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 Twentieth Century Folk Art Framed Velvet Quilt Chess / Checker Board
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Unique Folk Art chess / checker board composed of a handmade, burgundy velvet quilt with beige, white and gold stitched accents, all housed within a glass-fronted oak frame (ca. 1910...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Velvet, Glass, Oak
Antique Folk Art Carved Single Piece Tree Trunk Low Chair
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Sculptural and historic wood carving dated 1921. An Organic Form Hand-Crafted Seat in all original very good condition, as much a piece of Sculpture as Furniture. Labeled, “Robbert 1...
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Antique Painted Wood "No Dumping Here" Sign
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Antique, hand-painted, folk art, wood "No Dumping Here" sign.
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Hand Carved Wood Folk Sculpture of John Bull
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This hand carved and slight fragment of painted surface in good condition. Very little blue painted surface remaining.
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Early 20th Century English Folk Art Decoy Duck Form
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century English Folk Art decoy duck form
A working example of an early 20th century English Folk Art decoy. Hand carved from wood, with lead weight still in place at the ...
Category
1920s British Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Pine
Antique American Soldier Whirligig
Located in Nantucket, MA
Carved and painted Pine with rotating sheet iron swords, with black hair, mustache and beard, bicorn hat, blue jacket with tacks for buttons, black boots mounted on a yellow circular...
Category
Early 20th Century North American Folk Art
Materials
Sheet Metal
Persian Cat Antique Persian Senneh
Located in New York, NY
A scatter square size 1920s Persian Senneh rug with a flurry of cats surrounded by other smaller animals in predominantly red and blue accents
Measures: 3'9'' x 5'.
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art
Materials
Wool
Antique Hand Stitched Rose of Sharon Quilt Bedspread Pink Green
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique hand stitched quilt or bedspread with pink and green border and a Rose of Sharon type floral motif. Measures: 74 x 78.
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art
Materials
Cotton
"Billiken" Cast Iron Still Bank, American, Circa 1909
Located in Incline Village, NV
Original "Billiken" cast iron still bank patented in 1908 by Florence Pretz (patent number on the back in raised letters "NO39BO3". It was manufa...
Category
Early 1900s American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Early 20th Century Folk Art Boat Model Collection
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century Folk Art Boat Model Collection
Every now and again something truly amazing comes along, this is true in this amazing collection of...
Category
1920s British Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Brass, Copper
Antique Danish Weather Vane in the Form of a Cockerel
Located in Søborg, DK
A very decorative antique Danish weather vane in the form of a cockerel.
Made from steel plate and dated 1922.
Nice patina to the surface and mounted on to a granite set.
Category
1920s Danish Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Steel
Antique Ceramic Egg Shape Native American Hand Decorated Seed Pots, Set of 2
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A pair of ceramic egg shape Native American seed pots. Each pot is ovular and egg-like in shape and features a small hole at the base of each pot. Pots like these were used to store ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic, Paint
Early 20th Century Folk Art Carved Wood Deer Sculpture
Located in Chicago, IL
A stoic yet charming early 20th century Folk Art carved wood deer sculpture, nearly life size, with a wonderful dry weathered finish, and mounted on a custom steel mount. Perfect dis...
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Six Kobe Toys, Japanese, Meiji Period, circa 1900
By Kobe Toys
Located in Incline Village, NV
Kobe Toys are very mysterious and not much is known about them. They were created and hand made during the Meiji period in Japan, which covered the years 1868...
Category
Early 1900s Japanese Antique Folk Art
Materials
Ebony
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Model
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century folk art model
'EST-CE UN PIETON OU UNE VOITURE?' (IS IT A PEDESTRIAN OR A CAR?)
An Early 20th century French hand carved folk art model, depicting a police...
Category
Early 20th Century French Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Hand Carved Wood Moroccan Ethnic Large Spoon
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Hand Carved antique African Moroccan burl wood large spoon.
Large Moroccan ethnic folk art hand crafted and carved large cooking spoon.
Great patina, rou...
Category
Early 20th Century Moroccan Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Terracotta Articulated Doll Santos Figure Wearing a Bowler Hat
Located in Stamford, CT
Unusual, and quite 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...
Category
Early 20th Century Mexican Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic, Clay, Terracotta
African Tribal Art Mask Parchment Wall Shade Sconces in Red
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Pair of African Tribal Art mask parchment wall shade sconces.
These Art pieces could be used as large wall lamp shade.
Iron frame covered with hide w...
Category
Early 20th Century Moroccan Folk Art
Materials
Iron
"The Bird Cane", Unusual Early 20th Century Walking Cane
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century walking cane
We are proud to offer a highly unusual walking cane made from aged bamboo. This unique and artistic object has naturally taken the form of a bird. ...
Category
1920s British Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Bamboo
19th Century Austrian Carved Pine Folk Art Farmer and His Oxen Model
Located in London, GB
19th century carved pine folk art farmer and his oxen model
We are proud to offer a unique example of a late 19th century hand carved pine folk art model of a farmer and his oxen. R...
Category
Early 1900s Austrian Antique Folk Art
Materials
Pine
Charming Folk Art Winter Scene Painting on Paddle
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Charming folk art winter scene painting on paddle: "Going to Church". Signed lower right R. Lingenfelter, 22. (1970s price label on reverse.) 9 ...
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
Old Florida Antique Bronze and Copper Palm Tree Sculpture
Located in San Francisco, CA
Incredibly detailed one of a kind Palm Tree sculpture. It is made from bronze and copper. Magnificent patina. It stands 34 inches high. The base is 9 inches wide and the trunk of tree measures 2 1/2 inches wide. In over 40 years of buying and collecting we have never seen another one. Most palm tree sculptures don't do justice to the actual palm tree. This captures the sway and curves of tree and the rungs. This came out of a 110 year old house in central Florida that still had no air condition. Could be considered a piece of Florida folk art.
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Bronze, Copper
WWI Trench Art Miniature Hand-Carved Ball in Cage Whimsy
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Circa 1910 trench art whimsy figure composed of a ball in cage, all whittled form one piece of wood. Figurines, like this example, were sculpted by soldiers during the war. Good age ...
Category
1910s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Cast Bronze Tribal Bell Camel Anklet
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Antique cast bronze carved animal camel leg anklet bell Folk Art.
Handcrafted cast metal camel bracelet which was used by the Bedouin people to tie to the camel leg.
Antique collectible bronze camel or horse ornamental beautification anklet.
The anklet has a beautiful embossed design with straight holes around.
It is hollow with small beads that make a very pleasant sound when the animal walks.
It is tied with a leather belt.
Collectible camel anklet...
Category
Early 20th Century Indian Folk Art
Materials
Bronze
Late 19th Century Fairground Knock Down Figure
Located in London, GB
Jeu De Massacre Fairground Figure
One of the finest examples of a late 19th Century fairground knock down figure we have had the pleasure to obtain, in ...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Large European Folk Art Carved Wooden Standing Man Carrying a Basket Sculpture
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This large Folk Art wooden sculpture is unsigned, but presumed to have been made in Europe and most likely Italy in circa 1920 in a Folk Art style. This large wooden carved sculpture depicts an elderly bearded man carrying a heavy basket on his back and holding the straps in the front to support the weight. This is quite a tall carving...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Folk Art
Materials
Softwood
Vintage Folk Art Martin Bird House, American, circa 1920s
Located in Incline Village, NV
This is an authentic "used" Martin Bird House which was used to attract Martin birds to nest, because of their propensity to eat and consume insects ...
Category
1920s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wool
Antique & Unique Early 1900s Dutch Folk Art Scale Model Windmill w. Light Inside
Located in Lisse, NL
One of a kind and good size scale model of an 18th century Dutch windmill.
With windmills being one of Holland's most famous landmarks one would think that you would find many antiq...
Category
Early 20th Century Dutch Folk Art
Materials
Metal, Zinc
Vintage Samarkand Suzani, Uzbekistan Embroidered Textile Red and Black
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Samarkand Suzani, Uzbekistan embroidered textile red and black
Tashkent Suzani from Samarkand Uzbekistan, 1950.
Overall good condition for its age and use some stains.
"Suzani" means needlework and these embroideries are some of the most characteristic forms of textile art from Central Asia. The mastery of color and the dynamic sense of movement they convey continue to add depth and joy to contemporary interiors. A high level of creative variation and the individuation of each flower are what make each piece unique.
Measures: 67.5" x 57".
The Silk Road Bukhara: Like scattered pearls along the vast expanse of the Great Silk Road, the cities of Uzbekistan glisten radiantly under the unforgiving sun. This nation, nestled in a picturesque oasis, holds a treasure trove of historical artifacts, owing to its advantageous position at the heart of the ancient Silk Road network. In the year 138 BC, a transformative era commenced as China graciously opened its borders to trade, giving rise to caravans that embarked upon this illustrious route. These trading pathways served as conduits not only for the exchange of goods and craftsmanship but also for the intermingling of cultures, beliefs, and wisdom. Even today, within the ancient walls of cities like Samarkand, one can still discern the echoes of bustling voices, the melodious jingle of camel harnesses...
Category
Early 20th Century Turkish Folk Art
Materials
Fabric
Superb Antique Folk Art Parquetry Casket Styled Writing Box or Lap Desk
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This exquisite antique parquetry writing box or lap desk is unsigned, but presumed to have been made in Canada in approximately 1900 in a Folk Art style. The box itself, including th...
Category
Early 20th Century Canadian Folk Art
Materials
Softwood
Folk Art Candlestick French Cockerel Primitive Hand Forged Iron, circa 1920
Located in Mimizan, FR
Folk Art candlestick cockerel rooster primitive hand forged iron, early 20th century
Painted black
Naive French Provincial Folk Art
Good condition with some remains of wax and sig...
Category
Early 20th Century French Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Early 20th Century Americana Uncle Sam Lumberjack Whirligig
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Charming whirligig depicting a figure resembling Uncle Sam sawing a log mounted to a wooden base. Hand carved, painted, and assembled with applied facial details. When manually turne...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Wood
After Jean Louis Grégoire Spelter Figure "Boy Playing Pipe"
Located in Los Angeles, CA
After Jean Louis Grégoire (France, 1840-1890) A Charming French 19th-20th Century Patinated Spelter Figure of "The Animal Charmer", depicting a sta...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Folk Art
Materials
Marble, Spelter
Len Norman, American 20th Century, the Fireman Whirligig
Located in Buchanan, MI
Len Norman, American 20th century the fireman.
Assembled and painted wood whirligig depicting a fireman with Dalmatian
Measure: 21" x 25" x 18".
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art
Materials
Wood
English Jigger Doll
Located in London, GB
English Jigger Doll
We are proud to offer an early 20th century hand carved folk art English jigger doll example. Carved from pine and joined with brass supports. Jig dolls are traditional wooden or tin-plate ‘toys’ for adults or children. Obtained from a private collection in London and untouched in form with all its original featured intact. They are dolls with loose limbs that step dance...
Category
1920s British Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Pine
James Purdy & Sons Enamel Sign Wall Plaque
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
James Purdy & Sons enamel sign wall plaque
Rare piece indeed this enamel sign was made for the Famous London Shop, it has the Royal appointment to HM t...
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art
Materials
Enamel
Antique Moroccan Leather Bag Belonging to a Family of Water Carriers
Located in Munich, DE
This magnificent leather bag is covered on it's front entirely with old coins,
As has often been the case with this kind of bags, the strap might ...
Category
1920s Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Leather
Folk Art Ship Model
Located in Doylestown, PA
A naive Folk Art ship model in carved wood with fabric sails and elaborate rigging, American, circa 1900.
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Wood
1900s Antique Hand Carved Wooden Cane
Located in Plainview, NY
An early 20th century hand carved wood men's cane. The cane features beautiful hand carving of flowers painted in multiple colors. The name of what it seems to be the original owner ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Hand Carved Volk Art Box with Mermaid & Brass Intarsia, Warsaw
Located in Esbjerg, DK
The fish-women or mermaid has been a symbol of the City of Warsaw, Poland since 1622. This box made around the beginning of the 20th century has a lot going on. Brass inlay 3 x W for...
Category
Early 1900s Polish Antique Folk Art
Materials
Brass
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Rooster Weathervane
Located in Chicago, IL
A charming early 20th American Folk Art carved pine rooster weathervane with a wonderful silhouette with a large tail, applied wings, and copper legs all supported by an iron rod wit...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Pine
American Folk Art Child's Rocking Horse, circa 1900
Located in Chappaqua, NY
Child's rocking horse, circa 1900. Carved wood, original finish. A wonderful piece of American Folk Art. Provenance: du Pont Family.
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Swedish Hand-Carved Painted Wooden Figure of a Drunk Man, Dated 1931
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A Swedish Folk Art polychrome carved figure of a drunk man with a beer bottle in his hand. Dated 1931 and signed S.N.
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Folk Art
Materials
Pine
"Redemption" Painting by Purvis Young
By Purvis Young
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This large scale piece by Purvis Young was acquired from an estate in Miami, Florida and has been professionally framed using archival materials.
Title: "Redemption"
Perhaps e...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Textile, Paint
Arts & Crafts Canvas Toy Model of a Horse
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Arts & Crafts Canvas Toy Model of a Horse
This hansom beast is free standing and would very likely have been originally bought for a children’s room
The condition is entirely ori...
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art
Materials
Canvas
Rare Antique Wooden Child's Ride on Wooden Toy Boat by Nautilus Toy Co. London
Located in Buffalo, NY
Rare antique wooden child's ride on wooden toy boat by Nautilus Toy Co. London wonderful Folk Art object. 1920s ride on toy made by the Nautilus Toy Compan...
Category
1920s English Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Vintage European Folk Art Cockerel, Early 20th Century
Located in Chappaqua, NY
Vintage European Folk Art Cockerel, early 20th Century. Rustic and hand-carved with original paint.
Category
Early 20th Century European Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Early 20th Century Pieced Square Patchwork Quilt
Located in Stockton, NJ
An early 20th century pieces square patchwork quilt. Consisting of multi colored pieced squares. Pennsylvania, early 1900s.
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Cotton
Tin Penny Toy Bi-Plane Horn, Germany, circa 1910
Located in Incline Village, NV
Penny Toys were just that; toys made to sell for a penny or very inexpensively. This particular toy was manufactured in Germany (probably Nuremberg) for the ...
Category
1910s German Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Tin
Large Painted Wooden Automobile Advertising Sign, “Scott Bro’s Morris”
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Large painted wooden automobile advertising sign, “Scott Bro’s Morris”
This is a large painted wooden wall sign
Shabby now but quite readable
It is 25” high and 108” wide
TGB...
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Set of Three Folk Art Straight Edge Razor Trade Signs
Located in Stamford, CT
Three whimsical American folk carved wood art trade signs in the form of straight edge razors. Used by barbers as interior advertisements. Two have...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Early 20th Century Folk Art Driftwood Dachshund Dog
Located in Nantucket, MA
Early 20th century Folk Art driftwood dachshund, circa 1920, a natural form piece of driftwood that has been augmented with the addition of inset Periwinkle shell eyes, two drilled n...
Category
1920s American Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Driftwood
Portrait of the Whaleship Charles W. Morgan, by James Cree, circa 1910
Located in Nantucket, MA
Portrait of the Whaleship Charles W. Morgan, by James Cree (1867 – 1951), artist active in the New Bedford area from 1910 to about 1932, a watercolor of the iconic American whaleship under sail.
The MORGAN is the most famous Yankee whale ship, and the only surviving 19th Century whaleship from the age of sail...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art
Materials
Paper
Early 20th Century Porcelain Maneki Neko, Japan
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Early 20th century porcelain Maneki Neko, Japan
This porcelain Maneki Neko, the good fortune beckoning cat, is a molded seated form with the right raised ...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Folk Art
Materials
Porcelain
Hampadong - Kalimantan Tribal Art Carved Figure - Maile with Child
Located in Hawthorne, CA
A carved wooden figure of Maile with child. A Hampadong Kalimantan carved standing sculpture by the Iban Dayak [Ot Danum Dayak] people from the interior rain forests of BORNEO. An ex...
Category
1920s Malaysian Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Wood
2 French Market Haberdashery Stall Hanging Signs
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
2 French Market Haberdashery stall hanging signs
These are Great pieces from a French market stall near Tours, they are hanging signs with applied adve...
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Early 20th Century English Folk Art Whirligig Figure
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century Folk Art whirligig figure
We are proud to offer a true example of an early 20th century whirligig figure. Hand carved from scrat...
Category
1920s British Vintage Folk Art
Materials
Pine, Paint
"De Laval" Tin Advertising Sign, American, circa 1905, Near Mint
Located in Incline Village, NV
Having started in Sweden, the company opened up in America in 1888 as the "De Laval Cream Separator Company" in New York City, with a production plant ...
Category
Early 1900s American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Tin
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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