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.
114
to
19
75
36
114
114
114
466
369
219
197
140
114
85
82
44
42
32
24
23
20
15
8
5
13
114
423
67
106
146
94
17
7
9
25
15
17
16
31
14
13
Height
to
Width
to
76
37
19
11
10
56
33
33
14
9
3
1
Style: Folk Art
Period: 19th Century
Pair of Life Size Antique Carved and Painted Swan Figures
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A large and impressive pair of hand carved Swans which may have at one time been decoys having fine form and presence. In newer white paint with black beaks and eyes. The unpainted i...
Category
19th Century Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Important Antique Folk Art Carnival Figure of a Macaque
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A hollow finely carved wood macaque figure dressed as a human with short green hair, a blue jacket and yellow slacks. He stands and holds a walking stick in his left hand and crosses...
Category
19th Century Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Hardwood
Pair of 19th Century Ceramic Parrot Money Banks, Bornholm Denmark
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Pair of 19th century ceramic parrot money banks, Bornholm Denmark.
Category
Late 19th Century Danish Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
19th Century Carved Walnut Effeminacy Male Figure
Located in London, GB
19th century carved walnut effeminacy male figure
We are proud to offer a unique and highly decorative 19th century hand carved walnut figure of an effeminacy male form. Unusual in its figurative posture and detail. This includes the figure standing in a side on pose with flirtatious gesture, a loosely draped over shoulder silk sheet, female form breasts and overly masculine facial details. This item is heavily patinated due to its age. This figure may have at some point in its lifetime have been part for a larger wall carving...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Walnut
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
Folk Art Primitive Whirligig
Located in London, GB
Folk Art Primitive whirligig, circa 19th century
(Working moving item)
This lot is a very rare and unique handmade functioning 19th century Folk Art whirligig. The item in unique and very rare to market, it’s completely handmade, with cast iron cogs, hand carved wooden figures and the item works smoothly when the main cog is turned to animated the item. Once the main cog is turned the hand carved figure of the man moves forward to turn the main central function of the whirligig. The item still has all its original primitive handmade art features including, a moving saw, moving wooden pump, cogs, pulleys, central rope wheel, main 2 hand carved figures (one is missing its head).
In conclusion this is an original very rare to market functioning 19th century Folk Art primitive whirligig, It’s simply a piece of art and highly desirable. We have never seen a complete item...
Category
1870s European Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Ceramic Sculpture with a Group of Playing Putti's 19th Century Belgium
Located in Antwerp, BE
Beautiful in detail and charming 19th century unglazed terracotta sculpture. Features a design of three cherubic children with lamps and fruit, playing with two goats on the base of ...
Category
1890s Belgian Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
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
Antique Styled Folk Art Carved and Painted Wood Figure Hanging Sheriff Study
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Dating from possibly the Victorian period, this Folk Art styled carved and hand painted wooden sculpture depicts an effigy of a Wild West Sheriff hanging with his hands behind his ba...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Hardwood, 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
American Gilt Carved Wood and Poly Chromed Roman Guard Figurehead, Circa 1890
Located in Hollywood, SC
American gilt carved wood and poly chromed nautical figurehead of Roman guard in military attire. Late 19th century.
Category
1890s American Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood, Giltwood, Paint
19th Century Life Sized Horse Trade Sign from a Tack Shop in Pennsylvania
Located in Charleston, SC
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
Late 19th Century German Pug Dog, Heavy Terracotta with Brown Carmel Color Glaze
Located in San Francisco, CA
Late 19th century German pug dog. Heavy terracotta with brown carmel color glaze.
Seated, with the head turned, in active pose. Good confirmation and details of the face, ears, coil...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
Emile Deyrolle 19th Century Plaster, Wire and Wood Didactic Germination Models
Located in Buffalo, NY
LES FILS D'EMILE DEYROLLE, PARIS. Extremely rare set of four 19th century French painted plaster, wire and wood Didactic models depicting progression, ANATOMIE VEGETALE, beautifully ...
Category
Late 19th Century French Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wire
31 Brazilian Silver Amulets
Located in New York, NY
These 31 Brazilian amulets, or balangada, were hammered from sheets of silver in the 19th century to form pomegranates, sugar apples, guava, and other...
Category
Mid-19th Century Brazilian Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Silver
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
Staffordshire Pearlware Piper with Dog Bocage Figure
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Staffordshire pottery pearlware bocage figure with a musical theme which features a boy playing a pipe. His dog by his side, stood on a shaped base. Decorated 'in the round' - decora...
Category
1820s English Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Doctor's Pomander Cane
Located in New York, NY
Carved wood doctor's cane with silver pomander handle for diffusing scents. Cane intricately carved with twisting snake and leaves.
Category
19th Century Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Rare 19th Century Cast Iron Court Jester Folk Art Hanging Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic 19th century wall hanging folk sculpture of the English court jester, looks like the joker. This folky cast sculpture looks like it was somethi...
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Iron
Pair of Black Forest Figural Carved Wall Hooks, 19th Century
Located in Niederdorfelden, Hessen
Black forest carved wood coat hooks, late 19th century with genuine chamois horns.
Measurements:
13 x 3.9 x 3.9 in / 32 x 10 x 10 cm
11.8 x 3.3 x 3 i...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Carved American Carnival Head, circa 1890s
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Finely featured carved man's head found in the southern United States. Most likely a late 19th century carnival head featured in a ball or ring toss game.
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
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
Tall Zinc Bird on Globe with Stand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A wonderful rendition of a bird sitting atop a globe and set on a wooden stand. Great detail and patina of this vintage decorative piece.
Category
1880s French Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Zinc
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
Wooden Tramp Art Sculpture
Located in Dallas, TX
Wonderful Wooden Decorative Tramp/Outsider Art Sculpture,
In the form of an architectural tower,
made of 100's of interlocking pieces of hand-carved wood,
withou...
In the form of an architectural tower,
made of 100's of interlocking pieces of hand-carved wood,
withou...
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
19th Century African Bronze Sculpture From Vienna Tobacco Museum
Located in Copenhagen, K
Rare bronze sculpture of native African smoking a large pipe
Provenance: Vienna Tobbacco Museum. This scultpure is pictured in the Kinsky Vienna auction catalog as # 467 or 468.
Category
19th Century Belizean Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Fantastic Diminutive 19thc Rare Eagle Full Body Weather Vane on Stand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This amazing small-scale rare 19th century eagle weather vane sits on top of the unusual arrow in a verdigris copper patina. The nose is in zinc and so is the tip of the arrow. This ...
Category
1880s American Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Copper
19th Century Tramp Art Box with Chip-Carved Decoration, Date and Velvet Inside
Located in Atlanta, GA
A 19th century Tramp Art rectangular wooden box featuring elaborate chip-carved decoration. Each side of this box is adorned with hand-carved tiered frames of four-layered notches, characteristic of the traditional chip-carving technique of Tramp Art, a 19th century form Folk Art that transforms salvaged materials into furniture and art. The lid, attached to the base with hinges, is covered with a burgundy velvet pad bordered by a chip-carved trim centered around a carved lion head. The lid, which lifts by a ring pull, opens to reveal a velvety green storage...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
American Shellwork Standing Mirror in the Form of a Harp
Located in Downingtown, PA
American shellwork standing mirror in the form of a Harp,
circa 1885
The unusual 19th century American shellwork standing mirror is in the form of a harp....
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Shell
Large Pair of Pearlware 'Prudence & Fortitude' Figures
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Pair of wood family Staffordshire pottery pearlware figures with a classical theme which feature Prudence, holding a snake in one hand, an aperture for a mirror in the other hand. Fo...
Category
Early 1800s English Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
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
Antique Folk Art Carved Gesso over Wood and Hand Painted Native Man Statue
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Presumed to date from the late 19th century, this life-sized Folk Art carved and hand painted study depicts a Native man dressed in traditional attire and holding a staff. The artist is unknown and this sculpture is unsigned and done in a very realistic style. The carving, likely done in Cyprus wood...
Category
Early 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Softwood, Paint
Early 19th Century Scandinavian Folk Art Mangle Board
Located in Greenwich, CT
Charming early 19th Century Swedish folk art mangle board having a stylized horse handle, the body with geometric carving and traces of original polychrom...
Category
19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Late 19th Century Painted Articulated Figure with Overalls
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Late 19th century articulated figure with a nicely detailed carved face, navy overalls and red-painted shirt, tie, and shoe.
Category
19th Century Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wire
Monumental Carousel Rooster Figure
Located in New York, NY
Carousel style (19/20th Cent) carved walnut monumental rooster figure on iron stand with brass pole
Category
19th Century Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Iron, Brass
Fantastic Original Painted and Carved 19th Century Indian Plaque
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This wonderful original old surface plaque has a great old patina and a hand-carved and painted Indian chief. The Indian is in full original clothes with the feathers in his head. Wi...
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Pine
Scottish Brass and Nickel Silver Horse Hobble, Bide A Blink, Circa 1830
Located in Hollywood, SC
Scottish brass and nickel silver horse hobble with an eagle heads horse shoe handle and resting on the faithful servant creature Bide a Blink. Signature...
Category
1830s Scottish Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Brass, Iron, Nickel
19th Century Tobacconist’s Trade Sign
Located in Greenwich, CT
English carved and polychrome decorated wood tobacconist’s trade sign in the form of a “Turk” wearing a distinctive headdress and dressed in a long robe, this advertising figure rela...
Category
19th Century British Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Blue Glazed Redware Character Jug Signed, 19th Century
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
An antique folk art blue glazed redware pottery pottery jug or flask modelled as a man wears a night gown and night cap with a spout behind the man’s head wi...
Category
Late 19th Century European Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Pottery
Important Folk Art Trade Sign
Located in Greenwich, CT
A mid 19th Century folk art trade sign of demilune form, depicting a Native American chief holding a peace pipe and tomahawk wearing a headdress of white and red feathers, wearing a decorated tunic, supported by “s” scrolls, possibly a cover for a paddle boat wheel...
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Hand-Carved and Painted 19th Century Cigar Store Figure
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand-Carved and Painted 19th Century Cigar Store Figure.
The man is hand carved from one piece of wood. He is probably late 19th century and over pa...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
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.
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Steel
A Wooden Doll for a Religious Procession
Located in Washington, DC
A Wooden Doll for a Religious Procession.
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Late 19th Century Fiske Foundry Cast Iron Dog
Located in Santa Monica, CA
J.W. Fiske foundry attributed cast iron Whippet dog. Incredible white paint surface with many different layers of white paint.
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Iron
19th Century Finely Carved and Gilded Scotsman Counter-Top Tobacco Trade Figures
Located in Nantucket, MA
Mid-19th Century carved and decorated counter-top Tobacconist’s Trade figures, circa 1850. Each with striking detail and beautiful patina, with the original gilding rubbed well into ...
Category
Mid-19th Century Unknown Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Large 19th Century Carousel Figure of a Scotsman
Located in New York, NY
Large nineteenth century large carved and painted wooden figure representing a Scottish Highlander wearing a traditional plumed cap and uniform wit...
Category
19th Century Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood, Paint
English Folk Art Newel Post Figure of a Wildman
Located in Greenwich, CT
Most unusual English early 19th Century folk art carving of a wild man, most likely a newel post figure, depicted with groomed European hair, beard a...
Category
19th Century British Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Oak
19th Century French Carousel Ride, Carved Wood Sparrow with Metal Body
Located in New York, NY
19th C. painted wood French Carousel ride, with the "body" made of iron rods. The bird figure has only one wing, as originally the other side had a spoke which connected to the cente...
Category
19th Century French Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Horse Head Trade Sign, Last Quarter of the 19th Century
Located in York County, PA
An exceptional, painted American trade sign made from carved wood in the full-bodied form of a race horse’s head. Wonderful movement, tremendous f...
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Pair of Carved Pine Toreadors with Red Capes
Located in New York, 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
19th Century Iron Indian Weathervane with Stand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic and rare original painted surface iron Indian weather vane, worn painted surface. Great original Directional's in iron and attached. This Indian weather vane was found in t...
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Iron
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
Carved Bantam Wearing a Crown
Located in Greenwich, CT
An early 19th century French carved bantam sporting a crown, well carved in pine. Good detailing to face, plumage, tail feathers and feet. Possibly originally from a ring toss game...
Category
19th Century French Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Pine
19th Century French Wooden Decoration
Located in High Point, NC
A wooden sculpture of a horse made in 19th century France. A horse mid-gallop has been frozen in time by the immaculate sculpting of 19th century artisans. I...
Category
19th Century French Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Antique Cast Iron Black Lamb Doorstop
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Antique cast iron lamb doorstop.
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Iron
Crusty Ramshackle Sanatorium/Institutional Model
Located in Seattle, WA
freaky, spooky yet whimsical carved and painted model of a late 19th century/turn of the century institutional building, possibly a sanitorium. Painted windows and carved chimneys w...
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Folk Art sculptures for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique folk art sculptures for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage sculptures created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, folk art, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art sculptures made in a specific country, there are North America, Europe, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original sculptures, popular names associated with this style include Jim Rose, Tonala Pottery, Victor Anicet, and Royal Doulton. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for sculptures differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $38 and tops out at $225,000 while the average work can sell for $1,404.