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Folk Art Wall Decorations

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 C. Silk Embroidered and Hand Painted Seascape by Thomas Willis
Located in Nantucket, MA
19th century silk embroidered and hand painted oil on canvas seascape by Thomas Willis (1850 - 1925), depicting the schooner-rigged racing yacht MARION W...
Category

1880s American Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations

Materials

Canvas, Silk

Rare Late 19th Century Oil Well Derrick Painting
Located in Palm Beach Gardens, FL
Presenting a captivating and historically significant folk art painting from the late 19th century: an oil rig scene believed to date circa 1892. This remarkable artwork, executed in oil on board, offers a rare glimpse into the early depictions of the burgeoning oil industry...
Category

1890s American Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations

Materials

Wood

Woven Textile Fragment. East European. 19th Century
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Lovely textile sample Fabulous colours Great piece of folk art. Likely to be of East European origin. Possibly Balkan. In new white painted box fra...
Category

Late 19th Century Balkan Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations

Materials

Wool, Cotton

19th Century Watercolor Seascape with Shipwreck
Located in Nantucket, MA
Antique seascape with shipwreck on a rocky shore, mid-19th century, a watercolor on paper seascape with a shipwrecked brig on the rocks, with another squall rolling in on horizon, un...
Category

Mid-19th Century American Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

George Edouard Tremblay Folk Art Hooked Rug, Mat or Tapestry of a Winter Scene
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This framed hooked rug or mat was done by the well known George Edouard Tremblay of Quebec Canada in approximately 1940 in his period Folk Art style. The rug or mat is done with wool...
Category

Mid-20th Century Canadian Folk Art Wall Decorations

Materials

Wool, Burlap, Pine

1830 Antique German Pennsylvania Dutch Birth & Baptismal Lithograph Certificate
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique German / “Pennsylvania Dutch” Birth and Baptismal Certificate lithograph with color block printing in red and yellow, printed in 1830 and signed in 1831. Measures: 14” x 1...
Category

1830s Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Original Antique Print of Crossbills, 1847 'Unframed'
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of crossbills Unframed. It gives you the option of perhaps making a set up using your own choice of frames. Lithograph after Cpt. brown with original hand color. ...
Category

1840s English Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Large Marquetry Scenic Forest Wall Panel
Located in Denton, TX
Antique forested design of marquetry with people foraging in an ancient forest. A variety of woods were used to give this depiction a lot of depth.
Category

20th Century Folk Art Wall Decorations

Materials

Wood, Hardwood, Kingwood, Nutwood, Oak, Pearwood, Satinwood, Tulipwood, ...

Peter Arvidson Post Modern Modernist American Painter 'the Lovers" 1993, Oil
Located in Buffalo, NY
An original oil on canvas painting by listed Contemporary artist Peter Arvidson. The thick imposto and color choices create a whimsical but striking ...
Category

1990s American Folk Art Wall Decorations

Materials

Canvas, Paint

18th Century Carved Wooden Representing Christ on the Cross Folk Art
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Latin American 1700s wooden crucifix. Carved face and body features. Beautiful patina. Jesus on the Cross Folk Art.
Category

Mid-18th Century Paraguayan Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations

Materials

Wood

Original Antique Print of a Cole Titmouse, C.1880, 'Unframed'
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of a Cole Titmouse Unframed. It gives you the option of perhaps making a set up using your own choice of frames. Lithograph after Alexander Francis Lydon. Origin...
Category

1880s English Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Charles Saül Framed Haitian Vintage Village Scene Acrylic on Canvas Painting
Located in Miami, FL
An original framed acrylic on canvas painting of a Haitian village scene with people going back and forth, huts, and tall foliage and palm trees. Signe...
Category

Late 20th Century Haitian Folk Art Wall Decorations

Materials

Acrylic, Canvas

Antique Victorian P. Hackett Americana Watercolor Painting School Boy with Horn
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Victorian Americana watercolor portrait of a young boy dressed in blue and holding a horn. Signed P. Hackett on the back of the frame.
Category

19th Century Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations

Materials

Paint, Paper

18th Century Wax Butter Mold with Habsburg Imperial Coat of Arms
Located in Milan, IT
18th century dark wax butter mold with habsburg imperial coat of arms, diameter 20 cm with engraved inscription IG S and M S 1737. Good age related condition, this lovely Mittle-...
Category

Mid-18th Century Austrian Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations

Materials

Other

American Child's Sampler, Circa 1887 by "Clara R. Nolan"
Located in Incline Village, NV
Charming American Sampler by "Clara R. Nolan"; well made, bright and colorful, with an intricate needlepoint floral rose petal border in colors of red...
Category

1880s Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations

Materials

Linen

George Edouard Tremblay Folk Art Hooked Rug, Mat or Tapestry of an Autumn Scene
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This framed hooked rug or mat was done by the well known George Edouard Tremblay of Quebec Canada in approximately 1940 in his period Folk Art style. The rug or mat is done with wool...
Category

Mid-20th Century Canadian Folk Art Wall Decorations

Materials

Wool, Burlap, Pine

Vintage Crane Stained Glass Panel
Located in Dallas, TX
Vintage framed stained glass panel featuring a crane with palm trees. Some cosmetic imperfections with frame (pictured) but no breaks in glass, good...
Category

1970s Vintage Folk Art Wall Decorations

Materials

Stained Glass, Wood

Naive Ethiopian Genre Painting, 1970s
Located in Budapest, HU
Naive Ethiopian Genre painting, 1970s oil on canvas with Ge'ez language inscriptions.
Category

1970s Ethiopian Vintage Folk Art Wall Decorations

Materials

Canvas

JOHN R. WATTS, Folk Art Watercolor & Gouache Landscape Painting, U.S., C.1890
Located in Chatham, ON
JOHN R. WATTS (Unknown/Unidentified Artist) - Folk art watercolor and gouache landscape painting on paper - unframed - twice signed and dated lower right (one with applied paper stam...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations

Materials

Paint, Paper

Bernard Watercolor Columbian Woman Carries Fruit Basket Folk Art Ornated Frame
Located in Miami, FL
Vintage Bernard Watercolor Framed behind Glass Columbian Young Woman carries a Fruit Basket on her Head. Signed on Bernard, Copyright. Wood Frame is whitewashed and ornate. In vi...
Category

Late 20th Century Colombian Folk Art Wall Decorations

Materials

Glass, Wood, Paper

Pair of Paintings of Boy and Girl
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Charming pair of oil paintings on canvas of a boy and a girl, one with a doll and one with watermelon. Executed in a naive style once seen hard to forget. Signed Manuel Velazquez and...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Wall Decorations

Materials

Paint

Fantastic 19th Century American Pair of Folk Art Still Life Paintings
Located in Wiscasset, ME
Each panel measures approximately 18" x 18". Very rare to see a pair of this quality. They have a great folk art appeal with watermelons, peaches, grapes, etc. Dating to the first ha...
Category

Mid-19th Century American Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations

Materials

Wood, Paint

Original Photo of "El Santo" a Famous Mexican Wrestler
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1970, We offer this Original Photo of "El Santo" a famous Mexican Wrestler. Rodolfo Guzmán Huerta (23 September 1917 – 5 February 1984), known profes...
Category

1970s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Dan Gauthier Stoneware Slip Decorated Mashiko Iron and Enamel Decorated Charger
Located in Mobile, AL
I corresponded with Don in Kansas City and he identified it as his work from the early 80's. He shifted to furniture making in the 90's and has prominently exhibited at the Grovewood Gallery at the Grove Park...
Category

1980s Vintage Folk Art Wall Decorations

Materials

Pottery

British Sailor's Woolwork with Unusual Border and a Fine Chain Stitch
Located in Downingtown, PA
British sailor's woolwork with unusual border, Chain stitch, Circa 1875 The unusually designed charming sailor's woolie depicts a starboard side view of a British two-masted sh...
Category

1860s English Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations

Materials

Wool

Passport Saul Steinberg Published by Harper & Brothers, New York., 1979
Located in North Hollywood, CA
350 drawings made during the artist's travels, in his usual satirical and witty style.Presentation copy from the artist, inscribed on the half-title page: ''Pour Ga' Jean & Pegeen , ...
Category

20th Century North American Folk Art Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Antique Folk Art Reverse Painted and Foil Exhibition Sign in Gilt Frame
Located in Nantucket, MA
Folk Art exhibition sign, reverse painted glass with reserved text backed in gold and silver crinkled foil reading "Exhibition / of / Paintings / on / Glass / By Edgar F. Curtis" E...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Wall Decorations

Materials

Foil

Familia Lorenzo, Hand-Painted Wood, Mexican Loteria
By Familia Lorenzo
Located in Mexico City, MX
This colorful set of pieces was created by the Mexican artist Fernando Lorenzo. Produced with vinyl paint on wood, these works recreate on a bigger scale images from the popular Mexi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Folk Art Wall Decorations

Materials

Wood

The Seven Stars Cookbook Recipes from World-Class Casino Hardcover Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
The Seven Stars Cookbook: Recipes from World-Class Casino Restaurants. Harrah's Entertainment Presents The Seven Stars Cookbook: Recipes from World-Class Casino Restaurants. John S...
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Unique Two-Headed Horse Abstract Expressionist Painting
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Immerse yourself in the extraordinary allure of our unique Expressionist painting on canvas, capturing a one-of-a-kind scene. This abstract artwork presents a captivating horse-like ...
Category

Early 2000s American Folk Art Wall Decorations

Materials

Acrylic, Wood, Paint, Canvas

Original Antique Ethnographical Print, Figures, New South Wales, Australia, 1809
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Wonderful ethnographical print. A copper-plate engraving after Lesieur Published by Sherwood, Neely & Jones. Dated 1809 Unframed.  
Category

Early 1800s English Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Wonderful Folk aRT / outsider art Oil on Board painting by Charles Moore
Located in Buffalo, NY
Wonderful Folk aRT / outsider art Oil on Board painting by Charles Moore ."Tattoo Legs" .Western nEW yORK aRTIST,,
Category

2010s American Folk Art Wall Decorations

Materials

Paint

Naive Ethiopian Painting for the 79th Anniversary Italo-Ethiopian War in 1975
Located in Budapest, HU
Mengistu Haile Mariam and other Generals looking at the celebrators oil on canvas painting, 90 x 190 cm with Ge'ez language inscriptions.
Category

1970s Ethiopian Vintage Folk Art Wall Decorations

Materials

Canvas

19th Century Swedish Folk Art Hanging Cabinet
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A Swedish country folk art hanging cabinet in pine with 4 panel glass door with antique glass.
Category

Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations

Materials

Wood

Folk Art Maine Rocky Coast Seascape, by D. A. Fisher, circa 1900
Located in Nantucket, MA
Antique Folk Art Maine rocky coast seascape, by D. A. Fisher (1867 - 1940), circa 1900, an oil on board seascape with gentle combers breaking on rocks on the foreground, with two sloops sailing in the background, signed lower right. The reverse retaining the label for Frost & Adams Academy Boards, Artists' Tube Colors, etc. , dealers in fine art materials in Boston from 1869 to 1921. There is also a label from The Thomas Co, Picture Framing, Washington D.C. D.A. Fisher lived in Portland Maine and was a prolific painter of primarily marine landscapes, with subjects focused primarily in southern Maine, but also Massachusetts and New Hampshire. While his work is quite similar and sympathetic with "The Brushians," a group of about 16 artist from Portland that painted on outings around Casco Bay...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations

Materials

Other

1950s German Oil Painting on Wood in an Old Gilded Frame by Josef Hofbauer
Located in Berlin, DE
This beautiful 1950s German Oil Painting on Wood in an old gilded Frame by Josef Hofbauer. A unique piece which is a great eye-catcher for your anti...
Category

1950s German Vintage Folk Art Wall Decorations

Materials

Hardwood, Fruitwood, Paint

Folk Art Tropical Painting on Canvas
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Charming acrylic painting on canvas of a group of colorful figures in a tropical setting executed in a naive style. Signed Osnel in the lower right and presented in the original wood...
Category

20th Century Caribbean Folk Art Wall Decorations

Materials

Paint

Haitian Painting on Canvas of a Still life by Gabriel Alix
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Standout vintage Haitian acrylic painting on canvas of a still life with fruit, executed with a spirited naive flair by noted artist Gabriel Alix. Present...
Category

Mid-20th Century Haitian Folk Art Wall Decorations

Materials

Cane, Acrylic, Wood

Mid-Century Haitian Painting of Animals in a Jungle by Eustache Louber
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Striking vintage Haitian acrylic painting on canvas of African animals in a jungle setting executed in a distinctive naive style. Signed by noted artist Eustache Loubert and presente...
Category

20th Century Haitian Folk Art Wall Decorations

Materials

Mahogany, Canvas, Acrylic

Late 19th Century Wood Framed Folk Art Painting Depicting Hound Dogs by River
Located in Middleburg, VA
Late 19th Century Wood Framed Folk Art Painting Depicting Hound Dogs by River. The two dogs are hunting water fowl. Wood framing is modern. United States, 1...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations

Materials

Canvas, Paint

Original Antique Print of Partridge, 1847 'Unframed'
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of partridge. Unframed. It gives you the option of perhaps making a set up using your own choice of frames. Lithograph after Cpt. brown with original hand color. ...
Category

1840s English Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Mid 19th Century Sailor's Elaborate Woolie
Located in Nantucket, MA
Antique Sailor's elaborate woolwork, circa 1855, with a photograph of the sailor held in a woolwork frame set on the British flag on a cruciform reserve; with the "Honi Soit Qui Mal ...
Category

1850s English Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations

Materials

Wool

19th Century Sailor's Woolwork of Frigate with Signal Flags
Located in Nantucket, MA
19th Century Sailor's woolwork of a British Frigate at Anchor, circa 1880, adorned with an array of British ensigns and a full rig of signal flags strung along the stays. The hull has the unusual touch of having glass beads mounted in each gunport, and a metaliic gilt thread highlighting the strakes above and below the two rows of gunports, and on the sterncastle. Mercantile silk threads were used for the flag halyards. The ship is moored off a lighthouse at the foot of a large green haystack headland. The woolwork is mounted in its original Victorian carved, ebonized and parcel gilt oak frame...
Category

Late 19th Century English Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations

Materials

Wool

Naive Ethiopian Painting, Traffic in Addis Ababa, 1970s
Located in Budapest, HU
Naive Ethiopian painting, Traffic in Addis Ababa, 1970s. with Ge'ez language inscriptions.   
Category

1970s Ethiopian Vintage Folk Art Wall Decorations

Materials

Canvas

1829 Needlepoint Pictorial Sampler of Flowers and Quote by 12-year old Girl.
Located in Soquel, CA
Wonderful 1820's needlepoint by 12 year-old Ellen Roberts (American, b. 1817 - ?) of New York with flower boarder and quote: Count that day lost whose low descending sun. ...
Category

1820s American Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations

Materials

Linen, Thread

Naive Ethiopian Painting Hospital Scene, 1970s
Located in Budapest, HU
Naive Ethiopian Painting Hospital scene, 1970s with Ge'ez language inscriptions.
Category

1970s Ethiopian Vintage Folk Art Wall Decorations

Materials

Canvas

Holstein Milk Painted Metal Trade Sign
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This folky original painted hand made Holsteins Milk metal farm trade sign has the original chain for hanging.It has spots that has paint loss and mino...
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Wall Decorations

Materials

Metal

Mid Century Hand Painted Double Sided Pub Sign C1950
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Double sided pub sign from the United Kingdom. Hand Painted and in excellent condition. Rough hewn wood well constructed with a heavy duty frame ...
Category

1950s British Vintage Folk Art Wall Decorations

Materials

Iron

Antique Folk Art Watercolor Painting Children with Cat Instruments Framed
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique folk art style watercolor painting of a pair of children with instruments and a cat walking down a road lined with a white fence. Measures: 9.375” x 1” x 8” / Sans Frame -...
Category

Early 20th Century Folk Art Wall Decorations

Materials

Paint

Sailor's Woolwork of a Confederate & British Ship Passing on the High Seas
Located in Downingtown, PA
Sailor's Woolwork of A Confederate & British Ship Passing on the High Seas, Circa 1861 The small British sailor's woolwork depicts two ships under...
Category

1860s Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations

Materials

Wool

Surreal Painting, Roland Gautier
Located in London, GB
A large oil painting on ply board by French artist Roland Gautier. A surreal figurative observation of the female form facing a male body in the foreground. Colourful and bold with a...
Category

Late 20th Century French Folk Art Wall Decorations

Materials

Plywood, Paint

Original Antique Print of an English Sporting Dog, 1847
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of a bloodhound presented in a distressed antique gilt frame. Lithograph after Cpt. brown with original hand color. Published, 1847.
Category

1840s English Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper, Gesso

Original Antique Bird Print, the Savi's Warbler, circa 1870
Located in St Annes, Lancashire
Great image of a savi's warbler Unframed. It gives you the option of perhaps making a set up using your own choice of frames. Lithograph with original hand color. Published,...
Category

1870s English Antique Folk Art Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Original Chinese Gouache on Mulberry Paper A Winter Scene
Located in Miami, FL
An original gouache on mulberry paper depicting a joyful winter scene. It is beautifully presented in a custom frame, measures: 17 5/8" Wide x 21 3/4" High x 1" Deep Very go...
Category

Late 20th Century Chinese Folk Art Wall Decorations

Materials

Wood, Paint, Paper

Wings - wool wall carpet hand-knotted in Ethiopia designed by hettler.tüllmann
Located in Berlin, BE
This hand-knotted wool wall carpet is a unique one-of-a kind piece from Ethiopia, designed by hettler.tüllmann. It is made in custom dyed tones from 100 % natural wool. The depth a...
Category

2010s Ethiopian Folk Art Wall Decorations

Materials

Wool

1 of the 144 Handmade Antique Ceramic Iles by Devres, France, circa 1910s
Located in Rijssen, NL
This is a amazing and unique set of 511 antique French handmade ceramic tiles. Manufactured by Devres, circa 1910s. Stylized design. Each patte...
Category

1910s French Vintage Folk Art Wall Decorations

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage Charcoal Rubbing of Thai Musicians
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Thai Temple charcoal rubbing. Hand crafted temple scenes at the Wat Pho temple located in Phra Nakhon district in Bangkok Thailand...
Category

Mid-20th Century Thai Folk Art Wall Decorations

Materials

Paper

Antique Large Hand-Carved & Polychrome Painted Southeast Asian Mask or Sculpture
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This large antique tribal mask or sculpture is unsigned and undocumented, but presumed to have originated from Southeast Asia and done in a folk ar...
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Folk Art Wall Decorations

Materials

Softwood

Folk Art wall decorations for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique folk art wall decorations 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 wall decorations created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include wall decorations, folk art, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with paper, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art wall decorations made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and United Kingdom pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original wall decorations, popular names associated with this style include Berber Tribes of Morocco, Purvis Young, Alejandro Rangel Hidalgo, and Arthur Nevin. 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 wall decorations differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $20 and tops out at $48,000 while the average work can sell for $949.

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