Folk art is a genre of art that shares the creator’s traditions, offering not just an artistic display but an opportunity to learn about a culture. Antique, new and vintage folk art typically reflects a heritage or location. It can include utilitarian objects and handmade art as diverse as weather vanes, duck decoys, portraiture and paintings, carnival art and quilts.
Quilts are a quintessential part of American folk art but their roots are international, with quilting dating back to Ancient Egypt. The practice spread to Europe and was especially prominent in the Middle Ages, with one of the oldest surviving examples being the Tristan quilt made in Sicily in the 14th century. They were made as bedcovers and clothing, including as a layer for knights to wear beneath their armor. Native American folk art includes functional objects reflecting their heritage, such as baskets, textiles and wooden pieces.
Elsewhere, the vast range of work associated with Mexican folk art includes masks made by Mexican craftspeople for traditional celebrations and ceremonial dances. Mexican masks are part of the country’s folk-art traditions that go back thousands of years and play a role in festivals and theater.
Works in the folk art tradition are valuable because of the skills involved, like weaving, hand-carving wood and even stonework. Many folk artists are self-taught, while some train as apprentices within their community. By using available materials and taking a personal approach to their creations, artists ensure each piece is unique and conveys a story.
During the Great Depression, artistic materials in America were hard to come by, so artisans used discarded wood from cigar boxes and shipping crates to make highly stylized, notched pieces — most often picture frames and boxes — that are today sought after by collectors. This folk art style is called tramp art and was popular from roughly 1870 until the 1940s.
Folk art brings vibrant culture and traditions into your home. Browse an extensive collection of antique, new and vintage folk art on 1stDibs.
$951Sale Price / set|37% Off
Pair French, Late 18th, Early 19th Century Iron Wall Candleholders/ Sconces
Located in Buisson, FR
Unique pair of folk art iron wall candleholders with beautiful hearts. France circa 1780-1840 Weathered and old repairs H:39cm W:21cm D:13cm
Iron
Early 20th Century English Metal Fairground Crown Light
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century English Metal Fairground Crown Light A unique example of an early 20th Century metal scratch-built fairground light in the shape of a c...
Metal
Pair of Italian Grape Cluster Wrought Iron Candle Sconces
Located in San Francisco, CA
Oh, the romance of grape clusters and their attendant coiled tendrils with grape leaves—one of Nature’s great gifts—beautifully crafted from molten wrought iron. Evoking the charm of...
Wrought Iron
Dark Brown Clay Oak Leaf Plug‑In Ceramic Wall Sconce by Nani Goods
By Nani Goods, Steven Lancaster
Located in South Pasadena, CA
Inspired by the gentle curve and drifting motion of falling oak leaves, the Oak Leaf Wall Sconce introduces a quiet, sculptural poetry to any interior. Hand‑formed in dark brown ston...
Clay, Stoneware
$1,240Sale Price / set|20% Off
c1920's French Folk Art/ Carved Wood Figural Breton Couple Wall Sconces
Located in Opa Locka, FL
Pair 1920's French Folk Art Carved Wood Breton Figural Wall Sconces. I saw these and I thought that they would look good in a country setting.
Wood
Handcrafted Moroccan Tribal Art Wall Sconce, Hide & Iron, 1980s Design
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
African tribal art parchment wall shade sconce featuring a large triangle hide form stitched on iron and hand painted surface. These Moroccan art pieces could be used as wall lamp s...
Iron
African Tribal Art Mask Parchment Wall Shade Sconces in Red
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Pair of African Tribal Art mask parchment wall shade sconces. These Art pieces could be used as large wall lamp shade. Iron frame covered with hide w...
Iron
Handcrafted Moroccan Wall Sconce by Berber Tribes, Hide & Iron, 1980
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
African Tribal Art parchment wall shade sconce featuring a large triangle hide form stitched on iron and hand painted surface. These Moroccan Art pieces could be used as wall lamp s...
Iron
Handcrafted Moroccan Tribal Art Wall Sconce, Hide & Iron, 1980s Design
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
African tribal art parchment wall shade sconce featuring a large triangle hide form stitched on iron and hand painted surface. These Moroccan art pieces could be used as wall lamp s...
Iron
Hand-Painted Moroccan Tribal Art Wall Sconce by Berber Tribes, 1980
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
African Tribal Art parchment wall shade sconce featuring a large triangle hide form stitched on iron and hand painted surface. These Art pieces could be used as wall lamp shade. Ir...
Iron
Red Clay Oak Leaf Plug‑In Ceramic Wall Sconce by Nani Goods
By Steven Lancaster, Nani Goods
Located in South Pasadena, CA
Inspired by the gentle curve and drifting motion of falling oak leaves, the Oak Leaf Wall Sconce introduces a quiet, sculptural poetry to any interior. Hand‑formed in red stoneware, ...
Clay, Stoneware
Pair of Sculptural Wall Sconces – French Artist, 1980snches
Located in SOTTEVILLE-LÈS-ROUEN, FR
An unique pair of 1980s French sculptural wall sconces, crafted from natural chestnut branches selected for their organic lines and expressive character. Partially stripped bark re...
Wood
Pair of Solid Brass Two-Light Wall Sconces, Vintage, Austria, 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A stunning pair of heavy brass wall sconces. Each consisting of a stylish Farmhouse style design. Each fixture requires two European E14 / 110 Volt candelabra bulbs, each bulb up to ...
Metal, Brass
Pair of Guillerme et Chambron Wall Sconces Oak Wood & Ceramic French Folk Art 60
Located in Miami, FL
Very rare example of Guillerme et Chambron oak sconces with some ceramic Bobech by Danikowski 100 watts bulb max US wired , in working condition 2 pairs available. Priced by pair, Ha...
Oak
Handcrafted North African Art Wall Sconce in Red and Yellow
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
African Tribal Art parchment wall shade sconce featuring a large triangle hide form stitched on iron and hand painted surface. These Moroccan Art pieces could be used as wall lamp s...
Iron
Vintage Parchment Tribal Art Wall Sconce North African
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
African Tribal Art parchment wall shade sconce featuring a large triangle hide form stitched on iron and hand painted surface. These Moroccan Art pieces could be used as wall lamp s...
Iron
Wall Sconce Tin Circular Single Arm Illustrated Furnituretreasury Wallacenutting
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
Surviving pieces of vernacular lighting are extremely rare and it is hard to source convincing re-creations. These are copies of a period sconce illustrated in Furniture Treasury by ...
Tin
Moroccan Folk Art Metal and Parchment Wall Shade Sconce
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Large African Tribal Art parchment wall shade sconce featuring a large triangle hide form stitched on iron and hand painted surface. These Art pieces could...
Iron
Large African Tribal Art Parchment Wall Shade Sconce
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Large African Tribal Art parchment wall shade sconce featuring a large triangle hide form stitched on iron and hand painted surface. These Art pieces could ...
Iron
Handcrafted Ceramic Wall Lamp by´Delamorylabelleza´for IKB191, Spain, 2022
Located in Madrid, ES
Handcrafted wall lamp designed and made by Spanish designers Carlos Jiménez, better known as ``Del Amor y la Belleza´´. Made of ceramic at low temperatures and illustrated with abstr...
Ceramic, Paint, Clay
Pair of Handcrafted Ceramic Wall Lamp by`Delamorylabelleza´, Spain, 2022
Located in Madrid, ES
Handcrafted wall lamp designed and made by Spanish designers Carlos Jiménez, better known as ``Del Amor y la Belleza´´. Made of ceramic at low temperatures and illustrated with abstr...
Ceramic, Clay, Paint
Handcrafted Ceramic Wall Lamp by "Delamorylabelleza" for Ikb191, Spain, 2022
Located in Madrid, ES
Handcrafted wall lamp designed and made by Spanish designers Carlos Jiménez, better known as ``Del Amor y la Belleza´´. Made of ceramic at low temperatures and illustrated with abstr...
Ceramic, Paint
Italian Gilt Iron Candle Sconce
By Palladio
Located in Houston, TX
Italian Gilt Iron Candle Sconce. Offered is a large scale Italian mid century gilt iron 10 ten arm candle sconce. This beautiful single sconce would be great in a hallway or staircas...
Iron
French Art Deco Wall Sconces
Located in Bridgewater, CT
Pair of French Art Deco wall-sconces by Genet et Michon Satin nickel bronze with acid etched glass shades probably by Charles Schnaider. Measure...
Bronze
Brutalist Handmade Ceramic Sconce, Pita Sconce by Streicher Goods
By Ethan Streicher, Streicher Goods
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Pita Sconce is a medium-sized brutalist-inspired table wall down-lit sconce, perfect for bedside, hallways, or accent lighting in larger living spaces, created by Streicher Goods...
Ceramic, Acrylic
$1,350 / item
H 27 in W 6 in D 6 in
Modern Iron and Tan Leather Grace Articulating Wall Sconce - Plug In
By Lostine
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Celebrated for its striking composition and versatility, the Grace Articulating Wall Sconce is a true hallmark of ingenuity in lighting design. As handsome as it is useful, this plug...
Steel, Brass
$1,350 / item
H 27 in W 6 in D 6 in
Modern Iron and Black Leather Grace Articulating Wall Sconce - Plug In
By Lostine
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Celebrated for its striking composition and versatility, the Grace Articulating Wall Sconce is a true hallmark of ingenuity in lighting design. As handsome as it is useful, this plug...
Steel, Brass
Pair of French Country Wrought Iron Sconces
Located in Pembroke, MA
Pair of large French provincial wrought iron two-arm sconces with parcel-gilt and dark green paint. These sconces have been newly-rewired and have beeswax candle sleeves, and would m...
Wrought Iron
Tribal Plank Art
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Unique tribal plank art with metal base. The piece features a 5.5' tall wooden plank with a colored ornate fish design. Great conversation piece for any space.
Metal
African Tribal Art Large Madonna figure Congo Vintage Folk Art
Located in London, GB
African Tribal folk Art figure A very finely executed large sculpture of a African Christian Madonna, the standing figure wearing a long robe with he...
Wood
Modern Brass + Walnut Ava Sconce in Tan Leather, Plug in
By Lostine
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Add an element of elevated design to your walls with the custom-made Ava Wall Sconce. A perfect marriage of form and function, its brass arm and full range of motion shade lock into ...
Brass
Seto Sconce (plug-in)
By Summer Studios
Located in Pasadena, CA
Named after the serene Seto Inland Sea of Japan, the Seto sconce is a contemporary reinterpretation of traditional Japanese wooden lanterns, blending warmth, craftsmanship, and refin...
Linen, Oak
$1,500 / item
+ 1 moreH 13 in Dm 3 in
Pillow Wallflower PinUp Plug-in LED Brass Wall Sconce w/ Blown Glass 'Baby'
Located in Brooklyn, NY
As artists, one of the joys in life is to fall in love with a color, shape, or idea. That is what happened with the Pillow Glass. Once in hand it became a fun exercise to see how man...
Brass
$1,600 / item
+ 1 moreH 18 in Dm 5 in
Pillow Wallflower PinUp Plug-in LED Brass Wall Sconce w/ Blown Glass 'mama'
Located in Brooklyn, NY
As artists, one of the joys in life is to fall in love with a color, shape, or idea. That is what happened with the Pillow Glass. Once in hand it became a fun exercise to see how man...
Brass
Sol Ceramic Wall Light by Nani Goods, Contemporary Ceramic Wall Sconce
By Steven Lancaster, Nani Goods
Located in South Pasadena, CA
Inspired by the natural shade of a traditional palapa, this sculptural wall sconce merges earthy, rough-hewn textures with minimal contemporary design. Each sconce is hand-built from...
Ceramic, Stoneware, Raffia
A Pair of Folk Art Dog Wall Lights
Located in London, GB
A pair of early twentieth century Folk Art tole wall lights with painted dogs in running motion across the arms. Mounted on brass rectangular wall brackets. Please note: Lampshades...
Metal, Brass
Sold
H 14 in W 10.5 in D 4 in
Pair of Florentine Flower and Leaf Two-Light Wall Light Sconce Vintage, Italy
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This pair of floral Florentine Style sconce is decorated with flowers and metal leaves. It is hand painted probably Florence, Italy. Each fixture requires two European E14 / 110 volt...
Metal
Early 20th Century English Fairground Ride Illuminated Lights
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century English Fairground Ride Illuminated Lights A highly decorative matched pair of illuminated plywood hand painted English fairground lights. It’s likely these ...
Plywood
Sold
H 11.82 in W 41.74 in D 3.94 in
Insegna luminosa tridimensionale in alluminio e vetro acrilico, Italia, anni '60
Located in modena, Emilia-Romagna
Insegna pubblicitaria BAR originale anni '60, provenienta da locale aperitivi di Riccione e risalente a mezzo secolo del '900. I caratteri sono tridimensionali con corpo in lamiera e...
Metal, Aluminum
Sold
H 14 in W 5.5 in D 6.25 in
19th Century Pair Spanish Hand Forged Iron Wall Sconces, Electrified Wall Lights
Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE
Pair of hand forged iron black painted wall sconces, Spain, late 19th century. These wall sconces had beed electrified at a later time with candle sleeves and parchment hand-painted...
Iron
Pair of Decorative Ceramic Sconces
Located in Malibu, CA
Incredible pair of ceramic sconces that can be plugged in or hardwired. Delicate hanging ceramic discs create beautiful shadows when the sconces are ill...
Ceramic
Pair of folk art sheet metal wall lamps, 1950s.
Located in Lisboa, PT
Pair of folk art sheet metal wall sconces painted with blue yellow orange and white. Switzerland, 1950s.
Canvas
Sconce Wall Freestanding Portable Tin Mirror Cresting
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
Extremely rare survival of a vernacular tin wall sconce Unusually incorporating mirror plate which was an expensive material suggesting this was made for an affluent customer The m...
Metal
Wall Sconce Tin Diamond Single Arm Wallace Nutting Collection
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
Surviving pieces of vernacular lighting are extremely rare and it is hard to source convincing re-creations. These are copies of a period sconce from the Wallace Nutting Collection a...
Tin
Large 1920s Folk Art Light Up Christmas Star
Located in Buffalo, NY
Large 1920s Folk Art Light Up Christmas Star.. Charming indoor / outdoor Christmas decoration.. Retains original electric.. wiring..
Metal
Early 19th Century American Hammered Brass Wall Sconces
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Charming pair of hammered brass 19th century wall sconces having a folk art feel with hearts at the top and octagonal sections with circles and oval decoration. Fully electrified wit...
Brass