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.
Early 20th Century Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Ash
Late 20th Century German Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
1950s German Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Metal, Silver
20th Century Unknown Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Glass
Late 20th Century Indian Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
20th Century German Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
Late 19th Century Indian Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
1890s German Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Sheet Metal, Wire
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Fur, Hide, Cotton, Wood
20th Century Belgian Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
21st Century and Contemporary French Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
19th Century Indonesian Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Leather, Wood
1910s German Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Wire
Mid-20th Century Canadian Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Softwood
19th Century Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Glass, Wood
18th Century French Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Boxwood
19th Century Congolese Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Bronze
19th Century French Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Wire
20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
Late 19th Century Austrian Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Silver
20th Century Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Iron
Mid-19th Century Turkish Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Brass
Late 20th Century Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
21st Century and Contemporary North American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
1960s European Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
1920s English Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Metal
20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
20th Century English Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
Early 20th Century German Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Plastic
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
20th Century North American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
1980s Guatemalan Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
Mid-20th Century Canadian Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Leather, Softwood
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Bamboo
Late 19th Century European Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Metal
1950s American Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Tin
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
Early 20th Century Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
Late 19th Century Mexican Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Tin
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
Early 20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Silver
Early 1900s North American Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
19th Century Mexican Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century English Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Other
Early 1900s Austrian Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
Early 20th Century German Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Glass, Wood, Paper
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Copper
Late 19th Century German Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Composition
Early 20th Century German Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Metal
21st Century and Contemporary French Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
Early 20th Century Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Pine
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Clay, Wood
1880s French Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
Early 20th Century Italian Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Metal
Early 20th Century Italian Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Metal
1920s German Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Composition