Folk Art More Folk 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.
Early 1900s Belgian Antique Folk Art More Folk Art
Glass, Fruitwood, Scrap Wood, Paper
19th Century French Antique Folk Art More Folk Art
Leather, Wood
20th Century Mexican Folk Art More Folk Art
Wood
Early 20th Century American Folk Art More Folk Art
Enamel
Early 19th Century Mexican Antique Folk Art More Folk Art
Wood
Late 20th Century Turkmen Folk Art More Folk Art
Wool
Late 19th Century English Antique Folk Art More Folk Art
Wool
21st Century and Contemporary American Folk Art More Folk Art
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Folk Art More Folk Art
Wood
Early 20th Century Chinese Folk Art More Folk Art
Willow
20th Century English Folk Art More Folk Art
Acrylic
1920s Swedish Vintage Folk Art More Folk Art
Pine
Early 20th Century Swiss Folk Art More Folk Art
Brass
Early 20th Century French Folk Art More Folk Art
Metal
Early 20th Century American Folk Art More Folk Art
Leather, Wood
Mid-20th Century German Folk Art More Folk Art
Wood
1920s American Vintage Folk Art More Folk Art
Cane
1960s Ghanaian Vintage Folk Art More Folk Art
Cotton
20th Century American Folk Art More Folk Art
Ceramic, Shell
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art More Folk Art
Cotton, Linen, Velvet
1940s Egyptian Vintage Folk Art More Folk Art
Lucite, Beads, Textile
Early 20th Century European Folk Art More Folk Art
Brass
Late 20th Century Folk Art More Folk Art
Goatskin, Hardwood, Paint
Mid-20th Century North American Folk Art More Folk Art
Brass
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art More Folk Art
Wood
Early 20th Century Folk Art More Folk Art
Metal
Late 20th Century Folk Art More Folk Art
Stone
Mid-19th Century American Antique Folk Art More Folk Art
Wool, Linen
Late 20th Century Kenyan Folk Art More Folk Art
Beads
19th Century Dutch Antique Folk Art More Folk Art
Wood
Early 20th Century American Folk Art More Folk Art
Pine
20th Century Folk Art More Folk Art
Wood
1930s American Vintage Folk Art More Folk Art
Metal
Mid-19th Century Antique Folk Art More Folk Art
Copper
Late 20th Century American Folk Art More Folk Art
Wood
1980s Mexican Vintage Folk Art More Folk Art
Wood
Late 20th Century Folk Art More Folk Art
Wicker
1870s American Antique Folk Art More Folk Art
Rattan, Wood
Early 19th Century Antique Folk Art More Folk Art
Pine
Early 20th Century American Folk Art More Folk Art
Copper
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art More Folk Art
Copper, Zinc
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art More Folk Art
Wood, Plywood
1950s Mexican Vintage Folk Art More Folk Art
Wood, Paint
Mid-19th Century American Antique Folk Art More Folk Art
Brass
Early 1900s Swedish Antique Folk Art More Folk Art
Twig
Early 20th Century American Folk Art More Folk Art
Pine, Paint
Mid-20th Century Folk Art More Folk Art
Metal
1940s Vintage Folk Art More Folk Art
Hardwood, Paint
20th Century Folk Art More Folk Art
Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century Malian Folk Art More Folk Art
Wood
19th Century American Antique Folk Art More Folk Art
Wood
Early 1900s Italian Antique Folk Art More Folk Art
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Folk Art More Folk Art
Tin
Late 19th Century North American Antique Folk Art More Folk Art
Zinc
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art More Folk Art
Iron
19th Century German Antique Folk Art More Folk Art
Wood
20th Century Mexican Folk Art More Folk Art
Natural Fiber
1880s Antique Folk Art More Folk Art
Linen