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.
Pair of Hand-Carved and Painted Folk Art Pistol Wall Brackets / Corner Shelves
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Pair of Folk Art hand-carved and painted revolver/pistol/handgun trade signs/wall brackets/corner shelves (ca. 1950s, USA). All original black paint against stained plywood mounts su...
Plywood, Paint
Vintage Cast Iron Tropical Yellow and Green Pineapple Coat Hook
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Cast Iron Yellow and Green Pineapple Coat Hooks. Large vintage rustic wall mounted coat or bag hangers pineapple form cast iron hook set. Tropical B...
Iron
Victor Cerrato Ceramic, Iron and Brass Oxidized Gunmetal Coat Hooks
Located in San Francisco, CA
Set of 4 rare and unusual ceramic, iron, brass and oxidized gunmetal coat hooks made by Italian sculptor, Victor Cerrato-Torino. Beautiful, organic composition of these functional wo...
Brass, Iron
Pair Shell Wall Brackets/Shelves
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
3-445 pair hand painted wall brackets /shelves made from cast stone.
Cast Stone
Pair Large Italian Hand Carved Wall Shelves
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
1513 Pair Hand carved fluted wood wall shelves
Hardwood
Pair Of Italian Carved And Giltwood Wall Brackets
Located in Bradenton, FL
Pair of Italian carved and giltwood wall brackets. Beautifully carved with acanthus leaves and scrollwork. Nice wide shelf atop a base that cumulates into a pineapple-like shape at b...
Giltwood
Wicker and Iron Coat Hook by Orange
By Orange
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Iron and wicker coat hook by Orange Furniture. Made-to-order. Beautiful midcentury style! Four in stock.
Wicker
Pair Italian Painted Wood Wall Brackets
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
1550 Italian pair painted wood wall brackets with crackel and gilt finish
Hardwood
Pair of Gilded Wrought Iron Wall Hooks
Located in Byron Bay, NSW
This exquisite pair of Italian wall-mounted coat hooks from the 1950s blends functional utility with sculptural ornamentation. Hand-forged in wrought iron and finished in warm antiqu...
Iron
Elegant Antique Pair of Carved and Gilded French Wall Brackets
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Superbly elegant pair of French antique carved and gilded wood wall brackets adorned with acanthus leaves.
Wood
Unavailable|$1,195 / set
H 16 in W 14.5 in D 15 in
Antique Salvaged Carved Wooden Architectural Wall Brackets, Corbels or Shelves
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This matched pair of antique hand-carved walnut wall brackets were salvaged from an early Victorian house in Montreal, Canada. The brackets are unsigned, but presumed to have originated from Canada in approximately 1850 in the period Victorian style. The brackets are solid walnut in their composition and have ornate decorative carvings. These wall corbels...
Walnut
$375 / set
H 13.5 in W 11.75 in D 8.25 in
Pair of Architectural French Style Painted Wall Shelves Brackets
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Gorgeous pair of wall shelves hand-painted in a French or Swedish Gustavian shade of gray. This set could certainly stand alone as a pair on a wall or functional to hold treasures on...
Wood, Paint
$480 / set
H 3.88 in Dm 4.5 in
Three Wall Coat Hooks and Cloth Hanger Sets Lucite and Brass, 1970s German
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Lot of three coat hooks and cloth hanger, 1970s German. Nice addition to your room, entry hall or just for your collection of design items. Made of brass and Lucite. They are in used...
Brass
$695 / set
H 7 in W 6.25 in D 3.75 in
Pair of Vintage Italian Rococo Carved Giltwood Wall Brackets Shelves, circa 1950
By Florentine
Located in Pearland, TX
A lovely pair of Mid-Century Italian Florentine Rococo style gold leaf gilded wood wall brackets shelves, circa 1950. These stylish brackets have a hand carved scrolling acanthus lea...
Wood
Sold
H 14 in W 11.5 in D 7 in
Hand Made Oak Wall Brackets These are an unpretentious beautifully simple pair
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Hand Made Oak Wall Brackets These are an unpretentious beautifully simple pair of Oak Wall Brackets, they are strong and hand made The Brackets are 14” tall, 11.5” wide and 7” deep...
Oak
Lion Wall Shelf
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A wall shelf with a great lion face. The shelf is made of a resin and mounts with two holes in the rear. We have photographed the piece with a vase of flowe...
Resin
Set of Four Vintage Horse or Equine Iron Hardware Wall Hooks
Located in New York, NY
A set of four vintage horse or equine painted iron hardware wall hooks. Paint colors include white, black, and dark green. Two 'hooks' on either side of each. Each piece measures 4 3...
Iron
Pair of Blue Wall Brackets
Located in Nantucket, MA
Pair of fine blue wall brackets/shelves in scalloped form
Wood, Paint
19th Century Rare New England Brass Wall Bracket with Hearts & Stars
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Early 19th century brass wall bracket from New England. This fantastic folky wall hanger could be used to display leather fire buckets or other American objects. This wonderful as fo...
Brass