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
Period: 19th Century
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
Nineteenth Century 55 Wood Address Sign
Located in Garnerville, NY
Nineteenth Century '55' wood sign. Old wood relief sign with wonderfully weathered gold and black paint. A nice accent piece or if your address just happens to be 55 Main Street, Any...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood, Paint
American Country Tole Gold Clock Sign
Located in New York, NY
American Country (19th Century) painted tole gold trimmed double sided clock sign in the form of a pocket watch.
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Signs
Materials
Tôle
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
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
Monumental Antique American Painted Turned Wood Barber Pole, circa 1875
Located in San Francisco, CA
An uncommon and towering seven-and-a-half-foot tall circa 1875 American painted turned wood barber pole trade sign.
Very impressive in both its rar...
Category
1870s American Antique Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood, Paint
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
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
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
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
19th Century Antique Ships Chandler Shop Advertising Sign
Located in Peabody, MA
A relic from Boston’s mercantile history and the seafaring trade. This 19th century shop sign displays a fairly detailed replica of a navigator’s octant (or sextant) and the proprietor’s name and street number...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique 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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Related Items
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
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Sheet Metal
Antique Clock Advertising Sign
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Antique hand-painted advertising sign in the shape of a large pocket watch showing the name BB Thorp.
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19th Century Antique Folk Art Signs
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 sign...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Folk Art Signs
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Steel
Early 20th Century Wood and Canvas Painted Produce Sign
Located in Troy, MI
Wooden produce sign found in England, circa 1920s. Wood foundation is covered in strips of canvas which have been hand painted by unknown artist.
Category
Early 20th Century English Folk Art Signs
Materials
Canvas, Wood
19th Century Tole Locksmith's Trade Sign
Located in Downham Market, GB
An early toleware Locksmith's trade sign.
A wonderful 19th century gilded metal trade sign, delightfully original & untouched with the perfect patina...
Category
19th Century British Antique Folk Art Signs
Materials
Metal
19th Century American Patriotic Barber Pole Open Sign Folk Art
Located in Forney, TX
A rare, likely one-of-a-kind, large antique, circa 1860s, early American hand carved, painted, and sculpted wooden patriotic barber pole advertising trade sign / open sign...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood, Giltwood, Paint
19th Century Antique Ships Chandler Shop Advertising Sign
Located in Peabody, MA
A relic from Boston’s mercantile history and the seafaring trade. This 19th century shop sign displays a fairly detailed replica of a navigator’s octant (or sextant) and the proprietor’s name and street number...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique 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
H 17.25 in W 64 in D 3.5 in
Eye and Glasses Window Display Trade Sign
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Eye and Glasses Window Display Trade Sign
The sign is made in presses tin, it seems to be hand painted with the slogan Eye Glasses Sold Here
The sign is a ...
Category
1930s Vintage Folk Art Signs
Materials
Tin
English Pub Sign, "Nag's Head"
Located in Austin, TX
An authentic English pub sign (one-sided) featuring a painting of a horse's head in a bridle entitled: Nag's Head.
A very fine example of vintage advertising artwork, ready for di...
Category
20th Century English Folk Art Signs
Materials
Metal
Antique Zinc Red 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 - eyecatcher on the storefront.
A large facade sign - advertising sign in front of the hat shop - hat maker's store - red hat facade sign
It's a spectacular XXL red hat - red top hat made of hand- painted and hand-crafted zinc. 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 - craftsman.
The original metal bracket is no longer with this hat trade sign...
Category
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Signs
Materials
Zinc
Previously Available Items
Large 19th Century Tole Painted Tea Canister Number 10
Located in Wiscasset, ME
Graphically pleasing 19th century tole painted tin tea canister number 10. The lettering and design are very well done and the paint and surface is dry and early.
Category
19th Century English Antique Folk Art Signs
Materials
Tin
19th Century Private Boarding Double Sided Sign
Located in Wiscasset, ME
Fantastic wood painted black with gold lettering double sided sign "Private Boarding." Measures 6" x 36". The paint and surface are dry and early. Possibly could have been used fo...
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
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
19th Century Dentist Trade Sign
Located in London, GB
19th Century Dentist Trade Sign
We share what we love, and we love this rare English antique hand painted wooden dentist trade sign, with chain & hanging hook. Dated to the early 19th Century this is clearly not the sort of trade sign that was fixed outside a shop, before the Industrial Revolution & the development of towns in the Victorian era, the majority of dentists were travelling practitioners who lived on the road & pitched a booth at regional country fairs, they lived by reputation, sufferers would wait weeks or months to have a tooth pulled...
Category
1850s Unknown Antique Folk Art Signs
Materials
Metal
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 states...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Signs
Materials
Cotton
Wilwaukee Painted Sign, 19th C American
Located in Hallowell, US
Made from a scrap of 1820 splash board and turned into a sign, red and black with gold highlights. 36" wide, 7 " high.
Category
1870s American Antique Folk Art Signs
Materials
Softwood
Circa 1900 Black Gray and White Burial Vault Cemetery Trade Sign Folk Art
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Graphic black, white and gray c. 1900 trade sign. Professional hand letters. Excellent typography. Quirky subject matter. American Gothic! There is reference to CM Sworm cemetery monument...
Category
1890s American Antique Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
Folk Art Polychrome Tole and Glass Optometrist Trade Sign
Located in New York, NY
English folk art (19th century) painted tole and glass hanging eye glass trade sign.
Category
19th Century British Antique Folk Art Signs
Materials
Glass
Late 19th Century Oversized Huge Folk Art Full Leather Trade Show Balmoral Boot
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A oversized full leather replica of a balmoral boot, likely to of been used in a great exhibition/trade show circa 1890, the boot is in good condition for its age age related wear as...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Folk Art Signs
Materials
Leather
H 17.33 in W 28.35 in D 11.03 in
Late 19th Century American Odd Fellows Lodge Over-Door Arch
Located in Wiscasset, ME
Wood with original paint featuring the all seeing eye and F L T friendship, love, truth in the chain. Dates to the late 19th century and is a fantastic size at 19" x 67" with a great...
Category
19th Century North American Antique Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood, Paint
English 19th Century Slate Pharmaceutical Trade Sign
Located in London, GB
19th century Slate Pharmaceutical Trade sign
We are proud to offer a rare late 19th Century English hand carved slate and gold gilt pharmacy trade sign. We recently uncovered this ...
Category
19th Century British Antique Folk Art Signs
Materials
Slate
Pair of 19th Century German Gingerbread Moulds
Located in London, GB
Pair of 19th century gingerbread moulds
A lovely, aged set of oversized 19th century gingerbread moulds. Hand carved from single piece of oak these ...
Category
19th Century German Antique Folk Art Signs
Materials
Oak
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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