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
18th Century Folk Art Street Performance Figure
Located in London, GB
18th Century Folk Art Street Performance Figure.
An unusual and complete one-off piece of folk art, in the form of a hand carved begging figure. Recently uncovered from a personal ...
Category
1780s French Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Sailor's Woolwork of Royal Navy Battleship Coming Into Port
Located in Downingtown, PA
Sailor's Woolwork of Royal Navy Second Rate Battleship Coming into Port,
Circa 1865
The British sailor's woolwork has a dramatic view of a Royal Navy Second Rate Battleship coming i...
Category
1860s English Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wool
Spanish Colonial Mexican Folk Art Ex-Voto Retablo Painting Catholic Saint 1800s
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautiful 19th-century Spanish Colonial Mexican Folk Art ex-voto retablo lámina painting featuring an unknown Spanish Roman Catholic Saint.
The work is hand-painted on metal (li...
Category
19th Century Mexican Antique Folk Art
Materials
Metal, Tin
Early 20th Century English Folk Art Jigger Doll
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century English Folk Art jigger doll
A wonderful example of a unique Folk Art handcrafted jigger doll we have lovingly ...
Category
1930s British Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Pine, Paint
Colonial Mexican Folk Art Ex-Voto Retablo Painting of Mother Mary & Jesus, 1800s
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautiful 19th-century Spanish Colonial Mexican Folk Art ex-voto retablo lámina painting featuring Mother Mary with the crowned infant Jesus Christ (standing on clouds) in her arms...
Category
19th Century Mexican Antique Folk Art
Materials
Metal, Tin
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
Colonial Mexican Folk Art Ex-Voto Retablo Painting of Santo Niño de Atocha 1800s
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautiful 19th-century Spanish Colonial Mexican Folk Art ex-voto retablo lámina painting featuring Santo Niño de Atocha (also known as - Holy In...
Category
19th Century Mexican Antique Folk Art
Materials
Metal, Tin
Zabihi Collection Early 20th century Kashan Pictorial Landscape Scenery Rug
Located in New York, NY
Finely Woven Botanical early 20th century Kashan Pictorial Rug. A brown Deer, 2 rabbits in a pretty surrounding.
Details
rug no. j1868
size 2' 1" x 2' 10" (64 x 86 cm)
Category
Early 20th Century Persian Folk Art
Materials
Wool
19th Century American Folk Art Heart Shaped Iron Pad Lock & Key, Dated 1875
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th-century American folk art Heart-shaped forged iron pad lock and key, dated 1875
A remarkable 19th-century American heart-shaped forged iron padlock and key is a true testament ...
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wrought Iron, Iron
Austrian Armoire, Dated 1829
Located in London, GB
This Tyrolean marriage dowry wardrobe is most likely crafted by a local cabinet maker and painted by a local painter. These beautiful Armoires were made of local Pine wood and reserved to be given as a generous gift to the newly wed young bride, to keep her dowry linen, this particular piece is date 1829 as painted over the door.
The painted Tyrolean furniture...
Category
1820s Austrian Antique Folk Art
Materials
Iron
19th Century Bocce Balls, France, Set of Three
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Late 19th to early 20th century bocce balls, France, set of three
boxwood, iron and brass nails.
The first ball has the letters PP in brass, the second ha...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Folk Art
Materials
Brass, Iron
Early 20th century decorative dutch working windmill
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 20th century decorative dutch working windmill circa 1920.
We are pleased to offer this delightful scale model of a dutch windmill. This could have only been commissioned for...
Category
Early 20th Century Dutch Folk Art
Materials
Birch, Walnut
Double Sailor's Valentine of Sea Shells and Motto "Ever Thine"
Located in Downingtown, PA
Double Sailor's Valentine of Sea Shells and Motto "Ever Thine",
Barbados, West Indies,
Circa 1885
A double sailor's valentine with Spanish Cedar box...
Category
Early 20th Century Bajan Folk Art
Materials
Shell
Very Rare Large Victorian Hand Carved Salesman Sample Skiff Boat American C 1865
Located in Incline Village, NV
Very rare large size salesman sample skiff boat, circa 1865; hand carved out of a single piece of wood (perhaps maple) with Victorian period black print stenciling to the side in inc...
Category
1860s American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Early 20th Century Fairground Roulette Wheel
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century Fairground Roulette Wheel
French in its origin, this early 20th century hand crafted pine roulette wheel is in full working order. With its original metal wheel ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Folk Art
Materials
Pine
Pair of Canadian Folk Art Carved Japanese Internment Camp Figures or Sculptures
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This pair of Folk Art carved figures is believed to have been made by a Japanese immigrant to Canada either while or after being interned by the Canadian government during the Second World War. The male carved figure is hand painted in vibrant colors and the base reads: June 11, 1942" and "Ontario" underneath. The nude female carving...
Category
Mid-20th Century Canadian Folk Art
Materials
Softwood
Jim Rose - Construct No. 05, Salvaged Steel and Aluminum Industrial Objects
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
Jim Rose, known primarily for his steel furniture, was an avid collector and scoured salvage yards for unique, interesting items. Here he has welded together various metal pieces to...
Category
2010s American Folk Art
Materials
Metal, Steel
Colonial Mexican Folk Art Ex-Voto Retablo Painting of Mother Mary & Jesus, 1800s
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautiful 19th-century Spanish Colonial Mexican Folk Art ex-voto retablo lámina painting featuring Mother Mary with the infant Jesus Christ (faded and now almost a ghost-like figur...
Category
19th Century Mexican Antique Folk Art
Materials
Metal, Tin
Oscar Peterson Minnow Decoy Repainted by Jess Ramey, circa 1930
By Oscar Peterson
Located in Nantucket, MA
Oscar Peterson Minnow Decoy repainted by Jess Ramey, Cadillac, Michigan, circa 1930, an early Period II Peterson working ice fishing decoy that recei...
Category
1920s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood
19th Century Folk Art Rocking Horse
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Antique Folk Art painted and decorated rocking horse. In antique condition with splits and repairs, pictured. Dimensions: 37.5"H x 54"W x 11"D. Ask us about our local NYC delivery.
Category
19th Century Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Antique American Hand Woven Hooked Rug Long Runner, Circa 1880-1900
Located in Rochester, NY
Antique American folk art hand woven wool hooked rug. Circa 1880 - 1900. Good original color / well defined design / overall nice pile. A hard to find long runner / corridor / hallw...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wool, Burlap
Large Folk art /surrealist Oil painting on canvas.. Circus scene. " Burning Tent
Located in Buffalo, NY
Large Folk art / surrealist Oil painting on canvas.. depicting circus scene. "Burning Tent".. Very well executed.. amazing detail..
Category
1950s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Canvas, Wood, Paint
MIKE MATAS - Vintage Folk Art Whale Carving on Stand - Signed - Canada - C. 1980
Located in Chatham, ON
MIKE MATAS - Vintage folk art hand-carved pine model of a whale - mounted by two brass pins to the base - finished with a semi-gloss varnish - signed and dated - possibly from the ea...
Category
Mid-20th Century Canadian Folk Art
Materials
Brass
18th Century Serpent Door Knocker
Located in London, GB
18th Century Serpent Door Knocker
An unusual object in the form of a late 18th Century wrought iron door knocker in the shape of a serpent.
Dimensions in inches: H 16” x W 1.5” x...
Category
18th Century Unknown Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wrought Iron
Hungarian Red Ware Folk Art Rooster - Lidded Jug/Teapot by Imre Szűcs
Located in Morristown, NJ
A Hungarian Folk Art Red Ware Rooster Lidded Jug/Teapot by Imre Szűcs. A black/brown based rooster decorated with white dots and green, yellow and red painted elements. The spout is...
Category
Late 20th Century Hungarian Folk Art
Materials
Pottery
Early 19th Century Wooden Horse
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Early 19th Century Wooden Horse
A handsome Dapple Grey galloper with Horse Hair mane and tail, he has a classic open mouthed expression and bright glass eyes
Our Handsome galloper h...
Category
1860s Antique Folk Art
Materials
Oak
Vintage Hand Painted Folk Art Chest Box Floral Birds Traditional Medium Storage
Located in Greer, SC
Vintage hand painted and hand crafted domed chest with an elaborate folk art scene throughout the entire box. Stunning artwork with florals, birds, and a courting scene on wood. This...
Category
20th Century Unknown Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century French Butcher's Shop Sign
Located in Chicago, IL
A playful early 20th century French painted steel butcher's shop sign in the shape of a pig, and mounted on a custom steel table-top mount. The sign...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Folk Art
Materials
Steel
Spanish Colonial Mexico Carved Painted Archangel Santo Religious Sculpture
Located in Forney, TX
A large vintage Spanish Colonial style Mexican religious folk art carved wood santo figure - bulto carving.
Mid-20th century, Mexico, primitive hand-crafted construction, one-of-a-kind, likely depicting San Miguel Arcángel (Saint Michael the Archangel), hand carved gessoed polychromed solid wood figural sculpture, standing on integral plinth base, affixed with metal wings, right hand raised holding a sword.
Provenance / Acquisition:
From the estate of Margaret "Candy" Becker (Austin, Texas 1942-2022). She was an artist in all areas of her life who created art in many different media, including needlework, quilting, watercolor, acrylics, mosaic, and clay. Candy was a consummate traveler who spent time in Mexico, Guatemala, Japan, Iran, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Spain, England, and Ireland.
Acquired from the highly reputable auction house Austin Auction Gallery, est.1983, Austin, Texas. Important Western & Religious Art catalog
Dimensions: (approx)
16" High, 10" Wide, 6.5" Deep
Condition:
Great original antique / vintage condition with nicely aged patina. Includes the original sword, which is very rare. Wear consistent with age and use, including scattered chippy paint losses and worn paint, nothing that detracts from the display but only adds to the overall authenticity, character and old world rustic charm
Interesting, colorful, with a unique sculptural form and rich history, this large wooden statue would make for a wonderful decorative object - curiosity in your authentic Mexican hacienda, Santa Fe New Mexico adobe...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Outsider Art Painting titled Spielunkers, 3/10/09 RRD
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Outsider art painting using paper cutouts on masonite board titled Spielunkers, 3/10/09 RRD. Assemblage measures 25" wide, 2.25" deep and 8.5" high. We had the painting professiona...
Category
Early 2000s American Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
Whimsical Folk Art Painted Lady Liberty Political Figure
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Whimsical hand made carved wood and painted folk art hanging liberty figure.
Category
1960s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood
A. RUSHTON - Vintage Folk Art Oil Painting - Framed - Canada - Mid 20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
A. RUSHTON - Vintage folk art oil painting on canvas covered panel - signed lower right - framed (likely original) - Canada - mid 20th c...
Category
Mid-20th Century Canadian Folk Art
Materials
Paint
19th Century Sailor's Folk Art Woolie with Ship of the Line and Sloop, ca 1850
Located in Nantucket, MA
19th Century Sailor's Folk Art Woolie with Triple Decker Ship of the Line and Sloop, ca 1850, depicting a starboard side view of a majestic square-rigged triple decker warship under ...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wool
Splendid four rams Ntomo Mask, Bamana Population, Mali
Located in Paris, FR
Splendid four rams Ntomo Mask, Bamana Population, Mali
Four Rams, Ntomo Mask, Mali, Wood and cowrie shells. Dimensions: 52 x 14.5 cm 20.48 x 5.51inches
The Ntomo mask is used in th...
Category
20th Century Malian Folk Art
Materials
Shell, Wood
Pair of Greyhound Guard Dogs, Natural Rust Weathered in Cast Iron
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Pair of Greyhound Guard Dogs, Natural Rust Weathered in Cast Iron
This Super pair of Large Outdoor or Indoor Dogs these chaps have a good rusty outdoor patina they have been guard...
Category
1940s Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Old Vintage Pair Native American Folk Art Portraits Signed JP Macett
Located in South Burlington, VT
Vintage pair (2) Folk Art or Outsider Art Portraits of Native Americans. The female displays braided hair and a necklace with pendant of possible an acorn or shell; the male with a ...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Oak
Chesapeake Bay Scaup Drake Sink Box Wing Decoy, circa 1940
Located in Nantucket, MA
Early Chesapeake Bay Scaup Drake Sink Box Wing Decoy, circa 1940, a very shallow flat bodied decoy in original condition, original black and white paint on head and body, and painted...
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Early-20th Century Boul Club Sign
Located in London, GB
Early-20th Century Boul Club Sign
A complete one off, in the form of a hand carved / painted oversized Boul club advertising sign dated 1922. Completely u...
Category
Early 20th Century French Folk Art
Materials
Pine
Outsider Art Painting titled The Pink Spider, 7-27-09 RRD
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Outsider art painting using paper cutouts on masonite board titled The Pink Spider, 7-27-09 RRD. Assemblage measures 33.5" wide, 2.25" deep and 13.25" high. We had the painting profe...
Category
Early 2000s American Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
19th Century hand carved wood and polychromed Jeu de massacre fairground figure
Located in London, GB
19th Century hand carved wood and polychromed Jeu de massacre fairground figure
A rare piece of fairground art, in the form of an oversized hand carved painted polychromed Jeu de ma...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Folk Art
Materials
Pine
Outsider Art Painting titled Triple Play, 3/10-3/16/2008 RRD
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Outsider art painting using paper cutouts on masonite board titled Triple Play, 3/10-3/16/2008 RRD. Assemblage measures 30" wide, 2.25" deep and 8.75" high. We had the painting prof...
Category
Early 2000s American Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
Outsider Art Painting titled Meet The Seekers, 1-3-10
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Outsider art painting using paper cutouts on masonite board titled Meet The Seekers, 1-3-10. Assemblage measures 13.25" wide, 2.25" deep and 29.75" high. We had the painting professi...
Category
2010s American Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
Outsider Art Painting titled E-Z FRIEZE-E3 2008 RRD
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Outsider art painting using paper cutouts on masonite board titled E-Z FRIEZE-E3 2008 RRD. Assemblage measures 49.25" wide, 2.25" deep and 7.25" high. We had the painting professio...
Category
Early 2000s American Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
19th Century Carved Oak Folk Art Wall Figurative Plaque.
Located in London, GB
19th Century Carved Oak Folk Art Wall Figurative Plaque.
Just carved for the fun of it, this 19th century hand carved oak plaque illustrates an old ...
Category
1890s British Antique Folk Art
Materials
Oak
19th C Original Painted Game Board
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th C original painted game board. Nice original Salmon and black paint.
Category
19th Century North American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Vintage Carved Wood and Poly Chrome Painted Figural Musical Clock Figurine
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This vintage hand carved and hand painted musical clock is unsigned, but presumed to have been made in or near Austria in circa 1950 in a Folk Art style. The carving depicts a male figure leaning against a post mounted Black Forest styled clock. The carving is quite detailed and well executed on all sides and has been hand painted in a realistic style. Both the clock and the music box are currently not working as both have been over-wound and would require servicing. The head of the carving should turn slightly left to right while the music box is playing, but in its current state it is unknown whether the mechanism functions and/or what tune the music box may play. In addition, there is currently no key for the clock, but these normally use a standard small music box...
Category
Mid-20th Century Austrian Folk Art
Materials
Metal
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
19th Century Sailor's Woolie with Ship at Anchor Within Oval Cartouche, ca 1850
Located in Nantucket, MA
19th Century Sailor's Folk Art Woolie with Ship at Anchor Within Oval Cartouche, ca 1850, depicting a square-rigged single decker warship under furled sails, anchor chain leading off...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wool
Zabihi Collection Large Deer Turkish Pictorial Rug
Located in New York, NY
mid-20th century Turkish Rug with 2 large Deers surrounding multiple borrders and a central medallion
Details
rug no. j3741
size 4' 10" x 10' 5" (147 x 318 cm)
Category
20th Century Turkish Folk Art
Materials
Wool
Unusual Tramp Art / Folk Art Wood and Stone Clock, sculpture. cabinet.
Located in Buffalo, NY
Unusual Tramp Art / Folk Art Wood and Stone (granite) Clock, sculpture. cabinet.. Amazing decorative item.Antique hand crafted,Stone ,granite cylinders,
Category
1890s American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Stone, Granite
Early 19th Century Unusual Painted Folk Art Coconut
Located in London, GB
Early 19th Century Unusual Painted Folk Art Coconut
A piece of 19th Century curiosity with a very quirky charm. In the form of a hand painted coconut shell. We guess someone got bo...
Category
Early 1900s British Antique Folk Art
Materials
Natural Fiber
Highly Decorative 19th Century European German Cleaver, Kitchen Butcher Utensil
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Antique 19th century European cleaver. Made from hand-wrought iron with wood handle. Great as a graphic wall decoration. Found at an estate sale in Nuremberg, Germany. Nice to displa...
Category
Mid-19th Century German Antique Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Splendid Kpélié Mask, Sénoufo population, Ivory Coast 1950
Located in Paris, FR
Splendid Kpélié Mask, Sénoufo population, Ivory Coast 1950
Kpélié Mask, wood covered with copper
Dimensions 36.5 x 14.5 cm / 14.17 x 5.51 inches
The populations speaking the Sénouf...
Category
1950s Ivorian Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Robert 'Mouseman' Thompson Folk Art Carved Oak Oval Cutting or Cheese Board
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This solid oak oval cutting board was made by the renowned English furniture maker Robert 'Mouseman' Thompson in his signature Arts & Crafts style. The cutting board has a raised han...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Folk Art
Materials
Oak
19th Century Romanian Polychrome Wooden Rocking Horse
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Charming 19th century Romanian hand carved wooden rocking horse. Featuring a colorful polychrome finish on a base decorated with a floral m...
Category
19th Century Romanian Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
Water Serpent (Palulukang) and Mud Man (Koyemsi) - Kachina Doll
Located in Soquel, CA
Water Serpent (Palulukang) and Mud Man (Koyemsi) - Kachina Doll
Brightly painted, dynamic sculpture by an unknown artist. The figure is dressed as a medicine man, with feather and fur accents. The Mud Man is holding a piece of leather and a drum, about to wrestle with the Horned Water Serpent (Palulukang) that is emerging from a pottery jar , or Mudhead kachina clown...
Category
1980s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Fur, Feathers, Paint, Wood, Leather
19th Century Swedish Folk Art Root Wood Bowl
Located in Mjöhult, SE
Fine organic Mid-19th Century Swedish Folk Art root wood bowl, circa 1820.
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Folk Art Wedding Chest, Anno 1903
Located in Amsterdam, Noord Holland
Wedding Chest in pastel shades, Eastern Europe, anno 1903, with roses and targets on a red background. A fine example of this particular type of box found in present-day eastern Roma...
Category
Early 20th Century Hungarian 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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