Folk Art Decorative Art
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.
1830s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art
Paper
1960s Congolese Vintage Folk Art Decorative Art
Raffia
Late 20th Century Folk Art Decorative Art
Wool
21st Century and Contemporary Persian Folk Art Decorative Art
Wool
19th Century British Antique Folk Art Decorative Art
Wood
18th Century Dutch Antique Folk Art Decorative Art
Ceramic
20th Century Turkish Folk Art Decorative Art
Wool
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Art
Straw, Wood
20th Century Turkish Folk Art Decorative Art
Wool
Early 20th Century Turkish Folk Art Decorative Art
Wool
1990s Mexican Folk Art Decorative Art
Paper
1840s Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Art
Canvas
Early 20th Century Dutch Folk Art Decorative Art
Ceramic, Clay
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Decorative Art
Fabric
19th Century English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art
Paper
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Art
Wool
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Art
Paper
Late 18th Century English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art
Wood
1840s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art
Paper
1840s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art
Paper
1970s French Vintage Folk Art Decorative Art
Wood
1990s Mexican Folk Art Decorative Art
Acrylic
1840s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art
Paper
Late 20th Century Chinese Folk Art Decorative Art
Wood, Paint, Paper
Mid-20th Century Indian Folk Art Decorative Art
Fabric, Canvas, Plexiglass, Wood
1950s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Decorative Art
Paper
1950s British Vintage Folk Art Decorative Art
Canvas
1880s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art
Paper
1880s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art
Paper
1880s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art
Paper
1960s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Art
Pottery, Wool, Cane, Rope
Late 19th Century English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art
Wood
19th Century English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art
Fabric, Glass, Wood
1880s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art
Paper
1880s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art
Paper
1880s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art
Paper
1880s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art
Paper
1880s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art
Paper
1880s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art
Paper
1880s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art
Paper
1880s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art
Paper, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Art
Cotton, Wood
1830s English Antique Folk Art Decorative Art
Paper
Early 20th Century Scandinavian Folk Art Decorative Art
Linen
1830s American Antique Folk Art Decorative Art
Cotton
1930s European Vintage Folk Art Decorative Art
Ceramic
1980s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Art
Metal
20th Century Malian Folk Art Decorative Art
Wood
1970s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Art
Brass
1930s Belgian Vintage Folk Art Decorative Art
Ceramic
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Art
Canvas
1990s American Folk Art Decorative Art
Canvas
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Art
Cane, Rattan, Beads
1980s Canadian Vintage Folk Art Decorative Art
Acrylic, Paper
1980s American Vintage Folk Art Decorative Art
Paint
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Art
Pottery
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Decorative Art
Wood
Late 19th Century German Antique Folk Art Decorative Art
Wood
Mid-20th Century German Folk Art Decorative Art
Wood
1960s Greenlandic Vintage Folk Art Decorative Art
Wood





