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
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
Authentic Antique Folk Art Equestrian Horse Farm Sign
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Charming hand made vintage horse farm sign that is finished front and back. The horse and letters are black wrought iron, and the wood has a distressed paint...
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Midcentury Folk Art Ashstand with Figure Hand Carved by Paul Emile Caron C1969
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous hand carved ash tray stand by master carver Paul Emile Caron. Totally hand carved with a figure with axe at the base chopping at the tree trunk. Tree base sits on a plinth b...
Category
1960s Canadian Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic, Fir
Vintage Hand Carved Folk Art Walking Cane with Red Bird
Located in Seguin, TX
Vintage circa 1940s hand carved Folk Art cane by Fritz Rummler (1888-1983) Fredericksburg Texas. Branch of a tree carved into a bird with his feet...
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood
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
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
3 Folk Art Carved Mahogany Low Relief Fishermen Farmer Sailboat Wall Plaques
Located in Dayton, OH
Set of three vintage folk art style carved wooden relief wall hangings, showing a fisher man with a large fish, a sailboat or raft, and a farmer with basket...
Category
Mid-20th Century Folk Art
Materials
Mahogany
Early 20th Century Double Sided Metal Boot Makers Trade Sign
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century double sided metal boot makers trade sign.
A highly decorative double sided hand painted metal French boot makers trade sign, Still attached to its original hin...
Category
1930s French Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Metal
1950s Catrin "Dandy" Mask, Tlaxcala, Mexico
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Catrin (Dandy) mask
Nahua people, Tlaxcala, Mexico
Wood, gesso, paint
1950s-1960s
Measures: 7? (17.8 cm) high, 6.5? (16.5 cm) wide, 5? (12.7 cm) deep
This mask is called the C...
Category
1950s Mexican Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
Carved and Painted Black Duck Decoy, by Pat Gardner, Nantucket, circa 1960s
Located in Nantucket, MA
Carved and Painted Black Duck Decoy, by Pat Gardner, Nantucket, circa 1960s, a carved wooden working decoy style black duck with head set well back on shelf in the content posture, with carved mandible and nares, on plump body with paddle tail, signed M.P. Gardner Nantucket on the bottom, and retaining an old sticker inscribed "Gaillard." This is believed to be the only duck decoy that Pat ever made. amongst all her shorebird carvings. The decoy is extremely heavy, as if carved from a solid block of lignum vitae, ebony or the like.
Mary Patricia Gardner was born and lived her whole life on Nantucket. She studied under Frank Swift Chase, Ruth Haviland Sutton and Earl S. Ray, and was influenced by her grandfather Wallace Gardner, who was a trained sculptor. She became a member of the Artists Association of Nantucket in 1947. She was best known for her shorebird carvings, but also worked in watercolor and printmaking. She is viewed as one of the greater talents of her generation on Nantucket. Her work is highly sought after but only rarely appears on the market.
This bird is from the personal collection of the late Nantucket antiques...
Category
1960s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Hardwood
Vintage North African Clay Darbuka
Located in LYON, FR
Handmade North African Clay Drum. A delight to see, touch and play. Made in the traditional method with a spun clay shell, claf skin and hand painted floral ...
Category
1960s Moroccan Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Hide, Clay
Large Vintage Garden Snail Sculpture
Located in Houston, TX
Large vintage garden snail sculpture from France. Hand-made circa 1950-1969 from concrete with ceramic "Pique assiette" type mosaic decoration.
Category
1950s French Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Concrete, Steel
1930s Architectural Model, 'Doll House', Modernist Adobe Home, Interior Lighting
Located in Buffalo, NY
1930s Architectural Model, possibly a hand made doll house? Modernist Adobe Home. Amazing design, proportion. Color, patina, surface. Very detailed. Removable exterior walls, working light fixtures in each room as well as outdoor porch light.
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Stucco, Wood
Antique African Bronze Bracelet Currency Bangle Tribal Artifact
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Antique African bronze bracelet currency bangle Tribal art.
High quality bronze currency bracelet from west Africa.
Traditionally used in monetary fu...
Category
Mid-20th Century African Folk Art
Materials
Bronze
English Folk Art Shop Counter Milk Man Figure
Located in London, GB
English folk art shop counter milk man figure.
A charming mid-20th century folk art shop countertop display figure. In the form of a man pushing a milk cart...
Category
1950s European Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood
1960s English Carnival Sign
Located in High Point, NC
1960s carnival art sign from England. It is advertising a cake walk on one side of the sign, and on the back has a charming message "Have a nice Victorian day". Great sign for any co...
Category
1960s English Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood
George Edouard Tremblay Folk Art Hooked Rug, Mat or Tapestry of a Winter Scene
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This framed hooked rug or mat was done by the well known artist George Edouard Tremblay of Quebec Canada in approximately 1940 in his period Folk Art style. The rug or mat is done with wool on burlap which has been mounted on masonite board and framed in a rustic styled wooden frame. The rug depicts a winter woodland scene of a horse and sleigh and sugar shack...
Category
Mid-20th Century Canadian Folk Art
Materials
Wool, Burlap, Pine
George Edouard Tremblay Folk Art Hooked Rug, Mat or Tapestry of a Winter Scene
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This framed hooked rug or mat was done by the well known George Edouard Tremblay of Quebec Canada in approximately 1940 in his period Folk Art style. The rug or mat is done with wool...
Category
Mid-20th Century Canadian Folk Art
Materials
Wool, Burlap, Pine
French Hand-forged Blacksmith Sign
Located in London, England
Beautifully crafted blacksmith trade sign.
Hand-forged and riveted, not welded.
A seriously striking decorative piece of 20th century folk art.
In exceptional original co...
Category
1950s French Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Iron
George Edouard Tremblay Folk Art Hooked Rug, Mat or Tapestry of a Winter Scene
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This framed hooked rug or mat was is being attributed to the well known artist George Edouard Tremblay of Quebec Canadaand dates to approximately 1940 and done in his period Folk Art style. The rug or mat is done with wool on burlap which has been mounted on masonite board and framed in a rustic styled wooden frame. The rug depicts a winter woodland scene with a horse and sleigh and sugar shack...
Category
Mid-20th Century Canadian Folk Art
Materials
Wool, Burlap, Pine
Folk Art Carved Walking Cane, Snakes and Fish
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Folk Art carved walking cane with hand, 2 snakes and fish. Cane measures 7" wide, 7" deep and 38.25" high.
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Set of 5 Swedish Folk Wooden Dala Horse Toys, circa 1960
By Nils Olsson
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of 5 handpainted Swedish wooden traditional Dala horse toy.
Designed by Nils Olsson in Sweden, circa 1960.
Materials:
Wood
In original condition, with...
Category
1960s Swedish Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Large and Impressive Eastern European Folk Art Carved Panel Mermaid Siren Sun
Located in Ferndale, MI
Large impressive Eastern European Folk Art carved Cedar panel. Large panel feature mythical creatures and symbols. Mermaids, Sirens, anchors,...
Category
Mid-20th Century Ukrainian Folk Art
Materials
Cedar
Large Oil Painting on Canvas, Modernist Abstract, by Jim Bray, circa 1963
By Jim Bray
Located in Buffalo, NY
Large oil painting on canvas. Modernist Abstract, by Jim Bray, circa 1963. Charming image. Child-like. Great use of color, texture, space.
Category
1960s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Canvas, Paint
Folk Art Mosaic Bottle
Located in Garnerville, NY
A beautiful and complex folk art mosaic bottle. Clear glass milk bottle that is covered in countless fragments, broken porcelain, jewelry, Bakelite, g...
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Folk Art Styled Airstream Travel Trailer Toy
By Craft and Folk Art Museum
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A toy Airstream Folk Art styled travel trailer with silver faded and patina paint having a lift up back end and side door revealing beds, sink and livin...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Plywood
Pair of Mid-20th Century Oil Paintings of St. Tropez on Canvas
By Phyllis Morgans
Located in Madison, MS
This pair of oil paintings by Phyllis Morgans features the harbors of St. Tropez and Anstruther in the mid 20th century. The dominant colors are blues and tans. The paintings are in ...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Folk Art
Materials
Paint
20th Century American Folk Art Swimmer Cutout on Custom Wall Mount
Located in Chicago, IL
A playful and cheeky mid-20th century American Folk Art wooden cutout of a blond swimmer flexing in his black and white striped swimsuit, mounted on a custom steel wall mount so he c...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Plywood
George Edouard Tremblay Folk Art Hooked Rug, Mat or Tapestry of a Winter Scene
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This framed hooked rug or mat was done by the well known George Edouard Tremblay of Quebec Canada in approximately 1940 in his period Folk Art style. The rug or mat is done with wool...
Category
Mid-20th Century Canadian Folk Art
Materials
Wool, Burlap, Pine
Vintage Hanging North African Hanukkah Menorah
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful vintage hannukah menorah. This piece is cast brass that has aged beautifully with an ornate design that is beautiful and inspiring. The pati...
Category
1960s Central African Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Brass
Ceramic Glazed Square Plate with Hand Painted Designs
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Ceramic plate features a square shape with turned up corners. The plate is glazed in a soft cream and beige coloring with speckling throughout. The piece is finished with two hand pa...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic
Antique Set of Mexican Papier-Mâché Masks 1
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1960. We offer this antique set of 8 Mexican papier-mâché masks 100% handmade and paited with anilina (natural pigments).
Category
1960s Mexican Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Paper
Llama Goat Mini Turkish Anatolian Rug
Located in New York, NY
A cute one of a kind Mid-20th Century Hand-knotted Turkish Anatolian Pictorial rug depicting a llama goats on a red field
Measures: 2'2'' x 3'.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Wool
Antique Mexican White Enamel Bucket
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this antique Mexican white enamel bucket, circa 1940.
Category
1940s Mexican Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Metal, Enamel
Rustic Folk Art Hand Painted Gas Station Sign
Located in Oakland, CA
Vintage handcrafted gas station signage on board. The sign dates to pre 1975 when leaded gasoline was phased out. The state states “No Lead 99.9”, painted in yellow paint on a black ...
Category
1960s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Scrap Wood, Paint
W P A Style Terracotta "Bear" Sculpture, Art Deco, Modern
Located in Buffalo, NY
W P A style terracotta "BEAR" sculpture, Art Deco, Modern, charming stylized depiction. Painted, minor chipping (bottom).
Category
1930s Unknown Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Terracotta
George Edouard Tremblay Folk Art Hooked Rug, Mat or Tapestry of a Winter Scene
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This framed hooked rug or mat was done by the well known George Edouard Tremblay of Quebec Canada in approximately 1940 in his period Folk Art style. The rug or mat is done with wool...
Category
Mid-20th Century Canadian Folk Art
Materials
Wool, Burlap, Pine
Large Hand Carved Folk Art Sculpture of Man's Head
Located in San Francisco, CA
Fascinating, Large Scale carved wooden sculpture of a bearded man's head, signed by D. Granahan, 1967, has some painted features and a beautiful patina. The sculpture is a compelling...
Category
1960s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
Majestic Benin King Oba, Finely Carved Ebony Bust, Nigeria West Africa C1930s
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Truly a majestic Benin Oba. Beautifully and finely hand carved in Ebony hardwood from the 1930's
A piece of this quality and stature holds enormous presence...
Category
1930s Beninese Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Ebony
George Edouard Tremblay Folk Art Hooked Rug, Mat or Tapestry of a Winter Scene
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This framed hooked rug or mat was done by the well known George Edouard Tremblay of Quebec Canada in approximately 1940 in his period Folk Art style. The rug or mat is done with wool...
Category
Mid-20th Century Canadian Folk Art
Materials
Pine, Wool, Burlap
Early 20th Century Scratch-Built Clockwork Boat
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century scratch-built clockwork boat
A brilliant example of an early 20th century scratch-built clockwork tugboat. Hand crafted from found o...
Category
1930s British Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Set of 4 Swedish Folk Wooden Dala Horse Toys, circa 1960
By Nils Olsson
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of 4 hand-painted Swedish wooden traditional Dala horse toy.
Designed by Nils Olsson in Sweden, circa 1960.
Materials:
Wood
In original conditio...
Category
1960s Swedish Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Folk Art Chair from Finland ca 1930
Located in Farsta, SE
Folk Art chair from Finland ca 1930s
Made of Acid-stained Pine Wood
Consistent with age and use.
I call it mini Sauron throne.. One of a kind!
Height: ...
Category
1930s Finnish Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Pine
Pair Handmade Painted Acrobatic Papier Mache Clowns Mexico Attr Jeanne Valentine
By Jeanne Valentine
Located in Topeka, KS
Fabulous handmade & hand painted vintage acrobatic Papier Mache clowns from Mexico attributed to Jeanne Valentine a pair. Beautiful condition, keeping...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art
Materials
Paste, Paint, Paper
Vintage Villa Alantis Carved Wood & Metal Red Serpent Dragon Ad Sign
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage folk art carved wood advertising sign with white metal lettering for Villa-Atlantis, featuring a slightly curved form tipped with the heads of...
Category
Mid-20th Century Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Vintage Carved Wood Hobby Horse Wooden Tricycle Bike Bicycle
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage carved wood hobby horse wooden tricycle bike bicycle. Item features
tricycle bike, carved wooden horse, distressed finish, iron hardware, glass...
Category
Mid-20th Century Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Persian Pictorial Jaguar Animal Rug
Located in New York, NY
Mid-20th Century Persian Pictorial rug depicting a jaguar on a neutral field with colorful blue and pink accents on a narrow border.
Measures: 1'10'' x 2'3'' circa 1940.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Wool
George Edouard Tremblay Folk Art Hooked Rug, Mat or Tapestry of a Winter Scene
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This framed hooked rug or mat was done by the well known George Edouard Tremblay of Quebec Canada in approximately 1940 in his period Folk Art style. The rug or mat is done with wool...
Category
Mid-20th Century Canadian Folk Art
Materials
Wool, Burlap, Pine
20th C, Hand Crafted Tall Copper Electrified Lighthouse Table Lamp
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Amazing craftsmanship in this one of a kind piece hand crafted from copper. Hammered repousse in and around the entire lighthouse. Tall 33 inches by 14 diameter with an 11 inch balcony. Entirely lights up, Tower with a large dome light...
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Copper
Rare 1950s Childs Size Carousel Motorcycle
Located in Peekskill, NY
This item is a lot smaller than it looks in the pictures. The handlebars are less that 2 foot tall. Its sized for a small child but has the proportions of a full size motorcycle. Tha...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Turkish Figural 20th Century Rug
Located in New York, NY
Mid-20th century anatolian mat with a peculiar facial motif on a lavender field.
Measures: 1'7" x 2'7”.
Category
Mid-20th Century Turkish Folk Art
Materials
Wool
Early 20th century barbers point of sale hair comb and brush
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century barbers point of sale hair comb and brush
We share what we love, and we love this rare example of an oversized point of sale barbers hair...
Category
1930s British Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Plastic, Wood
Cutty Sark Scots Whisky Barrel Top tray
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Cutty Cutty Sark Scots Whisky Barrel Top tray
A good looking piece, made in golden oak and brass bound, this barrel top tray would have had pride of p...
Category
Mid-20th Century Folk Art
Materials
Oak
George Edouard Tremblay Folk Art Hooked Rug, Mat or Tapestry of an Autumn Scene
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This framed hooked rug or mat was done by the well known George Edouard Tremblay of Quebec Canada in approximately 1940 in his period Folk Art style. The rug or mat is done with wool...
Category
Mid-20th Century Canadian Folk Art
Materials
Wool, Burlap, Pine
O'Henry Fred Johnson Salem Witch Trials Sideshow Spider Girl Banner
Located in Santa Monica, CA
O'Henry Tent and Awning sideshow banner with original shipping tag. Unusual subject matter and fantastic story from the Salem witch trails to Spider Girl. ...
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Canvas
1948 Duke University Kappa Sig Sigma Signed Fraternity Pledge Hazing Paddle
Located in Dayton, OH
Mid 20th century Kappa Sigma fraternity wooden pledge hazing paddle, fully painted on the front in burgundy, green and white, with applied fraternity logo, taped handle and surname of original owner, (Jack) Gibson. Reverse is signed with the names of pledges.
Made at Duke University...
Category
1940s Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Hardwood, Paint
1930s Red, White and Blue Doll Quilt
Located in Los Angeles, CA
1930s red, white and blue doll quilt in mint condition and wonderful geometries.
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Cotton
Alabama Folk Art Pottery grouping Montgomery area pre-WW2 anonymous craftsman
Located in Mobile, AL
Bark decorated folk pottery grouping. These are believed to be tourist ware made by an unidentified couple in the Montgomery area before and about the time of WW2. To date, their nam...
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Pottery
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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