Folk Art Wall Decorations
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.
1880s English Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations
Paper
1970s Tanzanian Vintage Folk Art Wall Decorations
Canvas
1890s German Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations
Glass, Wood
1830s English Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations
Paper
1830s Scottish Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations
Paper
1980s Vintage Folk Art Wall Decorations
Paper
Late 20th Century Folk Art Wall Decorations
Iron
1980s Swedish Vintage Folk Art Wall Decorations
Clay
1880s English Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations
Paper
1880s English Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations
Paper
1970s Tanzanian Vintage Folk Art Wall Decorations
Canvas
Late 20th Century Peruvian Folk Art Wall Decorations
Paper
20th Century Australian Folk Art Wall Decorations
Canvas, Paint
Late 20th Century Mexican Folk Art Wall Decorations
Wool
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Wall Decorations
Masonite, Paint
1880s English Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations
Paper
19th Century Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations
Tin
20th Century Australian Folk Art Wall Decorations
Canvas, Paint
1870s English Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations
Wool
1850s English Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations
Paper
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Wall Decorations
Canvas
1990s Australian Folk Art Wall Decorations
Wood, Paper
1970s Indian Vintage Folk Art Wall Decorations
Fabric, Wood, Paint
1850s English Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations
Paper
1840s English Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations
Wood, Paper
1990s Australian Folk Art Wall Decorations
Wood, Paper
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations
Wood
Mid-19th Century English Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations
Wool
1920s American Vintage Folk Art Wall Decorations
Wood
1990s Australian Folk Art Wall Decorations
Wood, Paper
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Wall Decorations
Marble
Mid-20th Century Persian Folk Art Wall Decorations
Wool
1840s English Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations
Paper
19th Century English Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations
Fabric, Glass, Wood
Early 1900s German Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations
Wood, Paper
1830s English Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations
Paper
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations
Fabric, Glass, Wood
Mid-20th Century Folk Art Wall Decorations
Fabric, Wood
1980s North American Vintage Folk Art Wall Decorations
Glass, Pine, Paint, Paper
20th Century American Folk Art Wall Decorations
Wood
Late 20th Century Russian Folk Art Wall Decorations
Canvas, Paint
Late 19th Century Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations
Canvas, Acrylic
1840s English Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations
Paper
Early 20th Century Dutch Folk Art Wall Decorations
Ceramic, Clay
20th Century Folk Art Wall Decorations
Canvas, Paint
Late 20th Century Folk Art Wall Decorations
Textile
Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Wall Decorations
Ceramic
1830s English Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations
Paper
1910s American Vintage Folk Art Wall Decorations
Linen, Paper
Mid-20th Century Italian Folk Art Wall Decorations
Canvas, Wood
1830s English Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations
Paper
1890s English Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations
Paper
1990s Dutch Folk Art Wall Decorations
Wool
1850s American Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations
Paint
1840s English Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations
Paper
1890s French Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations
Wood
Early 1900s Balinese Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations
Cotton, Paint
1880s English Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations
Paper