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.
Style: Folk Art
Color: Brown
19th C Original Painted Game Board
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th C original painted game board. Nice original Salmon and black paint.
Category
19th Century North American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
18th Century Swedish Folk Art Door With Faux Marble Original Decorations
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
An 18th century Swedish original painted Folk Art small door. The front side is all in original condition with working lock and original key (Request video). With faux marble paintin...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art
Materials
Pine
19th Chinese Checkers Game Board with Original Paint
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th Chinese checkers game board with original paint form Pennsylvania. beautiful colors and patina.
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Early 20th Century Folk Art French Weather-Vane Plane
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century Folk Art French weather-vane plane.
For sale in this lot is an early 20th century handmade Folk Art French weather-vane plane. Th...
Category
1940s British Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Late 19th Century Carved Wooden Angel
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Impressive wood carved angel with amazing detail. Certainly the work of a master carver. Found among the entire contents of a Catholic Church in the Midwest which was said to have cl...
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Gesso, Wood, Paint
Exceptional Painted Bookcase with Gold Leaf Carvings
Located in Albignasego, IT
Exceptional bookcase painted in blue and red with gold leaf carvings.
Two large side pillars, with richly carved scrolls, lacquered and gilded wi...
Category
1810s Italian Antique Folk Art
Materials
Fir
St. Julien Weather Vane Attributed to J.W. Fiske 19th Century Full Bodied Metal
Located in Stamford, CT
St. Julien with Sulky Molded Copper Weather Vane, attributed to J.W. Fiske, New York, last quarter 19th century, full-bodied molded sheet copper horse and driver vane with cast iron horse's head and driver's hands, sheet copper reins and seat, copper rod wheels, mounted on a ebony base. This has the original threading as seen in the last photo below.
A very similar Attrib Fiske Weathervane...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Copper
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
French 19th Century Folk Art Leather Box
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful weathered Folk Art box made out of wood and covered with leather. Working lock and key.
France, circa 1850
Weathered, small losses.
Category
19th Century French Antique Folk Art
Materials
Leather, Wood
Robert 'Mouseman' Thompson Folk Art Carved Oak Oval Cutting or Cheese Board
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This solid oak oval cutting board was made by the renowned English furniture maker Robert 'Mouseman' Thompson in his signature Arts & Crafts style. The cutting board has a raised han...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Folk Art
Materials
Oak
Early 20th Century Carved and Painted Wood Whirligig
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Carved and painted wooden soldier whirligig. Early 20th century American. Soldier has a leather hat with wooden brim. Presented on simple custom museum...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Large Figurative African Mangbetu Anthropomorphic Vessel / Jar
Located in Studio City, CA
This is a fantastic piece likely made by the Mangetu tribe of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is finely detailed and quite large and hefty. These pieces were originally made...
Category
20th Century Congolese Folk Art
Materials
Terracotta
Moroccan Vintage Berber Tribal Ethnic Cuff
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Moroccan Berber tribal bracelet from the High Atlas of Morocco.
Handcrafted by Berber women using Moroccan silver nickel.
The...
Category
20th Century Moroccan Folk Art
Materials
Metal
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
Swedish Folk Art Midcentury Hand Carved Wall Cabinet
Located in New York, NY
Swedish mid-20th century Folk Art wall cabinet of carved pine, painted in “mahogany” red. The motif depict a man in a horse pulled carriage, various animals including a snake, crayfi...
Category
Mid-20th Century Scandinavian Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
19th Century Bocce Balls, France, Set of Three
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Late 19th to early 20th century bocce balls, France, set of three
boxwood, iron and brass nails.
The first ball has the letters PP in brass, the second ha...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Folk Art
Materials
Brass, Iron
Folk Art Suede Leather Giraffe Stuffed Animal
Located in Ferndale, MI
Vintage 1970s tan suede leather spotted Giraffe stuffed animal complete with sewn-on plastic eyes and lashes and a mane made of black yarn. All seaming is tight. No stains.
Category
1970s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Suede, Nylon, Yarn, Plastic
Vintage Carved Wood and Poly Chrome Painted Figural Musical Clock Figurine
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This vintage hand carved and hand painted musical clock is unsigned, but presumed to have been made in or near Austria in circa 1950 in a Folk Art style. The carving depicts a male figure leaning against a post mounted Black Forest styled clock. The carving is quite detailed and well executed on all sides and has been hand painted in a realistic style. Both the clock and the music box are currently not working as both have been over-wound and would require servicing. The head of the carving should turn slightly left to right while the music box is playing, but in its current state it is unknown whether the mechanism functions and/or what tune the music box may play. In addition, there is currently no key for the clock, but these normally use a standard small music box...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Wooden statue of a warrior
Located in NANTES, FR
Tall statue depicting a warrior in wood with brass inlays. Great patina.
Do not hesitate to ask me for a shipping quote.
Category
Mid-20th Century Gabonese Folk Art
Materials
Wood
French Turn of the Century Hand Carved Tramp Art Folk Mirror with Raised Motifs
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French hand carved Tramp Art folk wall mirror from the early 20th century, with raised motifs. We currently have two available, priced and sold $1,750 each. Created in France at th...
Category
Early 20th Century French Folk Art
Materials
Mirror, Wood
Large Marble Solitaire Board Game with 33 Early Handmade Clay Marbles
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a complete board game of marble solitaire with a large turned maple board from the 20th century and handmade clay or stone marbles from the mi...
Category
Early 20th Century English Folk Art
Materials
Stone
Pair of Canadian Folk Art Carved Japanese Internment Camp Figures or Sculptures
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This pair of Folk Art carved figures is believed to have been made by a Japanese immigrant to Canada either while or after being interned by the Canadian government during the Second World War. The male carved figure is hand painted in vibrant colors and the base reads: June 11, 1942" and "Ontario" underneath. The nude female carving...
Category
Mid-20th Century Canadian Folk Art
Materials
Softwood
Vintage Moroccan Brown Plum Tribal Berber Rug
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Tribal Moroccan Berber rug, different hues of browns, plum and rust natural organic wo.This carpet is a gorgeous piece of Abstract Modernist Art...
Category
Late 20th Century Moroccan Folk Art
Materials
Wool
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
Zabihi Collection Large Deer Turkish Pictorial Rug
Located in New York, NY
mid-20th century Turkish Rug with 2 large Deers surrounding multiple borrders and a central medallion
Details
rug no. j3741
size 4' 10" x 10' 5" (147 x 318 cm)
Category
20th Century Turkish Folk Art
Materials
Wool
Handmade Diminutive Metal Owl Sculpture
Located in Ferndale, MI
Nicely detailed diminutive metal owl sculpture for desktop or collection. Weighty - possibly pewter. Signed Clarence.
Category
Late 20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Metal
English Windjammer Folk Art Plane, circa 1930
Located in London, GB
We are proud to offer an early 20th century Folk Art wooden hand painted red bi-plane from a windjammer. A wonderful self-taught engineering example demonstrating great proportions a...
Category
1930s British Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood
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
Materials
Steel
Vintage Hand Painted Folk Art Chest Box Floral Birds Traditional Medium Storage
Located in Greer, SC
Vintage hand painted and hand crafted domed chest with an elaborate folk art scene throughout the entire box. Stunning artwork with florals, birds, and a courting scene on wood. This...
Category
20th Century Unknown Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
19th Century POW Shoe Snuff Box
Located in London, GB
19th Century POW shoe snuff box
We are proud to offer a 19th century POW carved wooden snuff box, The toenails have likely been replaced over time. T...
Category
1880s Unknown Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Beautiful large José María de Servín Painting of Stylized Cello Player
Located in Mexico, DF
José María de Servin was born in La Piedad, Michoacán in central Mexico in 1917. As a small child, he moved with his family to Guadalajara, Jalisco State, Mexico. He studied paintin...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art
Materials
Burlap
Vintage Folk Art Timber Rabbit Poly Chromed Carved Wood
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Folk Art timber rabbit, circa 1940s, Canadian. Long ears with folded arms with a Picasso style head. The rabbit is sitting upright on it's haunches poly-...
Category
Mid-20th Century Folk Art
Materials
Wood
J. Hübner Carved Wood Carousel Horse, Early 20th Century, Germany
Located in Antwerp, BE
Antique Carousel horse by J.Hübner.
A hand-carved wooden carousel horse made by Atelier Hübner Germany - Josef Hübner - Joseph Hubner.
This piece of Carnival Art - funfair roundabout horse - Merry-go-round Horse
dates circa 1910 and has sulfide eyes, a real tale and stirrups.
It's a European Springer Horse - Jumping Horse - Galopping Horse
on a metal base.
During his life, already more then 110 years !! it does have some old restorations
and old repainting but that gives this antique horse the charm of his history: making people and children happy and offer them a ride.
Antique carved horses - Antique German Carousel Horses - Hübner horses...
Category
Early 20th Century German Folk Art
Materials
Metal
A Carved Wooden Owl Statue
Located in Nashua, NH
A beautiful majestic carved Owl in one piece in lovely old brown finish with interestingly carved ears and eyes colored in a yellow background with very dark pupils, very large claws...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Wood
French folk art sculpture - A monoxylous sharpening stone case
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
A sharpening stone case, a monoxylous work of French folk art from the early 20th century. Hand-carved walnut wood, a superb and rare decorative object
Category
Early 20th Century French Folk Art
Materials
Walnut
Very Decorative Antique Ship Model with Beautiful Wear and Tear
Located in Beerse, VAN
Beautiful antique ship model made of different types of painted wood.
It was most likely made as a toy as we can tell by the less detailed construc...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Folk Art Carved and Painted Owl Decoy, USA, 1900's
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Folk Art carved and painted owl decoy, USA 1900's
A decorative barn owl carving decoy
Original paint with even wear.
Mounted over a new iron stand.
Category
20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Mid-19th Century Child’s Grain Painted Miniature Chest of Drawers
Located in Nantucket, MA
Mid-19th century Benchmade child’s grain painted Miniature chest of drawers. A country piece in the American Empire style, with a step-back drawer and backsplash, above the case with...
Category
Mid-19th Century North American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Nantucket Large Oval Basket by Mitchy Ray, circa 1920s
Located in Nantucket, MA
Late 19th century nantucket basket, by Mitchy Ray (1877 - 1956), circa 1920s, a large open oval basket with heavy rattan staves, cane weave, sol...
Category
1920s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Cane
Folk Art Sculpture of a Man
Located in Hudson, NY
Folk Art Sculpture of a Man
Unsigned. This piece was found in the Catskill Mountains, NY.
He came from the estate of an important NYC modernist dealer.
H...
Category
Mid-20th Century Folk Art
Materials
Hardwood
18th Century Primitive Folk Art Baroque Era Unique Pine Cabinet Chimney Cupboard
Located in Zagreb, HR
Stunning sculptural piece of furniture, a rustic wabi sabi folk art primitive cabinet, "chimney cupboard", from the 18th century.
One of a kind antique rustic piece with loads of...
Category
18th Century European Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wrought Iron
Oscar Peterson Minnow Decoy Repainted by Jess Ramey, circa 1930
By Oscar Peterson
Located in Nantucket, MA
Oscar Peterson Minnow Decoy repainted by Jess Ramey, Cadillac, Michigan, circa 1930, an early Period II Peterson working ice fishing decoy that recei...
Category
1920s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Wedding Chest From Circa 1820
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
German dowry chest made circa 1820 for one Anna Bertha Holderegger. Hand painted with beautiful fine details. The iron details such as the hinges ar...
Category
1820s German Antique Folk Art
Materials
Oak, Pine
Antique German Hand Painted Cabinet, Circa 1850
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A beautiful cabinet from the rural south of germany, dating from circa 1850. The cabinet was probably given as a wedding present. This cabinet is made of solid pine and is hand paint...
Category
1850s German Antique Folk Art
Materials
Pine
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
18th Century French or Italian Santo Nativity Figure
Located in Nantucket, MA
18th century French or Italian Santo Nativity Figure, a hand carved and painted fruitwood figure for a Christmas Crèche or Krippe. Excellent and delicate details to the head and hands. The half figure stands on a dowel set into platform base, dressed in original fine linen robe...
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Folk Art
Materials
Linen, Fruitwood
19th Century Pennsylvania Folky Sheraton Cherry Chest of Drawers
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique wooden chest of drawers.
With a terrific old finish.
In cherry wood with a polar secondary, turned wooden pulls, and r...
Category
Mid-19th Century North American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Cherry
Round Red Earthenware Studio Pottery Bowl w/ Transparent Green Glaze - Unsigned
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A beautiful piece of red earthenware studio pottery. Created from a rich red clay material, this piece was found in Oklahoma. It is glazed in a transparent clear glaze on the inside ...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Clay, Paint
Wedding Chest From 1802
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
German dowry box made for one Friedrich Eggiman in 1802. Hand painted with beautiful fine details. The iron details such as the handles and hinges are forged by hand. The box is made...
Category
Early 1800s German Antique Folk Art
Materials
Pine
19th Century Antique Moroccan Hand Painted Wood Berber Chest
Located in New York, NY
This 19th century Moroccan Berber chest is a masterpiece of craftsmanship. Made from pine wood, it features beautifully painted sides and top, showcasing intricate patterns and vibra...
Category
19th Century Moroccan Antique Folk Art
Materials
Pine
Antique Danish Wooden Mangle Board Wedding Love Gift with Horse Dated 1814
Located in Aarhus C, DK
Danish mangle board (clothing and bedding press) dated 1814.
It is made from oak wood which is hand carved and richly decorated abstract geometric flowers and branches with leaves a...
Category
1810s Scandinavian Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Folk Art Dresser Top Vanity Mirror in Original Paint
Located in Ferndale, MI
Early 20th century Folk Art dressing table mirror in the original paint - teal green over black with white trim. The distressed surface paint reveals the black underneath creating a ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Brass
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
Mexican Vintage Ken Edwards Tonala Pottery Hand Painted Quail Bird
By Ken Edwards
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Ken Edwards Mexican ceramic quail bird form Tonala Pottery.
Beautiful vintage Mexican hand made and hand painted TONALA Art Pottery.
Deco...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art
Materials
Pottery
Peter Hunt Cape Cod Folk Art Painted Watermelon Tray, Signed
By Peter Hunt
Located in Ferndale, MI
Large hand-painted watermelon metal tray by Massachusetts folk artist, Peter Hunt.
Hand-signed on front anno domini 1960 par pierre le chasseur d'orleans.
Hand signed on verso Welc...
Category
1960s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Swedish Folk Wooden Dala Pig Toy, circa 1960
By Nils Olsson
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Handpainted Swedish wooden traditional Dala pig toy.
Designed by Nils Olsson in Sweden, circa 1960.
Materials:
Wood
In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age...
Category
1960s Swedish Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood
French 19th Century Folk Art Metal Rooster or Cockerel Weathervane
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful metal weathervane representing a rooster or cockerel,
France, 1850-1900.
Weathered and small losses. Measurement here below is inclusive the wooden base.
Category
19th Century French Antique Folk Art
Materials
Copper, Iron
Vintage Hand-Carved Wood Popeye Figure with Original Paint Surface
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Vintage popeye figure. Hand-carved wood with amazing alligatored paint surface complete with anchor forearm tattoos. Created from three pieces of...
Category
1950s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood
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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