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.

  • Vintage Mask of a Strong Minister (Topeng Keras), Bali (1301-4FBE) $125

    Vintage Mask of a Strong Minister (Topeng Keras), Bali (1301-4FBE) $125

    $125.00

    Court ministers (patih) in Bali, Indonesia are danced in mask (topeng) performances named Topeng Panjegan where a single dancer interprets 5 legendary characters wearing full face masks, cannot speak and much portray them only through gestures and body language and positions. Patih manis (literally sweet, a good natured, diplomatic minister) is often the first solo…

  • Vintage Panel of a Court Dancer, Burma/Myanmar (T052A-BLE) $335

    Vintage Panel of a Court Dancer, Burma/Myanmar (T052A-BLE) $335

    $335.00

    Traditional Burmese dance has its roots in folk religion and is a combination of ancient animism, nat worship and a later syncretic blend with Buddhism. Ethnic minorities often perform dances that include warriors , Zawgyi (shaman) and nats wielding swords or holding drums while dressed in full-body costumes. Burmese performances were regulated with limitations on…

  • Vintage Panel of a Female Farmer with a Basket, Myanmar/Burma (T052B-BLE) $335

    Vintage Panel of a Female Farmer with a Basket, Myanmar/Burma (T052B-BLE) $335

    $335.00

    Burmese women always have taken part in demanding strenuous work, but they rarely see themselves as farmers. This is because of Burma’s old patriarchal culture, narrow Burmese laws and social limitations of rural beliefs that define them as workers who labor for men: their father, brother or husband. This wonderful painted folk-art wood panel of…

  • Vintage Panel of a Female Farmer,Burma/Myanmar (T052C-BLE) $335

    Vintage Panel of a Female Farmer,Burma/Myanmar (T052C-BLE) $335

    $335.00

    Burmese women always did strenuous work, yet they rarely see themselves as farmers. This is due to Burma’s old patriarchal culture, Burmese laws and narrow rural beliefs defining them as workers laboring for men only: their father, brother or husband. This wonderful painted wood panel of a barefoot female farmer depicts her with the long…

  • Vintage Rice Spoon with Bird Handle, Indonesia, Lombok (1229MAE) $115

    Vintage Rice Spoon with Bird Handle, Indonesia, Lombok (1229MAE) $115

    $115.00

    This vintage Indonesian rice paddle/spoon was crafted from local wood by a Lombok craftsman and is a fine example of the cultural art of the Sasak people who number three million and comprise about 80% of its population. As animism farmers for two millennia, they lived in houses surrounding religious compounds where they held religious…

  • Sale! Vintage Terracotta Cow, India #11322YAK

    Vintage Terracotta Cow, India #11322YAK

    Original price was: $105.00.Current price is: $85.00.
    H: 7″  W:8.25″    D: 3.125″    |  FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    Vintage bivalve mold figures like this cow were hand luted and hand painted, in the likeness of Hindu religious figures, soldiers, animals are used in rural India where they are seen as wishes for a better life.

  • Vintage Terracotta Raja on Horse, India (11295GAK) $145

    Vintage Terracotta Raja on Horse, India (11295GAK) $145

    $145.00

    Earthenware terracotta pottery has played a significant role in the cultural, religious and artistic traditions of India for centuries. Indian terracotta images are considered spiritual, mystical and auspicious as Hindus believe terracotta incorporates the five natural elements of air, fire, earth, water and metal. Made with a bivalve mould that is hand luted and hand…

  • Vintage Wood Tibetan Lama Mask, China (16936B-IRK) $295

    Vintage Wood Tibetan Lama Mask, China (16936B-IRK) $295

    $295.00

    Mask carving is among the oldest of Tibetan art and folk-art forms dating to 6th century Bonpo dances, the religion predating Buddhism, that embraces animism and shamanism dances. Totem animal masks were traditionally used in sacred ceremonial dances: shamanic rituals to thank the gods, expel bad spirits, and ask for blessings; operas in performances without…

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