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
Silk Animal Motif Herekeh Mini Rug
Located in New York, NY
Fine Turkish silk one of a kind Herekeh rug with a beutiful pictorial animal design on an ivory field.
Measures: 2' x 2'11'.
Category
Late 20th Century Folk Art
Materials
Silk
20th Century American Folk Art Swimmer Cutout on Custom Wall Mount
Located in Chicago, IL
A playful and cheeky mid-20th century American Folk Art wooden cutout of a blond swimmer flexing in his black and white striped swimsuit, mounted on a custom steel wall mount so he c...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Plywood
American Folk Art Carved Cat Sculpture
Located in Chicago, IL
A whimsical and bold 20th century American Folk Art cared wood sculpture depicting a stylized seated cat with a long neck, expressive face, and a beautiful chip carved surface. It cr...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Pine
Pair of Mid-20th Century Oil Paintings of St. Tropez on Canvas
By Phyllis Morgans
Located in Madison, MS
This pair of oil paintings by Phyllis Morgans features the harbors of St. Tropez and Anstruther in the mid 20th century. The dominant colors are blues and tans. The paintings are in ...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Folk Art
Materials
Paint
Rare Antique Early American Carnival Coin Toss Game Table
Located in Forney, TX
A scarce American carnival coin toss game. The rare and unusual antique hand carved and painted solid wood amusement park / county fair / mid-way gaming tabl...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
Set of (7) Child's Lithographed Alphabet Nesting Blocks, American, Circa 1910
Located in Incline Village, NV
This is a larger set of colorful early 1900's lithographed blocks (seven blocks versus 5 blocks). Considered an early learning device, these turn of the century alphabet blocks...
Category
1910s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Paper
Eric Tardif 'Bird' Walnut Wood Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Eric Tardif (Canadian, b. 1965) bent walnut wood sculpture of an abstracted crane bird with brass eyes, mounted on a black granite stone base, si...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Folk Art
Materials
Wood
19Thc Sponge /Spatter Ware Water Pitcher
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19Thc Sponge ware soft paste water pitcher in fine condition.This pattern sponge is in a darker blue color.
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Pottery
1900s Scandinavian Wooden Horse
Located in High Point, NC
Like a mysterious inhabitant of a fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen, this wooden quadruped crafted in Scandinavia circa 1900 exudes a gentle melancholy of the North. The whitenes...
Category
Early 1900s Scandinavian Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Folk Art Lacquer Speckled Mirror by Artist Ira Yeager
By Ira Yeager
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Charming folk art wood framed mirror featuring a whimsical lacquer speckled marigold yellow finish by artist Ira Yeager (1938-2022). The mirror has a thick wood frame constructed in ...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Glass, Wood
Fantastic Painted and Carved Wood Oversized Chef Nutcracker Figure
Located in Bridgeport, CT
This oversize carved and painted wood figure is adorned with a fabric apron and has a wonderfully painted oversize chef hat. He is holding a board with three sized containers with on...
Category
20th Century Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Mexican Vintage Tonala Pottery Hand Painted Bird
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Mexican Tonala hand painted pottery bird Folk Art.
Flora de la Cruz Acapulco Gro Mexico hand painted bird dove ceramic.
Warm earth tone polychrome colors with abstract desi...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic, Pottery
Large Oil Painting on Canvas, Modernist Abstract, by Jim Bray, circa 1963
By Jim Bray
Located in Buffalo, NY
Large oil painting on canvas. Modernist Abstract, by Jim Bray, circa 1963. Charming image. Child-like. Great use of color, texture, space.
Category
1960s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Canvas, Paint
Circa 1950s French Childs Carnival/Circus Prop Chair
Located in San Francisco, CA
A wonderful whimsical circa 1950s French Childs Carnival and/or Circus prop chair.
Carved parts, feet, hands and head with big blue eyes and top it off a ...
Category
1930s French Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
19th Century, Apothecary Trade Sign
Located in Nantucket, MA
Figural trade sign in the form of a mortar and pestle, both the mortar and pestle are hand turned and gilded, with strong ring turnings. The top is capped with zinc and still bears i...
Category
Late 19th Century North American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Zinc
Mocha Pottery Jug with Earthworm Designs
Located in Downingtown, PA
Mocha Pottery Earthworm Jug,
circa 1820
The mocha pottery jug has two wide ocher bands each with an earthworm design. The top with a looping design and the lower one with a wavy ...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Folk Art
Materials
Creamware, Pottery
19thc Wooden Folk Art Gaming Wheel with Original Red Paint & Cardinal Design
Located in Savannah, GA
19th Folk Art gaming wheel featuring four cardinals and hand painted numbers, it retains the original red and yellow paint. A charming piece of Americana that would make a colorful w...
Category
1890s American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Folk Art Tropical Painting on Canvas
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Charming acrylic painting on canvas of a group of colorful figures in a tropical setting executed in a naive style. Signed Osnel in the lower right and presented in the original wood...
Category
20th Century Caribbean Folk Art
Materials
Paint
Early 20th C Large Black Forest Carving with Bird and Nest
Located in Troy, MI
Circa 1920s large hand carved Black Forest piece with an intricately rendered bird and nest. This is just under 16” tall and is 9” wide. Very good antiq...
Category
Early 20th Century German Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Vintage Painted Wood Folk Art Showroom Trade Sign
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
American Folk Art trade sign with hand-carved "Showroom" letters and an arrow. The letters and backboard are in original paint, egg-white and petroleum green. The sign has recently b...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Pine
Folk Art by Texas Artist, Leon Collins
Located in San Antonio, TX
Folk art, oil on canvas, Leon Collins (b. 1930), Galveston, Texas Artist. This painting depicts a bull with a vibrant blue background. This painting does...
Category
2010s American Folk Art
Materials
Canvas, Paint
Hand-Carved African Ethiopian Wooden Bowl with Handle
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Hand hewn and hand carved African Ethiopian wooden bowl with handle.
Original large vintage Ethiopian tribal wood bowl hand carved bowl from a ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Ethiopian Folk Art
Materials
Hardwood
19th c Giant Wooden Advertising Thermometer NY Life Insurance Co "NYLIC"
Located in Savannah, GA
Giant sized forty seven inches tall wooden thermometer made by the Hoehn Company Thermomter Makers, Chambers Street, NYC. constucted of hard wood with a rounded top and beveled edges, it adverrtises NYLIC-New York Life Insurance Co. wanting Bright Young Men- Permanent Pay. Measuring Blood Heat, Summer Heat,Tempe Rate, Freezing and Zero, the glass thermometer...
Category
1890s American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Fox and Antler Bone Frame
Located in San Francisco, CA
Handmade mirror from wood and antlers - likely European.
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Folk Art
Materials
Antler, Wood
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
Colorful Patchwork Tapestry
Located in Malibu, CA
Colorful patchwork textile with 20 intricate squares, handmade from India.
Use as wall hanging, bedspread or throw.
Category
20th Century Indian Folk Art
Materials
Textile
Early 20th Century Carnival Carousel Funhouse Architectural Columns
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Fun antique architectural elements from carnival carousel or funhouse ride. Layers of beautiful original park paint. Great scale for wall art or to act as a frame for something else. Unique and original fairground art!
Category
1890s American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Antique Architectural Parcel Gilt Wrought Iron Sculpture
Located in Forney, TX
A one-of-a-kind antique wrought iron sculpture, comprising 18th and 19th century architectural elements, in a rustic parcel gilt finish, including door lock, latch, and skeleton key,...
Category
19th Century European Antique Folk Art
Materials
Bronze, Wrought Iron
18th Century Original Red Painted Trestle Table from New England
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This very folky and all original red painted and wood pegged 18thc trestle table with a worn painted plank top.The base contains rose head nails and early peg base.The shoe feet. are...
Category
18th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Pine
Pair of American Cast Iron Hand Painted Preening Ducks on Squared Base, C 1880
Located in Hollywood, SC
Pair of American cast iron hand painted preening ducks resting on squared bases. Late 19th Century.
Category
1880s American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Pictorial Vintage Turkish Pigeon Rug
Located in New York, NY
mid-20th century Turkish Anatolian with 2 pigeons.
1'10'' x 2'4''
Category
20th Century Persian Folk Art
Materials
Wool
18th Century Original Red Painted Hutch Table
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fantastic all original red painted lift top table with shoe feet and early rose head nails. All original hardware and construction. Take notice to the very narrow seat base. Such a great sweet size. This fantastic folky shaped table is strong and sturdy.This original scrub top table...
Category
18th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
American Salesman Sample Late 19th C. Wooden Hay Wagon
Located in Incline Village, NV
SALESMAN SAMPLE: Late 19th C. American (4) wheeled hand carved all wooden horse drawn hay wagon, in excellent condition with original gold stenciling to carr...
Category
1890s American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
American Folk-Art Finial with Dove
Located in Doylestown, PA
An American folk-art tin rooftop finial with a dove on top, circa 1900 or earlier, rusted finish.
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Tin
Chinese Painted Bamboo Walking Stick, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This 19th-century walking stick from northern China is comprised of a length of thin bamboo that has been steamed and bent into a hook shape. The bamboo segments are painted in alter...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Folk Art
Materials
Bamboo
Ceramic Glazed Square Plate with Hand Painted Designs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ceramic plate features a square shape with turned up corners. The plate is glazed in a soft cream and beige coloring with speckling throughout. The piece is finished with two hand pa...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic
Large Antique English Trench Art Table Cannon
Located in Forney, TX
Antique English Trench Art mixed metal miniature howitzer - signal style table cannon. Hand-crafted, assembled in the early 20th century, fashioned in par...
Category
Early 20th Century European Folk Art
Materials
Brass, Bronze, Copper
Llama Goat Mini Turkish Anatolian Rug
Located in New York, NY
A cute one of a kind Mid-20th Century Hand-knotted Turkish Anatolian Pictorial rug depicting a llama goats on a red field
Measures: 2'2'' x 3'.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Wool
Large and Impressive Eastern European Folk Art Carved Panel Mermaid Siren Sun
Located in Ferndale, MI
Large impressive Eastern European Folk Art carved Cedar panel. Large panel feature mythical creatures and symbols. Mermaids, Sirens, anchors,...
Category
Mid-20th Century Ukrainian Folk Art
Materials
Cedar
2 Antique Childhood Dolls in Plexiglass Shadow Boxes
Located in Miami, FL
2 Antique childhood dolls in Plexiglass shadow boxes
Offered for sale is a set of two early 20th century antiques childhood dolls that have been mounted in custom matching plexigl...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Fabric, Plexiglass
Pine Trunk or Blanket Chest in Original Decorative Paint
Located in Baltimore, MD
We love antique trunks in original red and green paint. This small blanket chest has a worn green background all over, except, as is usual, the bac...
Category
Mid-19th Century Hungarian Antique Folk Art
Materials
Pine
Early 20th Century Pharmacy Sign 'DRUGS' Painted on a Single Board
Located in Nantucket, MA
American folk art trade sign from an apothecary or pharmacy with the word 'DRUGS' in black paint with white shadow lines on an orange ground. Painted on a single pine plank with notc...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Pine, Paint
Early 20th C. Copper Rooster on Iron Base
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Early 20th century copper rooster that was originally part of a working weathervane. The rooster was mounted on an iron base and it is a perfect accent ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Copper, Iron
Alabama Folk Art Pottery grouping Montgomery area pre-WW2 anonymous craftsman
Located in Mobile, AL
Bark decorated folk pottery grouping. These are believed to be tourist ware made by an unidentified couple in the Montgomery area before and about the time of WW2. To date, their nam...
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Pottery
American Salesman Sample Late 19th Century Wooden Flat Bed Cargo Wagon
Located in Incline Village, NV
Salesman Sample : Late 19th century. American (4) wheeled hand carved all wooden horse drawn flat bed cargo wagon, in excellent condition with original red st...
Category
1890s American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
19thc Hand Made & Painted Pull Toy Horse
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19thc original painted & hand crafted pull toy horse on wheels for that country home or toy collector. Fantastic original surface paint.
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Pine
19th Century American Folk Art Oil Painting Landscape Sailboats On River
Located in Stamford, CT
A 19th century American folk art oil painting on canvas depicting a river scene at dawn with a horse and rider on a bridge over a waterfall. A castle in the distance and sailboats on...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Canvas
American Child's Sampler, Circa 1887 by "Clara R. Nolan"
Located in Incline Village, NV
Charming American Sampler by "Clara R. Nolan"; well made, bright and colorful, with an intricate needlepoint floral rose petal border in colors of red...
Category
1880s Antique Folk Art
Materials
Linen
19th Chinese Checkers Game Board with Original Paint
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th Chinese checkers game board with original paint form Pennsylvania. beautiful colors and patina.
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Folk Art Styled Airstream Travel Trailer Toy
By Craft and Folk Art Museum
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A toy Airstream Folk Art styled travel trailer with silver faded and patina paint having a lift up back end and side door revealing beds, sink and livin...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Plywood
Antique Primitive Folk Art Red Painted Wood & Iron Childrens Sled Sleigh 49"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Victorian wooden children’s sled with iron wrapped runners, painted dark red with the word “Belle” picked out in gold.
Category
19th Century Antique Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Mid-Century Haitian Painting of Animals in a Jungle by Eustache Louber
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Striking vintage Haitian acrylic painting on canvas of African animals in a jungle setting executed in a distinctive naive style. Signed by noted artist Eustache Loubert and presente...
Category
20th Century Haitian Folk Art
Materials
Mahogany, Canvas, Acrylic
Vintage Central European Figurative Sculpture
Located in High Point, NC
This cheery and enigmatic figure stands in a natural contrapposto pose, with her arms clasped above her head as if to shield her eyes from the sun. Made in Central Europe, the concre...
Category
20th Century Czech Folk Art
Materials
Concrete
Folk Art / Pop-Art Comic Strip Papier Mache Teddy Bear Sculpture
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine folk-art papier-mache sculpture.
In the form of a teddy bear.
The papier mache appears to be from various 20th Century Philippine comic books, such as Superkat by L.S. M...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Folk Art
Materials
Paper, Plaster
Fantastic 19th Century American Pair of Folk Art Still Life Paintings
Located in Wiscasset, ME
Each panel measures approximately 18" x 18". Very rare to see a pair of this quality. They have a great folk art appeal with watermelons, peaches, grapes, etc. Dating to the first ha...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
Unusual Folk aRT "CARTOON" hand painted child's high chair /tray
Located in Buffalo, NY
Unusual Folk aRT "CARTOON" hand painted child's high chair /tray,, Charming little item.. Retains original paint ,,surface,,, Minor veneer missing ( back side). see photo,,Very usabl...
Category
1920s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Antique Primitive Rustic Burl Wood Sledge Hammer Carpenter Mallet
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique hand crafted primitive / rustic wooden mallet with heavily distressed round burl wood head and handle. Measure: 14".
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Folk Art
Materials
Hardwood, Burl
19th Century Eagle Weathervane, Attributed to Cushing & White
By Cushing and White
Located in Nantucket, MA
Full body molded copper spread wing eagle with cast zinc talons perched on a copper sphere. Great proportions with outstretched wings, showing wonderful detailing to the body and win...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Copper, Zinc
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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