Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
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 20th Century Austrian Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Antler, Wood
20th Century Czech Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood, Paper
Mid-20th Century Unknown Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Brass
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Tin
Late 19th Century Czech Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
Mid-20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Iron
Mid-20th Century Japanese Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Tin
Early 20th Century Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Ash
1960s Japanese Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Tin
1910s Turkish Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Glass
Early 20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Leather
Early 20th Century Taiwanese Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Iron
1930s Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
1930s Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Metal
20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Paper
1880s Irish Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Brass
1890s Austrian Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Antler, Wood
20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Metal, Silver
Mid-19th Century American Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Bone, Wood
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Tin, Steel
Mid-20th Century English Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
1940s British Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
1910s American Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Iron
1890s German Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
Early 20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
1950s American Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Tin
19th Century Danish Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
19th Century English Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Iron
1920s German Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Tin
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Tin
1920s French Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Tin
20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Cotton
1840s Italian Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Pine
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood, Paint
20th Century Mexican Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
Mid-18th Century Paraguayan Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Wood
Early 20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Silver
Mid-20th Century German Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Metal, Silver
1950s German Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Mercury Glass
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Tin
Early 20th Century German Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Plastic
1920s American Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Tin
Mid-20th Century Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Fabric
Late 20th Century Kenyan Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Beads
Early 20th Century Indian Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Metal, Silver Plate
1920s German Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Spelter
Early 20th Century Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Ceramic, Wool, Cotton
1930s Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Tin
Mid-19th Century French Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Fabric, Wood
1930s German Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Wire
1860s French Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Clay, Glass, Paper
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Plaster
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Tin
Early 20th Century Congolese Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Bronze
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Rattan, Cane, Wood
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Wire
Early 20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Metal
1830s American Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Metal
1930s German Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities
Wire





