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
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
Vintage Drive-in Theater Snack Bar Jumbo Snack Signs
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Fantastic hand-painted Drive-In theater snack bar signs. Appear to have been later used at drive-in restaurant. Heavy sheet metal with original paint surface.
Measures: Ice Cream C...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Metal
Double Sided Trade Sign "Ocean & Bay Waterfront Lots for Sale"
Located in Nantucket, MA
Double sided real estate trade side, original paint on framed wood panel
White ground with black lettering,
Found in Rhode Island, circa 1940.
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Pine
Rustic Folk Art Hand Painted Gas Station Sign
Located in San Francisco, CA
Vintage handcrafted gas station signage on board. The sign dates to pre 1975 when leaded gasoline was phased out. The state states “No Lead 99.9”, painted in yellow paint on a black ...
Category
1960s American Vintage Folk Art Signs
Materials
Scrap Wood, Paint
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
1960s Original Dual Sided Hanging Light Up Ace Hardware Outdoor Logo
Located in Monrovia, CA
1960s Original Polycarbonate Face "Ace Hardware" Advertisement Signage. The Vintage Outdoor Sign Hangs which Displays A Double Sided Logo Of The Well Known "Ace Hardware" Logo. The Vintage Signage...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Aluminum
20th Century American Folk Art Swimmer Cutout on Custom Wall Mount
Located in Chicago, IL
A playful and cheeky mid-20th century American Folk Art wooden cutout of a blond swimmer flexing in his black and white striped swimsuit, mounted on a custom steel wall mount so he c...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Plywood
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
Painted Cast Iron State Seal of Massachusetts
Located in Nantucket, MA
Architectural ornament, cast iron in the half round with a scrolled cartouche headed by a raised arm with sword enclosing a standing figure of a Algonquin Native American with bow an...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Folk Art Signs
Materials
Iron
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
1920s Hand Crafted and Painted Tailoring Alteration Fitting Platform/Store
Located in Buffalo, NY
Great old item. Salvaged from downtown Buffalo Ny Clothing store. Hand crafted and hand painted, alterations fitting platform, Wonderful color, surface and patina. Great graphics, le...
Category
1920s American Vintage Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
19th century zinc and glass optician trade sign
Located in London, GB
19th century zinc and glass optician trade sign
19th century zinc and glass optician trade or advertising sign. Cobalt blue "flash glass" insets or panel lenses. this remarkable tr...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Folk Art Signs
Materials
Zinc
Traditional Large Hanging Pub Sign, Wethered’s Winterbourne Arms
Located in Chillerton, 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
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...
Category
20th Century British Folk Art Signs
Materials
Pine
Early 20th Century Hand Carved Shoemakers Trade Sign
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century hand carved shoemakers trade sign.
We share what we love, and we love this quirky oversized early 20th century shoemakers trade sign. Hand carved from sectioned...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Folk Art Signs
Materials
Pine
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 fra...
Category
1950s British Vintage Folk Art Signs
Materials
Iron
Early 20th century barbers point of sale hair comb and brush
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century barbers point of sale hair comb and brush
We share what we love, and we love this rare example of an oversized point of sale barbers hair...
Category
1930s British Vintage Folk Art Signs
Materials
Plastic, Wood
c 1920 Brass Star of David Chandelier from Chicago Synagogue
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Historical and significant brass electrified Star of David from the last grand Chicago synagogue, Agudas Achim. Beautiful when lit. Hard to believe these were hung as chandeliers in ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Brass
c1890 42 Star American Uncut Flags Washington State
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Framed uncut roll of 42 star American Flags. Washington state was the 42nd state to enter the union. This flag was never official as four other sta...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Signs
Materials
Cotton
Large Old Hand Painted Wooden Sign for J.Drayton St Ives Cornwall England
Located in Llanbrynmair, GB
A lovely old hand painted sign J.Drayton Master Thatcher of St. Ives.
Known for its surf beaches and quaint costal villages with thatched cottages, this piece is a reminder of simpl...
Category
20th Century British Folk Art Signs
Materials
Softwood
Vintage Pair of Reptile Zoo Snake Signs
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Pair of vintage hand-painted wood zoo signs for reptile exhibit. From Benson's Wild Animal Farm in Hudson, New Hampshire. The farm was called the "Strangest Farm on Earth" and opened...
Category
1950s American Vintage Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
1950s Giant Sized Tin Hot Dog Advertising Americana Sign
Located in Savannah, GA
If you are in search of a very large funky seventy four inch long hand painted hot dog sign, this is the advertising piece for you. Both sides are the same except for a small trap door at the bottom of one side. The inside has a steel L bracket to facilatate hanging. The bottom has two glass...
Category
1950s American Vintage Folk Art Signs
Materials
Metal
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 Cordage. A very rare sign th...
Category
1790s French Antique Folk Art Signs
Materials
Pine
Vintage Carnival or Casino Neptune's Trident Lighted Trade Sign Americana
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Unique lighted Neptune's trident carnival ride or casino trade sign. Really nice graphic piece. Original layers of golden yellow and red park paint. Provides a nice amount of warm li...
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Signs
Materials
Metal
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
Set of Temperance Day Sheet Metal Road Signs, circa 1951
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Created by the Seventh-Day Adventists church in 1951 for their October 27th, 1951 Temperance Day "Weapons and Warfare" Campaign against alcohol consumption in the United States. The ...
Category
1950s American Vintage Folk Art Signs
Materials
Sheet Metal
Fish "Bait & Tackle" Display Trade Sign Folk Art / Americana USA 1920´s
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Fish "Bait & Tackle" Display Trade Sign. Fishing bait Hand Carved Wooden sign. This wonderful and very folky original painted tin Bait sign. This sign was...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
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
19th c Giant Wooden Advertising Thermometer NY Life Insurance Co "NYLIC"
Located in Savannah, GA
Giant sized forty seven inches tall wooden thermometer made by the Hoehn Company Thermomter Makers, Chambers Street, NYC. constucted of hard wood with a rounded top and beveled edges, it adverrtises NYLIC-New York Life Insurance Co. wanting Bright Young Men- Permanent Pay. Measuring Blood Heat, Summer Heat,Tempe Rate, Freezing and Zero, the glass thermometer...
Category
1890s American Antique Folk Art Signs
Materials
Metal
French, 19th Century Iron Shoemakers Shop Sign
Located in Buisson, FR
Original riveted sheet iron shoemakers shop sign. Unique find,
France, circa 1800-1850. Traces of red paint visible.
Weathered.
Category
19th Century French Antique Folk Art Signs
Materials
Iron
Antique Zinc Hat Maker Trade Sign, France, Early 20th Century
Located in Antwerp, BE
XXL Antique hat maker's trade sign,
made in France circa 1900 - 1920.
This large sign was used as advertising on the storefront.
A large facade sign - advertising sign in front of the hat shop - hat maker's store.
It's a spectacular XXL red hand- painted zinc top hat.
When you look at the spectacular shape, you see that the brim of the hat is completely curled, so can only be done by an art maker.
The original metal bracket is no longer with this hat trade sign...
Category
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Signs
Materials
Zinc
Early 20th Century Folk Art Zinc Barbers Pole Trade Sign
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century folk art zinc barbers pole trade sign.
An early 20th century hand crafted zinc barbers pole trade sign. Hand painted and of naïve construction. Lots of characte...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Folk Art Signs
Materials
Zinc
Double sided Neon sign salvaged from Sleepy Hollow Motel " NO VACANCY"
Located in Buffalo, NY
Large Vintage ,1950s Double Sided Neon Sign salvaged from the famed Sleepy Hollow Motel in Niagara fALLS Ny, (see photo of full sign).. sOME Neon, ,transformer and flasher fully rest...
Category
1950s American Vintage Folk Art Signs
Materials
Metal, Steel
Folk Art Hand Painted Wooden Trade Sign
Located in Nantucket, MA
Antique Folk Art hand painted double-sided wooden trade sign dating from the early 20th Century... 1920s? 1930s? A wonderful whimsical sign most lik...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Pine
1900s, French Zinc Shop Sign
Located in High Point, NC
This enigmatic shop sign was produced in France, circa 1900. A large zinc wall decoration hanging on a small chain, which may or may not be a piep, features a jug extremity with a lo...
Category
20th Century French Folk Art Signs
Materials
Zinc
Clock Tower Tavern Sign, English Pub, Hand Painted
Located in Totnes, GB
A 20th-century hand-painted tavern sign for The Clock Tower, previously The Clock House. Naively painted with a central brick structure set in ...
Category
20th Century English Folk Art Signs
Materials
Pine
Vintage Painted Wood Folk Art Showroom Trade Sign
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
American Folk Art trade sign with hand-carved "Showroom" letters and an arrow. The letters and backboard are in original paint, egg-white and petroleum green. The sign has recently b...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Pine
Vintage "Your Father's Moustache" Wooden Pub Sign
Located in South Bend, IN
A fantastic vintage "Your Father's Moustache" three-piece wooden hanging pub restaurant sign.
Mid-20th century.
Measures: 44.5"W x 1"D x 23"H.
Good original vintage condition.
Category
Mid-20th Century Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood, Paint
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
Vintage Farm Stand Oversized Strawberry Sign
Located in Garnerville, NY
Bright red and green oversized plywood strawberry farm stand sign. The berry farmer had multiple acres in rural Rhinebeck, New York, Dutchess County...
Category
1970s American Vintage Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood, Plywood, Paint
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 minor wear.The sign is in as found ...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Metal
Impressive Huge 19th Century Pawnbroker Sign with Three Spheres Symbol
Located in Hopewell, NJ
An impressive rare and monumental in scale folk art pawnbroker trade sign with accompanying trio of giltwood spheres which represent the universal symbol for the pawnbroker trade. S...
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wrought Iron
Butcher's Trade Sign: Metal Tools, Found Objects, Ice Tongs, with Rooster on Top
Located in Fort Payne, AL
This is a folky butcher's trade sign. It is hand made from metal tools and found objects, with a sheet metal rooster on top. Ice tongs form part of the frame. It has worn silver pain...
Category
1950s American Vintage Folk Art Signs
Materials
Metal
Early 20th Century, English Lock Smiths Trade Sign
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century English Lock Smiths Trade Sign
Dating from the first quarter of the 20th century this English lock smiths trade sign shows lots of wear and aging, due to it be...
Category
1940s British Vintage Folk Art Signs
Materials
Sheet Metal
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
Folk Art Giant Metal Scissors Industrial Store Display Sign
Located in Atlanta, GA
Curious French Folk Art industrial metal store display sign. Features gigantic scissors, probably a barber or hair salon ad. sign or maybe used as a trad...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Folk Art Signs
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Traditional Large Iron Hanging Pub Sign, The Boot
Located in Chillerton, 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
Vintage Folk Art Hand-Made Carved and Painted Sag Harbor "Whale" Sign
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Crude Folk Art handmade 'whale' sign from Sag Harbor (ca. early 20th Century, USA).
Hand-carved board with hand-painted details.
Presented in original condition with good age / patin...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood, Paint
Original Palethorps Enamel Sausage Sign
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Original Palethorps Enamel sausage sign
Very Rare old sign with a mouth watering picture of Palethorps Royal Cambridge sausages
The sign is mad...
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art Signs
Materials
Enamel
Early 20th Century French Butcher's Shop Sign
Located in Chicago, IL
A playful early 20th century French painted steel butcher's shop sign in the shape of a pig, and mounted on a custom steel table-top mount. The s...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Folk Art Signs
Materials
Steel
Elkwood, Late 19th Century American Trade Sign
Located in Nantucket, MA
With carved gilt wood letters with mounted against a blue painted sand ground
American, c. 1890.
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
Large Vintage English Hand-Painted Brewery Pub Sign with Shelf
Located in Norwich, GB
Large vintage English hand-painted brewery pub sign with shelf. 'Fremlins Ales', Kent. 1950s.
Depicting early country scenes. The central shelf would probably have been used to di...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
Antique Folk Art Reverse Painted and Foil Exhibition Sign in Gilt Frame
Located in Nantucket, MA
Folk Art exhibition sign, reverse painted glass with reserved text backed in gold and silver crinkled foil reading "Exhibition / of / Paintings / on / Glass / By Edgar F. Curtis"
E...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Foil
Early 20th Century Folk Art Rooster Weathervane on Custom Wall Mount
Located in Chicago, IL
A wonderfully whimsical early 20th century Folk Art hand-wrought iron weathervane with a rooster standing on the tip of the arrow, a greek cross at top, and a wreath at the back of t...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wrought Iron
Original Card Map Poster, Pickfords Depositories
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Original Card Map Poster, Pickfords Depositories
This is a good original advertising sign, showing the locations of Pickfords Depositories
The Sign i...
Category
Mid-20th Century Folk Art Signs
Materials
Paper
Rare & Hand Painted Near Antique Folk Art Metal Salmon Sign from Fish Monger's
Located in Lisse, NL
Large size and all hand-crafted metal salmon sign.
This vintage salmon sign is another one of our recent great finds. The former owner told us how he, about three decades ago, had purchased this unique antique in France. Over the years we have seen and sold all kinds of antiques, but this was only the second time that we had the opportunity to purchase a vintage (or near-antique) fish sign and we were immediately thrilled. Not only because of the extraordinary size, but also because of the rarity, the details and the marvelous colors. This kind of workmanship you simply don't find anymore in this day and age. We have searched the worldwide web and you simply cannot find these sculptural signs anywhere. The aging has made this salmon even more beautiful and realistic, because the crazing of the paint makes it look like you can see its scales. This handcrafted, folk-art-like antique looks like it is made of zinc, but we think it is thick tin. This large salmon will look great in a fish monger's, but it can also be the perfect decoration in the office of a salmon farm, in a fisherman's lodge, in a mancave or in a fishing (gear) shop. It was originally made to hang, either in an open space or up against the wall (as shown in our photos) but with one or two brackets this work of art could also be displayed on a very large desk...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Folk Art Signs
Materials
Metal
Boule D'or Enamel Sign, 1953, Vintage Advertising
Located in HEVERLEE, BE
Charming enamel publicity sign by Boule d'or.
Dated 1953
All 4 holes are intact, so can be hung without problems.
Normal age related wear to the panel, nothing has been refu...
Category
1950s Belgian Vintage Folk Art Signs
Materials
Enamel
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
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 $2,428.
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