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
Root Bowl with Carved Dog’s Head, Signed T.S. Swedish Folk Art Birch
Located in Kastrup, DK
Large, organic sculpture carved from birch root, shaped as a bowl with a powerful and expressive form where the natural texture of the wood is preserved and integrated into its desig...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Birch
Organic Modern Natural Hand Carved Wood Folk Art Abstract Sculpture on Stand
Located in Studio City, CA
A rather engaging modern abstract folk art wood sculpture on a display stand. The piece is hand-carved from a single piece of lighter wood (no...
Category
20th Century Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Vintage Large Folk Art Tonala Sandstone Pottery Vase, 1960
s
By Ken Edwards
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Large Folk Art Tonala Sandstone Pottery Vase, 1960s.
Vintage Large Folk Art Tonala sandstone pottery vase with bird and flowers signed.
Vintage large sandstone vase textured and hand-painted with an abstract bird and floral raised glazed decoration.
Beautiful Vintage Mexican Ceramic Vase in the style of Ken Edwards.
Hand-crafted vintage Tonala...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pottery
Sculptural Shell and Metal Bettle Figures (Pair)
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful pair of sculptural bettle figures. These figures are constructed of shell and carefully crafted metal details. Legs and whiskers in raw metal shine with vitality and ligh...
Category
1990s Singaporean Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
Vintage Folk Art Pottery Fruit Bowl With Hand Painted Bird Decoration
Located in San Carlos, CA
Beautiful ceramic fruit bowl with hand painted bird decoration. This folk art pottery bowl is marked, but we were unable to match it to a maker.
This bowl is in excellent condition,...
Category
1970s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pottery
$143 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century French Carousel Ride, Carved Wood Sparrow with Metal Body
Located in New York, NY
19th C. painted wood French Carousel ride, with the "body" made of iron rods. The bird figure has only one wing, as originally the other side had a spoke which connected to the cente...
Category
19th Century French Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
Large Elephant Stone sculpture hand made and signed under the foot, Circa 1920
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a large stone sculpture of an elephant, made from a cast or stone / composite stone all hand painted and signed. We date this piece to the early 20th Century , Circa 1920.
T...
Category
Early 20th Century British Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Stone
Large Art Populaire bowl, France, ca. 1880
Located in Rotterdam, ZH
Large Monoxyle dough bowl, Auvergne - France 19th century. Very nice piece of 'art populair' an object made by craftsmen to be used to assist in their work.
This particular bowl was ...
Category
19th Century French Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Swedish antique rustic genuine Candlestick Holder 19th century dated 1827
Located in Boden, SE
A old antique swedish 18th century candlestick .
Dated 1827
Very charming and solid.
Lovely patina and very genuine.
Made in wood & brass.
Category
1820s Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Antique Genuine Swedish Folk Art Box Made by Hand in Pine with Authentic Patina
Located in Kramfors, SE
Swedish folk art box made by hand in solid pine. This box is made in northern Sweden during the mid 1800s, around 1850, and is in original condition with the first layer of paint. Th...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
Mid Century Wood / Painted Sculpture " Clock Tower " by Rita Wasserman
By Craft and Folk Art Museum
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A wooden sculpture in the style of folk art with found objects , wood industrial molds and clock parts titled " Clock Tower " . Painted in tones of ambers, blacks and browns by femal...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood, Paint
Moorish Heads Vases Collection "Acireale", 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
$4,398 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Moor Head Matt Vases Collection "Messina" 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
$2,868 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Lisa Larson Ceramic Lion Sculpture by Gustavberg
Located in Pasadena, TX
This sculpture was made by Lisa Larson for Gustavberg.
The piece is signed on the underside.
Category
1980s European Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
18th Century Swedish genuine country Folk Art box with original paint
Located in Boden, SE
A very beautiful folk Art box from Burträsk ,Västerbotten Northern Sweden.
A very decorative original painting that is typical of that region.
Nice salmon pink original painting ins...
Category
1890s Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Box
Located in Chicago, IL
A fascinating and truly unique early 20th century American Folk Art box with the most wonderful Greek temple design with eight blue painted Doric columns around the perimeter and wit...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
19th Century antique rustic genuine basket
Located in Boden, SE
A historically old basket used for sowing crops is a unique and practical object. Imagining such a basket, large and oblong with handles on both sides and ...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
Studio Pottery Three-Handled Earthenware Ceramic Vessel
Located in Grythyttan, SE
This striking hand-thrown earthenware vessel features an unusual three-handled form and a richly textured surface that celebrates the raw beauty of fired clay. The vessel’s robust si...
Category
Late 20th Century European Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Earthenware
Vintage Boho Hand Built Ceramic Undersea Totem
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Embrace vibrant, handcrafted charm with this unique vintage ceramic totem sculpture. Skillfully hand built, this imaginative piece features a fascinating, densely layered composition...
Category
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
Ceramica D
Amore Vietri Italian Pottery Candle Holder
By Vietri
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Ceramica D'Amore Vietri Italian hand-painted ceramic pottery candle holder.
Handcrafted in Italy circa 1960s.
Italian small round ceramic candle holder hand decorated with a geometri...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic, Pottery
19th Century Swedish Antique Rustic Folk Art Wooden Trough/ Serving Bowl
Located in Boden, SE
19th century antique rustic Swedish antique wooden tray/ Serving bowl from Boden ,Northern Sweden .
A farmers handcrafted tray or serving bowl ...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
Hand Carved 20th Century Wooden Musician Figure by ANRI, Italy
By ANRI
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful hand carved wooden Figure, found at an estate sale in Germany. We believe that this piece is from around 1990s, because it's dated at the base like seen in picture. A nice ...
Category
1990s Italian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Pair of Vintage Bird Form Lidded Baskets - Finely Woven - Late 20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
Vintage - finely woven - pair of bird form lidded baskets - articulated feathers, beaks and eyes - possibly Indonesian - mid/late 20th century.
Ex...
Category
Late 20th Century Asian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wicker
Marbled Roadside Pottery Malachite Look Bowl in with Glazed Turquoise Interior
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A petite small clay roadside decorative touring bowl. This catchall or dish is short, and wide, and decorated with a malachite look green marbled design on the exterior. The inside is glazed in deep verdigris or turquoise. A lovely piece of earthenware, it is hand made and marked on the bottom with:
Central City...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic, Earthenware, Paint
$281 Sale Price
25% Off
18th Century Swedish Folk Art Candle Holder Iron stick
Located in Boden, SE
Unusual early 19th century Swedish Folk Art candle holder in pine and iron. Ca 1790-1810 Sweden.
Lovely patina.
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Iron
African Wood Sculpture
By Craft and Folk Art Museum
Located in San Francisco, CA
Very kool piece of African art. I am not exactly sure how old, but from bottom of base I would guess 1st quarter of 20th century. It is all wood and depicts wh...
Category
1920s North American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
$1,400
DELFT Large Vintage Ceramic Plate Blue and White Dutch Holland Charger 1940s
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Stunning large vintage Dutch Holland Delfts blue and white decorative plate.
Beautiful charger, the painting depicts a fisherman smoking a pipe.
It is signed by the artist, "Volendam...
Category
Mid-20th Century Dutch Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
Late 18th Century Swedish antique iron stick genuine rustic with owner mark
Located in Boden, SE
An old antique swedish 18th century iron & wooden candlestick .
The candle stick has a owner mark AAS.
Very charming and solid.
The candlestick is called "Stumpastake" in swedish.
T...
Category
Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Iron
Smooth Early 20th Century Rich Carved Mahogany Vide Poche or Coin Dish
Located in Red Lion, PA
Smooth Early 20th Century Hand-Carved Mahogany Vide Poche or Coin Dish
This elegant early 20th-century vide poche—or catchall dish—was hand-carved in rich mahogany with a smooth, ov...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Mahogany
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
Antique Adjustable Dressmaker Curvy Mannequin , Austria, 1890s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A great looking originally used by Austrian tailors and dressmakers for draping, alterations, and creating the latest fashion, this vintage dressmaker mannequin...
Category
1890s Austrian Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Swedish Folk Art Hunting Box Dated 1802 in Oak
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A Swedish oak-wood box from the Gustavian period dated 1802. The richly carved box with scenes of a dog hunting a deer, doves flying and black grouses. Decorated with a pattern of ro...
Category
Early 1800s Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass, Iron
$788 Sale Price
20% Off
Maranao Brass Betel Box, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
Decorated in relief 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 Mindanao, Phil...
Category
Early 20th Century Philippine Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Terracotta Articulated Doll Santos Figure
Located in Stamford, CT
Amusing Mexican terracotta doll figure with articulated limbs. Since it is solid terracotta it is likely this is a mold from which other dolls were made. As a folk art sculpture it i...
Category
Early 20th Century Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Terracotta
Gilded Wooden Buddha with Stone Inlays – Early 20th Century, Burma
Located in NICE, FR
Superb statue of a young standing Buddha of Burmese origin, hand-carved in teak wood, gilded with gold leaf, and adorned with fine inlays of colored stones.
His delicately sculpted ...
Category
Early 20th Century Burmese Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Multi-gemstone
Assembly Line Folk Art Whirligig
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Amazing eight man assembly line whirligig. Attributed to an auto worker in Detroit. Fantastic original dry paint surface. Crank turns and figures move pe...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Folk Art Hand Carved Wood Sculpture of Walking Man, Ecuador 1950s-1960s
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Primitive wooden hand-carved Folk Art sculpture depicts a walking man in wide, loosely draped clothes and a hat, carrying a bundle in his hands. Highly detailed carving emphasizes th...
Category
Mid-20th Century Ecuadorean Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood, Olive
Italian Maiolica Pharmacy Jar
Located in Atlanta, GA
A tin-glazed earthenware apothecary jar of waisted cylindrical form with a flared rim and footed base. The body is decorated with vibrant polychrome scalloped bands in deep yellow, o...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Earthenware
Asian Bronze Pair of Hanuman Kneeling Buddhist Figure Candleholders
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Part human-part monkey, Hanuman is a central character in the Hindu epic Ramayana.
He is generally depicted as a man with the face of a monkey and a long tail.
Often described as t...
Category
1950s Indian Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
Rare Pair of Fireman
s Axe Parade Torches
Located in York County, PA
Rare pair of fireman’s axe parade torches, 1860-1880:
Pair of fireman’s axe parade torches with traditional wooden axe handles and the heads made o...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
$3,500 Sale Price
22% Off
Eight Curlews by Guy Taplin
Located in Basildon, GB
An original piece of English folk-art sculpture by the acclaimed British sculptor Guy Taplin (b. 1939). Eight individual wooden birds carved and painted, th...
Category
1990s British Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Driftwood
$16,367
Large antique Finnish 19th century wooden candelabra
Located in Turku, Varsinais-Suomi
Elevate your home decor with this exquisite large antique Finnish 19th century wooden candelabra. This majestic piece embodies timeless Finnish elegance, making it a perfect statemen...
Category
Late 19th Century Finnish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
Decorative Hand-carved Wooden Plate with Pyrography, Germany 1960s
Located in Grythyttan, SE
This stylish folk art hand-carved wooden plate features intricate pyrographic elements—a traditional wood-burning technique used to create decorative patterns. The design centers aro...
Category
1960s German Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Beech
Large Wild West Cowboy and Horse Sculpture
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Gilt brass sculpture on stand, depicting a celebrating cowboy on a wild horse with great patina.
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
19th Century Original Grey Painted Large Candle Box from New England
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic 19th century original grey painted handmade large scale candle box from New England .This wonderful slide top box has such great personality and great construction. It is e...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
$1,180 Sale Price
20% Off
Angel playin the violin
Located in MIJDRECHT, NL
Angele playing the violin.
Hand carved and hand painted.
Orginal violin stick missing.
There is a hole in the left hand, where a new stick can be inserted.
Category
Early 20th Century Dutch Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
$583 Sale Price
24% Off
19th Century Large Store Tea Tin Hand Painted Parnall
Sons Bristol, England
By Parnall
Sons
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous and large store tea tin by Parnall & Sons who were the people to see for outfitting your store and much more as the company grew from 1830. Hand painted showing a girl servi...
Category
Mid-19th Century British Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
Handcrafted Wood Whale Puzzle Sculpture Signed
Located in San Diego, CA
Handcrafted what sculpture made of solid wood. Amazing design an workmanship. Signed and dated.
Category
1990s American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
$144 Sale Price
20% Off
American Folk Art Carved and Painted Wooden Cat Sculpture, Flower Power
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage whimsical and playful American Folk Art hand carved wood sculpture depicts a stretching cat with a lifted expressive face. The cat has a beautiful flower power style hand-pa...
Category
20th Century Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
18th Century Rustic Primitive genuine Folk Art Wooden bowl original paint
Located in Boden, SE
An exceptional large rare oval shaped 18th century primitive Swedish carved wooden knot bowl. Shows a dry textured finish showing a stunning aged patina. A truly remarkable piece. Th...
Category
Mid-18th Century European Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
Swedish Antique Toy Rocking Horse, All Original, Origin: Sweden, circa 1870
Located in New York, NY
Swedish antique toy rocking horse, origin: Sweden, circa 1870 - 1900.
Beautiful, untouched, original condition including the paint, ...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Iron
Set of Three Swedish Folk Art, Unique 19th Century Farmers Bowls
Located in Hillringsberg, SE
Set of 3 antique and unique three sizes organic wooden bowls. With highly appealing patina, with traces of use. Produced in Sweden, 19th century.
These bowls where very important f...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
19th Century Swedish Antique Rustic Folk Art Wooden Trough/ Serving Bowl
Located in Boden, SE
19th century big rustic Swedish antique wooden tray/ Serving bowl from Boden Norrbotten,Northern Sweden.
A farmers handcrafted tray or serving bowl or centerpiece.
A highly function...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
Antique Swedish Folk Art Tea Caddy in Hand-Carved Wood, 19th century
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A fine hand-tooled and ebonized wooden tea canister of Swedish origin - circa 1850-1890. Folk art piece made by an unknown artisan.
Measurements: H: 18 cm, Diameter: 15 cm.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Oak
19thc Miniature Original Painted Mustard Basket
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19thc Miniature original painted basket from New England in very good condition.Amazing mustard paint and condition.
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Hemp
$716 Sale Price
20% Off
Barbed Wire Collection / Display Mounted on a Texas Shaped Plaque
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Barbed Wire Collection / Display Mounted on a Texas Shaped Plaque.
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Steel
$156 Sale Price
20% Off
Moorish Heads Vases "Catania Dark Green", Handmade in Italy, 2019, Unique Design
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
$1,099 Sale Price / item
20% Off
Hand Carved Folk Art Wooden Duck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Folk Art hand carved wooden duck - a wonderful piece! One of our favorite pieces, the life size shape and graceful angle of the neck give the p...
Category
20th Century Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Petite Indonesian Brass Betel Box, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This petite brass box was originally part of an early 20th century betel box set from Indonesia, one of several small containers that held the individual ingredients of a betel quid....
Category
Early 20th Century Indonesian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Very Unusual Large Northern Swedish Wooden Bowl in Birch Root from the Mid 1700s
Located in Kramfors, SE
Very unusual large bowl from northern Sweden. This antique wooden bowl has an organic shape and is made from hollowing a large piece of birch root. It has an early date underneath, 1...
Category
Mid-18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Birch
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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