Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
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.
Style: Folk Art
Color: Beige
Table Lamp With 4 Tier Deer Hoof With Nickel Bands And Antler Finial
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Mid-Century table lamp with 4-tier deer hoof with nickel bands and brass fitted antler finial.
Shade is not included.
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Organic Material
Five Rare Christmas Ornaments Vintage, German, 1910s to 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A rare set of 5 Christmas ornaments. Each is made from thin mouth blown glass, this would be a great antique addition for your Christmas or feather tree. Included is a nice Reflector ornament from the 1930s, 2 small walnut feather tree ornaments from the 1910s and two flower bunch ornaments with glass balls and Dresden Sebnitz Christmas paper...
Category
1930s German Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wire
Antique German Christmas Scene Doll in Sled, with Music Box, 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This beautiful Bisque Head doll, with a smaller baby doll, is seated in a metal sled. The doll has brown glass eyes, blonde hair and teeth. The coat is made of pressed cotton. The sl...
Category
Early 20th Century German Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
L' Art Calligraphique De L'Islam by Khatibi, Abdelkébir Sijelmass Hardcover Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
L'art calligraphique de l'Islam hardcover art book.
Calligraphy Art in Islam, French edition.
French Edition by Abdelkebir Khatibi.
Large wonderful...
Category
20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
16-17th Century Burmese Carved Sandstone Sculpture of Cow
Located in Kastrup, DK
400-500 old Burmese sandstone "Holy Cow" sculpture with beautifully detailed carvings. Very decorative with natural patina.
Mounted on a base of light sandst...
Category
16th Century Burmese Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Sandstone
Complete Book of Traditional Fair Isle Knitting by McGregor, Sheila, 1982
Located in North Hollywood, CA
The Complete Book Of Traditional Fair Isle Knitting by McGregor, Sheila.
1st Edition Published 1982
Title The Complete Book of Traditional Fair Isle Knitting
Author McGregor, Shei...
Category
20th Century English Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
L'oeil Magazine International d'art n° 481 Spécial Maroc
Located in North Hollywood, CA
L'oeil Magazine International d'art n° 481 : Spécial Maroc
The eye. International art magazine N ° 481: Special Morocco.
Author: Collective
Collection: The E...
Category
20th Century North American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
National Geographic The Photo Ark The Quest to Document the World's Animals
Located in North Hollywood, CA
National Geographic The Photo Ark: One Man's Quest to Document the World's Animals.
Animal Ark: Celebrating our Wild World in Poetry and Pictures (National Geographic Kids) Hardcover – February 14, 2017
Synopsis:
The lush and unique photography in this book represents National Geographic's Photo Ark, a major initiative and lifelong project by photographer Joel Sartore to make portraits of the world's animals—especially those that are endangered. His powerful message, conveyed with humor, compassion, and art: to know these animals is to save them.
Animal Ark: Celebrating our Wild World in Poetry and Pictures (National Geographic Kids) Hardcover – February 14, 2017
by Kwame Alexander (Author), Mary Rand Hess (Author), Deanna Nikaido
Sartore is circling the globe, visiting zoos and wildlife rescue centers to create studio portraits of 12,000 species, with an emphasis on those facing extinction. With a goal of photographing every animal in captivity in the world, he has photographed more than 6,000 already and now, thanks to a multi-year partnership with National Geographic, he may reach his goal. This book showcases his animal portraits: from tiny to mammoth, from the Florida grasshopper sparrow to the greater one-horned rhinoceros. Paired with the eloquent prose of veteran wildlife writer Douglas Chadwick, and an inspiring foreword from Harrison Ford, this book presents a thought-provoking argument for saving all the species of our planet.
About the Author:
JOEL SARTORE is a photographer, speaker, author, teacher, and a 25-year contributor to National Geographic magazine as well as Audubon, Geo, Time, Life, Newsweek, and Sports Illustrated. He has written several books including National Geographic's Rare: Portraits of America's Endangered Species, Photographing Your Family, and Let's Be Reasonable, a collection of essays from the CBS Sunday Morning show. Sartore and his work have been the subjects of several national broadcasts, including the National Geographic Channel's Explorer, the NBC Nightly News, NPR's Weekend Edition, and an hour-long PBS documentary, At Close Range. He is also a contributor on the CBS Sunday Morning Show with Charles Osgood...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary North American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
1925 Silver Austrian Charivari or Watch Chain Necklace with Hunting Charm Fobs
Located in Haarlem, NL
Late 19th-early 20th century silver Austrian charivari or watch chain necklace with Hunting charm fobs. Lovely piece of historic Austrian folkloristic jewellery, a real collector’s item this is.
A charivari is a piece of traditional Bavarian costume jewellery; this one is made of solid silver.
Bavarian men wear the charivari on the belt of their Lederhosen, women wear them as an apron tie or bodice closure.
This piece is quite heavy and sturdy. The size of its shackles and the chain length tells me this actually is a men’s charivari. It traditionally served as jewellery or as a talisman for a successful hunt. The charivari originated from a watch chain, which was attached to the buttonhole of the costume shirt and was hung with various hunting trophies. It could not be bought, was carefully preserved and was passed down in a single family through the generations.
This one is adorned with rare trinkets;
a 1912 coin of the Austrian-Hungarian Emperor
a silver male Dachshund charm
a set of deer teeth in silver (aka Grandel or Gradln)
a silver staggering horse fob...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
Turkish WWI Prisoner of War Glass Beadwork Amulet Necklace
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An exceptionally good quality Turkish prisoner of war glass beadwork amulet necklace dating from the first world war 1914-1919. These pieces were made by Turkish prisoners of war, ca...
Category
1910s Turkish Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Glass
Bicentennial Cast Iron Still Bank, American, Circa 1976
Located in Incline Village, NV
Shaped like a pyramid this cast iron penny bank was made to commemorate the 200 year anniversary of America; thus inscribed at the top (see image) 1776-1976. It is painted in white (...
Category
1970s American Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Iron
African Urembo Beaded Vintage Necklace Choker by the Maasai Tribe Kenya
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage African Urembo beaded necklace choker.
Handmade in Kenya by the maasai tribe.
Urembo means “beauty” and the handmade pattern and unique ...
Category
Late 20th Century Kenyan Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Beads
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 Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Cotton
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 Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Iron
Large Antler Table Clock, Centerpiece And Smoke Stand
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Large antler table clock, centerpiece and smoke stand.
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Antler
Set of Three Mesquite Wood Crosses Found in Zacatecas, circa 1900
Located in Guadalajra, Jal
Set of three mesquite wood crosses with colorful indigenous fabrics, quite rare, circa 1900.
Category
Mid-19th Century Mexican Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Related Items
Deer Antler Mount Trophy on Black Forest Carved Wood Plaque Austria Folk Art
Located in Nuernberg, DE
An antique Black Forest deer antler trophy on hand carved, Black Forest wooden plaque. We beliefe its from the Late 19th Century. A nice addition to your hunters loge, cabin, man cav...
Category
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Antler, Wood
H 12.25 in W 6.5 in D 4.75 in
Vintage Leather Medicine Ball, 1930s Germany
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
The medicine ball is part of a big collection from the 1920s-1930s, the time of the first gym enthusiasts in Germany. The ball is handmade and filled with horse hair. All balls are i...
Category
1920s German Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
Antique Real Skull of a Crow or Magpie, Germany ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Real Skull of a Crow or Magpie, Germany ca. 1900s
An antique taxidermied skull of the crow (Corvidae) mounted on an ebonized wooden turned bas...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bone, Wood
Antique Japanese Woodblock Print Book Edo Period, circa 1833
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Antique Japanese Oraimono book Edo period, circa 1833
Woodblock print book
Book dimensions: 260 mm x 180 mm
There are damages because it is...
Category
1830s Japanese Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Antique French Doll Mold in Copper, 1910s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Complete and intact French doll mold in solid copper. Very early industrially used mold for production of rubber dolls. You very rarely see the body and head...
Category
1910s European Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Copper
Oil Lamp with an Illuminating Globe Shade, circa 1885
Located in London, GB
A rare late 19th century oil lamp with a globe shade and base decorated with a castle set in a rural scene, circa 1885.
Northern Europe...
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Glass
Museum Collection Luxury Christmas Tree Ornaments Set of 10 Vintage Irish Linen
Located in Belfast, Northern Ireland
Museum Collection Set of 10 Artisan Irish Linen Ornaments by Katie Larmour
This is a luxury box set of artisan made decorative ornaments created with authentic Irish Linen, exclusive to 1stdibs. They are special because they are limited editions from a beautiful mixture of vintage and deadstock fabric in small batches (some even one-of-a-kind) embellished with exquisite copper embroidery and dainty beading.
These novelty ornaments are a unique and quirky gift, or a treat to oneself. They are particularly suitable for the holiday season and the ultimate Christmas tree decorations. They are collectible and can be kept as heirlooms.
Katie Larmour is an acclaimed Northern Irish designer with a studio based in her hometown of Belfast. Known for heritage textiles, her signature use of Irish Linen and original designs have seen her brand make waves in Europe and beyond.
The fabric is 100% pure Irish Linen from a mixture of sustainable sources - vintage, local mill deadstock rolls from one of the last remaining linen mills still active in Ireland today, repurposed antique tablecloths...
Category
2010s Unknown Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Linen
Collection of Leather Bound Art Deco Photo Albums of European Travel
Located in Atlanta, GA
Collection of Leather Bound Art Deco Photo Albums of European Travel, the actual albums are probably French, circa 1920's. They document fabulous trips throughout Europe in the 1920'...
Category
1920s French Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather, Paper
17th Century Spanish Colonial Hispano-Philippine Carved Santo
Located in Forney, TX
A scarce 17th century Spanish Colonial carved wood santo with provenance from the National Museum of the Philippines Manila.
circa late 1600s
A large part of what makes this example so very rare is not just the age and condition, but the saint depicted, San Roque.
The Hispano-Philippine (Spanish-Filipinos) hand carved hard wood religious altar figure presents splendidly, with scattered remnants of original gesso and polychrome pigments, the exceptionally sculpted religious folk art depicting San Roque (Saint Roch or Rocco), the 14th century Catholic patron saint frequently invoked against the plaque, various infectious disease, as well as patron saint of dogs, invalids, of falsely accused people, and of bachelors, amongst others.
Provenance / Acquisition:
Retaining registration - identification label to verso from The Republic of the Philippines (RP) National Museum of the Philippines Manila with hand written registration number.
Acquired from highly reputable auction house, Austin Auction Gallery, est. 1982, Austin, Texas. February 2022 catalog.
Dimensions: (approx)
Overall: 15.75" High, 5" Wide, 4" Deep.
Figure: 14" High
1.5lbs
Great original antique condition, especially considering it's around 350 years old. Nicely aged patina over the whole. Presented on a later wood plinth base. Typical loss to right arm, minor finish losses, old tiny metal plate added to prevent age related splitting, all wear consistent with age, and only adds to the overall sophisticated character, authenticity, and charming rustic warmth that can only be acquired over long periods of time.
We here at Lynx Hollow Antiques absolutely love religious antiques, from an antique altar, church architectural salvaged building and ornamental elements, reliquary, tabernacle cabinet...
Category
17th Century Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Gesso, Hardwood
1930s German Pull Toy Horse , Burlap Over Wood
Located in Antwerp, BE
Beautiful antique German toy, a pull toy, a pull horse toy.
This antique toy horse, circa 1930s, is mounted on a wooden platform with wheels. The ca...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
West Germany Clip On Mercury Glass Wire Wrapped Bird on Nest Christmas Ornament
Located in Clifton Forge, VA
These are just sooo cute!! The mercury blown glass birds with long bristle tails, are sitting on spun cotton bedding, held into red mercury blown glass "ne...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wire
H 3 in W 4.5 in D 2.5 in
Small 15th Century Illuminated Vellum Book Page, Handwriting
Located in Buisson, FR
Fabulous handwritten and illuminated book page.
Beautiful period piece with gorgeous faded colors and typical gilded Gothic initials,
France, 15th ce...
Category
15th Century and Earlier French Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Parchment Paper
Previously Available Items
Diego Rivera: A Retrospective Hardcover Book 1986 January 1, 1986
By Diego Rivera
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Diego Rivera: A Retrospective 1986.
Title: Diego Rivera: A Retrospective
Introduction By Linda Downs; Laurance P. Hurlburt, Jorge Hernandez Campos, Alicia Azuela, Ida Rodriguez-Prampolini
Author: Detroit Institute of Arts...
Category
Late 20th Century Mexican Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Mid-Century Large Hand Sewn Chinese Political Chairman Mao Zedong Wall Hanging
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This large hand-crafted wall hanging or banner is signed by an unknown artist, and presumed to have originated from China and is dated to 1969 and done in the period Mid-Century Modern style. The banner is done on a coarse beige linen with depictions of Chairman Mao and possibly his Defence Minister holding the "Red Book". The needlework is done in a vibrant red, with contrasting black and army green. The banner is has a hand stitched signature and dated "1969" in the bottom right corner area. Please note this is a very large linen wall hanging...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Linen
H 81 in W 98 in D 0.25 in
Four Beautiful Glass Bird Christmas Tree Clip-On Ornament, Vintage German 1980s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A rare vintage clip-on bird ornament collection. These ornaments, were made from ultra-thin hand blown glass, would be a great vintage addition for your Christmas, feather tree or si...
Category
1980s German Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Mercury Glass
H 2.25 in W 5.25 in D 1.38 in
Map of Nantucket by Austin Strong '1881-1952', circa 1925
Located in Nantucket, MA
Map of Nantucket by Austin Strong (1881 - 1952), circa 1925, an original print on paper whimsical map of Nantucket Island by Robert Louis Stevenson's...
Category
1920s American Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
19th Century Sailor's Woolie of a Naval Vessel
Located in Nantucket, MA
19th Century Sailor's Woolie of a Naval Vessel, a hand crafted yarn picture of a British Hermaphrodite Barque rigged single decker sloop of war, flying the ensign of the White Fleet and the extravagantly long "Paying Off" Pennant signifying the ship is homeward bound, with the White Cliffs of Dover...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wool
Set of Seven Vintage Sock Monkeys
Located in New York, NY
A fantastic collection of sock monkeys ranging from the 1930s to the 1970s. They vary in length from 24" right down to 12". This collection is in as found ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Fabric
American Folk Art of the Twentieth Century
By Rizzoli
Located in Bradenton, FL
American Folk Art of the Twentieth Century by Jay Johnson and William C. Ketchum, Jr. First edition, published in 1983 by Rizzoli of New York. Hardcover with dustjacket, illustrated,...
Category
1980s Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
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 Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Three Piece Child's Circus Train Toys
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Vintage three piece child's circus train toys featuring a lion, a monkey riding a dog, and a rabbit crafted in metal and hand painted, riding on wooden cars...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Rare Girl, Lady and Snowman Christmas Ornament Vintage German, 1920s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A rare Christmas ornament set of three. Each is made from mouth blown glass, this would be a great addition for your Christmas or feather tree. Snowman is approx. 3 1/4" high and 1 1...
Category
1920s German Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wire
The John F. Kennedys a Family Album by Mark Shaw
Located in North Hollywood, CA
The John F. Kennedys a Family Album by Mark Shaw.
Special memories of America's youngest President and his family are recalled with nearly four hundred photographs and text.
Produc...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Czech Gablonz Beaded Glass Christmas Ornament Modern Set of Two
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A rare Christmas ornament set of two. Each is made from mouth blown glass, this would be a great addition for your Christmas or feather tree. Tallest is approx. 5" high and 2 1/2" at...
Category
1980s Czech Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wire
Folk Art collectibles and curiosities for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique folk art collectibles and curiosities 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 collectibles and curiosities 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 collectibles and curiosities 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 collectibles and curiosities, popular names associated with this style include Berber Tribes of Morocco, J. Chein & Co., Louis Marx and Company, and Nils Olsson. 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 collectibles and curiosities differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $29 and tops out at $45,000 while the average work can sell for $652.
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