Folk Art
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.
Mid-20th Century Turkish Folk Art
Wool
20th Century English Folk Art
Serpentine
2010s American Folk Art
Steel
Early 20th Century Japanese Folk Art
Porcelain
2010s American Folk Art
Steel
1960s Israeli Vintage Folk Art
Canvas, Acrylic
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Wood
1910s German Vintage Folk Art
Paint, Wood
Late 20th Century Mexican Folk Art
Clay, Paint
2010s American Folk Art
Steel
20th Century English Folk Art
Acrylic
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art
Burl
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Iron
2010s Mexican Folk Art
Ceramic, Clay
Early 20th Century Folk Art
Metal
Early 20th Century Persian Folk Art
Wool
Mid-20th Century Slovenian Folk Art
Paint
Mid-20th Century Folk Art
Hardwood
Mid-20th Century Folk Art
Felt, Hardwood
1880s Indian Antique Folk Art
Pine
21st Century and Contemporary Australian Folk Art
Canvas, Acrylic
18th Century French Antique Folk Art
Copper
Early 20th Century British Folk Art
Brass
Mid-20th Century Slovenian Folk Art
Paint
Mid-20th Century South African Folk Art
Wood, Fabric, Cotton
Mid-20th Century South African Folk Art
Fabric, Cotton, Wood
Mid-20th Century South African Folk Art
Metal, Iron
Mid-20th Century South African Folk Art
Metal, Iron
1950s American Vintage Folk Art
Sheet Metal
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Folk Art
Brass, Iron
Late 18th Century American Antique Folk Art
Wood
1920s American Vintage Folk Art
Hardwood
20th Century American Folk Art
Ceramic, Shell
1920s French Vintage Folk Art
Wood
Mid-20th Century Belgian Folk Art
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art
Wood
Mid-20th Century Folk Art
Wood, Pine
Late 20th Century Italian Folk Art
Textile, Glass, Wood
1820s Unknown Antique Folk Art
Bone
1930s English Vintage Folk Art
Paper
1920s British Vintage Folk Art
Wood
1920s British Vintage Folk Art
Metal
1820s German Antique Folk Art
Pine
Late 19th Century French Antique Folk Art
Copper
Late 20th Century American Folk Art
Wood
2010s Mexican Folk Art
Clay, Ceramic
1910s Unknown Vintage Folk Art
Wood
Mid-19th Century Dutch Antique Folk Art
Brass, Bronze
Early 19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Wood, Paper
1980s Mexican Vintage Folk Art
Glass, Paint, Paper
1930s American Vintage Folk Art
Steel
Mid-19th Century English Antique Folk Art
Wool
2010s Mexican Folk Art
Ceramic, Clay
Late 20th Century American Folk Art
Metal
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Folk Art
Glass, Wood
Mid-20th Century African Folk Art
Wood
1930s British Vintage Folk Art
Pine, Paint
2010s Mexican Folk Art
Ceramic, Clay