Skip to main content

Folk Art Outsider and Self Taught Art

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.

1
to
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
Style: Folk Art
Color:  Orange
"The Bird Cane", Unusual Early 20th Century Walking Cane
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century walking cane We are proud to offer a highly unusual walking cane made from aged bamboo. This unique and artistic object has naturally taken the form of a bird. ...
Category

1920s British Vintage Folk Art Outsider and Self Taught Art

Materials

Bamboo

"The Bird Cane", Unusual Early 20th Century Walking Cane
"The Bird Cane", Unusual Early 20th Century Walking Cane

"The Bird Cane", Unusual Early 20th Century Walking Cane

Related Items
Early 20th Century Carved and Painted Wood Whirligig
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Carved and painted wooden soldier whirligig. Early 20th century American. Soldier has a leather hat with wooden brim. Presented on simple custom museum...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Outsider and Self Taught Art

Materials

Wood

Early 20th Century Carved and Painted Wood Whirligig
Early 20th Century Carved and Painted Wood Whirligig

Early 20th Century Carved and Painted Wood Whirligig

H 16.5 in W 12.5 in D 6 in
Early 20th C Large Black Forest Carving with Bird and Nest
Located in Troy, MI
Circa 1920s large hand carved Black Forest piece with an intricately rendered bird and nest. This is just under 16” tall and is 9” wide. Very good antiq...
Category

Early 20th Century German Folk Art Outsider and Self Taught Art

Materials

Wood

Early 20th C Large Black Forest Carving with Bird and Nest
Early 20th C Large Black Forest Carving with Bird and Nest

Early 20th C Large Black Forest Carving with Bird and Nest

H 15.75 in W 9 in D 6 in
Early 20th Century Porcelain Maneki Neko, Japan
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Early 20th century porcelain Maneki Neko, Japan This porcelain Maneki Neko, the good fortune beckoning cat, is a molded seated form with the right raised ...
Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Folk Art Outsider and Self Taught Art

Materials

Porcelain

Early 20th Century Porcelain Maneki Neko, Japan
Early 20th Century Porcelain Maneki Neko, Japan

Early 20th Century Porcelain Maneki Neko, Japan

H 8.25 in W 5 in D 5 in
Early 20th Century German Deer Target
Located in Chicago, IL
A unique and chic early 20th century German iron hunting target in the shape of a grazing deer, and with a fantastic pitted painted finish. Perfect for ...
Category

Early 20th Century German Folk Art Outsider and Self Taught Art

Materials

Iron

Early 20th Century German Deer Target
Early 20th Century German Deer Target

Early 20th Century German Deer Target

H 17.25 in W 22.5 in D 5 in
Mid 20th Century Folk Art Cowboy Rodeo Whirligig
Located in Nantucket, MA
Mid 20th century Folk Art cowboy Rodeo Whirligig, circa 1940s to 50s, comprising four carved and painted cowboys mounted on horseback riding in a circle a...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Outsider and Self Taught Art

Materials

Copper

Mid 20th Century Folk Art Cowboy Rodeo Whirligig
Mid 20th Century Folk Art Cowboy Rodeo Whirligig

Mid 20th Century Folk Art Cowboy Rodeo Whirligig

H 23.5 in W 24.5 in D 24 in
Early 20th Century Folk Art Driftwood Dachshund Dog
Located in Nantucket, MA
Early 20th century Folk Art driftwood dachshund, circa 1920, a natural form piece of driftwood that has been augmented with the addition of inset Periwinkle shell eyes, two drilled n...
Category

1920s American Vintage Folk Art Outsider and Self Taught Art

Materials

Driftwood

Early 20th Century Folk Art Driftwood Dachshund Dog
Early 20th Century Folk Art Driftwood Dachshund Dog

Early 20th Century Folk Art Driftwood Dachshund Dog

H 8 in W 17 in D 6.75 in
Early 20th Century Folk Art Carved Wood Deer Sculpture
Located in Chicago, IL
A stoic yet charming early 20th century Folk Art carved wood deer sculpture, nearly life size, with a wonderful dry weathered finish, and mounted on a custom steel mount. Perfect dis...
Category

Early 20th Century Folk Art Outsider and Self Taught Art

Materials

Wood

Early 20th Century Folk Art Carved Wood Deer Sculpture
Early 20th Century Folk Art Carved Wood Deer Sculpture

Early 20th Century Folk Art Carved Wood Deer Sculpture

H 41 in W 31 in D 14 in
20th Century Block Print
Located in Denton, TX
20th century framed block print.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Outsider and Self Taught Art

Materials

Wood, Paint, Paper

20th Century Block Print
20th Century Block Print

20th Century Block Print

H 20.5 in W 16.25 in D 1.25 in
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Carved Wood Chain
Located in Chicago, IL
Don't let your eyes fool you, you're not looking at a boring iron chain. This is a stunning early 20th century American Folk Art fourteen foot long wooden chain...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Outsider and Self Taught Art

Materials

Wood

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Carved Wood Chain
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Carved Wood Chain

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Carved Wood Chain

H 2 in W 168 in D 2 in
Antique Early 20th Century Folk Art Found Object Memory Jug
Located in Seguin, TX
Antique circa 1918 folk art memory jug. Stoneware pottery jug covered in found objects. Objects include, shells, crystals, stones, Heinz 57 pickl...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Outsider and Self Taught Art

Materials

Stone, Rock Crystal

Antique Early 20th Century Folk Art Found Object Memory Jug
Antique Early 20th Century Folk Art Found Object Memory Jug

Antique Early 20th Century Folk Art Found Object Memory Jug

H 9 in W 9 in D 9 in
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Birdhouse
Located in Chicago, IL
A whimsical early 20th century American Folk Art purple Martin pine birdhouse with two levels, eight entrances, and a wonderfully shingled roof and weath...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Outsider and Self Taught Art

Materials

Pine

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Birdhouse
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Birdhouse

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Birdhouse

H 24 in W 24 in D 24 in
Swedish Hand-Carved Painted Wooden Figure of a Drunk Man, Dated 1931
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A Swedish Folk Art polychrome carved figure of a drunk man with a beer bottle in his hand. Dated 1931 and signed S.N.
Category

Early 20th Century Swedish Folk Art Outsider and Self Taught Art

Materials

Pine

Swedish Hand-Carved Painted Wooden Figure of a Drunk Man, Dated 1931
Swedish Hand-Carved Painted Wooden Figure of a Drunk Man, Dated 1931

Swedish Hand-Carved Painted Wooden Figure of a Drunk Man, Dated 1931

H 9.26 in W 3.94 in D 1.97 in
Previously Available Items
Vintage Heavy Sheet Iron Orange Coyote Dog Folk Art Targets
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Great pair of very heavy sheet iron vintage coyote targets. Perhaps a subtle "scarecrow" for coyotes raiding the henhouse. Handmade by a rancher in Southwest Nebraska. Fantastic orig...
Category

1950s American Vintage Folk Art Outsider and Self Taught Art

Materials

Iron, Sheet Metal

Vintage Heavy Sheet Iron Orange Coyote Dog Folk Art Targets
Vintage Heavy Sheet Iron Orange Coyote Dog Folk Art Targets

Vintage Heavy Sheet Iron Orange Coyote Dog Folk Art Targets

H 23 in W 43 in D 0.13 in
Rare 1970s Handmade Textile Art Wall Hanging Depicting Gender Transformation
Located in Peabody, MA
Midcentury 1970s handmade quilted mixed-media textile wall hanging consisting of 12 panels depicting the incremental transformation of a figure from male to female and back again. Th...
Category

1970s American Vintage Folk Art Outsider and Self Taught Art

Rare 1970s Handmade Textile Art Wall Hanging Depicting Gender Transformation
Rare 1970s Handmade Textile Art Wall Hanging Depicting Gender Transformation

Rare 1970s Handmade Textile Art Wall Hanging Depicting Gender Transformation

H 33 in W 25.5 in D 0.5 in

Folk Art outsider and self taught art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique folk art outsider and self taught art 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 outsider and self taught art created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include folk art, decorative objects, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art outsider and self taught art 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 outsider and self taught art, popular names associated with this style include Captain George Grant, Gadu, Linvel Barker, and Peter Hunt. 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 outsider and self taught art differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $150 and tops out at $45,000 while the average work can sell for $1,400.

Recently Viewed

View All

More Ways To Browse

Mirror Shelf Drawer
Victorian Mahogany Chest Of Drawers
Two Piece China Cabinet
Mid Century Modern Dresser Set
Two Piece Cabinet Chinese
Art Deco Pair Of Drawers
Vintage Curved Glass Cabinet
Antique Desk With Marble Top
Antique Dresser Cabinets And Cupboards
Kitchen Art Deco Mirror
Small Italian Commode
Small Mirror With Shelf
Antique Wood Carving Panel
Vintage Wardrobes And Armoires
French Dovetails Oak
Green Wood Cabinet Mid Century
Italian Neoclassical Chest Of Drawers
Large Vintage Wooden Cabinet
View All Popular Outsider and Self Taught Art Searches