau...
Porcelain
Sold
H 1.63 in Dm 9.25 in
Antique Ceramic Majolica Josef Strnact Wall Plate with Landscape, Austria, 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This beautiful wall decoration plate is a nice addition to your Wall. It is marked at the back. A nice addition to your toleware room or Hollywood regency interior.
Ceramic, Majolica
Sold
H 1.63 in Dm 9.25 in
Antique Ceramic Majolica Josef Strnact Wall Plate with Landscape, Austria, 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This beautiful wall decoration plate is a nice addition to your Wall. It is marked at the back. A nice addition to your toleware room or Hollywood regency interior.
Ceramic, Majolica
Limoges LPN France Set of Six Bowls with Images of Breton Maidens
Located in Prato, Tuscany
We kindly suggest you read the whole description, because with it we try to give you detailed technical and historical information to guarantee the authenticity of our objects. Set o...
Porcelain
Set of Six Qing Dynasty Carp Plates
By Craftsman
Located in New York, NY
6 vividly decorated porcelain carp plates in blue and purple glaze on a blue-tinted clear glaze ground. These plates are were often seen on the tables of r...
Porcelain
Figular Porcelain Statement Teapot Signed Irina Zaytceva
By Irina Zaytceva
Located in Montreal, QC
Rare figural face Folk Art piece, porcelain teapot and lid beautifully handcrafted and painted, signed by renowned artist Irina Zaytceva. Original work of art, 1999. Approximate size...
Porcelain
Large Pair of French Reticulated Paris Porcelain Gilded Baskets
Located in San Francisco, CA
A large pair of French classical-revival reticulated Paris porcelain gilded corbeilles/baskets; each of bold scale and ovoid form with flared reticulated sides raised on a splayed base