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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
Large Marble Solitaire Board Game with 33 Early Handmade Clay Marbles
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a complete board game of marble solitaire with a large turned maple board from the 20th century and handmade clay or stone marbles from the mi...
Category

Early 20th Century English Folk Art Games

Materials

Stone

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 Chillerton, 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

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

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

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

Set of (7) 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 (seven blocks versus 5 blocks). Considered an early learning device, these turn of the century alphabet blocks...
Category

1910s American Vintage 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

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 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

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

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

Victorian Marble Solitaire Fine Hardwood Board with 33 Clay and Stone Marbles
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is an original and 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 mid-19th century, Victorian period. The board is finely hand turned with good detail, made of well figured hardwood, possibly red walnut and sitting on three small bun feet. It has 32 equi-spaced holes with an additional one in the center and a gallery to the outer perimeter. This board is particularly good with a lovely mellow color, developed over many years of use and polishing. It comes complete with a full set of 33 ( 32 + one spare) early handmade playing marbles...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Folk Art Games

Materials

Stone

Combination Board Game of 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

Indoor Cricket Game Hand Made Wood Set of 18 Pieces, circa 1900
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is an original wooden Cricket Game, all handmade, comprising 18 pieces, for indoor use on a table or carpet, all dating to the late 19th or early 20th century, circa 1900. Th...
Category

Early 20th Century English Folk Art Games

Materials

Wood

Late 19th Century Napoleonic Prisoner of War Dominos
Located in London, GB
POW Dominos 28 late 19th Century Napoleonic prisoner of war (POW) hand carved set of dominos, in a sliding painted lid box. Size in inches: BOX H 5” x W 1.8” x D 1.2” (28 Domi...
Category

1880s Unknown Antique Folk Art Games

Materials

Bone

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

French Wooden Table Top Football Soccer Game
Located in Chillerton, 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

Large Vintage Carousel Handmade Erzgebirge Germany
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Large handmade carousel in wood. Decorated with African animals in two levels. Handmade and hand painted in Erzgebirge Germany circa 1930. Unique and very decorative item. No motor!
Category

Early 20th Century German Folk Art Games

Materials

Wood

Indoor Croquet Set Game for 7 Players in Jointed Wood Box, Early 20th Century
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is an original indoor or carpet croquet set game, coming with its own jointed wooden storage box, all dating to the early 20th century, circa 1930. This is a classic game of strategy and skill, fun to play for all age groups. The set has seven different colored balls and wood mallets...
Category

Early 20th Century English Folk Art Games

Materials

Metal

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

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

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

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

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

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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, circa 1900. This piece is all handmade. The chess set is complete with 32 wood chess pieces. The box is also handmade of wood, opening up to make a pokerwork chess board with further pokerwork design to the sides. All the pieces are hand carved, probably from boxwood with the black ones stained . The box has metal hinges and a brass fastener to keep the lid securely closed, with the pieces inside. Overall a quality antique handmade, complete, travelling chess set...
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Late 19th Century British Antique Folk Art Games

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Stones Chess Game
Located in Paris, FR
Chess stones game with black and white pieces made in stone with 24-karat gold-plated metal ornaments. Checkerboard made with black stone, white stone, black resin and wood. Checke...
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21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Folk Art Games

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Stones Chess Game
Stones Chess Game
H 2.37 in W 16.15 in D 16.15 in
20th Century Italian Sterling Silver Chess Board, Chess Game Red Jasper, Marble
Located in VALENZA, IT
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1970s Italian Vintage Folk Art Games

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Large Pui Wood Domino Set by Marcela Cure
Located in Geneve, CH
Large Pui wood domino set by Marcela Cure Dimensions: W 17 x D 24 x H 15 cm Materials: olive wood with malachite inlay. Our Large Domino set is composed of 28 pieces of pui wood...
Category

2010s Colombian Folk Art Games

Materials

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Large Pui Wood Domino Set by Marcela Cure
Large Pui Wood Domino Set by Marcela Cure
H 5.91 in W 6.7 in D 9.45 in
Cylindrical Art Glass Chess and Wood Lathed Table
Located in Naucalpan, Edo de Mex
This Board Games edition presents classic games and decorative pieces like Backgammon, Chess and Tic Tac Toe, made out of wood and glass. Since 2000, Orfeo Quagliata offers a remarkable consistency based in design and a fine technical work in glass. He creates custom interior design projects, as well as furniture, jewelry and decorative elements. Orfeo takes his most interesting glass techniques to apply them in the inserts of the table. The "Barcodes" technique is a fine linear design with schemes of different colors that contrast with the wood. For the chess pieces, Orfeo applies the exclusive "Jimmiz...
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Large Folk Art Wooden Merry-Go-Round Model
Located in Antwerp, BE
Awesome large Folk Art wooden merry-go-round model. This large scale model of a Carousel or Roundabout has been handmade. Great example of Carnival Art - Folk Art with miniature handmade wooden sculptures of horses, jeep cars and sleigh. All very detailed. The roof of the entertainment ride is made of patent leather and the bottom roof in draped fabric. This antique toy - Antique fun fair scale model has a handle to turn the carousel around. At this point the handle is stuck due age. As we don't want to damage the aged patina, we didn't make it loose. The new owner can decide if he wants to undo it by removing the old rust in between. If we would do that in front, there is no way back. The carousel can be turned around by hand without using the handle. This Table Model of a Carousel is a Collectable Object - Collectable Antique Toy...
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Mid-20th Century European Folk Art Games

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Large Folk Art Wooden Merry-Go-Round Model
Large Folk Art Wooden Merry-Go-Round Model
H 25.99 in W 26.38 in D 21.66 in
Swedish Folk Wooden Dala Pig Toy, circa 1960
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Handpainted Swedish wooden traditional Dala pig toy. Designed by Nils Olsson in Sweden, circa 1960. Materials: Wood In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age...
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Folk Art Games

Materials

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Swedish Folk Wooden Dala Pig Toy, circa 1960
Swedish Folk Wooden Dala Pig Toy, circa 1960
No Reserve
H 3.55 in W 5.52 in D 1.97 in
Set of Two Mushrooms Scientific Models Europe , Germany 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This rare vintage set of two different types of mushrooms, show Models which are native to middle Europe. This kind of items are used as teaching material in German schools. Colorful...
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1960s German Vintage Folk Art Games

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20th Century Erzgebirge German Noah’s Ark Putz Toy Set, Vintage Folk Art
Located in Nuernberg, DE
20th century Erzgebirge German Noah’s Ark. A wonderful example of a 20th century Erzgebirge German Noah’s Ark, With 36 assorted hand carved figures. Typically, children played with t...
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20th Century German Folk Art Games

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Chess Marble Game
Located in Paris, FR
Game Chess Marble all in carved and polished marble. Chess: L80,3xD80,3xH6cm. small pawns: H9cm, each. Pieces from rook to king: H10cm to 16,5cm.
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21st Century and Contemporary Indonesian Folk Art Games

Materials

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Chess Marble Game
Chess Marble Game
H 2.37 in W 31.62 in D 31.62 in
Handmade Cribbage Board with Brass Inlay and Magnetic Storage Drawers
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A cribbage board made from brass and steel with intricate inlayed brass details. A felt-lined drawer on one end holds a deck of cards while the two drawers on the opposite end hold p...
Category

2010s American Folk Art Games

Materials

Brass, Steel

Antique Japanese Carved, Silver, Bone Dagger Walking Stick
Located in Miami, FL
Antique Japanese Carved, Silver, Bone Dagger Walking Stick Offered for sale is an antique carved wood-handled walking stick that has a dagger concealed...
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Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Folk Art Games

Materials

Silver

Previously Available Items
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...
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1940s American Vintage Folk Art Games

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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

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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...
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Early 20th Century British Folk Art Games

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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...
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1850s French Antique Folk Art Games

Materials

Natural Fiber

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...
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Early 20th Century British Folk Art Games

Materials

Wood

55 Napoleonic Mutton Bone Prisoner of War Dominos
Located in London, GB
55 Napoleonic mutton bone prisoner of war dominos We share what we love, and we love this set of 55 mutton bone Napoleonic prisoner of war dominoes. Ind...
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19th Century French Antique Folk Art Games

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Bone

19th Century POW Dice
Located in London, GB
19th century POW dice A lovely example of prisoner of war mutton bone dice. Encased in a mutton bone sliding top dice box container. Unsure if some would...
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19th Century French Antique Folk Art Games

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Bone

19th Century POW Dice
19th Century POW Dice
H 2 in W 1.5 in D 1 in
19th Century Napoleonic Prisoner of War Game Set
Located in London, GB
Napoleonic prisoner of war game set An aged example of an early 19th Century mutton bone hand crafted prisoner of was games set. Including a slide top sec...
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1820s French Antique Folk Art Games

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Bone

Collection of Eight 19th Century Hand Crafted English Teetotum
Located in London, GB
A nice collection of eight 19th century hand crafted bone Teetotum (spinning dice). Of various size and shape. One is exceptionally large. Size in inches Approx.: H 3” x W 1.5” x...
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1880s British Antique Folk Art Games

Materials

Bone

Prisoner of War Domino and Dice Set
Located in London, GB
Prisoner of War Domino and dice set This set is made from cow bone. Hand carved in the 19th Century by a prisoner of war. The 49 pieces of dominos ...
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19th Century Unknown Antique Folk Art Games

Materials

Bone

Prisoner of War Domino and Dice Set
Prisoner of War Domino and Dice Set
H 10.5 in W 2 in D 1.5 in
Vintage Mechanical Hand-Painted Wind-Up Duck on Bike
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage style mechanical tin metal wind-up duck on bike. In good working order This vintage style wind-up toy is made of beautify printed tin. Use the key to wind up the colorfully dressed happy duck...
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Early 20th Century Chinese Folk Art Games

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Vintage Mechanical Wind Up Tin Toy Motorcycle 1970' Collectible Toy
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage mechanical hand-painted wind up tin toy motorcycle 1970's . Vintage motorbike mechanical toy in good working order with the original paint, Wi...
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Late 20th Century Taiwanese Folk Art Games

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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.

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