Skip to main content

Folk Art

to
175
616
415
1,036
63
26
1,987
1,062
987
309
199
179
163
89
82
78
54
42
38
32
23
22
7
40
120
876
89
323
377
64
17
4
14
28
20
32
24
20
5
2
551
250
176
154
83
609
506
207
100
83
1,125
1,082
1,121
38
25
21
6
6
Folk Art For Sale
Style: Scandinavian Modern
Style: Tribal
Style: Arts and Crafts
Gelede Headdress, Yoruba People, Nigeria, circa 1920s
Located in Aramits, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Gelede festivals honor the creative and dangerous power of women elders, female ancestors and goddesses known as "our mothers". The Gelede headdress often consists of two parts, a lo...
Category

Early 20th Century Nigerian Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wood

African Kuba Helmet Mask on Stand
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Helmet Mask known as Bwoon from the Kuba Tribe in the Kasai region of Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central Africa circa mid-20th century. The carved wood mask was decorated with copper plates on the face, and lavished embellished with trade beads, raffia cloth with cowrie shells and hanging seed pods, fur possibly from monkey. The surface and the interior both display good patina indicates a native use (contact rubbing) and age. Bwoom is one of three types of royal Kuba masks...
Category

20th Century Congolese Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Copper

Mid-20th Century Tribal Beaded Cache-Sexe Modesty Apron, Cameroon
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Mid-20th century tribal beaded cache-sexe modesty apron (pikuran), Bana Guili people, Mandara Mountains, Cameroon An unusual cache-sexe made of blue and yellow beads so scattered ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Cameroonian Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Shell, Beads

Older Yoruba African Carved and Painted Mask, Labeled
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An older small scale mask carved and painted white (now worn) with painted blue and black features and a black top knot. Marked on interior tape, “Yoruba”. The Mask with good age, fa...
Category

Mid-20th Century African Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Midcentury African Tribal Wooden Sculptural Commando Staff RDC Luba, 1960s
Located in Salzburg, AT
Kusu command rod This prestigious staff among chieftain regalia is composed of different carved sections that form an iconographic language related to the history of the ancestor or...
Category

1960s Congolese Tribal Vintage Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Fine 1950's Mbuti Bark Cloth With Biomorphic Motifs
Located in London, GB
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the asymmetric, spontaneous and animated patterns of bark cloths made by Mbuti women for dances, festivities and coming-of-age ceremonies ref...
Category

1950s Congolese Tribal Vintage Folk Art

Materials

Natural Fiber

Moroccan Handpainted Parchment Wall Sconce
Located in North Hollywood, CA
African Tribal Art parchment wall shade sconce featuring a large triangle hide form stitched on iron and hand painted surface. These Art pieces could be used as wall lamp shade...
Category

20th Century Moroccan Arts and Crafts Folk Art

Materials

Iron

Letter Painter Kvetoslav Dostal Shop Sign, circa 1900
Located in Wien, AT
This vintage sign comes from the shop of Prague letter painter Kvetoslav Dostal. It was probably manufactured circa 1900, as the wrought iron frame construction shows Art Nouveau inf...
Category

Late 19th Century Czech Arts and Crafts Antique Folk Art

Materials

Iron

Rare Raffia Fibre Pygmy Baby Sling or Carrier, DRC
Located in London, GB
This baby sling or carrier from the equatorial forest region of north-eastern DRC has an amazing contemporary appearance. The carrier is made from multiple strands of twisted and kn...
Category

Early 20th Century Congolese Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Raffia

Noblewoman's Ceremonial Overskirt, Kuba People
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Noblewoman’s Ceremonial Overskirt Shoowa People, DR Congo Mid 20th century Raffia, palm fiber, stem stitch and cut pile embroidery 42.5 x 2 ins. (108 x 51 cm) An unusual overskirt ...
Category

1950s Congolese Tribal Vintage Folk Art

Materials

Raffia

Namji Doll with Beads, Cowries, Coins and Metal Rings, Cameroon Mid 20th century
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Sometimes referred to as dolls, this is a highly abstract figure with conical head, arms and legs held out from body, long columnar neck wrapped with mulitple strands of different si...
Category

Mid-20th Century Cameroonian Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Antique Woman’s Ceremonial Beaded Cache-sexe (Pikuran), Cameroon
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Antique Woman’s Ceremonial Beaded Cache-sexe (Pikuran), Cameroon Worn by the Bana Guilli (Kirdi) women of the Mandara Mountain region in northern Cameroon, pubic aprons, or cache-se...
Category

Mid-20th Century Cameroonian Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Beads

Two Antique Niger Bura Peoples Fired Clay Heads on Stands
Located in Morristown, NJ
Bura fired clay heads, possibly 3rd-10th c. CE, Niger, Bura peoples. These are very expressive examples on custom mounts, the larger with manganese deposits. Between the 3rd and 10th centuries, the dead were laid to rest at a site in present-day Niger downstream from the Inland Niger delta. The burial ground’s density and expanse suggest a veritable city of the departed. Several hundred individual graves were marked by upturned pottery urns, some of which were cylinders topped by figurative imagery. The most elaborate of these were full-bodied equestrians, while the most basic were highly abstract, independent heads. Note: These figures will be professionally packed by a specialist shipper at the sellers expense. Dimensions: 11.25"h x 6.75"w x 3"d and 8"h x 3.75"w (incl. stands) Condition: Good, wear consistent with age and materials Provenance: Acquired by the present owner from Dr. David Rilling, 1990s. About Dr. David Rilling. A Pennsylvania based medical doctor, Dr Rilling began collecting African and Oceanic antiques...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Nigerien Tribal Antique Folk Art

Materials

Clay

Adire Eleko Yoruba Textile
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Adire Eleko “Spinning Tops" Woman’s Wrapper Yoruba People Nigeria Circa 1960s-1970s Cotton brocade (bazin cloth) (3 panels), starch-resist and stencil dyed with indigo 76 ¼ x 66 ½ ...
Category

1960s Nigerian Tribal Vintage Folk Art

Materials

Cotton

Rare Gabon Mask From Tsogho Peoples with Character, Central Africa
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Early and rare mask from Gabon, Central Africa, created by the Tsogho peoples. Powerful large mask with carved open eyes, and black painted eyes above, below heavy carved eyebrows. ...
Category

Early 20th Century Gabonese Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Fine Ashanti Stool with Bird Motif, Ghana
Located in London, GB
This fine Ashanti stool from Ghana, which dates to the first half of the 20th century, features an unusual motif - a bird of prey. The surface of this stool exhibits a lovely smooth,...
Category

20th Century Ghanaian Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Ewe Kente
By Ewe People
Located in Glasgow, GB
This is a fine piecevof Kente Textile from the Ewe people of the Volta region of Ghana. Woven from handspun cotton and natural dyes. This is a prestige cloth worn by a high ranking Elder of the Ewe people. The pattern denotes the individuals high status within the community with the dark blue background indicating the wisdom and knowledge of the owner. This piece will date from the 1930's and is in very fine condition. Ewe Kente...
Category

1930s Ghanaian Tribal Vintage Folk Art

Materials

Cotton

Organic Handmade African Tribal Art Folk Art Hand Carved Wood Stool Ivory Coast
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Andrianna Shamaris Senufo Style African tribal art very unique wood stool, bench, side table or headrest from a single block of wood with stunning wood grain and patina. Stur...
Category

1950s Ivorian Tribal Vintage Folk Art

Materials

Wood, Reclaimed Wood

Nocturnal Bird Mask, Nigeria, Africa, circa 1950
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Very beautiful mask with large pronounced eyes with the circular cavity shape. The mask depicts a nocturnal bird that can see in the darkness and manifest the presence of divinities ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Nigerian Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Kuba Woman's Prestige Hat (Mpaan)
Located in London, GB
In Kuba society, title holding is dominated by men; there are only two titles held by women. Headdresses were and are the most visible expression of o...
Category

Early 20th Century Congolese Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Shell, Beads

Large Vintage Traditional Wooden Bongo Drum Hand Painted Boho Tribal Art
Located in Llanbrynmair, GB
A superb vintage Bongo Drum, lovely decorative piece with beautiful wood construction and hand-painted with a vibrant tribal colourway. Lovely wear and colour to the wood. In Excel...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Contemporary Giraffe Iron Sculpture, with Use of Tools and Other Objects C20
Located in Coimbra, PT
Giraffe by José Jerónimo single piece of art Iron sculpture with use of tools and other objects Signed Measures: 81 x 41 x 15 cm. Private collection.
Category

Late 20th Century Ivorian Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Metal, Iron

Pair of Bib Necklace on Metal Stands, Sold Singly
Located in Sheffield, MA
The highly decorative bib beaded necklaces are treated as works of art displayed on their black metal stands as sculptural works of art. Near the necks are bent poles wrapped with tw...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Asian Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Shell, Twine, Beads

A Pair of Mid Century Marble and Bronze Bookends A very attractive set
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Pair of Mid Century Marble and Bronze Bookends A very attractive set, the ends are heavy and made in marble, set on each one we have a bronze owl they are well balanced to hold ...
Category

1950s Arts and Crafts Vintage Folk Art

Materials

Marble

Fine Early Prestige Kuba Chieftain's Cap (Laket Mishiing)
Located in London, GB
Traditionally worn as a symbol of rank and title, this beautiful Kuba chieftain's cap (laket mishiing) is embellished with cowrie shells and rows of blue, white and black glass beads. The body of the hat has been fashioned from raffia fibre using the woven basketry technique, and displays the typical form of the Kuba 'laket' cap, with four scallop-shaped 'ears'. When worn, one of the 'ears' would have been squarely positioned at the front of the wearer's forehead. Given to Kuba men upon completion of an initiation rite, small dome-shaped raffia hats signalled their transformation into mature members of Kuba society. As a Kuba man moved up the social ladder, his headgear would change, with male titleholders commissioning local artisans to produce splendidly decorated prestige hats to signal his rank. The accumulation of materials on a Kuba man’s hat...
Category

Mid-20th Century Congolese Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Shell, Natural Fiber, Beads

Fine Bronze Bangle Featuring Two Animals. Burkina Faso/Ghana
Located in London, GB
This finely cast bronze bangle is possibly Gan, or a related culture, from Burkina Faso or northern Ghana. It depicts two animals resembling chameleons which flank a central decorati...
Category

Early 20th Century Burkinabe Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Bronze

Angola Chokwe Mask Revisited by Bomber Bax
Located in Milano, IT
Beautiful classic Chokwe mask genre that honours female founding ancestors. Such representations are particularly significant as the Chokwe trace the descent through the lines of their mothers. This is thought to be a dance mask with a net and wood hairstyle, from the Batshokwe people skilled in the art of carving and of very ancient origin belonging to the culture of the divine monarchy. The Batshokwe sculptors were the most famous in the region, masters in geometric decorations such as the depiction of scarifications and tooth deformations, the surfaces of their works were carefully smoothed and polished. On the forehead of the mask, the classic chinge-lyengelye scarification is clearly visible, commonly interpreted as a variant of the Portuguese cross...
Category

Early 1900s Angolan Tribal Antique Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Bobo Uele Mask, Bwa, North Burkina Faso, First Half of 1900s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Bobo Uele Mask in hand-carved wood from the Bwa tribe in northern part of Burkina Faso. Antilope-shaped mask with human-like face. Painted with white and black color. Provenance:...
Category

Early 20th Century Burkinabe Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Rare Antique Woman's Silk Ceremonial Headscarf (Kiet), Cambodia
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Rare Antique Woman's Silk Ceremonial Headscarf (Kiet), Cambodia This traditional head cloth or veil was made by the Cham people of Cambodia, a Muslim group with historic ties to Mal...
Category

Early 20th Century Cambodian Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Silk

Early Danced Black Wood Mask From the Guro Peoples Ivory Coast Bird on top
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Early Danced Black Wood Mask From the Guro Peoples Ivory Coast Bird on top. Finely carved mask with carved open eyes, and pointed nose and slightly smiling mouth. It is in good co...
Category

Early 20th Century Gabonese Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wood

1960s Vintage Moroccan Tribal African Rug
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Fabous authentic 1960s vintage Moroccan tribal African rug.Handwoven by Berber women in Morocco using organic wo and vegetable dyes. Very nice earth tone cors with dark royal blue.So...
Category

1960s Moroccan Tribal Vintage Folk Art

Materials

Wool

Salampasu Mask – DR Congo – Mid 20th Century – African Tribal Art
Located in Ljubljana, SI
Discover the soul of Africa through this authentic Salampasu mask from DR Congo, handcrafted in the mid-20th century. Part of a carefully curated collection sourced from private home...
Category

1950s Congolese Tribal Vintage Folk Art

Materials

Hardwood

Ancient carved Make-up Box From The Kuba Tribe, Dr Congo
By Kuba
Located in Bilzen, BE
A very old wooden make-up box Circa: early 20th century Origin: DR Congo from the Kuba tribe Material: wood, Condition of item: age appropriate wear. Very rich tribal patina 7 x ...
Category

Early 20th Century Congolese Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Mende Women's Helmet Mask
Located in Chicago, IL
This helmet mask created by the Mende people of Sierra Leone was made for the women of their tribe to wear while dancing. Commissioned by women for their ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Sierra Leonean Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Two Mounted Mbole Woven Bark Fibre Panels, DRC
Located in London, GB
Woven panels such as this would have decorated the walls of a traditional meeting house. The panels are made from woven bark fibre decorated with striking geometric designs. The da...
Category

1930s Congolese Tribal Vintage Folk Art

Materials

Natural Fiber

Vintage Djebel Amour Saharan Berber Rug
Located in Milan, IT
A rare weaving attributed to the Djebel Amour tribe, located in Algeria close to the border with eastern Morocco along the Saharan Atlas. Although the tri...
Category

1950s Algerian Tribal Vintage Folk Art

Materials

Wool

Pende-Style Antelope Mask
Located in Chicago, IL
Masks from the Pende people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo are considered some of the most dramatic works of African art. The Pende have defined an extensive range of mask forms, many with distinct characters embodied during ritual ceremony. Colored by red and white pigments, this Pende mask...
Category

Mid-20th Century Congolese Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Vintage Central Asian Felt Rug
Located in Milan, IT
Felts are among the first woolen structures made by mankind. Some of the earliest we know date from the 5th century B.C. and were found under ground in the frozen kurgans of Siberia....
Category

1930s Kyrgyzstani Tribal Vintage Folk Art

Materials

Wool

Wood Horse Carousel Toy Mexican Horse Mechanic Handle Traditional Folk Art
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
By master artisans Sanjuana España Rodríguez and husband Guillermo Trejo Soriano (Guanajuato, México) have been known for hand crafting Mexican traditional toys. Sanjuana's late fath...
Category

2010s Mexican Arts and Crafts Folk Art

Materials

Acrylic, Wood

Tuareg Leather Camel Saddle from Niger Agadez Africa
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Tuareg leather tribal camel saddle from Agadez, Niger Africa. Finely handcrafted camel saddle formed by stitching brightly colored leather embossed onto a forked wooden base. The sa...
Category

Early 20th Century Nigerien Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Leather, Wood

Early and Rare Abstract Rehamna Berber Carpet
Located in Milan, IT
The carpets of the Rehamna derive from the Haouz, a landscape of hills and plains situated between the Middle Atlas and the Atlantic ocean mostly inhabited by Arabic groups and arabi...
Category

1920s Moroccan Tribal Vintage Folk Art

Materials

Wool

Pair of Parchment Moroccan African Art Handpainted Wall Sconce
Located in North Hollywood, CA
African Tribal Art parchment wall shade sconce featuring a large curved hide form stitched on iron and hand painted surface. These Moroccan Art pieces could be used as wall lamp shad...
Category

20th Century Moroccan Arts and Crafts Folk Art

Materials

Iron

Parchment Moroccan African Art Handcrafted Wall Sconce
Located in North Hollywood, CA
African tribal art parchment wall shade sconce featuring a large curved hide form stitched on iron and hand painted surface. These Moroccan art pieces could be used as wall lamp shad...
Category

20th Century Moroccan Arts and Crafts Folk Art

Materials

Iron

Willi Huggler Brutalist Style Carved Wood Mask
By Willi Huggler
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Carved grotesque wood mask with pierced eyes, very hooked nose, cigar between very crooked bone teeth. Label on verso reads, “Willi Huggler (Swiss, 1925...
Category

20th Century Swiss Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Bone, Wood

Studded African Mask by Brian Stanziale
Located in Chicago, IL
In an exclusive collaboration with Pagoda Red, Chicago artist the bms. adds a contemporary twist to our collection of one-of-a-kind African art objects. Embellishing with silver and ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary African Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Metal

Terracotta Tikar Figurine - Maison Dieu - Cameroon
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Terracotta Tikar Figurine - Maison Dieu - Cameroon primitive art - tribal art - Africa Measures : 15.5cmx9cm H:26.5cm Material : Terracotta Wear consistent with age and use.
Category

20th Century Cameroonian Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Terracotta

Hand Woven Turkish Purple, Pastel Pink and Peach Rug with geometric detail
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Peach and purple woven wool rug from Turkey. Featuring beautiful purple and peach tones and a geometric tribal pattern in the middle. Great for a hallway, beside a bed, in a foyer or...
Category

1990s Turkish Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wool

Coconut Shell Engraved Tribal Bowl from Nias, Mentawai Islands, Indonesia
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This hand crafted and tribal engraved bowl originates from Nias Island Indonesia. It features tribal motifs along the rim and a beautiful hand hewn texture along its basin. It is cra...
Category

Mid-20th Century Indonesian Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wood, Coconut

Vintage Berber Moroccan Ourika Valley Eye Design Flat-Weave Rug
Located in Milan, IT
Woven with natural, undyed wool, flat-weaves such as the one illustrated here are characteristic of the Berber people located in the Ourika Valley, in the Moroccan High Atlas region....
Category

1940s Moroccan Tribal Vintage Folk Art

Materials

Wool

African Seated Luba Figure
Located in Chicago, IL
Artisans from the Luba tribe were renowned for the organic flow of their carving style. This example clearly shows the smooth transition from aspect to aspect, maintaining a singular...
Category

Mid-20th Century Congolese Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Outstanding Vintage Beni Mguild Moroccan Berber Rug
Located in Milan, IT
The Beni Mguild tribe is located in the mountainous region of the Moroccan Middle Atlas. Together with the Beni Ouarain, they represent the earliest Berber presence in that region as...
Category

1950s Moroccan Tribal Vintage Folk Art

Materials

Wool

African Incised Copper Currency Anklet, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Time honored texture and form define this Nigerian copper sculptural object. The intricate geometry was achieved through a process known as scarification. The artisan would meticulou...
Category

Early 20th Century Nigerian Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Copper

Vintage Embroidered Central Asian Felt Rug
Located in Milan, IT
Felts are among the first woollen structures made by mankind. Some of the earliest we know date from the 5th century B.C. and were found under ground in the frozen kurgans of Siberia...
Category

1930s Kyrgyzstani Tribal Vintage Folk Art

Materials

Wool

Carved Wood Tribal Panel from Timor Island, Indonesia, Early 20th C
Located in Atlanta, GA
An early 20th century carved wood door panel from Timor Island in the Indonesian archipelago. This antique wall panel from Timor Island (an isl...
Category

20th Century Indonesian Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Metal

Pair of African Lobi Tribe Wooden Chairs, 20th Century Folk Art
Located in Valby, 84
This unique pair of Lobi chairs from West Africa showcases the exceptional craftsmanship of the Lobi people, renowned for their functional yet sculptural designs. Hand-carved from so...
Category

20th Century African Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Very Collectable Antique Hand Carved Double Flower Printing Block for Wallpaper
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this hand carved in sycamore wood printing block with double flower detail This piece is part of a suite, I ...
Category

19th Century European Arts and Crafts Antique Folk Art

Materials

Sycamore

Polychrome Wood Gelede Headdress, Yoruba People, Nigeria, circa 1940s
Located in Aramits, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Gelede festivals honour the creative and dangerous power of women elders, female ancestors and goddesses known as "our mothers". The Gelede headdress often consists of two parts, a lower mask and an upper elaborate superstructure. The lower mask depicts a woman's face, it's composure expressing the qualities of calmness and patience. The numbers are the inventory numbers from Penn State University and Lehigh University. Exhibited: The Pennsylvania State University - Museum of Art permanent collection; The Lehigh University - Art Galleries permanent collection. Provenance: The collection of Dr and Mrs John E. Swanson. Dr John Swanson and his wife Marian lived from 1966 - 1981 in Lagos, Nigeria where Dr Swanson was the Advisor to the National Universities Commission and later on the Chief Planning Officer of the University of Ibadan, Nigeria. During their time in Africa the Swansons started to collect African art. In 1973 a part of their collection, circa 120 pieces went on loan to The Pennsylvania State University Museum of Art, where the remained until 1978. In 1981 Dr Swanson passed away and his wife Marian never returned to Africa. In 1982 Mrs Swanson lent 130 pieces to the Lehigh University Art Gallery where they remained until 1987. A few pieces were also lent to Lafayette College...
Category

Mid-20th Century Nigerian Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Mid 20th Century Hand Carved African Fertility Mask, Akan People
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A very decorative fertility mask by the Baule tribe, associated with the Akan people who live both in Ghana and in the Ivory Coast. The sides with three...
Category

Mid-20th Century Ivorian Tribal Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Vintage, New and Antique Folk Art

Folk art refers to a genre of art that shares the creator’s traditions, offering not just an artistic display but an opportunity to learn about a culture. Vintage, new and antique folk art typically reflects a heritage or location. It can include utilitarian objects and handmade art as diverse as weather vanes, portraiture and paintings, carnival art, quilts and duck decoys.

American folk art is frequently valued because of the traditional 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. Native American folk art includes functional objects reflecting their heritage, such as baskets, textiles and wooden pieces.

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 folk art on 1stDibs.

Recently Viewed

View All