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.
Handcrafted Sergio Bustamante Fire Screen or Triptych Wall Sculpture c. 1960s
Located in Oakland, CA
Impressive hand crafted fire screen or a wall hanging triptych sculpture by Mexican artist Sergio Bustamante (1949-) constructed of mixed metals brass and copper that have been solde...
Brass, Copper
Kentucky Horse Farm Fireplace Mantel Horse Legs
Located in Santa Monica, CA
This pair of giant sculptural wooden horse legs, at 5 ft. tall, was once part of a large mantel at the home of a horse ranch in Kentucky. Said to have been A...
Wood
19th Century French Iron Fire Back with Armour and Eagle Design
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
French Arch Top Fire Back. Armour and Eagle The fire back has a large crest or shield in the centre that is surrounded by leaves and flowers. Above the crest is a helmet from a suit...
Iron
$2,777
H 29.14 in W 21.26 in D 11.82 in
Antique 19th Century Victorian Cast Iron and Brass Fire Basket Grate
Located in Edinburgh, GB
A fine antique Victorian cast iron and brass fire basket, a tall arch fireback encompassing a rainbow panel, supported by scalloped side panels connect...
Iron
Handcrafted Ginkgo Leaf Fireplace Screen in Aged Gold
Located in Dallas, TX
The Ginkgo Fireplace Screen in Aged Gold transforms the hearth into a luminous focal point, combining sculptural elegance with artisanal craftsmanship. Inspired by the graceful curve...
Iron
Smoked Glass Folding Triptych glass Fire place screen 1950s
Located in Den Haag, NL
Beathiful triptych Glass Fireplace Screen with Bronze Hinges , Light Brown smoked Glass fire screen . Stunning piece . Very good condition .
Smoked Glass
$1,176Sale Price|20% Off
H 14.77 in W 13 in D 8.27 in
Napoleon III Fireplace Set with Bronze Greek Gods and Black Marble
Located in Beuzevillette, FR
Beautiful antique fireplace set consisting of a clock and a pair of cassolettes. The black marble clock rests on lions' feet and is surmounted by a bronze engraved Medici vase with eight faces of Greek...
Marble, Bronze
19th Century Cast Iron And Brass Fire Dogs or Andirons
Located in London, GB
19th Century Cast Iron And Brass Fire Dogs or Andirons Blacked iron with polished brass finials. Salvaged from a London Victorian Town house, sui...
Brass, Wrought Iron
Primitive Horse Carving
Located in Nantucket, MA
A Folk Art carved wood and gesso painted standing horse with painted cloth saddle and horse hair tail Mounted on a later made black painted platform.
Gesso, Pine, Paint
Antique Folk Art Horse Sculpture
Located in Sheffield, MA
Wonderfully charming hand-carved 19th Century American folk art horse sculpture on stand. Pay special attention to its face and the carved details to appreciate this fine specimen. ...
Wood
$4,471
H 14.57 in W 13.39 in D 6.7 in
Swedish Brutalist Cast Iron Fire Screen by Olle Hermansson for Husqvarna, 1960s
Located in Stockholm, SE
Cast iron fire screen designed by Olle Hermansson for Husqvarna in Sweden during the 1960s. The piece is executed in a strongly sculptural Brutalist idiom, composed of abstract geome...
Iron
Marie Suri "Celestial" Fire Screen
By Marie Suri
Located in New York, NY
Marie Suri The celestial fire screen fire screen with scattered 4” steel medallions with bronze decoration. Mesh backing makes these an excellen...
Bronze, Steel
Antique American Folk Art Horse Silhouette Weathervane
Located in San Francisco, CA
On offer is an antique American folk art horse silhouette weathervane, likely dating from the late 19th century to the early 20th century (circa 1890s–1920s). The horse’s flat profi...
Metal
Vintage Hand Painted Rocking Horse
Located in New York, NY
Vintage hand painted carved horse.
Wood
Marie Suri "Cirque" Fire Screen
By Marie Suri
Located in New York, NY
Marie Suri "Cirque" fire screen Fire screen with scattered brass disks mounted on brass rods. Mesh backing makes these an excellent choice for wood-burning fireplaces. Custom inquiri...
Brass, Steel
Iron Fireplace Screen with Horses and Figures
Located in Fulton, CA
Hand wrought iron folk art fireplace screen with figures of horses and people. Each piece individually cut, hammered, riveted and crafted. Not certain of age, appears to be early 20t...
Wrought Iron
Unique Pair of Vintage Evergreen Tree Form Puddle Cast Iron Andirons
Located in Stamford, CT
Unusual, if not unique pair of vintage evergreen tree form puddle cast iron andirons with old green paint. Wonderful folksy feel. From great home in New...
Iron
Antique Copper and Wire Mesh Fire Guard English, 19th Century
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great looking and very useful wire mesh fire guard with a polished copper top edge. Very good condition. No breaks to the wire. Perfect for a rustic interior.
Copper, Wire
Early American Antique Carved Pine Folk Art Mantel
Located in New York, NY
A hand carved Folk Art mantel with hand carvings in geometric patterns on the frieze. Exquisitely done. It has a bowed shelf with projections on the sides. Two fluted pilasters adorn...