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
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
Hand Carved Wood Figural Bull Statue
Located in Cincinnati, OH
This skillfully executed hand carved figural bull is fully dimensional and has a rich brown color. The bull is depicted in a standing position atop a shaped wooden plinth. The muscular animal has been finished with realistic detail with particular attention given to the bull's facial features and folds of skin. The plinth itself is slightly domed at the center and bears carved elements which include a large rock and stylized plants.
The bull measures 8" tall and the base is 10.75" x 4.125". It weighs 1lb 15oz. The carved bull is in very good vintage condition with no cracks or signs of wear.
This early 20th century hand carved bull statue...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Set of Three Glazed Pottery Cat Sculptures
Located in Houston, TX
Set Of Three Glazed Pottery Cat Sculptures.
Whimsical trio of handmade colorful glazed pottery cat sculptures.
Each of these beautifully executed animal sculptures is artist signe...
Category
1980s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Pottery
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
Vintage Handmade Ceramic Figure of a Young French Girl Holding a Rose
Located in New Orleans, LA
This is a lovely and delicate hand made clay art girl figurine in a lavender print dress with a lace overlay that stands 7" tall and is Holding Flowers....
Category
1980s French Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Clay, Earthenware, Pottery, Textile, Polyester
Fantastic Nantucket Hand Carved and Painted Folk Art Seagull Sculpture
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A wonderful Folk Art carved and hand painted wooden seagull on base having an authentic weathered patina and faded grey, black and yellow color palette.
Category
1950s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
American Folk Art Hand-Carved Rosewood Snake
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Folk Art hand-carved rosewood snake (ca. 1940s, USA). Attractive two-tone rosewood variations (rich brown tones throughout with two contrasting light patches).
Very good, vintage con...
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Rosewood
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
Beaded Ndebele Initiation Doll
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare imported commodity, glass beads have been a symbol of wealth and importance in south African cultures for centuries, and were exclusively distributed by the region's oba (king...
Category
Mid-20th Century South African Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Fabric, Cotton, Wood
Grønlandica, Sarak, Greenlandic hunter in profile, sculpture in soapstone.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Grønlandica, Sarak, Greenlandic hunter in profile, sculpture in soapstone.
1970/80s.
In excellent condition.
Signed.
Dimensions: H 10.5 cm x W 8.0 cm.
Category
1970s Greenlandic Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Soapstone
African Wood Sculpture
By Craft and Folk Art Museum
Located in San Francisco, CA
Very kool piece of African art. I am not exactly sure how old, but from bottom of base I would guess 1st quarter of 20th century. It is all wood and depicts wh...
Category
1920s North American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Greenlandica, soapstone sculpture on a marble base. Mid-20th C.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
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
German Shepard 1950 s Statue
Located in Los Angeles, CA
German Shepard 1950 s gesso Italian vintage statue .
Category
1950s Italian Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Gesso
Monumental Dorothy Gillespie Metal Ribbon Wall Sculpture
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
Vintage Marble Flagpole Finial on Steel and Lucite Base, Denmark
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Early 20th Century Danish vintage marble flagpole finial on steel and lucite base. Desk accessory or decorative object/sculpture.
Category
Early 20th Century Danish Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Marble, Chrome
Fiberglass Crocodile in White Paint Surface
Located in New York, NY
Modern "Folk Art" crocodile made of cast fiberglass, in distressed white paint surface. Large scale makes this an impressive decorative item, probably circa 1960s. This item is built...
Category
1960s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Beaded Ndebele Ceremonial Doll
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare imported commodity, glass beads have been a symbol of wealth and importance in south African cultures for centuries, and were exclusively distributed by the region's oba (king). As beads become gradually more accessible throughout the 19th century, they began to displace the organic materials used in traditional art and attire.
This colorful example of African beadwork...
Category
Mid-20th Century South African Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Cotton, Wood, Fabric
19th Century Hand Carved German Apothecary Shop Display Figure
Located in London, GB
19th century hand carved apothecary shop display figure.
A rare hand carved 19th century apothecary shop display figure. Of German origin this figure would likely have sat either on...
Category
1880s German Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Oak
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
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
Greenlandica, Sarak, Greenlandic woman in profile, sculpture in soapstone.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Greenlandica, Sarak, Greenlandic woman in profile, sculpture in soapstone.
1970/80s.
In excellent condition.
Signed.
Dimensions: H 14.0 cm x L 12.0 cm x W 6.0 cm.
Soapstone - also kn...
Category
1970s Greenlandic Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Soapstone
"Retablo No. 5 (An Attic of Records)" by Patrick Fitzgerald
Located in Chicago, IL
The intricate retablos of contemporary artist Patrick Fitzgerald are his means of paying homage to the musicians that inspired him throughout his life. Derived from Mexican votive...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Other
Beaded Ndebele Fertility Doll
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare imported commodity, glass beads have been a symbol of wealth and importance in south African cultures for centuries, and were exclusively distributed by the region's oba (king). As beads become gradually more accessible throughout the 19th century, they began to displace the organic materials used in traditional art and attire.
This colorful example of African beadwork is a fertility doll...
Category
20th Century South African Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Cotton, Wood
Pair of Vintage American Wood Shoe Molds Bookends
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage pair of American wood women shoe form molds mounted as bookends
Vintage wooden shoe making mold from the 1930s.
A pair of shoe form converted to bookends, these well carved solid wood shoe mould would have been used to make handmade shoes.
These molds were traditionally made for each customer and would be used each time they came into the cobbler for a new pair of shoes.
They are in good original condition with the patina and metal that shows age.
Cobbler molds size 6.5 B model 258
Made from solid wood, I love these moulds because of their individual nature but also they are almost a piece of sculpture.
Since the shoe form themselves were used as molds to make shoes, there are pin-pricks and wear present from frequent use in addition to naturally aged patina. They work well as bookends or simply as tabletop sculptures.
These elegant women wooden shoes bookends form mold make a great addition to your vintage decor.
Vintage hand carved wood cobbler shoe molds...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Large Figurative African Mangbetu Anthropomorphic Ceramic Vessel or Jar
Located in Studio City, CA
This is a wonderful piece likely made by the Mangetu tribe of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is finely detailed and quite large and hefty. These pieces were originally made...
Category
20th Century Congolese Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
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
Grønlandica, Figure of a Wild Duck Made of Soapstone, Approximately 1960/1970s.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Grønlandica, figure of a wild duck made of soapstone.
Approximately 1960/1970s.
In good condition, signs of use.
Marked.
Dimensions: L 7.5 x D 3.0 x H 5.0 cm.
Category
1960s Greenlandic Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Soapstone
Greenlandica, wooden sculpture of a male figure. Greenlandic craftsmanship.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Greenlandica, wooden sculpture of a male figure.
Greenlandic craftsmanship. Hand-carved.
Signed ZA and dated '66 (1966).
In excellent condition.
Dimensions: H 21.0 cm x D 10.0 cm.
Category
1960s Greenlandic Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Mounted Submarine Toilet Humor Sculpture
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
There’s trench art, and then there’s toilet humor - this is a little bit of both! Creative & fun sculpture composed of a copper toilet float, mounted on ...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Metal, Copper
"Retablo No. 4 (Blackbird)" by Patrick Fitzgerald
Located in Chicago, IL
The intricate retablos of contemporary artist Patrick Fitzgerald are his means of paying homage to the musicians that inspired him throughout his life. Derived from Mexican votive...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Other
19th Century English Folk Art Copper Weathervane
Located in London, GB
19th century English Folk Art copper weathervane
A wonderfully pure example of a late 19th century English Folk Art handcrafted copper w...
Category
1880s British Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Copper
American artist. Unique ceramic sculpture of Native American.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
American artist. Unique ceramic sculpture of an Native American.
Indistinctly signed.
Dated 1933.
In excellent condition with minimal signs of use.
Dimensions: Height 16.0 cm x Width...
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Beaded Ndebele Fertility Doll
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare imported commodity, glass beads have been a symbol of wealth and importance in south African cultures for centuries, and were exclusively distributed by the region's oba (king). As beads become gradually more accessible throughout the 19th century, they began to displace the organic materials used in traditional art and attire.
This colorful example of African beadwork is a fertility doll...
Category
20th Century South African Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Cotton, Wood
Patriotic Flag Whirligig
Located in Lancaster, PA
Celebrate American craftsmanship with this charming c. 1940 patriotic whirligig. Crafted from wood and metal, this delightful piece features two men and an American flag, capturing a...
Category
Mid-20th Century North American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Paint
Solid Wood Carved Sculpture of Traveler on Wine/Beer Barrel
Located in San Francisco, CA
Solid Wood Carved Sculpture of Traveler on Wine/Beer Barrel
Swiss or German, possibly the mountainous Black Forest area. Hand crafted by a truly skilled carver, a bear can be seen ...
Category
19th Century European Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood, Paint
Greenlandica, wood sculpture of a male figure. Greenlandic craftsmanship.
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Greenlandica, wood sculpture of a male figure.
Greenlandic craftsmanship. Hand-carved.
From the 1960s.
In excellent condition.
Dimensions: H 20.0 cm x W 9.0 cm.
Category
1960s Greenlandic Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Old Weathered Statue of a Putti Playing Tambourine
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Old Weathered Statue of a Putti Playing Tambourine
The musical nymph is set on a square base
This is a pleasantly weathered piece in good detail to be ...
Category
1920s Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Concrete
17th Century French Stone Bust
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
An extremely rare 17th Century French life size headless bust of a robed male mounted on a steel base.
This bust has had a small amount of restoration, ...
Category
17th Century French Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Stone
19th Century Decorative Painted Rajasthan Horse
Located in Gloucestershire, GB
19th Century impressive and decorative Rajasthan wooden horse.
With its original flake paint finish.
This fine piece will mean so much to some and make a great decorative item for ot...
Category
19th Century Indian Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood, Paint
Folk Art Copper Finial Set
Located in Oak Harbor, OH
Designer: Unknown.
Manufacturer: Unknown.
Period or Model: Early 1920s.
Specs: Copper.
Condition:
This Folk Art copper finial set are in used ...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Copper
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
Large Hand Carved Duck Sculpture by Miguel Ruelas
Located in San Diego, CA
A very nice large hand carved duck sculpture by Miguel Ruelas, circa 1980s. The detail, craftsmanship and painting in this piece is lifelike and truly amaz...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood, Paint
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 20th Century American Double Sided Whirligig Figure
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century American double sided whirligig figure
A brilliant example of early 20th century American Folk Art. In the form of a hand carved wooden double sided whirligig f...
Category
Early 1900s American Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Pine
W P A Style Terracotta "Bear" Sculpture, Art Deco, Modern
Located in Buffalo, NY
W P A style terracotta "BEAR" sculpture, Art Deco, Modern, charming stylized depiction. Painted, minor chipping (bottom).
Category
1930s Unknown Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
Iron Boot Scraper with Ram's Head Finial
Located in Greenwich, CT
A generous iron boot scrape with twisted shaft handle and bronze finial of a ram's head mounted on a heraldic helmet. Decorative scrolled base imprinted with "1928". In the manner...
Category
Early 20th Century English Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Iron, Bronze
Staffordshire Pearlware 'John Wesley' Bust
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Staffordshire pottery pearlware bust with a religious theme which features John Wesley, resting on a plinth base. Decorated 'in the round', decoration to front and reverse. Open bott...
Category
1820s English Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Pottery
Asian Bronze Pair of Hanuman Kneeling Buddhist Figure Candleholders
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Part human-part monkey, Hanuman is a central character in the Hindu epic Ramayana.
He is generally depicted as a man with the face of a monkey and a long tail.
Often described as t...
Category
1950s Indian Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Vintage Terracotta Terrier Sculpture
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage terracotta terrier sculpture. This handsome terra cotta terrier figure is realistic in size and features.
Perfect home accent for the dog lover!
Category
1940s Unknown Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
Greenlandica, Figurine of a Polar Bear Carved in Soapstone, Approx. 1960-1970s
Located in Copenhagen, DK
Greenlandica, figurine of a polar bear carved in soapstone.
Approx. 1960-1970s.
In good condition, signs of use.
Dimensions: W 13.0 x H 9.0 cm.
Category
1960s Greenlandic Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Soapstone
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
Oringinal Wood Carved Relief of a Man Fishing
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Wonderful vintage relief image of man fishing while sleeping against a tree. Hand carved early 20th century.
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
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
Contemporary Hunting Dog Painted Iron Sculpture by José Jerónimo
Located in Coimbra, PT
Hunting Dog by José Jerónimo single piece of art.
Iron sculpture with use of tools and other objects.
Dimensions 22,00 x 10,00 x 42,00 cm
Private collection.
Category
Late 20th Century Portuguese Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Metal, Iron
Small Antique Swedish Red-painted Horse in Wood, 1900th
Located in Stockholm, SE
A peasant sculpture in the form of a small working, red-painted horse with a bushy mane and tail on a painted pedestal, beautifully carved and painted wood.
On the underside, a text...
Category
Early 1900s Swedish Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Unusual Antique Hand Carved African Fertility Primate / Baboon, Gorilla
Located in Buffalo, NY
Unusual Antique Hand Carved African Fertility Primate / Baboon, Gorilla,, Extremely well executed,, all hand carved,, remnants of original hair, bone eyes and teeth detail.
Category
1910s Cameroonian Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Bone, Wood
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
Vintage Boho Sergio Bustamante Paper Mache Bird on Pedestal
Located in west palm beach, FL
Make a bold artistic statement with this vintage Sergio Bustamante paper mâché bird sculpture, a whimsical yet elegant creation handcrafted in T...
Category
Late 20th Century Mexican Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood, Paper
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.