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Folk Art Sports Equipment and Memorabilia

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
Recognized Seller Listings
Doorstop "Golfer" by Hubley, circa 1920
Located in Incline Village, NV
This doorstop, also known as "Overhead Swinging Golfer," is more difficult to find than it's "Putting Golfer" counterpart doorstop; which is also made by Hubley. Manufactured by the Hubley Manufacturing Company of Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 1920, this cast iron doorstop is in outstanding all original bright paint with no touch up or restoration of any kind, and in wonderful patina. It depicts an older, grey haired man, with typical knicker golf garb, taking a wild swing at a golf ball resting on the grass. It has a semi "hollow" rear with a "238" factory marking, indicating that it is, in fact, by Hubley and original. It is noted in Jeanne Bertoia's 1985 book on doorstops page 60; and referenced on page 211 of the Smith book on doorstops. A must for the doorstop or golfing memorabilia...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Sports Equipment and Memorabilia

Materials

Iron

Irish Pony Saddle
Located in Greenwich, CT
Unusual Irish 19th century specialty pony saddle with center harness by Rafferty of Dublin, in richly patinated leather, brass and timber and with padded t...
Category

1880s Irish Antique Folk Art Sports Equipment and Memorabilia

Materials

Brass

Related Items
Art Deco Cast Iron Cat by Hubley
Located in Stamford, CT
An Art Deco cast iron doorstop in the form of a cat by Hubley Manufacturing Company. Signed "Hubley" on underside.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Sports Equipment and Memorabilia

Materials

Iron

Art Deco Cast Iron Cat by Hubley
Art Deco Cast Iron Cat by Hubley
H 9.75 in W 5 in D 3.75 in
Black and Silver Ted Flowers Parade Saddle
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Black with silver parade saddle, horsehead on top of saddle horn, matching breastplate. Not maker marked; probably Ted Flowers. Period: Estimate 1950s. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Folk Art Sports Equipment and Memorabilia

Materials

Leather

Silver Golf Ball
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Hallmarked Silver Golf Ball. An unusual silver golf ball, made by Chantry Silversmiths with a filled center and hallmarked Sheffield 1995. The dimple ...
Category

20th Century British Folk Art Sports Equipment and Memorabilia

Materials

Silver

Silver Golf Ball
Silver Golf Ball
H 1.66 in Dm 1.66 in
Mid Century Leather Cowboy Saddle by Simco
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Real cowboy basic well made and used leather saddle. Stamped Simco. In excellent vintage condition with normal wear and tear, no damage and the le...
Category

1940s American Vintage Folk Art Sports Equipment and Memorabilia

Materials

Aluminum

Mid Century Heavily Tooled Western Leather Saddle
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Well tooled and embossed leather western riding saddle. Possibly a junior size. In excellent vintage condition with minimal wear.
Category

1940s American Vintage Folk Art Sports Equipment and Memorabilia

Materials

Aluminum

Vintage Golf Ball, the 'Why Not' Bramble Golf Ball.
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
'WHY NOT' Bramble Golf Ball. A bramble patterned rubber core golf ball manufactured by Henley's Telegraph Works Co., also known as the Henley's Tyre & Rubber Co. Ltd. London, England...
Category

1910s English Vintage Folk Art Sports Equipment and Memorabilia

Materials

Rubber

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 Sports Equipment and Memorabilia

Materials

Brass

Golf Print, St Andrews Royal and Ancient Golf Club
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
1967 Alcan Golfer of the Year Championship By Arthur Weaver. A colourful golf lithograph signed by the artist, Arthur Weaver, of the 18th green at St Andrews. The picture depicting Gay Brewer putting on the 18th green at St Andrews (Royal and Ancient Golf Club) in the 1967 Alcan Tournament. Gay Brewer beat Bill Casper by four strokes in a playoff to earn the biggest jackpot ever given to a tournament winner at that time. Title of the print, 18th Green, Royal & Ancient, Alcan Tournament, October 1967, Winner Gay Brewer, U.S.A. 'Putting'. Published in 1968 by Frost & Reed Limited of Bristol and London, England. Copyright in all countries, including the U.S.A. Foreign. Image size, H. 51 cm W. 64 cm Size with border, H. 59 cm W. 70 cm The Alcan Golfer of the Year Championship, also known as the Alcan Open, was an international golf tournament played from 1967 to 1970. It was sponsored by Alcan Aluminum Ltd. of Canada, a long-time corporate sponsor of professional golf on international circuits. The tournament was dreamed up by a Montreal magazine publisher named Hilles Pickens and a Montreal radio broadcaster named Doug Smith. The idea was to use four tournaments in the U.S. and four in Great Britain to qualify for a tournament at St Andrews. They sold the idea to Aluminium Ltd. of Canada, which was at the time changing its name to Alcan. Alcan thought the tournament would be a fine way to promote the new title with both the public and big buyers all over the world. Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus had qualified to play in the tournament but sent their regrets, as did top U.S. money winners Dan Sikes and Julius Boros. For big-name attractions the tournament had to rely on Casper, Brewer and Doug Sanders. Casper and Brewer played fine golf at the windy St Andrews course and after three rounds they were tied with England's 22-year-old Brian Barnes, at four under par. On Sunday Barnes fell back and come the 18th hole Casper and Brewer were tied at 283. The playoff was played on the Monday over the full 18 holes. St Andrews "The Home of Golf" is on the Fife Coast of eastern Scotland and is considered the oldest and most iconic golf course in the world. The Old Course is 6721 yards with a par of 72. It is famous for the 'Swilcan Bridge' spanning the first and 18th holes and 'Hell Bunker'. Everyone who plays the 18th hole walks over the 700-year-old bridge, with it featuring in many iconic pictures of St Andrews. The Old Course remains a public golf course, open to all and apart from the clubhouse for the Royal and Ancient, there are clubhouses overlooking the links for The St Andrews Golf Club...
Category

1960s English Vintage Folk Art Sports Equipment and Memorabilia

Materials

Paper

Leather English Riding Saddle
Located in Los Angeles, CA
English Riding Saddle - All Leather by the Ansur Saddle Company. The style is the The Elite... The piece was acquired from an Estate in Los Angeles -...
Category

20th Century Folk Art Sports Equipment and Memorabilia

Materials

Steel

Leather English Riding Saddle
Leather English Riding Saddle
H 32 in W 18 in D 18 in
Saudi Arabian Camel Saddle with Camel Whip
Located in Dallas, TX
PRESENTING a rare Saudi Arabian Camel Saddle with it’s camel whip. A real conversation piece from the mid-20th Century, circa 1960-1980. Made of oli...
Category

20th Century Saudi Arabian Folk Art Sports Equipment and Memorabilia

Materials

Brass

Antique Golf Plate, Royal Winton, Golf Language
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Winton Pottery With Golf Design. A Wonderful Golf Plate by Royal Winton, Stoke on Trent pottery, with the printed mark to the rear. The transfer decoration is showing a golf scene w...
Category

1910s English Vintage Folk Art Sports Equipment and Memorabilia

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage Golf Book, Golf and Golfers, Past and Present.
Located in Oxfordshire, GB
Golf And Golfers, Past And Present By J. Gordon McPherson. A rare, well produced first edition golf book, Golf And Golfers, Past And Present. Published in 1891 by William Blackwood &...
Category

1890s British Antique Folk Art Sports Equipment and Memorabilia

Materials

Paper

Previously Available Items
19th c. American Country Baseball Player Figure
Located in New York, NY
Nineteenth century American Country style carved and painted figure of a uniformed baseball player wielding a bat upon a small round base.
Category

19th Century American Antique Folk Art Sports Equipment and Memorabilia

Materials

Wood

Folk Art sports equipment and memorabilia for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique folk art sports equipment and memorabilia for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage sports equipment and memorabilia created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles, folk art and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, animal skin and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art sports equipment and memorabilia made in a specific country, there are North America, Europe, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original sports equipment and memorabilia, popular names associated with this style include and Hubley Manufacturing Company. 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 sports equipment and memorabilia differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $206 and tops out at $9,500 while the average work can sell for $1,950.

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