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Modern Folk Art

MODERN STYLE

The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw sweeping social change and major scientific advances — both of which contributed to a new aesthetic: modernism. Rejecting the rigidity of Victorian artistic conventions, modernists sought a new means of expression. References to the natural world and ornate classical embellishments gave way to the sleek simplicity of the Machine Age. Architect Philip Johnson characterized the hallmarks of modernism as “machine-like simplicity, smoothness or surface [and] avoidance of ornament.”

Early practitioners of modernist design include the De Stijl (“The Style”) group, founded in the Netherlands in 1917, and the Bauhaus School, founded two years later in Germany.

Followers of both groups produced sleek, spare designs — many of which became icons of daily life in the 20th century. The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics. While Bauhaus principals Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe created furniture from mass-produced, chrome-plated steel, American visionaries like Charles and Ray Eames worked in materials as novel as molded plywood and fiberglass. Today, Breuer’s Wassily chair, Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chaircrafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich — and the Eames lounge chair are emblems of progressive design and vintage originals are prized cornerstones of collections.

It’s difficult to overstate the influence that modernism continues to wield over designers and architects — and equally difficult to overstate how revolutionary it was when it first appeared a century ago. But because modernist furniture designs are so simple, they can blend in seamlessly with just about any type of décor. Don’t overlook them.

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Style: Modern
Beatles Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band Golden Record Carat Rec 011/100
Located in Nuernberg, DE
1970s The Beatles 24-karat gold-plated record, unframed. Limited edition of 100, 11/100 with “Certificate of Authenticity” included. Golden Record on a red Velvet wooden plate. Nice ...
Category

1970s German Vintage Modern Folk Art

Materials

Wood, Velvet

"The Second World War, " by Winston Churchill
Located in Austin, TX
The Second World War by Winston Churchill from Houghton-Mifflin Company, Boston. A vintage edition of Winston Churchill's six-volume memoir, The Second World War, for which he was a...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Modern Folk Art

Materials

Paper

Black Marbled Resin and Wood Tic Tac Toe by Paola Valle
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
Our Tic Tac Toe is a beautiful, modern and fun take on the classic game. The three dimensional pieces are handmade in black resin with white marbled texture and the board is made of ...
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Folk Art

Materials

Resin, Wood

Paul Northmore Jackson Abstract Colorful Hand Painted Studio Pottery Mug, 1993
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
From an extensive collection of studio pottery we are pleased to offer this fine abstract form studio pottery mug by Cornish based potter Paul Northmore...
Category

1990s English Modern Folk Art

Materials

Pottery

21st Mahjong Game Set in Walnut Wood and Leather Handmade in Italy
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
Our brand new Mahjong, a complete restyling for one of the most popular and played games worldwide. Entirely covered in genuine calf leather, our Mahjong comes in a luxurious woo...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Folk Art

Materials

Leather, Wood, Walnut

21st Pet Bed Large in Walnut Wood & Calf Leather
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
Pamper your furry friends with our new Pet bed. A wooden structure masterfully handcrafted covered in leather with precious canaletto walnut wood base and so...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Folk Art

Materials

Walnut, Foam, Leather, Wood

21st Century Hook Tall Laundry Basket with Leather & Cotton Handmade in Italy
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
An attractive contrast between leather and cotton fabric. Our Hook basket is hand woven, made with eco-friendly, washable, and resistant material suitable also for outdoor use. Th...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Folk Art

Materials

Leather, Cotton

21st Century Ovo Wood & Magazine Leather Basket with Handle Handmade in Italy
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
Fashioned of resistant recycled leather, Pinetti Ovo basket boasts an unstructured silhouette with flared sides supported by a sturdy rectangular base...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Folk Art

Materials

Leather

Misshapes Organic Shapes Rug in Blush Color by RAG home
Located in Jakarta Selatan, ID
Misshapes Dune Form explores the beauty of unstructured design through an organic, free-form silhouette inspired by nature’s slow transformations. This sculptural rug blends soft des...
Category

2010s Asian Modern Folk Art

Materials

Wool, Acrylic

21st Century Penelope Round Laundry Basket with Leather & Canvas Cotton
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
Part of Penelope's collections, this laundry basket is designed and crafted exclusively by Pinetti. The elegant and practical round silhouette is beautifully finished with an ecru...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Folk Art

Materials

Cotton, Leather

21st Century Canaria Medium Basket Handwoven in Italy
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
Another style, another iconic weave. Canaria is our brand new family of baskets available in different sizes able to meet several uses. A magazine holder, a blanket or shoes holde...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Folk Art

Materials

Leather

21st Century Ovo Towel & Magazine Leather Basket Outdoor Use Handmade in Italy
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
Ovo basket: Compact yet capacious. Fashioned of resistant recycled leather, with tan or black this basket boasts an unstructured silhouette with fl...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Folk Art

Materials

Leather

21st Century Sombrero Magazine Holder Handmade in Italy with Regenerated Leather
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
We feel Mexican! Made with eco-friendly, washable, and resistant regenerated leather, the traditional Mexican Sombrero hat becomes a unique magazin...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Folk Art

Materials

Leather

W. Beaupre Chain Mail Bust
Located in New York, NY
Futuristic android bust with hand applied chain mail and vintage jewelry findings and tiara from New York artist W. Beaupre. Signed.
Category

20th Century American Modern Folk Art

Materials

Metal

21st Century Ovo Magazine or Shoes Leather Basket Handwoven in Italy
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
Ovo basket: Compact yet capacious. Fashioned of resistant recycled leather, with tan or black this basket boasts an unstructured silhouette with fl...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Folk Art

Materials

Leather

21st Century Penelope Rectangular Laundry Basket in Leather & Canvas Cotton
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
A simple and linear shape, where the resistant and waterproof leather is combined with the softness of the ecru cotton layer that give the piece a natural beauty. A rectangular silhouette for our Penelope laundry...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Folk Art

Materials

Leather, Cotton

21st Century Empty Pocket Woven Regenerated Leather Handmade in Italy
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
Lovely Pinetti round wash clothes holder, part of Almeria collection. Four different water resistant sizes fixed at the end with chrome pins. The woven...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Folk Art

Materials

Leather

21st Century Almeria Medium Decorative Basket Handwoven in Italy
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
The Almeria medium basket, a Pinetti timeless icon. A basket that becomes a magazine, blanket, shoes holder or a simple piece of décor, if necessary. P...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Folk Art

Materials

Leather

21st Century Leather Tilting Lid Waste Bin Handmade in Italy
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
A cylindrical and contemporary silhouette with subtle detail. Our round metal bin with tilting lid is perfectly sized for use in the bathroom. More than 30 harmonious shades can be paired with our modern bathroom...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Folk Art

Materials

Leather

Winter Rose Abstract Organic Shape Rug in Grey by RAG home
Located in Jakarta Selatan, ID
Winter Rose captures the quiet poetry of nature in hibernation a soft bloom frozen in time. This sculptural rug blends abstract floral gestures with geological layering, rendered in ...
Category

2010s Indonesian Modern Folk Art

Materials

Wool, Acrylic

Lane Gordon Thorlaksson Canadian Studio Pottery Vase with Stand
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stunning Canadian studio pottery vase decorated in light blue glazes with an associated pottery stand by Lane Gordon Thorlaksson (Canadian, 1...
Category

1970s Canadian Vintage Modern Folk Art

Materials

Pottery

Italian Tortoiseshell Lucite Chess Set
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sophisticated Italian chess set from the 1970s, crafted in rich tortoiseshell-pattern Lucite with polished brass accents. The board lifts to reveal a fitted interior tray that neatly...
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Modern Folk Art

Materials

Lucite

White Pearl Resin and Wood Tic Tac Toe by Paola Valle
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
Our Tic Tac Toe is a beautiful, modern and fun take on the classic game. The three dimensional pieces are handmade in white pearl & ivory and the board is made of oak wood veneer. It...
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Folk Art

Materials

Resin, Wood

Peter Shire Exp Signed Hand Painted Modern Large Ceramic Pottery Bowl
Located in Studio City, CA
A fantastic work by famed Los Angeles (Echo Park), California based artist Peter Shire who was a founding member (along with Italian designer Ettore Sottsass and others) of The Memphis Group, an international design movement that came out of Italy during the 1980s (1980-1988), and specialized in postmodern furniture, lighting, fabrics, carpets, ceramics, glass, and metal objects. This work is from 2001 and is dated and signed with Shire's customary "EXP" (Echo Park Pottery...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Folk Art

Materials

Ceramic

Abstract Earth Tone Rug with Organic Shape by RAG home
Located in Jakarta Selatan, ID
This rug features an abstract, modern design with an organic, freeform shape. The color palette includes earthy tones like beige, terracotta, deep green, gray, and cream, creating a ...
Category

2010s Indonesian Modern Folk Art

Materials

Wool, Acrylic

1990s Michael Graves Chess and Checkers Postmodern Set Maplewood Board Modern
Located in Philadelphia, PA
1990s Michael Graves Chess and Checkers Postmodern Set Maplewood Modern Board. Item features a maplewood board with black and white resin chess pieces, ...
Category

1990s Modern Folk Art

Materials

Maple

Vintage Pal Kepenyes Bronze/Brass Necklace, 20th Century
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Vintage Pal Kepenyes bronze/brass necklace, 20th century. This Hungarian born artist worked in Mexico for decades, known for free-form sculptural jewelry...
Category

20th Century Mexican Modern Folk Art

Materials

Brass, Bronze

Orange and Pink Resin Tic Tac Toe by Paola Valle
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
Our Tic Tac Toe is a beautiful, modern and fun take on the classic game. The three dimensional pieces are handmade in pink & orange resin, and board is in white pearl resin. It will ...
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Folk Art

Materials

Resin

21st Century Italian Tic Tac Toe in Walnut and Leather with Alabaster Pieces
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
A masterpiece of style and design. Pinetti Tic Tac Toe, our first addition to our board games collection. A canaletto walnut wood box covered with l...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Folk Art

Materials

Alabaster

Grey & White Resin and Wood Tic Tac Toe by Paola Valle
Located in Ciudad De México, MX
Our Tic Tac Toe is a beautiful, modern and fun take on the classic game. The three dimensional pieces are handmade in grey with white marbled texture & grey , the board is made of oa...
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Folk Art

Materials

Resin, Wood

Contemporary Wavy Checkered Rug in Red, Pink & Green Hand-Tufted Wool
Located in Jakarta Selatan, ID
This contemporary rug reimagines the classic checkered motif with a playful twist. A bold red-and-pink checkerboard flows along wavy edges, framing a rich green center that instantly...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Modern Folk Art

Materials

Wool, Acrylic

Sheep Moneybox Pop Art, Black, Made in Italy, 2022, New Collection
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
These splendid ceramic creations are born from the artistic laboratory of Mosche Bianche. The piggy bank, a means that has always been used to remind us of the importance of savi...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Folk Art

Materials

Ceramic

Large Percisionist ModerN Oil Painting on Canvas by Allan Lorne Hecker
By Allan & Co.
Located in Buffalo, NY
Large Percisionist ModerN Oil Painting on Canvas by Canadian artist Allan Lorne Hecker,,Titled "A Calder walking to the park" Hand executed.. Great use of color, TEXTURE and space..
Category

2010s Canadian Modern Folk Art

Materials

Canvas, Wood, Paint

21st Century Petanque Game Set with Leather Box Handmade in Italy
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
A complete game set of 6 metal balls with one jack and a leather measuring rope. Our portable Pétanque game set comes with its own sleek storage box, completely covered with genuine grained leather. Ideal for outdoor entertaining...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Folk Art

Materials

Metal

Late 20th Century Chessboard - Vintage - Inlaid Marble - Brass Chess Pieces
Located in Casteren, Noord-Brabant
This elegant vintage chessboard dates from approximately 1990 and is a refined example of late 20th-century decorative design. The board is crafted from beautifully inlaid marble, fo...
Category

1990s Belgian Modern Folk Art

Materials

Marble, Brass

Jaipur Rugs 8X10 Feet Hand Knotted Carpet Wool And Bamboo Silk Beige & Brown Rug
Located in Milano, IT
Embark on a visual journey akin to the gradual decline of civilizations with our hand-knotted rug, an ode to modern design. The patterns within this masterpiece create a sense of dis...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Folk Art

Materials

Wool

Helmet Arai sculpture installation with stand
Located in Milano, IT
Helmet sculpture with free stand in metal and aluminium Arai helmet , Japanese manufature, One of the most distinctive features of an Arai helmet is the comfort it offers. How comfor...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Folk Art

Materials

Metal

Luna Hand-Tufted Rug in Dark Yellow by Verner Panton
Located in Horsens, DK
Eight colored rug with organic circle pattern designed by Verner Panton. Material: 100% New Zealand wool Hand tufted Color: Tone-in-tone dark yellow.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Folk Art

Materials

Wool

Framed Painting Representing Bohemian Gypsy Cartomancer, Signed Callewaert, 1940
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Painting of a Gypsy, Bohemian woman drawing the cards. Representation of a Cartomancer and Fortune Teller. Oil on canvas. Very well represented. fine and pleasant features. Delicate work. Signed lower right by M. Callewaert circa 1940 Maurice CALLEWAERT is a Belgian artist born in Belgium in 1900 and died in France in Paris in 1986. Belgian painter from West Flanders...
Category

1940s Belgian Vintage Modern Folk Art

Materials

Paint

21st Century Demetra Round Laundry Basket Handwoven with Leather in Italy
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
Strictly hand woven with meticulous care, Pinetti baskets are made with eco-friendly, washable, and resistant material. Part of the Demetra collections, our short basket comes in a ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Folk Art

Materials

Leather

21st Century Leather and Walnut Wood Backgammon Set Handcrafted in Italy
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
Our backgammon set, a must of board games. Expertly crafted with canaletto walnut wood and dressed on the outside with a textured calfskin leather covering, its interior delivers ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Folk Art

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Pair of Vintage American Handmade and Painted Duck Decoys
Located in Germantown, MD
Elegant pair of Vintage American Handmade and Hand Painted Duck Decoys in good vintage condition, measuring 15" in width, 4" in depth and 5.5"in height fo...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Folk Art

Materials

Wood, Paint

Vintage 23" Molded Rubber Jaws Great White Shark Replica Movie Prop
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage 23" Molded Rubber Jaws Great White Shark Replica Movie Prop. Item features molded rubber construction of Jaws, very nice vintage item, weighs approx. 30 lbs. Circa Late 20th ...
Category

Late 20th Century Modern Folk Art

Materials

Fiberglass, Rubber, Paint

Beautiful sculpture by Pol Spilliaert
By Pol Spilliaert
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
Splendide sculpture par Pol Spilliaert en marbre noir de Belgique. Superbe présence, très jolie ronde bosse. Chaque pan de la sculpture est travaillée. Elle provient de son atelier...
Category

1970s Belgian Vintage Modern Folk Art

Materials

Belgian Black Marble

Purvis Young (1943–2010), Untitled (Window Assemblage)
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Purvis Young (1943–2010), Untitled (Window Assemblage) Miami, Florida Late 20th century This compelling mixed-media assemblage by Purvis Young exemplifies the artist’s deeply symbol...
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Folk Art

Materials

Plexiglass, Scrap Wood

'Mis-Shapes' Custom Rug with Combination of Orange, Burgundy, Pink, Tosca Blue
Located in Jakarta Selatan, ID
CUSTOM RUG for Heather SIZE 210 x 240 cm Contemporary irregular abstract shape hand-tufted Viscose wool rug A combination of neatness and abstraction. A fluid patterns and shades ...
Category

2010s Indonesian Modern Folk Art

Materials

Wool

Pablo Picasso Woman with Guitar Limited Edition Vintage EGE Art Line Rug Denmark
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderful and hard to find vintage EGE Art Line Scandinavian (Denmark) Pablo Picasso rug based on his work "Woman With Guitar". This work was part of...
Category

1990s Danish Modern Folk Art

Materials

Wool

Doug Ayers Signed California Artist Organic Natural Wood Turned Weed Vase Vessel
Located in Studio City, CA
A very beautifully made and sculpted wood-turned weed vase by famed American (Mendocino, CA) artist/ sculptor Doug Ayers. The natural. organic wood grain is quite spectacular in this...
Category

1970s American Vintage Modern Folk Art

Materials

Wood

21st Century Leather Playing Cards Holder Handcrafted in Italy
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
The ideal gift for poker players or card collectors. A wooden box covered with a luxurious grained leather with hand stitched details. This travel set comes in a wide range of colors...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Folk Art

Materials

Leather

Modern Design Style Hand-Tufted Rug 'Zen Garden' by Rag Home
Located in Jakarta Selatan, ID
Modern Design Style Hand-tufted Rug 'ZEN GARDEN' by RAG HOME A rug inspired by currents of Serene, peaceful, balanced, simple words that describe the zen garden. RAG under this br...
Category

2010s Indonesian Modern Folk Art

Materials

Wool, Acrylic

21st Century Almeria Magazine or Shoes Leather Basket Handwoven in Italy
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
This masterfully hand-woven basket belongs to our iconic Almeria collection. Made of eco-friendly leather, that is washable, resistant to light and water, it's suitable for indoor and outdoor use as well. This small size perfectly works as a magazine holder. Perfect also as a blanket, shoes holder...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Folk Art

Materials

Leather

Australian Aboriginal Painting Tjukurla Country Nyurapayia Nampitjinpa
Located in Atlanta, GA
A stunning abstract painting by Australian Aboriginal artist Nyurapayia Nampitjinpa (also known as Mrs. Bennett; 1935-2013). Entitled "Tjukurla Country", this work was acrylic on Be...
Category

Early 2000s Australian Modern Folk Art

Materials

Canvas, Acrylic

Lidya Buzio Signed New York Artist Hand Painted Pottery Ceramic Vessel Vase 1980
By Lidya Buzio
Located in Studio City, CA
A truly wonderful and whimsical work by Uruguayan-born American ceramist Lidya Buzio. This work was done when she was at her most prolific during her time in New York in the 1970s/ 1...
Category

1980s American Vintage Modern Folk Art

Materials

Terracotta

Nelson Chess Set by A. Andreucci
Located in Milan, IT
Designed by A. Andreucci, the spectacular board of this dynamic Nelson Chess Set has been crafted in mirrored glass and polished black lacquered wood and measures 40 x 40 cm. Perfect...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Folk Art

Materials

Horn, Wool, Glass, Mirror

Wave Hand-Tufted Rug in Orange by Verner Panton
Located in Horsens, DK
Seven Colored rectangular rug with organic pattern designed by Verner Panton. Material: 100% New Zealand's Wool Hand-tufted Color: Orange.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Folk Art

Materials

Wool

Los Castillo Mayan Sculptural Art Piece with Malachite and Turquoise Detail
Located in McKinney, TX
- Depicts a member of Mayan nobility with quetzal feather headdress and three dimensional design elements - Created using copper, brass, malachite, o...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Modern Folk Art

Materials

Malachite, Onyx, Brass

Taupe & Navy Blue Leather and Walnut Wood Backgammon Set Handcrafted in, Italy
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
Our backgammon set, a must of board games. Expertly crafted with canaletto walnut wood and dressed on the outside with a textured calfskin leather covering, its interior delivers ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Folk Art

Materials

Leather, Walnut

Snowman by Natalie Steer
Located in Paddington, NSW
In Snowman, Natalie Steer continues her exploration of gesture, materiality and emotional suggestion — a language she has developed through her ongoing interest in the expressive pot...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Australian Modern Folk Art

Materials

Acrylic

Set of 3 Small Elemental Spinning Tops in Oiled Walnut by Alvaro Uribe for Wooda
Located in Omro, WI
The initial inspiration for the elemental top collection by Alvaro Uribe for Wooda was wooda’s iconic logo of a tree. We felt it captured the company’s synergy for working with wood ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Folk Art

Materials

Wood, Hardwood, Walnut

Large Mahogany Sheep Rocker in White Wool
Located in Saint Louis, US
An original design and make by the artist and designer Jose Gomez, the one of a kind sheep rocker. Outfitted with authentic New Zealand wool, this piece is a beautiful take on the be...
Category

2010s American Modern Folk Art

Materials

Sheepskin, Wool, Mahogany

Modern folk art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Modern 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 ceramic, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern folk art made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and North America pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original folk art, popular names associated with this style include Pinetti, VG-VGnewtrend, Danese Milano, and Mosche Bianche. 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 $75 and tops out at $50,000 while the average work can sell for $1,001.