Romanian Rocking Horse
Antique 19th Century Romanian Folk Art Toys
Wood, Lacquer
People Also Browsed
1970s American Modern Nude Photography
Silver Gelatin
Vintage 1980s Animal Sculptures
Wood
Antique 1810s Dutch Empire Sofas
Satinwood, Upholstery, Mahogany, Tulipwood
Antique Mid-19th Century American Children's Furniture
Leather, Wood, Paint
Antique 17th Century Italian Baroque Bookcases
Spruce
20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Bronze
Early 18th Century Baroque Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Early 20th Century Impressionist Landscape Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Venice Landscape Italian Oil on Canvas Painting in Gilt Wood Frame, Belle Epoque, Early 20th Century
1970s American Modern Nude Photography
Silver Gelatin
Early 2000s Impressionist Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Antique 19th Century Folk Art Toys and Dolls
Iron
Early 2000s Academic Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Antique 18th Century German Rococo Wine Coolers
Tin
18th Century Old Masters Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
Antique 19th Century English Chinese Chippendale Vitrines
Glass, Mahogany
2010s Academic Figurative Paintings
Canvas, Oil
A Close Look at folk-art Furniture
Folk art is a genre of art that shares the creator’s traditions, offering not just an artistic display but an opportunity to learn about a culture. Antique, new and vintage folk art typically reflects a heritage or location. It can include utilitarian objects and handmade art as diverse as weather vanes, duck decoys, portraiture and paintings, carnival art and quilts.
Quilts are a quintessential part of American folk art but their roots are international, with quilting dating back to Ancient Egypt. The practice spread to Europe and was especially prominent in the Middle Ages, with one of the oldest surviving examples being the Tristan quilt made in Sicily in the 14th century. They were made as bedcovers and clothing, including as a layer for knights to wear beneath their armor. Native American folk art includes functional objects reflecting their heritage, such as baskets, textiles and wooden pieces.
Elsewhere, the vast range of work associated with Mexican folk art includes masks made by Mexican craftspeople for traditional celebrations and ceremonial dances. Mexican masks are part of the country’s folk-art traditions that go back thousands of years and play a role in festivals and theater.
Works in the folk art tradition are valuable because of the skills involved, like weaving, hand-carving wood and even stonework. Many folk artists are self-taught, while some train as apprentices within their community. By using available materials and taking a personal approach to their creations, artists ensure each piece is unique and conveys a story.
During the Great Depression, artistic materials in America were hard to come by, so artisans used discarded wood from cigar boxes and shipping crates to make highly stylized, notched pieces — most often picture frames and boxes — that are today sought after by collectors. This folk art style is called tramp art and was popular from roughly 1870 until the 1940s.
Folk art brings vibrant culture and traditions into your home. Browse an extensive collection of antique, new and vintage folk art on 1stDibs.
Finding the Right toys for You
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. Indeed, antique, new and vintage toys 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. 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 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 and vintage toys as well as folk-art toys on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023A Victorian rocking horse is a child’s toy produced during the Victorian era, which refers to the years of the reign of Queen Victoria of England, 1837 to 1901. Prior to the industrialization that took shape during the 19th century, which allowed these structures to be mass-produced, rocking horses were hand-carved in wood and hand-painted to resemble a horse. Two rockers, mirroring those of modern rocking chairs, are attached to the horse’s legs, and when a child sits on the seat, the horse gently rocks back and forth. On 1stDibs, find a collection of antique rocking horses.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Rocking horses have long been favorite toys for children all over. These fun toys also help with balance and mobility, while encouraging exercise. It’s no wonder that both children and their parents are so taken with these toys. Shop a collection of rocking horses from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022No one knows the exact year that the rocking horse was invented, but they first appeared in early 17th century Europe. On 1stDibs, you’ll find a collection of antique and modern rocking horses from some of the world’s top sellers.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023To tell if a rocking horse is a Collinson, look at the pillar on its safety stand. Authentic pieces will usually have square pillars with wooden diamonds on top. The iron swings that allow the horse to rock were often red on genuine Collinson designs. However, an antique rocking horse may have been repainted, so the color you see might not be the original. A certified appraiser or knowledgeable antiques dealer can assist you with identifying rocking horses. Shop a range of rocking horses on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Traditionally, Victorian rocking horses are made of solid wood. Designed to withstand wear and tear over time, Victorian rocking horses are often crafted with a high-quality wood, such as solid oak. Browse a selection of vintage Victorian rocking horses on 1stDibs.
- 1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023To tell if a rocking horse is antique, first look for a label or mark that indicates the manufacturer’s name. Some makers of antique rocking horses include F.H. Ayers, Collinsons & Sons, G & J Lines, Crossley Brothers and Stevenson Brothers. If you're unable to find a maker's mark, you may wish to enlist the help of a certified appraiser or antiques dealer who is knowledgeable about rocking horses. Shop a variety of rocking horses on 1stDibs.