HBO Prop "Huber's Palace Museum" Souvenir Pennant Cart
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Colorful stage prop cart from an HBO production. Painted wood on wheels, along with two painted
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Wood
Carnival Prop
Batman Returns Large Barbell Movie Prop - Seen on Film
Located in Forney, TX
barbell movie prop is sure to start a conversation while making a statement in your theater room or gym
Category
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Resin, Fiberglass, Paint
Vintage 23" Molded Rubber Jaws Great White Shark Replica Movie Prop
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage 23" Molded Rubber Jaws Great White Shark Replica Movie Prop. Item features molded rubber
Category
Late 20th Century Modern Carnival Art
Materials
Fiberglass, Rubber, Paint
Mid Century Modern Swedish Geometric Figurative Oil Painting - The Juggler, 1960s
$940
H 24.22 in W 15.36 in
Mid Century Modern Swedish Geometric Figurative Oil Painting - The Juggler
Located in Bristol, GB
ground is dotted with playful red and purple marks, while a looping line hints at a hoop or prop
Category
Mid-20th Century Modern Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil, Board
Mid-Century Modern Era Large Cast Plaster Seated Black Panther Sculpture
$1,399
H 31 in W 21 in D 13 in
Mid-Century Modern Era Large Cast Plaster Seated Black Panther Sculpture
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
as a carnival or studio prop. Please note the size posted below as this is a rather large and heavy
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Materials
Plaster
Beatriz Milhazes, Limited Edition, Signed Monograph
By TASCHEN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
all kinds of papers, sculptures and installations like giant mobiles of carnival floats and props
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Books
Materials
Paper
Recent Sales
Circa 1950s French Childs Carnival/Circus Prop Chair
Located in San Francisco, CA
A wonderful whimsical circa 1950s French Childs Carnival and/or Circus prop chair. Carved parts
Category
Vintage 1930s French Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
Papier Mache Stage Prop
Located in Chireno, TX
Papier Mache Stage Prop of an Elephant Head From France. Made to Put Your Head in and Look Out of
Category
20th Century French Carnival Art
Materials
Papier Mâché
Jingles the Clown Prop Box
Located in Santa Monica, CA
This vibrantly painted red box with white stenciled letters once held the props of Jingles the
Category
Vintage 1940s American Carnival Art
Materials
Wood
1920s 'Man In The Moon' Papier Mâché Stage Prop
Located in Hastings, GB
1920s 'Man In The Moon' Papier mâché Prop. Theatre / stage prop. Handmade and finished with
Category
Vintage 1920s British Arts and Crafts Carnival Art
Materials
Paper
c. 1930's Red White and Blue Wooden Circus Juggling Props
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Set of three red, white, and blue painted wooden batons, most likely used as circus props for
Category
Vintage 1930s American Carnival Art
Materials
Wood
Early Carnival Midway Sideshow or Circus Prop Sign Egyptian Mummy Crate
Sold
H 16 in W 71.25 in D 2 in
Early Carnival Midway Sideshow or Circus Prop Sign Egyptian Mummy Crate
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Great early vintage, circa 1920s sideshow or circus prop sign. Egyptian mummy shipping crate. Very
Category
Vintage 1920s American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
Folk Art Bicycle Prop From Rocky Horror Show
Located in North Egremont, MA
Elaborate and sculptural bicycle with ornate gilt iron floral and leaf ironwork. Used as a prop in
Category
Vintage 1960s Unknown Folk Art Carnival Art
Whimsical Painted Papier-Mâché Elephant Head
Located in Seattle, WA
Most likely a theatrical or carnival prop, this wacky elephant head is lightweight, easy to use.
Category
20th Century American Animal Sculptures
Materials
Paint
Giant Vintage Wooden Horse Sculpture, USA, 1950s
Located in Retie, BE
eyecatcher is an awesome decoration object for shop, restaurant, theater, cinema, film prop, carnival lover
Category
Mid-20th Century North American American Craftsman Carnival Art
Materials
Hardwood
People Also Browsed
Solid Walnut Dovetail Record Crate
By Blake Tovin, Matt Richmond
Located in Nyack, NY
As avid record collectors we all have albums we want close at hand. Whether storing new finds or favorite titles that are in heavy rotation, our dovetail record crate is the perfect ...
Category
2010s American Modern Music Stands
Materials
Brass
Rare Victorian Firescreen with Taxidermy Hummingbirds by Henry Ward
$229,050Sale Price|33% Off
H 51.19 in W 55.12 in D 201.58 in
Rare Victorian Firescreen with Taxidermy Hummingbirds by Henry Ward
By Henry Ward
Located in Amsterdam, NL
England, third quarter of the 19th century On two scrolling foliate feet with casters, above which a rectangular two-side glazed frame, with on top a two-sided shield with initial...
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century English High Victorian Taxidermy
Materials
Other
Pink Panther Collection Royal Orleans Pottery Pink Panther Mounted Box
$473
H 4.34 in W 6.3 in D 4.34 in
Pink Panther Collection Royal Orleans Pottery Pink Panther Mounted Box
By United Artists
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A delightful, Japanese licensed Pink Panther Collection lidded box distributed by Royal Orleans and dated 1981. The ceramic box is of large oval form with a fitted slightly domed cov...
Category
Vintage 1980s Japanese Modern Decorative Boxes
Materials
Ceramic
Vintage Mosaic Glass Disco Ball With Rotor 1980s
Located in Palermo, IT
Vintage mosaic glass disco ball with rotor 1980s Intact and functional, it has a diameter of 30 cm. Very good condition. We guarantee adequate packaging and will ship via DHL, insu...
Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Mirror
One-of-a-kind 1851 Great Exhibition Carved Armchair by Arthur Jones of Dublin
$263,977
H 57 in W 30 in D 31.5 in
One-of-a-kind 1851 Great Exhibition Carved Armchair by Arthur Jones of Dublin
Located in London, GB
*Winner of the 2022 Masterpiece Fair Furniture Highlight* The 1851 Great Exhibition Carved Bog Yew Armchair by Arthur Jones of Dublin Carved entirely from Irish bog yew wood, ...
Category
Antique 19th Century Irish Armchairs
Materials
Upholstery, Yew
1950's Papier mâché french theatre head
Located in Diest, BE
A 1950's rare original James Ensor style papier mâché theatre head. This item was obtained via a private collection (France).
Category
Vintage 1950s French Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Paper
Large Masterly Carved Swiss Black Forest Nutwood Chalet with Clock and Music Box
$13,860
H 18.2 in W 23.6 in D 11.3 in
Large Masterly Carved Swiss Black Forest Nutwood Chalet with Clock and Music Box
Located in Lisse, NL
Top quality, hand carved and truly impressive antique clock with 8 music melodies. Over the years we have had the pleasure of owning and selling a number of beautiful Black Forest a...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Swiss Black Forest Table Clocks and Desk Clocks
Materials
Brass, Iron, Enamel
"Tecnica Library" Modular Shelving Bookcase by Jaume Tresserra for Dessie'
$55,407Sale Price / item|20% Off
H 112 in W 170 in D 13.77 in
"Tecnica Library" Modular Shelving Bookcase by Jaume Tresserra for Dessie'
By Jaime Tresserra, Dessie Studio
Located in Brooklyn, NY
"Tecnica Library" is a shelving bookcase unit, designed by Jaume Tresserra and manufactured by Dessie', featuring six modules with antique nickel finished metallic parts provided wit...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Bookcases
Materials
Metal, Nickel
Early 20th Century Fairground Roulette Wheel
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century Fairground Roulette Wheel French in its origin, this early 20th century hand crafted pine roulette wheel is in full working order. With its original metal wheel ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Pine
100-Record Retro American Seeburg Select-O-Matic V-200 Jukebox
$20,305
H 58.67 in W 35.83 in D 26.78 in
100-Record Retro American Seeburg Select-O-Matic V-200 Jukebox
Located in London, GB
100-Record Retro American Seeburg Select-O-Matic V-200 Jukebox, American, c. 1955 Dimensions: Height 149cm, width 91cm, depth 68cm This stylish vinyl jukebox is a classic Americ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Modern Musical Instruments
Materials
Brass, Chrome
Early 20th Century Circus Banner
Located in Brecht, BE
For magician and circus lovers. This early 20th century circus banner. Hand painted on canvas.
Category
Early 20th Century British Carnival Art
Materials
Linen
John De CritzLady Dormore - A 16th Century Portrait of a key member of Shakespeare's England, circa 1595
$128,604
H 41 in W 34.75 in
Lady Dormore - A 16th Century Portrait of a key member of Shakespeare's England
Located in London, GB
Lady Dormer, Mary Browne c. 1592 oil on panel 35 x 29 inches, unframed; 41 x 34.75 inches, inc. frame Inscribed 'Lady Dormore' Mary married Henry Wriothesley, 2nd Earl of Southampt...
Category
16th Century Old Masters Figurative Paintings
Materials
Oil
Exquisite Albino Peacock Taxidermy: A Majestic Display of Rarity and Elegance
$4,600 / item
H 72 in W 14 in D 8 in
Exquisite Albino Peacock Taxidermy: A Majestic Display of Rarity and Elegance
Located in New York, NY
This magnificent taxidermy specimen showcases an albino (leucistic) peacock, skillfully mounted on an oval wooden base. The intricate details of the peacock's unique coloring are cap...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Late Victorian Taxidermy
Materials
Feathers
Outstanding Wurlitzer 1015 "bubbler" Jukebox & rare 4008 extension speaker
$19,999 / set
H 60.24 in W 34 in D 27 in
Outstanding Wurlitzer 1015 "bubbler" Jukebox & rare 4008 extension speaker
By Wurlitzer
Located in Buffalo, NY
Original Wurlitzer Model 1015 “Bubbler” 78 RPM, jukebox in excellent condition with full set of 78 classic 50 and 60’s songs with printed labels. fully functional,, works perfectly ...
Category
Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Musical Instruments
Materials
Chrome
Pink Grapes Ca'rezzonico Chandelier in Murano Glass Giovanni Dalla Fina, 1980s
$22,317
H 49.22 in Dm 49.22 in
Pink Grapes Ca'rezzonico Chandelier in Murano Glass Giovanni Dalla Fina, 1980s
By Giovanni Dalla Fina
Located in Villaverla, IT
This exquisite Murano glass chandelier, a true masterpiece by the renowned Italian artisan Giovanni Dalla Fina, dates back to 1980 and embodies the vibrant artistry of the era. This ...
Category
Vintage 1980s Italian Mid-Century Modern Chandeliers and Pendants
Materials
Glass, Art Glass, Blown Glass, Murano Glass
Large Hand Painted Early Carnival Rounding Board
Located in Norwalk, CT
Bring an unusual piece of folk history into your home with this stunning early 20th century rounding board salvaged from a carnival. With hand-painted designs of putti and harp motif...
Category
Early 20th Century Carnival Art
Materials
Wood
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Carnival Prop For Sale on 1stDibs
Find many varieties of an authentic carnival prop available at 1stDibs. Frequently made of metal, wood and paint, every carnival prop was constructed with great care. Find 8 options for an antique or vintage carnival prop now, or shop our selection of 1 modern versions for a more contemporary example of this long-cherished piece. Whether you’re looking for an older or newer carnival prop, there are earlier versions available from the 20th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 21st Century. A carnival prop made by folk art designers — as well as those associated with mid-century modern — is very popular. A well-made carnival prop has long been a part of the offerings for many furniture designers and manufacturers, but those produced by Bernard Kindt, Charles Looff Or C.W. Parker and TASCHEN are consistently popular.
How Much is a Carnival Prop?
Prices for a carnival prop start at $350 and top out at $24,555 with the average selling for $1,850.
Finding the Right Carnival-art for You
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.
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Why Jules Chéret Was the King of the Modern Poster
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Why the American Flag Has Had So Many Different Star Patterns
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Peggy Guggenheim Loved Modernism, but She Also Collected Tribal Art
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Tramp Art, America’s Most Misunderstood Art Form, Is Trending in Interiors
Designers are beginning to see this enigmatic form of folk art in a whole new light.
More Ways To Browse
Vintage Carnival Props
Vintage Circus Props
Vintage Letterpress Posters
Antique Shooting Gallery
Circus Carving
Circus Sideshow Banner
Hand Painted Panels
Jeu De Massacre
Vintage Carnival Mirror
Vintage Carnival Props
Vintage Carousel Ride
Vintage Wild West Poster
Antique Mangel
Ball Toss
Belgian Shoes
Carnival Knockdown
Carnival Light
Carnival Shooting Gallery