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Carnival Art For Sale
Circus Poster by Ringling Bros, circa 1971 "Buffalo Bill’s Wild West"
Located in Incline Village, NV
This bright and colorful, action packed circus poster portrays the quintessential Buffalo Bill images with Indians and western scenes, characters in full regalia that were used in his wild west shows...
Category

1970s American 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

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

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

Signed Snap Wyatt Sideshow Banner
By Snap Wyatt
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Fantastic "Plenty For Two" sideshow banner painted by Snap Wyatt. Great manageable size.
Category

1950s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Iron

Early 20th Century Circus Banner
Located in Brecht, BE
For magician and circus lovers. This early 20th century circus banner. Hand painted on canvas.
Category

Early 20th Century British Carnival Art

Materials

Linen

1960s Dutch Papier Mache Green Monster Carnival Parade Head
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century unique and wonderfully fun large painted papier mache carnival head. This "Green Monster" head resembles a sea creature or swamp monster, he originally had a smoking pipe...
Category

1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Paper

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

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

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

Early 20th Century English Fairground Carousel Panel
Located in London, GB
English Fairground Carousel panel We are proud to offer a wonderful example of an early 20th century English fairground panel. From a fairground carou...
Category

1920s British Edwardian Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Wood, Paint

Pair of Hand Painted Early Carnival Rounding Boards
Located in Norwalk, CT
Bring an unusual piece of folk history into your home with this stunning pair of early 20th century rounding boards salvaged from a carnival. With hand painted designs and gold leaf ...
Category

Early 20th Century Carnival Art

Materials

Wood

Pair of Hand Painted Early Carnival Rounding Boards
Located in Norwalk, CT
Bring an unusual piece of folk history into your home with this stunning pair of early 20th century rounding boards salvaged from a carnival. With hand painted designs and gold leaf ...
Category

Early 20th Century Carnival Art

Materials

Wood

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

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

American Sideshow "Double" Banner by Johnny Meah
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Vividly painted American sideshow banner with larger than life subject matter. Painted by the self-titled Czar of Bizarre, Johnny Meah. Both banners are signed. The Harold huge banner is cleverly signed with the "H" in the legs of Harold's huge chair.
Category

1960s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Canvas

Old Carnival "Giant", circa 1950
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
Old carnival "giant" circa 1950. Light wood and foam structure, papier maché head. Made to be worn by 1 person.
Category

1940s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Fabric, Foam, Wood, Paper

Early 20th C Robert Lakin & Co Fairground Carnival Circus Pillars Edwin Hall
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A truly fantastic group of totally original untouched decorative fairground pillars by the infamous Robert J Lakin Company of 67 Besley Street, Streatham, London The pillars are hollow in construction with deeply carved capitals, with the Lakin shield in the centre. The original "crocodile" glaze and painted surface give a wonderful decorative look. The Lakin factory at 67 Besley Street, Streatham (south London) had been formerly occupied by showman’s decorator Arthur Oram...
Category

Early 20th Century English Carnival Art

Materials

Pine

1960s Dutch Papier Mache Curious Grandpa Carnival Parade Head
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century unique and wonderfully fun large painted papier mache carnival head. This "Curious Grandpa" head resembles a man with white hair and curious facial expression, sadly the ...
Category

1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Paper

Antique French Folk Art Fairground Pierrot Shooting Target Game by Saussine
Located in London, GB
Antique Shooting Target, Antique Shooting Game, Fairground Antique, Funfair Antique, Circus Antique, Antique Pierrot, Carnival Antique, Folk A...
Category

1920s French Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Metal

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

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

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

Pair Carved Wood Carousel Pigs, mid 20th century , France
Located in Buffalo, NY
Add a touch of whimsy to your space with these charming antique carousel figure's.. featuring a carved wooden pigs. Crafted with precision and mounted on a sturdy vintage industrial ...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Folk Art Carnival Art

Materials

Wood

Equestrian Circus Poster by Ringling Bros Ca. 1971 Featuring "Miss Helen Girard"
Located in Incline Village, NV
There is a lot going on in this equestrian themed, bright and colorful circus poster portraying famous early 20th century circus performer "Miss Helen Girard". She is in a horse drawn cart in one image, while two men ride horses in two other images, and Helen Girard in full portrait is featured on the left. Her claim to fame is stated at the bottom "Empress of the Equestrian World" and "Side Saddle Queen". This is a reissued poster by Ringling Brothers from 1971 of one of their original, very early, 1903 promotional circus posters. To commemorate their 100th anniversary, in 1971, Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey, produced reissues of some of their select and most famous authentic posters...
Category

1970s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Paper

Antique Atlantic City Souvenir Penny Game from Boardwalk Empire
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A Historical artifact once used in the HBO series Boardwalk Empire. Maple cabinet with brass plaques and painted iron mechanism. Costing two quarters and a penny to play. Not tested ...
Category

20th Century American Industrial Carnival Art

Materials

Metal

Group of Three Folky Wood Carnival Milk Bottles
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These folky handmade Carnival knock down milk bottles are in good condition. These bottles are hand turned with a nice mellow patina. These bottles are us...
Category

Late 19th Century American Folk Art Antique Carnival Art

Materials

Wood

Early Carnival Midway 7.5 Foot Tall Game Wheel Monterey with Gooseneck Light
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Fantastic giant carnival game wheel with applied scenic Monterey theme. All original surface paint. Chunky turned stand. Measures: 7 foot . Really unique gooseneck lamp for illuminat...
Category

1920s American Folk Art Vintage 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

Antique American Amusement Park Motorcycle Painted Carousel Carnival Ride 1940s
Located in Portland, OR
Antique American carnival amusement park, carousel motorcycle ride, from the late 1940s. A fabulous late 1940s motorcycle carousel ride, the motorcycle body is made of wood and is ha...
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Steel, Iron

Traditional Handcarved and Painted Tyrolian Carnival Mask
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Traditional handcarved and painted tyrolian carnival mask An nice antique wooden carved carnival mask which comes from the region of South Tyrol. Made of handcarved and handpainted ...
Category

Early 20th Century German Black Forest Carnival Art

Materials

Wood

O'Henry Fred Johnson Salem Witch Trials Sideshow Spider Girl Banner
Located in Santa Monica, CA
O'Henry Tent and Awning sideshow banner with original shipping tag. Unusual subject matter and fantastic story from the Salem witch trails to Spider Girl. ...
Category

1940s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Canvas

Vintage Folk Art Carved Wood Juvenile Size Carousel Figure of a Standing Lion
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Vintage half-scale carved wood carousel figure by Robert Demechko (1938-1923). Called "Leo" a carved and bleached or limed wood figure of a standing male lion with glass eyes and dec...
Category

Late 20th Century American Folk Art Carnival Art

Materials

Wood

Unusual Vintage Paper Mache Folk Art, Parade "Carnival" Mask
Located in Buffalo, NY
Unusual vintage papier mâché Folk Art..parade "carnival" theater mask.
Category

1960s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Paper

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

Early 20th century fairground figure Pierre Jean Marie Laval
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century fairground figure An early 20th century hand carved French fairground knockdown figure in the form of Pierre Jean Marie Laval , i...
Category

1920s French Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Pine

Pig Carved Wooden Carousel Figure: Antique
Located in Mortsel, BE
Add a touch of whimsy to your space with this charming antique carousel figure featuring a carved wooden pig. Crafted with precision and mounted on a sturdy metal base, this carousel piece showcases the craftsmanship of yesteryears. Perfect for collectors and those who appreciate the timeless appeal of vintage carousel art...
Category

Early 20th Century Carnival Art

Materials

Wood

Vintage Glass and Wood Carnival Mirror
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Super unique set of carnival mirrors from a retired New York City carnival. 6 wood mirrors all with original glass. Different shape, patina and aging to each mirror. Some mirrors are...
Category

1950s American Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Glass, Wood

American Sideshow Wondercade Circus Banner Signed J. Sigler
Located in Santa Monica, CA
A personal favorite! 15 1/2 feet tall. American "Wondercade" sideshow banner. Painted and signed by J. Sigler. One of the great American sideshow banner artists. Death defying! This ...
Category

1950s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Canvas

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

Early Sunshine Studios American Side Show Electric Chair Banner
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Early example of American sideshow banner art. Painted at the Sunshine Studio in Witchita, Kansas by Geo Bellis. Signed by artist on front and studio name on front and back. This ban...
Category

1930s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Canvas

Antique 1930s Judge Theatre Papier Mâché Head from Paris
Located in London, GB
Antique 1930s judge theatre papier mâché head from Paris This lot is a rare original 1930s papier mâché French theatre heads. This item was obtain...
Category

1930s French Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Paper

19th Century Italian Fairground Panels
Located in Southampton, GB
A pair of 19th Century decorative Fairground Panels with original paint. Can be hung either vertically or horizontally, forming what would make a great transom above a door. Italy, ...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Carnival Art

Materials

Oak

Vintage Late 19th Century Canvas Circus Carnival Midway Folk Art Sideshow Banner
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Very early American circus or carnival Sideshow Banner, circa 1890-1900. Fantastic paint detail. Great example of American folk art banner painting. The Great American African Camel...
Category

Early 1900s American Folk Art Antique Carnival Art

Materials

Canvas

A finely Carved Boxwood Cane Handle in the Form of a Gnome
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A finely Carved Boxwood Cane Handle in the Form of a Gnome, with articulated features and inset glass eyes. The gnome’s mouth opens when his elongated beard is pressed. Mounted on a...
Category

20th Century Carnival Art

Materials

Wood

1960s Dutch Papier Mache Blue Monster Carnival Parade Head
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century unique and wonderfully fun large painted papier mache carnival head. This "Blue Monster" head resembles a grumpy blue demon monster with red h...
Category

1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Paper

1960s Dutch Papier Mache Green Monster with Pipe Carnival Parade Head
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century unique and wonderfully fun large painted papier mache carnival head. This "Green Monster" head resembles a sea creature or swamp monster who enjoys smoking from his tobac...
Category

1960s Dutch Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Paper

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

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

Five Mid 20th C Fairground Oil on Board Mythical Folk Art Portraits of Kings
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A fabulous collection of original fairground or theatre art portraits of mythical kings in a classical backdrop. To adorn a ride or production, my gut is fairground and likely used a...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Carnival Art

Materials

Wool, Glass, Giltwood

Aage Hogfeldt Outsider Art Clown Sculpture
Located in Savannah, GA
Aage Hogfeldt (American, 1925-2014) A clown bust made from concrete and found lamp parts. 10 by 10 by 17 inches In 1954 Aage Hogfeldt founded an artist...
Category

1950s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Concrete, Wire

Antique French Double Seater Carousel Rocker Horse
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique French Double Seater Carousel Rocker Horse Beautiful antique French double seat carousel rocking horse. The horse is carved wood and h...
Category

19th Century French Belle Époque Antique Carnival Art

Materials

Leather, Wood

Vintage Carnival Midway Penny Pitch Game
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Nicely scaled carnival midway penny pitch game. Original paint surface. Graphic bold design with great colors.
Category

1940s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Wood

Rooster Carved Wooden Carousel Figure: Antique
Located in Mortsel, BE
Behold the charm of this antique carousel figure featuring a beautifully carved rooster. Crafted from wood and mounted on a sturdy metal base, this v...
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Carnival Art

Materials

Wood

Large German Oktoberfest "Hau den Lukas" Wooden Hammer
Located in Dusseldorf, DE
Large German wooden hammer from the 1950`s. This piece was made and used for the famous old German game called "Hau den Lukas" (Hit the Lukas) which is still popular at fairgrounds a...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Folk Art Carnival Art

Materials

Oak

Vintage Shooting Club Lodge Target Plaque German 1934, Carnival Folk Art
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Vintage Shooting Lodge Target Plaque dated 1934. A rare and beautiful wooden shooting target plaque with inscriptions. This rare kings plaque was issued by a shooting club...
Category

1930s German Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Wood

Vintage Huckley Barrel Carnival Game
By St. Louis Carnival Co.
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Vintage carnival game made by the Saint Louis Carnival company. We also have the original paper game rules signs with these. Please note that not all crates are painted St. Louis Car...
Category

1940s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Clay, Wood

19th Century Sicilian Italian Marionette Folk Art Puppet 'Opera dei Pupi'
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A oversized late 19th century Marionette in original untouched condition, originating from Palmero Italy. The figure is missing both arms, its original clothing is heavily fad...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Carnival Art

Materials

Textile, Pine

Vintage Carnival Toss Game
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Cool piece of Carnival ephemera. Two hand-painted, wooden blocks with cut-out. Three bean bags. Interesting object and game. Great vintage condition.
Category

1950s American Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Wood

Vintage Carousel Horse
Located in Napa, CA
Vintage Carousel Horse believed to be from the 18th century with wonderful worn distress finish.
Category

18th Century and Earlier Antique Carnival Art

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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