Folk Art
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.
Late 20th Century Mexican Folk Art
Ceramic, Paint
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art
Wool
Mid-20th Century South African Folk Art
Fabric, Cotton, Wood
Mid-20th Century Japanese Folk Art
Tin
1950s Swedish Vintage Folk Art
Wood
1730s Italian Antique Folk Art
Oak
2010s American Folk Art
Metal, Steel
1960s North American Vintage Folk Art
Acrylic
19th Century French Antique Folk Art
Copper, Iron
Early 1900s Antique Folk Art
Paint
Early 1900s Unknown Antique Folk Art
Canvas, Wood
Early 20th Century Kenyan Folk Art
Hide, Wood
1970s American Vintage Folk Art
Bamboo, Plaster
Early 20th Century American Folk Art
Glass, Wood, Paper
Early 20th Century Scandinavian Folk Art
Wood
1920s Swedish Vintage Folk Art
Wool
Mid-20th Century German Folk Art
Wood
Early 20th Century American Folk Art
Iron
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Rope, Oak
Mid-20th Century British Folk Art
Glass
1920s Swedish Vintage Folk Art
Copper
Late 20th Century Canadian Folk Art
Pine
Late 20th Century American Folk Art
Metal
1830s American Antique Folk Art
Wood
Mid-19th Century French Antique Folk Art
Leather, Wood
Mid-20th Century Swedish Folk Art
Teak, Paint
1960s Vintage Folk Art
Copper
1950s American Vintage Folk Art
Concrete, Wire
1970s American Vintage Folk Art
Paper
Early 20th Century American Folk Art
Wood, Paint
2010s American Folk Art
Metal, Steel
1860s English Antique Folk Art
Wool
19th Century Danish Antique Folk Art
Oak
Mid-20th Century German Folk Art
Wood
Mid-20th Century German Folk Art
Wood
Early 20th Century French Folk Art
Metal
19th Century Mexican Antique Folk Art
Metal, Tin
1920s American Vintage Folk Art
Glass, Wood
1950s Vintage Folk Art
Beech
1930s Swedish Vintage Folk Art
Paper
1950s Japanese Vintage Folk Art
Wood
Mid-20th Century German Folk Art
Wood
1910s Mexican Vintage Folk Art
Wood
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Wood
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art
Wood
Mid-20th Century Italian Folk Art
Ceramic
1930s Swedish Vintage Folk Art
Birch
2010s American Folk Art
Metal, Steel
1990s American Folk Art
Wood, Paint
Late 19th Century English Antique Folk Art
Tin
1890s American Antique Folk Art
Wood
Mid-19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Pine, Paint
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art
Pine
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art
Stone
Early 20th Century British Folk Art
Brass
1940s Egyptian Vintage Folk Art
Lucite, Beads, Textile
Late 20th Century American Folk Art
Wood
Mid-20th Century German Folk Art
Wood