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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
Large Folk Art Driftwood Horse Head Sculpture
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This large and substantial sculpture of a horse's head is unsigned, but believed to have been made in Canada in circa 1980. The sculpture is made completely of pieces of driftwood...
Category

Late 20th Century Canadian Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Driftwood

Vintage Tonala Mexico Pottery Cat, Hand Painted
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Charming vintage Tonala pottery figurine depicts a reclining cat with folded front paws and raised head; the cat is looking forward with wide open, large eyes and a slightly surpris...
Category

20th Century Mexican Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery

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

American Gilt Copper & Cast Iron Full Bodied Rooster Weathervane, circa 1880
Located in Charleston, 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

Sheep Sculpture, Handcrafted by New Mexico Artist Ray Growler
Located in Norwalk, CT
Natural lamb’s wool sheep figure w/ natural horms. Hand crafted by Ray Growler, Navaho whose gallery is located in Four Corners area of New Mexico. Ray Growler is a popular mixed me...
Category

1990s American Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Horn, Wool

Signed Bustamante Brass Fireplace Screen / Wall Animal Sculpture
Located in Stamford, CT
Mexican artist, Sergio Bustamante wall sculpture or fireplace screen with a Garden of Eden menagerie of flora and fauna. Lions, giraffes, birds, butterflies, turtle, armadillo, rabbi...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Brass, Copper

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

Mid-20th Century French Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Steel

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

Folk Art Found Object Doll TOTEM by Bill Fink, Bergdorf Goodman
By Bill Fink
Located in New York, NY
Fantastic doll TOTEM sculpture composed of European doll parts, European and American vintage tin tea caddies, fire bell, and topped by a whimsical tin bird...
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Metal

Antique 1930s Judge Theatre Papier Mâché Head from Paris
Located in London, GB
Antique 1930s judge theatre papier mâché head from Paris This lot is a rare original 1930s papier mâché French theatre heads. This item was obtain...
Category

1930s French Vintage Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Paper

Latin American Santos de Palos Wood Carved St. Michael Sculpture
Located in Guaynabo, PR
A renown tradition in Latin America the making of Santos de Palos by masters carvers since the 19th century. They hand carved and painted the saints inspired in their personal religi...
Category

20th Century Unknown Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Abstract Modernist Wood Inlay / Wooden Marquetry Figure Wall Plaque
Located in Buffalo, NY
Abstract Modernist Wood Inlay / Marquetry Figure wall plaque. Hand executed..Art Deco , African influenced.Several mixed species of exotic woods.
Category

1940s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Vintage Cotton Elephant Covered in Indian Textiles
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage cotton elephant, covered in Indian textiles, retailed in the 1950s by Harrods. Interior frame composed of wire and straw. Textiles originally s...
Category

1950s English Vintage Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Wire

Mexican Ceramic Art of Parakeets in Egg Hatching in Bustamante Style 1980
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Whimsical Vintage Mexican Ceramic Sculpture of Parakeets Hatching from Egg, in the Style of Sergio Bustamante, Circa 1980s A large, fantastical ceramic sculpture depicting a group of...
Category

Late 20th Century Mexican Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Joaquin Taller Tinta Ecuador Bird MCM Sculpture - 1960s
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Wear consistent with age and use. The artisan metalsmith crafted bird table sculptures, heavily influenced by South American historical design elements. Joaquin Taller Tinta Ecuador...
Category

20th Century Colombian Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Metal

Near Pair of Japanese Jizai Kagi Wood Koi Folk Art Sculptures
Located in Atlanta, GA
A near pair of wood koi fish from Japan circa 1860-90s of late Meiji Period. Hand-carved from solid wood, these sculptures are known as Jizai Kagi in Japane...
Category

Late 19th Century Japanese Antique Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Iron

Antique terracotta sculpture Boy "Como Papá", Spain, 1900-1930s
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Antique terracotta sculpture Boy "Como Papá", Spain, 1900-1930s. A charming early 1900s hand-painted terracotta figurine of a little boy dressed like his father - oversized boots, c...
Category

Early 20th Century Spanish Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Terracotta

Late 19th Century Sheet Iron and Metal Trotting Horse Weathervane
Located in Incline Village, NV
Late 19th century sheet iron and metal "Trotting Horse" weathervane. It has a nice weathered color and patina and is very authentic with six "healthy" bullet holes to boot. I basica...
Category

1890s Antique Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Sheet Metal

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

American Folk Art Hand-Carved Wooden Spindly Snake Sculpture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Hand-carved wooden spindly stick in the form of snake (ca. late 19th Century, USA). Sinuous body with hand carved scale and facial details with metal nails as eyes. Impressive, long ...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Hand Carved Folk Art Wooden Duck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Folk Art hand carved wooden duck - a wonderful piece! One of our favorite pieces, the life size shape and graceful angle of the neck give the p...
Category

20th Century Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Vintage Found Object Assemblage Sculpture With Speedometer & Photographic Inset
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A one-of-a-kind vintage assemblage sculpture blending industrial relics and surreal figuration. Crafted from aged wood, cast metal, and a repurposed speedometer face, this piece feat...
Category

Late 20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Metal

"Lady Seated in Chair Reading" Money Box/ Still Bank by A. Biagioni, Circa 1925
Located in Incline Village, NV
Penny bank made by Italian Angelo Biagioni for the French market (see image with marking on the back of the chair), circa 1910. Biagioni, born in 1870, was a well known sculptor who crafted objects for resale to the European market. Money boxes (or still banks as they are called in America) were one of the more unique and more difficult items to find by this artist as most objects were basic uni-dimensional sculptered pieces. What makes it more rare is the unfortunate requirement to break and smash the bank open to get the coins out, as there was no mechanism to remove the money. The subject matter of the bank is that of a nicely dressed older lady seated in a chair reading a book. The bank is in all original condition and paint with no restoration or touch-up of any kind. This is a nice addition to any bank or toy collection, or simply to have as a "stand alone" unique item. Dimensions : 4 1/4" deep x 3 3/8" wide x 8 5/8" high. Note: After 40 plus years of dealing and collecting toys and banks, I am justly qualified to guarantee and present the authenticity of antique and vintage still banks...
Category

1910s French Vintage Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Pottery

Greenlandica. Hand Painted Unique Stoneware Figure, Inuit in Traditional Clothes
Located in København, Copenhagen
Greenlandica. Hand painted unique stoneware figure. Inuit in traditional hunting clothes. circa. 1970s. In perfect condition. Signed illegibly. Dimensions: W 9.0 x H 20.5 cm.
Category

1970s Greenlandic Vintage Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Stoneware

Large 36" Tall Reclaimed Wood Folk Art Sculpture of a Horse
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very nice wooden horse sculpture made out of multiple reclaimed wood pieces.
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Reclaimed Wood

Vintage Leather Parrot by Federico Mexico
Located in Miami, FL
Leather parrot from Mexico. Sitting on a brass perch. Marked Federico Made in Mexico. A-600-335
Category

1970s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Vintage Hand Carved Wooden Owl Sculpture Portugal
Located in Sakskøbing, DK
A vintage folk art owl sculpture, hand-carved from wood and colorful hand-painted. Made in Portugal with quality craftsmanship. A solid, well-made piece with character. Object: scul...
Category

1980s Vintage Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Wood, Paint

The Virgin Mary Bust Virgin Mary House Replica Compressed Marble Powder No:II
By LAGU
Located in İSTANBUL, TR
This sculpture depicts the Virgin Mary, who is known as the mother of Jesus in Christian mythology. Weighing 1.5 kg, this sculpture is produced from pressed marble powder and made us...
Category

2010s Turkish Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Statuary Marble

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

2010s Moroccan Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Clay, Earthenware

Ayyanar India carved and polychrome wood horse - 20th
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Ayyanar India carved and polychrome wood horse Measures:100cmx23cm H117cm Material:Wood Wear Consistent with age and use
Category

20th Century Indian Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Wood

18th Century Carved Wooden Angel
Located in Houston, TX
Carved wooden angel from Private Chapel in Provence. Wonderful detail in Angel's hair and draped dress. Figure is mounted on an iron stand.
Category

18th Century French Antique Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Iron

Vintage Brazilian Hand-Carved Ironwood Sculpture of Whale and a Shark
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Brazilian hand carved Ironwood sculpture of a whale and a shark. Hand carved Brazilian sculpture hand crafted in amazing detail from one of...
Category

Mid-20th Century Brazilian Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Carved Hand Chair after Pedro Friedeberg
Located in NYC, NY
A unique, hand-carved wood chair in the shape of a cupped hand with detailing down to the wrinkles and fingernails. The base whimsically detailed as a shirt cuff with buttons. Solid....
Category

1950s French Vintage Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Damian Manuhwa Signed African Zimbabwean Shona Abstract Figure Stone Sculpture
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautiful, wonderfully executed and designed Shona stone sculpture by renowned African/ Zimbabwean sculptor/artist Damian Manuhwa (1952-2008) who lived and worked in Zimbabwe. T...
Category

20th Century Zimbabwean Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Stone

Mexican Tonala Pottery Hand Painted Bird Folk Art
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

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

Vintage Boho Shell Encrusted Parrot
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Bring a touch of whimsical coastal charm to your space with this stunning vintage shell-encrusted parrot! Meticulously crafted with an array of real shells in beautiful pinks, orange...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary American Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Shell, Wood

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

Unusual Iron Welded Handmade Folk Art Locomotive, Train
Located in Buffalo, NY
Unusual iron welded handmade folk art locomotive, train, very well executed. Artist /maker unknown.
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Steel, Iron

Benin Kingdom Ebony Carving of a Young King Oba, Nigerian
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Wonderful hand carved ebony hardwood figure of a young Benin man, possibly a future King Oba Excellent traditional Benin artistic carving A delightful piece Circa 1970 Height 13...
Category

Late 20th Century Beninese Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Ebony

Large Modernist Abstract Kinetic Metal Hanging Sculpture
Located in Buffalo, NY
Large 60" x 60" Modernist Abstract kinetic metal hanging sculpture. Attributed to Yaacov Agam. Eight metal squares graduating in size. Sculpture has been outside for 40-50 years show...
Category

1970s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Metal

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

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

Vintage Folk Art Matchstick Prison Tramp Art Crucifix Jesus Christ Sculpture
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Folk Art Matchstick Prison Tramp Art Crucifix Jesus Christ Sculpture. Item featured is hand crafted of matchsticks, crucifix with figures, very nice antique item, quality Ame...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Australian Aboriginal Carved and Painted Spear from Melville Island
By Patrick Freddy Puruntatameri
Located in Atlanta, GA
Title: A ceremonial spear with clan design paint Artist: Patrick Freddy Puruntatameri DOB: 19/04/1973 Medium: Ocher paint on ironwood carving DOC:...
Category

Early 2000s Australian Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Hand Carved 20th Century Wooden Girl with Doll and Cat Figure by ANRI, Italy
By ANRI
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Beautiful hand carved wooden Figure, found at an estate sale in Germany. We believe that this piece is from around 1980s, because it's dated at the base like seen in picture. A nice ...
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Massive Antique Folk Art Candle Driven Tiered Windmill Form "Carousel"
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Classic Folk Art Candle-Powered Carousel in the form of a Tiered and Steepled Gazebo. Carved and painted wood in green and off-white with gilt details, Multiple tiers with a center s...
Category

19th Century Antique Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Greenlandica, soapstone sculpture on a marble base. Mid-20th C.
Located in København, Copenhagen
Greenlandica, soapstone sculpture on a marble base. Greenland. Mid-20th century. In excellent condition. Dimensions: L 20.0 cm x H 13.0 cm x W 7.0 cm. Soapstone - also known as Steat...
Category

Mid-20th Century Greenlandic Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Soapstone

"Harpoonist", 1930s Folk Art - Art Deco Relief Sculpture in Gray Marble
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A remarkable example of folk art sculpture influenced by the stylization of 1930s Art Deco, this bas relief sculpture depicts a man aiming a long harpoon toward his prey below, his body lit up by a nimbus of energy carved from the gray marble. The piece is signed "Knute" on the reverse, and is dated 1936, at Temple University in Philadelphia. The medium is the kind of gray King of Prussia marble...
Category

1930s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Marble

Large European Folk Art Carved Wooden Standing Man Carrying a Basket Sculpture
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This large Folk Art wooden sculpture is unsigned, but presumed to have been made in Europe and most likely Italy in circa 1920 in a Folk Art style. This large wooden carved sculpture depicts an elderly bearded man carrying a heavy basket on his back and holding the straps in the front to support the weight. This is quite a tall carving...
Category

Early 20th Century Italian Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Softwood

Gilt Burmese Musician Figure, c. 1900
Located in Chicago, IL
This seated Burmese figure captures a musician in eternal song. The wooden figure is hand-carved with a seated posture, legs crossed and arms outstretch...
Category

Early 20th Century Burmese Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Glass, Wood

Kentucky Horse Farm Fireplace Mantel Horse Legs
Located in Santa Monica, CA
This pair of giant sculptural wooden horse legs, at 5 ft. tall, was once part of a large mantel at the home of a horse ranch in Kentucky. Said to have been A...
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Sculpture in Burnt Wood 'Ofrenda I' by Carmworks
Located in Paris, IDF
Sculpture in burnt wood 'Ofrenda I' by Camilo Andres Rodriguez Marquez (aka CarmWorks) Solid oak or cedar / burnt wood or natural Signed and numbered by the artist. -- Cami...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Colombian Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Oak, Cedar

Gerald DiGiusto Caryatids 1977 Sculpture
Located in Hudson, NY
This sculpture grouping titled "Caryatids" was created in 1977 by listed American artist Gerald DiGiusto. The inspiration for Gerald DiGiusto to create these incredible pieces was f...
Category

1970s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Metal, Steel, Cut Steel

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

Shell Encrusted Cat Figurine
Shell Encrusted Cat Figurine
$280 Sale Price
20% Off
Vintage White Marble Mughal Jeweled Elephant Sculpture Paper Weight
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage white marble Mughal Jeweled elephant sculpture paper weight. Finely hand painted animal sculpture of an elephant with colorful gold, pink and red color paint. Collectible ceremonial hand...
Category

Mid-20th Century Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Marble

19th Century Italian / Sicilian Large Hand-Crafted Puppet Marionette
Located in London, GB
19th Century Italian / Sicilian Large Hand-Crafted Puppet Marionette In the rare form of an Arabic clothed gentle with long turned up moustache. The head, hands and feet are all h...
Category

1870s Italian Antique Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Pine

Pair of Carved and Painted Horn Birds
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Chinese vintage carved and painted horn eagles or hawks with an alluring, stylized interpretation of these majestic birds of prey.
Category

20th Century Chinese Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Horn

Folk Art / Pop-Art Comic Strip Papier Mache Teddy Bear Sculpture
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine folk-art papier-mache sculpture. In the form of a teddy bear. The papier mache appears to be from various 20th Century Philippine comic books, such as Superkat by L.S. M...
Category

Late 20th Century Unknown Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Paper, Plaster

Vintage German Christmas Tree Stand Iron Folk Art .
Located in Kitzbühel, Tirol
Hugh Christmas tree stand made of iron. The stand is decorated with three large hands painted Santa Claus. The Santa Claus is decorated on both si...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Iron

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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