Folk Art
FOLK ART STYLE
Folk art is a genre of art that shares the creator’s traditions, offering not just an artistic display but an opportunity to learn about a culture. Antique, new and vintage folk art typically reflects a heritage or location. It can include utilitarian objects and handmade art as diverse as weather vanes, duck decoys, portraiture and paintings, carnival art and quilts.
Quilts are a quintessential part of American folk art but their roots are international, with quilting dating back to Ancient Egypt. The practice spread to Europe and was especially prominent in the Middle Ages, with one of the oldest surviving examples being the Tristan quilt made in Sicily in the 14th century. They were made as bedcovers and clothing, including as a layer for knights to wear beneath their armor. Native American folk art includes functional objects reflecting their heritage, such as baskets, textiles and wooden pieces.
Elsewhere, the vast range of work associated with Mexican folk art includes masks made by Mexican craftspeople for traditional celebrations and ceremonial dances. Mexican masks are part of the country’s folk-art traditions that go back thousands of years and play a role in festivals and theater.
Works in the folk art tradition are valuable because of the skills involved, like weaving, hand-carving wood and even stonework. Many folk artists are self-taught, while some train as apprentices within their community. By using available materials and taking a personal approach to their creations, artists ensure each piece is unique and conveys a story.
During the Great Depression, artistic materials in America were hard to come by, so artisans used discarded wood from cigar boxes and shipping crates to make highly stylized, notched pieces — most often picture frames and boxes — that are today sought after by collectors. This folk art style is called tramp art and was popular from roughly 1870 until the 1940s.
Folk art brings vibrant culture and traditions into your home. Browse an extensive collection of antique, new and vintage folk art on 1stDibs.
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Style: Folk Art
Inuit Soapstone Seal
Located in Mexico City, MX
An Inuit green seal. The piece has a signature: "Kilabuk".
Category
Mid-20th Century Canadian Folk Art
Materials
Soapstone
Long Folk Art Hand Carved Pine Whimsy Chain
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Wonderful, whimsical folk art chain whittled from one continuous piece of wood (pine, in this case). One end features what resembles an arrow fletching,...
Category
1950s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Pine
Large Unique Sieve, Swedish Folk Art, 1800s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Extraordinary sieve, diameter ca 120 cm. Swedish Folk Art / Allmoge, 1800s.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Early Carnival Midway 7.5 Foot Tall Game Wheel Monterey with Gooseneck Light
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Fantastic giant carnival game wheel with applied scenic Monterey theme. All original surface paint. Chunky turned stand. Measures: 7 foot . Really unique gooseneck lamp for illuminat...
Category
1920s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Folk Art Hand-Carved Wood Witch Weathervane
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Hand-carved Folk Art witch weathervane found in the northeast. Very nicely carved thick Folk Art weathervane with layers of heavy original paint surf...
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Carved African Figural Urns, Mid-20th Century
Located in Pasadena, CA
These cups are highly decorative reproductions of Kuba Royal cups. They do not exhibit any sign of true age or use through traditional wear patterns. These w...
Category
Mid-20th Century African Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Birdhouse
Located in Chicago, IL
A whimsical early 20th century American Folk Art purple Martin pine birdhouse with two levels, eight entrances, and a wonderfully shingled roof and weath...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Pine
19th Century Wrought Iron and Brass Firedog Andirons
Located in Savannah, GA
Rare small size pair of wrought iron Christmas tree shaped firedog andirons with decorative brass finials.
See measurements below.
Category
1820s Unknown Antique Folk Art
Materials
Brass, Wrought Iron
Folk Art Still Life, 'Flowers and Chinese Export Porcelain', Early 20th Century
Located in Chappaqua, NY
Folk Art Still Life, 'Flowers and Chinese Export Porcelain', early 20th century. Oil on canvas with original lacquered frame. A charming painting of cut flowers with antique Chinese ...
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art
Materials
Canvas, Wood
19th Century Folk Art Carved Spanish Love Bird Figure
Located in London, GB
A handmade late 19th century Folk Art carved wooden love bird, with original paint still visible across sections of this item. The bird would like have been placed with the confines ...
Category
1880s Spanish Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
19th Century American Trade Sign 'Crook', Medina, NY
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th century American trade sign 'Crook', Medina, NY
Craftsman made, with sand-painted back ground with 10" x 12" giltwood letters spelling 'Croo...
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Giltwood, Wood
Mexican Burnished Clay Mother and Child Oaxacan Sculpture Mixtec Ceramic
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
Maricela Gómez López, a hardworking mother and artist portrays her life through her work. Living and growing up in Santo Domingo Yanhuitlán, a small town in central Mexico, the role ...
Category
2010s Mexican Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic, Clay
Dark Brown Handcarved Wood Chain Link
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Sourced in Japan, estimated to come from early 20th century of hand carved wood connecting. each link and base. Elegant piece can lay on ground or on pedestal as shown.
Category
Mid-20th Century Japanese Folk Art
Materials
Oak
Antique Russian Brown Horse 20th Century Pictorial Wool Decorative Rug
Located in New York, NY
Marvelous one of a kind Pictorial Russian Karabagh rug depicting a large, bold and beautiful horse with a floral scenic background with predominant accent colors in light blue, brigh...
Category
20th Century Russian Folk Art
Materials
Wool
Early 20th Century Pieced Square Patchwork Quilt
Located in Stockton, NJ
An early 20th century pieces square patchwork quilt. Consisting of multi colored pieced squares. Pennsylvania, early 1900s.
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Cotton
French Tole Flowers Bunch Decoration, circa 1940
Located in Austin, TX
Interesting French tole decoration bunch of flowers in a basket, maybe a dummy board.
Category
1940s French Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Tôle
Antique Folk Art Wire/Wood Birdcage
Located in Sheffield, MA
The antique bird house is composed of wire and wood framing and floor. The front facade has an arched center section and side "towers." There are th...
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Painted Wood Relief Model of a Three-Mast Ship, 20th Century
Located in Buchanan, MI
A painted wood relief model of a three-mast ship
20th century
With a plaque reading Oriol 1884, in a shadowbox frame.
Measures: 26 1/2 x 13 1/2 inches (fra...
Category
19th Century Antique Folk Art
Materials
Canvas
Ethnic Parchment African Art Wall Sconce
Located in North Hollywood, CA
African tribal art parchment wall shade sconce featuring a large triangle hide form stitched on iron and hand painted surface.
These Moroccan art pieces could be used as wall lamp s...
Category
20th Century Moroccan Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Mexican Burnished Clay Romance Torso Heart Couple Statue Contemporary Oaxaca
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
Lovers Torso, a contemporary rustic Mexican sculpture by Manuel David Reyes. This soft piece is one-of-a-kind, made with clay and natural pigments from ...
Category
2010s Mexican Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic, Clay
Moroccan Berber Khoumya Dagger
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Moroccan Berber Tribal Khoumya Dagger.
Handcrafted by Artisans in Morocco, very fine quality craftsmanship with a wooden grip engraved with Moroccan silver and chiselled in geometric Moorish designs.
Handcrafted decorative Moroccan brass dagger...
Category
20th Century Moroccan Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Animal Motif Rose Lavender Turkish Room Size Rug, 20th Century
Located in New York, NY
Room size pictorial Turkish Sivas carpet from the second quarter of the 20th century. The rose field with a flurry of wild and exotic animals, accents in beige and lavender. A conver...
Category
Early 20th Century Turkish Folk Art
Materials
Wool
James Purdy & Sons Enamel Sign Wall Plaque
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
James Purdy & Sons enamel sign wall plaque
Rare piece indeed this enamel sign was made for the Famous London Shop, it has the Royal appointment to HM t...
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art
Materials
Enamel
Wood Carved Folk Art Girl and Dog Carousel Chariot Original Paint Surface
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Fantastic girl and her dog Folk Art carved carousel chariot panel. Superb original paint surface. Great three dimensional surface. Excellent wall hang...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Large Vintage Folk Art Eiffel Tower Accent Light or Lamp
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This vintage and substantial Folk Art rendering of the Eiffel Tower was made during the 1970's, presumably in the United States and lights up, providing a subtle red glow to accent the piece and the space. The tower is composed of intricately cut softwood panels, backed with a plastic sheeting or acetate with a clear gloss finish. This unique Folk Art light...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Softwood, Plastic
1960s Moroccan Tribal Wedding Rug with Sequins North Africa, Handira
Located in North Hollywood, CA
1960s authentic vintage Moroccan tribal wedding rug with sequins North Africa, Handira.Rare large authentic Moroccan Bohemian style rug, handwoven by women...
Category
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Folk Art
Materials
Wool, Cotton
Bronze Sculpture, African Warrior, End of the 20th Century
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Sculpture in bronze figuring a stylized African warrior composed by wheelworks, bolts and nuts. He wears a necklace around his neck and a large headdress in orange lacquered iron wir...
Category
1990s African Folk Art
Materials
Bronze
Vintage North African Art Wall Sconce Parchment
Located in North Hollywood, CA
African Tribal Art parchment wall shade sconce featuring a large triangle hide form stitched on iron and hand painted surface.
These Moroccan Art pieces could be used as wall lamp s...
Category
20th Century Moroccan Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Pair of Australian Aboriginal Wood Sculpture Echidna
Located in Atlanta, GA
A pair of echidna sculpture carved from wood with found branches made by Australian Aboriginal artist Bob Burruwal (Born 1952-). Bob Burruwal is a celebrated Rembarrnga artist, who l...
Category
Early 2000s Australian Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Early 20th Century Self Taught Hand Carved Bird Figure
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century self taught hand carved bird figure
We are proud to offer a wonderfully hand carved sculptural self-taught figure of a bird. This ...
Category
1920s British Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Collection of Three Carnival Shooting Gallery Target Knockover Birds
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Nice collection of three carnival midway knockover shooting gallery targets. Nice chunky pieces. Great original layers of white paint surface.
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Iron
19th Century Cobbler Trade Sign
Located in Nantucket, MA
A carved cobbler's boot-form trade sign, in old gold paint.
Carved in two pieces of pine, capped with lead,
circa 1870
Very good condition, measures: 14" x 9 ½”.
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Lead
French Zinc Horse Head, circa 1930
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
French zinc horse head, circa 1930
Category
Early 20th Century European Folk Art
Materials
Zinc
White Natural Cow Hide Rug Argentina
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Superb quality natural white cowhide.
Argentinian cowhide rugs are the world’s finest, distinguished by suppleness and quality.
This hide has been hand-selected and meets high stan...
Category
Late 20th Century Argentine Folk Art
Materials
Leather
Dated 1883 Masonic Flag Holder in Iron
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Masonic cast iron original black painted masonic flag holder with footed ball and claw feet. The condition is very good and strong.
Category
1880s American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Authentic Vintage Moroccan Berber Throw Pillow
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Authentic Moroccan Berber handwoven tribal throw pillow made from a vintage rug.The front and the back are made from a different rug, front is more elaborate and back is more plain.G...
Category
20th Century Moroccan Folk Art
Materials
Wool
Outsider Art "Indian and Caravan" Oil on Panel by Bruno Del Favero
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Oil on panel by acclaimed outsider artist, Bruno Del Favero (b. Italy 1910, d. USA 1995), circa 1970.
Fine example showcasing Del Favero's aptitude for cre...
Category
1970s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Paint
"Treasury" Still Bank, American, circa 1970
Located in Incline Village, NV
"Treasury" cast Iron still bank is a re-issue of a bank made in 1928 by the Grey Iron Casting Company, and was made by The John Wright Company in...
Category
1970s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Late 19th Century Swedish Stump Chair in Solid Pine
Located in Kramfors, SE
Swedish stump chair manufactured from a hollowed tree trunk. The chair is primitive and has never been painted. The two bands going around the seat...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art
Materials
Pine
Carved and Painted Wood Architectural Element in the Form of a Mask "Green Man"
Located in Stamford, CT
A carved and painted wood "Green Man" mask from a facade of a mansion near Seattle, late 19th century. The Green Man is a legendary being primarily interpreted as a symbol of rebir...
Category
1890s American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Monumental Room Size Braided Rug
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Monumental braided rug from the 1930s. Sunrise colors, but yet muted.
Beautiful accent rug in a living room.
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wool
Carved and Painted Wood Paddle Surinam Maroon Ndyuka
Located in Wiscasset, ME
Finely painted with traditional geometric designs on both sides of one end, and subtle carved and incised flowing designs on both sides of the other end and adjoining shaft of the pa...
Category
1950s Surinamer Vintage Folk Art
Unusual Vintage Paper Mache Folk Art, Parade "Carnival" Mask
Located in Buffalo, NY
Unusual vintage papier mâché Folk Art..parade "carnival" theater mask.
Category
1960s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Paper
Outsider Art "Animals and Castles" Oil on Panel by Bruno Del Favero
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Oil on panel by acclaimed outsider artist, Bruno Del Favero (b. Italy 1910, d. USA 1995), circa 1970.
Fine example showcasing Del Favero's aptitude for creating fantastical landscapes. Contrasting oxen / bulls and flamingos with a castle backdrop creates an imaginary context removed from reality. Del Favero's marriage of fantasy and whimsy beautifully suits his Naïve painting style.
Singed on verso.
Bio from the Philadelphia Museum of Art:
Born Princeton, Michigan, 1910; died Greenwich, Connecticut, 1995
Bruno Del Favero moved from Michigan to northern Italy with his parents at age five, returning in 1928 and settling in Greenwich, Connecticut, where he married and remained for the rest of his days. He made his living as a mason, chauffeur, and landscape gardener. It is not known exactly when or why he began to paint his delicate and mysterious landscapes, but he was exhibiting in local art shows by the early 1970s and took himself seriously enough as an artist to join the Greenwich Art Society. He maintained a studio in the basement of his home, but never shared his art with his wife and five children. After the artist's death his family introduced his work to New York dealers Shari Cavin...
Category
1970s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Paint
Outsider Art "Man in Carriage" Oil on Panel by Bruno Del Favero
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Oil on panel depicting a man in a horse-drawn carriage by acclaimed outsider artist, Bruno Del Favero (b. Italy 1910, d. USA 1995), circa 1970.
Fine example showcasing Del Favero's ...
Category
1970s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Paint
Unusual Iron Welded Handmade Folk Art Locomotive, Train
Located in Buffalo, NY
Unusual iron welded handmade folk art locomotive, train, very well executed. Artist /maker unknown.
Category
20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Steel, Iron
Pastel Portrait of a Woman with Dark Hair and Purple Top, 1960s - Signed
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Portrait of a woman with dark hair on paper. Drawn using pastel chalk, the subject of this piece is a woman with a bouffant with short dark brown hair gazing at the artist. She wears a high neck purple top...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Paint, Paper
Four French Oil Paintings on Board of Chickens
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Charming set of four oil painting on board depicting chickens and roosters of the French city of Rennes. Presented in wood frames and signed ...
Category
20th Century French Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Large Early Folk Art Lincoln
Located in Peekskill, NY
The wood carving on this life-size Lincoln is amazing with a beautiful patina. It came out of a good Connecticut Folk Art collection. The body is primitive and was made to be covered...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
1800s Skeleton Key Locksmith Trade Sign
Located in Peekskill, NY
This is one of the best locksmith trade signs we have offered. It’s early and all handmade in iron with original paint. It's very well done and a wonderful piece of Folk Art.
Category
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Early 20th Century Oak Splint Basket
Located in Chicago, IL
A wonderful early 20th century hand-woven oak splint gathering basket with a single bent oak handle, a double banded rim, and a lovely wonky shape. Found in Wisconsin.
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Oak
19th Century American Folk Art Iron Horse Weathervane
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Ex. Jane Cipley collection. Fantastic sheet and strap iron horse weathervane. Originally found in the midwest. Old make-do repair to tail. Great...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Mexican Burnished Clay Woman with Child Oaxacan Sculpture Mixtec Ceramic
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
This Mexican ceramic clay hand sculpture is a piece by artist Maricela Gómez López. Made with clay from Oaxaca and Zacatecas, painted with oxides from the region. Done with the hand-...
Category
2010s Mexican Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic, Clay
Tea Ceremony Charcoal Basket, Japanese Sumi Kago
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Tea ceremony woven round bamboo basket with handle used for storing charcoal. The inside lining is lacquered. Comes with
signed tomobako by artist Tokyusai. His signature is also on...
Category
20th Century Japanese Folk Art
Materials
Bamboo
Patriotic Flag Quilt Old Glory
Located in Darnestown, MD
Nothing could be more of the moment than this patriotic flag quilt depicting Old Glory.
It was most likely made either for the admission of Arizona into st...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Cotton
Folk Art Sussex Pottery Pig Jug and Cup from the Belle-Vue Pottery, Rye
Located in Downingtown, PA
Best example I've ever had.
Folk Art Sussex pottery pig jug and cup,
from the Belle-Vue Pottery, Rye, UK,
circa 1870.
This Sussex pig from the Bell...
Category
1870s English Antique Folk Art
Materials
Pottery
Amazing English Architects Model, circa 1920
Located in London, GB
Architects Model circa 1920
We are proud to offer a unique circa 1920s architects model of a timber-clad colonial style house in original paint. An a...
Category
1920s British Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Vintage Parchment Tribal Art Wall Sconce North African
Located in North Hollywood, CA
African Tribal Art parchment wall shade sconce featuring a large triangle hide form stitched on iron and hand painted surface.
These Moroccan Art pieces could be used as wall lamp s...
Category
20th Century Moroccan Folk Art
Materials
Iron
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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