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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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 chair — crafted 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
Italian modern spheric metal disco strobe ball with small mirrors mosaic, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern spheric metal disco strobe ball with small mirrors mosaic, 1970s
Disco mirrored strobe sphere. The structure is almost entirely covered with small rectangular fragment...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Ceramic bear paw by Georges Jouve, France, 1960's
Located in Paris, FR
Black bear paw by Georges Jouve, signed, 1960's
Category
1960s French Vintage Modern Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic
Maschera (Unica) da Krampus in Legno Intagliato e Pelo Caprino - di Luca Pojer
Located in Milano, IT
Questa non è solo una maschera, ma un'autentica opera d'arte. È importante sottolineare che maschere di questo livello sono estremamente rare: gli artisti che le creano le vendono so...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Folk Art
Materials
Goatskin, Goat Hair, Resin, Wood
Ceramic bear paw by Georges Jouve, France, 1960's
Located in Paris, FR
Yellow bear paw by Georges Jouve, signed, 1960's
Category
1960s French Vintage Modern Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic
21st Pet Bed Large in Walnut Wood & Calf Leather
By Pinetti
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
Leather, Wood, Foam, Walnut
21st Mahjong Game Set in Walnut Wood and Leather Handmade in Italy
By Pinetti
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
Walnut, Wood, Leather
Taupe & Navy Blue Leather and Walnut Wood Backgammon Set Handcrafted in, Italy
By Pinetti
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
21st Century Canaria Medium Basket Handwoven in Italy
By Pinetti
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
Cake Holder Coco Small, Matt White Ceramic, Italy
Located in Treviso, Treviso
VG is dedicating a collection of ceramics to the genius of Coco Chanel, a leading figure in the story of modern fashion, and a designer who crea...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic
Sculpture June's Nose, White Bassano Ceramic, Italy
Located in Treviso, Treviso
The “Andy” ceramic collection VG presents a collection of classic sculptures which revisits the techniques of pop art. The original work is taken apart; a few details are then remove...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic
Sculpture Mouth of David by Michelangelo, White Bassano Ceramic, Italy
Located in Treviso, Treviso
The “Andy” ceramic collection VG presents a collection of classic sculptures which revisits the techniques of pop art. The original work is taken apart; a few details are then remove...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic
Orange and Pink Resin Tic Tac Toe by Paola Valle
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
Moor Head Vase, Handmade in Sicily, Gold Leaf, Colors Customizable, Centerpiece
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
This collection is a work of art that make a statement in modern décor and in the modern cultural art world. It can be used as a vase containing flowers, or as a beautiful centerpiec...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Folk Art
Materials
Gold Leaf
Moor Heads Vases "Galaxy with Gold", Handmade in Italy, 2019, Unique Design
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
This collection is a work of art that make a statement in modern décor and in the modern cultural art world. It can be used as a vase containing flowers, or as a beautiful centerpiec...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Folk Art
Materials
Gold Leaf
Sheep Moneybox Pop Art, Red, 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
21st Century Penelope Rectangular Laundry Basket in Leather & Canvas Cotton
By Pinetti
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 Leather Tilting Lid Waste Bin Handmade in Italy
By Pinetti
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
Sheep Moneybox Pop Art, Set of 3 Pieces, 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
21st Century Ovo Magazine or Shoes Leather Basket Handwoven in Italy
By Pinetti
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 Large Hook Leather Basket for Towels with Fabric Handmade in Italy
By Pinetti
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
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. The insi...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Folk Art
Materials
Leather, Fabric, Cotton
21st Century Leather & Satin Brass Cachepot Handcrafed in Italy
By Pinetti
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
A royal allure for this gorgeous Cachepot.
A perfect balance between leather and brass, where the bright nuance of the leather harmonizes with the cachepot's edges. The two handle...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Folk Art
Materials
Brass
Sheep Moneybox Pop Art, Set of 2 Pieces, Made in Italy, 2022, Black, Red
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
21st Century Almeria Magazine or Shoes Leather Basket Handwoven in Italy
By Pinetti
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
21st Century Penelope Round Laundry Basket with Leather & Canvas Cotton
By Pinetti
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
Leather, Cotton
21st Century Demetra Round Laundry Basket Handwoven with Leather in Italy
By Pinetti
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 Ovo Wood & Magazine Leather Basket with Handle Handmade in Italy
By Pinetti
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
21st Century Almeria Oval Towel and Shoes Handwoven Basket Made in Italy
By Pinetti
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
Extremely elegant and versatile, part of the Almeria series.
Made with eco-friendly, washable and resistant regenerated leather this oval basket is perfect as a wood holder, in a living room or as shoes or towel basket...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Folk Art
Materials
Leather
21st Century Almeria Medium Decorative Basket Handwoven in Italy
By Pinetti
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 Ovo Towel & Magazine Leather Basket Outdoor Use Handmade in Italy
By Pinetti
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 Hook Tall Laundry Basket with Leather & Cotton Handmade in Italy
By Pinetti
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 Almeria Large Towel and Shoes Handwoven Basket with Handles
By Pinetti
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
Part of the Almeria collection this Pinetti hand-woven basket made with eco-friendly washable and resistant material suitable also for outdoor use.
Perfect for shoes holders...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Folk Art
Materials
Leather
21st Century Leather Soft Rectangular Tissue Box Handmade in Italy
By Pinetti
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
Just perfect. A must have for your living, for your bedroom, for your bathroom, for your office.
A soft rectangular tissue box in calf leather that comes in a wide range of colors...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Folk Art
Materials
Leather
21st Century Leather Pedal Paper & Waste Bin Handmade in Italy
By Pinetti
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
A chic and sleek aesthetic for our wastebasket with a black pedal.
Available with a 3 and 5 liter capacity and a soft closing function that will avoid any loud noises. Finished i...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Folk Art
Materials
Leather
Set of 12 Custom Finely Framed Scottish Postcards, Vintage Catherine Reiss Inc
Located in Stamford, CT
Set of 12 custom framed Scottish postcards, vintage Catherine Reiss Inc. Six framed group of cards with two in each frame.
Category
Late 20th Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Glass, Wood
21st Century Empty Pocket Woven Regenerated Leather Handmade in Italy
By Pinetti
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 Petanque Game Set with Leather Box Handmade in Italy
By Pinetti
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
21st Century Italian Tic Tac Toe in Walnut and Leather with Alabaster Pieces
By Pinetti
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
Hand Woven Modern Blanket, Double Sided Patterned Bed Throw, Woven in the UK
By Custhom
Located in London, GB
For this woven blanket We work closely with a 300 year old mill in Sudbury, Essex, UK. We have the utmost respect for their approach to making fabrics, their knowledge and experience...
Category
2010s English Modern Folk Art
Materials
Cotton
French Modern Carved Pine Sculpture of a Standing Monkey
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
French Modern Carved Pine Sculpture of a Standing Monkey
A well carved figure of a crouching monkey with the arms resting on the legs.
Raised on an eboinzed wood base.
Category
20th Century French Modern Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Pine
Karen Ann Wood Studio Pottery Red Glazed Spot Design Lidded Teapot
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very fine and stylish English studio pottery teapot and cover decorated in red glazes with blue spot designs by Kent based potter Karen Ann Woo...
Category
1970s English Vintage Modern Folk Art
Materials
Stoneware
21st Century Coffee Round Paper Bin with Lid Waste Bin Handmade in Italy
By Pinetti
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
Nothing like a sleek waste bin in calfskin leather to keep your bathroom looking chic. The cylindrical body is entirely covered by hand with fine calfskin leather in a woven pattern....
Category
2010s Italian Modern Folk Art
Materials
Leather
Warwick Parker English Salt Glazed Studio Pottery Bottle Vase
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very fine quality salt glazed studio pottery bottle flagon shaped vase by Dorset based potter Warwick Parker (b.1940) dating from the 20th century. Th...
Category
20th Century English Modern Folk Art
Materials
Stoneware
Neal French Terracotta Sculptural Standing Lady Figurine
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very stylish terracotta sculptural figure of a lady by renowned sculptor Neal French dating from the latter 20th Century. The figure stands mounted on a wooden base and is simply modeled and in slight abstract wearing a long flowing dress with a matt terracotta colored finish. Neal French graduated from the Royal College of Art in London and worked for fifteen years as a designer, modeller and sculptor for Spode and Worcester Royal Porcelain Co. He then spent 20 years teaching at Hornsey College of Art and also did some work at Rye Pottery...
Category
Late 20th Century English Modern Folk Art
Materials
Terracotta
Contemporary Acrylic on Paper Multi-Color Painting, Signed KALM
Located in Miami, FL
Contemporary art piece using spray paint and acrylic dots on paper. Signed KALM.
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Modern Folk Art
Materials
Paper
21st Century Rio Rectangular Closet Box Handwoven in Italy
By Pinetti
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
The Rio collection, smooth and soft design specially studied for your closet.
A box made with the resistant regenerated leather with two practical holes as handles on the short si...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Folk Art
Materials
Leather
21st Century Leather and Walnut Wood Backgammon Set Handcrafted in Italy
By Pinetti
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
2 Cats and a Bone, Outsider Artist Drew, 2021
Located in Hastings, GB
This piece is titled 2 Cats and a Bone, painted in 2020 during lockdown and using an abandoned car park sign as the medium.
Measuring 152cm wide x 84cm Height
Drew is an 'Outsid...
Category
2010s British Modern Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Cardboard Cubist Study of Womans Head
Located in Peekskill, NY
I found this interesting cardboard study in a New York Flea Market almost 50 years ago. It been on the shelf all that time and never gave it a 2nd thought. Its unsigned and I have no idea if its important or not... It is what it is...
Category
Early 20th Century American Modern Folk Art
Materials
Paper
Studio Pottery Glazed Figure of a Resting Bird Signed Heptagon Dated 1976
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An unusual studio pottery glazed figure of a resting bird signed Heptagon to the base and dated 1976. The figure is well potted with its wings resting on its fanned tail feathers and...
Category
1970s English Vintage Modern Folk Art
Materials
Pottery
Derek Clarkson Attributed Large Abstract Glazed Porcelain Studio Pottery Vase
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A tall and striking studio pottery porcelain vase decorated in abstract colored glazes on a celadon ground attributed to Derek Clarkson and dating from ...
Category
20th Century British Modern Folk Art
Materials
Porcelain
Stylish Raku Metallic Glazed Conical Shape Signed Studio Pottery Vase
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very stylish studio pottery raku vase applied with copper metallic glazes, signed and dating from the 20th century. The vase of rounded conical bottle shape stands on a wide rounde...
Category
20th Century British Modern Folk Art
Materials
Stoneware
'Smile Through The Chaos', Outsider Artist Drew, 2021
Located in Hastings, GB
This piece is titled Smile Through The Chaos, painted in 2021 during lockdown and using an abandoned car park sign as the medium.
Measuring 183cm wide x 93cm Height
Drew is an 'Outsider' artist based on the Romney Marsh in Kent.Painting from his self built studio in the rural village of Lydd,
Drew's creativity sees the use of found and salvaged materials and media throughout his work.
This sustainable creativity sees the recycling of abandoned paints, varnishes and substitute base materials such as metal and wooden panelling...
Category
2010s British Modern Folk Art
Materials
Wood
The Moon Goddess Oil Painting on Canvas
Located in North Hollywood, CA
The Moon Goddess oil painting on canvas.
Great colors with a lady under the moon with a cat and owl around her.
Very fine contemporary painting, stretch...
Category
Late 20th Century American Modern Folk Art
Materials
Canvas
20Thc Murano Glass Apple & Pear Bookends, Pair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These hand made glass apple & pear bookends in fine condition. The deep blue & clear color. Pear is 6'high and the apple is 4" x 4"wide.
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Modern Folk Art
Materials
Art Glass
Lynn Basa Encaustic Black and White Stripe Panel "Camino", 2018
Located in Stamford, CT
Lynn Basa encaustic black and white stripe panel "Camino" (signed and dated), 2018.
Encaustic on panel.
This is part of our extensive collection which ju...
Category
Late 20th Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Lynn Basa Encaustic Black and White Stripe Panel "The Speckled", 2013
Located in Stamford, CT
Lynn Basa encaustic black and white stripe panel "The Speckled Band" signed and dated.
Oil / beeswax on board.
This is part of our extensive collection w...
Category
Late 20th Century Modern Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Chelsea Pottery Studio Pottery Figural Courtroom Scene
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stylish and unusual studio pottery model of a Courtroom scene by Chelsea Pottery, London and dating from the 20th century. The courtroom is modeled a...
Category
20th Century English Modern Folk Art
Materials
Stoneware
Gorgeous Blue Sellier Silk Scarf by Erre France
By Hermès
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Gorgeous Erre Paris silk scarf in mint pristine condition.
Erre Foulards 100% Silk Square 34" x 34” Scarf.
Designed by Terry Pheto and Princess Charlene of Monaco.
Great gift 100 ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Folk Art
Materials
Silk
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.