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: Early 20th Century
Early 20th Century Folk Art Zinc Barbers Pole Trade Sign
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century folk art zinc barbers pole trade sign.
An early 20th century hand crafted zinc barbers pole trade sign. Hand painted and of naïve construction. Lots of characte...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Folk Art
Materials
Zinc
Antique German Paper Mache Bobble Head Mule Donkey Pull Cart Toy
Located in Dayton, OH
Rare antique German paper mache composition bobble head mule / donkey / horse pull toy figure standing with a small feed manger on a platform rollin...
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art
Materials
Hardwood, Paper
Early 20th Century English Folk Art Figure
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century English Folk Art Figure
We share what we love, and we love this early 20th Century example of an English doubl...
Category
1920s European Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Pine
Wood Carved Red and White American Folk Art Barber Pole Trade Sign Sconce, C1920
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Great Americana! c. 1920s American Folk Art wood and iron carved barber pole. Layers of thick original red and white hand painted surface. Substantial iron mounts and iron strapping around neck of sconce. Unique wall sconce...
Category
1920s North American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Antique Folk Art Stitched Woven Floral Labyrinth Star Sawtooth Quilt Blanket
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique hand stitched blue and white bedspread / blanket / coverlet / quilt with sawtooth border and blocks embroidered with woven interlocked eight po...
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art
Materials
Cotton
Large Antique Wooden American Mortar and Pestle
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Large wood antique American mortar and pestle.
Early 19th c. Americana turned wood footed mortar and pestle.
American, late 19th century wooden mortar and pestle...
Category
Early 20th Century Moroccan Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Folk Art Hand Painted Wooden Trade Sign
Located in Nantucket, MA
Antique Folk Art hand painted double-sided wooden trade sign dating from the early 20th Century... 1920s? 1930s? A wonderful whimsical sign most likely...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Pine
Monumental Mexican Carved Polychrome Mermaid Dance Mask, Folk Art Sculpture
Located in Forney, TX
A magnificent life-size Mexican folk art hand carved and painted wood body dance mask, in the form of a mermaid, dating to the early 20th century, most likely originating in Guerrero, Mexico.
Featuring a large nude female form, exquisitely detailed throughout, including intricately painted eyes, sculpted wavy hair and rich polychrome decorated scaled tail mounted with fish figure, having cutout for wearing around waist, moderately hollowed body reduces overall weight, and arms jointed at the shoulder allowing the arms to rotate and freely move when worn.
Retaining later looped wires for hanging from the ceiling or wall. Great original antique / vintage condition with expected heavily distressed patina and chippy paint finish losses. All wear consistent with age and indicative of use.
Provenance / Acquisition:
From the collection of Mrs. Bettye Wellons, Austin, Texas.
Acquired from highly reputable auction house Austin Auction Gallery, established in 1983, Austin, Texas. 2022 Texas Mansion Carved Antiques & Decor catalog.
Overall dimensions: (approx)
Raised on arms angled back with back head up...
Category
Early 20th Century Mexican Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Gesso, Paint
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Carved Wood Chain
Located in Chicago, IL
Don't let your eyes fool you, you're not looking at a boring iron chain. This is a stunning early 20th century American Folk Art fourteen foot long wooden chain...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Hand Painted Early Americana Folk Art Wall Mount Game Wheel
Located in Wallkill, NY
What a great addition this would make to your home
Folk Art game wheel, measuring
31 in x 34.5 in height x 5 in deep.
Category
1920s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Original Mexican Retablo "Exvotos" Oil on Tin
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this original Mexican Retablo "Exvotos" oil on tin, circa 1920.
Category
1920s Mexican Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Vintage Folk Art Cabin in Winter Snow Landscape Long Format Painting
Located in Seguin, TX
Antique circa 1915 oil on wood board folk art winter forest cabin scene painting, wood is from an old tobacco crate. Unsigned. Unframed, edge wear.
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
Antique Willow Water Baskets
Located in New York, NY
Antique Chinese willow water baskets with original cast iron hardware and sturdy wooden handle. With rounded bottoms. From Shanxi province, circa 1900.
P...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Folk Art
Materials
Willow
19Thc Donkey Door Stop with Nodder Head
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This folky and heavy donkey door stop is in fine condition and in working order. The head bobs back and forth when moved. It has a wonderful untouched patina.
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Portrait of the Clipper Ship Oriental by Lucius A. Briggs, 1925
Located in Nantucket, MA
Antique Seascape Portrait of the Clipper Ship ORIENTAL by Lucius A. Briggs, (Boston and New Bedford: 1852 - 1931), 1925, a watercolor seascape with the tea clipper under rosy sky, si...
Category
1920s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Paper
Vintage French Toy "Les Acrobates", circa 1920
By G. Doloy
Located in Incline Village, NV
Rare 100 year old French toy in it's original box depicting two acrobats attached to a wire frame with brown barrel weights, cascading down a green metal ladder. Once assembled (loop...
Category
1920s French Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Tin
Antique Gnome Sculpture "Digging For Gold" Original Paint
Located in South Burlington, VT
Digging For Gold- Rare Form
Gardener's Best Friend - As American as Apple Pie
An American garden friendly elf or gnome- hand cast double sided form and hand painted. Imagine this fellow going about his business digging in your garden - perhaps burying gold treasure...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Antique Gold Leaf Black Sign "Gebhardt Park "
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique gold leaf sign Gebhardt Park. Framed in original wood frame.
Category
Early 1900s North American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Early 20th Century Hand Painted Duck Decoy Antique, German
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Found in Germany at an estate sale, this hand carved and hand painted duck decoy is perfect for the collector. Well used by a previous hunter the paint ha...
Category
Early 20th Century German Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
Antique Welsh Folk Art Pilgrim Man Cloth Doll Formal Wool Suit Wales
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Welsh costume cloth doll of a man in a brown formal tux style suit, reminiscent of 17th century Pilgrims, with delicately painted face and wool clot...
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art
Materials
Fabric
Folk Art Brigantine Weathervane by Frank Adams, Martha's Vineyard, circa 1930s
Located in Nantucket, MA
Folk Art Brigantine Weathervane by Frank Adams (1871 - 1944), West Tisbury, Martha's Vineyard, circa 1930s, a hand built weathervane of a brigantine with square-rigged foremast and fore-and-aft-rigged mainmast, with wooden hull, characteristic cut sheet metal sails with folded fore-edges, and wire rigging.
The weathervane is in original nicely weathered paint and condition.
Frank Adams was a folk artist on the Vineyard best known for his duck decoys, but also for these weathervanes, ship models, miniature decoys...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Early 20th Century Scratch-Built Tricycle Model
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century scratch-built tricycle model.
A charming example of an English scratch built folk art child’s tricycle model. Constructed from a metal frame, wooden wheels, han...
Category
1920s British Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Round Antique American Hooked Rug. 2 ft 8 in x 2 ft 8 in
Located in New York, NY
Beautiful small antique floral round American Hooked rug, country of origin: America, date circa 1900. Size: 2 ft 8 in x 2 ft 8 in (0.81 m x 0.81 m)
This antique rug was made in A...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Wool
Hand Crafted and Beautifully Painted Dolls found in Southern Mexico, Early 20th
By G. None
Located in Guadalajra, Jal
Hand Crafted and Beautifully Painted Doll found in Southern Mexico, Early 20th Century.
Origin: Villa de Zaachila, Oaxaca / Southern México.
Category
Early 20th Century Mexican Folk Art
Materials
Leather, Wood
Antique Zinc Red Hat Maker Trade Sign, France, Early 20th Century
Located in Antwerp, BE
XXL Antique hat maker's trade sign, made in France circa 1900 - 1920.
This large sign was used as advertising - eyecatcher on the storefront.
A large facade sign - advertising sign in front of the hat shop - hat maker's store - red hat facade sign
It's a spectacular XXL red hat - red top hat made of hand- painted and hand-crafted zinc. When you look at the spectacular shape, you see that the brim of the hat is completely curled, so can only be done by an art maker - craftsman.
The original metal bracket is no longer with this hat trade sign...
Category
Early 20th Century French Folk Art
Materials
Zinc
Metal and Wood American Bird Cage, Circa 1905
Located in Incline Village, NV
Hand made Folk Art American wire metal and painted wood birdcage, probably from Pennsylvania circa 1905. Having a rectangular body with a dome top; suitable for hanging, or surface decorative presentation, this birdcage is functional albeit it lacks a perch. The single door entry/exit is spring loaded, and there is a metal slide out removable tray at the bottom. The tole painting...
Category
Early 1900s American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Early 20th Century English Fairground Panels
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century English fairground panels
We share what we love, and we love this matched pair of charming English metal sheet, hand painted fai...
Category
1920s British Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Roulette Wheel, circa 1900
Located in London, GB
French Roulette Wheel Board Game circa 1900
For sale in this LOT is one of the most unique and highly decorative antique primitive French handmade rou...
Category
Early 20th Century French Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Antique Large Hand-Carved & Polychrome Painted Southeast Asian Mask or Sculpture
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This large antique tribal mask or sculpture is unsigned and undocumented, but presumed to have originated from Southeast Asia and done in a folk ar...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Folk Art
Materials
Softwood
African Hand Carved Mortar in Solid Wood Produced in Africa, ca Early 1900s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Rare and beautiful African mortar hand carved in solid wood with great patina and signs from age and use. Very decorative and unique.
Dimensions: He...
Category
1910s Ethiopian Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Chinese Lanzhou Gourd Carving with Macrame Cord on Root Stand Sculpture
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Chinese Lanzhou Gourd carving with macrame cord on root stand sculpture.
Early 20th century large engraved and carved Chinese Lanzhou gourd. Dramatic des...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Early 20th Century German Deer Target
Located in Chicago, IL
A unique and chic early 20th century German iron hunting target in the shape of a grazing deer, and with a fantastic pitted painted finish. Perfect for ...
Category
Early 20th Century German Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Antique American Dapple Jumper Track Carousel Horse, Charles W Dare Attributed
Located in Forney, TX
An antique American track machine carousel horse attributed to legendary carver Charles W. Dare Company, now mounted as a rocking horse.
Hand-crafted in the early 20th century, circa 1920, born during the Golden Age of carousels in America (circa 1860-1930), exceptionally executed hand carved design with rich detailing, and warm polychrome painted white and gray dapple, featuring inset glass eyes, natural horsehair tail, saddle with carved cantle, blue painted saddle blanket and bridle, rising on a later blue and red painted wooden rocker base Stand, marked with letter "D" underneath in grey paint, most likely indicative of Dare, metal mounting plate marked AA PAT APLD FOR
Carved in a galloping or jumper position, this whimsical yet Primitive country-fair style equine exhibits all the hallmarks of Dare’s design, such as the forward-facing ears, the perfectly combed asymmetrical mane with a wind-blown effect, the tail made of realistic hair, and the distinctive “bird” saddle, which was carved separately and attached.
Among carousel antiques...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century English Country Estate Folkart Decoy
Located in London, GB
We are proud to offer a rare example of a late 19th century hand carved form of a decoy, possibly a coot. A heavily weathered working example with an unusual lead weight keel, old re...
Category
1920s British Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Popular Art Shelf in Pine, circa 1900
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Popular art shelf in pine circa 1900
Measures: depth : 23 cm.
Category
Early 20th Century European Folk Art
Materials
Pine
Framed Korean Folk Shamanistic Painting of Seven Stars
Located in Atlanta, GA
A Korean folk painting watercolor on linen (silk) with a cloth mat and walnut wood frame. The work is in the shamanistic style and depicts the Tao...
Category
Early 20th Century Korean Folk Art
Materials
Textile
Early 20th Century Scratch Built English Paddle Boat Model
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century scratch built English paddle boat model
A wonderful object, scratch built from found objects and consisting mainly of brass and copper ...
Category
Early 20th Century British Folk Art
Materials
Brass, Copper
Hand Crafted and Beautifully Painted Dolls Found in Southern Mexico, 1930's
By G. None
Located in Guadalajra, Jal
Hand Crafted and Beautifully Painted Doll found in Southern Mexico, Early 20th Century.
Origin: Villa de Zaachila, Oaxaca / Southern México.
Category
Early 20th Century Mexican Folk Art
Materials
Leather, Wood
Mason Standard Grade Painted Eye Mallard Hen Decoy, circa 1910
Located in Nantucket, MA
Antique Mason Standard Grade Painted Eye Mallard Hen Decoy, circa 1910, having head with carved and painted eyes, attached to solid carved body with slightly protruding breast. In mo...
Category
1910s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Combination Board Game of Marble Solitaire and Tiddlywinks, circa 1925
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a complete combination board game of marble solitaire and tiddlywinks, dating to the early 20th century.
This is a most unusual and very de...
Category
Early 20th Century English Folk Art
Materials
Glass, Hardwood
Early 20th Century Hand Painted Decoy Duck, Antique German
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Found in Germany at an estate sale, this hand carved and hand painted duck decoy is perfect for the collector. Well used by a previous hunter the paint has faded through time althoug...
Category
1910s German Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century, Circus Balancing Balls
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century circus balancing balls.
We share what we love, and we love these rare early 20th century hand crafted wood and glass mirror English circus balancing balls. Each section is hand crafted using pins...
Category
1920s British Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Mirror, Wood
Early 20th Century Folk Art Fairground Elephant
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century Folk Art Fairground Elephant
We share what we love, and we love this charming and naively formed early 20th century hand craved fairground ride figure. With a de...
Category
1920s British Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Traditional Large Iron Hanging Pub Sign, The Boot
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Traditional large iron hanging pub sign. The Boot
This is a large and heavy piece dating from the beginning of the 20th Century, it is double sided though the paint on one side is...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Early 20th Century Aunt Sally English Fairground Game
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century aunt sally english fairground game.
We share what we love, and we love this oversized early 20th Century example of a carved wood Fairground Aunt Sally knock do...
Category
Early 1900s British Antique Folk Art
Materials
Pine
Hand Carved and Painted Large Vintage Wood Duck Decoy, Early 20th Century
Located in Studio City, CA
A fantastic early to Mid-20th Century handmade duck or mallard decoy with a swivel neck and glass eyes.
Would be a great addition to any collection o...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
Swedish Folk Art Wooden Lidded Tankards, Early 1920s
Located in Bochum, NRW
Swedish wooden Lidded Tankard and Pitcher, made of staves that are held together with split-branch banding. The lids are hinged. Both beautifully decora...
Category
1920s Swedish Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Large Framed American Flag Folk Art Quilt
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Nicely faded American flag quilt. Excellent hand stitched dancing Folk Art stars. Skilled quilting, a nice graphic large-scale wall hanging. White ...
Category
Early 20th Century North American Folk Art
Materials
Cotton
Daniel Zuloaga Boneta Hand Crafted Ceramic Plate
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a Daniel Zuloaga Boneta (1852-1921) decorative hand painted wall plate. It depicts in the center a rural Spaniard village street scene of two peasants. One is riding his donkey that is carrying a double basket in its body and the other one is ready to sit in his ox cart that has some horse hay. The border of the plate is hand painted cobalt blue and decorated with silver color flowers and a garland made with leaves and bows. The right lower front of the plate is signed by Daniel Zuloaga and the back has his hallmark. He was the uncle of the famous painter Ignacio Zuloaga...
Category
Early 20th Century Spanish Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic
Terracotta Articulated Doll Santos Figure
Located in Stamford, CT
Amusing Mexican terracotta doll figure with articulated limbs. Since it is solid terracotta it is likely this is a mold from which other dolls were made. As a folk art sculpture it i...
Category
Early 20th Century Mexican Folk Art
Materials
Terracotta
Two Tribal Bronze Konga Anklet Leg Band
Located in North Hollywood, CA
An early 20th century antique African tribal leg band (ankle bracelet),
These leg bands were both currency and status symbols for the Mongo tribe of northwest Congo.
They were ma...
Category
Early 20th Century Congolese Folk Art
Materials
Bronze
Pair of Majolica Poodle Onnaing, circa 1900
By Onnaing
Located in Austin, TX
French petite pair of Majolica poodle unsigned Onnaing, circa 1900.
Supposed to be a toy.
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic, Faience
Herschell Spillman Cast Iron Vintage Carousel Heads
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Fantastic set of three Herschell Spillman carousel rounding board heads. Cast iron faces with wood board backs. All in original park paint. Each face/bo...
Category
1910s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Mexican Terracotta Articulated Doll Figure, 1920's
Located in Stamford, CT
Amusing Mexican terracotta doll figure with articulated limbs. Since it is solid terracotta it is likely this is a mold from which other dolls were made. As a folk art sculpture it i...
Category
Early 20th Century Mexican Folk Art
Materials
Terracotta
Pair of Reindeer Antique Still Banks, American, circa 1910
Located in Incline Village, NV
These two authentic cast iron antique still banks depict a large reindeer and a smaller one standing nearby. Together, they make a wonderful Christ...
Category
1910s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Antique Porcelain Humpback Double Sided NYC Street Sign
Located in Redding, CT
Antique porcelain humpback double sided NYC Street Sign, circa early 1900s. Cobalt blue enamel and white enamel. Sign says Sedgwick Ave & Dickinson Ave...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Enamel
Swedish Painted Folk Art Kubbstol Chair
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Folk Art Kubbstol chair from Northern Sweden. A Kubbstol chair is made from a hollowed tree trunk; from a single piece of wood that's been hewn out to form the seat, back and frame. ...
Category
Early 1900s Swedish Antique Folk Art
Materials
Pine
Swedish Folk Art Centerpiece Sculpture of 3 Cows and a Bull
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A Swedish set of four wooden carved and painted figures of a bull and three cows from early 20th century. Sweden has a long and well known tradition of folk art wooden carving. It started in the rural class, the so called "allmoge" people of the countryside. They could not afford expensive materials such as metals, ivory or ceramic so they used pine wood for the making of kids toys...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Folk Art
Materials
Pine
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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