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 Maritime Nautical Scenic Folk Art Carved Mahogany Mantle Wall mirror
Located in Jensen Beach, FL
This incredible antique mahogany carved mirror is a fascinating example of maritime folk art, likely dating from the late 19th to early 20th century. Its style is characteristic of t...
Mahogany
Western Wood and Leather Wall Handing with Horns, by Buck Flynn Co. Santa Fe, NM
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A large, impressive and very well crafted wall/mantel (fireplace) mirror in the Western style, made in New Mexico. Label: By The Buck Flynn Co. Santa fe, NM. A shaped carved wood pie...
Leather, Horn
Pair of Rare Portuguese Embossed Alpaca Silver Circular 'Round' Mirror Frames
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of rare Portuguese embossed Alpaca silver circular mirror frames, circa 20th century. Measures: Diameter 38 inches (96.5 cm) Depth 1 1/4 inches (3.2 cm).
Mirror, Alpaca
Mid-20th Century Folk Art Overmantel Mirror with Pine Frame
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Large Folk Art Painted Overmantel or Wall Mirror This is a Large piece with a bevelled mirror at the centre, the Frame has painted floral decoration at each side The Overmantel i...
Pine
Wonderfully Patinated Mirror in Carved Mahogany Frame
Located in Tilburg, NL
Patinated mirror in carved mahogany frame, late 19th century. This is a very decorative mirror in a beautifully carved frame in mahogany. The stylish decoration is classic but not o...
Mirror, Mahogany
19th C. American Carved Wood East Lake Painted Mirror
Located in Sheffield, MA
Antique East Lake style victorian black painted hand carved wall mirror with gold accented carved detail. Newly refinished condition. Har...
Wood
$1,440Sale Price|30% Off
H 43.31 in W 35.44 in D 3.55 in
Antique Large Florentine Carved Padauk Wall Mirror Overmantle
Located in Wisbech, England
Antique large quality Florentine carved hardwood (padauk) wall or overmantle mirror C1900. Could be hung in portrait or landscape. An impressive find, that would look amazing in t...
Padouk
$650
H 21 in W 15.5 in D 0.5 in
Vintage Moroccan Mirror Hand Painted with Red and Amber Moorish Design
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Moroccan mirror, hand painted, wooden Moorish window shaped mirror. Beautiful hand crafted mirror in a traditional hand painted Mooris...
Mirror, Paint, Wood
Federal Gilt Over Mantle Mirror
Located in East Aurora, NY
A very attractive Federal gilt over mantle mirror in original condition. A classic traditional Neo Classical design with rope twist columns and a continuous row of gilt spheres as c...
Gold Leaf
$2,895
H 46.5 in W 48 in D 6.25 in
English Bamboo Over Mantle or Wall Mirror - Aesthetic Movement (H 46 x W 48)
Located in Austin, TX
A fine English bamboo over mantel or wall mirror with a beautiful Aesthetic Movement design, circa 1870-1910, featuring a bamboo frame with lovely bamboo fretwork around the circumfe...
Glass, Bamboo, Lacquer, Wood, Mirror
$1,768
H 17 in W 14.25 in D 1.5 in
A convex mirror, frame in ebonized wood and bronze, Italy, late 19th century.
Located in Milan, IT
A medium-sized, round convex wall mirror, designed for a cabinet of curiosities, with a turned and ebonized softwood frame. At the top of the mirror is a gilded bronze hook depicting...
Bronze
Antique French Louis XVI Gilt and Gesso Mirror
Located in Sheffield, MA
A simple yet elegant 18th Century French Louis XVI style giltwood wall mirror with a fine beaded border. The rectangular wall mirror has lost most of the gilt but retains a nicely weathered patina. Placed the mirror above a vanity in a powder room, guest bathroom...
Wood
Antique French Renaissance Hand-Carved Wall Mirror
Located in Dallas, TX
Antique French Renaissance hand-carved wall mirror is a great choice to add Old World ambiance to any room, and with its consistent framework can be mounted vertically or horizontall...
Hardwood
$2,551 / item
H 39.38 in W 27.56 in D 1.19 in
Ghidini 1961 Mirror with Birdie in Brass by Elisa Giovanni
By Elisa Giovanni, Ghidini 1961
Located in Villa Carcina, IT
Mirror with decor and brass frame. A Classic Renaissance monofora is the form that inspired the two mirrors. The arc is defined by brass profile rounded at the bottom, just like on a...
Brass
$1,200Sale Price|20% Off
H 26.75 in W 45 in D 3 in
20th Century American Federal Giltwood Overmantel Mirror.
Located in Vero Beach, FL
20th Century American Federal Giltwood Overmantel Mirror. This American Federal antique mirror dates to the 20th Century. The symmetrical giltwood frame is rectangular in form and ...
Mirror, Giltwood
19th C. Carved And Gilt Over-the-Mantle Mirror
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Long rectangular three-part mirror with a carved surround with turned bars and raised foliate decoration. Rosettes in the corners. Overall matte gilt w...
Gesso, Mirror, Wood
19th Century English Folk Art Trumeau Style Mirror
Located in London, GB
19th century English Folk art trumeau style mirror We are proud to offer an early 19th century English hand painted folk art trumeau style wall ...
Leather, Wood
American Folk Art Framed Mirror
Located in Chicago, IL
A fantastic large-scale mid-20th century American folk art mirror with a pieced and riveted metal border, each section with a different bold black number on a white background.
Iron
Sold
H 48 in W 29 in D 1.75 in
Portuguese Embossed Alpaca Silver Mirror Frame with a Seashell & Peacock Design
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine and rare Portuguese embossed Alpaca silver mirror frame. The elongated frame crowned with a seashell design flanked by twin peacock shaped tails with a scrolled acanthus trim ...
Mirror, Alpaca
Sold
H 57 in W 37.13 in D 1.75 in
Portuguese Embossed Alpaca Silver Mirror Frame with a Seashell & Peacock Design
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A fine and rare Portuguese embossed Alpaca Silver mirror frame. The elongated frame crowned with a seashell design with a scrolled acanthus trim and corner shields. The bottom with a...
Mirror, Alpaca
French Ebonized Tramp Art Mirror, circa 1900s
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Elegant and Minimalist tramp art mirror with an ebonized wood frame. Typical of the Jura region.
Pine
19th Century Black Forest Antler Mirror
Located in Copenhagen, K
Fantastic Black Forest antler mirror. Framed with antlers of moose and elk.
Antler, Mirror