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 barrels with sticks for the pennants. This is an artist made, very well crafted TV/ Mo...
Wood
Batman Returns Large Barbell Movie Prop - Seen on Film
Located in Forney, TX
Own a piece of Hollywood history, this Batman Returns (Warner Bros., 1992), circus strongman barbell movie prop is sure to start a conversation while making a statement in your theat...
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 construction of Jaws, very nice vintage item, weighs approx. 30 lbs. Circa Late 20th ...
Fiberglass, Rubber, Paint
Mid Century Modern Swedish Geometric Figurative Oil Painting - The Juggler
Located in Bristol, GB
The ground is dotted with playful red and purple marks, while a looping line hints at a hoop or prop, reinforcing the carnival atmosphere. Executed in flat planes of paint, the brus...
Oil, Board
Mid-Century Modern Era Large Cast Plaster Seated Black Panther Sculpture
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
The origins of this sculpture are unknown, but may have been used in an advertising store display application, or even possibly as a carnival or studio prop. Please note the size pos...
Plaster
Beatriz Milhazes Limited Edition Signed Monograph, Art Book
By TASCHEN
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Since her breakthrough in the early 1990s, Milhazes has branched out into other media, creating silk screens, collages of chocolate and candy wrappers and all kinds of papers, sculpt...
Paper
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, feet, hands and head with big blue eyes and top it off a fun blue hat falling forwar...
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 The Screen Above the Trunk, see Image 7.
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 Clown.
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 beautiful enigmatic hand painted face. 50cm height, 50cm width approx. Metal plate and hoo...
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 juggling.
Wood
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 graphic and quite possibly one of a kind. Found in the southern United States.
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 the original 1973 London stage production of "The Rocky Horror show". provenance...
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.
Paint
Giant Vintage Wooden Horse Sculpture, USA, 1950s
Located in Retie, BE
This impressive eyecatcher is an awesome decoration object for shop, restaurant, theater, cinema, film prop, carnival lover, horse lover, range, horse riding school, jumping , shop w...
Hardwood
Carnival Midway Sideshow Banner
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Original hand-painted canvas sideshow banner for carnival midway sideshow entrance. Not signed but most likely out of Chicago Tent and Awning's banner shop. Original wood strip attac...
Canvas
$26,246 / set
H 6.7 in W 37.41 in D 37.41 in
Mah Jong sofa in ‘Kenzo Takada’ fabric by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois France
By Roche Bobois
Located in Buggenhout, Oost-Vlaanderen
Very nice Mah Jong modular sofa with the original and colorfull ‘Kenzo Takada’ fabric! Designed by Hans Hopfer for Roche Bobois France. In the 1970s Hans Hopfer created the Mah Jong...
Fabric
Concrete Barchan Planter by OPIARY (L42", W28", H10")
By Robert Remer
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Opiary is a Brooklyn-based biophilic design and production studio. We integrate nature in each of our designs, incorporating live greenery and organic shapes into bespoke furniture, ...
Cement
$10,577 / item
H 35.83 in W 64.97 in D 39.38 in
Hand Tailored Fringes 2-Seat Sofa in Antique Pink Velvet
By Munna Design Studio
Located in New York, NY
The handmade sofa draws on the signature Franjas fashion theme, ruffling the scene and inviting guests with its fun and flirtatious feel. Featuring three layers of fringes that run a...
Velvet, Wood, Silk, Trimming
$1,764
H 31.75 in W 23.5 in D 0.1 in
Godzilla R1954 Original French Moyenne Film Movie Poster, A. Poucel
Located in Bath, Somerset
We love the extremely cool graphics that features on the rare and highly sought after late 50s French Re-release for 1954s Godzilla. This original vintage poster has been profession...
Paper, Linen
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
1950s American Hand-Painted Carnival Ride Panel
Located in Chicago, IL
1950s American hand-painted carnival ride panel.
Mirror, Wood
$25,840Sale Price|20% Off
H 45 in W 31 in D 13.5 in
Pair of Amethyst Cathedral Geodes, Violet Purple with Large Amethyst Druzy
Located in Ametista Do Sul, BR
Spectacular Large and Tall Pair of AAA-Grade Amethyst Geodes with Violet Purple Purple Amethyst Druzy ▫️ Description A book-matching pair of Amethyst geodes that are top-tier and h...
Crystal, Quartz, Rock Crystal
Large-Scale American Folk Art Carnival Game Board, Very Graphic
Located in Atlanta, GA
Large-scale Folk Art Carnival game board, American, circa 1940s. This painted carnival game board came from Texas and combines wonderfully patinated graphic colors in a highly collec...
Wood, Cork
$13,409
H 23.63 in W 14.97 in D 7.88 in
Italian Marble Bust Vanitas / Memento Mori 19th Century Carved Sculpture Italy
Located in Ijzendijke, NL
Masterfully carved Italian Vanitas bust in solid marble from late 19th century. White Carrara marble skull combined with a red Rosso Imperiale marble Roman toga (robe). The roman...
Marble, Carrara Marble
Exquisite Wall-Mounted Flying Red Golden Amherst Pheasant Decor
Located in New York, NY
Enhance your home decor with our exquisite wall-mounted flying Red Golden Amherst Pheasant. This stunning piece captures the beauty and grace of the Red Golden Pheasant in mid-flight...
Feathers
$10,557
H 59.06 in W 27.56 in D 27.56 in
1940's WW2 Carl Zeiss BLC Flak 12x60 Anti Aircraft Binoculars
By Carl Zeiss
Located in Leicester, Leicestershire
Carl Zeiss blc Flak 12 x 60 binoculars. A beautiful set of WW2 binoculars in excellent condition made in Germany during World War 2. These were designed to be used in conjunction wi...
Aluminum
Vintage Taxidermy Bear Rug
Located in Chicago, IL
The animal skin rug was bought from a private Estate Sale. The bear's head and claws are beautifully preserved. Has a purple velvet backing.
Animal Skin
Frank Lloyd Wright "Midway 2" Chairs & Table Set, 1914
By Frank Lloyd Wright
Located in Brescia, Brescia
Frank Lloyd Wright Model 603 “Midway” — Set of Four Chairs and Table Midway Gardens, 1914 An early Cassina production of the iconic “Midway” suite, originally conceived by Frank Llo...
Iron
Yukon Moose Shoulder Mount
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Yukon moose taxidermy mount. An older mount, a few scars on nose from fighting. Nice coloring and antlers. Would display nicely in a rustic home or cabin. Late 20th century. Size: 48...
Antler, Fur
Didactic Horseskull, before 1947.
Located in Leuven , BE
The horse skull has been opened up on one side showing the inplant of the teeth below the gum line and the inside of the cranium.
Bone, Organic Material, Wood
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.