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Folk Art Decorative Art

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
Original Antique Print of an Eagle, 1847 'Unframed'
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of an eagle Unframed. It gives you the option of perhaps making a set up using your own choice of frames. Lithograph after Cpt. brown with original hand color. Publish...
Category

1840s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Antique Dutch Dark Blue Glazed Ceramic Tiles
Located in Rijssen, NL
This is an amazing set of dark blue handmade tiles of a Dutch scenery of sailing ships. With 6 different stylized designs. These tiles would be charming displayed on easels, framed or incorporated into a custom tile design. Please note that the price is for a set of 6 tiles...
Category

20th Century Belgian Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Ceramic

American Quilt of Undocumented Pattern Circa 1875
Located in Hudson, NY
Striking and beautiful New England quilt in the princess feather and rose pattern. Excellent condition with a highly folky design pattern. Found in , this quilt made from blue and re...
Category

1830s American Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Cotton

Vintage Charcoal Rubbing of Thai Musicians
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Thai Temple charcoal rubbing. Hand crafted temple scenes at the Wat Pho temple located in Phra Nakhon district in Bangkok Thailand...
Category

Mid-20th Century Thai Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Original Antique Prints of A Zebra and An Ass, 1847
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great images of a zebra and a Mongolian ass Unframed. Lithographs after Cpt. Brown with original hand color. Published, 1847. The measurement is for 1 print Free shipping
Category

1840s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Antique Mexican Retablo "Exvoto" Oil on Tin, 1936
Located in Toronto, CA
Beautiful Mexican retablo or ex voto, painted in 1936, describing a mother giving thanks to the Virgin for the safety of her two boys. The crowned Virgin of Guadeloupe floats surroun...
Category

1930s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Tin

Original Antique Prints of Whales and Dolphins, 1847
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great images of Whales and dolphins Unframed. Lithographs after Cpt. Brown with original hand color. Published, 1847. The measurement is for 1 print Free shipping
Category

1840s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Original Antique Print of Beetles, 1847, 'Unframed'
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of beetles. Unframed. It gives you the option of perhaps making a set up using your own choice of frames. Lithograph after Cpt. brown with original color. Published, 1...
Category

1840s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

American Applique Picture of a Basket of Strawberries
Located in Downingtown, PA
American oval shadow box felt picture depicts strawberries in an openwork straw basket with the large long handle rising above. Within an oval gilt frame...
Category

Mid-19th Century American Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Felt

Framed Antique Ottoman Embroidery Fragment 19th century.
Located in Istanbul, TR
First the fragment has been hand backed on a linen fabric, then stretched over a wooden stretcher and finished with a wooden frame. Late 19th C. Turkey Ready to go on a wall. Framed...
Category

19th Century Turkish Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Silk

Professionally Framed Antique Ottoman Turkish Embroidery
Located in Istanbul, TR
First the fragment has been hand backed on a linen fabric, then stretched over a wooden stretcher and finished with a wooden frame. Late 19th C. Ottoman Turkey Ready to go on a wall....
Category

Early 19th Century Turkish Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Silk

Professionally Framed Ottoman Embroidery Fragment, Turkey, E 20th Century.
Located in Istanbul, TR
First the fragment has been hand backed on a linen fabric, then stretched over a wooden stretcher and finished with a wooden frame. E 20th C. Ottoman Turkey Ready to go on a wall. F...
Category

Early 20th Century Turkish Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Silk

British Sailor's Large Woolwork of HMS Brunswick
Located in Downingtown, PA
British Sailor's large woolwork of HMS Brunswick, Made by J. H. Miller, Brixton, Circa 1865 The large-scale sailor's woolwork depicts an image of a Royal Navy Second Rate Battleship...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Wool

Professionally Framed Ottoman Embroidery Fragment, Turkey, Late 19th Century.
Located in Istanbul, TR
First the fragment has been hand backed on a linen fabric, then stretched over a wooden stretcher and finished with a wooden frame. Late 19th C. Ottoman Turkey Ready to go on a wall....
Category

Late 19th Century Turkish Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Silk

Antique Folk Art Painted Picture Frame. English, Circa 1830
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Lovely painted picture frame Great piece of folk art Original paint. Painted on pine. The measurement given below is the outside of the frame Internally it measures 9.75 x 8.25 i...
Category

1820s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Pine

Original Antique Print of a Racehorse, 1847
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of a racehorse presented in an antique oak frame Lithograph after George Stubbs with original hand color. Published, 1847. Free UK shipping
Category

1840s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Oak, Paper

Original Antique Print of a Hoopoe, 1847, Unframed
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of a hoopoe. Unframed. It gives you the option of perhaps making a set up using your own choice of frames. Lithograph after Cpt. Brown with original hand color. Publis...
Category

1840s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Original Antique Print of A Colour Chart . C.1900
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of a colour chart Unframed. Chromo-lithograph Published, C.1900 The measurement is the paper size of the print Free shipping.
Category

Early 1900s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Vintage Framed Embroidered Needlepoint Folk Art Landscape Wall Hanging
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage original Folk Art landscape features a rural scene with people in horse-driven carriages arriving to and passing by the small stores, including bookstore and antiques store, ...
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Fabric, Thread, Wood

British Sailor's Woolwork of Three Royal Navy Ships, Circa 1885
Located in Downingtown, PA
British sailor's woolwork of three royal navy ships Circa 1885 The British sailor woolwork depicts an unusual scene of three different types of Royal Navy Ships which are all flying the White...
Category

1880s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Wool

Original Antique Print of Beetles, 1847, 'Unframed'
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of beetles. Unframed. It gives you the option of perhaps making a set up using your own choice of frames. Lithograph after Cpt. brown with original color. Published, 1...
Category

1840s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Original Antique Astronomy Print. C.1900
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of the sun Unframed. Chromo-lithograph Published, C.1900 The measurement is the paper size of the print Free shipping.
Category

Early 1900s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Framed Antique Silk and Cotton Ikat Fragment, 19th C.
Located in Istanbul, TR
First the fragment has been hand backed on a linen fabric, then stretched over a wooden stretcher and finished with a wooden frame. Late 19th C. Uzbekistan Ready to go on a wall. Fr...
Category

Late 19th Century Uzbek Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Silk

Framed Antique Caucasian Metallic Embroidery Fragment
Located in Istanbul, TR
First the fragment has been hand backed on a linen fabric, then stretched over a wooden stretcher and finished with a wooden frame. Late 19th Century. Daghestan Ready to go on a wal...
Category

Late 19th Century Caucasian Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Metallic Thread

Original Antique Print of Golden Oriole, 1847 'Unframed'
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of golden oriole. Unframed. It gives you the option of perhaps making a set up using your own choice of frames. Lithograph after Cpt. brown with original hand color. P...
Category

1840s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Original Antique Print of Fish, 1847 Unframed
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of fish. Unframed. It gives you the option of perhaps making a set up using your own choice of frames. Lithograph after Cpt. Brown with original hand color. Published,...
Category

1840s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Original Vintage Beatrix Potter Print. Peter Rabbit And Friends C.1905
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Lovely image by Beatrix Potter Rescued from an early edition of " The Tale of Two Bad Mice " Possibly a 1st edition from 1904 The measurement given is the paper size not the actua...
Category

Early 1900s British Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Framed Antique Silk and Cotton Ikat Fragment, 19th C.
Located in Istanbul, TR
First the fragment has been hand backed on a linen fabric, then stretched over a wooden stretcher and finished with a wooden frame. Late 19th C. Uzbekistan Ready to go on a wall. Fr...
Category

19th Century Uzbek Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Silk

Chelsea Textiles Original Needlepoint Tulip Artwork In Red White and Yellow
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Needlepoint Wood Framed Artwork of Tulips from Chelsea Textiles One-of-a-kind needlepoint artwork from Chelsea Textiles. This framed artwork features tulips in rust, orange, yellow and green colors. This classic piece of art would make a suitable piece to add to a bookshelf or wonderful displayed as part of a wall gallery art collection.
Category

Mid-20th Century English Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Fabric

Professionally Framed Silk and Cotton Ikat Fragment, Uzbekistan, L 19th C.
Located in Istanbul, TR
First the fragment has been hand backed on a linen fabric, then stretched over a wooden stretcher and finished with a wooden frame. L 19th C. Uzbekistan. Ready to go on a wall. Fram...
Category

Late 19th Century Uzbek Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Silk

Original Antique Print of Dogs, 1847, 'Unframed'
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of dogs Unframed. It gives you the option of perhaps making a set up using your own choice of frames. Lithograph after Cpt. brown with original hand color. Publi...
Category

1840s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Original Antique Prints of an Elephant and a Jaguar, 1847
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great images of an elephant and a jaguar Unframed. Lithographs after Cpt. Brown with original hand color. Published, 1847. The measurement is for 1 print Free shipping
Category

1840s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Set of 4 Original Antique Prints of Game Birds, 1830s
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great set of game birds. Partridge, Quails, Ptarmigan and Grouse. Lithographs after the drawings by A. Rider, A. Wilson and Cpt. Brown. Original color. Unframed The measurement...
Category

1830s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Set of 4 Large Original Antique Prints of Cats, Circa 1835
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great images of cats Unframed. It gives you the option of perhaps making a set up using your own choice of frames. Lithographs after Cpt. Brown, Gilpin and Edwards with original ha...
Category

1830s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Original Antique Print of a Brown Bear, 1847 'Unframed'
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of a brown bear. Unframed. It gives you the option of perhaps making a set up using your own choice of frames. Lithograph after captain brown with original hand color. ...
Category

1840s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Original Antique Animal Prints, Deer and Seals, 1847
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great images of deer and seals Unframed. Lithographs after Cpt. Brown with original hand color. Published, 1847. The measurement is for 1 print Free shipping
Category

1840s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Original Antique Print of Dolphins, 1847 'Unframed'
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of dolphins. Unframed. It gives you the option of perhaps making a set up using your own choice of frames. Lithograph after Cpt. brown with original hand color. ...
Category

1840s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Original Antique Bird Prints, Oriole and Bee-eaters. 1847
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great images of 0riole and Bee-eaters Unframed. Lithographs after Cpt. Brown with original hand color. Published, 1847. The measurement is for 1 print Free shipping
Category

1840s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Woven Textile Fragment. East European. 19th Century
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Lovely textile sample Fabulous colours Great piece of folk art. Likely to be of East European origin. Possibly Balkan. In new white painted box fra...
Category

Late 19th Century Balkan Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Wool, Cotton

Professionally Framed Greek Embroidered Chemise Hem Fragment, 19th C.
Located in Istanbul, TR
First the fragment has been hand backed on a linen fabric, then stretched over a wooden stretcher and finished with a wooden frame. Late 19th C. Greece. Ready to go on a wall. Frame...
Category

19th Century Greek Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Silk

Original Antique Print of Trogons, 1847 'Unframed'
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of trogons Unframed. It gives you the option of perhaps making a set up using your own choice of frames. Lithograph after Cpt. brown with original hand color. Publishe...
Category

1840s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Monumental Dorothy Gillespie Metal Ribbon Wall Sculpture
By Dorothy Gillespie
Located in Buffalo, NY
Stunning Dorothy Gillespie metal ribbon wall sculpture, wonderful usr of color, texture and space. Photos do not do this piece of art any justice...
Category

1980s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Metal

Peruvian Naylamp Brass & Copper Model of a Ceremonial Tumi Knife Wall Hanging
Located in Grythyttan, SE
A brass and copper model of a Tumi or ceremonial knife, with an adorable motif of Naylamp, the founder of the ancient Peruvian Sican culture. ABOUT T...
Category

1960s Peruvian Vintage Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Brass, Copper

Professionally Framed Silk and Cotton Ikat Fragment, Uzbekistan, Early 20th C.
Located in Istanbul, TR
First the fragment has been hand backed on a linen fabric, then stretched over a wooden stretcher and finished with a wooden frame. Early 20th C. Uzbekistan. Ready to go on a wall. ...
Category

Early 20th Century Uzbek Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Silk

Set of 6 Large Original Antique Prints of Birds of Prey, C.1835
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great set of birds of prey Lithographs after the drawings by Turvey, A. Wilson and Cpt. Brown. Original color. Unframed The measurement given below is for one print.
Category

1830s Scottish Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Framed Antique Silk and Cotton Ikat Fragment, 19th C.
Located in Istanbul, TR
First the fragment has been hand backed on a linen fabric, then stretched over a wooden stretcher and finished with a wooden frame. Late 19th C. Uzbekistan Ready to go on a wall. Fr...
Category

Mid-19th Century Uzbek Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Silk

Framed Antique Silk and Cotton Ikat Fragment, 19th C.
Located in Istanbul, TR
First the fragment has been hand backed on a linen fabric, then stretched over a wooden stretcher and finished with a wooden frame. Late 19th C. Uzbekistan Ready to go on a wall. Fr...
Category

19th Century Uzbek Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Silk

Original Antique Print of Shrike, 1847 'Unframed'
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of shrike Unframed. It gives you the option of perhaps making a set up using your own choice of frames. Lithograph after Cpt. brown with original hand color. Published...
Category

1840s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Original Antique Bird Prints, Trogons and Purple Headed Pigeons. 1847
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great images of trogons and purple headed pigeons Unframed. Lithographs after Cpt. Brown with original hand color. Published, 1847. The measurement is for 1 print Free shipping...
Category

1840s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Original Antique Print of Swans, 1847, 'Unframed'
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of swans. Unframed. It gives you the option of perhaps making a set up using your own choice of frames. Lithograph after Cpt. brown with original hand color. Published...
Category

1840s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Vintage Shooting Club Lodge Target Plaque German 1934, Carnival Folk Art
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Vintage Shooting Lodge Target Plaque dated 1934. A rare and beautiful wooden shooting target plaque with inscriptions. This rare kings plaque was issued by a shooting club...
Category

1930s German Vintage Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Wood

Original Vintage Beatrix Potter Print. Peter Rabbit And Friends C.1905
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Lovely image by Beatrix Potter Rescued from an early edition of " The Tale of Two Bad Mice " Possibly a 1st edition from 1904 The measurement given is the paper size not the actua...
Category

Early 1900s British Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Original Antique Print of Lions and Tigers, 1847 'Unframed'
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of lions. Unframed. It gives you the option of perhaps making a set up using your own choice of frames. Lithograph after Cpt. Brown with original hand color. Pub...
Category

1840s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Original Vintage Beatrix Potter Print. Peter Rabbit And Friends C.1905
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Lovely image by Beatrix Potter Rescued from an early edition of " The Tale of Two Bad Mice " Possibly a 1st edition from 1904 The measurement given is the paper size not the actua...
Category

Early 1900s British Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Set of 15 Large Original Antique Animal Prints, 1830s
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great set of animal prints Lithographs after the drawings by Cpt. brown. Original hand color. Unframed The measurement given below is for one print.
Category

1830s Scottish Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Original Antique Print of Couroucoui, 1847 Unframed
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of Couroucoui Unframed. It gives you the option of perhaps making a set up using your own choice of frames. Lithograph after Cpt. Brown with original hand color. Publi...
Category

1840s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Beautiful Black Forest Frame Antique Folk Art with Jesus Child Picture, 1890s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A lovely picture frame made of hand carved wood, made in Germany with a picture of Jesus and a Child. Found at an estate sale in Nuremberg, Germany. It is not marked. A nice addition...
Category

1890s German Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Glass, Wood

Large Original Antique Natural History Print, Camels, circa 1835
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of camels Unframed. It gives you the option of perhaps making a set up using your own choice of frames. Lithograph after Cpt. Brown and Marechal with original hand colo...
Category

1830s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Original Antique Print of a Whale, 1847 'Unframed'
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of a whale. Unframed. It gives you the option of perhaps making a set up using your own choice of frames. Lithograph after Cpt. Brown with original hand color. Publish...
Category

1840s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Set of 16 Large Original Antique Exotic Bird Prints, 1830s
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great set of bird prints Lithographs after the drawings by Cpt. brown. Original hand color. Unframed The measurement given below is for one print.
Category

1830s Scottish Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Folk Art decorative art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique folk art decorative art 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 decorative art created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include wall decorations, decorative objects, folk art and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art decorative art made in a specific country, there are North America, United States, and Africa pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original decorative art, popular names associated with this style include Familia Lorenzo , and hettler.tüllmann. 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 decorative art differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $300 and tops out at $2,931 while the average work can sell for $1,300.

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