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Folk Art Ceramics

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
19th Century Decorated Stoneware Blue Decorated Crock
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fine double handled blue decorated stone ware crock is in good condition with minor chip on interior. There is an embossed three above the hand painted and decorated flowers on ...
Category

1850s American Antique Folk Art Ceramics

Materials

Pottery

Thomas Ritchie Alkaline Glazed Stoneware Pitcher Catawba Valley c 1870
Located in Mobile, AL
Thomas Ritchie is one of the better documented Catawba Valley NC potters who worked in the mid 19th century up until (it is estimated) about 1900. A number of his jugs, crocks and canning jars...
Category

1870s American Antique Folk Art Ceramics

Materials

Pottery

Antique American Mid-Atlantic States Yellow Slip Decorated Redware Pie Plate
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique redware pie plate. Found in Virginia. In red earthenware with 3 yellow slip wave-like devices to the center. The interior of the plate is glazed while the rim and exterior remain unglazed. Simply a wonderful early piece of early American redware...
Category

19th Century American Antique Folk Art Ceramics

Materials

Pottery

Tonala Folk Art Bird Mexican Hand Painted Colorful Pottery 1960s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Tonala Folk Art Pottery Plate Hand Painted Flying Bird, Mexico, circa 1960's. Vintage Mexican Tonala hand painted pottery bird Folk Art. Flora de la Cruz ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Large Red and White Hand Painted Ceramic Italian Soup Cup, Italy
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A beautiful large hand painted soup cup with handle made in Italy. Italian folk pottery has become highly coveted in recent years. This piece features a hand ...
Category

20th Century Italian Folk Art Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic, Paint

THUN Bozen South Tirol huge wall plate Italy traditional pottery hand painted
Located in Landshut, BY
Huge (Ø 33cm) and heavy (1521grs) Traditional South Tyrolian Wall Plate Manufactured by THUN Bozen History of the company The company was founded in 1950 by Count Otmar and Cou...
Category

20th Century Italian Folk Art Ceramics

Materials

Pottery

Mexican Nativity Set Folk Art Ceramic Christmas Decoration Pottery Sculptures
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
Folkloric ceramic nativity set decorated in Tonalá, Jalisco, México. Beautifully hand painted. Handmade in clay. Includes 14 figures. The figures are first handmade in clay and burned in a wood burned oven at low temperature, then painted with acrylic paint and decorated manually. Mexican folk art...
Category

2010s Mexican Folk Art Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Antique Branch Green Attributed Salt Glaze Stoneware Jug with Coggled Birds
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique American stoneware jug. Attributed to the Branch Green Pottery in Philadelphia, PA. Of ovoid form with an applied handle an...
Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Ceramics

Materials

Stoneware

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.
Category

1870s American Antique Folk Art Ceramics

Materials

Pottery

XIXth century french marotte black ceramic figure from ménigoutte 1880 folk art
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Marotte - head form original 19th century folk art ceramic figure Marotte Unique handmade piece Realised in Menigoutte - France Circa 1880 original good condition - see details ...
Category

Mid-19th Century French Antique Folk Art Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Mexican Vintage Ken Edwards Tonala Pottery Hand Painted Quail Bird
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Ken Edwards Mexican ceramic quail bird form Tonala Pottery. Beautiful vintage Mexican hand made and hand painted TONALA Art Pottery. Deco...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Ceramics

Materials

Pottery

19th Century American Potato Flask
Located in Chicago, IL
This mid-19th century American Rockinghamware stoneware flask is a delightful nod to whimsy and practicality. Shaped like a humble potato, it’s a rare ...
Category

1850s American Antique Folk Art Ceramics

Materials

Stoneware

Tonala Folk Art Pottery Plate Hand Painted with Birds, Mexico, circa 1960's
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Handcrafted Ken Edwards ceramic plate Tonala Mexico Folk Art Pottery. Vintage Ken Edwards Mexican ceramic birds and flowers from Tonala Pottery. ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Mata Ortiz Polychrome Effigy Pot by Mauro Quezada, 1989
By Mauro Quezada
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Polychrome effigy pot Mauro Quezada Hand coiled low fired clay 1989 Pueblo Quezada, Mata Ortiz, Chihuahua, Mexico Measures: 4.75 inches height x 5.5 inches...
Category

Late 20th Century Mexican Folk Art Ceramics

Materials

Clay, Paint

Ceramic Terracotta Sculpture Reclining Nude Figure in the Manner of Henry Moore
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Contemporary figural unglazed terracotta sculpture of an abstract reclining figure. An homage to sculptor Henry Moore. Made in 2019 by Oklahoma artist Emily Ladow Reynolds. Dimen...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Folk Art Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic, Clay, Terracotta

Pair of Large Japanese Ceramic Shi-Shi Dog Roof Tiles, Bizen Kiln, 20th Century
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Pair of Large Japanese Ceramic Shi-Shi Dogs roof tiles, Bizen kiln, 20th c. Bizen kiln is one of the oldest and well known kilns in Japan. This is a very unusual pose of Shi-Shi Do...
Category

20th Century Japanese Folk Art Ceramics

Materials

Clay

Folk Art Pottery Charger - Hand Painted Flowers & Swirls - Mexico - Circa 1980's
Located in Chatham, ON
Mexican folk art terra cotta charger or plate - large size - hand made and featuring hand painted flowers and elaborate border with swirls (all cold painted) - unsigned - Mexico - ci...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Mexican Tonala Pottery Hand Painted Bird Folk Art
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Mexican Tonala hand painted pottery bird Folk Art. Flora de la Cruz Acapulco Gro Mexico hand painted bird dove ceramic. Warm earth tone polych...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Ceramics

Materials

Pottery, Ceramic

20th Century Ransbottom Cookie Jar
Located in Los Angeles, CA
20th century Robinson Ransbottom cookie jar. 2qt canister. Beautiful condition.
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Ceramics

Materials

Pottery

Montopoli Arno Italian Plate with a Lion
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Montopoli Arno Italian Plate with a Lion An unusual piece made in terracotta marked Montopolyi Arno, the plate is a very attractive piece relief decora...
Category

1960s Vintage Folk Art Ceramics

Materials

Terracotta

English Mocha Pottery Pearlware Earthworm Jug
Located in Downingtown, PA
English Mocha Pottery Pearlware Earthworm Jug, Circa 1800-20 The pearlware mocha jug has three bands of blue slip and four of a white ground with two red-brown lines. The blue slip...
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Folk Art Ceramics

Materials

Pearlware, Pottery

Majolica Deruta Raffaellesco Decorative Ceramic Wall Plate 14'75 inches
Located in North Hollywood, CA
A large vintage Deruta Raffaellesco decorative wall plate with scalloped rim. Majolica hand-painted with magnificent detailing and artwork, extraordina...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Folk Art Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage Studio Pottery Unglazed Cream Ceramic Pitcher
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A pretty piece of studio pottery. Unglazed and unpainted, this pitcher is created from clay and has no signature. It would be a beautiful piece for display on a shelf or table. Dim...
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Mexican Antique Dolores Porras Clay Pottery Folk Art Terracotta Vessel Vase
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
This one of a kind Mexican antique is one of few pieces Dolores had at her home at the time she passed away. Dolores portrays the flora from her garden...
Category

Early 2000s Mexican Folk Art Ceramics

Materials

Terracotta, Clay, Pottery

Vintage Mexican Tonala Pottery Hand Painted Bird
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Mexican Tonala hand painted pottery bird Folk Art. Flora de la Cruz Acapulco Gro Mexico hand painted bird dove ceramic. Warm earth tone polych...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery

Mexican Hand Painted Colorful Tonala Pottery Ducks Set of Three
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Mexican Tonala hand painted pottery birds Folk Art with brass decoration in the style of Sergio Bustamante. Vintage Mexican ceramic and brass hand painted Tonala pottery duc...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Ceramics

Materials

Brass

English Mocha Pottery Pearlware Cat's Eye Design Jug
Located in Downingtown, PA
English Mocha Pottery Pearlware Cat's Eye Jug, Circa 1800-1820 The pearlware mocha jug has a band of tri-color cat's eye designs in brown, orange and blue with a series of band's a...
Category

Early 19th Century Antique Folk Art Ceramics

Materials

Pearlware, Pottery

Large Ceramic Gouda Charger made in Holland
Located in Redding, CT
Large Ceramic Gouda Charger made in Holland, Gorgeous Purple toned piece with amazing detail. Nice depth to the bowl. Perfect as a large fruit bowl. Please confirm dimensions prior t...
Category

1960s Vintage Folk Art Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

English Staffordshire Ceramic Toby Jug Figure
Located in Bradenton, FL
English Staffordshire ceramic Toby Jug figure with jug in right hand and sitting on a barrel. "Hearty Good Fellow" type with polychrome underglaze colors, de...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Folk Art Ceramics

Materials

Pottery

Mexican Day of the Dead Ceramic Collection
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is a wonderful Folk Art collection of Mexican traditional Day-of-the-Dead ceramic figures. Although unsigned these figures are in the style of the Aguilar Family of Oaxacan pott...
Category

Late 20th Century Mexican Folk Art Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic, Paint

Mexican Tonala Hand Painted Colorful Pottery Dove
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Mexican Tonala hand painted pottery dove Folk Art. Rita Tilleya Yelapa Mexico hand painted ceramic bird dove. Warm earth tone polychrome color...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage Studio Pottery Green Leaf Platter, Unsigned, Canada, 20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
Large vintage studio pottery serving platter - realistically modelled/molded as a leaf - over-all dark green glaze with subtle iridescence - kiln/firing stilt marks to the base - uns...
Category

20th Century Canadian Folk Art Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

19th Century Sponge Ware Bulbous Soft Paste Pitcher
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century sponge ware soft paste design sponge soft paste pitcher. The condition is very good and this is most unusual.
Category

19th Century American Antique Folk Art Ceramics

Materials

Pottery

Vintage Studio Pottery Teapot with Gargoyle Handle - Signed - Mid 20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
Vintage hand-made studio pottery glazed ceramic lidded teapot - applied and articulated terracotta gargoyle face - the tongue of the beast forming ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Canadian Folk Art Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Mexican Toy Carrousel Folk Art Colorful Day of the Death Antique Style Skeletons
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
Beautiful folk art toy piece made by La Familia Castillo. Handmade in clay and painted with acrylic paint. Created by master artisan Soledad Martha Hernández and her son Marco Anton...
Category

2010s North American Folk Art Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Folk Art Studio Pottery Bunny
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Folk Art Studio Pottery Bunny - We shop a lot and this bunny is one of our favorite finds. A precious little thing with a great spirit and energy. A compl...
Category

20th Century Folk Art Ceramics

Materials

Pottery

Small Mid Century Ceramic Outsider Stoneware Bowl in Blue and Brown
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A petite hand-thrown drip ceramic bowl in blue and brown. This piece is small and perfect for use as a trinket dish for change or keys. The vessel is round in form, and features drip...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic, Paint

19Thc Highly Decorated Three Gal.Cowden & Wilcox Jug
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This early 19Thc highly blue decorated Cowden & Wilcox pottery jug is from Harrisburg,Pennsylvania and is in fine condition.The heavy blue decoration is quite unusual with a tulip va...
Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Ceramics

Materials

Stoneware

Hungarian Red Ware Folk Art Rooster - Lidded Jug/Teapot by Imre Szűcs
Located in Morristown, NJ
A Hungarian Folk Art Red Ware Rooster Lidded Jug/Teapot by Imre Szűcs. A black/brown based rooster decorated with white dots and green, yellow and red painted elements. The spout is...
Category

Late 20th Century Hungarian Folk Art Ceramics

Materials

Pottery

Folk Art Terracotta Cat Egg Cup or Votive
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique and delicate - a terracotta ceramic cat acquired in Paris France. the piece is a compliment to many settings and would work well in a Childs space, or someone who is very fond of felines. The body has a bell inside (this I believe is to remind the owner that the person that gave it them Is always thinking of them... purchased for a special person, for sure. Could be used as an egg cup, for a votive or small office supplies...
Category

20th Century French Folk Art Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic, Terracotta

Hand Thrown Glazed, Signed and Dated Artisanal Ceramic Pottery Bowl
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Wheel thrown pottery glazed with a white glaze decorated with a hand painted blue flower pattern. This is a one of a kind object made in the ancient way by hand in a small artisanal ...
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Mid-20th Century Clay Pot Found in Guerrero, Southern Mexico De Guerrero
Located in Guadalajra, Jal
The pichancha or Tlalchiquihuite is a clay pot with small holes, which is used to wash the nixtamal. This utensil allows you to strain the nejayote (the lime water in which the corn ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Ceramics

Materials

Clay

Round Resin Stone Seashell Decorative Dish
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Round stone resin seashell serving dish or platter. The piece is very heavy and is blue, light gray and yellow in color. Three indentions in the shape of shells for serving oysters, ...
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Ceramics

Materials

Cast Stone

Shigaraki the Potters' Valley 1st Edition 1979 Japan Hardcover Book by Louise Al
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Shigaraki the potters valley 1st Edition 1979 Japan. by Louise Allison Cort. This is a study of one of the most influential ceramic traditions to emerge from Japan. It details the site of Shigaraki, its valuable wares and the potters who produced them, from their beginnings in the 10th century, to the present day. The farmer-potters of Shigaraki, a rural valley outside the ancient capital...
Category

Late 20th Century Folk Art Ceramics

Materials

Paper

Marbled Roadside Pottery Malachite Look Bowl in with Glazed Turquoise Interior
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A petite small clay roadside decorative touring bowl. This catchall or dish is short, and wide, and decorated with a malachite look green marbled design on the exterior. The inside is glazed in deep verdigris or turquoise. A lovely piece of earthenware, it is hand made and marked on the bottom with: Central City...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic, Earthenware, Paint

Green Swirl Ceramic Touring Pottery Folk Art Pot in Green and Brown
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A beautiful green, brown, and cream touring pot or planter. This piece is glazed on the interior in rich emerald verdigris blue-green glaze and will be perfect for use as a planter. Bottom reads in black: Made in Cripple Creek...
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Carousel Day of the Dead Ceramic Mexican Folk Art by Familia Castillo
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
Beautiful folk art piece made by La Familia Castillo. Handmade in clay and painted with acrylic paint. Day of the Dead theme. Created by master artisan Soledad Martha Hernández and...
Category

2010s North American Folk Art Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Ceramic Pulque Canteen From Coyotepec, Oaxaca, Circa 1950´s
Located in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato
Ceramic pulque / mezcal canteen from Coyotepec, Oaxaca, circa 1950´s showing agave motif design on the front side. The canteen has been hand crafted using black clay from San Bartolo...
Category

1950s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic, Clay

Large Scale Mexican Folk Art Ceramic Angel Vessel
Located in Atlanta, GA
Large scale Mexican Folk Art ceramic or stoneware angel vessel, Mexican, circa 1950s. We purchased the estate of an Atlanta Coca Cola executiv...
Category

1950s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Ceramics

Materials

Stoneware

Mexican Antique One of a Kind Flower Pot Clay Dolores Porras Ceramic Vase
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
Dolores Porras Enríquez is widely known throughout Mexico and the world for being the creator of a technique rooted in the land of Oaxaca: pottery in natural color, glazed and decora...
Category

1980s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Ceramics

Materials

Enamel

Ceramic Glazed Square Plate with Hand Painted Designs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ceramic plate features a square shape with turned up corners. The plate is glazed in a soft cream and beige coloring with speckling throughout. The piece is finished with two hand pa...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

California Studio Organic Pottery Vessel Brush Pot Vase
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Studio organic pottery vessel brush pot vase with incised Geometric pattern. A very nice California studio pottery earthenware vase with beautiful grayish blue and brown earth tones. The vase has a wonderful free form design featuring abstract stroke...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Ceramics

Materials

Pottery

Mexican Burnished Clay Chicken Kitchen Hen Egg Basket Decoration Hen Brown
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
This Mexican ceramic hen is an egg basket/container, perfect to keep eggs fresh -- a utilitarian kitchen piece by artist Manuel Reyes. Made with clay from Oaxaca and Zacatecas, painted with oxides from the region. Done with the hand-modeled technique and cooked in traditional wood-fired oven. Reyes has been constantly innovating with his hen collection, making this one of his most iconic works. Ceramic artist, sculptor and painter, Manuel Reyes (Mexico City, 1972) atended the Escuela Nacional de Artes Plásticas in Xochimilco, México. He was later mentored by Royer Von Guten, Joy Laville...
Category

2010s Mexican Folk Art Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic, Clay

Mexican Colorful Folk Art Ceramic Vase Tecuanes Dance Vessel
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
Beautiful Mexican ceramic vase made with cooked clay and decorated with acrylic paint. The vessel represents the traditional dance for the good...
Category

2010s Mexican Folk Art Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic, Acrylic, Clay

Royal Tichelaar Makkum Antique Delft Dutch Faience Hand-Painted Tiles
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Antique Dutch Delft polychrome tiles - set of 2. These are two attractive Dutch (Netherlands), Delft ceramic wall tiles, which we date to the l...
Category

19th Century Dutch Antique Folk Art Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic

Mexican Clay Sculpture Man with Bird on Head Ceramic Man Trunk Folk Art
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
Beautiful torso clay sculpture by Manuel Reyes, evoking Ceramic artist, sculptor and painter, Manuel Reyes (Mexico City, 1972) atended the Escuela Nacional de Artes Plásticas in Xochimilco, México. He was later mentored by Royer Von Guten, Joy Laville...
Category

2010s Mexican Folk Art Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic, Clay

Mexican Burnished Clay Chicken Kitchen Hen Egg Basket Decoration Hen Black
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
This Mexican ceramic hen is an egg basket, perfect to keep eggs fresh -- a utilitarian kitchen piece by artist Manuel Reyes. Made with clay from Oaxaca and Zacatecas, painted with ox...
Category

2010s Mexican Folk Art Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic, Clay

Day Of The Dead Offering Vessel From Mexico
Located in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato
Day of the Dead offering vessel pot from the Mixteca region of Oaxaca, Mexico, circa 1970´s
Category

1970s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Ceramics

Materials

Ceramic, Clay, Terracotta

Folk Art ceramics for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique folk art ceramics for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage ceramics created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include folk art, decorative objects, serveware, ceramics, silver and glass and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with ceramic, pottery and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art ceramics made in a specific country, there are North America, United States, and Mexico pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original ceramics, popular names associated with this style include Tonala Pottery, Marco Antonio Castillo , Dolores Porras , and Aurelio Martinez Flores. 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 ceramics differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $75 and tops out at $16,000 while the average work can sell for $550.

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