Folk Art Busts
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
Ulysse Dabouze (Haitian, 19th C.) Hand-Carved Bust of Henri Christophe
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Ulysse Dabouze (Haitian, 19th C.) hand-carved bust of Henri Christophe.
inscribed H. Christope
This hand-carved wooden bust of Henri Christophe, attributed to Ulysse Dabouze (Haiti...
Category
19th Century Haitian Antique Folk Art Busts
Materials
Hardwood, Ebony
Original African Figure Statue Beaded Head, African Art, 2000s
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Beautiful African tribe beaded bust. This is a stunning piece made of clay and adorned with beads.
It may have some irregularities, which add to its uniqueness and charm.
Please avo...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Cameroonian Folk Art Busts
Materials
Clay, Beads
The Virgin Mary Bust, 'Virgin Mary House' Replica Compressed Marble Powder No:2
By LAGU
Located in İSTANBUL, TR
This sculpture depicts the Virgin Mary, who is known as the mother of Jesus in Christian mythology. Weighing 1.5 kg, this sculpture is produced from pressed marble powder and made us...
Category
2010s Turkish Folk Art Busts
Materials
Statuary Marble
Antique 1930s Judge Theatre Papier Mâché Head from Paris
Located in London, GB
Antique 1930s judge theatre papier mâché head from Paris
This lot is a rare original 1930s papier mâché French theatre heads. This item was obtain...
Category
1930s French Vintage Folk Art Busts
Materials
Paper
Hand Made Stylized Folk Art Wooden Mannequin
Located in Troy, MI
New, hand-crafted mannequin torso composed of spaced and layered unfinished wood. Created and acquired from an English artist.
Category
2010s English Folk Art Busts
Materials
Wood
Vintage Carved Wood Pinocchio Sculpture
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage carved wood Pinocchio sculpture.
Charming vintage carved wood Pinocchio sculpture. This interesting bust of Pinocchio is well made with a m...
Category
20th Century Folk Art Busts
Materials
Birch
Large Carved Bust of African Man
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is an exceptionally well-carved portrait bust of an African man dating to the mid-20th century. The bust is carved from a single piece of mahogany; th...
Category
Early 20th Century African Folk Art Busts
Materials
Mahogany
Large Oversize Asian Round Decorative Figural Head with Chinese Calligraphy
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Large oversize round Asian decorative head in red and gold. This piece is perfect for a bookshelf, or as a statement piece for a side table. Painting i...
Category
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Folk Art Busts
Materials
Plastic, Plaster
20th Century Terracotta Bust of an old Gentleman, Germany 1936
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This is an impressive bust formed with terracotta of an old man. This beautiful sculpture is hand formed, 20th century. Signed by Artist and dated 1936. It makes a nice addition to a...
Category
Late 20th Century German Folk Art Busts
Materials
Terracotta
Early 20th Century English Folk-art Hand Carved Gentleman Boxwood Figure
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century English Folk-art Hand Carved Gentleman Figure
We are proud to offer a unique hand carved English folk-art figure of a quirky looking, very well dressed aged Engl...
Category
1910s British Vintage Folk Art Busts
Materials
Boxwood
Soapstone Hand-Carved Bust of Brahma with Four Faces
Located in North Hollywood, CA
This bust is a beautiful representation of lord Brahma.
Brahma is a part of the holy trinity of Hinduism along with Vishnu the Preserver and Shiva the destroyer.
He is depicted in Hi...
Category
20th Century Thai Folk Art Busts
Materials
Soapstone
17th Century French Stone Bust
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
An extremely rare 17th Century French life size headless bust of a robed male mounted on a steel base.
This bust has had a small amount of restoration, ...
Category
17th Century French Antique Folk Art Busts
Materials
Stone
Achille D'Orsi Sculpture Pescatorello, Early 1900s
By Achille D'Orsi
Located in bari, IT
Bronze sculpture on black marble base depicting a young boy holding some pots. Engraved signature of the artist. Manufactured in Italy, early 20th century.
Category
Early 1900s Italian Antique Folk Art Busts
Materials
Bronze
Hand Made Folk Art Pottery Sculpture of a Mans Head
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A wonderful sculpture of a mans head... reminiscent of an Italian icon, the piece is unique and a wonderful stand alone decorative piece or can be used as a paper weight or bookend. ...
Category
20th Century Folk Art Busts
Materials
Pottery
Outsider Art Fluorescent Papier-Mâché Bust Sculpture by Stephen Slomko
By Stephen Slomko
Located in Brooklyn, NY
For your consideration is this rare, one-of-a-kind bust by self-taught American outsider artist, Stephen Slomko (1929-2013). Slomko lived and worked in Farmingdale, New Jersey and up...
Category
1990s American Folk Art Busts
Materials
Polystyrene, Paper, Paint
"Man with Cup" by Allan Winkler
Located in Chicago, IL
Although this whimsical sculpture by Allan Winkler has the look of outsider art, this ceramic work stems from the art school-trained artist’s interest in...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Folk Art Busts
Materials
Ceramic
Artist’s Model, Bust of a Young Woman on a Slate Block
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Artist’s Model, Bust of a Young Woman on a Slate Block
This is a very attractive hand made piece dating from the middle of the 20th Century, it was discovered in an Art Studio durin...
Category
1960s Vintage Folk Art Busts
Materials
Clay
Related Items
Jim Rose Barn House Structure, Welded Steel Sculpture Made with Salvaged Steel
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
This is a welded steel sculpture made by furniture creator Jim Rose. It is sustainable design created from salvaged and recycled steel panels left over from his larger projects. These sculptures reference traditional American Folk Art barn...
Category
2010s American Folk Art Busts
Materials
Steel
H 6.5 in W 10 in D 2.75 in
American Folk Art Carved Painted Wood Cat Sculpture
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage whimsical and playful American Folk Art carved wood sculpture features a hand carved and hand-painted seated cat with large expressive eyes and surprised look on its face. Th...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Busts
Materials
Wood
Antique Atlantic City Souvenir Penny Game from Boardwalk Empire
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A Historical artifact once used in the HBO series Boardwalk Empire. Maple cabinet with brass plaques and painted iron mechanism. Costing two quarters and a penny to play. Not tested ...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Busts
Materials
Metal
Vintage French Blue Tones Paper Garland Sculpture circa 1930 Antique Decor
Located in Barcelona, ES
Embrace the allure of vintage charm with this exquisite antique paper garland sculpture in mesmerizing blue tones. Crafted in France circa 1930, this piece is a testament to timeless...
Category
1930s French Vintage Folk Art Busts
Materials
Paper
H 157.49 in W 4.93 in D 4.73 in
Scandinavian 19th Century Hand-Carved Folk Art Duck Decoy
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Scandinavian 19th Century Hand-Carved Folk Art Duck Decoy. The duck has a charming tilt to it head and charming patina throughout. Wonderful collectable piece to add to a grouping.
Category
Late 19th Century Scandinavian Antique Folk Art Busts
Materials
Wood, Paint
Found and Salvaged Steel House Structure, Modern and Minimalist Sculpture
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
Jim Rose, known primarily for his steel furniture, was an avid collector and scoured salvage yards for unique and interesting items. Here, a collection of found steel is reworked, pr...
Category
2010s American Folk Art Busts
Materials
Metal, Steel
H 5.5 in W 7.75 in D 1.75 in
Soapstone Hand-Carved Bust of Brahma with Four Faces
Located in North Hollywood, CA
This bust is a beautiful representation of lord Brahma.
Brahma is a part of the holy trinity of Hinduism along with Vishnu the Preserver and Shiva the destroyer.
He is depicted in Hi...
Category
20th Century Thai Folk Art Busts
Materials
Soapstone
Pair of 19th Century Busts
Located in Madrid, ES
Pair of 19th century busts. These are 2 19th century Gesso painted busts of 2 archaeologists of the period. Measurements: 69 x 62 x 28 Y 65 x 60 x 30
Good condition.
Category
19th Century English Antique Folk Art Busts
Materials
Gesso
The Wind, Original Marble Sculpture, 1920s
Located in Roma, IT
The Wind is an original marble sculpture made by Anonymous artist and realized in the 1920s.
A beautiful white marble sculpture representing a female portrait as the personificati...
Category
1920s Italian Vintage Folk Art Busts
Materials
Marble
African Folk Art Hand Carved Sculpture Fork and Spoon
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Hand carved African tribal wood carved sculpture of a men and women,
Africa tribal Art Decor.
Kenyan tribal sculpture featuring an elongated standing man and women with a crown and metal choker.
Very simple modern look carved ethnic sculpture...
Category
20th Century Kenyan Folk Art Busts
Materials
Wood
Jim Rose Barn House Structure, Welded Steel Object Made with Salvaged Steel
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
This is a welded steel sculpture made by furniture creator Jim Rose. It is sustainable design created from salvaged and recycled steel panels left over from his larger projects. These sculptures reference traditional American Folk Art barn house models or bird houses. This sculpture works alone on a shelf or table or can be grouped with other house sculptures by the artist. Each house sculpture is unique in design and color.
Jim Rose
Structure #168
found steel with natural rust patina and paint
6h x 4.50w x 2.50d in
15.24h x 11.43w x 6.35d cm
Jim Rose
b. 1966
Bio
Born in Indiana, Jim Rose lived in Europe until he returned to the United States to attend college. After one year at Bard College, Jim transferred to the School of the Art Institute in Chicago (SAIC) where he graduated in 1988 with a BFA. His skillful interpretation of the Shaker design is a result of intense research and field study of Shaker furniture, architecture, culture and history. After over two decades of dedicated work, he has mastered the minimalism of the Shaker technique and created his own unique visual vernacular. The quilts of Gee's Bend have become a monumental influence taking this artist's work to new levels of unique interpretation and artistry. His selection of aged steel results in a patina directly related to that of aged wood while his colored strips beautifully mimic worn cloth. Each piece of furniture is masterfully made and intended for daily use. Jim Rose’s steel furniture is featured every year at SOFA Chicago for the past 25 years.
Jim Rose
b. 1966, Wisconsin
Education
1989 B.F.A., Sculpture, The School of the Art Institute of Chicago, IL
1988 Student at Large, Welding Technology, Triton College, Chicago, IL
1985 Undergraduate Photography Bard College, Annandale-on-Hudson, New York
Awards
2008 Wisconsin Arts Board Fellowship Award, Madison, WI
2005 Elizabeth R. Raphael Founder’s Prize, Society for Contemporary Craft, Pittsburgh, PA
2003 Grant Recipient for Shaker Interpretations in Cast Iron, PA Arts Assoc / WI Arts Board
2003 Arts/Industry Residency Program for Visual Artists, John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Solo Exhibitions
2017 New Work, Tory Folliard Gallery, Milwaukee, WI
2012 Simply Steel, Leigh Yawkey Woodson Art Museum, Wausau, WI
2007 Variation, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL
2003 New Work, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL
2001 Shaker in Steel / New Work, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL
2000 Shaker in Steel / New Work, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL
1999 Hands and Heart to Steel III, Ann Nathan Gallery, Chicago, IL
National Exhibitions
2017-2018 SOFA Chicago – Gallery Victor Armendariz
2016 - 1995 SOFA Chicago, New York, Palm Beach - Ann Nathan Gallery
2011 - 2002 Art Chicago - Ann Nathan Gallery
Group Exhibitions
2017 Coming Attractions: Inaugural Exhibition, Gallery Victor Armendariz, Chicago, IL
2017 Living with Art: The Newman Collection, 108 Contemporary, Tulsa, Oklahoma
2016 Form Follows Function: The Intersection of Art and Craft, The Hardy Gallery...
Category
2010s American Folk Art Busts
Materials
Steel
Striking & Hand Carved, Stylized Wooden Art Deco Nude Female Sculpture Bookends
Located in Lisse, NL
Impressive and highly stylish female bookends, hand carved out nutwood.
The artist who handcarved these wonderfully stylized, sitting female bookends has perfectly captured the natu...
Category
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Busts
Materials
Nutwood
H 6.8 in W 4.45 in D 3.1 in
Previously Available Items
Mid-20th Century Folk art Carved Male Wooden Bust
Located in London, GB
Mid-20th Century Folk art Carved Male Wooden Bust
“He could have smiled at least”, An unusual folk art carved wooden bust in the form of a grumpy looking man. Carved from a single p...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Folk Art Busts
Materials
Wood
Vintage Folk Art Bob Dylan Bust
Located in Charleston, SC
This fantastic sculpture of Bob Dylan is made of plaster and finished in a verdigris patina and is gold leafed. Acquired from an Augusta estate, where there was a plethora of Bob Dy...
Category
1970s American Vintage Folk Art Busts
Materials
Gold Leaf
1950s Vintage Mexican Folk Art Metal Tin Mask with Piercing Green Eyes
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1950s Vintage Mexican Folk Art Metal Mask with Piercing Green Eyes
Small Tin mask made in metal sheets with green marbles eyes.
Chain inside to hang on wall.
...
Category
1950s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Busts
Materials
Metal
Vintage Italian Pottery Old Sicilian Caltagirone Head Vase Majolica Moor
Located in Wilton, CT
Old Sicilian pottery Moorish head vase, circa early/mid 20th century. 17" high, 11" diameter. Repair to back of vase, as shown.
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Folk Art Busts
Materials
Pottery
Vintage Boxing Dummy
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Great form! vintage boxing practice dummy. Presented on cast iron museum stand. Realistic features. Torso lifts off stand.
Dimensions on stand: 19.5 x...
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Busts
Materials
Latex, Rubber
White Plaster Death Mask Male Head on Stand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
White plaster death mask male head on stand. A plaster cast of a males head, possibly a death mask or a mold for a Hollywood prosthetic. The head is...
Category
20th Century Folk Art Busts
Materials
Plaster
Native American Brown Faux Bois Ceramic Bust of a Warrior Titled Brave, 1969
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A faux bois ceramic bust of a Native American warrior titled “Brave”. This folk art piece is created in ceramic, and hollow on the inside. The sculpture depicts a Native American war...
Category
1960s American Vintage Folk Art Busts
Materials
Ceramic, Paint
Vintage French Papier Mache Brightly Painted Carnival Heads
Located in Vancouver, British Columbia
A variety of large brightly-painted vintage French papier mâché Carnival or ‘caricature’ type heads.
Category
20th Century French Folk Art Busts
Materials
Paper
19th American Carving in the Form of Lady Liberty's Head
Located in Nantucket, MA
A masterfully carved pine head of Lady Liberty in an upward gazing pose and wearing a headband with a large star, on a custom base. Painted in verdigris green, the carving was probably part of a larger carving, perhaps a ships figurehead or for a public space. Carvings of this scale were often associated with the work of shipcarvers who carved various elements for ships, such as, figureheads, trail boards, pilot house eagles...
Category
1870s American Antique Folk Art Busts
Materials
Wood, Paint
19th Century Amercian Folkart Self Taught Unique Pine Milliners Busts
Located in London, GB
19th century pine milliners busts
We are proud to offer a rare pair of hand carved late 19th century milliner busts, each example is made from a singl...
Category
1890s American Antique Folk Art Busts
Materials
Pine, Paint
Mid-20th Century Balinese Carved Woman Bust
Located in Dallas, TX
Presenting a very nice mid-20th century Balinese carved woman bust.
From Bali, circa 1960.
Exotic hardwood hand carved to depict a Balinese Lady ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Balinese Folk Art Busts
Materials
Hardwood
Midcentury Stoneware Outsider Folk Art Male Bust Signed O.M. 58
Located in Ferndale, MI
Folky stoneware sculpture of male bust. Incised mark OM 58. Believed to be O.M. Tannenbaum 1958. Hollow body still heavy.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Busts
Materials
Stoneware
Folk Art busts for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique folk art busts 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 busts created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, folk art, asian art and furniture and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, ceramic and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art busts made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original busts, popular names associated with this style include Achille D'Orsi, and Stephen Slomko. 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 busts differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $565 and tops out at $3,600 while the average work can sell for $1,415.