Folk Art

As defined by the International Museum of Folk Art, folk art encompasses a broad range of forms – dance, song, poetry, and foods as well as art. It is handmade; traditional, reflecting shared cultural aesthetics and social issues which may change over time; and is of, by and for the people inclusive of class, status, culture, ethnicity, gender, and religion. It may be for community use or for sale as income or empowerment; learned formally, informally, or self-taught. It can be decorative or utilitarian used for daily, ritual or ceremonial purposes.

Showing 1–12 of 101 results

  • Ancient Bronze Mountain Goat Amulet, Iran, Luristan (1941BCE) $395

    $395.00
    H: 3″  W: 3.125″  D: 1.25″ | FREE SHIPPING

    In early culture to cast objects in bronze, Luristan artists made sophisticated and imaginative bronzes prized in the ancient world for their inventive designs and fine craftsmanship. They depicted local animals wherever they were, as a long horned goat like this was hunted and a major source of food for survival. This finely made standing figurine has a surprisingly detailed shaped head with long antlers, tall thin legs, large eyes and a slightly curved body and is mounted on a Lucite base.

  • Antique Agricultural Deity and Spring Ox, China (16337LKE) $885

    $885.00
    H: 14.25”  W: 7.125”  D: 4.875” | CALL 213-568-3030 FOR SHIPPING

    To pay homage and respect to one’s ancestors, Chinese rural families commissioned images to honor and protect family members, and in some instances, their domestic and farm animals as seen in this exceptional, fine and rare carving.  Intricately carved from one piece of wood, it depicts a Taoist official holding a hu tablet on top above  the “Spring Ox” accompanied by the “Herd Box”, who together perform an ancient agricultural rituals at the end of each winter to wake the earth up so that spring can arrive.

     

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    Antique Attendant with Offering, China (16424A-BLE) SPECIAL PRICE

    Original price was: $435.00.Current price is: $375.00.
    H: 15.5″. W: 5.5″. D: 4.24″  | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    Attendants like this often accompanied Taoist figures on home altars, along with other deities and spiritual images. They frequently presented offerings to them which, when tied with ribbons symbolized “ longevity for generations”. This 18-19th century carving may have accompanied a significant deity as the statue was covered in gilt and lacquer, some which has  naturally darkened from age and from years of incense, age and use.

  • Antique Brass Nandi, India (9509B-GAH) $155

    $155.00
    H: 3.5″  W: 1.75″  D: 2.5″ | FREE SHIPPING!

    This finely cast antique figurine with finely articulated features portrays Nandi with jewels sitting recumbent on a high-tiered throne. Kneeling in reverence to serve  Lord Shiva he is a symbol of purity and strength. Small figurines were placed on home shrines with other deities and significant family items. Made using lost wax   it is a one-of-a-kind piece

     

  • Antique Brass Vishnu Oil Lamp (Diya), India (9571B-PAH) $165

    $165.00
    Ht: 3.75”  W: 3”  D: 3.5” | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    This heavy antique brass oil lamp is devoted to Vishnu with symbols for him and his consort Lakshmi who together are the paradigm for rituals and ceremonies of a blessed Hindu marriage. Used on a home or temple altar for daily prayers (puja), it has with a yoni shaped cup to store oil, a lotus top and a mark of Vishnu that his devotees wear on their forehead to indicate their spiritual affiliation.

     

  • Antique Bronze/Brass Nandi, South India (9510VHE) $395

    $395.00
    H: 3.25”  W: 1.375”  D: 2.5” | FREE SHIPPING

    This small antique brass Nandi is exquisitely handcrafted with a wonderfully aged patina. He sits recumbent on a raised rectangular platform. Delicately incised with decorative details delineating the head, neck, snout and body, his right leg and tail are sinuous, graceful ornaments rather than defining features. His head is at a 45-degree with lyrically curved horns in contrast to most versions with horns extending backwards. This Nandi is based on a South Indian cow whose humpback is emphasized here by two parallel lines covering it as if is part of a saddle or another ornament feature.

  • Antique Carved Coconut Grater/Fruit Cutter, India (9225D-UKH) $250

    $250.00
    H: 5.125″  W: 21.5″  D: 9″ | CALL 213-568-3030 OR EMAIL VANISHINGARTS@GMAIL.COM FOR SHIPPING

    Hand carved coconut cutters like this were commonly used in India and Thailand to facilitate the difficult task of extracting all parts of the coconut that were routinely used in these cultures. Carvers took pleasure in creating unique and functional folk art tools with local artistic motifs. Long since discontinued, this carving with its intricate circular patterns and warm and rustic feel would be a special decorative addition to any style kitchen and an interesting conversational piece.

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  • Antique Carved Lacquered Pair of Fu Lions on Pedestals, China (19074ASE) $995

    $995.00
    H: 12″  D: 7″  D: 7.75″ | FOR SHIPPING INFORMATION CONTACT US AT 213-568-3030

    This very fine pair of antique carved males fu lions represents the dual nature of these mythical animals: as protective images they are powerful and fierce, as Buddhist images they are whimsical with smiling faces, dangling tongues, hanging ears and bushy tails. They are extremely well carved with harnesses and bells around their necks, detailed manes and tails on high intricately decorated bases to signal their importance. Perfect for enhancing feng shui in a home or office, large finely decorative wood pairs like this are extremely hard to find.

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  • Antique Carved Ox-Cart Ornament, Burma/Myanmar (11168BLK) $395

    $395.00
    H: 17.125”  W: 5”  D: 14.5” | CALL 213-568-3030 FOR SHIPPING

    Burmese ox carts are often decorated with carved teak ornaments attached to the yoke/cart crosspiece with a similar function of protection and guidance as the figurehead prow on a ship. This ornament of a man moving up a hill is probably a Burmese nat that wascinitially brightly painted andnow is mounted on a wood and metal stand.

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    Antique Carved Teak Figure, Burma/Myanmar, (11001BKE) SPECIAL PRICE

    Original price was: $450.00.Current price is: $395.00.
    H: 23″  W: 10″  D: 5.5″ | FOR SHIPPING INFORMATION CONTACT US AT 213-568-3030

    This wonderful teak carving may be an indigenous Burmese Nat placed atop a large fleur-de-lis shield reflecting British influence. Wearing a local native sarong (longyi) with an attractive border drawn up between his legs, a decorative pointed collar covers his chest and shoulders, his headgear is pointed at each side, the eyes are mother of pearl, and the red-painted lips are what remains of what was likely a fully painted carving.

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    Antique Carving of Taoist Fertility Goddess Niangniang, China (17005LREM) SPECIAL PRICE

    Original price was: $6,900.00.Current price is: $5,900.00.
    H: 43″  W: 15″  D 9.75″ |  CALL US AT 213-568-3030 FOR SHIPPING cost

    This large exceptionally impressive carving is the Taoist fertility goddess Niangniang, “The Maiden Who Brings Children” often portrayed similar to Songzi Guanyin. Created by a provincial artisan, she is charming, humble, has beautiful features is portrayed with three diminutive children and is represented as an empress figure in Taoist attire. This is a rare and truly magnificent carving.

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    Antique Cast Iron Pot w/Handle and Hook, India (5014JAK) SPECIAL PRICE

    Original price was: $150.00.Current price is: $125.00.
    H: 12.75″  Dia: 7″ | FREE SHIPPING IN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    This is simple but attractive antique welded Indian iron pot is covered with a nice antique rust color patina and its clear lines indicate where each metal piece was joined in its construction. Generally formed in an egg shape with a rounded bottom for easy pouring, it has a tactile charm and character that would add charm to any room, especially a kitchen, look more

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