Folk Art Boxes
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
U.S. Constitution Anniversary Folk Art Box c.1937
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
Hand crafted box with lid celebrating the 150th anniversary of the constitution—dated Sept. 17, 1937. Multiple engraved and burnished words and images.
CREATOR Unknown. ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Boxes
Materials
Wood
Large Wooden Tramp Art Box Folk Art Gold 20th Century
Located in Poperinge, BE
Large tramp art box with lid and brass handle, folk art object made of layered pieces of gold, partly gold colored, from the late first half of the 20th century.
Beautiful form of f...
Category
1940s European Vintage Folk Art Boxes
Materials
Wood
Antique Wooden Tramp Art Box Trinket Folk Art Unique Piece
Located in Poperinge, BE
Antique wooden rectangular tramp art box with hidden keyhole, elaborately decorated panels, stained dark brown. Folk art collector's item with a beautiful age patina from the early 2...
Category
Early 20th Century European Folk Art Boxes
Materials
Wood
Antique Tramp Art Box with Mirrors Folk Art Collectible
Located in Poperinge, BE
Beautiful antique tramp art box with mirrored panels on the sides and top, pointed feet and a triangular lid, partly covered with green velvet inside and decorated with a small mirro...
Category
Early 20th Century European Folk Art Boxes
Materials
Mirror, Wood
19th Century Swedish antique genuine rustic Bent wood box with original paint
Located in Boden, SE
19th Century Swedish Folk Art Bentwood Box from Hälsingland, Northern Sweden.
Oval box with lid.
Originalpainted with nice patina after several hundred years of use.
Beautifully pain...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Boxes
Materials
Pine
Vintage Hand Carved & Painted Soapstone Tiger Box - Unsigned - Late 20th Century
Located in Chatham, ON
Vintage hand carved and painted soapstone lidded box - taking the form of a seated tiger - unsigned - country of origin unknown - late 20th century.
Excellent vintage condition - cl...
Category
Late 20th Century Folk Art Boxes
Materials
Soapstone
19th Century Walnut Box With Bone and Mother Of Pearl Inlay
Located in Stamford, CT
19th century walnut box with bone and mother of pearl inlay, whaler made. This beautifully hand crafted box would have been made during the long voyage of a whaling ship. The star in...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Boxes
Materials
Bone, Mother-of-Pearl, Walnut
Small 19th Century original painted sarcophagus box
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Small 19th century original painted sarcophagus box circa 1870.
Beautiful decorative box with original paint. Sarcophagus shaped lidded box in original paint with traces of origin...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Boxes
Materials
Pine, Paint
Mid 18th century hand painted traditional Swedish pine chest
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid 18th century hand painted traditional Swedish chest/box circa 1750.
Stunning traditional Swedish box hand painted in the original paintwork. Decorated on all sides with swags ...
Category
Mid-18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Boxes
Materials
Iron
19th Century Tramp Art Jewelry Box
Located in High Point, NC
19th century tramp art jewelry box from England. The box has a domed top with layers upon layers of molded edges, leading up to a graceful formed...
Category
19th Century English Antique Folk Art Boxes
Materials
Fruitwood
Pink and Purple Sea Shell Encrusted Hinged Box with Purple Velvet Interior
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Elevate your space with this exceptionally rare vintage seashell box, a true testament to artisanal craftsmanship and natural beauty. Adorned with a curated arrangement of hand-selected seashells in soft lavenders, rose-pinks, creams, and ivory, this one-of-a-kind coastal treasure box evokes the romance of old-world seaside glamour.
Likely crafted in the mid-20th century, this shell-encrusted jewelry box features a charming domed lid and intricate shell mosaic work—making it a standout addition to any vintage coastal decor, cottagecore aesthetic, or grandmillennial interior. Whether styled on a vanity, nestled into a bookshelf, or offered as a luxurious gift, this box blends nostalgia with natural elegance.
Key Features:
Authentic vintage seashell trinket box, circa 1950s–1970s
Completely handmade using real seashells, no two alike
Gorgeous palette of pastel shells: mauve, blush, ivory, taupe
Functional hinged lid and purple velvet-lined interior
Ideal for jewelry storage, keepsakes, or as an heirloom gift
Excellent vintage condition with rich patina and natural wear
Styling Ideas:
Style atop a Louis XV bombe chest...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Boxes
Materials
Shell
Hand-Carved English Yorkshire Terrier Box, Circa 1930's
Located in High Point, NC
Vintage English hand-carved box in the form of a Yorkshire Terrier. This box just grabs your heart and squeezes it with the fluffy coat of fur and the sweet expression. This piece ...
Category
1930s English Vintage Folk Art Boxes
Materials
Fruitwood
Antique Swedish Wooden storage box 1865 Handmade Folk Craft
Located in Forest, BE
Swedish antique pine and birch wooden storage box. . Fine quality of bentwood. It is a true piece from the 19 century. Initials are hand painted on the top 1865 and hand engraved und...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Boxes
Materials
Birch, Pine
Hand-Carved Vintage Folk Art Wooden Tramp Art Style Storage Box
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Hand-Carved vintage Folk Art wooden Tramp Art style storage box from Poland.
This handcrafted Tramp Art style box is covered with geometric designs creating alternating depths on all...
Category
Mid-20th Century Polish Folk Art Boxes
Materials
Wood
Victorian Antique Smoker’s Cane Walking Stick with Money & Matches Box
Located in Shippensburg, PA
VICTORIAN SMOKING CANE WITH A ROTATING MONEY BOX AND MATCH COMPARTMENT
Unmarked, probably English; late 19th/early 20th century
35" H x 2 1/8" W
An interesting smoker's cane, the ...
Category
20th Century British Folk Art Boxes
Materials
Nickel
Antique Black Forest Brienz Hand Carved Trinket Box, Folk Art 1890s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Found in Germany at an estate sale, this hand carved trinket box or catchall is perfect for the collector. Nice antique collectible to display in yo...
Category
1890s German Antique Folk Art Boxes
Materials
Wood
Chinese Checkered Papier-Mâché Box
Located in Chicago, IL
Formed around a simple wooden frame, this papier-mâché storage box is a charming example of Chinese folk art. Crafted with old newspapers and dyed rice paper, the box would have been...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Folk Art Boxes
Materials
Paper
Antique Swedish Folk Art Tea Caddy in Hand-Carved Wood, 19th century
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A fine hand-tooled and ebonized wooden tea canister of Swedish origin - circa 1850-1890. Folk art piece made by an unknown artisan.
Measurements: H: 18 cm, Diameter: 15 cm.
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Boxes
Materials
Oak
Early 19th century Swedish hand painted pine blanket box
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 19th century Swedish painted blanket box circa 1816.
Traditional rag painted Swedish box which is initialed and dated 1816. Flat top lid which makes it ideal for doubling up ...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Boxes
Materials
Pine, Paint
19th Century Folk Art Wood Black Painted Box
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Folk Art Wood Black Painted Box, Mid to late 19th Century.
Charming handcrafted black painted box with unbeatable patina. The interior features off white paint and there is a bras...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Folk Art Boxes
Materials
Brass
Antique Swedish flour Wooden storage box 1800's Handmade Folk Craft blue painted
Located in Forest, BE
Swedish antique pine and birch wooden flour box. All made by hand, the lid is perfectly adjusted to the barrel. Fine quality of bentwood. It is a true piece from the late 18 century ...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Boxes
Materials
Birch, Pine
19th Century Swedish Provincial Spice Box
Located in Bozeman, MT
Charming 19th century Swedish provincial spice box in its original condition with two sliding doors and one drawer. The interior contains eight compartments intended for different dr...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Boxes
Materials
Pine
Antique Swedish Large Wooden storage box 1802 Handmade Folk Craft
Located in Forest, BE
Swedish antique pine and birch wooden storage box. The lady’s got them to store there small goods at the wedding. Fine quality of bentwood. It is a true piece from the early 19 centu...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Boxes
Materials
Birch, Pine
Scandinavian hand painted 19th century pine strong box
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Scandinavian hand painted 19th century pine strong box circa 1840.
Good example of traditional rustic Swedish woodwork. Painted in a russet red paint with hand painted cream drags....
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Boxes
Materials
Metal
Antique Hindu Brass Box with Peacocks and Elephants
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Antique Hindu brass decorative box.
This is an antique Mughal style brass Indian ornate locking trinket box container.
It has six compartments that lock ...
Category
Late 19th Century Indian Antique Folk Art Boxes
Materials
Brass
Swedish 18th Century Yellow Folk Art Painted Wooden Box
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A painted turn of the 18th-19th Century Swedish Folk Art wood box, with original yellow paint on the exterior. The original ochre yellow color has be...
Category
1790s Swedish Antique Folk Art Boxes
Materials
Metal
19th Century Swedish Allmoge Folk Art Bentwood Chest
Located in Pearland, TX
An incredible Swedish hand-painted chest, having hand-forged iron straps and fittings. Original key included.
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Boxes
Materials
Bentwood
Rare Asian camphorwood jewelry box from the 1950s
Located in Cantù, IT
Rare Asian camphorwood jewelry box from the 1950s
Category
20th Century Central Asian Folk Art Boxes
Materials
Wood
Late 19th Century Tramp Art Box
Located in Bradenton, FL
Vintage late 19th century Tramp Art Box inset with mirror and fabric. "Tramp Art" objects began in the 1870s, driven by the abundance of wooden cigar boxes and their availability to ...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Boxes
Materials
Textile, Wood
Early 20th Century Vintage Artists Paint Box and Pallet, Denmark
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Danish Vintage Artists Paint Box and Pallet, Early 20th Century
Well loved Danish artists traveling wooden box with everything needed to paint on location. This charming box, acqui...
Category
Early 19th Century Danish Antique Folk Art Boxes
Materials
Brass
18th Century Swedish genuine country Folk Art box with original paint
Located in Boden, SE
A very beautiful folk Art box from Burträsk ,Västerbotten Northern Sweden.
A very decorative original painting that is typical of that region.
Nice salmon pink original painting ins...
Category
1890s Swedish Antique Folk Art Boxes
Materials
Pine
Small mid 19th century Swedish painted pine decorative box
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Small mid 19th century Swedish painted pine strong box circa 1842.
Beautiful small Scandinavian strong box, presented with scraped back paint to reveal original. Feintly still bari...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Boxes
Materials
Metal
Vintage Boho Tramp Art Lidded Box
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Discover the intricate beauty of this Vintage Boho Tramp Art Lidded Box, a testament to folk artistry and meticulous craftsmanship. This unique piece showcases the distinctive chip-c...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Boxes
Materials
Fabric, Wood
Antique Wooden and Cardboard Apothecary Pharmacy Storage Jar for Valerian Root
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic early 1900s wooden and cardboard apothecary pharmacy storage jar or box for Valerian Root. Nice addition to your room or just for use it on your desk. Found at an estate sale...
Category
Early 1900s German Antique Folk Art Boxes
Materials
Plywood, Paper
Antique Swedish Large Wooden storage box 1800's Handmade Folk Craft
Located in Forest, BE
Swedish antique pine and birch wooden storage box. The lady’s got them to store there small goods at the wedding. Fine quality of bentwood. It is a true piece from the early 19 cen...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Boxes
Materials
Birch, Pine
Large Antique Carved Painted Collectibles Box with Lions
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Antique carved wood painted box featuring two lions. This rectangular box features a hinged lid made of iron. The box is perfect for collectables as well as securing important docume...
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Folk Art Boxes
Materials
Metal
Antique Swedish Wooden barrel 1800's Handmade Folk Craft great condition
Located in Forest, BE
Swedish antique pine hand crafted wooden barrel. Made to be used as a washing basin or a grain storage. Fine quality of bentwood. It is a true piece from the early 19 century. Beaut...
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Boxes
Materials
Birch, Pine
Antique Genuine Swedish Folk Art Box Made by Hand in Pine with Authentic Patina
Located in Kramfors, SE
Swedish folk art box made by hand in solid pine. This box is made in northern Sweden during the mid 1800s, around 1850, and is in original condition with the first layer of paint. Th...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Boxes
Materials
Pine
Mid 18th century Swedish pine chest decorated with labyrinth
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid 18th century Swedish pine chest decorated with labyrinth circa 1730.
Rare and beautiful Swedish pine chest. Traces of original paint to the outside with decorative metal strap...
Category
Mid-18th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Boxes
Materials
Metal
19thC Antique Folk Art Treenware Carved Turned Wood Tea Caddy Box Handpainted
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
This striking antique 19th-century treenware tea caddy is a beautiful example of folk art craftsmanship. Skillfully hand-carved and turned from wood, this charming caddy features a r...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Boxes
Materials
Wood
19th Century Indonesian Red and Black Lacquered Document Box with Brass Handles
Located in Middleburg, VA
This 19th century red and black lacquered Indonesian document box is a beautiful way to keep your important papers tucked away. Made of richly patinated teak with intricate red and b...
Category
19th Century Indonesian Antique Folk Art Boxes
Materials
Teak
Early 20th century Norwegian pokerwork tine box
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 20th century Scandinavian pokerwork tine box circa 1904.
Beautiful quality small Norwegian pokerwork tine box. Stunning desktop item, with carved dragons to the sides and aro...
Category
Early 20th Century Norwegian Folk Art Boxes
Materials
Pine
19th Century Swedish antique rustic Folk Art Wooden box with original color
Located in Boden, SE
19th century Swedish folk art wooden box from Piteå, Norbotten Northern Sweden
The wooden box has untouched original color.
The box is stable in construction.
Nice storage inside.
Ha...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Boxes
Materials
Iron
Early Swedish 19th Century Wooden Folk Art Box with Originally Paint
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A Swedish original painted Folk Art box. From the beginning of the 19th century, most likely used to keep writing supplies and office materials.
Category
Early 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Boxes
Materials
Pine
Antique American Folk Art Tramp Art Carved Box
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique American Folk Art Tramp Art Carved Box, probably Late 19th/Early 20th Century. A decorative box ornamented with layers of classic Tramp Art chip carved borders enclosing velvet ground panels centered by elongated star...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Boxes
Materials
Velvet, Wood
19th Century Large Store Tea Tin Hand Painted Parnall & Sons Bristol, England
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous and large store tea tin by Parnall & Sons who were the people to see for outfitting your store and much more as the company grew from 1830. Hand painted showing a girl servi...
Category
Mid-19th Century British Antique Folk Art Boxes
Materials
Metal
Danish 19th Century Wooden Folk Art Bible Box "Forget Me Not"
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Mid-19th century wooden box designed to look like a Bible. Text engraved with monogramme.
The four words in the corners are quite cute and charming:
Danish: "FOR - GLEM - MIG - EJ"...
Category
19th Century Danish Antique Folk Art Boxes
Materials
Wood
Rare Swedish Antique Blue Folk Art Box
Located in Kramfors, SE
Rare antique blue box in folk art from Sweden made during the mid 1800s. The box is an attractive size and can be used for anything from storing doc...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Boxes
Materials
Pine
Mid 19th century Swedish folk art painted box
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Mid 19th century swedish folk art painted box circa 1865.
Good quality swedish pine metal bound box. Decorated with original ragwork paint and blue painted strap work. Hand painte...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Boxes
Materials
Metal
Chinese Blossom Papier-Mâché Box
Located in Chicago, IL
Formed around a simple wooden frame, this papier-mâché storage box is a charming example of Chinese folk art. Crafted with old newspapers and dyed rice paper, the box would have been...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Folk Art Boxes
Materials
Paper
Folk Art Geometric Inlaid Wood Small Hinged Box
Located in West Chester, PA
Hand made geometric inlaid wooden hinged xox with red enameled interior.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Boxes
Materials
Wood
Antique Rajasthani Footed Chest Box India 1900's
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Antique Rajasthani Shekhawati Merchant's Footed Chest Box India 1900's.
Early 20th Century Indian carved wood storage cash footed box used by merchants in ...
Category
Early 20th Century Indian Folk Art Boxes
Materials
Metal
Scandinavian hand painted folk art pine box
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Scandinavian hand painted folk art pine box circa 1850.
Fine example of traditional Swedish hand painted woodenware.
Slight dome topped lid which opens to reveal a unfitted interio...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Boxes
Materials
Pine, Paint
Round Primitive Ceramic Decorative Trinket Studio Pottery Dish with Lid in Brown
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A round studio pottery trinket dish in brown. This piece will be perfect for a nightstand, coffee table, or bar. It is round and glazed in a deep brown. The lid on the top features a...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Boxes
Materials
Ceramic, Clay
Swedish Marriage Box
Located in Greenwich, CT
A Swedish dowry box presented to the bride by her parents on the occasion of her marriage, decorated with homemade pigments in traditional folk-art patterns in faded grey blues and s...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Boxes
Materials
Wood
Mid 19th Century Swedish Folk Art small Travel box /chest with original paint
Located in Boden, SE
Mid 19th Century Swedish Folk Art Travel box from Skellefteå Västerbotten, Northern Sweden.
Beautiful untouched original paint.
Dated 1858
Decorated with handwrought iron around the ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Boxes
Materials
Iron
Signed Ukrainian Bent and Pierced Oval Birch Box
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A very well crafted Oval Birch Box with an interesting and stylish pierced and colored surface treatment, thick bent wood handle and woven top edge. At one end, the bent panel has th...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Ukrainian Folk Art Boxes
Materials
Birch
Large Folk Art Sea Shell Encrusted Tissue or Kleenex Box Cover
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A large folk art sea shell encrusted tissue box. This shell-covered box is the perfect way to add coastal design to a space. It is rectangular in sh...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Boxes
Materials
Shell, Fabric, Wood
Folk Art boxes for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique folk art boxes 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 boxes created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, folk art, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, softwood and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art boxes made in a specific country, there are Europe, Scandinavia, and Sweden pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original boxes, popular names associated with this style include Berber Tribes of Morocco, Anthony Redmile London, Arthur Court, and Frank Finney. 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 boxes differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $95 and tops out at $4,600 while the average work can sell for $848.
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