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.
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Black Leopard Framed Vintage Poster
Located in Savannah, GA
This large and very colorful vintage Ringling Bros. and Barnum and Baily Circus ink on paper poster features a charging black leopard with a ferocious grimace. Printed by the Erie Li...
Glass, Wood, Paper
Jim Houser Earthman Silkscreen Spector Gallery Artwork Philly Margaret Kilgallen
By Jim Houser
Located in Hyattsville, MD
1999 Earthman, Spector Gallery, show announcement silk screened artwork, Philadelphia, PA by Jim Houser. Measures: W 12 x H 18 in. Shipped unframed.
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
Large University Chart “Physical Map of Africa” by Bacon
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Large university chart “Physical Map of Africa” by Bacon W&A K Johnston’s Charts of Physical Maps By G W Bacon, This is colorful Physical map of North America, it is large lithograph set...
Linen
Antique Map of Africa by Delamarche, 1806
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique map titled 'L'Afrique'. Decorative map of Africa by Robert de Vaugondy, revised and published by Delamarche. Source unknown, to be determined. Artists and Engravers: Charl...
Paper
$1,305
H 33.47 in W 22.84 in D 0.04 in
Original Vintage Poster Mikhail Oshel Illusionist Magician Soviet Magic Circus
Located in London, GB
Original vintage circus poster promoting a magician performance by Mikhail Oshel Illusion Manipulator featuring a colourful design depi...
Paper
Antique Physical Chart of the Pacific Ocean by Johnston, '1850'
Located in Langweer, NL
Antique map titled 'Physical Chart of the Pacific Ocean showing the currents and temperature of the ocean'. Original antique chart of the Pacific Ocean. This map originates from 'The...
Paper
Original Buffalo Bill Movie Banners 84"Long
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Selling as a pair - Banner from the Robert Altman's 1976 film Buffalo Bill and the Indians; and Sitting Bull's History Lesson staring Paul Newman. Looks m...
Linen
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
Vintage 1930s Original Pencil Sketch of Man
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This powerful antique life drawing is a masterclass in the late 19th-century French Academic tradition. Rendered in charcoal and soft tonal washes, the work depicts a male nude in a ...
Glass, Wood, Paper
$1,855
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
Vintage 1976 Polish Cyrk/Circus Poster, Unicycle Girl, Urbaniec
Located in Bath, Somerset
We love the wonderfully colorful and fun design by Maciej Urbaniec on this original Polish Cyrk/Circus poster from 1976 (the poster's second print ...
Paper
Emilio Terry 1930s "Louis XVII Style" Bed
By Emilio Terry
Located in New York, NY
Emilio Terry -- architect, interior, and furniture designer -- was the inventor and sole-practitioner of what was drolly referred to as his “Louis XVII style...
Paper
Antique House Fly Zoological Chart
Located in Oakville, CT
Diptera I Musca Domestica Educational Chart by Paul Pfurtscheller Distributed by Denoyer-Geppert Overall Dimensions: 53" x 57"
Wood, Paper
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
$1,500Sale Price / set|55% Off
H 36.25 in W 20 in D 1.25 in
Set of Five Large 1970s Acupuncture Charts
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Great set of acupuncture charts from the 1970s. Extremely detailed and thorough diagrams showing every part of the human anatomy. Charts in good vintage condition. Floating on black ...
Wood, Paper
"Howard Finster Puts Micky Mouse in a Kid's World" - Color Art Poster
By Howard Finster
Located in East Quogue, NY
"Howard Finster Puts Micky Mouse in a Kid's World" - Color Art Poster Paper Size 28" tall x 24" wide. Offered unframed. Ships rolled. The poster features a whimsical detail from an ...
Paper
Vintage Lithograph Serie "Niños mexicanos" by Gustavo Montoya
Located in San Antonio, TX
Vintage Lithograph circa 1980s Serie "Niños mexicanos" by Gustavo Montoya of boy in orange and girl in yellow holding instruments. Montoya's serigraphs in vibrant colors are on wove ...
Paper
Vintage Lithograph Serie "Niños mexicanos" by Gustavo Montoya
Located in San Antonio, TX
Vintage Lithograph circa 1980s Serie "Niños mexicanos" by Gustavo Montoya of sitting girl dressed in yellow and holding a doll. Montoya's serigraphs in vibrant colors are on wove pap...
Paper
Vintage Lithograph Serie "Niños mexicanos" by Gustavo Montoya
Located in San Antonio, TX
Beautiful vintage Lithograph circa 1980s Serie "Niños mexicanos" by Gustavo Montoya of sitting girl dressed in pink and holding a slice of watermelon. Montoya's serigraphs in vibrant...
Paper
Lithograph Serie "Niños mexicanos" by Gustavo Montoya
Located in San Antonio, TX
Vintage Lithograph circa 1980s Serie "Niños mexicanos" by Gustavo Montoya of sitting boy in blue, holding a piggy bank. Montoya's serigraphs in vibrant colors are on wove paper. This...
Paper
Original Mexican Wrestling Poster "Bufalo Allen"
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this unique and original Mexican wrestling poster, circa 1992. About this kind of posters: During the golden age of Mexican wrestli...
Paper
Original Mexican Wrestling Poster ‘Arena Revolución’
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this unique and original Mexican wrestling poster, circa 1992. About this kind of posters: During the golden age of Mexican wrestli...
Paper
Sold
H 19 in W 39 in D 1 in
San Francisco Panama-Pacific Exposition of 1915 Souvenir Banner & Entrance Badge
Located in San Francisco, CA
the black banner with embroidered decals of the Palace of Varied Industries, flowers, and a seal; along with the opening day ribbon with button and pin; The Panama–Pacific...
Fabric
Sold
H 25.5 in W 37.75 in D 1 in
Self Framed Tin Advertising "Frazer Axle Grease" American, circa 1900
Located in Incline Village, NV
Rare piece of Americana; an advertising item that would have been hanging in a general store in rural America at the turn of the century, singing the praises and virtues of using Frazer Axle grease, and lamenting what happens when not applied; a product used obviously for lubricating the wheels and axles of horse drawn carts and wagons. This is an original self framed tin sign, manufactured circa 1900 by the American Art Works Company, established in 1895 in Coshocton, Ohio (See image; label and logo in lower right hand corner). They would eventually go on to merge with similar type companies and become the Meeks Company. The Frazer Axle Grease company would have commissioned American Art Works to produce the sign and then they would have distributed it to their jobbers, retailers and sellers. The sign is in excellent condition; there is no rust, and the colors are nice and bright. The term "self framed" references the 3" black border which is part of the entire composition; a 1" border is then folded over and hammered down and attached to wooden stretchers which support the sign. Note the context of the images on the sign. To the right you have the successful well dressed farmer with healthy horses and a well maintained wagon, saying to his counterpart "My Friend don't cry! Get your wagon fixed up and then use the Frazer Axle Grease petroleum. Grease both black and white will ruin your axles every time". To the left you have the obviously less successful farmer in a broken down wagon with underfed horses saying "If I had used Frazer Axle Grease I would not have had this trouble". Dimensions: 25 1/2" high x 37 3/4" wide x 1" deep An example of this sign was featured on "Antiques Road...
Tin
Buffalo Bill Movie Poster American, circa 1912
Located in Incline Village, NV
Authentic Buffalo Bill chromolithograph movie poster on paper featuring William Cody (Buffalo Bill) in the Three Reel film "The Life of Buffalo Bill" (191...
Paper
Sold
H 35.04 in W 50.79 in D 0 in
Original Vintage Poster Miro 1978 Festival Exhibition Lithograph Poster original
By Joan Miró
Located in Melbourne, Victoria
Artist: Joan Miro Year 1972. Dimensions: 129 x 89 cm Condition: Excellent Format: Linen backed.
1915 ‘Carter the Great’ Banner by Otis Lithograph, Cleveland
By Otis Lithograph Co.
Located in Surrey, BC
A large and early Folk Art paper banner (on linen backing) promoting famous American magician, Charles Joseph Carter (1874-1936), known as 'Carter the Great...
Linen, Paper