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
19th Century Sailor's Woolie with Trapunto Sails
Located in Nantucket, MA
19th Century Sailor's Woolie, circa 1860, a sailor's folk art woolwork picture of a British frigate with white trapunto sails, the ensign of the White Fleet at the stern, and the fle...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wool
Vintage Bavarian Traditional Costume Jewelry Charivari with Hunting Pendants
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Bavarian Traditional Costume Jewelry Charivari with Hunting Pendants
A Bavarian Charivari from the middle of the 20th century. A beautiful pie...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Folk Art
Materials
Metal, Silver
Large Oil Paint on Masonite Surrealist Abstract Painting signed Adolphus "66
Located in Buffalo, NY
Large 54" x 54" Oil on Masonite Surrealist Abstract Painting signed Adolphus "66... Amazing use of colors.. space,, Modernism,, abstraction,, surreal. Show-stopper for sure,, Statem...
Category
1960s Unknown Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Masonite, Paint
Modernist Welded Rebar / Steel And Animal Bone Abstract Sculpture
Located in Buffalo, NY
Modernist Welded Rebar / Steel And Animal Bone Abstract Sculpture .. Amazing use of space, Well executed,, balanced.. Artist unknown.Purchased from estate filled with high end art an...
Category
1970s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Steel
Antique Monalisa handmade painted replica.
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Painted during 1972 and 1976. We offer this Antique Monalisa handmade painted replica signed by Lourdes Cúe.
Category
1970s Mexican Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Linen
Mid Century Japanese Tin Litho Friction Toy Car Chevrolet Station Wagon C1956
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fantastic Japanese tin litho toy car from the mid to late fifties. A Chevrolet Station Wagon in excellent vintage condition with minimal wear, practi...
Category
1950s Japanese Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Metal
69th Battery Royal Field Artillery Framed Commemorative Embroidery
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
69th Battery Royal Field Artillery Framed Commemorative Embroidery
A stunning piece, in fine detail applied and embroidered tapestry, showing the counties and campaigns from 1855 ...
Category
19th Century Antique Folk Art
Materials
Silk
Antique European Carved & Painted Folk Art Table Pair
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Charming antique Scandinavian folk art tables.
These have an old world feel to them.
Hand carved with painted floral design.
Not signed ...
Category
Early 20th Century Scandinavian Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Half Round Blacksmith Made Iron Game Hanger, Kitchen Utensil Hanger
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Half Round Blacksmith Made Iron Game Hanger, Kitchen Utensil Hanger
A great piece it is a half round shape with 4 large hooks, it sits flat on the wall, if you don’t need it to han...
Category
1960s Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Painted Ajay Golf Bag & 4 Painted Golf Clubs signed by Rokoko
Located in Chicago, IL
Painted Ajay Golf Bag & Four Painted Golf Clubs signed by Artist, Rokoko
This repurposed Ajay golf bag and five clubs have been completely decorated with abstract and figural drawin...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Folk Art
Materials
Leather, Paint
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
4 Marked Vintage Majolica Ceramic Pottery Wall Masks Italy Cottura Hand Painted
Located in Miami, FL
Set of 4 hand-painted and hand-crafted Majolica Masks, one of them is way bigger than others, Italy circa 1960.
The pieces showcases Italian craftsmanship and feature beautiful col...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic, Pottery
Found and Salvaged Steel House Structure, Modern and Minimalist Sculpture
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
Jim Rose, known primarily for his steel furniture, was an avid collector and scoured salvage yards for unique and interesting items. Here, a collection of found steel is reworked, pr...
Category
2010s American Folk Art
Materials
Metal, Steel
Zabihi Collection Silk Pictorial Herekeh Rug
Located in New York, NY
3rd quarter of the 20th century Fine Turkish silk one-of-a-kind Herekeh rug with a beautiful pictorial animal garden design
Measures: 1'4'' x 1'11'.
Category
Mid-20th Century Folk Art
Materials
Silk
Vintage Bavarian Traditional Costume Jewelry Cufflinks
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Bavarian Traditional Costume Jewelry Cufflinks
A pair Bavarian cufflinks from the middle of the 20th century. A beautiful piece of historical Bavarian folk art jewelry, a re...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Folk Art
Materials
Metal, Silver
Early 20th century fairground figure Pierre Jean Marie Laval
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century fairground figure
An early 20th century hand carved French fairground knockdown figure in the form of Pierre Jean Marie Laval , in original untouched condition. W...
Category
1920s French Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Pine
Late 18th Century Light Blu Floral Painted Blanket Chest
Located in Albignasego, IT
Tyrolean (Northern Italy Alpine Region) light blue painted chest
Measurements: H. 81cm – L. 142cm – D. 59cm
Period: approximately 1780
Origin: Tyrol
Essence: Fir
Tyrolean chest ent...
Category
1780s Italian Antique Folk Art
Materials
Fir
Hand Carved Wooden Smoker Gnome Figure, Vintage German Black Forest Folk Art
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful hand carved wooden smoker figure, found at an estate sale in Nuremberg, Germany. We believe that this piece is from around 1930s or older. A nice addition to any room. Beau...
Category
1930s German Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Found and Salvaged Steel House Structure on a Reclaimed Steel Base
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
Jim Rose, known primarily for his steel furniture, was an avid collector and scoured salvage yards for unique and interesting items. Here, a collection of spare parts come together ...
Category
2010s American Folk Art
Materials
Metal, Steel
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
Wooden Trade Sign Advertising Model of Kissel Gold Bug Speedster
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Wooden Trade Sign Advertising Model of Kissel Gold Bug Speedster
A Car made famous by Amelia Earhart the Kissel Gold Bug Speedster thought of as one of the hottest cars on the road...
Category
1950s Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Plywood
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
Pair of Large Japanese Ceramic Shi-Shi Dog Roof Tiles, Bizen Kiln, 20th Century
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Pair of Large Japanese Ceramic Shi-Shi Dogs roof tiles, Bizen kiln, 20th c.
Bizen kiln is one of the oldest and well known kilns in Japan. This is a very unusual pose of Shi-Shi Do...
Category
20th Century Japanese Folk Art
Materials
Clay
Northwest Coast Mask
Located in Sharon, CT
A midcentury hand crafted wood mask in traditional NorthWest Indian
Style.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Early 20th Century American Copper Horse and Sulky Weathervane
Located in Chicago, IL
This exquisite 1920s American copper weathervane, found in Connecticut, features a captivating depiction of a Patchen horse with a sulky and rider, emblematic of the era's folk art t...
Category
1920s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Copper
Mid-Century Era Inuit Soapstone Carving of a Standing Hunter
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This well executed sculpture is signed by an unknown artist and originated from Canada and dates to approximately 1960 and done in the Mid-Century Inuit style. The sculpture is compo...
Category
Mid-20th Century Canadian Folk Art
Materials
Soapstone
African Hand Crafted Zebra Hide Zulu Shield with Leather Lashing
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An original Zulu Shield made of Zebra Hide and lashed with woven leather. The inside back is made of wood, and handle portion was cured, covered and painted red - there are some con...
Category
20th Century African Folk Art
Materials
Zebra Hide, Wood, Paint
Miniature Model Wooden Canoe, American Circa 1950's
Located in Incline Village, NV
While this model canoe might have been used as a salesman sample, whereby merchants, carried it from town to town to encourage sales, it was more than likely used as a demonstration ...
Category
1950s Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Found and Salvaged Steel House Structure on a Reclaimed Steel Plate, Wooden Base
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
Jim Rose, known primarily for his steel furniture, was an avid collector and scoured salvage yards for unique and interesting items. Here, a collection of found steel is reworked and...
Category
2010s American Folk Art
Materials
Metal, Steel
17th century Jesus Christ Santos Sculpture
Located in Springfield, OR
For your consideration is this beautifully carved, painted and detailed Cristo depicting Jesus nailed on the cross. I had an expert take a look at it and he believes the Jesus figure...
Category
17th Century Spanish Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Large South Indian India Asian Original Pichwai Painting of Elephant Procession
Located in Studio City, CA
A truly gorgeous, quite large and decorative, engaging South Indian Asian (India) Pichwai and/or gouache painting in a heavy two-sided acrylic frame featuring an evening Maharaja roy...
Category
20th Century Indian Folk Art
Materials
Textile, Silk, Paint
Carved Wooden Milliners Head, Vintage Italy, circa 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Adorable unique wood carved head. Italy, 1930s or older. Ideal decoration item, used in the displaying and making of hats. Hand carved from wood. Nice display piece in any room. Foun...
Category
1930s German Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood
WWII Trench Art Artillery Shell Bullet Coin Ashtray
Located in Forney, TX
A fascinating Word War II trench art sculptural ammo ashtray.
Typically hand-crafted by a soldier from found objects during their down time at war, especially in the trenches of WW1...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Folk Art
Materials
Brass
19th Century American Folk Art Game Board
Located in Chicago, IL
This 19th-century American folk art game board is a quintessential example of the ingenuity and aesthetic appeal found in traditional American crafts. Composed of alternating walnut ...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Maple, Walnut
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
Carved Wooden Milliners Head, Vintage Italy, circa 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Adorable unique wood carved head. Italy, 1930s or older. Ideal decoration item, used in the displaying and making of hats. Hand carved from wood. Nice display piece in any room. Foun...
Category
1930s German Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Carved and Decorated Sperm Whale Figure, circa 1900
Located in Nantucket, MA
Antique Carved Sperm Whale, circa 1900, a fine and early hand carved figure of a sperm whale with carved and painted detail to open jaw, in original black paint with highlights. A ve...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Pine
Large Clay Bust of a Child by Philippe Seené, 2004 set on Bronze Life size s
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Large Clay Bust of a Child by Philippe Seené, 2004 set on Bronze
Life size signed bust of a cherubic child, the bust is made in clay and is set into a bronze plinth, the signatur...
Category
Early 2000s Folk Art
Materials
Clay
Late C19th Italian Oil On Board Cat Painting With Bark Folk Art Frame
Located in London, GB
Late C19th Italian oil on board cat painting.
Wonderful and rustic scene depicting four cats chasing a frog with folk art style bark frame. Signed Saglio Rossini Joseph. In good con...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
Found and Salvaged Steel House Structure on a Reclaimed Steel Plate, Wooden Base
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
Jim Rose, known primarily for his steel furniture, was an avid collector and scoured salvage yards for unique and interesting items. Here, a collection of found steel is reworked whi...
Category
2010s American Folk Art
Materials
Metal, Steel
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
20Thc Canadian Goose Copper Weather Vane on Mount
Located in Los Angeles, CA
20Thc Copper & brass flying geese weather vane.This Canadian goose weather vane is a latter version of the 19thc weather vane.
Category
1950s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Copper
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
Mid Century Large Motorized Hand Made Chris Craft Cabin Cruiser C1955
By Chris Craft Boats
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous and large cabin cruiser boat model with an untested motor and batteries. 41.5 inches long and sitting on a brand new custom made stand with a nautical theme. In very good vi...
Category
1950s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Set of 4 Small Swedish Folk Art Chairs, Early 19th Century
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Set of four Swedish 18th Century Folk Art chairs
Set of 4 smaller chairs with its old vintage patina in pine. "Allmoge", the Swedish word for Folk Art, is exactly what these four ea...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art
Materials
Pine
Pair of Large Sculptured Greyhound Dogs
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Pair of Large Sculptured Greyhound Dogs
This Super pair of Dogs has a good patina they appear to be made with an old polished steel finish
They are in very good condition with a bea...
Category
1960s Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Clay
Swedish painted 19th century spinning wheel
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Swedish painted 19th century spinning wheel circa 1864.
Beautiful piece of traditional swedish history. Being a small model with a foot peddle this machine was likely to used to sp...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art
Materials
Pine
Folk Art Wood Horse Pull Toy
Located in Garnerville, NY
Fantastic hand crafted carved wood horse pull toy. Possibly made from scraps of wood during the Depression Era resembling a Trojan Horse of sorts. Carved pine. There are few nails us...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Pine
19thC Nautical Six Spoke Solid Brass Yacht Steering Wheel. American, Circa 1870
Located in Incline Village, NV
This 19th century American solid brass ship steering wheel was, more than likely, from a yacht. Fishing and commercial boats were more inclin...
Category
1870s American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Brass
Early 20th century fairground figure
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century fairground figure
In the form of Benito Mussolini this early 20th century hand carved French fairground knockdown figure is in original untouched condition. With ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Folk Art
Materials
Pine
Late 19th Century Large Painted Folk Art Hobbyhorse with Sea Glass Eyes
Located in Middleburg, VA
Late 19th Century Large Painted Folk Art Hobbyhorse with Sea Glass Eyes. America, 1880-1900. Measures: 26.5" H, 33" W, 11" D
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
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
Materials
Wood, Paint
Large Mid 1800s Zinc Automaton Elephant
Located in Peekskill, NY
175 years ago this was created as a fountain that worked on water and counter weights. The elephant can now be plugged in and runs on dry land using a motor, cables and gears. The he...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Vintage Painting of a Young Child - Oil on Board
Located in Centennial, CO
A charming vintage oil on fiber board painting of a young child with a blue and white cup and a piece of bread (?). Painted in shades of warm brown, pinks, maroons and whites. Surfac...
Category
1930s Unknown Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Masonite, Paint
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
Collection of (3) Native American Folk Art Canoes
Located in Chicago, IL
Collection of (3) Native American Folk Art Children's Toy Canoes most likely made between the 1940's and 1950's. Two of the Folk Art Children's Canoes were made from Birchbark, while...
Category
1950s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Birch
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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