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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Item Ships From: USA
Style: Folk Art
"Untitled" by Moshe Katz Mixed Media on Canvas
Located in San Diego, CA
Highly textured portrait of a jewish man. This piece is fascinating, original and signed.
Moshe Katz was born March 2, 1937 in Bucharest, Romania. With his parents, he fled the Nazis...
Category
1960s Israeli Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
Painted Guatemalan Patrón Face Mask
Located in Chicago, IL
This colorfully painted and expertly carved mask was once used in one of the oldest Guatemalan dance performances, the Baile del Patzcar. Still practiced today, this dance evolved fr...
Category
20th Century Guatemalan Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
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
Jim Rose Barn House Structure, Welded Steel Sculpture Made with Salvaged Steel
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
This is a welded steel sculpture made by furniture creator Jim Rose. It is sustainable design created from salvaged and recycled steel panels left over from his larger projects. These sculptures reference traditional American Folk Art barn...
Category
2010s American Folk Art
Materials
Steel
British Sailor's Woolwork of Royal Navy Ship at Sea
Located in Downingtown, PA
British Sailor's Woolwork of Royal Navy Ship at Sea,
Circa 1870
The sailor's woolwork or woolie depicts a port side view of the Royal Navy frigate under full sail and flying the Whi...
Category
1870s English Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wool
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
Found and Salvaged Industrial Objects, Metal Sculpture on Base
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
Known for his steel furniture, Jim Rose was an avid collector and scoured salvage yards for unique, interesting items. Here he has paired various repurposed finds together to create...
Category
2010s American Folk Art
Materials
Steel, Metal
Vintage American Folk Art Copper Chess Board
Located in Chicago, IL
This enchanting mid-20th century American Folk Art chess board is a true testament to naive and outsider craftsmanship and creativity. Hand-crafted with meticulous care, the board fe...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Copper
"Peg-Leg Beggar" Mechanical Bank, American, circa 1880
Located in Incline Village, NV
"Peg-leg Beggar" 19th century cast iron mechanical bank was probably inspired by the many disabled Civil War veterans begging for their subsistence. The bank was manufactured by the ...
Category
1880s American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Mechanical Bank, "Watchdog Safe" in Cast Iron, circa 1890
Located in Incline Village, NV
"Watchdog Safe" mechanical bank was manufactured by the prolific toy coin bank manufacturer J. & E. Stevens Company in Cromwell, Connecticut in 1890. "Patent Applied For" appears in ...
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Iron
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
Antique Folk Art Stitched Geometric Patchwork Quilt Blanket Gingham Check
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique hand stitched bedspread / blanket / coverlet / quilt featuring checkered geometric blocks of multicolored gingham, divided by white and...
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art
Materials
Cotton
Zabihi Collection Red Dragon Vintage Tibetan Rug
Located in New York, NY
A colorful one-of-a-kind Tibetan rug from the 3rd quarter of the 20th century with a dragon motif on red ground
Measures: 3' x 5'7''.
Category
Late 20th Century Folk Art
Materials
Wool
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
Moroccan Pedestal Table, Moorish Hand Painted Design Octagonal Shape Table 1960s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage 1960s Moroccan pedestal table.
hand painted Moroccan side table on a dark maroon background color with floral and geometric designs in blue and ochre colors.
Moroccan octagon...
Category
Late 20th Century Moroccan Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Folk Art Sculpture of Shore Bird
Located in Houston, TX
The Folk Art Sculpture of the shore bird is a radiant manifestation of creativity and imagination, blending elements of nature with artistic expression. Crafted as a composite heron,...
Category
20th Century Folk Art
Materials
Composition, Metal
Sue Benner Cellular Structure I Nine Ovals Quilt Circa 2006
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Beautiful hand made quilt by famed quilter Sue Benner. According to her site "While pursuing a degree in molecular biology and a master's in biomedical illustration, Sue Benner crea...
Category
Early 2000s American Folk Art
Materials
Fabric
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
Mid-Century Prison Art Box from Cigarette Packs
Located in Forney, TX
A rare vintage prison art box, mid-20th century, colorful round folk art box with removable lid, handmade from a large tin can and cigarette packs.
...
Category
Mid-20th Century Folk Art
Materials
Tin
Vintage Black and White Highway One Road Sign, Enamel on Metal, Oversize
By US Government Printing Office
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage American road sign for Highway One has a striking graphic impact in look, texture and size. Measures 2 feet x 2 feet and has definitely seen some usage. Great patina and most...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Enamel, Sheet Metal
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
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
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 or marked. Approx circa 1930's or earlier.
24...
Category
Early 20th Century Scandinavian Folk Art
Materials
Wood
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, practically unplayed with. Friction mot...
Category
1950s Japanese Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Metal
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
Petite Bone Carving of an Indian Soldier
Located in Chicago, IL
This early 20th century figurine is hand-carved of bone to depict an Indian soldier holding a musket rifle. Modeled after Sowar cavalrymen who served under the British East India Com...
Category
20th Century Indian Folk Art
Materials
Bone, Paint
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
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
Carnival Midway Sideshow Banner
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Original hand-painted canvas sideshow banner for carnival midway sideshow entrance. Not signed but most likely out of Chicago Tent and Awning's banner ...
Category
1950s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Canvas
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
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
James Vullo W N Y Artist. , oil painting on canvas, Ashcan School, Portrait
By James Vullo
Located in Buffalo, NY
In 1938, when he was just 24 years old, James Vullo’s first exhibition opened at the Albright Art Gallery. Vullo began drawing around the age of eight. He loved the city, especially ...
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Canvas, Paint
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
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
Antique Blue Chinese Pictorial Throw Rug
Located in New York, NY
An early 20th century Chinese pictorial throw-size rug
Measures: 2'8' x 5'.
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Folk Art
Materials
Wool
Petite Bone Carving of an Indian Soldier
Located in Chicago, IL
This early 20th century figurine is hand-carved of bone to depict an Indian soldier holding a musket rifle. Modeled after Sowar cavalrymen who served under the British East India Com...
Category
20th Century Indian Folk Art
Materials
Bone, Paint
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
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
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
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
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
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
Colonial Mexican Folk Art Ex-Voto Retablo Painting of Jesus Angel Saint 1800s
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautiful 19th-century Spanish Colonial Mexican Folk Art ex-voto retablo lámina painting featuring a crucified Jesus Christ, angel, or saint (possibly Saint Sebastian who was a Rom...
Category
19th Century Mexican Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
Monumental and Unusual Folk Art Stage Coach Figure and Horses, 1927
Located in Buffalo, NY
Monumental and unusual Folk Art stage coach figure and horses, 1927. All hand executed, amazing detail, working lamps, velvet interior on coach.
Category
1920s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Leather, Velvet, Plaster
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
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
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
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
Colonial Mexican Folk Art Ex-Voto Retablo Painting of Saint Francis, 1800s
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautiful 19th-century Spanish Colonial Mexican Folk Art ex-voto retablo lámina painting featuring Saint Francis of Assisi, the Catholic patron saint of animals, birds, and the env...
Category
19th Century Mexican Antique Folk Art
Materials
Metal, Tin
Fantastic Original Painted and Carved 19th Century Indian Plaque
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This wonderful original old surface plaque has a great old patina and a hand-carved and painted Indian chief. The Indian is in full original clothes with the feathers in his head. Wi...
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Pine
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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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