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Carnival Art For Sale
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
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
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
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
Glass and Wood Fun House Mirror, 1950s USA
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
Large-Scale American Folk Art Carnival Game Board, Very Graphic
Located in Atlanta, GA
Large-scale Folk Art Carnival game board, American, circa 1940s. This painted carnival game board came from Texas and combines wonderfully patinate...
Category
1940s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Wood, Cork
Circus Poster by Ringling Bros., circa 1971, Portraying Six Seated Clowns
Located in Incline Village, NV
This bright and colorful circus poster depicts six seated clowns with their backs to the audience and an alphabet letter on their back spelling out the word "Circus". It is a reissued poster by Ringling Brothers from 1971 of one of their original 1936 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 dating from 1883 until the 1930's. There were 30 different posters, and they were advertised as "The only antique posters authorized by the greatest show on...
Category
1970s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Paper
Carousel Ostrich Sculpture
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Hand carved wood sculpture of carousel ostrich.
Category
1980s Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Wood
$795 Sale Price
36% Off
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
$1,195 / set
Captain Crook McDonald's
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Captain Crook McDonald advertisement plastic sculpture,
Category
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carnival Art
$1,200 Sale Price
58% Off
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
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
19th Century Hand Made Folk Art Carnival Spinning Wheel On Stand
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fun and fabulous Folk Art Carnival Spinning Wheel from the latter part of the 19th century. Totally original and in fantastic condition. Nice old Ted and black paint looks to be corr...
Category
1890s American Folk Art Antique Carnival Art
Materials
Paint, Oak
19th Century American Traveling Circus Carousel or Circus Wagon Carvings
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Pair of American 19th century circus wagon or traveling carousel three-dimensional wood carved faces. From an early American traveling circus. Many layers...
Category
19th Century American Folk Art Antique Carnival Art
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
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
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
Huge vintage 1970s / 1980s French painted fairground / carnival banner- makeup
Located in Hastings, GB
Huge late 1970s/ early 1980s French painted fairground / carnival / sideshow banner.
Presumably part of an American themed ride or attraction, it's decorated with cool girls, makeup,...
Category
Late 20th Century French Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Canvas
Carnival Midway Sideshow Banner
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Original hand-painted canvas sideshow banner for carnival midway sideshow entrance. Not signed but most likely out of Chicago Tent and Awning's banner ...
Category
1950s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Canvas
19th Century French Carousel Pig
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Fantastic 19th century carousel pig. Super whimsical carnival piece from a bygone era. Carved wood with cast iron curly tail and handle. Original layers o...
Category
Late 19th Century French Folk Art Antique Carnival Art
Materials
Iron
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
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
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
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
1950s American Hand-Painted Carnival Ride Panel
Located in Chicago, IL
1950s American hand-painted carnival ride panel.
Category
1950s North American Primitive Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Mirror, Wood
Vintage Carnival Midway Wood Ring Toss Game
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Great vintage carnival midway ring toss game. Perfect wall art. Wood with original park paint surface. These appear to be one of a kind carny made pieces for...
Category
1950s Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Wood
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
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
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
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
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
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
1970s Collection Boardwalk Souvenir 7up Bottle Carnival Game Mid-Century Vintage
Located in Hyattsville, MD
Unusual collection, a set of five old Ocean City or Virginia Beach boardwalk game prizes. These measure each about 20 inches high.
Category
1970s American American Craftsman Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Glass
German Policeman Handcarved Folkart Midcentury Fairground Figure
Located in London, GB
Midcentury fairground figure
An extraordinary handcrafted mid-20th century fairground dodgems/go cart figure in the form of a policeman. Directing traffic flo...
Category
1950s German Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Sheet Metal
Early 20th century pair of Fairground Figures
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century pair of Fairground Figures
Dimensions: H 63” x W 19” x D 1”
Weight: 8kg the pair
Date: Circa 1920 - 1940
Origin: Unknown
Material: Pine
Info: These figures do n...
Category
1920s British Late Victorian Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Pine
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
$1,610 / set
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
Early 20th Century Carnival Carousel Funhouse Architectural Columns
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Fun antique architectural elements from carnival carousel or funhouse ride. Layers of beautiful original park paint. Great scale for wall art or to act as a frame for something else. Unique and original fairground art!
Category
1890s American Folk Art Antique Carnival Art
Materials
Wood
Carnival Midway Punk Knockdown Goat Game
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Vintage carnival punk. Unusual goat named "Billie". Knock "Billie" over and win the prize.
Category
1940s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Canvas
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
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
Mid-Century Era Molded Fiberglass Carnival Clown Head or Midway Game Component
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This whimsical clown head is unsigned, but presumed to have been made in Canada in approximately 1965 in the period Mid-Century carnival style. The head...
Category
Mid-20th Century Canadian Mid-Century Modern Carnival Art
Materials
Fiberglass
Soldier Carnival Shooting Gallery Targets
By King
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Early examples of 'King' soldier shooting gallery targets. Rare shape and extremely thick. King manufactured shooting galleries and targets thr...
Category
Early 20th Century American Carnival Art
Materials
Iron
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
$7,500
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
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
1930 Wooden Carnival Game by French Game & Novelty, Milwaukee, WI
Located in Surrey, BC
Unusual Folk Art wooden carnival game in working condition and with original paint. Players bet on which city the spring-released airplane will land on. Made by French Game & Novelty...
Category
1930s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Wood
Collection of Three Vintage Carnival Midway Nickel Ride Red Signs
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Fun collection of three vintage carnival midway signs. Nickel rides! Original professional sign painters handiwork. Excellent graphic skills. Great vintage age. All three signs have ...
Category
1940s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Wood
Set of 7 Mid-Century Era Painted Wood Carnival Folk Art Sign Box Letters
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This set of seven Folk Art wooden box letters were made in Canada is circa 1965 and were once mounted on a carnival sign for either a ride or an at...
Category
Mid-20th Century Canadian Mid-Century Modern Carnival Art
Materials
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
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
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
$950 / set
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
Traditional Carnival Mask from Lazarim, Portugal
Located in Matosinhos, 13
Carved from natural alder wood, this mask depicts a vampire and is typically worn by villagers during the Entrudo festivities. Known as one of Portugal's most traditional Carnivals, ...
Category
2010s Portuguese Carnival Art
Materials
Wood
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
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
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
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 Shooting Club Lodge Target Plaque German 1900s, Carnival Folk Art
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Vintage Shooting Lodge Target Plaque 1900s. A rare and beautiful wooden shooting target plaque with inscriptions. This rare kings plaque was issued by a ...
Category
Early 1900s German Folk Art Antique Carnival Art
Materials
Wood, Paper
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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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