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
Printing Block Letter Press Collage Art
Located in San Francisco, CA
Folk Art printing press or letter block collage art. Interesting assortment of vintage printing blocks arranged in a whimsical visual pleasing manor in hea...
Category
1970s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Art
Materials
Brass
Original Wood Carved Carnival Midway Poster Letterpress
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Set of three original hand-carved letterpress made by the Neal Walters Poster Company. Fantastic carnival midway scene. Games, carnival rides and acrobats. Carved with incredible detail, please see photos. The colors are the original ink used during the three color posted printing process. Circus and...
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
Double Sided Painted Wood Doll Furniture Sign
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Midcentury, Folk Art, double sided, painted wood "Doll Furniture" sign with jagged edges.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Art
Materials
Wood
Set of 5 Original Antique Fishing / Angling Prints, Dated 1801
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great set of 5 fishing prints
Copper-plate engravings
Published by Bunney & Gold, London
Unframed
The measurement give below is for one print.
Free shipping.
Category
Early 1800s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art
Materials
Paper
Easy Rider Chopper Tanks
Located in San Francisco, CA
Vintage custom painted chopper tanks with steel mounting brackets.
First is a Classic heavy metallic flake purple and silver painted Harley Davidson tank with navy blue flame patte...
Category
1960s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Art
Materials
Metal
1 of the 144 Handmade Antique Ceramic Iles by Devres, France, circa 1910s
By Devres
Located in Rijssen, NL
This is a amazing and unique set of 511 antique French handmade ceramic tiles. Manufactured by Devres, circa 1910s. Stylized design. Each patte...
Category
1910s French Vintage Folk Art Decorative Art
Materials
Ceramic
Persian Qajar Dynasty Ceramic Polychrome Framed Mosaic Tile Panel 26"
Located in Dayton, OH
A beautiful set of four Qajar Dynasty polychrome glazed tiles. The tiles are set within an iron frame with hanger on the back for displaying along the wall. Features two figures with...
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art Decorative Art
Materials
Ceramic
Original Antique Print of a Bee-Eater, 1847 'Unframed'
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of a bee-eater
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.
Publ...
Category
1840s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art
Materials
Paper
Pair of Gros-Point Stitched Panels Representing Orientalist Scenes
Located in Antwerp, BE
A pair of gros – point stitched panels representing orientalist scenes: One with a tiger hunt and the other with a battle scene, both in a setting of tropical vegetation on a black g...
Category
Mid-19th Century French Antique Folk Art Decorative Art
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Set of 9 Original Antique Prints of Waterbirds After Francis Lydon, C.1880
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful set of 9 antique prints of waterbirds
Lithographs after the original drawings by Alexander Francis Lydon
Original colour
Published by John C. Nimmo, Circa 1880.
Unframe...
Category
1880s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art
Materials
Paper
Original Antique Print of Indian Pigeons, 1847 'Unframed'
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of Indian pigeons.
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
Framed Original Antique Print of A Brown Bear, circa 1900
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of a brown bear
Copperplate photogravure engraving by Walter L. Colls.
Good quality wove paper
Published C.1900
In an antique oak frame
Category
Early 1900s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art
Materials
Paper
Set of 8 Original Antique Prints of Seabirds After Francis Lydon, C.1880
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful set of 8 antique prints of seabirds
Lithographs after the original drawings by Alexander Francis Lydon
Original colour
Published by John C. Nimmo, Circa 1880.
Unframed
...
Category
1880s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art
Materials
Paper
Naive Oil Painting of Fish Hawkers. C.1950
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Delightful naive painting of possibly fish hawkers or market traders
Possibly Italian. Venetian?
Amazing colours.
Coarse canvas.
Artist unknown. Initial A.D to bottom left.
Pre...
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Folk Art Decorative Art
Materials
Canvas
Professionally Framed Kaitag Embroidery Fragment, Daghestan, 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. Kaitag, Daghestan.
Ready to go on a w...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Folk Art Decorative Art
Materials
Silk
Professionally Framed Indian Kashmir Shawl Fragment, India, 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.
19th C. India
Ready to go on a wall.
Framed Item ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Indian Antique Folk Art Decorative Art
Materials
Wool
Original Antique Print of Cranes, 1847 'Unframed'
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of cranes
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
Arthur Nevin Print of a Red-Breasted Merganser Duck Decoy, Beach Haven, NJ
By Arthur Nevin
Located in Downingtown, PA
The large 1970s print by Arthus Nevin depicts a Red-Breasted Merganser Bird Decoy.
It is inscribed Red-Breasted Merganser Beach Haven, NJ., 1935.
102/1...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Art
Materials
Paper
Original Antique Bird Prints, Quails and Partridge. 1847
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great images of quails and partridge
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 Bird Prints, Parakeet. 1847
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great images of parakeet
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 Bird Prints, Owl and Hoopoe. 1847
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great images of an owl and a hoopoe
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 Bird Prints, Shrike and Fruit Crows. 1847
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great images of shrike and fruit crows
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 Bird Prints, Toucans and Woodpeckers. 1847
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great images of toucans and woodpeckers
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 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
Original Antique Prints of Shells, 1847
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great images of shells
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 6 Original Antique Reptile Prints, Tallis, circa 1850
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great images of reptiles
Unframed. It gives you the option of perhaps making a set up using your own choice of frames.
Lithographs with original color.
Published by Tallis c...
Category
1850s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art
Materials
Paper
Painted French Tole Mushroom Decoration
Located in Houston, TX
Painted French tole mushroom decoration for planters or gardens. Circa 1950s. Probably originally created as a prop for a Parisian department store window or a theater. Twenty-six in...
Category
1950s French Vintage Folk Art Decorative Art
Materials
Steel
1970s Zebra Needlepoint Wall Hanging
Located in Fairfield, CA
A vintage handmade needlepoint embroidery. Features the image of a zebra in the front with trees and leaves. Lovely attention to detail. Mounted in a wood frame. Signed on the back a...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Art
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Vintage Crane Stained Glass Panel
Located in Dallas, TX
Vintage framed stained glass panel featuring a crane with palm trees. Some cosmetic imperfections with frame (pictured) but no breaks in glass, good...
Category
1970s Vintage Folk Art Decorative Art
Materials
Stained Glass, Wood
Original Antique Print of a Tree Sparrow, circa 1880, 'Unframed'
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of a Tree Sparrow
Unframed. It gives you the option of perhaps making a set up using your own choice of frames.
Lithograph after Alexander Francis Lydon.
Original colo...
Category
1880s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art
Materials
Paper
Framed Antique silk Embroidered Delhi Shawl Half, early 20th Century.
Located in Istanbul, TR
It is finely embroidered in silk on a cotton background. It is lucky to have the tassels intact.
Category
Early 20th Century Indian Folk Art Decorative Art
Materials
Silk
Original Antique Print of a Spotted Flycatcher, circa 1880, 'Unframed'
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of a Spotted Flycatcher
Unframed. It gives you the option of perhaps making a set up using your own choice of frames.
Lithograph after Alexander Francis Lydon.
Origina...
Category
1880s 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
Haitian Naive Oil Drum Metal Wall Mounted Sculpture Haiti 1960s
Located in Miami, FL
Haitian metal art wall decoration from the 1970s signed M.U. The design is of a figure in festive regalia. The eyes, noses and partially the mouth a...
Category
1960s Haitian Vintage Folk Art Decorative Art
Materials
Cut Steel
Set of 6 Original Antique Natural History Prints, 1847
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful set of 6 natural history prints.
Original hand colored lithographs.
After drawings by Cpt. Brown.
Published by Fullarton, 1847
Unframed.
Category
1840s 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 conditions, circa 1990 issue 226 "Pecho a Pechito llegaré a hojalatear tu corazón".
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 circa 20 years, (all the decade of the 1980s and 1990s) to then go downhill and "evolve", so to speak, until they become sexually explicit...
Category
1990s Mexican Folk Art Decorative Art
Materials
Paper
Contemporary Modern Wall Art
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This unique art piece combines several mediums in a delicate collage of organic materials. Please confirm item location, (NY or NJ).
Category
20th Century Unknown Folk Art Decorative Art
Materials
Twig
Pigeon Persian Flatweave
Located in New York, NY
Scatter size Persian Kilim from the late 20th century with a flurry of pigeons in beige, gray, and brown
This was originally belonging to a private Persian collector who requested...
Category
Late 20th Century Folk Art Decorative Art
Materials
Wool
Professionally Framed Silk and Cotton Ikat Fragment, Uzbekistan, E 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.
E 20th C. Uzbekistan.
Ready to go on a wall.
Fram...
Category
Early 20th Century Uzbek Folk Art Decorative Art
Materials
Silk
Christianity Monastery Work Wax Jesus Child in Glass Display Case Antique German
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Here I have to offer a fine antique classic early 20th century Glass Display Case with a beautiful Monastery Work inside. A wonderful decorative item, in very nice as is condition.
T...
Category
Early 20th Century German Folk Art Decorative Art
Materials
Glass, Wood, Paper
Professionally Framed Silk Ikat Fragment, Uzbekistan, Early 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.
Early 20th C. Uzbekistan.
Ready to go on a wall.
...
Category
Early 20th Century Uzbek Folk Art Decorative Art
Materials
Silk
Dan Gauthier Stoneware Slip Decorated Mashiko Iron and Enamel Decorated Charger
By Gauthier
Located in Mobile, AL
I corresponded with Don in Kansas City and he identified it as his work from the early 80's. He shifted to furniture making in the 90's and has prominently exhibited at the Grovewood Gallery at the Grove Park...
Category
1980s Vintage Folk Art Decorative Art
Materials
Pottery
Silk Embroidery Needlework Mounted Picture Panel 19thC
Located in Cheltenham, GB
Silk Embroidery Needlework Mounted Picture Panel
A continental needlework of figures in a romantic setting amongst a rural background in an ebonised and gilt frame mounted with red...
Category
19th Century French Antique Folk Art Decorative Art
Materials
Silk, Velvet
French Faience Nautical Pattern Plate, circa 1900
Located in Austin, TX
Large 19th French decorative plate with nautical pattern (boats, fishs baskets, lighthouse), circa 1900.
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Folk Art Decorative Art
Materials
Ceramic
Zabihi Collection Ivory Square Size Persian Kashan Rug
Located in New York, NY
An early 20th Century Persian Kashan rare square size small rug
Measures: 3'4'' x 3'7''.
Category
Mid-20th Century Persian Folk Art Decorative Art
Materials
Wool
"Grape Nuts" Self Framed Tin Sign, circa 1912
Located in Incline Village, NV
"Grape Nuts" self framed tin sign is one of the most sought after advertising signs by collectors, especially in this near mint condition with bright colors...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Art
Materials
Tin
Original Antique Print of Crossbills, 1847 'Unframed'
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of crossbills
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
Four Postcards Sets Printed by The Taller de Gráfica Popular
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1950. We offer this 4 sets of postcards printed by the Taller de Gráfica Popular, each set includes 12 postcards.
El Taller de la Gráfica Popular is a collective of engravers founded in Mexico in 1937 by the artists Leopoldo Méndez...
Category
1950s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Decorative Art
Materials
Paper
Original Antique Print of Seals, 1847 'Unframed'
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of seals.
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
British Sailor's Large Woolwork of a Royal Navy Ship Under Full Sail
Located in Downingtown, PA
British Sailor's large woolwork of a royal navy ship under full sail,
circa 1875
The sailor's woolie or woolwork depicts a starboard ...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art
Materials
Wool
"In The Shade of The Old Apple Tree" Tin Advertising Sign, American, circa 1906
Located in Incline Village, NV
Outstanding example of this iconic and highly sought after tin advertising sign made by the Shonk Company, Chicago, Illinois, circa 1906. The subject matter depicts a farm scene with...
Category
Early 1900s American Antique Folk Art Decorative Art
Materials
Tin
Original Antique Print of an English Sporting Dog, 1847
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of a bloodhound presented in a distressed antique gilt frame.
Lithograph after Cpt. brown with original hand color.
Published, 1847.
Category
1840s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art
Materials
Paper, Gesso
Original Antique Print of a Firecrest, circa 1880, 'Unframed'
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of a Firecrest
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
Original Antique Print of a Chough, circa 1880, 'Unframed'
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of a Chough
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
Pub...
Category
1880s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art
Materials
Paper
Original Antique Print of a Rook, circa 1880, 'Unframed'
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of a Rook
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
Publi...
Category
1880s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art
Materials
Paper
Original Antique Print of a Crossbill in an Ebonized Faux Bamboo Frame
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of a crossbill presented in an ebonized faux bamboo frame
Lithograph after Francis Lydon
Original hand colour
Published, circa 1880.
Category
1880s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art
Materials
Paper, Wood
Sailor's Woolwork of Royal Navy on Checkerboard Sea
Located in Downingtown, PA
British Sailor's Woolwork of Royal Navy on Unusual Checkerboard Sea,
circa 1865
The British sailor's woolie depicts a port side view of a three-masted ship with trapunto white sails on a rough sea depicted as a checkerboard in shades of blue. The ship flying the White Ensign. The sky still retains the original light blue. The woolie is in a wide medium dark wood frame.
The wool is protected by Museum UV...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art
Materials
Wool
Original Antique Print of a Fruit Crow, 1847 'Unframed'
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of a fruit crow
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
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.