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.
$260Sale Price|20% Off
Late 19th Century Danish Primitive Folk Art Tape Heddle Band Loom
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Impressive Danish painted folk art tape loom, also known as a heddle or band loom. It is a traditional tool used for weaving narrow bands of fabric, such as belts, straps, or decorat...
Wood, Paint
19Thc Original Blue Painted Bail Handled Pantry Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This amazing 19thc Original blue painted bail handled pantry box in fine as found condition. This fine pantry has a wonderful undisturbed patina and early nails.
Wood
Kentucky Burley Tobacco Basket with Original Red Rim, Horse Cave, c. 1880-1910
Located in Louisville, KY
A monumental Southern folk art tobacco basket hand-woven from split white oak, originating from Horse Cave, Kentucky, a historic center of burley tobacc...
Oak
Collection of Three Original Painted 19thc Pantry Boxes
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19Thc Original cream painted matching stack of pantry boxes from New England fine stack Collection. Largest pantry box measures - 9.75 diameter x 5 high Smallest pantry box measures...
Wood
Early 19Thc Wooden Carved Dough Bowl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19Thc Hand carved dough bowl from New England in great condition. The patina is amazing condition.
Wood
$2,200Sale Price|20% Off
Hand Carved Dough Bowl with Assorted Stone fruit
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This 19thc wood dough bowl with a collection of 24 pcs. of stone fruit or alabaster fruit.This collection includes the fruit & bowl as a collection.
Wood
Danish Primitive Folk Art Tape Heddle Band Loom
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Impressive Danish carved and painted tape loom, Denmark. Tape looms were historically used to weave narrow bands of fabric, such as belts, ribbons, and strap...
Wood, Paint
$1,516Sale Price|20% Off
19thc Blue Painted Butter Churn From PA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19thc painted blue butter churn from Pennsylvania in old grungy exterior with original wood churner stem/insert All original metal band and hardware nails also. Beautiful old age and...
Wood
Colossal Handmade Folk Art Church Birdhouse
Located in Redding, CT
Colossal Handmade Folk Art Church Birdhouse. Copper and tin roof with distressed wooden painted finish . Use outdoors or display inside as a piece of art
Copper, Metal
Mid-Century Hand-Painted Folk Art Wooden Bowl, Floral Tole Design
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A richly patinated mid-century hand-painted wooden bowl featuring vibrant floral decoration in the European folk art tradition. The interior showcases a stylized bouquet of painterly...
Wood, Paint
Antique Handmade Wooden and Metal Pitchfork
Located in San Francisco, CA
This tool stands as a silent testament to decades upon decades of back-breaking labor and thrift. Handcrafted, and likely used for pitching hay, it was endlessly stressed under immen...
Metal
18th Century Swedish Decorated Mangle Board
Located in Kramfors, SE
Folk art mangle board from northern Sweden. This is a typical proposal gift to the would-be bride from the groom. If he had the skill the groom would make...
Pine
Early 20th c. Make-Do Tomato Pin Cushion on 19th c. Dolphin Sandwich Glass Stand
Located in Litchfield, CT
Large whimsical early 20th century "make-do" tomato form pin cushion mounted on a 19th c. dolphin clambroth Sandwich Glass stand. Measures 7 3/4" tall x 5" diameter. A charming piece...
Fabric, Glass
Folk Art Hand Carved Spruce Whimsy Chain
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Nice, whimsical Folk Art chain whittled from one continuous piece of wood (spruce, in this case). One end features a hook, the other a clasp. The wood h...
Spruce
Early Salmon Painted Nantucket Light Ship Basket, Late 19th Century
Located in Nantucket, MA
9” Open round salmon painted Nantucket Lightship basket with wooden ears and original paint. The nails on the interior bottom indicate this was probably used as a vegetable baske...
Oak, Paint, Reed
Vintage Wooden Rolling Pins Set with Red Handles and Wall Rack
Located in Coral Gables, FL
A curated collection of five vintage wooden rolling pins, each featuring painted red handles and ranging in size from approximately 8.5 to 21 inches, presented together on a coordina...
Fruitwood
Long Folk Art Hand Carved Pine Whimsy Chain
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Wonderful, whimsical folk art chain whittled from one continuous piece of wood (pine, in this case). One end features what resembles an arrow fletching,...
Pine
Pair of Antique Hand-Carved Wooden Grain Mortars, Primitive Rustic Vessels
Located in BORGO, FR
Pair of Antique Hand-Carved Wooden Grain Storage Vessels, Late 19th–Early 20th Century A superb pair of antique hand-carved wooden grain storage vessels dating from the late 19th to...
Wood
Large Fruitwood Trog or Dough Bowl on Oak Stand
Located in Baltimore, MD
Our European vintage and antique wooden dough bowls or trogs are hand-hewn from whole split logs. They all feature remarkable handiwork and a beautiful patina. Some have small crac...
Fruitwood, Oak
Vintage Wooden Butter Mold and Press, Rectangular Box, Folk Art
Located in Coral Gables, FL
A wonderful vintage wooden butter mold and press, constructed as a rectangular box with its original removable lid and fitted wooden plunger. Originally used to shape freshly churned...
Hardwood
$556Sale Price|20% Off
19th Century American Folk Art Heart Shaped Iron Pad Lock & Key, Dated 1875
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th-century American folk art Heart-shaped forged iron pad lock and key, dated 1875 A remarkable 19th-century American heart-shaped forged iron padlock and key is a true testament ...
Wrought Iron, Iron
Set of Three Early 20th Century American Hand-Operated Food Choppers
Located in Coral Gables, FL
A set of three early 20th-century American hand-operated food choppers, each featuring a curved metal blade and wooden handle. Often described as primitive kitchen tools or mezzaluna...
Metal
19thc Wood Pueblo Hand Carved Spoon
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19Thc Pueblo hand carved scoop or large serving spoon with amazing patina.This is American for sure and possibly Navajo or Pueblo. The condition is very good.
Wood
Set of Nine Vintage Miniature Aluminum Gelatin and Dessert Molds
Located in Coral Gables, FL
A collection of nine vintage miniature aluminum molds, each formed in a different fluted or ribbed pattern and intended for individual molded desserts, gelatin preparations, aspics, ...
Aluminum
Sculptural Wood and Iron Strap 19th Century Farm Implement
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Super clean lines and sculptural 19th century American farm implement. Over eight and a half feet wide large scale looks amazing hung on a modern white...
Iron
Hand Carved Tribal Wooden Nepalese Beaker Milk Pot with Handle
Old Antique Farmhouse Rustic "Schwingstock" Ornamental Object from 1889
Located in OOSTERHOUT, NL
A unique antique schwingstock from 1832, used in the traditional processing of flax. This original farm implement is made of pine and bears both the initials of the original owner an...
Pine, Paint
19th Century Hand-Carved Antique Berber Wool Comb from Morocco
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Antique Moroccan tribal Folk Art Berber wool comb. 19th century, nice patina, Museum collector piece.
Metal
Danish Primitive Folk Art Tape Heddle Band Loom
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Impressive Danish carved and painted tape loom, Denmark. Tape looms were historically used to weave narrow bands of fabric, such as belts, ribbons, and strap...
Wood, Paint
Early 18th Century Italian Carved and Dovetailed Walnut Alms Box
Located in San Francisco, CA
Early 18th century Italian carved and dovetailed walnut alms box, circa 1725 Large dovetails and old handwrought nails give this small scale box a hea...
Iron
Pair of 19th-century American Hollow Cut Silhouettes
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine complimentary pair of silhouette portraits in profile. In the style of William Chamberlain (1790 - 1860) of Loundon, NH. Likely husband and wife. On cut paper with a black ...
Wood, Paper
19th century Primitive Painted Early American Floor Lamp
Located in Savannah, GA
Rare painted iron standing floor lamp made to burn oil but converted to electricity. Nice lines and detail with upturned feet, scroll work and finial at top. See measurements below.
Iron
Antique French Primitive Cutting Board, 19th Century
Located in BORGO, FR
A beautifully timeworn antique French cutting board hand-carved from a single thick piece of hardwood. This authentic primitive kitchen object features a substantial rectangular form...
Wood
Swedish 100% Original Painted Trunk Art
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a 100% Original Painted Swedish Trunk Art dated 1818. the trunk was found in a barn resting on its back in mud, it was in such bad condi...
Pine
Antique French Primitive Cutting Board, 19th Century
Located in BORGO, FR
A beautifully timeworn antique French cutting board hand-carved from a single thick piece of hardwood. This authentic primitive kitchen object features a substantial rectangular form...
Wood
Swedish 100% Original Trunk Art
Located in Hollywood, FL
This is a 100% Original Painted Swedish Trunk Art dated 1814. the trunk was found in a barn resting on its back in mud, it was in such bad condi...
Oak
Antique Carved and Decorated Ship's Figurehead
Located in Sheffield, MA
Antique carved and decorated ship's figurehead, circa 1890, depicting a regal bird with a beak. The sculpture is in original paint. Although there has been much paint loss and age cr...
Wood
$596Sale Price|25% Off
H 2 in Dm 30 in
19thc Wooden Folk Art Gaming Wheel with Original Red Paint & Cardinal Design
Located in Savannah, GA
19th Folk Art gaming wheel featuring four cardinals and hand painted numbers, it retains the original red and yellow paint. A charming piece of Americana that would make a colorful w...
Metal
$529
H 1.97 in W 25.99 in D 8.67 in
Swedish Early 19th Century Folk Art Washboard in Pine, circa 1850 signed AAS
Located in Boden, SE
A Swedish washboard in pine dated 1850 with owner initials AAS The farmers and country-side folks were proud of the few things they owned and used to carve their initials and to date...
Pine
Group Of Five Assorted Antique And Vintage Canes
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Included: Natural Wood Shillelagh / Knobstick with a large handle, naturally occurring burl or root-ball knob carved into a bulbous, ergonomic handle. The shaft is formed from a sin...
Metal
Romanian folk art cabinet, circa 1925
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Romanian folk cabinet presumably dating from the first half of the 20th century, entirely handcrafted from solid wood and rich in character. This special cabinet exudes the atmospher...
Beech
19Thc Original Mustard Painted Bucket W/ Lid
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19Thc Original mustard painted bucket with a lid.The metal bands are black painted and very tight and sturdy.The lidded bucket is in fine condition.
Wood
19Thc Original Red Painted Child's Chair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19Thc Original Red Painted country child's chair with cow skin seat.The condition is very good.
Leather, Wood, Beads
19th Century naïve English folk art bird house form
Located in London, GB
19th Century naïve English folk art bird house form Dimensions in inches: H 17” x W 9” x D 8” Age: Late 19th Century Origin: England Condition: Fair Overview A highly decorative ...
Pine
Late 19th Century Danish Primitive Folk Art Tape Heddle Band Loom
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Impressive Danish folk art tape loom, also known as a heddle or band loom. It is a traditional tool used for weaving narrow bands of fabric, such as belts, s...
Wood, Paint
19Thc Original Blue Painted Bail Handled Pantry Box
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This amazing 19thc original blue painted bail handled pantry box in fine as found condition. This fine pantry has a wonderful undisturbed patina and early nails.
Wood
Hand Hewn African Ethiopian Large Wooden Bowl with Handle
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Hand hewn and hand carved African Ethiopian wooden bowl with handle. Original large vintage Ethiopian tribal wood bowl hand carved bowl from a ...
Hardwood
Sold
H 9.5 in W 12 in D 17 in
Antique Central Mfg Folk Art Toleware Bread Box Tin Pie Safe Cake Bake Farmhouse
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique painted toleware bread box by the Central Manufacturing Co, decorated with red tomatoes. The interior tray is removable and pierced with ventilation holes for airflow.
Metal
Sold
H 3 in W 9.75 in D 6.25 in
Vintage Coastal Brown Rectangular Sea Shell Covered Box with Lid, Arthur Court
By Arthur Court
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A fabulous shell covered Folk Art box with lid. Covered in brown, black and cream conical shaped shells, it is a striking statement piece. The box which the shells cover, is created ...
Shell, Wood
Late 19th Century Tin Lantern with Star Designs
Located in Wiscasset, ME
Great patina and surface on this late 19th to turn of the century tin lantern featuring multiple stars. Wonderful Folk Art appeal.
Tin
Early 19th Century Hand Colored Baptismal Document
Located in Wiscasset, ME
Batismal record for Maria Ursula, dated 1811, size: 13 1/2" x 8". Overall good condition for it's age, some creasing. Great all seeing eye at top. Presented in a nice early grain painted frame...
Paper
Tall Hand Carved Wood Tramp Art Keepsake Box with Lid on Stand
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Often known as “prison art” the most widely acknowledged term for this lovely carved wood piece of Folk Art is know as “Tramp Art”. This particular piece is...
Wood