Set of Eight Folk Art Carnival Punks / Knockdown Dolls
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Folk Art carnival punks / knockdown dolls composed of canvas forms lined with cotton fur supported by carved wood bases for added stability / weight, circa 1910.
Canvas, Cotton, Wood
Vintage 1940s Celluloid Carnival Kewpie Doll--6 Available
By Rose O'Neill
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Makes a lovely unique gift for your cutie, sure to inspire a kiss! Adorable treasure Celluloid Kewpie with cane feathers, top hat, earrings, bracelet and necklace. Moveable arms. Her...
1920s Antique Double-Sided Hand-Painted Game/Carnival Wheel, New York
Located in Buffalo, NY
1920s antique double-sided hand-painted game/carnival wheel. Aranee Doll Co. New York, Nice bright painted graphics, bronze/brass star center, wonderful original patina.
Bronze, Steel
Kewpie Doll W/ Teddy Bear Iron Door Stop
By Hubbly
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This fun and folky Kewpie girl cast iron doorstop is quite rare and in original painted surface.Notice she is holding a teddy bear.So amazing to find one like this in undisturbed sur...
Iron
Carnival Figures of Punch and Judy
Located in Essex, MA
Wonderful carved and painted carnival knockdown dolls of Punch and Judy
$210 / set
H 4 in W 1.5 in D 1.13 in
Antique Grulich Christmas Nativity Figure Lot, late 19th Century Folk Art
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful Antique Grulich Nativity Figures — Late 19th Century This rare and culturally significant set of nativity figures originates from the historic Králiky region (formerly Gr...
Wood
$180 / set
H 3.38 in W 1.5 in D 1.5 in
Antique Grulich Christmas Nativity Figure Lot, late 19th Century Folk Art
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful Antique Grulich Nativity Figures — Late 19th Century This rare and culturally significant set of nativity figures originates from the historic Králiky region (formerly Gr...
Wood
$240 / set
H 3.25 in W 1.38 in D 1.13 in
Antique Grulich Christmas Nativity Figure Lot, late 19th Century Folk Art
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful Antique Grulich Nativity Figures — Late 19th Century This rare and culturally significant set of nativity figures originates from the historic Králiky region (formerly Gr...
Wood
Figurines by Dr. Harley Niblack
Located in South Charleston, WV
This grouping of 3 figurines and 9 sculpture head figures were obtained directly from Dr. Harley Niblack by the consignor's father (who was also a woodturner) in the late 1950's, ear...
Wood
$1,245
H 10.75 in W 4.5 in D 3 in
Native American Indian Hopi Southwest Wood Kachina Katsina Doll Totem Sculpture
Located in Studio City, CA
A wonderfully hand-painted and decorated Native American Hopi Kachina Katsina doll. It is hand carved from light wood (likely cottonwood). Kachina figures are believed to act as me...
Wood, Paint
Antique Set of Mexican Papier-Mâché Masks 2
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
Circa 1960. We offer this antique set of 5 Mexican papier-mâché masks 100% handmade and paited with anilina (natural pigments).
Paper
Group of Vintage Chinese Puppets
Located in St.Petersburg, FL
An interesting collection of five (5) unused, vintage Chinese puppets.
Linen
$180 / set
H 3.25 in W 1.25 in D 1.38 in
Antique Grulich Christmas Nativity Figure Lot, late 19th Century Folk Art
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful Antique Grulich Nativity Figures — Late 19th Century This rare and culturally significant set of nativity figures originates from the historic Králiky region (formerly Gr...
Wood
Set of 5 Russian Signed Matryoshka Hand Painted Nesting Dolls
Located in Pasadena, TX
These Matryoshka dolls are hand painted. They were made in Russia. The set includes 5 nesting dolls that are signed on the bottom.
Wood
$4,500 / set
H 50 in W 10 in D 1 in
19th Century American Traveling Circus Carousel or Circus Wagon Carvings
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Pair of American 19th century circus wagon or traveling carousel three-dimensional wood carved faces. From an early American traveling circus. Many layers of paint and patina. Each i...
Vintage Japanese Kokeshi Doll with Hand-Painted Floral Detail.
Located in Seattle, WA
This vintage Japanese Kokeshi doll features a minimalist cylindrical form with a rounded head and hand-painted facial details. Made from solid wood, the surface exhibits a warm, natu...
Wood
Collection of nine Anri Italian hand carved figural bottle toppers
By ANRI
Located in Ferndale, MI
Nice collection of nine Anri carved bottle topper corks . All are full of color and character . Two are mechanical . One opens his mouth sticks out tongue . One tips his hat . Nice c...
Wood, Cork
Outsider Art Hand-Carved "Shotgun Wedding" Tableau
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Crude hand-carved and painted wedding party figures (bride, groom, officiant - likely a preacher, and witness - presumably the father of the bride) executed in an Outsider / Naïve st...
Cotton, Wood, Paint
Vintage Folk Art Kokeshi Doll Egypt Style Signed Japan
Located in Sakskøbing, DK
Vintage Kokeshi doll from Japan in Egyptian look. Richly hand-crafted with old slogans. Completely handmade from Japanese Sakura wood and painted, which is why there is only 1 of the...
Wood, Paint
$6,483 / set
H 25.2 in W 9.45 in D 7.09 in
Full Set of Twelve 19th Century French Original Guignol Puppets
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
Rare, very original, full set of twelve late 19th Century French Guignol puppets. Hand carved painted heads and hand made traditional costumes. Guignol is the main character in a F...
Wood
Charming Northern Swedish Handmade Folk Art Wooden Figurines
Located in Kramfors, SE
Charming hand-carved wooden figurines in folk art from northern Sweden. The set of 6 figurines are made by hand in solid Swedish pine and painted by Myrstens Johan in Järvsö, Hälsing...
Pine
Antique Mexican Demon Mask
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this rare antique Mexican Demon mask in wood, circa 1970. The mask makes a sound when moved.
Wood
Six Kobe Toys, Japanese, Meiji Period, circa 1895
By Kobe Toys
Located in Incline Village, NV
Kobe Toys are very mysterious and not much is known about them. They were created and hand made, strictly for tourists and foreigners (never exported) during the Meiji period in Japa...
Ebony
$17,565Sale Price|20% Off
H 28.75 in W 15.75 in D 8.67 in
Rare 19th Century Italian Memento Mori Bust / Sculpture Carrara Marble Vanitas
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Masterfully carved Italian Vanitas / Memento Mori bust in solid marble from late 19th century. White Carrara marble skull combined with masterfully carved hood & robes all from...
Carrara Marble
$346Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 6.3 in W 4.34 in D 1.97 in
Elegant Fish-Form Silver-Plated Napkin Holders for Luxury Décor
Located in Wembley, GB
Elegant Fish-Form Silver-Plated Napkin Holders – Sterling Silver Style Luxury Table Décor Bring an element of refined artistry and timeless elegance to your dining or interior setti...
Metal, Silver Plate, Sterling Silver, Sheet Metal, Silver Leaf
Antique Folk Art Horse Sculpture
Located in Sheffield, MA
Wonderfully charming hand-carved 19th Century American folk art horse sculpture on stand. Pay special attention to its face and the carved details to appreciate this fine specimen. ...
Wood
$1,555
H 13.78 in W 9.45 in D 14.57 in
Alfonso Bini Mid-Century Blond Wood Novelty Pinocchio Orange Squeezer
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very stylish and unusual vintage Italian Firenze blonde wood orange or grapefruit squeezer modelled as a man’s head by renowned Italian wood carver Alfonso Bini and made around 197...
Wood
$254,297
H 35.44 in W 185.04 in D 32.68 in
Fine Taxidermy 5 Meter Nile Crocodile by Sinke & Van Tongeren
By Sinke & Van Tongeren
Located in Haarlem, NL
KING OF THE MUSEUM Since we started, we always wanted to make a very large crocodile. Wishful thinking, we thought it was. But now we were able to do so. We were lucky we could obta...
Animal Skin
$187,500
H 102 in W 84.5 in D 22.5 in
Exceptional 19th Century English Chinoiserie Pagoda Display Cabinet
Located in Houston, TX
Large-scale 19th century English display cabinet executed in the Chinoiserie tradition. Constructed in carved mahogany and conceived as a tripartite architectural façade, each glazed...
Glass, Mahogany
$11,995
H 78.75 in W 56.5 in D 4.5 in
Pair Antique American Stained Glass Gothic Art Nouveau Doors Windows Povey Bros
By Louis Comfort Tiffany
Located in Portland, OR
A rare & important pair of antique American Art Nouveau with Gothic frames stained glass doors/windows, by Povey Brothers, Portland Oregon, circa 1900. Over 6.5' in height. Povey Bro...
Stained Glass
Large Vintage German Christmas Jumping Jack
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Large vintage christmas jumping jack in wood. The front covered in paper with a beautiful vintage decoration Handmade in the area of Erzgebirge Germany. The area of Erzgebirge locate...
Wood
Folk Art Motorized Ferris Wheel, Custom Made, Metal & Hardwood, 1950s
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
1838 Custom made Carnival Folk Art motorized ferris wheel . Rotates with small lights added set on a wood base
Metal
$852Sale Price|20% Off
H 13 in W 6 in D 4 in
Early 20th Century English Folk-art Policeman Whirligig Figure
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century English Folk-art Policeman Whirligig Figure An early 20th Century hand carved English folk-art policeman whirligig figure. With natural wear and patina this figur...
Pine
Colorful Hand Made Mexican Folk Art Icon Painting
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Eye catching colorful folk art rendering of a religious icon in typical Mexican primitive style on reclaimed wood and found materials.
Reclaimed Wood
$109,778 / set
H 64.18 in W 28.75 in D 0.79 in
Selection of eight restored 19th C Neo-Gothic Stained-Glass Windows
Located in Leuven , BE
The Color Experience: Stained-glass windows “Color is a power which directly influences the soul” (Wassili Kandinsky, Moskou 1866 – Neuilly-sur-Seine, 1944) “Color! What a deep a...
Art Glass, Stained Glass
$11,743Sale Price|20% Off
H 16.93 in W 12.6 in D 7.87 in
A 17th century Augsburg ebonized cabinet with painted pietra paesina panels
Located in PARIS, FR
An ebonized wood cabinet with painted pietra paesina panels Augsburg, southern Germany, mid-17th century Dimensions: h. 43 cm, w. 32 cm, d. 20 cm Ebonized wood, inlay of painted piet...
Marble
$28,000
H 28.13 in W 37 in
Art Nouveau Poster "Marmorhouse (Der Teufel und Die Circe) by Josef Fenneker
By Josef Fenneker
Located in Palm Beach, FL
The painter, graphic artist, production and set designer, Josef Fenneker, is one of the most important representatives of artistic film posters of the 1910s and 1920s. He was commiss...
Lithograph
The collection of original antique and vintage carnival art on 1stDibs includes paintings and posters that promoted traveling carnivals and circuses of years past as well as masks, sculptures and other works of folk art associated with widespread public celebrations that mark the start of harvest season or are rooted in religion.
The concept of “Carnival” is linked to an event that precedes Lent, the season of preparation before Easter for Christians (it may also have roots in Ancient Rome’s pagan Saturnalian festival), while the modern traveling carnival that we know — i.e., amusement fairs — existed during the 19th century in North America. The Chicago World’s Fair in 1893 was pivotal to these traveling amusement fairs.
Some of the most famous celebrations of Carnival around the world include Karneval in Germany, Carnival in Brazil and Mardi Gras in the United States. Carnival in Barbados is a traditional harvest festival. The bright colors, the caricatured masks and floats and the over-the-top nature of Carnival continue to enthrall millions across the globe.
Carnivals have always given way to impressive displays of creativity and folk art. Folk art is art created by people who are not classically trained for either utilitarian or decorative purposes. With respect to visual art in folk art, it refers to work that is reflective of a community’s culture and usually handmade by craftspeople working within a popular tradition.
Carnival art reflects the way different cultures celebrate or mark an important community event. Some examples of Carnival art include fabric dolls and marionettes that are used to tell stories and capture your imagination. Antique dolls make for striking collectibles positioned for display on any shelf in your home, while carnival masks make a bold statement as wall art. A collection of masks could create an elevated accent wall in a living room or dining room.
Browse 1stDibs to find unique antique and vintage carnival art for your space today.
At Waddesdon Manor, artist Joana Vasconcelos has installed a three-tiered patisserie inspired by the narrative tile work of her homeland. We take a look at the cake sculpture and how Portuguese tiles have been used in architecture from the 17th century to today.
The streets of fin-de-siècle Paris were set aglow with colorful poster ads, thanks to the printing techniques invented by Jules Chéret. Now, the Milwaukee Art Museum is celebrating this undersung talent in America's first solo show dedicated his exuberant works.
Expert Jeff Bridgman explains the history and meaning behind the twinkling constellations that have graced Old Glory.
The iconoclastic style setter displayed African and Oceanic art, as well as works by indigenous peoples of the Americas, alongside pieces by such major modernists as Pablo Picasso and Jackson Pollock.
Perfect for July 4th weekend, a new show at Philadelphia's Museum of the American Revolution displays an array of antique red, white and blue flags.
Designers are beginning to see this enigmatic form of folk art in a whole new light.