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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 Prints of Sporting Dogs, 1847
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great images of sporting dogs 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 Animal Prints, Lions and Tigers, 1847
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great images of Lions and tigers Unframed. Lithographs after Cpt. Brown with original hand color. Published, 1847. The measurement is for 1 print Free shipping
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1840s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

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
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1840s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Original Antique Print of Hummingbirds, 1847, 'Unframed'
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of hummingbirds 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 Antique Print of a Blue Tit, circa 1880, 'Unframed'
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of a Blue Tit Unframed. It gives you the option of perhaps making a set up using your own choice of frames. Lithograph after Alexander Francis Lydon. Original color P...
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1880s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Original Antique Print of an Elephant, 1847 'Unframed'
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of an elephant. 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 Antique Print of a Bat, 1847 'Unframed'
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of a bat. 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 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

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 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

Swedish Folk Art Painted Panel
Located in Greenwich, CT
Good early 19th century Swedish folk painted wall panel depicting a flowering urn with perched bid, surrounded by several scroll-painted borders, all in pleasing blues, grays and ora...
Category

1840s Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Canvas

Large Original Antique Natural History Print, Gerbils, circa 1835
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of gerbils 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 col...
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1830s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

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

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

Original Antique Print of a Cat After Landseer, Early 19th Century
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of a cat presented in an antique distressed pine frame Copper-plate engraving after Landseer Published About 1840 There is a single horiz...
Category

1840s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Pine, Paper

Three Antique Silhouette Portrait Busts With William Henry Brown
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Comprised of a larger on panel, marked as being by American artist, William Henry Brown (American, 1808 - 1883). Together with two smaller silhouettes. All framed and glazed. Con...
Category

19th Century Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paper

Delft Ceramic Decorative Tile Featuring a Man on Horse
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Delft tile featuring a noble man riding a horse. This characterful Delftware tile a man on horseback in expressive blue coloring on a whit...
Category

Early 20th Century Dutch Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Ceramic, Clay

Holstein Milk Painted Metal Trade Sign
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This folky original painted hand made Holsteins Milk metal farm trade sign has the original chain for hanging.It has spots that has paint loss and mino...
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Metal

Set of 8 Original Antique Prints of Monkey's, circa 1780
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful set of 8 copper-plate engravings of monkeys after De Seve I particularly like the naivety of the drawings. Published C.1780 Unframed. Free shipping.
Category

1780s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Original Antique Whaling Print, Circa 1800
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of a whaling scene Copper-plate engraving Published C.1800 Unframed.
Category

Early 1800s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Majolica Deruta Raffaellesco Decorative Ceramic Wall Plate 14'75 inches
Located in North Hollywood, CA
A large vintage Deruta Raffaellesco decorative wall plate with scalloped rim. Majolica hand-painted with magnificent detailing and artwork, extraordina...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Ceramic

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

1829 Needlepoint Pictorial Sampler of Flowers and Quote by 12-year old Girl.
Located in Soquel, CA
Wonderful 1820's needlepoint by 12 year-old Ellen Roberts (American, b. 1817 - ?) of New York with flower boarder and quote: Count that day lost whose low descending sun. ...
Category

1820s American Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Linen, Thread

Large Original Antique Natural History Print, Zebra, circa 1835
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of a zebra etc. 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

1830s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Vintage 1960s Hand Sewn Framed Afghan Waistcoat
Located in Søborg, DK
Unique hand sewn and crafted 1960s Afghan waistcoat. This waistcoat is one of a kind and made with great skill and attention to detail. The colors a...
Category

Late 20th Century English Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Leather, Wool, Cotton

Original Antique Bullfighting Print, Dated 1805
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of bullfighting Copper-plate engraving Published 1805 Unframed.
Category

Early 1800s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

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 a Stonechat, C.1880, 'Unframed'
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of a Stonechat Unframed. It gives you the option of perhaps making a set up using your own choice of frames. Lithograph after Alexander Francis Lydon. Original h...
Category

1880s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Swedish Folk Art Panel
Located in Greenwich, CT
Early 19th Century Swedish folk painted wall decoration depicting flowers and plants, painted on re-purposed home spun cloth, in wonderful blues, golds and grey tones.
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Fabric

Set of Three Folk Art Straight Edge Razor Trade Signs
Located in Stamford, CT
Three whimsical American folk carved wood art trade signs in the form of straight edge razors. Used by barbers as interior advertisements. Two have...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Wood

Original Antique Print of a Dusky Grebe, circa 1880, 'Unframed'
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of a Dusky Grebe Unframed. It gives you the option of perhaps making a set up using your own choice of frames. Lithograph after Alexander Francis Lydon. Original color...
Category

1880s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Advertising Tin Sign "The Delaware Insurance Company of Philadelphia" Circa 1885
By The Delaware Insurance Company of Philadelphia
Located in Incline Village, NV
This is a very rare and early (circa 1885) tin advertising sign, commissioned by the Delaware Insurance Company, located and founded in Philadelphia in 1835. It was probably made by noted late 19th century sign maker, Sentenne & Green, of New York City, established in the 1870's. With an Indian motif, the sign features a Native American Indian, front and center, decorated in a brown and green headdress; with red, cream and aqua clothing and a large gold medallion...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Tin

Sailor's Woolwork of The British Ship Gold Finder on her voyage to Australia
Located in Downingtown, PA
Sailor's Woolwork Nautical Picture, Inscribed:The British Ship Gold Finder on her voyage to Melbourn, August 2, 1864. Worked by T.J. Francis, Circa 1864 This sailor's woolwork depicts aportside view of the the Gold Finder. The Gold Finder was a 3-masted iron ship built in 1863 by J. Laing of Sunderland. There is a detailed inscription below including the maker's name- T.J. Francis. A notice in the Liverpool Mercury on Tuesday May 3, 1853......This ship is expected to sail very fast, has all her passenger arrangements on a novel and peculiar plan, affording an amount of light and ventilation such as no other passenger ship ever possessed. The ships bell has recently been acquired by the Merseyside Maritime Museum. It seems though that the ship's description involved a degree of hyperbole as she was in fact laid down as a coal ship and converted to passenger accommodation later to meet the demand for the Gold Rush in Australia. Dimensions: Framed: 28 3/10 inches high x 31 inches wide (72cm x 79 cm). The Australian gold rush started after Edward Hargraves found the precious metal in New South Wales in 1851. He was not the first to discover gold but is credited with launching the stampede when thousands tried their luck at unearthing wealth - and some succeeded. Hargraves (1816-1891), a former hotelier and cattle farmer, played a small part in the California gold rush of 1849. He didn't get rich but met people who knew about gold and where it could be found - they pointed out similarities between California and New South Wales. Hargraves headed back to Australia to test these theories and stake a claim for a Government reward for the discovery of viable gold fields. Despite initial setbacks, he organised fellow prospectors in the quest for gold which was successful. Hargraves was granted massive rewards of more than pounds 12,000 and later a pension of pounds 250 a year. He was born in Gosport, Hampshire, the son of an army officer, and educated at Lewes and Brighton Grammar School. Hargraves joined the merchant navy before arriving at Sydney in 1832 and marrying Eliza Mackie four years later. Publicity about the gold rush prompted many migrants to sail from Liverpool to seek their fortunes - the first licence was issued in Victoria on 21 September 1851. Australia's population boomed as the emigrants...
Category

Mid-19th Century English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Wool

Original Antique Print of a Desert Wheatear, circa 1880, 'Unframed'
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of a desert wheatear Unframed. It gives you the option of perhaps making a set up using your own choice of frames. Lithograph after Alexander Francis Lydon. Orig...
Category

1880s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Original Cover of Mexican Comic "Sensacional de Maestros"
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this amazing original cover painted in gouache in excellent vintage condition, issue 291 "Al gato y al ratón jugabas con mi chon", circa 1990. About the Sensacional Comics as part of the Mexican Culture: "Sensacional" is the generic name of a handful of Mexican comics published at the end of the 1970s (1979 to be exact) and whose "boom" remained in force within the Mexican idiosyncrasy for around 20 years, (all the decade of the 80's and 90's) to then go downhill and "evolve", so to speak, until they become sexually explicit...
Category

1990s Mexican Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Acrylic

Original Antique Astronomy Print. C.1900
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of the solar system 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

Original Antique Print of A Bat, 1847 'Unframed'
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of a bat. 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

Antique 1832 Sampler, Jane Peacock Age 8, Friendship
Located in Bridgeport, CT
By Jane Peacock age 8. With a Friendship poem along with embroidered birds, squirrels, and a charming house in the country with a dog in the yard. A pretty floral vine border on all ...
Category

19th Century American Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Fabric, Glass, Wood

Abstract Modernist Wood Inlay / Wooden Marquetry Figure Wall Plaque
Located in Buffalo, NY
Abstract Modernist Wood Inlay / Marquetry Figure wall plaque. Hand executed..Art Deco , African influenced.Several mixed species of exotic woods.
Category

1940s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Wood

Zabihi Collection Blue Vintage Persian Souf Pictorial Kilim
Located in New York, NY
A mid-20th century Souf carpet woven somewhere in Central Iran. 1'8'' x 3'2'' Souf rugs are very rare technique found as they have a raised low and high...
Category

Mid-20th Century Persian Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Wool

Mid 19th Century Sailor's Elaborate Woolie
Located in Nantucket, MA
Antique Sailor's elaborate woolwork, circa 1855, with a photograph of the sailor held in a woolwork frame set on the British flag on a cruciform reserve; with the "Honi Soit Qui Mal ...
Category

1850s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Wool

Sailor's Woolwork of Royal Navy Five-Masted Ship under Steam, Minotaur Class
Located in Downingtown, PA
Sailor's Woolwork of Royal Navy Five-masted Ship under Steam, HMS Minotaur or HMS Agincourt, Minotaur Class Broadside Ironclad, circa 1880 The sailor's woolie depicts a portsi...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Wool

1 of the 100 Unique Antique Relief Tiles, circa 1920 S.A. Pavillions
Located in Rijssen, NL
Several pcs. exceptional antique wall tiles, Société des Pavillions, Florennes (S.A. des Pavillions). Beautiful quality. The dimensions per tile a...
Category

1920s Belgian Vintage Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Ceramic

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

Oil Painting of an Asian Lady by Geri Perlman, 1993
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Paintings depicting portraits of a lady wearing a traditional sari style attire and head cover. Looks like and Asian traditional attire, bright colors, probably Afghani or Persian or Indian lady...
Category

1990s American Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Canvas

Antique Carved Folk Art Wooden Wall Hanging Commemorating The Royal Mail
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This large antique folk art hand carved wall hanging is unsigned but presumed to have been made in England in circa 1880 in the Victorian style. The wall sculpture commemorates the Royal Mail stagecoach which was used for long distance mail delivery in the mid-1800s. The carving is very intricately executed and depicts the Royal Mail coach...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Wood

Original Antique Print of a Bat, 1847 'Unframed'
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of a bat. 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

German Folk Art Naïve Military Painting, circa 1870
Located in London, GB
A wonderful example of a circa 1870 German Folk Art naïve military scene in townscape annotated to celebrate a soldier. In ceremonial regalia in watercolou...
Category

1870s German Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Karl Viktor Mayr, Austrian Oil on Canvas "An Exotic Nude Girl"
By Karl Viktor Mayr
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Karl Viktor Mayr (Austrian, 1882-1974) a very fine Austrian oil on canvas "An Exotic Nude Girl" depicting a young semi-nude woman, revealing her breast...
Category

Early 1900s Austrian Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Canvas, Giltwood

Original Antique Print of a Cole Titmouse, C.1880, 'Unframed'
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of a Cole Titmouse Unframed. It gives you the option of perhaps making a set up using your own choice of frames. Lithograph after Alexander Francis Lydon. Origin...
Category

1880s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Set of 6 of Total 120 Dutch Blue Glazed Ceramic Tiles by Le Glaive, 1930
Located in Rijssen, NL
This is an amazing set of Dutch blue handmade tiles. A beautiful and color. With 6 different stylized designs. We offer 20 tiles from the same design. In total 120 tiles...
Category

1930s Belgian Vintage Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Ceramic

Original Antique Print of Parrots, circa 1850, 'Unframed'
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of parrots. 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

19th Century Lithograph Map of Lower Manhattan, New York
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
1859 hand colored map of Lower Manhattan or New Amsterdam by George H. Moore.
Category

19th Century English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

Gold Framed Embroidered Needlepoint Floral and Peacock Wall Hanging
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A lovely square framed hand embroidered wall hanging of a peacock and roses. This beautiful piece has been cross stitched by hand in a variety of bright and bold colors. A peacock ta...
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Fabric, Thread, Wood

Rustic Figures in a Farmyard, in the Manner of Jack Kampmann, C.1950.
By Jack Kampmann
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Charming painting of 2 female farm labourers Unsigned. In the style of Jack Kampmann Oil on board. Possibly Faroe Islands Presented in an antique whi...
Category

1950s Faeroese Vintage Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Paint

Set of 4 Original Antique Prints of Woodpecker's C.1880
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful set of 4 prints. Lithographs after the original drawings by Alexander Francis Lydon Original colour Published by John C. Nimmo, Circa 1880...
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1880s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Paper

19th Century Diorama of Frederiksborg Castle in Denmark
Located in Copenhagen, K
Amazing Danish model representing a scene with three-dimensional figures of Frederiksborg castle and gardens. With miniature people and trees in the f...
Category

Early 19th Century Danish Antique Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Paint

Large Antique Handcrafted Folk Art Sign ..MASONIC TEMPLE, Raised Letters
Located in Buffalo, NY
Large antique handcrafted Folk Art sign ..MASONIC TEMPLE,, Beautiful sign,, turn of the century,, Retains original finish,, patina,, modeled blue backgr...
Category

1910s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Art

Materials

Wood

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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