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.
$185Sale Price|20% Off
20th Century Table Lamp with Shells
Located in Buggiano, IT
Table lamp with plastic sphere manually coated with shells, very elegant. In working condition. Equipped with original 20th century European wiring. We recommend buyer consults an ex...
Shell, Plastic
Vintage American Cholla Wood & River Stone Log Cabin Table Lamp, Folk Art
Located in Delray Beach, FL
A wonderfully sculptural vintage American table lamp handcrafted in the form of a rustic log cabin using natural cholla wood and river stone. Dating to the mid-20th century, the piec...
Stone
Chandelier Wood Rustic Swedish 18th Century, Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Chandelier wood rustic Swedish 18th century, Sweden. A chandelier made in Sweden during the 18th century. Body in wood with candleholders in metal for 16 candles.
Metal
FORNASETTI Vintage Table Lamp
By Fornasetti, Piero Fornasetti
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Vintage Italian table lamp with painted metal decorated with cameos on red background (lithographical and transfer-printed) and brass / made in Milan Italy in the 1980s Original labe...
Metal
$1,511
H 20.87 in W 12.21 in D 16.93 in
Markslöjd Art Deco Table Lamp, Beech Wood, Adjustable Shade, 1960s
By Markslöjd
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Sculptural organically shaped art deco style table lamp designed and produced by Swedish Markslöjd in the 1960s. Tiers of light colored clear lacquered solid beech wood parts create ...
Brass
Glass, Gold and Enamel Table Lamp, Italy, Early 20th Century
Located in Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Murano glass, gold and enamel table lamp, Italy, Early 20th century.
Gold, Enamel
$2,080Sale Price|20% Off
H 37 in W 22.38 in D 22.38 in
Mid-Century Danish Mid Century Modern Burl Wood & Chrome Hanging Chandelier
Located in Wayne, NJ
Unusual mid-century Danish modern burl wood & chrome hanging chandelier. The height of the chandelier without the chain is 14.75". A few phot...
Chrome
$1,627
H 9.06 in W 7.49 in D 7.49 in
French 20th Century White Table Lamp Signed Interior Decoration Light
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
Elegant stoneware ceramic table lamp, circa 1970 White ceramic glaze color and elegant form. Perfect conditions, signed under the base. Sold without lampshade. Ceramic di...
Ceramic
Exceptional Mid-18th Century 2-Tiered Italian Chandelier
Located in Round Top, TX
An outstanding and exceptional mid-18th century 2-Tiered Chandelier from Genoa, Italy, Beautifully constructed with a giltwood shaft and iron arms. The gilt technique is referred to ...
Iron
19th Century Crystal Chandelier
Located in Chireno, TX
19th century crystal chandelier: Gilt brass frame adorned with high quality original crystal prisms attributed to Baccarat. Newly wired...
Crystal, Brass
$325Sale Price / set|65% Off
H 21 in W 6.25 in D 4.5 in
Vintage Modern Concrete Table Lamps, Textured Stone, Late 20th Century
Located in Trenton, NJ
This striking and HEAVY pair of vintage modern table lamps feature textured concrete construction with clean modern lines. The substantial pair of vintage stone table lamps...
Stone, Metal
$1,511
H 15.75 in W 4.34 in D 3.55 in
White Ceramic Table Lamp 20th Century Design French Potters Lighting
Located in Neuilly-en- sancerre, FR
French potters handmade Realised circa 1980, signed at the base Elegant white stoneware ceramic table lamp 20th century lighting design made in Franc...
Ceramic
$13,019Sale Price|20% Off
H 86.62 in W 92.52 in D 31.5 in
Palm Wood Arc Floor Lamp, American Craftsman, Leather Shade, 1980s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Palm Wood; Studio Craft; Arc; Floor Lamp; 1980s; American Craftsman; Craftsmanship; Ethnic Inspired; Lightning; Artist; Functional Art; Palm wood floor lamp, a testament to craftsm...
Leather, Palmwood
Sublime 19th Century French Empire Chandelier
Located in Stockbridge, GA
Sublime French Empire chandelier.
Tôle
18th Century Italian Carved and Gilt Wood Chandelier
Located in Essex, MA
Period 18th century Italian carved and giltwood chandelier with six wrought iron arms. Intricately carved and giltwood canopy with wrought iron extension chain and carved and parcel ...
Wrought Iron
20th Century French Rope Pendant Lamp
Located in High Point, NC
A very special light, this vintage pendant lamp creates an ornate silhouette from its rustic material. Made in France in the 20th century, thick golden rope echoes the shape of a tra...
Metal
Wrought Iron Spiral Twist Chandelier
Located in Allerum, SE
An unusual primitive 18th century Swedish wrought iron spiral twist chandelier for two candles Incorporating a hanging hook, circa 1750.
Wrought Iron
Mexican Tree of Life Candelabra Lamp
By Aurelio Flores
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful and rare Mexican tree of life candelabra lamp in the style of Aurelio Flores. This lamp is constructed over the sculptural rendition of a Tree...
Clay
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Skyscraper Table Lamp
Located in Chicago, IL
A wonderful early 20th century American Folk Art table lamp constructed from dozens of laminated plywood squares stacked into an architectural skyscraper form. A new black shade is i...
Plywood
Lantern Table Swedish 19th Century Black Painted Metal Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Lantern table Swedish 19th century black painted metal Sweden. A lantern made during the 19th century in Sweden. Made from painted metall. Candleholders for 3 candles.
Iron
Sold
H 29.5 in W 29.5 in D 4 in
Late 19th Century Flour Sifter; American (Unique Oversized 30" Diameter)
Located in Incline Village, NV
For the creative interior decorator, this is not your "run of the mill" flour sifter, but rather a well made, sturdy, forged iron bound, oversized exampl...
Iron, Tin
Cornish Serpentine Candlesticks c.1880
Located in London, GB
Pair of Cornish Turned Serpentine Candlesticks c. 1880 We are proud to offer a matching pair of Cornish turned, carved serpentine candlesticks dated circa 1880 – 1890. Green figured ...
Serpentine
1930s Austin 10 Grille with Lucas King of the Road Head Lights
By Herbert Austin
Located in Søborg, DK
1930s Austin 10 Grille with Lucas King of the road head lights. Mounted onto a cast iron base and converted with LED lights. Original paint and with an overa...
Brass, Chrome, Iron
Primitive French 19th Century Rat De Cave Candleholder
Located in Buisson, FR
Primitive wrought iron Rat de cave candleholder, Normandie, France, 19th century. Weathered.
Iron
19th Century Swedish Wrought Iron Candlestick
Located in Allerum, SE
Good early 19th century Swedish hand-wrought iron tripod candlestick.
Metal, Iron
Clown Carousel Light, circa 1940s
Located in Santa Monica, CA
A wonderfully expressive painted clown face adorns this staggered carousel light with vibrant original red, yellow and blue park paint.
Wood
Mid-Century Lighted Barber Sign
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Fun vintage flashing lighted barbershop sign. Great original red white and blue paint surface. Found in the midwest.
Sheet Metal