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Folk Art Decorative 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
Set of Two Vintage Handcrafted Bowls in Wood, Czechoslovakia, 1960s
Located in Zohor, SK
Set of two wooden bowls. Produced in Czechoslovakia in 1960s. The bowls are in excellent condition. Both bowls have lids and are very easy to open and store some little snacks or sou...
Category

1960s Czech Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

A Mounted 17th Century Folk Art Brass Bassinoire Cover from France
Located in Buisson, FR
This pierced brass decorative element from France was originally the cover of a bassinoire from the 1600s. A bassinoire is a device where hot coals are inserted into a vented recept...
Category

17th Century French Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Fine Early 19th Century Swedish Folk Art Turned Bowl
Located in Bozeman, MT
Fantastic early 19th century Swedish / Scandinavian finely turned wooden folk art bowl in it's original finish, signed B E D 1817. Sweden.
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

19th Century Swedish Folk Art Wooden Bowl Dated 1871 Signed OAS
Located in Boden, SE
19th century Swedish folk Art wooden bowl dated 1871 Signed OAS A stunning antique organic wooden bowl with lovely patina & trace originalpaint. You can see the use of time. The bowl...
Category

1870s Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Pine

Large Vintage Hand-Carved Crocodile in Dark Wood
Located in Esbjerg, DK
85 cm long and lean crocodile in hand-carved wood. We have been told that it was brought home from Africa during the 1980s by a Danish Tourist. It has a screw to its back - allowing ...
Category

1980s Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Hardwood

Mexican Antique Dolores Porras Clay Pottery Folk Art Green Terracotta Vessel
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
This one of a kind Mexican antique is one of few pieces Dolores had at her home at the time she passed away. Dolores experimented to create new forms w...
Category

1980s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Terracotta, Clay, Pottery

18th Century Swedish Primitive Organic Wooden Bowl with Original Paint
Located in Boden, SE
An antique and unique organic wooden bowl. With highly appealing patina, with traces of use. Produced in Sweden, 19th century. The bowl has original paint. Beautiful in any room,a ...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Pine

Set of Five Tall Folk-Art Candleholders, France, circa 1950s
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Unique set of five handmade Folk Art iron candleholders, raised on wavy triangular bases, with tall stems adorned with leaves along their lengths, and topped with large, flat candleh...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Iron

A Mounted 17th Century Folk Art Brass Bassinoire Cover from France
Located in Buisson, FR
This pierced brass decorative element from France was originally the cover of a bassinoire from the 1600s. A bassinoire is a device where hot coals are inserted into a vented recept...
Category

17th Century French Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass

Hand Carved Painted Tall Canadian Geese - Pair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These amazing signed and dated large Canadian geese are dated 1980 and signed by the carver.They are truely amazing and in fine condition.They are both carved out of one piece of wo...
Category

1980s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Hand-Carved Wooden Folk Art Figures
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Kenneth Anthony Krogmeir carvings. Mr. Krogmeir was a dairy farmer from Fort Madison, Iowa. He also owned a small sawmill that he operated for personal use and for milling wood for n...
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

19th Century Swedish Folk Art Root Wood Bowl
Located in Bozeman, MT
Nice organically shaped early 19th century Swedish folk art root wood bowl, signed HE A. Ca 1820 Sweden.
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

NETO PARA - Vintage Glazed Incised Pottery Vase - Brazil - Circa 1970 s
Located in Chatham, ON
NETO PARA - Vintage studio pottery vase with a mottled copper glaze and incised decoration - signed on the base NETO PARA - Brazil - circa 1970's. The incised decoration covers the ...
Category

Late 20th Century Brazilian Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage Rattan and Plant Fibers Rounded Woven Hanging Ikebana Basket
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage hand-woven ikebana or display basket features rounded shape with demilune front, and straight back; the form is convenient for hanging the basket on the wall or displaying it...
Category

20th Century Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Wicker, Rattan, Wood

Latin American Santos de Palos Wood Carved St Raphael Sculpture
Located in Guaynabo, PR
A renown tradition in Latin America the making of Santos de Palos by masters carvers since the 19th century. They hand carved and painted the saints inspired in their personal religi...
Category

20th Century Unknown Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Art Glass Rooster Set, circa 1970s
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful handmade art glass rooster family sculpture set (4), circa 1970s. Four (4) roosters in set, blown glass, hand-crafted. Art glass colors i...
Category

1970s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Art Glass

Art Glass Rooster Set, circa 1970s
Art Glass Rooster Set, circa 1970s
$195 Sale Price / set
29% Off
Carved Wood Falcon Sculpture 1960s
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Handmade carved wood Falcon sculpture 1960s. Vintage Seri Ironwood Animal Hand-Carved Sculpture of a American Eagle or Falcon. Vintage Hand carved walnut wooden beautiful design decorative bird falcon sculpture. Carved wood figure of an Eagle sculpture from the 1960s. Eagle figure perched on a wooden trunk would be a great eye-catcher in any room or interior. Excellent condition. Natural dark brown color. Dimensions: 9.5" H x 4.5". Vintage hand carved Ironwood Southwestern seri sculpture of an eagle or falcon. Ironwood hand carved falcon sculpture. Hand crafted in amazing detail from one of earth's hardest natural ironwood. This is an authentic art piece crafted in the Sonoran Desert from native Olneya ironwood. Found almost exclusively in the desert of Arizona, this tree is truly one of nature's wonders. North American Southwestern desert ironwood gets its name from its amazing hardness and heavy weight (similar to petrified wood). Though this wood is very difficult to work, it is meticulously carved and etched to reveal incredible detail, in very nice polished heavy dark wood, no dents with a smooth finish over all excellent condition with beautiful visible wood grains. circa 1970. From Wikipedia: "Mexican ironwood carvings...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Swedish Timplåda Wooden Box, dated 1824
Located in Farsta, SE
Swedish 'Timplåda' Wooden Box, dated 1824 A 'timplåda' is a traditional Swedish wooden box, handcrafted with care. Popular during the 18th and 19th centuries, these boxes were used ...
Category

1820s Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Birch

Primitive 19th Century Wrought Iron Candle Holder
Located in Bozeman, MT
Primitive and rather large 19th century wrought iron tripod candle holder with a fixed socket and a sprung Jaw holder for use of the last stump of the candlelight. Ca 1820 Northern E...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Iron, Wrought Iron

19th Century Swedish Wabi-Sabi Oak Lidded Box with Hand-Carved Patina
Located in Stockholm, SE
A soulful 19th-century lidded box handcrafted in Sweden from solid oak, showcasing the quiet beauty of the wabi-sabi aesthetic. This simple, round form reveals a deep, weathered pati...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Oak

Swedish antique rustic genuine folk Art Washing board dated 1862
Located in Boden, SE
Swedish antique genuine washboard in pine dated 1862 with owner initials "MOD" The farmers and country-side folks were proud of the few things they owned and used to carve their init...
Category

1860s Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Pine

Antique Hubley Cast Iron Parrot Doorstop – Original Hand-Painted Finish
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This rare antique Hubley cast iron parrot doorstop is a stunning example of early 20th-century craftsmanship. Featuring a beautifully sculpted...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

Vintage Hand-Carved Teak Thai Theppanom Sculpture
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful hand-carved solid teak Thai Theppanom sculpture or statue depicting a celestial being kneeling in prayer Thailand, Circa Mid-20th Century Measures: 3.5"W x 4.75"D x 19....
Category

Mid-20th Century Thai Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Teak

AJOUPA POTTERY - Studio Pottery Vide Poche - Signed - Trinidad - Circa 1990
Located in Chatham, ON
AJOUPA POTTERY - Vintage studio pottery glazed vide poche - featuring a wheel thrown terra cotta body, flaring sides and hand painted lizard to the center - glossy black, orange and ...
Category

Late 20th Century Trinidadian Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Terracotta

Guerrero Pottery Bull Bank
Located in Fairfield, CA
A vintage Mexican folk art pottery bank. Hand made in Guerrero, Mexico. The bank is in the shape of bull with a rider, featuring beautiful hand painted te...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Pottery

Large Antique Cast Iron Seated Frog Door Stop
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Large Antique cast iron seated frog door stop. USA, Circa 1920s. A rare and unusual model, of large size, depicts a seated green frog on a r...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Iron

Antique Swedish Wooden barrel 1800 s Handmade Folk Craft great condition
Located in Forest, BE
Swedish antique pine and birch hand painted wooden barrel. Made to be used as a washing basin. Fine quality of bentwood. It is a true piece from the early 19 century. Beautiful patin...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Birch, Pine

Vintage American Splint Wicker Storage Ikebana Basket with Feet
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
The vintage basket features square base and rounded top. The top is reinforced with carved bent wooden pieces, wrapped with splints; four carved wooden legs are attached to the woode...
Category

20th Century Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Wicker, Wood, Ash

Antique Architectural Parcel Gilt Wrought Iron Sculpture
Located in Forney, TX
A one-of-a-kind antique wrought iron sculpture, comprising 18th and 19th century architectural elements, in a rustic parcel gilt finish, including door lock, latch, and skeleton key,...
Category

19th Century European Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze, Wrought Iron

19th Century Swedish Folk Art Bowl
Located in Bozeman, MT
Swedish Wabi-Sabi ;) 19th century Swedish folk art turned bowl. Very well made, light, thin walls and with fantastic patination, dated 1868.
Category

19th Century European Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Rare 19th Century Swedish Solid wooden Wash Board for Washing Clothes Old
Located in Boden, SE
A handmade solid wood wash board. A wonderful decorative piece full of rustic charm, also can be used as an interesting serving tray. The Wash board has a owner mark and signed EPS I...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Pine

Moorish Heads Vases Collection "Palermo", Set of 2 Pieces, Handmade in Italy
Located in San Miniato PI, IT
This collection is a work of art that make a statement in modern décor and in the modern cultural art world. It can be used as a vase containing flowers, or as a beautiful centerpiec...
Category

2010s Italian Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Gold Leaf

Early 19th Century Swedish Folk Art Candle Holder
Located in Bozeman, MT
Unusual early 19th century Swedish Folk Art candle holder in pine and iron. Ca 1820 Sweden.
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Iron

19thc Green Painted Hiney Basket
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19Thc Original dark green painted hiney basket in fine undisturbed painted surface.This basket comes to East Meets West Antiques from a private folk art collection.This basket is in...
Category

19th Century American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

19thc Green Painted Hiney  Basket
19thc Green Painted Hiney  Basket
$700 Sale Price
20% Off
18th Century antique primitive wooden measure box dated 1784
Located in Boden, SE
A 18th Century Swedish Measure Box dated 1784 & Owner marked AHB BAS Measures, spatial measures, of wood for dry goods such as grain. Also called target vessel. The dimension is cu...
Category

1780s Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Pine

Antique Genuine Swedish Pine Long Case Clock with Unusual Original Blue Paint
Located in Kramfors, SE
Genuine antique long case clock from northern Sweden. The clock is made around 1820 with a very well-made and elegant case in painted pine. The...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Pine

Mid 19th century Swedish folk art painted box
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid 19th century Swedish folk art painted box circa 1865. Good quality Swedish pine metal bound box.  Decorated with original ragwork paint and blue painted strap work.  Hand painte...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Steel

19Thc Original Blue Painted Mini Butter Bowl
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19Thc Original blue painted butter bowl with amazing patina. This bowl is in fine condition and is a rare small size.
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

American Hand Woven Splint Wicker Gathering Buttocks Basket
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage or antique gathering basket features traditional rib or buttocks shape with the bent wooden ring rim and handle. The plaited splints a...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Wicker, Rattan, Wood

20th Century Bronze Letter Opener in African Tribal Art Bakota Style
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Brass Figural Letter Opener, Bakota Style, Gabon, 20th Century This striking brass letter opener is crafted in the Bakota style of Gabon, Central Africa. The piece displays elegant ...
Category

20th Century French Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Bronze

Indian Goddess Figurine Statue
Located in Dallas, TX
Beautifully authentic hand carved statue of an Indian deity goddess. Distressed paint finish.
Category

18th Century and Earlier Indian Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Paint

Two Swedish Cobalt Blue Candy Bowls, 19th Century
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Two cobalt blue candy bowls, 19th century, Sweden.
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Glass

Folk Art Seated Dog Polychrome Painted Sculpture
Located in Astoria, NY
Folk Art Seated Dog Carved and Polychrome Painted Sculpture, signed "Peer" to underside. 31" H x 27" W x 18" D. Provenance: From an East Village Estate.
Category

Late 20th Century Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Composition

P. Gomez, "The Cow" Sculpture in Two Parts
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
P. Gomez, "The cow" sculpture in two parts. Sheet metal and various material.  
Category

1990s French Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Metal

19th Century antique rustic Swedish tray bowl with original paint
Located in Boden, SE
19th century big rustic Swedish antique wooden tray/ Serving bowl with untouched original paint from Örnsköldsvik ,Ångermanland Northern Sweden. A farmers handcrafted tray or servin...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Pine

19th Century Iron Indian Weathervane with Stand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic and rare original painted surface iron Indian weather vane, worn painted surface. Great original Directional's in iron and attached. This Indian weather vane was found in t...
Category

19th Century American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Iron

Victorian Treenware Hanging Salt Box, 19th Century.
Located in Hannover, DE
I present to you a set of beautiful hanging salt box from the 19th century. The two are made out of wood, rich in colour and patination, They can be left standing but the intention b...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood

Early 20th Century French Folk Art Sculpture of a Bear in Leather
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A hand-made folk art sculpture of a bear from the first part of the 20th Century. This papier mâché bear is wrapped in leather, presented in its authentic old patina. This art work r...
Category

Early 20th Century French Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Leather, Paper

Vintage Chicken Folk Art Wicker Wood Bamboo Lidded Basket Handwoven Kitchen 1960
Located in Miami, FL
Collectible 1960s kitchen decoration figural Wicker hand-woven lidded Basket. Hen Sitting on nest. Hen is the lid with attached red wood comb and beak and Red Button Eyes the tail is bamboo. The basket itself has a double layer so that the hen has a firm place to sit. The Basket is in good vintage condition with some marks, dryness, some normal breaks to the wicker. Measures 11.25 inches high, basket is 9 inches round. Vintage Chicken Basket...
Category

Mid-20th Century Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Bamboo, Wicker, Plastic

Soapstone Hand-Carved Bust of Brahma with Four Faces
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
This bust is a beautiful representation of lord Brahma. Brahma is a part of the holy trinity of Hinduism along with Vishnu the Preserver and Shiva the destroyer. He is depicted in Hi...
Category

20th Century Thai Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Soapstone

Antique Swedish genuine Birch bark container
Located in Boden, SE
The antique birch bark container was traditionally used as a storage vessel for food, dried herbs, or other valuable items. Its durable and waterproof properties made it ideal for pr...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Birch

Vintage Gouda Pottery Jug with Stopper, Hand Painted, Holland, 20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
Vintage Gouda folk art pottery jug or decanter with stopper - hand painted stylized floral decoration to the front and back - clear high gloss glaze with...
Category

Mid-20th Century Dutch Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Ceramic

19th-Century Strasburg, Virginia Stoneware Jug in the Manner of George W. Miller
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This 19th-century American stoneware jug is reminiscent of the works attributed to George W. Miller of Strasburg, Virginia, a noted Shenandoah Valley potter active in the mid-to-late...
Category

Mid-19th Century American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Stoneware

Large Blue Antique Swedish Folk Art Wooden Trough, Late 1800s.
Located in Asaa, DK
Large Blue Antique Swedish Folk Art Wooden Trough, Late 1800s. Hand carved wooden tray from Sweden late 19th century. These handmade troughs were common in Scandinavia in this time ...
Category

Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Pine

Antique Swedish Wooden bowl 1800 s Handmade Folk Craft nice details
Located in Forest, BE
Swedish antique birch hand made wooden bowl. Made to be used as a dining dish / plate. Fine quality of handwork. this is are true piece from the early 19 century. Beautiful patina o...
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Birch

20th Century Terracotta Bust of an old Gentleman, Germany 1936
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This is an impressive bust formed with terracotta of an old man. This beautiful sculpture is hand formed, 20th century. Signed by Artist and dated 1936. It makes a nice addition to a...
Category

Late 20th Century German Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Terracotta

Petite Chinese Rice Measure, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This rustic, wooden container is an early 20th century rice measure, used to portion out servings of dry rice and other grains. In keeping with the larger rice measures used at marke...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Pine

Maranao Silver Inlaid Betel Box, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Decorated with silver inlay and cloaked in an antique patina, this curious brass case is an early 20th century betel nut box, attributed to the Maranao people of the island of Mindan...
Category

Early 20th Century Philippine Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Brass, Silver

American Gilt Carved Wood and Poly Chromed Roman Guard Figurehead, Circa 1890
Located in Charleston, SC
American gilt carved wood and poly chromed nautical figurehead of Roman guard in military attire. Late 19th century.
Category

1890s American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Wood, Giltwood, Paint

Mid-19th Century Swedish Hand-Carved Wooden Spade
Located in Stockholm, SE
A rare and evocative mid-19th century Swedish hand-carved wooden spade, beautifully aged and deeply rooted in rural Scandinavian heritage. Once a humble agricultural tool, this piece...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects

Materials

Oak

Folk Art decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique folk art decorative objects for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage decorative objects created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, folk art, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art decorative objects made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original decorative objects, popular names associated with this style include Mosche Bianche, Jim Rose, Berber Tribes of Morocco, and Tonala Pottery. 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 decorative objects differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $38 and tops out at $225,000 while the average work can sell for $1,105.

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