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.
36
to
3
31
3
36
36
36
372
250
67
51
36
33
31
23
21
20
15
14
3
2
1
1
1
9
137
387
22
144
136
36
27
16
25
43
17
21
12
5
4
1
17
9
6
5
3
14
11
6
4
4
3
2
1
1
1
Style: Folk Art
Period: Late 20th Century
Steiff Collectible Teddy Bear Toy Store Kober Vienna exclusive, Vintage Austria
By Steiff
Located in Nuernberg, DE
The Classic 1920 Teddybear is the perfect gift for every Steiff lover. The teddy bear is made of the finest mohair and is stuffed with wood shavings.
This product is not a toy and is...
Category
1980s German Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Mohair
Vintage Toca Hand Percussion Djembe Drum Painted Folk Art Gecko Lizard 12"
Located in Dayton, OH
Late 20th century Toca Hand Percussion djembe drum. 12" rope tuned head. Natural wood grain body with dot painted base showing an African folk art style gecko or sun lizard in red, b...
Category
Late 20th Century Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather, Hardwood
Broadway Musical Martin Gottfried Large Hardcover Book 1980
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Broadway Musical Martin Gottfried 1980 hardcover book.Large heavy book.
A colorful tribute to the great Broadway shows of our time.
Profusely illustrated in color. New York: Harry N. Abrams, Inc.
Title Broadway Musicals Author Gottfried, Martin
Format/Binding Hardcover
Binding Hardcover
Publisher Harry N. Abrams
Place Of Publication NY
Date Published 1980 2nd printing.
395 illustrations, 112 in full color.
Great oversized heavy coffee table art book.
A true treasure of a book. This is a very large book, and not just width wise. It is very tall too. There are many pictures, a lot of them in color. They have some of the rarest flops featured toward the back of the book, and the classics are all here too. Some high points are the run-through of how they make (made) "Annie" run every night. There is also a synopsis of "Hello Dolly" which helpful since I have only seen the movie. There is a flaw though, and it is not insignificant. The author does not separate fact from opinion. Example: "Sweeney Todd...
Category
Late 20th Century North American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
A Golden Celebration the Art and the Story of the World's Best-loved Comic Strip
Located in North Hollywood, CA
A Golden Celebration : the Art and the Story of the World's Best-loved Comic Strip Hardcover Book.
Charles Monroe Schulz.
Large Hardcover Comic books, strips.
Publisher : Harper ...
Category
Late 20th Century North American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
MANDALA By Jose and Miriam Arguelles Softcover Book 1972
Located in North Hollywood, CA
MANDALA By Jose and Miriam Arguelles Softcover Book.
Shambala 1st Edition 1972 - Mandala - English text 140 pages
A wonderful trip through the art of the last few centuries.This lavi...
Category
Late 20th Century Indian Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Johnny Hallyday's 50 Year Career The Official Book Collection French Edition
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Johnny Hallyday's 50-Year Career - The Official Book Collection. French Limited Edition.
The official collection celebrating Johnny Hallyday's 50-year career consists of twenty-three...
Category
Late 20th Century French Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
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 edition, 1st printing.
T...
Category
Late 20th Century German Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Moroccan Brass Decorative Collector Dagger
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Handcrafted Moroccan brass dagger, mixed metal, copper, nickel and enamel.
Moroccan Hand carved Khoumiya dagger, of typical shape with curved bla...
Category
Late 20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal, Brass
Pair of Original Anti-Vietnam War & Anti-President Nixon Posters on Heavy Paper
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This set of two vintage posters were produced in Vietnam in the early 1970s in protest of the Vietnam War and in particular President Nixon. These colo...
Category
1970s Vietnamese Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Holy Water Font with Virgin Mary and Jesus Child in wood, Gilded 1980s
By ANRI
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A wood carved holy water font. Attributed to an Italian or german wood carver. Made probably in the 1970s - 1980s. Found at an estate sale in Nuremberg, Germany. A nice addition to y...
Category
1980s German Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Bertram K. Little Nina Fletcher Little Collection: 1994 Sotheby's Catalogs 1 & 2
Located in Rochester, NY
The Bertram K. Little and Nina Fletcher Little Collection: January 29 and October 21 - 22, 1994 - Sotheby's, New York. Auction Catalogs - Part 1 and 2. Hardcover decorated black boar...
Category
1990s American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Gold & Orange Blown Mercury Glass Circus Lion Christmas Tree Ornament
Located in Clifton Forge, VA
This is a cute bright gold lion with orange mane and sweet blue eyes standing on his stool with the typical circus zig zag design. He is 3 1/2 inches tall and about 2 inches around. ...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Blown Glass
Blown Glass Blue Baby Shoe/Boot Christmas Ornament w/ White Glitter Paint
Located in Clifton Forge, VA
This little blown glass Christmas ornament baby boot is as sweet as can be! It is in good condition and would make a fabulous gift for a baby's f...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Blown Glass, Paint
1970 Norman Rockwell: Artist and Illustrator Oversized Heavy Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Norman Rockwell: Artist and Illustrator BY NORMAN ROCKWELL. Buechner, Thomas S.
Published by New York, Harry N. Abrahams, 1970.
Large heavy oversized hardcover coffee table book.
Fir...
Category
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Vintage Russian Samovar Doll Teapot Cosy, Teapot Cover
Located in Antwerp, BE
Vintage Russian samovar doll teapot cosy or samovar teapot cover.
This large sized handmade doll has a molded fabric head with painted eyes, red lips and a large green dress with lots of flowers and lace finish. She's holding a bouquet of flowers in her hand and wears a typical hat.
Under her dress or skirt you see the quilted cover to place over the teapot to keep warm.
Total height of the doll is 21,65 inch or 55 cm - diameter cover is +/- 9,45 inch or 24 cm
This large teapot cosy doll for samovar is in good but used condition so has some spots of the tea on the dress and traces of use on the face.
Could still be used to keep water or tea warm and is also a beautiful large vintage doll to display between other vintage and antique dolls.
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Fabric
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
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
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
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
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
Vintage African Urembo Beaded Necklace Choker Kenya
Located in North Hollywood, CA
African Urembo Beaded vintage necklace choker by the Maasai Tribe Kenya
Vintage African Urembo beaded necklace choker.
Handmade in Kenya by the ...
Category
Late 20th Century Kenyan Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Beads
"Lamb" Cast Iron Still Bank, American, Circa 1970
Located in Incline Village, NV
"Lamb" cast Iron still bank is a re-issue of a bank made in 1928. It was made by The John Wright Company in Mount Joy, Pennsylvania in 1970. They...
Category
1970s 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
Folk Art Wooden Hand Carved and Painted WW2 Lancaster Bomber Model Airplane
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This handcrafted Folk Art model of a Lancaster Bomber is signed on the base, but the artist could not be identified so is posted as Unknown. This wooden airplane model...
Category
Late 20th Century Canadian Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Softwood
Moroccan Dagger Brass and Silver Decorative Collector Khoumya
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Handcrafted Moroccan dagger brass and silvered adorned with mixed metal, copper, nickel.
Moroccan Hand carved Khoumiya dagger, of typical shape...
Category
Late 20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Metal, Brass
Bicentennial Cast Iron Still Bank, American, Circa 1976
Located in Incline Village, NV
Shaped like a pyramid this cast iron penny bank was made to commemorate the 200 year anniversary of America; thus inscribed at the top (see image) 1776-1976. It is painted in white (...
Category
1970s American Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Iron
Young Americans New American Art in the Saatchi Collection
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Young Americans: New American Art in the Saatchi Collection
Book by Jeffrey Deitch
Published to accompany exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery, London; 2...
Category
Late 20th Century English Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
African Urembo Beaded Vintage Necklace Choker by the Maasai Tribe Kenya
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage African Urembo beaded necklace choker.
Handmade in Kenya by the maasai tribe.
Urembo means “beauty” and the handmade pattern and unique ...
Category
Late 20th Century Kenyan Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Beads
Impressionist and Post-Impressionist Masterpieces at the Musee d'Orsay Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Impressionist and Post-Impressionist Masterpieces at the Musee d'Orsay
by Anne Distel, Genieve Lacambre, Sylvie Gache-Patin, et al.
Musee d'Orsay Impressionist and Post-Impressioni...
Category
Late 20th Century Indian Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
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
The Jews In America by David Cohen Coffee Table Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
The Jews In America by David Cohen, hardcover coffee table book.
Introduction by Chaim Potok.
Photographic essay.
From editor’s note: "To capture on film a cross section of the ...
Category
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Contemporary Quilts from Traditional Designs by Mosey, Carol L
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Contemporary quilts from Traditional Designs by Mosey, Carol L
Format/binding hardcover
Book condition
Used - fine
Jacket condition
Very good +
First edition, first printing so...
Category
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Rarities in American Cut-Glass
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Rarities in American cut-glass.
Index, black & white and color photographs. Book in very nice condition, head and tail of spine lightly bumped, light bump on top edge cover, light foxing inside front and rear covers, light insect depredation on open edges. Dust jacket has light foxing, chips and tiny tears to edges, rubs on back cover. First edition copy inscribed by author on first page, "Enjoy the Fine (five?) xxxxx (can't read it) pictured in the book. Herb Wiener." An exhibit of over 475 of the rarest pieces of cut glass ever to be manufactured in the United States.
Wiener, Herb; Freda Lipkowitz
Published by The Collectors House...
Category
Late 20th Century 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
"Treasury" Still Bank, American, circa 1970
Located in Incline Village, NV
"Treasury" cast Iron still bank is a re-issue of a bank made in 1928 by the Grey Iron Casting Company, and was made by The John Wright Company in...
Category
1970s American Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Iron
One of a Kind Italian Pair Deco Modern Art Lamps with Cast Brass Carnival Masks
Located in New York, NY
1980s vintage Italian pair of very rare lamps, entirely handmade in cast polished brass, uniquely decorated with carnival masks in different sizes, each different from the other, rai...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Brass, Metal
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.
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Eames Box
Vintage Barrel Stand
Antique Baby Items
Antique Silver Christmas
French Toy Horse
Used A Prie Dieu
Brass Collectible Antique Lamps Brass Lamps
1700s America
Retro Stuff Collectables
Antique Pewter Collectables
Large Antique Dolls
Gothic Ecclesiastical
Furniture For Dolls House
Religious Kneeler
Articulated Toys
Antique Prayer Stand
Eames Children
Head Of Jesus