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.
$288Sale Price|66% Off
Swedish Handpainted Folk Art Allmoga Table Mirror, 1970s
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Handmade multicolored wooden Swedish allmoga folk art boho style table mirror. Handpainted floral, organic and simple decorations in red, coral, orange, yellow, light blue, green, go...
Metal
Antique Early Oak Carved Panel Niche, Wall Mounted Mirror Shelf, 17th Century
Located in Bristol, GB
ANTIQUE CARVING An early oak carved panel with a central niche topped with a clamshell, above that swags of fabric are depicted. The niche is flanked on either side by hanging fruit...
Glass, Mirror, Oak
Tramp Art Tabletop Vanity Mirror with Drawer, Early 20th Century
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Tramp Art Tabletop Vanity Mirror with Drawer, Early 20th Century This fabulous tramp art tabletop vanity mirror is a quintessential example of early 20th-century folk craftsmanship....
Wood, Scrap Wood
19th Century Swedish Painted Child Size Vanity Mirror
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A second half of the 19th century Scandinavian vanity mirror for kids. This Little hand painted in "Faux bois" technique mirror has a little...
Mirror, Pine
$875
H 20.25 in W 14.75 in D 2.25 in
Early 20th Century French Silverplated Over Nickel Vanity Mirror with Bow Crest
Located in Dallas, TX
This elegant antique French vanity mirror was crafted circa 1900 and embodies the refined decorative spirit of the Belle Époque period. The oval glass is framed in finely cast silver...
Silver, Nickel
Art Deco Swedish Chromed Round Table Mirror
Located in Kramfors, SE
Art Deco table mirror from Sweden made around the 1930s. The mirror has a chromed frame and an adjustable mirror. Just a few years shy of an authentic antique this mirror has the cha...
Chrome
1940s Mahogany Tabletop Vanity Mirror with Drawer
Located in Tarrytown, NY
1940s Mahogany Tabletop Vanity Mirror with Drawer Beveled Mirror Edges
Mirror, Mahogany
$725Sale Price|50% Off
H 19.8 in W 14 in D 5 in
Vintage Charles Hollis Jones Lucite Tabletop Vanity Mirror
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Vintage Charles Hollis Jones style Lucite and brass tabletop vanity mirror. 1960's era classic Mid-Century Modern double sided mirror. This gla...
Aluminum
Hand Painted Middle Eastern Moorish Style Photo Album, 19th Century
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Antique Middle Eastern Qajar style Moorish picture photo album, with hand painted miniatures on the cover. This fine Middle Eastern Moorish style scrapbook is hand painted with 22-k...
Paper
19th Century Baccarat Inkwell
Located in Tampa, FL
A Baccarat crystal inkwell with decorated bronze. Circa 19th century, France. The interior is two inches deep and the opening is one inch wide.
Crystal
19th Century Giltwood Watch Holder
Located in New Orleans, LA
Beautifully carved figural giltwood pocket watch stand.
An Early 20th century Edwardian Walnut Triptych Dressing Mirror
Located in London, GB
England, circa 1910 An Edwardian English dressing mirror, the triptych frame with arched walnut borders and adjustable central mirror plate, all supported on bun feet. Height 64.0...
Walnut
$490Sale Price|30% Off
H 10 in W 8.63 in D 6 in
Vintage Murano Glass Dressing Table/Vanity Mirror, Italy, Mid 20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
Vintage - Murano glass - dressing table/vanity mirror - all original fittings with silver leaf backed mirror - finished and hinged wood easel back (can be wall mounted) - unsigned - ...
Art Glass, Mirror, Hardwood
Antique Diminutive Distressed Foxed Carved Wall Mirror. c.1920
Located in London, GB
A diminutive distressed wall mirror. c.1920. In untouched, authentically aged condition, the wooden frame, with hand carved egg-and-dart detailing, ebonised to a deep black finish, ...
Mirror, Wood
19th Century Bookstand
Located in High Point, NC
19th century bookstand from England made from rosewood. The handles are hand-turned along with the spindles, which terminate on the ends with lovely lyre inspired shaped pieces. The ...
Rosewood
Italian Neoclassical Gilt Acanthus Foliage Wall Mirror, 18th Century
Located in Charleston, SC
Italian Neoclassical gilt carved wood and gesso wall mirror with scrolled acanthus foliage motif. Mirror retains the original looking glass. 18th century
Giltwood, Mirror, Gesso
Orange plastic makeup mirror, Italy, 1970s
Located in modena, Emilia-Romagna
Orange plastic mirror produced in the 1970s. It was very much in vogue at the time, this type of mirror, also used in beauty salons, as it was created to be placed on the table with ...
Mirror, Plastic
Beautiful Vintage Brass Table Mirror
By Mice di rugiano domenico e c. s.n.c.
Located in Cantù, IT
Beautiful Vintage Brass Table Mirror Private Collection Mice of Domenico Rugiano
Brass
Pair of Carved Giltwood Mexican Folk Art Vanity Mirrors
Located in Forney, TX
A striking pair of antique hand carved gilded solid wood table mirrors. Inspired by Italian design, this magnificent Mexican folk art features elegant oval shaped mirrors with brilliant gold gilt (dore bronze) finish, intricate piecered scrolling frames with floral blossom accents, rising on turned pedestal stand, with circular molded edge base. Mixing classic contrasting elements of antique warm...
Mirror, Giltwood
Charming Folk Art Shaving Mirror with Original Paint
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Tabletop shave mirror (circa 1920s, USA) with a tiltable mirror and swiveling shaving cream or soap bowl (bowl only partially swivels). There is a narrow raz...
Wood