Folk Art Models and Miniatures
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
Late 20th Century Scale Model of the Historic Fallasburg Covered Bridge
Located in Chicago, IL
Meticulously hand-built at 1:20 scale, this late 20th century American cedar frame model captures the elegant engineering of the historic Fallasburg covered bridge in Lowell, Michiga...
Category
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Models and Miniatures
Materials
Cedar
Jim Rose Legacy Collection - Chest of Drawers, Solid Cast Iron Miniature
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
This exquisite miniature chest of drawers is inspired by Shaker furniture. Made from solid cast iron with a natural rust patina and vintage nail heads for the drawer pulls, The artis...
Category
Early 2000s American Folk Art Models and Miniatures
Materials
Steel
Monumental and Unusual Folk Art Stage Coach Figure and Horses, 1927
Located in Buffalo, NY
Monumental and unusual Folk Art stage coach figure and horses, 1927. All hand executed, amazing detail, working lamps, velvet interior on coach.
Category
1920s American Vintage Folk Art Models and Miniatures
Materials
Leather, Velvet, Plaster
20th Century Diorama Folk Art Three Mast Model Ship in a Bottle English, C 1930
Located in Central England, GB
A fine Diorama Folk Art Model ship in a bottle
This skilfully made diorama of a three-mast early 19th century sailing ship at harbour with a raised landscape behind and cottages set...
Category
20th Century English Folk Art Models and Miniatures
Materials
Glass
Large Antique German Chocolate Mold with Bunnies and Chickens
Located in Redding, CT
Large Antique German Chocolate Mold with Bunnies and Chickens. Nice hinged double door German chocolate mold. The molds themselves have ...
Category
Early 20th Century German Folk Art Models and Miniatures
Materials
Tin
Emile Deyrolle 19th Century Plaster, Wire and Wood Didactic Germination Models
Located in Buffalo, NY
LES FILS D'EMILE DEYROLLE, PARIS. Extremely rare set of four 19th century French painted plaster, wire and wood Didactic models depicting progression, ANATOMIE VEGETALE, beautifully ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Folk Art Models and Miniatures
Materials
Wire
Early 20th Century Scratch Built Church Model
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century scratch built Church model
We share what we love, and we love this scratch-built pine model of a church. Hand carved detail with gla...
Category
Early 1900s British Antique Folk Art Models and Miniatures
Materials
Pine
Rare Pug Bulldog Dog Celluloid Figurine vintage, Austria 1920s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A rare pug or bulldog Figurine bought in Austria. It is made of Celluloid and very delicate, this would be a great addition for your Toy or Bulldog collection. It is in nice conditio...
Category
1920s German Vintage Folk Art Models and Miniatures
Materials
Wire
Antique hand made wooden scale model of an 18th century farm cart circa 1920
Located in Central England, GB
This very fine meticulously constructed wooden scale model copies the design of a late 18th or early 19th century full sized working example.
It dates to circa 1920.
This cart is we...
Category
Early 20th Century English Folk Art Models and Miniatures
Materials
Wood
Set of 8 Antique Christmas Putz Houses, , Christmas Decorations
By Leo Putz
Located in Buffalo, NY
8 Antique Christmas Putz Houses
Here we have from the local estate of the original owner a VERY Rare group of 8 Large Putz Houses in their original b...
Category
1950s Japanese Vintage Folk Art Models and Miniatures
Materials
Paper
Late 19th Century Carved Wood Folk Art Walking Stick
Located in London, GB
Late 19th century carved wood folk art walking stick
Continental, Late 19th Century
Height 89cm, width 6cm, depth 4cm
This antique walking stick, intricately hand-carved from w...
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Folk Art Models and Miniatures
Materials
Metal
19th Century Miniature Chest of Drawers in Original Paint
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century miniature chest of drawers in original paint.
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Models and Miniatures
Materials
Wood
Antique Indian Carved Wood Folk Art Walking Stick
Located in London, GB
Antique Indian carved wood folk art walking stick
Indian, Late 19th Century
Height 82cm, diameter 6cm
Handcrafted in late 19th century India, this remarkable folk art walking s...
Category
Late 19th Century Indian Antique Folk Art Models and Miniatures
Materials
Wood
English Folk Art Church Model
Located in London, GB
Folk Art Church Model
We are proud to offer a wonderful example of a mid-20th Century folk-art church model. Built from scratch using various material...
Category
1940s British Vintage Folk Art Models and Miniatures
Materials
Wood
Midcentury Era Folk Art Made Collection of Miniature Antique Farm Implements
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This framed collection of over two dozen handcrafted miniature antique farm implements are all unsigned, but presumed to have been made in Canad...
Category
Mid-20th Century Canadian Folk Art Models and Miniatures
Materials
Leather, Softwood
Early 20th century barbers point of sale hair comb and brush
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century barbers point of sale hair comb and brush
We share what we love, and we love this rare example of an oversized point of sale barbers hair...
Category
1930s British Vintage Folk Art Models and Miniatures
Materials
Plastic, Wood
Early 20th Century English Folk-Art Farmer and His Wife Model
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century folk-art farmer and his wife model
We are proud to offer an unusual hand carved folk-art model of a farmer and his wife sat on a cart pulled by two oxen. This ite...
Category
1940s European Vintage Folk Art Models and Miniatures
Materials
Pine
Traditional Wooden Artist Mannequin Model Doll Vintage Italy, 1920s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A handmade wooden Artist mannequin model - all joints move as they should. Found on a Estate sale in Verona, Italy.
Shows some wear - but looks beautiful on display! Some scratches a...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Folk Art Models and Miniatures
Materials
Metal
Carved Wood Folk Art Airplane, circa 1940s
Located in Santa Monica, CA
This carved wood Folk Art airplane has an amazing original paint surface and functional propeller and wheels.
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Models and Miniatures
Materials
Sheet Metal
Pair of Mid-Century Folk Art Leather and Paper Mache Big Cat Figures
Located in Charleston, SC
For your consideration we have 2 mid-20th century era “big cat” leather wrapped animals. One being a panther who seems to be slowly approaching ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Folk Art Models and Miniatures
Materials
Leather, Paint, Parchment Paper
19th Century French Nautical Musical Automaton, circa 1860
Located in Nantucket, MA
Antique French Nautical Automaton, likely from Marseilles, circa 1860, a glass domed diorama with windmills and cottages on hillside, overlooking harbor with ship rocking on waves to a musical tune. The interior of glass dome has a hand painted landscape with trees, village and expansive sky; the diorama features a carved or molded cottage and windmill with figures winding along path down to the water's edge; a paper or papier-mache barque rides on a blue tissue paper sea; a pull-string activated mechanism plays music, rocks the ship on the sea...
Category
1860s French Antique Folk Art Models and Miniatures
Materials
Clay, Glass, Paper
19th Century Diorama of Sailing Ship ‘Eleanor’
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th Century diorama of the sailing ship ‘Eleanor’ in original glazed case.
Painted antique shadowbox diorama of a three-masthead clipper ship alo...
Category
19th Century Antique Folk Art Models and Miniatures
Materials
Glass, Wood
Emile Deyrolle 19th Century Plaster, Wire and Wood Didactic Germination Models
Located in Buffalo, NY
Les Fils D'Emile Deyrolle, Paris. Extremely rare set of five 19th century French painted plaster, wire and wood Didactic models depicting progression, Anatomie Vegetalf, beautifully ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Folk Art Models and Miniatures
Materials
Wire
Bronze Yacht Anchor, Desk Ornament This is a lovely piece a working miniature
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Bronze Yacht Anchor, Desk Ornament
This is a lovely piece a working miniature
The Yacht Anchor is fully articulated and lends itself yo making a useful. Paper weight for the Yach...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Folk Art Models and Miniatures
Materials
Bronze
Vintage Boho Staffordshire Boxing Figurine
Located in west palm beach, FL
Step back into the spirited world of 19th-century pugilism with this charming Vintage Boho Staffordshire Boxing Figurine. Featuring the famous bare-knuckle boxing rivals Tom Spring a...
Category
Early 20th Century British Folk Art Models and Miniatures
Materials
Ceramic
Traditional Wooden Artist Mannequin Model Doll Vintage Italy, 1920s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A handmade wooden Artist mannequin model - all joints move as they should. Found on a Estate sale in Verona, Italy.
Shows some wear - but looks beautiful on display! Some scratches a...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Folk Art Models and Miniatures
Materials
Metal
French Hand-Painted Lady Sculpture Door Stop in Solid Cast Iron
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Late 19th century door stop, France, circa 1880.
This lady sculpture is made in heavy solid cast iron and is in it original hand-painted colors.
Category
19th Century English Antique Folk Art Models and Miniatures
Materials
Iron
"Woodie Wagon Brooklyn Taxi" Sculpture by Paul Jacobsen
By Paul Jacobsen
Located in Wiscasset, ME
Custom sculpture constructed of painted wood.
Paul Jacobsen used everyday objects, such as chairs, cars, airplanes, trains, motorcycles and puzzles, all built from scratch and turns...
Category
2010s American Folk Art Models and Miniatures
Materials
Wood
Amazing English Architects Model, circa 1920
Located in London, GB
Architects Model circa 1920
We are proud to offer a unique circa 1920s architects model of a timber-clad colonial style house in original paint. An a...
Category
1920s British Vintage Folk Art Models and Miniatures
Materials
Wood
Artificial Smoked Parma Ham Country Kitchen Folk Art Decoration Vintage 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A vintage Belgium Decorative Item nice to display in your country style home or kitchen. Found at an Estate Sale in Brussels, Belgium.
Category
1950s Belgian Vintage Folk Art Models and Miniatures
Materials
Plastic, Rubber
Cast Iron Piggy Bank Advertising Wm Moland's Sons Quaker City Hams
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Cast Iron Piggy Bank Advertising Wm Moland's Sons Quaker City Hams
A Great cast iron money box, Pig coin bank.
This a copy of a very desirable and collect...
Category
1950s Vintage Folk Art Models and Miniatures
Materials
Iron
White Carrara marble nativity scene - made in Italy
Located in Tarquinia, IT
Christmas decorations, Nativity, nativity scene, Christmas nativity scene, Italian marble nativity scene, marble nativity scene, white carrara marble, carved nativity scene, Italian ...
Category
Early 2000s Italian Folk Art Models and Miniatures
Materials
Carrara Marble
A painted model of a famous English medieval house built from matchsticks C1910
Located in Central England, GB
This superb highly detailed English folk art model dates to the early 20th century and depicts a complicated half timbered and thatched famous Hereford property entitled “The Old Hou...
Category
Early 20th Century English Folk Art Models and Miniatures
Materials
Other
Artificial Smoked Ham Country Kitchen Folk Art Decoration Vintage Belgium 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A vintage Belgium Decorative Item nice to display in your country style home or kitchen. Found at an Estate Sale in Brussels, Belgium.
Category
1950s Belgian Vintage Folk Art Models and Miniatures
Materials
Plastic, Rubber
Artificial Pepperoni Sausage Country Kitchen Folk Art Decoration Vintage 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A vintage Belgium Decorative Item nice to display in your country style home or kitchen. Found at an Estate Sale in Brussels, Belgium.
Category
1950s Belgian Vintage Folk Art Models and Miniatures
Materials
Plastic, Rubber
Artificial Smoked Ham Country Kitchen Folk Art Decoration Vintage Belgium 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A vintage Belgium Decorative Item nice to display in your country style home or kitchen. Found at an Estate Sale in Brussels, Belgium.
Category
1950s Belgian Vintage Folk Art Models and Miniatures
Materials
Plastic, Rubber
Large Mahogany Antique Boat Model
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Inspired model of a boat or skiff expertly crafted in mahogany, probably by a boat builder, having a graceful form and has acquired a well earned patina only time can give.
Category
19th Century English Antique Folk Art Models and Miniatures
Collection of Treen Kitchenalia, Butter Marker This is a great little Collectio
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Collection of Treen Kitchenalia, Butter Marker
This is a great little Collection of Treen Kitchenalia, a Butter Marker, this has a naive cow carving, a lemon squeezer and a turned sycamore egg cup
A good set for the collector, a bit of historical wood worm on the butter Stamp...
Category
19th Century Antique Folk Art Models and Miniatures
Materials
Sycamore
Staffordshire Pearlware Long Case Clock
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Staffordshire Pottery pearlware model which features a long case clock, stood on a marbleised base. Decorated 'in the round' - decoration to front and ...
Category
1820s English Antique Folk Art Models and Miniatures
Materials
Pottery
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 Models and Miniatures
Materials
Wood
Model gypsies caravan, handmade and painted, folk art, English circa 1900
Located in Central England, GB
This superb and ultra rare early folk art scale model of a gypsy or traveller’s caravan is over one hundred years old. It has been beautifully hand made and finely painted. It has gl...
Category
Early 20th Century English Folk Art Models and Miniatures
Materials
Wrought Iron
Folk Art Steamship of Large-Scale
Located in Buchanan, MI
Charming Folk Art steamship of impressive scale.
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Models and Miniatures
Materials
Wood
Folk Art models and miniatures for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique folk art models and miniatures for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage models and miniatures created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles, folk art, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art models and miniatures made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original models and miniatures, popular names associated with this style include Emile Deyrolle, Paul Jacobsen, and Staffordshire. 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.