Carnival Art
1920s English Vintage Carnival Art
Wood, Paper
1920s American Art Deco Vintage Carnival Art
Aluminum
1970s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Chrome
1950s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Iron
1970s American Vintage Carnival Art
Acrylic, Wood
1890s American Folk Art Antique Carnival Art
Wood
19th Century American Adirondack Antique Carnival Art
Wood
Mid-20th Century Canadian Mid-Century Modern Carnival Art
Wood
Early 20th Century Belgian Edwardian Carnival Art
Leather
1970s American American Craftsman Vintage Carnival Art
Glass
1890s British Folk Art Antique Carnival Art
Wood
Mid-20th Century Turkish Futurist Carnival Art
Wool, Linen
Late 20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Carnival Art
Metal
1940s Turkish Moorish Vintage Carnival Art
Velvet
Mid-20th Century Industrial Carnival Art
Mid-20th Century Turkish Futurist Carnival Art
Linen, Wool
Late 19th Century American Folk Art Antique Carnival Art
Wood
1930s French Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Paper
1890s English Folk Art Antique Carnival Art
Wood
Early 20th Century American Carnival Art
Iron
1950s German Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Sheet Metal
Early 20th Century American Industrial Carnival Art
Steel
1920s English Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Metal
1980s Vintage Carnival Art
Wood
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Carnival Art
Metal
1950s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Canvas
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Carnival Art
Resin, Fiberglass, Paint
Early 20th Century American Art Deco Carnival Art
Bronze, Enamel, Steel, Iron
1950s British Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Paper
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Carnival Art
Silver Leaf
Mid-20th Century German Folk Art Carnival Art
Oak
19th Century French Folk Art Antique Carnival Art
Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Carnival Art
Blown Glass
20th Century American Industrial Carnival Art
Metal
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carnival Art
Paper
Mid-20th Century English Carnival Art
Bronze
1920s British Late Victorian Vintage Carnival Art
Pine
1920s German Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Wood, Paper
1930s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carnival Art
Paper
1970s Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Paper
1970s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Paper
1930s German Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Wood
1920s British Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Pine
20th Century American Carnival Art
Iron
Early 20th Century American Adirondack Carnival Art
Iron
Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Carnival Art
Wood
Late 19th Century German Antique Carnival Art
Plaster
1970s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Paper
1960s Dutch Vintage Carnival Art
Paper
Late 20th Century French Folk Art Carnival Art
Canvas
1940s Vintage Carnival Art
Hardwood, Paint
1950s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Wood
1940s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carnival Art
Metal
1940s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carnival Art
Metal
Early 20th Century Unknown Carnival Art
Metal
2010s Portuguese Carnival Art
Wood
Late 19th Century American Antique Carnival Art
Pine
Late 19th Century Folk Art Antique Carnival Art
Hardwood, Burl
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.