Folk Art Asian Art and Furniture
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.
Early 20th Century Indian Folk Art Asian Art and Furniture
Tin, Copper, Brass
Early 20th Century Southeast Asian Folk Art Asian Art and Furniture
Metal
Late 19th Century Burmese Antique Folk Art Asian Art and Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
20th Century Chinese Folk Art Asian Art and Furniture
Stone, Steel
19th Century Tibetan Antique Folk Art Asian Art and Furniture
Silver
20th Century Chinese Folk Art Asian Art and Furniture
Stone, Steel
1950s Balinese Vintage Folk Art Asian Art and Furniture
Cotton, Paint
20th Century Japanese Folk Art Asian Art and Furniture
Clay
17th Century Thai Antique Folk Art Asian Art and Furniture
Bronze
15th Century and Earlier Javanese Antique Folk Art Asian Art and Furniture
Terracotta
Early 20th Century Folk Art Asian Art and Furniture
Bronze
19th Century Antique Folk Art Asian Art and Furniture
Teak
Early 20th Century Indonesian Folk Art Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Indian Folk Art Asian Art and Furniture
Bronze
20th Century Thai Folk Art Asian Art and Furniture
Soapstone
1960s American Vintage Folk Art Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
Mid-20th Century Japanese Folk Art Asian Art and Furniture
Natural Fiber
Mid-20th Century Ghanaian Folk Art Asian Art and Furniture
Cotton
Early 20th Century Mongolian Folk Art Asian Art and Furniture
Wool
Early 20th Century Japanese Folk Art Asian Art and Furniture
Bamboo, Straw
Mid-20th Century Indian Folk Art Asian Art and Furniture
Bronze
Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Folk Art Asian Art and Furniture
Iron
Mid-20th Century Thai Folk Art Asian Art and Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century Japanese Folk Art Asian Art and Furniture
Bamboo, Straw
Mid-20th Century Burmese Folk Art Asian Art and Furniture
Bamboo, Lacquer
Mid-20th Century Burmese Folk Art Asian Art and Furniture
Bamboo, Lacquer
19th Century Thai Antique Folk Art Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
Late 20th Century Sri Lankan Folk Art Asian Art and Furniture
Ceramic, Porcelain
Late 19th Century Indian Antique Folk Art Asian Art and Furniture
Bronze
19th Century Indian Antique Folk Art Asian Art and Furniture
Bronze
19th Century Korean Antique Folk Art Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
20th Century Korean Folk Art Asian Art and Furniture
Brocade, Silk, Wood, Paper
Late 19th Century Indian Antique Folk Art Asian Art and Furniture
Bronze
19th Century South African Antique Folk Art Asian Art and Furniture
Ostrich Eggshell
19th Century Korean Antique Folk Art Asian Art and Furniture
Iron
Early 20th Century Mongolian Folk Art Asian Art and Furniture
Wool
20th Century Indian Folk Art Asian Art and Furniture
Hardwood
Early 20th Century Japanese Folk Art Asian Art and Furniture
Stone
Early 20th Century Indian Folk Art Asian Art and Furniture
Cotton
Mid-20th Century Thai Folk Art Asian Art and Furniture
Bronze
Early 20th Century Indian Folk Art Asian Art and Furniture
Linen, Silk
1980s Balinese Vintage Folk Art Asian Art and Furniture
Canvas
Late 19th Century East Asian Antique Folk Art Asian Art and Furniture
Hardwood, Paint
19th Century Korean Antique Folk Art Asian Art and Furniture
Silk, Wood, Paint
20th Century Indian Folk Art Asian Art and Furniture
Cotton
16th Century Indonesian Antique Folk Art Asian Art and Furniture
Ceramic
20th Century Balinese Folk Art Asian Art and Furniture
Cotton
20th Century Thai Folk Art Asian Art and Furniture
Metal
Mid-20th Century Indian Folk Art Asian Art and Furniture
Hardwood
1970s Indian Vintage Folk Art Asian Art and Furniture
Fabric, Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century Mongolian Folk Art Asian Art and Furniture
Wool
Mid-20th Century Thai Folk Art Asian Art and Furniture
Velvet
Mid-20th Century Nepalese Folk Art Asian Art and Furniture
Bronze
20th Century Uzbek Folk Art Asian Art and Furniture
Textile
Early 1900s Balinese Antique Folk Art Asian Art and Furniture
Cotton, Paint
20th Century American Folk Art Asian Art and Furniture
Wood
20th Century Burmese Folk Art Asian Art and Furniture
Wood, Lacquer
19th Century Indian Antique Folk Art Asian Art and Furniture
Wood