Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
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.
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood, Bone
20th Century Austrian Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Antler, Wood
Early 19th Century German Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
1950s Japanese Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Tin
Late 19th Century German Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Bone, Wood
Late 20th Century Unknown Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Blown Glass, Paint
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Tin
1960s Swedish Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
Early 1900s German Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Tin
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
Mid-19th Century German Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
Mid-20th Century Japanese Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Tin
1950s Belgian Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Plastic, Rubber
Early 20th Century Austrian Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Antler, Wood
Mid-20th Century Canadian Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Cedar, Pine
Early 2000s Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Resin
1830s American Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Metal
Early 20th Century Austrian Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Metal
1950s Belgian Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Plastic, Rubber
1950s Belgian Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Plastic, Rubber
1950s Belgian Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Plastic, Rubber
1930s German Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Wire
Early 20th Century Austrian Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Composition, Metal
Mid-20th Century Unknown Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Metal
1890s German Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Glass, Wood
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Walnut, Pine
1950s American Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Tin
1930s German Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Wire
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Tin
1870s American Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood, Leather
1930s French Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Tin
1940s Japanese Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
1930s German Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Wire
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Tin
1930s German Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Wire
1950s Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
1930s Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Tin
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Silver
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Tin
1930s Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Tin
Early 1900s Austrian Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Antler
Early 20th Century Israeli Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Marble
Early 20th Century Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Hardwood, Paint
1960s Japanese Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Tin
1920s French Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Pewter
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Tin
1890s German Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
1950s European Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Ceramic
Early 20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Leather
Early 20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Silver
1910s German Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Brass
Early 20th Century Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Bone
Early 1900s Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Bronze
1960s European Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
1950s American Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Tin
Early 20th Century German Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Antler, Wood
1930s German Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Wire
19th Century Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Iron