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
Mexican Terracotta Articulated Doll Figure Wearing a Military Hat
Located in Stamford, CT
Funky and very cool 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 is absolutely charming.
The military hat...
Category
Early 20th Century Mexican Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
German Carved Wooden Figure of Shepherdess with a Sheep
Located in Barntrup, DE
Beautiful hand carved wooden figurine of an adorable girl - shepherdess with a sheep.
Dimensions: Height 35.5 cm / in, width 13 cm / in, ...
Category
1930s German Vintage Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Timber rabbit carved early 20th century
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A nice folk art carved polychrome timber rabit..Female… Beautiful pink, white, and black colors carved with very long ears and a great pair of eyelashes.. part of a collection that we are selling… We have one more of these timber rabbits..
Category
1950s Vintage Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Terracotta Articulated Doll Santos Figure
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
Folk Art Yew Burr Sculpture Carved Human Form Life Size
Located in Cheltenham, GB
Exceptional folk art sculpture depicting a human head and body dressed in a waving organic form cloak with a bone eyepiece.
Exceptional patina with strong carved flowing lines produ...
Category
19th Century British Antique Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Yew
Greenlandica, tupilak in soapstone. Greenland mid-20th century.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Greenlandica, Tupilak.
Traditional, magic Greenlandic figurine carved in soapstone.
Greenland mid-20th century.
In good condition, with damage to the base (see photo).
Dimensions: H...
Category
Mid-20th Century Greenlandic Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Soapstone
Hand-Carved Ironwood Pheasant Sculpture – Vintage Southwestern Art
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This exquisite hand-carved ironwood pheasant sculpture showcases masterful craftsmanship with detailed feather etchings and a graceful pose. The rich, dark hues of the ironwood enhan...
Category
Mid-20th Century Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Iron
Savage or folk story figure in bronze.
Located in 'S-HERTOGENBOSCH, NL
A savage or folk-art figure in bronze on a (recent) bluestone base.
The figure with his long pointed beard is wearing a cape with hood.
In front is a cross. In his hands he holds a ...
Category
Late 18th Century Scandinavian Antique Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Stone, Bronze
19th Spanish Colonial Santos Hands, Set of Three, Mounted
Located in Stamford, CT
Interesting and unusual group of three Spanish Colonial painted plaster hands, two mounted on marble bases and one on a custom wood stand. Whimsical, or just creepy, they are uniqiue. Likely hands from santos figures, which often break off. The previous collector thought enough of them to have them beautifully mounted. Give someone a hand!
Provenance: Artist Karl Mann...
Category
19th Century Peruvian Antique Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Marble
Sheryl C. Benjamin "Musk Ox" Carved Raspberry Alabaster Stone Table Sculpture
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Sheryl Cannold Benjamin (American, 1924 - 2023) "Musk Ox" Carved Raspberry Alabaster Stone Large Table Sculpture on Laminated Pedestal Base, Approx 110 lbs. Circa Late 20th Century. ...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Alabaster
"Day of the Dead" Three-Piece Sculpture of Kahlo & Rivera by Demetrio Aguliar
Located in San Diego, CA
A very cool and unique "Day of the Dead" three-piece Folk Art sculpture of Frida Kahlo & Diego Rivera signed by Mexican artist, Demetrio Garcia Agu...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Pottery, Paint
Latin American Santos de Palos Wood Carved St Raphael Sculpture
Located in Guaynabo, PR
A renown tradition in Latin America the making of Santos de Palos by masters carvers since the 19th century. They hand carved and painted the saints inspired in their personal religi...
Category
20th Century Unknown Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
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
Greenlandica, Taki Petersen. Massive sculpture in soapstone. Hunter and seal
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Greenlandica, Taki Petersen.
Heavy and massive sculpture in soapstone depicting a hunter and a seal.
In excellent condition.
Signed and dated 80.
Dimensions: H 15.7 cm. x L 13.5 cm.
Category
1980s Greenlandic Vintage Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Soapstone
Vintage Boho Carved Wood Cuban Man Sculpture
Located in west palm beach, FL
This Vintage Boho Carved Wood Cuban Man sculpture brings whimsical personality and cultural charm to any space. Standing over four feet tall, this hand-carved and hand-painted figure...
Category
1970s American Vintage Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood, Paint
Found and Salvaged Industrial Objects, Metal Sculpture on Base
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
Known for his steel furniture, Jim Rose was an avid collector and scoured salvage yards for unique, interesting items. Here he has paired various repurposed finds together to create...
Category
2010s American Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Steel, Metal
Pair of German Hand Carved Wood Figurative Sculptures of Two Boys Musicians
Located in Barntrup, DE
An adorable pair of hand-carved wooden figurines of two boys playing the whistle, Germany, the first half of the 20th century.
Dimensions: Height 38 cm / 14.96 in, width circa 12 cm ...
Category
1930s German Vintage Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Blue Glazed Redware Character Jug Signed, 19th Century
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An antique folk art blue glazed redware pottery pottery jug or flask modelled as a man wears a night gown and night cap with a spout behind the man’s head wi...
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Pottery
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
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
Royal Doulton "the Carpet Seller" Moroccan Decorative Porcelain Figurine
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Royal Doulton "the carpet seller," Moroccan figurine of a carpet seller.
Made in England, by Royal Doulton England, the "Carpet Seller,"
Royal Doulto...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
Latin American Santos de Palos Wood Carved St. Michael Sculpture
Located in Guaynabo, PR
A renown tradition in Latin America the making of Santos de Palos by masters carvers since the 19th century. They hand carved and painted the saints inspired in their personal religi...
Category
20th Century Unknown Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Vintage Handmade Ceramic Figure of a Young French Girl Holding a Rose
Located in New Orleans, LA
This is a lovely and delicate hand made clay art girl figurine in a lavender print dress with a lace overlay that stands 7" tall and is Holding Flowers....
Category
1980s French Vintage Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Clay, Earthenware, Pottery, Textile, Polyester
Beaded Ndebele Initiation 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...
Category
Mid-20th Century South African Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Fabric, Cotton, Wood
Ceramic Sculpture with a Group of Playing Putti's 19th Century Belgium
Located in Antwerp, BE
Beautiful in detail and charming 19th century unglazed terracotta sculpture. Features a design of three cherubic children with lamps and fruit, playing with two goats on the base of ...
Category
1890s Belgian Antique Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
Grønlandica, Sarak, Greenlandic hunter in profile, sculpture in soapstone.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Grønlandica, Sarak, Greenlandic hunter in profile, sculpture in soapstone.
1970/80s.
In excellent condition.
Signed.
Dimensions: H 10.5 cm x W 8.0 cm.
Category
1970s Greenlandic Vintage Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Soapstone
African Wood Sculpture
By Craft and Folk Art Museum
Located in San Francisco, CA
Very kool piece of African art. I am not exactly sure how old, but from bottom of base I would guess 1st quarter of 20th century. It is all wood and depicts wh...
Category
1920s North American Vintage Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
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...
Category
Mid-20th Century South African Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Cotton, Wood, Fabric
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
French Hand-Painted Lady Sculpture Door Stop in Solid Cast Iron
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Late 19th century door stop, France, circa 1880.
This lady sculpture is made in heavy solid cast iron and is in it original hand-painted colors.
Category
19th Century English Antique Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Iron
Greenlandica, Sarak, Greenlandic woman in profile, sculpture in soapstone.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Greenlandica, Sarak, Greenlandic woman in profile, sculpture in soapstone.
1970/80s.
In excellent condition.
Signed.
Dimensions: H 14.0 cm x L 12.0 cm x W 6.0 cm.
Soapstone - also kn...
Category
1970s Greenlandic Vintage Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Soapstone
"Retablo No. 5 (An Attic of Records)" by Patrick Fitzgerald
Located in Chicago, IL
The intricate retablos of contemporary artist Patrick Fitzgerald are his means of paying homage to the musicians that inspired him throughout his life. Derived from Mexican votive...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Other
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
Large Figurative African Mangbetu Anthropomorphic Ceramic Vessel or Jar
Located in Studio City, CA
This is a wonderful piece likely made by the Mangetu tribe of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is finely detailed and quite large and hefty. These pieces were originally made...
Category
20th Century Congolese Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
"Retablo No. 4 (Blackbird)" by Patrick Fitzgerald
Located in Chicago, IL
The intricate retablos of contemporary artist Patrick Fitzgerald are his means of paying homage to the musicians that inspired him throughout his life. Derived from Mexican votive...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Other
Greenlandica, wooden sculpture of a male figure. Greenlandic craftsmanship.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Greenlandica, wooden sculpture of a male figure.
Greenlandic craftsmanship. Hand-carved.
Signed ZA and dated '66 (1966).
In excellent condition.
Dimensions: H 21.0 cm x D 10.0 cm.
Category
1960s Greenlandic Vintage 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
American artist. Unique ceramic sculpture of Native American.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
American artist. Unique ceramic sculpture of an Native American.
Indistinctly signed.
Dated 1933.
In excellent condition with minimal signs of use.
Dimensions: Height 16.0 cm x Width...
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Solid Wood Carved Sculpture of Traveler on Wine/Beer Barrel
Located in San Francisco, CA
Solid Wood Carved Sculpture of Traveler on Wine/Beer Barrel
Swiss or German, possibly the mountainous Black Forest area. Hand crafted by a truly skilled carver, a bear can be seen ...
Category
19th Century European Antique Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood, Paint
Old Weathered Statue of a Putti Playing Tambourine
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Old Weathered Statue of a Putti Playing Tambourine
The musical nymph is set on a square base
This is a pleasantly weathered piece in good detail to be ...
Category
1920s Vintage Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Concrete
Greenlandica, wood sculpture of a male figure. Greenlandic craftsmanship.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Greenlandica, wood sculpture of a male figure.
Greenlandic craftsmanship. Hand-carved.
From the 1960s.
In excellent condition.
Dimensions: H 20.0 cm x W 9.0 cm.
Category
1960s Greenlandic Vintage Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
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
Antique Folk Art Carved Gesso over Wood and Hand Painted Native Man Statue
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Presumed to date from the late 19th century, this life-sized Folk Art carved and hand painted study depicts a Native man dressed in traditional attire and holding a staff. The artist is unknown and this sculpture is unsigned and done in a very realistic style. The carving, likely done in Cyprus wood...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Softwood, Paint
Early 20th Century American Double Sided Whirligig Figure
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century American double sided whirligig figure
A brilliant example of early 20th century American Folk Art. In the form of a hand carved wooden double sided whirligig f...
Category
Early 1900s American Antique Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Pine
Asian Bronze Pair of Hanuman Kneeling Buddhist Figure Candleholders
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Part human-part monkey, Hanuman is a central character in the Hindu epic Ramayana.
He is generally depicted as a man with the face of a monkey and a long tail.
Often described as t...
Category
1950s Indian Vintage Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
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
19th Century Carved Walnut Effeminacy Male Figure
Located in London, GB
19th century carved walnut effeminacy male figure
We are proud to offer a unique and highly decorative 19th century hand carved walnut figure of an effeminacy male form. Unusual in its figurative posture and detail. This includes the figure standing in a side on pose with flirtatious gesture, a loosely draped over shoulder silk sheet, female form breasts and overly masculine facial details. This item is heavily patinated due to its age. This figure may have at some point in its lifetime have been part for a larger wall carving...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Walnut
Staffordshire Pearlware Piper with Dog Bocage Figure
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Staffordshire pottery pearlware bocage figure with a musical theme which features a boy playing a pipe. His dog by his side, stood on a shaped base. Decorated 'in the round' - decora...
Category
1820s English Antique Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
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
Australian Aboriginal Carved Ancestor Figure with Ochre Paint
Located in Atlanta, GA
Hand-carved wood ancestor figure with surface pictorial carving showing kangaroo hunting and decorated with black and red paint and white and yellow ocher pigment. The figure slightly leans forward as made.
The piece was carved by aboriginal artist...
Category
Early 2000s Australian Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Hand Carved Folk Art Willow Wood Angel Figurative Sculpture Poland C.1950
Located in London, GB
Hand Carved Folk Art Willow Wood Angel
Poland C.1950
Willow votive figurine in the form of an angel. Hand painted.
Rustic folk art for a touch of whimsy.
In very good condition co...
Category
Mid-20th Century Polish Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Willow
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 Antique Papier Maché Carnival Masks, 1900s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
For sale are these rare, large early 20th century carnival masks made from wood and painted papier maché.
Although looking a little creepy and intriguing they have a great decorat...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood, Paper
Mid-Century Modern Abstract Statue of a Woman
Located in Redding, CT
Mid-Century Modern abstract statue of a woman. Finely sculpted figure of a woman with her arms wrapped around herself in a sitting position. The scul...
Category
1950s Vintage Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Cement
Vintage Folk Art Estremoz Clay World Heritage Figurine Portugal by Jose Moreira
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Wonderful and detailed figure by this famous World Heritage maker. Heavily patinated, with flaking to original painted surfaces. Not cleaned, presented in as found condition.
Category
1950s Portuguese Vintage Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Pottery
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
Pair of Inuit Children on a Sledge Made of Soapstone
Located in Copenhagen, DK
A pair of Inuit children on a sledge made of soapstone.
Approximately: 1970/1980s.
In good condition, signs of use.
Sticker.
Dimensions: L 8.0 x D 4.0 x H 8.5 cm.
Category
1970s Canadian Vintage Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Soapstone
Late 20th Century Nude Figure Sculpture, Unsigned
Located in Charleston, SC
Nude sculpture figure of woman kneeling. Late 20th century.
Category
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Clay
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.