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.
Coastal Oval Sea Shell Encrusted Wall Mirror
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A shell encrusted mirror that will bring the beach indoors. A perfect reminder of the beach, this mirror is oval in form and created from wood. Shells are painstakingly placed throug...
Shell, Mirror, Wood
Antique French Carved Oak Wood Mirror, circa 1900
Located in Paris, FR
Antique French wall mirror in carved light oak wood decorated in the Breton folk art style (French region). Antique frame measures width 11...
Mirror, Wood, Oak
Small Antique Wall Mirror in Polychrome Wood, circa 1890
Located in Paris, FR
Small antique wooden mirror in the Folk Art style, circa 1890, of rectangular shape with a cut-out frame in the form of a barrel vault, decorated with painted brown polychromed fille...
Mirror, Wood
Large Engraved Oak Wood Mirror French Folk Art, circa 1930
Located in Paris, FR
Rare French mirror in light oak with an original shape decorated with engraved leaves in Folk Art style. Frame width: 7.5 cm - 2.95 in. Modern glass mirror. Antique wood back.
Mirror, Wood, Oak
Art Deco Advertising Mirror, Black and Gold Frame, Coco Chanel, 1920
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Large decorative Art Deco advertising mirror A very pretty piece, this is an Art Deco mirror, the mirror frame is 4” wide and painted in...
Mirror
Great Little Natural Yew Wood Folk Art Convex Mirror
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Great little natural yew wood Folk Art convex mirror, A Charming piece, the convex mirror is set into a piece of Yew wood cut in the cross grain and mounted on another piece of Yew...
Wood
1940 Antique Oval Mirror Encrusted with Florida Sea Shells
Located in Boca Raton, FL
Antique handmade from native Florida sea Shells oval mirror. 17,5 “ by 12,5”. Great coastal marine decor accent.
Shell
Carved Mirror
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This late English mirror features a meticulously carved oak frame, highlighted by its thick, square shape and beveled glass. The ornate yet understated detailing and rich natural pat...
Wood
Art Deco Mirror
Located in New York, NY
This mirror has simple clean lines and a small tray beneath. Elegant yet practical, this mirror is perfect for maximizing a small space.
Mirror, Birch
Art Deco French Wall Mirror, c1930s
Located in Devon, England
Original 1930's French Art Deco wall mirror with geometric and floral motif details. Lovely shape and design and typical colourway for these mirrors. The Mirror itself is in great co...
Mirror, Boxwood
Vintage Balinese Hand-Carved, Polychromed Mirror, c. 1950
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This mirror was crafted on the island of Bali around the mid-20th Century and features wonderful Balinese carved detailing and a red, black & gold polychrome finish. There is a wall ...
Wood
Orbis Round Art Deco Handcrafted Mirror with Brass Frame, XL
Located in London, London
Art Deco style Orbis™ round mirror with a minimalist solid brushed brass frame. The detailing and finish, including visible brass screws, emphasise the crafty and quality feel of the...
Brass
Orbis Round Art Deco Mirror with Handcrafted Black Frame, Medium
Located in London, London
Minimalist Orbis™ round mirror with an elegant aluminium powder coated black frame. Designed and handcrafted in London, UK. Our mirrors are designed with an integrated French cleat ...
Mirror
Large Carved Wood Mirror with Scale Detail
Located in Miami, FL
A very large mirror. The thick frame is solid teak with carved scales design. Note the bevel on the mirror and please do not overlook the fact that ...
Wood
$1,147Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 33.86 in W 28.55 in D 6.7 in
Two-Piece Art Deco Hallway Set 'Umbrella Stand, Mirror and Coatrack', 1920s
Located in Den Haag, NL
Graceful Art Deco wall-mounted hallway set consisting of an umbrella stand and a coat rack incorporating a small mirror. Cast iron and oak. The lower um...
Iron
Andrianna Shamaris Coconut Shell Mirror
Located in New York, NY
Hand-cut pieces of coconut shell are applied to this 6″ wood frame mirror. Andrianna Shamaris, Inc. The Leader In Modern Organic Design™
Shell, Glass, Wood, Coconut
Vintage Regency Gilt Antiqued Wall Mirror
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Gorgeous vintage vintage gilt wall mirror. Chic wrapped laurel detail on an arched frame. Incredible antiqued mirror really adds a dramatic touch. Acquired from a Palm Beach estate.
Mirror
Large french tramp art folk mirror 1900's
By Tramp Art
Located in BELFORT, FR
Large french tramp art folk mirror, 1900's. Very beautiful.
Mirror, Wood
Small Oval Antique Mirror In Hand-Carved Wood, circa 1880
Located in Paris, FR
Small French antique oval mirror, in hand-carved stained wood (pearwood) from the late 19th century. Decor inspired by vineyards with bunches of grapes and leaves interlaced with bra...
Mirror, Wood
Antique French Oak Wood Mirror With Carved Pediment, circa 1940
Located in Paris, FR
Antique French mirror in natural wood with pediment, light oak and beech. Decorated with shells and stylized acanthus leaves. Antique frame width: 7 cm - 2.75 in. Modern glass mirror...
Mirror, Wood, Oak
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H 19.14 in W 16.07 in D 1.38 in
Small Antique French Mirror In Natural Wood, Folk Art Style, circa 1890
Located in Paris, FR
Small antique French mirror in folk art style, hand craft, circa 1890. Antique frame in natural patina wood with visible mounting nails. (Frame width: 3.5 ...
Mirror, Wood
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H 19.3 in W 14.57 in D 1.19 in
Small Antique French Carved Wood Mirror, Tramp Art Style, circa 1910
Located in Paris, FR
Small antique French carved wood mirror, Tramp Art style, circa 1910. Hand-made of painstakingly assembled small pieces of diamond-shaped cut wood the mirror frame consists of three triangular pediments and pyramid-shaped elements. Antique mercury glass mirror...
Mirror, Wood
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H 10.63 in W 11.42 in D 1.19 in
Small Antique French Carved Wood Mirror, Folk Art Style, circa 1900
Located in Paris, FR
Small antique French wall mirror in dark carved wood, circa 1900. Folk Art style with a small pediment carved with three leaves and a frami...
Mirror, Wood
Carved Folk Art Witch Scrying Mirror
Located in Newark, England
fine and unusual carved 19th century Folk Art 'witches scrying' mirror. The mirror carved as a witch with crossed legs leaning on her knees with her hands placed to the side of her f...
Wood
Antique Persian Qajar Wall Mirror Hand Painted with Two Doors
Located in Plainview, NY
A beautiful antique Persian Qajar dynasty mirror featuring two doors and intricate figural painting of men and women in traditional Persian Qajar...
Wood, Lacquer
Late 19th Century Tramp Art Mirror
Located in London, GB
Late 19th century tramp art mirror We share what we love, and we love this naïve yet highly decorative example of a late 19th Century American tramp art mirror frame. We have recen...
Wood
Large Round Painted Wall Mirror
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Large Round Painted Wall Mirror This is a wonderful piece, the round mirror is set in a 4” wide D shaped Frame which has shabby blue painted fi...
Mirror
Folk Art Painted Wall Mirror
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Folk Art painted wall mirror The mirror frame is 4.5” wide it has a carved edge and it is decoratively hand painted, within stylised Folk Art Flowers T...
Paint
Pair of 19th Century American Folk Art Framed Mirrors
Located in Chicago, IL
A charming pair of late-19th century American Folk Art framed mirrors with simple carved mahogany frames and carved floral rondels in e...
Mahogany
1920s Tramp Art Mirror Frame
Located in High Point, NC
This wooden frame has a unique handcrafted appearance. Curving geometry is textured by laboriously carved zigzagging relief pattern. A dark stain, and slight wear give this piece a p...
Mirror, Wood