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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
Early 20th Century Scratch-Built Tricycle Model
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century scratch-built tricycle model. A charming example of an English scratch built folk art child’s tricycle model. Constructed from a metal frame, wooden wheels, han...
Category

1920s British Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Folk Art Scratch Built Boat, Early 20th C
Located in London, GB
Scandinavian folk art boat of 2 rigged masts - completely scratch built from pine and teak wood. Original paint finish. Handmade and dating from the earl...
Category

Early 20th Century Scandinavian Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Steel

Decorative Scandinavian Antique Leather-Bound Books
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A collection of 8 tall and larger size decorative Swedish leather-bound books from the 1950s. This set consist of 3 plus 5 books describing Swedish town in Swedish.
Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather, Paper

Tall Giant Harrods Shop Display Teddy Bear This Is a Very Rare Piece
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
5ft tall giant Harrods shop display teddy bear. This is a very rare piece, he is one of a very few, probably only 5 that were made for Harrods shop display, he is known as James, ...
Category

Early 2000s Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Faux Fur

Vintage Moroccan Berber Tribal Silver Bracelet
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Moroccan tribal silver bracelet from the High Atlas of Morocco. Handcrafted by Berber women using Moroccan silver nickel. The ethnic Nomadic and Bedouin jewelry in the Maghreb and ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal, Silver

Quirky Stick Stand, made with a WW1 Propellor
Located in Chillerton, 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

Moroccan Berber Tribal Silver Cuff
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Moroccan Berber tribal bracelet Moroccan tribal bracelet from the High Atlas of Morocco. Handcrafted by Berber women using Moro...
Category

20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal, Silver

Cigars Store / Trade Folk Art Wooden Carved Sign. c 1900
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
American Folk art wooden "CIGARS" sign from the 1920's. Great old Store Trade sign. Wood cut to cigar shape. Lettered in Gold Paint. In good conditions, it was a in doors sign. Perfect for any cigar smoker. Cigars History: A cigar is basically dried tobacco leaves that are rolled and wrapped by other tobacco leaves in order to give you a full tobacco smoking experience. Cigars are becoming more popular all around the world recently because they are exposed to a pop culture where a lot of famous people like Michael Jordan and Arnold Schwarzenegger smoke them. In order to understand why cigars have become very well-known, we need to take a good look at their history and where they came from. That way, we can truly understand this pop phenomenon. Here is a brief history of cigars. Origin of Cigars The exact origin of cigars is not entirely known but historians believe that cigars were first invented by the ancient Mayans. The ancient Mayans would collect tobacco leaves and wrap them up in a plantain leave in order to smoke it. An ancient Mayan pot...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Early 20th century barbers point of sale hair comb and brush
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century barbers point of sale hair comb and brush We share what we love, and we love this rare example of an oversized point of sale barbers hair...
Category

1930s British Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Plastic, Wood

American Salesman Sample Late 19th C. Wooden Hay Wagon
Located in Incline Village, NV
SALESMAN SAMPLE: Late 19th C. American (4) wheeled hand carved all wooden horse drawn hay wagon, in excellent condition with original gold stenciling to carr...
Category

1890s American Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Set of 5 Swedish Folk Wooden Dala Horse Toys, circa 1960
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of 5 handpainted Swedish wooden traditional Dala horse toy. Designed by Nils Olsson in Sweden, circa 1960. Materials: Wood In original condition, with minor wear consistent wit...
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Three Chamois Antler Mount Trophy on Black Forest Carved Wood Plaque Austria
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A set of three antique Austrian Alps Chamois antler trophies on hand carved, Black Forest wooden plaques. I think they are from the 1890s or older. Tallest is approximate 10" high, 6...
Category

1890s Austrian Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Antler, Wood

Antique Welsh Folk Art Pilgrim Man Cloth Doll Formal Wool Suit Wales
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Welsh costume cloth doll of a man in a brown formal tux style suit, reminiscent of 17th century Pilgrims, with delicately painted face and wool clot...
Category

Early 20th Century Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Fabric

Napoleonic Prisoner of War Casket Dominoes Set
Located in London, GB
Napoleonic Prisoner of war casket Dominoes set We share what we love, and we love this early 19th century Napoleonic prisoner of war cask...
Category

1820s French Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bone

Two Deer Antler Mount Trophy on Black Forest Carved Wood Plaque from Austria
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A set of two vintage Black Forest deer antler trophies on hand carved, Black Forest wooden plaques. I think they are from the 1960s or older. Tallest is appro...
Category

1960s Austrian Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Antler, Wood

French Hand-Painted Lady Sculpture Door Stop in Solid Cast Iron
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Late 19th century door stop, France, circa 1880. This lady sculpture is made in heavy solid cast iron and is in it original hand-painted colors.
Category

19th Century English Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron

Large Antique Wooden American Mortar and Pestle
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Large wood antique American mortar and pestle. Early 19th c. Americana turned wood footed mortar and pestle. American, late 19th century wooden mortar and pestle...
Category

Early 20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Ceramic Inkwell, Late 19th Century, Sweden
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Fantastic ceramic inkwell, with what seems to be a pottery oven in the midst of two naivistic lions. You lift of the top lid to place pens and lift up the two lions heads for ink. Co...
Category

1870s Swedish Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Ceramic

Passport Saul Steinberg Published by Harper & Brothers, New York., 1979
Located in North Hollywood, CA
350 drawings made during the artist's travels, in his usual satirical and witty style.Presentation copy from the artist, inscribed on the half-title page: ''Pour Ga' Jean & Pegeen , ...
Category

20th Century North American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Carved Wood Polychrome Virgin Mary Statue
Located in New York, NY
Exquisite and compelling wood statue of the Virgin Mary with polychrome paint finish. Well executed, and finely carved we believe it's 19th C Continental, or possibly US in origin. U...
Category

19th Century Spanish Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood, Paint

Davis Hall Nantucket South Shoal Lightship Hand Woven Basket, circa 1870s
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderful and quite rare and hard to find nantucket lightship basket by Davis Hall, (1828-1906). Hall's baskets are prized by collectors of lightship baskets worldwide. This basket is made with his traditional swing handle and rounded lollipop connecting two ends. Hall cultivated his basket-making skill on the South shoal lightship after the American Civil War...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood, Cane, Rattan

Rare English Hand Painted Railway Sign
Located in London, GB
Rare English hand painted railway sign. An extremely rare example of an English hand painted on pine board railway sign. Naïve yet highly decorative in...
Category

Early 20th Century British Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Pine

Trench Art Vase Dated 1918-19
Located in Fulton, CA
Extraordinary example of WWl Trench Art. Historical significance as this vase is signed by the soldier that crafted it, "Lieutenant Thorburn" including regiment "62nd Reg" and date "1918-19". Also inscribed A. E. F. The AEF helped the French Army on the Western Front during the Aisne Offensive (at the Battle of Château-Thierry and Battle of Belleau Wood...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass

Napoleonic Prisoner of War Painted Casket Dominoes Set
Located in London, GB
Napoleonic Prisoner of war painted casket dominoes set We share what we love, and we love this early 19th century Napoleonic prisoner of war hand painted ...
Category

19th Century French Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bone

Antique German Folk Art Spun Cotton Wool Santa Claus Ornament Doll Figurine
Located in Dayton, OH
Large antique German spun cotton wool Santa Claus Christmas ornament doll with hand painted composition face. Measure: 9".
Category

Early 20th Century Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Ceramic, Wool, Cotton

Very Long Racing Scull or Oar from Eton College Windsor
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Very Long Racing Scull or Oar from Eton College Windsor This is a fine quality extra long oar from Eton College, the spoon or blade has blue chevrons ...
Category

Early 20th Century Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Ash

The Complete Quincy Jones My Journey & Passions Hardcover Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
The Complete Quincy Jones: My Journey & Passions: Photos, Letters, Memories & More from Q’s Personal Collection by Quincy Jones, Maya Angelou (Preface), ...
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

19th C English Field Artillery Ammunition Carrier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This 19th C English Field Artillery Ammunition Carrier dating about 1850 - 1860. The carrier has painted canvas over a wood frame and heavy leather carring handle. The carrier is sta...
Category

19th Century English Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Canvas, Wood, Paint

Whaler Made Bone and Ebonized Wood Round Lidded Box, circa 1850
Located in Stamford, CT
Whaler made antique bone and ebonized wood round box, circa 1850. With pierced bone medallion and delicately carved bone spiral decorative supports on the...
Category

Mid-19th Century American Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bone, Wood

19th Century Original Mexican Retablo "Exvoto" Oil on Tin
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Dated 1870, we offer this 19th century original Mexican retablo "Exvoto" oil on tin, due to the effects of time, the writing has been erased but we can read the nex: “Le aconteció esta desgracia al niño Monico Rico el día 26 de Diciembre de 1870 que lo tumbo un caballo le quebró una pierna “This misfortune happened to the child Monico Rico on December 26, 1870, when a horse knocked him down and broke his leg Votive paintings...
Category

1870s Mexican Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Late 19th Century Hand Carved And Painted Wooden Carousel Horse Head
Located in Aramits, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Hand-carved and painted massive wooden horse head, late 19th century, probably from a small carousel or children's toy. Very nice patina through peeling paint and wear.
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

19th C Checkerboard Game Board
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th C original painted checkerboard game board.
Category

19th Century American Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Early 20th Century Scratch Built English Paddle Boat Model
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century scratch built English paddle boat model A wonderful object, scratch built from found objects and consisting mainly of brass and copper ...
Category

Early 20th Century British Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass, Copper

Original Painted Game Board, Signed and Dated
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Original painted game board - signed and Dated 1935.
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wool, Paint

The Seven Stars Cookbook Recipes from World-Class Casino Hardcover Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
The Seven Stars Cookbook: Recipes from World-Class Casino Restaurants. Harrah's Entertainment Presents The Seven Stars Cookbook: Recipes from World-Class Casino Restaurants. John S...
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Combination Board Game of Marble Solitaire and Tiddlywinks, circa 1925
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a complete combination board game of marble solitaire and tiddlywinks, dating to the early 20th century. This is a most unusual and very de...
Category

Early 20th Century English Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Glass, Hardwood

Large Antique Mexican Architectural Religious Niche Altar
Located in Forney, TX
An antique Mexican hand-crafted architectural church cathedral carved, distressed painted white wooden religious folk art niche - altarpiece from the early 20th century. Use for home shrines, votive offerings, display Retablo, Santo figures, candles. Very good quality and craftsmanship. Rustic, elegantly aged, some chippy paint. No figures are included, we have some available separately as well as other religious relics...
Category

Early 20th Century Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood, Paint

19th C Original Painted Checkerboard Game Board
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th C original painted checkerboard game board. Board has great Grungy paint. Great Pitina.
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Vintage Moroccan Silver Fibula Collectible Ethnic Jewelry Talisman
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Moroccan Silver Fibula Collectible Ethnic Jewelry Talisman. Circa 1960's. Beautiful vintage Moroccan fibula. Nice Folk Art. A fibula was used t...
Category

Mid-20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Deep Design Nine Little Art Histories by Libby Lumpkin Art Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Deep Design: Nine Little Art Histories by Libby Lumpkin. January 1, 1995 In nine ambitious essays of uncommon erudition, art historian Libby Lumpkin constructs quirky condensed his...
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Original Pottery Sculpture Head Planter, General Charles De Gaulle
Located in Vero Beach, FL
Original Pottery sculpture head planter, general Charles De Gaulle Political Memorabilia. This original, one-of-a-kind pottery sculpture head is a...
Category

1950s French Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Clay

Early 20th Century Jigger Doll
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century jigger doll We are proud to offer an early 20th century hand carved jigger doll. Made for a light pine wood, with hand carved detail across its face and lovely Chelsea boots. Jig dolls or les gigueux are old and established wooden or tin – plate “toys...
Category

1930s British Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Pine

Vintage Guerlain Shalimar Cologne Perfume Bottle Collectible
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Large vintage collectible Guerlain Shalimar eau de cologne perfume bottle. Empty collectible glass bottle of the famous Shalimar perfume. Shalimar ...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Glass

Ornate Scrolled Iron Slatted Wood Toy Childs Christmas Sleigh Sled Toboggan
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage folk art toy or child's Christmas sleigh/ sled / toboggan. Made of slatted wood with scrolled iron accents featuring cut out Christmas trees. ...
Category

Late 20th Century Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron

Picasso's Vollard Suite Book by Pablo Picasso
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Picasso's Vollard Suite Book by Pablo Picasso. Soft cover, Paperback "Picasso's most memorable etchings an extremely important as well as moving group of pictures." --"Art Review"...
Category

20th Century European Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

19th Century Unique Folk Art Guernsey Shell Diorama Display
Located in London, GB
19th century unique Folk Art Guernsey shell diorama display We are proud to offer a unique folk-art hand-crafted example of a seashell diorama. Display...
Category

1880s British Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Natural Fiber

Early 19th Century Religious Folk Art Scene
Located in London, GB
Early 19th century religious folk art scene We share what we love, and we love this early 19th century folk art hand carved example of a painted shepherd religious scene. Detailed on pine base with a cow, angel, house, and shepherd holding a walking stick. Naïve in construction yet a piece of religious art in our opinion. Likely to have been part of a religious display...
Category

1820s Spanish Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Pine

Set of 2 Hand Painted Inspirational Rowing Oars or Paddles Priced Individually
Located in Stamford, CT
Set of 2 hand painted inspirational rowing oars or paddles. Priced individually. Each in a rustic painted design having inspirational writings. Only two left: "BISTRO" & "OUTDOOR"
Category

Late 20th Century Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Two Tribal Bronze Konga Anklet Leg Band
Located in North Hollywood, CA
An early 20th century antique African tribal leg band (ankle bracelet), These leg bands were both currency and status symbols for the Mongo tribe of northwest Congo. They were ma...
Category

Early 20th Century Congolese Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bronze

Pair of Reindeer Antique Still Banks, American, circa 1910
Located in Incline Village, NV
These two authentic cast iron antique still banks depict a large reindeer and a smaller one standing nearby. Together, they make a wonderful Christ...
Category

1910s American Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron

"Cat With A Bow Seated" Still Bank, American, circa 1970
Located in Incline Village, NV
"Cat With A Bow Seated" cast iron still bank is a re-issue of a bank by the same name and same casting made in the early 1900s by the Grey Iron C...
Category

1970s American Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron

19th C Original Painted Checkerboard
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th C Original painted checkerboard.
Category

19th Century American Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood, Paint

Anselm Kiefer Collectible Art Book
By Anselm Kiefer
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Title: Anselm Kiefer (Venezia Contemporaneo) Publisher: Brand: Charta Publication Date: 1997 Binding: Soft cover An excellent overview of Anselm Kiefer_s long career. Over the past four decades, Anselm Kiefer has produced a diverse body of work in painting, sculpture and installation that has made him among the most important artists of his generation. His subject-matter ranges over sources as diverse as Teutonic mythology and history, alchemy and the nature of belief, all depicted in a bewildering variety of materials, including oil paint, dirt, lead, models, photographs, woodcuts, sand, straw and all manner of organic material. By adding found materials to the painted surface of his immense tableaux, he invents a compelling third space between painting and sculpture. Synopsis: This monograph presents Kiefer's complete work to date, reproduced in full color. Review: Writing about one of the most important and complex artists of our times requires the erudition, clarity, and broad view of a Daniel...
Category

20th Century Italian Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Santa Fe Art. Ellis, Simone, Published by Crescent Books., New York., 1993 Large
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Santa Fe Art. Ellis, Simone. Published by Crescent Books., New York., 1993. Large hardcover book. Illustrated in black, white and color. Important refer...
Category

Late 20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Moroccan Silver Choker Collectible Berber Jewelry
Located in North Hollywood, CA
A Moroccan Tribal jewelry vintage chocker inlaid with colorful glass beads in red and green and dangling coins. German silver, but not of the standard of sterling and richly embelli...
Category

Mid-20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

19th Century Whaler Made Turned Ebony Stemmed Cup
Located in Stamford, CT
19th century whaler made carved and turned ebony stemmed cup. "Manila P.I." painted on one side. Manila, Philippine Islands would have been a port of call on ...
Category

Mid-19th Century American Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Ebony

Danish 19th Century Wooden Folk Art Bible Box "Forget Me Not"
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Mid-19th century wooden box designed to look like a Bible. Text engraved with monogramme. The four words in the corners are quite cute and charming: Danish: "FOR - GLEM - MIG - EJ"...
Category

19th Century Danish Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wood

Antique Carved Thai Burmese Ramayana Warrior Folk Art Marionette Puppet Doll
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique carved Thai Burmese Ramayana Warrior marionette string puppet. Hand made from wood featuring ornate beaded clothing / attire.  
Category

Early 20th Century Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Fabric, Hardwood

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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