Urban Country
About Urban Country
Urban Country houses unique objects and colorful remnants of America's past. Starting in the late 1990's, Steven Schwartz and Casey Hale have focused the Urban Country collection on anonymous American Folk art as well as pieces from carnivals, circuses and sideshows of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Vintage sideshow banners, shooting galleries and ventriloquist heads are on display alongside vintage industrial furniture and lighting, antique American flags, massive 19th century general store tables, anonymous American folk art and humorous vintage and antique road signage. Every piece evokes a personal narrative, documenting the American experience throughout the decades.
to
119
82
44
31
28
22
22
19
4
3
3
2
2
1
1
1
1
1
19th Century Gold Giltwood Carved Letters William Trade Sign
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Classic 19th century American wood trade sign with chunky hand carved and gold painted letters. Ready to display.
Category
Antique Late 19th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
Original Wood Carved SHOW Majorette Letterpress Triangle Poster Company
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Large hand carved circus or carnival SHOW letterpress with wonderful and graphic carved majorette. This wood cut was made by the Triangle Poster Company in Pittsburgh. Triangle Poste...
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Wood
Vintage Elks Club Hand Painted Event Sign Donkey Armchair Races
Located in Santa Monica, CA
This was a really fun find! "All Elks and Their Ladies." Hand painted event and dance signs for Elks Club. These appear to have been used over a 40 year period. They would recycle each year by repainting dates and prices. Sometimes covering up with a new piece of cardstock and repainting the info. Admittedly done by an accomplished sign painter...
Category
Vintage 1940s Signs
Materials
Paper
Vintage Carnival Spinning Jumbo Carny Trick Gamewheel
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Early 20th century carny made carnival game wheel. Spinning arrow appears to have been gaffed (weighted) to make winning the game more difficult. Lots of care and time went into the ...
Category
Vintage 1920s American Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Iron
O'Henry Fred Johnson Salem Witch Trials Sideshow Spider Girl Banner
Located in Santa Monica, CA
O'Henry Tent and Awning sideshow banner with original shipping tag. Unusual subject matter and fantastic story from the Salem witch trails to Spider Girl. ...
Category
Vintage 1940s American Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Canvas
Vintage Pair of Reptile Zoo Snake Signs
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Pair of vintage hand-painted wood zoo signs for reptile exhibit. From Benson's Wild Animal Farm in Hudson, New Hampshire. The farm was called the "Strangest Farm on Earth" and opened...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
c1890 42 Star American Uncut Flags Washington State
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Framed uncut roll of 42 star American Flags. Washington state was the 42nd state to enter the union. This flag was never official as four other states...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century American Folk Art Political and Patriotic Memo...
Materials
Cotton
c 1920 Brass Star of David Chandelier from Chicago Synagogue
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Historical and significant brass electrified Star of David from the last grand Chicago synagogue, Agudas Achim. Beautiful when lit. Hard to believe these were hung as chandeliers in ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Brass
Vintage Carnival or Casino Neptune's Trident Lighted Trade Sign Americana
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Unique lighted Neptune's trident carnival ride or casino trade sign. Really nice graphic piece. Original layers of golden yellow and red park paint. Provides a nice amount of warm li...
Category
Vintage 1930s American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Metal
Giant Wood Early 20th Century Hand Painted Americana Barber Shop Sign
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Large and chunky Americana! Fantastic and original Barber Shop trade sign in the shape of a barber pole. Great statement piece. Layers of super graphic red and white original paint. ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Signs
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
Antique 1890s American Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Wood
Vintage Hand Painted British Motorcycle Shop Sign
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Vintage graphic Motorcycles sales and service sign. Great hand-painted lettering. Wood with original paint surface. Found in the northeastern United States. Fun Americana with a Brit...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
19th Century American General Store Apothecary Grain Paint Hand Stenciling
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Beautiful 19th century general store large scale yellow pine apothecary in old surface. Found in the north eastern united states. Most likely of Pennsylvania origin. Red stain grain ...
Category
Antique 1880s American Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Wood
Circa 1890 Hardware Store Wood Trade Sign Carved Smaltz Black and Gold Paint
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Exceptional late 19th century hand carved letters with black and Gold paint and black smaltz background. Excellent typography. Great wall art. Simple and bold.
Category
Antique Late 19th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
Herschell Spillman Cast Iron Vintage Carousel Heads
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Fantastic set of three Herschell Spillman carousel rounding board heads. Cast iron faces with wood board backs. All in original park paint. Each face/bo...
Category
Vintage 1910s American Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Iron
Wood Carved Red and White American Folk Art Barber Pole Trade Sign Sconce, C1920
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Great Americana! c. 1920s American Folk Art wood and iron carved barber pole. Layers of thick original red and white hand painted surface. Substantial iron mounts and iron strapping around neck of sconce. Unique wall sconce...
Category
Vintage 1920s North American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Iron
Large Framed American Flag Folk Art Quilt
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Nicely faded American flag quilt. Excellent hand stitched dancing Folk Art stars. Skilled quilting, a nice graphic large-scale wall hanging. White ...
Category
Early 20th Century North American Folk Art Political and Patriotic Memor...
Materials
Cotton
Vintage Cast Iron Swing Out Stool Round Cafeteria Table
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Unusual cast iron and wood swing out stool cafeteria table. Most likely a school or factory cafeteria table. Original paint surface. Super functional....
Category
Vintage 1930s American Industrial Dining Room Tables
Materials
Iron
Vintage School Crossing Safety Guard Folk Art Trade Sign
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Original hand painted school safety crossing guard sign. Sheet metal and wood. Great original surface. Has original leaning brace mounted on back, but c...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Sheet Metal
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
Antique Late 19th Century French Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Iron
19th Century American Folk Art Iron Horse Weathervane
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Ex. Jane Cipley collection. Fantastic sheet and strap iron horse weathervane. Originally found in the midwest. Old make-do repair to tail. Great...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century American Folk Art Weathervanes
Materials
Iron
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
Vintage 1930s American Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Paint, Wood
Vintage "Lowest Prices" Grocery Market Trade Sign
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Great kitchen conversation piece. Grocery store in market advertising trade sign, circa 1950s. Simple and too the point. Looks to be painted by the hand of a skilled sign painter.
Category
Vintage 1950s American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
Early 20th Century Fort Worth Hotel Oak Display Case Pair
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Fantastic oak display cases. Join together to form a bowtie shape. Each has one door for access and original glass shelves (not shown in images). Very...
Category
Early 20th Century American Mission Cabinets
Materials
Oak
Anonymous Abstract Geometric Painted Board
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Bold geometric abstract board found in Texas. We have a collection of these boards from an anonymous artist. Painted on recycled cupboard doors, table tops, stool tops and bread boar...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Folk Art Paintings
Materials
Wood
Caution School Zone WPA Style Wood Sign Red White and Blue Hand Painted
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Chunky red, white and blue hand painted school safety zone sign. Super graphic and bold. Nice thick construction.
Category
Vintage 1950s American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
Early Carnival Midway 7.5 Foot Tall Game Wheel Monterey with Gooseneck Light
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Fantastic giant carnival game wheel with applied scenic Monterey theme. All original surface paint. Chunky turned stand. Measures: 7 foot . Really unique gooseneck lamp for illuminat...
Category
Vintage 1920s American Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Wood
Late 19th Century Spanish Colonial Carved Santos with Glass Eyes
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Late 19th century hand-carved Santos with inset glass eyes and original gesso paint surface. On custom museum display stand. Base measures 6" x 6".
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Central American Spanish Colonial Sculptures a...
Materials
Gesso, Wood
Vintage Magician Magic Suitcase Hand Painted Folk Art
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Fantastic Magician's suitcase. Hand painted and lettered. Vintage Folk Art rabbit trick and card paintings. Great bookshelf display.
Category
Vintage 1940s American Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Fabric, Canvas
Collection of Three Carnival Shooting Gallery Target Knockover Birds
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Nice collection of three carnival midway knockover shooting gallery targets. Nice chunky pieces. Great original layers of white paint surface.
Category
Vintage 1930s American Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Iron
Early American Wood and Iron Double Sided Railroad Station Sign
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Northeastern United States cloakroom sign from rural train station, circa 1900s thick cut wood and heavy iron strapping. Lettering are individually cut out wood pieces. Double sided. One side appears to have been exposed to the elements. One side in very good condition. Fantastic original period iron hooks for hanging. Great railroad collectible.
Category
Antique Early 1900s American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
Wood Carved American Folk Art Muscle Car
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Hand carved Folk Art American Muscle car. Wood carved with original paint surface.
Category
Vintage 1950s Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Southern Missionary Church Sign circa 1930s Original Black and White Surface
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Missionary church sign found in the southern United States, circa 1930s original black and white surface with fantastic hand lettering. Great aged surface.
Category
Vintage 1930s Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
American Folk Art Wood and Iron Farm Bureau Weathervane Advertising Sign
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Great looking cartoon Midwestern Americana weathervane. Farm Bureau Insurance started in 1921. This great piece most likely was a premium or advertising piece. Hand painted wood with...
Category
Vintage 1940s American Folk Art Weathervanes
Materials
Iron
Wood Carved Store Display Trade Sign Artist Paint Brushes Original Paint
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Fantastic hand carved giant wood artist paintbrushes. All original multi colored paint surface. Completely wood carved. Perhaps part of a retail w...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Wood
Signed Snap Wyatt Sideshow Banner
By Snap Wyatt
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Fantastic "Plenty For Two" sideshow banner painted by Snap Wyatt. Great manageable size.
Category
Vintage 1950s American Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Iron
American Folk Art Workshop Wrench Wood Trade Sign
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Fantastic and substantial wood and iron wrench tool sign. Hand written fractions and original yellow paint. Very sturdy and well made. Great industrial workshop turned folk art. The ...
Category
Vintage 1930s American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Iron
Early 20th Century Carved and Painted Wood Whirligig
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Carved and painted wooden soldier whirligig. Early 20th century American. Soldier has a leather hat with wooden brim. Presented on simple custom museum...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
American Folk Art Tool Museum Sign 1950 Tool Assemblage
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Wentworth Tool Museum sign assembled with scrap tools and hardware. Assemblage include many wrenches, drill bits, saws and scissors. Heavy iron constructio...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Iron
Collection of Three Vintage Carnival Midway Nickel Ride Red Signs
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Fun collection of three vintage carnival midway signs. Nickel rides! Original professional sign painters handiwork. Excellent graphic skills. Great vintage age. All three signs have ...
Category
Vintage 1940s American Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Wood
American Folk Art Cowboy and Horse Whirligig
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Tall one of a kind cowboy and horse spinning whirligig American Folk Art piece. Most likely from a larger folk art environment. Sheet steel constructi...
Category
Vintage 1940s American Folk Art Outsider and Self Taught Art
Materials
Iron, Sheet Metal
1950 Vintage American Folk Art Band Stand Hand Painted Goofy Jazz Music Stand
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Hand painted band stand folding music stand, circa 1950s. Great folk art design and Goofy dog painted. Possibly from the Jazz Mill in Phoenix. Great wall han...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Composition, Metal
Wood Lawn Bowling Game Original Caddy and Bowling Balls, circa 1900
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Lawn bowling set and caddy. The best orange and yellow paint. Great as a display or design accessory. Or play the game! Complete and as good as it gets. Includes 14 wood carved pins...
Category
Antique Early 1900s North American Folk Art Sports Equipment and Memorab...
Materials
Wood
Sculptural Wood and Iron Strap 19th Century Farm Implement
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Super clean lines and sculptural 19th century American farm implement. Over eight and a half feet wide large scale looks amazing hung on a modern white...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century North American Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Iron
Odd Fellows or Free Masons Ceremonial Lodge Candle Holders Star Heart Anchor
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Fantastic lodge symbol candleholders. Brass and iron. Possibly one of a kind. Heart, anchor and star symbols. Really great look and functional.
Measures: Heart 15" x 19.5 x 2
Anchor 18" x 23" x 2"
Star 20...
Category
20th Century North American Folk Art More Folk Art
Materials
Brass
Collection of Three Cast Iron Star Victorian Daughters of the Revolution Markers
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Collection of three Daughters of the Revolution cast iron star markers. Marked GAR Thos Feushaw Post 75 Conn.
Category
Antique 1890s North American Folk Art Garden Ornaments
Materials
Iron
Carved USWV Lodge Pedestal Podiums Folk Art American Flag and Clasped Hands
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Fantastic pair of ceremonial lodge pedestals from United Spanish War Veterans lodge in Toledo, Ohio. One with a very well carved and three dimensional Amer...
Category
Vintage 1930s Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Wood
Folk Art Hand-Carved Wood Witch Weathervane
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Hand-carved Folk Art witch weathervane found in the northeast. Very nicely carved thick Folk Art weathervane with layers of heavy original paint surf...
Category
Vintage 1930s American Folk Art Weathervanes
Materials
Wood
Vintage Leather Medicine Ball
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Vintage heavy leather medicine ball. Great worn chocolate brown leather patina. Hand-painted team info or weight numbers on side.
Category
Vintage 1920s Unknown Folk Art Sports Equipment and Memorabilia
Materials
Leather
Vintage Late 19th Century Canvas Circus Carnival Midway Folk Art Sideshow Banner
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Very early American circus or carnival Sideshow Banner, circa 1890-1900. Fantastic paint detail. Great example of American folk art banner painting. The Great American African Camel...
Category
Antique Early 1900s American Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Canvas
Vintage Bronx Toy Factory Copper and Screw Eyes Iron Doll Mold Head
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Vintage Bronx toy factory industrial doll head mold. Awesome screw eyes. Fantastic patina and layered surface from exposure to various chemicals and high heat during the manufacturin...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Steampunk Toys and Dolls
Materials
Copper, Iron
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
Vintage 1950s Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Wood
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
Antique 19th Century American Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Wood
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 carnie made pieces fo...
Category
Vintage 1950s American Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Wood
Heavy Iron Industrial Work Boots Factory Molds
Located in Santa Monica, CA
These are super cool and sculptural. Really heavy iron Industrial work boot molds. These things are solid! Stamped with factory numbers and mold info. Vintag...
Category
Early 20th Century American Industrial Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Iron
Collection of Three Black Vintage Leather Medicine Balls
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Great vintage collection of three black leather medicine balls. Excellent warm vintage patina. Traces of white painted team letters and numbers.
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Sports Equipment and Memorabilia
Materials
Leather
American Legion Baseball and Basketball Folk Art Paintings
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Pair of baseball and basketball paintings found in a Midwestern American Legion hall. These were proudly displayed behind the legion hall bar. Grea...
Category
Vintage 1940s American Folk Art Paintings
Cast Iron Clock Face Surround from Observatory Clock Tower Double-Sided
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Very cool cast iron clock face surround, observatory time. Double-sided with great paint surface. Substantial heavy duty iron hooks. Lots of potential...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century American Folk Art Signs
Materials
Iron
American Odd Fellows Lodge Black Wood Counter Folk Art Grain Painted Hourglass
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Great 19th century American folk art counter with original grain painted surface. Fantastic Hourflassl painted design. Open back. Very solid and sturdy counter. Please note the red c...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century American Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Wood
American Odd Fellows Lodge Wood Red Counter Folk Art Grain Painted Gavel
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Great 19th century American Folk Art counter with original grain painted surface. Fantastic Gavel painted design. Open back. Very solid and sturdy counter.
Gavel counter dimensio...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century American Folk Art Painted Furniture
Materials
Wood
