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
Period: Early 1900s
Early 20th Century Folk Art Hand Carved Wooden Eagle
Located in Oakland, CA
Early 20th Century hand carved wooden eagle with a red wash finish. The eagle has out stretched wings and a up right posture resting on a rectangular wooden base. Extensive carving ...
Category
Early 1900s American Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Scrap Wood
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
Set of Vintage Shoe Forms Mounted on Iron Base
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Set of three wooden child size shoe forms mounted on an iron base.
Category
Early 1900s North American Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Iron
1900s Scandinavian Wooden Horse
Located in High Point, NC
Like a mysterious inhabitant of a fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen, this wooden quadruped crafted in Scandinavia circa 1900 exudes a gentle melancholy of the North. The whitenes...
Category
Early 1900s Scandinavian Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
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
Early 20th Century French Butcher's Shop Sign
Located in Chicago, IL
A playful early 20th century French painted steel butcher's shop sign in the shape of a pig, and mounted on a custom steel table-top mount. The sign...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Steel
Early 20th Century Scandinavian Faded Milliners Head, 1900's
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Beautiful faded wooden gent milliners hea from the early 1900's.
The faded lines and the non-treated wood give this head his beautiful character. Absolutely top of the line decorati...
Category
Early 1900s Scandinavian Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Early 20th Century Scandinavian Faded Wooden Milliners Head, 1900's
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Beautiful faded wooden gent milliners hea from the early 1900's.
The faded lines and the non-treated wood give this head his beautiful character. Absolutely top of the line decorati...
Category
Early 1900s Scandinavian Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Pair Early 20th Century Scandinavian Faded Milliners Heads, 1900's
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Beautiful pair faded wooden gent milliners heads from the early 1900's.
The faded lines and the non-treated wood gives these heads there beautiful character. Absolutely top of the li...
Category
Early 1900s Scandinavian Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
19th Century Austrian Carved Pine Folk Art Farmer and His Oxen Model
Located in London, GB
19th century carved pine folk art farmer and his oxen model
We are proud to offer a unique example of a late 19th century hand carved pine folk art model of a farmer and his oxen. R...
Category
Early 1900s Austrian Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Pine
Large Antique Carved Wood Female Bambara Chi Wara Antelope Figure
Located in Nantucket, MA
Chi wara is a ritual headdress used by the Bambara people in Mali. Portrayed as both male or female figures Chi ware is associated with agriculture. This fema...
Category
Early 1900s Malian Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Hardwood
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
Wooden Architectural Gou Mata Temple Elements, India, Ca 1900
Located in Boven Leeuwen, NL
Very decorative wooden architectural elements made in India around the year 1900.
These carriers, each 28 centimeters high, were part of ...
Category
Early 1900s Indian Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
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
Pair of Majolica Poodle Onnaing, circa 1900
By Onnaing
Located in Austin, TX
French petite pair of Majolica poodle unsigned Onnaing, circa 1900.
Supposed to be a toy.
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic, Faience
Large Antique Papier Maché Carnival Masks, 1900s
Located in HEVERLEE, BE
For sale are these rare, large early 20th century carnival masks made from wood and painted papier maché.
Although looking a little creepy and intriguing they have a great decorat...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood, Paper
Achille D'Orsi Sculpture Pescatorello, Early 1900s
By Achille D'Orsi
Located in bari, IT
Bronze sculpture on black marble base depicting a young boy holding some pots. Engraved signature of the artist. Manufactured in Italy, early 20th century.
Category
Early 1900s Italian Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Related Items
Trophy Dear Hunter in Iron on Base
Located in Paris, FR
Trophy dear hunter in iron, on base.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary French Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Iron
Folk Art Carved and Painted Owl Decoy, USA, 1900's
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Folk Art carved and painted owl decoy, USA 1900's
A decorative barn owl carving decoy
Original paint with even wear.
Mounted over a new iron stand.
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
German Hand Carved Wood and Painted Carousel Horse with Saddle Seat 19th Century
Located in Hollywood, SC
German hand carved wood and decorative painted carousel horse with flowing mane, hairy tail, upholstered saddle seat, original glass eyes, and mounted on a wrought iron scrolled brac...
Category
19th Century German Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood, Paint
H 48 in W 60 in D 12 in
Abstract Ceramic Sculpture of Head, Mounted on Base
Located in New York, NY
A sculpture of an abstracted head in ceramic, mounted on a black acrylic base, by an unknown artist. The human head and features have been intentionally warped into an organic stone ...
Category
Late 20th Century Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Acrylic, Ceramic
American Folk Art Cowboy and Horse Whirligig
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Tall one of a kind cowboy and horse spinning whirligig American Folk Art piece. Most likely from a larger folk art environment. Sheet steel constructi...
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Iron, Sheet Metal
Antique Wood Animal Horse Sculpture, Northern Swedish Folk Art Original Paint
Located in Kramfors, SE
Antique wooden horse sculpture from northern Sweden. The horse is from around 1850 and has a body in pine with original paint. The sculpture is made by hand and a one of a kind piece...
Category
Mid-19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Pine
H 11.03 in W 15.75 in D 3.94 in
French 19th Century Folk Art Metal Rooster or Cockerel Weathervane
Located in Buisson, FR
Beautiful metal weathervane representing a rooster or cockerel,
France, 1850-1900.
Weathered and small losses. Measurement here below is inclusive the wooden base.
Category
19th Century French Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Copper, Iron
J. Hübner Carved Wood Carousel Horse, Early 20th Century, Germany
Located in Antwerp, BE
Antique Carousel horse by J.Hübner.
A hand-carved wooden carousel horse made by Atelier Hübner Germany - Josef Hübner - Joseph Hubner.
This piece of Carnival Art - funfair roundabout horse - Merry-go-round Horse
dates circa 1910 and has sulfide eyes, a real tale and stirrups.
It's a European Springer Horse - Jumping Horse - Galopping Horse
on a metal base.
During his life, already more then 110 years !! it does have some old restorations
and old repainting but that gives this antique horse the charm of his history: making people and children happy and offer them a ride.
Antique carved horses - Antique German Carousel Horses - Hübner horses...
Category
Early 20th Century German Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Large Early 20th Century Belgian Oak Folk Art Eagle Sculpture
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Early 20th century Belgian oak Folk Art eagle sculpture.
Category
1920s Belgian Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Oak
Early 20th Century Folk Art "American Eagle" Silhouette Decorative Box
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Folk art decorative box with eagle motif in attractive red paint (ca. 1910-1920, USA). The hinged top opens to reveal a divided storage compartment, per...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood, Paint
Antique 18-19th Century Wooden Horse
Located in Kastrup, DK
A Indian 18-19th century hand-carved wooden horse decorated with polychrome colors.
In original untouched condition with a beautiful age-related patina, showing the antique authentic...
Category
18th Century Indian Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Natural Clamshell Mounted on a Natural Coral Base
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Beautiful natural clamshell with cream color patina, professionally clean and mounted on original natural coral base, some crystal quartz accents. Great nat...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Coral
Previously Available Items
Beautiful Lot of Three Gnome Elf Snowbaby Bisque German Antique Christmas 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A lovely set of three Santa Gnomes or Elves, made in Germany in the early 20th Century. Found at an estate sale in Nuremberg, Germany. They are made of Bisque Porcelain and are not marked. A nice addition to your Christmas collection...
Category
Early 1900s German Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Porcelain
H 2.25 in W 2.25 in D 1.13 in
An Austrian Painted Terracotta Model of a Recumbent Bull Dog
Located in San Francisco, CA
the recumbent bull dog with expressive face and brown glass eyes
Category
Early 1900s Austrian Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
Pair Early 20th Century Scandinavian Faded Milliners Heads, 1900's
Located in Silvolde, Gelderland
Beautiful pair faded wooden gent milliners heads from the early 1900's.
The faded lines and the non-treated wood gives these heads there beautiful character. Absolutely top of the l...
Category
Early 1900s Scandinavian Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Burl
Free Shipping
H 11.82 in W 6.7 in D 7.49 in
Turn of the Century French Wooden Sculpture
Located in High Point, NC
A wooden sculpture from turn of the century France depicting a smiling putto — a naked child, modesty protected by a carved floating cloth. The detail of t...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood, Oak
American Folk Art Horse Weathervane
Located in Chicago, IL
A rather large late 19th/early 20th century American Folk Art cut steel weathervane with a leaping horse silhouette mounted on a steel pipe, and a cus...
Category
Early 1900s American Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Steel
Turn of the Century Belgian Wooden Horse on Stand
Located in High Point, NC
A carved wooden horse on a metal stand from turn of the century Belgium. A distinctive patina lends the figure an enigmatic, nostalgic air: indigo blue, muted gold and cream create a...
Category
Early 1900s Belgian Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Early 19th Century German Folk Art Trophy Head
Located in London, GB
Folk Art trophy head
An early 20th century Folk Art styled hand carved deer’s head with real antlers. Original paint still presents across most of this form, made from pine and high...
Category
Early 1900s German Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Pine
Santos Articulated Figure, 1900s
Located in HEVERLEE, BE
Antique 'Santos' jointed lay figure.
Beautiful original condition with glass eyes.
Folk art from the early 20th century in coming from the Philippines.
Obvious age related w...
Category
Early 1900s Philippine Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Uncommon Big Size Chair Oak Original Italian Folk Art Country Shop Rare
Located in Buggiano, IT
It is a large and hight chair, in oak, original Italian from 1900, Folk Art.
The paint is original in patina, honey amber color.
As shown in the photographs and videos, there are so...
Category
Early 1900s Italian Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Oak
H 96.46 in W 23.63 in D 19.69 in
Large Wood Carved and Polychrome Painted Carousel Bear
Located in Wiscasset, ME
Measuring 27" x 50" x 13". Most likely dating from 1890 to 1920 and European in origin. This bear has character and features a neat saddle with a lions head. All original with age re...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Victorian English Carved Oak Folk Art Figure of a Crying Boy
Located in London, GB
The crying boy
We are proud to offer an unusual hand carved single piece of oak, in the form of a crying boy who appears to have lost his belongings. The...
Category
Early 1900s British Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Oak
Large Danish Mirror Ball With Brass Hardware
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Large Danish decorative mirror ball with brass hardware.
Category
Early 1900s Danish Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Art Glass
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.