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Folk Art Scholar s Objects

FOLK ART STYLE

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.

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Style: Folk Art
Korean Folding Chaekgeori Painted Scholar Floor Screen
Located in Atlanta, GA
A six-panel painted folding floor screen from Korea circa early 20th century. This type of screen is called Chaekgeori (books and things) which is quite unique to Korea. It became popular at the end of 18th century favored and encouraged by King Jeongjo (1752-1800) as a political tool to promote social conservatism such as the traditional Confucianism value, especially considered important in a time when waves of new ideology influx came to Korea. Initially commissioned for the royal court, they became increasingly popular with the scholars of noble and affluent households and were used widely in their halls and studies. Early screens were painted with trompe-l’oeil bookcases displaying books and arrays of collectibles. Later, the bookcases were eliminated to focus on the assemblage of neatly stacked books and objects of scholarly pursue. On this screen, the six panels were neatly presented and framed in woven brocade borders. Among the stacked volumes, one can find many fine porcelain vases with flowers, potted orchids, pen holders with brush pens and scroll paintings, incense burner, ink stone, teapot, fan with ink painting, vessels of fruits, exotic plants such as lotus, plumeria and even a pair of glasses. It feels like a pleasant visual measure hunting for the viewers. Several words in Chinese found their way into the picture as well, including filial (xiao), longevity (shou) and luck (fu). The painting was done in a meticulous way with no details overlooked and also with a rather western still-life dimensional perspective. In a rather unusual maximal but also minimalistic way, the screen exudes a historical charm with a folky flair but appears modern at the same time. Each panel is 17.5"w by 70.2"h. For general information on the subject see reference: Chaekgeori the Power and Pleasure of Possessions in Korean Painted Screens...
Category

20th Century Korean Folk Art Scholar s Objects

Materials

Brocade, Silk, Wood, Paper

Tribal Wooden Spoon – Philippines, Early 20th Century, Whale Tail Motif
Located in Bilzen, BE
A superb hand-carved tribal spoon from the northern Philippines (Cordillera region), dating from the early 20th century. Made of tropical hardwood, it displays a beautiful dark patin...
Category

Early 20th Century Philippine Folk Art Scholar s Objects

Materials

Wood

Antique Gold/Opium Bamboo Scale with Built-In Abacus, Chinese, 19th Century
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Antique gold/opium bamboo scale with built-in abacus, Chinese, 19th century Fitted into a bamboo case are a brass tray with bronze weights and a bone beam with measuring marks. Th...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Folk Art Scholar s Objects

Materials

Bamboo

Related Items
Antique Bone Figure of Indochina Male Dignitary Hardwood 19th Century Chinese
Located in Dublin, Ireland
An exquisitely hand carved bone Chinese dignitary standing figure portraying a lavishly dressed bearded male. Difficult to date, in our opinion last quarter of the 19th century. ...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Folk Art Scholar s Objects

Materials

Hardwood, Bone

Antique Chinese Goldstone Carved Cranes Ibis Snuff Bottle Early 20c ROC
Located in Richmond, CA
Discover this rare and exquisite shimmering goldstone snuff bottle from the Republic of China period (1910-1940), a representation of the era's refined craftsmanship. Made from the distinctive goldstone, the bottle captivates with its natural sparkle, resembling a night sky strewn with stars. Each side features a pair of gracefully carved cranes...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Folk Art Scholar s Objects

Materials

Glass

Antique Burmese Set of Sixteen Double-Sided Kammavaca or Buddhist Manuscripts
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
An antique Burmese set of sixteen double-sided Kammavaca or Buddhist manuscripts, written in Bali in red and black lacquer on a gold leaf ground. This set is accompanied by the original pair of gold leaf and red lacquer pictorial cover boards. Kammavaca are volumes consisting of extracts from the Theravadin Vinaya, that relates to the traditional ceremonies of monks. Together with a manuscript chest...
Category

1890s Antique Folk Art Scholar s Objects

Materials

Paper

Quality Chinese Scholar Rock
Located in Norwood, NJ
Chinese Scholar stone, Meditation stone, Appreciation stone or Dream stone. All names for this beautiful natural stone that when studied evokes and por...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Folk Art Scholar s Objects

Materials

Stone

Quality Chinese Scholar Rock
Quality Chinese Scholar Rock
$975
H 7.5 in W 5.5 in D 4 in
19th Century Chinese Carved Giltwood Panel
Located in San Diego, CA
Antique 19th century Chinese carved gold gilt and painted wood wall panel or plaque with scholar and warrior figures scene. Signed on back as p...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Folk Art Scholar s Objects

19th Century Chinese Carved Giltwood Panel
19th Century Chinese Carved Giltwood Panel
$2,600 Sale Price
25% Off
H 27.5 in W 37 in D 5 in
Korean Chaekgeori painting. 19th Century Joseon. Books Scholars’ Accouterments
Located in Kyoto, JP
Books and Scholars’ Accouterments; Chaekgeori Second half of the 19th century Korean framed panel. Ink and color on paper. This Korean Chaekgeori...
Category

Late 19th Century Korean Antique Folk Art Scholar s Objects

Materials

Paper

Chinese Carved Hardwood Scholar s Tray, Qing Dynasty, 19th Century, China
Located in Austin, TX
A sophisticated Chinese carved and pierced hardwood scholar's tray, Qing Dynasty, 19th century, China. The tray of rectangular form with high sides and rounded corners. The sides...
Category

19th Century Chinese Antique Folk Art Scholar s Objects

Materials

Hardwood

Hand Painted, 4 Panel Folding Screen with Crane Birds, Room Divider
Located in Waasmunster, BE
Hand Painted, 4 Panel Folding Screen with Crane Birds, Room Divider
Category

1970s Japanese Vintage Folk Art Scholar s Objects

Materials

Gold Leaf

Japanese Asian Korean Chinese Signed 4-Panel Folding Byobu Cherry Blossom Screen
Located in Studio City, CA
A gorgeous four-panel hand painted Japanese Asian Byobu folding screen depicting a wildly and brilliantly colorful fully blooming Spring cherry blossom tree with a wonderful composit...
Category

20th Century Japanese Folk Art Scholar s Objects

Materials

Wood, Paint, Paper

Korean Two-Panel Silk Screen from 1975
Located in Lomita, CA
This authentic two-panel Korean screen is from the 20th Century and is highlighted with the design of two painted silk screen panels over a ...
Category

20th Century Korean Folk Art Scholar s Objects

Materials

Silk

Korean Two-Panel Silk Screen from 1975
Korean Two-Panel Silk Screen from 1975
$880 Sale Price
71% Off
H 48 in W 40 in D 4 in
Byobu - Japanese Folding Screen
Located in Brescia, IT
Nice four-panel Japanese screen painted on vegetal paper, depicting a landscape with a red maple, flowers and birds. The size is very refined and easy to place in a design project.
Category

Mid-20th Century Japanese Folk Art Scholar s Objects

Materials

Paper

Byobu - Japanese Folding Screen
Byobu - Japanese Folding Screen
$5,744
H 53.55 in W 73.23 in D 0.79 in
A Chinese Glass Snuff Bottle, 20th Century
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
A Chinese Glass Snuff Bottle, 20th Century Dimension: Height: 9 cm Diameter: 9 cm. Provenance: Private Western Australian Collection.
Category

20th Century Chinese Folk Art Scholar s Objects

Materials

Glass

Previously Available Items
Large Korean Folding Chaekgeori Books and Scholars Possessions Floor Screen
Located in Atlanta, GA
A rare and very well-preserved folding floor screen from Korea circa early 20th century. This type of screen is called Chaekgeori (books and things) which is quite unique to Korea. It became popular at the end of 18th century favored and encouraged by King Jeongjo (1752-1800) as a political tool to promote social conservatism such as the traditional Confucianism value, especially considered important in a time when waves of new ideology influx came to Korea. Initially commissioned for the royal court, they became increasingly popular with the scholars of noble and affluent household and used it widely in their halls and studies. Early screens were painted with trompe-l’oeil bookcases displaying books and arrays of collectibles. Later, the bookcases were eliminated to focus on the assemblage of neatly stacked books and objects of scholarly pursue. On this screen, the six panels were neatly presented and framed in woven brocade borders. Among the stacked volumes, one can find many fine porcelain vases with flowers, potted orchids, pen holders with brush pens and scroll paintings, incense burner, ink stone, teapot, fan with ink painting, vessels of fruits, exotic plants such as lotus, plumeria and even a pair of glasses. It feels like a pleasant visual measure hunting for the viewers. Several words in Chinese found their way into the picture as well, including filial (xiao), longevity (shou) and luck (fu). The painting was done in a meticulous way with no details overlooked and also with a rather western still-life dimensional perspective. In a rather unusual maximal but also minimalistic way, the screen exudes a folky charm but appears modern at the same time. Each panel is 17.5"w by 70.2"h. For general information on the subject see reference: Chaekgeori the Power and Pleasure of Possessions in Korean Painted Screens...
Category

20th Century Korean Folk Art Scholar s Objects

Materials

Brocade, Silk, Wood, Paper

Burmese Zoomorphic Box in the Form of a Frog, Wood Lacquer, Circa 1930
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Burmese Zoomorphic box in the form of a frog, wood lacquer, Circa 1930 The lid has been carved with an effigy of the hapless weaver, Ma Mei U, in the jaws of a tiger. Lines and ti...
Category

Mid-20th Century Burmese Folk Art Scholar s Objects

Materials

Wood, Lacquer

Vintage Long Bamboo Pipe with Horn Tobacco Container, Chinese, 20th Century
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Vintage long bamboo pipe with horn tobacco container, Chinese, 20th century. Very long black bamboo pole fashioned into a pipe with the root constructed into a bowl covered with brass and copper held on with steel knobs. Accompanied by a horn container...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Folk Art Scholar s Objects

Materials

Bamboo

Chinese Rock Crystal Bonsai Dream Tree
Located in Wilton, CT
Tabletop dream tree with rock crystal leaves, silk wrapped branches, and heavy serpentine jardiniere. 14" high, 18" wide, 14" deep.
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Folk Art Scholar s Objects

Materials

Serpentine

Folk Art scholar s objects for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Folk Art scholar's objects for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage scholar's objects created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include asian art and furniture and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, bamboo and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art scholar's objects made in a specific country, there are Asia, East Asia, and Caucasus pieces for sale on 1stDibs. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for scholar's objects differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $725 and tops out at $18,000 while the average work can sell for $3,210.

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