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
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
Found and Salvaged Steel Structure on a Steel & Wooden Circular Base
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
Jim Rose, known primarily for his steel furniture, was an avid collector and scoured salvage yards for unique and interesting items. Here, a collection of spare parts come together ...
Category
2010s American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Metal, Steel
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
Beautiful Pair of Cast Iron Door Stopper Stands Decorative Item, 20th Century
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Classic 20th century door stoppers and decoration accessories, made of heavy metal, probably bronze or iron. Nice addition to your House or just to display them in your room. Found a...
Category
20th Century German Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Iron
Italian Tole Potted Tulips Table Ornament
Located in Riverdale, NY
Italian cold painted tole potted tulip table decoration. A white footed pot holds a symmetrical cluster of shaded pink, blue and yellow metal closed tulips....
Category
1960s Italian Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Metal
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
Jim Rose Barn House Structure, Welded Steel Sculpture Made with Salvaged Steel
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
This is a welded steel sculpture made by furniture creator Jim Rose. It is sustainable design created from salvaged and recycled steel panels left over from his larger projects. Thes...
Category
2010s American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Steel
Barbed Wire Collection / Display Mounted on a Oklahoma Shaped Plaque
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Barbed Wire Collection / Display Mounted on a Oklahoma Shaped Plaque.
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Steel
Early 19th Century Italian Carved Lion Figure
Located in London, GB
Early 19th century carved lion figure
An early 19th century hand carved Italian or Spanish representation of a seated lion figure. Anthropomorphism features which are typical of this period. Polychrome paint still visible across its surface with aged repairs and wear as expected, the gesso is visible in sections. Visible ribcage typical of the regions, the possibility this figure could have been part of a larger carved piece of décor furnishing or architecture display...
Category
1820s Italian Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Gesso, Pine, Paint
Vintage Cape Dorset Inuit Stone Carving of a Seal, Unsigned, Canada, C.1960's
Located in Chatham, ON
Vintage Cape Dorset Inuit soapstone (also called Steatite) carving of a seal - featuring fine simplified carving and details accentuating the form of the a...
Category
Mid-20th Century Canadian Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Stone
Mexican Terracotta Articulated Doll Figure Wearing a Military Hat
Located in Stamford, CT
Funky and very cool 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 art sculpture it is absolutely charming.
The military hat...
Category
Early 20th Century Mexican Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
Found and Salvaged Steel House Structure on a Reclaimed Steel Plate, Wooden Base
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
Jim Rose, known primarily for his steel furniture, was an avid collector and scoured salvage yards for unique and interesting items. Here, a collection of found steel is reworked whi...
Category
2010s American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Metal, Steel
Charles Hart Folk Art Penguin Massive
By Charles Hart
Located in Litchfield, CT
By Charles Hart, Gloucester, Massachusetts, circa 1930s. Charles Hart (1862-1960), working in Gloucester, Massachusetts, was known as a carver of fine duck decoys. Hart also had a passion for penguins which he carved in different sizes. This one is a larger example of his penguins, very similar to the pairs flanking the entrance to his house. It is complete with an original wood base. The artist often sold his carved penguins during the summer tourist season alongside the road on the way to the beach, many smaller examples from this stand are known. Very good condition.
Remark: " No home décor is complete without a penguin, even Monty Python...
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Vintage Carved Wood Folk Art Lion
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Eye catching whimsical lion sculpture or figure, hand carved, in a naive style, paint decorated and caught in mid roar.
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Hardwood
Circa 1930's English Hand-Carved Terrier
Located in High Point, NC
Circa 1930's hand-carved terrier dog from England. The terrier is very sassy, wearing a top hat. Charming carving with nice proportions and a lavish coat of fur. This little guy w...
Category
1930s English Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Fruitwood
Greenlandica, Jakob Keke. Sculpture in soapstone.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Greenlandica, Jakob Keke, Kungmiut, East Greenland.
Sculpture in soapstone.
Approximately from the 1970s.
In excellent condition.
Label.
Dimensions: L 14.5 cm x H 7.5 cm x W 5.5 cm.
Category
1970s Greenlandic Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Soapstone
German Carved Wooden Figure of Shepherdess with a Sheep
Located in Barntrup, DE
Beautiful hand carved wooden figurine of an adorable girl - shepherdess with a sheep.
Dimensions: Height 35.5 cm / in, width 13 cm / in, ...
Category
1930s German Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
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 interiors clearly showing the marks of hand-carving.
Measures: Length 37", depth 12", height 22"
Condition: Please see detail photos. The Pair with stable age cracks with one neck repaired, bubbled paint...
Category
19th Century Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Rustic Chofa Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
Antique Rustic Chofa Sculpture. Solid woodblock Folk Art carving of Thai or Lao Chofa sculpture. Carved from a sold piece of wood having a very weathered patina. Heavy wear to the...
Category
1890s Thai Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Beetle Cast Iron Shoe Horn or Boot Jack, Powder Coated Chartreuse, circa 1920's
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Vintage boot jack in cast iron freshly powder coated in bright chartreuse. The cast iron object is as functional as it is decorative. This bright and fun ...
Category
1920s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Iron
Timber rabbit carved early 20th century
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A nice folk art carved polychrome timber rabit..Female… Beautiful pink, white, and black colors carved with very long ears and a great pair of eyelashes.. part of a collection that we are selling… We have one more of these timber rabbits..
Category
1950s Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Terracotta Articulated Doll Santos Figure
Located in Stamford, CT
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 art sculpture it i...
Category
Early 20th Century Mexican Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
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
"Wallace" Skating at the Park, Fine Craft Painted Rabbit, Canada, Circa 1997
Located in Chatham, ON
"Wallace" Skating at the Park - Fine craft raw wood sculpture with a painted finish highlighted with India ink - made from a solid pine branch with...
Category
Late 20th Century Canadian Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Softwood, Paint
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
Folk Art Yew Burr Sculpture Carved Human Form Life Size
Located in Cheltenham, GB
Exceptional folk art sculpture depicting a human head and body dressed in a waving organic form cloak with a bone eyepiece.
Exceptional patina with strong carved flowing lines produ...
Category
19th Century British Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Yew
Greenlandica, tupilak in soapstone. Greenland mid-20th century.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Greenlandica, Tupilak.
Traditional, magic Greenlandic figurine carved in soapstone.
Greenland mid-20th century.
In good condition, with damage to the base (see photo).
Dimensions: H...
Category
Mid-20th Century Greenlandic Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Soapstone
Hand-Carved Ironwood Pheasant Sculpture – Vintage Southwestern Art
Located in West Hollywood, CA
This exquisite hand-carved ironwood pheasant sculpture showcases masterful craftsmanship with detailed feather etchings and a graceful pose. The rich, dark hues of the ironwood enhan...
Category
Mid-20th Century Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Iron
Art Glass Rooster Set, circa 1970s
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful handmade art glass rooster family sculpture set (4), circa 1970s. Four (4) roosters in set, blown glass, hand-crafted. Art glass colors i...
Category
1970s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Art Glass
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
Cedar, Oak
Early 20th Century English Folk-art Hand Carved Gentleman Boxwood Figure
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century English Folk-art Hand Carved Gentleman Figure
We are proud to offer a unique hand carved English folk-art figure of a quirky looking, very well dressed aged Engl...
Category
1910s British Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Boxwood
Greenlandica, soapstone sculpture. Bowl shaped like a mythical creature
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Greenlandica, soapstone sculpture. Bowl shaped like a mythical creature.
Greenland.
Approximately from the 1960s.
In excellent condition with a minor chip on the base.
Dimensions: L ...
Category
1960s Danish Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Soapstone
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
19th Spanish Colonial Santos Hands, Set of Three, Mounted
Located in Stamford, CT
Interesting and unusual group of three Spanish Colonial painted plaster hands, two mounted on marble bases and one on a custom wood stand. Whimsical, or just creepy, they are uniqiue. Likely hands from santos figures, which often break off. The previous collector thought enough of them to have them beautifully mounted. Give someone a hand!
Provenance: Artist Karl Mann...
Category
19th Century Peruvian Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Marble
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
Sheryl C. Benjamin "Musk Ox" Carved Raspberry Alabaster Stone Table Sculpture
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Sheryl Cannold Benjamin (American, 1924 - 2023) "Musk Ox" Carved Raspberry Alabaster Stone Large Table Sculpture on Laminated Pedestal Base, Approx 110 lbs. Circa Late 20th Century. ...
Category
Late 20th Century Unknown Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Alabaster
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
"Day of the Dead" Three-Piece Sculpture of Kahlo & Rivera by Demetrio Aguliar
Located in San Diego, CA
A very cool and unique "Day of the Dead" three-piece Folk Art sculpture of Frida Kahlo & Diego Rivera signed by Mexican artist, Demetrio Garcia Agu...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Pottery, Paint
Latin American Santos de Palos Wood Carved St Raphael 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
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
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
Greenlandica, Taki Petersen. Massive sculpture in soapstone. Hunter and seal
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Greenlandica, Taki Petersen.
Heavy and massive sculpture in soapstone depicting a hunter and a seal.
In excellent condition.
Signed and dated 80.
Dimensions: H 15.7 cm. x L 13.5 cm.
Category
1980s Greenlandic Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Soapstone
Vintage Boho Carved Wood Cuban Man Sculpture
Located in west palm beach, FL
This Vintage Boho Carved Wood Cuban Man sculpture brings whimsical personality and cultural charm to any space. Standing over four feet tall, this hand-carved and hand-painted figure...
Category
1970s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood, Paint
Found and Salvaged Industrial Objects, Metal Sculpture on Base
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
Known for his steel furniture, Jim Rose was an avid collector and scoured salvage yards for unique, interesting items. Here he has paired various repurposed finds together to create...
Category
2010s American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Steel, Metal
Westmoore Pottery Lion, Signed 2005
Located in High Point, NC
Large pottery lion of clear yellow glaze having applied curly clay mane, tail, and whiskers, pencil hole eyes, grinning expression, signed on the bottom "2005 WESTMOORE POTTERY...
Category
Early 2000s American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Pottery
Jim Rose - Construct No. 03, Salvaged Steel and Aluminum Industrial Objects
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
Jim Rose, known primarily for his steel furniture, was an avid collector and scoured salvage yards for unique, interesting items. Here he has welded together various washers, nuts, ...
Category
2010s American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Metal, Steel
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
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 basi...
Category
1890s Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Sheet Metal
Pair of German Hand Carved Wood Figurative Sculptures of Two Boys Musicians
Located in Barntrup, DE
An adorable pair of hand-carved wooden figurines of two boys playing the whistle, Germany, the first half of the 20th century.
Dimensions: Height 38 cm / 14.96 in, width circa 12 cm ...
Category
1930s German Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Fabulous Hard Stone Carved Sculpture by Marcus Lyons
Located in Palm Springs, CA
This fabulous sculpture is by noted Palm Springs artist Marcus Lyons (b1949). The signature is indistinct but it is clearly his work. The subject matter is...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Stone
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
Antique Signed American Folk Art Sewer Tile or Redware Pottery Lion Figurine
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique signed Folk Art lion figurine.
In the form of a recumbent lion.
Signed to the underside. The signature appears to read: 'J Silverthorn'
Made out of a reddish-brown redware or stoneware sewer tile...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic, Pottery
Set of 3 animal masks in wood, Guatemala, 1980s
Located in Lyon, FR
Set of 3 wood animal masks, made in the 1980s in Guatemala, for ceremonies and local rituals.
Hand-carved and hand-painted, very decorative, and guaranteed without any spell on them....
Category
1980s Guatemalan Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood, Paint
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
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
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
Jim Rose - Construct No. 02, Salvaged Steel and Aluminum Industrial Objects
By Jim Rose
Located in Chicago, IL
Jim Rose, known primarily for his steel furniture, was an avid collector and scoured salvage yards for unique, interesting items. Here he has welded together various washers and cyl...
Category
2010s American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Metal, Steel
Royal Doulton "the Carpet Seller" Moroccan Decorative Porcelain Figurine
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Royal Doulton "the carpet seller," Moroccan figurine of a carpet seller.
Made in England, by Royal Doulton England, the "Carpet Seller,"
Royal Doulto...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
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.