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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.

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Style: Folk Art
Period: 18th Century and Earlier
18th Century Wooden Dairy Bowls
Located in Copenhagen, K
Very nice hand-carved 18th century dairy bowls made out of the rootwood. Some are later painted and som of them stamped with years and name.
Category

18th Century Danish Antique Folk Art Outsider and Self Taught Art

Materials

Wood

18th Century Wooden Dairy Bowls
18th Century Wooden Dairy Bowls

18th Century Wooden Dairy Bowls

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19th Century POW Shoe Snuff Box
Located in London, GB
19th Century POW shoe snuff box We are proud to offer a 19th century POW carved wooden snuff box, The toenails have likely been replaced over time. T...
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1880s Unknown Antique Folk Art Outsider and Self Taught Art

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19th Century POW Shoe Snuff Box
19th Century POW Shoe Snuff Box

19th Century POW Shoe Snuff Box

H 3.25 in W 5 in D 1.5 in
19th Century Napoleonic Prisoner of War Painted Casket Dominoes Set
Located in London, GB
19th Century Napoleonic Prisoner of War Painted Casket Dominoes Set A stunning example of an early 19th century Napoleonic prisoner of war hand painted casket dominos set. One of th...
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1820s French Antique Folk Art Outsider and Self Taught Art

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Natural Fiber

19th Century Napoleonic Prisoner of War Painted Casket Dominoes Set
19th Century Napoleonic Prisoner of War Painted Casket Dominoes Set

19th Century Napoleonic Prisoner of War Painted Casket Dominoes Set

H 4 in W 4 in D 10 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...
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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
"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

H 37 in W 7 in D 3 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 19th Century Measuring Stick
Located in London, GB
Early 19th century measuring stick One of the most unusual and tactile objects we have uncovered for our store. A hand carved early 19th century four...
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Early 19th Century Tibetan Antique Folk Art Outsider and Self Taught Art

Materials

Wood

Early 19th Century Measuring Stick
Early 19th Century Measuring Stick

Early 19th Century Measuring Stick

H 26.5 in W 1 in D 1.2 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
19th Century Tramp Art Vegetable Rack
Located in Nantucket, MA
19th Century Tramp Art wall hanging rack with carved crossed sticks and carved rosettes on one side.
Category

19th Century North American Antique Folk Art Outsider and Self Taught Art

Materials

Wood

19th Century Tramp Art Vegetable Rack
19th Century Tramp Art Vegetable Rack

19th Century Tramp Art Vegetable Rack

H 27 in W 13.5 in D 5 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
Wooden Tramp Art Sculpture
Located in Dallas, TX
Wonderful Wooden Decorative Tramp/Outsider Art Sculpture,
In the form of an architectural tower,
made of 100's of interlocking pieces of hand-carved wood,
withou...
Category

19th Century American Antique Folk Art Outsider and Self Taught Art

Materials

Wood

Wooden Tramp Art Sculpture
Wooden Tramp Art Sculpture

Wooden Tramp Art Sculpture

H 21 in W 9.5 in D 9.5 in
Outsider Art Carved Wooden Figure
Located in New York, NY
Outsider Art carved wooden figure, possibly of an African-American subject (possibly an African carving) of a man with his hands in a quizzical pose. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Folk Art Outsider and Self Taught Art

Materials

Wood

Outsider Art Carved Wooden Figure
Outsider Art Carved Wooden Figure

Outsider Art Carved Wooden Figure

H 13.5 in W 4 in D 2.5 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
Danish 18th Century Folk Art Tape Loom
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Small charming Folk Art tape loom with deep carvings and original paint, late 18th century, Denmark.
Category

Late 18th Century Danish Antique Folk Art Outsider and Self Taught Art

Materials

Paint, Wood

Danish 18th Century Folk Art Tape Loom
Danish 18th Century Folk Art Tape Loom

Danish 18th Century Folk Art Tape Loom

H 7 in W 5 in D 0.5 in
18th Century English Rushlight
Located in London, GB
18th century rushlight Item detail: We are proud to offer a very rare and highly decorative 18th century rushlight. Formed from a primitive hand beaten iron rod mounted into a later...
Category

1750s English Antique Folk Art Outsider and Self Taught Art

Materials

Iron

18th Century English Rushlight
18th Century English Rushlight

18th Century English Rushlight

H 17 in W 7 in D 7 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.

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