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Carnival Art For Sale
1940s/1950s Carnival Ride Panel - Monumental Hand Painted Metal Carousel Salvage
Located in Forney, TX
A rare, whimsical, and most impressive monumental scale midcentury American traveling carnival hand painted metal ride panel!
United States, circa 1940s/1950s, almost certainly fro...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Metal
Early 20th century papier Mache carnival mask of a German soldier
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century papier Mache carnival mask of a German soldier
An early example of a French carnival mask in the form of a German soldier. With hand crafted detail included pain...
Category
1930s French Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Paper
Folk Art Carnival Motorized Ferris Wheel
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
1838 Custom made Carnival Folk Art motorized ferris wheel .
Rotates with small lights added set on a wood base
Category
1950s Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Metal
Antique Folk Art Carnival Attraction Hand Painted Sign circa 1940's
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
1677 Hand painted carnival sign world's tallest man and Tom tump
In a pediment frame
Category
1940s Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Hardwood, Paint
Beatles Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band Golden Record Carat Rec 011/100
Located in Nuernberg, DE
1970s The Beatles 24-karat gold-plated record, unframed. Limited edition of 100, 11/100 with “Certificate of Authenticity” included. Golden Record on a red Velvet wooden plate. Nice ...
Category
1970s German Modern Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Wood, Velvet
Batman Returns Large Barbell Movie Prop - Seen on Film
Located in Forney, TX
Own a piece of Hollywood history, this Batman Returns (Warner Bros., 1992), circus strongman barbell movie prop is sure to start a conversation while ma...
Category
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Resin, Fiberglass, Paint
Folk Art Carnival Sign Winged Scarab and Pyramid "Elixer of Life" Circa 1900
Located in Stamford, CT
Carnival sign with Ancient Egyptian winged scarab and pyramid, hand carved and painted advertisement for "Elixer of Life", circa 1900. This wonderful piece, a personal favorite, has ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Wood
Matched pair of Early 20th Century English Hand Crafted Fairground Fragment
Located in London, GB
Matched pair of Early 20th Century English Hand Crafted Fairground Fragment
These historic hand carved early 20th century English fairground ride decorative fragments have stood the...
Category
Early 20th Century British Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Pine
1940s Coney Island Amusement Park Kiddie Car Fire Engine in Original Condition
By Pinto Brothers Mfg.
Located in Savannah, GA
Produced by Pinto Bros Mfg of Coney Island, New York, this all-original 1940s firetruck was part of a circular ride at the famed Coney Island Amusement Park. Featuring lucky Number 4...
Category
1940s American Industrial Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Metal
$975 Sale Price
50% Off
Antique Early Gambling Folk Art Gaming Device, Holtz
Located in Forney, TX
An exceptionally scarce antique American Folk Art gambling triple stacked wooden arrow spindle spinning wheel gaming device from the late 19th / early 20th century.
Believed to be a prototype or for a similar lesser known model of the important, very rare and unusual T. F. HOLTZ made "Three Arrow Trade Stimulator" circa 1896, (displayed in the American Antique Museum, reference L2016.2501.010)
Theodore Holtz of San Francisco and early slot machine pioneer Charles Fey's partner in 1894, forming their first partnership as Holtz and Fey Electric Works. For this particular game, upon depositing your nickel and pressing the lever, three arrows will spin on the front dial and if all three stop on the same marker you win.
Trade stimulators were countertop or freestanding amusement gaming machines widely used to encourage shoppers to indulge in a game of chance. They became popular in American saloon bar...
Category
19th Century Folk Art Antique Carnival Art
Materials
Metal, Iron
Rustic Carnival Wheel of Fortune Circa 1940s Folk Art Americana
Located in Oakland, CA
Rustic carnival "Wheel of Fortune" circa 1940s, constructed of various solid woods both solid and plywood, the wheel is painted in weathered hues of red and yellow with images of dom...
Category
1940s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Metal
Antique American Carousel Horse Carnival Ride Attrib Charles Dare
Located in Forney, TX
A charming antique, circa 1920, American track machine carousel horse amusement ride attributed to legendary carver Charles W. Dare Company (United States), now mounted on a custom r...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
Rare Antique Early American Carnival Coin Toss Game Table
Located in Forney, TX
A scarce American carnival coin toss game. The rare and unusual antique hand carved and painted solid wood amusement park / county fair / mid-way gaming tabl...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
Antique Carnival Prize Chalkware Bulldog Statue / Figure
Located in Cordova, SC
**Historical Background**
American carnival chalkware flourished from 1900-1950, with bulldogs being among the most popular prizes. These pieces were mass-produced as affordable carn...
Category
1930s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Plaster, Paint
'Strike ‘Em Out’ Carnival Toss Sign, 1940s USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique vintage, mid-20th century “Strike ‘Em Out” game sign. 6.5 feet tall and 4 feet wide. Hand painted on 0.75 inch thick plywood. Strike Out originated as a baseball-like street game but also became a popular carnival attraction, where a pitcher hurtled a rubber baseball at a batter in front of the sign with the aim to get the ball in the hole. The game originated in the Chicago area...
Category
1940s American Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Plywood, Paint
1960s Dutch Papier Mache Extra Large Sea Devil Carnival Parade Head
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century unique and wonderfully fun large painted papier mache carnival head. This extra large "Sea Devil" head with a seahorse sticking out of the top and an eel going through th...
Category
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Paper
Early 20th Century Hand Carved English Fairground Carousel Panel
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century Hand Carved English Fairground Carousel Panel
A rare piece of traditional English fairground art attributed to Orton and spooner. All carved from sections piece ...
Category
1910s British Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Pine
Early 20th Century Rare Chicken Fairground Target Panel from Paris
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century Rare Chicken Fairground Target Panel from Paris
Made from pine and papier Mache with hand painted detail. Known as a Passé Boule in France these fairground amusem...
Category
1920s French Victorian Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Pine, Paper
Large 20th C. Americana Folk Art Carousel with Painted Farm Animals
Located in Morristown, NJ
20th c., Large Folk Art carousel with animals on a rotating base.Made of wood and canvas construction, with leather and other accent materials unsigned. The animals depicted are a ho...
Category
1940s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Canvas, Wood, Paint
Two Sided Carnival Fun House Glass Mirror
Located in San Mateo, CA
This two sided fun house mirror likely came from a carnival. There are small wheels under the base so it can be moved easily. It also had plywood covers than enclosed the mirrors for...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Carnival Art
Materials
Glass, Mirror, Plywood
Circus Poster by Ringling Bros., circa 1971, "Clown Standing over Tents"
Located in Incline Village, NV
This highly animated, bright and colorful circus poster portrays a fabulous looking clown in white frilled garb with red stripes, welcoming everyone to see the "Greatest Show on Earth...
Category
1970s Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Paper
Circa 1900 American Ringling Brothers Circus Fairground Cart Panels Tiger & Lion
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A rare survivor, fantastically decorative pair of plaster and hand painted animal cart panels used by the Ringling Brothers Circus Show circa 1900
The two panels would have hung ov...
Category
Early 1900s American Antique Carnival Art
Materials
Plaster, Pine
Set of Eight Folk Art Carnival Punks / Knockdown Dolls
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Folk Art carnival punks / knockdown dolls composed of canvas forms lined with cotton fur supported by carved wood bases for added stability / weight, c...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Canvas, Cotton, Wood
Folk Art Bag, Made by Coca Cola Crown Caps, Burkina Faso, Late 80’s
Located in Milan, IT
A small funny and unusual folk Art bag, made by Coca Cola crown caps wired together. Burkina Faso, late 80s.
Category
Late 20th Century Burkinabe Carnival Art
Materials
Metal
1930s Amusement / Carnival Motorcycle Ride, Carousal, Merry-go-round
Located in Buffalo, NY
1930s Antique midway amusement park wooden motorcycle ride is one of the earliest produced for carousels and merry-go-rounds. Wonderful aged patina, ...
Category
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Metal
Vintage Painted Wood Carnival Game Wheel
Located in Troy, MI
Found in the US, this painted wood carnival game wheel dates from the late 1940s/early 1950s. Wood wheel has colorful painted details and numbers separated by nails. The original lea...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Metal
Vintage Pair of Venetian Masquerade Masks on Opera Sticks
Located in Miami, FL
A pair of Folk Art jester masks that are original Venetian creations, entirely hand-drawn and handcrafted, circa 2000. Italian Artists have realized these pieces with respect of craftsmanship traditions and following original designs developed in Venice for “Commedia dell'Arte” during the late 17th century.
The coated papier mâché faces...
Category
20th Century Italian Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Gold, Brass, Metallic Thread
Rare 1950s Childs Size Carousel Motorcycle
Located in Peekskill, NY
This item is a lot smaller than it looks in the pictures. The handlebars are less that 2 foot tall. Its sized for a small child but has the proportions of a full size motorcycle. Tha...
Category
Mid-20th Century German Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Metal
1920s American Carousel Horse
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
A decorative 1920s carved wood American carousel horse, in original paint. Rests on a later made stand.
Category
20th Century American Carnival Art
Materials
Wood
19thc Wooden Folk Art Gaming Wheel with Original Red Paint & Cardinal Design
Located in Savannah, GA
19th Folk Art gaming wheel featuring four cardinals and hand painted numbers, it retains the original red and yellow paint. A charming piece of Americana that would make a colorful w...
Category
1890s American Folk Art Antique Carnival Art
Materials
Metal
$596 Sale Price
25% Off
Antique French Limonaire Frères Signed Carved Painted Wood Carousel Donkey Ride
Located in Forney, TX
A rare, important and most charming French carousel amusement ride by important Parisian craftsmen Limonaire Frères / Limonaire Brothers (France; 1839-1932)
Hand-crafted in Paris, France in the late 19th century, exceptionally executed near life-size form depicting a standing donkey figure with the rare unique feature of a nodding head. Finished in country fair taste, hand-carved solid wood construction, the menagerie merry-go-round ride presents splendidly, with the original layered polychrome paint finish, enhanced by beautifully aged heavily worn patina acquired over many years of carnival use.
Signed, retaining the original manufacturer's brass plaque that reads: "Sculptures Pour Forains, Chevaux De Bois Etc, Limonaire Freres, Paris, 166 Avenue Daumesnil"
The extremely rare, museum quality example is one of the very few surviving Limonaire Frères wooden carousel fixtures, one of only a handful imported to the United States, and quite possibly the last surviving donkey!
DIMENSIONS: (approx)
44" High, 52" Wide, 10" Deep
PROVENANCE / ACQUISITION:
Acquired from the highly reputable auction house, Schultz Auctioneers, Clarence, New York. Important Antiques & Decorative Arts catalog
HISTORY:
Limonaire Frères were an amusement ride and later street organ...
Category
19th Century French Folk Art Antique Carnival Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
19th Century Carnival Folk Art Carved Wooden Head with Zinc Hat
Located in Haarlem, NL
This head is from a fair or carnival game.
Not sure what the game was, perhaps the head has been used to toss rings over, or maybe you were supposed to throw something in his mouth....
Category
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Carnival Art
Materials
Zinc
$2,000 Sale Price
20% Off
1960s Dutch Papier Mache Extra Large Jovial Rasta Woman Carnival Parade Head
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century unique and wonderfully fun large painted papier mache carnival head. This extra large Jovial Rasta Woman head has an infectiously happy yet devious face. Traditionally wo...
Category
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Paper
Antique Hand-Painted Wooden Carousel Horse with Saddle - Multicolored
Located in Mortsel, BE
This antique hand-painted wooden carousel horse is a beautiful piece of fairground history, expertly crafted with attention to detail. The multicolored design features a classic sadd...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Carnival Art
Materials
Metal
Carved American Carnival Head, circa 1890s
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Finely featured carved man's head found in the southern United States. Most likely a late 19th century carnival head featured in a ball or ring toss game.
Category
19th Century American Folk Art Antique Carnival Art
Materials
Wood
1960s English Carnival Sign
Located in High Point, NC
1960s carnival art sign from England. It is advertising a cake walk on one side of the sign, and on the back has a charming message "Have a nice Victorian day". Great sign for any co...
Category
1960s English Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Wood
Early 20th century English fairground carousel central fragment
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century English fairground carousel central fragment
A hand carved example of a vibrant and highly decorative fairground carousel central mirror panel. With its original...
Category
1920s British Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Pine
Hand Painted Midcentury Resin White Jumper Carousel Horse by C.W. Parker
By Charles Looff Or C.W. Parker
Located in Chattanooga, TN
A sculptural icon of American carousel artistry, this C.W. Parker horse embodies craftsmanship, whimsy, and vibrant history. Standing roughly 48-50 inches high, 22-24 inches wide, an...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Brass
$2,396 Sale Price
20% Off
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 Folk Art Antique Carnival Art
Materials
Hardwood
Rare Early 20th Century Hand Carved Fairground Dragon Ride Fragment
Located in London, GB
Rare Early 20th Century Hand Carved Fairground Dragon Ride Fragment
A highly decorative and delightful object of an early 20th Century fairground dragon ride fragment panel. Would l...
Category
1920s Unknown Victorian Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Pine
Large Collection of Carousel Figures, Popeye, Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse...
Located in Mortsel, BE
Large private collection of carousel animals, please send message when questions.
Category
Early 20th Century Carnival Art
Materials
Wood
Early 20th century fairground figure
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century fairground figure
In the form of Benito Mussolini this early 20th century hand carved French fairground knockdown figure is in or...
Category
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Pine
19th Century hand carved wood and polychromed Jeu de massacre fairground figure
Located in London, GB
19th Century hand carved wood and polychromed Jeu de massacre fairground figure
A rare piece of fairground art, in the form of an oversized hand carved painted polychromed Jeu de massacre fairground knock- down figure. Made from sectioned wooden and dressed in hand made clothing. A larger than normal example which makes this quite rare and highly collectable in its quirky and characteristics look.
A fairground game from France, the jeu de massacre was a common game in French fairgrounds...
Category
Early 1900s French Folk Art Antique Carnival Art
Materials
Pine
19th Century Original Painted Juggling Pins
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These original painted red and cranberry monumental juggling pins are in fantastic condition and very large scale. The patina is the very best.
Category
19th Century American Adirondack Antique Carnival Art
Materials
Wood
$1,036 Sale Price
20% Off
Monumental Fiberglass Lion Sculpture Drinking Fountain mFG. by F.A.S.T Corp
Located in Buffalo, NY
Monumental Fiberglass Lion Sculpture Drinking Fountain mFG. by F.A.S.T Corp..Salvaged from Crystal Beech ,famed amusement park in Ontario Canada,, Amazing Cartoon Lion ,complete with...
Category
1970s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Chrome
Early 20th Century scratch built fairground roulette wheel
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century scratch built fairground roulette wheel
A unique example of an early 20th Century scratch built fairground roulette wheel. With a solid brass central weighted nob ...
Category
1920s British Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Pine
Rare Antique Distressed Carousel Horse on Iron Stand Sculpture
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Fantastic antique found unpainted carousel horse form having distressed wood, amazing character, and handsome custom iron stand. Makes a stunning folk art sculpture with monochromat...
Category
1930s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Wood
$2,555 Sale Price
30% Off
Collection of Three Carnival Shooting Gallery Target Knockover Birds
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Nice collection of three carnival midway knockover shooting gallery targets. Nice chunky pieces. Great original layers of white paint surface.
Category
1930s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Iron
Iron Shooting Target of a Pig
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique shooting target made from cut steel and iron in the shape of a pig. The piece is quite rusty and weathered from all it's years in use.
Category
Early 20th Century North American Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Steel
$900 Sale Price
50% Off
1960s Dutch Papier Mache Blue Bulldog Carnival Parade Head
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century unique and wonderfully fun large painted papier mache carnival head. This "Blue Bulldog" head resembles a very grumpy little cartoon bulldog with a studded collar and loa...
Category
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Paper
Lion Carved Wooden Carousel Figure: Antique
Located in Mortsel, BE
Behold this majestic antique carousel figure featuring a regal lion. Meticulously hand-carved from wood and mounted on a sturdy metal base, this vint...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Carnival Art
Materials
Metal
Antique Red Velvet Efe Zeybek Jacket Turkish Vest with Gold Embroidery
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Early 20th child Middle Eastern Efe Zeybek Jacket.
Kid Efe Zeybek Costume Turkish authentic ethnic vest.
Dark brown red velvet with gold foliates and gold trim. Open sleeves, red cotton lining.
Antique collector red velvet jacket with gold Middle Eastern Moorish style embroidery.
Small tiny Turkish antique vest...
Category
1940s Turkish Moorish Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Velvet
Wood Carved Folk Art Girl and Dog Carousel Chariot Original Paint Surface
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Fantastic girl and her dog Folk Art carved carousel chariot panel. Superb original paint surface. Great three dimensional surface. Excellent wall hang...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Wood
Colorful Painted Carousel Style Rocking Horse
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A remarkable large scale painted rocking horse decorated in the manner of a carousel horse. The white horse with brown mane and tail wears a red saddle on a blue blanket. The rump is decorated with a blond female mask flanked by pink and white dogwood flowers, the breast with the same flowers. With inset plastic colored faceted stones overall. With two brass twisted rods mounted on the white rocker...
Category
20th Century Hollywood Regency Carnival Art
Materials
Wood
1950s "Prince Buddah" Circus Sideshow Banner
Located in Chicago, IL
1950s "Prince Buddah" circus sideshow banner.
Category
1950s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Iron
Antique Fairground Ride Circa 1930 Reindeer
Located in Hastings, GB
Large 1930's Antique English fairground wooden Reindeer carousel ride. Wonderful aged patina, two sided original paint. Faux leather padded seat. Has been fitted with cast iron brack...
Category
Early 20th Century English Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Pine
Original Wood Carved Carnival Midway Poster Letterpress
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Set of three original hand-carved letterpress made by the Neal Walters Poster Company. Fantastic carnival midway scene. Games, carnival rides and acrobats. Carved with incredible detail, please see photos. The colors are the original ink used during the three color posted printing process. Circus and...
Category
1930s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
Rare Jaguar Wood Figure Found in Chilapa, Guerrero, Southern México, ca. 1940
By NONO
Located in Guadalajra, Jal
This vintage hand carved and hand painted Tiger, is presumed to have been made in or near Chilapa, Guerrero in circa 1940 in a Folk Art style. The carving has been made in a naive st...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Wood
1950's Papier mâché french theatre head
Located in Diest, BE
A 1950's rare original James Ensor style papier mâché theatre head. This item was obtained via a private collection (France).
Category
1950s French Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Paper
Early 20th century hand carved pine fairground figure
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century hand carved pine fairground figure
A rare piece of fairground art, in the form of a hand carved, painted polychrome Jeu de massacre fairground knock- down figure. ...
Category
1920s French Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Pine
Antique and Vintage Carnival Art
The collection of original antique and vintage carnival art on 1stDibs includes paintings and posters that promoted traveling carnivals and circuses of years past as well as masks, sculptures and other works of folk art associated with widespread public celebrations that mark the start of harvest season or are rooted in religion.
The concept of “Carnival” is linked to an event that precedes Lent, the season of preparation before Easter for Christians (it may also have roots in Ancient Rome’s pagan Saturnalian festival), while the modern traveling carnival that we know — i.e., amusement fairs — existed during the 19th century in North America. The Chicago World’s Fair in 1893 was pivotal to these traveling amusement fairs.
Some of the most famous celebrations of Carnival around the world include Karneval in Germany, Carnival in Brazil and Mardi Gras in the United States. Carnival in Barbados is a traditional harvest festival. The bright colors, the caricatured masks and floats and the over-the-top nature of Carnival continue to enthrall millions across the globe.
Carnivals have always given way to impressive displays of creativity and folk art. Folk art is art created by people who are not classically trained for either utilitarian or decorative purposes. With respect to visual art in folk art, it refers to work that is reflective of a community’s culture and usually handmade by craftspeople working within a popular tradition.
Carnival art reflects the way different cultures celebrate or mark an important community event. Some examples of Carnival art include fabric dolls and marionettes that are used to tell stories and capture your imagination. Antique dolls make for striking collectibles positioned for display on any shelf in your home, while carnival masks make a bold statement as wall art. A collection of masks could create an elevated accent wall in a living room or dining room.
Browse 1stDibs to find unique antique and vintage carnival art for your space today.
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Juggling Pins
Antique Carnival Wheel
Carnival Clown
Carnival Shooting
Carnival Targets
Iron Target
Toss Game
Vintage Carnival Sideshow
Vintage Fairground
Antique Game Wheel
Antique Juggling Pins
Black Carousel Horse
Carnival Shooting Targets
Circus Banners
Midway Carnival Game
Sicilian Marionettes
1930s Circus Art
Antique Carnival Signs