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.
10
1,939
82
35
to
271
1,295
529
1,939
1,939
1,939
1,939
1,038
318
294
191
182
106
90
83
58
40
38
28
21
19
19
6
77
568
1,294
378
518
191
44
30
66
81
64
81
54
65
24
22
1,042
438
344
246
223
823
674
592
155
142
56
10
10
4
3
Item type: Antique and Vintage
Style: Folk Art
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
19th Century hand carved wood and polychromed Jeu de massacre fairground figure
Located in London, GB
19th Century hand carved wood and polychromed Jeu de massacre fairground figure
A rare piece of fairground art, in the form of an oversized hand carved painted polychromed Jeu de ma...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique 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
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
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
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
Unusual Tramp Art / Folk Art Wood and Stone Clock, sculpture. cabinet.
Located in Buffalo, NY
Unusual Tramp Art / Folk Art Wood and Stone (granite) Clock, sculpture. cabinet.. Amazing decorative item.Antique hand crafted,Stone ,granite cylinders,
Category
1890s American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Stone, Granite
Elena Basilevsky Painted Stone Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Elena Basilevsky (XX) painted stone sculpture of a musician, signed to side and mounted to ebonized base. Overall: 11" H x 7.75" W x 4.25" D.
Category
20th Century Folk Art
Materials
Stone
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
Eye and Glasses Window Display Trade Sign
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Eye and Glasses Window Display Trade Sign
The sign is made in presses tin, it seems to be hand painted with the slogan Eye Glasses Sold Here
The sign is a ...
Category
1930s Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Tin
Water Serpent (Palulukang) and Mud Man (Koyemsi) - Kachina Doll
Located in Soquel, CA
Water Serpent (Palulukang) and Mud Man (Koyemsi) - Kachina Doll
Brightly painted, dynamic sculpture by an unknown artist. The figure is dressed as a medicine man, with feather and fur accents. The Mud Man is holding a piece of leather and a drum, about to wrestle with the Horned Water Serpent (Palulukang) that is emerging from a pottery jar , or Mudhead kachina clown...
Category
1980s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Fur, Feathers, Paint, Wood, Leather
Four Meissen Porcelain Plaques Depicting the Four Seasons
Located in London, GB
This delicately detailed set of four allegorical porcelain plaques portrays family scenes within the theme of the four seasons: Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter.
Spring can be ide...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Folk Art
Materials
Metal
A Set of Six Hungarian Red Ware Folk Art Cups and Saucers by Imre Szűcs
Located in Morristown, NJ
A set of 6 Hungarian Folk Art Red Ware tea cups and saucers by Imre Szűcs. A black/brown based glaze decorated with white dots. The undersides are signed by Imre Albert Szucs and mar...
Category
Late 20th Century Hungarian Folk Art
Materials
Pottery
Highly Decorative 19th Century European German Cleaver, Kitchen Butcher Utensil
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Antique 19th century European cleaver. Made from hand-wrought iron with wood handle. Great as a graphic wall decoration. Found at an estate sale in Nuremberg, Germany. Nice to displa...
Category
Mid-19th Century German Antique Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Early 19th Century Folk Art Hand Painted Games Board
Located in London, GB
Early 19th Century Folk Art Hand Painted Games Board
A highly decorative example of a late 19th Century hand painted/crafted games board. Double sided with one side being painted by...
Category
1890s British Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Splendid four rams Ntomo Mask, Bamana Population, Mali
Located in Paris, FR
Splendid four rams Ntomo Mask, Bamana Population, Mali
Four Rams, Ntomo Mask, Mali, Wood and cowrie shells. Dimensions: 52 x 14.5 cm 20.48 x 5.51inches
The Ntomo mask is used in th...
Category
20th Century Malian Folk Art
Materials
Shell, Wood
19th Century English Folk Art Gentleman’s Cane
Located in London, GB
19th Century English Folk Art Gentleman’s Cane
A rare and quite special example of a 19th Century folk art English gentleman’s walking cane with a h...
Category
1850s British Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
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 Hand Carved Folk Art Tyrolean Figure
Located in London, GB
19th Century Hand Carved Folk Art Tyrolean Figure
A lovely example of a mid-19th Century folk art hand carved Tyrolean (Austrian) figure of a man with moveable arms. A wonderful n...
Category
1850s Austrian Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Antique Wire Fox Terrier Iron Door Stop, Hubley
Located in Riverdale, NY
Charming Iron Wire Haired Fox Terrier Door Stop with intact original paint attributed to Hubley circa 1910. Hard to find with original patinaed cold ...
Category
1910s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Splendid Kpélié Mask, Sénoufo population, Ivory Coast 1950
Located in Paris, FR
Splendid Kpélié Mask, Sénoufo population, Ivory Coast 1950
Kpélié Mask, wood covered with copper
Dimensions 36.5 x 14.5 cm / 14.17 x 5.51 inches
The populations speaking the Sénouf...
Category
1950s Ivorian Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood
A Highly Whimsical Canadian Historical Themed Diorama by Terry Pfliger
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A highly whimsical & amusing wall mounted diorama, featuring a mixed media three-dimensional interior depicting figures in a forested landscape who have happened upon a cache of lost parts belonging to the famous Canadian military aircraft ‘The Avro Arrow’.
The scene is described by the artists hand in script, as observed on the outer front edge of the case which reads....“While deep in the woods on a fishing trip, Dave & Sydney stumble upon the lost cache of Avro Arrow parts”.
Signed & dated 1992, and signed & dated again on the reverse.
The multi-tiered case measuring 16” wide x 11.75” high x 7” deep.
Terry Pfliger (1947-2016) was an American born and highly accomplished professional artist & educator. He taught visual arts at Loyalist College & Vocational Institute in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, before accepting the position as head of the art department at St. Lawrence College also in Kingston Ontario, which he held from 1973-95. Afterwards he moved to Michigan where he taught art at Southwestern Michigan College and was elected Professor Emeritus.
He exhibited for several years in both solo & group exhibitions in Ontario Canada, and in Michigan, USA.
Similar examples of the artists work are represented in the permanent collection of the Agnes Etherington Art Centre located at Queen’s University, Kingston Ontario.
Terry Pfliger was part of a group of artists including Tobey Anderson, David...
Category
Late 20th Century Canadian Folk Art
Materials
Plastic, Plaster, Wood, Paint
Hand Crafted Wooden Mortar and Pestle
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A well crafted wooden Folk Art Mortar and Pestle. The piece is used for crushing everything from herbs and spices, to medicines. While the piece is practical, the wooden craftsmans...
Category
20th Century Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Splendid Seven rams Ntomo Mask, Bamana Population, Mali, 1930-1940
Located in Paris, FR
Splendid Seven rams Ntomo Mask, Bamana Population, Mali, 1930-1940
Seven Rams Ntomo Mask, Ségou region, Mali, Wood, cowrie shells, reptile skin. Dimensions: 61.5 cm / 24.02 inches.
...
Category
1930s Malian Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Shell, Wood
Prison Folk Art Matchstick Model Boat Ship Maritime Night Light Sculpture 31"
Located in Dayton, OH
Mid century three tiered prison folk art / tramp art model steam boat sculpture. Upcycled cardboard framing structure, matchstick exterior with glossy...
Category
Mid-20th Century Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Antique Germany Chip Hand Carved House Catchall Box Tramp Folk Art 1880s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A petite German late 19th century Tramp Folk Art Secret Chamber Cabinet Box. This petite Folk Art piece, circa 1890 comes from Germany and features a finel...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Large French Toleware Glove Maker’s Shop Trade Sign
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Large French Toleware Glove Maker’s Shop Trade Sign
This is a very rare piece it is in good condition and has a new blacksmith made wall bracket, the bracket is copy of the origina...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Folk Art
Materials
Tin
Antique Black Americana Portrait American Lawyer, Signed 1862
Located in South Burlington, VT
Black Americana
Antique Folk Art or Outsider Art Portrait Black American Lawyer, Signed June 10, 1862
This is an original historical and detailed hand incised work of art on wood p...
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Oversized Carved wood and painted Sheaffer Fountain Pen Store Display , 5 feet
Located in Buffalo, NY
Amazing ! Oversized Carved wood and painted Sheaffer Fountain Pen Store Display , Selling two pens. One 5" high 6 " in diameter.. other 50" h , 4" in diameter. Very well made, Qualit...
Category
1950s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Steel
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
Antique Danish Mangle Board Wedding Love Gift Painted Wood, Horse Handle, 1803
Located in Aarhus C, DK
Antique Danish mangle board (clothing and bedding press) dated 1803.
It is made from oak wood which is hand carved with a rich decoration of geometric blossoms. Painted in the colou...
Category
Early 19th Century Scandinavian Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Decorated painted closet
Located in Casaleone, IT
Spruce cabinet with shelves and coat rack.
Original hardware of the period complete with opening latch on left sash.
Between the 2 doors is a pilaster with floral motifs.
Frame and...
Category
Early 1800s Italian Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Fir
Ulo Tribal Akha Woman's Headdress with Framework of Bamboo and Beads
Located in Yonkers, NY
A Ulo Akha woman's Tribal headdress adorned with framework of bamboo, beads, pompons, seeds and other unique items. Immerse yourself in the rich cul...
Category
Early 20th Century Thai Folk Art
Materials
Fabric, Bamboo, Beads
NYC Artist MARGARET LAYTON, PAINTING AND Iron SCULPTURE "WINDOW WASHER"
Located in Buffalo, NY
Margaret Layton (American, 20th century)"Parker Street" New York City Gouache on board, Iron Sculpture "window washer " circa 1950s
Amazing Greenwich Village Building by artist Ma...
Category
1950s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Metal, Iron
American Folk Art Baguette
Located in Chicago, IL
Celebrate the whimsical charm of American Folk Art with this hand-carved pine sculpture resembling a baguette, a delightful fusion of creativity and playfulness. Crafted with meticul...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Pine
Antique wood "Nandi" bull carving with storage space, India 1900th
Located in ECHT, NL
Hand carved and hand painted wood Nandi bull statue. Made around the turn of the 20th century in India. It depicts Vahana, the bull of hindu god Shiva. The statue has a small compartment with a lid on its back. This was probably meant to store an artifact of some kind.
Nandi
Nandi in a zoo-anthropomorphic form
Affiliation Mount of Shiva
Abode Mount Kailash
Consort Suyasha[1]
Part of a series on
Shaivism
show
Deities
show
Scriptures and texts
show
Philosophy
show
Practices
show
Schools
show
Scholars
show
Related
Hinduism portal
vte
Nandi (Sanskrit: नन्दि), also known as Nandikeshvara or Nandideva, is the bull vahana (mount) of the Hindu god Shiva. He is also the guardian deity of Kailash, the abode of Shiva. Almost all Shiva temples display stone...
Category
Early 20th Century Indian Folk Art
Materials
Leather, Wood
Carnival Midway Punk Knockdown Goat Game
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Vintage carnival punk. Unusual goat named "Billie". Knock "Billie" over and win the prize.
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Canvas
Cassapanca rossa decorata
Located in Casaleone, IT
Cassapanca decorata con seduta apribile in abete.
Piede a mensola.
Restaurata in minima parte.
Le misure di riferimento sono alla cornice.
Altre immagini e informazioni a richiesta ...
Category
Early 1900s Italian Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Fir
Spruce painted cabinet
Located in Casaleone, IT
Decorated typical South Tyrolean spruce cabinet with several secrets inside where there are 2 small drawers above and 2 below.
Disassembled into 2 parts, complete original hardware.
...
Category
Early 1800s Italian Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Fir
Painted dresser
Located in Casaleone, IT
Chest of drawers decorated with red and yellow flowers on a green background in larch wood.
Decorations also on the sides.
Complete hardware.
It has 4 drawers of which the first one ...
Category
Early 1800s Italian Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Fir
Lego Scrooge McDuck
Located in Pasadena, CA
The photos of Mr. Lego Scrooge McDuck speak for themselves. This figure is unique and would be the focus of any room. All spaces need a bit of laughter and whimsy and this guy would ...
Category
1990s American Folk Art
Materials
Plastic
19th Century English Folk Art Tree Form Painted Heads
Located in London, GB
19th Century English Folk Art Tree Form Painted Heads
An unusual pair of late 19th Century English folk art painted natural wooden form figures. We hav...
Category
1890s British 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
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
Early 20Thc Wool Amish Pennsylvania Bars Quilt
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fine all wool bars quilt is from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and has very fine tight quilting & in very good condition. The simple cool colors are also amazing as it goes wit...
Category
1920s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wool
H67cm Swedish Horse, handmade folk craft circa 1800, highly decorative element
Located in Forest, BE
Big Swedish horse from the early 19th century. Made of pine wood with the famous red paint. It is worn but in a very nice way. The patina shows the trace of time. There's a whole on ...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art
Materials
Pine
ANTIQUE Folk Art Ride On HORSE On Wheels, c. 1910
Located in Weehawken, NJ
Antique Original Folk Art Ride On Wooden Horse on Platform with Wheels, c. 1910. A stunningly handsome piece which stands on the original platform with functioning wheels. Painted on...
Category
1910s Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Folk Art Wedding Chest, Anno 1960
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
A beautiful example of a wedding chest from the hungarian tribes of the kalota, the illustrations are traditional with images of flowers and tulips. The chest was part of a dowry pa...
Category
1960s Hungarian Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Pine
1970's Nicaraguan Mask Folk Art
Located in Vancouver, BC
A traditional Indian dance mask from the town of Monimbo, adopted by the rebels during the fight against Somoza. These were worn in order to conceal one's identity.
It is a very un...
Category
1970s Nicaraguan Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Metal, Wire
Seresier Louise-Juste Haitian Steel Sculpture C. 1970's
Located in Vancouver, BC
Recycled steel oil drum in folk art style. Meaning, Seresier would find oil drums that would have washed up on the beach in Haiti and pounded flat and then cut out these figures. They feature themes of Haitian Mythology. An incredible piece of artwork. Signature etched on bottom. Can be hung or has ability to stand up on flat surface.
Biography
The Louisjuste brothers -Seresier, Janvier, and Joseph,- were born in Croix-des-Bouquets, Haiti. They learned the art-form from the originator of Haitian metals...
Category
1970s Haitian Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Cut Steel
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.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Gee Quilts
Gees Bend Quilt
Gees Bend Quilters
Folk Art Snake
Victory Flag
Folk Romania
American Folk Art Cast Iron
Antique Carousel
Antique Carousels
Indian Arrow
Marketplace Antique Furniture
Carved Puppets
Victorian Antlers
Antique Native American Beads
Memory Folk Art
Native American Beadwork
North Star Antique
Antique Civil War Era