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.
Collection of Mexican Prayer Plaques "Retablos Ex-Votos" from 1950s and 1960s
Located in North Miami, FL
This is an amazing and important collection of 8 plaques (7 tin metal and one in wood) that have been hand painted by Catholic religious devotees in gratitude to either Christ, Virgi...
Tin
19th C. Framed Pastel on Paper - Sleeping Puppy - Style of Susan C. M. Waters
Located in Morristown, NJ
Puppy Sleeping on Pillow Pastel on Paper, Framed under Glass A tender and finely executed 19th-century pastel portrait of a sleeping puppy nestled on a red tasseled pillow. The work...
Glass, Wood, Paper
French School Teacher Educational Paintings "La Pipe", circa 1930s
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Painted by a school teacher in rural Hautes Pyrenees, France. Based on the Toto, Lili, Rene and Jojo French educational stories. It is likely that the s...
Paper, Watercolor
Passport Saul Steinberg Published by Harper & Brothers, New York., 1979
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
350 drawings made during the artist's travels, in his usual satirical and witty style.Presentation copy from the artist, inscribed on the half-title page: ''Pour Ga' Jean & Pegeen , ...
Paper
Francis De Erdely - Watercolor and Pencil Painting "Mexican Shark Fisherman"
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Francis De Erdely (Hungarian/American, 1904-1959) “Mexican Shark Fishermen” water color painting and Pencil on Paper within a pine frame and protective glass, circa 1930. Signed: ‘D...
Glass, Pine, Paper
Pencil Drawing of a Collie Dog on Paper and Framed in Wood Frame Signed - 1940
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A framed drawing of a dog on paper. This piece depicts the bust of a Collie in brown pencil. The piece is on brown or yellow paper and framed in the original wood frame with glass. T...
Wood, Paper
Pablo Picasso Portrait 1970's Charcoal Drawing
Located in Vancouver, BC
An interesting charcoal portrait of Picasso from the year of his death, presumably on the day of his passing - a sort of framed obituary of the famous Catalan painter. There is inf...
Paper
Pastel Portrait of a Woman with Dark Hair and Purple Top, 1960s - Signed
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Portrait of a woman with dark hair on paper. Drawn using pastel chalk, the subject of this piece is a woman with a bouffant with short dark brown hair gazing at the artist. She wears a high neck purple top...
Paint, Paper
Robert Taylor Original Handrawing Portrait by Mármol, Spain, 1939
Located in Madrid, ES
John Barrymore portrait, hand drawn by Mármol in 1939. Executed in ink on paper, the artwork is presented in a wooden frame. The piece showcases the art...
Glass, Wood, Paint, Paper
$1,419
H 20.48 in W 14.57 in D 0.12 in
Italy 1939s Sketch Futurist Poster "Day of Two Crosses" Against Tuberculosis
Located in Milan, IT
Sketch of the futurist poster "Day of two crosses, 16th April 1939, XVII", mixed technique of pastel and water-color, for an Italian campaign against tuberculosis, to inform people a...
Paper
"Mother Goose Nursery Rhymes, " Superb Art Deco Ink & Watercolor
By Maurice Greenberg
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Superbly executed in watercolor and ink, this charming and lovely depiction of Mother Goose nursery rhyme characters -- including Humpty Dumpty, The Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe, The Three Little Pigs and Old King Cole -- was created by Maurice Greenberg...
Ink, Watercolor, Paper
$3,098
H 16 in W 17 in D 0.1 in
An Unusual Pencil Drawing of “Canton”, a Three-Masted Whaling Ship-at This Point
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
An unusual pencil drawing of “Canton“ a three masted whaling ship by Harold Wyllie. New Bedford was a major whaling centre in the 19th century. Photograp...
Paper
$640Sale Price|77% Off
H 13 in W 17 in D 1 in
Louis Sue & André Mare Watercolor, Flowers, Signed, Circa 1930, Collection ESSEF
By Andre Mare, Louis Sue
Located in Encino, CA
Louis Sue & André Mare (1875-1968) - (1885-1932) Five sketches "Flowers circa 1930" Very rare watercolor on paper. Without frame: H 13" x W 17" ...
Paper
$887
H 16.54 in W 22.84 in D 0.04 in
1890s Vintage Ship Project by Charles Sibbick from the Uffa Fox archives
By Charles Sibbick
Located in Milan, IT
Structure of his favourite kind of keel by Charles Sibbick the designer, similar to the modern boats racing today in America's cup. It is a part of a project for a 52' linear rater f...
Paper
1950s Abstract Figural Portrait by Josef Presser
By Josef Presser 1
Located in New York, NY
Bright, vivid and quite fabulous abstract by Polish American artist Josef Presser (1909-1967), circa 1950s. Known for his figural work this is a beautifully executed portrait of two ...
Wood
Selection of 1930s Academic Study Drawings of Male Nudes
Located in Atlanta, GA
Selection of 1930's Academic Study Drawings of Male Nudes, hand drawn by Carl De Zeeuw, American, circa 1930's. The price noted below is for EACH dra...
Paper
$570Sale Price|40% Off
H 16.75 in W 13.5 in D 1 in
Watercolor signed by the 4th Earl of Aylesford (1751-1812)
Located in Kittery Point, ME
Inside of Church situated as St John’s Chester, Chancel (lower right). At lower left, "Painted by Aylesfod". Heneage Finch, 4th Earl of Aylesford, was a known watercolorist specializ...
Paper
Selection of Black and White Nude Artwork
Located in Atlanta, GA
Selection of black and white nude artwork from various artists, American, circa 1950s. From left to right, as seen in the first photo, they are: 1) The k...
Paper, Wood
$1,440Sale Price|20% Off
H 13.75 in W 17.75 in D 1 in
19th Century Italian Grand Tour Era Architectural Drawing on Paper, Framed
Located in Atlanta, GA
An early 18th or 19th century architectural concept drawing of opposing lions with marble top likely as a console table. Marked in early ink to lower r...
Paper
Vintage 1930s Original Pencil Sketch of Man
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This exceptional antique life drawing is a masterclass in the late 19th-century French Academic tradition. Rendered in charcoal and soft tonal washes, the work captures a male nude i...
Wood, Paper, Glass
$1,858
H 8.78 in W 11.07 in D 1.5 in
Very Fine circa 1750 French School Study of a Classical Landscape Graphite & Pen
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
We are delighted to offer for sale this exquisite circa 1750 French school chalk on paper sketch of a classical landscape in charcoal and pen A beautiful example of the French sch...
Paper
Memento Mori American 19th Century
Located in Hudson, NY
Rare American folk-art Memento Mori of Hiram Aluro Hill, died age 11, 1845. Good penmanship, watercolor and albumin glaze with borders intact. Foster brothers of Boston frame. This was purchased from...
Wood, Paper
Antique Pennsylvania Dutch Hand Painted Fraktur Early 19thC
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Pennsylvania Dutch Hand Painted Fraktur Early 19thC. Measures - 9.25"H x 7.25"W x .75"D.
Paper
19th Century Gouache Painting of a Copenhagen Windmill, Denmark
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Danish 19th Century Watercoloring Painting of a Windmill in a Period Gilt Wood Frame, Copenhagen circa 1850. Signed on the rear, E. L. for EdwardLehman. Also handwritten in Danish o...
Wood, Paper
Portrait Miniature In Graphite American 19th Century
Located in Hudson, NY
This is a very beautiful , highly detailed and well executed portrait of a woman. Created in the early nineteenth century with graphite on paper. The sitter can be seen with a book in her hand and a ring on her finger. She is sitting in a painted fancy chair by the window with the drape pulled back...
Wood, Paper
Jakob Steinhardt "19/30" Judaica Woodcut
Located in Astoria, NY
Jakob Steinhardt (German- Israeli, 1887-1968), "19/30," woodblock on paper, depicting a group of Jewish men holding the Torah scroll, edition 21/89, 1938, signed lower right in penci...
Wood
Framed Naive American Flag Collage
Located in Chicago, IL
A wonderfully whimsical and delightful 20th century American flag collage composed with a red, white, and blue flag colored with crayon on paper, cut out and applied to more paper. T...
Paper, Crayon
The Naked Lady by Adrien Barrere, circa 1905
Located in London, GB
The Naked Lady by Adrien Barrere, circa 1905 This lot is a rare set of original lithographs prints by Adrien Barrere entitled (The Naked Lady) These Li...
Paper
"Fueling the Fighter" WWII Charcoal Drawing Vought F4U Corsair
Located in Wiscasset, ME
US Naval and Marines documentary drawing from WWII of a Vought F4U Corsair fighter plane being refueled with the pilot in preparations. Title partially cut...
Paper
Nantucket Chart Map
Located in Nantucket, MA
Set of two U.S. geological survey topographical chart maps, one of Nantucket, the other Muskeget & Tuckernuck, circa 1890. Professionally framed. Measures: 35” x 45”.
Paper
Vintage Map of Nantucket
Located in Nantucket, MA
Hand colored map of Nantucket Island, decorated with small illustrations of clipper ships, a spouting whale, a compass rose and simple cartography, s...
Sold
H 84 in W 84 in D 0.5 in
Fred Johnson-O Henry Tent & Awning Circus Banner "Natures Living Tripod"
By O. Henry Tent and Awning Co.
Located in Queens, NY
American painted side show circus banner of a man photographing a three legged sheep titled "Natures Living Tripod" (att: Fred Johnson-O Henry Tent & Awni...
Fabric
Wonderful Signed 19th Century Pen and Ink of a Dog, Signed Marion Harrier
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic signed 19th century pen and ink drawing of a dog in a newly black painted frame with a light red inner paint on frame. The ...
Canvas