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Folk Art Sterling Silver

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
Taxco Mexican Sterling Mask Brooch with Large Green Agate and Stamped Details
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Taxco Sterling Mask Brooch with Large Green Agate and Stamped Details 925 silver brooch with carved details and green agate stone from an ancient Mexican mask is a beautiful piece t...
Category

20th Century Mexican Folk Art Sterling Silver

Materials

Agate, Sterling Silver

Sterling Silver Rooster Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This sterling silver heavy hollow body rooster figure is signed 925 on the base and is in fine condition. Beautifully made and proportioned well. Great patina.
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Sterling Silver Rooster Sculpture
Sterling Silver Rooster Sculpture
$1,196 Sale Price
20% Off
Sterling Silver Taxco Mexico Mayan Face Figural Brooch pin
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Los Ballesteros 925 Sterling Silver Taxco Mexico Mayan Face Figural Brooch Pin Sterling Silver Period: 1940-1949 Date of Manufacture: Circa 1945 D...
Category

1940s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Sterling Silver

Materials

Stone, Sterling Silver

Sterling Silver 3 Pieces, Peruvian Serving Set
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Handmade Peruvian three-piece sterling silver dipper and spatula and ladle. These are handmade and unmarked from the artist or maker. Measurements from left to right: Small spoon...
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

A Silver Shabbat Shot Cup, Poland 19th Century
Located in New York, NY
A Folk Art Silver Shabbat Shot Cup, made in Poland in the 19th Century. This Ceremonial Silver shot cup was designated for Shabbat use as engraved on ...
Category

19th Century Polish Antique Folk Art Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

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Sterling Silver Stamp Holder
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This sterling silver stamp holder is so unique. What a fabulous gift for someone who thinks they have it all!! Either for your desk or someone special, ...
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1930s American Vintage Folk Art Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Pair of Taxco School Sterling Silver Dice, Mexico circa 1960s
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Taxco School Sterling Silver Dice, Mexico circa 1960s Each one is hallmarked with the makers mark, .925 and Taxco. Elevate your gaming e...
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20th Century Mexican Folk Art Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Pair of Taxco School Sterling Silver Dice, Mexico circa 1960s
Pair of Taxco School Sterling Silver Dice, Mexico circa 1960s
$280 Sale Price / set
20% Off
H 0.5 in W 0.5 in D 0.5 in
Mexican Abrijes Figurine Set Folk Art Wooden Toy
By Agustin Cruz Prudencio
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
A set of colorful Mexican alebrije figurines depicting four animal friends drinking "Corona" beer and having a good time. This humorous Folk Art piec...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Folk Art Sterling Silver

Materials

Acrylic, Wood

Mexican Abrijes Figurine Set Folk Art Wooden Toy
$2,500 / set
H 1.58 in W 0.79 in D 1.19 in
Set of 9 American Sterling Silver Christmas Snowflake Ornaments
Located in North Miami, FL
Presenting a captivating collection of nine meticulously crafted American silver snowflake ornaments, each one representing a distinct year's edition. Among them, three have been exp...
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Set of 9 American Sterling Silver Christmas Snowflake Ornaments
Set of 9 American Sterling Silver Christmas Snowflake Ornaments
$2,213 Sale Price / set
24% Off
H 3.5 in Dm 3.5 in
Sterling Silver Kiddush Cup with Chased Acanthus Detailing
Located in New York, NY
This exquisite sterling silver Kiddush cup, originating from Russia circa 1879, showcases intricate chased acanthus detailing. The floral motifs, masterfully rendered, exemplify the ...
Category

1870s Russian Antique Folk Art Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Mother-of-Pearl Mexican Silver Box
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Mexican silver box with Mother-of-Pearl Inlay. Lid opens to a wood lined interior. Very nicely done and a really beautiful object!
Category

1950s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Mother-of-Pearl Mexican Silver Box
Mother-of-Pearl Mexican Silver Box
$396 Sale Price
20% Off
H 0.75 in W 5 in D 3 in
Moroccan Metal Silver Plated Tea Pot
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Traditional vintage silvered-metal and brass Moroccan tea pot, embossed with traditional repousse design, nicely aged, handcrafted in Fez, stamped in ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Sterling Silver

Materials

Metal, Silver Plate, Brass

Moroccan Metal Silver Plated Tea Pot
Moroccan Metal Silver Plated Tea Pot
$650 / item
H 6 in W 10 in D 5.5 in
Antique Stainless Steel and Horn 12 Pieces Tableware Set, Germany 1930s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Stainless Steel and Horn 12 Pieces Tableware Set, Germany 1930s A rustic tabelware set consisting of six knives and six forks. The handles are made of genuine deer horn. The...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Folk Art Sterling Silver

Materials

Metal

Edwardian Sterling Silver and Gray Agate Letter Opener / Paper Knife
Located in New York, NY
Edwardian, sterling silver and gray agate letter opener/paper knife, Sheffield, England, year-hallmarked for 1901, Mappin and Webb - makers. The agate has d...
Category

Early 1900s English Antique Folk Art Sterling Silver

Materials

Agate, Sterling Silver

Armadillo Sterling Silver Lighter
Located in Milan, IT
Playful true-to-life silver armadillo that serves as a lighter other than being a decorative artwork in its own right. Expertly made by the Florentine...
Category

2010s Italian Folk Art Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Armadillo Sterling Silver Lighter
Armadillo Sterling Silver Lighter
$4,278 / item
H 2.76 in W 2.76 in D 8.27 in
Silver Cup with Malachite Taxco-Los Castillo
Located in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Silver globet with malachite Taxco-Los Castillo in excelent condition the piece is stamped Los Castillo Taxco sterlin 925. Discover silverware los Castillo, a jewelry store in Taxc...
Category

1960s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Silver Cup with Malachite Taxco-Los Castillo
Silver Cup with Malachite Taxco-Los Castillo
$1,200 Sale Price
20% Off
H 7.49 in W 3.15 in D 3.15 in
The Frog Sterling Silver Lighter
Located in Milan, IT
Playful true to life silver frog that serves as a lighter other than being a decorative piece of artwork. Expertly handmade by the Florentine silversmiths, the Lisi Brothers, its rea...
Category

2010s Italian Folk Art Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

The Frog Sterling Silver Lighter
The Frog Sterling Silver Lighter
$4,807 / item
H 4.34 in W 5.12 in D 5.12 in
Previously Available Items
Large Antique 925 Silver "Arbol de la Vida" Bell
Located in Mérida, YU
This is a very nice "Arbol de la Vida" Bell. Handmade of solid .925 Silver that Weights 1,240 grams. Exceptional craft and in very good condition. Every single pice and detail is ori...
Category

1980s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Mexican Silver Figural Cocktail Hors d'oeuvres Picks, Set of 14, 1950s
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A set of fourteen, hand-crafted Mexican Silver cocktail or hors d’ oeuvres picks, circa 1950. Showing a charming hand made quality, the pieces have long stems, ending in sharp doubl...
Category

1950s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Cartier Hand Made Sterling Silver Basket
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fine construction signed hand made Cartier sterling silver ( heavy weight ) basket is in fine condition. These are quite rare to find in such great condition.
Category

1930s American Vintage Folk Art Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

Antique Imperial Russian Solid Silver-Gilt Enamel Tea Glass Holder, circa 1900
By Dmitrii Nikolaev
Located in Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Antique 20th century Imperial Russian solid silver-gilt and cloisonne enamel tea glass holder, circular with upright scroll handle, shaped top rim and spreading foot, body profusely ...
Category

Early 20th Century Russian Folk Art Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver, Enamel

Aztec Rose Floral Design Mexican Sterling Silver Set of 12 Plates
By Sanborn Mexican Sterling 1
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This heavy set of 12 matching sterling silver luncheon plates. The plates are all signed Sanborn Mexican Sterling. Sanborn was founded by Walt...
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Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Sterling Silver

Materials

Silver

Italian Sterling Silver Basket by Fratelli Cacchione
Located in Palm Desert, CA
A chic and beautifully detailed Italian Sterling Basket with a moveable handle by Milan-based silversmith Fratelli Cacchione. The bottom of the bask...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Folk Art Sterling Silver

Materials

Sterling Silver

19th Century Icelandic Filigran Jewelry
Located in Copenhagen, K
Folkart Icelandic filigran beltbuckle, broche, pendant and hair accessories. Used for the Icelandic folk costume on big occasions. Marked with Icelandic silver marks.
Category

19th Century Icelandic Antique Folk Art Sterling Silver

Folk Art sterling silver for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique folk art sterling silver for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Early 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage sterling silver created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include serveware, ceramics, silver and glass, decorative objects, folk art and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with metal, silver and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art sterling silver made in a specific country, there are North America, United States, and Asia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. 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 sterling silver differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $892 and tops out at $1,495 while the average work can sell for $1,475.

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