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
Folk Art Metal Mallard Duck Decoy late 1950s
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage metal duck decoy from the late 50s. Wonderful piece of Folk Art duck sculpture handmade with metal sheet comprising the body and attached metal head. Hand painted to simulate...
Category
1950s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
Burmese Red Lacquer Stacking Trays, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This set of red lacquer trays are components of an early 20th century Burmese betel box (kun-it). A blend of betel leaves, areca nuts, slaked lime, and sometimes tobacco, betel quid ...
Category
Early 20th Century Burmese Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Bamboo
18th century Norwegian carved kasa ale cup
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Good quality Norwegian horse head ale bowl known as a kasa/kuksa.
Dated on the base 1773, with makers marks.
Hand carved decoration, with original polychrome paint.
Evidence of ol...
Category
Late 18th Century Norwegian Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine, Paint
Large Vintage Asian Wood and Bamboo Basket Tribal Decor
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Large vintage basket features hand-woven split bamboo tribal decor with multiple bands of abstract motifs. The large-scale basket is constructed with a bamboo and wood structured bas...
Category
20th Century Southeast Asian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Bamboo, Rattan
Swedish Craft, Wooden Bowl, Sweden, 17th Century
Located in High Point, NC
A wooden bowl designed and produced in Sweden in 1668.
“1668” inscription on bottom
Category
17th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Antique Swedish Wooden barrel 1800
s Handmade Folk Craft great condition
Located in Forest, BE
Swedish antique pine hand crafted wooden barrel. Made to be used as a washing basin or a grain storage. Fine quality of bentwood. It is a true piece from the early 19 century. Beaut...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Birch, Pine
Antique Hand Carved Wood Elephant
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Hand carved wood in a form of an elephant.
No tusk
Category
Early 20th Century East Asian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
German Painted
Carved Wood Carousel Horse w/ Saddle Seat on Stand 19th Century
Located in Charleston, SC
German hand carved wood and decorative painted carousel horse with carved flowing mane, carved hairy tail, upholstered muslin saddle seat, flanking original glass eyes, and mounted o...
Category
19th Century German Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wrought Iron
Swedish Craft, Bowl, Wood, Sweden, 19th Century
Located in High Point, NC
A wood bowl produced in Sweden, 19th century.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
19thC European Polychrome-Decorated Beech Dome-Top Box
Located in Houston, TX
A charming 19th Century European dome-top box, crated from beech and decorated in vibrant original polychrome paint. . Having a rectangular, domed lid with wire bail handle and wire ...
Category
19th Century European Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Mexican Antique Dolores Porras Clay Pottery Folk Art Terracotta Vessel Vase
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 portrays the flora from her garden...
Category
Early 2000s Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Terracotta, Clay, Pottery
Pair French Henriot Quimper Faience Bagpiper Figurines
Located in Winter Park, FL
A pair of French Henriot Quimper faience statues, or figurines, depicting men playing the traditional Breton bagpipe called a biniou. Polychrome glazed enameled earthenware, hand-pai...
Category
1920s French Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Faience
Indonesian Painted Buffalo, Cow Bell Decorative Folk Art Sculpture, wall art
Located in London, GB
Antique Indonesian Buffalo Racing Cowbell Painted Wood with Rope Handle
Discover this antique Indonesian buffalo racing cowbell, traditionally strapped around the necks of water bu...
Category
1910s Indonesian Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
19th Century Swedish antique genuine country Folk Art wooden trough / bowl
Located in Boden, SE
A genuine original painted antique wood trough from Luleå Northern Sweden
The trough has a lovely color & patina.
A nearly monumentaly large farme...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
Large Antique Carved Painted Collectibles Box with Lions
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Antique carved wood painted box featuring two lions. This rectangular box features a hinged lid made of iron. The box is perfect for collectables as well as securing important docume...
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
$380 Sale Price
20% Off
Moroccan Decorative Cat Sculpture Handbuilt and Handpainted by Potter Houda
Located in Marseille, FR
- Hand built decorative cat sculpture
- made of clay collected from the potter's surroundings.
- decorative motifs painted with a goat hair brush made b...
Category
2010s Moroccan Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Clay, Earthenware
$33 Sale Price / item
20% Off
Vintage Sculpture of an American Eagle Carved in Seri Ironwood
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Sculpture of an American Eagle Carved in Seri Ironwood.
Vintage hand carved Ironwood Southwestern seri sculpture of an Eagle.
Dimensions: 5.5" x 3.5". circa 1970.
Ironwood hand carved eagle or falcon...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Antique Swedish Soapstone Stone Pot with Hand Wrought Iron and a Genuine Patina
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique Swedish stone pot made from a hollowed stone – soapstone. With hand wrought iron bands that wrap around and strengthens it. Made during the mid 1800s in northern Sweden. Full...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Soapstone, Wrought Iron
Monumental Antique Hand Carved Wooden Trough or Bowl Wabi Sabi, 19th Century
Located in Meer, VAN
Monumental antique carved wooden trough or bowl, 19th century.
This is a rare antique hand carved wooden trough or bowl, which can be used for decoration or as a (fruit) bowl or mag...
Category
19th Century European Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Late 19th Century Tramp Art Box
Located in Bradenton, FL
Vintage late 19th century Tramp Art Box inset with mirror and fabric. "Tramp Art" objects began in the 1870s, driven by the abundance of wooden cigar boxes and their availability to ...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Textile, Wood
Rare Swedish Antique Blue Folk Art Box
Located in Kramfors, SE
Rare antique blue box in folk art from Sweden made during the mid 1800s. The box is an attractive size and can be used for anything from storing doc...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
American Copper Full Bodied Pig Directional Weathervane on Stand, circa 1880
Located in Charleston, SC
American Copper full bodied pig directional weathervane resting on squared iron stand, late 19th century.
Category
1880s American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Copper, Iron, Zinc
Antique Folk Art Dog And Cat Form Brass Andirons
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An authentic Pair of Antique Cat and Dog Andirons in original as found condition. Ca. early 20th c. hollow cast brass. Each seated and looking out. The cat with a wide curled tail, t...
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
$1,295 / set
Antique plaster display case from a French butcher
s shop, early 20th century
Located in SAINT-YRIEIX-SUR-CHARENTE, FR
Painted plaster pig from the first half of the 20th century, originating from France. Originally, these plaster sculptures were displayed in shop windows or in butchers' and delicate...
Category
1930s French Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Plaster
American Coiled Hand Woven Basket with Textured Decor
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
The vintage basket features rounded, bulbous form with wider base and tapered top. The top is accented with decorative woven grass elements that are extrended to the body of the bask...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Natural Fiber, Wicker
Hammered Silver Plate Basket
Located in New York, NY
Small vintage hammered silver plate basket with a nursery theme depicting two children and two geese. Charming oval shape with scalloped edges, the handle with a twisted rope pattern, raised on small ball feet. Hallmarked: Meriden silver plate...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Silver
Vintage Italian Signed Black White Blue Moorish Man Woman Sculpture Head Vases
By Germano Caltagirone
Located in New York, NY
An 1980s exceptional pair of one-of-a-kind hand-sculpted and hand-painted ceramic Moorish head vases by Germano Caltagirone, a renowned ceramic master from Caltagirone, Sicily, a UNE...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pottery, Ceramic, Paint
Indonesian Painted Buffalo, Cow Bell Decorative Folk Art Sculpture, wall art
Located in London, GB
Antique Indonesian Buffalo Racing Cowbell Painted Wood with Rope Handle
Discover this antique Indonesian buffalo racing cowbell, traditionally strapped around the necks of water bu...
Category
1910s Indonesian Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Russian Hand Painted Lacquerware Palekh Miniature Table Box
Located in Forney, TX
A rare and exceptional finely painted vintage Imperial Russian lacquerware box.
Exquisitely hand-crafted in the Palekhsky District (Палех) of wes...
Category
20th Century Russian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Lacquer
Swedish 19th century antique rustic country woven pine basket original paint
Located in Boden, SE
Swedish 19th century woven pine basket circa 1890.
Beautiful rustic made pine basket using strips of pine fixed into a pine frame. Complete with original lid.
Beautiful original pai...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
Salvador Teran Mosaic Mexican Brass and Tile Box with Aztec Medallion
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A beautiful Tile Mosaic and Brass box with wooden interior - the box is made in Taxco by Salvador Teran, who started the famed Los Castillo shop.
The maker of the box is likely Salv...
Category
20th Century Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Italian Tole Potted Tulips Table Ornament
Located in Riverdale, NY
Italian cold painted tole potted tulip table decoration. A white footed pot holds a symmetrical cluster of shaded pink, blue and yellow metal closed tulips....
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal
Carved Ebony "Star" Vide Poche, France 1950
s
Located in New York, NY
Delicately carved solid Ebony vide poche on a pedestal base decorated with points around the edge.
Category
Mid-20th Century French Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Ebony
Hand-Carved Solid Wood African Woman Figure Sculpture – 100 cm / 39.4 in
Located in Turku, Finland
A striking hand-carved solid-wood sculpture depicting a standing female figure in a graceful, elongated pose. The carving shows clear craftsmanship with detailed features, braided ha...
Category
Late 20th Century Tanzanian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
19th Century Swedish Ántique Grandfather Clock Tall Case Clock Original Paint
Located in Boden, SE
19th century Folk Art tall case clock from Luleå Norrbotten, Northern Sweden. Made in wood. Nice details and beautiful carvings.
Beautiful handpainted flowers on the front.
The M...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
Stoneware Jars with Cobalt Blue Floral Motif from Westerwald, Germany, Set of 3
Located in Grythyttan, SE
Crafted in the traditional style of gray pottery adorned with cobalt blue floral motif, these salt-glazed stoneware jars hails from the Westerwald...
Category
1970s German Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Stoneware
Sterling Silver Rooster Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This sterling silver heavy hollow body rooster figure is signed 925 on the base and is in fine condition.
Beautifully made and proportioned well. Great patina.
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Sterling Silver
$1,196 Sale Price
20% Off
Japanese Tall Ikebana Basket, Bamboo
Black Accents, Suruga Sensuji Style
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage bamboo Ikebana basket features tall cylindrical shape with prominent rounded handle. The basket is woven of thin round bamboo strips that are secured with black fiber, addin...
Category
1960s Japanese Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Bamboo, Rattan, Wicker
Italian Jewelry or Decorative Box, Early 20th Century
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Early 20th Century Italian jewelry box. This sweet petite box is a perfect piece to hold jewelry or any small collectibles. Sitting atop a vanity, d...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Wooden Octagonal Tramp or Folk Art Basket, 20th Century
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
An octagonal decorative wooden tramp art basket. Created from popsicle sticks, this basket is lightweight, perfect for holding remotes or other odds and en...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
$187 Sale Price
25% Off
Large Folk Art Sea Shell Encrusted Tissue or Kleenex Box Cover
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A large folk art sea shell encrusted tissue box. This shell-covered box is the perfect way to add coastal design to a space. It is rectangular in sh...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Shell, Fabric, Wood
$412 Sale Price
25% Off
Pair of Vintage American Wood Shoe Molds Bookends
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage pair of American wood women shoe form molds mounted as bookends
Vintage wooden shoe making mold from the 1930s.
A pair of shoe form converted to bookends, these well carved solid wood shoe mould would have been used to make handmade shoes.
These molds were traditionally made for each customer and would be used each time they came into the cobbler for a new pair of shoes.
They are in good original condition with the patina and metal that shows age.
Cobbler molds size 6.5 B model 258
Made from solid wood, I love these moulds because of their individual nature but also they are almost a piece of sculpture.
Since the shoe form themselves were used as molds to make shoes, there are pin-pricks and wear present from frequent use in addition to naturally aged patina. They work well as bookends or simply as tabletop sculptures.
These elegant women wooden shoes bookends form mold make a great addition to your vintage decor.
Vintage hand carved wood cobbler shoe molds...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Vintage Carved Wooden Door Panels
Located in Napa, CA
Beautifully carved Pakistani Doorway, Consisting of 3 panels.
Category
19th Century Pakistani Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Asian Gilt Bronze Teppanom Kneeling Thai Sacred Angels
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Two Asian gilt bronze Teppanom kneeling Thai sacred angels.
Bronze gilded temple guardians in a sitting position. These temple guardians were made in Th...
Category
Mid-20th Century Thai Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Bronze
18th Century Swedish Folk Art Root Wood Bowl
Located in Bozeman, MT
Fine organic late 18th century Swedish / Scandinavian folk art root wood bowl in it's original finish, great patination and an skilfully executed brass repair. Ca 1790.
Category
18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Vintage Cape Dorset Inuit Stone Carving of a Seal, Unsigned, Canada, C.1960
s
Located in Chatham, ON
Vintage Cape Dorset Inuit soapstone (also called Steatite) carving of a seal - featuring fine simplified carving and details accentuating the form of the a...
Category
Mid-20th Century Canadian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Stone
Mexican Tonala Pottery Hand Painted Bird Folk Art
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Mexican Tonala hand painted pottery bird Folk Art.
Flora de la Cruz Acapulco Gro Mexico hand painted bird dove ceramic.
Warm earth tone polych...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic, Pottery
Vintage Hand Painted Rocking Horse
Located in New York, NY
Vintage hand painted carved horse.
Category
1940s Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
World War 2 / WWII Era Wooden Airplane Propeller Folk Art Mantel Clock
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This wooden Folk Art made propeller clock is presumed to have originated in England and fashioned into a mantel clock in North America in circa 1960. T...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Vintage Hand Carved
Painted Soapstone Tiger Box - Unsigned - Late 20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
Vintage hand carved and painted soapstone lidded box - taking the form of a seated tiger - unsigned - country of origin unknown - late 20th century.
Excellent vintage condition - cl...
Category
Late 20th Century Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Soapstone
English Folk Art Book Box
Located in Chicago, IL
A bit of English whimsy rendered in oak: this 20th-century box takes the form of a book, complete with a hinged “cover” that lifts to reveal hidden storage within. The brass hinges a...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Oak
Vintage German Christmas Tree Stand Iron Folk Art .
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hugh Christmas tree stand made of iron. The stand is decorated with three large hands painted Santa Claus. The Santa Claus is decorated on both si...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Iron
$2,680 Sale Price
20% Off
Large 18th Century Swedish Wabi-Sabi Hand-Carved Dough Bowl with Spoon
Located in Stockholm, SE
A large and heavy hand-carved wooden dough bowl from 18th to early 19th century Sweden, showcasing the beauty of wabi-sabi through its raw texture, asymmetrical lines, and timeworn p...
Category
18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Oak
Pair of Blackened Wood Bowls with Rattan Rim and Mother-of-Pearl Inlay - 1980s
Located in ROUEN, Normandie
Pair of Blackened Wood Bowls with Rattan Rim and Mother-of-Pearl Inlay - 1980s
Set of 2 handcrafted wooden bowls or dishes from Southeast Asia, most likely the Philippines.
Each pi...
Category
Late 20th Century Philippine Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Mother-of-Pearl, Rattan, Wood, Fruitwood
Large Folk Art Driftwood Horse Head Sculpture
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This large and substantial sculpture of a horse's head is unsigned, but believed to have been made in Canada in circa 1980. The sculpture is made completely of pieces of driftwood...
Category
Late 20th Century Canadian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Driftwood
Large Antique English Trench Art Table Cannon
Located in Forney, TX
Antique English Trench Art mixed metal miniature howitzer - signal style table cannon. Hand-crafted, assembled in the early 20th century, fashioned in par...
Category
Early 20th Century European Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass, Bronze, Copper
Large Vintage Tribal Handwoven Ethnic Round African Basket
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Large vintage Tribal handwoven bamboo ethnic round Asian basket.
Beautiful artisanal handwoven basket with tribal designs and patterns all around.
Large Asian rattan handcrafted de...
Category
Late 20th Century Asian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Seagrass, Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
Antique Swedish Wide Wooden Bowl with Original Paint and Authentic Patina
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique Swedish wooden bowl in good vintage condition with authentic patina and traces after use. The bowl has a round shape and is made from a single piece of wood that’s been hollo...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
19th Century Swedish antique rustic genuine Folk Art Wooden bowl with handle
Located in Boden, SE
Antique rustic primitive Folk art wooden bowl with handle manufactured in Luleå ,Northern Sweden. In Swedish called "Kåsa" It has been used as a drinking wessel.The bowl has an unus...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
Arts
Crafts Folk Art Chandelier w Music Making
Dancing Sculptures, Great Fun
Located in Lisse, NL
Unique and all handcrafted, practical size antique circular chandelier.
Some chances you only get once in your life and that is exactly what we thought when we first saw this unique...
Category
Early 20th Century Swiss Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal, Iron
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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