Folk Art Carnival Art
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.
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Carnival Art
Canvas
1950s American Vintage Folk Art Carnival Art
Canvas
1950s American Vintage Folk Art Carnival Art
Canvas
1970s American Vintage Folk Art Carnival Art
Chrome
1910s British Vintage Folk Art Carnival Art
Wood
1970s Vintage Folk Art Carnival Art
Paper
1970s American Vintage Folk Art Carnival Art
Paper
1970s American Vintage Folk Art Carnival Art
Paper
Early 20th Century North American Folk Art Carnival Art
Steel
1970s American Vintage Folk Art Carnival Art
Paper
1950s British Vintage Folk Art Carnival Art
Metal
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Carnival Art
Canvas, Cotton, Wood
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Carnival Art
Wood, Paint
1960s German Vintage Folk Art Carnival Art
Wood
1880s German Antique Folk Art Carnival Art
Wood
1960s English Vintage Folk Art Carnival Art
Wood
1920s American Vintage Folk Art Carnival Art
Iron
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Carnival Art
Canvas
Early 1900s German Antique Folk Art Carnival Art
Wood, Paper
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Carnival Art
Metal
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Carnival Art
Paint, Wood
Early 20th Century Folk Art Carnival Art
Wood
1930s English Vintage Folk Art Carnival Art
Paper
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Carnival Art
Wood
1890s American Antique Folk Art Carnival Art
Metal
Mid-20th Century German Folk Art Carnival Art
Metal
1920s Unknown Vintage Folk Art Carnival Art
Leather
19th Century French Antique Folk Art Carnival Art
Wood
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Carnival Art
Metal
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Carnival Art
Wood
Late 19th Century Antique Folk Art Carnival Art
Hardwood, Burl
1890s American Antique Folk Art Carnival Art
Wood
20th Century Italian Folk Art Carnival Art
Gold, Brass, Metallic Thread
Early 20th Century Folk Art Carnival Art
Hardwood
Late 19th Century English Antique Folk Art Carnival Art
String, Pine
1950s British Vintage Folk Art Carnival Art
Paper
1920s American Vintage Folk Art Carnival Art
Wood
20th Century Mexican Folk Art Carnival Art
Wood
Late 19th Century French Antique Folk Art Carnival Art
Iron
1920s British Vintage Folk Art Carnival Art
Mirror, Wood
1920s American Vintage Folk Art Carnival Art
Wood
Early 20th Century German Folk Art Carnival Art
Metal
1990s Mexican Folk Art Carnival Art
Ceramic, Clay
1910s American Vintage Folk Art Carnival Art
Iron
Late 19th Century Antique Folk Art Carnival Art
Wood
1930s French Vintage Folk Art Carnival Art
Wood, Paint
19th Century Antique Folk Art Carnival Art
Metal, Iron
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Carnival Art
Wood, Paint
19th Century Antique Folk Art Carnival Art
Wood
Mid-19th Century Dutch Antique Folk Art Carnival Art
Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Carnival Art
Leather
Mid-20th Century Folk Art Carnival Art
Composition
Early 20th Century Kenyan Folk Art Carnival Art
Hide, Rope, Wood
1890s American Antique Folk Art Carnival Art
Wood
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Carnival Art
Fabric, Canvas
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Carnival Art
Metal
Early 20th Century Folk Art Carnival Art
Wood
1890s English Antique Folk Art Carnival Art
Wood