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
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 Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Set Of Three Indian Folk Art Figures
Located in Asheville, NC
Set of three Indian figures vividly painted. They appear to be kneeling in prayer two have their hair in buns and the third wears a crown. It is likely that the third blue figure is ...
Category
20th Century Indian Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Antônio Julião. Wood Sculpture
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Exceptional sculpture made by artist Antônio Julião, one of the great exponents of Brazilian popular art. This piece of museological importance was made in the 1970's and is one of the richest sculptures made by said artist, where he generously sculptured several tropical animals...
Category
1970s Brazilian Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Antique Folk Art Dog And Cat Form Brass Andirons
Located in Bridgeport, CT
An authentic Pair of Antique Cat and Dog Andirons in original as found condition. Ca. early 20th c. hollow cast brass. Each seated and looking out. The cat with a wide curled tail, t...
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Brass
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 Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Soapstone Hand-Carved Bust of Brahma with Four Faces
Located in North Hollywood, CA
This bust is a beautiful representation of lord Brahma.
Brahma is a part of the holy trinity of Hinduism along with Vishnu the Preserver and Shiva the destroyer.
He is depicted in Hi...
Category
20th Century Thai Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Soapstone
Ebony Benin Kingdom, Bust Carving Of A Young Nigerian Warrior, 1970's
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Hand carved ebony hardwood bust of a young Benin warrior
Traditionally carved Benin artistry
Circa 1970
Height 10.75 inch, Width 5.5 inch, Depth 2.75 inc...
Category
Late 20th Century Beninese Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Ebony
Large Antique Carved Wood Male Bambara Chi Wara Antelope Figure
Located in Nantucket, MA
Chi wara is a ritual headdress used by the Bambara people in Mali. Portrayed as both male or female figures Chi ware is associated with agriculture. This larg...
Category
Early 1900s Malian Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Hardwood
Vintage Wood Giraffe Sculpture, c. 1930-1950
Located in Kastrup, DK
A charming vintage wooden giraffe. Hand-carved from hardwood (tropical wood) with brown and black painted surface.
From Africa, c. 50-100 years...
Category
Early 20th Century African Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
19th Century Cast Iron Bacchus Doorstop
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
19th Century Cast Iron Bacchus Doorstop
Antique Bacchus Cast-Iron Doorstop he is Bearded and has a Great Cornucopia Top this is a rare piece dating from the 19th Century
The doorst...
Category
19th Century Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Iron
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 Sculptures
Materials
Wood, Paper
Beautiful Pair of Cast Iron Door Stopper Stands Decorative Item, 20th Century
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic 20th century door stoppers and decoration accessories, made of heavy metal, probably bronze or iron. Nice addition to your House or just to display them in your room. Found a...
Category
20th Century German Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Iron
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
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 Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
Vintage Folk Art Matchstick Prison Tramp Art Crucifix Jesus Christ Sculpture
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Folk Art Matchstick Prison Tramp Art Crucifix Jesus Christ Sculpture. Item featured is hand crafted of matchsticks, crucifix with figures, very nice antique item, quality Ame...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Greenlandica, Jakob Keke. Sculpture in soapstone.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Greenlandica, Jakob Keke, Kungmiut, East Greenland.
Sculpture in soapstone.
Approximately from the 1970s.
In excellent condition.
Label.
Dimensions: L 14.5 cm x H 7.5 cm x W 5.5 cm.
Category
1970s Greenlandic Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Soapstone
Greenlandica, Ortôrak, large sculpture of a lying seal made of soapstone.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Greenlandica, Ortôrak, large sculpture of a lying seal made of soapstone.
In good condition with signs of use.
Signed and dated 82.
Dimensions: Length 30.0 x Hight 10.0 cm x depth 10...
Category
1980s Greenlandic Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Soapstone
Antique Signed American Folk Art Sewer Tile or Redware Pottery Lion Figurine
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique signed Folk Art lion figurine.
In the form of a recumbent lion.
Signed to the underside. The signature appears to read: 'J Silverthorn'
Made out of a reddish-brown redware or stoneware sewer tile...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic, Pottery
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 Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
19th Century Italian / Sicilian Large Hand-Crafted Puppet Marionette
Located in London, GB
19th Century Italian / Sicilian Large Hand-Crafted Puppet Marionette
In the rare form of an Arabic clothed gentle with long turned up moustache. The head, hands and feet are all h...
Category
1870s Italian Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Pine
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 Sculptures
Materials
Hardwood
Beakhorn Stump Blacksmith Anvil
Located in Hanover, MA
SATURDAY SALE
The first thing I thought upon seeing this was Constantin Brancusi's bird sculptures and the questions about the nature of abstract art it asked.
This is an early 20t...
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Iron
Grønlandica, Figure of a Wild Duck Made of Soapstone, Approximately 1960/1970s.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Grønlandica, figure of a wild duck made of soapstone.
Approximately 1960/1970s.
In good condition, signs of use.
Marked.
Dimensions: L 7.5 x D 3.0 x H 5.0 cm.
Category
1960s Greenlandic Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Soapstone
Circa 1930's English Hand-Carved Terrier
Located in High Point, NC
Circa 1930's hand-carved terrier dog from England. The terrier is very sassy, wearing a top hat. Charming carving with nice proportions and a lavish coat of fur. This little guy w...
Category
1930s English Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Fruitwood
Duck Decoy Three-Piece Sculpture by Herb Watson
Located in San Diego, CA
A very cool and unique duck decoy three-piece sculpture by Herb Watson, circa 1987. The detail, craftsmanship and painting of the ducks is amazing; they look absolutely real! The set includes a green winged teal drake and hen (3.25"W x "7D x 3.5"H) on a round pond...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood, Paint
Barbed Wire Collection / Display Mounted on a Oklahoma Shaped Plaque
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Barbed Wire Collection / Display Mounted on a Oklahoma Shaped Plaque.
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Steel
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 Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Vintage Carved Wood Folk Art Lion
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Eye catching whimsical lion sculpture or figure, hand carved, in a naive style, paint decorated and caught in mid roar.
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Hardwood
19th Century American Hand Carved Wood Horse Head
Located in Stamford, CT
American late 19th century hand carved wood head of a horse, stained black, shown wearing a bridal and bit, with mouth open as if in a full gallop. A very handsome piece of sculpture, likely a fragment from a larger piece, now mounted on a custom iron base. Great decoration for the equestrian or lover of horses. Great for mantel...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
German Shepard 1950 s Statue
Located in Los Angeles, CA
German Shepard 1950 s gesso Italian vintage statue .
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Gesso
"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 Sculptures
Materials
Pottery, Paint
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 Sculptures
Materials
Iron
Westmoore Pottery Lion, Signed 2005
Located in High Point, NC
Large pottery lion of clear yellow glaze having applied curly clay mane, tail, and whiskers, pencil hole eyes, grinning expression, signed on the bottom "2005 WESTMOORE POTTERY...
Category
Early 2000s American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Pottery
Italian Tole Potted Tulips Table Ornament
Located in Riverdale, NY
Italian cold painted tole potted tulip table decoration. A white footed pot holds a symmetrical cluster of shaded pink, blue and yellow metal closed tulips....
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Monumental Jesus and Virgin Mary Folk Art Sculptures from the Jesuit Center
Located in Hamburg, PA
A religious pair of monumental wooden sculptures depicting Jesus and Mary from the Berks County Pennsylvania Jesuit Center. This dynamic ha...
Category
20th Century Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood, Paint
Hand Carved Wood Figural Bull Statue
Located in Cincinnati, OH
This skillfully executed hand carved figural bull is fully dimensional and has a rich brown color. The bull is depicted in a standing position atop a shaped wooden plinth. The muscular animal has been finished with realistic detail with particular attention given to the bull's facial features and folds of skin. The plinth itself is slightly domed at the center and bears carved elements which include a large rock and stylized plants.
The bull measures 8" tall and the base is 10.75" x 4.125". It weighs 1lb 15oz. The carved bull is in very good vintage condition with no cracks or signs of wear.
This early 20th century hand carved bull statue...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
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 Sculptures
Materials
Wood, Paint
Greenlandica, soapstone sculpture. Bowl shaped like a mythical creature
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Greenlandica, soapstone sculpture. Bowl shaped like a mythical creature.
Greenland.
Approximately from the 1960s.
In excellent condition with a minor chip on the base.
Dimensions: L ...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Soapstone
Vintage Cape Dorset Inuit Stone Carving of a Seal, Unsigned, Canada, C.1960's
Located in Chatham, ON
Vintage Cape Dorset Inuit soapstone (also called Steatite) carving of a seal - featuring fine simplified carving and details accentuating the form of the a...
Category
Mid-20th Century Canadian Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Stone
American Folk Art Hand-Carved Rosewood Snake
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Folk Art hand-carved rosewood snake (ca. 1940s, USA). Attractive two-tone rosewood variations (rich brown tones throughout with two contrasting light patches).
Very good, vintage con...
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Rosewood
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 Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
Large Cast Bronze Buddha Hand Sculpture on Stand
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Oversized cast bronze Buddhist hand mounted on a black wooden stand and is covered with a great patina.
A vintage oversized Thai bronze sculpture...
Category
Mid-20th Century South Asian Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
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 Sculptures
Materials
Soapstone
"Wallace" Skating at the Park, Fine Craft Painted Rabbit, Canada, Circa 1997
Located in Chatham, ON
"Wallace" Skating at the Park - Fine craft raw wood sculpture with a painted finish highlighted with India ink - made from a solid pine branch with...
Category
Late 20th Century Canadian Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Softwood, Paint
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 Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
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 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 Sculptures
Materials
Wood
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 Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Art Glass Rooster Set, circa 1970s
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful handmade art glass rooster family sculpture set (4), circa 1970s. Four (4) roosters in set, blown glass, hand-crafted. Art glass colors i...
Category
1970s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Art Glass
Rustic Chofa Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Antique Rustic Chofa Sculpture. Solid woodblock Folk Art carving of Thai or Lao Chofa sculpture. Carved from a sold piece of wood having a very weathered patina. Heavy wear to the...
Category
1890s Thai Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Carved Bantam Wearing a Crown
Located in Greenwich, CT
An early 19th century French carved bantam sporting a crown, well carved in pine. Good detailing to face, plumage, tail feathers and feet. Possibly originally from a ring toss game...
Category
19th Century French Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Pine
Folk Art Copper Finial Set
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Designer: Unknown.
Manufacturer: Unknown.
Period or Model: Early 1920s.
Specs: Copper.
Condition:
This Folk Art copper finial set are in used ...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Copper
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 Sculptures
Materials
Pottery
Charles Hart Folk Art Penguin Massive
By Charles Hart
Located in Litchfield, CT
By Charles Hart, Gloucester, Massachusetts, circa 1930s. Charles Hart (1862-1960), working in Gloucester, Massachusetts, was known as a carver of fine duck decoys. Hart also had a passion for penguins which he carved in different sizes. This one is a larger example of his penguins, very similar to the pairs flanking the entrance to his house. It is complete with an original wood base. The artist often sold his carved penguins during the summer tourist season alongside the road on the way to the beach, many smaller examples from this stand are known. Very good condition.
Remark: " No home décor is complete without a penguin, even Monty Python...
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
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 Sculptures
Materials
Marble
Vintage Coastal Shell Encrusted Toucan
Located in west palm beach, FL
Capture the essence of coastal charm and tropical whimsy with this delightful vintage toucan sculpture. Expertly handcrafted, this unique piece features a vibrant toucan figure metic...
Category
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Late 19th Century Sheet Iron and Metal Trotting Horse Weathervane
Located in Incline Village, NV
Late 19th century sheet iron and metal "Trotting Horse" weathervane. It has a nice weathered color and patina and is very authentic with six "healthy" bullet holes to boot.
I basi...
Category
1890s Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Sheet Metal
Pair of Life Size Antique Carved and Painted Swan Figures
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A large and impressive pair of hand carved Swans which may have at one time been decoys having fine form and presence. In newer white paint with black beaks and eyes. The unpainted interiors clearly showing the marks of hand-carving.
Measures: Length 37", depth 12", height 22"
Condition: Please see detail photos. The Pair with stable age cracks with one neck repaired, bubbled paint...
Category
19th Century Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
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.