Folk Art Animal Sculptures
FOLK ART STYLE
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.
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Style: Folk Art
19th C Bronze German Sheppard Doorstop
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th C bronze German sheppard doorstop. Great condition.
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Animal Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
20th C. South Indian Life Sized Carved Peacock Sculpture Statue Folk Art
Located in Dayton, OH
20th century South Indian carved and painted peacock statue. A Folk Art sculpture hand carved on a plinth base. Features bright colors of yellow, green,...
Category
20th Century Folk Art Animal Sculptures
Materials
Hardwood, Paint
Late 19th Century Hand Carved And Painted Wooden Carousel Horse Head
Located in Aramits, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Hand-carved and painted massive wooden horse head, late 19th century, probably from a small carousel or children's toy. Very nice patina through peeling paint and wear.
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Animal Sculptures
Materials
Wood
"Wallace" Skating at the Park, Fine Craft Painted Rabbit, Canada, Circa 1997
Located in Chatham, ON
"Wallace" Skating at the Park - Fine craft raw wood sculpture with a painted finish highlighted with India ink - made from a solid pine branch with...
Category
Late 20th Century Canadian Folk Art Animal Sculptures
Materials
Softwood, Paint
Folk Art Sculpture of the Head of a Seal, South America, 1930´s
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Folk Art sculpture of the head of a seal. South America 1930´s.
The head is mounted over a brass base, as a way to exhibit it.
The head has several crack as you can see on the pict...
Category
Mid-20th Century Argentine Folk Art Animal Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Very Large Example of a Tonala Cat, Artist Signed
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is an exceptionally large Tonala figure of a cat. The piece is artist signed and most probably dates to the 1960s-1980s. The cat is beautifully mold...
Category
20th Century Mexican Folk Art Animal Sculptures
Materials
Clay
Early 20th Century Folk Art Fairground Elephant
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century Folk Art Fairground Elephant
We share what we love, and we love this charming and naively formed early 20th century hand craved fairground ride figure. With a de...
Category
1920s British Vintage Folk Art Animal Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Pair of Majolica Poodle Onnaing, circa 1900
By Onnaing
Located in Austin, TX
French petite pair of Majolica poodle unsigned Onnaing, circa 1900.
Supposed to be a toy.
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Folk Art Animal Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic, Faience
20th C. Hand Carved Egyptian Revival Folk Art Bali Cat Sculpture Statue
Located in Dayton, OH
20th century hand carved folk art wooden cat form sculpture or statue. Features a knockdown design with elegant form. Features pointy claws, curled tale an...
Category
20th Century Folk Art Animal Sculptures
Materials
Hardwood, Paint
Large Hand Carved Duck Sculpture by Miguel Ruelas
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice large hand carved duck sculpture by Miguel Ruelas, circa 1980s. The detail, craftsmanship and painting in this piece is lifelike and truly amaz...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Animal Sculptures
Materials
Wood, Paint
"Folk Art" Sheep, 18th-19th Ctr.
Located in Kastrup, DK
"Folk Art" wooden carved sheep.
Original untouched condition.
Rust colored with natural patina.
China 18'th - 19'th ctr.
Category
Late 18th Century Chinese Antique Folk Art Animal Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Midcentury Brass and Copper Pelican Sculpture
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Amusing mixed metal pelican sculpture crafted in brass, copper, and silvered metal in a distinctive and captivating composition that combines technique ...
Category
20th Century Mexican Folk Art Animal Sculptures
Materials
Copper
Tonala Folk Art Bird Mexican Hand Painted Colorful Pottery 1960s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Tonala Folk Art Pottery Plate Hand Painted Flying Bird, Mexico, circa 1960's.
Vintage Mexican Tonala hand painted pottery bird Folk Art.
Flora de la Cruz ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Animal Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Ebony Wood Hand Carved African Elephant
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Hand carved wood ebony African elephant.
Handcrafted in Africa.
One of the tusk is damaged
Category
Early 20th Century African Folk Art Animal Sculptures
Materials
Ebony
Beautiful Wooden Metal coated Tang-Style Horse, Vintage Asia, 1980s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful decorative horse statue. Some wear with a nice patina, but this is old-age. Wooden horse coated with metal. Very decorative and nice to display ...
Category
1980s Chinese Vintage Folk Art Animal Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Tall African Papier-mâché Giraffe with Leather Ears
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A tall paper mache giraffe in black and brown with leather ears and glass eyes. We see this fun piece in a nursery or in a foyer.
Measures: 17....
Category
20th Century Central African Folk Art Animal Sculptures
Materials
Leather, Glass, Paint, Paper
Swedish Folk Art Centerpiece Sculpture of 3 Cows and a Bull
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A Swedish set of four wooden carved and painted figures of a bull and three cows from early 20th century. Sweden has a long and well known tradition of folk art wooden carving. It started in the rural class, the so called "allmoge" people of the countryside. They could not afford expensive materials such as metals, ivory or ceramic so they used pine wood for the making of kids toys...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Folk Art Animal Sculptures
Materials
Pine
Large Antique Cast Iron Seated Frog Door Stop
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Large Antique cast iron seated frog door stop.
USA, Circa 1920s.
A rare and unusual model, of large size, depicts a seated green frog on a r...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Animal Sculptures
Materials
Iron
19th Century Carved Bull Sign
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Carved and painted wood bull sign. Life size head with carved and painted details, real horns fitted to the head by lead sleeves. The top of the head fashioned from a thick sheath of...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Animal Sculptures
Materials
Metal, Iron
Sergio Bustamante 1970's Paper Mache Giraffe
Located in Guadalajara, Jalisco, MX
Beautiful hand-crafter paper mache bust sculpture of a Giraffe by Mexican Artist Sergio Bustamante from his 1970's period.
Overall great condition, t...
Category
1970s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Animal Sculptures
Materials
Paper
Antique Signed American Folk Art Sewer Tile or Redware Pottery Lion Figurine
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique signed Folk Art lion figurine.
In the form of a recumbent lion.
Signed to the underside. The signature appears to read: 'J Silverthorn'
Made out of a reddish-brown redware or stoneware sewer tile...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Animal Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic, Pottery
Contemporary Hunting Dog Painted Iron Sculpture by José Jerónimo
Located in Coimbra, PT
Hunting Dog by José Jerónimo single piece of art.
Iron sculpture with use of tools and other objects.
Dimensions 22,00 x 10,00 x 42,00 cm
Private collection.
Category
Late 20th Century Portuguese Folk Art Animal Sculptures
Materials
Metal, Iron
Grand Scale Hand Carved Wood Giraffe Sculpture on Base circa 1970's
Located in St. Louis, MO
Grand scale African folk art hand carved wood giraffe, with charred black stained spots. Appears to be carved from log. In fine vintage condition. Unsigne...
Category
1970s African Vintage Folk Art Animal Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Vintage Terracotta Terrier Sculpture
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage terracotta terrier sculpture. This handsome terra cotta terrier figure is realistic in size and features.
Perfect home accent for the dog lover!
Category
1940s Unknown Vintage Folk Art Animal Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
Early 19th Century Italian Carved Lion Figure
Located in London, GB
Early 19th century carved lion figure
An early 19th century hand carved Italian or Spanish representation of a seated lion figure. Anthropomorphism features which are typical of this period. Polychrome paint still visible across its surface with aged repairs and wear as expected, the gesso is visible in sections. Visible ribcage typical of the regions, the possibility this figure could have been part of a larger carved piece of décor furnishing or architecture display...
Category
1820s Italian Antique Folk Art Animal Sculptures
Materials
Gesso, Pine, Paint
Brass Duck Form Decorative Sculpture
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Handcrafted decorative vintage collectible brass duck shape sculpture.
Beautiful handcrafted large cast polished brass bird form.
Vintage large heavy soli...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Folk Art Animal Sculptures
Materials
Brass, Copper
Folk Art Studio Pottery Bunny
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Folk Art Studio Pottery Bunny - We shop a lot and this bunny is one of our favorite finds. A precious little thing with a great spirit and energy. A compl...
Category
20th Century Folk Art Animal Sculptures
Materials
Pottery
Danish Piggy Bank for Charity, circa 1920s
Located in Copenhagen, K
Lovely piggy bank with inscription aiming to collect money for the society for children’s footwear. This union was established in 1889 and was still active in mid-1930s.
Category
1910s Danish Vintage Folk Art Animal Sculptures
Materials
Iron
Carved Basswood Basset Hound Dog Sculpture Statue John Garton JD Adkins
Located in Dayton, OH
"Hand carved and painted basswood seated basset hound by John R Garton and Joe D. Adkins of Petersburg, West Virginia, USA, circa 2014.
John R. Garton picked up a carving tool in...
Category
Late 20th Century Folk Art Animal Sculptures
Materials
Hardwood, Paint
Pair of American Folk Art Tin Clad Pug Dog Bookends
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of American Folk Art Tin Clad Pug dog bookends
USA, circa 1940s
A great pair of hand-crafted, possibly one of kind American Folk Art Tin Clad pug d...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Animal Sculptures
Materials
Tin
Duck Decoy Three-Piece Sculpture by Herb Watson
Located in San Diego, CA
A very cool and unique duck decoy three-piece sculpture by Herb Watson, circa 1987. The detail, craftsmanship and painting of the ducks is amazing; they look absolutely real! The set includes a green winged teal drake and hen (3.25"W x "7D x 3.5"H) on a round pond...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Animal Sculptures
Materials
Wood, Paint
Shell Encrusted Cat Figurine
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A whimsical shell-covered cat figurine. Delicately applied seashells cover this feline figurine in an array of browns. Great for the kitten lover, or for ...
Category
20th Century Philippine Folk Art Animal Sculptures
Materials
Shell
Early 20th Century Folk Art Carved Wood Deer Sculpture
Located in Chicago, IL
A stoic yet charming early 20th century Folk Art carved wood deer sculpture, nearly life size, with a wonderful dry weathered finish, and mounted on a custom steel mount. Perfect dis...
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art Animal Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Rare Original Cody Foster Folk Art Pink Wool Rabbit Easter Bunny Doll Strawberry
Located in Dayton, OH
Rare, one of Cody Fosters early original works. Folk art style stuffed animal figurine in the form of a pink rabbit wearing a bow tie and holding a yellow ...
Category
Late 20th Century Folk Art Animal Sculptures
Materials
Wool, Velvet, Plaster, Paint
Large Antique Carved Wood Female Bambara Chi Wara Antelope Figure
Located in Nantucket, MA
Chi wara is a ritual headdress used by the Bambara people in Mali. Portrayed as both male or female figures Chi ware is associated with agriculture. This fema...
Category
Early 1900s Malian Antique Folk Art Animal Sculptures
Materials
Hardwood
Large Antique Carved Wood Male Bambara Chi Wara Antelope Figure
Located in Nantucket, MA
Chi wara is a ritual headdress used by the Bambara people in Mali. Portrayed as both male or female figures Chi ware is associated with agriculture. This larg...
Category
Early 1900s Malian Antique Folk Art Animal Sculptures
Materials
Hardwood
24" Tall Antique Swedish Large Wooden Horse Carved Hand-Painted 19th Century
Located in Aarhus C, DK
Tall antique Swedish horse in carved wood with original patinated paint in off-white color with blue dots.
Made circa end of the 19th century.
Th...
Category
1890s Swedish Antique Folk Art Animal Sculptures
Materials
Leather, Wood
Very Large Charming Carved Wood Folk Art Swan Decoy Sculpture
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Classic country Folk Art swan decoy of impressive scale, made of painted carved wood and having a wonderful aged patina.
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Animal Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Massive Vintage Cotton Elephant Covered in Indian Textiles
By Harrods, Liberty & Co.
Located in Houston, TX
Massive vintage cotton elephant, covered in Indian textiles, retailed in the 1950s by Harrods. Exterior decorated in embroidered designs, tassels, tiny mirrors...
Category
1950s English Vintage Folk Art Animal Sculptures
Materials
Wire
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Rooster Weathervane
Located in Chicago, IL
A charming early 20th American Folk Art carved pine rooster weathervane with a wonderful silhouette with a large tail, applied wings, and copper legs all supported by an iron rod wit...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Animal Sculptures
Materials
Pine
19th Century English Folk Art Copper Weathervane
Located in London, GB
19th century English Folk Art copper weathervane
A wonderfully pure example of a late 19th century English Folk Art handcrafted copper w...
Category
1880s British Antique Folk Art Animal Sculptures
Materials
Copper
Large Antique Hand Carved Painted Stag Sculpture
Located in Forney, TX
A charming and whimsical vintage hand carved stag sculpture in wood, with original distressed painted white finish, dating to the early 20th century. Exceptionally carved and sculpted from a single log, the solid wooden sculptural figure having no separation except for the removable and adjustable intricately crafted six point antlers and folding ears. Both easily adjust to allow positioning in different locations, such as on a narrow fireplace...
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art Animal Sculptures
Materials
Glass, Wood, Paint
Fantastic Nantucket Hand Carved and Painted Folk Art Seagull Sculpture
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A wonderful Folk Art carved and hand painted wooden seagull on base having an authentic weathered patina and faded grey, black and yellow color palette.
Category
1950s American Vintage Folk Art Animal Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Antique Folk Art Dog And Cat Form Brass Andirons
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An authentic Pair of Antique Cat and Dog Andirons in original as found condition. Ca. early 20th c. hollow cast brass. Each seated and looking out. The cat with a wide curled tail, t...
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art Animal Sculptures
Materials
Brass
16-17th Century Burmese Carved Sandstone Sculpture of Cow
Located in Kastrup, DK
400-500 old Burmese sandstone "Holy Cow" sculpture with beautifully detailed carvings. Very decorative with natural patina.
Mounted on a base of light sandst...
Category
16th Century Burmese Antique Folk Art Animal Sculptures
Materials
Sandstone
Papier Mâché Cat Sculpture in Black and White
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A black and white papier mâché kitten sculpture. This fun figurine depicts a cat with white paws and nose, and a black body. Its soft black eyes see...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Animal Sculptures
Materials
Paint, Paper
Hand Carved African Zebra Bookends
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Nice pair of hand carved heavy wood bookends African Zebra sculptures.
This fine detailed hand carved and hand painted elephant bookends.
Each zebra sculpture with base and side is...
Category
Mid-20th Century Kenyan Folk Art Animal Sculptures
Materials
Hardwood
Primitive Architectural Carved Wood Mounted Indian Horse Head
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Primitive architectural carved wood mounted Indian horse head
A beautiful piece of folk architecture from the Indian continent, the horse head was usu...
Category
Late 18th Century Indian Antique Folk Art Animal Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Large Antique Southeast Asian Thai Carved Polychrome Rabbit Folk Art Sculpture
Located in Forney, TX
A large whimsical hand carved and painted antique Southeast Asian wooden hare sculpture with incised detailing, polychrome decoration and beautifully aged patina.
Hand-crafted in th...
Category
Early 20th Century Asian Folk Art Animal Sculptures
Materials
Wood, Paint
Brass Kondh Sculpture of a Tribal Warrior Riding a Beast
By Konda Tribe
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Wonderful decorative and heavy cast brass of a warrior horse or beast rider.
The horse and warrior are very modern tribal elongated form.
The tribal ho...
Category
Early 20th Century Indian Folk Art Animal Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Large Wild West Cowboy and Horse Sculpture
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Gilt brass sculpture on stand, depicting a celebrating cowboy on a wild horse with great patina.
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Animal Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Early 20th Century Folk Art Driftwood Dachshund Dog
Located in Nantucket, MA
Early 20th century Folk Art driftwood dachshund, circa 1920, a natural form piece of driftwood that has been augmented with the addition of inset Periwinkle shell eyes, two drilled n...
Category
1920s American Vintage Folk Art Animal Sculptures
Materials
Driftwood
Hand Carved Folk Art Wooden Duck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Folk Art hand carved wooden duck - a wonderful piece! One of our favorite pieces, the life size shape and graceful angle of the neck give the p...
Category
20th Century Folk Art Animal Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Important Antique Folk Art Carnival Figure of a Macaque
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A hollow finely carved wood macaque figure dressed as a human with short green hair, a blue jacket and yellow slacks. He stands and holds a walking stick in his left hand and crosses...
Category
19th Century Antique Folk Art Animal Sculptures
Materials
Hardwood
Scottish Ram in Polychrome Wood, 19th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb polychrome carved wooden ram from Scotland-19th century
Very elegant and surprising ram which is almost carved at life size which comes from a Manor in Scotland.
Uncommon ...
Category
19th Century Scottish Antique Folk Art Animal Sculptures
Materials
Hardwood
Folk Art Hand Carved Black Cat Trinket Dish
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Wooden ebonized cat with dish sculpture mounted to a mahogany plinth. Dish can accommodate keys or smaller objects.
Patina / light wear present (paint loss to the tips of ears / edges of green dish...
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Animal Sculptures
Materials
Mahogany, Wood
Porte Dogon Terre/Sculpture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Traditional Dogon architecture throughout a Dogon village consists of a series of unique and exceptional mud buildings which the Artist, Victor Anicet, featured in an organic sculptural manner in his Porte Dogon...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Caribbean Folk Art Animal Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Pair of 19th Century Ceramic Parrot Money Banks, Bornholm Denmark
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Pair of 19th century ceramic parrot money banks, Bornholm Denmark.
Category
Late 19th Century Danish Antique Folk Art Animal Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Folk Art animal sculptures for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique folk art animal sculptures for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage animal sculptures created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, folk art, asian art and furniture and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art animal sculptures made in a specific country, there are North America, Europe, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original animal sculptures, popular names associated with this style include Tonala Pottery, Victor Anicet, Sergio Bustamante, and Nils Olsson. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for animal sculptures differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $38 and tops out at $55,000 while the average work can sell for $1,516.