Folk Art Antiquities
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
Antique Danish Mangle Board Wedding Love Gift Painted Wood, Horse Handle, 1803
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Antique Danish mangle board (clothing and bedding press) dated 1803.
It is made from oak wood which is hand carved with a rich decoration of geometric blossoms. Painted in the colou...
Category
Early 19th Century Scandinavian Antique Folk Art Antiquities
Materials
Wood
Dated 1907 Museum-Quality Arts & Crafts Wall Cabinet, Hand-crafted Dragon Style
Located in Skien, NO
Over 100 years old Primitive Antique Norwegian Dragon Style Carved Hanging Cabinet, 1907
Description:
This rare and professionally carved hanging cabinet is a stellar example of Sca...
Category
Early 20th Century Norwegian Folk Art Antiquities
Materials
Pine, Hardwood, Beech
Late 19th C Authentic Shaker Wood Bucket. Pennsylvania, Circa 1885. All Original
Located in Incline Village, NV
This is an authentic and late 19th century hand made wooden Shaker bucket from Pennsylvania. in all original and unrestored, very good condition; with it...
Category
1880s Antique Folk Art Antiquities
Materials
Wood, Bentwood
Sculptural 19th Century Horn Chair with Footstool
Located in Chicago, IL
A sculptural armchair and matching footstool from the late 19th century, artfully assembled from the curving forms of American cattle horns. At once delicate and dramatic, the chair ...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Antiquities
Materials
Horn, Wool, Wood
Antique Stag Horn Handle American Walking Stick Circa 1900
Located in Incline Village, NV
Highly figured stag horn handle, turn of the 19th century walking stick with a round walnut shaft in original finish and wide 1 3/16" silver banded collar wrapped around the upper sh...
Category
Early 1900s American Antique Folk Art Antiquities
Materials
Silver
Decorative Wall Panel Made with Mexican Wrestlers (Folk Art)
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1970. We offer this Rare Decorative Wall Panel Made with Mexican Wrestlers Toys (Folk Art).
Category
1970s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Antiquities
Materials
Plastic
Vintage Turn of The Century Deer Horn Handle American Walking Stick Circa 1900
Located in Incline Village, NV
Desirable western themed walking stick with a deer horn, highly figured handle in natural bone colors, with original brown highlights to the boned recessed horizontal lines. This is ...
Category
Early 1900s American Antique Folk Art Antiquities
Materials
Bone
Antique Handmade Bronze Cowbell From Switzerland 1850s
Located in Hannover, DE
This bell has a wonderful and very loud sound. Ideal for a large house to call all the residents out to eat or on your property in the country, the children will hear this sound from...
Category
1850s Swiss Antique Folk Art Antiquities
Materials
Bronze
$555 Sale Price
20% Off
Fine Quality Late 19th Century Pennsylvania Shaker Bucket With Lid. All Original
Located in Incline Village, NV
Nice quality late 19thC Pennsylvania Shaker bucket with fitted lid in complete and all original condition with a lovely surface and patina. The original ...
Category
1890s American Antique Folk Art Antiquities
Materials
Wood
1900s Antique Hand Carved Wooden Cane
Located in Plainview, NY
An early 20th century hand carved wood men's cane. The cane features beautiful hand carving of flowers painted in multiple colors. The name of what it seems to be the original owner ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Antiquities
Materials
Wood
$520 Sale Price
20% Off
Scandinavian Folk Art Wine, Alcohol Oak Cask, 19th Century
Located in Bochum, NRW
Scandinavian Folk Art oak cask, crafted in the 19th century and steeped in rustic tradition.
Constructed from robust oak staves and secured with authentic iron banding, this piece e...
Category
1850s Swedish Antique Folk Art Antiquities
Materials
Iron
Antique Danish 1841 Mangle Board Wedding Love Gift Colorful Hand-Carved Wood
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Antique Danish or Scandinavian mangle board (clothing and bedding press) dated 1941. It has this text cut into it: KM JDR 1841 and a short text painted on both sides of the handle. I...
Category
1840s Scandinavian Antique Folk Art Antiquities
Materials
Wood
A fine Kuba Mask - Rustic African Folk Art
Located in Skien, NO
Ngaady aMwaash Mask. African Antique Folk Art Kuba Mask, originating from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Property from a Private Collection. Acquired by a Norwegian Collector...
Category
19th Century Congolese Antique Folk Art Antiquities
Materials
Softwood
antique shepherd’s chest, 1850’s
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Low shepherd’s chest with a beautiful appearance and proportions. These chests were made in the same way for centuries. They were decorated with traditional magical geometric symbols...
Category
1850s Romanian Antique Folk Art Antiquities
Materials
Beech
Early 20th Century Swedish Folk Art Painted Wooden Lunch Box, circa 1910
Located in Valby, 84
This early 20th-century Swedish allmoge wooden lunch box, dating to around 1910, is a fine example of traditional Scandinavian folk craftsmanship. Pai...
Category
1910s Swedish Vintage Folk Art Antiquities
Materials
Iron
Vintage Handmade Advertising Tire Iconic Bibendum Michelin Man
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1970. We offer this Vintage Handmade Advertising Tire Iconic Bibendum Michelin Man.
Category
1970s North American Vintage Folk Art Antiquities
Materials
Resin
Huge Folk/Tramp Art Side/End Table Box on Legs
Located in Clifton Forge, VA
This is the largest piece of chip carved tramp art I have ever had! It would definitely work as a side or end table and would be a great addition to anyone's collection. Tramp art wa...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Antiquities
Materials
Wood
Dated 1857 Hallingdal Rosemaling - Antique Vingebowl, Norway - Museum Quality
Located in Skien, NO
Important Musuem Quality Norwegian Rosemaling wooden vingebowl / ale / beer bowl from 1857 with original Painting / Rosemaling / rose painting. On...
Category
Mid-19th Century Norwegian Antique Folk Art Antiquities
Materials
Wood, Bentwood, Pine
18th Century, New England Paint Decorated Folk Art Box or Crate
Located in Atlanta, GA
This charming hand-painted wooden box exemplifies early American folk art, blending utility with artistry. The box is constructed with rose head nails, a detail indicative of late 18...
Category
18th Century American Antique Folk Art Antiquities
Materials
Wood, Paint
24 Pcs. Alabaster Mini Stone Fruit W/ Birds Eye Maple Compote
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Collection of 24 pieces of miniature stone fruit or alabaster hand painted mini alabaster fruits in a collection.The compote is a 19thc birds e...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Antiquities
Materials
Marble
$2,316 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Big Size Mexican Wood Tray
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
A wonderful Antique big size Mexican hand carved wood t with wonderful patina.
Category
Early 20th Century North American Folk Art Antiquities
Materials
Wood
Rare and Antique Mexican Carousel Horse
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1920. We offer this wonderfully charming Carousel Horse from Mexico. Handmade caved from wood with fabulous patina.
Category
1910s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Antiquities
Materials
Wood
Dated 1798 Important Norwegian Folk Art Tine Box, Primitive, Pine Bentwood
Located in Skien, NO
A museum-quality primitive antique tine of exceptional rarity, handcrafted in Norway's Trøndelag region in 1798. Representing the pinnacle of Scandinavian folk art, this pine box was...
Category
1790s Norwegian Antique Folk Art Antiquities
Materials
Bentwood, Pine
Set of 33 Antique Wood Bowling Balls, Late 1800's USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This remarkable set of 33 antique wooden bowling balls is an exceptional find, dating back to the late 1800s United States. Each piece is meticulously crafted from Lignum Vitae, a pr...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Antiquities
Materials
Wood
$44,500 / item
Dated 1835 Antique jug / tankard with rosemaling, Nordic, Rustic Farmhouse Style
Located in Skien, NO
Antique Norwegian Rosemaling Beer Tankard – Hand-Painted Farmhouse Jug, Dated 1835
A primitive, rustic tankard from Norway's countryside, handcra...
Category
Early 19th Century Norwegian Antique Folk Art Antiquities
Materials
Wood, Pine, Oak
20th C Original Painted Bank
Located in Los Angeles, CA
20th C original painted bank from Mexico. The bank is more Gray than the photos.
Category
20th Century Mexican Folk Art Antiquities
Materials
Pottery
$396 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Scandinavian Round Storage Box “Tejne” Decorated Pine, Late 19th Century
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Large Antique Scandinavian storage box made from wood, made in the last half of 1800. It's most likely from Sweden or Denmark.
It's a so called "Tejne" made for storing and transp...
Category
Late 19th Century Scandinavian Antique Folk Art Antiquities
Materials
Wood
19th Century Carved Bull Sign
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Carved and painted wood bull sign. Life size head with carved and painted details, real horns fitted to the head by lead sleeves. The top of the head fashioned from a thick sheath of...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Antiquities
Materials
Metal, Iron
Sag Harbor Whale Scrimshaw Cribbage Board
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
Authentic Scrimshaw carved into and antique tortoise shell with brass legs. Carved aboard the Ship Argonaut. A whaling ship from Sag Harbor New York from 1814-1832. The detailed carv...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Antiquities
Materials
Tortoise Shell
$9,012 Sale Price
30% Off
Olokun Head, Kingdom of Ife, Western Nigeria Hand Carved Hardwood
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Fascinating detailed Olokun head from the Kingdom of Ife in Western Nigeria.
Hand carved hardwood face with almond shaped eyes, neck creases and astounding facial incisions
Circa 1...
Category
Late 20th Century Beninese Folk Art Antiquities
Materials
Hardwood
Original Mexican Retablo "Exvotos" Oil on Tin
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this original Mexican Retablo "Exvotos" oil on tin, circa 1920.
Category
1920s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Antiquities
Materials
Metal
$1,400 Sale Price
30% Off
19th C Tin Wrapped Wooden Spice Containers, 10 Pieces
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th C Tin Wrapped Wooden Spice Containers.
Stamped: PATENT PACKAGE CO. NEWARK, NEW JERSEY. PAT'D AUG. 31, 1858. Lightweight hardwood construction. Ra...
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Antiquities
Materials
Wood, Bentwood
$716 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Dated 1827 - Antique Norwegian Wall Hanging Cabinet, Hand-Painted by Embrik Bæra
Located in Skien, NO
Antique Norwegian Wall Hanging Cabinet - 1827, Hand-Painted by Embrik Bæra
This exceptional primitive wall-hanging Cabinet / Cupboard / Sideboard ...
Category
Early 19th Century Norwegian Antique Folk Art Antiquities
Materials
Iron
$6,800 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Danish Wooden Mangle Board Wedding Love Gift with Horse Dated 1814
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Danish mangle board (clothing and bedding press) dated 1814.
It is made from oak wood which is hand carved and richly decorated abstract geometric flowers and branches with leaves a...
Category
1810s Scandinavian Antique Folk Art Antiquities
Materials
Wood
Vintage European Walking Stick with 12 Badges
Located in High Point, NC
Early 20th century hickory thorn walking stick from Europe. This walking stick has 12 badges, which were acquired by the hiker going from village to village and earning those souven...
Category
20th Century German Folk Art Antiquities
Materials
Metal
19th C English Field Artillery Ammunition Carrier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This 19th C English Field Artillery Ammunition Carrier dating about 1850 - 1860. The carrier has painted canvas over a wood frame and heavy leather carring handle. The carrier is sta...
Category
19th Century English Antique Folk Art Antiquities
Materials
Canvas, Wood, Paint
$716 Sale Price
20% Off
Dated 1835 Hallingdal Rosemaling - Antique Ambar Box, Norway - Museum Quality
Located in Skien, NO
Important Norwegian primitive antique amber butter bucket / ambar / Tine Box / Kitchen storage box / centerpiece / centerpiece, boasting stunning hand-carved details and rosemaling /...
Category
Early 19th Century Norwegian Antique Folk Art Antiquities
Materials
Wood, Bentwood, Pine
Large Antique Steer Weathervane c. 1880
Located in Lancaster, PA
Beautiful antique weathervane most likely by Cushing and White. Origin is New England c. 1880. This weathervane was purchased from Allan Katz Amer...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Antiquities
Materials
Copper
Exceptional 19th Century American Tramp Art Candle Box
Located in London, GB
Exceptional 19th century American Tramp Art candle box
We are proud to offer an exceptionally rare example of a mid-19th century handcrafted American Tramp Art Folk Art wall-mounted...
Category
1870s American Antique Folk Art Antiquities
Materials
Wood
1800s Ancient Icelandic "Askur", Primitive Museum-Quality Early Antique
Located in Skien, NO
Extremely Rare Antique Icelandic Askur Jar with Lid (ca. 1800–1850s) – Museum-Quality Collectible
This exceptional Askur, a traditional Icelandic food storage container, is a rare a...
Category
Early 19th Century Icelandic Antique Folk Art Antiquities
Materials
Wood, Ash, Pine
c.18/1900s RUSTIC hanging cabinet with Rosemaling, Baroque style, Norway
Located in Skien, NO
A small c.18/1900s Norwegian Rosemaling Baroque Cabinet - Hand-Painted Pine
This charming baroque-style cabinet is handcrafted from solid pine an...
Category
20th Century Norwegian Folk Art Antiquities
Materials
Iron
Swedish Stump Chair late 1700 century
Located in Farsta, SE
Exceptional Swedish Stump Chair ca 1650–1700
Crafted from driftwood sourced in Dalarna, Northern Sweden, this remarkable chair is made from a sing...
Category
1690s Swedish Antique Folk Art Antiquities
Materials
Pine
Early 20th Century Mexican Alms Box
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this early 20th century Mexican Alms box.
Category
Early 20th Century Mexican Folk Art Antiquities
Materials
Wood
Carved Wooden Horse Head, Swedish Folk Ar
Located in Kastrup, DK
Charming and finely carved wooden horse head with natural age-related patina.
In untouched original condition, with traces of the original paint in shades of brown, red, and beige — ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Antiquities
Materials
Wood
Decorated Dutch Antique Copper Bowl / Pot with Lid, 18th Century, Dated 1750
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Antique copper bowl with lid, 18th century
Beautiful and richly decorated antique copper pot with lid with a very attractive decorated dec...
Category
18th Century Dutch Antique Folk Art Antiquities
Materials
Copper, Metal
Scandinavian Folk Art Wooden Lidded Tankard, Norwegian, Dated 1865
Located in Bochum, NRW
Embrace the timeless spirit of 19th-century Scandinavian craftsmanship with this exceptional Norwegian wooden lidded tankard, dated 1865 and adorned with painted initials that echo a...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Antiquities
Materials
Wood
Norwegian Stump Chair ca 1820s
Located in Farsta, SE
Norwegian Stump Chair late 1800-century
Made out of pine with amazing patina and some original paint left.
Height: 70 cm/27.5 inc
Depth: 25 cm/9.8 inch
Width: 37 cm/14.5 inch
Seat ...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Antiquities
Materials
Pine
Fantastic American Paint Decorated Folk Art Cutlery Tray - Circa 1845
Located in Atlanta, GA
American, circa 1845.
One of the finest quality folk art cutlery trays on the market. Not only does this piece have its original robin's egg blue paint to...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Folk Art Antiquities
Materials
Pine, Paint
$600 Sale Price
20% Off
An Important Carved Pine Bucket by Lars Kinsarvik (1846-1925), Norway, c.1900
By Lars Kinsarvik
Located in Skien, NO
**An Important Norwegian Folk Art Carved Butter Bucket (Amber Tine) by Lars Kinsarvik (1846-1925), Hardanger, Norway, circa 1900**
This exceptional butter bucket, or *Amber Tine*,...
Category
Early 20th Century Norwegian Folk Art Antiquities
Materials
Bentwood, Pine
A Carved boxwood spoon - late 19th century - France.
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
Carved boxwood spoon, likely from the late 19th century, handcrafted in France as a monoxylous piece with a beautiful patina. Fine example of French folk...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Folk Art Antiquities
Materials
Boxwood
$268 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Ceramic Egg Shape Native American Hand Decorated Seed Pots, Set of 2
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A pair of ceramic egg shape Native American seed pots. Each pot is ovular and egg-like in shape and features a small hole at the base of each pot. Pots like these were used to store ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Antiquities
Materials
Ceramic, Paint
$560 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Antique Vintage Multicolored Pair of Wood Carousel Horses Austria, circa 1890
Located in Vienna, AT
Antique vintage pair of carousel horses from multicolored lacquered wood Austria circa 1890.
The carousel horses feature a carved wooden white lacquered body with white lacquered iro...
Category
1890s Antique Folk Art Antiquities
Materials
Iron, Sheet Metal
Chinese Painted Bamboo Walking Stick, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This 19th-century walking stick from northern China is comprised of a length of thin bamboo that has been steamed and bent into a hook shape. The bamboo segments are painted in alter...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Folk Art Antiquities
Materials
Bamboo
19Thc Original Grey Painted Carrier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19THC Original blue / grey painted knife box or carrier. This cutlery is square nail construction and strong and sturdy.
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Antiquities
Materials
Wood
$388 Sale Price
20% Off
18/1900s A Fine Bena Lulua Mask - Primitive African Folk Art
Located in Skien, NO
Antique Bena Lulua Mask
Late 1800s to Early 1900s – Democratic Republic of the Congo
This striking primitive folk art mask hails from the Bena Lulua people of the Democratic Republi...
Category
Early 20th Century Congolese Folk Art Antiquities
Materials
Softwood
$2,800 Sale Price
20% Off
Fox Head Doorstop, Cast Iron Door Stop A Beautiful Cast-Iron Doorstop
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Fox Head Doorstop, Cast Iron Door Stop
A Beautiful Cast-Iron Doorstop depicting a Fox Head dating from the 19th Century
This doorstop is Heavy and in sound used condition it is 6” h...
Category
19th Century Antique Folk Art Antiquities
Materials
Iron
1920's Cast Iron Native American Side Profile Plaque In Original Paint
Located in Lancaster, PA
A powerful and well-rendered 1920's cast iron relief plaque featuring a Native American man in side profile, complete with original multicolor paint and vibrant feathered headdress. ...
Category
1920s American Vintage Folk Art Antiquities
Materials
Iron
Popular Art Shelf in Pine, circa 1900
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Popular art shelf in pine circa 1900
Measures: depth : 23 cm.
Category
Early 20th Century European Folk Art Antiquities
Materials
Pine
19th century hand-painted American immigrant trunk
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An exceptional 19th century hand-painted American immigrant trunk bearing the name Henry A. Tefft of Racine, Wisconsin, richly decorated in a folk-art floral motif. This rare survivo...
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Antiquities
Materials
Leather, Wood, Paint
19th Century Huge Antique Swedish Folk Art Wooden Trough with Original Red Paint
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Very large and decorative Antique Swedish wooden trough made ca 1850s to late 1800.
The trough is made from pine wood and comes with its original warm Swedish red paint on the outsi...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Antiquities
Materials
Wood
Folk Art antiquities for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique folk art antiquities 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 antiquities created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include folk art, decorative objects, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art antiquities made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and Scandinavia 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 antiquities differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $250 and tops out at $28,000 while the average work can sell for $1,255.
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