Carnival Art
1940s Mexican Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Pine
1950s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Canvas
Early 20th Century British Industrial Carnival Art
Brass
Late 19th Century North American Antique Carnival Art
Metal
1980s European Vintage Carnival Art
Clay, Plaster
Mid-20th Century French Folk Art Carnival Art
Wood
1950s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Concrete, Wire
20th Century Italian Folk Art Carnival Art
Gold, Brass, Metallic Thread
1940s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Canvas, Wood, Paint
Early 1900s Unknown Folk Art Antique Carnival Art
Brass
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Carnival Art
Wood
Late 19th Century American Arts and Crafts Antique Carnival Art
Wood
Mid-20th Century European Industrial Carnival Art
Iron
Late 20th Century European Modern Carnival Art
Fiberglass
Mid-20th Century European Carnival Art
Iron
1970s Italian Vintage Carnival Art
Canvas, Wood
1940s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Fabric, Canvas
Mid-20th Century English Art Deco Carnival Art
Paper
1970s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Chrome
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Carnival Art
Wood
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Carnival Art
Wood
Early 1900s American Antique Carnival Art
Wood
Early 1900s American Antique Carnival Art
Wood
20th Century European Other Carnival Art
Wood
Early 20th Century American Adirondack Carnival Art
Iron
1970s Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Paper
1930s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carnival Art
Paper
1970s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Paper
20th Century German Carnival Art
Wood
1970s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Paper
1970s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Paper
1930s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carnival Art
Paper
1880s German Folk Art Antique Carnival Art
Wood
1940s American Vintage Carnival Art
Plywood, Paint
20th Century American Industrial Carnival Art
Metal
Early 20th Century North American Folk Art Carnival Art
Steel
1960s English Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Wood
19th Century Belgian Antique Carnival Art
Oak
Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Carnival Art
Wood
Mid-20th Century French Industrial Carnival Art
Metal
Early 20th Century Carnival Art
Wood
Early 1900s German Folk Art Antique Carnival Art
Wood, Paper
1890s American Folk Art Antique Carnival Art
Wood
Mid-20th Century Unknown Hollywood Regency Carnival Art
Brass
Late 19th Century German Antique Carnival Art
Plaster
1970s German Modern Vintage Carnival Art
Wood, Velvet
1920s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Iron
Early 20th Century Carnival Art
Wood
Early 20th Century English Carnival Art
Glass, Pine
1930s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Paint, Wood
Early 20th Century Carnival Art
Wood
1890s Dutch Belle Époque Antique Carnival Art
Wood
Early 20th Century English Carnival Art
Pine
Early 20th Century Carnival Art
Metal
Early 20th Century Folk Art Carnival Art
Wood
Mid-20th Century German Folk Art Carnival Art
Metal
Late 19th Century Folk Art Antique Carnival Art
Hardwood, Burl
Mid-20th Century Belgian Modern Carnival Art
Metal
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.