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.
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Style: Folk Art
Femmes, Women by Colette Gouvion Large Hardcover Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Femmes Hardcover large heavy book – 21 Oct. 2003
Women by Colette Gouvion
French edition French Text:
All over the world, women are fighting. For their rights, their freedom, thei...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Royal Gardens Roy Strong 1992 Book 1st Edition
Located in North Hollywood, CA
With glorious color photographs, paintings, prints, and original designs, noted historian and author Sir Roy Strong presents Britain's royal gardens of today and yesterday--magnifice...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Playful Set of Ron Lee Clowns
By Ron Lee
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Playful Set of Ron Lee Clowns
Collectible Set, each piece is signed
Dimensions range from:
Height 6" (shortest) - 12" (tallest)
Base 3" x 3" (smallest)-...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
$5,200 / set
Call of the Desert The Sahara Hardcover Book by Philippe Bourseiller
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Call of the Desert: The Sahara Hardcover Book.
Philippe Bourseiller
Harry N. Abrams, Nov 1, 2004 - Nature - 424 pages
Photographer Bourseiller embarked on the first truly comprehe...
Category
Early 2000s African Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
American Legion Baseball and Basketball Folk Art Paintings
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Pair of baseball and basketball paintings found in a Midwestern American Legion hall. These were proudly displayed behind the legion hall bar. Grea...
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Beaded Ndebele Initiation Doll
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare imported commodity, glass beads have been a symbol of wealth and importance in south African cultures for centuries, and were exclusively distributed by the region's oba (king...
Category
Mid-20th Century South African Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Fabric, Cotton, Wood
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
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 Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Iron
Betzalel Hand-Made Silver Filigree Spice Box
Located in New York, NY
This is a meticulously handcrafted silver filigree spice box, created in the Bezalel School of Arts and Crafts tradition, a hallmark of early 20th-century Jewish artistic expression ...
Category
Early 20th Century Israeli Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
WWI Trench Art Knife – “souvenir De Guerre 1914–1917” – Handcrafted Shrapnel
Located in Bilzen, BE
"Ww1trench Art Knife – “souvenir De Guerre 1914–1917” – Handcrafted From Shrapnel"
WWI Trench Art Knife – “Souvenir de Guerre 1914–1917” – Handcrafted from Shrapnel – 33 cm
This is a...
Category
1910s Belgian Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Iron
Holocaust Museum in Washington Hardcover 1995 by Jeshajahu Weinb Rina Elieli
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Holocaust Museum in Washington Hardcover – September 15, 1995
by Jeshajahu Weinberg, Rina Elieli
Recounting the making of the United States Holocaus...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Beaded Ndebele Ceremonial Doll
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare imported commodity, glass beads have been a symbol of wealth and importance in south African cultures for centuries, and were exclusively distributed by the region's oba (king...
Category
Mid-20th Century South African Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Fabric, Cotton, Wood
West Germany Blown Glass Brown Dog Christmas Ornament
Located in Clifton Forge, VA
What an adorable reddish brown shiny dog ornament. He is standing on his hind legs and is so cute, I just want to scratch his belly. There is white overpaint on his droopy ears, nos...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Blown Glass
$96 Sale Price
36% Off
Vintage Leather Medicine Ball
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Vintage heavy leather medicine ball. Great worn chocolate brown leather patina. Hand-painted team info or weight numbers on side.
Category
1920s Unknown Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
Polish Terrazzo Tile from a Synagogue
Located in New York, NY
This is a 19th-century Polish terrazzo tile, dating to around the 1880s, originally used in a synagogue. The rectangular tile features a light blue background adorned with a white St...
Category
Late 19th Century Polish Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Terrazzo
Antique Christmas Elf On Goose Money Bank
Located in Copenhagen, K
The Elf or "Nisse" as they are called in Denmark, used to live in every farmhouse, and you had to treat them nice to make them stay. Later on they became associated with Christmas an...
Category
1890s Danish Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Earthenware
$549 Sale Price
20% Off
Quirky Stick Stand, made with a WW1 Propellor
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Quirky Stick Stand, made with a WW1 Propellor
This an attractive piece of early nostalgic memorabilia, the propeller is made in wood and originates from an early aeroplane, it is silver at the tip, it stands on a teak plinth...
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bentwood
Early 20th Century Oak Ships Wheel A wonderful and decorative piece
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Early 20th Century Oak Ships Wheel
A wonderful and decorative piece, made in solid oak with turned spindles radiating out from the drum and highlighter with brass work
The Wheel is ...
Category
1910s Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Oak
Abstract Cubist Iron American Church Crucifix
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Vintage iron abstract cubist crucifix from American Church. Found in the midwest. Great detail. Quite heavy.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Iron
Collection of Three Black Vintage Leather Medicine Balls
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Great vintage collection of three black leather medicine balls. Excellent warm vintage patina. Traces of white painted team letters and numbers.
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
Christmas Elf with Beer Barrel Money Bank
Located in Copenhagen, K
Fantastic elf or "Nisse" as it is called in Danish, with a beer barrel. The "Nisse" used to live in every farmhouse and you had to threat him nicely and ma...
Category
1870s Danish Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Earthenware
Early 20th Century Bezalel Jerusalem Shabbat Tray
Located in New York, NY
Early 20th century Bezalel Jerusalem wooden tray inlaid with Jerusalem stone and mother of pearl.
The large tray is carved with the Seven Species on its...
Category
Early 20th Century Israeli Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Marble
$15,000 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century French Wig Stand by Louis Danjard
Located in New York, NY
This Surreal-looking object was made as a wig stand in mid-19th century France by Louis Danjard. It was probably in the legendary Folk Art collection of the important American sculpt...
Category
19th Century French Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Iron
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 Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Collection of 19th Century Cloth Animal Toys
Located in Stockton, NJ
A collection of thirteen mid-19th century Amish stuffed cloth toys. Featuring various cattle, elephant, zebra, camel, ducks, and ducks. Excellent decorative piece. Largest measures 6...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Fabric
Danish 19th Century Faience Money Bank In The Shape Of A Clogs
Located in Copenhagen, K
Danish 19th Century Faience Money Bank In The Shape Of A Clogs
Category
Late 19th Century Danish Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Earthenware
$240 Sale Price
20% Off
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 Collectibles and Curiosities
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 Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Pottery
Johnny La Vie en Rock French Edition Paper Back Johnny Hallyday French Rock Star
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Johnny - La vie en Rock French Edition Paperback.
Even those under twenty know him: Johnny Hallyday has become, over the years, a monument of French rock. Born into the entertainment...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
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
Large University Chart “Physical Map of Africa” by Bacon
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Large university chart “Physical Map of Africa” by Bacon
W&A K Johnston’s Charts of Physical Maps By G W Bacon,
This is colorful Physical map of North America, it is large lithograph set...
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Linen
Potosi medal Gold Bolivia 1860s
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Important Potosi medal Gold Bolivia 1860s
This beautiful coin/medal has a trutly important history behind it,
all about the Cerro rico in Potosi Bolivia in 1860 years, and it is ex...
Category
1860s Bolivian Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Gold
19th Century Painted Dress Model or Doll
Located in Troy, NY
Beautiful example of a dress model with a sweet, expressive face. The slightly distressed paint adds to its charm.
Our pieces are left in lived-in condition, pending our custom cons...
Category
19th Century Scandinavian Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
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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