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
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
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
Vintage School Crossing Safety Guard Folk Art Trade Sign
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Original hand painted school safety crossing guard sign. Sheet metal and wood. Great original surface. Has original leaning brace mounted on back, but c...
Category
1950s American Vintage Folk Art Signs
Materials
Sheet Metal
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
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 is C...
Category
Mid-20th Century Folk Art Signs
Materials
Paper
2 French Market Haberdashery Stall Hanging Signs
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
2 French Market Haberdashery stall hanging signs
These are Great pieces from a French market stall near Tours, they are hanging signs with applied adve...
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
Unusual Set of German Mid-20th Century Shop Trade Sign Tools
Located in London, GB
Unusual set of German mid-20th century shop trade sign tools
Every now and again we are lucky enough to acquire items that firstly we have never seen and secondly, we will never see...
Category
1950s German Vintage Folk Art Signs
Materials
Metal, Brass
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
1950s Hand-Painted Olympia Beer Advertising Sign
Located in Chicago, IL
Oversized 1950s hand-painted advertising sign for Olympia Beer.
Category
1950s North American Vintage Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
Antique Painted Wood "No Dumping Here" Sign
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Antique, hand-painted, folk art, wood "No Dumping Here" sign.
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
Double Sided Painted Wood Doll Furniture Sign
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Midcentury, Folk Art, double sided, painted wood "Doll Furniture" sign with jagged edges.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
Antique Gold Leaf Black Sign "Gebhardt Park "
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique gold leaf sign Gebhardt Park. Framed in original wood frame.
Category
Early 1900s North American Antique Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
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
1950s Light Up Double Sided Beer Mug Yellow Sign
Located in Chicago, IL
1950's light up double sided beer mug sign. It works.
Category
1950s North American Vintage Folk Art Signs
Materials
Metal
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
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 background,, raised letters.
Category
1910s American Vintage Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
Large Painted Wooden Automobile Advertising Sign, “Scott Bro’s Morris”
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Large painted wooden automobile advertising sign, “Scott Bro’s Morris”
This is a large painted wooden wall sign
Shabby now but quite readable
It is 25” high and 108” wide
TGB...
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
"De Laval" Tin Advertising Sign, American, circa 1905, Near Mint
Located in Incline Village, NV
Having started in Sweden, the company opened up in America in 1888 as the "De Laval Cream Separator Company" in New York City, with a production plant ...
Category
Early 1900s American Antique Folk Art Signs
Materials
Tin
Dutch Folk Art Trade Sign
Located in Greenwich, CT
An 18th century trade sign from a Dutch West Indies shipping merchant. The carved and polychromed sign depicts a winged-foot mercury surrounded by ga...
Category
Late 18th Century Dutch Antique Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
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
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
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
Antique Pennsylvania Folk Art Painted Iron Railroad Sign
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Rare and historical Folk Art iron railroad sign from a Pennsylvania Station. Of impressive size and very well crafted, with an incredible age patina, a M...
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Signs
Materials
Iron
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
James Purdy & Sons Enamel Sign Wall Plaque
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
James Purdy & Sons enamel sign wall plaque
Rare piece indeed this enamel sign was made for the Famous London Shop, it has the Royal appointment to HM t...
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art Signs
Materials
Enamel
19th Century Cobbler Trade Sign
Located in Nantucket, MA
A carved cobbler's boot-form trade sign, in old gold paint.
Carved in two pieces of pine, capped with lead,
circa 1870
Very good condition, measures: 14" x 9 ½”.
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Signs
Materials
Lead
1800s Skeleton Key Locksmith Trade Sign
Located in Peekskill, NY
This is one of the best locksmith trade signs we have offered. It’s early and all handmade in iron with original paint. It's very well done and a wonderful piece of Folk Art.
Category
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Folk Art Signs
Materials
Iron
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
Edwardian Wall Hung Shop Sign, Kirbys’ Wardrobes Purchased
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Edwardian wall hung shop sign, Kirbys’ wardrobes purchased
A great piece of social history, this is a wooden sign painted on both sides and hanging on a blacksmith made Iron brack...
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
Large Folk Art Pocket Knife Store Display
Located in Brooklyn, NY
One of a kind large scale pocket knife (24" L), likely used as a store display / sign composed of a painted and carved walnut handle / bolster wi...
Category
1970s American Vintage Folk Art Signs
Materials
Walnut, Poplar
Folky Store Display Horse
Located in Nantucket, MA
Painted black with a red saddle, glass eyes and hairm. Missing one of its stirrups, the stirrup is carved from wood and is hanging from its original thick canvas. The ears which were...
Category
Late 19th Century North American Antique Folk Art Signs
Materials
Canvas, Wood
American Folk Art Workshop Wrench Wood Trade Sign
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Fantastic and substantial wood and iron wrench tool sign. Hand written fractions and original yellow paint. Very sturdy and well made. Great industrial workshop turned folk art. The ...
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Signs
Materials
Iron
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
19th Century French Wooden Clock Face
Located in Surrey, BC
Authentic clock face salvaged in the 1960s from a four-sided clock tower in France. Retains its original undisturbed first surface. Acquired from a private collection.
Dimensions: 3...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
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
Caution School Zone WPA Style Wood Sign Red White and Blue Hand Painted
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Chunky red, white and blue hand painted school safety zone sign. Super graphic and bold. Nice thick construction.
Category
1950s American Vintage Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
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
Anonymous Abstract 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 boar...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
Antique Dutch Enameled Metal Farm Animal Feed Sign
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Antique Dutch enameled metal farm animal feed sign featuring a bull and a rooster. Metal Folk Art sign with original enamel finish and a patinated metal p...
Category
20th Century Dutch Folk Art Signs
Materials
Metal, Enamel
Collection of Three Vintage Carnival Midway Nickel Ride Red Signs
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Fun collection of three vintage carnival midway signs. Nickel rides! Original professional sign painters handiwork. Excellent graphic skills. Great vintage age. All three signs have ...
Category
1940s American Vintage 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
American Folk Art Tool Museum Sign 1950 Tool Assemblage
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Wentworth Tool Museum sign assembled with scrap tools and hardware. Assemblage include many wrenches, drill bits, saws and scissors. Heavy iron constructio...
Category
Mid-20th Century American 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
Charming Advertising Sign, Re Lion Oxo for Winter Health
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
A charming advertising sign, Re Lion Oxo for Winter Health
This is delightful piece showing a very fierce lion (Re-Lion) the sign is an original grocer shop print, the frame is no...
Category
Early 20th Century English Folk Art Signs
Materials
Paper
Early 20th Century Double-Sided Iron Nautical Trade Sign "The Norfolk"
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Early 20th century double-sided sheet iron, cast iron, hand-painted trade sign with hand-forged hooks. Great hand-painted "The Norfolk" featuring a painted...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Iron
American Wrought Iron and Gilt Trade Sign Bracket , Circa 1880
Located in Hollywood, 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
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
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
Antique Architectural Bank Building Bronze "No" Letters
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Fantastic cast bronze vintage letters. Great way to get your point across! Salvaged from a bank building in the midwest. Great patinated bronze surface. ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Bronze
Iron Perpetual Motion Folk Art Texas Zoo
Located in Santa Monica, CA
This black and white painted iron perpetual motion object was said to have been used to market the zebra exhibition at the San Antonio Zoo. The zebras...
Category
1950s American Vintage Folk Art Signs
Materials
Iron
Folk Art Sign-Maker's Sample Board in Original Paint
Located in Greenwich, CT
A Folk Art two-sided sign maker's sample board in original paint, one side having square color samples with various border treatments, each panel numbered (one through 25), the other...
Category
Late 18th Century English Antique Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
Iron Swordfish Created by a Nebraksan Farmer, circa 1940s
By Byron Groelz
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Iron swordfish created by Byron Groelz, a farmer from Phillips, Nebraska. Born around 1900, Mr. Groelz made decorative iron for an environment on his ranch.
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Signs
Materials
Iron
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.
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