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Folk Art Whimsy Chain

Folk Art Hand Carved Spruce Whimsy Chain
Folk Art Hand Carved Spruce Whimsy Chain

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 has a beautiful, varied tone; i...

Category

Vintage 1950s American Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Spruce

Long Folk Art Hand Carved Pine Whimsy Chain
Long Folk Art Hand Carved Pine Whimsy Chain

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, the other a flat tag of sorts...

Category

Vintage 1950s American Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Pine

Vintage Folk Art Hand-Carved Bow Tie Whimsy Chain
Vintage Folk Art Hand-Carved Bow Tie Whimsy Chain

Vintage Folk Art Hand-Carved Bow Tie Whimsy Chain

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Whimsical Folk Art chain whittled from one continuous piece of wood (ca. 1930s/40s, USA). Unique form with carved bowtie motif present throughout. Very good, vintage condition with p...

Category

Vintage 1940s American Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Vintage Folk Art Hand-Carved Dual Ball in Cage Whimsy Chain
Vintage Folk Art Hand-Carved Dual Ball in Cage Whimsy Chain

Vintage Folk Art Hand-Carved Dual Ball in Cage Whimsy Chain

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Whimsical Folk Art chain whittled from one continuous piece of wood (ca. 1940s, USA). In addition to the traditional chain link design, there are two 'cages' containing two balls eac...

Category

Vintage 1940s American Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

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A Close Look at Folk-art 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.

Finding the Right Folk-art for You

Folk art refers to a genre of art that shares the creator’s traditions, offering not just an artistic display but an opportunity to learn about a culture. Vintage, new and antique folk art typically reflects a heritage or location. It can include utilitarian objects and handmade art as diverse as weather vanes, portraiture and paintings, carnival art, quilts and duck decoys.

American folk art is frequently valued because of the traditional 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. Native American folk art includes functional objects reflecting their heritage, such as baskets, textiles and wooden pieces.

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 folk art on 1stDibs.