Folk Art Figurative Sculptures

White balloon forms lift a miniature figure through a pale blue sky in this mixed media wall diorama by Italian artist Vera Vizzi. The figure wears red and hangs beneath fine wires, ...

One of a kind Goddess sculpture by Noche Crist (1909-2004). Noche Crist was an American artist born in Romania. Sculpture is made from polyester res...

A LARGE SILVER CHALLAH TRAY Germany c. 1890. Crimped border. Chased with biblical passage with commandment to “Remember the Sabbath” Dimensions: 16.5” x 11.2”. Stamped Germany. Wit...

Really well done, cool hand-carved man. I thought this rather tall figure was a piece of American folk art. I am now told that it's possibly African in origin. So I'm not completely ...

Magda Watts (Israeli, b. 1928) Handmade Folk Art Sculpture Old Folks with a newspaper Hand signed to underside, Dimensions: 12"h x 14.5" l x 7.5"d. Magda Watts, Holocaust survivor, dollmaker She grew up in the Hungarian town of Nyiregyhaza, which the war reached in 1944. Jews were herded into a ghetto, where they remained for several weeks. Magda began making dolls while being held in the concentration camp at Auschwitz, Poland in 1944. Her creativity and imagination helped her to survive the horrors of the holocaust and led to an inspirational career in art and visual storytelling. A resident of Eilat, Israel, she is an internationally known artist. Her intricate soft fabric and textile dolls and panoramas bring the people of the shtetl back to life. She has recreated part of the Jewish community of her native Hungary in order that it might never be forgotten. A documentary was made on her life, “Liberation of the Spirit: The Journey of Magda Watts”. The film opens with a close-up of Watts' hands. She is shaping a doll head, pressing creases with a wooden tool into pliable sculpting resin that later will be hardened by baking. With a few nicks and strokes, human features begin to emerge from the shapeless lump. "I don't know why I am making old people," she says. "It is coming out from me. I can't order my hand what to do." She calls her dolls "small human beings. When you see them in half-dark, you see them dancing, speaking, like they are in life." She makes the dolls in batches of body parts, and also makes most of the props that go with them: miniature furniture, musical instruments, tiny leather shoes with wax soles, even treadle sewing machines. Watts survived the Auschwitz death factory, then the labor camp at Nuremberg. It was there that she created the ancestors of the folk-art masterpieces she now crafts, such artful and appealing rag dolls that Nazi guards would swap extra bread for them. That, she says, "was life" for her and her sister Shari, enough to keep them alive. The doll scene is typical of her work: lifelike yet cartoonish figures set in evocative tableaux. She makes them in her workshop in Israel. Starting at $1,500, Watts' soft dolls are sold only in Israel, but collected worldwide. She once made a panorama of the Jewish people's 5,000-year history for an Israel museum, and a violinist doll for concert great Isaac Stern. The dolls are tailors, jewelers, klezmer musicians, seamstresses, musicians, students, rabbis, a cast of characters from the shtetl of a bygone Europe and from small corners of the modern Jewish world. Like Frank Meisler but in fabric and cloth. They laugh and brood, gossip and smoke, fiddle and play cards. Infused, as if by some spiritual alchemy, with the full range of human emotion, they furrow their aging brows in worry and concentration. Soulful eyes gaze both outward and inward. Here and there, figures from her life emerge. "When I make the seamstress, I am thinking of my aunt. She had a little bit of a hunchback. She had a Singer machine and many drawers, with every one something beautiful inside." A careful observer can spot visual jokes in her work. "I'm making the Bible, and (a museum panorama character) is sitting on the camel with a cigarette in his hand. Nobody sees it, but I know it. I made it for myself. I have to make something that makes me laugh." From oven-baked clay and Styrofoam, she’s re-creating her past: rabbis, gossipy ladies, peddlers, jewelers, tailors, old couples and fish vendors from her small village in central Hungary. Nearly all perished during the Holocaust. Most were sent to the gas chambers in 1944 when Nazis overran her country, including some in Watts’ family. Her lifelike creations have been displayed – and sold – around the world. Her creations emerge from the back of her memory. She remembers a gentler Hungary, where Jewish communities thrived before the Nazis came. On one doll’s baked clay face, she paints the knotted frown of a rabbi concentrating on a Torah passage. Another doll grows into a man hawking fish. Women play cards. A stern schoolmaster presides over a class. “They love to love,” she says. She has exhibited with Malcah Zeldis. Her naive, whimsical images contain a number of storytelling devices and attempt to convey a narrative. She is also fond of Mea Shearim...

Mid century Italian Leopard in life-like repose, crafted in terracotta, hand decorated and glazed. Stamped "Made in Italy" on the underside.

Wonderful and one of a kind nude sculpture by Noche Crist (1909-2004). Sculpture is made from polyester resin. Catalogue of a postumous retrospective in 2008 at the American Universi...

Paint and gold paint on wood Circa early to mid 20th century. This is not signed A treasure from a proud congregation. It is a hand-carved wooden sculpture showing the Tablets of the Law flanked by two Lions of Judah. Their paws held the tablets. Their roaring mouths faced outward, protecting the commandments from threats. In a foliage design with gold and silver paint. Circa 1920-1940's. This Neoclassical, Judaic, Art Deco, Egyptian revival, Shul, Aron Kodesh hand carving, wood with gilding, Hebrew lettering ten commandments sign sculpture, was produced probably in New York. There was a show at the Folk Art Museum titled “Gilded Lions and Jeweled Horses: The Synagogue to the Carousel” That featured these antique magnificent pieces. From gilded lions to high-stepping horses, the sacred to the secular, and the Old World to the New, “Gilded Lions and Jeweled Horses: The Synagogue to the Carousel” traces the journey of Jewish woodcarvers and other artisans from Eastern and Central Europe to America and the unsung role they played in establishing a distinct Jewish culture in communities throughout the United States. The exuberant artworks stand as a testament to a history of survival and transformation and provide a surprising revelation of the link that was forged between the synagogue and the carousel as immigrant Jewish artists transferred symbolic visual elements into this vernacular American idiom. The first major study of this important aspect of the Jewish contribution to American folk art, the exhibition features approximately one hundred artworks and objects, including rare documentary photographs of Eastern European synagogue arks and carved gravestones, sacred carvings, papercuts, and carousel animals. Some of these same Jewish European carvers worked on Coney Island amusement park rides and carousel horses and other carnival and circus carvings.

This flat shadow puppet was created by an unknown Indonesian artist using water buffalo hide. This shadow puppet, 18 1/2" high with movable arms, was use...

An exceptional drummer sculpture by Willitts Designs International and Shen Lung. The sculpture is cold painted and made of hand cast resin. The drumm...

Whimsical mid century Italian lemon tree handcrafted in metal with hand decorated leaves and fruit in a wall mount tole planter.

A tiny figure faces two red heart balloons in this surreal wall diorama by Vera Vizzi, combining foam clay, wire, acrylic paint and wood. Part of Vera Vizzi's poetic series of miniat...

A vertical mixed media wall diorama by Vera Vizzi, this small sculpture places a miniature figure, a wooden fragment and a cluster of colorful balloon-like spheres within a deep blue...

Standout mid century life size frog sculpture or object of art handcrafted in silver plate on bronze with a tortoise shell terrazzo back. Signed Maitland Smith on the bottom.

A miniature golfer and an orange balloon form the central scene of this small mixed media wall diorama by Vera Vizzi. The figure stands on a narrow wooden platform extending from the...

Heron Martinez, Attributed to, Mexican (1918 - 1990) - Tree of Life Candelabra, Medium: Hand painted ceramic sculpture, Size: 9 x 9 x 2.5 in. (22.86 x 22.86 x 6.35 cm)

SALE ONE WEEK ONLY “Santa Cruz de las Huertas Jalisco” is a whimsical, charming and colorfully ceramic rendition painted blue and red of a local bus that traversed the town where the artist Candelario Medrano...

Miniature weightlifters and oversized doughnut forms create a playful figurative scene in this mixed media wall diorama by Vera Vizzi. Three rounded brown forms with pink icing accen...

Artist Statement I absolutely love working with clay. Creating forms with a chunk of moist earth is a tangible way to cultivate beauty and delight. Through my work, I hope to touch ...

A sailboat, rolling blue waves and white balloon forms create a surreal seascape in this mixed media wall diorama by Vera Vizzi. The miniature boat sits near the lower edge of a wood...

Leo Sewell (b. 1945) is an American "found object" artist. His assemblages of recycled material are in over 40 museums and in private collections worldwide. Sewell was born in Anna...

Richly textured with whimsical appeal, this late 20th century wooden crow is a delightful example of naive American sculpture. Poised mid-caw, the crow's wings are outstretched, read...

Ceramic totem sculpture with inventive fish where the shapes ,color, texture and patterns are playfully executed and create a great sculpture bringing joy to all. This totem can be d...

Stately mid century Italian tiger sculpture or figure crafted in terra cotta, in repose, hand decorated and glazed. Stamped Made in Italy on the bottom.

Vintage wood mask. The edge undulates and is lightweight. Date and artist unknown.

This Golek puppet was made by an unknown Indonesian artist using wood and cloth. It is approximately 28" tall. Traditional Wayang Golek plays can be compared to European and North America: most performances revolve around Kings, Queens, Princes and Princesses who fight against evil, mystical, beings to (usually) end happily. Three-dimensional Indonesian puppets...

This sculpture was created by an unknown Baule artist from Ivory Coast. It depicts a man in a suit with a white hat. He stands with his hands in his pockets. 18 1/2" x 6 1/4" sculpture The Baule or Baoulé are an Akan people and one of the largest groups in Côte d'Ivoire. The Baoulé people are talented in African art. Their sculptures are renowned for their refinement, form diversity and the labor they represent. The sculptures do not only include face masks and human figurines...

From a poor country, Haitian artist Pierrot Barra, and perhaps his wife, Marie Cassaise, use simple, inexpensive, found materials to create a rich, elegant spiritual object endowed w...

A delightful African maternity figure from the Lobi peoples of the Ivory Coast/Ghana. With a serene yet feisty expression, the mother is carry...

Two oversized pink doughnuts float above miniature figures in this surreal wall diorama by Italian artist Vera Vizzi. The blue interior of the wooden box becomes a small theatrical s...

This flat shadow puppet was created by an unknown Indonesian artist. This shadow puppet, 25" high with movable arms, was used in Indonesian Wayang Klitik puppet shows. Wayang (Krama Javanese: Ringgit ꦫꦶꦁꦒꦶꦠ꧀, "Shadow"), also known as Wajang, is a form of puppet theatre art...

"Barking the Void" Abstract Relief Sculpture. Carved sculpture and painting by Mickey "Kano" Kane (American, 20th century). This large-scal...

FREE SHIPPING TO WORLDWIDE Artisan: Laura Bugarini Cota MASTERPIECE Carved polychrome jar painted with geometric design.   - Dimensions: 11" x 14" i...

Anglo Indian carved mahogany cat with ebonized stripes and a curious expression, featuring a secret compartment on the bottom.

Early 20th century zoomorphic African puppet head sculpture from the Bozo tribe in Mali. This puppet head would have been used by the Bozo ethnic group during the Sogobo ceremony. This ancestral tradition continues in the region of Segou in Mali along the Niger river. It is an opportunity to regroup the different villages and give rise to musical and theatrical performances whose highlight is the puppet show...

FREE SHIPPING TO WORLDWIDE! Artisan: Manuel Cruz Prudencio MASTERPIECE Made with Copal wood, woodcarving technique gouges, machete and sandpaper, decorated with acrylic paintings ...

An original work by Noche Crist (1909- 2004). Titled "Femme Fatale" and signed on reverse. Wonderful work made with cut wood, paint and plaster. Noche Crist imbued her cutouts with...

A rare sculpture by Willitts Designs International and Shen Lung entitled " Moe Cheeks" from the "all that jazz" series. The sculpture is cold painted ...

FREE SHIPPING TO WORLDWIDE! Artisan: Agustin Cruz Tinoco Made with Copal wood, woodcarving technique gouges, machete and sandpaper, decorated with acrylic paintings with Zapotec sy...

Inspired cast brass seahorse sculpture in a charming stylized form having a custom acid washed finish.

This Golek puppet was made by an unknown Indonesian artist using wood and cloth. It is approximately 26" tall. Traditional Wayang Golek plays can be compared to European and North America: most performances revolve around Kings, Queens, Princes and Princesses who fight against evil, mystical, beings to (usually) end happily. Three-dimensional Indonesian puppets...

Striking pair of Chinese cloisonne or enamel on brass horses crafted in classic form featuring colorful Symbolic, floral and geometric designs on an alluring blue background. Left: ...

Unknown/ Unidentified Artist, "Red Devil", Wooden Figurative Folk Art Sculpture, 30 H x 10 W x 6 D, 20th Century, ca. 1989 Colors: Red, Brown, Black Proven...

This Ekamka Fetish sculpture was carved from wood by an unknown Nigerian artist. It depicts a figure holding a mask. The figure has two symbolic horns protruding from his head and he sits on a thin...

FREE SHIPPING TO WORLDWIDE! Artisan: Meliton Zeferino Acevedo Made with Tzomplantli wood, woodcarving technique gouges, machete and sandpaper, decorated with traditional lacquer ba...

This flat shadow puppet was created by an unknown Indonesian artist. This shadow puppet, 26" high with movable arms, was used in Indonesian Wayang Klitik...

Murat Brierre or Murat Briere (1938–1988) was one of Haiti's principal metal sculptors. He was influenced by George Liautaud, but his work acquired its own, highly experimental style...

Myanmar (Burma) Mandalay Standing Buddha Title: Standing Buddha Medium: Painted hand-carved wood sculpture with gold and jewel detailing Size: 60 x 26 x 8 in. (152.4 x 66.04 x 20.32...

Aguila - Eagle Alebrije This Mexican Aguila - Eagle Alebrije made with Copal wood, wood carving technique gouges, machete and sandpaper, decorated with acrylic paintings with Zapotec symbols. At Cactus Fine Art...

Wicker bird or falcon from the famed shanghai collection expertly crafted in wicker and rattan with movable and removable carved wood wings and perched on an organic root specimen. B...

Artist Statement I absolutely love working with clay. Creating forms with a chunk of moist earth is a tangible way to cultivate beauty and delight. Through my work, I hope to touch ...

This Golek puppet was made by an unknown Indonesian artist using wood and cloth. It is approximately 26" tall. Traditional Wayang Golek plays can be comp...

This flat shadow puppet was created by an unknown Indonesian artist. This shadow puppet, 25" high with movable arms, was used in Indonesian Wayang Klitik puppet shows. Wayang (Krama Javanese: Ringgit ꦫꦶꦁꦒꦶꦠ꧀, "Shadow"), also known as Wajang, is a form of puppet theatre art...

Vintage pair of Italian neoclassic garnitures or objects of art depicting elephants carrying obelisks, crafted in ceramic or earthenware with a bisque finish and highlighted with bro...

To Chicago-based artist Patrick Fitzgerald, his miniature car sculptures are a means of traveling through time. Born from a fascination with the soap bo...

FREE SHIPPING TO WORLDWIDE! Artisan: Zeny Fuentes Mendez MASTERPIECE Made with Copal wood, woodcarving technique gouges, machete and sandpaper, decorated with acrylic paintings with...

This striking 20th-century folk art metal sculpture, Lucky Horse, captures the spirit of handmade ingenuity and imaginative design. Forged from sheet metal and shaped with confident,...

FREE SHIPPING TO WORLDWIDE! Artisan: Juan Zeferino Rivera MASTERPIECE Made with Tzomplantli wood, woodcarving technique gouges, machete and sandpaper, decorated with traditional ...

Chinese rooster expertly crafted with an ambitious weaving technique using bamboo and bamboo wicker with carved wood highlights, from the noted Shanghai collection.

This flat shadow puppet was created by an unknown Indonesian artist using water buffalo hide. This shadow puppet, 18" high with movable arms, was used in Indonesian Wayang puppet shows. Wayang (Krama Javanese: Ringgit ꦫꦶꦁꦒꦶꦠ꧀, "Shadow"), also known as Wajang, is a form of puppet theatre art...