Decortype › Paper, Painting & Prints › Folk Painting

Tole painting

Europe tradition · 5 examples · indicative market tier: Under $500 (entry level & living craft)

Tole painting is the folk art of decorative painting on tin and wooden utensils, objects and furniture. Typical metal objects include utensils, coffee pots, and similar household items. Wooden objects include tables, chairs, and chests, including hope chests, toyboxes and jewelry boxes. Wikipedia →

Types & examples

Joseph Augustus Tole (cropped)
Joseph Augustus Tole (cropped)
Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
Elliott Tole Lane
Elliott Tole Lane
Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
Joseph Augustus Tole
Joseph Augustus Tole
Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
Wilhelm Stockmann & Cie, fijn geschilderd 'tole peint' portret, ca. 1820
Wilhelm Stockmann & Cie, fijn geschilderd 'tole peint' portret, ca. 1820
Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
Gunakar Mahabihar Chushayabaha, Jyatha Tole Buddha Kathmandu Nepal Rajesh Dhungana(12)
Gunakar Mahabihar Chushayabaha, Jyatha Tole Buddha Kathmandu Nepal Rajesh Dhungana(12)
Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Where to buy

1stDibsHigh-end antiques & design marketplaceBrowse listings → LiveAuctioneersAggregated live auctions worldwideBrowse listings → InvaluableAuction-house listings & price archiveBrowse listings → Christie'sMajor-auction results & upcoming salesBrowse listings → EtsyLiving artisans & vintage dealersBrowse listings → eBayBroad secondary market — vet sellers carefullyBrowse listings →

Each link opens a live, image-rich search for this craft on that marketplace. Listings rotate constantly; authenticate significant pieces independently — attribution quality varies widely outside museum collections.