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Folk Art Curtains and Valances

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
Ink Pads for Fabrics, India, Early 20th Century
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Stamp composed of a set of small welded copper plates forming a bird motif. These stamps were to be printed on the drapery. Indian work, circa 1900.
Category

Early 20th Century Indian Folk Art Curtains and Valances

Materials

Copper, Iron

Wooden Buffer for Printing Fabrics, India, Early 20th Century
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Wooden pad with trefoil patterns used to decorate fabrics. India, early 20th century.
Category

Early 20th Century Indian Folk Art Curtains and Valances

Materials

Wood

19th century Crewelwork Embroidery Linen Hanging Curtain Bedspread 79" high 83'L
Located in BUNGAY, SUFFOLK
JUST PURCHASED, MORE INFORMATION SOON OR ON REQUEST, images taken with iphone Beautifully worked in a naive characterful manner with flowers and songbirds. It has some oxidised tack...
Category

1860s English Antique Folk Art Curtains and Valances

Materials

Wool, Linen

Organic 2000s Purple Wool Bouclé In Grape Maroon Vintage Upholstery Armchair
Located in London, GB
The faded grape maroon colour of this high-quality fabric is a beautiful deep shade of faded purple, with subtle herringbone pattern. It has a slightly muted, vintage look that would...
Category

Early 2000s Scottish Folk Art Curtains and Valances

Materials

Wool

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Chefchaouen Embroidery from Morocco, Late 19th Century
Located in Istanbul, TR
It is rather good condition apart from a few minor stains.
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Late 19th Century Moroccan Antique Folk Art Curtains and Valances

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Early 20th Century Phulkari with Indigo Blue Background, India
Located in Istanbul, TR
It has some ware but unusual enough to go with any collection.  
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Early 20th Century Indian Folk Art Curtains and Valances

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Victorian Decorative Gilt Metal Curtain Tie Back/Finial - U.K. - 19th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
Antique Victorian gilt metal curtain tieback or finial - integral threaded screw for installation - United Kingdom - late 19th century. Excellent antique condition - no loss - no da...
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Late 19th Century English Antique Folk Art Curtains and Valances

Materials

Brass

Lisa Larson 'Mikey' Cat Fabric Cushions
Located in Little Burstead, Essex
Cushions with zip on covers, fronts in 'Mikey' fabric designed by Lisa Larson, in typical Lisa Larson style, very reminiscent of her comical animal figures...
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Early 2000s Swedish Folk Art Curtains and Valances

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Cotton

Silk Embroidery from Gujarad, India, Early 20th Century
Located in Istanbul, TR
In rather good condition, lo lining.
Category

Early 20th Century Indian Folk Art Curtains and Valances

Materials

Silk

17th Century Crewelwork Wall Hanging Curtain
Located in Canterbury, GB
English Crewelwork Panel The linen ground worked in coloured wools Depicting Indienne Palampore Tree of Life design Dating from 17th century Part of a set of bed curtains from an E...
Category

17th Century English Antique Folk Art Curtains and Valances

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Wool, Cotton

Hand Finished Organic Wool Blanket/Throw in Yellow Wave Design Made in Portugal
Located in London, GB
The Otilia Hand finished organic wool wave design pattern blanket/throw has been created by an incredible and unique family owned weaving and textile company in Portugal. This compan...
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21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Folk Art Curtains and Valances

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Wool

Blue, navy & maroon woven recycled wool blanket, throw made in the UK
Located in London, London
'Scatter' double sided blanket woven from recycled wool in blue, navy by Granite + Smoke. Our recycled wool blankets are woven at a historic, 150 year old mill in the North of Engla...
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2010s English Folk Art Curtains and Valances

Materials

Wool

Handmade White Organic Modern Sheep Wool Lumbar Throw Pillow, in Stock
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This natural wool home accent throw pillow is made in a pedal loom from 100% hand-spun wool. Each piece is hand-loomed in an artisan community in the Momostenango region of the Guatemalan highlands. The natural wool gives it a lush luxurious feel and the fringe ads a boho charm. Our pillows are crafted by hand, one at a time, so there will be slight variations in size and color. Handmade artisan pillows...
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19th Century Jacquard Woven Coverlet with Fringe
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This multicolored handwoven 19th century coverlet with the original fringe in fine condition.
Category

1860s American Antique Folk Art Curtains and Valances

Materials

Wool

Early Mid-20th Century Hand-Painted Nursery Fairy Tale Panels Set in Wood
Located in Lomita, CA
Fairy tales do come true, and here they are: Eleven brightly colored hand-painted panels with classic nursery rhymes. A group of 11 vintage folk art painted children's nursery rhyme panels in oil are classic. These early to mid-century nursery rhyme panels include "Simple Simon," "Jack Be Nimble," "Little Bo Peep...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Curtains and Valances

Materials

Wood

Previously Available Items
Folk Handpainted Window Cornuses with Various Animals
Located in Houston, TX
Hand painted window cornuses with animals like birds, squirrels, foxes and rabbits painted in a folk style. Individually sold, inquiry for a particular one.
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Curtains and Valances

Materials

Plaster

Folk Art curtains and valances for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique folk art curtains and valances 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 curtains and valances created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles, folk art and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with copper, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art curtains and valances made in a specific country, there are Asia, India, and South Asia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. 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 curtains and valances differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $151 and tops out at $259 while the average work can sell for $245.

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