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 The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics.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
Radial Glow Portrait. Carved Porcelain Wall Sculpture
By Alex Hodge
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Radial Glow, 2019 by Alex Hodge
Carved porcelain
12 H in x 8 W in x 0.5 D in
Unique
Her poetic porcelain plates examine and reimagine the history of art in a way that values women, ...
Category
2010s American Modern Folk Art
Materials
Porcelain, Paint
21st Century Nadia Washcloth Holder Handmade in Italy
By Pinetti
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
Nadia collection introduced its own wash clothes holder.
Perfect also for sunglasses and sunscreen, the resistant and waterproof leather joined with a cotton canvas fabric makes it ...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Folk Art
Materials
Leather, Fabric
Wishful Thinking Portrait. Carved Porcelain Wall Sculpture
By Alex Hodge
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Wishful Thinking, 2019 by Alex Hodge
Carved porcelain
12 H in x 7 W in x 0.5 D in
Unique
Her poetic porcelain plates examine and reimagine the history of art in a way that values wo...
Category
2010s American Modern Folk Art
Materials
Porcelain, Paint
Curled Girl Portrait. Carved Porcelain Wall Sculpture
By Alex Hodge
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Curled Girl, 2019 by Alex Hodge
Carved porcelain
11.5 H in x 7 W in x 0.5 D in
Unique
Her poetic porcelain plates examine and reimagine the history of art in a way that values women...
Category
2010s American Modern Folk Art
Materials
Porcelain, Paint
Heights to Reach Portrait. Carved Porcelain Wall Sculpture
By Alex Hodge
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Heights to Reach, 2019 by Alex Hodge
Carved porcelain
11.5 H in x 7 W in x .05 D in
Unique
Her poetic porcelain plates examine and reimagine the history of art in a way that values ...
Category
2010s American Modern Folk Art
Materials
Porcelain, Paint
21st Dice Game Set Handmade in Italy
By Pinetti
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
The essential design of our Gea round tray made with waterproof and scratch calf skin leather with non-slip base meet Pinetti leisure collection reinventing one of the oldest board g...
Category
2010s Italian Modern Folk Art
Materials
Leather, Wood, Resin
Rattling Cages Portrait. Carved Porcelain Wall Sculpture
By Alex Hodge
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Rattling Cages, 2019 by Alex Hodge
Carved porcelain
10 H in x 10 W in x 0.5 D in
Unique
Her poetic porcelain plates examine and reimagine the history of art in a way that values wom...
Category
2010s American Modern Folk Art
Materials
Porcelain, Paint
Weave of the Universe. Carved Porcelain Wall Sculpture
By Alex Hodge
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Weave of the Universe, 2019 by Alex Hodge
Carved porcelain
12.5 H in x 17 W in x 0.75 D in
Unique
Her poetic porcelain plates examine and reimagine the history of art in a way that ...
Category
2010s American Modern Folk Art
Materials
Porcelain, Paint
Madonna with the Long Neck, Portrait, Carved Porcelain Wall Sculpture
By Alex Hodge
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Madonna with the Long Neck, 2019 by Alex Hodge
Carved porcelain
Height: 7 in x Width: 7 in x Depth: 0.5 in
Unique
Her poetic porcelain plates examine and reimagine the history of a...
Category
2010s American Modern Folk Art
Materials
Porcelain, Paint
Small ceramic vase by Ruelland, France, 1960's
Located in Paris, FR
small ceramic round vase by Ruelland, signed
Category
1960s French Vintage Modern Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic
Earnest Eve, Portrait, Carved Porcelain Wall Sculpture.
By Alex Hodge
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Earnest Eve, 2019 by Alex Hodge
Carved porcelain
Height: 12 in x Width: 8 in x Depth: 0.5 in
Unique
Her poetic porcelain plates examine and reimagine the history of art in a way th...
Category
2010s American Modern Folk Art
Materials
Porcelain, Paint
Wishing Wanders Portrait. Carved Porcelain Wall Sculpture
By Alex Hodge
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Wishing Wanders
Carved porcelain
9.5 inches x 13.5 inches x 0.75 inch
Unique
Her poetic porcelain plates examine and reimagine the history of art in a way that values women, not on...
Category
2010s American Modern Folk Art
Materials
Porcelain, Paint
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
Archetypal Anne Portrait. Carved Porcelain Wall Sculpture
By Alex Hodge
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Mountain of a Woman, 2019 by Alex Hodge
Carved porcelain
8.5 H in x 3.5 W in x 0.5 D in
Unique
Her poetic porcelain plates examine and reimagine the history of art in a way that val...
Category
2010s American Modern Folk Art
Materials
Porcelain, Paint
Rain or Shine, Portrait, Carved Porcelain Wall Sculpture
By Alex Hodge
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Rain or Shine, 2019 by Alex Hodge
Carved porcelain
Height: 9 in x Width: 13 in x Depth: 0.5 in
Unique
Her poetic porcelain plates examine and reimagine the history of art in a way ...
Category
2010s American Modern Folk Art
Materials
Porcelain, Paint
Reach Out, Portrait, Carved Porcelain Wall Sculpture
By Alex Hodge
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Reach Out, 2019 by Alex Hodge
Carved porcelain
Height: 8 in x Width: 12 in x Depth: 0.5 in
Unique
Her poetic porcelain plates examine and reimagine the history of art in a way that...
Category
2010s American Modern Folk Art
Materials
Porcelain, Paint
Mountain of a Woman, Portrait, Carved Porcelain Wall Sculpture
By Alex Hodge
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Mountain of a Woman, 2019 by Alex Hodge
Carved porcelain
Height: 15 in x Width: 9 in x Depth: 0.5 in
Unique
Her poetic porcelain plates examine and reimagine the history of art in ...
Category
2010s American Modern Folk Art
Materials
Porcelain, Paint
Room in a Room, Portrait, Carved Porcelain Wall Sculpture
By Alex Hodge
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Room in a Room, 2019 by Alex Hodge
Carved porcelain
Height: 9 in x Width: 13 in x Depth: 0.5 in
Unique
Her poetic porcelain plates examine and reimagine the history of art in a way...
Category
2010s American Modern Folk Art
Materials
Porcelain, Paint
Optional Omniscience, Portrait, Carved Porcelain Wall Sculpture.
By Alex Hodge
Located in Miami Beach, FL
Optional Omniscience, 2019 by Alex Hodge
Carved porcelain
Height: 10 in x Width: 10 in x Depth: 0.5 in
Unique
Her poetic porcelain plates examine and reimagine the history of art i...
Category
2010s American Modern Folk Art
Materials
Porcelain, Paint
Black and Brown Unique Abstract Ceramic Vase by David Whitehead La Borne
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
David Whitehead
Stoneware ceramic vase realised in La Borne
Circa 2000
Unique handmade piece signed under the base
Black and bron stoneware ceramic colors
Measures: H...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic
Mask by Accolay pottery, France, between 1947 and 1983
Located in Paris, FR
Mask by Accolay pottery, active between 1947 and 1983, signed
Category
20th Century French Modern Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic
Ceramic mask by Accolay, France, active between 1947 and 1983
Located in Paris, FR
Mask by Accolay Pottery, active between 1945 and 1983, signed
Category
20th Century French Modern Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic
Set of 3 Small Elemental Spinning Tops in Oiled Walnut by Alvaro Uribe for Wooda
By Wooda, Alvaro Uribe
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
Wonderful, Massive Orthoceras Granite Sculpture Tower
Located in Greven, DE
Unique granite sculpture with embedded fossils that are more than 280 million years old.
This beautiful, black granite tower with its beautiful Orthoceras fossils is a sculpture that...
Category
Late 20th Century French Modern Folk Art
Materials
Granite
Hermanos Calavera Conquistador in Oiled Walnut by Miguel & Ilse Silva for Wooda
Located in Omro, WI
These handsome but quirky brothers designed by Miguel and Ilse Silva for Wooda are the result of an engaging mix of personality, love, fun and mischievousness. Los Hermanos Calavera(...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Folk Art
Materials
Oak, Walnut, Maple, Hardwood
Jan Erika "Island"
Located in Hudson, NY
The "Island" fine art print, shown here, is by UK artist Jan Erika. Unlike her exuberantly colored abstracts, this image reveals a more subtle approach to color and form. The Gicle...
Category
2010s British Modern Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Paper
Vase 'David by Michelangelo' Mouth, Black Finish, in 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
Micki Schloessingk Salt Glazed Studio Pottery Lidded Vessel
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A fine vintage British studio pottery lidded vessel by renowned potter Micki Schloessingk (b. 1949) and made in Swansea, Wales. The stoneware vessel is of tall slightly graduated cyl...
Category
Late 20th Century British Modern Folk Art
Materials
Stoneware
Bus scene by Gus Bofa
Located in PAU, FR
Elegant watercolor depicting a bus scene by illustrator Gus Bofa.
Dimensions:
12.5 x 24 cm
Category
Early 20th Century French Modern Folk Art
Materials
Paper
Jean Miotte - Abstract composition
By Jean Miotte 1
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
Gianni Versace Collection Black and Gold Designer Carpet, Rug. Barocco
Located in Berlin, DE
Extremely rare and unique carpet by Gianni Versace.
From first owner.
Carpet has light pile abrasion on one side.
Overall good condition.
Including "Certificate of Authenticity" f...
Category
20th Century Italian Modern Folk Art
Materials
Wool
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
Large Oil on Board by David Hosie
By David Hosie
Located in Little Burstead, Essex
Very large oil on board by this important Glasgow artist, signed lower right.
Born 1962.
We have been in contact with David and he has told us that this work was one of a series of...
Category
1980s Scottish Vintage Modern Folk Art
Italian modern light blue and yellow ceramic vase by Bruno Gambone, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern light blue and yellow ceramic vase by Bruno Gambone, 1970s
Glazed ceramic vase with round base. The structure has an elonga...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic
Italian modern light blue ceramic bowl by Bruno Gambone, 1970s
Located in MIlano, IT
Italian modern light blue ceramic bowl by Bruno Gambone, 1970s
Round ceramic bowl. It has an enamel in shades of light blue on the outside and beige on the inside. On the cap there i...
Category
1970s Italian Vintage Modern Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic
Stella Artois Belgian Beer Sign by Rob Otten, 1960s
By Rob Otten
Located in Antwerp, BE
1960s Beer sign for the Belgian Beer Brand Stella Artois.
This Beer Sign was made by the Company Rob Otten which was located in Brussels. It's a glacoid sign mounted on cardboard. With original tax stamp at the back.
This vintage beer sign...
Category
Mid-20th Century Belgian Modern Folk Art
Materials
Other
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
Louis Mendez Ceramic Masks, 2
Located in New York, NY
Louis Mendez (American, 1929-2012), Two Ceramic Art Pottery Masks, including one with horns and iridescent glaze, both signed to verso. Provenance: Property from the estate of the ar...
Category
20th Century American Modern Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic
16 piece miniature modernist furniture set, Netherlands 1920s
Located in ECHT, NL
Set of 16 highly original miniature furniture. It consist of a dining table with 4 chairs, 2 beds with night stands and an occasional chair an a l...
Category
Early 20th Century Dutch Modern Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
Folk Art Copper Sculpture Man In Row Boat By S.J. Rossbach Circa 1966
Located in Toledo, OH
Unique Folk Art copper sculpture of a man in a rowboat by S. J. Rossbach circa 1966.
Category
1960s Vintage Modern Folk Art
Materials
Copper
Studio Ceramic Stoneware Vase
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A distinctive studio ceramic vase has a tall narrow shape, brown, with an outer glossy glaze and speckled white detailing. The cylindrical form contains an unglazed area at the neck ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic, Stoneware, Pottery, Clay
Pressac, South France Landscape French Riviera, 1960s, Watercolor Framed
By Paul Cézanne
Located in LA FERTÉ-SOUS-JOUARRE, FR
Large Watercolor Painting of a Southern France Landscape by Emile Pressac.
The painting is well-framed under glass.
Watercolor on paper.
Marcel PRESSAC, born in Paris, in the Faubou...
Category
1960s Vintage Modern Folk Art
Materials
Paper
1970s Piaget Lady Watch in Gold and Jade
Located in Milan, IT
1970s Piaget lady gold watch, with the face watch in Jade, with original watch strap in alligator signed by Piaget.
In excellent condition, it works p...
Category
1970s Swiss Vintage Modern Folk Art
Materials
Jade, Gold
Handmade Magenta Ceramic Bowl With Handles
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Exquisite magenta ceramic bowl with gracefully curved handles. A striking blend of form and function. Measurements: 4” h x 14” w
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic
”Evidence” Bascketball Sculpture made by Alexandre Arrechea
Located in Madrid, ES
“Evidence” sculpture made by Alexandre Arrechea (Trinidad, Cuba 1970). Sculpture made of resin. Signed and numbered 8/35 dated 2006.
Includes lacquered wooden base and methacrylate u...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Modern Folk Art
Materials
Plastic
"Tenderness" Native American Painting by Carol Theroux (USA 1930-2021)
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Introducing "Tenderness" Native American Painting by Carol Theroux (USA 1930-2021), a captivating piece of art that encapsulates the profound ...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Paper
Pink and Copper Hand Guilded Wallpaper, Non-Repeating Mural, Made by Hand in UK
By Custhom
Located in London, GB
Igneous is a design made from carbon powder and using Custhom’s innovative process of hand-foiling wallpapers, creates a unique distressed or highly polished finish in a wide range o...
Category
2010s English Modern Folk Art
Materials
Paper
Granite and Gold Hand Guilded Wallpaper, Non-Repeating Mural, Made by Hand in UK
By Custhom
Located in London, GB
Igneous is a design made from carbon powder and using Custhom’s innovative process of hand-foiling wallpapers, creates a unique distressed or highly polished finish in a wide range o...
Category
2010s English Modern Folk Art
Materials
Paper
Vintage German Beer Sign with Waiter
Located in Antwerp, BE
Vintage German beer sign with waiter.
A great looking beer advertising sign - advertising display for German beer.
This vintage sign dates 1950 - 1960 and...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Modern Folk Art
Materials
Other
Black and Gold Hand Guilded Wallpaper, Non-Repeating Mural, Made by Hand in UK
By Custhom
Located in London, GB
Igneous is a design made from carbon powder and using Custhom’s innovative process of hand-foiling wallpapers, creates a unique distressed or highly polished finish in a wide range o...
Category
2010s English Modern Folk Art
Materials
Paper
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
Beautiful Work of Wim Heesakkers Made in The 70s
Located in Oostrum-Venray, NL
Beautiful Work of Wim Heesakkers Made in The 70s
This is a beautiful work by Wim Heesakkers, marked with a signature on the back.
Painter/sculptor Wim Heesakkers (1950) is self-tau...
Category
20th Century Dutch Modern Folk Art
Materials
Glass, Paper
2021 Jens Risom for Knoll Counter Height Stool in Clear Maple with Black Webbing
By Jens Risom, Knoll
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
Falster Maurice Villency Brazilian Rosewood Danish Modern Credenza Large Dresser
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a delightful credenza / large dresser by Falster of Denmark, made from Brazilian Rosewood. The pieces were purchased from Maurice Vil...
Category
1970s Danish Vintage Modern Folk Art
Materials
Rosewood
1950s Pair Knoll Leather Butterfly Chairs Jorge Ferrari Hardoy Bonet and Kurchan
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Listed for sale is a gorgeous pair of C. 1950 vintage cognac leather Butterfly chairs, designed by Jorge Ferrari Hardoy, Antonio Bonet, and Juan Kurchan for Knoll. This is a vintage ...
Category
1950s American Vintage Modern Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Collection of Vintage Geometric Forms in Zinc
Located in Houston, TX
Collection of vintage geometric forms in zinc. Circa 1950-1979, Paris. Six pieces total or varying shapes and sizes. Sold together as a set priced $2,600.
Measurements:
Cylinder: H ...
Category
1950s French Vintage Modern Folk Art
Materials
Zinc
Pair Folk Art Paintings on Wood Panel, 1980s, by Moses Tolliver "MoseT"
Located in Southbury, CT
My uncle Bob was a country lawyer in rural Alabama and Moses Tolliver was one of his friends and clients. The pair of original paintings you see here were given to my uncle by Mr. Tolliver in exchange for legal services in the 1980s.
Both the human figure and the snake were painted on scrap wood paneling and each has an aluminum beer pull-tab on the back for hanging. The works have been framed so the pull tab is not visible; if you prefer, simply remove the frames and both pieces will be as created.
The snake painting...
Category
1980s American Vintage Modern Folk Art
Materials
Aluminum
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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