Folk Art
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
Mini Vintage Turkish Reindeer Rug
Located in New York, NY
Mid-20th Century Turkish anatolian pictorial rug with 2 reindeers on a neutral ground
Measures: 1'5'' x 3'3''.
Category
Mid-20th Century Turkish Folk Art
Materials
Wool
Cornish Carved Serpentine Stoneware Model of a Lighthouse
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stylish Cornish carved red serpentine stone ware model of a lighthouse dating from the early to mid 20th Century. The lighthouse is carved from a sing...
Category
20th Century English Folk Art
Materials
Serpentine
Jim Rose Barn House Structure, Welded Steel Sculpture Made with Salvaged Steel
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
This is a welded steel sculpture made by furniture creator Jim Rose. It is sustainable design created from salvaged and recycled steel panels left over from his larger projects. These sculptures reference traditional American Folk Art barn...
Category
2010s American Folk Art
Materials
Steel
Early 20th Century Porcelain Maneki Neko, Japan
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Early 20th century porcelain Maneki Neko, Japan
This porcelain Maneki Neko, the good fortune beckoning cat, is a molded seated form with the right raised ...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Folk Art
Materials
Porcelain
Jim Rose Barn House Structure, Set of Two Nesting House Sculptures in Steel
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
This is a welded steel sculpture made by furniture creator Jim Rose. It is created from salvaged steel panels left over from his larger projects. These sculptures reference traditional American Folk Art barn...
Category
2010s American Folk Art
Materials
Steel
"Untitled" by Moshe Katz Mixed Media on Canvas
Located in San Diego, CA
Highly textured portrait of a jewish man. This piece is fascinating, original and signed.
Moshe Katz was born March 2, 1937 in Bucharest, Romania. With his parents, he fled the Nazis...
Category
1960s Israeli Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
Antique Child's Folk Art Sleigh
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Handmade antique child's wood Folk Art sleigh.
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Early 20th Century Hand Painted Duck Decoy Antique German
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Found in Germany at an estate sale, this hand carved and hand painted duck decoy is perfect for the collector. Well used by a previous hunter the paint has faded through time althoug...
Category
1910s German Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Paint, Wood
Mata Ortiz Polychrome Effigy Pot by Mauro Quezada, 1989
By Mauro Quezada
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Polychrome effigy pot
Mauro Quezada
Hand coiled low fired clay
1989
Pueblo Quezada, Mata Ortiz, Chihuahua, Mexico
Measures: 4.75 inches height x 5.5 inches...
Category
Late 20th Century Mexican Folk Art
Materials
Clay, Paint
Jim Rose Barn House Structure, Welded Steel Sculpture Made with Salvaged Steel
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
This is a welded steel sculpture made by furniture creator Jim Rose. It is sustainable design created from salvaged and recycled steel panels left over from his larger projects. These sculptures reference traditional American Folk Art barn...
Category
2010s American Folk Art
Materials
Steel
Paperweight with Seashore Theme Handmade with Real Sea Shells & Crab, circa 1970
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a beautiful handmade English acrylic paperweight having a seashore theme with real items and dating to the 20th century, circa 1970.
This paperweight is handmade of real i...
Category
20th Century English Folk Art
Materials
Acrylic
Swedish Burl Bowl of Sculptural Form
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine early 19th century Swedish root burl bowl retaining traces of original mustard and ox blood read paint and having lovely organic form with excellent patina.
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art
Materials
Burl
Antique American Cast Iron Frog Box Match Holder
Located in Forney, TX
Antique American cast iron fireplace match safe (or use as a trinket table box - outdoor spare key holder.) Late 19th / early 20th century, figural frog form.
Makes for a fun and wh...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Mexican Burnished Clay Hand Oaxaca Sculpture Mixtec Ceramic with Red Face
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
This Mexican red ceramic clay hand sculpture is a piece by artist Manuel Reyes. Made with clay from Oaxaca and Zacatecas, painted with oxides from the reg...
Category
2010s Mexican Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic, Clay
Handmade Folk Art Cat Sculpture c.1940-1960
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
A handmade life size folk art black cat. Black painted wooden body with metal spikes on the back and tail. Yellow glass eyes with painted pupils. Metal ears, steel whiskers an...
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Zabihi Collection Antique Pictorial Horse Karabagh Runner
Located in New York, NY
One of a kind 2nd quarter of the 20th Century Karabagh runner with 14 colorful large horses walking on a multi-colored background
3'11'' x 11'9''
Category
Early 20th Century Persian Folk Art
Materials
Wool
Diptych paintings in the style of Naive art, Oto Dobovišek, Yugoslavia 1970s
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Immerse yourself in the charming and whimsical world of rural life with this captivating set of two diptych paintings of style Naive Art by Oto Dobovišek, an artist from Yugoslavia i...
Category
Mid-20th Century Slovenian Folk Art
Materials
Paint
Vintage German Loquai Holzkunst Caged Bunny Rabbit Carved Wood Toy
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage West German Loquai Holzkunst carved toy animal set. Features many Easter bunnies or rabbits in a hutch / cage with a water bowl. Spiel Gut.
6.75" x 4.5" x 4" (Width x Dept...
Category
Mid-20th Century Folk Art
Materials
Hardwood
Vintage Folk Art Equestrian Felt Hobby Horse on Cart Pull Toy 15"
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage folk art pull toy featuring a felt horse on wood cart
DIMENSIONS
14.5” x 5” x 15” (Width x Depth x Height)
Category
Mid-20th Century Folk Art
Materials
Felt, Hardwood
Collection of late 19th Century hand crafted pine Indian figures
Located in London, GB
We share what we love, and we love this collection of late 19th Century hand crafted pine Indian figures. Of various peasant forms including holy men, dancers, farmers, snake charmer...
Category
1880s Indian Antique Folk Art
Materials
Pine
'Vaughan Springs Dreaming Pikilyi' Aboriginal Painting by Faye Nangala Hudson
Located in NICE, FR
Faye (Theo) Nangala Hudson portrays the narrative of Pikilyi, also known as the Vaughan Springs Dreaming, a sacred waterhole that never dries up. This natural spring, situated near M...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Folk Art
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
18th-19th Century, French Folk Art Copper Rooster, Weathervane
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful and rare antique folk art copper rooster with an wonderful patine. A real unique find.
France, circa 1750-1850. More photo's available on request
Weathered small losses and...
Category
18th Century French Antique Folk Art
Materials
Copper
Handmade Miniature Travelling Chess Set Game walnut Inlaid box, circa 1920
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a good quality handmade Miniature or travelling wood chess set game of 32 pieces in its own inlaid hardwood box, which we date to the early 20th century, circa 1920.
This piece is all handmade. The chess set is complete with 32 wood pieces having pegged bases. The jointed box is handmade of hardwood, possibly walnut with line inlays of a lighter wood to the top and the base. The lid is a good fit to the base and the box has brass hinges and a brass fastener to keep the lid securely closed.
The inside of the lid has a fabric pad to keep the chess pieces in position when the lid is closed.
Overall a quality handmade, complete, travelling chess set...
Category
Early 20th Century British Folk Art
Materials
Brass
Painting portrait Sad Clown, oil, hardboard, Oto Dobovišek, Yugoslavia 1989s
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
This oil painting, titled "Sad Clown," is a remarkable piece of Naive art created by Oto Dobovišek in Yugoslavia during the 1980s. This folk art portrait beautifully captures the poi...
Category
Mid-20th Century Slovenian Folk Art
Materials
Paint
Beaded Ndebele Ceremonial Doll
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare imported commodity, glass beads have been a symbol of wealth and importance in south African cultures for centuries, and were exclusively distributed by the region's oba (king...
Category
Mid-20th Century South African Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Fabric, Cotton
Beaded Ndebele Ceremonial Doll
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare imported commodity, glass beads have been a symbol of wealth and importance in south African cultures for centuries, and were exclusively distributed by the region's oba (king...
Category
Mid-20th Century South African Folk Art
Materials
Fabric, Cotton, Wood
Beaded Yoruba Staff
Located in Chicago, IL
The Yoruba people reserve the use of glass beads for royalty, priests and priestesses, as well as embellishing ritual and ceremonial objects. Though only kings are allowed to use bea...
Category
Mid-20th Century South African Folk Art
Materials
Metal, Iron
Beaded Yoruba Staff
Located in Chicago, IL
The Yoruba people reserve the use of glass beads for royalty, priests and priestesses, as well as embellishing ritual and ceremonial objects. Though only kings are allowed to use bea...
Category
Mid-20th Century South African Folk Art
Materials
Metal, Iron
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
Materials
Sheet Metal
19th Century Bocce Balls, Italy or France, Set of Three
Located in Point Richmond, CA
19th century bocce balls, Italy or France, set of three
boxwood, iron and brass nails.
The first ball has the letters PP in brass, the second has the numb...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Folk Art
Materials
Brass, Iron
18thc Hand Carved Rooster Sculpture on Stand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fine folk art 18thc hand carved rooster ,sculpture sits on a board /stand.This fine sculpture has a wonderful red wash painted surface & several shrinkage cracks from natural ag...
Category
Late 18th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Miniature Whaling Decorated Sea Chest, circa 1920s
Located in Nantucket, MA
Antique Miniature Whaling Decorated Sea Chest, circa 1920s, the top painted with the tail flukes of a sounding whale, flanked by two blue stars and the legend "Nantucket Island, 1825...
Category
1920s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Hardwood
Coastal Shiny Shell Folk Art Photo Frame
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A beautiful seashell-encrusted photo frame. Accommodates two photos in an oval shape.
Dimensions:
6.25" Wide
4.5" Tall
1" Deep.
Category
20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic, Shell
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Scratch Built Boat Model
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Scratch Built Boat Model
This is a charming well-crafted French folk-art scratch-built boat model. Constructed of...
Category
1920s French Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Mid-century Modern Articulated Wood Artist Hand Model
Located in Downingtown, PA
Articulated Wood Artist Hand Model,
1950s
The carved light wood hand is articulated at the wrist and the base of each finger while the forefinger and thumb are also articulated at t...
Category
Mid-20th Century Belgian Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Mid-century Modern Articulated Wood Artist Hand Model
Located in Downingtown, PA
Articulated Wood Artist Hand Model,
1950s-1970
The beautifully carved light wood hand is articulated at the wrist and the base of each finger while the forefinger and thumb are also...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Hand Carved Gnome + Deer Woodland Totem
Located in Brooklyn, NY
If great art is meant to inspire and provoke, this beautiful carving of a gnome with a deer on it's head may be the greatest piece of art ever made. Hand carved by the artist "R.S." in the year '75, this large pine log has become so much more than the sum of it's parts. Roughly hewn details give the sculpture an almost living, breathing feel. Perfect for fans of all sorts of woodland nymphs and creatures- from elves to hobbits and beyond. Please confirm item pickup location (Brooklyn NY or Wall NJ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Pine
Patchwork painting "Apple picking" in the style of Naive art Italy 1980s
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Transport yourself to a simpler time with this charming patchwork painting, titled 'Apple Picking,' a beautiful art made in Italy during the 1980s i...
Category
Late 20th Century Italian Folk Art
Materials
Textile, Glass, Wood
19th Century Napoleonic Prisoner of War Carved 'Spinning Jenny' Automaton.
Located in London, GB
19th Century Napoleonic Prisoner of War Carved 'Spinning Jenny' Automaton.
A rare early 19th Century example of a Napoleonic prisoner of war carved mutton bone 'Spinning Jenny' autom...
Category
1820s Unknown Antique Folk Art
Materials
Bone
Vintage Paper Mâché Parade Carnival Head Representing Oliver Hardy
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Large carnival mask representing Oliver Hardy, circa 1920-1930.
English work in paper maché.
Category
1930s English Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Paper
Early 20th Century Folk Art English Whirligig/Weathervane Figure
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century Folk Art English Whirligig/Weathervane Figure
A quirky and charming example of an early 20th Century English folk art whirligig / Weathervane Figure. Stood on a r...
Category
1920s British Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Amazing Scratch Built Locomotive English Folkart Model
Located in London, GB
Amazing Scratch Built Locomotives
One of the best examples of English scratch built folk art models we have uncovered. Modelled on an steam locomotive this item has been constructed ...
Category
1920s British Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Antique German Hand Painted Cabinet, Anno 1829
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A beautiful cabinet from the rural south of germany, dating from 1829. The cabinet was probably given as a wedding present. This cabinet is made of solid pine and is hand painted in ...
Category
1820s German Antique Folk Art
Materials
Pine
19th Century, French Folk Art Copper Flying Goose Weathervane
Located in Buisson, FR
Wonderful and very rare flying goose weathervane in copper with its beautiful vert de gris patina.
France, circa 1880.
Weathered . measurements incl...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Folk Art
Materials
Copper
Alphaious Campbell Wood Carved Profile of a Man
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Alphaious Campbell carved wood wall hanging, c.1987. The painted folk art piece showcases various profiles of a bearded man.
Dimensions
9" width x 32.5" height
Condition
Excellent...
Category
Late 20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Mexican Burnished Clay Chicken Kitchen Vessel Hen Egg Basket Decoration
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
This Mexican ceramic hen is an egg basket, perfect to keep eggs fresh -- a utilitarian kitchen piece by artist Manuel Reyes. Made with clay from Oaxaca and Zacatecas, painted with oxides from the region. Done with the hand-modeled technique and cooked in traditional wood-fired oven. Reyes has been constantly innovating with his hen collection, making this one of his most iconic works.
Ceramic artist, sculptor and painter, Manuel Reyes (Mexico City, 1972) atended the Escuela Nacional de Artes Plásticas in Xochimilco, México. He was later mentored by Royer Von Guten, Joy Laville...
Category
2010s Mexican Folk Art
Materials
Clay, Ceramic
Early 20th Century Unusual Ceremonial Stick
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century Unusual Ceremonial Stick
An unusual early 20th Century hand carved ceremonial stick or sorts with open palm hand symbol. Throughout history, the open palm has bee...
Category
1910s Unknown Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Antique & Important Dutch Hindeloopen Hand Painted Folk Art Tea Bucket w. Liner
Located in Lisse, NL
Handcrafted, rare and important 'tea bucket', early 1800s.
For a museum quality, ultra rare and pure Dutch Folk Art antique from the early to mid 1800s there is always room in your ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Dutch Antique Folk Art
Materials
Brass, Bronze
19th Century Portrait Miniature In Graphite American
Located in Hudson, NY
This is a very beautiful , highly detailed and well executed portrait of a woman. Created in the early nineteenth century with graphite on paper. The sitter can be seen with a book in her hand and a ring on her finger. She is sitting in a painted fancy chair by the window with the drape pulled back...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Paper
Signed Watercolor El Equipal Folk Art Painting by Luis Ricardo Amendolla, 1980's
Located in Deland, FL
Signed Watercolor "El Equipal" Folk Art Painting by Luis Ricardo Amendolla, Mexico, c. 1980's
About: Introducing a true Mexican Folk Art masterpiece: a signed original watercolor du...
Category
1980s Mexican Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Glass, Paint, Paper
1930s / 40s Amusement Park Ride Neon "BUG" 72" X 38" double sided, , ART DECO
By Flexlume Signs 1
Located in Buffalo, NY
Super rare find!! One of a kind 1930s / 40s Amusement Park Ride Neon "BUG" 72" X 38" double sided, Salvaged from the famed Crystal Beach Amusement Park located in Ontario Canada,,S...
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Steel
British Sailor's Large Woolwork Woolie of a Sailing Ship
Located in Katonah, NY
This large 19th century sailor's Woolie of a British line-of-battle ship, circa 1840is
is hand embroidered with woolen yarn. It depicts a British naval ship under full sail with can...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wool
Mexican Burnished Clay Chicken Kitchen Hen Egg Basket Decoration Hen Brown
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
This Mexican ceramic hen is an egg basket/container, perfect to keep eggs fresh -- a utilitarian kitchen piece by artist Manuel Reyes. Made with clay from Oaxaca and Zacatecas, painted with oxides from the region. Done with the hand-modeled technique and cooked in traditional wood-fired oven. Reyes has been constantly innovating with his hen collection, making this one of his most iconic works.
Ceramic artist, sculptor and painter, Manuel Reyes (Mexico City, 1972) atended the Escuela Nacional de Artes Plásticas in Xochimilco, México. He was later mentored by Royer Von Guten, Joy Laville...
Category
2010s Mexican Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic, Clay
Hand Painted Wooden House with Storage - in an American Folk Art Style
Located in Morristown, NJ
A charming handmade storage piece in the form of a house with a chimney. Executed in the American Folk Art style, this is a charming piece that is both decorative and practical. The ...
Category
Late 20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Large Italian Painting of a Merchant Ship "The Venetian Workers' Society Offers"
Located in Katonah, NY
A unique work of art, this charming painting was hand painted in Italy in the mid-19th century.
Created to promote The Venetian Workers' Society, this large hand-painted oil paintin...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Folk Art
Materials
Glass, Wood
Mid 20th Century African Folk-Art Carving of a Woman
Located in Cheltenham, GB
Beautiful African rustic folk carving of a woman, probably mid-century, hardwood, the nose has been rubbed many times for good luck!
Category
Mid-20th Century African Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Early 20th Century English Folk Art Jigger Doll
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century English Folk Art jigger doll
A wonderful example of a unique Folk Art handcrafted jigger doll we have lovingly ...
Category
1930s British Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Pine, Paint
Mexican Burnished Clay Chicken Kitchen Hen Egg Basket Decoration Hen Black
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
This Mexican ceramic hen is an egg basket, perfect to keep eggs fresh -- a utilitarian kitchen piece by artist Manuel Reyes. Made with clay from Oaxaca and Zacatecas, painted with oxides from the region. Done with the hand-modeled technique and cooked in traditional wood-fired oven. Reyes has been constantly innovating with his hen collection, making this one of his most iconic works.
Ceramic artist, sculptor and painter, Manuel Reyes (Mexico City, 1972) atended the Escuela Nacional de Artes Plásticas in Xochimilco, México. He was later mentored by Royer Von Guten, Joy Laville...
Category
2010s Mexican Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic, Clay
Folk Art folk art for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique folk art 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 folk art created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include folk art, decor, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art made in a specific country, there are North America, United States, and Europe pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original folk art, popular names associated with this style include Berber Tribes of Morocco, Mosche Bianche, Tonala Pottery, and Nils Olsson. 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 folk art differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at £38 and tops out at £41,213 while the average work can sell for £1,110.
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