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
Early Chihuahua Oil Painting W/ Frame
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This folky & fun oil painting of a chihuahua on canvas in a old wood frame.The condition is very good.It is unsigned by the artist.
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
19Thc Hand Carved Dough Board
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic 19thc bread board with a handle and mortised in the back side.Found in the state of Maine.The board is in fine condition.
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Large Carved Pub Sign
Located in Greenwich, CT
A pub sign depicting a whimsical fox emerging from a gilt jug, of very large scale. Hand-hewn from solid wood and skilfully relief carved - the fox has distinct fur, legs, ear, snou...
Category
1930s English Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Antique Copper Pig Folk Art Weathervane on Custom Iron Stand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A charming and highly sculptural antique copper pig weathervane, executed in a bold folk art silhouette and now professionally mounted on a custom iron base...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Folk Art
Materials
Copper, Iron
Red & White Hawaiian Quilt
Located in Los Angeles, CA
20Thc Hawaiian red & white applique quilt in fine condition.This quilt has fine echo quilting and fine stitching. The applique is quite geometric.
Category
1920s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Cotton
Large Marble Solitaire Game with 35 Mineral Stone Marbles, French 1920s
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a complete board game of a large table top 33 hole marble solitaire with a very good 11.75 inch diameter hardwood board and 35 beautiful individual agate mineral stone marble...
Category
Early 20th Century French Folk Art
Materials
Agate
Dutch 19th Century Folk Art Architectural Mansion Pigeon / Birdcage
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful and unique Dutch Folk art Pigeon/birdcage in the form of a manor . This type of birdcages were made in the North of he Netherlands . They were miniature versions of the ori...
Category
19th Century Dutch Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Antique Black Forest Hand-Carved Wooden Indoor Pet House, circa 1880–1910
Located in Bilzen, BE
Rare hand-carved wooden indoor pet house for a cat or small dog, typical of Black Forest craftsmanship, circa 1880–1910. Made from solid wood with finely carved bark and branch motif...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
19thc Mini Pieced Birds in Flight Patchwork Quilt
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fine mini pieced birds in flight quilt was found in Lancaster County,Pennsylvania.The condition is mint and probably never used.This early 19thc quilt is quite amazing made up o...
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Cotton
Mid-Century Nautical Buoy From the S.S. Normandie The French Line
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Very special piece with alot of history behind it.
Looks to be accurate from many perspectives, physical appearances show it was repainted over what was the original coat of paint wi...
Category
1930s French Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Canvas, Rope, Paint
1930s Hand Woven Navajo Indian Eye Dazzler Weaving
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1930s Hand Woven Navajo Indian Eye Dazzler Weaving.
Wonderful Earth toned Color pallet. Nice tight weave. The binding is still in good condition.
Some areas are slightly worn from a...
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wool
Mexican Indian Horse Weaving Pillows
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mexican Indian weaving horse pillows with a weaving on the reverse of pillows.The over size horse pillows are from a larger weaving.The inserts are down & feather fill. Sold as a pair.
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wool
Sailor's Keepsake: Edwardian Shellwork Valentine Diorama of Ship
Located in Downingtown, PA
Sailor's Keepsake: Edwardian Shellwork Valentine Diorama 🐚
________________________________________
This is a charming and historically evocative Edwardian Shellwork Diorama, a clas...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Folk Art
Materials
Shell
19Thc Original Painted Sailor Iron Bank
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19Thc Original painted sailor coin bank.The condition is very good.
Category
1890s American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Iron
French Folk Art Sculpture of a Horse in Leather
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A hand-made folk art sculpture of a horse from the End of 19th Century/ Early 20th Century. This French made papier mâché horse is wrapped in leather, presented in its authentic old ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Folk Art
Materials
Leather, Paper
Swedish Farmhouse Cabinet, dated 1803
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Antique Swedish cabinet from 1803 in the Allmoge (farmhouse) style with authentic hand-painted panels and rich wood patina. This unique cabinet exudes character and craftsmanship, wi...
Category
Early 1800s Swedish Antique Folk Art
Materials
Pine
Hand Carved and Painted Signed Vintage Preening Swan Wood Decoy Sculpture
Located in Studio City, CA
A fantastic, hand-carved and painted wood preening swan decoy. This piece has a wonderful classic shape, muted white color, and texture (notice the beautiful use of natural wood grai...
Category
Early 2000s American Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
c.1830's Crazy Quilt in Taupes, Browns, Navy and Reds, Velvet, Linen, Cotton
Located in Louisville, KY
It's no reason this stunning work of textile art from the 1830's was on display for almost 30 years! For lovers of the artfully whimsical crazy quilt, this gorgeous work of art is a ...
Category
Early 19th Century Unknown Antique Folk Art
Materials
Felt, Cotton, Linen, Satin, Velvet
Life Size Folk Art Swan Pair By Kevin Kerrigan
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A pair of very finely crafted Swans by noted Ridgefield, Connecticut artist Kevin Kerrigan. The Pair are large and solid with finely sculpted necks and excellent proportions, one Swa...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Native American Indian Large Shipibo-Conibo Peruvian Amazon Pottery Jar Vase
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderful geometric patterned and designed hand painted and glazed Native American large earthenware jar/vase/pot made by the Shipibo-Conibo people, an indigenous people along the ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Peruvian Folk Art
Materials
Earthenware, Pottery, Paint
Bulldog or Pit Bull Oil Painting
Located in Los Angeles, CA
20Thc Oil painting on canvas of a bulldog or pit bull in a antique frame as well.The condition is very good and is unsigned.
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Paint
Folk Art Wedding Chest, dated 1718
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A large pine wedding chest from 1718. The illustrations are traditional, featuring flowers and tulips and a village scene on the sides. The chest was part of a dowry package and woul...
Category
1710s German Antique Folk Art
Materials
Pine
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Fox and Goose Cut Out on Custom Mount
Located in Chicago, IL
This early 20th-century American Folk Art tin cutout captures a moment of exhilarating pursuit: a sleek fox in hot pursuit of a large white goose, its wings flailing in startled flig...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Tin
1930's Needlepoint Silkwork Large Picture of Central Park
Located in Downingtown, PA
Needlepoint Silkwork Large Picture of Central Park,
1930s
This exceptional piece of Folk Art silkwork beautifully captures a vibrant slice of life in New York's Central Park during ...
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Silk
19th Century American Copper Bull Weathervane
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautifully weathered 19th century American copper bull weathervane, now presented on a newly fabricated black metal display base. This sculptural s...
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Copper
Blue Enamel Water Bucket with Wire and Wooden Handle, Austria, 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Antique Austrian enamel water bucket with wire and wood handle. Made by Austro Email in Austria. The bucket has many practical uses including w...
Category
1910s Austrian Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wrought Iron
Early 20th century continental decorative carousel horse
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 20th century continental decorative carousel horse circa 1900.
Unique continental painted merry-go-round horse circa 1900. Excellent opportunity to own this highly decorative ...
Category
Early 20th Century German Folk Art
Materials
Oak, Pine, Paint
German Wedding Cabinet, dated 1868
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
This characterful pine cabinet from rural southern Germany, dated 1868, is a special piece with a romantic history: it was once given as a wedding gift. The cabinet is hand-painted i...
Category
1860s German Antique Folk Art
Materials
Pine
British Sailor's Woolwork of the Screw Frigate H.M.S. Fox
Located in Downingtown, PA
"Homecoming": British Sailor's Woolwork of the Screw Frigate H.M.S. Fox,
Circa 1875
A charming and detailed British sailor's woolwork (or "woolie"), depicting a portside view of the...
Category
1870s English Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wool
19thc Stoneware Two Gallon Decorated Crock
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19Thc Original decorated stoneware crock with handles in fine condition.This crock was found in Pennsylvania.Wonderful blue glaze decoration.
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Pottery
Pacific Northwest Coast Indigenous Native American Signed Wood Carved Totem Pole
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautifully desiged, wonderfully carved Pacific Northwest Coast First Nation Native American (perhaps Haida, Tlingit, or Nootka) indigenous hand carved wood Three-figure totem pole...
Category
1980s Canadian Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
Antique 18th Century Late Ayutthaya Period Siamese Buddha
Located in Peabody, MA
A fine 18th century, late Ayutthaya period Siamese (Thailand) life size standing Buddha temple figure in carved and gilded teak. The base of the figure is a tapered plug fashioned to...
Category
18th Century Thai Antique Folk Art
Materials
Teak, Paint
Folk Art Pottery Charger - Hand Painted Flowers & Swirls - Mexico - Circa 1980's
Located in Chatham, ON
Mexican folk art terra cotta charger or plate - large size - hand made and featuring hand painted flowers and elaborate border with swirls (all cold painted) - unsigned - Mexico - ci...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic
African Senufo Korhogo Large Mid-Century Folk Art Mud Cloth Textile Painting
Located in Studio City, CA
A fantastic, wonderfully designed African tribal art Korhogo Textile painting by the Senufo people of Korhogo, Ivory Coast.
Korhogo textile painting (This type of cloth painting c...
Category
Mid-20th Century Ivorian Folk Art
Materials
Textile, Cotton, Paint
Bellamy Style Carved Wooden Eagle w/ Banner & Shield, Don’t Give Up The Ship
Located in Milford, NH
A fine polychrome wooden eagle hand carved in the style of John Haley Bellamy (1836-1914) with nice carved feather detail, a banner which reads “Don’t Give Up The Ship” , and a Liber...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Zabihi Collection Pink Komodo Dragon Armenian Rug
Located in New York, NY
A rare armenian Rug depicting 2 Komodo Dragons on a pink fuchsia field
Measures: 5'2'' x 9'4''.
Category
20th Century Armenian Folk Art
Materials
Wool
Merganser / Andre Broussard hand carved & painted Duck Decoy
Located in Buffalo, NY
Merganser / Andre Broussard hand carved & painted Duck Decoy,,Wonderful paint, surface , patina..The paint is wonderfully dried out and rubbed along the edges to deliberately give a ...
Category
1960s Canadian Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Mid-Late 20th Century American Copper Pig Weathervane
Located in Chicago, IL
This mid-to-late 20th-century American copper pig weathervane is full of charm and character, with a strong, graphic silhouette that captures the essence of...
Category
Late 20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Copper
19Thc Decorated Stoneware Crock Cowden & Wilcox Pa.
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fine decorated 19thc stone ware crock from Cowden & Wilcox in Harrisburg,Pennsylvania.This folky tulip hand painted & decorated large three gallon crock is in fine condition.It ...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Pottery
Early 20thc Wooden Salmon Sled
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century original painted and decorated sled from New England. Stamped/Signed By the maker under the body. In Very good condition.
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Metal
20th C. American Carved Natural Wood Articulated Swan Decoy Sculpture
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
20th-Century American Carved Natural Wood Articulated Swan Decoy Sculpture
This stunning 20th-century American carved natural wood swan decoy sculptur...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Lot of Two Vintage Swedish Dala Rooster Chicken by Nils Olsson, Sweden Folk Art
By Nils Olsson
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This offer is for a collection of two Swedish Dala rooster Chicken by Nils Olsson. Each is hand carved painted wood. Nice display item for every room. Mea...
Category
1970s Swedish Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
Folk Art Bridal Chest, circa 1950
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
This vintage pine chest from the mid-20th century is a real eye-catcher. It is richly decorated with hand-painted folkloric decorations, executed in a traditional color scheme of war...
Category
1950s Romanian Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Pine
Amish Wool Mounted Nine Patch Postage Stamp Crib Quilt
Located in Los Angeles, CA
20Thc All wool Amish postage stamp crib quilt chain from Lancaster County ,Pennsylvania.This quilt is mounted and wired for hanging.
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Wool
Hand painted Pine Wedding Cabinet, anno 1782
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A beautiful cabinet from the rural south of Germany dating from 1782. The cabinet was once given as a wedding gift. Made of solid pine and hand painted in vibrant colours. The cabine...
Category
1780s Antique Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Batman Returns Large Barbell Movie Prop - Seen on Film
Located in Forney, TX
Own a piece of Hollywood history, this Batman Returns (Warner Bros., 1992), circus strongman barbell movie prop is sure to start a conversation while ma...
Category
Late 20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Resin, Fiberglass, Paint
19Thc Marbleized Stone Ware Piggy Bank
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This is a very early stone ware glazed piggy bank from New England. This is a handmade piggy bank in very good condition.
Category
1870s American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Pottery
British Sailor's Woolwork of Royal Navy Ship off Land, Signed & Dated WR 1865
Located in Downingtown, PA
British Sailor's Woolwork of Royal Navy Ship off Land,
Signed & Dated WR 1865.
Crafted with meticulous detail, this charming miniature woolwork depicts a Royal Navy ship sailing nea...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wool
Hand Carved Large Vintage Antique Wood Duck Decoy Sculpture, Early 20th Century
Located in Studio City, CA
A fantastic early to Mid-20th Century hand-carved and painted wood duck or mallard decoy. This piece has an wonderful color and texture.
From an impressive Los Angeles vintage duck and antique swan decoy...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
18th Century Swedish Folk Art antique rustic Trunk /Chest
Located in Boden, SE
18th Century Swedish antique rustique Chest from Boden Norrbotten, Northern Sweden.
The chest has untouched original paint.
The trunk was dated 1799 to celebrate a birthday ,and the ...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art
Materials
Pine
Large Rare Herters Co. Vintage Antique Folk Art Wood Black Swan Decoy Sculpture
Located in Studio City, CA
A fantastic, exceptionally rare large hand-carved Herters (Herter's) Company black swan decoy sculpture that features a beautiful, natural wood grain patina that comes with age. T...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Early 20th century papier Mache carnival mask of a German soldier
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century papier Mache carnival mask of a German soldier
An early example of a French carnival mask in the form of a German soldier. With hand crafted detail included pain...
Category
1930s French Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Paper
Rustic Carnival Wheel of Fortune Circa 1940s Folk Art Americana
Located in Oakland, CA
Rustic carnival "Wheel of Fortune" circa 1940s, constructed of various solid woods both solid and plywood, the wheel is painted in weathered hues of red and yellow with images of dom...
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Late 19th Century Hand Painted Bluebill Rochester Duck Decoy Antique
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
1880s American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
Danish Primitive Folk Art Tape Heddle Band Loom
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Impressive Danish carved and painted tape loom, Denmark. Tape looms were historically used to weave narrow bands of fabric, such as belts, ribbons, and strap...
Category
Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
Mid 18th Century Floral Painted Blanket Chest
Located in Vo', Veneto
Tyrolean painted chest
H. 81 – W. 147 – P. 69
Ancient Tyrolean chest, entirely built in fir wood. The surface has been decorated with a dark brown background color, semi-covering, ...
Category
Mid-18th Century Austrian Antique Folk Art
Materials
Fir
Folk art wedding chest from 1849
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A pine wedding chest from 1849. The illustrations are traditional with images of flowers and tulips. The chest was part of a dowry package and would have been in the clean room of th...
Category
1840s German Antique Folk Art
Materials
Pine
Folk Art Painting by Black Joe Jackson, Titled "We Be Pickn Sum Flars" US 1960's
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A large-scale painting by folk/outsider artist Black Joe Jackson (American, 1922-1997) .
Jackson's theme derives from his childhood memories in the American South. Raised in a poor ...
Category
1960s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Plywood
German Wedding cabinet, dated 1824
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
This characterful pine chest from rural southern Germany, dated 1824, is a special piece with a romantic history: it was once given as a wedding gift. Hand-painted in vibrant, warm c...
Category
1820s German Antique Folk Art
Materials
Pine
"William Tell" Mechanical Toy Savings Bank. American, Circa 1896 (All Original)
Located in Incline Village, NV
"William Tell" mechanical bank was patented and manufactured in 1896 by the J. & E. Steven's Company in Cromwell, Connecticut (please see image of the underneath with patent informat...
Category
1890s American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Iron
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, decorative objects, wall decorations 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, Jim Rose, 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 $35 and tops out at $49,500 while the average work can sell for $1,387.
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