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Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

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
RARE , LARGE Complete set of 8 Christmas Putz Houses, loofah trees, balconies
By Leo Putz
Located in Buffalo, NY
Rare , large, complete set of 8 Christmas PUTZ Houses,, Loofah Trees, balconies, etc.. In original box.Amazing original condition. Stamped on bottom MADE IN JAPAN, EACH ONE NUMBERED...
Category

1920s Japanese Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Laminate, Paper

Antique Mickey Mouse & Minnie Mouse Train Hand Car by Disney & Lionel Circa 1934
Located in Incline Village, NV
Vintage Mickey/ Minnie Mouse Toy Wind-Up pre-war handcar (train car) circa 1934; by The Lionel Train Company in collaboration with Walt Disney Enterprises. The wind-up toy car featur...
Category

1930s American Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Antique Toy Wind-Up Double Decker Bus by Ferdinand Strauss Toy Co. Circa 1925
Located in Incline Village, NV
Antique Wind-Up Double Decker open air bus by the Ferdinand Strauss Toy Company, New York; circa 1925; is quite a large and substantial toy resembling very closely, buses of that era...
Category

1920s American Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Tin

Lacquered iron rocket, France early 20th century
Located in Firenze, IT
Lacquered iron rocket France early 20th century Probably part of an old amusement park attraction. wooden stand included 37 cm Conditions: good overall conditions, a bit of rus...
Category

1930s French Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron

"Peg-Leg Beggar" Mechanical Bank, American, circa 1880
Located in Incline Village, NV
"Peg-leg Beggar" 19th century cast iron mechanical bank was probably inspired by the many disabled Civil War veterans begging for their subsistence. The bank was manufactured by the ...
Category

1880s American Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron

Mechanical Bank, "Watchdog Safe" in Cast Iron, circa 1890
Located in Incline Village, NV
"Watchdog Safe" mechanical bank was manufactured by the prolific toy coin bank manufacturer J. & E. Stevens Company in Cromwell, Connecticut in 1890. "Patent Applied For" appears in ...
Category

19th Century American Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron

Petite Bone Carving of an Indian Soldier
Located in Chicago, IL
This early 20th century figurine is hand-carved of bone to depict an Indian soldier holding a musket rifle. Modeled after Sowar cavalrymen who served under the British East India Com...
Category

20th Century Indian Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bone, Paint

Assorted Small Black Forest Roe Buck Mounts
Located in Bridgehampton, NY
Assorted Small Black Forest Roe Buck Mounts, Early 20th Century Sold individually.
Category

Early 20th Century German Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Antler, Wood

Vintage Toy Wind-Up "Johnny" The Dancing Clown by Lindstrom Toy Co., Circa 1930
Located in Incline Village, NV
This is a hard to find pre war vintage, Made in America wind up tin toy by The Lindstrom Toy Company of Bridgeport, Connecticut, circa 1928-1932. The action is fabulous; when wound ...
Category

1930s American Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Tin

Large Marble Solitaire Board Game with 33 Early Handmade Clay Marbles
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a complete board game of marble solitaire with a large turned maple board from the 20th century and handmade clay or stone marbles from the mi...
Category

Early 20th Century English Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Stone

Stunning Christmas Vintage St. Nikolaus Santa Claus Belsnickel Candy Container
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This vintage St.Nicholas, Santa Claus candy container made of composition, cardboard, felting and Papermache was made in the 20th century and is a charming addition to any Christmas ...
Category

20th Century German Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Composition

Antique Real Skull of a Crow or Magpie, Germany ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Real Skull of a Crow or Magpie, Germany ca. 1900s An antique taxidermied skull of the crow (Corvidae) mounted on an ebonized wooden turned bas...
Category

Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bone, Wood

Vintage Marx Fire Chief Friction Action Toy Sedan American, Circa 1930
Located in Incline Village, NV
This original vintage friction activated toy sedan" Fire Chief" Car by The Marx Toy Company, circa 1930, is a difficult toy to find, especially in this variation, which I have not se...
Category

1930s American Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Tin, Steel

Vintage Toy Wind-Up "Baby L" Speedboat by Lindstrom Toy Co., American Circa 1933
Located in Incline Village, NV
Vintage toy speed boat manufactured by the Lindstrom Toy Company of Bridgeport Connecticut, circa 1933 or earlier; the Lindstrom company having been founded in 1913, made quality tin...
Category

1930s American Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Tin

Vintage "Masuyama" Lehman Wind-Up Toy. German, Circa 1913 Rare
Located in Incline Village, NV
Early 1900's German hand painted and lithographed tin wind-up toy, by premier tin and whimsical toy maker, Ernest Paul Lehman, circa 1913. This charming and unique toy portrays a Ja...
Category

1910s German Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Tin

Vintage Toy Wind-Up Speed Boat with Driver by Lindstrom Toy Co., American 1933
Located in Incline Village, NV
Vintage toy speed boat manufactured by the Lindstrom Toy Company of Bridgeport Connecticut, circa 1933 or earlier; the Lindstrom company having been founded in 1913, made quality tin...
Category

1930s American Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Tin

19th Century Lignum Vitae Fishermans Priest Turned in Lignum Vitae
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
19th Century Lignum Vitae Fishermans or Anglers Priest Turned in Lignum Vitae a good heavy quality fishing priest, lignum vitae, otherwise known as the Wood of Life is the heavies...
Category

19th Century Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Fruitwood

Rare Krampus Devil Kewpie Celluloid Christmas Ornament Vintage, Austria 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A rare Christmas ornament from Germany or Austria. It is made of Celluloid and very delicate, this would be a great addition for your Christmas or feather tree. It is in nice conditi...
Category

1910s German Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wire

Vintage Bavarian Traditional Costume Jewelry Charivari with Hunting Pendants
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Bavarian Traditional Costume Jewelry Charivari with Hunting Pendants A Bavarian Charivari from the middle of the 20th century. A beautiful piece of historical Bavarian folk ...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal, Silver

19th Century Bocce Balls, France, Set of Three
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Late 19th to early 20th century bocce balls, France, set of three boxwood, iron and brass nails. The first ball has the letters PP in brass, the second ha...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass, Iron

Rare Set of Six Mercury Glass & Cotton Christmas Ornament Vintage, 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A rare Christmas ornament set from Germany or Austria. Each is made from mouth blown glass, one of pressed cotton, this would be a great addition for your Christmas or feather tree. ...
Category

1910s German Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wire

Petite Bone Carving of an Indian Soldier
Located in Chicago, IL
This early 20th century figurine is hand-carved of bone to depict an Indian soldier holding a musket rifle. Modeled after Sowar cavalrymen who served under the British East India Com...
Category

20th Century Indian Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Bone, Paint

Broadway Musical Martin Gottfried Large Hardcover Book 1980
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Broadway Musical Martin Gottfried 1980 hardcover book.Large heavy book. A colorful tribute to the great Broadway shows of our time. Profusely illustrated in color. New York: Harry N....
Category

Late 20th Century North American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Mounted Antique Distressed Wooden Santo c.1890-1940 (FREE SHIPPING)
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT A distressed painted carved wooden Mexican Santo. Carved areas exist where the head and articulating arms would have been. The appearance of a "dress" suggests that it was cov...
Category

Late 19th Century Mexican Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Steel

Frankenstein or the Modern Prometheus Hardcover Book 1950 Edition
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Frankenstein or the Modern Prometheus hardcover book, 1950s Edition. Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley's legendary horror story is presented in an illustrated Heritage Press edition. Hands...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Monumental and Unusual Folk Art Stage Coach Figure and Horses, 1927
Located in Buffalo, NY
Monumental and unusual Folk Art stage coach figure and horses, 1927. All hand executed, amazing detail, working lamps, velvet interior on coach.
Category

1920s American Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Leather, Velvet, Plaster

Rare Set of Five Mercury Glass Christmas Ornament Vintage, 1930s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A rare Christmas ornament set from Germany or Austria. Each is made from mouth blown glass, these would be a great addition for your Christmas or feather tree. Size always given for ...
Category

1930s German Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wire

Rare Set of Four Mercury Glass & Plastic Christmas Ornament Vintage, 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A rare Christmas ornament set from Germany or Austria. Each is made from mouth blown glass, the 4 mushrooms with wire are made of plastic and are younger age, this would be a great a...
Category

1910s German Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Wire

Vintage Bavarian Traditional Costume Jewelry Cufflinks
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Vintage Bavarian Traditional Costume Jewelry Cufflinks A pair Bavarian cufflinks from the middle of the 20th century. A beautiful piece of historical Bavarian folk art jewelry, a re...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal, Silver

"Kadi" Pre-war Wind-Up Toy by Lehman Company. Germany Circa 1905
Located in Incline Village, NV
"Kadi" is the name of this rare Chinese themed vintage German made mechanical toy; depicting two turn of the century Chinese men with pigtails walking along, while carrying a large t...
Category

Early 1900s German Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Tin

Christianity Monastery Work Virgin Mary in Glass Display Case Antique German
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Here I have to offer a fine antique classic early 20th century Glass Display Case with a beautiful Monastery Work inside. A wonderful decorative item, in very nice as is condition. T...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paper

A Golden Celebration the Art and the Story of the World's Best-loved Comic Strip
Located in North Hollywood, CA
A Golden Celebration : the Art and the Story of the World's Best-loved Comic Strip Hardcover Book. Charles Monroe Schulz. Large Hardcover Comic books, strips. Publisher ‏ : ‎ Harper ...
Category

Late 20th Century North American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Antique Copper And Brass Coach or Post Horn. English, Late 19th Century
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great copper coach or post horn Brass reinforcing supports and mouthpiece Original patina Free UK shipping
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Brass, Copper

Pair of Original Anti-Vietnam War & Anti-President Nixon Posters on Heavy Paper
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This set of two vintage posters were produced in Vietnam in the early 1970s in protest of the Vietnam War and in particular President Nixon. These colo...
Category

1970s Vietnamese Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Johnny Halliday Rock in the Blood French Edition Signed by Gilles Lhote
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Johnny Halliday Rock in the Blood French Edition Signed by Gilles Lhote author, paperback book.Johnny Halliday, Rock in the Blood - French Edition - Dedication, signed by the author ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Steel Canvas The Art of American Arms Hardcover Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Steel Canvas The Art of American Arms Hardcover Book by Robert Lawrence Wilson.Wilson offers the first book on the extraordinary spectacle of America's finest firearms from the mid-1...
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Graceland An Interactive Pop-Up Tour by Chuck Murphy and Priscilla Presley
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Graceland: An Interactive Pop-Up Tour by Chuck Murphy (2006-10-26) - Foreword by Priscilla Presley.Hardcover interactive book. More than 600,000 people visit Graceland annually, maki...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Le Polnabook Michel Polnareff French Edition Hardcover Book in Sleeve
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Le Polnabook Michel Polnareff French Edition Hardcover in Sleeve. "Le Polnabook" is authored by the French singer-songwriter Michel Polnareff. This book is a compilation of photograp...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Brando's Smile His Life Thought and Work Hardcover Book by Susan L. Mizruchi
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Brando's Smile His Life Thought and Work Hardcover Book by Susan L. Mizruchi.A groundbreaking work that reveals how Marlon Brando shaped his legacy in art and life.When people think ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

MANDALA By Jose and Miriam Arguelles Softcover Book 1972
Located in North Hollywood, CA
MANDALA By Jose and Miriam Arguelles Softcover Book. Shambala 1st Edition 1972 - Mandala - English text 140 pages A wonderful trip through the art of the last few centuries.This lavi...
Category

Late 20th Century Indian Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Moroccan Brass Decorative Collector Dagger
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Handcrafted Moroccan brass dagger, mixed metal, copper, nickel and enamel. Moroccan Hand carved Khoumiya dagger, of typical shape with curved bla...
Category

Late 20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal, Brass

Vintage Brooke Bond Tea and Coffee Cast Iron Horse and Wagon with Driver
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Brooke Bond Tea and Coffee Cast Iron Horse and Wagon, Driver included. Please look at all the pictures antique Cast iron coach, horse and wagon in good vintage condition, whe...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron

Floor Standing Ash Tray, Hunting & Shooting
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Floor Standing Ash Tray, Hunting & Shooting A great piece made by a blacksmith on a wrought iron stand, it has a Horseshoe shaped base and the upright has an imitation Flint Lock, ...
Category

1920s Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron

Vintage Children's Toy Savings Bank "U.S. Mail". American, Circa 1920
Located in Incline Village, NV
Children's Savings Coin Bank "U.S. Mail" bank , also known as a "still bank"; was American made, circa 1920. This is well made, sturdy, and all original. It is made of cast iron and ...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Iron

Pink Pig Wicker Basket Butcher Shop Display Container, Antique, German, 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful pink pig wicker basket container. Made of wicker, paper mache and glass eyes. This was a window display to showcase the smoked sausages. It is from the 1900s - 1910s. Not...
Category

Early 20th Century German Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Metal

Christianity Monastery Work Mother & Child in Glass Display Case Antique German
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Here I have to offer a fine antique classic early 20th century Glass Display Case with a beautiful Monastery Work inside. A wonderful decorative item, in very nice as is condition. T...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paper

Christianity Monastery Work Mary & Jesus in Glass Display Case Antique German
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Here I have to offer a fine antique classic early 20th century Glass Display Case with a beautiful Monastery Work inside. A wonderful decorative item, in very nice as is condition. T...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paper

Two Deer Antler Mount Trophy Black Forest Carved Wood Plaque Austria Folk Art
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A set of two antique Black Forest deer antler trophies on hand carved, Black Forest wooden plaques. They are not dated. Measurement's given in dimensions section refers to the talles...
Category

1950s Austrian Vintage Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Antler, Wood

Johnny La Vie en Rock French Edition Paper Back Johnny Hallyday French Rock Star
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Johnny - La vie en Rock French Edition Paperback. Even those under twenty know him: Johnny Hallyday has become, over the years, a monument of French rock. Born into the entertainment...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

The King by Jim Piazza Elvis Presley - Large size coffee table book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
"The King" by Jim Piazza - Elvis Presley - Large-size coffee table bookElvis Presley's life story, from his humble beginnings in a shotgun shack in Tupelo, Mississippi, to his untime...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Christianity Monastery Work Arch Angel in Glass Display Case Antique German
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Here I have to offer a fine antique classic early 20th century Glass Display Case with a beautiful Monastery Work inside. A wonderful decorative item, in very nice as is condition. T...
Category

Early 20th Century German Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paper

Johnny Halliday Johnny Le Survivant French Edition Paperback 1st Edition
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Johnny Halliday: "Johnny The Survivor" "Johnny Le Survivant" French Edition Paperback 1st Edition. Limited Edition January 2013. In its most accessible form - from A to Z - rediscove...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Christianity Monastery Work Mother & Child in Glass Display Case Antique German
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Here I have to offer a fine antique classic late 219th century Glass Display Case with a beautiful Monastery Work inside. A wonderful decorative item, in very nice as is condition. T...
Category

Late 19th Century German Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper, Wood, Glass

Christianity Monastery Work Mother & Child in Glass Display Case Antique German
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Here I have to offer a fine antique classic early 20th century Glass Display Case with a beautiful Monastery Work inside. A wonderful decorative item, in very nice as is condition. T...
Category

Early 20th Century German Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paper

Johnny Hallyday's 50 Year Career The Official Book Collection French Edition
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Johnny Hallyday's 50-Year Career - The Official Book Collection. French Limited Edition. The official collection celebrating Johnny Hallyday's 50-year career consists of twenty-three...
Category

Late 20th Century French Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Paper

Large French 19th Century Hand Carved Wooden Fragment of a Marionette
Located in Buisson, FR
Very nice handcarved fragment of a marionette. France, circa 1850. Weathered, small losses and old repairs Measurement include the wooden base.
Category

19th Century French Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Textile, Wood

A Very Good 19th Century Hand Painted Mexican Retablo Dated 1884
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
The naïve, hand painted vignette depicts a woman praying to the images of Saint Anthony holding The Christ Child, together with The Holy Mother, all shown hovering above a group of t...
Category

Late 19th Century Mexican Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Tin

Late 19th Century Pennsylvania Miniature Walnut & Pine Paneled Chest of Drawers
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine Late 19th century miniature two-drawer chest of drawers. With paneled sides and turned feet and knobs. Cosisting of Walnut with a pine secondary and nail construction. Fo...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Collectibles and Curiosities

Materials

Walnut, Pine

Folk Art collectibles and curiosities for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique folk art collectibles and curiosities for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage collectibles and curiosities created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles, folk art, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art collectibles and curiosities made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original collectibles and curiosities, popular names associated with this style include Berber Tribes of Morocco, J. Chein & Co., Louis Marx and Company, and Nils Olsson. 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 collectibles and curiosities differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $29 and tops out at $45,000 while the average work can sell for $652.

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