Folk Art Games
FOLK ART STYLE
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.
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Style: Folk Art
Marble Solitaire Game 10 inch Hardwood Board 35 mixed Stone Marbles, circa 1945
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very attractive complete game of Marble Solitaire with a hardwood circular board and 35 mixed stone marbles, probably French.
The circular turned board is made of polished hardwood, with a good grain figure. The board has 32 equi-spaced holes with an additional one in the centre and a gallery to the outer perimeter. Three small circular pads have been attached to the base of the board to protect the surface it sits on.
It comes complete with a full set of 35 (32 Plus 3 spare) handmade playing marbles of mixed stone, clay and agate and of different colours. Some of the clay marbles...
Category
20th Century French Folk Art Games
Materials
Stone
Marble Solitaire Game Hardwood Board with 34 old Glass swirl Marbles, Circa 1930
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a good Marble Solitaire game, having a very good hardwood board and a complete set of 34 glass swirl marbles, all dating to the first half of the 20th century.
The circular ...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Folk Art Games
Materials
Glass, Hardwood
Antique Carrom Large Wooden Game Board Double-Sided No. 1 Archarena Style 'E'
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Antique carrom large wooden game board double-sided no. 1 Archarena Style (E).
Antique Carrom Company 1907 Wood Game Board Double Sided, made in USA...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Games
Materials
Wood
Napoleonic Prisoner of War Painted Casket Dominoes Set
Located in London, GB
Napoleonic Prisoner of war painted casket dominoes set
We share what we love, and we love this early 19th century Napoleonic prisoner of war hand painted ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Folk Art Games
Materials
Bone
Combination Board Game of large Marble Solitaire and Tiddlywinks, circa 1925
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a complete combination board game of marble solitaire and tiddlywinks, dating to the early 20th century.
This is a most unusual and very de...
Category
Early 20th Century English Folk Art Games
Materials
Glass, Hardwood
Napoleonic Prisoner of War Casket Dominoes Set
Located in London, GB
Napoleonic Prisoner of war casket Dominoes set
We share what we love, and we love this early 19th century Napoleonic prisoner of war cask...
Category
1820s French Antique Folk Art Games
Materials
Bone
Vintage Handmade Red and Mustard Backgammon Board, Folk Art Decor, Graphic Art
Located in Chicago, IL
Colorful and graphic hand-crafted vintage backgammon board for function or decor. Would make striking wall art in a primitive or folk art setting. Origin unknown. Does not fold. Made...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Folk Art Games
Materials
Paper
Antique Carrom Company Large Wood Game Board Double Sided
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Antique carrom large wooden game board double-sided.
Antique Carrom Company 1907 wood game board double sided, made in USA.
Each corner of the boar...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Games
Materials
Wood
Children's Bowling Game of "Fancy Ten Pins" by Spears Works Bavaria, Circa 1935
By JW Spears 1
Located in Incline Village, NV
This rare and unique game is in excellent all original condition with it's original, highly lithographed colorful box, This seemingly little used pre-war game is completely intact an...
Category
1930s Vintage Folk Art Games
Materials
Wood
Antique Chinese Checkers Game Board with Original Paint and Blue Accents
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A solid wood antique Chinese Checkers game board. This piece is from Pennsylvania and was created in the early 1900s. It is created from wood and features hand-drilled holes for marb...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Games
Materials
Wood, Paint
$672 Sale Price
20% Off
Italian Modern Venetian Handmade Blue and Gold Carnival Mask with Feathers
Located in New York, NY
This Folk Art cobalt blue mask is a real Venetian creation, entirely hand-drawn and handcrafted with gold decor and white stone.
Italian Artists have realized this piece in full res...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Folk Art Games
Materials
Metal, Metallic Thread
Vintage Cast Iron Book of Knowledge Mechanical Bank, Punch & Judy, 20th Century
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Hand-painted cast iron mechanical bank "Punch and Judy Bank."
A vintage book of knowledge Punch & Judy mechanical bank offers polychrome cast cons...
Category
Early 20th Century Taiwanese Folk Art Games
Materials
Iron
19th Century Bocce Balls, France, Set of Three
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Late 19th to early 20th century bocce balls, France, set of three
boxwood, iron and brass nails.
The first ball has the letters PP in brass, the second ha...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Folk Art Games
Materials
Brass, Iron
Vintage Huckley Barrel Carnival Game
By St. Louis Carnival Co.
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Vintage carnival game made by the Saint Louis Carnival company. We also have the original paper game rules signs with these. Please note that not all crates are painted St. Louis Car...
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Games
Materials
Clay, Wood
French Wooden Table Top Football Soccer Game
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
French wooden table top football soccer game
This is one for the Boys, it is a 1930s table football game from France, the game has the players in white ...
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art Games
Materials
Wood
Wood Lawn Bowling Game Original Caddy and Bowling Balls, circa 1900
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Lawn bowling set and caddy. The best orange and yellow paint. Great as a display or design accessory. Or play the game! Complete and as good as it gets. Includes 14 wood carved pins...
Category
Early 1900s North American Antique Folk Art Games
Materials
Wood
Complete Handmade Game Box with Dominoes, Six Dice & Playing Cards, circa 1940s
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very good handmade Inlaid, lidded games box or compendium, complete with a 6-spot Dominoe set, 6 dice and a set of playing cards, which we date to the mid-20th century, circa 1940s.
This is a lovely handmade Treen like games box set or compendium comprising;
A complete set of handmade wood 6-spot dominoes with brass inlaid detail
Six handmade wood dice with inlaid brass detail.
A set of boxed...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Folk Art Games
Materials
Brass
Late 19th Century Fairground Knock Down Figure
Located in London, GB
Jeu De Massacre Fairground Figure
One of the finest examples of a late 19th Century fairground knock down figure we have had the pleasure to obtain, in ...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Folk Art Games
Materials
Wood
Set of Six Carnival Knockdown Dolls
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Set of six vintage folk art carnival knockdown dolls crafted in canvas, hand painted on both sides, trimmed with cotton fur and weighted at the bottom....
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Games
Materials
Cotton
$2,950 / set
1960s Large Folk Art Plywood Dominos Tiles Set 56pcs
Located in Las Vegas, NV
A set of 55+1 extra large plywood Dominos tiles
"made by students ***ver Oak School, 1967", as inscribed on the underside box lid.
Each tile is made of 5/8in plywood measuring 5-1/...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Games
Materials
Plywood
Early 20th C Game Board with Orig Painted Black and Red Squares
Located in Troy, MI
Found in England, this circa 1900 hand painted checker board with black and red squares and thin yellow and green outline at the outer border. Board is slightly bowed with age.
Category
Early 20th Century English Folk Art Games
Materials
Wood
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A stunning chessboard in Pietra Dura marble produced in Italy in the mid 19th century. The chessboard is framed with a wooden frame. The chess pieces are made in metal and are probab...
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Vintage Child's Toy Tin Large Spinning Top by Chein Company, American, Ca. 1950
Located in Incline Village, NV
Highly colorful and completely operational hard to find LARGE tin child's toy spinning top made by the J. Chein Company, Harrison, New Jersey, Circa 1950. It works great and is in co...
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Pennsylvania Backgammon Board, Signed "Wise"
Located in York County, PA
PENNSYLVANIA BACKGAMMON BOARD, SIGNED "WISE" WITH IMAGES OF A WAGON WHEEL AND A STAR OF DAVID, 1850-1880
Found near the town of Milford, in the northeast corner of Pennsylvania, is...
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19th Century American Antique Folk Art Games
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Early 19th Century American Double Sided Games Board
Located in Incline Village, NV
Very early American wooden games board; probably the oldest I have handled, this dates to about circa 1835 and exhibits the markings of a typical cottage industry type manufacture (not unlike very early Noah's Arks). Obviously entirely hand crafted; measurements are not exactly square (left to right; top to bottom), probably made of a local soft wood, and hand painted with squares not perfectly delineated. Black light and "loop" inspection reveals age crazing and original paint that, in conjunction with original wear and no attempt to touch up, dates it to the early 19th century. Most definitely American, as the last thing an English immigrant would have brought to America at that time would have been a game.
When closed, or in the folding position, the board game simulates and is made to look like two books resting side by side (see images), and thusly, was made to sit on a book shelf, either horizontally or vertically; and to be pulled out to play games when desired, which would have been either the game of checkers (draughts), chess, or backgammon. The board opens up to a two sided game option. On one side is the proverbial 64 square (English/ American version) of chess or checkers; and on the other side is a backgammon board. Both sides are hand painted in gold and black, with a rust colored border around the checkerboard. The interior backgammon play area is also black and gold with the same color rust area to the central part. Nail hinges in the center frame, pivot the two sides to open, while a leather covering borders the edge trim, which is 50% lacking on the hinge side. I state the condition to be good, considering it's age, it's use, and the fact that it is still very "usable" and, if taken care of, will probably continue to be so for nearly another 200 years!
The checkers, (12) black pieces and (12) yellow (the correct numbers) are hand carved in wood and hand painted. The backgammon pieces (stored in period wooden box) contain 14 yellow hand painted and carved pieces and (13) black ones. (15) of each color are used to play backgammon (simply use the checkers, which are just about the same size (see images) to make up the difference. Most antique game boards...
Category
1830s American Antique Folk Art Games
Materials
Wood
19th Century American Folk Art Game Board
Located in Chicago, IL
Beautifully hand-crafted and quietly sculptural, this 19th-century American Folk Art game board was made not in a factory, but by someone who clearly knew their way around a piece of...
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Games
Materials
Maple, Walnut
19th C Original Painted Game Board
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th C original painted game board. Nice original Salmon and black paint.
Category
19th Century North American Antique Folk Art Games
Materials
Wood
Miniature Travelling Chess Set Game handmade & Pokerwork Board / Box, Circa 1900
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a high quality handmade Miniature or travelling wood chess set game of 32 pieces in its own lidded pokerwork decorated box, which we date to the English Edwardian period, cir...
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Folk Art Games
Materials
Brass
$538
H 1.5 in W 6.75 in D 3.38 in
Early 20th Century Toy Noah's Ark, German
Located in Incline Village, NV
Toy Noah’s Arks for children to play with were very popular in the late 19th and early 20th century, and Germany was very prolific in their production. This particular ark is all ori...
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Early 20th Century German Folk Art Games
Materials
Wood
Arabesque Inlaid Backgammon & Chess Game Board
Located in North Palm Beach, FL
Experience the artistry of Middle Eastern craftsmanship with this exquisite hinged box featuring intricate mother-of-pearl marquetry in a micro mosaic design. This elegant piece open...
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1960s Turkish Vintage Folk Art Games
Materials
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Middle Eastern Micro Mosaic Octagonal Chess Game with Horn Pieces
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Intricately inlaid handcrafted Persian styled chess game board and handcrafted horn and pone chess pieces.
Handcrafted beautiful Middle Eastern Moorish style Khatam chess board cover...
Category
Mid-20th Century Lebanese Folk Art Games
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Antique French Marble Solitaire Game Board with Natural Stones
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Antique French marble solitaire game
Beautifully constructed piece
Handsome solid marble base board
Rich color variations and marbling detail throughout
...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Folk Art Games
Materials
Marble
Antique Inlaid Folding Wooden Game Board
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An antique inlaid folding wooden game board with backgammon and checkerboard/chess board on the reverse side. The chess board with individual inlaid boxes and a string inlay border. ...
Category
19th Century Unknown Antique Folk Art Games
Materials
Wood
Previously Available Items
Antique Early 19th Century Black Forest Backgammon Game Box Bone Dice & Counters
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This exquisite antique folding backgammon game box, crafted in the Black Forest region of Southern Germany, dates back to the early 19th century, possibly as early as the first quarter of 1800. It showcases exceptional craftsmanship, featuring hand-painted wood, handmade bone dice, and 30 finely turned hardwood game pieces. The game box’s intricately designed exterior exemplifies the region's celebrated woodworking tradition, offering a glimpse into the elegance and playfulness of past centuries.
The set includes two meticulously carved bone dice and 30 round hardwood counters, each with a diameter of approximately 4.8 cm (1.89 inches). Its robust wooden structure is complemented by iron hinges, reflecting the age and history of the piece, which also bears antique...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Folk Art Games
Materials
Bone, Wood
H 2.37 in W 15.95 in D 14.38 in
Marble Solitaire Fine Hardwood Board with 33 Clay and Stone Marbles, Late 19th C
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a complete game of Marble Solitaire with a very good polished hand turned hardwood board and 33 early clay and stone marbles, all dating to the 19th century, Victorian period...
Category
19th Century English Antique Folk Art Games
Materials
Stone
Marble Solitaire Board Game Natural Stone Board & 33 Agate Marbles, circa 1930s
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very good complete board game of marble solitaire with a beautiful marble natural stone board and 33 agate mineral stone marbles which we date to the first half of the 20th...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Folk Art Games
Materials
Stone, Agate
Marble Solitaire Game Hardwood Board with 38 Mineral Stone Marbles, French 1920s
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a complete board game of 37 hole marble solitaire with a very good 10.1 inch diameter hardwood board and 38 beautiful individual agate mineral stone marbles, which we date to...
Category
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Games
Materials
Agate
H 1.15 in Dm 10.1 in
Handmade Miniature Travelling Chess Set Game walnut Inlaid box, circa 1920
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a good quality handmade Miniature or travelling wood chess set game of 32 pieces in its own inlaid hardwood box, which we date to the early 20th century, circa 1920.
This piece is all handmade. The chess set is complete with 32 wood pieces having pegged bases. The jointed box is handmade of hardwood, possibly walnut with line inlays of a lighter wood to the top and the base. The lid is a good fit to the base and the box has brass hinges and a brass fastener to keep the lid securely closed.
The inside of the lid has a fabric pad to keep the chess pieces in position when the lid is closed.
Overall a quality handmade, complete, travelling chess set...
Category
Early 20th Century British Folk Art Games
Materials
Brass
Chess Set with Crusader and Saracen Figures An interesting slant on the game
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Chess Set with Crusader and Saracen Figures
An interesting slant on the game of chess, these large figures are made in a stone and resin compound, they have been hand painted and ar...
Category
Early 2000s Folk Art Games
Materials
Resin
Antique Inuit Carved Bone Folk Art Scrimshaw Cribbage Game Board
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Inuit folk art carved bone cribbage board featuring a Polar Bear propped up by Seals. Measure: 10".
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art Games
Materials
Bone
Set of (6) Child's Lithographed Alphabet Nesting Blocks, American, Circa 1910
Located in Incline Village, NV
This is a larger set of colorful early 1900's lithographed blocks (six blocks and 32" tall, with 4 1/2" base block; versus 5 blocks). Considered an early learning device, these turn of the century alphabet blocks...
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1910s American Vintage Folk Art Games
Materials
Paper
H 5.5 in W 4.5 in D 4.5 in
American 1940s Wooden Croquet Set on Stand; for Six Players; Complete
Located in Incline Village, NV
1950s outdoor wooden croquet set on a red stand; for six players with six different color balls; black, yellow, blue, green, red, and orange, all with a double white stripe around the circumference; with matching croquet mallets; along with two end pegs and nine wire bridges...
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Games
Materials
Wood
Set of Three Early 20th Century English Fairground Double Sided Panels
Located in London, GB
A set of three early 20th century English Fairground double sided panels
A set of three double sided formed hardboard English fairground panels, dating from the 1930 to the Mid-2...
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1940s British Vintage Folk Art Games
Materials
Paper
Handmade Miniature Travelling Chess Set Game Inlaid Walnut Box, circa 1930's
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a good quality handmade miniature or travelling wood chess set game of 32 pieces in its own inlaid walnut box, which we date to the early 20th century, circa 1930's.
The chess set is complete with 32 wood pieces having pegged bases. The circular box is handmade of walnut with line inlays of a lighter wood to the lid top and a base section with the chess board. The lid is a good snug fit to the base section. The base has two removable side pegs that stop the lid closing on the chess pieces when the lid is on.
The inside of the lid has a fabric pad to keep the chess pieces in position when the lid is closed.
Overall a quality handmade, complete, travelling chess set...
Category
Early 20th Century British Folk Art Games
Materials
Wood
19th Century Collection of French Carved Bone Spillikins
Located in London, GB
19th century collection of French carved bone spillikins
A small collection of 19th century French carved bone spillikins or sand set pieces Dieppe. Comprising of eleven hand car...
Category
1850s French Antique Folk Art Games
Materials
Natural Fiber
Folk Art games for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique folk art games for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Early 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage games created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include folk art, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with paper and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art games made in a specific country, there are North America, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. 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 games differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $695 and tops out at $695 while the average work can sell for $695.