The carved and painted figures collected in this exceptional book are excellent examples of a wide-spread American folk art tradition that flourished from the middle of the 18th to the end of the 19th-century. 183 photographic illustrations, 4 reproduced in full-color on the covers. List of illustrations. Extensive bibliography.

Folk artists, whether of yesterday or today, are the ongoing celebrants of the American experience & spirit. Although their work may be appreciated on aesthetics alone, they are also social historians whose text flows powerfully through paint, wood, stone, metal, clay, & fabric to provide a vivid look at the content of American life. This book, richly illustrated with over 260 color plates, presents a sampling of the wealth & variety of American folk art from the late 17th through the late 20th century. Its scope includes objects from many diverse subject areas -- paintings, household furnishings of many kinds, textiles, sculpture, & environments.

A study of the things made for use in America which are folk sculpture: weathervanes, decoys, emblems, signs, etc. and of the craftsmen who made them.

Today's artists, designers, and craftspeople turn to the charming and distinctive motifs of early American folk art time and time again for design inspiration. This rich collection includes more than 170 authentic designs adapted from objects in museums and private collections — from quilts, embroidery, and appliqué work to watercolor paintings, tinware, and gravestones. Captions provide information on the original objects from which the designs were drawn, the medium used, region of origin, and approximate date.