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.
$280 / item
Digby Hand-Printed Wallpaper: Palmyra
Located in Brooklyn, NY
INSPIRATION: Inspired by the intrepid Jane Digby el-Mezrab. Born into an early-Victorian upper-crust family, she married young, divorced thrice, was a lover to kings and princes, and...
Paper
$280 / item
Digby Hand-Printed Wallpaper: Silk Road
Located in Brooklyn, NY
INSPIRATION: Inspired by the intrepid Jane Digby el-Mezrab. Born into an early-Victorian upper-crust family, she married young, divorced thrice, was a lover to kings and princes, and...
Paper
$280 / item
Digby Hand-Printed Wallpaper: Holkham Green
Located in Brooklyn, NY
INSPIRATION: Inspired by the intrepid Jane Digby el-Mezrab. Born into an early-Victorian upper-crust family, she married young, divorced thrice, was a lover to kings and princes, and...
Paper
$536Sale Price|20% Off
H 1 in W 360 in D 27 in
Brunschwig & Fils Hand-Printed Cherubin et Lapins, Wallpaper, Angels and Rabbits
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Brunschwig & Fils hand-printed Cherubin et Lapins, wallpaper, angels and rabbits, 2000. Vintage, rare, out of print design featuring alternating scenes of rabbits and cherubs surroun...
Paper
$944Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 72 in W 36 in D 0.1 in
Plum Blossom Wallpaper Hand Painted Wallpaper on Silver Metallic with Antiques
Located in Wuxi, 32
If you love the look of De Gournay wallpaper but not the price, this is for you. Measures: 36"x72" The colorways in this sections present our l...
Silver Leaf
$2,360Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 96 in W 36 in D 0.1 in
Peacock Chinoiserie Wallpaper Hand Painted Wallpaper on Silk Panel
Located in Wuxi, 32
If you love the look of De Gournay wallpaper but not the price, this is for you. Measures: 3 ft x 8 ft. The colorways in this sections present our latest colorways, which can be a...
Silk
$1,932Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 58 in W 41 in D 0.1 in
Japanese Garden Wallpaper Panels Hand Painted Wallpaper on gold gilded paper
Located in Wuxi, 32
If you love the look of De Gournay wallpaper but not the price, this is for you. Measures: 41" wide x 58" The colorways in this sections present our latest colorways, which can be a...
Gold Leaf
$2,240Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 96 in W 36 in D 0.1 in
Chinoiserie Murals Chinoiserie Wallpaper Hand Painted Silk Wallpaper
Located in Wuxi, 32
If you love the look of De Gournay wallpaper but not the price, this is for you. Measures: 42"W x 81" H. The colorways in this sections present our latest colorways, which can be applied to any designs and any base ground (silk, tea paper, metallic, fabric and etc.) Price There are 4 panels in the listed photo, price is for 4 panels of 36" wide x 96" high, background is on silk, currently price doesn't include any embroidery cost, Accept custom requires on the sizes, background and painting colors, tailored to any wall sizes. Dear customer, please note: For safe delivery, all the panels roll in a strong tube. Please have the professional installer to install the wallpapers, there is a standard overlap between panels, and a black dot marked on the top and bottom of each panel, please check well before installing. Shipping We do our best to process & ship all orders...
Silk
$960Sale Price|25% Off
H 4 in W 36 in D 4 in
Brunschwig & Fils Hand-Printed Yellow Kanchou Mimosa Wallpaper Double Roll 2002
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Brunschwig & Fils hand-printed yellow Kanchou wallpaper, floral, avian, parrots. 2002. Design features lovely yellow background and a large floral a...
Paper
$1,760Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 96 in W 36 in D 0.1 in
Chinoiserie Panels Hand Painted Wallpaper on Blue Silk / Panel- 3 Panels
Located in Wuxi, 32
If you love the look of De Gournay wallpaper but not the price, this is for you. Measures: 3ft x 8ft The colorways in this sections present our...
Silk
$864Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 60 in W 30 in D 0.1 in
Chinoiserie Panel Hand Painted Wallpaper on Green Silk, 2 Panels
Located in Wuxi, 32
If you love the look of De Gournay wallpaper but not the price, this is for you. Measures: 30" W x 60" H each on green silk. The colorways in this sections present our latest colorways, which can be applied to any designs and any base ground (silk, tea paper, metallic, fabric and etc.) Price There are 2 panels in the listed photo, price is for 2 panels of 30" wide x 60" high each, background is on silk. We accept custom size and painting colors. Price doesn't include the embroidery. Dear customer, please note: For safe delivery, all the panels roll in a strong tube. Please have the professional installer to install the wallpapers, there is a standard overlap between panels, and a black dot marked on the top and bottom of each panel, please check well before installing. Shipping We do our best to process & ship all orders...
Silk
$568Sale Price|20% Off
H 96 in W 36 in D 0.1 in
Chinoiserie Panels Hand Painted Wallpaper on Emerald Green Silk / Panel
Located in Wuxi, 32
If you love the look of De Gournay wallpaper but not the price, this is for you. Measures: 3ft x 8ft The colorways in this sections present our latest colorways, which can be appl...
Silk
$1,328Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 72 in W 21 in D 0.1 in
Chinoiserie Murals Hand Painted Wallpapers on Silk Panel, 4 Panels
Located in Wuxi, 32
If you love the look of De Gournay wallpaper but not the price, this is for you. The colorways in this sections present our latest colorways, which can be applied to any designs an...
Silk
$2,224Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 96 in W 36 in D 0.1 in
chinoiserie Panels Hand Painted Wallpaper on Blue Silk / Panel, 4 Panels
Located in Wuxi, 32
If you love the look of De Gournay wallpaper but not the price, this is for you. Measures: 3ft x 8ft The colorways in this sections present our...
Silk
$3,280Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 96 in W 36 in D 0.1 in
Chinoiserie Murals Chinoiserie Wallpaper Hand Painted Silk Wallpaper
Located in Wuxi, 32
If you love the look of De Gournay wallpaper but not the price, this is for you. Measures: 42"W x 81" H. The colorways in this sections present our latest colorways, which can ...
Silk
Early 19th Century Framed Wallpaper Fragment
Located in Wiscasset, ME
Hand painted and printed wallpaper fragment presented in a black frame featuring ships and a mill. Very vibrant colors and an amazing survivor example.
Paper