Primitive Folk Art
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Style: Primitive
Dance Head Ornament Representing an Antelope Head, Burkina Faso, Africa
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
A beautiful stylized antelope head used as headdress on ceremonial dances. Retains the old painting and patina over the carved wood. Traded by a professor working in Africa in the 19...
Category
Mid-20th Century Burkinabe Primitive Folk Art
Materials
Wood
19th Century Italian Cast Iron Coal Powered Iron
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Classic icon from the last century. Once used in every household, now its cherished for its simplicity and beauty. Cast in it's lid is the ancient symbol of Rome, She wolf with her b...
Category
1870s Italian Antique Primitive Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Petite Stool Made in Solid Wood
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this primitive petite stool made in solid wood. Made in Mexico totally handmade. Ready to use as stool or side table.
Category
1970s Mexican Vintage Primitive Folk Art
Materials
Wood
The Ethiopian Procession Cross: A Radiant Symbol of Faith, Guardian of Sacred
Located in Ixelles, BE
The Ethiopian Procession Cross: A Radiant Symbol of Faith, Guardian of Sacred Mysteries.
Artistic and Historical Description This Ethiopian procession cross, of rare beauty, embodies a long tradition of Christian religious art...
Category
19th Century Ethiopian Antique Primitive Folk Art
Materials
Brass
Chinese Courtyard Grain Container, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This rustic wooden container dates to the early 20th century and was once used to store dry goods or household items in a provincial home in Yunnan province. Hollowed from a single t...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Primitive Folk Art
Materials
Wood
From the Rush Limbaugh Collection Korhogo Cloth from Ivory Coast of Africa
By Korhogo Tribe
Located in Asheville, NC
This is a hand spun, hand woven and hand painted cotton cloth for which an entire village takes part in its creation. Women of the Korhoga Tribe spin the cotton, while the men weave ...
Category
19th Century Antique Primitive Folk Art
Materials
Cotton
Primitive Rustic Minimal Italian Wrought Iron Wheels Wooden Cart Side Bar Table
Located in Carimate, Como
Beautiful Italian rustic primitive country wooden cart with front holder and wrought iron and wooden side wheels in original aged natural color giving the rich and beautiful patina t...
Category
20th Century Italian Primitive Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Remarkable Mesquite Wood Trough Bowl Found in Jalisco, Western Mexico, Mid 19th
By G. None
Located in Guadalajra, Jal
Remarkable mesquite wood dough bowl found in Western Mexico, mid 19th century, carved from a single block of wood.
It's rare to come across this bowls in such a great state, espe...
Category
Mid-19th Century Mexican Antique Primitive Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Primitive Farmhouse Bench with original paint 1930s
Located in Newfoundland, PA
1930's Original Barn Bench with original paint that has not been touched in many years. Please look at the photos, it has an unusual cut out ...
Category
1930s American Vintage Primitive Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Set of Seven Handmade Vintage Primitive Vintage Nesting Cubes/Blocks in Pine
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Primitive set of seven blocks and boxes (some four-sided, some two) which nest in the largest box (ca. early 20th Century, USA).
Thoughtfully crafted with finger jointed-edges and un...
Category
Early 1900s American Antique Primitive Folk Art
Materials
Pine
Large Primitive Bleached Walnut and Flint Grain Thresher
Located in Houston, TX
Large Primitive bleached walnut and flint grain thresher dating to the 19th century. Hand carved walnut embedded with sharpened flint stones. Originally...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Primitive Folk Art
Materials
Stone, Iron
19th Century French Stone Carver's Hammer and Chisels on Custom Stand
Located in Chicago, IL
An incredible and rare set of 19th century French stone carver's wooden mallet and six iron chisels, mounted on a custom steel stand. Found in Roen, Nor...
Category
19th Century French Antique Primitive Folk Art
Materials
Iron
Ethiopian Carved Headrest
Located in Chicago, IL
So as not to muss their intricate hairstyles while sleeping, Ethiopian women would traditionally rest their heads on these petite wooden stands. The combination of conic base and con...
Category
Early 20th Century Ethiopian Primitive Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Monumental Early 19th Century Hand-Carved Dough Bowl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This hand-carved and original grungy undisturbed surface large dough bowl is in good condition with minor hairlines and worn patina.
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Primitive Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Vintage Folk Art Doll / Oil Can with Articulating Arms
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage Folk Art doll with tin drum body (oil can) and articulating arms, circa 1950s. The piece is handmade with a doll head and arms and a tin...
Category
Early 20th Century American Primitive Folk Art
Materials
Tin
Important Dan N'gere Mask, Pace Primitive Provenance
By Dan People
Located in Sharon, CT
Superb mask with typically strong features and kaolin around the eyes. Advertised by Pace Primitive in Arts D'Afrique Noire 74. Ex. collection Al Ross (1911-20...
Category
Late 19th Century Liberian Antique Primitive Folk Art
Materials
Wood
19th Century Hand Carved Wood Large Scale Indian Figurene
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very unique figure of man with worn details and faded polychrome.
Signs of heavy deterioration over the years.
A curiosity/collectors piece.
Please see detailed photos for c...
Category
19th Century Indian Antique Primitive Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
Nigerian Nupe Vessel Support
By Nupe
Located in Chicago, IL
The Nupe people of Nigeria were touted as some of the finest ceramicists in Africa. Everyday objects like this elegant, cylindrical vessel support received detailed attention. This f...
Category
Early 20th Century Nigerian Primitive Folk Art
Materials
Terracotta
Milliners Hat Mold, Early 20th Century, USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful handcrafted milliners hat block made in the USA, early 20th century. Has been well used and as a result shows a perfectly aged, primitive patina. Gorgeous piece of milliner...
Category
Early 20th Century Central American Primitive Folk Art
Materials
Wood
African Stool from Cameroon Bamoun or Bamileke
Located in PARIS, FR
African stool with caryatid from Cameroon, Bamoun or Bamileke, probably around 1920, carved wood and dark patina, oval seat decorated with geometric notches, support in the shape of ...
Category
Early 20th Century Cameroonian Primitive Folk Art
Materials
Wood
19th Century Painted Bentwood Pantry Box
Located in Nantucket, MA
Round bentwood box made out of pine with lapped seams and iron
tacks, retaining its original robin egg blue paint
Good condition with appropriate edge wear
American, circa 1850.
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Primitive Folk Art
Materials
Pine
Petite African Redware Vessel
Located in Chicago, IL
This petite hand-formed vessel bears a richly textured surface of worn red clay slip and dark smoke marks. Likely intended for everyday use, the simple bottle-form vessel reflects th...
Category
15th Century and Earlier African Antique Primitive Folk Art
Materials
Terracotta
Petite African Redware Vessel
Located in Chicago, IL
This petite hand-formed vessel bears a richly textured surface of worn red clay slip and dark smoke marks. Likely intended for everyday use, the simple bottle-form vessel reflects th...
Category
15th Century and Earlier African Antique Primitive Folk Art
Materials
Terracotta
Solid Primitive Mesquite Stool
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this stool made in Mesquite hardwood, circa 1930. Made in Mexico hand carved using machete and chisel. Fully restored. Clear markings showing age and heavy use, ready to use...
Category
1930s Mexican Vintage Primitive Folk Art
Materials
Wood
American 19th Century Cherry Bowl Hand Carved
Located in Newfoundland, PA
This is a wonderful American 19th-century primitive cherry bowl or trencher, hand carved very thin 1/4" think, an extraordinary amount of work went into making this bowl without dama...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Primitive Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Art Deco Period, African Ritual Tribal Oxidized Bronze ‘Brow Mask’, 1920s
Located in New York, NY
This superb example of the ritual African ‘Brow Mask’ is a unique creation of a truly skillful artist from the Jimini tribe of the Ivory Coast (Côte d'Ivoire) during the Art Deco per...
Category
1920s African Vintage Primitive Folk Art
Materials
Bronze
Decorative hand-woven bag/box from Panama, Sac-Bolso by Ethic&Tropic
By Ethic&Tropic
Located in Warsaw, PL
Decorative hand-woven bag from Panama, Sac-Bolso by Ethic&Tropic
Extraordinary art and decorative items, these masks come from the shamanic beliefs and rituals of indigenous Embera ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Panamanian Primitive Folk Art
Materials
Cane
Abstract primitive head Fragment of a Dogon Sculpture."
Located in Vosselaar, BE
A beautifully patined Dogon fragment of a head sculpture. Because of its natural wear perhaps even being more abstract and natural. As African art inspired the European modernist mov...
Category
Early 20th Century Malian Primitive Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Circular Russian Painting on Wood of a Troika, 20th century
Located in St. Catharines, ON
Depicting a troika pulling a traditional Russian sleigh though a winter landscape, the three panting horses whipped along by a red-bearded driver wearin...
Category
Early 20th Century Russian Primitive Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Chinese Turned Wooden Mortar, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This petite pinewood vessel is an early 20th century mortar once used daily in a provincial kitchen to grind herbs, spices, and condiments. The rustic container was hand-turned to a ...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Primitive Folk Art
Materials
Pine
Petite African Redware Vessel
Located in Chicago, IL
This petite hand-formed vessel bears a richly textured surface of worn red clay slip and dark smoke marks. Likely intended for everyday use, the simple bottle-form vessel reflects th...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Malian Antique Primitive Folk Art
Materials
Terracotta
Decorative hand-woven mask from Panama, Mascara by Ethic&Tropic
By Ethic&Tropic
Located in Warsaw, PL
Decorative hand-woven mask from Panama, Mascara by Ethic&Tropic
Extraordinary art and decorative items, these masks come from the shamanic beliefs and rituals of indigenous Embera t...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Panamanian Primitive Folk Art
Materials
Cane
Rockefeller Irivake Figure
Located in San Pedro Garza Garcia, Nuevo Leon
Abstract and anthropomorphic large figure from the Pie River, located to the east of the Era River. Abstract, anthropomorphic form stands on separate legs with dynamic varying outline, wide hips, and torso leading straight to a rounded head.
Figure represents Irivake, the ancestor hero who is considered as the founder of headhunting, also believed to have climbed to the sky and to command lightning. It is enlivened with various curvilinear details highlighted with red and white pigments. The back appears with a collection number in red, and the following: Ipigau (village), Upper Pie River, Papua, P63.20.
This is a 'later example', not a first generation piece with several age cracks. It has likely seen field use, but not extensive field use.
Provenance: Private New Jersey Collection, ex. Michael Rockefeller...
Category
Mid-20th Century Papua New Guinean Primitive Folk Art
Materials
Wood
African Redware Gooseneck Vase
Located in Chicago, IL
Covered in a beautifully worn red clay slip, this hand-formed African vessel has a dramatic silhouette of a squat, ovoid body and a long, narrow neck. Subtly etched crosshatch patter...
Category
15th Century and Earlier African Antique Primitive Folk Art
Materials
Ceramic
Primitive Rolling Pin from USA
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A beautifully patinated and well scaled hand-turned oak rolling pin.
Category
19th Century American Antique Primitive Folk Art
Materials
Oak
19th Century Carved Indian Carnival God Figure, Polychrome Paint on Stand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Interesting 19th century carved figure with polychrome decoration. Unique coloration and dance position with arm raised.
Considerable losses consistent with age, but flaking seems ...
Category
19th Century Indian Antique Primitive Folk Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
Two Early Painted Wood and Metal Wagon or Fire Engine Wheels
Located in Newfoundland, PA
Early set of large wood wagon fire engine wheels, great yellow and hits of red paint showing.
Category
1880s American Antique Primitive Folk Art
Materials
Metal
Carved Stone Statue Fragment - Modernist/Primitive
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Solid piece of stone hand carved with a face and appears resting on a branch.
Unique piece for coffee table, credenza or could survive a garden.
Category
19th Century Antique Primitive Folk Art
Materials
Marble
Nigerian Nupe Storage Vessel
Located in Chicago, IL
The Nupe people of Nigeria were known as some of the finest ceramicists in Africa. Everyday objects, like this storage vessel, received detailed attenti...
Category
Early 20th Century Nigerian Primitive Folk Art
Materials
Terracotta
Luba Royal antique caryatid enthronement emblem Mid 19th century DR Congo Africa
Located in Leuven, BE
This Luba Royal caryatid stool from DR Congo Luba was in the 19th century used a Royal enthronement emblem. Luba leaders trace their ancestry to a dynasty of sacred kings, and Luba r...
Category
Mid-19th Century Congolese Antique Primitive Folk Art
Materials
Hardwood
19th Century Primitive Polychrome Divided Country Grain Bin
Located in Milford, NH
A 19th century primitive, orange and black painted grain bin with divided compartments. A great conversation and statement piece that could even be used as a woodbox for kindling, to...
Category
19th Century American Antique Primitive Folk Art
Materials
Wood
Decorative hand-woven mask from Panama, Mascara by Ethic&Tropic
By Ethic&Tropic
Located in Warsaw, PL
Decorative hand-woven mask from Panama, Mascara by Ethic&Tropic
Extraordinary art and decorative items, these masks come from the shamanic beliefs and rituals of indigenous Embera t...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Panamanian Primitive Folk Art
Materials
Cane
Decorative hand-woven mask from Panama, Mascara by Ethic&Tropic
By Ethic&Tropic
Located in Warsaw, PL
Decorative hand-woven mask from Panama, Mascara by Ethic&Tropic
Extraordinary art and decorative items, these masks come from the shamanic beliefs and rituals of indigenous Embera t...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Panamanian Primitive Folk Art
Materials
Cane
Vintage Folk Art Doll / Coffee Cans with Articulating Arms
Located in San Diego, CA
Vintage Folk Art doll with tin drum body (coffee cans) and articulating arms, circa 1950s. The piece is handmade with a doll head and arms and a...
Category
Early 20th Century American Primitive Folk Art
Materials
Tin
Indian Exercise Club from USA
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A well scaled and beautifully patinated hand-turned Indian exercise club crafted of honey-toned maple.
Category
Early 20th Century American Primitive Folk Art
Materials
Maple
Primitive folk art for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique Primitive 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, case pieces and storage cabinets and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Primitive folk art made in a specific country, there are North America, United States, and Africa pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original folk art, popular names associated with this style include Ethic&Tropic, Andrianna Shamaris, Tom Cramer, and Nupe. 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 $156,000 while the average work can sell for $1,298.