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.
Antique Black Forest Brienz Wood Carved Dog Letter Opener 1890s, Austria Vienna
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautifully carved and richly expressive, this antique dog head letter opener is a fine example of late 19th-century Black Forest or Brienz craftsmanship. Hand-carved from wood, the ...
Glass, Wood
Unicorn Mythical Creature Vienna Bronze Letter Opener, Antique Austria 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1960s Austrian letter opener. It has a nice patina. I did not clean it, so the next owner can decide what he wants to do with it. This highly collectible vintage piec...
Brass, Bronze
Paper knife, brass blade, stag horn handle with dachshund dog head. France 1890.
Located in Milan, IT
The letter opener or paper knife was originally used to cut the pages of hand-printed books, where the folding of printed sheets created closed edges that required cutting the paper ...
Brass
20th Century Bronze Letter Opener in African Tribal Art Bakota Style
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Brass Figural Letter Opener, Bakota Style, Gabon, 20th Century This striking brass letter opener is crafted in the Bakota style of Gabon, Central Africa. The piece displays elegant ...
Bronze
Vintage Wooden Letter Opener With Folk Style Art on Handles.
Located in Seattle, WA
Makers Mark Reading “Spindlermuhle” on the Back. Translate From German to a Town in the Czech Republic. Vintage Condition Consistent with Age as Pictured. Dimensions. 8 W ; 1 1/2 D
Wood
$865Sale Price|20% Off
H 0.99 in W 14.57 in D 2.37 in
20th Cebtury Italian Big Sterling Silver Letter Opener
Located in VALENZA, IT
Large, completely handmade, sterling silver letter opener. Perfect for a prestigious desk. The blade is smooth while the hand is embossed by hand on both sides with scrolls and fl...
Sterling Silver
Carl Auböck Model #4233-4 Brass and Leather Paper Knife
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Carl Auböck Model #4233-4 Brass and Leather Paper Knife Designed in the 1950s, this incredibly refined and sculptural knife is executed in polished brass and handwoven brown leather...
Brass
Carl Auböck #7211 Letter Opener "Turned", Austria 2022
By Werkstätte Carl Auböck, Werkstätte Carl Auböck
Located in Berlin, DE
Carl Auböck #7211 letter opener "Turned", Austria 2022.
Brass
Italian 1970s Metal Dachshund Dog Shaped Desk Pencil Holder
Located in Milan, IT
Italian 1970s Metal Dachshund Dog Shaped Desk Pencil Holder
Metal
Light Mahogany Tray with Antique Brass Handles
Located in Treadwell, NY
Individually stamped and numbered, these one of a kind presentation trays feature patinated brass handles with a satin finish lacquer top coat. Each wooden slab is has its own unique...
Brass
$233Sale Price|46% Off
H 9.65 in W 0.99 in D 0.99 in
Antique Italian Brass Letter Opener With Pewter Dog Handle
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Dagger style letter opener featuring leaf-shaped blade and a handmade pewter handle depicting a hunt dog. It was made in Italy in the mid-late 19 th century by an unknown jeweler or ...
Brass, Pewter
Early 20th Century Sable Shaped Letter Opener
Located in Meer, VAN
Early 20th Century Sable Shaped Letter Opener. A letter opener with a very distinct sable style design - early 20th century or even late 19th century. Shows a nice patina. About O...
Brass
Letter Opener or Paper Cutter in Silver Bronze
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Letter opener in silver bronze Silver plated bronze letter opener 35/42 microns Measures: L: 218 mm, weight: 118 gr This letter opener is the handmade work of French designer Richard Lauret...
Bronze
Edgar Brandt Bronze Paper Knife/Letter Opener
By Edgar Brandt
Located in NANTES, FR
Art Nouveau letter opener, circa 1905, in bronze. Decorated with ginkgo biloba leaves, stamped E. Brandt. In perfect condition. Length: 20 cm Width: 3.3 cm Thickness: 1 cm Weight...
Bronze
Oak Tray with Antique Brass Handles
Located in Treadwell, NY
Individually stamped and numbered, these one of a kind presentation trays feature patinated brass handles with a satin finish lacquer top coat. Each wooden slab is has its own unique...
Brass
Hermes Horse Head / Equestrian Letter Opener, 1960s France
By Hermès
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Hermes Equestrian Letter Opener, 1960s France. Sleek Hermès letter opener with a detailed horse head handle in solid metal. Hermès Paris stamped on the top of blade. Beautiful light ...
Bronze
Edgar Brandt Bronze Paper Knife/Letter Opener
By Edgar Brandt
Located in NANTES, FR
Art Nouveau bronze paper knife, circa 1905. Decorated with mistletoe, stamped E. Brandt. In perfect condition. Length: 14.5 cm Width: 3.2 cm Thickness: 0.3 cm Weight: 35 grams Ed...
Bronze
Sold
H 5.32 in W 1.58 in D 0.6 in
Margeuritte Daisy Letter Opener Page Turner Coupe Papier One-of-a-Kind France
Located in Trensacq, FR
Unique One-of-a-Kind Marguerite Daisy Letter Opener / Coupe-Papier / Page Turner — Signed “Didier” Beautifully detailed, hand crafted love token depicting a single stemmed bloom. A ...
Brass, Metal
Sold
H 8 in W 0.5 in D 0.5 in
Samurai Sword Faux Bamboo Vienna Bronze Letter Opener, Antique Austria 1960s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1960s Austrian letter opener. It has a nice patina. I did not clean it, so the next owner can decide what he wants to do with it. This highly collectible vintage piece ...
Brass, Bronze
19th Century Devil Letter Opener
Located in Oakland, CA
19th Century cast bronze devil letter opener, having a rich patina to the bronze with the Devil's face near the base of the handle, an unusual item.
Bronze
Sold
H 9.13 in W 1.25 in D 0.13 in
Bulldog Pug Dogs Vienna Bronze Letter Opener, antique Austria 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 19th century Austrian letter opener with Pug Dog motive. It has a nice patina. I did not clean it, so the next owner can decide what he wants to do with it. This highly collectible antique piece is in very good condition, consistent with age and use. Nice addition to your room, desktop or just for your collection of pug dog items...
Bronze, Brass
WW1 Artillery Shrapnel Letter Opener Trench Art, German Iron Cross
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic WW1 German letter opener. Made out of a Artillery Shrapnel by an unknown Soldier. Nice addition to your room, on your desk top or just for your coll...
Metal
French Brass Hunting Dog Letter Opener, Paper Knife
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
French brass hunting dog letter opener, paper knife A great desk piece, the knife sits neatly on your desk ready for use, all in solid brass and g...
Brass
Handcrafted Artisan Made Letter Opener with Bone Handle
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Handcrafted beautiful artisan made letter opener with black and white checker board Buffalo bone clad handle and blade in dark oiled bronze patina Length:...
Metal
Large Mediterranean Letter Opener Knife
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Large Mediterranean letter opener knife.
Bronze, Steel
Vintage Ebony And Brass Liner
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Vintage ebony and brass liner.
Brass
Moroccan Brass Dagger
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Handcrafted Moroccan brass dagger, mixed metal, copper, nickel and enamel. Moroccan Hand carved Khoumiya dagger, of typical shape with curved bla...
Metal, Brass