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
Swedish Craft, Bowl, Wood, Sweden, 18th Century
Located in High Point, NC
An organic wood bowl produced in Sweden, 18th century.
Category
18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
19th Century American Hand Carved Wood Horse Head
Located in Stamford, CT
American late 19th century hand carved wood head of a horse, stained black, shown wearing a bridal and bit, with mouth open as if in a full gallop. A very handsome piece of sculpture, likely a fragment from a larger piece, now mounted on a custom iron base. Great decoration for the equestrian or lover of horses. Great for mantel...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Moroccan Antique Brass Sugar Hammer
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Set of two Moroccan brass Berber tribal sugar hammer.
Moroccan Collectible Brass Berber Sugar Hammer,Brass Berber Tribal Sugar Hammer.
Authentic old Tuare...
Category
Early 20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
$1,350 / set
Small Carved Earthenware Vase with Floral Motif, circa 1940
s
Located in Aramits, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Compact wheel-thrown earthenware vase, mid-20th century, circa 1940–1960. The form has a rounded body that rises to a narrow cylindrical neck with a slightly thickened rim. The surfa...
Category
1940s French Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic, Pottery
1810 Table Box, Red Floral Painted, Central Europe
Located in Vo
, Veneto
Painted table top box/case
Measures: H.30 cm, W.48 cm, D.32 cm
Small hand-painted Tyrolean antique box, with red background. Decorated on all sides...
Category
Early 19th Century Italian Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Fir
$1,262 Sale Price
27% Off
Carved Hand Chair after Pedro Friedeberg
Located in NYC, NY
A unique, hand-carved wood chair in the shape of a cupped hand with detailing down to the wrinkles and fingernails. The base whimsically detailed as a shirt cuff with buttons. Solid....
Category
1950s French Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Wooden Hand Carved Tropical Fruit Basket 20 Pieces
Located in Den Haag, NL
Fantastic fruit basket. All kind off beautiful hand carved tropical fruit.
In all kind off different woods. All together in a Teak wood bowl.
Very goo...
Category
1980s Congolese Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Fruitwood
$909 Sale Price / set
33% Off
Quirky American Folk Art Human Form Chair
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Have a seat! One of a kind human form chair. Wonderfully carved muscles, toes, clenched fists for support. Looks like the chair is ready to go crawling ac...
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Antique Native American Sweet Grass Basket with Lid in Pink and Green
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A six-sided woven sweet grass decorative basket in brown, with bright green and pink decorative design. This basket is created from tightly woven sweet grass. Sweet Grass holds deep ...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Natural Fiber
$187 Sale Price
25% Off
Vintage Folk Art Matchstick Prison Tramp Art Crucifix Jesus Christ Sculpture
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Folk Art Matchstick Prison Tramp Art Crucifix Jesus Christ Sculpture. Item featured is hand crafted of matchsticks, crucifix with figures, very nice antique item, quality Ame...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
American Copper Spread Winged Eagle Weathervane with Sphere and Arrow, C. 1880
Located in Charleston, SC
American molded copper spread winged eagle weathervane with circular sphere, arrow, and mounted on cast iron squared base. Weathervane has a fine natural verdigris patina in the orig...
Category
1880s American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Copper, Iron
Pair of Trench Art Candlesticks
Located in Chicago, IL
A wonderful and thought provoking pair of early 20th century American Trench Art candlesticks made from the spent brass casings of naval artillery shells.
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Vintage Mackenzie-Childs Style Cottage Single Light Candlestick
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Handmade Hand Painted Candle Holder Candlestick Ceramic.
Vintage Mackenzie-Childs Style Rose Cottage single light candlestick, candle holder.
Dimensions: 2.75" tall. 4.25" diameter a...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
Burmese Red Carved Wood Temple Offering Box
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Burmese red lacquered temple offering box called "Hsunok".
Burmese offering basket made of carved bamboo wood painted and lacquered in hues of red and oranges.
The lid adopts a Burmese temple shape, with a sharp top surmounting a gadroon dome.
This kind of basket is used to display offerings to Buddhist temples, in Asia.
During most of the 19th century Burma was ruled by members of the Konbaung dynasty, the last dynasty that would rule the country.
This Asian Burmese red offering...
Category
Early 20th Century South Asian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Bamboo
Swedish Craft, Bowl, Pine, Sweden, c. 1900
Located in High Point, NC
A pine bowl produced in Sweden, c. 1900.
Category
Early 1900s Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
Set of 5 Large Moss Green Glass Chemist or Pharmacy Jars
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A set of 5 large moss green glass chemist or pharmacy jars
These are wonderful attractive jars from the mid 19th Century, they have been hand blown and labeled Worm Powders, Teet...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Cut Glass
Swedish Designer, Bowl, Wood, Iron, 1782
Located in High Point, NC
A wood bowl with metal repair produced in Sweden, 1782.
Category
1780s Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Iron
Gerald DiGiusto Caryatids 1977 Sculpture
Located in Hudson, NY
This sculpture grouping titled "Caryatids" was created in 1977 by listed American artist Gerald DiGiusto. The inspiration for Gerald DiGiusto to create these incredible pieces was f...
Category
1970s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal, Steel, Cut Steel
$225,000 / set
Hand-Carved Stone Candelabra, Three-Branched Design, Morocco 1970s
Located in ROUEN, Normandie
Hand-Carved Stone Candelabra, Three-Branched Design, Morocco 1970s
Moroccan candleholder carved from stone and adorned with very thin geometric patterns on both sides.
Artisanal wo...
Category
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Stone, Limestone, Soapstone
Antique Folk Art Northern Swedish Handmade Flour Box
Located in Kramfors, SE
Folk Art flour box from northern Sweden. The box was made by hand during the mid-1800s from pine and was used to store flour. Boxes like this would be standi...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
Early 19th Century Scandinavian Folk Art Mangle Board
Located in Greenwich, CT
Charming early 19th Century Swedish folk art mangle board having a stylized horse handle, the body with geometric carving and traces of original polychrom...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Ken Edwards Signed Tonala Mexico Art Pottery Ewer Bud Vase with Bird
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage ceramic bud vase in shape of ewer was hand made by Ken Edwards in traditions of Tonala pottery. It is decorated with bird and abstrac...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
Chinese Folk Painted Peony Tray
Located in Chicago, IL
This large wooden serving tray is crafted with a hand-painted panel salvaged from a vintage Chinese cabinet. Selected for its charming folk art decoration, the found panel is painted...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
Large Antique Swedish Folk Art Wooden Bowl
Located in Kramfors, SE
Unusually large wooden bowl in untouched original condition. The bowl is made from birch root and because of that organically shaped. Original hinges in handwrought iron. The red pai...
Category
18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Birch
American Gilt Copper Full Bodied Horse Directional Weathervane, Fiske, C. 1870
Located in Charleston, SC
American gilt copper full bodied running horse directional weathervane with two gilt circular spheres resting on squared iron stand, J.W. Fiske, late 19th century.
Category
1870s American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Copper, Iron, Zinc, Gold Leaf
19th Century Life Sized Horse Trade Sign from a Tack Shop in Pennsylvania
Located in Richmond, VA
19th century life sized horse trade sign from a tack shop in Pottsville, PA. Horse is made of cast iron, wood, and papier mâché. The tail and cast iron e...
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Iron
19th Century Austrian Carved Pine Folk Art Farmer and His Oxen Model
Located in London, GB
19th century carved pine folk art farmer and his oxen model
We are proud to offer a unique example of a late 19th century hand carved pine folk art model of a farmer and his oxen. R...
Category
Early 1900s Austrian Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
19th Century Folk Art Cast Iron Green Painted Candlestick
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Single French Cast Iron Candlestick In The Original Green Painted Patina, 19th Century
Category
19th Century French Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Iron
$180 Sale Price
20% Off
Found and Salvaged Steel Industrial Objects on Wooden Base
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
Jim Rose, known primarily for his steel furniture, was an avid collector and scoured salvage yards for unique, interesting items. Here, a beautifully rusted tobacco box, a steel egg...
Category
2010s American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal, Steel
Moroccan Berber Tuareg Metal Tribal Flask Overlay
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Great decorative Moroccan Berber Tuareg metal brass powder flask. African decorative brass with front richly decorated with Moorish embossed brass ocverlay. Moroccan tribal powder fl...
Category
20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Brass
Large Modern Owl Sculpture on Hanging Perch by Sergio Bustamante
Located in Pasadena, CA
Perched on a thin crossbar, this owl sculpture made by Sergio Bustamande stares at the viewer with painted eyes, their spiraling, hypnotic contours. The green and gold of its gaze su...
Category
1970s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal, Brass, Copper
Vintage Lidded Basket Handmade Bamboo
Handwoven Rattan Nautical Seashell 1980
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Coastal Folk Art lidded round basket handmade Bamboo and handwoven Rattan in blonde and white Plastik Seashell decoration.
Nautical Bohemian ...
Category
1980s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Bamboo, Rattan, Cane, Plastic, Wood
Vintage Boho Terra Cotta Pig Bowl
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This endearing figural bowl is a distinctive piece of vintage Folk Art, likely originating from Chile (marked 'HCU Chile' on the base), showcasing a rustic, charming interpretation o...
Category
Late 20th Century Chilean Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Clay, Terracotta
19th Century Carved Walnut Effeminacy Male Figure
Located in London, GB
19th century carved walnut effeminacy male figure
We are proud to offer a unique and highly decorative 19th century hand carved walnut figure of an effeminacy male form. Unusual in its figurative posture and detail. This includes the figure standing in a side on pose with flirtatious gesture, a loosely draped over shoulder silk sheet, female form breasts and overly masculine facial details. This item is heavily patinated due to its age. This figure may have at some point in its lifetime have been part for a larger wall carving...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Walnut
Moroccan Decorative Horse Sculpture Handbuilt and Handpainted by Potter Houda
Located in Marseille, FR
- Hand built decorative horse sculpture
- made of clay collected from the potter's surroundings.
- decorative motifs painted with a goat hair brush made by the potter to apply natu...
Category
2010s Moroccan Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Clay, Earthenware
$71 Sale Price / item
20% Off
Jim Rose Barn House Structure, Welded Steel Sculpture Made with Salvaged Steel
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
This is a welded steel sculpture made by furniture creator Jim Rose. It is sustainable design created from salvaged and recycled steel panels left over from his larger projects. Thes...
Category
2010s American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Steel
Petite French Wire Basket Footed Primitive Farmhouse
Located in San Diego, CA
Small antique French basket hand made .
Category
20th Century French Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wire
Folk Art Hand Painted Trinket Box in the Style of Peter Hunt Circa 1940s
By Peter Hunt
Located in Peabody, MA
Primitive hand decorated trinket box in the style of the noted Provincetown folk artist Peter Hunt, ca. 1940s. Humorous interior label indicates it is "four of four of a kind" and ...
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood, Paint
Swedish Craft, Bowl, Wood, Sweden, 19th Century
Located in High Point, NC
A wood bowl produced in Sweden, 19th century.
“E” symbol on bottom side
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Japanese Antique Ancient Sueki Sue Ware Wabi-Sabi Pottery Vase Vessel Urn
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderful, unique, and handcrafted piece of ancient Japanese Sueki Sue ware pottery dating back to the 500-600s (6th-7th century). Sueki/ Sue pottery was a ...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Japanese Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pottery, Stoneware
Swedish Craft, Bowl, Wood, Sweden, 17th century
Located in High Point, NC
A wood bowl produced in Sweden, c. 17th century.
Category
17th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Early 20th Century Folk Art Primitive XL Straw Basket
Located in Oud-Turnhout, VAN
Early 20th Century Folk Art Primitive Straw Basket. Made in France. Dating back to the early 1900's. Woven wicker, braided natural straw XL coiled basket with cover lid. Originally d...
Category
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Straw
$1,196 Sale Price
20% Off
Found and Salvaged Steel House Structure, Modern and Minimalist Sculpture
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
Jim Rose, known primarily for his steel furniture, was an avid collector and scoured salvage yards for unique and interesting items. Here, a collection of found steel is reworked, pr...
Category
2010s American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal, Steel
Long Folk Art Articulated Flexible Carved and Hand-Painted Snake Sculpture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Charming folk art carved articulated snake sculpture crafted to mimic realistic snake motion (ca. 1980s, likely South American).
Hand-painted body and facial details present.
Unusual...
Category
1980s South American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Large Oversize Asian Round Decorative Figural Head with Chinese Calligraphy
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Large oversize round Asian decorative head in red and gold. This piece is perfect for a bookshelf, or as a statement piece for a side table. Painting i...
Category
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Plastic, Plaster
$1,125 Sale Price
25% Off
Vintage Boho Hand Carved Fish
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This exquisite wooden sculpture features a mythological or highly stylized sea creature, possibly a dolphin or fish, rendered with remarkable detail and movement. Hand-carved from na...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
19th Century Carved Bull Sign
Located in Coeur d
Alene, ID
Carved and painted wood bull sign. Life size head with carved and painted details, real horns fitted to the head by lead sleeves. The top of the head fashioned from a thick sheath of...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Metal, Iron
Folk Art Geometric Inlaid Wood Small Hinged Box
Located in West Chester, PA
Hand made geometric inlaid wooden hinged xox with red enameled interior.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
After Jean Louis Grégoire Spelter Figure "Boy Playing Pipe"
Located in Los Angeles, CA
After Jean Louis Grégoire (France, 1840-1890) A Charming French 19th-20th Century Patinated Spelter Figure of "The Animal Charmer", depicting a sta...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Marble, Spelter
$4,685 Sale Price
27% Off
Moorish Heads Vases Collection "Catania Green", Set of 3, 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
$3,159 Sale Price / set
20% Off
18th Century Swedish Folk Art Wooden Drinking Bowl
Located in Allerum, SE
Late 18th century Swedish Folk Art wooden carved drinking bowl / beer goose. Signed 85 and S. 1785 Sweden.
Category
18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
19th Century Small Swedish Folk Art Woven Basket
Located in Kramfors, SE
Northern Swedish small folk art basket made during the mid 1800s. The basket has the original paint. Handmade from tree roots that are braided. Good antique condition consistent with...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Organic Material
Greenlandica, Five Figures, Polar Bear, Seal and Three Inuits, Mid-20th Century
Located in København, Copenhagen
Greenlandica, five figures. Polar bear, seal and three Inuits.
Four figurines in soapstone and a ceramic piggy bank (polar bear).
Mid-20th century.
I...
Category
Mid-20th Century Greenlandic Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Soapstone
Large Swedish Antique Folk Art Hand Made Pine Flour Box
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique Swedish flour box made by hand in solid pine. The box is from northern Sweden and made around the mid 19th century, 1840 to 1850. The box is in untouched original condition w...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Pine
Salt-Glazed Solid Agateware Cat Carrying a Mouse England Mid 18th C. 1745-1760
By Thomas Whieldon Pottery
Located in Katonah, NY
Date / Origin: Staffordshire, England, circa 1745 – 1760
A seated cat with upright ears and grounded paws, holding a small brown mouse in its mouth.
The figure is formed from two pre...
Category
Mid-18th Century English Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Stoneware
19th Century Swedish Folk Art Vessel
Located in Allerum, SE
19th century Swedish Folk Art dug out tree trunk vessel. Ca 1850 Sweden.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Wood
Vintage Mexican Tonala Pottery Hand Painted Bird
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
Antique Mid 19th Century Tramp Art Picture Frame Carved Oak
Located in Munich, DE
This large tramp art frame is handcrafted from carved oak segments. It is in good condition with some minor losses to the edges. It has been phot...
Category
Mid-19th Century German Antique Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Oak
Contemporary Brazilian indigenous art. Turuza Wauja. Sculpture Tamanduá, 2022.
Located in PARIS, FR
Turuza Wauja
Sculpture Tamanduá, 2022
Mogno wood, graphics in natural pigments and snail shell
15 x 72 x 11 cm
5 91/100 x 28 7/20 x 4 33/100 in
Carved from solid Piranheira wood and...
Category
2010s Brazilian Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Hardwood, Paint
Oversized Blue and White Mexican Talavera Glazed Ceramic Bowl
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Authentic oversized very fine blue and white Mexican Talavera de la Reina glazed ceramic bowl.
Huge blue and white Mexican Talavera pottery handcrafte...
Category
Late 20th Century Mexican Folk Art Decorative Objects
Materials
Ceramic
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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