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
Period: 20th Century
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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
Related Items
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
19th Chinese Checkers Game Board with Original Paint
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th Chinese checkers game board with original paint form Pennsylvania. beautiful colors and patina.
Category
19th Century 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, 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...
Category
Late 19th Century British Antique Folk Art Games
Materials
Brass
H 1.5 in W 6.75 in D 3.38 in
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
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...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Folk Art Games
Materials
Iron
Wood Carved American Folk Art Muscle Car
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Hand carved Folk Art American Muscle car. Wood carved with original paint surface.
Category
1950s Vintage Folk Art Games
Materials
Wood
Swedish Folk Wooden Dala Pig Toy, circa 1960
By Nils Olsson
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
Wood
Blu Marble and Art Glass Chess Game Set, Italy, circa 1960s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
An Italian marble and art glass chess game set, circa 1960s, Italy. Marble game board has a beautiful rare blue marble colors that include: white, and a marble combo of white/blue/gr...
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Folk Art Games
Materials
Marble
Large Victorian Games Compendium in Hardwood Jointed Box with Many Games
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a high quality large Games Compendium, complete with many individual games in its original hardwood storage box with a hinged lid.
All the pieces are well made and complete.
The box is very well made of a jointed hardwood, possibly red walnut and is a high quality piece in its own right.
The box has developed a lovely color and patination from use and wear.
The exterior has a brass oval inset into its top, a brass twin lever lock and brass hinges. The interior is sectioned into different sub compartments by hardwood dividers.
Many different games are included within the compendium, including;
55 piece 9 - spot dominoes
Chess set - Very good high quality set, large pieces( Kings 8.7 cm high) and glass eyes to Knights,
Draughts with 24 x turned hardwood pieces
Backgammon with 30 x turned hardwood counters
2 sets of playing cards and two Bezique marker boards
Hardwood turned dice shaker and various different dice
tiddlywinks
Pick up sticks...
Category
19th Century English Antique Folk Art Games
Materials
Metal, Brass
No Reserve
H 3.5 in W 19.75 in D 9.5 in
19th Century Romanian Polychrome Wooden Rocking Horse
Located in Rio Vista, CA
Charming 19th century Romanian hand carved wooden rocking horse. Featuring a colorful polychrome finish on a base decorated with a floral m...
Category
19th Century Romanian Antique Folk Art Games
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
Weighted Resin Chess Set Game in Jointed Wood Box Kings, Ca 1930s
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a good and complete English resin moulded "weighted" chess set game of 32 pieces, in a jointed pine box, all dating to the early/ mid 20th century, Circa 1930's.
The chess...
Category
Early 20th Century British Folk Art Games
Materials
Resin, Pine
Early 20th Century French Marquetry Game Box, Backgammon, Checkers
Located in Fayetteville, AR
This French walnut marquetry folding game box from the early twentieth century is for checkers and backgammon. It is finely constructed with dovetailed corners, inset hinges, and a l...
Category
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Games
Materials
Leather, Felt, Fruitwood, Pearwood, Walnut
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...
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...
Category
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
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
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...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Folk Art Games
Materials
Metal
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...
Category
Late 20th Century Taiwanese Folk Art Games
Materials
Metal
Vintage Mechanical Elephant Cast Iron Bank Collectible Toy
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage mechanical hand-painted cast iron elephant coin bank.
Mechanical bank in good working order with the original paint,
It operates as follows:...
Category
Early 20th Century Taiwanese Folk Art Games
Materials
Iron
Marble Solitaire Game Hardwood Board 33 Agate Mineral Stone Marbles, circa 1930s
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a very attractive complete game of Marble Solitaire with a hand turned hardwood board and 33 beautiful agate mineral stone marbles, probably French and all dating to the first half of the 20th century, circa 1930s.
The circular hand turned board is made of hardwood, probably mahogany, with a very good grain figure. The board has 32 equi-spaced holes with an additional one in the centre and a gallery to the outer perimeter. The board has developed a nice soft color and patina from many years of use.
It comes complete with a full set of 33 (32 Plus 1 spare) early handmade playing marbles.
Early marbles are very collectable in their own right and the marbles in this set are nominally about 9/16 inches in diameter. They are made from agate or mineral stone with a mixture of some lovely colors.
Popular in the court of Louis the XIV, the game was supposedly invented by a nobleman incarcerated in the Bastille in France during the 17th century and was popular in the court of Louis XIV. It is a challenging game for the fan of strategy and skill and became one of the more popular games of the last few 100 years.
To play, place all 32 marbles with one hole left unoccupied in the middle of the board. The objective is simply to remove all but one of the marbles by jumping one marble over another, similar to the game of Draughts. The marble jumped is removed to the gallery around the side of the board.
This is a particularly nice set, with a very good hand turned board and beautiful agate marbles!
Category
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Games
Materials
Stone
Early 20th Century Fairground Roulette Game
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century fairground roulette game
A highly decorative and character filled early 20th Century fairground roulette stye game. With its worn and...
Category
1940s British Vintage Folk Art Games
Materials
Pine
Early 20th C Game Board with Orig Painted Black and Gold Squares and Red Edges
Located in Troy, MI
Circa 1900 hand painted game board found in England. Red edges with gold crown motif and black and gold squares. Makes a great wall piece. Unknown maker.
Category
Early 20th Century English Folk Art Games
Materials
Wood
H 17.75 in W 13.5 in D 0.75 in
Antique English Skittles/Lawn Bowling Wood Game Set
Located in Chicago, IL
Large antique English skittles/lawn bowling game set. Set includes 11 pins 18.5” by 6”, 2 big balls 10” diameter and 4 small 5" diameter.
Category
Early 1900s British Antique Folk Art Games
Materials
Wood
Early 20th C Game Board with Original Painted Black Squares and Hearts
Located in Troy, MI
Circa 1900s wooden game board found in England has its original paint in red/orange and black checkerboard embellished with hearts at the sides. Unknown maker.
Category
Early 20th Century English Folk Art Games
Materials
Wood
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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