Folk Art Signs
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
Unique 19th Century French Shop Sign with a Grouse
Located in Buisson, FR
Brilliant and unique shop-sign.
A painted grouse made out of sheet iron or zinc that is placed within a hand forged iron frame that is made to hang.
France circa 1850-1900
Weathered...
Category
19th Century French Antique Folk Art Signs
Materials
Metal
Large Vintage Fish Store Trade Sign Sculpture
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Striking large hanging fish sculpture, once used as a fish store trade sign. Material is painted hard composite, weighs about 25 lbs. Beautiful glass eyes. Heavy hanging chain inc...
Category
1950s American Vintage Folk Art Signs
Materials
Composition
1920's -30's Hand Painted "DRUGS" wood sign
Located in Buffalo, NY
1920's -30's Hand Painted "DRUGS" wood sign ... Great old sign,, Tons of character,, Retains original finish / patina..
Category
1920s American Vintage Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood, Paint
Marvelous Antique Carved Wood Locksmith Trade Sign
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A wonderful early 20th century carved mahogany locksmith trade sign in the shape of a large key. Makes an unexpected piece of wall art as a found object with tons of character.
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
19th Century Gold Giltwood Carved Letters William Trade Sign
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Classic 19th century American wood trade sign with chunky hand carved and gold painted letters. Ready to display.
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
19th Century Barber's Pole Hand Carved Hand Painted
Located in San Francisco, CA
19th century barber's pole hand carved hand painted
Antique barber's pole
5.5" diameter x 42" high
The support measures 9" wide x 34" high
Good antique condition
The...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
Early 20th Century Pharmacy Sign 'DRUGS' Painted on a Single Board
Located in Nantucket, MA
American folk art trade sign from an apothecary or pharmacy with the word 'DRUGS' in black paint with white shadow lines on an orange ground. Painted on a single pine plank with notc...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Pine, Paint
American Folk Art Wood and Iron Farm Bureau Weathervane Advertising Sign
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Great looking cartoon Midwestern Americana weathervane. Farm Bureau Insurance started in 1921. This great piece most likely was a premium or advertising piece. Hand painted wood with...
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Signs
Materials
Iron
Advertising Tin Sign "The Delaware Insurance Company of Philadelphia" Circa 1885
By The Delaware Insurance Company of Philadelphia
Located in Incline Village, NV
This is a very rare and early (circa 1885) tin advertising sign, commissioned by the Delaware Insurance Company, located and founded in Philadelphia in 1835. It was probably made by noted late 19th century sign maker, Sentenne & Green, of New York City, established in the 1870's. With an Indian motif, the sign features a Native American Indian, front and center, decorated in a brown and green headdress; with red, cream and aqua clothing and a large gold medallion...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Signs
Materials
Tin
1960s English Carnival Sign
Located in High Point, NC
1960s carnival art sign from England. It is advertising a cake walk on one side of the sign, and on the back has a charming message "Have a nice Victorian day". Great sign for any co...
Category
1960s English Vintage Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
Important Folk Art Trade Sign
Located in Greenwich, CT
A mid 19th Century folk art trade sign of demilune form, depicting a Native American chief holding a peace pipe and tomahawk wearing a headdress of white and red feathers, wearing a decorated tunic, supported by “s” scrolls, possibly a cover for a paddle boat wheel...
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
Vintage Pepsi-Cola Enameled Metal Advertising Sign, Europe, 1970s
Located in Milano, IT
Iconic Pepsi-Cola advertising sign made of enameled metal, dating from the 1970s.
The design incorporates the classic logo with red cursive lettering, set against a wavy background ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Folk Art Signs
Materials
Metal, Enamel
Holstein Milk Painted Metal Trade Sign
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This folky original painted hand made Holsteins Milk metal farm trade sign has the original chain for hanging.It has spots that has paint loss and mino...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Metal
Vintage Hand Painted British Motorcycle Shop Sign
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Vintage graphic Motorcycles sales and service sign. Great hand-painted lettering. Wood with original paint surface. Found in the northeastern United States. Fun Americana with a Brit...
Category
1950s American Vintage Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
Vintage American Folk Art Showroom Trade Sign
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Charming vintage wooden trade sign for Showroom. The sign was original painted in with green and white colors and have been through a later restoration when a thick lacquer that has ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century Piano Teacher Sign Board
Located in Peabody, MA
Hand painted sign for the services of a "modern" piano teacher. This would likely have meant ragtime or jazz, as these were often referred to as new approaches to the instrument as o...
Category
1930s North American Vintage Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood, Paint
19th Century American Trade Sign 'Crook', Medina, NY
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th century American trade sign 'Crook', Medina, NY
Craftsman made, with sand-painted back ground with 10" x 12" giltwood letters spelling 'Croo...
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Signs
Materials
Giltwood, Wood
19th Century Tobacconist’s Trade Sign
Located in Greenwich, CT
English carved and polychrome decorated wood tobacconist’s trade sign in the form of a “Turk” wearing a distinctive headdress and dressed in a long robe, this advertising figure rela...
Category
19th Century British Antique Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
Antique North Carolina Bait Shop Retail Flounder Fish Painted Wood Trade Sign
Located in Forney, TX
A most charming and one-of-a-kind antique North Carolina bait shop trade sign with beautifully weathered patina!
A wonderful example of American folk art, early 20th century, primitive hand-crafted construction, sculptural wooden form depicting large flounder fish, with distinctive fins and polychrome painted decoration.
Wall hanging, easily secured using the two eye-screws, or the screws can be removed and the sign placed on a mantel.
Dimensions: (approx)
31.5" High, 48.5" Wide, 2.5" Deep
Sure to add elegant rustic warmth, antique character, charm, and rich historical interest to any space, especially traditional coastal, Hamptons chic, New England cottage, beach house modern, lake house, and rustic lodge, to name just a few!
Provenance / Acquisition:
Acquired from highly reputable auction house, Bright Star Antiques Co., Sulfur Springs, Texas. Specializing in early American antiques...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood, Paint
1950 Vintage American Folk Art Band Stand Hand Painted Goofy Jazz Music Stand
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Hand painted band stand folding music stand, circa 1950s. Great folk art design and Goofy dog painted. Possibly from the Jazz Mill in Phoenix. Great wall han...
Category
1950s American Vintage Folk Art Signs
Materials
Composition, Metal
Signed Snap Wyatt Sideshow Banner
By Snap Wyatt
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Fantastic "Plenty For Two" sideshow banner painted by Snap Wyatt. Great manageable size.
Category
1950s American Vintage Folk Art Signs
Materials
Iron
Vintage Americana Mid-Century Neon Barber Shop Sign
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Fantastic 13.5 foot long Mid-Century vintage neon barber shop sign. Total statement piece. Unusual three dimensional channel letters. Many layers of r...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Metal
Set of Three Folk Art Straight Edge Razor Trade Signs
Located in Stamford, CT
Three whimsical American folk carved wood art trade signs in the form of straight edge razors. Used by barbers as interior advertisements. Two have...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
Cast Iron Clock Face Surround from Observatory Clock Tower Double-Sided
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Very cool cast iron clock face surround, observatory time. Double-sided with great paint surface. Substantial heavy duty iron hooks. Lots of potential...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Signs
Materials
Iron
Framed 18th c. Merchant Trade Sign
Located in Greenwich, CT
A late 18th century/early 19th century trade sign from a Dutch West Indies shipping merchant. The carved wood and polychromed sign depicts a winged-foot Mercury figure surrounded by ...
Category
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
C1940 Advertising Sign "Nassau" Stainless Frame
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fantastic advertising sign from possibly a travel agency or transit system c1940. Excellent vintage condition with just the right amount of wear. Stainless border and mounting hardwa...
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Signs
Materials
Stainless Steel
19th Century French Cast Iron Butcher's Shop Trade Sign in the Form of a Cow
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
French cast iron butcher shop trade sign retaining old paint and cast in low relief in the form of a steer wearing a tasseled blanket and with it's head turned. The blanked cast with...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Folk Art Signs
Materials
Iron
Traditional Large Iron Hanging Pub Sign, The Boot
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Traditional large iron hanging pub sign. The Boot
This is a large and heavy piece dating from the beginning of the 20th Century, it is double sided though the paint on one side is...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Folk Art Signs
Materials
Iron
Late 19th Century Folk Art "BOOT' Cobbler's Trade Show / SHOP Sign / Sculpture
Located in Buffalo, NY
Late 19th Century Folk Art "BOOT' Cobbler's Trade Show OR sHOP Sign / Sculpture . aLL Hand made,, Oil cloth, copper top and Wood...Most likely hung outside of an old cobbler , shoe ...
Category
1890s American Antique Folk Art Signs
Materials
Copper
Six Separate Hand Painted Hot Rod Car Theme Carry Bags or Purse
Located in Ferndale, MI
Six different hot rod auto related canvas tote carry bags. Hand painted here in Detroit. Image on one side only.
Category
2010s American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Canvas
Vintage Iron Dog Black Painted Lawn Sign Dont Eat My Dog Why Would You Do That
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Fantastic patina on this vintage garden yard dog sign. Certainly a piece that would make a statement in any yard or garden.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Metal, Iron
Snip Snip! Giant French Wooden Scissor Trade Sign, Early 20th Century
Located in New York, NY
This early 20th-century hand-carved wooden trade sign, shaped like an oversized pair of scissors, is a striking example of French folk art. Measuring an impressive 40 inches in lengt...
Category
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
Circa 1890 Hardware Store Wood Trade Sign Carved Smaltz Black and Gold Paint
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Exceptional late 19th century hand carved letters with black and Gold paint and black smaltz background. Excellent typography. Great wall art. Simple and bold.
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
Zinc and Gold Horse Head Butchers Trade Sign Flemish 1860
Located in Hastings, GB
19th century Flemish gilt zinc horse head trade sign. This beautiful hand made sign was used by a Flemish butcher and dates to circa 1860. There are still remnants of the beautiful g...
Category
1860s Belgian Antique Folk Art Signs
Materials
Zinc
Mid Century Hand Painted Double Sided Pub Sign C1950
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Double sided pub sign from the United Kingdom. Hand Painted and in excellent condition. Rough hewn wood well constructed with a heavy duty frame ...
Category
1950s British Vintage Folk Art Signs
Materials
Iron
Old Vintage Fun Wooden Hand Painted Sign 'No Parking' Decorative Wall Shelf Art
Located in Llanbrynmair, GB
A fun hand painted wooden sign reads ‘NO PARKING THIS MEANS YOU’ – Definitely some British humour!
A very old sign, probably dates back to Mid 20...
Category
20th Century British Folk Art Signs
Materials
Pine
Early Corona Beer Porcelain Advertising Sign
Located in Ferndale, MI
Early Corona beer man cave or restaurant porcelain advertising sign. As found.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Steel
Giant Wood Early 20th Century Hand Painted Americana Barber Shop Sign
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Large and chunky Americana! Fantastic and original Barber Shop trade sign in the shape of a barber pole. Great statement piece. Layers of super graphic red and white original paint. ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
Early 20th Century Pine Barbers Pole
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century Pine Barbers Pole
A simple example of an early 20th Century handcrafted painted pine barbers’ pole. Showing signs of wear and natural aging as shown.
Dimensio...
Category
1920s Unknown Vintage Folk Art Signs
Materials
Pine
1930’s Enamel And Neon Braumeister Beer Sign
Located in Chicago, IL
1930’s enamel and neon sign Milwaukee’s Choicest Braumeister Beer Sign. New transformer and new wiring. Please note that it will be additional fee for shipping crate.
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Signs
Materials
Enamel
Large Antique Handcrafted Folk Art Sign ..MASONIC TEMPLE, Raised Letters
Located in Buffalo, NY
Large antique handcrafted Folk Art sign ..MASONIC TEMPLE,, Beautiful sign,, turn of the century,, Retains original finish,, patina,, modeled blue backgr...
Category
1910s American Vintage Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
American Wrought Iron and Gilt Trade Sign Bracket , Circa 1880
Located in Charleston, SC
American wrought iron and gilt trade sign bracket with decorative scroll work and gilt ball motif. Late 19th Century
Category
1880s American Antique Folk Art Signs
1930's Double Sided Cabin Neon Sign
Located in Chicago, IL
1930's double sided Cabin neon sign. It has new neon, new wiring and new transformer.
Category
1950s North American Vintage Folk Art Signs
Materials
Metal
Double Sided Gilt & Painted "HAPPY JACK'S" Tobacconist Trade Sign, Laconia, NH
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Two-sided tobacconist trade sign of circular form with gold leaf lettering with red shadow on a black sand paint ground with green borders "HAPPY JACK'S" centers a cutout pipe above a white banner applied to the bottom of each side which reads "CIGAR, PIPE & / TOBACCO SHOP...
Category
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Gold Leaf
Traditional Large Hanging Pub Sign, Wethered’s Winterbourne Arms
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Traditional large hanging pub sign. Wethered’s winterbourne arms
This is a large and heavy piece dating from the first half of the 20th Century, it is double sided though the pain...
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art Signs
Materials
Metal
19th Century Apothecary Mortar & Pestle Countertop Trade Sign or Sale Stimulator
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Apothecary trade sign or sale stimulator in the form of a mortar and pestle in gilt wood. The mortar of cylindrical waisted form with a central half round band and stepped rings at t...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
Large Hand Painted Double Sided Arrow "Radio Trade In" Folk Art Trade/Store Sign
Located in Buffalo, NY
Large Hand Painted, Double Sided Arrow "Special" Radio Trade In sale,,,,Folk Art Trade/Store Sign,,Wonderful size,,amazing crackle paint, patina..Great subject.
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Signs
Materials
Masonite, Paint
Rare Painted Antique Lead Watchmaker’s Shop Sign
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An outstanding piece of Folk Art, this Pocket Watch form Lead sign has a painted face with Roman numerals in the 9:00 position. Cast into the outer frame are the words, “Watches, Je...
Category
19th Century Antique Folk Art Signs
Materials
Lead
19th Century Folk Art Wartime Relationship Commemorative Plaque
Located in London, GB
19th century Folk Art Wartime relationship commemorative plaque
We are proud to offer a rare and unique commemorative wartime relationship plaque...
Category
1880s Antique Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
18th or 19th Century French Ship Chandler's Trade Sign
Located in Nantucket, MA
18th or 19th century French ship chandler's trade sign, circa 1800, an oval pine double sided sign built with large dove-tails, advertising Cooperage and...
Category
1790s French Antique Folk Art Signs
Materials
Pine
19th Century, Apothecary Trade Sign
Located in Nantucket, MA
Figural trade sign in the form of a mortar and pestle, both the mortar and pestle are hand turned and gilded, with strong ring turnings. The top is capped with zinc and still bears i...
Category
Late 19th Century North American Antique Folk Art Signs
Materials
Zinc
Pair of Cat Trade Signs
Located in Branford, CT
Incredible pair of cat trade signs. Braced plywood with red glass eyes. Original paint. They can either hang on the wall or lean. Circa 1930.
Category
1930s North American Vintage Folk Art Signs
Materials
Plywood
Large Opaline Glass Pub Signs “Draught Beers” Saved During Refurbishment
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Large Opaline Glass Pub Signs “Draught Beers”
Saved During Refurbishment, these very good quality signs are framed in solid Walnut, the signs “DRAUGHT” & “BEERS” are on very attra...
Category
1960s Vintage Folk Art Signs
Materials
Art Glass
Authentic Antique Folk Art Equestrian Horse Farm Sign
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Charming hand made vintage horse farm sign that is finished front and back. The horse and letters are black wrought iron, and the wood has a distressed paint...
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Signs
Materials
Iron
Cigars Store / Trade Folk Art Wooden Carved Sign. c 1900
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
American Folk art wooden "CIGARS" sign from the 1920's.
Great old Store Trade sign. Wood cut to cigar shape. Lettered in Gold Paint.
In good conditions, it was a in doors sign. Perfect for any cigar smoker.
Cigars History:
A cigar is basically dried tobacco leaves that are rolled and wrapped by other tobacco leaves in order to give you a full tobacco smoking experience.
Cigars are becoming more popular all around the world recently because they are exposed to a pop culture where a lot of famous people like Michael Jordan and Arnold Schwarzenegger smoke them.
In order to understand why cigars have become very well-known, we need to take a good look at their history and where they came from. That way, we can truly understand this pop phenomenon. Here is a brief history of cigars.
Origin of Cigars
The exact origin of cigars is not entirely known but historians believe that cigars were first invented by the ancient Mayans.
The ancient Mayans would collect tobacco leaves and wrap them up in a plantain leave in order to smoke it. An ancient Mayan pot...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
Anonymous Abstract X Geometric Painted Board
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Bold geometric abstract board found in Texas. We have a collection of these boards from an anonymous artist. Painted on recycled cupboard doors, table tops, stool tops and bread boards. Very dynamic when hung in collections.
This door appears to have been painted on an old cupboard...
Category
1950s American Vintage Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
1880s Odd Fellows Lodge Banner from Dakota
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Early 1880s Odd Fellows Lodge all-seeing eye banner from Centerville, Dakota. Excellent hand painting and lettering. Centerville was platted in 1883. Dakota became the states of North and South Dakota in 1889. The area is now part of the Sioux Falls...
Category
1880s American Antique Folk Art Signs
Materials
Silk
Large French Toleware Glove Maker’s Shop Trade Sign
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Large French Toleware Glove Maker’s Shop Trade Sign
This is a very rare piece it is in good condition and has a new blacksmith made wall bracket, the bracket is copy of the origina...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Folk Art Signs
Materials
Tin
Folk Art signs for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique folk art signs 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 signs created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include folk art, wall decorations, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art signs made in a specific country, there are North America, United States, and Europe pieces for sale on 1stDibs. 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 signs differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $250 and tops out at $18,500 while the average work can sell for $2,280.