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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
Rare Early 18th century Irish Carved Folk Art Talbot
Located in Greenwich, CT
Very rare carved and painted wood talbot, a now extinct breed of dog often found in heraldic devices in both England and Ireland, this example in original painted surface and possess...
Category

18th Century and Earlier Irish Antique Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Pine

Folk Art Animal Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful art glass animal sculpture, Folk Art design, circa mid-20th century. Sculpture is hand-blown art glass of farm animals, from base to top, a horse, dog, cat, and rooster. ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Blown Glass, Art Glass

Moroccan Decorative Horse Sculpture Handbuilt and Handpainted by Potter Houda
Located in Marseille, FR
- Hand built decorative horse sculpture - made of clay collected from the potter's surroundings. - decorative motifs painted with a goat hair brush made by the potter to apply natu...
Category

2010s Moroccan Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Clay, Earthenware

Vintage Boho Monumental Patinated Hanging Brass Fish
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A magnificent piece of coastal folk art, this monumental hanging fish sculpture is meticulously hand-formed from copper or brass and boasts a stunning, deeply patinated verdigris fin...
Category

Late 20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Brass, Copper

Early 20th Century Folk Art Fairground Elephant
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century Folk Art Fairground Elephant We share what we love, and we love this charming and naively formed early 20th century hand craved fairground ride figure. With a de...
Category

1920s British Vintage Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Carved Stone Cockatoo Sculpture
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Carved stone cockatoo sculpture caught in the action of landing on an amethyst geode. Featuring a lofty combination of colors and textures with an u...
Category

20th Century Brazilian Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Crystal

Mexican Burnished Clay Hand Oaxaca Sculpture Mixtec Ceramic Organic Pre-Hispanic
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
Mexican Ceramic Clay Hand Sculpture by Manuel Reyes Handmade Folk Art from Oaxaca This Mexican ceramic hand sculpture is a one-of-a-kind piece handcrafted by renowned ceramic artis...
Category

2010s Mexican Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic, Clay

Vintage Mexican Tonala Pottery Hand Painted Bird
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Mexican Tonala hand painted pottery bird Folk Art. Flora de la Cruz Acapulco Gro Mexico hand painted bird dove ceramic. Warm earth tone polych...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery

Asian Gilt Bronze Teppanom Kneeling Thai Sacred Angels
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Two Asian gilt bronze Teppanom kneeling Thai sacred angels. Bronze gilded temple guardians in a sitting position. These temple guardians were made in Th...
Category

Mid-20th Century Thai Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

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...
Category

1890s Austrian Antique Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Large Oversize Asian Round Decorative Figural Head with Chinese Calligraphy
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Large oversize round Asian decorative head in red and gold. This piece is perfect for a bookshelf, or as a statement piece for a side table. Painting i...
Category

Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Plastic, Plaster

French 19th Century Folk Art Metal Rooster or Cockerel Weathervane
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful metal weathervane representing a rooster or cockerel, France, 1850-1900. Weathered and small losses. Measurement here below is inclusive the wooden base.
Category

19th Century French Antique Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Copper, Iron

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

Early English Cast Iron Pointer Setter Dog Door Stop
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
English 1930's cast iron door stop of a pointer setter dog with original paint. This sculpture has fantastic patina with great age and wear. Wonderful addition to an existing collect...
Category

Early 20th Century English Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Iron

Monumental Dorothy Gillespie Metal Ribbon Wall Sculpture
By Dorothy Gillespie
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

Mexican Vintage Ken Edwards Tonala Pottery Hand Painted Quail Bird
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Ken Edwards Mexican ceramic quail bird form Tonala Pottery. Beautiful vintage Mexican hand made and hand painted TONALA Art Pottery. Deco...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Pottery

19th Century Life Sized Horse Trade Sign from a Tack Shop in Pennsylvania
Located in Richmond, VA
19th century life sized horse trade sign from a tack shop in Pottsville, PA. Horse is made of cast iron, wood, and papier mâché. The tail and cast iron e...
Category

19th Century American Antique Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Iron

Carved Cigar Store Native American Indian, Shop Trade Sign
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Carved Cigar Store Native American Indian, Shop Trade Sign This is a very rare find, he is an almost full size American Indian Chief, he is carved from one piece of wood ( a tree tr...
Category

1930s Vintage Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Vintage Carved Wooden Door Panels
Located in Napa, CA
Beautifully carved Pakistani Doorway, Consisting of 3 panels.
Category

19th Century Pakistani Antique Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Vintage large Tonala Mexican Stretching Cat Ceramic and Brass Figurine
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage large Tonala Mexican Stretching Cat Ceramic and Brass Folk Art Figurine. Vintage handcrafted Tonala pottery cat with brass overlay in Sergi0...
Category

Mid-20th Century Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Mexican Dia De Los Muertos Day of the Dead La Catrina Folk Art Figure Sculpture
Located in Studio City, CA
A quite wonderful Mexican Day of the Dead (Dia De Los Muertos festival held throughout Mexico) La Catrina symbolic skeleton figure. La Catrina is the festival’s most recognizable image/figure. She is the model of a high-society woman who has met Death, her maker. She represents something between the fear induced by her skeletal form and the revelry exhibited by the comical way she is typically portrayed, making her a perfect symbol of the Mexican holiday. She often appears in paintings, window displays, and costumes all around Mexico during the Day of the Dead festivities. La Catrina was originally conceived in the early 1900s by newspaper illustrator and printmaker José Guadalupe Posada...
Category

20th Century Mexican Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Textile, Wood, Paper

Pair Handmade Painted Acrobatic Papier Mache Clowns Mexico Attr Jeanne Valentine
By Jeanne Valentine
Located in Topeka, KS
Fabulous handmade & hand painted vintage acrobatic Papier Mache clowns from Mexico attributed to Jeanne Valentine a pair. Beautiful condition, keeping...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Paste, Paint, Paper

Ceramic Terracotta Sculpture Reclining Nude Figure in the Manner of Henry Moore
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Contemporary figural unglazed terracotta sculpture of an abstract reclining figure. An homage to sculptor Henry Moore. Made in 2019 by Oklahoma artist Emily Ladow Reynolds. Dimen...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic, Clay, Terracotta

1960s Sculpture of an American Eagle Hand Carved in Seri Ironwood
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Carved Wood American Eagle Sculpture 1960s. Vintage Sculpture of an American Eagle Carved in Seri Ironwood. Handmade large carved wood eagle ...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Early Stone Tiki Garden Statue on Base
By Tiki
Located in Ferndale, MI
Unique two pice garden statue. Tiki style form sits in stand. Most likely cast cement.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Cement

Vintage Boho Shell Encrusted Cockatoo on Stand
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A breathtaking masterpiece of patience and coastal artistry, this monumental hanging shell cockatoo is a true showstopper. Meticulously hand-crafted from thousands of individual seas...
Category

Late 20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Metal

Butcher's Piggy Bank
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This uniquely humorous piggy bank is the perfect blend of wit and practicality, designed in the shape of a plump, adorable pig. What sets it apart is the quirky butcher's diagram of ...
Category

20th Century Unknown Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage Large Brass Duck "Decoy" Decorative Sculpture
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Large Brass Duck "Decoy" Decorative Sculpture. Handcrafted decorative vintage collectible brass duck shape sculpture. Beautiful handcrafted large ca...
Category

Mid-20th Century European Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Brass, Copper

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

American Folk Art Carved Sleeping Cat Sculpture
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage Folk Art sleeping cat figurine was hand-carved from a solid piece of rare Amaranth (or Paduk) wood. Beautiful wood grain is accentuated by the wax finish. The cat has elonga...
Category

Mid-20th Century Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Padouk

Vintage Bronze Gilt Thai Teppanom Temple Guard Dancing Statue Sculpture
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage statue in gilt bronze metal of Thai Teppanom Temple Guard Dancing statue sculpture. Vintage Handcrafted Gilded Thai Teppanom Temple Guard Dancer...
Category

Mid-20th Century Thai Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

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

Brass Sculpture of Tree with Bird's Nest by C. Jeré
Located in Dorchester, MA
This whimsical brass tree was handcrafted in the 1970s by the artisans at C. Jeré. It features a slender trunk with bark details, delicate articulated leaves, and a bird's nest that ...
Category

1970s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Brass

3.5ft African Tribal Art Large Bronze Baule Ancestor Sitting King Figure Statue
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Origin: Ivory Coast, Baule Peoples Dimensions: 14” W x 14” D x 43” H Discover the elegance and spiritual depth of African tribal artistry with this Large Bronze Seated Ancestor Figur...
Category

Early 20th Century African Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Olokun Head, Kingdom of Ife, Western Nigeria Hand Carved Hardwood
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Fascinating detailed Olokun head from the Kingdom of Ife in Western Nigeria. Hand carved hardwood face with almond shaped eyes, neck creases and astounding facial incisions Circa 1...
Category

Late 20th Century Beninese Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Hardwood

Chinese Bookends of Soapstone hand carved, Republic Period circa 1920s
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
These are a beautiful pair of Chinese soapstone Bookends made in China during the Republic period, Circa 1920. These bookends are individ...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Soapstone

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

Antique Plaster Statue of a Breeding Stallion - by Max Landsberg 1899
By Max Landsberg
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Plaster Statue of a Breeding Stallion - by Max Landsberg 1899 Antique plaster statue of a stallion, made by Max Landsberg (1850 - 1906...
Category

1890s German Antique Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Wood

19th Century Carved Bull Sign
Located in Coeur d'Alene, ID
Carved and painted wood bull sign. Life size head with carved and painted details, real horns fitted to the head by lead sleeves. The top of the head fashioned from a thick sheath of...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Metal, Iron

Folk Art Hand Carved Wood Sculpture of Walking Man, Ecuador 1950s-1960s
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Primitive wooden hand-carved Folk Art sculpture depicts a walking man in wide, loosely draped clothes and a hat, carrying a bundle in his hands. Highly detailed carving emphasizes th...
Category

Mid-20th Century Ecuadorean Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Wood, Olive

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 m...
Category

Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Pine

Antique French Painted Cast Concrete Rooster Garden Statue
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This charming antique French painted concrete rooster statue is a striking piece of vintage farmhouse décor. Crafted from solid cast concrete, it showcases intricate feather detailing and a weathered patina that adds to its rustic appeal. The statue is hand-painted in white with red, yellow, and green accents, giving it an authentic aged look. Perfect for indoor or outdoor use, this robust sculpture makes a wonderful decorative piece for gardens, patios, or farmhouse-style interiors. Whether used as a statement ornament, a focal point in a garden setting, or a collectible item, this vintage rooster...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Concrete

24" Tall Antique Swedish Large Wooden Horse Carved Hand-Painted 19th Century
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Tall antique Swedish horse in carved wood with original patinated paint in off-white color with blue dots. Made circa end of the 19th century. Th...
Category

1890s Swedish Antique Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Leather, Wood

Two Dala horses. Hand-painted with floral motifs on a blue background. Folk art.
Located in København, Copenhagen
Pre-owned goods are exempt from import duties for U.S. customers. Therefore, no import tariffs will be applicable to your purchase. Two Dala horses. Hand-painted with floral motifs...
Category

20th Century Swedish Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Figurines by Dr. Harley Niblack
Located in South Charleston, WV
This grouping of 3 figurines and 9 sculpture head figures were obtained directly from Dr. Harley Niblack by the consignor's father (who was also a woodt...
Category

1950s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Wood

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

American Copper Full Bodied Pig Directional Weathervane on Stand, circa 1880
Located in Charleston, SC
American Copper full bodied pig directional weathervane resting on squared iron stand, late 19th century.
Category

1880s American Antique Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Copper, Iron, Zinc

Pair of Tonala Mexico Modernist Horse Figurines, Planters or Ashtrays
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
A pair of modernist horse figurines were hand made in Tonala, Mexico, in modernist style with short legs, long bodies, and expressive heads, and are hand painted in typical Tonala s...
Category

20th Century Mexican Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

French Tailor's Mannequin, early 20th Century
Located in Berghuelen, DE
French Tailor's Mannequin, early 20th Century French 20th century tailor's mannequin. Made of paper, fabric and metal. It features a mechanism inside which allows the tailor to adju...
Category

Early 20th Century French Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Metal

Vintage Sculpture of an American Eagle Carved in Seri Ironwood
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Sculpture of an American Eagle Carved in Seri Ironwood. Vintage hand carved Ironwood Southwestern seri sculpture of an Eagle. Dimensions: 5.5" x 3.5". circa 1970. Ironwood hand carved eagle or falcon...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Hand Carved and Hand Painted Wooden Sculpture of a Hunter with Dog
Located in Barntrup, DE
A masterfully carved and hand painted wooden sculpture of a hunter with his dog and gun. This adorable sculpture, beautifully crafted in detail, will decorate any room or make a grea...
Category

1970s German Vintage Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Beautiful Wooden Metal coated Tang-Style Horse, Vintage Asia, 1980s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful decorative horse statue. Some wear with a nice patina, but this is old-age. Wooden horse coated with metal. Very decorative and nice to display ...
Category

1980s Chinese Vintage Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Metal

Iron Replica of the Iconic Eiffel Tower
Located in New York, NY
Just a wonderful decorative and charming vintage statue or model of the iconic Eiffel Tower in Paris. For some, it’s great memories or dreams of Paris. It’s made of wrought iron and ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Metal, Iron

African Folk Art Hand Carved Sculpture Fork and Spoon
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Hand carved African tribal wood carved sculpture of a men and women, Africa tribal Art Decor. Kenyan tribal sculpture featuring an elongated standing man and women with a crown and metal choker. Very simple modern look carved ethnic sculpture...
Category

20th Century Kenyan Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Antique hand-carved African couple sculpture 1940s
Located in Cantù, IT
Antique hand-carved African couple sculpture 1940s - Private Collection Domenico Rugiano
Category

20th Century Nigerian Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Turuza Wauja. Two-headed bird Sculpture-Bench, 2024 Brazilian wood
Located in PARIS, FR
Turuza Wauja – Two-headed Bird Sculpture-Bench, 2024 Hand-carved by Indigenous Wauja artisans from the Xingu region in Brazil, this remarkable sculpture-bench represents a two-heade...
Category

2010s Brazilian Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Hardwood, Shell, Paint

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

Painted French Tole Mushroom Decoration
Located in Houston, TX
Painted French tole mushroom decoration for planters or gardens. Circa 1950s. Probably originally created as a prop for a Parisian department store window or a theater. Twenty-six in...
Category

1950s French Vintage Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Steel

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

Hand-Crafted Vintage Hat Mold Form Made of Pine from Stockholm, Sweden
Located in Stockholm, SE
This beautifully aged, hand-carved vintage hat mold comes from the renowned hat-making company Hugo Landahl in Stockholm, Sweden. Rich in character and patina, it serves as a unique ...
Category

15th Century and Earlier Swedish Antique Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Pine

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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