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.
11
1,923
82
34
to
240
1,340
565
2,039
2,002
2,005
2,039
1,078
914
311
195
182
111
108
83
59
42
41
29
21
20
14
6
76
555
1,292
116
371
516
192
43
29
65
80
62
84
53
66
25
21
1,061
498
346
261
222
879
708
624
159
145
56
25
23
10
10
Style: Folk Art
Grain Painted Blanket Chest American
Located in Hudson, NY
Painted blanket chest with bracketed feet and beautiful saw tooth apron. Top with molded edge and stepped cleats. An absolute delight, this festive 18th century jewel...
Category
Late 18th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Pine, Paint
Zabihi Collection Orange Dragon Vintage Tibetan Rug
Located in New York, NY
Colorful one-of-a-kind Tibetan rug from the 2nd quarter of the 20th century with a dragon motif on a bright orange field
Measures: 3'1'' x 5'9''.
Category
Mid-20th Century Folk Art
Materials
Wool
Antique Gemstone Gilt Bronze Mounted Rock Crystal Vessel Offering Bowl
Located in Forney, TX
A spectacular Mughal Empire Period (1526-1857) precious gemstone set gilt bronze ormolu mounted carved rock crystal vessel Buddhist altar offering bowl....
Category
19th Century Tibetan Antique Folk Art
Materials
Multi-gemstone, Rock Crystal, Ormolu
Indian Folk art sculpture of a roaring lion
Located in BORDEAUX, FR
Folk art Hand painted sculpture of a roaring lion from an Indian processional chariot
Category
Early 20th Century Indian Folk Art
Materials
Wood
19th Century Pennsylvania Folky Sheraton Cherry Chest of Drawers
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique wooden chest of drawers.
With a terrific old finish.
In cherry wood with a polar secondary, turned wooden pulls, and r...
Category
Mid-19th Century North American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Cherry
3 Dimensional Terracotta Statue Khmer or Cambodian Priest
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
3 Dimensional Terracotta Statue Khmer or Cambodian Priest
This superb piece has a very dark patina he has one hand open to hold a staff, we do not have the staff and the other hand ...
Category
Early 1800s Antique Folk Art
Materials
Terracotta
Amish Bars Crib Quilt from Pennsylvania
Located in Los Angeles, CA
20th century Hand Sewn Amish bars crib quilt from Lancaster County, Pennsylvania in cotton and finely quilted. This cool most unusual colors Amish crib quilt is in great condition. T...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Cotton
Early 20th Century Double Sided Metal Boot Makers Trade Sign
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century double sided metal boot makers trade sign.
A highly decorative double sided hand painted metal French boot makers trade sign, Still attached to its original hin...
Category
1930s French Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Monumental Antique Hand Carved Wooden Trough or Bowl Wabi Sabi, 19th Century
Located in Tilburg, NL
Monumental antique carved wooden trough or bowl, 19th century.
This is a rare antique hand carved wooden trough or bowl, which can be used for decoration or as a (fruit) bowl or m...
Category
19th Century European Antique Folk Art
Materials
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
Monumental Fiberglass Lion Sculpture Drinking Fountain mFG. by F.A.S.T Corp
Located in Buffalo, NY
Monumental Fiberglass Lion Sculpture Drinking Fountain mFG. by F.A.S.T Corp..Salvaged from Crystal Beech ,famed amusement park in Ontario Canada,, Amazing Cartoon Lion ,complete with...
Category
1970s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Chrome
Original Wood Carved Carnival Midway Poster Letterpress
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Set of three original hand-carved letterpress made by the Neal Walters Poster Company. Fantastic carnival midway scene. Games, carnival rides and acrobats. Carved with incredible detail, please see photos. The colors are the original ink used during the three color posted printing process. Circus and...
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
Set of 4 Detailed Wood Carving Alpine Gnome Dwarf Faces Austria Alps Folk Art
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Set of four rustic Folk Art carved wood face mountain man. This is a wonderful example of Austrian carving. This can be used as a Wall decoration in y...
Category
1960s German Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Pair of Lacquered Panel Duck Paintings by Artist Ira Yeager
By Ira Yeager
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Folk art style pair of cabinet door panels that have been lacquer painted by artist Ira Yeager (American 1938-2022). Beautifully depicted pair of white ducks amid colorful flora and fauna. Vivid green and yellow dominated paintings on arched wooden...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Antique Wine Bottle Carrier, France, Early 20th Century
Located in Chappaqua, NY
Antique Wine Bottle Carrier, France, early 20th century. A zinc carrier to hold 6 wine bottles.
Category
Early 20th Century French Folk Art
Materials
Zinc
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
Swedish Folk Wooden Dala Pig Toy, circa 1960
By Nils Olsson
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Handpainted Swedish wooden traditional Dala pig toy.
Designed by Nils Olsson in Sweden, circa 1960.
Materials:
Wood
In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age...
Category
1960s Swedish Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Large Early 20th Century Belgian Oak Folk Art Eagle Sculpture
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Early 20th century Belgian oak Folk Art eagle sculpture.
Category
1920s Belgian Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Oak
Late 20th Century Pottery Witch's Head Jack-o-lantern
Located in Charlotte, NC
A Late 20th century pottery witches head with hat jack-o-lantern, artist unknown. Ceramic pottery with glaze. Could be used with a candle. Likely crafted in the USA.
Measures: 10....
Category
Late 20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Pottery, Paint
Vintage Linda Fowler Post Modern Abstract Expressionist Textile Quilt Art Framed
Located in Dayton, OH
"Vintage original handstitched textile art by Ohio quilt artist Linda Fowler, showing a bold pink spiral over an abstract backdrop resembling a landscape in...
Category
Late 20th Century Folk Art
Materials
Textile
George Edouard Tremblay Folk Art Hooked Rug, Mat or Tapestry of a Winter Scene
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This framed hooked rug or mat was done by the well known George Edouard Tremblay of Quebec Canada in approximately 1940 in his period Folk Art style. The rug or mat is done with wool...
Category
Mid-20th Century Canadian Folk Art
Materials
Wool, Burlap, Pine
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
Vintage Pair of Venetian Masquerade Masks on Opera Sticks
Located in Miami, FL
A pair of Folk Art jester masks that are original Venetian creations, entirely hand-drawn and handcrafted, circa 2000. Italian Artists have realized these pieces with respect of craf...
Category
20th Century Italian Folk Art
Materials
Gold, Brass, Metallic Thread
3 Folk Art Carved Mahogany Low Relief Fishermen Farmer Sailboat Wall Plaques
Located in Dayton, OH
Set of three vintage folk art style carved wooden relief wall hangings, showing a fisher man with a large fish, a sailboat or raft, and a farmer with basket...
Category
Mid-20th Century Folk Art
Materials
Mahogany
Vintage 1970's Backgammon and Chess Set
Located in Doylestown, PA
Vintage 1970's backgammon and chess set depicting the Spanish conquest of the Aztec Empire, 1519-21..
Carved chessman portray the great Montezuma II and Aztec warriors...
Category
1970s Mexican Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Stone
20th Century - Whimsical Pair of Large Carved and Painted Wood Flamingos
Located in Morristown, NJ
Late 20th c., a pair of vibrantly painted wooden flamingo floor sculptures, each with a fish in mouth. One is signed "MW" on the underside. Painted in pink and lilac respectively and both with painted details to resemble feathers. Each flamingo is holding a fish in its beak. Both fish have been painted in contrasting colors to those of the flamingos. The gold painted beaks and legs add an additional element of whimsy to these carved sculptures.
They are life size and will be sure to draw attention and likely a smile. They would look great on the deck of a seaside home, as a welcoming pair by a front door, in a child's bedroom or even as a bathroom accent.
Please Note: To reduce the cost of shipping, each will be professionally packed by a specialist service in advance of UPS shipping. This is significantly less expensive than white glove shipping.
Dimensions:
46"h x 7"w x 10"d
Condition:
Good/Fair, one with repair to red feathers on top...
Category
1980s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
American Folk-Art Steam Ship Encased Diorama
Located in London, GB
American Folk-art Steam Ship Encased Diorama
We share what we love, and we love this turn of the century hand crafted American folk-art encased steam ship model...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Caribbean Painting of a Boat with Figures in the Style of Orville Bulman
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Whimsical acrylic painting on canvas of a boat with a woman and three chickens in a basket executed in a delightful naive style, reminiscent of Orville Bulman...
Category
Late 20th Century Caribbean Folk Art
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
Folk Art Animal Painting Brown and White Cats and Mouse Oil on Panel
Located in Munich, DE
This charming naive painting of two cats, one with a white fur, one with a reddish brown tiger fur, has been painted on a wooden panel using oil paints. It was painted around the las...
Category
1890s French Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
French 1900s Tramp Art Folk Mirror with Brass Tacks and Intersecting Corners
Located in Atlanta, GA
A French rectangular Tramp Art hand-carved wooden Folk mirror from the early 20th century, with raised diamond motifs, geometric patterns, intersecting corners and brass tacks. Creat...
Category
Early 20th Century French Folk Art
Materials
Mirror, Wood
Antique White Maple Pencil Post Bed with Hand Carved Folk Art Bird Finials
Located in Tiverton, RI
Our Sunnybrook four poster pencil post bed featuring four hand carved Folk Art inspired bird finials is shown as a Queen in our Antiqued Maple finish. Shown are a Tufted Titmouse, a Red Breasted Nuthatch, a Black Capped Chickadee and an American Goldfinch...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Folk Art
Materials
Wood
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
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
19th c. American Folk Tramp Art Crown of Thorns Cross in a Large Scale
Located in Savannah, GA
This late 19th century large scale American Folk "Tramp" Art double sided "Crown of Thorns" cross is made up of thousands of carved and joined pieces, held together with the joinery ...
Category
1890s American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Blue Handmade Ceramic Jug Or Vase Slovakian Folk Art, circa 1950
Located in Zohor, SK
Beautiful blue ceramic jug in national folk ornaments in white color. Handmade in Czechoslovakia in 1950s. The jug shows off a typical folk pattern and colors. Original condition. Th...
Category
1950s Czech Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic
Hand Carved Occasional Side End Lamp Table, 1905 Liberty's London
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Liberty Hand Carved Side Table. Heavily Carved with Large Poppy Flowers. A very good-looking piece, it's hand-carved from top to bottom with floral detailing.
Category
Early 1900s Italian Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Vintage Grenfell Type Hooked Tapestry on Burlap, Canada, Late 20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
Vintage Grenfell type hooked wool tapestry on burlap backing - likely intended as a cushion cover (unfinished) - hand worked with dramatic colors - unsigned - Canada - circa 1980's.
...
Category
Late 20th Century Canadian Folk Art
Materials
Wool, Burlap
Small Swedish Folk Art Painted Box
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A Swedish allmoge folk art painted little box with a combination lock most probably from the region of Dalarna in central Sweden. Hand carved and origi...
Category
1920s Swedish Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Pine
Open Round Nantucket Lightship Basket with Original Paper Label
Located in Nantucket, MA
Made with oak staves, handle, mahogany base and attached brass ears, in excellent condition. The poem on the label reads” I was made in Nantucket, I’m strong and stout. Don’t lose me...
Category
Mid-20th Century North American Folk Art
Materials
Brass
Antique Set of Mexican Papier-Mâché Masks 1
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1960. We offer this antique set of 8 Mexican papier-mâché masks 100% handmade and paited with anilina (natural pigments).
Category
1960s Mexican Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Paper
19th Century Antique Ships Chandler Shop Advertising Sign
Located in Peabody, MA
A relic from Boston’s mercantile history and the seafaring trade. This 19th century shop sign displays a fairly detailed replica of a navigator’s octant (or sextant) and the proprietor’s name and street number...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Monumental Antique American Painted Turned Wood Barber Pole, circa 1875
Located in San Francisco, CA
An uncommon and towering seven-and-a-half-foot tall circa 1875 American painted turned wood barber pole trade sign.
Very impressive in both its rar...
Category
1870s American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
Carved and Painted Black Duck Decoy, by Pat Gardner, Nantucket, circa 1960s
Located in Nantucket, MA
Carved and Painted Black Duck Decoy, by Pat Gardner, Nantucket, circa 1960s, a carved wooden working decoy style black duck with head set well back on shelf in the content posture, with carved mandible and nares, on plump body with paddle tail, signed M.P. Gardner Nantucket on the bottom, and retaining an old sticker inscribed "Gaillard." This is believed to be the only duck decoy that Pat ever made. amongst all her shorebird carvings. The decoy is extremely heavy, as if carved from a solid block of lignum vitae, ebony or the like.
Mary Patricia Gardner was born and lived her whole life on Nantucket. She studied under Frank Swift Chase, Ruth Haviland Sutton and Earl S. Ray, and was influenced by her grandfather Wallace Gardner, who was a trained sculptor. She became a member of the Artists Association of Nantucket in 1947. She was best known for her shorebird carvings, but also worked in watercolor and printmaking. She is viewed as one of the greater talents of her generation on Nantucket. Her work is highly sought after but only rarely appears on the market.
This bird is from the personal collection of the late Nantucket antiques...
Category
1960s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Hardwood
19th Century Wooden Gingerbread Cookie Speculaas Springerle Mold
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic 19th century wooden gingerbread cookie or speculaas springerle Mold, circa 1860-1880. Made of hand carved wood. Found at an estate sale in Vie...
Category
19th Century German Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
WWI Era Military Trunk Painted by Artist Ira Yeager
By Ira Yeager
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Amazing folk art military radio trunk with a painted bust of an native American Indian by artist Ira Yeager (American 1938-2022). WWI era canvas covered trunk used to store radio parts...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Brass
"Protector One" Folk Art Crow Sculpture
Located in Chicago, IL
Richly textured with whimsical appeal, this late 20th century wooden crow is a delightful example of naive American sculpture. Poised mid-caw, the crow's wings are outstretched, read...
Category
Late 20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Box
Located in Chicago, IL
A fascinating and truly unique early 20th century American Folk Art box with the most wonderful Greek temple design with eight blue painted Doric columns around the perimeter and wit...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Wood
American Copper Full Bodied Pig Directional Weathervane on Stand, circa 1880
Located in Hollywood, SC
American Copper full bodied pig directional weathervane resting on squared iron stand, late 19th century.
Category
1880s American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Copper, Iron, Zinc
Royal Tichelaar Makkum Antique Delft Dutch Faience Hand-Painted Tiles
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Antique Dutch Delft polychrome tiles - set of 2.
These are two attractive Dutch (Netherlands), Delft ceramic wall tiles, which we date to the l...
Category
19th Century Dutch Antique Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic
Midcentury Folk Art Ashstand with Figure Hand Carved by Paul Emile Caron C1969
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous hand carved ash tray stand by master carver Paul Emile Caron. Totally hand carved with a figure with axe at the base chopping at the tree trunk. Tree base sits on a plinth b...
Category
1960s Canadian Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic, Fir
Arma Christi Calvary, France 19th Century
Located in PARIS, FR
Superb and rare Arma Christi calvary, popular work, France end of the 19th century. Beautifully executed work.
Fair condition. Several small misses and ancient restaurations. See...
Category
19th Century French Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Late 19th Century Napoleonic Prisoner of War Dominos
Located in London, GB
Late 19th century Napoleonic prisoner of war dominos 31
A good example of a late 19th Century Napoleonic prisoner of war (POW) hand carved set of 31 dominos, in a sliding painted ...
Category
1850s French Antique Folk Art
Materials
Bone
Early 20th Century Hand Painted Duck Decoy Antique German
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Found in Germany at an estate sale, this hand carved and hand painted duck decoy is perfect for the collector. Well used by a previous hunter t...
Category
1910s German Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
Antique Pair of Folk Art Collages Paintings of Partridges in Tramp Art Frames
Located in Munich, DE
This charming pair of collages of a male and a female partridge has been skilfully made out of feathers. The game birds have been set in a colourful landscape surround painted in watercolours. The paintings have been mounted by the last owners in oat coloured passe - partouts with white boardes...
Category
1880s Austrian Antique Folk Art
Materials
Feathers
African Masai Beaded Traditional Artifact Wall Decor
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage African Masai Beaded Traditional Wedding Necklace Artifact Wall Decor from Kenya.
One of a kind piece artifact , expertly hand beaded by the skillful Maasai people.
This Bold and colorful necklace is worn among the Masai people of Kenya during weddings and special festivals.
Colorful beadwork, each color bead represents a different aspect of the Maasai culture:
Bravery, (red), Energy (blue), Purity (white), Nourishment (green), Warmth & Generosity (orange), Cycle of Life (yellow ), and Black represents the color of the people and daily struggles - their unity and harmony.
Handmade Artifact wall decor Maasai Tribal colorful jewelry African necklace...
Category
Late 20th Century Kenyan Folk Art
Materials
Beads
Set of Three Big Swedish Root Baskets
Located in Farsta, SE
A set of three big swedish root baskets.
Made out of pine roots and spruce, circa 1750-1890
Biggest basket:
height: 22,5 cm
diameter: 48 cm
Mediu...
Category
Mid-18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art
Materials
Pine
Antique Folk Art Ornately Carved Wooden Picture Frame with Birds & Flowers
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This ornately hand-carved picture frame is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from Eastern Europe, and date to approximately 1920 and done in a Folk Art style. The frame is co...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Folk Art
Materials
Softwood
Vintage North African Clay Darbuka
Located in LYON, FR
Handmade North African Clay Drum. A delight to see, touch and play. Made in the traditional method with a spun clay shell, claf skin and hand painted floral ...
Category
1960s Moroccan Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Hide, Clay
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
Spain Flag
Antique Navy Memorabilia
Great Britain Flag
Framed Signal Flag
Ancient Coins
Fez Vintage
Antique Folk Art Boxes
Star Wars Style A
Folk Art Wood Carved Bird
Staff Wooden Staff
American Flag Medallion
Horse Wood Carving
Eagle Shield
Flag Pair
Boat At Anchor
Large Advertising Display
Americana Antique Furniture
Antique American Eagle