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.
1
390
36
14
to
51
440
149
440
433
440
3,443
1,769
974
440
434
332
285
254
203
188
171
137
86
46
43
36
34
33
7
75
308
50
70
102
62
8
2
5
17
12
13
5
19
9
6
Height
to
Width
to
222
142
64
42
39
224
188
72
35
35
23
8
7
5
2
Item Ships From: USA
Style: Folk Art
American Copper Spread Winged Eagle Weathervane with Sphere and Arrow, C. 1880
Located in Hollywood, SC
American molded copper spread winged eagle weathervane with circular sphere, arrow, and mounted on cast iron squared base. Weathervane has a fine natural verdigris patina in the orig...
Category
1880s American Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Copper, Iron
Royal Copenhagen Hand Painted Porcelain Young Girl Peasant Feeding a Calf
Located in Guaynabo, PR
This is a Royal Copenhagen glazed hand painted porcelain figurine of a Danish young girl peasant feeding a calf from a big bucket. Below the base, it is found the Royal Copenhagen ha...
Category
20th Century Danish Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
Terracotta Articulated Doll Santos Figure Wearing a Bowler Hat
Located in Stamford, CT
Unusual, and quite amusing Mexican terracotta doll figure with articulated limbs. Since it is solid terracotta it is likely this is a mold from which other dolls were made. As a folk...
Category
Early 20th Century Mexican Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic, Clay, Terracotta
Carved Basswood Basset Hound Dog Sculpture Statue John Garton JD Adkins
Located in Dayton, OH
"Hand carved and painted basswood seated basset hound by John R Garton and Joe D. Adkins of Petersburg, West Virginia, USA, circa 2014.
John R. Garton picked up a carving tool in...
Category
Late 20th Century Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Hardwood, Paint
Life Size Wicker Palm Tree Sculpture from the FS Flores Collection
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Life size sculpture of a palm tree with a coconut crafted in wicker or reed wrapped over a metal frame with impressive stylized presence. From the FS Flores Collection...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wicker
Danish 19th Century Brass Surveying or Level Tool on Tripod
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Surveyors tripod level tool from the late 19th century. The tripod is made of wood and the level is brass. The wood tripod is 39.75in high.
Category
Mid-19th Century Danish Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Pair of American Folk Art Tin Clad Pug Dog Bookends
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of American Folk Art Tin Clad Pug dog bookends
USA, circa 1940s
A great pair of hand-crafted, possibly one of kind American Folk Art Tin Clad pug d...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Tin
Set of Six Carnival Knockdown Dolls
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Set of six vintage folk art carnival knockdown dolls crafted in canvas, hand painted on both sides, trimmed with cotton fur and weighted at the bottom....
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Cotton
Large Antique Carved Wood Female 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 fema...
Category
Early 1900s Malian Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Hardwood
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
Rare Original Cody Foster Folk Art Pink Wool Rabbit Easter Bunny Doll Strawberry
Located in Dayton, OH
Rare, one of Cody Fosters early original works. Folk art style stuffed animal figurine in the form of a pink rabbit wearing a bow tie and holding a yellow ...
Category
Late 20th Century Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wool, Velvet, Plaster, Paint
Old Florida Antique Bronze and Copper Palm Tree Sculpture
Located in San Francisco, CA
Incredibly detailed one of a kind Palm Tree sculpture. It is made from bronze and copper. Magnificent patina. It stands 34 inches high. The base is 9 inches wide and the trunk of tree measures 2 1/2 inches wide. In over 40 years of buying and collecting we have never seen another one. Most palm tree sculptures don't do justice to the actual palm tree. This captures the sway and curves of tree and the rungs. This came out of a 110 year old house in central Florida that still had no air condition. Could be considered a piece of Florida folk art.
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Bronze, Copper
Very Large Charming Carved Wood Folk Art Swan Decoy Sculpture
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Classic country Folk Art swan decoy of impressive scale, made of painted carved wood and having a wonderful aged patina.
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
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
Monumental Dorothy Gillespie Metal Ribbon Wall Sculpture
Located in Buffalo, NY
Stunning Dorothy Gillespie metal ribbon wall sculpture, wonderful usr of color, texture and space. Photos do not do this piece of art any justice...
Category
1980s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Royal Doulton Porcelain Figurine, "The Mendicant"
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Royal Doulton The Mendicant, Moroccan figurine of a man wearing a turban and playing a tamburine.
High glazed, finely modeled bone china with exquisi...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
Antique Japanese Master Carpenter Woodwork Tool circa 1890
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Antique Nakashima styled vintage Japanese Master carpenter woodworking tool in metal and wood, circa 1890
Dimensions: Height 1 in. Width 10.5 in. De...
Category
1890s Japanese Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Set of Three Beaded Ndebele Fertility Dolls
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare imported commodity, glass beads have been a symbol of wealth and importance in south African cultures for centuries, and were exclusively distributed by the region's oba (king). As beads become gradually more accessible throughout the 19th century, they began to displace the organic materials used in traditional art and attire.
This colorful example of African beadwork...
Category
20th Century South African Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Cotton, Wood
Framed Set of Four Herbaria
Located in Houston, TX
Framed set of four vintage herbaria, (circa 1930-1949, Sweden). Each herbarium (botanical) measures: 15.75 inches high x 9.5 inches wide and floats within a...
Category
1930s Swedish Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Glass, Wood, Paper
Beaded Ndebele Fertility Doll
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare imported commodity, glass beads have been a symbol of wealth and importance in south African cultures for centuries, and were exclusively distributed by the region's oba (king). As beads become gradually more accessible throughout the 19th century, they began to displace the organic materials used in traditional art and attire.
This colorful example of African beadwork is a fertility doll...
Category
20th Century South African Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Cotton, Wood
Pair of Hand Carved Wooden African Folk Art Figure Lamps and Custom Woven Shades
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Folk Art lamps - Hand carved African Figures on a black base - A decorative brass rod extend to the top with two custom made Lamp Shades...
Category
20th Century Central African Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Brass
After Jean Louis Grégoire Spelter Figure "Boy Playing Pipe"
Located in Los Angeles, CA
After Jean Louis Grégoire (France, 1840-1890) A Charming French 19th-20th Century Patinated Spelter Figure of "The Animal Charmer", depicting a sta...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Spelter
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
Brass Kondh Sculpture of a Tribal Warrior Riding a Beast
By Konda Tribe
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Wonderful decorative and heavy cast brass of a warrior horse or beast rider.
The horse and warrior are very modern tribal elongated form.
The tribal ho...
Category
Early 20th Century Indian Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Brass
The World of Rodin by William Harlan Hale, published in 1976 Hardcover Book
Located in North Hollywood, CA
The World of Rodin by William Harlan Hale, published in 1976 by Time Life, USA.
The World of Rodin 1840-1917 Hardcover With Slipcase Time Life Vintage Book.
192 pages, pictorial en...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Paper
Shell Encrusted Cat Figurine
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A whimsical shell-covered cat figurine. Delicately applied seashells cover this feline figurine in an array of browns. Great for the kitten lover, or for ...
Category
20th Century Philippine Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Shell
American Gilt Copper & Cast Iron Full Bodied Rooster Weathervane, circa 1880
Located in Hollywood, 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
Large Antique Hand Carved Painted Stag Sculpture
Located in Forney, TX
A charming and whimsical vintage hand carved stag sculpture in wood, with original distressed painted white finish, dating to the early 20th century. Exceptionally carved and sculpted from a single log, the solid wooden sculptural figure having no separation except for the removable and adjustable intricately crafted six point antlers and folding ears. Both easily adjust to allow positioning in different locations, such as on a narrow fireplace...
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Glass, Wood, Paint
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
Twine, Cotton, Wood
Asian Bronze Pair of Hanuman Kneeling Buddhist Figure Candleholders
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Part human-part monkey, Hanuman is a central character in the Hindu epic Ramayana.
He is generally depicted as a man with the face of a monkey and a long tail.
Often described as t...
Category
1950s Indian Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Antique Wood Balinese Scarecrow
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Large antique wooden scare crow used in a rice field from Bali. Arms swing. A great character and piece of folk art! On custom iron base
Category
20th Century Indonesian Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Iron
Royal Doulton "The Gaffer" British Porcelain Figurine
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Royal Doulton "The Gaffer".
Made in England, by Royal Doulton England, "The Gaffer".
Royal Doulton, H.N. 2053, finely painted porcelain figure of "The Gaffer", collectable, high gl...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
Large Antique Southeast Asian Thai Carved Polychrome Rabbit Folk Art Sculpture
Located in Forney, TX
A large whimsical hand carved and painted antique Southeast Asian wooden hare sculpture with incised detailing, polychrome decoration and beautifully aged patina.
Hand-crafted in th...
Category
Early 20th Century Asian Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood, Paint
Swedish Antique Toy Rocking Horse, All Original, Origin: Sweden, circa 1870
Located in New York, NY
Swedish antique toy rocking horse, origin: Sweden, circa 1870 - 1900.
Beautiful, untouched, original condition including the paint, ...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Iron
Not Disturbing, Assemblage with Old Drill and Ceramic Figurine
By Rick Farrell
Located in Chicago, IL
A found object is a natural or man-made item, or fragment of an item that is found by an artist and kept because of some intinsic interest the artist sees in it. Beginning with Picasso, who incorporated newspapers and matchboxes into his cubist collages and constructions, this idea has been carried forward. It was popular with the Dada and Surrealist movements and with such great artists as Damien Hurst and Henry Moore. Here, artist Rick Farrell...
Category
2010s North American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Metal, Wire
Hand Made Folk Art Pottery Sculpture of a Mans Head
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A wonderful sculpture of a mans head... reminiscent of an Italian icon, the piece is unique and a wonderful stand alone decorative piece or can be used as a paper weight or bookend. ...
Category
20th Century Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Pottery
19th Century Dutch Carved Monumental Wood Eagle Figure Seated on a Pedestal
Located in New York, NY
Continental 19th century Dutch life-sized carved wooden eagle figure with open mouth on square pedestal.
Category
19th Century Dutch Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Vintage Instructional Mushroom Model
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage instructional mushroom model from an art school in France. Entire set pictured together in last three images.
Category
1940s French Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Concrete
Papier Mâché Cat Sculpture in Black and White
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A black and white papier mâché kitten sculpture. This fun figurine depicts a cat with white paws and nose, and a black body. Its soft black eyes see...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Paint, Paper
Vintage American Wood Shoe Molds Bookends
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage American wood women shoe form molds mounted as bookends
Vintage wooden shoe making mold from the 1930s.
A pair of shoe form bookends, these well carved solid wood shoe mould would have been used to make handmade shoes.
These molds were traditionally made for each customer and would be used each time they came into the cobbler for a new pair of shoes.
It is in good original condition with the patina and metal that shows age.
Cobbler molds size 6.5 B model 258
Made from solid wood, I love these moulds because of their individual nature but also they are almost a piece of sculpture.
This elegant women wooden shoes bookends form mold make a great addition to your vintage decor.
Vintage hand carved wood cobbler shoe molds...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Rooster Weathervane
Located in Chicago, IL
A charming early 20th American Folk Art carved pine rooster weathervane with a wonderful silhouette with a large tail, applied wings, and copper legs all supported by an iron rod wit...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Pine
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
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
Len Norman, American 20th Century the Prestidigitator Whirligig
Located in Buchanan, MI
Len Norman, American 20th century) the prestidigitator. Assembled and painted whirligig depicting a magician and body sawing act
Measures: 23" x 27" x 12".
Category
20th Century Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
18th Century French or Italian Santo Nativity Figure
Located in Nantucket, MA
18th century French or Italian Santo Nativity figure, a hand carved and painted fruitwood figure for a Christmas Creche or Krippe. Excellent and delicate details to the head and hands. The half figure stands on a dowel set into platform base, dressed in original fine linen robe...
Category
18th Century Italian Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Linen, Fruitwood
Midcentury Brass and Copper Pelican Sculpture
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Amusing mixed metal pelican sculpture crafted in brass, copper, and silvered metal in a distinctive and captivating composition that combines technique ...
Category
20th Century Mexican Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Copper
A Set of Black Americana Baseball Memorabilia Folk Art Figures, Circa 1930s-40s
Located in Atlanta, GA
This collection of three Black Americana baseball figures, circa 1930s-1940s, are attributed to the San Antonio folk artist, Control Valadez. The set of Black memorabilia, sometimes called Black Americana, includes a pitcher, catcher & batter, each having been set and raised onto a custom iron base. They are all quite chippy with losses, nice patina and showing of age, still retaining much of their original paint colors. Likely once outdoor ornaments, we would suggest, due to their delicate condition, that these pieces remain indoors. Though historically, much black memorabilia portrayed racist and offensive ideas, there was also art, such as this collection, which reflects a more positive connotation, commemorating athletic achievements within the black community. These nicely sized baseball sculptures...
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Iron
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
Late 20th Century South African Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Cotton, Wood
Beaded Ndebele Fertility Doll
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare imported commodity, glass beads have been a symbol of wealth and importance in south African cultures for centuries, and were exclusively distributed by the region's oba (king). As beads become gradually more accessible throughout the 19th century, they began to displace the organic materials used in traditional art and attire.
This colorful example of African beadwork is a fertility doll...
Category
20th Century South African Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Cotton, Wood
Exceptional Exotic Carousel Zebra by Karl Muller
Located in Greenwich, CT
A late 19th century-early 20th century carousel zebra by eminent creater Karl Muller in carved, painted wood. Ex-coll. Muller/Thummel studio in Molbitz, Ge...
Category
1890s German Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Gilt Ceremonial Thai Head dress
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Ceremonial Thai headdress usually worn for wedding or religious ceremonies.
Hand-crafted in Thailand.
Gilt Thai Ceremonial Headdress circa ...
Category
20th Century Thai Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Giltwood
Vintage Hand Painted Rocking Horse
Located in New York, NY
Vintage hand painted carved horse.
Category
1940s Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
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
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 Sculptures
Materials
Birch
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
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
Fantastic Nantucket Hand Carved and Painted Folk Art Seagull Sculpture
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A wonderful Folk Art carved and hand painted wooden seagull on base having an authentic weathered patina and faded grey, black and yellow color palette.
Category
1950s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Bonbon Chouval "Bleu Voodoo"/Sculpture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The Bonbon Chouval (Horse Biscuit in Creole) was originally a traditional pastry from the island of Martinique. Carelessly shaped as a horse, the biscuits were sold on the village m...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Caribbean Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
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.