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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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
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

Luna Hand-Tufted Rug in Grey 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 gray.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Folk Art

Materials

Wool

Contemporary stoneware ceramic sculpture by a French artist
Located in SAINT-YRIEIX-SUR-CHARENTE, FR
Contemporary stoneware sculpture by French artist Véra Rybaltchenko. The stoneware was fired at 1100 degrees and is therefore very resistant. The chamotte stoneware is patinated outs...
Category

2010s French Modern Folk Art

Materials

Sandstone

Alan Wallwork Studio Pottery Split Pod Sculpture
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
Stoneware studio pottery 'split pod' form designed by Alan Wallwork (British, 1931-2019) and dating from around 1980. The heavily made sculptural pod sta...
Category

1980s English Vintage Modern Folk Art

Materials

Stoneware

Pair of Wooden Native American Busts
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A complementary pair of male and female Native American, wooden busts by Jose Pinal, made in Mexico. One form highlights a more subdued disposition with lon...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Modern Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Iron Crucifix Sculpture In The Style Of Regardt Van De Meulen
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very stylish iron work sculpture of Christ hanging on the cross in the manner of Regardt van de Meulen and dating from the 20th/21st century. The crucifix stands on a rectangular w...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary South African Modern Folk Art

Materials

Iron

Small ceramic vase by Ruelland, France, 1960's
Located in Paris, FR
Small ceramic vase by Ruelland, signed
Category

1960s French Vintage Modern Folk Art

Materials

Ceramic

Don Reitz Signed Salt Fired Studio Ceramic Pottery Sculpture Vase
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderful and unique work by famed American ceramic master Don Reitz who was known for his salt-fired works and the distinctive colors and forms he achiev...
Category

20th Century American Modern Folk Art

Materials

Stoneware

Muted Melody Gray Brown & Gray Brown 180x270 cm Hand Knotted Rugs
Located in Milano, IT
An exquisite creation from our Azalea collection which is hand woven by traditional artisans of India. This rug is not just a carpet, it's an exquisite tapestry that weaves together ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Folk Art

Materials

Wool

Wave Hand-Tufted Rug in Yellow 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: Yellow.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Folk Art

Materials

Wool

Set of Three, Vintage, French, Pierrot Boudoir Doll Faces from the 1920s
Located in Vienna, Austria
What a wonderful discovery, rare Pierrot doll faces from the 1920s . All three pieces are in very good condition with minor age related flaws. These fabri...
Category

1920s French Vintage Modern Folk Art

Materials

Textile

Paul Soldner Signed Large Modern Pottery Raku Slab Charger Wall Relief Sculpture
Located in Studio City, CA
An amazing and unique piece by renowned American pottery and ceramic master Paul Soldner who in the 1950s was Peter Voulkos' first student and who later became famed for developing the technique now known as "American Raku" - a practice of using low temperature salt firing...
Category

20th Century American Modern Folk Art

Materials

Earthenware

Sinopia di un Sottosera di Agosto' Coral Abstract Mixed Media Painting
Located in Chicago, IL
A mixed media painting by Italian artist Mauro Fornari. This layered abstract features coral and soft peach hues with charcoal accents. Signed ‘Mauro Fornari MMXXIII’ on the bottom l...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Folk Art

Materials

Canvas, Wood

Contemporary stoneware ceramic sculpture by a French artist
Located in SAINT-YRIEIX-SUR-CHARENTE, FR
Contemporary stoneware sculpture by French artist Véra Rybaltchenko. The stoneware was fired at 1100 degrees and is therefore very resistant. The chamotte stoneware is patinated outs...
Category

2010s French Modern Folk Art

Materials

Sandstone

Elegant Bronze Horse Sculpture by Cocky Duijvesteijn, Signed and Numbered
Located in Voorburg, NL
A truly eye-catching bronze sculpture named ‘a Horse’, designed and made by Dutch Sculpture Artist Cocky Duijvesteijn van der Gun. Number 2 of 8 ever made, signed by the artist and n...
Category

Late 20th Century Dutch Modern Folk Art

Materials

Bronze

Russell Russ Graff Signed Hawaiian Artist Inlaid Carved Wood Bird Sculpture
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderful. Whimsical piece by Hawain artist Russ Graff. Made from Hawaiian exotic and Kauai inlaid woods and a tree of natural driftwood. Signed an...
Category

1980s American Vintage Modern Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Hand-Knotted Wool Rug in Royal Gold and Sunflower, Contemporary Textural Design
Located in Milano, IT
This 8' x 10' Jaipur wool rug in royal gold and sunflower is a radiant addition to any space, crafted by skilled artisans with a contemporary textural design. The rich gold tones evo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Folk Art

Materials

Wool

Interactive Nostalgia, a 1970s-1990s Comic Book Art Piece
Located in Coral Gables, FL
These Interactive art pieces are part of a series of 6 pieces, each one being one of a kind. Much like the card collecting of our youth, the compositio...
Category

2010s American Modern Folk Art

Materials

Canvas

Shona Head Sculpture Carved Stone Kumberai Mapanda, circa 1970
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
Kumberai Mapanda (1940-) Small head. circa 1970. Carved serpentine stone 5 1/4" in. (13.4 cm.) high, excluding base. Shona sculpture is the name given to a modern move...
Category

Late 20th Century Zimbabwean Modern Folk Art

Materials

Stone

Bill Haskell Signed Carved Wood Turned Olive Wood Vase
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderful work with elegant shape by California master woodturner artist Bill Haskell. The piece is signed and noted "Olive" on the base. Would be...
Category

20th Century American Modern Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Transcendent Culture Fusion Dark Amber Gold & White 180x270 cm Handtufted Rug
Located in Milano, IT
What if the vibrant hues of stained-glass and the mesmerizing patterns of kaleidoscopes were captured in a rug? Behold, this modern marvel crafted by skilled artisans in rural India....
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Folk Art

Materials

Wool

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

Contemporary Floral Abstract Rug in Pastel Tones – Wool Acrylic Blend
Located in Jakarta Selatan, ID
This contemporary rug celebrates the beauty of nature through an abstract floral composition in soft yet vibrant pastel tones—peach, blue, green, yellow, and cream. The organic silho...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Modern Folk Art

Materials

Wool, Acrylic

Olinalá Mexican Traditional Lacquer, Gold Leaf and Oil Painting Art Urns
Located in Mexico City, MX
Three urns, two trays, one gourd. Turned solid tzalam (wild tamarind) wood; maque and lacquer carving; gold leaf; oil painting. Commemoration, ceremony, and veneration of the anc...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Modern Folk Art

Materials

Gold Leaf

Modern Backgammon Board Game Handmade Epoxy Resin Handpainted Limited Edition
Located in Milan, IT
The Backgammon Board is a handmade limited collection (100 pieces) designed by the young Milan based Valeria Molinari for Dilmos Edizioni. The project, composed of four boards inspir...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Folk Art

Materials

Epoxy Resin

Porada Custom Giove Mirror by Tarcisio Colzani
Located in Basildon, London
Introducing the stunning Custom Giove Mirror by Porada. This classic piece boasts a sleek and modern design, crafted with high quality materials. The fram...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Folk Art

Materials

Glass, Walnut

Scandinavian modern sculpture of a bird in metal and copper, wooden base
Located in Brussels, BE
Scandinavian modern sculpture of a bird in metal and copper, wooden base
Category

1980s Scandinavian Vintage Modern Folk Art

Materials

Metal, Copper

Smoke with Black Marble Texture 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 and board are handmade in smoke resin with black marbled texture. It will be the...
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Folk Art

Materials

Resin

Moor heads, Collection of 3, Handmade in Sicily, Gold Leaf, Colors Customizable
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

Life and Warmth Hand-Signed Oil on Canvas Painting by Henri, France
Located in Voorburg, NL
Exquisite oil painting on Canvas, painted and hand-signed by Henri in France. Titled ‘Life and Warmth’ and part of his ‘Life’ collection. Sophisticated and charming painting in beaut...
Category

2010s French Modern Folk Art

Materials

Canvas, Wood, Paint

Vitrix Hot Glass Studio Sculpture by Thomas Kelly
Located in North Miami, FL
“Rainbow” Heechee Probe with black glass spine abstract Sculpture By Thomas Kelly.
Category

Late 20th Century American Modern Folk Art

Materials

Blown Glass

Unique Geometric Two-Tone Wood & Silk, Earthy Tones Sculptural Vase by Awaré
Located in Geneve, CH
Corps Céleste III unique sculpture by Awaré Dimensions: L 35 x H 54cm Materials: Plane tree, naturel dyed silk, pigment, oxidation Awaré is the meeting of the sculptor Jérôme Pereira and the artist Sylvia Eustache...
Category

2010s French Modern Folk Art

Materials

Silk, Wood

Doug Ayers Signed California Artist Large Organic Wood Turned Weed Vase
Located in Studio City, CA
A very beautifully made, organic wood turned weed vase by famed American / California (Mendocino, CA) artist/ sculptor Doug Ayers. Signed and dated by Ayers on the base. Ayers ...
Category

1960s American Vintage Modern Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Earthy Tones, Organic Faceted Wood & Silk Contemporary Sculptural Vase by Awaré
Located in Geneve, CH
TELLURIC III unique sculpture by Awaré Dimensions: L 40 x H 60 cm Materials: Cypress, silk, oxidation Awaré is the meeting of the sculptor Jérôme Pereira and the artist Sylvia Eustache...
Category

2010s French Modern Folk Art

Materials

Silk, Wood

Contemporary stoneware ceramic sculpture by a French artist
Located in SAINT-YRIEIX-SUR-CHARENTE, FR
Contemporary stoneware sculpture by French artist Véra Rybaltchenko. The stoneware was fired at 1100 degrees and is therefore very resistant. The chamotte stoneware is patinated outs...
Category

2010s French Modern Folk Art

Materials

Sandstone

Ghidini 1961 Fan Mirror in Brass by Studio ITO
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Ghidini 1961 fan mirror in brass by Tomek Rygalik Materials: Brass.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Folk Art

Materials

Mirror

Large Ceramic Pottery Vase Realized by Josette Miquel Handmade Folk Art
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Josette Miquel French handmade pottery vase realized circa 1980 by French artist Josette Miquel. Elegant bird and board decoration. Stoneware c...
Category

1980s French Vintage Modern Folk Art

Materials

Ceramic

Brown and White Stoneware Ceramic Pitcher La Borne circa 1990 Pottery
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
La Borne Original french stoneware ceramic pitcher Brown and white pottery colors Signed Original perfect condition Measures: h...
Category

1990s French Modern Folk Art

Materials

Ceramic

Grey and White 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 grey with white marble textured resin, and board is in clear and...
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Folk Art

Materials

Resin

Wall Sculpture Wooden Frame Adorned Mosaic Leather Liquid Metal Artglass Backlit
Located in London, GB
Wall sculpture with circular wooden frame, adorned with elements in lacquered wood, leather, glass mosaic, art glass and liquid metal. Backlighting system with sensor.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Folk Art

Materials

Metal

Limited Edition Scarabeo Rug
Located in Milan, IT
Skillfully crafted in the age-old hand-knotting technique, this stunning Scarabeo is a limited edition rug fit for an eclectic home. Displayed on t...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Folk Art

Materials

Textile

Everidge Stevens Celtic Pottery Newlyn Blue Medallion Funnel Shaped Vase
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A stylish Cornish Celtic studio pottery vase decorated in the blue Medallion design by Everidge Stevens and Maggie Fisher and dating from around 1970. Made in Newlyn the vase of tall funnel or chimney shape has a wider rounded base and narrows slightly to a simple rounded open top. The lower body is decorated in matt black with a raised band separating the base from the continuous decorative pattern applied around the body with abstract incised lines decorated in mottled blue coloring with matt black around the upper rim. The vase has an incised D mark to the base along with an original Celtic Pottery...
Category

1970s English Vintage Modern Folk Art

Materials

Pottery

Mark Griffiths Large Twin Handled Studio Pottery Vase with Grasses
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very stylish English large twin handled studio vase decorated with wheat like grass stems by Shropshire based potter Mark Griffiths (British b.1956) and dating from the 1970’s. The...
Category

20th Century British Modern Folk Art

Materials

Stoneware

2021 Jens Risom for Knoll Counter Height Stool in Clear Maple with Black Webbing
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a single 2021 production Risom counter height stool designed by Jens Risom and produced by Knoll. This example was acquired directly from a Knoll employee, who pur...
Category

2010s American Modern Folk Art

Materials

Birch, Maple

Bill Haskell Signed Carved Wood Turned Maple Burl Wood Vase
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautiful work with elegant shape by California master woodturner artist Bill Haskell. The piece is signed and noted "Maple Burl" on the base. Wo...
Category

20th Century American Modern Folk Art

Materials

Maple, Wood

Peter Hayes Mother and Child Raku Fired Studio Pottery Sculpture
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very stylish studio pottery sculpture titled Mother and Child by renowned potter Peter Hayes and made around 1996. The sculpture is mounted on a rectangular slate base and is abstr...
Category

Late 20th Century English Modern Folk Art

Materials

Pottery

Eric James Mellon Studio Pottery Experimental Glazed Cup, 2006
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very fine stoneware cup decorated in experimental glazes by renowned ceramic artist Eric James Mellon (British, 1925-2014) and dated 2006. Trained ...
Category

Early 2000s English Modern Folk Art

Materials

Stoneware

4.7x10.4 Ft Handmade Tulu Runner Rug, 100% Wool Pile, Custom Options Available
Located in Spring Valley, NY
A contemporary hand knotted TULU (Turkish word for soft, cozy, high pile) rug made of fine hand-spun and hand-dyed lambswool. It is partly hand knotted (with pile) and partly flat-w...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Folk Art

Materials

Wool

Beatrice Wood Mid-Century California Studio Pottery Luster Glaze Framed Fragment
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderfully crafted and beautifully glazed framed pottery fragment by famed American/California ceramicist Beatrice Wood featuring her highly coveted, often experimental, gorgeous ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Folk Art

Materials

Earthenware, Pottery

Hand Built Sculptural Wood Fired Twin Handled Signed Studio Pottery Vase
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A truly wonderful design piece, and one of my favourite pieces, is this hand-built wood fired twin handled studio pottery vase of sculptural form dating from the 20th century. The st...
Category

20th Century English Modern Folk Art

Materials

Stoneware

Handmade Ceramic Accessories Ladybug Yellow
Located in Lisbon, PT
These handmade decorative accessories combine the traditional Portuguese ceramic and glazing techniques in a modern approach of shapes and color, as they bring such brightness and jo...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Folk Art

Materials

Brass

Set of 3 Moor Heads, Handmade in Italy, 2022. BESPOKE possibility. Sicily
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

"Gothic Whisper" Abstract Architectural Painting on Canvas by Louis Shields
Located in Middleburg, VA
An evocative exploration of structure, memory, and silence, "Gothic Whisper" by Louis Shields emerges as a haunting meditation on the remnants of architecture and time. Part of the a...
Category

2010s American Modern Folk Art

Materials

Foil

Black and 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 white resin with black marbled texture and the board is made of ...
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Folk Art

Materials

Resin, Wood

Bakelite or early plastic photo frame by Giulio Natta.
Located in Lugo, IT
Bakelite or early plastic photo frame by Giulio Natta. Front glass Production L.A.C.S.A. Bologna Good condition. Thanks
Category

1940s Italian Vintage Modern Folk Art

Materials

Plastic

Lukia XXIth century design wall colored decorative african ceramic mask
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Lukia Modern african decorative wall ceramic mask Original ceramic glazes colors Original perfect condition Signed and dated 2007 Height 21 cm Large 15 cm Depth 10 cm
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Folk Art

Materials

Ceramic

Jean Miotte - Abstract composition
Located in PAU, FR
Painting on canvas by Jean Miotte from 1959 Abstract composition in India ink on canvas without frame (sent rolled). Dated and signed by the artist. Unframed: 42.5 x 33 x 1.5 cm
Category

1950s French Vintage Modern Folk Art

Materials

Canvas, Paint

Contemporary sandstone ceramics by french artist
Located in SAINT-YRIEIX-SUR-CHARENTE, FR
Contemporary ceramic sculpture by French artist Véra Rybaltchenko. Made from chamotte stoneware with a patina before firing and fired in the kiln. Véra is a prolific artist who has e...
Category

2010s French Modern Folk Art

Materials

Sandstone

2 Moor Heads "Futuristic Women", 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

Balance Bliss Gold Fusion & Linen White 180x270 cm Handknotted Rug
Located in Milano, IT
What happens when design transcends the ordinary and embodies a realm of perpetual harmony? Enter this exquisite hand-knotted rug, a testament to the timeless artistry thriving in ru...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Indian Modern Folk Art

Materials

Wool

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.

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