Folk Art 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
Vintage Cotton Elephant Covered in Indian Textiles
By Harrods
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage cotton elephant, covered in Indian textiles, retailed in the 1950s by Harrods. Interior frame composed of wire and straw. Textiles originally s...
Category
1950s English Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wire
Early Stone Tiki Garden Statue on Base
By Tiki
Located in Ferndale, MI
Unique two pice garden statue. Tiki style form sits in stand. Most likely cast cement.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Cement
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 hig...
Category
1940s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Stone
American Papier-Mache Camel Figure
Located in Queens, NY
American life size camel figure standing on a platform base with hollow construction (attr: Luke Saunders Carnival Show, Michigan, Circa 1930)
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood, Paint
Large Figurative African Mangbetu Anthropomorphic Vessel / Jar
Located in Studio City, CA
This is a fantastic 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 Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
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 Sculptures
Materials
Paper
Folk Art Primitive Whirligig
Located in London, GB
Folk Art Primitive whirligig, circa 19th century
(Working moving item)
This lot is a very rare and unique handmade functioning 19th century Folk Art whirligig. The item in unique and very rare to market, it’s completely handmade, with cast iron cogs, hand carved wooden figures and the item works smoothly when the main cog is turned to animated the item. Once the main cog is turned the hand carved figure of the man moves forward to turn the main central function of the whirligig. The item still has all its original primitive handmade art features including, a moving saw, moving wooden pump, cogs, pulleys, central rope wheel, main 2 hand carved figures (one is missing its head).
In conclusion this is an original very rare to market functioning 19th century Folk Art primitive whirligig, It’s simply a piece of art and highly desirable. We have never seen a complete item...
Category
1870s European Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Metal
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 Sculptures
Materials
Softwood
Late 19th Century Painted Articulated Figure with Overalls
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Late 19th century articulated figure with a nicely detailed carved face, navy overalls and red-painted shirt, tie, and shoe.
Category
19th Century Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wire
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 Sculptures
Materials
Mahogany, Wood
Contemporary Brazilian indigenous art. Turuza Wauja. Sculpture Tamanduá, 2022.
Located in PARIS, FR
Turuza Wauja
Sculpture Tamanduá, 2022
Mogno wood, graphics in natural pigments and snail shell
15 x 72 x 11 cm
5 91/100 x 28 7/20 x 4 33/100 in
Carved from solid Piranheira wood and...
Category
2010s Brazilian Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Hardwood, Paint
Contemporary indigenous art. Turuza Wauja. Sculpture "Tamanduá Noir", 2022.
Located in PARIS, FR
Turuza Wauja
Sculpture Tamanduá Noir, 2022
Solid Piranheira wood and hand-painted graphics with natural pigments
Dimensions: 17 × 43 × 12 cm (6 69/100 × 16 93/100 × 4 18/25 in)
Carv...
Category
2010s Brazilian Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Hardwood, Paint
Turuza Wauja. Two-headed bird Sculpture-Bench, 2024 Brazilian wood
Located in PARIS, FR
Turuza Wauja – Two-headed Bird Sculpture-Bench, 2024
Hand-carved by Indigenous Wauja artisans from the Xingu region in Brazil, this remarkable sculpture-bench represents a two-heade...
Category
2010s Brazilian Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Hardwood, Shell, Paint
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 Sculptures
Materials
Iron
Gerald DiGiusto Caryatids 1977 Sculpture
Located in Hudson, NY
This sculpture grouping titled "Caryatids" was created in 1977 by listed American artist Gerald DiGiusto. The inspiration for Gerald DiGiusto to create these incredible pieces was f...
Category
1970s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Metal, Steel, Cut Steel
Jim Rose Barn House Structure, Welded Steel Sculpture 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 Sculptures
Materials
Steel
Large 19th Century Carousel Figure of a Scotsman
Located in Queens, NY
Large nineteenth century large carved and painted wooden figure representing a Scottish Highlander wearing a traditional plumed cap and uniform wit...
Category
19th Century Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood, Paint
Boston Terrier Heavy Cast Iron Doorstop
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sweet faced Boston Terrier cast iron doorstop. This doorstop is very heavy with great patina. The Boston Terrier hasa very soft look due to the wear.
Category
20th Century North American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Iron
19c Folk Art Country Swedish Adze Carved Rosewood Tripod Table Bowl Decorative
Located in Sherborne, Dorset
Bought from an Antiques shop in Sweden, this charming, richly patinated tripod bowl table is hewn from a solid log of Rosewood - weighing in at 7kg, it's an incredibly extravagant us...
Category
Late 19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Rosewood, Oak
Elephant Décor Planter
Located in Pasadena, TX
Late 20th century ceramic elephant garden planter
Handmade of ceramic. Nice addition to your home, patio or garden.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Asian Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
1900s Scandinavian Wooden Horse
Located in High Point, NC
Like a mysterious inhabitant of a fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen, this wooden quadruped crafted in Scandinavia circa 1900 exudes a gentle melancholy of the North. The whitenes...
Category
Early 1900s Scandinavian Antique Folk Art 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 Sculptures
Materials
Pine
Greenlandica. Hand Painted Unique Stoneware Figure, Inuit in Traditional Clothes
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Greenlandica. Hand painted unique stoneware figure.
Inuit in traditional hunting clothes.
circa. 1970s.
In perfect condition.
Signed illegibly.
Dimensions: W 9.0 x H 20.5 cm.
Category
1970s Greenlandic Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Stoneware
Folk Art Hunter Carving, circa 1930s
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Hand-carved wooden Folk Art hunter with a sheet metal hat. Original red, white and black paint surface.
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Sheet Metal
Carved Wood Folk Art Airplane, circa 1940s
Located in Santa Monica, CA
This carved wood Folk Art airplane has an amazing original paint surface and functional propeller and wheels.
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Sheet Metal
Very Large Size Collinson Rocking Horse A handsome Dapple Grey galloper
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Very Large Size Collinson Rocking Horse
A handsome Dapple Grey galloper with a beautiful Horse Hair mane and tail, he has the classic open smiling mouthed expression and bright ey...
Category
Mid-20th Century Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Oak
Ayyanar India carved and polychrome wood horse - 20th
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Ayyanar India carved and polychrome wood horse
Measures:100cmx23cm H117cm
Material:Wood
Wear Consistent with age and use
Category
20th Century Indian Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Large Oversize Asian Round Decorative Figural Head with Chinese Calligraphy
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Large oversize round Asian decorative head in red and gold. This piece is perfect for a bookshelf, or as a statement piece for a side table. Painting i...
Category
Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Plastic, Plaster
"Harpoonist", 1930s Folk Art - Art Deco Relief Sculpture in Gray Marble
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A remarkable example of folk art sculpture influenced by the stylization of 1930s Art Deco, this bas relief sculpture depicts a man aiming a long harpoon toward his prey below, his body lit up by a nimbus of energy carved from the gray marble. The piece is signed "Knute" on the reverse, and is dated 1936, at Temple University in Philadelphia. The medium is the kind of gray King of Prussia marble...
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Marble
19th Century Indian Carved Wood Object
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
A beautiful Indian wood carving depicting a rider on horseback and a kneeling elephant. Probably second half of the 19th century.
Highly decorative object with wonderful original pa...
Category
19th Century Asian Antique Folk Art 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 Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Monumental 80" Figurative Hand Carved Sculpture by Robert Brady
By Robert Brady 2
Located in Buffalo, NY
Robert Brady was born and raised in Reno, Nevada. Upon graduation from high school he attended the California College of The Arts in Oakland, Ca. receiving his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1969. Later he attended University of California, Davis, receiving a Masters of Fine art in 1975. Recently retired Emeritus, he served as Professor of Art from 1975-2013 at California State University, Sacramento.
Trained as a potter, Brady’s interest quickly steered toward a path of ceramic object making and sculpture, ultimately gaining national and international recognition. Approximately 24 years later, Brady, fortuitously discovered the beauty and merits of wood as a sculptural medium. Since then, Robert has produced work in both clay and wood, with an emphasis on wood. Mixed media, bronzes, works on paper and functional pottery are also part of his output.
Brady has had over 50 solo exhibits and participated in many group exhibitions throughout the United States, and Europe, both in private galleries and public Museums. His works can be found in permanent collections in galleries and museums such as The Smithsonian (Renwick), The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Arkansas Art Center, Little Rock, and the Stedelijik Museum in Amsterdam, Holland, as well as others. Lastly, his work is found in private collections too numerous to mention.
He has received three National Endowment Individual Artist...
Category
1990s American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
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 Sculptures
Materials
Pottery
Life Size Pair Of Dogs
Located in West Palm Beach, US
These charming dog sculptures make a bold statement with their unique patina. Hand-sculpted with concrete and reinforced with rebar, these pieces showcase intricate details like the ...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Concrete
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 Sculptures
Materials
Wire
Mexican Burnished Clay Hand Oaxaca Sculpture Mixtec Ceramic with Red Face
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
This Mexican red ceramic clay hand sculpture is a piece by artist Manuel Reyes. Made with clay from Oaxaca and Zacatecas, painted with oxides from the reg...
Category
2010s Mexican Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic, Clay
Vintage White Marble Mughal Jeweled Elephant Sculpture Paper Weight
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage white marble Mughal Jeweled elephant sculpture paper weight.
Finely hand painted animal sculpture of an elephant with colorful gold, pink and red color paint.
Collectible ceremonial hand...
Category
Mid-20th Century Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Marble
American Gilt Copper & Cast Iron Full Bodied Rooster Weathervane, circa 1880
Located in Charleston, SC
American gilt copper and cast iron full bodied rooster weathervane mounted on stand, Late 19th Century
Category
1880s American Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Copper, Iron
Antique Cast Bronze of a Mythical Lion Beast
Located in North Hollywood, CA
An antique unusual cast bronze of a Mythical lion beast.
Bursting with character, the lion standing foursquare with his long tail curled back on itse...
Category
Early 20th Century African Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
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 Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Christmas Tree Stand Iron Folk Art German
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
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 Sculptures
Materials
Iron
Pair of Mid Century Scandinavian Giraffes
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Stand out pair of mid century giraffes one standing and one grazing with a unique construction of shaved reed bundles and having carved wood heads,...
Category
20th Century Danish Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Reed
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 Sculptures
Materials
Pottery
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 Sculptures
Materials
Fabric, 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
Mid-20th Century South African Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Cotton, Wood
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 Sculptures
Materials
Driftwood
Vintage German Christmas Tree Stand Iron Folk Art .
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
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 Sculptures
Materials
Iron
Folk Art Sculpture of A Hand
Located in Round Top, TX
This unique, hand-carved wooden sculpture of a hand was created by a Colorado folk artist known for his rustic, heartfelt style. The piece showcases the warmth, character, and expres...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Pair of Scottish Ram in Polychrome Wood, 19 Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb pair of rams in polychrome carved wood from Scotland-19th century
Very elegant and unique pair of rams which are almost carved at life size which come from a Manor in Scotl...
Category
19th Century Scottish Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Hardwood
Fourteen Birds by Guy Taplin
Located in Basildon, GB
An original piece of English folk-art sculpture by the acclaimed British sculptor Guy Taplin (b. 1939). Fourteen birds painted and carved wood mounted to a ...
Category
1990s British Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Driftwood
Folk Art Heavy Carved Log Bench Rhinoceros Sculpture
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Folk Art heavy carved log wood bench in form of sculpture.
Category
20th Century Unknown Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Teak
Quirky American Folk Art Human Form Chair
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Have a seat! One of a kind human form chair. Wonderfully carved muscles, toes, clenched fists for support. Looks like the chair is ready to go crawling ac...
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
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 Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Wooden Swedish Tree Trunk Sculpture of Mother & Child, Hand-Tooled Piece Unique
Located in Esbjerg, DK
A monumental piece hand-tooled from a trunk-slice of cherry wood. While its backside has a natural look - with a 'golden' patinated surface its showside showcases a rather skillfully...
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Cherry
Direct Wood Carving of a Nude Woman
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A uniquely stylized direct wood carving of a nude woman. Unfortunately I cannot find any signature. Well executed.
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
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 Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
Scottish Brass and Nickel Silver Horse Hobble, Bide A Blink, Circa 1830
Located in Charleston, 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 Sculptures
Materials
Brass, Iron, Nickel
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 Sculptures
Materials
Hardwood
Folk Art sculptures for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique folk art 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 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 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 sculptures, popular names associated with this style include Jim Rose, Tonala Pottery, Victor Anicet, and Royal Doulton. 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 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 $225,000 while the average work can sell for $1,404.