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
Period: Mid-20th Century
Vintage Asafo Flag in Pink Cotton Appliqué Pattern by Fante People, Ghana, 1960s
By Fante People
Located in Copenhagen K, DK
Kwamina Amoaku
Ghana, 1960s
Asafo flag in cotton applique patterns. Fante People.
Asafo Flags are created by the Fante people of Ghana. The flags are visual representations of mili...
Category
1960s Ghanaian Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Cotton
Beaded Yoruba Staff
Located in Chicago, IL
The Yoruba people reserve the use of glass beads for royalty, priests and priestesses, as well as embellishing ritual and ceremonial objects. Though only kings are allowed to use bea...
Category
Mid-20th Century South African Folk Art
Materials
Metal, Iron
Beaded Ndebele Ceremonial Doll
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare imported commodity, glass beads have been a symbol of wealth and importance in south African cultures for centuries, and were exclusively distributed by the region's oba (king). As beads become gradually more accessible throughout the 19th century, they began to displace the organic materials used in traditional art and attire.
This colorful example of African beadwork...
Category
Mid-20th Century South African Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Fabric, Cotton
Modernist Abstract Oil Painting on Board by WNY Artist Kathrin Langley
By Langley
Located in Buffalo, NY
Modernist Abstract Oil Painting on Board by WNY Artist Kathrin Langley titled boy at the beech..Well executed,, great use of color, texture
. Katherine...
Category
1960s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Plywood, Paint
Carved Wooden Milliners Head, Vintage Germany, circa 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Adorable unique wood carved head. Germany, 1960s. Ideal decoration item, used in the displaying and making of hats. Hand carved from wood. Nice display piece in any room. Found at an...
Category
1960s German Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Mid-century Modern Articulated Wood Artist Hand Model
Located in Downingtown, PA
Articulated Wood Artist Hand Model,
1950s
The carved light wood hand is articulated at the wrist and the base of each finger while the forefinger and thumb are also articulated at t...
Category
Mid-20th Century Belgian Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Oversized Advertising Store Display Scissors
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Brass oversized scissors
probably used for advertising and or store display.
These will add interest to any room, wall, hair salon or fashion fashi...
Category
1960s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Brass
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
Collection of Handmade Mexican Folk Art Masks
Located in Atlanta, GA
Collection of Handmade Mexican Folk Art Tin Masks, Mexican, circa 1950s. Each mask is unique and extremely detailed. The largest mask measures 21"...
Category
1950s Mexican Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Copper, Tin
Peter Hunt Cape Cod Folk Art Painted Watermelon Tray, Signed
By Peter Hunt
Located in Ferndale, MI
Large hand-painted watermelon metal tray by Massachusetts folk artist, Peter Hunt.
Hand-signed on front anno domini 1960 par pierre le chasseur d'orleans.
Hand signed on verso Welc...
Category
1960s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Hand Carved Gnome + Deer Woodland Totem
Located in Brooklyn, NY
If great art is meant to inspire and provoke, this beautiful carving of a gnome with a deer on it's head may be the greatest piece of art ever made. Hand carved by the artist "R.S." in the year '75, this large pine log has become so much more than the sum of it's parts. Roughly hewn details give the sculpture an almost living, breathing feel. Perfect for fans of all sorts of woodland nymphs and creatures- from elves to hobbits and beyond. Please confirm item pickup location (Brooklyn NY or Wall NJ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Pine
Midcentury Folk Art Carved Mushroom
Located in Southbury, CT
Wildly unique, this striking one-of-a-kind treasure is a natural dried mushroom that has been painted vivid orange with black accents and hand-carved to depict a dragon with a yin/ya...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Folk Art
Materials
Paint
Celtic Art Copper Mural from Ireland, Celtic Animals Hand made beaten copper
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Celtic Art Copper Mural from Ireland, Celtic Animals
A hand made beaten copper abstract design of dogs and a stag hunting made in Ireland
A very striking piece with its origin in...
Category
1960s Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Copper
Midcentury Whale Sculpture on Stand, Circa 1960s
Located in Southbury, CT
This midcentury folk art sculpture features a cobalt blue sperm whale rendered in soldered tin, with lines that are both strong and graceful rests atop a simple, sturdy black steel b...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Unusual 1930s / 40's "Drugs" with arrow NEON sign..
Located in Buffalo, NY
Unusual 1930s / 40's "Drugs" with arrow NEON sign.. Two color...Nice early neon,, replaced / new transformer.. Great size, style Hand delivery avail to New York City or anywhere en r...
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Folk Art Child-Size Articulated Wooden Mannequin
Located in Bradenton, FL
Mid-century wooden, hand-carved articulated mannequin folk art sculpture in a child size. Arms, hands, legs, and feet are articulated. A rare whimsical and fun work of art for any in...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Vintage Studio Pottery Teapot with Gargoyle Handle - Signed - Mid 20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
Vintage hand-made studio pottery glazed ceramic lidded teapot - applied and articulated terracotta gargoyle face - the tongue of the beast forming ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Canadian Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic
Folk Art Pottery Charger, Hand Painted Sheep, Signed, Greece, Circa 1970's
Located in Chatham, ON
M. MIXA?HE - Vintage folk art pottery charger or wall plate - large size - hand made and hand painted and incised with a sheep and flowers - applied slip decorative scrolls to the ba...
Category
Mid-20th Century Greek Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century French Passe Boule Game
Located in London, GB
Mid-20th Century French Passe Boule Game
A highly decorative hand-crafted example of a mid-20th Century French passe boule game, in the form of a clown figure. The top hat is attache...
Category
1940s French Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood
1940s Face Veil, Sinai Bedouin Desert Garment Nikab Framed Collectible
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Traditional antique circa 1940s Collectible women face veil from the Sinai Bedouin Desert Garment Nikab framed in a lucite box.
Museum quality well preserved Middle Eastern Bedouin women face veil, from the Bedouin tribes of the Sinai Desert.
Face veil for a Bedouin Women, North Sinai Egypt or Palestine Mid 20th C.
An amazing Niqab, Negev Bedouin veil from Palestine or Egypt.
Worked on a base of thin red silk and cotton embroidery with antique Ottoman nickel silver coins, glass beads, wool, embroidered, stones, carnelians, glass, and amber.
Mid 20th century, circa 1940-50s typical Middle Eastern traditional Arabian Bedouin, Egyptian, Palestinian face mask, garment, head dress, tribal jewelry, bridal veil.
Showing heavily decorated in the bottom with silver nickel hands amulets for the Evil Eye protection and early textiles (wool and silk) and tassels hanging down.
Face coverings were worn for centuries by the women of various nomadic tribal groups of North Africa and the Middle East.
In the western desert of Egypt, Berber women living in Bedouin societies sometimes wear masks or veils called niqab. The veils serve multiple functions, including protecting the women’s face from sun damage, filtering dust from the air, displaying adornment, and demonstrating wealth or status.
The niqab worn by Bedouin women on special occasions are sometimes elaborately decorated with coins and beads, like this one.
Such masks are not for everyday use; they would be too hot and heavy. They are worn during special events, such as weddings and feasts.
Face veil: 12" W x 19" L,
circa 1915-1930.
Last pictures are references from the book:
"Traditional Palestinian Embroidery...
Category
1940s Egyptian Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Lucite, Beads, Textile
Large Hand Painted Double Sided Arrow "Radio Trade In" Folk Art Trade/Store Sign
Located in Buffalo, NY
Large Hand Painted, Double Sided Arrow "Special" Radio Trade In sale,,,,Folk Art Trade/Store Sign,,Wonderful size,,amazing crackle paint, patina..Great subject.
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Masonite, Paint
Vintage Santon de Provence French Clay Doll Figurine Old Woman Holding Clay Pot
Located in New Orleans, LA
This highly collectible and fascinating figurine represents the santon of Provence.
The santon is made of terra-cotta (head, body, legs, forearms, hands, feet,). The base is made of wood. The arms are connected to the body and allow articulation (simultaneously lift both arms)
Traditional dress of lovely provincial fabrics and delicate lace representing french Provence.
Series of French santons...
Category
1930s French Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Fabric, Clay
Vintage Mexican Religious Folk Art Ex-voto Retablo Arcangel San Miguel
Located in Forney, TX
A framed vintage oil on tin ex-voto retablo Arcangel San Miguel, Spanish Colonial Mexican religious folk art.
Primitive hand-painted tin panel, marked Guanajuato, Mexico, dated 19??, offered to Arcangel San Miguel (Archangel Michael), with hand-written inscription in lower margin. Professionally framed and matted.
An ex-voto is a votive offering to a saint or a divinity, given in fulfillment of a vow (hence the Latin term, short for ex voto suscepto, "from the vow made") or in gratitude or devotion. Usually praying for a family member or close friend, with pictorial depicting that persons situation. The term ex-voto is usually restricted to Christian examples.
Ex-votos are placed in a church or chapel where the worshiper seeks grace or wishes to give thanks. The destinations of pilgrimages often include shrines with the walls decorated with ex-votos.
Ex-votos can take a wide variety of forms. They are not only intended for the helping figure, but also as a testimony to later visitors of the received help. As such they may include texts explaining a miracle attributed to the helper, or symbols such as a painted or modeled reproduction of a miraculously healed body part, or a directly related item such as a crutch given by a person formerly lame. There are places where a very old tradition of depositing ex-votos existed, such as Abydos in ancient Egypt.
Ex-voto paintings, especially in the Latin world, there is a tradition of votive paintings, typically depicting a dangerous incident which the offeror survived. The votive paintings of Mexico...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art
Materials
Tin
1960s Vintage Orange Moroccan Berber Rug
Located in North Hollywood, CA
1960s Moroccan authentic Berber Rug Orange Blue and Pink.For centuries the tribal people of Morocco's Atlas Mountains have passed down the delicate art of rug-weaving. In Northern Af...
Category
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Folk Art
Materials
Wool
Statue of a Girl Holding Out her Apron
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Statue of a Girl Holding Out her Apron
This is a very pretty piece, this is quite a tall girl on an oval plinth and when it has rained a little water gets trapped in her skirt and t...
Category
1950s Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Cast Stone
1960s Vintage Red Ethnic Moroccan Fluffy Rug Bed of Roses
Located in North Hollywood, CA
1960s Vintage Red Ethnic Moroccan Fluffy Rug.Vintage authentic tribal Moroccan Berber rug from the Middle Atlas mountains. Monochromatic red ethnic African rug with variations in cor...
Category
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Folk Art
Materials
Wool
1960s Moroccan Berber Rug Pink Vintage Rehmana Marrakech Carpet
Located in North Hollywood, CA
1960s Moroccan Berber rug with pink and black and white cors.From the plains of Marrakech, one of a kind vintage hand woven Rehmana Berber rug.Clector piece vibrant cors and asymmetr...
Category
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Folk Art
Materials
Wool
Pair Scottie Dogs Atop Book Theme Japanese Puzzle Bank Occupied Japan Circa 1948
Located in Incline Village, NV
Quite an unusual piece for bank collectors or just for those seeking a unique collectible. This is a coin bank made of all wood; walnut and inlay here and there; simulating a stack and shelf of books; a pair of "Scottie dogs" (terriers) on top of the bank completes the decoration. The slot on top of the bank accommodates the saving of coins. When it is full; the method of opening the bank to remove the coins, exemplifies the ultimate in Japanese ingenuity.
A video attached to the listing displays the foregoing.
With the books facing you; slide the two front bottom panels to the left; slide the bottom right panel forward (tilt forward) exposing the opening; slide out the enclosed loose key; push everything back; slide left half of front panel to the left; the middle book drops down exposing the key hole; insert and turn the key to the right to open; lift the hinged lid; remove coins and reverse the process to start over again. Fantastic item!!!
This bank was made in Japan, right after World War ll, during the occupation, around 1948. It is a further manifestation of a mid to early 19th century tradition of hiding documents and money in boxes with "tricks" and a multiplicity of "moves" to unlock a box or trunk.
With these banks, it is all about condition and completeness, considering the rough play and use it was subject to from trying to figure out how to open it. This particular bank is in excellent and all original, complete condition with no repairs and no replacements, and is from my own personal collection of banks; having been in my possession since 1985. Worth noting is that this example was featured in "Antiquing and Collecting" magazine September 2003 edition in an article on Japanese Puzzle...
Category
1940s Japanese Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Large Pink Cast Iron Pig Money Bank or Doorstop with Wings, Denmark
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Danish piggy pink cast iron money bank or doorstopper with wings.
This smiling and charming Lady Pig is newly powder-coated in "pretty pink". She...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Artist’s Model Bust of a Very Young Smiling Boy, signed and dated
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Artist’s Model Bust of a Very Young Smiling Boy, signed and dated
This is a very attractive hand made piece dating from the middle of the 20th Centu...
Category
1960s Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Clay
Artist’s Bust of a Woman, not signed
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Artist’s Bust of a Woman, not signed
This is a hand made piece dating from the middle of the 20th Century, it was discovered during refurbishment of an ...
Category
1960s Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Clay
Zabihi Collection Colorful Dragon Vintage Tibetan Rug
Located in New York, NY
A colorful one-of-a-kind Tibetan rug from the 2nd quarter of the 20th century with a colorful dragon motif
Measures: 3'1'' x 5'1''.
Category
Mid-20th Century Folk Art
Materials
Wool
Folk Art Giant Metal Scissors Industrial Store Display Sign
Located in Atlanta, GA
This is an industrial metal store display sign that showcases French Folk Art. The sign boasts gigantic scissors, which can be used as an advertisement for a barber or hair salon. It is possible that the sign was originally used as a trade sign for a tailor shop or a millinery store. The sign is made of chromed metal and has the same maneuverability as real scissors. Despite being an outdoor sign...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Folk Art
Materials
Metal, Chrome
Small Collection of Folk Art Wooden Letters A Small collection
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Small Collection of Folk Art Wooden Letters
A Small collection of painted wooden letters, the letters are 1” thick, they were made in India, the have small hooks on the back to hang...
Category
1960s 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
Artist’s Model Bust of a Well Weathered Head, not signed
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Artist’s Model Bust of a Well Weathered Head, not signed
This is a very well weathered hand made piece dating from the middle of the 20th Century, it was discovered during refurbishment of an Art Studio
It is a three dimensional head and shoulders with an androgynous appearance made in clay with an out door patina...
Category
1960s Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Clay
Fajalauza Handmade Set of Terracotta Ceramic Bowls, Granada Spain XX
Located in Escalona, Toledo
Set of six decorative blue, green and white glazed terracotta ceramic bowls Spanish Fajalauza from the 20th century made and hand painted.
Fajalauza is a style that originates in th...
Category
1960s Spanish Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic
Signed Wayang Kulit Painting from Indonesia on Rich Palette
Located in Lomita, CA
This is a "remarkable" Indonesian Wayang Kulit painting. The color pallette is fantastic on a deep blue background with touches of beige, green and deep b...
Category
Mid-20th Century Indonesian Folk Art
Materials
Silk, Bamboo
"Boy Riding a Turtle" Wind-Up Toy; by J. Chein, circa 1930s
Located in Incline Village, NV
By J. Chein, circa 1930, this tin lithographed and hand painted American tin wind-up toy is all original and in working order. There are a few scratches here and there (from normal play and use); but for a nearly 100 year old toy, it is in very good and all original paint with no touch up or restoration. The turtle is painted in colors of yellow (predominantly) with a turquoise border and red dots, and an orange neck; while the boy is dressed in yellow.
The action of the toy portrays a boy riding a turtle; and upon winding up the attached clockwork key and releasing on the floor, the turtle with boy rider, ride away! The turtle moves his head up and down while the boy rocks up and down, as the turtle moves across the floor (see attached 12 second video of operation). Works well (unique for this toy) but occasionally "sticks".
Of American manufacturer (marked on the left of center of the shell of the turtle), the J. Chein Company was in Harrison, New Jersey, and one of the premier toy makers of the 1930's.
Dimensions: 8" long x 4 1/2" wide x 4" high
Note: After 40 plus years of dealing and collecting toys, I am justly qualified to guarantee and present the authenticity of antique and vintage toys...
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Tin
Vintage Child's Toy Tin Large Spinning Top by Chein Company, American, Ca. 1950
Located in Incline Village, NV
Highly colorful and completely operational hard to find LARGE tin child's toy spinning top made by the J. Chein Company, Harrison, New Jersey, Circa 1950. It works great and is in co...
Category
1950s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Tin
Artist’s Model Bust of a Young Girl in a Panama Hat, not signed
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Artist’s Model Bust of a Young Girl in a Panama Hat, not signed
This is a very attractive hand made piece dating from the middle of the 20th Century...
Category
1960s Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Clay
Vintage Pre-War Wind-Up Toy "Boy on Motorcycle Delivery Truck" by Marx
Located in Incline Village, NV
This brightly lithographed tin wind-up toy in colors of red, yellow, and blue, with a driver dressed in appropriate motorcycle clothing, depicts a young man driving a delivery cart with "Speed Boy Delivery" printed on each side of the wagon. The manufacturers logo is clearly marked on both sides of the stake wagon and on the right shoulder of the driver "MAR" with a circle around it and "Made in The United States of America, New York, N.Y." around the circumference (see images). The license plate number is "268", which, along with the red painted inside of the drivers arms (as it should be!) indicates this earlier version and authenticity.
Nearly 100 years old, it still operates fine and, upon winding the attached wind-up key a few times and placing the toy on the ground, the motorcycle and driver move across the floor on the way to their deliveries; do not over wind. (see video attached to this listing).
The toy is completely original and in very good condition, with no repairs or restorations of any kind and no touch up or repaint. The arms and steering handle bars are also original (sometimes replaced) and they have the appropriate paint and markings.
This would make a welcome addition to a collection of pre-war Americana.
Dimensions: 9 7/8" long x 5 7/8" wide x 5 3/4" high
After 40 plus years of dealing and collecting toys, I am justly qualified to guarantee and present the authenticity of antique and vintage toys...
Category
1930s Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Tin
Folky Hand-Hooked Mounted Blue Birds Rug from Pennsylvania
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This hand-hooked rug was found in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania and has such great geometric lines. It has a thick NAP and is really great condition.The rug is sewn on linen and on a custom made wood...
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wool
Antique Tortilla Press Maker in Mesquite Wood
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this antique tortilla press maker in mesquite wood, circa 1950.
Category
1950s Mexican Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Mexican Vintage Ken Edwards Tonala Pottery Hand Painted Quail Bird
By Ken Edwards
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Ken Edwards Mexican ceramic quail bird form Tonala Pottery.
Beautiful vintage Mexican hand made and hand painted TONALA Art Pottery.
Deco...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art
Materials
Pottery
Vintage Kwamina Amoaku Asafo Flag in Cotton Appliqué Pattern, Ghana, 1960s
Located in Copenhagen K, DK
Kwamina Amoaku
Ghana, 1960's
Fante Asafo flag in cotton applique patterns. Fante People.
Asafo Flags are created by the Fante people of Ghana. The flags are visual representations...
Category
1960s Ghanaian Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Cotton
1960s Moroccan Tribal Rug Handwoven North African Ethnic Textile Floor Covering
Located in North Hollywood, CA
1960s Moroccan Tribal Rug, Hand woven North African Ethnic Textile Floor Covering.Vintage Moroccan flat-weave stripe Kilim rug. Hand crafted large siz...
Category
Mid-20th Century Moroccan 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
San Francisco Trolley Toy Friction Car. Japan, circa 1950s
Located in Incline Village, NV
San Francisco trolley toy Friction cable car; made of all tin; important to note because this was the first of it's kind having been made in the 1950s. They were all tin (no plastic); 7 1/4" long (not shorter); green (not red or multi-clored); "Bay and Taylor St" placard; #504" and most importantly the figures are actual FIGURES made of formed pressed steel and then hand painted and lithographed. Cheaper later models were simply lithographed into the flat sheet steel. Also, my example works (see video). It is a friction toy...
Category
Mid-20th Century Japanese Folk Art
Materials
Tin
Rural Folk Art Painting, Oil on Masonite "Homestead" by John Moulton, Circa 1938
Located in Incline Village, NV
John Moulton (from Montana) had a cult following in his later years, his paintings were admired for their warmth, simplicity, and "down to earth" style; portraying rural settings and...
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Paint
"Komikal Kop" Tin Wind-Up Toy by Louis Marx Co., circa 1930
Located in Incline Village, NV
This is the more rare and desirable variation of this toy, with the dog riding "shotgun", sitting on the running board of the auto. The tin lithographed and hand painted wind-up toy by the Louis Marx Company of New York City, circa 1930, was undoubtedly influenced by Mack Sennett's Keystone Kops series featured in silent films.
The toy portrays a New York City policeman, seated behind the steering wheel of a car with his dog by his side on the running board; driving erratically; forward and backwards, left and right; doing "popping wheelies", while spinning his head around in utter confusion attempting to negotiate traffic.
The toy works great; just as it did when new, (see the attached 40 second movie with the listing). Simply wind up the fixed clockwork key in place a few times (do not over-wind) and watch the action described above.
This "Komikal Kop...
Category
1930s Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Tin
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
Mechanical Bank "Fishing Bears" Battery Operated with Original Box, circa 1950s
Located in Incline Village, NV
This is a later (1950's), albeit often overlooked and important mechanical bank that is quite rare, and highly sought after by collectors. Iconic bank collector F.H. Griffith wrote a...
Category
1950s Japanese Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Tin
Tonala Folk Art Pottery Plate Hand Painted with Birds, Mexico, circa 1960's
By Ken Edwards
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Handcrafted Ken Edwards ceramic plate Tonala Mexico Folk Art Pottery.
Vintage Ken Edwards Mexican ceramic birds and flowers from Tonala Pottery.
...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic
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
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
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
Vintage African Pair of Wooden Hand Carved Busts Sculptures
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Wood sculpture hand carved vintage tribal Folk Art bust of an African men and women sculptures.
Pair of vintage handcrafted wood sculptures of African men and women bust with headdress and jewelry.
These two busts depict tribal African couple...
Category
Mid-20th Century African Folk Art
Materials
Hardwood
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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