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: 19th Century
19th C Original Painted Game Board
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th C original painted game board. Nice original Salmon and black paint.
Category
19th Century North American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
19th Chinese Checkers Game Board with Original Paint
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th Chinese checkers game board with original paint form Pennsylvania. beautiful colors and patina.
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Exceptional Painted Bookcase with Gold Leaf Carvings
Located in Albignasego, IT
Exceptional bookcase painted in blue and red with gold leaf carvings.
Two large side pillars, with richly carved scrolls, lacquered and gilded wi...
Category
1810s Italian Antique Folk Art
Materials
Fir
Late 19th Century Carved Wooden Angel
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Impressive wood carved angel with amazing detail. Certainly the work of a master carver. Found among the entire contents of a Catholic Church in the Midwest which was said to have cl...
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Gesso, Wood, Paint
St. Julien Weather Vane Attributed to J.W. Fiske 19th Century Full Bodied Metal
Located in Stamford, CT
St. Julien with Sulky Molded Copper Weather Vane, attributed to J.W. Fiske, New York, last quarter 19th century, full-bodied molded sheet copper horse and driver vane with cast iron horse's head and driver's hands, sheet copper reins and seat, copper rod wheels, mounted on a ebony base. This has the original threading as seen in the last photo below.
A very similar Attrib Fiske Weathervane...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Copper
1885 Kentucky Crazy Quilt
Located in Louisville, KY
This 1895 folk art crazy quilt out of Kentucky is an absolute work of art. The selection of bright and unique fabrics of that era are combined in random stained glass fashion. Stunni...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Fabric
French, 19th Century Iron Shoemakers Shop Sign
Located in Buisson, FR
Original riveted sheet iron shoemakers shop sign. Unique find,
France, circa 1800-1850. Traces of red paint visible.
Weathered.
Category
19th Century French Antique Folk Art
Materials
Iron
French 19th Century Folk Art Leather Box
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful weathered Folk Art box made out of wood and covered with leather. Working lock and key.
France, circa 1850
Weathered, small losses.
Category
19th Century French Antique Folk Art
Materials
Leather, Wood
Folk Art Portrait Painting "Young Girl In a Red Dress", American, Circa 1825
Located in Incline Village, NV
Lovely full length portrait of a young girl in this folk art painting; oil on canvas mounted on board. She is posing wearing an attractive and colorful red dress while holding a flor...
Category
1820s American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Canvas
19th Century Decorated Sea Chest
Located in Nantucket, MA
19th Century Decorated Sea Chest, having a hinged lid with breadboard edges, above a dovetailed case with applied molding around base, the original wooden beckets with relief carved ...
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Antique 19th Century Copper Rooster Weathervane
Located in Houston, TX
This 19th-century American rooster weathervane boasts intricate craftsmanship, with brass finish over copper, a testament to the era's skilled artisans. Standing proudly atop its dir...
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Copper
Scandinavian 19th Century Folk Art Wood Grain Shovel
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
This charming folk art shovel is all wood. The patina on this 19th Century piece is incredible and would make a wonderful wall ornament. This shovel would also be impressive added ...
Category
Late 19th Century Scandinavian Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
19th Century Sailor's Decorated Sea Chest, signed.
Located in Nantucket, MA
Antique Sailor's Sea Chest, Late 19th Century, a British sailor's sea chest made from tropic hardwood, possibly teak, of heavy, solid brass-bound construction with dove-tailed joints...
Category
Late 19th Century English Antique Folk Art
Materials
Hardwood
Antique Erik Molin Swiss Carved Birch Old Man Nutcracker Figurine w Fish Tail 8"
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Erik Molin (Swedish 1855-1933) hand carved birch nut cracker (Nötknäckare). Depicts an elderly man with moustache and monacle / eyepatch, wearing a double breasted coat and ...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Folk Art
Materials
Birch
Swedish Folk Art 19th-Century Bentwood Box in Pine
Located in Örebro, SE
This is a Swedish wooden box, so-called svepask, from the second half of the 19th century.
This type of vessel was used when the daily provisions were carried out to the fields or to...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art
Materials
Bentwood, Pine
Blue Floral Painted Chest dated 1848
Located in Albignasego, IT
Blue Painted Chest dated 1848
Measurements: Height 63 cm – Width 129 cm – Depth 65 cm
Period: 1848
Origin: Tyrol
Essence: Fir
Description:
Tyrolean painted chest entirely painted i...
Category
1840s Italian Antique Folk Art
Materials
Fir
Arma Christi Calvary, France 19th Century
Located in PARIS, FR
Superb and rare Arma Christi calvary, popular work, France end of the 19th century. Beautifully executed work.
Fair condition. Several small misses and ancient restaurations. Seen ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
19th Century New England Folk Art Schooner Weathervane
Located in Nantucket, MA
19th Century New England Folk Art Schooner Weathervane, circa 1890, having a carved and painted wooden hull with bowsprit, spars and deck house; wooden masts with wire standing rigging; iron anchors; sheet metal main sail, American flag, and flat-cut sailor manning the helm. The schooner has great lines and style - very graceful sheer, nicely shaped clipper bow, that whimsical sailor at helm...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Metal
A rare 19th century folk art diorama of two sailing vessels racing at sea.
Located in Central England, GB
This most attractive mid 19th century folk art cased diorama shows a view at sea with a large three mast English ship being chased in a racing situation by a smaller and faster singl...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Folk Art
Materials
Other
Traditional 19th century painted kitchen rack
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Traditional 19th century painted kitchen rack circa 1880.
Beautiful piece of rustic european woodenware from hungary.
This piece when fixed to the wall was originally used for stor...
Category
Late 19th Century Hungarian Antique Folk Art
Materials
Pine, Paint
19th Century Sailor's Woolie with Trapunto Sails
Located in Nantucket, MA
19th Century Sailor's Woolie, circa 1860, a sailor's folk art woolwork picture of a British frigate with white trapunto sails, the ensign of the White Fleet at the stern, and the fle...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wool
American Country Tole Gold Clock Sign
Located in New York, NY
American Country (19th Century) painted tole gold trimmed double sided clock sign in the form of a pocket watch.
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Tôle
69th Battery Royal Field Artillery Framed Commemorative Embroidery
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
69th Battery Royal Field Artillery Framed Commemorative Embroidery
A stunning piece, in fine detail applied and embroidered tapestry, showing the counties and campaigns from 1855 ...
Category
19th Century Antique Folk Art
Materials
Silk
19th Century Bocce Balls, France, Set of Three
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Late 19th to early 20th century bocce balls, France, set of three
boxwood, iron and brass nails.
The first ball has the letters PP in brass, the second ha...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Folk Art
Materials
Brass, Iron
19th Century American Folk Art Game Board
Located in Chicago, IL
This 19th-century American folk art game board is a quintessential example of the ingenuity and aesthetic appeal found in traditional American crafts. Composed of alternating walnut ...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Maple, Walnut
Late C19th Italian Oil On Board Cat Painting With Bark Folk Art Frame
Located in London, GB
Late C19th Italian oil on board cat painting.
Wonderful and rustic scene depicting four cats chasing a frog with folk art style bark frame. Signed Saglio Rossini Joseph. In good con...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
Set of 4 Small Swedish Folk Art Chairs, Early 19th Century
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Set of four Swedish 18th Century Folk Art chairs
Set of 4 smaller chairs with its old vintage patina in pine. "Allmoge", the Swedish word for Folk Art, is exactly what these four ea...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art
Materials
Pine
Swedish painted 19th century spinning wheel
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Swedish painted 19th century spinning wheel circa 1864.
Beautiful piece of traditional swedish history. Being a small model with a foot peddle this machine was likely to used to sp...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art
Materials
Pine
19thC Nautical Six Spoke Solid Brass Yacht Steering Wheel. American, Circa 1870
Located in Incline Village, NV
This 19th century American solid brass ship steering wheel was, more than likely, from a yacht. Fishing and commercial boats were more inclin...
Category
1870s American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Brass
Late 19th Century Large Painted Folk Art Hobbyhorse with Sea Glass Eyes
Located in Middleburg, VA
Late 19th Century Large Painted Folk Art Hobbyhorse with Sea Glass Eyes. America, 1880-1900. Measures: 26.5" H, 33" W, 11" D
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Nineteenth Century 55 Wood Address Sign
Located in Garnerville, NY
Nineteenth Century '55' wood sign. Old wood relief sign with wonderfully weathered gold and black paint. A nice accent piece or if your address just happens to be 55 Main Street, Any...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
Large Mid 1800s Zinc Automaton Elephant
Located in Peekskill, NY
175 years ago this was created as a fountain that worked on water and counter weights. The elephant can now be plugged in and runs on dry land using a motor, cables and gears. The he...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Metal
American Patinated Copper Full Bodied Stork Directional Weathervane
Located in Chicago, IL
American full bodied patinated copper stork directional weathervane. Sitting a top a contemporary iron stand. Believed to be of the 19th century.
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Copper, Steel, Tin
19th Century Swedish Folk Art Kubbestol Carved Chair
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Hand-Carved Scandinavian Folk Art Kubbestol Chair, 19th Century
A kubbestol is a traditional Scandinavian chair made from a log. Notice the intricate carving throughout including th...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art
Materials
Berlin Iron
19th Century American Burl Wood Horse Hoof Vessel
Located in Chicago, IL
This remarkable 19th-century American Folk Art vessel, expertly carved from a natural burl to resemble a horse's hoof, is a quintessential example of Folk Art's imaginative and uncon...
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Colonial Mexican Folk Art Ex-Voto Retablo Painting of Mother Mary & Jesus, 1800s
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautiful 19th-century Spanish Colonial Mexican Folk Art ex-voto retablo lámina painting featuring Mother Mary with the crowned infant Jesus Christ (standing on clouds) in her arms...
Category
19th Century Mexican Antique Folk Art
Materials
Metal, Tin
Swedish 19th Century Folk Art Oil Painting With Kids
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Swedish naive oil painting with the original frame, from the 2nd part of the 19th Century.
This folk art work on canvas represents kids and a dog playing by a courtyard, opening the...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art
Materials
Canvas, Wood
Sailor's Woolwork of Royal Navy Battleship Coming Into Port
Located in Downingtown, PA
Sailor's Woolwork of Royal Navy Second Rate Battleship Coming into Port,
Circa 1865
The British sailor's woolwork has a dramatic view of a Royal Navy Second Rate Battleship coming i...
Category
1860s English Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wool
19th Century American Folk Art Heart Shaped Iron Pad Lock & Key, Dated 1875
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th-century American folk art Heart-shaped forged iron pad lock and key, dated 1875
A remarkable 19th-century American heart-shaped forged iron padlock and key is a true testament ...
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wrought Iron, Iron
Spanish Colonial Mexican Folk Art Ex-Voto Retablo Painting Catholic Saint 1800s
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautiful 19th-century Spanish Colonial Mexican Folk Art ex-voto retablo lámina painting featuring an unknown Spanish Roman Catholic Saint.
The work is hand-painted on metal (li...
Category
19th Century Mexican Antique Folk Art
Materials
Metal, Tin
Antique American Hand Woven Hooked Rug Long Runner, Circa 1880-1900
Located in Rochester, NY
Antique American folk art hand woven wool hooked rug. Circa 1880 - 1900. Good original color / well defined design / overall nice pile. A hard to find long runner / corridor / hallw...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wool, Burlap
19th Century Folk Art Rocking Horse
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Antique Folk Art painted and decorated rocking horse. In antique condition with splits and repairs, pictured. Dimensions: 37.5"H x 54"W x 11"D. Ask us about our local NYC delivery.
Category
19th Century Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Very Rare Large Victorian Hand Carved Salesman Sample Skiff Boat American C 1865
Located in Incline Village, NV
Very rare large size salesman sample skiff boat, circa 1865; hand carved out of a single piece of wood (perhaps maple) with Victorian period black print stenciling to the side in inc...
Category
1860s American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Colonial Mexican Folk Art Ex-Voto Retablo Painting of Mother Mary & Jesus, 1800s
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautiful 19th-century Spanish Colonial Mexican Folk Art ex-voto retablo lámina painting featuring Mother Mary with the infant Jesus Christ (faded and now almost a ghost-like figur...
Category
19th Century Mexican Antique Folk Art
Materials
Metal, Tin
Early 19th Century Wooden Horse
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Early 19th Century Wooden Horse
A handsome Dapple Grey galloper with Horse Hair mane and tail, he has a classic open mouthed expression and bright glass eyes
Our Handsome galloper h...
Category
1860s Antique Folk Art
Materials
Oak
Colonial Mexican Folk Art Ex-Voto Retablo Painting of Santo Niño de Atocha 1800s
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautiful 19th-century Spanish Colonial Mexican Folk Art ex-voto retablo lámina painting featuring Santo Niño de Atocha (also known as - Holy In...
Category
19th Century Mexican Antique Folk Art
Materials
Metal, Tin
1834 Light Blue Floral Painted Blanket Chest
Located in Albignasego, IT
Tyrolean painted chest dated 1834
Measurements: H. 73m – L. 127cm – D. 56cm
Period: 1834
Origin: Tyrol
Essence: Fir
Painted chest, entirely made of fir wood.
On the front there is ...
Category
1830s Italian Antique Folk Art
Materials
Fir
19th Century Sailor's Folk Art Woolie with Ship of the Line and Sloop, ca 1850
Located in Nantucket, MA
19th Century Sailor's Folk Art Woolie with Triple Decker Ship of the Line and Sloop, ca 1850, depicting a starboard side view of a majestic square-rigged triple decker warship under ...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wool
19th Century Carved Oak Folk Art Wall Figurative Plaque.
Located in London, GB
19th Century Carved Oak Folk Art Wall Figurative Plaque.
Just carved for the fun of it, this 19th century hand carved oak plaque illustrates an old ...
Category
1890s British Antique Folk Art
Materials
Oak
19th Century Sailor's Woolie with Ship at Anchor Within Oval Cartouche, ca 1850
Located in Nantucket, MA
19th Century Sailor's Folk Art Woolie with Ship at Anchor Within Oval Cartouche, ca 1850, depicting a square-rigged single decker warship under furled sails, anchor chain leading off...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wool
Highly Decorative 19th Century European German Cleaver, Kitchen Butcher Utensil
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Antique 19th century European cleaver. Made from hand-wrought iron with wood handle. Great as a graphic wall decoration. Found at an estate sale in Nuremberg, Germany. Nice to displa...
Category
Mid-19th Century German Antique Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Unusual Tramp Art / Folk Art Wood and Stone Clock, sculpture. cabinet.
Located in Buffalo, NY
Unusual Tramp Art / Folk Art Wood and Stone (granite) Clock, sculpture. cabinet.. Amazing decorative item.Antique hand crafted,Stone ,granite cylinders,
Category
1890s American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Stone, Granite
Early 19th Century Folk Art Hand Painted Games Board
Located in London, GB
Early 19th Century Folk Art Hand Painted Games Board
A highly decorative example of a late 19th Century hand painted/crafted games board. Double sided with one side being painted by...
Category
1890s British Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
19th Century Hand Carved Folk Art Tyrolean Figure
Located in London, GB
19th Century Hand Carved Folk Art Tyrolean Figure
A lovely example of a mid-19th Century folk art hand carved Tyrolean (Austrian) figure of a man with moveable arms. A wonderful n...
Category
1850s Austrian Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
19th Century English Folk Art Gentleman’s Cane
Located in London, GB
19th Century English Folk Art Gentleman’s Cane
A rare and quite special example of a 19th Century folk art English gentleman’s walking cane with a h...
Category
1850s British Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Antique Germany Chip Hand Carved House Catchall Box Tramp Folk Art 1880s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A petite German late 19th century Tramp Folk Art Secret Chamber Cabinet Box. This petite Folk Art piece, circa 1890 comes from Germany and features a finel...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Two Swedish 19th Century Trough with Originalpaint from Northern Sweden
Located in Boden, SE
Two Swedish 19th century Folk Art Trough with untouched original paint from Lulea Norrbotten, Northern Sweden.
Painted English red wood trough.
The trough is in untouched original ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art
Materials
Pine
Antique Black Americana Portrait American Lawyer, Signed 1862
Located in South Burlington, VT
Black Americana
Antique Folk Art or Outsider Art Portrait Black American Lawyer, Signed June 10, 1862
This is an original historical and detailed hand incised work of art on wood p...
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art
Materials
Wood
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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