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
Moroccan Berber Tribal Ethnic Bracelet
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Moroccan Berber tribal bracelet.
Moroccan tribal bracelets from the High Atlas of Morocco.
Handcrafted by Berber women using Moroccan silver nickel.
The ethnic Nomadic and Bedouin jewelry...
Category
20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal, Silver
John Hay Whitney Collection Paperback, May 1, 1983 by John Rewald Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Authors: John Rewald. Publisher: Natl Gallery Of Art Keywords: collection, Whitney, john
Pages: 176. Published: 1983-05.
Publisher ? : ? Natl Gallery of Art;
Language ? : ? English
Paperback ? : ? 176 pages.
Washington, 1983. 1st. Edition
Softcover. Very Good / None. 176 pages,
b&w and color illustrations.
This is a beautiful coffee table collectible hardcover book.
Overview: 73 paintings by 19th- and 20th-century European and American masters constituted almost the entire collection assembled by John Hay...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
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
Graceland An Interactive Pop-Up Tour by Chuck Murphy and Priscilla Presley
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Graceland: An Interactive Pop-Up Tour by Chuck Murphy (2006-10-26) - Foreword by Priscilla Presley.Hardcover interactive book.
More than 600,000 people visit Graceland annually, making it one of the most popular tourist destinations in the United States. With Graceland: An Interactive Pop-Up Tour, you'll go behind the velvet ropes for an all-access tour of the Elvis Presley Estate. Eight full-color pop-up spreads feature the mansion's most memorable destinations:
The Kitchen: Home of the famous peanut butter and banana sandwich.The TV Room: There's never a dull moment with three TVs running simultaneously.The Trophy Room: A monument to the King's legacy.The Meditation Garden: Where Elvis and his family are buried.
Along the way, interactive pop-up features allow you to flip through Elvis's record collection, browse the family photo album, open his refrigerator, and discover other hidden surprises. Graceland: An Interactive Pop-Up Tour is the perfect gift for Elvis fans of all ages!
From Publishers Weekly.
Starred Review. For fans without the ways or means to get to Memphis or who just want to relive their last visit-pop-up master Murphy provides a scream-worthy up-close-and-personal desktop tour of Elvis Presley's famous Graceland estate in this brilliantly low-tech 3-D volume. Stuffed with photos, mementos-in-miniature, and other goodies (including a wearable cardboard facsimile of Elvis's trademark sunglasses), this tribute to the King's castle features painstakingly engineered replicas of numerous Graceland sites, including the manse exterior, the living room and music room, the jungle room, TV room and meditation garden. The margins are stacked with insightful text and brief looks at other aspects of Elvis's home life, such as his Tiki furniture...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
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
An Intricate And Large Folk Art Sailors Frame
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A very well and done and highly decorative woven Nautical Sailor's Frame that presents as a frame within a frame within a frame. Meticulously crafted, this unique piece showcases int...
Category
20th Century Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Cord
"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
Shigaraki the Potters' Valley 1st Edition 1979 Japan Hardcover Book by Louise Al
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Shigaraki the potters valley 1st Edition 1979 Japan. by Louise Allison Cort.
This is a study of one of the most influential ceramic traditions to emerge from Japan. It details the site of Shigaraki, its valuable wares and the potters who produced them, from their beginnings in the 10th century, to the present day. The farmer-potters of Shigaraki, a rural valley outside the ancient capital...
Category
Late 20th Century Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Vintage Large Wood Logs Cross with Metal and Glass decorations
Located in Van Nuys, CA
Vintage Large Wood Logs Cross with Metal and Glass decorations. $975
This large cross is made of a beautiful pair of dark wood logs, then extensively decorated with metal elements ...
Category
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Japanese Puzzle Bank Portrays A Building Bank "National Savings Bank" Circa 1948
Located in Incline Village, NV
Quite an unusual piece for bank collectors or just for those seeking a unique collectible. This is a coin bank made of all wood; walnut and inlay here and there with a green painted ...
Category
1940s Japanese Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
CIRCA 1970's RISING DOG MUSICAL MINIATURE FOLK ART CIGARETTE CIGAR DISPENSER
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely miniature Folk Art musical Cigarette or Cigar dispenser circa 1...
Category
1970s English Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Beech
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
Antique Large Folk Art Handcrafted Wooden Fretwork Crucifix or Cross and Stand
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This extremely detailed and ornately handcrafted wooden Folk Art Crucifix is unsigned, but presumed to have been made in Eastern Europe, possibly Aus...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Softwood
Early 19th Century Austrian Hiking Staff
Located in Chicago, IL
This one-of-a-kind Austrian hiking staff has been handcrafted from solid oak. Oak is a relatively lightweight yet sturdy material, which lends itself perf...
Category
Early 19th Century Austrian Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver, Brass
Pair of Mid-Century Folk Art Leather and Paper Mache Big Cat Figures
Located in Charleston, SC
For your consideration we have 2 mid-20th century era “big cat” leather wrapped animals. One being a panther who seems to be slowly approaching ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather, Paint, Parchment Paper
Savannah Then and Now by Stefan Sanmann and John Crowell Hardcover Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Savannah Then and Now by Stefan Sanmann and John Crowell Hardcover Book.
Savannah: Then and Now Hardcover – January 1, 1997
by Stefan Sanmann (Author), John Crowell (Author), Jeffrey Crowell (Photographer)
Photography - 172 pages
Putting archive and contemporary photographs of the same landmark side-by-side, Savannah Then and Now is a visual chronicle of the city's past The early settlers of Savannah built their houses around a geometric street plan on a bluff above the Savannah River. They were aided by the Yamacraw tribe and their aged chief, Tomochichi, who became firm friends with Savannah's founder, Englishman James Oglethorpe, and both their names are commemorated across the city. Oglethorpe's vision for "open-space squares surrounded by the rhythmic placement of streets"would later earn Savannah the prestigious status of becoming a National Historic Landmark. Savannah boomed as the cotton trade expanded in the South, and by the mid-19th century the city was thriving as it exported cotton bales to Europe and acted as a staging post for travelers. During the Civil War, in 1864, Savannah was surrendered to General William T. Sherman following his March to the Sea, which began in Atlanta and ended in Savannah. Thankfully, General Sherman spared Savannah the torch, and the elegant Georgian residences were saved. However, it took a group of resolute Savannah ladies to preserve some of the best architecture in the city in the 1950s, as many historic buildings were scheduled for demolition. Their hard work and enterprise has helped preserve the city's architectural heritage. The book features images of some of the sites referenced in John Berendt's influential book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil such as Mercer House...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Antique French Marionette
Located in Houston, TX
We found this wonderful 19th century French marionette in Rouen France. The puppet, and its art form, have been a mainstay of French cultural life f...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Vintage Toy by Lindstrom Dancing Dutch Boy Playing Accordion American Circa 1930
Located in Incline Village, NV
Very difficult antique toy to come by, especially to find with the original box, as this example. In excellent and all original condition and paint in bright blue, white, and yellow paint and lithography with no touch up; there is zero restoration, and the toy is in outstanding operating condition; just wind up the attached wind up key on the back of the boy and the he dances around in a circular motion for quite some time while seemingly playing his accordion (see the video attached). "Dancing Dutch Boy" is an all tin wind up toy...
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Tin
19th Century French Nautical Musical Automaton, circa 1860
Located in Nantucket, MA
Antique French Nautical Automaton, likely from Marseilles, circa 1860, a glass domed diorama with windmills and cottages on hillside, overlooking harbor with ship rocking on waves to a musical tune. The interior of glass dome has a hand painted landscape with trees, village and expansive sky; the diorama features a carved or molded cottage and windmill with figures winding along path down to the water's edge; a paper or papier-mache barque rides on a blue tissue paper sea; a pull-string activated mechanism plays music, rocks the ship on the sea...
Category
1860s French Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Clay, Glass, Paper
Midcentury Era Folk Art Made Collection of Miniature Antique Farm Implements
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This framed collection of over two dozen handcrafted miniature antique farm implements are all unsigned, but presumed to have been made in Canad...
Category
Mid-20th Century Canadian Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather, Softwood
M.I. Hummel The Golden Anniversary Album Hardcover 1st Ed. 1984
By Carl Maria Hummel
Located in North Hollywood, CA
M.I. Hummel: The Golden Anniversary Album Hardcover – January 1, 1984.
by Eric W. Ehrmann (Author), Robert L. Miller (Author), M.I. Hummel (Illustrator)
1st ed...
Category
Late 20th Century German Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
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
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
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
Chinese Painted Bamboo Walking Stick, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This 19th-century walking stick from northern China is comprised of a length of thin bamboo that has been steamed and bent into a hook shape. The bamboo segments are painted in alter...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bamboo
Wooden Wind-Up Double Decker Bus
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Charming painted wooden wind-up patinated white / red double-decker bus. Raw wood peeks through the original paint to make for a pleasing texture and patina. A compliment to bookshel...
Category
20th Century Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Very Long Racing Scull or Oar from Eton College Windsor
Located in Godshill, 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
Benares Seen from within by Richard Lannoy Hardcover Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Benares seen from within book by Richard Lannoy.
"Lannoy's Benares is no tourist's idyll, nor yet is it an exercise in peddling a 'Third World' mythology of exotica garnished with g...
Category
Late 20th Century Indian Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
La Belle et la Bête Un Choix de Jeunes Artistes Americains Art Gallery Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
La belle et la be^te: Un choix de jeunes artistes americains : Beauty ad the Beast, a choice of young American artist.
Doug Aitken : 6 octobre-19 nove...
Category
20th Century French Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
India by Beny Rolloff and Aubrey Menen 1st Edition Hardcover Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
India. Designed and Photographed by Roloff Beny. Essay by Aubrey Menen. First Edition
Title: Roloff Beny: India
Publisher: McGraw-Hill, New York
Publication Date: 1969
Binding: H...
Category
Mid-20th Century Indian Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Thousand Islands of the Adriatic Hardcover Book 1965 1st Edition
Located in North Hollywood, CA
The Thousand Islands of the Adriatic Hardcover Book 1965.
Text by Antun Soljan
Published by Yugoslavija 1st edition 1965.
Category
1960s European Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
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
Antique Horse Head Cigar Cutter, silvered Metal 1940s or older
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1940s or older silvered Metal Cigar Cutter. Very rare large size cigar cutter in the form of a horse head. Found at an estate sale in Leipzig, Germany. It has its all o...
Category
1940s German Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Moroccan Tribal Silver Jewelry Set Choker and Bracelet
Located in North Hollywood, CA
A Moroccan Tribal jewelry vintage set of a bracelet and a chocker inlaid with colorful glass beads in red and green and dangling coins. Silver, but not of the standard of sterling and richly embellished with applied silver designs and filigree.
Chocker size: 10" height x 8" wide
bracelet: 3"5 diameter x 1".
German nickel silver.
Category
Early 20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
2010 California Biennial Orange County Museum of Art Paperback Hardcover Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
2010 California Biennial orange County Museum of Art Paperback.
January 1, 2011
by Sarah C. Bancroft (Author).
Created for the Orange County Museum of...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary North American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
"Amérique du Sud Des Pays et des Hommes", South America Hardcover Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
”Amérique du Sud Des Pays et des hommes” book.
South America - Countries and People - tome 1
Amérique du Sud tome 1: Vénézuela, Colombie, Equateur, Pérou, Bolivie, Chilie
Des pays...
Category
1980s Guatemalan Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
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
Lot of Three Vintage Antique Mercury Glass Christmas Tree Topper German, 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A rare set of three feather tree glass Christmas tree topper from Germany. Each is made from mouth blown glass, would be a great antique addition for your Christmas or feather tree. ...
Category
Early 20th Century German Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Glass
20th Century Erzgebirge German Noah’s Ark Putz Toy Set, Vintage Folk Art
Located in Nuernberg, DE
20th century Erzgebirge German Noah’s Ark. A wonderful example of a 20th century Erzgebirge German Noah’s Ark, With 36 assorted hand carved figures. Typically, children played with t...
Category
20th Century German Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
19th Century South America "Slave" shrine
Located in Rio De Janeiro, BR
Solid wood, with original patina from the time.
Made by slaves, during the dark slavery times, to worship and pray.
Dimensions: 18,70 inches W x 33,26 inches H x 10,62 inches D.
...
Category
Mid-19th Century Brazilian Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Cedar
1950 Vintage American Folk Art Band Stand Hand Painted Goofy Jazz Music Stand
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Hand painted band stand folding music stand, circa 1950s. Great folk art design and Goofy dog painted. Possibly from the Jazz Mill in Phoenix. Great wall han...
Category
1950s American Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Composition, Metal
Deer Antler Mount Trophy on Black Forest Carved Wood Plaque Austrian Folk Art
Located in Nuernberg, DE
An antique Austrian deer antler trophy on hand carved, Black Forest wooden plaque. We believe its from 1910s or older. A nice addition to your hunters lo...
Category
1910s Austrian Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Antler, Wood
19th Century Bronze Pipe
Located in Copenhagen, K
Fantastic bronze pipe from the Vienna tobacco museum’s collection, from Belgian Congo.
Category
19th Century Congolese Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
19th Century Diorama of Sailing Ship ‘Eleanor’
Located in Dublin 8, IE
19th Century diorama of the sailing ship ‘Eleanor’ in original glazed case.
Painted antique shadowbox diorama of a three-masthead clipper ship alo...
Category
19th Century Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Glass, Wood
Folk Art, Hand Executed Modernist, Art Deco Airplane /Trinket Box
Located in Buffalo, NY
Folk Art, hand executed modernist, Art deco Airplane sculpture with hand built and painted trinket box.
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
19th Century Mexican Folk Art Carved Wood Church Sculpture
Located in San Francisco, CA
An extraordinary one of a kind Mexican folk art carving of a church.
Carved from a soft wood, possibly cactus, and having a beautifully aged patina.
Everything thing about this pie...
Category
19th Century Mexican Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Monumental 19th Century Dutch Church Painted Wood Cross
Located in Forney, TX
A massive nearly 10 foot tall by 5.5 foot wide antique Dutch ecclesiastical wooden cross.
Hand-crafted in the Netherlands in the 19th century, very large sculptural Celtic cross for...
Category
19th Century Dutch Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Iron
The Forties As Reported By The New York Times
Located in North Hollywood, CA
The Forties: As Reported By The New York Times
By Keylin, Arleen; Cohen, Jonathan.
Title
The Forties: As Reported by the New York Times
Author Keyli...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Art Deco Propeller Plane in Carved Wood and Metal
Located in Meer, VAN
Art Deco Propeller Plane in Carved Wood and Metal
Sometimes you find a piece that is just right…. This Art Deco propeller plane is a wonderful example of a fun and easthetic object....
Category
Mid-20th Century European Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
19th Century Ships Salt Beef Barrel, Oak and Brass Ships Storage Tub
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
19th Century Ships Salt Beef Barrel, Oak and Brass Ships Storage Tub
A survivor from the 18th Century, this excellent piece would have been used for sto...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Oak
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
Vintage Huckley Barrel Carnival Game
By St. Louis Carnival Co.
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Vintage carnival game made by the Saint Louis Carnival company. We also have the original paper game rules signs with these. Please note that not all crates are painted St. Louis Car...
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Clay, Wood
Large Portrait Photo of Luitpold Prince Regent of Bavaria 1886 Wood carved Frame
Located in Nuernberg, DE
An extraordinary Original Photograph of Luitpold Karl Joseph Wilhelm Ludwig, Prince Regent of Bavaria (12 March 1821 – 12 December 1912).
Beautiful hand crafted Black Forest style fr...
Category
1880s German Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Glass, Wood
(Ten) Assorted Metal Still Coin Banks; Circa 1950's-'70's
Located in Incline Village, NV
Nine out of these ten banks are of American manufacture, made between the 1950's and the 1970's, while one (the Well's Fargo Stage Coach) was made in China, circa 1990's.
Banthrico, Incorporated (Chicago) made four of these banks, while similar type companies made the other six. They manufactured coin savings banks for banking institutions who used them as premiums to those who opened up a savings account. In the case of young children they were given to them to encourage thrift and savings. These (10) banks are a representation of that era 1950 to early 1970's, encompassing enticing savings themes. They were always made of white metal, and typically plated; usually in a copper finish.
All of the banks listed below are pictured front, back, and bottom. Four of the banks lack the coin holding trap, which is quite common, as it was typical for children to toss them or lose them eventually upon removing the money from the bank.
1) "Pirate Bank"
Circa 1950's; depicts a pirate sitting on top of a treasure chest with a parrot on his shoulder, protecting his booty. Typical original copper finish in white metal; measures 5 1/2" high x 4 1/2" wide x 3 1/2" deep. Copyright marking to the rear "55" , perhaps 1955. Has the coin trap holder but lacks the circular coin trap. Very good condition.
Referenced #335 "The Penny Bank Book" by Andy Moore (published 1984)(
2) "Eagle on Cliff"
Made by Banthrico Incorporated and dated 1976 (Americana Bicentennial commemoration bank) portrays a proud American eagle perched on a cliff; nice detail to original copper finish with original coin trap in near mint condition.
6 3/8" high. Made for "United Savings Bank"
Referenced #145 "Coin Banks by Banthrico" by Jim Redwine (published 2001)
3) "Covered Wagon"
Made by Banthrico Incorporated and from the 1950's, by "The Union Banking Company"; depicts a fully loaded chuck wagon with buckets, and a chest ":parked" on western terrain. Finished with copper finish to white metal, with the typical saw tooth coin trap intact, in excellent and all original condition.
4 5/8" long
Referenced #432 "Coin Banks by Banthrico" by Jim Redwine (published 2001)
4) "Well's Fargo Stagecoach Bank"
Later made promotional bank by Well's Fargo banking institution; in all original and complete condition with original paint colors of red, yellow, and black, authentic looking stagecoach; in very good condition with coin trap intact and no repaint, restoration or dents.
4 3/4" long
5) "Three Little Pigs"
Inscribed on front base plate, all original condition with coin trap intact. Slight manufacturing "blow hole" at base of one of the pigs (see image specific to this); unknown manufacture. Made of copper; measures 5" high.
6) "Indian Chief"
Put out by "The Multnomah Bank of Portland,m Oregon; depicts an Indian Chief in full feathered head dress and chieftain regalia; with typical Banthrico Company original copper finish and Banthrico original coin trap to the base.
Measures 5" high. Circa 1962
Referenced #27 "Coin Banks by Banthrico" by Jim Redwine (published 2001)
7) "Shoe House" Bank
Mistakenly called "Old Lady and the Shoe Bank"; this particular bank is of unknown manufacture (could be early Banthrico bank...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal
Emile Deyrolle 19th Century Plaster, Wire and Wood Didactic Germination Models
Located in Buffalo, NY
Les Fils D'Emile Deyrolle, Paris. Extremely rare set of five 19th century French painted plaster, wire and wood Didactic models depicting progression, Anatomie Vegetalf, beautifully ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wire
Antique Ottoman Inkwell Qalamdan and Pen Case in Brass, Turkey
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Antique Turkish Brass Pencil Case Qalamdan and Inkwell From The Ottoman Empire
The interior of the brass case is divided into compartments to ho...
Category
Mid-19th Century Turkish Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass
19th Century Yacht Rudder and Carved Tiller
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
19th Century Yacht Rudder and Carved Tiller
The rudder is a good decorative piece as is the tiller which has a figure head carved on the end wit...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Ash
Mid-Century American Large Scale Wood Carved C-133A Plane
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Mid-century large-scale wood carved Folk Art Cargomaster C-133A. An actual barn find discovered in Washington State farm country. Hand-carved and painted. Two pieces: wing piece atta...
Category
Mid-20th Century American 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.