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.
American Tramp Art Miniature Secretary Desk, Chip-Carved, circa 1885
Located in Downingtown, PA
An ambitious and uncommon piece of American tramp art in the form of a miniature slant-front secretary desk, circa 1875–1900. It rises in two stages: a lower section of three long dr...
Wood
Tramp Art Style Top Desk in Nautical Design
Located in Nantucket, MA
Elaborately chip carved in a nautical motif design with a tapered scalloped gallery and three drawers each with a glass pull. Found in Upstate New York
Pine
$9,600Sale Price|20% Off
H 52 in W 59 in D 29 in
French Louis XVI Style Roll Top Desk in Mahogany and Gilt Bronze
By Jean-Henri Riesener
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
An imposing Louis XVI style roll top desk in beautifully figured mahogany and having finely chased and gilded bronze mounts; the green marble top with a bronze gallery above three lo...
Marble, Bronze
$2,895
H 93 in W 47 in D 23 in
Vintage Italian Dutch-Style Marquetry Secretary Bookcase Desk circa 1920s
Located in Perkasie, PA
A highly decorative early 20th century Italian secretary desk and bookcase, executed in the Dutch marquetry taste and dating to approximately the 1920s. The tall two-part form is ri...
Brass
Louis XV Style Chinoiserie Slant-Top Desk
Located in Pembroke, MA
A stunning, petite French slant-top desk or "bureau de pente" in the Louis XV style, turquoise and gold polychromed with Chinoiserie detailing, and red under-body. Desk opens to rev...
Bronze
Mid-Century Modern Secretary Desk by Svenska Möbler, Circa 1950
By SMF Svenska Möbelfabriken Bodafors
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A vintage Mid-Century Modern Swedish secretary desk signed by the A.B. Svenska Moebel Fabrikerna (SMF), one of the largest furniture manufacture...
Birch, Jacaranda
$3,600
H 55.88 in W 35.38 in D 23.75 in
19th C American Cherry Plantation Desk Country Secretary Fall Front
Located in Louisville, KY
This mid-19th century American cherry plantation desk, also known as a country secretary or fall-front desk, offers a refined balance of form, function, and warm natural materials. ...
Brass
$4,637Sale Price|30% Off
H 57.09 in W 36.23 in D 14.97 in
French Louis XVI Secretaire Abattant / Secretary desk, circa 1800
Located in Lucenec, SK
The secrétaire à abbatant or fall front desk is nearly identical to the desk 5th President James Monroe brought back from France in 1797. These desks are ...
Brass
Art Deco Style Leather Top Desk
By Global Views
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Three drawer desk or writing table crafted in mahogany with a white leather top over a sleek elegant form with art deco influence, finished all around with a convex mirror on the bac...
Leather, Mahogany
$2,495
H 39.75 in W 26.75 in D 16.75 in
Baker Furniture Style Antique French Provincial Secretary Desk, Circa 1890s
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous petite French Provincial Louis XV style drop front writing desk or secretary desk In the manner of Baker Furniture By Edinburg Cabinet Co. USA, Circa 1890s Beautiful c...
Brass
$3,295
H 80 in W 36.25 in D 18.5 in
Imperial Furniture Federal Inlaid Mahogany Secretary Desk, Circa 1940s
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional Federal or Hepplewhite style secretary desk with bookcase hutch By Imperial Furniture Co. USA, Circa 1940s Flame mahogany, with satinwood string inlay and marquetry...
Brass
Restored Art Deco Rattan & Mahogany Secretary Writing Desk
Located in Van Nuys, CA
This beautifully restored rattan and mahogany writing desk embraces the fusion of timeless beauty and functionality. Featuring a convenient drawer adorned with rattan drawer pulls an...
Rattan
1800s American Federal Mahogany Butler's Secretary Desk
Located in Germantown, MD
An early 19th Century Federal Mahogany Butler's Secretary Desk recently refinished. Measure 45.75" in width, 21" in depth and 44" in height.
Mahogany
$3,795
H 92.75 in W 43.63 in D 24 in
Baker Furniture Style Georgian Carved Walnut Drop Front Secretary Desk
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Georgian or William & Mary style bureau with drop front secretary desk In the manner of Baker Furniture Circa Late 20th Century Carved walnut and burl wood, with origin...
Brass
Empire-style Secretary Desk
Located in Beaune, FR
A mahogany secretary desk with detached columns from the Empire period, dating from the 19th century. The front is made of Cuban flamed mahogany veneer featuring a butterfly-wing mot...
Marble
$2,995
H 75.75 in W 36 in D 19 in
Thomasville French Provincial Carved Walnut Secretary Desk With Bookcase Hutch
By Thomasville
Located in South Bend, IN
An exceptional French Provincial Louis XV style secretary desk with bookcase hutch By Thomasville USA, Circa 1980s Carved walnut, with original brass hardware. Measures: 36"W x 1...
Brass
$3,595
H 50.25 in W 35.5 in D 18.25 in
Antique English Victorian Carved Walnut Drop Front Secretary Desk Circa 1880s
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique English Victorian, Gothic Revival, or Renaissance Revival drop front secretary desk In the manner of R.J. Horner & Co. England, Late 19th Century Ornate carved ...
Walnut
Derby Furniture Roll Top Desk Boston Massachusetts
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Derby manufacturing Co. Boston Mass. majority if this desk is made from wood and few screws Wooden peg construction. The desk cover rolls out and down to the edge of the desk. Multip...
Wood
Early to Mid 19th Century American Walnut Plantation Desk 2-pc
Located in Louisville, KY
The 19th Century was known as a golden age of letter writing and diary keeping. As such, desks were necessary pieces found in many homes and businesses across America. Of the many de...
Walnut
Sold
H 30 in W 36 in D 13 in
Vintage Novelty Trompe-L’oeil Writing Table of Giant Books, Greeting Desk
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Vintage Novelty Trompe-L’oeil writing table of giant books, greeting desk The desk is made with wooden and simulated leather books, a fun Trompe-L’oeil ...
Wood
Swiss Alps Folk Art Unique Carved 19th Century Wooden Table
Located in London, GB
For sale in this lot is a very unique and highly decorative mid-19th century hand carved wooden Folk Art table, originating from Swiss Alps. This is one of the most unique and one of...
Wood
Desk Swedish 19th Century Black Rustic Sweden
Located in New York, NY
Desk Swedish 19th century black Rustic Sweden. A desk made during the 19th century in Sweden. Painted in our Laserow black. Brass hardware. Height from fl...
Wood
Gilt metal wastebasket in the style of Jean Royere
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Gilt metal wastebasket in the style of Jean Royere
Metal