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 25–36 of 62 results
This authentic danced topeng bondres Balinese mask is a clownish character in both mask dances and traditional historical topeng dramas. With an exaggerated smile and grotesque features, it provides comic relief. Carved by same artisan as1212B, they make great as a pair.
Antique Chinese puppets were often made in several parts with removable heads. This early 20th century puppet head represents a young, refined, or virtuous female role in traditional Chinese opera.with delicately painted features and animal hair braided down the back.
This Kitchen God and his Wife is posed as streamlined virtual mirror-images and fashioned with a general quality relying on paint rather than deep carving for details. They sit on backless chairs on a plinth, with simplified gold officials’ robes with long color sashes, and well-carved black and gilt head gear. The wife’s face is smooth, generalized and the male face has a more deeply carved surface and painted highlights.
Masterfully carved authentic antique mask of powerful Monkey King Subali from the Ramayana with exaggerated simian characteristics made to present his power. Wear from use in Balinese drama theater presentations.
This authentic blackened elongated anthropomorphic oval ritual mask is strongly associated with animist traditions of the West Timor Atoni people. Its simple geometric features, broad face, and animal hide are distinctive Antoni minimalist carving traditions.
This rare vintage Balinese mask of Jatayu was used in Ramayana performances. He is the Hindu vehicle of Vishnu, one of the principal Hindu Gods triad. On a museum quality stand.
This finely detailed hardwood mold was used to make sweetmeats confections, perhaps mooncakes for the Chinese Autumn Moon Festival. It is covered with deeply carved propitious symbols for marital harmony, sons and successful endeavors: a four clawed dragon for fertility, two ducks symbolizing marital bliss and harmony, one atop a carp for conjugal bliss and achieving noble rank and a boat with a sail for making all this easy sailing. This would be a great accessory or gift (especially for weddings) to spice up any kitchen.
This vibrant folk-art mask is a hybrid of a beast (tecuan) and a devil (diablo) mask. It mixes pre-Hispanic indigenous folklore with 16th century Spanish Catholic colonial traditions. Although not created as a dance mask, traditional artisans carved masks for collectors traveling through Mexican artisan markets, creating a new popular, well respected, and prized folk art form.
This antique coconut grater is a very practical multi-use creation designed to cut, grate, shave, husk, and shred coconuts and large fruits and vegetables. Some were carved as crouching rabbits and others like this were realistic renderings of small mammals. Its decorative appeal includes lovely 6-petal flowers above its four legs and elegantly curved and metal piece extending ” W:from its mouth. With its warm and rustic feel, it would be a unique decorative addition to any kitchen and an interesting conversational piece.
Dhorka brass lost wax method grain and rice measuring bowl. One-of-a-kind intricately decorated with horizontal and triangular striations. Bowls were symbol of Hindu goddess Lakshmi placed on home altars for puja.
Whimsical carvings of fu lions were the most popular mythical animals in Chinese homes, especially during the Ming and Qing dynasties, as free standing statues, designs on furniture, architectural elements and functional pieces in private homes or gardens or on a home altar to bring fu and the blessings to the home. This incredibly cute…
The Mid Autumn Moon Festival, also called the Mooncake Festival, is the 2nd most important holiday after the Chinese New Year, celebrated when the full moon is at its brightest point on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar. It is a time for multi-generational gatherings when families dine together in harmony,…
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