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Illinois - Folk Art

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Item Ships From: Illinois
20th Century Blacksmith's Sign on Custom Mount
Located in Chicago, IL
A bold and striking 20th century American blacksmith's sign with an arm swinging a hammer against a block of metal on an anvil, and with sparks flying from the impact. We've had this...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Industrial Illinois - Folk Art

Materials

Steel

Telephone Sign
Located in Chicago, IL
Category

1970s Italian Vintage Illinois - Folk Art

Materials

Metal

Pair of Early 20th Century American Eider Duck Decoys
Located in Chicago, IL
A special and whimsical pair of early 20th century American hands-carved wood Eider Duck decoys with black and white painted bodies and eyes.
Category

1920s American Country Vintage Illinois - Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Statue of Lady
Located in Chicago, IL
Fantastic carved statue of saint with original paint.
Category

18th Century Italian Antique Illinois - Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Pair of Trench Art Candlesticks
Located in Chicago, IL
A wonderful and thought provoking pair of early 20th century American Trench Art candlesticks made from the spent brass casings of naval artillery shells.
Category

1940s American Folk Art Vintage Illinois - Folk Art

Materials

Brass

Terra Cotta Sculpture of the Bathing Venus
Located in Chicago, IL
This is an extraordinary full-size terra cotta copy of “La Baignuese" (The Bathing Venus) after the original by Christophe-Gabriel Allegrain (French, 1710-1795). This copy is remarka...
Category

Early 19th Century French Antique Illinois - Folk Art

Materials

Terracotta

Early 20th Century Palm Wine Vessel
Located in Chicago, IL
An incredible early 20th century Makenge hand-built ceramic palm wine pot with a graceful shape including a narrow neck and a wide belly. The pot is covered ...
Category

Early 20th Century Zambian Tribal Illinois - Folk Art

Materials

Ceramic, Natural Fiber

Nupe Incised Water Vessel
By Nupe
Located in Chicago, IL
The Nupe people of Nigeria were touted as some of the finest ceramicists in Africa. Everyday objects, like this water vessel, received detailed attention. The vessel's varied texture...
Category

Early 20th Century Nigerian Tribal Illinois - Folk Art

Materials

Ceramic

African Fulani Currency Bracelet, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Characterized by its open shape capped with geometric ends, this bracelet is but one form of the many types of body adornments favored the Fulani people of West Africa. The thick des...
Category

Early 20th Century Nigerien Tribal Illinois - Folk Art

Materials

Brass

Chinese Painted Bamboo Walking Stick, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This 19th-century walking stick from northern China is comprised of a length of thin bamboo that has been steamed and bent into a hook shape. The bamboo segments are painted in alter...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Folk Art Antique Illinois - Folk Art

Materials

Bamboo

Provincial Chinese Burden Bar, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Used to tote pails of water and grain, this 19th-century yoke, or burden bar, transcends its utilitarian origins as a striking sculptural object. Fitted with the original brass finis...
Category

Late 19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Illinois - Folk Art

Materials

Brass

Chinese Split Bamboo Headrest, circa 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Crafted from lengths of split bamboo, this headrest enabled contour comfort, quite luxurious for 19th century, China. Lightweight and low-profile, it was the perfect accessory for a ...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Rustic Antique Illinois - Folk Art

Materials

Bamboo

Oromo Igbo African Gourd
Located in Chicago, IL
This African piece was made by the oromo igbo people of ethiopia It is a gourd with weaved fiber and metal covering it with intricate design and patterns It has a lid with it which is usually not found It definately has age but not sure of its exact year This vessel is a lovely african artifact...
Category

Early 20th Century Ethiopian Illinois - Folk Art

Materials

Metallic Thread

Antique American General Store Revolving Red Cabinet
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique American general store revolving bolt and nut cabinet. Original paint.
Category

Late 19th Century North American Primitive Antique Illinois - Folk Art

Materials

Tin

Mounted Kuba Shoowa Embroidered Cloth
Located in Chicago, IL
A wonderful mid-20th century Kuba Shoowa flat-weave multi-colored embroidered raffia cloth panel with a fantastic all-over geometric motif. Sometimes multiple panels are stitched tog...
Category

Mid-20th Century Congolese Tribal Illinois - Folk Art

Materials

Raffia

Beaded Ndebele Fertility Doll
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare imported commodity, glass beads have been a symbol of wealth and importance in south African cultures for centuries, and were exclusively distributed by the region's oba (king). As beads become gradually more accessible throughout the 19th century, they began to displace the organic materials used in traditional art and attire. This colorful example of African beadwork is a fertility doll...
Category

20th Century South African Folk Art Illinois - Folk Art

Materials

Cotton, Wood

Bamileke Figurative Round Stool
Located in Chicago, IL
Marked by the telltale Bamileke rounded disc seat and base, this stool features a group of pondering human figures as its vertical supports instead of the more common abstract carvin...
Category

Mid-20th Century Cameroonian Tribal Illinois - Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Hansa Mechanical Huge Stuffed Hippopotamus Almost 4 Feet Long
Located in Chicago, IL
Hansa plush mechanical Stuffed Hippopotamus Hansa was created in 1972 by German-born Hans Axthelm. Each and every Hansa stuffed Hippopotamus animal, is hand sewn using the inside-ou...
Category

1980s Philippine Vintage Illinois - Folk Art

Materials

Acrylic

Beaded Ndebele Ceremonial Doll
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare imported commodity, glass beads have been a symbol of wealth and importance in south African cultures for centuries, and were exclusively distributed by the region's oba (king). As beads become gradually more accessible throughout the 19th century, they began to displace the organic materials used in traditional art and attire. This colorful example of African beadwork is a ceremonial doll...
Category

Mid-20th Century South African Folk Art Illinois - Folk Art

Materials

Twine, Cotton, Wood

Bambara Jidaga Water Vessel
Located in Chicago, IL
Formed by pounding flattened clay around a convex mold, this oblong footed vessel is a water storage jar known as a jidaga, created by women of the Bambara people of Mali. The body o...
Category

Early 20th Century Malian Tribal Illinois - Folk Art

Materials

Ceramic

Mounted Early 20th Century Mende Country Cloth
Located in Chicago, IL
A wonderful early 20th century Mende handwoven Country Cloth composed of twelve narrow strips of indigo and cream dyed cotton and arranged to create a checkerboard pattern, and hand ...
Category

Early 20th Century Sierra Leonean Tribal Illinois - Folk Art

Materials

Cotton

Kuba Beaded Laket Prestige Cap
By Kuba
Located in Chicago, IL
This petite cone-shaped cap, known as laket, was created by an artisan of the Kuba peoples of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The base is made of a simple woven raffia fabric, ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Congolese Tribal Illinois - Folk Art

Materials

Shell, Fabric

Not Disturbing, Assemblage with Old Drill and Ceramic Figurine
By Rick Farrell
Located in Chicago, IL
A found object is a natural or man-made item, or fragment of an item that is found by an artist and kept because of some intinsic interest the artist sees in it. Beginning with Picasso, who incorporated newspapers and matchboxes into his cubist collages and constructions, this idea has been carried forward. It was popular with the Dada and Surrealist movements and with such great artists as Damien Hurst and Henry Moore. Here, artist Rick Farrell...
Category

2010s North American Folk Art Illinois - Folk Art

Materials

Metal, Wire

Early 20th Century Navajo Rug
Located in Chicago, IL
A striking early 20th century Navajo blanket with a bold all-over diamond pattern woven in crimson, white, gray, and black wool.
Category

1940s North American Navajo Vintage Illinois - Folk Art

Materials

Wool

Tibetan Meditation Carpet with Dorje Medallion, c. 1920
Located in Chicago, IL
Beautifully knotted of vegetable-dyed wool, carpets by the nomadic peoples of Tibet, Mongolia, and northern China decorated every aspect of life with bright color and rich symbolism. Unlike those of the Chinese weaving...
Category

Early 20th Century Tibetan Tibetan Illinois - Folk Art

Materials

Cotton, Wool

Early 20th Century Folk Art Carved Wood Deer Sculpture
Located in Chicago, IL
A stoic yet charming early 20th century Folk Art carved wood deer sculpture, nearly life size, with a wonderful dry weathered finish, and mounted on a custom steel mount. Perfect dis...
Category

Early 20th Century Folk Art Illinois - Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Gigantic Original German Steiff Mohair Elk "Studio Animal" c1960s Five Feet Long
Located in Chicago, IL
Life-sized, mohair Steiff Elk, probably from the 1960s. Steiff referred to these life-size stuffed creatures as, “studio animals” and were very expensive when new. As I child, we wou...
Category

1960s German Vintage Illinois - Folk Art

Materials

Mohair, Wool

Set of Three Vintage Decoys with Custom Wall Mounts
Located in Chicago, IL
A set of three charing early 20th century American hand-carved wood duck decoys with their original lead weights, one with the rope still wrapped arou...
Category

Early 20th Century American Country Illinois - Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Chinese Slatted Bamboo Headrest, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Made out of dexterous lengths of sliced bamboo this headrest enabled contour comfort—quite luxurious for 19th-century China. Lightweight and low-profile, it was the perfect accessory...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Rustic Illinois - Folk Art

Materials

Bamboo

Beaded Ndebele Fertility Doll
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare imported commodity, glass beads have been a symbol of wealth and importance in south African cultures for centuries, and were exclusively distributed by the region's oba (king). As beads become gradually more accessible throughout the 19th century, they began to displace the organic materials used in traditional art and attire. This colorful example of African beadwork is a fertility doll...
Category

20th Century South African Folk Art Illinois - Folk Art

Materials

Cotton, Wood

Beaded Ndebele Ceremonial Doll
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare imported commodity, glass beads have been a symbol of wealth and importance in south African cultures for centuries, and were exclusively distributed by the region's oba (king). As beads become gradually more accessible throughout the 19th century, they began to displace the organic materials used in traditional art and attire. This colorful example of African beadwork is a ceremonial doll...
Category

Mid-20th Century South African Folk Art Illinois - Folk Art

Materials

Cotton, Wood

Tongue-in-Cheek Mounted Kuba Cloth Panel
Located in Chicago, IL
A provocative late 20th century Kuba cloth panel with a bold zigzag and diamond pattern woven in black and natural cut pile raffia surrounding a tongu...
Category

Late 20th Century Congolese Tribal Illinois - Folk Art

Materials

Raffia

Jim Rose Barn House Structure, Welded Steel Object Made with Salvaged Steel
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
This is a welded steel sculpture made by furniture creator Jim Rose. It is sustainable design created from salvaged and recycled steel panels left over from his larger projects. These sculptures reference traditional American Folk Art barn house models or bird houses. This sculpture works alone on a shelf or table or can be grouped with other house sculptures by the artist. Each house sculpture is unique in design and color. Jim Rose Structure #168 found steel with natural rust patina and paint 6h x 4.50w x 2.50d in 15.24h x 11.43w x 6.35d cm Jim Rose b. 1966 Bio Born in Indiana, Jim Rose lived in Europe until he returned to the United States to attend college. After one year at Bard College, Jim transferred to the School of the Art Institute in Chicago (SAIC) where he graduated in 1988 with a BFA. His skillful interpretation of the Shaker design is a result of intense research and field study of Shaker furniture, architecture, culture and history. After over two decades of dedicated work, he has mastered the minimalism of the Shaker technique and created his own unique visual vernacular. The quilts of Gee's Bend have become a monumental influence taking this artist's work to new levels of unique interpretation and artistry. His selection of aged steel results in a patina directly related to that of aged wood while his colored strips beautifully mimic worn cloth. Each piece of furniture is masterfully made and intended for daily use. Jim Rose’s steel furniture is featured every year at SOFA Chicago for the past 25 years. Jim Rose b. 1966, Wisconsin Education 1989 B.F.A., Sculpture, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, IL 1988 Student at Large, Welding Technology, Triton College, Chicago, IL 1985 Undergraduate Photography Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, New York Awards 2008 Wisconsin Arts Board Fellowship Award, Madison, WI 2005 Elizabeth R. Raphael Founder’s Prize, Society for Contemporary Craft, Pittsburgh, PA 2003 Grant Recipient for Shaker Interpretations in Cast Iron, PA Arts Assoc / WI Arts Board 2003 Arts/Industry Residency Program for Visual Artists, John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan, Wisconsin Solo Exhibitions 2017 New Work, Tory Folliard Gallery, Milwaukee, WI 2012 Simply Steel, Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, Wausau, WI 2007 Variation, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL 2003 New Work, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL 2001 Shaker in Steel / New Work, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL 2000 Shaker in Steel / New Work, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL 1999 Hands and Heart to Steel III, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL National Exhibitions 2017-2018 SOFA Chicago – Gallery Victor Armendariz 2016 - 1995 SOFA Chicago, New York, Palm Beach - Ann Nathan Gallery 2011 - 2002 Art Chicago - Ann Nathan Gallery Group Exhibitions 2017 Coming Attractions: Inaugural Exhibition, Gallery Victor Armendariz, Chicago, IL 2017 Living with Art: The Newman Collection, 108 Contemporary, Tulsa, Oklahoma 2016 Form Follows Function: The Intersection of Art and Craft, The Hardy Gallery...
Category

2010s American Folk Art Illinois - Folk Art

Materials

Steel

1950s "Prince Buddah" Circus Sideshow Banner
Located in Chicago, IL
1950s "Prince Buddah" circus sideshow banner.
Category

1950s American Folk Art Vintage Illinois - Folk Art

Materials

Iron

1950s American Hand-Painted Carnival Ride Panel
Located in Chicago, IL
1950s American hand-painted carnival ride panel.
Category

1950s North American Primitive Vintage Illinois - Folk Art

Materials

Mirror, Wood

1920's English "Private Bar" Etched Glass Sign
Located in Chicago, IL
1920's English "Private Bar" etched glass sign framed in oak frame.
Category

1920s British Vintage Illinois - Folk Art

Materials

Glass, Oak

Beaded Ndebele Ceremonial Doll
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare imported commodity, glass beads have been a symbol of wealth and importance in south African cultures for centuries, and were exclusively distributed by the region's oba (king). As beads become gradually more accessible throughout the 19th century, they began to displace the organic materials used in traditional art and attire. This colorful example of African beadwork is a ceremonial doll...
Category

Late 20th Century South African Folk Art Illinois - Folk Art

Materials

Cotton, Wood

20th Century Sleeping Canada Goose Decoy
Located in Chicago, IL
A beautiful 20th century American life-size sleeping Canada Goose decoy with its original paint, a removable head and neck, and glass eyes, on a cu...
Category

20th Century American Country Illinois - Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Chinese Gilt Ancestor Figure, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
An integral part of traditional Chinese home life, ancestor worship before a domestic altar often featured painted ancestral portraits or tabletop ancestor figure...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Qing Illinois - Folk Art

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Set of Three Beaded Ndebele Fertility Dolls
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare imported commodity, glass beads have been a symbol of wealth and importance in south African cultures for centuries, and were exclusively distributed by the region's oba (king). As beads become gradually more accessible throughout the 19th century, they began to displace the organic materials used in traditional art and attire. This colorful example of African beadwork...
Category

20th Century South African Folk Art Illinois - Folk Art

Materials

Cotton, Wood

1950s Hand-Painted Olympia Beer Advertising Sign
Located in Chicago, IL
Oversized 1950s hand-painted advertising sign for Olympia Beer.
Category

1950s North American Folk Art Vintage Illinois - Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Chinese Bent Handle Fisherman's Basket, circa 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Basket making is an ancient and humble craft, but in the hands of a skilled weaver a simple willow basket becomes a truly beautiful statement. The artisan’s mastery is evident in thi...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Rustic Illinois - Folk Art

Materials

Fabric, Wood, Willow

Ethiopian Milk Vessel
Located in Chicago, IL
The Borana Oromo people of southern Ethiopia and northern Kenya are historically a cattle-keeping culture, and each household keeps a number of traditional vessels for storing and ch...
Category

Mid-20th Century Ethiopian Tribal Illinois - Folk Art

Materials

Other

Antique Saddle Carpet with Peonies, c. 1920s
Located in Chicago, IL
This unusually-shaped carpet is known as a "makden" and was originally used by a nomadic traveler as an artful covering for his horse. Placed between the saddle and the horse, the makden cushioned the rigid saddle and kept the horse warm in cold climates. Most under-saddle carpets...
Category

1920s East Turkestani Vintage Illinois - Folk Art

Materials

Fabric, Wool

Tibetan Saddle Carpet with Floral Medallions, c. 1930
Located in Chicago, IL
This unusually-shaped carpet is known as a "makden" and was originally used by a nomadic traveler as an artful covering for his horse. Placed between the saddle and the horse, the makden cushioned the rigid saddle and kept the horse warm in cold climates. Most under-saddle carpets...
Category

Early 20th Century Tibetan Tibetan Illinois - Folk Art

Materials

Fabric, Wool

Antique Gold Leaf Black Sign "Gebhardt Park "
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique gold leaf sign Gebhardt Park. Framed in original wood frame.
Category

Early 1900s North American Folk Art Antique Illinois - Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Large 19th Century Wooden Mortar
Located in Chicago, IL
A large 19th century Central American wooden mortar with a beautifully hand-hewn texture and a well worn finish. Mortars like these were used to crush grains, spices, herbs, and othe...
Category

19th Century Central American Tribal Antique Illinois - Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Rooster Weathervane
Located in Chicago, IL
A charming early 20th American Folk Art carved pine rooster weathervane with a wonderful silhouette with a large tail, applied wings, and copper legs all supported by an iron rod wit...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Illinois - Folk Art

Materials

Pine

Chinese Folk Carved Panel, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
Dated to the 19th century, this flat wooden panel is curiously etched with geometric patterns, simple leaf motifs, and a triangle-work border. Its original use remains unknown - perh...
Category

Mid-19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Illinois - Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Yoruba Egungun Headdress Mask
By Yoruba People
Located in Chicago, IL
Attributed to the Yoruba people of western Nigeria, this wooden headdress was worn during a masquerade known as egungun. A widespread Yoruba ritual, egungun performances honor a comm...
Category

Early 20th Century Nigerian Tribal Illinois - Folk Art

Materials

Wood

1900s Hand Carved Scotsman Tobacco Store Panel
Located in Chicago, IL
1900s hand carved scotsman tobacco store panel.
Category

Early 1900s British Antique Illinois - Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Early 20th Century French Naval Battleship Training Models
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare set of early 20th century cast lead French Naval battleship training models used by servicemen in identifying ships from the air. We had a custom steel plate made for display ...
Category

Early 20th Century French Illinois - Folk Art

Materials

Lead

African Kenyan Bells with 3 Kisi Metal Tally Sticks / Provenance Douglas Dawson
Located in Chicago, IL
African Kenyan bells with 3 Kisi metal tally sticks provenance Douglas Dawson. Came from the Goldberg Family Collection. Dims are of a single bell.
Category

19th Century African Antique Illinois - Folk Art

Materials

Metal

African Incised Copper Currency Anklet, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Time honored texture and form define this Nigerian copper sculptural object. The intricate geometry was achieved through a process known as scarification. The artisan would meticulou...
Category

Early 20th Century Nigerian Tribal Illinois - Folk Art

Materials

Copper

Mounted Dida Tie-Dyed Ceremonial Kerchief
Located in Chicago, IL
An incredible and rare mid-20th century Dida hand-plated Shibori tie-dyed raffia ceremonial kerchief mounted on a linen stretched board that floats off the wall in the shape of the k...
Category

Mid-20th Century Ivorian Tribal Illinois - Folk Art

Materials

Raffia

Pende-Style Antelope Mask
Located in Chicago, IL
Masks from the Pende people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo are considered some of the most dramatic works of African art. The Pende have defined an extensive range of mask forms, many with distinct characters embodied during ritual ceremony. Colored by red and white pigments, this Pende mask...
Category

Mid-20th Century Congolese Tribal Illinois - Folk Art

Materials

Wood

Set of Five Iron Phallus Fertility Figures
Located in Chicago, IL
A wonderful set of five early 20th century iron phallus figures from Togo. Fertility figures like these were planted in the ground of a farmer's fiel...
Category

Early 20th Century Togolese Tribal Illinois - Folk Art

Materials

Iron

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Bush Plane Model on Custom Mount
Located in Chicago, IL
A wonderful and charming early 20th century American bush plane model constructed with painted canvas stretched over a wooden skeleton, and mounted on a custom steel mount.
Category

1940s American Folk Art Vintage Illinois - Folk Art

Materials

Canvas, Wood

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