Antonio Vitali Wood Toy Family Set for Creative Playthings
By Creative Playthings
Located in San Mateo, CA
Carved wood toy family by Antonio Vitali, Swiss toy designer. Vitali designed this set for Creative Playthings in 1954.
Wood
$448Sale Price|20% Off
1950s Antonio Vitali & Kurt Naef Swiss Handmade Wood Toy Elephant Car
By Hans Brockhage
Located in Chula Vista, CA
For your consideration, a wonderful vintage hand carved wood toy elephant shaped car by famed Swiss master toy Artist Antonio Vitali and modernist Kurt Naef. Firm and sturdy ready t...
Rubber, Wood, Plywood
Important Antonio Vitali Toy Set with Original Box
By Creative Playthings
Located in Lambertville, NJ
"Playforms" was created as a Division of Creative Playthings (USA) in the early 1950s to showcase the toy designs of legendary Swiss designer Antonio Vitali (1909-2008). This set is ...
$1,951 / set
H 7.88 in W 5.52 in D 1.97 in
Scandinavian Modern Teak Wood Vintage Selection of Seven Animals, 1960s Denmark
Located in Vienna, AT
Scandinavian modern wood vintage seven ( 7 ) animal figures from teak wood, 1960s Denmark. An amazing collection of different types of animals. This lovely collection show nice char...
Teak
$425Sale Price|32% Off
H 20.5 in W 24.5 in D 11 in
Mid-Century Children's Wooden Pony with Wheels and Red Painted Details
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century children's wooden pony with wheels, red painted details, handles and straw mane and tail. Perfect for a children's room or nursery. In original condition with visible wea...
Straw, 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
Ko Verzuu ADO Toys Houthandel Truck, circa 1940
By Ko Verzuu, ADO
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Toy designed by Ko Verzuu, circa 1940. Manufactured by ADO in Netherlands. Truck & trailer of wood "Houthandel". In good original condition, with minor wear consistent wit...
Wood
3 Jacob Jensen Illum Bolighus Wood Toy Viking Figures 1960's
By Illum Bolighus, Jacob Jensen
Located in New York, NY
Hard to find vintage wood toys by Jacob Jensen for Illum Bolighus, made in Denmark circa 1960's. The figures are in very clean and free of cosmetic wear or damage - one figure is mi...
Wood, Teak
$160 / set
H 1.25 in Dm 0.88 in
Lot of Eight Miniature Antique German Dollhouse Toys Accessories 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This rare and exquisite miniature set of 8 antique German Dollhouse Miniatures is a must-have for Dollhouse and Doll collectors and enthusiasts alike. With its beauty and cute design...
Pewter
Mid Century Danish Children's Rocking Elephant C.1960
Located in London, GB
Mid Century Danish Children's Rocking Elephant C.1960 Excellent design element to a children's room. Fully functioning as a rocking toy. In very good condition commensurate wit...
Plywood
Collection of Whimsical Carved Wood Village People
Located in Ferndale, MI
Carved wood collection bankers, doctors, police, builder, banker, lawyer, golf and tennis players average measurements: 4.25 wide x 3.25 deep x 12.5 tall.
Wood
19th Century Folk Art Wooden Toy Dog Sculpture
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Very charming 19th Century wooden toy dog featuring jointed legs and a dark painted finish. Originally there were other parts to this little guy but we now see this being used decora...
Wood
$236Sale Price|20% Off
H 1.07 in W 1.07 in D 1.07 in
Vintage Kurt Naef Bauhaus Style Building Blocks Toy Wood Mid-Century
By Naef Spiele
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Huge lot of 67 Bauhaus style wooden blocks. Architectural pattern making toys. Sold as found, unrestored condition. 1 1/16 inch cubes.
Wood
Vintage Wooden Factory Racing Car Art Toy Mold / Pattern
Located in Oakville, CT
Vintage wooden factory car mold / pattern. Stamped "GS P7 -20-27".
Wood
Set of Three Kokeshi Dolls from Northern Japan
Located in Antwerp, BE
Kokeshi (こけし こけし, kokeshi), are Japanese dolls, originally from northern Japan. They are handmade from wood, have a simple trunk and an enlarged head with a few thin, painted lines t...
Wood
Children Statues Figurines by Cortendorf Vintage German, 1960s
By Cortendorf
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A collection of 1960s Children figurines made by Cortendorf, Germany. A nice addition to any room. Made of Ceramic. Marked with manufactory label. Tallest approx. 6 5/8" high, smalle...
Ceramic
French Folk Art Handmade Wooden Toy Car, Late 1930s–1940s
Located in Marinha Grande, PT
Charming French handmade wooden toy car, most likely dating from the late 1930s or the 1940s. Entirely handcrafted in wood, this unusual piece reflects the ingenuity and resourceful...
Metal
Scandinavian Modern Kay Bojesen "Lise & Ole" Wooden Dolls, 1930s
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Odense, DK
Rare and charming set of wooden dolls by Kay Bojensen from his own workshop. The dolls were designed in the 1930s and was named Lise (female) and Ole (male) as these were the most co...
Wood
Zsolnay Mid-Century Modern Porcelain Figurines Set, Hungary
By Zsolnay
Located in New York, NY
Trio of Iridescent glazed porcelain figurines by Zsolnay, Hungary. Set includes elephant, poodle, and pheasant. Marked on bottom.
Porcelain
The Art Book for Children
Located in New York, NY
‘A perfect introduction to art for parents and children to enjoy together.’ – The Guardian A brand-new combined, revised, and expanded edition of the ground-breaking, iconic art boo...
Paper
$1,134Sale Price|20% Off
H 6.7 in W 8.27 in D 2.76 in
1950s Norwegian Teak Elephant Figure Sculpture Midcentury Arne Tjomsland Style
By Arne Tjomsland
Located in Bad Säckingen, DE
A Minimalist hand-carved and polished teak wood elephant figurine in the style of Arne Tjomsland. This sculpture is a perfect add-on for any Mid Century interior or a perfect gift ...
Wood, Teak
1960s General Motors Gas Turbine Concept Model
Located in Ferndale, MI
Attributed to General Motors as part of the gas turbine Bison Concepts Series. Possibly by Syd Mead or Tom Semple . The gas turbine Bison series of vehicles were built and shown at...
Plastic
Liberace Autographed Vintage Schoenhut Toy Grand Piano
By Schoenhut
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Made by the renowned American toy manufacturer in approximately 1920, this wooden toy baby grand piano has been autographed in two places by the legendary Liberace. The piano shows o...
Brass
Bojesen Monkey Repair Kit
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Courbevoie, FR
Boyesen's Monkey Repair Kit (Height 20 cm). For old and recent editions. EU shipping €3.00
Teak
$1,120 / set
H 1.25 in W 12.25 in D 9.75 in
Shepherd & Wooly Sheep Putz Toy Set Antique German Christmas 1900s, original Box
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Antique German set of eleven Putz stick-legged sheep with a shepherd boy and his dog. All of them are genuine antique German Christmas nativity scene figures. As they are all old, mo...
Composition
Large 1940s French Solid Oak Library Table
Located in New York, NY
This monumental piece is broad and muscular. Defined by simple stately geometry. It will serve well as a large console, entry table, library table or shallow dining table. It is po...
Laminate, Oak
Mills Novelty Art Deco Green Porcelain Penny Scale
By Mills Novelty Company
Located in Ferndale, MI
Art Deco period penny scale by Mills Novelty co. Period green porcelain pedestal with cream colored foot hold.
Iron
Art Deco storage unit in flamed maple
By Axel Einar Hjorth
Located in Milano, IT
COD-2686 Storage unit in the style of Axel Einar Hjort, in flamed maple with Art Deco inlays on the front. Inside, shelves and drawers with galalith knobs. Sweden approx. 1930 140...
Maple
Swatch Wall Clock Maxi 1980s
By Swatch
Located in Čelinac, BA
Swatch wall clock maxi 1980s
Plastic
$490 / set
H 3.5 in W 2.75 in D 1.13 in
Lot of Deer, Rabbit & Hunter Putz Toy Antique German Erzgebirge Christmas 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Antique German set of 14 Putz stick-legged Deers, Bunny Rabbits, Fox and a Hunter. All of them are genuine antique German Christmas nativity scene or paradise yard garden figures. As...
Composition
$160
H 3.75 in W 5.13 in D 2.63 in
Luigi Colani Drumbo Green Elephant Money Bank for Dresdner Bank, 1970s
By Luigi Colani
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Gorgeous vintage money Piggy bank. A beautiful decorative item, designed by Luigi Colani, for Dresden Bank Germany. Made in Europe, circa 1970s. Nice addition to any collection, desk...
Metal
$840Sale Price / set|20% Off
H 5.5 in Dm 2 in
Set of Three Like New Mid-Century Danish Vikings Figures w/ Box by Jacob Jensen
By Jacob Jensen
Located in San Diego, CA
Set of three like new mid-century Danish viking figures made of mixed woods with original box by Jacob Jensen, circa 1950s. The figures are in excellent vintage condition and measure...
Wood, Teak, Walnut
Vintage Italian Small Bottle, 1950s
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Beautiful small Vintage Italian bottle with silver details made in Italy, 1950s.
Silver
American Mid-Century Modern Woodworking Turned Walnut Wood Spinning Top Toy
Located in Miami, FL
Mid-Century Modern American craftsman woodworking turned walnut wood spinning top toy. This is a collectible fun toy. A-955-335
Walnut
$1,250
H 17.75 in W 24.75 in D 11.75 in
"Rocking Beauty" Hobby Horse Designed by Gloria Caranica for Creative Playthings
By Gloria Caranica, Creative Playthings
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An abstract hobby horse designed in 1964 by Gloria Caranica for Creative Playthings. Composed of two arched panels of birch plywood divided by a solid birch shaft and topped with a c...
Birch, Plywood
Antique, new and vintage toys and dolls of years past — handmade folk-art toys such as wooden train sets, dolls, rocking horses and more — can be enjoyed by the young and old alike.
Children as well as nostalgic grown-ups are still finding pleasure in toys and objects designed specifically for playtime that are, in comparison to today’s digital device-oriented distractions, far more modest in nature. In contemporary interiors, gently aging toys are wonderfully uncomplicated decorative objects primed for display in a cabinet or other case piece.
With their romantic appeal and frequent incorporation of natural materials, some vintage toys and folk-art toys are treasured collectibles, showcasing the beauty of handmade craftsmanship. Alongside other works characterized as folk art — in this case, visual art, typically reflective of a community’s culture and usually handmade by craftspeople working within a popular tradition — handcrafted vintage toys are historical works of art worthy of any collector’s mantel. These are toys that tell a story of the time in which they were produced and the people who produced them.
Like any artifact, toys provide a window into the past. The ornamental dolls of the Victorian era, for example, produced in Germany and England, made of ceramics such as porcelain and dressed in textured fabrics, speak to the fashion of the era and will add a pop of color and a decorative flourish to the neutral corners of your home.
Mid-century modern toys and dolls are as sophisticated as the widely cherished furniture of the era. As much as they thought good design for the home should be available for all, iconic American design duo Charles and Ray Eames believed in making durable and interesting products for kids too. Today, their Eames Elephant is available from Vitra and Herman Miller, and it doesn’t even require a digital screen.
Explore a unique collection of antique, new and vintage toys and dolls as well as folk-art toys on 1stDibs.
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