Folk Art Decoys
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
20th Century American Folk Art Canada Goose on Custom Steel Mount
Located in Chicago, IL
This 20th-century American Folk Art masterpiece is a life-size Canada goose that captures the essence of rural creativity and cultural heritage. Its outstretched wings, crafted from ...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Decoys
Materials
Driftwood
Large Antique Wire & Canvas Paint Decorated Canadian Duck Decoy
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A large and fine example of a Folk Art Decoy in all original distressed condition. Antique paint decorated canvas and wire construction with original hook on verso.
Dimensions: 25" ...
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art Decoys
Materials
Wire
Chesapeake Bay Scaup Drake Sink Box Wing Decoy, circa 1940
Located in Nantucket, MA
Early Chesapeake Bay Scaup Drake Sink Box Wing Decoy, circa 1940, a very shallow flat bodied decoy in original condition, original black and white paint on head and body, and painted...
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Decoys
Materials
Wood
2 Craig Fellows Big Sky Carvers Signed Mallard Drake Duck Decoys 11"
Located in Dayton, OH
Pair of vintage carved and painted wooden duck decoys / figurines - one Redhead Drake and one Red-breasted Merganser - signed by artist craig Fellows of Big Sky Carvers of Bozeman, M...
Category
1980s Vintage Folk Art Decoys
Materials
Hardwood, Paint
3 Carved Drake Duck Decoys Big Sky Carvers Craig Fellows DA Callaway 19"
Located in Dayton, OH
Three vintage 1980's hand carved wooden duck decoys with stained feather details and amber glass eyes. Two by Craig Fellows of Big Sky C...
Category
1980s Vintage Folk Art Decoys
Materials
Hardwood
Oscar Peterson Minnow Decoy Repainted by Jess Ramey, circa 1930
By Oscar Peterson
Located in Nantucket, MA
Oscar Peterson Minnow Decoy repainted by Jess Ramey, Cadillac, Michigan, circa 1930, an early Period II Peterson working ice fishing decoy that recei...
Category
1920s American Vintage Folk Art Decoys
Materials
Wood
Early 20th Century Hand Painted Duck Decoy Antique, USA owned by Bob Tillbutt
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Found in Germany at an estate sale, this hand carved and hand painted duck decoy is perfect for the collector. Well used by a previous hunter the paint has faded through time althoug...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Decoys
Materials
Wood, Paint
Folk Art Preening White Winged Scoter Decoy by Reggie Birch
Located in Nantucket, MA
Folk Art Preening White Winged Scoter Decoy by Reggie Birch, circa 2000, in the manner of a Gus Wilson Monhegan Island decoy, hand carved of white cedar with neck and head turned back to preen feathers on the back, with carved detail to eyes, bill nares, inlet neck, raised wings and upswept tail; the paint is deliberately distressed and aged to produce a striking patina. The wood is as dried as an antique, and the decoy has been worked to appear well used in the field. One would never suspect this was not an actual antique if not for the prominent signature on the bottom.
Reggie Birch is a renowned award-winning decoy carver from Chincoteague Island...
Category
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Decoys
Materials
Cedar
Pair of early 20th century English estate made folk art decoy pigeons
Located in London, GB
Pair of early 20th century English estate made folk art decoy pigeons
Obtained from an Estate sale in Cornwall earlier this month, hand carved pine working pair of folk-art pigeon d...
Category
1910s European Vintage Folk Art Decoys
Materials
Pine
Early 20th Century carved hand painted decoy
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 20th century carved hand painted decoy circa 1920.
Hand painted Scandinavian decoy duck, black and white paint scheme with yellow eyes. Fine example of how things used to be...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Folk Art Decoys
Materials
Pine, Paint
Mason Premier Grade Bluebill Drake, circa 1920
Located in Nantucket, MA
Antique Mason Premier Grade Bluebill Drake Decoy, circa 1920, having head with glass eyes and carved mandible, nares and nail on bill, attached to hollow carved two part body (seam i...
Category
1920s American Vintage Folk Art Decoys
Materials
Wood
Early 20th century English estate made decoy duck
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century English estate made decoy duck.
A true example of an early 20th century English estate made decoy duck form, with glass eyes. With a wonderful, moveable head with ...
Category
Early 20th Century British Folk Art Decoys
Materials
Pine
Tall Painted Carved Wood Folk Art Crane with Drift Wood Legs
Located in New York, NY
Tall Painted Carved Wood Folk Art Crane with Drift Wood Legs is an exquisite and captivating piece of artistic craftsmanship. Standing at an impressive height of 56 inches, this maje...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Decoys
Materials
Wood
Pair of early 20th Century English Estate Made Folk art Decoys.
Located in London, GB
Pair of early 20th Century English Estate Made Folk art Decoys.
A delightful pair of early 20th century folk art estate made English decoy ducks. Of large proportion these two hand p...
Category
1920s British Vintage Folk Art Decoys
Materials
Wood
Early 20th century English estate made decoy duck.
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century English estate made decoy duck.
A true example of an early 20th century English estate made decoy duck form, with glass eyes. With a wonderful, pointed shape and p...
Category
1920s British Vintage Folk Art Decoys
Materials
Pine
Carved and Painted Black Duck Decoy, by Pat Gardner, Nantucket, circa 1960s
Located in Nantucket, MA
Carved and Painted Black Duck Decoy, by Pat Gardner, Nantucket, circa 1960s, a carved wooden working decoy style black duck with head set well back on shelf in the content posture, with carved mandible and nares, on plump body with paddle tail, signed M.P. Gardner Nantucket on the bottom, and retaining an old sticker inscribed "Gaillard." This is believed to be the only duck decoy that Pat ever made. amongst all her shorebird carvings. The decoy is extremely heavy, as if carved from a solid block of lignum vitae, ebony or the like.
Mary Patricia Gardner was born and lived her whole life on Nantucket. She studied under Frank Swift Chase, Ruth Haviland Sutton and Earl S. Ray, and was influenced by her grandfather Wallace Gardner, who was a trained sculptor. She became a member of the Artists Association of Nantucket in 1947. She was best known for her shorebird carvings, but also worked in watercolor and printmaking. She is viewed as one of the greater talents of her generation on Nantucket. Her work is highly sought after but only rarely appears on the market.
This bird is from the personal collection of the late Nantucket antiques...
Category
1960s American Vintage Folk Art Decoys
Materials
Hardwood
Set of Five Small American Folk Art Fish Decoys
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Group of five Folk Art fish decoys composed of painted tinned iron sheet metal or aluminum fins and tails and carved wooden weighted lead bodies, some with ...
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Decoys
Materials
Lead
Carved Canada Goose by Frank Finney
By Frank Finney
Located in Nantucket, MA
Canada swimming goose, hollow carved with glass eyes and lead plate
Signed/incised and titled on the bottom, "The Swimmer, Frank S Finney"
circa 1980.
Category
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Decoys
Materials
Wood
Elmer Crowell Quarter Sized Canada Goose Decoy, circa 1930s
Located in Nantucket, MA
Antique Quarter Sized Canada Goose Decoy, by J.Elmer Crowell, East Harwich, MA (1862 - 1952), circa 1928 - 1943, a hand carved and painted diminutive Can...
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Decoys
Materials
Cedar
Early 20th Century Hand Painted Duck Decoy Antique German
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Found in Germany at an estate sale, this hand carved and hand painted duck decoy is perfect for the collector. Well used by a previous hunter t...
Category
1910s German Vintage Folk Art Decoys
Materials
Wood, Paint
Set of Four 20th Century Folk Art Carved Decoys in Custom Wall Mounts
Located in Chicago, IL
A spirited and playful set of four 20th century American Folk Art wood decoys each with hand carved bodies and heads supported by natural contorted branch necks that add instant indi...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Decoys
Materials
Wood
Grouping of Five Hand-Painted and Carved American Folk Art Fish Decoys
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Group of five Folk Art fish decoys composed of painted tinned iron sheet metal or aluminum fins and tails and carved wooden weighted lead bodies, some with ...
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Decoys
Materials
Metal, Aluminum
Wooden Decoy Duck on Stand, circa 1910
Located in Hastings, GB
Beautiful early 20th century French decoy duck. Hand carved in wood and hand painted, the decoy has a movable head that can be turned left or right, it is a...
Category
1910s French Vintage Folk Art Decoys
Materials
Iron
Early 20th Century Hand Painted Duck Decoy Antique, German
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Found in Germany at an estate sale, this hand carved and hand painted duck decoy is perfect for the collector. Well used by a previous hunter t...
Category
Early 20th Century German Folk Art Decoys
Materials
Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century Hand Painted Duck Decoy Antique German
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Found in Germany at an estate sale, this hand carved and hand painted duck decoy is perfect for the collector. Well used by a previous hunter t...
Category
1910s German Vintage Folk Art Decoys
Materials
Paint, Wood
Early 20th Century Hand Painted Decoy Duck, Antique German
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Found in Germany at an estate sale, this hand carved and hand painted duck decoy is perfect for the collector. Well used by a previous hunter the paint has faded through time althoug...
Category
1910s German Vintage Folk Art Decoys
Materials
Wood, Paint
Late 19th Century Hand Painted Duck Decoy Antique, German
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Found in Germany at an estate sale, this hand carved and hand painted duck decoy is perfect for the collector. Well used by a previous hunter t...
Category
1890s German Antique Folk Art Decoys
Materials
Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century Hand Painted Duck Decoy Antique, German
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Found in Germany at an estate sale, this hand carved and hand painted duck decoy is perfect for the collector. Well used by a previous hunter the paint ha...
Category
Early 20th Century German Folk Art Decoys
Materials
Wood, Paint
Hand Carved and Painted Large Vintage Wood Duck Decoy, Early 20th Century
Located in Studio City, CA
A fantastic early to Mid-20th Century handmade duck or mallard decoy with a swivel neck and glass eyes.
Would be a great addition to any collection o...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Decoys
Materials
Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century English Country Estate Folkart Decoy
Located in London, GB
We are proud to offer a rare example of a late 19th century hand carved form of a decoy, possibly a coot. A heavily weathered working example with an unusual lead weight keel, old re...
Category
1920s British Vintage Folk Art Decoys
Materials
Wood
Barrow's Goldeneye Drake Decoy
Located in Nantucket, MA
Scarce vintage Barrow's Goldeneye Drake Decoy, signed RAS '76. The Barrow's Goldeneye is a very unusual, rare species to see as a decoy. This is a real ...
Category
1970s American Vintage Folk Art Decoys
Materials
Pine
Mason Standard Grade Painted Eye Mallard Hen Decoy, circa 1910
Located in Nantucket, MA
Antique Mason Standard Grade Painted Eye Mallard Hen Decoy, circa 1910, having head with carved and painted eyes, attached to solid carved body with slightly protruding breast. In mo...
Category
1910s American Vintage Folk Art Decoys
Materials
Wood
Small Shell Encrusted Owl, Philippines
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A small shell encrusted owl created by hand from seashells. This piece depicts a bird, sitting upon a perch, with small eyes and plumage decorated from different color seashells.
...
Category
Mid-20th Century Philippine Folk Art Decoys
Materials
Shell
Early 20th Century English Folk Art Decoy Duck Form
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century English Folk Art decoy duck form
A working example of an early 20th century English Folk Art decoy. Hand carved from wood, with lead weight still in place at the ...
Category
1920s British Vintage Folk Art Decoys
Materials
Pine
D.W. Nichol Signed Hand Carved Wood Duck Decoy, Male Cinnamon Teal
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderful work, a male cinnamon teal, hand carved and painted by renowned duck decoy artist D W Nichol. Beautifully crafted and decorated.
The work is signed "Male Cinnamon Teal...
Category
20th Century Canadian Folk Art Decoys
Materials
Wood, Paint
Late 19th Century Hand Painted Bluebill Rochester Duck Decoy Antique
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Found in Germany at an estate sale, this hand carved and hand painted duck decoy is perfect for the collector. Well used by a previous hunter the paint has faded through time althoug...
Category
1880s American Antique Folk Art Decoys
Materials
Wood, Paint
Hand Carved Folk Art Wooden Duck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Folk Art hand carved wooden duck - a wonderful piece! One of our favorite pieces, the life size shape and graceful angle of the neck give the p...
Category
20th Century Folk Art Decoys
Materials
Wood
Pair of Life Size Antique Carved and Painted Swan Figures
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A large and impressive pair of hand carved Swans which may have at one time been decoys having fine form and presence. In newer white paint with black beaks and eyes. The unpainted i...
Category
19th Century Antique Folk Art Decoys
Materials
Wood
Folk Art Heron Decoy
Located in Nantucket, MA
Vintage Folk Art Heron Decoy, likely, circa 1960s or 1970s. A stately heron carved in an alert posture with upraised head and elongated neck. Decoy was made in three parts, nicely ha...
Category
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Decoys
Materials
Wood
Classic Maine Eider Drake Decoy, circa 1920s
Located in Nantucket, MA
Classic antique Maine Eider Drake Decoy, circa 1920s, with head tucked back in contented posture. Decoy is in well worn original paint with touch-ups to the black areas. The neck has obvious very old crack but is strong and stable. The great painted surface is dry and weathered. Looks and is a true down east "Old Salt...
Category
1920s American Vintage Folk Art Decoys
Materials
Wood
Massachusetts Goldeneye Hen Decoy, circa 1920s
Located in Nantucket, MA
Early vintage goldeneye ("whistler") hen decoy, from Massachusetts, circa 1920s, having a solid carved pine wide body with sloping tail, the hand whittled head with long neck set on ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Decoys
Materials
Pine
Schmidt Tole-Ware Decoy Goose
Located in London, GB
Schmidt tole-ware decoy goose
We are proud to offer a highly decorative Schmidt tin tole-ware double sided painted decoy goose dated circa 1930. This is a ...
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Decoys
Materials
Tin
Folk Art Cast Iron Duck Form Lawn Sprinkler
Located in Ferndale, MI
Cast iron duck water or lawn sprinkler. Original worn paint.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Decoys
Materials
Iron
19th Century Agile Painted Wooden Figure
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
According to tradition earlier at Schackenborg Castle. Similar figure of a soldier, is to be found at the Danish National Museum.
Schackenborg Castle came to belong to the Schack family 11 generations ago. The last count had no children...
Category
19th Century Danish Antique Folk Art Decoys
Materials
Wood
Folk Art decoys for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique folk art decoys 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 decoys created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include folk art, decorative objects, building and garden elements and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, paint and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art decoys made in a specific country, there are North America, United States, and Europe pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original decoys, popular names associated with this style include Frank Finney, and Oscar Peterson. 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 decoys differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $200 and tops out at $6,450 while the average work can sell for $925.
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