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Folk Art Primitives

FOLK ART STYLE

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.

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Style: Folk Art
19th Century American Folk Art Heart Shaped Iron Pad Lock & Key, Dated 1875
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
19th-century American folk art Heart-shaped forged iron pad lock and key, dated 1875 A remarkable 19th-century American heart-shaped forged iron padlock and key is a true testament ...
Category

19th Century American Antique Folk Art Primitives

Materials

Wrought Iron, Iron

Vintage Coastal Brown Rectangular Sea Shell Covered Box with Lid, Arthur Court
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A fabulous shell covered Folk Art box with lid. Covered in brown, black and cream conical shaped shells, it is a striking statement piece. The box which the shells cover, is created ...
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Primitives

Materials

Shell, Wood

Vintage Turkish Embroidered Folk Art Textile in Purple, Wall Hanging or Throw
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful hand embroidered textile from Turkey that is perhaps 30 or 40 years old. A whimsical example of textile Folk Art.
Category

Late 20th Century Turkish Folk Art Primitives

Materials

Wool

Hand Carved Tribal Wooden Nepalese Beaker Milk Pot with Handle
By Kuba
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Large hand carved tribal wooden beaker Nepalese milk pot with handle. Early 20th century antique tribal milk pot with incised pattern. This rustic milk pot wa...
Category

Early 20th Century Nepalese Folk Art Primitives

Materials

Wood

Hand Hewn African Ethiopian Large Wooden Bowl with Handle
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Hand hewn and hand carved African Ethiopian wooden bowl with handle. Original large vintage Ethiopian tribal wood bowl hand carved bowl from a ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Ethiopian Folk Art Primitives

Materials

Hardwood

Antique Running Horse Copper Weather Vane on Base
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century copper weather vane on hand-forged iron stand. From western Tennessee.
Category

19th Century American Antique Folk Art Primitives

Materials

Copper, Iron

18th Century Swedish Decorated Mangle Board
Located in Kramfors, SE
Folk art mangle board from northern Sweden. This is a typical proposal gift to the would-be bride from the groom. If he had the skill the groom would make...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Primitives

Materials

Pine

Long Folk Art Hand Carved Pine Whimsy Chain
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Wonderful, whimsical folk art chain whittled from one continuous piece of wood (pine, in this case). One end features what resembles an arrow fletching,...
Category

1950s American Vintage Folk Art Primitives

Materials

Pine

Early 20th Century Oak Splint Basket
Located in Chicago, IL
A wonderful early 20th century hand-woven oak splint gathering basket with a single bent oak handle, a double banded rim, and a lovely wonky shape. Found in Wisconsin.
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Primitives

Materials

Oak

Folk Art Hand Carved Spruce Whimsy Chain
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Nice, whimsical Folk Art chain whittled from one continuous piece of wood (spruce, in this case). One end features a hook, the other a clasp. The wood h...
Category

1950s American Vintage Folk Art Primitives

Materials

Spruce

Swedish Burl Bowl of Sculptural Form
Located in Greenwich, CT
Fine early 19th century Swedish root burl bowl retaining traces of original mustard and ox blood read paint and having lovely organic form with excellent patina.
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Primitives

Materials

Burl

Folk Art Seesaw with Original Paint
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Children's seesaw (circa 1950, USA) in painted oak with lovely, natural patina. Although, impractical for intended use, given the wear and age, this remains a charming, decorative it...
Category

1950s American Vintage Folk Art Primitives

Materials

Metal

Antique Moroccan Tribal Berber Wool Comb
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Antique Moroccan tribal Folk Art Berber wool comb. 19th century, nice patina, Museum collector piece.
Category

1870s Moroccan Antique Folk Art Primitives

Materials

Metal

Early Salmon Painted Nantucket Light Ship Basket, Late 19th Century
Located in Nantucket, MA
9” Open round salmon painted Nantucket Lightship basket with wooden ears and original paint. The nails on the interior bottom indicate this was probably used as a vegetable baske...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Primitives

Materials

Oak, Paint, Reed

Sculptural Wood and Iron Strap 19th Century Farm Implement
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Super clean lines and sculptural 19th century American farm implement. Over eight and a half feet wide large scale looks amazing hung on a modern white...
Category

Late 19th Century North American Antique Folk Art Primitives

Materials

Iron

Assembled Pair of Early 20th Century Trench Art Vases Custom Mounted as Lamps
Located in Dallas, TX
An assembled pair of brass artillery shell casing trench art vases now mounted as lamps with custom Lucite bases and tapered square custom linen shades...
Category

Early 20th Century French Folk Art Primitives

Materials

Brass

Related Items
Hampadong - Kalimantan Tribal Art Carved Figure - Maile with Child
Located in Hawthorne, CA
A carved wooden figure of Maile with child. A Hampadong Kalimantan carved standing sculpture by the Iban Dayak [Ot Danum Dayak] people from the interior rain forests of BORNEO. An ex...
Category

1920s Malaysian Vintage Folk Art Primitives

Materials

Wood

Hand-Hewn Fruitwood Trog or Dough Bowl
Located in Baltimore, MD
Our European antique wooden dough bowls or trogs were hand-hewn from whole split logs. They feature remarkable handiwork and a beautiful patina, especially when viewed from the under...
Category

Early 20th Century Hungarian Folk Art Primitives

Materials

Fruitwood

Hand-Hewn Fruitwood Trog or Dough Bowl
Hand-Hewn Fruitwood Trog or Dough Bowl
H 5 in W 26.5 in D 12.5 in
18th century Georgian Decorative Mahogany and Brass Door Lock in Heart Design
Located in Savannah, GA
Decorative rim lock mechanism made of solid mahogany and brass. The brass hardware is all-original and includes a handle that doubles as a knocker which also ...
Category

1810s English Antique Folk Art Primitives

Materials

Brass

Pair of 19th Century Renaissance Style Iron Gates
Located in New York, NY
Pair of 19th century Italian Renaissance style black painted iron gates featuring iron scroll, amphora, and serpent design motifs.
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Folk Art Primitives

Materials

Iron

Grassfields Serving Bowl with Carved Handle
Located in New York, NY
Large, early- to mid-twentieth century serving bowl from the Grassfields region of Cameroon. The Grassfields region of Cameroon sits at an altitude in the country's northwest. The re...
Category

Mid-20th Century Cameroonian Folk Art Primitives

Materials

Wood

Gray Blue Field Floral Folk Style Vintage Throw Turkish Rug Dated 1969
Located in New York, NY
Vintage Turkish Anatolian rug with a trapezoid shaped medallion on a grayish blue field, accents in beige, rust red and green. Measures: 2'11" x 3'8".
Category

Mid-20th Century Turkish Folk Art Primitives

Materials

Wool

18th Century Swedish Folk Art Door With Faux Marble Original Decorations
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
An 18th century Swedish original painted Folk Art small door. The front side is all in original condition with working lock and original key (Request video). With faux marble paintin...
Category

Late 18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Primitives

Materials

Pine

Large Rectangular Antique Wooden Campaign Box with Brass Hardware
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Large rectangular antique wooden Campaign chest with brass hardware Brass lock has unknown signed makers mark on it.  
Category

Late 19th Century Antique Folk Art Primitives

Materials

Brass

21st Century Leather Rectangular Tissue Box with Chrome Profile Made in Italy
Located in Bagnatica, Lombardia
Masterful artisanal craftsmanship. Pinetti rectangular tissue box, made in ABS with chrome or gold finishing is covered with genuine waterproof leather and is available with gold ...
Category

2010s Italian Folk Art Primitives

Materials

Chrome

Maori Hand Carved Tribal Sculpture of Hunter
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Hand carved Maori sculpture of a hunter carrying a crocodile and fish.
Category

1940s New Zealand Vintage Folk Art Primitives

Materials

Wood

Rare Antique American Folk Art Primitive 1814 Checkers Game Board
Located in Atlanta, GA
Rare Antique American Folk Art Primitive 1814 Checkers Game Board. A very unusual 19th century American primitive game board, made from an ...
Category

Early 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Primitives

Materials

Wood, Paint

Hand-Hewn Fruitwood Trog or Dough Bowl
Located in Baltimore, MD
Our European antique wooden dough bowls or trogs were hand-hewn from whole split logs. They feature remarkable handiwork and a beautiful patina, especially when viewed from the under...
Category

Early 20th Century Hungarian Folk Art Primitives

Materials

Fruitwood

Hand-Hewn Fruitwood Trog or Dough Bowl
Hand-Hewn Fruitwood Trog or Dough Bowl
H 4.5 in W 36.5 in D 13 in
Previously Available Items
Antique Central Mfg Folk Art Toleware Bread Box Tin Pie Safe Cake Bake Farmhouse
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique painted toleware bread box by the Central Manufacturing Co, decorated with red tomatoes. The interior tray is removable and pierced with ventilation holes for airflow.  
Category

Early 20th Century Folk Art Primitives

Materials

Metal

Late 19th Century Tin Lantern with Star Designs
Located in Wiscasset, ME
Great patina and surface on this late 19th to turn of the century tin lantern featuring multiple stars. Wonderful Folk Art appeal.
Category

1890s American Antique Folk Art Primitives

Materials

Tin

Early 19th Century Hand Colored Baptismal Document
Located in Wiscasset, ME
Batismal record for Maria Ursula, dated 1811, size: 13 1/2" x 8". Overall good condition for it's age, some creasing. Great all seeing eye at top. Presented in a nice early grain painted frame...
Category

1810s American Antique Folk Art Primitives

Materials

Paper

Tall Hand Carved Wood Tramp Art Keepsake Box with Lid on Stand
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Often known as “prison art” the most widely acknowledged term for this lovely carved wood piece of Folk Art is know as “Tramp Art”. This particular piece is...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Primitives

Materials

Wood

Folk Art Nantucket Miniature Decorated Sea Chest
Located in Nantucket, MA
Folk Art Nantucket miniature decorated sea chest, likely circa 1940s or earlier, a classic six board chest with canted front, carved wooden beckets wit...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Primitives

Materials

Wood

Swedish Folk Art Chest with Original Blue Paint
Located in Kramfors, SE
Folk art chest with original blue paint. There are traces of decorative paint and dating. Manufactured in northern Sweden, circa 1840-1860. The lock and key are original and in fully...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Primitives

Materials

Pine

Swedish Folk Art Chest with Original Blue Paint
Swedish Folk Art Chest with Original Blue Paint
H 18.51 in W 37.41 in D 22.84 in
Large Swedish Root Bowl with Organic Shape
Located in Kramfors, SE
Large root bowl from Sweden. Made from birch circa 1820 the root bowl has a natural and organic shape. It is very big and heavy and weighs around 6 kg.
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Primitives

Materials

Birch

Large Swedish Root Bowl with Organic Shape
Large Swedish Root Bowl with Organic Shape
H 7.09 in W 19.69 in D 20.87 in
Large Swedish 19th Century Folk Art Cutting Board In Pine
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A large and thick Swedish primitive folk art cutting board in pine wood.  
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Primitives

Materials

Pine

Oval Nantucket Lightship Basket with Original Label
By Frederick Chadwick
Located in Nantucket, MA
Large oval basket in great condition with a warm honey patina, oak staves and handle with a walnut base. A perfect example of a Chadwick basket show...
Category

Early 20th Century North American Folk Art Primitives

Materials

Rattan, Oak, Walnut

Open Round Nantucket Lightship Basket
Located in Nantucket, MA
The basket has a rich honey patina throughout, made with oak staves and a swing handle that's notched and rounded at the ends and attached with brass ears. The mahogany bottom has four concentric rings which are typical features of an Andrew Sandsbury made lightship basket...
Category

Late 19th Century North American Antique Folk Art Primitives

Materials

Mahogany, Oak, Rattan

Open Round Nantucket Lightship Basket
Open Round Nantucket Lightship Basket
H 12.5 in Dm 10 in L 12.5 in
Silent Butler Smoking Stand
Located in Nantucket, MA
Scroll cut with original paint and tacks and metal tray standing on an octagon base The bottom of the base is inscribed “Bank St, Louisville, KY” Kentucky, circa 1930-1940 Measure...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Primitives

Materials

Pine

Silent Butler Smoking Stand
Silent Butler Smoking Stand
H 37 in W 11.5 in D 11.5 in
Trade Sign, Rooms or Tourists, Meals
Located in Nantucket, MA
Multicolored trade sign with shadowed fonts over a white field. Mounted in a black molded wooden frame. Found in upstate New York, circa 1940 Measures: 25 ½” x 32” x 1 ¾”.
Category

Early 20th Century North American Folk Art Primitives

Materials

Pine

Trade Sign, Rooms or Tourists, Meals
Trade Sign, Rooms or Tourists, Meals
H 25.5 in W 32 in L 25.5 in

Folk Art primitives for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique folk art primitives for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage primitives created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include folk art and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, softwood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art primitives made in a specific country, there are North America, United States, and Asia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for primitives differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $450 and tops out at $1,200 while the average work can sell for $600.

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