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Folk Art Figurative 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
Carved Wood Polychrome Virgin Mary Statue
Located in New York, NY
Exquisite and compelling wood statue of the Virgin Mary with polychrome paint finish. Well executed, and finely carved we believe it's 19th C Continental, or possibly US in origin. U...
Category

19th Century Spanish Antique Folk Art Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood, Paint

Outsider Art Fluorescent Papier-Mâché Bust Sculpture by Stephen Slomko
By Stephen Slomko
Located in Brooklyn, NY
For your consideration is this rare, one-of-a-kind bust by self-taught American outsider artist, Stephen Slomko (1929-2013). Slomko lived and worked in Farmingdale, New Jersey and up...
Category

1990s American Folk Art Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Paint, Polystyrene, Paper

Vintage German Christmas Tree Stand Iron Folk Art .
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Hugh Christmas tree stand made of iron. The stand is decorated with three large hands painted Santa Claus. The Santa Claus is decorated on both si...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Folk Art Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Iron

Early 20th Century Scandinavian Faded Milliners Head, 1900's
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Beautiful faded wooden gent milliners hea from the early 1900's. The faded lines and the non-treated wood give this head his beautiful character. Absolutely top of the line decorati...
Category

Early 1900s Scandinavian Antique Folk Art Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Large Mexican Folk Art Pottery Sculpture of a Female Depicting Life & Death
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This large and striking Folk Art pottery sculpture is unsigned, but believed to have been done in Mexico or South America in a contemporary Folk Art style. The sculpture is a study of a young woman of color wearing a brightly printed dress and accessorized with large deep red rose earrings...
Category

Late 20th Century Mexican Folk Art Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Pottery

Vintage Bronze Gilt Thai Teppanom Temple Guard Dancing Statue Sculpture
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage statue in gilt bronze metal of Thai Teppanom Temple Guard Dancing statue sculpture. Vintage Handcrafted Gilded Thai Teppanom Temple Guard Dancer...
Category

Mid-20th Century Thai Folk Art Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Large Pink Hand Catchall Sculpture Studio Pottery by Unknown American Artist
Located in Chicago, IL
Handmade large pink hand sculpture/catchall by unknown American artist. Oversized, goofy and in your face. The soft touch of clay adds some life to th...
Category

1980s American Vintage Folk Art Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Royal Doulton Porcelain Figurine, "The Mendicant"
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Royal Doulton The Mendicant, Moroccan figurine of a man wearing a turban and playing a tamburine. High glazed, finely modeled bone china with exquisi...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Folk Art Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Large Carved Wood 'Man & Woman' Figural African Folk Sculpture
Located in Glendale, CA
Large carved wood 'Man & Woman' figural African Folk sculpture. An expressive pair of human figures exquisitely handcrafted from richly colored wood and mounted independently on a me...
Category

20th Century African Folk Art Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Metal

Large Hand-Carved Cypress Knee Figural Sculpture After Botticelli's Venus, 1970s
Located in San Francisco, CA
An impressively sized and strikingly beautiful semi-nude female figural sculpture strongly evocative of Sandro Botticelli's "Birth of Venus", hand-carved from an unusually large cypr...
Category

1970s American Vintage Folk Art Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Cypress

Whimsical Surfer Sculpture by Mitch Berg
Located in San Diego, CA
A really cool and whimsical surfer sculpture by Mitch Berg, circa 2008. The piece is in good vintage condition and measures 10.5" W x 4.5" D x 15" H. ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Folk Art Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Metal

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 Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Terracotta

Mexican Terracotta Articulated Doll Figure, 1920's
Located in Stamford, CT
Amusing Mexican terracotta doll figure with articulated limbs. Since it is solid terracotta it is likely this is a mold from which other dolls were made. As a folk art sculpture it i...
Category

Early 20th Century Mexican Folk Art Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Terracotta

Midcentury African Hand Carved Wood Sculpture of Maria with Child
By Par Makengo
Located in Antwerp, BE
Midcentury African wood sculpture wonderfully hand carved depiction of the Virgin Mary with Child, with great detailing and beautiful face sig...
Category

Mid-20th Century Congolese Folk Art Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Royal Copenhagen Hand Painted Porcelain Young Girl Peasant Feeding a Calf
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a Royal Copenhagen glazed hand painted porcelain figurine of a Danish young girl peasant feeding a calf from a big bucket. Below the base, it is found the Royal Copenhagen ha...
Category

20th Century Danish Folk Art Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Mid-Century Quebec Folk Art Carved & Polychrome Pahined Robed Clergyman & Child
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This hand-carved wooden sculpture is unsigned, but presumed to have originated from Quebic Canada and date to approximately 1950 and done in the period Folk Art style. The sculpture ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Canadian Folk Art Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Pine

Massive Hand Carved Monkey Pod Exotic Hardwood Lovers Embrace Coffee Table
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Masterfully hand carved from what must have been a colossal solid piece of monkey pod hardwood. This nude figural sculpture weighs around 250 lbs. Although ...
Category

Late 20th Century Southeast Asian Folk Art Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Glass, Hardwood

African Folk Art Hand Carved Sculpture Fork and Spoon
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Hand carved African tribal wood carved sculpture of a men and women, Africa tribal Art Decor. Kenyan tribal sculpture featuring an elongated standing man and women with a crown and metal choker. Very simple modern look carved ethnic sculpture...
Category

20th Century Kenyan Folk Art Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Early 20th Century French Folk Art Model
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century folk art model 'EST-CE UN PIETON OU UNE VOITURE?' (IS IT A PEDESTRIAN OR A CAR?) An Early 20th century French hand carved folk art model, depicting a police...
Category

Early 20th Century French Folk Art Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

19th Century Austrian Carved Pine Folk Art Farmer and His Oxen Model
Located in London, GB
19th century carved pine folk art farmer and his oxen model We are proud to offer a unique example of a late 19th century hand carved pine folk art model of a farmer and his oxen. R...
Category

Early 1900s Austrian Antique Folk Art Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Pine

Terracotta Articulated Doll Santos Figure Wearing a Bowler Hat
Located in Stamford, CT
Unusual, and quite amusing Mexican terracotta doll figure with articulated limbs. Since it is solid terracotta it is likely this is a mold from which other dolls were made. As a folk...
Category

Early 20th Century Mexican Folk Art Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic, Clay, Terracotta

Decorative Hand-Carved African Statue from Kenya
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Decorative ebony well hand-carved African statue of a young women. Handmade in Kenya, Africa.
Category

Mid-20th Century Kenyan Folk Art Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Ebony

Old Florida Antique Bronze and Copper Palm Tree Sculpture
Located in San Francisco, CA
Incredibly detailed one of a kind Palm Tree sculpture. It is made from bronze and copper. Magnificent patina. It stands 34 inches high. The base is 9 inches wide and the trunk of tree measures 2 1/2 inches wide. In over 40 years of buying and collecting we have never seen another one. Most palm tree sculptures don't do justice to the actual palm tree. This captures the sway and curves of tree and the rungs. This came out of a 110 year old house in central Florida that still had no air condition. Could be considered a piece of Florida folk art.
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bronze, Copper

Mexican Burnished Clay Figures Folklore with Wooden Frame Folk Art Oaxaca Wall
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
This Folk Art piece is a beautiful representation of the Candela festivity in Yanhuitlan, Oaxaca. A folkloric wall hanging representation of musicians, dancers, and tradition. Artist Manuel Reyes...
Category

2010s Mexican Folk Art Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Clay, Ceramic, Wood

Antique Japanese Master Carpenter Woodwork Tool circa 1890
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Antique Nakashima styled vintage Japanese Master carpenter woodworking tool in metal and wood, circa 1890 Dimensions: Height 1 in. Width 10.5 in. De...
Category

1890s Japanese Antique Folk Art Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Metal

Hand Carved and Hand Painted Wooden Sculpture of a Hunter with Dog
Located in Barntrup, DE
A masterfully carved and hand painted wooden sculpture of a hunter with his dog and gun. This adorable sculpture, beautifully crafted in detail, will decorate any room or make a grea...
Category

1970s German Vintage Folk Art Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Life Size Wicker Palm Tree Sculpture from the FS Flores Collection
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Life size sculpture of a palm tree with a coconut crafted in wicker or reed wrapped over a metal frame with impressive stylized presence. From the FS Flores Collection...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Folk Art Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wicker

The World of Rodin by William Harlan Hale, published in 1976 Hardcover Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
The World of Rodin by William Harlan Hale, published in 1976 by Time Life, USA. The World of Rodin 1840-1917 Hardcover With Slipcase Time Life Vintage Book. 192 pages, pictorial en...
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Paper

Lladro Collectors Society 1985 Don Quixote Porcelain Plaque
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Lladro Collectors Society 1985 Don Quixote porcelain plaque with signatures. This is a 1985 Lladro Collectors Society display sign, handmade in Spain. It contains the signatures of the three Lladro brothers Juan, Jose and Vicente, alongside the image of Don Quixote de la Mancha sitting in a chair with his left hand resting on a book and his right hand clinging to a sword on the floor. It has a shell like pattern on the reverse. It is in a wonderful condition. Excellent condition. Sculptor: Salvador Furio...
Category

Late 20th Century Spanish Folk Art Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain

Carved Wooden African Head
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A wonderful hand carved head of Hardwood. A stunning sculpted and carved piece. A stand alone decorative piece or can be used as a large book end. Truly a compliment to any space and...
Category

20th Century African Folk Art Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood, Hardwood

Vintage ANRI Folk Art Hand Carved & Painted Sculpture "The Lumberjack" by Duquet
By ANRI
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This vintage folk art hand carved and polychrome painted sculpture is signed with the maker's label of the ANRI group of cavers from Italy and done in circa 1960. This carving was bought from a private estate with another one of one entitled "Old Habitant", which has the identical script on the front and back, but posted separately. These carvings were done by the master carvers of the ANRI factory who worked from a model, usually unique to them, but this one shows it is an example of a work done by the Master Quebec wood...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Folk Art Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Softwood

Large European Folk Art Carved Wooden Standing Man Carrying a Basket Sculpture
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This large Folk Art wooden sculpture is unsigned, but presumed to have been made in Europe and most likely Italy in circa 1920 in a Folk Art style. This large wooden carved sculpture depicts an elderly bearded man carrying a heavy basket on his back and holding the straps in the front to support the weight. This is quite a tall carving...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Folk Art Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Softwood

Chinese Bookends of Soapstone hand carved, Republic Period circa 1920s
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
These are a beautiful pair of Chinese soapstone Bookends made in China during the Republic period, Circa 1920. These bookends are individ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Folk Art Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Soapstone

Beaded Ndebele Ceremonial Doll
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare imported commodity, glass beads have been a symbol of wealth and importance in south African cultures for centuries, and were exclusively distributed by the region's oba (king). As beads become gradually more accessible throughout the 19th century, they began to displace the organic materials used in traditional art and attire. This colorful example of African beadwork is a ceremonial doll...
Category

Mid-20th Century South African Folk Art Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Twine, Cotton, Wood

Wooden Architectural Gou Mata Temple Elements, India, Ca 1900
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Very decorative wooden architectural elements made in India around the year 1900. These carriers, each 28 centimeters high, were part of ...
Category

Early 1900s Indian Antique Folk Art Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Beaded Ndebele Fertility Doll
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare imported commodity, glass beads have been a symbol of wealth and importance in south African cultures for centuries, and were exclusively distributed by the region's oba (king). As beads become gradually more accessible throughout the 19th century, they began to displace the organic materials used in traditional art and attire. This colorful example of African beadwork is a fertility doll...
Category

20th Century South African Folk Art Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Cotton, Wood

Laos Buddha Statue 19th century
Located in New York, NY
19th century Lao Buddha statue. Folk Art figure representation of Buddha. A solid wood block carving with remnants of pigments. To collectors Lao Buddha fig...
Category

1890s Laotian Antique Folk Art Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

After Jean Louis Grégoire Spelter Figure "Boy Playing Pipe"
Located in Los Angeles, CA
After Jean Louis Grégoire (France, 1840-1890) A Charming French 19th-20th Century Patinated Spelter Figure of "The Animal Charmer", depicting a sta...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Folk Art Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Marble, Spelter

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 Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Early 20th Century Scandinavian Hand Carved and Painted Figural Nutcracker
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Scandinavian Folk Art nutcracker with man in cap decoration, circa 1920-1930s. Fine expressive facial and lovely hand painted details. Very nice, vintage condition with light wear co...
Category

Early 20th Century Scandinavian Folk Art Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

19th Century Hand Carved German Apothecary Shop Display Figure
Located in London, GB
19th century hand carved apothecary shop display figure. A rare hand carved 19th century apothecary shop display figure. Of German origin this figure would likely have sat either on...
Category

1880s German Antique Folk Art Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Oak

Vintage Carved Wood Pinocchio Sculpture
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage carved wood Pinocchio sculpture. Charming vintage carved wood Pinocchio sculpture. This interesting bust of Pinocchio is well made with a ...
Category

20th Century Folk Art Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Birch

Beaded Ndebele Ceremonial Doll
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare imported commodity, glass beads have been a symbol of wealth and importance in south African cultures for centuries, and were exclusively distributed by the region's oba (king). As beads become gradually more accessible throughout the 19th century, they began to displace the organic materials used in traditional art and attire. This colorful example of African beadwork is a ceremonial doll...
Category

Mid-20th Century South African Folk Art Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Cotton, Wood

Beaded Ndebele Fertility Doll
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare imported commodity, glass beads have been a symbol of wealth and importance in south African cultures for centuries, and were exclusively distributed by the region's oba (king). As beads become gradually more accessible throughout the 19th century, they began to displace the organic materials used in traditional art and attire. This colorful example of African beadwork is a fertility doll...
Category

20th Century South African Folk Art Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Cotton, Wood

Beaded Ndebele Ceremonial Doll
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare imported commodity, glass beads have been a symbol of wealth and importance in south African cultures for centuries, and were exclusively distributed by the region's oba (king). As beads become gradually more accessible throughout the 19th century, they began to displace the organic materials used in traditional art and attire. This colorful example of African beadwork is a ceremonial doll...
Category

Late 20th Century South African Folk Art Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Cotton, Wood

Hand Made Folk Art Pottery Sculpture of a Mans Head
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A wonderful sculpture of a mans head... reminiscent of an Italian icon, the piece is unique and a wonderful stand alone decorative piece or can be used as a paper weight or bookend. ...
Category

20th Century Folk Art Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Pottery

Staffordshire Pearlware 'John Wesley' Bust
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Staffordshire pottery pearlware bust with a religious theme which features John Wesley, resting on a plinth base. Decorated 'in the round', decoration to front and reverse. Open bott...
Category

1820s English Antique Folk Art Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Pottery

Staffordshire Pearlware Musicians and Sheep Bocage Group
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Staffordshire Pottery pearlware bocage figure with a musical theme which features a couple seated before a tree, playing musical instruments. Sheep and dogs around them, seated on a ...
Category

1820s English Antique Folk Art Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Pottery

18th Century French or Italian Santo Nativity Figure
Located in Nantucket, MA
18th century French or Italian Santo Nativity figure, a hand carved and painted fruitwood figure for a Christmas Creche or Krippe. Excellent and delicate details to the head and hands. The half figure stands on a dowel set into platform base, dressed in original fine linen robe...
Category

18th Century Italian Antique Folk Art Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Linen, Fruitwood

Set of Three Beaded Ndebele Fertility Dolls
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare imported commodity, glass beads have been a symbol of wealth and importance in south African cultures for centuries, and were exclusively distributed by the region's oba (king). As beads become gradually more accessible throughout the 19th century, they began to displace the organic materials used in traditional art and attire. This colorful example of African beadwork...
Category

20th Century South African Folk Art Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Cotton, Wood

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 Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Christmas Tree Stand Iron Folk Art German
Located in Kitzbuhel, AT
Hugh Christmas tree stand made of iron. The stand is decorated with three large hands painted Santa Claus. The Santa Claus is decorated on both si...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Folk Art Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Iron

Early 20th Century Indonesian Carved Wooden Seated Gentleman
Located in Dallas, TX
Presenting a glorious early 20th century Indonesian carved wooden seated gentleman. This is Beautiful bit of ‘treen’ carved most likel...
Category

Early 20th Century Indonesian Folk Art Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Hardwood

Hand Made Stylized Folk Art Wooden Mannequin
Located in Troy, MI
New, hand-crafted mannequin torso composed of spaced and layered unfinished wood. Created and acquired from an English artist.         
Category

2010s English Folk Art Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Figurines by Dr. Harley Niblack
Located in South Charleston, WV
This grouping of 3 figurines and 9 sculpture head figures were obtained directly from Dr. Harley Niblack by the consignor's father (who was also a woodt...
Category

1950s American Vintage Folk Art Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Pair of German Hand Carved Wood Figurative Sculptures of Two Boys Musicians
Located in Barntrup, DE
Adorable pair of hand carved wooden figurines of two boys playing the whistle, Germany, the first half of the 20th century. Dimensions: H...
Category

1930s German Vintage Folk Art Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Mexican Burnished Clay Woman with Child Oaxacan Sculpture Mixtec Ceramic
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
This Mexican ceramic clay hand sculpture is a piece by artist Maricela Gómez López. Made with clay from Oaxaca and Zacatecas, painted with oxides from the region. Done with the hand-...
Category

2010s Mexican Folk Art Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Clay, Ceramic

Set of Six Carnival Knockdown Dolls
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Set of six vintage folk art carnival knockdown dolls crafted in canvas, hand painted on both sides, trimmed with cotton fur and weighted at the bottom....
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Cotton

Folk Art figurative sculptures for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique folk art figurative 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 figurative sculptures created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, folk art, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art figurative 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 figurative sculptures, popular names associated with this style include Jim Rose, Royal Doulton, Benin People, and Staffordshire. 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 figurative sculptures differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $60 and tops out at $16,400 while the average work can sell for $1,000.

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