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.
Pedro Friedeberg Style Wall Mounted Carved Wooden Coat Hook in Form of an Arm
Located in Peabody, MA
Wall mounted hand carved wooden hat or coat hook in the form of a human arm, reminiscent of Pedro Friedeberg's hand themed works. Circa 1960s, most likely made in Mexico.
Wood
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
$380 / set
H 5.38 in W 3.5 in D 4 in
Set of Five Wall Coat Hooks, Brutalist, Mid-Century Modern, 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A set of five wall hooks, made in the 1960s. They are made of metal in the Brutalist Style. Wear of use, lovely patina, some use-lanes but this is old-age. Found at an Estate Sale in...
Metal
Set of 3 "Sputnik Era" Wall Hooks String Style, 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1960s set of 3 wall coat or clothes hooks. Nice addition to your room, entry hall or just for your collection of Design items. Made of metal and brass. Found at an esta...
Metal, Brass
$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
Walt Disney Huey, Dewey & Louie Wall Mounted Brass Key Rack / Hooks
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A charming and highly collectible brass wall hook rack featuring Walt Disney’s beloved characters Huey, Dewey, and Louie, the famous nephews of Donald Duck. Crafted in solid brass wi...
Metal, Brass
$460 / set
H 6.5 in W 5.63 in D 3 in
Set of Three Wall Coat Hooks, Lucite and Brass, Mid-Century Modern, 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A set of three wall hooks, made in the 1960s. They are made of Brass and lucite. Wear of use, lovely patina, some use-lanes but this is old-age. Found at an Estate Sale in Modena, It...
Metal
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Pair of Italian Painted and Gilt Wall Brackets. Circa 1820
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of Italian carved wood painted and gilt wall brackets with scrolled floral and tassel arms supporting upper shelf. Early 19th Century
Gold Leaf
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
French Iron Double Wall Coat Hooks - 1 available
Located in Los Angeles, CA
French iron double wall hooks - one available France, mid century Beautifully contrasted iron with brass accents creates a palette to please Angled iron upper arm is finished wit...
Iron
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
$12,500 / set
H 9 in W 8 in D 8 in
Pair of English Chippendale Carved and Painted Swan Wall Brackets, Circa 1790
Located in Charleston, SC
Pair of English Chippendale carved pine and painted wall brackets with shell and swan motif. Late 18th Century.
$5,500 / item
H 5 in W 48 in D 3 in
Brass Coat Rack Wall Mount Custom Hand Made Sliding Hooks Bronze Patina
Located in East Hampton, NY
Custom site specific sizes available (length and quantity of hooks) Stainless steel, brass, bronze, aluminum Hand applied patina finishes Hooks slide along a 1" diameter rod.
Brass, Stainless Steel
$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
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