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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Item type: Antique and Vintage
Style: Folk Art
Wonderful Bronze Antelope Sculpture Signed Gorham Founders OGLM on Base
By Gorham CO.
Located in Roslyn, NY
A wonderful patinated bronze of free standing antelope sculpture signed Gorham founders OGLM on rectangular base.
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Monumental Figurative Wire Iron Sculpture, Female Figure Titled "DOMINATRIX
Located in Buffalo, NY
Monumental figurative wire iron sculpture, female figure titled "DOMINATRIX, amazing skilled artist, great sense of the human female form. Hand delivery avail to New York City or any...
Category
1970s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Iron, Wrought Iron
Large Italian Giltwood Ornamental Corona Crown, Late 19th Century
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Italian Architectural Element Giltwood 19th Century Carved Corona Crown
Large gilt-wood element, featuring decorative acanthus leaves, carving around the...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Giltwood
Large French 19th Century Hand Carved Wooden Fragment of a Marionette
Located in Buisson, FR
Very nice handcarved fragment of a marionette.
France, circa 1850. Weathered, small losses and old repairs
Measurement include the wooden base.
Category
19th Century French Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Textile, 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 Sculptures
Materials
Willow
Vintage Folk Art Bob Dylan Bust
Located in Charleston, SC
This fantastic sculpture of Bob Dylan is made of plaster and finished in a verdigris patina and is gold leafed. Acquired from an Augusta estate, where there was a plethora of Bob Dy...
Category
1970s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Gold Leaf
Early 20th Century Folk Art Hand Carved Wooden Eagle
Located in Oakland, CA
Early 20th Century hand carved wooden eagle with a red wash finish. The eagle has out stretched wings and a up right posture resting on a rectangular wooden base. Extensive carving ...
Category
Early 1900s American Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Scrap Wood
Early 20th Century Leather Sculpture of a Horse
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
An Early 20th Century animal figurative sculpture of a rising horse in leather and papier-maché. This decorative equine figure is standing with the help of its tail. There is quite a...
Category
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Leather
Italian 16th century Hand Carved Wooden Lion
Located in Buisson, FR
Unique period piece. Extremely rare 16th century Italian hand carved lion. Most likely once part of a piece of furniture. Beautifully carved in a simple folk art way with traces of i...
Category
16th Century Italian Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Vintage Murano Hand Crafted Green and Blue Koru Representing a Fern Frond
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Vintage Murano Hand Crafted Green and Blue Koru
Representing a Fern Frond uncurling the Koru is a representation of the New beginning
The piece is 7” tall, 4.5” wide and 1.5” deep
F...
Category
1950s Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Art Glass
Antique Adjustable Dressmaker Skinny Mannequin , Austria, 1890s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A great looking originally used by Austrian tailors and dressmakers for draping, alterations, and creating the latest fashion, this vintage dressmaker mannequin is also a great piece...
Category
1890s Austrian Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Antique Adjustable Dressmaker Curvy Mannequin , Austria, 1890s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A great looking originally used by Austrian tailors and dressmakers for draping, alterations, and creating the latest fashion, this vintage dressmaker mannequin is also a great piece...
Category
1890s Austrian Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
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
Brass Sculpture of Monkey Holding Business Card Holder, Late 19th Century
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Late 19th Century Brass Sculpture of Monkey Holding Business Card Holder
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Folk Art Antique Carved Walnut Statue of Abraham Lincoln Circa 1880s Era
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a very large, larger than life, folk art or primitive carved statue of Abraham Lincoln. The piece looks like it was made by a naive artist and was from a northern New Jersey ...
Category
1880s American Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Walnut
Antique Wood Animal Horse Sculpture, Northern Swedish Folk Art Original Paint
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique wooden horse sculpture from northern Sweden. The horse is from around 1850 and has a body in pine with original paint. The sculpture is made by hand and a one of a kind piece...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Pine
Royal Doulton Porcelain Figurine “Omar Khayyam” Persian Scholar 1964
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Royal Doulton “Omar Khayyam” Persian Scholar 1964 Decorative Porcelain Figurine.
Made in England, by Royal Doulton England. finely painted porcelain figure collectable, high ...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
1950s Wooden Fireman Sculpture
By Hennecke
Located in Antwerp, BE
1950s wooden fireman sculpture or fire-fighter sculpture.
This original old fireman was made for Hennecke, a German company who is known for wooden carnival sculptures.
The fireman sculptures were used on the fire truck of the merry-go-round, fairground - funfair.
Not many of these original wooden fireman sculptures still exists and are mostly stuck in private collections of fairground sculptures and carnival art.
It's also a great sculpture for a fireman or a former fireman.
Would look great in a collection of fireman collectibles between old and antique fire helmets, antique and vintage fire extinguishers, fireman statues...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Early 20th Century American Cast Iron Eagle
Located in Chicago, IL
This early 20th century American cast iron Bald Eagle statue captures the majestic strength and spirit of this national symbol. With its wings fully ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Iron
Vintage Folk Art Wood Sculpture of a Pig Running into a Tree by R. Harper 1991
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Folk Art Wood Sculpture of a Pig running into a Tree by R Harper 1991
This piece is a handcrafted wooden sculpture by artist R Harper signed and dated 4-91.
This one of a kin...
Category
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Pair of Faux Bois Iron Log Sculptures
Located in Houston, TX
Pair of Faux Bois iron log sculptures.
Unusual vintage pair of faux bois iron log planters or sculptures. This unique pair of faux bois sculptures would...
Category
Mid-20th Century Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Iron
Vintage Monumental Carved Wood Tiki Sculpture. French Polynesia. Creation Sanobo
Located in Buffalo, NY
Vintage Monumental Carved Wood Tiki Sculpture. French Polynesia.Tahiti. Wonderfully carved, Strong presence. Carved signed Creation Sanobo,, (see photo). Hand delivery avail to New Y...
Category
1950s Polynesian 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
Group of Six Vintage Folk Art Painted Metal Pelican Sculptures-Priced per Pair
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Flock of pelicans hand crafted in metal in a charming stylized form, painted and ready for a new environment. Priced per pair.
Category
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Small Antique Swedish Red-painted Horse in Wood, 1900th
Located in Stockholm, SE
A peasant sculpture in the form of a small working, red-painted horse with a bushy mane and tail on a painted pedestal, beautifully carved and painted wood.
On the underside, a text...
Category
Early 1900s Swedish Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
18/19th Century Bodhisattva
Located in Stockholm, SE
Bodhisattva, a religious sculpture, probably made in India 1750-1850.
The sculpture has been painted and gilded, but with very little remains.
Bodhisattva, in Buddhism, is one who s...
Category
Late 18th Century Indian Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Barber Shop Trade Sign, Giant Comb and Scissors Larger than life
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Barber Shop Trade Sign, Giant Comb and Scissors
Larger than life and very noticeable “Barber Shop” trade sign, made in steel
Both Pieces of the set can be hung individually by susp...
Category
1960s Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Steel
20th Century Native American Painted Totem Pole A painted animal totem
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
20th Century Native American Painted Totem Pole
A painted animal totem.
Animal totems are believed to have spiritual significance, watching over Pacific Northwest Indian tribes and...
Category
1960s Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Beech, Birdseye Maple
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
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
Hand Carved 20th Century Wooden Girl with Doll and Cat Figure by ANRI, Italy
By ANRI
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful hand carved wooden Figure, found at an estate sale in Germany. We believe that this piece is from around 1980s, because it's dated at the base like seen in picture. A nice ...
Category
1980s Italian Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Antique Real Skull of a Crow or Magpie, Germany ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Real Skull of a Crow or Magpie, Germany ca. 1900s
An antique taxidermied skull of the crow (Corvidae) mounted on an ebonized wooden turned bas...
Category
Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Bone, Wood
Sterling Silver Rooster Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This sterling silver heavy hollow body rooster figure is signed 925 on the base and is in fine condition.
Beautifully made and proportioned well. Great patina.
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Sterling Silver
American Folk Art Door Stop in the Form of a Sitting Cat, Early 20th Century
Located in Downingtown, PA
American Folk Art Door Stop in the form of a Sitting Cat,
Early 20th Century
This charming doorstop, crafted in the early 20th century, embodies the spirit of American Folk Art. De...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Iron
Hand Carved 20th Century Wooden Musician Figure by ANRI, Italy
By ANRI
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful hand carved wooden Figure, found at an estate sale in Germany. We believe that this piece is from around 1990s, because it's dated at the base like seen in picture. A nice ...
Category
1990s Italian Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Tibetan Sheep Footstool w/ Natural Sheep Horns
Located in Norwalk, CT
The most charming sheep stool/sculpture we have ever seen. Wonderful quality featuring dense Tibetan wool coat, natural sheep horns and natural leather ears. Sheered lambswool covere...
Category
1990s Unknown Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wool
Mid-Century American Folk Art Wood Articulated Man Figure
Located in Farmington Hills, MI
We are very pleased to offer a Folk Art wooden articulated man, circa the 1950s. This nearly 5-foot tall, handcrafted piece, epitomizing Mid-century American craftsmanship, is made ...
Category
1950s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Hardwood
Large Early 20th.Century Pine Horse
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Large Early 20th.Century Pine Horse
This is a substantial animal, he has previously been stripped back to mostly bare wood, which does help to show what sound condition he is in
He...
Category
1910s Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Pine
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 Sculptures
Materials
Stone, Bronze
Bronze Toy Horse
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cast bronze toy horse on four wheels. Reminiscent of early 19th century Indian toys, these pieces were often left as offering in temples for children to find. The gift of the horse t...
Category
Mid-20th Century Indian Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Large Ceramic Sculpture, Albert Thiry, Vallauris c. 1990
By Albert Thiry
Located in St Ouen, FR
Very large female figure executed in grogged clay and decorated with slips.
Albert Thiry and his wife Pyot founded their workshop in Vallauris in 1961.
Their creation is distinguish...
Category
1990s French Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Figurative Hand Carved Wood Sculpture - Juneau, Alaska 1984
Located in Soquel, CA
Figurative Hand Carved Wood Sculpture - Juneau, Alaska 1984
Hand carved wooden sculpture, presented on a dark wooden base. The sculpture is somewhat figural, but rather abstract. Th...
Category
1980s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Vintage Marble Flagpole Finial on Steel and Lucite Base, Denmark
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Early 20th Century Danish vintage marble flagpole finial on steel and lucite base. Desk accessory or decorative object/sculpture.
Category
Early 20th Century Danish Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Chrome
Early 20th century continental decorative carousel horse
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
Early 20th century continental decorative carousel horse circa 1900.
Unique continental painted merry-go-round horse circa 1900. Excellent opportunity to own this highly decorative ...
Category
Early 20th Century Swedish Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Oak, Pine, Paint
Early 20th Century French Butcher's Shop Sign
Located in Chicago, IL
A playful early 20th century French painted steel butcher's shop sign in the shape of a pig, and mounted on a custom steel table-top mount. The sign...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Steel
Arts and Crafts Leather Model of an Elephant Junior Bull
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Arts and Crafts Leather Model of an Elephant
This is a rare and beautiful find from the early part of the 20th Century, it was made for Liberty and is known as “Junior Bull”
This ...
Category
1930s Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Leather
Swedish Dala Horse by Grannas Anders Olsson Hemsjöjd
By Nils Olsson
Located in Balen, BE
Vintage Swedish Dala Horse by Nils Olsson for Grannas A. Olssons Hemslöjd, circa 1990s. The horse is in good vintage condition and is hand-painted red with decorative accents.
This D...
Category
1990s Swedish Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Pine, Paint
Greenlandica, collection of seven various bone tools
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Greenlandica, a collection of various bone tools, comprising seven pieces in total.
Originating from Greenland.
Dating back to approximately the 1970s.
The largest piece measures:...
Category
1970s Greenlandic Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Other
Japanese Okimono Bronze Figure of a Rat 1950s
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Japanese Okimono Bronze Figure of a Rat.
DIMENSIONS: Height: 6.25 in Width: 4.25 in Depth: 3.5 in.
Hand made in Japan circa 1950s.
A large heavy vintage bronze statue of a rat made i...
Category
Mid-20th Century Japanese Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Large 36" Tall Reclaimed Wood Folk Art Sculpture of a Horse
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very nice wooden horse sculpture made out of multiple reclaimed wood pieces.
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Reclaimed Wood
PAIR Large Grotesque Dogs earthenware pottery sculptures, 19th Century Italian
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
These are a large PAIR of antique earthenware (or terracotta) pottery Grotesque Dog sculptures, all hand made and dating to the 19th Century, probably made in Italy.
These life-size...
Category
19th Century Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic, Earthenware, Pottery
J. Hübner Carved Wood Carousel Horse, Early 20th Century, Germany
Located in Antwerp, BE
Antique Carousel horse by J.Hübner.
A hand-carved wooden carousel horse made by Atelier Hübner Germany - Josef Hübner - Joseph Hubner.
This piece of Carnival Art - funfair roundabout horse - Merry-go-round Horse
dates circa 1910 and has sulfide eyes, a real tale and stirrups.
It's a European Springer Horse - Jumping Horse - Galopping Horse
on a metal base.
During his life, already more then 110 years !! it does have some old restorations
and old repainting but that gives this antique horse the charm of his history: making people and children happy and offer them a ride.
Antique carved horses - Antique German Carousel Horses - Hübner horses...
Category
Early 20th Century German Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Abercrombie & Fitch Ceramic Piggy Bank
Located in Atlanta, GA
Abercrombie & Fitch ceramic piggy bank, England, circa 1950s. Modeled after their famous leather animal toys and footstools, this little ...
Category
1950s English Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Folk Art Carved and Painted Owl Decoy, USA, 1900's
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Folk Art carved and painted owl decoy, USA 1900's
A decorative barn owl carving decoy
Original paint with even wear.
Mounted over a new iron stand.
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
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 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...
Category
Mid-20th Century South African Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Fabric, Cotton, Wood
Tonala Pottery and Brass Fish
Located in Vallejo, CA
A wonderful vintage tonala pottery fish wrapped in brass. Made in Mexico, with beautiful hand painted designs to the pottery and fish scales formed into the brass.
Category
Late 20th Century Mexican Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Brass
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.