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
Recognized Seller Listings
American Folk Art Door Stop in the Form of a Sitting Cat, Early 20th Century
Located in Downingtown, PA
American Folk Art Door Stop in the form of a Sitting Cat,
Early 20th Century
This charming doorstop, crafted in the early 20th century, embodies the spirit of American Folk Art. De...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Iron
Folk Art Beautifully Hand Carved and Painted Horse Sculpture, United States
Located in Shippensburg, PA
FOLK ART PAINTED AND CARVED WOOD HORSE
20th century, unsigned, designed to be entirely disassembled
Item # 305FEB10P
An incredibly fun and playful carved and painted folk art horse...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood, Paint
19th Century Folk Art Wooden Hand Glove Stretcher
Located in Downingtown, PA
Folk Art Wooden Hand Glove Stretcher,
19th century
The wood model of a hand is mounted on a stepped wood base. The hand has a lovely aged color and is a great piece of folk art.
Di...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Early 20th Century Moroccan Silver Jewish Amulet in the Shape of a Fish
Located in New York, NY
A rare, handmade standing sculptural amulet in the form of a fish. Unlike similar items that are mostly two-dimensional and are meant to be hanged only, this amulet is a standing sculpture in the round. The fish's eyes are made of coral, a gem stone typical of North-Africa. The body of the fish is hand-engraved with symbols from the Jewish Moroccan...
Category
Early 20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Coral, Silver
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
"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
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
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
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
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
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
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
American Cast Iron Doorstop in the Form of a Boston Terrier
Located in Downingtown, PA
The Boston Terrier was made in cast iron by Bradley and Hubbard Co. Meriden CT in the 1920s
Model #7294-N.
A finely modeled hollow half round cast form with natural brindle paint.
See:
The Doorstop Book, John and Nancy Smith...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Iron
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
Rare Early 18th century Irish Carved Folk Art Talbot
Located in Greenwich, CT
Very rare carved and painted wood talbot, a now extinct breed of dog often found in heraldic devices in both England and Ireland, this example in original painted surface and possess...
Category
18th Century and Earlier Irish Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Pine
American Papier-Mache Camel Figure
Located in New York, NY
American life size camel figure standing on a platform base with hollow construction (attr: Luke Saunders Carnival Show, Michigan, Circa 1930)
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood, Paint
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
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 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
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
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
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
Rare Pair of Fireman's Axe Parade Torches
Located in York County, PA
Rare pair of fireman’s axe parade torches, 1860-1880:
Pair of fireman’s axe parade torches with traditional wooden axe handles and the heads made o...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures
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
Early 20th Century German Statue 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
Related Items
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
19th Century Wooden Horse
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
19th century wooden horse.
Dry scraped to charming time worn patina.
Category
19th Century French Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Art Deco Nudy Lady Thermometer
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Celluloid nude lady Art Deco thermometer.
Category
20th Century Folk Art Sculptures
Antique, Rare & Decorative Pair of Hand Carved and Hand Painted Horse Sculptures
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning and unique pair of matching horse sculptures.
With a combined experience of almost 30 years in the antiques trade, we were thrilled to once again find beautifully hand-crafted and decorative antiques that we had never seen before. From the density and the weight we can see and feel that these highly decorative horse sculptures are made of a tropical hardwood. Like, for example, with antique mirror frames or church sculptures these horses too were first covered with a mixture of chalk and glue so that the paint would hold longer. And, as so often is the case with antiques, the colors that were used for painting these horses are so much more beautiful than anything you find in this day and age that they truly are an absolute joy to look at. From the colors, the wear, the materials and the techniques that were used to create these horses we can see that these are 19th century antiques. However and unfortunately we lack the knowledge to be able to tell you from which country these highly decorative and sizeable works of art originate. We just can't find matching style horse sculptures anywhere on the worldwide web. They could be Chinese or Nepalese, but they could also be Persian or Arabian. We just have not been able to find out. What we do know is that they are definitely antique, they are in beautiful condition (with some wear, consistent with their age), they are highly decorative, probably unique and they have a look and feel that will instantly change the atmosphere of the room they are in.
Mind you, our sharp price for this wonderful pair of horse sculptures...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Free Shipping
H 20 in W 21 in D 7 in
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
Large French 19th Century Hand Carved Wooden Fragment of a Marionette
Located in Buisson, FR
Very nice handcarved fragment of a marionette.
France, circa 1850. Weathered, small losses and old repairs
Measurement include the wooden base.
Category
19th Century French Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Textile, Wood
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
19th Century Wooden Horse
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
19th century wooden horse.
Dry scraped to charming time worn patina.
Category
19th Century French Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
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
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
Chess Set by Marco Celotti Circa 1970
Located in Hudson, NY
A one of a kind chess set by Italian American artist Marco Celotti. Created circa 1970, the set is quit marvelous.
Each figure is filled with detail. Even the individual pawns, each...
Category
1970s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Pottery
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
Previously Available Items
Exceptional 19th Century Butcher's Bull's Head Trade Sign
Located in Mjöhult, SE
Exceptional 19th century butcher's bull's head trade sign with a fantastic weathered patinated surface. Ca 1860 England.
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Zinc
Afghan Dog Sculptures, by Stephen Huneck, Vermont, 1991, Signed and Dated
By Steven Huneck
Located in Downingtown, PA
Dog sculptures,
Stephen Huneck, Vermont,
Afghan hounds,
Signed and dated 1991
The cast aluminum mirrored pair depicts standing long-haired Afghan...
Category
1990s American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Folk Art Polychrome Tole and Glass Optometrist Trade Sign
Located in New York, NY
English folk art (19th century) painted tole and glass hanging eye glass trade sign.
Category
19th Century British Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Glass
French Bulldog Doorstop. Hubley, American, circa 1920s
Located in Incline Village, NV
This full figured cast iron, hand painted doorstop, is known as "French Bulldog" and was made by The Hubley Manufacturing Company of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, circa 1920s. A pleasing facial expression (see image) and realistic body creases and characteristics, reveals an accurate rendition of the French bulldog. With it's substantial weight, it can be utilized as a wonderful doorstop to decorate with, or simply put on a shelf for display.
Beautifully cast and hand painted in colors of black and white, with brown eyes; this doorstop is in very good condition and is completely authentic with no restoration of any kind, and in all original paint. Note the tight seam where it is held closely together by the original screw on one side of the dog. It is referenced in "The Doorstop Book" by John and Nancy...
Category
1920s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Iron
American Cast Iron Boot Scraper in the Form of a Cat, Household Patent Co.
Located in Downingtown, PA
American cast iron boot scraper in the form of a cat,
Household Patent Co. Norristown, PA,
circa 1926
(NY9379-NKR)
The charming Folk Art boot scrapper...
Category
Early 20th Century North American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Metal
H 9.88 in W 10 in D 2.18 in
American Cast Iron Sculpture or Boot Scrapper of a Cat, circa 1920s
Located in Downingtown, PA
American cast iron sculpture or boot scrapper of a cat,
circa 1920s
The lovely American cast iron rare striding cat boot scraper in original black...
Category
1920s North American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Black Forest Carved Wood Dog Door Porters
Located in New Orleans, LA
These remarkably detailed Black Forest carved door porters, each in the form of a begging spaniel standing on a cushion, cheerfully greet visitors. Exquisi...
Category
Early 20th Century German Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
American Cast Iron "Old Salt" Maine Fisherman Doorstops or Bookends, Hubley
Located in Downingtown, PA
American cast iron "Old Salt" Maine fisherman doorstops or bookends,
Hubley Manufacturing Company,
The 1920s.
The two larger figures depict an old salt f...
Category
1920s North American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Iron
H 6.5 in W 2.75 in D 2.25 in
Staffordshire Large Pearlware Whistle Modeled as a Bird on Tree Branch, 1810
Located in Downingtown, PA
Staffordshire Large Pearlware Model of Bird on Tree Branch Designed as a Whistle,
circa 1810-1820.
A lovely figure of a bird is a whistle depicted o...
Category
Early 19th Century English Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Pearlware, Pottery
Large Creamware Racing Horse Leeds Pottery Made England Circa 1840
Located in Katonah, NY
I have always wanted one of these. I'm thrilled to have found it.
This Leeds Pottery stallion has a wonderful face with beautiful eyes.
Large creamware enamel-painted horses are rare. Leeds made the largest of the creamware horses. Our horse is 16.75 inches tall x 14.75" long.
A similar example can be seen in Leeds Museums and Art Galleries (Temple Newsam House) and was featured in an exhibition during an exhibition that ran from June 1- October 30, 2005, in "The Leeds Pottery 1770 1881".
Condition: Excellent with light craquelure in the glaze
Price: $9,600
Our horse is cream-colored with an orange harness and a full bushy brown tail. The figure is finely modeled: he stands proudly with his head slightly turned to the right, wearing a halter, the lead line laid across his back.
His tail was neatly applied, swinging onto one hind leg.
The top of the base is a mottled green within a molded stiff-leaf border glazed in manganese.
On his belly and underneath the bottom are two unglazed patches where the model was held up during the firing process.
Dealers in equestrian feed, medicine, and tack used large pottery horses in their display windows, like those seen here, to draw in customers.
Examples can be found in the Leeds City Museum, the Yorkshire Museum, and the Glasgow Art Gallery and Museum.
The original Leeds Pottery factory closed around 1849-50. These prominent figures of horses were made for window displays in saddlers and tack stores, for dealers trading in horse equipment...
Category
Mid-19th Century English Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Creamware
Pitcairn Island Wood Carvings of Fish
Located in Downingtown, PA
Pitcairn Island wood carvings of fish,
Miro wood, harvested on the coral atoll of Henderson Island,
The unusually carved base and stem are inscr...
Category
20th Century Pitcairn Islands Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Pitcairn Island Wood Carving of a Flying Fish
Located in Downingtown, PA
Pitcairn Island wood carving of a flying fish,
Miro wood, harvested on the coral atoll of Henderson Island,
The flying fish mounted on a wood base ...
Category
Early 20th Century Pitcairn Islands 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.