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
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
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
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
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
20th Century American Folk Art Canada Goose on Custom Steel Mount
Located in Chicago, IL
This 20th-century American Folk Art masterpiece is a life-size Canada goose that captures the essence of rural creativity and cultural heritage. Its outstretched wings, crafted from ...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Driftwood
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
American Patinated Copper Full Bodied Stork Directional Weathervane
Located in Chicago, IL
American full bodied patinated copper stork directional weathervane. Sitting a top a contemporary iron stand. Believed to be of the 19th century.
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Copper, Steel, Tin
American Country Tole Gold Clock Sign
Located in New York, NY
American Country (19th Century) painted tole gold trimmed double sided clock sign in the form of a pocket watch.
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Tôle
Large Antique Wire & Canvas Paint Decorated Canadian Duck Decoy
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A large and fine example of a Folk Art Decoy in all original distressed condition. Antique paint decorated canvas and wire construction with original hook on verso.
Dimensions: 25" ...
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art
Materials
Wire
Antique Puente de Arzobispo Talavera Handmade Ceramic Glazed Lebrillo Bowl
Located in Escalona, Toledo
Lebrillo ceramic bowl made by hand.
Its origin is in Puente del Arzobispo, Talavera de la Reina, Toledo, Spain.
The basin is preserved in excellent condition.
The ceramics of Puente...
Category
Early 20th Century Spanish Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic
Traditional Hardwood Crocodile Carving, Nigeria, cira 1970s
Located in Aramits, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Decorative Folk Art hand-carved hardwood crocodile, with lots of details in the carving. Nigeria, circa 1970s.
Category
Mid-20th Century Nigerian Folk Art
Materials
Hardwood
19th Century Swedish Folk Art Kubbestol Carved Chair
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Hand-Carved Scandinavian Folk Art Kubbestol Chair, 19th Century
A kubbestol is a traditional Scandinavian chair made from a log. Notice the intricate carving throughout including th...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art
Materials
Berlin Iron
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
19th Century American Burl Wood Horse Hoof Vessel
Located in Chicago, IL
This remarkable 19th-century American Folk Art vessel, expertly carved from a natural burl to resemble a horse's hoof, is a quintessential example of Folk Art's imaginative and uncon...
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Folk Art Sea Horse Hooked Rug, circa 1960
Located in Nantucket, MA
Vintage Folk Art Sea Horse Hooked Rug, circa 1960, featuring a family of three variously sized and colored sea horses swimming against a variegated bl...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Wool
18th Century Folk Art Street Performance Figure
Located in London, GB
18th Century Folk Art Street Performance Figure.
An unusual and complete one-off piece of folk art, in the form of a hand carved begging figure. Recently uncovered from a personal ...
Category
1780s French Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Antique Folk Art Rocking Horse Sculpture
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A vibrant Antique Folk Art Rocking Horse Sculpture in all original condition. The Horse has a nice Primitive form, beautiful outstretched stride, faceted eyes, iron stirrups, red vi...
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Colonial Mexican Folk Art Ex-Voto Retablo Painting of Mother Mary & Jesus, 1800s
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautiful 19th-century Spanish Colonial Mexican Folk Art ex-voto retablo lámina painting featuring Mother Mary with the crowned infant Jesus Christ (standing on clouds) in her arms...
Category
19th Century Mexican Antique Folk Art
Materials
Metal, Tin
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
Folk Art Mountain Landscape Painting - Initialed & Dated - Canada - Circa 1956
Located in Chatham, ON
Mid Century folk art mountain landscape oil painting on artist's canvas board - unframed - initialed lower right - Canada - circa 1956.
Good vintage condition - no loss - no apparen...
Category
Mid-20th Century Canadian Folk Art
Materials
Canvas, Paint
Swedish 19th Century Folk Art Oil Painting With Kids
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Swedish naive oil painting with the original frame, from the 2nd part of the 19th Century.
This folk art work on canvas represents kids and a dog playing by a courtyard, opening the...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art
Materials
Canvas, Wood
Sailor's Woolwork of Royal Navy Battleship Coming Into Port
Located in Downingtown, PA
Sailor's Woolwork of Royal Navy Second Rate Battleship Coming into Port,
Circa 1865
The British sailor's woolwork has a dramatic view of a Royal Navy Second Rate Battleship coming i...
Category
1860s English Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wool
19th Century American Folk Art Heart Shaped Iron Pad Lock & Key, Dated 1875
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th-century American folk art Heart-shaped forged iron pad lock and key, dated 1875
A remarkable 19th-century American heart-shaped forged iron padlock and key is a true testament ...
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wrought Iron, Iron
Spanish Colonial Mexican Folk Art Ex-Voto Retablo Painting Catholic Saint 1800s
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautiful 19th-century Spanish Colonial Mexican Folk Art ex-voto retablo lámina painting featuring an unknown Spanish Roman Catholic Saint.
The work is hand-painted on metal (li...
Category
19th Century Mexican Antique Folk Art
Materials
Metal, Tin
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
Early 20th century decorative dutch working windmill
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 20th century decorative dutch working windmill circa 1920.
We are pleased to offer this delightful scale model of a dutch windmill. This could have only been commissioned for...
Category
Early 20th Century Dutch Folk Art
Materials
Birch, Walnut
Antique American Hand Woven Hooked Rug Long Runner, Circa 1880-1900
Located in Rochester, NY
Antique American folk art hand woven wool hooked rug. Circa 1880 - 1900. Good original color / well defined design / overall nice pile. A hard to find long runner / corridor / hallw...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wool, Burlap
MIKE MATAS - Vintage Folk Art Whale Carving on Stand - Signed - Canada - C. 1980
Located in Chatham, ON
MIKE MATAS - Vintage folk art hand-carved pine model of a whale - mounted by two brass pins to the base - finished with a semi-gloss varnish - signed and dated - possibly from the ea...
Category
Mid-20th Century Canadian Folk Art
Materials
Brass
18th Century Serpent Door Knocker
Located in London, GB
18th Century Serpent Door Knocker
An unusual object in the form of a late 18th Century wrought iron door knocker in the shape of a serpent.
Dimensions in inches: H 16” x W 1.5” x...
Category
18th Century Unknown Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wrought Iron
19th Century Folk Art Rocking Horse
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Antique Folk Art painted and decorated rocking horse. In antique condition with splits and repairs, pictured. Dimensions: 37.5"H x 54"W x 11"D. Ask us about our local NYC delivery.
Category
19th Century Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Early 20th Century Fairground Roulette Wheel
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century Fairground Roulette Wheel
French in its origin, this early 20th century hand crafted pine roulette wheel is in full working order. With its original metal wheel ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Folk Art
Materials
Pine
Very Rare Large Victorian Hand Carved Salesman Sample Skiff Boat American C 1865
Located in Incline Village, NV
Very rare large size salesman sample skiff boat, circa 1865; hand carved out of a single piece of wood (perhaps maple) with Victorian period black print stenciling to the side in inc...
Category
1860s American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Colonial Mexican Folk Art Ex-Voto Retablo Painting of Santo Niño de Atocha 1800s
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautiful 19th-century Spanish Colonial Mexican Folk Art ex-voto retablo lámina painting featuring Santo Niño de Atocha (also known as - Holy In...
Category
19th Century Mexican Antique Folk Art
Materials
Metal, Tin
Early 19th Century Wooden Horse
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Early 19th Century Wooden Horse
A handsome Dapple Grey galloper with Horse Hair mane and tail, he has a classic open mouthed expression and bright glass eyes
Our Handsome galloper h...
Category
1860s Antique Folk Art
Materials
Oak
Colonial Mexican Folk Art Ex-Voto Retablo Painting of Mother Mary & Jesus, 1800s
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautiful 19th-century Spanish Colonial Mexican Folk Art ex-voto retablo lámina painting featuring Mother Mary with the infant Jesus Christ (faded and now almost a ghost-like figur...
Category
19th Century Mexican Antique Folk Art
Materials
Metal, Tin
Large Folk art /surrealist Oil painting on canvas.. Circus scene. " Burning Tent
Located in Buffalo, NY
Large Folk art / surrealist Oil painting on canvas.. depicting circus scene. "Burning Tent".. Very well executed.. amazing detail..
Category
1950s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Canvas, Wood, Paint
Zabihi Collection Early 20th century Kashan Pictorial Landscape Scenery Rug
Located in New York, NY
Finely Woven Botanical early 20th century Kashan Pictorial Rug. A brown Deer, 2 rabbits in a pretty surrounding.
Details
rug no. j1868
size 2' 1" x 2' 10" (64 x 86 cm)
Category
Early 20th Century Persian Folk Art
Materials
Wool
Whimsical Folk Art Painted Lady Liberty Political Figure
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Whimsical hand made carved wood and painted folk art hanging liberty figure.
Category
1960s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Folk Art Wedding Chest, Anno 1903
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Wedding Chest in pastel shades, Eastern Europe, anno 1903, with roses and targets on a red background. A fine example of this particular type of box found in present-day eastern Roma...
Category
Early 20th Century Hungarian Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Outsider Art Painting titled Spielunkers, 3/10/09 RRD
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Outsider art painting using paper cutouts on masonite board titled Spielunkers, 3/10/09 RRD. Assemblage measures 25" wide, 2.25" deep and 8.5" high. We had the painting professiona...
Category
Early 2000s American Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
Jim Rose - Construct No. 05, Salvaged Steel and Aluminum Industrial Objects
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, interesting items. Here he has welded together various metal pieces to...
Category
2010s American Folk Art
Materials
Metal, Steel
A. RUSHTON - Vintage Folk Art Oil Painting - Framed - Canada - Mid 20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
A. RUSHTON - Vintage folk art oil painting on canvas covered panel - signed lower right - framed (likely original) - Canada - mid 20th c...
Category
Mid-20th Century Canadian Folk Art
Materials
Paint
1834 Light Blue Floral Painted Blanket Chest
Located in Albignasego, IT
Tyrolean painted chest dated 1834
Measurements: H. 73m – L. 127cm – D. 56cm
Period: 1834
Origin: Tyrol
Essence: Fir
Painted chest, entirely made of fir wood.
On the front there is ...
Category
1830s Italian Antique Folk Art
Materials
Fir
19th Century Sailor's Folk Art Woolie with Ship of the Line and Sloop, ca 1850
Located in Nantucket, MA
19th Century Sailor's Folk Art Woolie with Triple Decker Ship of the Line and Sloop, ca 1850, depicting a starboard side view of a majestic square-rigged triple decker warship under ...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wool
Double Sailor's Valentine of Sea Shells and Motto "Ever Thine"
Located in Downingtown, PA
Double Sailor's Valentine of Sea Shells and Motto "Ever Thine",
Barbados, West Indies,
Circa 1885
A double sailor's valentine with Spanish Cedar box...
Category
Early 20th Century Bajan Folk Art
Materials
Shell
Hungarian Red Ware Folk Art Rooster - Lidded Jug/Teapot by Imre Szűcs
Located in Morristown, NJ
A Hungarian Folk Art Red Ware Rooster Lidded Jug/Teapot by Imre Szűcs. A black/brown based rooster decorated with white dots and green, yellow and red painted elements. The spout is...
Category
Late 20th Century Hungarian Folk Art
Materials
Pottery
Outsider Art Painting titled The Pink Spider, 7-27-09 RRD
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Outsider art painting using paper cutouts on masonite board titled The Pink Spider, 7-27-09 RRD. Assemblage measures 33.5" wide, 2.25" deep and 13.25" high. We had the painting profe...
Category
Early 2000s American Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
Outsider Art Painting titled Triple Play, 3/10-3/16/2008 RRD
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Outsider art painting using paper cutouts on masonite board titled Triple Play, 3/10-3/16/2008 RRD. Assemblage measures 30" wide, 2.25" deep and 8.75" high. We had the painting prof...
Category
Early 2000s American Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
Outsider Art Painting titled Meet The Seekers, 1-3-10
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Outsider art painting using paper cutouts on masonite board titled Meet The Seekers, 1-3-10. Assemblage measures 13.25" wide, 2.25" deep and 29.75" high. We had the painting professi...
Category
2010s American Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
Chesapeake Bay Scaup Drake Sink Box Wing Decoy, circa 1940
Located in Nantucket, MA
Early Chesapeake Bay Scaup Drake Sink Box Wing Decoy, circa 1940, a very shallow flat bodied decoy in original condition, original black and white paint on head and body, and painted...
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Outsider Art Painting titled E-Z FRIEZE-E3 2008 RRD
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Outsider art painting using paper cutouts on masonite board titled E-Z FRIEZE-E3 2008 RRD. Assemblage measures 49.25" wide, 2.25" deep and 7.25" high. We had the painting professio...
Category
Early 2000s American Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
19th Century Carved Oak Folk Art Wall Figurative Plaque.
Located in London, GB
19th Century Carved Oak Folk Art Wall Figurative Plaque.
Just carved for the fun of it, this 19th century hand carved oak plaque illustrates an old ...
Category
1890s British Antique Folk Art
Materials
Oak
Pair of Greyhound Guard Dogs, Natural Rust Weathered in Cast Iron
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Pair of Greyhound Guard Dogs, Natural Rust Weathered in Cast Iron
This Super pair of Large Outdoor or Indoor Dogs these chaps have a good rusty outdoor patina they have been guard...
Category
1940s Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Early-20th Century Boul Club Sign
Located in London, GB
Early-20th Century Boul Club Sign
A complete one off, in the form of a hand carved / painted oversized Boul club advertising sign dated 1922. Completely u...
Category
Early 20th Century French Folk Art
Materials
Pine
Old Vintage Pair Native American Folk Art Portraits Signed JP Macett
Located in South Burlington, VT
Vintage pair (2) Folk Art or Outsider Art Portraits of Native Americans. The female displays braided hair and a necklace with pendant of possible an acorn or shell; the male with a ...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Oak
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
19th Century Sailor's Woolie with Ship at Anchor Within Oval Cartouche, ca 1850
Located in Nantucket, MA
19th Century Sailor's Folk Art Woolie with Ship at Anchor Within Oval Cartouche, ca 1850, depicting a square-rigged single decker warship under furled sails, anchor chain leading off...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wool
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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