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
"Man with Cup" by Allan Winkler
Located in Chicago, IL
Although this whimsical sculpture by Allan Winkler has the look of outsider art, this ceramic work stems from the art school-trained artist’s interest in...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Vintage ANRI Folk Art Hand Carved & Painted Sculpture "The Lumberjack" by Duquet
By ANRI
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This vintage folk art hand carved and polychrome painted sculpture is signed with the maker's label of the ANRI group of cavers from Italy and done in circa 1960. This carving was bought from a private estate with another one of one entitled "Old Habitant", which has the identical script on the front and back, but posted separately. These carvings were done by the master carvers of the ANRI factory who worked from a model, usually unique to them, but this one shows it is an example of a work done by the Master Quebec wood...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Softwood
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
$1,180 / set
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, Twine
American Carnival Wagon or Band Organ Carved Female Head
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Late 19th century American carnival wagon or band organ female head carving. Very detailed wood carving with great old white painted surface. Presented on a...
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Outsider Art Fluorescent Papier-Mâché Bust Sculpture by Stephen Slomko
By Stephen Slomko
Located in Brooklyn, NY
For your consideration is this rare, one-of-a-kind bust by self-taught American outsider artist, Stephen Slomko (1929-2013). Slomko lived and worked in Farmingdale, New Jersey and up...
Category
1990s American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Polystyrene, Paper, Paint
Arts and Crafts Leather Model of an Elephant Junior Bull
Located in Godshill, 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
Pair of Carved Pine Toreadors with Red Capes
Located in Queens, NY
Pair of Spanish style carved pine life size toreadors with red capes (19th Cent)
Category
19th Century Spanish Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Pine, Wood
$65,000 / set
Nude glass male dancer
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A great looking glass sculpture of a male nude dancer with incredible detail. Please see the work in the hands and feet.
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Glass
$1,500
French Zinc Horse Head, circa 1930
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
French zinc horse head, circa 1930
Category
Early 20th Century European Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Zinc
Venus Pumice Stone Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pumice stone sculpture of a seated woman's figure, 'Venus'
Dimensions
6" width x 5.5" depth x 8.5" height.
Condition
Good vintage condition.
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Stone
Dama a la Noche 1985 ceramic by Gadu
By Gadu
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A very unusual ceramic or terracotta with hollow eyes that bears a copper plaque on the base that reads "Dama en la Noche" Gadu. I believe the translation is lady in/of the night. It...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
Vintage ANRI Folk Art Hand Carved and Painted Sculpture "Old Habitant" by Duquet
By ANRI
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This vintage Folk Art hand carved and polychrome painted sculpture is missing the paper label from its base, but being attributed to the ANRI group of carvers from Italy and done in circa 1960. This carving was bought from a private estate with another one of a Lumberjack, which has the identical script on the front and back and does have the ANRI label. These carvings were done by the master carvers of the ANRI factory who worked from a model, usually unique to them, but this one shows it is an example of a work done by the Master Quebec wood...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Softwood
Jon Michael Route Original Bronze Titled Two Georgia Songbirds
Located in Oakwood, GA
Original
By Artist Jon Michael Route
Titled "Two Georgia Songbirds"
Hot Patina and Laquer Finish
Copper, Pewter, & Brass
Signature on lower right
Comes with easy to mount hardware.
F...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Brass, Copper, Pewter
Hand Carved wooden Folk Art traditional Cookie Board. Set of 2
Located in Seattle, WA
This pair of traditional Cookies boards are hand carved with nice patina and character and feature holes on the back for hanging. Vintage Condition as pictured. Listing is for descri...
Category
1970s Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Achille D'Orsi Sculpture Pescatorello, Early 1900s
By Achille D'Orsi
Located in bari, IT
Bronze sculpture on black marble base depicting a young boy holding some pots. Engraved signature of the artist. Manufactured in Italy, early 20th century.
Category
Early 1900s Italian Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
$2,865 Sale Price
20% Off
Vintage Boho Horse and Rider
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Celebrate movement, strength, and storytelling with this captivating Vintage Boho Horse and Rider Sculpture. Cast in a rich, dark bronze-like metal with fine detail, the sculpture po...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Jill Johnston Hand-Turned Maple Vessel
By Jill Johnston
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A beautiful hand-turned maple vessel signed on the base Jill Johnston N245 3-99 and maple. It has a ring of inlaid decoration.
Category
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Maple
Mexican Burnished Clay Woman with Child Oaxacan Sculpture Mixtec Ceramic
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
This Mexican ceramic clay hand sculpture is a piece by artist Maricela Gómez López. Made with clay from Oaxaca and Zacatecas, painted with oxides from the region. Done with the hand-...
Category
2010s Mexican Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic, Clay
Wauja/ Turuza. Monkey Sculpture, 2021, Brazilian exotic wood
Located in PARIS, FR
La sculpture intitulée "Wauja/Turuza. Singe, 2021" est une œuvre d'art réalisée par l'artiste indigène Turuza, appartenant à l'ethnie Wauja du Haut-Xingu, au Brésil. Fabriquée à part...
Category
2010s Brazilian Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Hardwood
Boho Hand-Carved Wooden Owl Sculpture
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Bring a touch of woodland wisdom to your space with this charming hand-carved wooden owl sculpture. Crafted from solid wood with rich natural grain, this piece features bold, stylize...
Category
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Oringinal Wood Carved Relief of a Man Fishing
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Wonderful vintage relief image of man fishing while sleeping against a tree. Hand carved early 20th century.
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
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
Artist’s Model, Bust of a Young Woman on a Slate Block
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Artist’s Model, Bust of a Young Woman on a Slate Block
This is a very attractive hand made piece dating from the middle of the 20th Century, it was discovered in an Art Studio durin...
Category
1960s Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Clay
American Folk Art Limestone Carving Snake, Shield and Stump
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Detailed American Folk Art limestone carving of a rattle snake wrapped around a tree stump and shield or coat of arms, circa 1870. Found in Tennessee. A very nice heavy and solid piece.
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Limestone
Ferocious Bronze Tiger Statue
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Ferocious bronze tiger statue
A handsome piece made in spelter with a bronzed finish to the animal standing on his rocky plinth
3 dimensional and look...
Category
Late 20th Century Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Spelter
Greenlandica, wood sculpture of a male figure. Greenlandic craftsmanship.
Located in København, Copenhagen
Greenlandica, wood sculpture of a male figure.
Greenlandic craftsmanship. Hand-carved.
From the 1960s.
In excellent condition.
Dimensions: H 20.0 cm x W 9.0 cm.
Category
1960s Greenlandic Vintage 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 Crèche 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
Pivoting Carved Wood Gull on Marble Base
Located in Palm Springs, CA
A wonderful carved wood bird in flight mounted on a bronze arm painted black which attaches to a marble base. The person we acquired this sculpture from claimed that it belonged to h...
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Pop Surrealist Sculpture by Robert Brock, circa 1974
Located in Buffalo, NY
Pop surrealist sculpture by Robert Brock, cirac 1974. Laminate and cast plaster
Brock was born in Tacoma, Ohio and was a graduate of the University of Dayton, Dayton Art Institute...
Category
1970s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Laminate, Plaster, Wood
W P A Style Terracotta "Bear" Sculpture, Art Deco, Modern
Located in Buffalo, NY
W P A style terracotta "BEAR" sculpture, Art Deco, Modern, charming stylized depiction. Painted, minor chipping (bottom).
Category
1930s Unknown Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
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
Primitive Architectural Carved Wood Mounted Indian Horse Head
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Primitive architectural carved wood mounted Indian horse head
A beautiful piece of folk architecture from the Indian continent, the horse head was usu...
Category
Late 18th Century Indian Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Heavy Terra Cotta Folk Art Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Heavy terra cotta Folk Art sculpture, made by a worker from the Modesto brick factory, with unused clay from the day.
Category
1960s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
Chubac Albert, Large Painted Sculpture, Signed, Dated and Numbered
Located in Nice, Cote d' Azur
Chubac Albert (1925-2008), Sculpture,
Large iron sculpture painted in primary colors,
Signed, dated 1991 and numbered 3/3, France.
Measures : Hei...
Category
1990s French Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Iron
18/19th Century Bodhisattva
Located in 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
Figurine, Skovserkone with Fish Made of Soapstone, Approximately 1960s/1970s
Located in København, Copenhagen
Figurine Skovserkone with fish made of soapstone.
Approximately: 1960s/1970s
In good condition.
Dimensions: L 6.5 x D 3.0 x H 9.0 cm.
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Soapstone
Der Frierende' by Franz Zelezny
By Franz Zelezny
Located in Sagaponack, NY
A hand carved statue of an elderly man, 'Der Frierende.'
Category
Early 20th Century German Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Mexican Burnished Clay Romance Torso Heart Couple Statue Contemporary Oaxaca
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
Lovers Torso, a contemporary rustic Mexican sculpture by Manuel David Reyes. This soft piece is one-of-a-kind, made with clay and natural pigments from ...
Category
2010s Mexican Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic, Clay
Maritime Architectural Element
Located in Stamford, CT
A maritime architectural element of painted and carved wood representing Neptune.
Category
19th Century English Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
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
Folk Art Magnificent Oxidized Rustic Iron Man Sculpture
Located in Miami, FL
Magnificent iron man sculpture. Consists of saw blades as arms, a crumpled bucket as head with a tractor seat as its main body. Two skinny square iron legs keep it all upright and ar...
Category
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Vintage Boho Shanghai Weave Reclining Panda
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Bring a touch of whimsical charm and global flair to your space with this delightful vintage reclining panda figure. Expertly handcrafted using intricate weaving techniques (often as...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Bamboo, Wicker, Rattan
Hand Carved Goan Indian Elephant
Located in Dallas, TX
Hand painted and carved wooden Indian elephant from Goa.
Intricate detailing.
Category
19th Century Indian Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Alphaious Campbell Wood Carved Profile of a Man
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Alphaious Campbell carved wood wall hanging, c.1987. The painted folk art piece showcases various profiles of a bearded man.
Dimensions
9" width x 32.5" height
Condition
Excellent...
Category
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
P. Gomez, "The Cow" Sculpture in Two Parts
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
P. Gomez, "The cow" sculpture in two parts. Sheet metal and various material.
Category
1990s French Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Metal
One-of -a-Kind Rooster Sculpture - France, Circa 1960s
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Impressive and characterful unique cockerel sculpture made of very heavy iron pieces.
Category
Mid-20th Century French Folk Art Sculptures
One Pair of Charming Wooden Shoe Moulds Mounted as Bookends Great Character.
Located in Buchanan, MI
One pair of charming wooden shoe moulds mounted as bookends, comes with four leather bound books. Feel free to call with further questions. Would look great in a private library
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Steel
Pair of Folk Art Painted Metal Pelican Sculptures
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of vintage pelicans hand crafted in metal in a charming stylized form, painted and ready for a new environment.
Category
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Metal
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.
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