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
Large Antique Papier Maché Carnival Masks, 1900s
Located in HEVERLEE, BE
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
Mexican Burnished Clay Mother and Child Oaxacan Sculpture Mixtec Ceramic
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
Maricela Gómez López, a hardworking mother and artist portrays her life through her work. Living and growing up in Santo Domingo Yanhuitlán, a small town in central Mexico, the role ...
Category
2010s Mexican Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic, Clay
Jim Rose Barn House Structure, Welded Steel Object Made with Salvaged Steel
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
This is a welded steel sculpture made by furniture creator Jim Rose. It is sustainable design created from salvaged and recycled steel panels left over from his larger projects. These sculptures reference traditional American Folk Art barn...
Category
2010s American Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Steel
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
Monumental Folk Art Carved TOTEM Statue Sculpture Man Flute Animals
Located in Dayton, OH
The carving features a man dancing and playing a flute in the treetops with cows / ox, snakes, lizards, frogs, monkeys, a pipe and insects. Carved from one piece. Unsigned.
Category
20th Century Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Hardwood
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
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
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
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
Folk Art "Standing Man" Carved Tree Branch Sculpture After Giocometti
By Giocometti
Located in Buffalo, NY
Charming little tree branch Folk Art sculpture hand-carved in the manner of Giocometti.
Category
1930s Unknown 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 Romance Torso Heart Couple Statue Contemporary Oaxaca
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
Lovers Torso, a contemporary rustic Mexican sculpture by Manuel David Reyes. This soft piece is one-of-a-kind, made with clay and natural pigments from ...
Category
2010s Mexican Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Clay, Ceramic
Set of Four Carved Wooden Pictures Four Seasons
Located in Barntrup, DE
An adorable set of four wooden pictures depicting scenes of cute children in Four Seasons. Masterfully hand carved and hand painted. South-Tyrol, 1980s.
Dimensions (one picture): he...
Category
1980s Austrian Vintage Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Antique Hand Sculpted Stone Head Sculpture on Formfit Hand Carved Wooden Base
Located in Miami, FL
Antique hand-sculpted stone head sculpture presented on a hand carved wooden stand.
Head measures: Length 5 inches x 4 inches depth x 8 inches hi...
Category
1940s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Stone
"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
Paint, Pottery
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
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
Antique Styled Folk Art Carved and Painted Wood Figure Hanging Sheriff Study
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Dating from possibly the Victorian period, this Folk Art styled carved and hand painted wooden sculpture depicts an effigy of a Wild West Sheriff hanging with his hands behind his ba...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Hardwood, Paint
American Gilt Carved Wood and Poly Chromed Roman Guard Figurehead, Circa 1890
Located in Hollywood, SC
American gilt carved wood and poly chromed nautical figurehead of Roman guard in military attire. Late 19th century.
Category
1890s American Antique Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood, Giltwood, Paint
Unusual Hand Carved Clown Motif Umbrella, Paragon, S. Fox & Co
By S. Fox & Co.
Located in Buffalo, NY
Unusual Hand Carved Clown Motif Umbrella, Paragon, S. Fox & Co
Category
1920s English Vintage Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Unusual Iron Welded Handmade Folk Art Locomotive, Train
Located in Buffalo, NY
Unusual iron welded handmade folk art locomotive, train, very well executed. Artist /maker unknown.
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Steel, Iron
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
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
Early Papier Mâché Folk Art Store Display "Stork and Baby"
Located in Buffalo, NY
Early papier mâché Folk Art store display "Stork and Baby". Charming depiction stylized stork and baby, retains original paint, slight damage to beak...
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Paper
Emile Deyrolle 19th Century Plaster, Wire and Wood Didactic Germination Models
Located in Buffalo, NY
LES FILS D'EMILE DEYROLLE, PARIS. Extremely rare set of four 19th century French painted plaster, wire and wood Didactic models depicting progression, ANATOMIE VEGETALE, beautifully ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wire
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
One-of -a-Kind Rooster Sculpture - France, Circa 1960s
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Impressive and characterful unique cockerel sculpture made of very heavy iron pieces.
Category
Mid-20th Century French Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Early Leo Sewell Assembledge, Sculpture, Seated Male Figure
By Leo Sewell
Located in Buffalo, NY
Early Leo Sewell Assembledge. Sculpture, seated male figure, signed and dated, 1977. A charming array of whimsical found objects, Italian chair included.
Category
1970s American Vintage Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Greenlandica, figure of catcher carved in soap stone.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Greenlandica, figure of catcher carved in soap stone.
Signed "Ludvig Golsen" FR H. Frederikshåb.
Ca. 1950 / 60's.
Measures: 20 x 7 cm.
In good condition, wear.
Category
1950s Greenlandic Vintage Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Soapstone
Folk Art Wooden Fireman Sculpture, Early 20th Century
Located in Antwerp, BE
Stunning Folk Art wooden sculpture of a Fireman.
This pre-war statue of a marching fireman or firefighter dates circa 1920-1930.
This fire-eater wears yell...
Category
Early 20th Century European Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Ceramic Terracotta Sculpture Reclining Nude Figure in the Manner of Henry Moore
By Henry Moore
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Contemporary figural unglazed terracotta sculpture of an abstract reclining figure. An homage to sculptor Henry Moore. Made in 2019 by Oklahoma artist Emily Ladow Reynolds.
Dimen...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic, Clay, Terracotta
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
Larger Than Life Extravagant Folk Art Sculpture
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Outrageous larger than life piece of Folk Art painstakingly composed of found objects such as sea shells, beads, toys, vintage jewelry buttons, and bottle caps (to name a few). There...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Shell
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
Large Pair of Pearlware 'Prudence & Fortitude' Figures
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Pair of wood family Staffordshire pottery pearlware figures with a classical theme which feature Prudence, holding a snake in one hand, an aperture for a mirror in the other hand. Fo...
Category
Early 1800s English Antique Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
19th Century Finely Carved and Gilded Scotsman Counter-Top Tobacco Trade Figures
Located in Nantucket, MA
Mid-19th Century carved and decorated counter-top Tobacconist’s Trade figures, circa 1850. Each with striking detail and beautiful patina, with the original gilding rubbed well into ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Unknown Antique Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Pair of Black Forest Figural Carved Wall Hooks, 19th Century
Located in Niederdorfelden, Hessen
Black forest carved wood coat hooks, late 19th century with genuine chamois horns.
Measurements:
13 x 3.9 x 3.9 in / 32 x 10 x 10 cm
11.8 x 3.3 x 3 i...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Small Sailor Whirligig, circa 1930-1940
Located in Nantucket, MA
Figural standing sailor whirligig, carved from Pine wearing a white hat with metal brim,
a blue sailor’s middy with scarf, striped red and white unde...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Pine
Scottish Brass and Nickel Silver Horse Hobble, Bide A Blink, Circa 1830
Located in Hollywood, SC
Scottish brass and nickel silver horse hobble with an eagle heads horse shoe handle and resting on the faithful servant creature Bide a Blink. Signature...
Category
1830s Scottish Antique Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Iron, Nickel, Brass
P. Gomez, "The Cow" Sculpture in Two Parts
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
P. Gomez, "The cow" sculpture in two parts. Sheet metal and various material.
Category
1990s French Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Hand-Carved and Painted 19th Century Cigar Store Figure
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand-Carved and Painted 19th Century Cigar Store Figure.
The man is hand carved from one piece of wood. He is probably late 19th century and over pa...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Tatyana Nazarenko Life-Sized Painted Wooden Props of a Russian Family
By Tatyana Nazarenko
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Russian artist signed, titled and dated on back, 1996. Painted on 5//8"plywood. Each has a pair of slotted wedges for standing.
Woman and child: 63.25" high by 27" wide
Seated yout...
Category
1990s Russian Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Plywood, Paint
Rare 20th Century Wood Carving of Child in Excellent Conditioned, Natural Patina
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Rare wood carving of child holding a book.
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood, Paint
19th Century Iron Indian Weathervane with Stand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic and rare original painted surface iron Indian weather vane, worn painted surface. Great original Directional's in iron and attached. This Indian weather vane was found in t...
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Iron
Mayan King Pacal Obsidian Sculpture Mexican sterling silver
Located in Autonomous City Buenos Aires, CABA
Mayan King Pacal Obsidian Sculpture Mexican silver
Fantastic sculptural bust of this legendary Mayan leader in perfect conditions.
Measurements
30 centimeters height
21,5 centimet...
Category
1930s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Sterling Silver
Early 20th Century Unusual Plaster Puppet Head
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century Unusual Plaster Puppet Head
An unusual object to say the least, we feel this item was made in the early to mid-20th century. Constructed of Wood, plaster with gl...
Category
1940s Unknown Vintage Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Plaster
Vintage Bronze Gilt Thai Figurine of Prince Rama with a Bow
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage statue in gilt bronze metal of Prince Rama shooting an arrow.
The Prince hero, Phra Rama (Rama), derived from Thailand’s national epic, Ramakien (...
Category
Mid-20th Century Thai Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
1970s Belgian Wooden Sculpture
Located in High Point, NC
This wooden sculpture with a glossy patina was made in Belgium, circa 1970. It depicts a standing figure playing the pan flute, staring dreamily into the distance. The skillful carvi...
Category
1970s Belgian Vintage Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Royal Doulton Porcelain Figurine, "The Mendicant"
Located in Ferndale, MI
High glazed, finely modeled bone china with exquisite colors. One of designer, Leslie Harradine finest Royal Doulton firgurines, "The Mendicant" (1929...
Category
Early 20th Century English Folk Art Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
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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