Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
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
Young Americans New American Art in the Saatchi Collection
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Young Americans: New American Art in the Saatchi Collection
Book by Jeffrey Deitch
Published to accompany exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery, London; 2...
Category
Late 20th Century English Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Bavarian Votiv Tablet early 19th century
Located in Wien, AT
Bavarian Votiv Tablet early 19th century.
Jesus on the cross and poor souls in purgatory Oil in wood, early 19th century.
Very nice original condition with...
Category
Early 19th Century German Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Chinese Painted Bamboo Walking Stick, c. 1850
Located in Chicago, IL
This 19th-century walking stick from northern China is comprised of a length of thin bamboo that has been steamed and bent into a hook shape. The bamboo segments are painted in alter...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bamboo
The Jews In America by David Cohen Coffee Table Book
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
The Jews In America by David Cohen, hardcover coffee table book.
Introduction by Chaim Potok.
Photographic essay.
From editor’s note: "To capture on film a cross section of the ...
Category
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Folk Art, Hand Executed Modernist, Art Deco Airplane /Trinket Box
Located in Buffalo, NY
Folk Art, hand executed modernist, Art deco Airplane sculpture with hand built and painted trinket box.
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
2010 California Biennial Orange County Museum of Art Paperback Hardcover Book
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
2010 California Biennial orange County Museum of Art Paperback.
January 1, 2011
by Sarah C. Bancroft (Author).
Created for the Orange County Museum of...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary North American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
La Belle et la Bête Un Choix de Jeunes Artistes Americains Art Gallery Book
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
La belle et la be^te: Un choix de jeunes artistes americains : Beauty ad the Beast, a choice of young American artist.
Doug Aitken : 6 octobre-19 nove...
Category
20th Century French Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Handcrafted Canoe Vessel Made of Natural Tree Bark, Mid-20th Century
Located in Northport, MI
A striking sculptural vessel crafted entirely from genuine tree bark, this elongated canoe-form piece brings a raw, organic element to rustic and nature-inspired interiors. With grac...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Rarities in American Cut-Glass
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Rarities in American cut-glass.
Index, black & white and color photographs. Book in very nice condition, head and tail of spine lightly bumped, light bump on top edge cover, light foxing inside front and rear covers, light insect depredation on open edges. Dust jacket has light foxing, chips and tiny tears to edges, rubs on back cover. First edition copy inscribed by author on first page, "Enjoy the Fine (five?) xxxxx (can't read it) pictured in the book. Herb Wiener." An exhibit of over 475 of the rarest pieces of cut glass ever to be manufactured in the United States.
Wiener, Herb; Freda Lipkowitz
Published by The Collectors House...
Category
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Abstract Cubist Iron American Church Crucifix
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Vintage iron abstract cubist crucifix from American Church. Found in the midwest. Great detail. Quite heavy.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Iron
Betzalel Hand-Made Silver Filigree Spice Box
Located in New York, NY
This is a meticulously handcrafted silver filigree spice box, created in the Bezalel School of Arts and Crafts tradition, a hallmark of early 20th-century Jewish artistic expression ...
Category
Early 20th Century Israeli Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Silver
"Amérique du Sud Des Pays et des Hommes", South America Hardcover Book
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
”Amérique du Sud Des Pays et des hommes” book.
South America - Countries and People - tome 1
Amérique du Sud tome 1: Vénézuela, Colombie, Equateur, Pérou, Bolivie, Chilie
Des pays...
Category
1980s Guatemalan Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Lewis Carroll Observed Hardcover Book
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Lewis Carroll Observed A Collection of Unpublished Photographs, Drawings, Poetry and New Essays.
GUILIANO, Edward edited by
Published by Clarkson N. Potter, New York, 1976
An anth...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
The Forties As Reported By The New York Times
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
The Forties: As Reported By The New York Times
By Keylin, Arleen; Cohen, Jonathan.
Title
The Forties: As Reported by the New York Times
Author Keyli...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Holocaust Museum in Washington Hardcover 1995 by Jeshajahu Weinb Rina Elieli
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Holocaust Museum in Washington Hardcover – September 15, 1995
by Jeshajahu Weinberg, Rina Elieli
Recounting the making of the United States Holocaus...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
National Geographic The Photo Ark The Quest to Document the World
s Animals
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
National Geographic The Photo Ark: One Man's Quest to Document the World's Animals.
Animal Ark: Celebrating our Wild World in Poetry and Pictures (National Geographic Kids) Hardcover – February 14, 2017
Synopsis:
The lush and unique photography in this book represents National Geographic's Photo Ark, a major initiative and lifelong project by photographer Joel Sartore to make portraits of the world's animals—especially those that are endangered. His powerful message, conveyed with humor, compassion, and art: to know these animals is to save them.
Animal Ark: Celebrating our Wild World in Poetry and Pictures (National Geographic Kids) Hardcover – February 14, 2017
by Kwame Alexander (Author), Mary Rand Hess (Author), Deanna Nikaido
Sartore is circling the globe, visiting zoos and wildlife rescue centers to create studio portraits of 12,000 species, with an emphasis on those facing extinction. With a goal of photographing every animal in captivity in the world, he has photographed more than 6,000 already and now, thanks to a multi-year partnership with National Geographic, he may reach his goal. This book showcases his animal portraits: from tiny to mammoth, from the Florida grasshopper sparrow to the greater one-horned rhinoceros. Paired with the eloquent prose of veteran wildlife writer Douglas Chadwick, and an inspiring foreword from Harrison Ford, this book presents a thought-provoking argument for saving all the species of our planet.
About the Author:
JOEL SARTORE is a photographer, speaker, author, teacher, and a 25-year contributor to National Geographic magazine as well as Audubon, Geo, Time, Life, Newsweek, and Sports Illustrated. He has written several books including National Geographic's Rare: Portraits of America's Endangered Species, Photographing Your Family, and Let's Be Reasonable, a collection of essays from the CBS Sunday Morning show. Sartore and his work have been the subjects of several national broadcasts, including the National Geographic Channel's Explorer, the NBC Nightly News, NPR's Weekend Edition, and an hour-long PBS documentary, At Close Range. He is also a contributor on the CBS Sunday Morning Show with Charles Osgood...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary North American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Beaded Ndebele Initiation Doll
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare imported commodity, glass beads have been a symbol of wealth and importance in south African cultures for centuries, and were exclusively distributed by the region's oba (king...
Category
Mid-20th Century South African Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Fabric, Cotton, Wood
Beaded Ndebele Initiation Doll
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare imported commodity, glass beads have been a symbol of wealth and importance in south African cultures for centuries, and were exclusively distributed by the region's oba (king...
Category
Mid-20th Century South African Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Fabric, Cotton, Wood
Set of 2 Hand Painted Inspirational Rowing Oars or Paddles Priced Individually
Located in Manhasset, NY
Set of 2 hand painted inspirational rowing oars or paddles. Only "Outdoor" and "Bistro Coffee" are available. Priced individually. Each in a rustic painted design having inspiration...
Category
Late 20th Century Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Beaded Ndebele Ceremonial Doll
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare imported commodity, glass beads have been a symbol of wealth and importance in south African cultures for centuries, and were exclusively distributed by the region's oba (king...
Category
Mid-20th Century South African Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Fabric, Cotton, Wood
Antique Christmas Elf On Goose Money Bank
Located in Copenhagen, K
The Elf or "Nisse" as they are called in Denmark, used to live in every farmhouse, and you had to treat them nice to make them stay. Later on they became associated with Christmas an...
Category
1890s Danish Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Earthenware
$549 Sale Price
20% Off
Antique Folk Art Carved Wooden Sculpture of the
Old Grand Dad
Whiskey Logo
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique Folk Art carved wooden sculpture is initialed on the base, but the artist is unknown. It is presumed this carving was done in the United States in 1945 in a Folk Art sty...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Hardwood
Folk Art Wooden Hand Carved and Painted WW2 Lancaster Bomber Model Airplane
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This handcrafted Folk Art model of a Lancaster Bomber is signed on the base, but the artist could not be identified so is posted as Unknown. This wooden airplane model...
Category
Late 20th Century Canadian Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Softwood
Mid-Century American Large Scale Wood Carved C-133A Plane
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Mid-century large-scale wood carved Folk Art Cargomaster C-133A. An actual barn find discovered in Washington State farm country. Hand-carved and painted. Two pieces: wing piece atta...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Set of Three Mesquite Wood Crosses Found in Zacatecas, circa 1900
Located in Guadalajra, Jal
Set of three mesquite wood crosses with colorful indigenous fabrics, quite rare, circa 1900.
Category
Mid-19th Century Mexican Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Bronze Yacht Anchor, Desk Ornament This is a lovely piece a working miniature
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Bronze Yacht Anchor, Desk Ornament
This is a lovely piece a working miniature
The Yacht Anchor is fully articulated and lends itself yo making a useful. Paper weight for the Yach...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
VINTAGE CIRCA 1970
S MUSICAL MINIATURE FOLK ART CIGARETTE CiGAR DISPENSER
Located in West Sussex, Pulborough
Royal House Antiques
Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this lovely miniature Folk Art musical Cigarette or Cigar dispenser circa 1...
Category
1970s English Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Beech
Quirky Stick Stand, made with a WW1 Propellor
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Quirky Stick Stand, made with a WW1 Propellor
This an attractive piece of early nostalgic memorabilia, the propeller is made in wood and originates from an early aeroplane, it is silver at the tip, it stands on a teak plinth...
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bentwood
Vintage Leather Medicine Ball
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Vintage heavy leather medicine ball. Great worn chocolate brown leather patina. Hand-painted team info or weight numbers on side.
Category
1920s Unknown Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
19th Century Bronze Pipe
Located in Copenhagen, K
Fantastic bronze pipe from the Vienna tobacco museum’s collection, from Belgian Congo.
Category
19th Century Congolese Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Bronze
$2,600
Cast Iron Piggy Bank Advertising Wm Moland
s Sons Quaker City Hams
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Cast Iron Piggy Bank Advertising Wm Moland's Sons Quaker City Hams
A Great cast iron money box, Pig coin bank.
This a copy of a very desirable and collect...
Category
1950s Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Iron
The Technique of Landscape Painting Hardcover by Frederic Taubes 1966
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
The Technique of Landscape Painting Hardcover Book by Frederic Taubes 1966.
FIRST PRINTING 175 pages.
Profusely illustrated with color and black and white captioned photos and drawin...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Staffordshire Pearlware Long Case Clock
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Staffordshire Pottery pearlware model which features a long case clock, stood on a marbleised base. Decorated 'in the round' - decoration to front and ...
Category
1820s English Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Pottery
19th Century Yacht Rudder and Carved Tiller
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
19th Century Yacht Rudder and Carved Tiller
The rudder is a good decorative piece as is the tiller which has a figure head carved on the end wit...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Ash
Steel Canvas The Art of American Arms Hardcover Book
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Steel Canvas The Art of American Arms Hardcover Book by Robert Lawrence Wilson.Wilson offers the first book on the extraordinary spectacle of America's ...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Johnny Halliday Rock in the Blood French Edition Signed by Gilles Lhote
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Johnny Halliday Rock in the Blood French Edition Signed by Gilles Lhote author, paperback book.Johnny Halliday, Rock in the Blood - French Edition - De...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Johnny La Vie en Rock French Edition Paper Back Johnny Hallyday French Rock Star
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Johnny - La vie en Rock French Edition Paperback.
Even those under twenty know him: Johnny Hallyday has become, over the years, a monument of French rock. Born into the entertainment...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Johnny Halliday Johnny Le Survivant French Edition Paperback 1st Edition
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Johnny Halliday: "Johnny The Survivor" "Johnny Le Survivant" French Edition Paperback 1st Edition. Limited Edition January 2013.
In its most accessible...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
19th Century Ships Salt Beef Barrel, Oak and Brass Ships Storage Tub
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
19th Century Ships Salt Beef Barrel, Oak and Brass Ships Storage Tub
A survivor from the 18th Century, this excellent piece would have been used for sto...
Category
Mid-19th Century Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Oak
Antique Indian Carved Wood Folk Art Walking Stick
Located in London, GB
Antique Indian carved wood folk art walking stick
Indian, Late 19th Century
Height 82cm, diameter 6cm
Handcrafted in late 19th century India, this remarkable folk art walking s...
Category
Late 19th Century Indian Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Wood
Savannah Then and Now by Stefan Sanmann and John Crowell Hardcover Book
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Savannah Then and Now by Stefan Sanmann and John Crowell Hardcover Book.
Savannah: Then and Now Hardcover – January 1, 1997
by Stefan Sanmann (Author), John Crowell (Author), Jeffrey Crowell (Photographer)
Photography - 172 pages
Putting archive and contemporary photographs of the same landmark side-by-side, Savannah Then and Now is a visual chronicle of the city's past The early settlers of Savannah built their houses around a geometric street plan on a bluff above the Savannah River. They were aided by the Yamacraw tribe and their aged chief, Tomochichi, who became firm friends with Savannah's founder, Englishman James Oglethorpe, and both their names are commemorated across the city. Oglethorpe's vision for "open-space squares surrounded by the rhythmic placement of streets"would later earn Savannah the prestigious status of becoming a National Historic Landmark. Savannah boomed as the cotton trade expanded in the South, and by the mid-19th century the city was thriving as it exported cotton bales to Europe and acted as a staging post for travelers. During the Civil War, in 1864, Savannah was surrendered to General William T. Sherman following his March to the Sea, which began in Atlanta and ended in Savannah. Thankfully, General Sherman spared Savannah the torch, and the elegant Georgian residences were saved. However, it took a group of resolute Savannah ladies to preserve some of the best architecture in the city in the 1950s, as many historic buildings were scheduled for demolition. Their hard work and enterprise has helped preserve the city's architectural heritage. The book features images of some of the sites referenced in John Berendt's influential book Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil such as Mercer House...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Royal Gardens Roy Strong 1992 Book 1st Edition
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
With glorious color photographs, paintings, prints, and original designs, noted historian and author Sir Roy Strong presents Britain's royal gardens of today and yesterday--magnifice...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
Between Seer and Seen: Celebrating the Artists of Santa Barbara County Book
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Between Seer and Seen: Celebrating the Artists of Santa Barbara County
Book by Mark Robert Halper.
Composed of 71 portraits and 15 still life images photographed from January to De...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Paper
19th Century French Wig Stand by Louis Danjard
Located in New York, NY
This Surreal-looking object was made as a wig stand in mid-19th century France by Louis Danjard. It was probably in the legendary Folk Art collection of the important American sculpt...
Category
19th Century French Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Iron
Antique English Rocking Horse
Located in Calgary, Alberta
Charming 19th-century English rocking horse of provincial construction, crafted in pine with original black-painted rockers. The stylised form fe...
Category
19th Century Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Pine
Collection of Three Black Vintage Leather Medicine Balls
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Great vintage collection of three black leather medicine balls. Excellent warm vintage patina. Traces of white painted team letters and numbers.
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Leather
Collection of Treen Kitchenalia, Butter Marker This is a great little Collectio
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Collection of Treen Kitchenalia, Butter Marker
This is a great little Collection of Treen Kitchenalia, a Butter Marker, this has a naive cow carving, a lemon squeezer and a turned sycamore egg cup
A good set for the collector, a bit of historical wood worm on the butter Stamp...
Category
19th Century Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Materials
Sycamore
Folk Art collectibles and curiosities for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique folk art collectibles and curiosities 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 collectibles and curiosities created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles, folk art, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art collectibles and curiosities 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 collectibles and curiosities, popular names associated with this style include Berber Tribes of Morocco, J. Chein
Co., Louis Marx and Company, and Nils Olsson. 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 collectibles and curiosities differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $29 and tops out at $45,000 while the average work can sell for $652.
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