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
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
Rare Italian Hand Carved Folk Art Santos Doll, circa 1840
Located in London, GB
We are proud to offer a mid-19th century hand carved figure of a Santos doll. The figure is made using pine wood and section constructed with pinned wooden...
Category
1840s Italian Antique Folk Art
Materials
Pine
Mid-Century American Large Scale Wood Carved C-133A Plane
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Mid-century large-scale wood carved Folk Art Cargomaster C-133A. An actual barn find discovered in Washington State farm country. Hand-carved and painted. Two pieces: wing piece atta...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Wood
American Hand Painted Bird Grain Bin
Located in Wallkill, NY
Wonderful example of American Folk Art, early 1850s-1870s. Stunning piece for your home!
Category
1850s American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Large Danish Folk Art Church Procession Painting, circa 1960s
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Large impressive Folk Art acrylic painting of a haunting, moonlit, church procession is signed by the Danish born artist and dated 1963. There is one small tear in the canvas as shown. Frame is aluminum and wood. This artist's work also includes our listed Folk Art Angel...
Category
1960s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Aluminum
HBO Prop "Huber's Palace Museum" Souvenir Pennant Cart
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Colorful stage prop cart from an HBO production. Painted wood on wheels, along with two painted barrels with sticks for the pennants. This is an artist made...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Mexican Folk Art Wood Carving Traditional Dance Handmade Alebrije One of a Kind
By Manuel Cruz Prudencio, Ruby Fabian
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
The young dancers wear an armor of threads over their bodies, showing off an ancient indigenous art form. Colorful thread combinations characterize the huipil dress, a rectangle of cloth handwoven on a backstrap loom that dates back thousands of years in used in Zapotec culture. Through symbols in their dresses, Zapotec women wear their identity, history, culture, power, social and marital status, religion, personality, and power.
In this folkloric dance, “Flor de Piña” (Pineapple Flower), innocence surrounds young girls as they dance and hold pineapples on their shoulders as an offering. Their long braids represent purity and their bare feet symbolize their connection to the Earth.
This folkloric dance is part of the “Guelaguetza” (name in the indigenous Zapotec language) Festival Celebration. Since pre-hispanic times, the indigenous people of Oaxaca have honored the goddess of maize with this festival, performing and offering gifts to ensure a good harvest.
Husband and wife, master woodcarver Manuel Cruz and wood painter...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Acrylic
English Banner Weathervane
Located in Greenwich, CT
Striking English copper weathervane having exceptional weathered surface in the form of a flying banner with spear finial, fleur-de-lis pointer and pierced decorated body. Great form...
Category
1860s Great Britain (UK) Antique Folk Art
Materials
Copper
Folky Store Display Horse
Located in Nantucket, MA
Painted black with a red saddle, glass eyes and hairm. Missing one of its stirrups, the stirrup is carved from wood and is hanging from its original thick canvas. The ears which were...
Category
Late 19th Century North American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Canvas, Wood
Vintage 1940s Folk Art Painted Iron Child Riding Horse Mounted on Custom Base
Located in Atlanta, GA
A vintage Folk Art painted iron old child riding horse from the mid-20th century mounted on a new custom base. Born in the first half of the 20th century, this charming vintage iron piece features a brown and black painted iron galloping horse mounted on a rectangular custom-made metal base. Its nicely weathered appearance and naive treatment will make this Folk Art 1940s...
Category
Mid-20th Century Folk Art
Materials
Iron
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
Wood Carved Folk Art American Muscle Car
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Hand-carved Folk Art pink and white midcentury car. Fun display piece. Quite a heavy piece.
Category
1960s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood
19th Century Folk Art Wartime Relationship Commemorative Plaque
Located in London, GB
19th century Folk Art Wartime relationship commemorative plaque
We are proud to offer a rare and unique commemorative wartime relationship plaque...
Category
1880s Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
20th Century Ransbottom Spongeware Water Cooler
Located in Los Angeles, CA
20th century Ransbottom spongeware pottery water cooler. Complete with lid and faucet in pristine condition.
Category
20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Pottery
19th Century French Wooden Clock Face
Located in Surrey, BC
Authentic clock face salvaged in the 1960s from a four-sided clock tower in France. Retains its original undisturbed first surface. Acquired from a private collection.
Dimensions: 3...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
1960s Moroccan Vintage Orange Color Tribal African Pile Rug
Located in North Hollywood, CA
1960s authentic Moroccan vintage orange cor tribal African pile rug.Wonderf work of art, bright oranges geometrical design, free style, amazing vintage Moroccan runner.Handwoven by t...
Category
20th Century Moroccan Folk Art
Materials
Wool
Large Vintage Indian Textile with Custom Frame
Located in Troy, MI
Vintage Indian block printed textiles from the 1940s-1960s have been sewn together in colorful patches with rows of running stitch embellish...
Category
Mid-20th Century Indian Folk Art
Materials
Fabric, Canvas, Plexiglass, Wood
American Folk Art Wood and Iron Farm Bureau Weathervane Advertising Sign
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Great looking cartoon Midwestern Americana weathervane. Farm Bureau Insurance started in 1921. This great piece most likely was a premium or advertising piece. Hand painted wood with...
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Hand Painted Wall Decoration Chart Depicting the Story of a Murder Ballade
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Hand Painted Wall Decoration Chart Depicting the Story of a Murder Ballad
A rare hand painted wall decoration chart showing a murder ballad. Used to illustrate a steet Ballad in whi...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Folk Art
Materials
Canvas
Mexican Colorful Folk Art Ceramic Vase Tecuanes Dance Vessel
By Los Castillo
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
Beautiful Mexican ceramic vase made with cooked clay and decorated with acrylic paint.
The vessel represents the traditional dance for the good...
Category
2010s Mexican Folk Art
Materials
Clay, Ceramic, Acrylic
Late 19th Century Bronze "Punch" Door Stop
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This 19th century Punch doors stop from Punch and Judy. A famous puppeteer show in England since 1662. It is in amazing condition. This door stop is mo...
Category
1890s American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Bronze
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
Vintage Moroccan Flat-Weave Rug with Stripes
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Moroccan flat-weave Kilim rug.Large size blanket vintage Moroccan rug, handwoven by Berber women in Morocco for their own use.This rug was made...
Category
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Folk Art
Materials
Wool
"Crystal Hunt" Ghanaian Movie Poster
Located in Chicago, IL
Starring Donnie Yen, "The Bruce Lee of the 90s," "Crystal Hunt" was a martial arts film from Hong Kong made in 1991. Frequently, theaters in Ghana were unable to import official post...
Category
Late 20th Century Ghanaian Folk Art
Materials
Canvas
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
18th Century Folk Art Shelf With Heart And Pineapple Carvings
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Beautiful folk art "Love" Shelf. An old tradition where the man had to make a gift for the fiancee, mostly the items were made in wood with birds or hearts and painted nicely.
Category
Late 18th Century Danish Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Geometric Hooked Rug
Located in Nantucket, MA
This geometric hooked rug has multicolored circles against a light colored field. A modernist design that is bold and lively. Stretched and profes...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Fabric, Wool
Folk Art Greyhound Bus Lines Logo Hooked Rug or Wall Hanging
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This unique and colorful Folk Art hooked rug was designed and crafted sometime between 1970 and 1980 and could be easily be adapted for use as a wall hanging. This rug is presumably made from synthetic wool and employs five colors to represent the Greyhound Bus...
Category
Late 20th Century Canadian Folk Art
Materials
Synthetic
Napoleonic Folk Art Calligraphy Drawing
Located in Greenwich, CT
Unique pen and ink Folk Art drawing with calligraphy boarder depicting Napoleon triumphant in Russia (a French fantasy) with a French flag flying over a Russian palace surrounded by ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Folk Art
Materials
Pen, Paper, Giltwood
31 Brazilian Silver Amulets
Located in New York, NY
These 31 Brazilian amulets, or balangada, were hammered from sheets of silver in the 19th century to form pomegranates, sugar apples, guava, and other...
Category
Mid-19th Century Brazilian Antique Folk Art
Materials
Silver
Round Resin Stone Seashell Decorative Dish
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Round stone resin seashell serving dish or platter. The piece is very heavy and is blue, light gray and yellow in color. Three indentions in the shape of shells for serving oysters, ...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Cast Stone
Industrial Metal Brutalist Geometric Sculpture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Three dimensional steel sculpture by unknown artist. Perfect for collectors of art, metal, and shapes. Please confirm item pickup location (Brooklyn or NJ) with seller.
Category
20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Steel, Metal
Anonymous Abstract Geometric Painted Board
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Bold geometric abstract board found in Texas. We have a collection of these boards from an anonymous artist. Painted on recycled cupboard doors, table tops, stool tops and bread boar...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Wood
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
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
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
German Folk Art Naïve Military Painting, circa 1870
Located in London, GB
A wonderful example of a circa 1870 German Folk Art naïve military scene in townscape annotated to celebrate a soldier. In ceremonial regalia in watercolou...
Category
1870s German Antique Folk Art
Materials
Paper
Vardo Wagon Panels, circa 1880
Located in London, GB
Carved wooden gypsy vardo wagon panels, circa 1880
This lot is a very rare and unique set of 6 hand carved wooden gypsy Vardo travelling wagon panel strips. The wooden panels wou...
Category
1890s British Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Carved American Carnival Head, circa 1890s
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Finely featured carved man's head found in the southern United States. Most likely a late 19th century carnival head featured in a ball or ring toss game.
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Abstract Folk Art Plywood Bust
Located in Santa Monica, CA
This stacked plywood Folk Art piece showcases the unique vision of its creator. An intriguing sculptural piece from every angle.
Category
20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Plywood
Large Figurative African Mangbetu Anthropomorphic Ceramic Vessel or Jar
Located in Studio City, CA
This is a wonderful piece likely made by the Mangetu tribe of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is finely detailed and quite large and hefty. These pieces were originally made...
Category
20th Century Congolese Folk Art
Materials
Terracotta
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
Pop Surrealist Sculpture by Robert Brock, circa 1974
Located in Buffalo, NY
Pop surrealist sculpture by Robert Brock, cirac 1974. Laminate and cast plaster
Brock was born in Tacoma, Ohio and was a graduate of the University of Dayton, Dayton Art Institute...
Category
1970s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Laminate, Plaster, Wood
Spelter Still Bank "Girl By A Barrel", German, circa 1908
Located in Incline Village, NV
The term "spelter" refers to a zinc/lead metal compound used to pour and make castings. Because of the thinness of the castings there is great detail to the subject matter of these banks. Spelter banks...
Category
Early 1900s German Antique Folk Art
Materials
Spelter
Carved Wood Tyrolean Model of a Hunting Lodge, circa 1880
Located in London, GB
Carved wood Tyrolean model of a hunting lodge, circa 1880.
We are proud to offer a most unusual circa 1880 carved wooden Tyrolean model of a hunting lodge with carved and painted Fo...
Category
1880s German Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
American Odd Fellows Lodge Black Wood Counter Folk Art Grain Painted Hourglass
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Great 19th century American folk art counter with original grain painted surface. Fantastic Hourflassl painted design. Open back. Very solid and sturdy counter. Please note the red c...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Pictorial Animal Human Turkish Rug, Mid 20th Century
Located in New York, NY
Eclectic Vintage Turkish Pictorial rug from the middle part of the 20th century.
2'2'' x 3'6''
Category
20th Century Turkish Folk Art
Materials
Wool
Pair of Vintage Middle Eastern Fibulas
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Beautiful pair of vintage Middle Eastern tribal fibulas.
A fibula was used to close a woman's veil in the Middle East and Africa.
Handcrafted by Berber a...
Category
Mid-20th Century African Folk Art
Materials
Metal
French School Teacher Educational Paintings "La Pipe", circa 1930s
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Painted by a school teacher in rural Hautes Pyrenees, France. Based on the Toto, Lili, Rene and Jojo French educational stories. It is likely that the s...
Category
1930s French Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Paper, Watercolor
Assembled Pair of Early 20th Century Trench Art Vases Custom Mounted as Lamps
Located in Dallas, TX
An assembled pair of brass artillery shell casing trench art vases now mounted as lamps with custom Lucite bases and tapered square custom linen shades...
Category
Early 20th Century French Folk Art
Materials
Brass
Caution School Zone WPA Style Wood Sign Red White and Blue Hand Painted
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Chunky red, white and blue hand painted school safety zone sign. Super graphic and bold. Nice thick construction.
Category
1950s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Collection of Three Swedish Baskets
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine group of three Swedish 19th and early 20th century folk art baskets, the first with polychrome decoration on a coiled willow body and having barley twist handle, the second with blue and red paint with floral decoration on a reeded body, the last of cylindrical form and having a woven snowflake pattern.
Although priced as a collection, we would be willing to separate them.
Size listed is for handled coiled basket...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art
Materials
Birch, Willow, Reed
Imperial Tobacco Company of Canada Silk Trading Cards Quilt Mounted on Canvas
Located in Buchanan, MI
Imperial Tobacco Company of Canada silk trading cards quilt mounted on canvas. Featuring silk cigarette cards in the Rulers with Flags series, dating 191...
Category
19th Century Antique Folk Art
Materials
Silk
Early Leo Sewell Assembledge, Sculpture, Seated Male Figure
By Leo Sewell
Located in Buffalo, NY
Early Leo Sewell Assembledge. Sculpture, seated male figure, signed and dated, 1977. A charming array of whimsical found objects, Italian chair included.
Category
1970s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Whimsical Outsider, Folk Art Oil Painting by William R. Straly
By William R. Straly
Located in Buffalo, NY
Whimsical outsider, Folk Art oil painting by William R. Straly, excellent use of color. Texture and space.
Category
20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Paint
Unusual Hand Carved Clown Motif Umbrella, Paragon, S. Fox & Co
By S. Fox & Co.
Located in Buffalo, NY
Unusual Hand Carved Clown Motif Umbrella, Paragon, S. Fox & Co
Category
1920s English Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Important & Rare Pennsylvania 18thc Paint Decorated Cradle
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic early 18thc Pennsylvania painted and decorated baby cradle with strong German Dutch influence . This early cradle has come out of a fifty year collection and was found in Southern Pennsylvania originally . The hex signs...
Category
18th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Pair of African Cowrie Fertility Idol Figures
Located in New York, NY
Pair of African (19/20th Cent) seated Cowrie fertility idol figures with a surface of small shells and beads and mounted on modern silver metal bases
Category
20th Century African Folk Art
Materials
Shell, Wood, Paint
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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