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Carnival Art For Sale
Folk Art Carnival Sign Winged Scarab and Pyramid "Elixer of Life" Circa 1900
Located in Stamford, CT
Carnival sign with Ancient Egyptian winged scarab and pyramid, hand carved and painted advertisement for "Elixer of Life", circa 1900. This wonderful piece, a personal favorite, has ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Wood
Antique Carnival Prize Chalkware Bulldog Statue / Figure
Located in Cordova, SC
**Historical Background**
American carnival chalkware flourished from 1900-1950, with bulldogs being among the most popular prizes. These pieces were mass-produced as affordable carn...
Category
1930s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Plaster, Paint
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 ma...
Category
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Resin, Fiberglass, Paint
Antique Folk Art Carnival Attraction Hand Painted Sign circa 1940's
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
1677 Hand painted carnival sign world's tallest man and Tom tump
In a pediment frame
Category
1940s Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Hardwood, Paint
Antique American Carousel Horse Carnival Ride Attrib Charles Dare
Located in Forney, TX
A charming antique, circa 1920, American track machine carousel horse amusement ride attributed to legendary carver Charles W. Dare Company (United States), now mounted on a custom r...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
Rustic Carnival Wheel of Fortune Circa 1940s Folk Art Americana
Located in Oakland, CA
Rustic carnival "Wheel of Fortune" circa 1940s, constructed of various solid woods both solid and plywood, the wheel is painted in weathered hues of red and yellow with images of dom...
Category
1940s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Metal
Two Sided Carnival Fun House Glass Mirror
Located in San Mateo, CA
This two sided fun house mirror likely came from a carnival. There are small wheels under the base so it can be moved easily. It also had plywood covers than enclosed the mirrors for...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Carnival Art
Materials
Glass, Mirror, Plywood
Vintage Pair of Venetian Masquerade Masks on Opera Sticks
Located in Miami, FL
A pair of Folk Art jester masks that are original Venetian creations, entirely hand-drawn and handcrafted, circa 2000. Italian Artists have realized these pieces with respect of craftsmanship traditions and following original designs developed in Venice for “Commedia dell'Arte” during the late 17th century.
The coated papier mâché faces...
Category
20th Century Italian Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Gold, Brass, Metallic Thread
Beatles Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band Golden Record Carat Rec 011/100
Located in Nuernberg, DE
1970s The Beatles 24-karat gold-plated record, unframed. Limited edition of 100, 11/100 with “Certificate of Authenticity” included. Golden Record on a red Velvet wooden plate. Nice ...
Category
1970s German Modern Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Wood, Velvet
Early 20th Century Rare Chicken Fairground Target Panel from Paris
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century Rare Chicken Fairground Target Panel from Paris
Made from pine and papier Mache with hand painted detail. Known as a Passé Boule in France these fairground amusem...
Category
1920s French Victorian Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Pine, Paper
1960s Dutch Papier Mache Blue Bulldog Carnival Parade Head
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century unique and wonderfully fun large painted papier mache carnival head. This "Blue Bulldog" head resembles a very grumpy little cartoon bulldog with a studded collar and loa...
Category
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Paper
1960s English Carnival Sign
Located in High Point, NC
1960s carnival art sign from England. It is advertising a cake walk on one side of the sign, and on the back has a charming message "Have a nice Victorian day". Great sign for any co...
Category
1960s English Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Wood
Vintage Painted Wood Carnival Game Wheel
Located in Troy, MI
Found in the US, this painted wood carnival game wheel dates from the late 1940s/early 1950s. Wood wheel has colorful painted details and numbers separated by nails. The original lea...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Metal
Carousel Ostrich Sculpture
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Hand carved wood sculpture of carousel ostrich.
Category
1980s Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Wood
$795 Sale Price
36% Off
'Strike ‘Em Out’ Carnival Toss Sign, 1940s USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique vintage, mid-20th century “Strike ‘Em Out” game sign. 6.5 feet tall and 4 feet wide. Hand painted on 0.75 inch thick plywood. Strike Out originated as a baseball-like street game but also became a popular carnival attraction, where a pitcher hurtled a rubber baseball at a batter in front of the sign with the aim to get the ball in the hole. The game originated in the Chicago area...
Category
1940s American Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Plywood, Paint
19th Century Hand Made Folk Art Carnival Spinning Wheel On Stand
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fun and fabulous Folk Art Carnival Spinning Wheel from the latter part of the 19th century. Totally original and in fantastic condition. Nice old Ted and black paint looks to be corr...
Category
1890s American Folk Art Antique Carnival Art
Materials
Oak, Paint
1900s German Carved Wooden Carousel Horse in Gallop with Crystals and Gold Leaf
By Dentzel Carousel Company
Located in North Miami, FL
1900s German hand-carved wooden carousel horse in a gallop with colored crystals and gold leaf appliques over a metal stand
By: Dentzel Carousel Company (in the style of)
Material: ...
Category
Early 1900s German Belle Époque Antique Carnival Art
Materials
Crystal, Metal, Gold Leaf, Enamel
Rare Folk Art Iron Shooting Gallery Carnival Ram Sculpture
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Fabulous folk art freestanding animal sculpture made from found carnival art shooting gallery iron ram. Rich with authentic character, the brown patinated surface is pocked with bul...
Category
Early 1900s American Folk Art Antique Carnival Art
Materials
Iron
Antique French Limonaire Frères Signed Carved Painted Wood Carousel Donkey Ride
Located in Forney, TX
A rare, important and most charming French carousel amusement ride by important Parisian craftsmen Limonaire Frères / Limonaire Brothers (France; 1839-1932)
Hand-crafted in Paris, France in the late 19th century, exceptionally executed near life-size form depicting a standing donkey figure with the rare unique feature of a nodding head. Finished in country fair taste, hand-carved solid wood construction, the menagerie merry-go-round ride presents splendidly, with the original layered polychrome paint finish, enhanced by beautifully aged heavily worn patina acquired over many years of carnival use.
Signed, retaining the original manufacturer's brass plaque that reads: "Sculptures Pour Forains, Chevaux De Bois Etc, Limonaire Freres, Paris, 166 Avenue Daumesnil"
The extremely rare, museum quality example is one of the very few surviving Limonaire Frères wooden carousel fixtures, one of only a handful imported to the United States, and quite possibly the last surviving donkey!
DIMENSIONS: (approx)
44" High, 52" Wide, 10" Deep
PROVENANCE / ACQUISITION:
Acquired from the highly reputable auction house, Schultz Auctioneers, Clarence, New York. Important Antiques & Decorative Arts catalog
HISTORY:
Limonaire Frères were an amusement ride and later street organ...
Category
19th Century French Folk Art Antique Carnival Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
1930s Amusement / Carnival Motorcycle Ride, Carousal, Merry-go-round
Located in Buffalo, NY
1930s Antique midway amusement park wooden motorcycle ride is one of the earliest produced for carousels and merry-go-rounds. Wonderful aged patina, ...
Category
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Metal
Circus Poster by Ringling Bros., circa 1971, "Clown Standing over Tents"
Located in Incline Village, NV
This highly animated, bright and colorful circus poster portrays a fabulous looking clown in white frilled garb with red stripes, welcoming everyone to see the "Greatest Show on Earth...
Category
1970s Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Paper
1920s American Carousel Horse
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
A decorative 1920s carved wood American carousel horse, in original paint. Rests on a later made stand.
Category
20th Century American Carnival Art
Materials
Wood
Pair of Mid-20th Century Laurel and Hardy Theatre Masks
Located in London, GB
Pair of Mid-20th Century Laurel and Hardy Theatre Masks
A quirky matched pair of hand-crafted papier mache mid-20th Century French theatre masks. In the form of the world-renowned...
Category
1950s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Paper
Colorful Painted Carousel Style Rocking Horse
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A remarkable large scale painted rocking horse decorated in the manner of a carousel horse. The white horse with brown mane and tail wears a red saddle on a blue blanket. The rump is decorated with a blond female mask flanked by pink and white dogwood flowers, the breast with the same flowers. With inset plastic colored faceted stones overall. With two brass twisted rods mounted on the white rocker...
Category
20th Century Hollywood Regency Carnival Art
Materials
Wood
Huge vintage 1970s / 1980s French painted fairground / carnival banner- makeup
Located in Hastings, GB
Huge late 1970s/ early 1980s French painted fairground / carnival / sideshow banner.
Presumably part of an American themed ride or attraction, it's decorated with cool girls, makeup,...
Category
Late 20th Century French Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Canvas
1940s Coney Island Amusement Park Kiddie Car Fire Engine in Original Condition
By Pinto Brothers Mfg.
Located in Savannah, GA
Produced by Pinto Bros Mfg of Coney Island, New York, this all-original 1940s firetruck was part of a circular ride at the famed Coney Island Amusement Park. Featuring lucky Number 4...
Category
1940s American Industrial Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Metal
$975 Sale Price
50% Off
Monumental Fiberglass Lion Sculpture Drinking Fountain mFG. by F.A.S.T Corp
Located in Buffalo, NY
Monumental Fiberglass Lion Sculpture Drinking Fountain mFG. by F.A.S.T Corp..Salvaged from Crystal Beech ,famed amusement park in Ontario Canada,, Amazing Cartoon Lion ,complete with...
Category
1970s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Chrome
Wooden Carousel Horse / Zebra, European Hand-Carved Folk Art Sculpture
Located in Madrid, ES
Detailed and expressive, this authentic handmade carousel / merry-go-round zebra demonstrates how popular or folk style sculpture can reach the level of high art. With its original p...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Iron
Rare Early 20th Century Hand Carved Fairground Dragon Ride Fragment
Located in London, GB
Rare Early 20th Century Hand Carved Fairground Dragon Ride Fragment
A highly decorative and delightful object of an early 20th Century fairground dragon ride fragment panel. Would l...
Category
1920s Unknown Victorian Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Pine
Traditional Carnival Mask from Lazarim, Portugal
Located in Matosinhos, 13
Carved from natural alder wood, this mask depicts a vampire and is typically worn by villagers during the Entrudo festivities. Known as one of Portugal's most traditional Carnivals, ...
Category
2010s Portuguese Carnival Art
Materials
Wood
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 patinate...
Category
1940s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Wood, Cork
Soldier Carnival Shooting Gallery Targets
By King
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Early examples of 'King' soldier shooting gallery targets. Rare shape and extremely thick. King manufactured shooting galleries and targets thr...
Category
Early 20th Century American Carnival Art
Materials
Iron
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 ...
Category
1950s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Canvas
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
19th century Carved wooden fairground horse by Limonaire Freres Paris
Located in Malton, GB
This a hugely decorative as well as collectible 19th century Fairground carousel horse by renowned makers Limonaire Freres. The Limonaire brothers were based in Paris and were well k...
Category
19th Century Antique Carnival Art
Materials
Pine
Rare Jaguar Wood Figure Found in Chilapa, Guerrero, Southern México, ca. 1940
By NONO
Located in Guadalajra, Jal
This vintage hand carved and hand painted Tiger, is presumed to have been made in or near Chilapa, Guerrero in circa 1940 in a Folk Art style. The carving has been made in a naive st...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Wood
Early 20th Century Carnival Carousel Funhouse Architectural Columns
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Fun antique architectural elements from carnival carousel or funhouse ride. Layers of beautiful original park paint. Great scale for wall art or to act as a frame for something else. Unique and original fairground art!
Category
1890s American Folk Art Antique Carnival Art
Materials
Wood
Antique Carnival Party Box with Original Objects, circa 1940
Located in Barcelona, ES
Antique vintage party box with all the original objects. Manufacturer by El Ingenio, Barcelona, Spain, circa 1940. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use...
Category
1940s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Metal
$308 Sale Price
79% Off
Vintage Carnival Midway Wood Ring Toss Game
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Great vintage carnival midway ring toss game. Perfect wall art. Wood with original park paint surface. These appear to be one of a kind carny made pieces for...
Category
1950s Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Wood
Vintage French Blue Tones Paper Garland Sculpture circa 1930 Antique Decor
Located in Barcelona, ES
Embrace the allure of vintage charm with this exquisite antique paper garland sculpture in mesmerizing blue tones. Crafted in France circa 1930, this piece is a testament to timeless...
Category
1930s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Paper
$450 Sale Price
67% Off
Pair of Vintage Carnival Mirrors
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very cool pair of vintage carnival fun house mirrors. Both are convex mirrors in a black wood frame. Mirrors are made of Lucite not glass. So...
Category
1960s English Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Wood
$4,200 / set
Matched pair of Early 20th Century English Hand Crafted Fairground Fragment
Located in London, GB
Matched pair of Early 20th Century English Hand Crafted Fairground Fragment
These historic hand carved early 20th century English fairground ride decorative fragments have stood the...
Category
Early 20th Century British Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Pine
Antique Hand-Painted Wooden Carousel Horse with Saddle - Multicolored
Located in Mortsel, BE
This antique hand-painted wooden carousel horse is a beautiful piece of fairground history, expertly crafted with attention to detail. The multicolored design features a classic sadd...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Carnival Art
Materials
Metal
Carved American Carnival Head, circa 1890s
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Finely featured carved man's head found in the southern United States. Most likely a late 19th century carnival head featured in a ball or ring toss game.
Category
19th Century American Folk Art Antique Carnival Art
Materials
Wood
Folk Art Bag, Made by Coca Cola Crown Caps, Burkina Faso, Late 80’s
Located in Milan, IT
A small funny and unusual folk Art bag, made by Coca Cola crown caps wired together. Burkina Faso, late 80s.
Category
Late 20th Century Burkinabe Carnival Art
Materials
Metal
Early 20th Century scratch built fairground roulette wheel
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century scratch built fairground roulette wheel
A unique example of an early 20th Century scratch built fairground roulette wheel. With a solid brass central weighted nob ...
Category
1920s British Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Pine
Exquisite Vintage Venetian “Medico della Peste” Mask in Gilt and Black Lacquer
Located in TEYJAT, FR
Exquisite Vintage Venetian “Medico della Peste” Mask in Gilt and Black Lacquer
This stunning Venetian full face mask is a beautiful work of craftsmanship, perfect for collectors or as a decorative piece.
This striking vintage Venetian mask...
Category
20th Century Italian Baroque Revival Carnival Art
Materials
Paper
Circa 1900 American Ringling Brothers Circus Fairground Cart Panels Tiger & Lion
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A rare survivor, fantastically decorative pair of plaster and hand painted animal cart panels used by the Ringling Brothers Circus Show circa 1900
The two panels would have hung ov...
Category
Early 1900s American Antique Carnival Art
Materials
Plaster, Pine
Mid-Century Era Molded Fiberglass Carnival Clown Head or Midway Game Component
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This whimsical clown head is unsigned, but presumed to have been made in Canada in approximately 1965 in the period Mid-Century carnival style. The head...
Category
Mid-20th Century Canadian Mid-Century Modern Carnival Art
Materials
Fiberglass
Iron Shooting Target of a Pig
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique shooting target made from cut steel and iron in the shape of a pig. The piece is quite rusty and weathered from all it's years in use.
Category
Early 20th Century North American Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Steel
$720 Sale Price
60% Off
1970s Collection Boardwalk Souvenir 7up Bottle Carnival Game Mid-Century Vintage
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Unusual collection, a set of five old Ocean City or Virginia Beach boardwalk game prizes. These measure each about 20 inches high.
Category
1970s American American Craftsman Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Glass
Original Wood Carved Carnival Midway Poster Letterpress
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Set of three original hand-carved letterpress made by the Neal Walters Poster Company. Fantastic carnival midway scene. Games, carnival rides and acrobats. Carved with incredible detail, please see photos. The colors are the original ink used during the three color posted printing process. Circus and...
Category
1930s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
1960s Dutch Papier Mache Extra Large Jovial Rasta Woman Carnival Parade Head
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century unique and wonderfully fun large painted papier mache carnival head. This extra large Jovial Rasta Woman head has an infectiously happy yet devious face. Traditionally wo...
Category
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Paper
Lion Carved Wooden Carousel Figure: Antique
Located in Mortsel, BE
Behold this majestic antique carousel figure featuring a regal lion. Meticulously hand-carved from wood, this vintage piece exudes timeless charm. A p...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Carnival Art
Materials
Wood
$2,750 Sale Price
20% Off
Large Collection of Carousel Figures, Popeye, Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse...
Located in Mortsel, BE
Large private collection of carousel animals, please send message when questions.
Category
Early 20th Century Carnival Art
Materials
Wood
1960s Dutch Papier Mache Extra Large Sea Devil Carnival Parade Head
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century unique and wonderfully fun large painted papier mache carnival head. This extra large "Sea Devil" head with a seahorse sticking out of the top and an eel going through th...
Category
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Paper
Hand Painted Midcentury Resin White Jumper Carousel Horse by C.W. Parker
By Charles Looff Or C.W. Parker
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Perfectly captured in all it’s glory, this vintage C.W. Parker carousel horse is sure to gallop your heart. One look at this radiant mare, and you’ll see why. The animal’s strength a...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Brass
$2,396 Sale Price
20% Off
Set of 7 Mid-Century Era Painted Wood Carnival Folk Art Sign Box Letters
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This set of seven Folk Art wooden box letters were made in Canada is circa 1965 and were once mounted on a carnival sign for either a ride or an at...
Category
Mid-20th Century Canadian Mid-Century Modern Carnival Art
Materials
Wood
19th Century French Carousel Pig
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Fantastic 19th century carousel pig. Super whimsical carnival piece from a bygone era. Carved wood with cast iron curly tail and handle. Original layers o...
Category
Late 19th Century French Folk Art Antique Carnival Art
Materials
Iron
Circus Poster by Ringling Bros., circa 1971, Portraying Six Seated Clowns
Located in Incline Village, NV
This bright and colorful circus poster depicts six seated clowns with their backs to the audience and an alphabet letter on their back spelling out the word "Circus". It is a reissued poster by Ringling Brothers from 1971 of one of their original 1936 promotional circus posters.
To commemorate their 100th anniversary, in 1971, Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey, produced reissues of some of their select and most famous authentic posters dating from 1883 until the 1930's. There were 30 different posters, and they were advertised as "The only antique posters authorized by the greatest show on...
Category
1970s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Paper
Antique and Vintage Carnival Art
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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Papier Mache Carnival
Antique Shooting Target
Antique Shooting Targets
Carnival Wheel
Carousel Horses
Fairground Panel
Antique Amusement Park
Antique Carnival Wheel
Scale Carnival
Vintage Carnival Tent
Carnival Banner
Carnival Shooting
Vintage Carnival Mirror
Carnival Prop
Circus Banners
Carnival Targets
Clown Shoes
Juggling Pins