Folk Art Decorative Objects
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.
Early 2000s American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Metal
1920s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Iron
Mid-20th Century German Folk Art Decorative Objects
Iron
1940s Indonesian Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
Mid-20th Century Polish Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
1820s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pine
Early 20th Century German Folk Art Decorative Objects
Stoneware
1840s American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Hemp
Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Pottery
Early 20th Century African Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pottery
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pine
Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Delft
2010s Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects
Ceramic
1970s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Metal
19th Century Finnish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pine
Early 20th Century Japanese Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
1980s Swedish Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Burl
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
2010s Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Clay
1990s American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
2010s American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Stoneware
1920s Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Glass
Early 20th Century Chinese Folk Art Decorative Objects
Soapstone
1920s Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Concrete
1920s Indonesian Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Other
Mid-20th Century Japanese Folk Art Decorative Objects
Rattan, Wicker, Bamboo
1920s Indonesian Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Other
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Bentwood
Late 20th Century Folk Art Decorative Objects
Ceramic, Pottery
20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Cotton
Mid-20th Century Asian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Bamboo, Wicker
Early 20th Century Japanese Folk Art Decorative Objects
Bamboo, Wicker
Mid-20th Century English Folk Art Decorative Objects
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Finnish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood, Birch
Late 19th Century North American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Cane, Rattan, Oak
19th Century British Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Brass
Early 20th Century Spanish Folk Art Decorative Objects
Bronze
1980s Chinese Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Metal
Late 20th Century Beninese Folk Art Decorative Objects
Ebony
Mid-18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Iron
Early 20th Century East Asian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
Early 20th Century Burmese Folk Art Decorative Objects
Bamboo
19th Century German Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wrought Iron
Mid-19th Century Scandinavian Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
17th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
20th Century African Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
1950s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Metal
Late 18th Century Norwegian Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Pine, Paint
20th Century Southeast Asian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Bamboo, Rattan
1920s French Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Faience
19th Century European Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Birch, Pine
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood
Late 19th Century European Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Metal
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Metal
2010s Moroccan Folk Art Decorative Objects
Clay, Earthenware
20th Century Japanese Folk Art Decorative Objects
Wood





