Carnival Art
1940s American Industrial Vintage Carnival Art
Metal
Mid-20th Century American Streamlined Moderne Carnival Art
Aluminum, Steel
1920s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Wood
19th Century Dutch Folk Art Antique Carnival Art
Iron
Mid-20th Century Carnival Art
Steel
1960s English Vintage Carnival Art
Wood
Early 1900s French Folk Art Antique Carnival Art
Pine
1940s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Canvas, Wood, Paint
1930s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carnival Art
Paper
Late 19th Century Folk Art Antique Carnival Art
Wood
Late 20th Century French Folk Art Carnival Art
Canvas
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Carnival Art
Pine
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carnival Art
Paper
Late 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Antique Carnival Art
Metal
Early 20th Century American Industrial Carnival Art
Twine, Paper
1940s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carnival Art
Metal
1940s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carnival Art
Metal
1970s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carnival Art
Early 20th Century American Industrial Carnival Art
Steel
1890s American Folk Art Antique Carnival Art
Oak, Paint
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carnival Art
Paper
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Carnival Art
Wood
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Carnival Art
Wood
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carnival Art
Paper
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carnival Art
Paper
1910s French Arts and Crafts Vintage Carnival Art
Wood
Early 1900s American Antique Carnival Art
Plaster, Pine
Mid-20th Century Turkish Futurist Carnival Art
Linen, Wool
Mid-20th Century Turkish Futurist Carnival Art
Linen, Wool
Late 19th Century American Folk Art Antique Carnival Art
Wood
Late 19th Century North American Antique Carnival Art
Metal
1960s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Paper
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Carnival Art
Wood
1930s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Iron
1950s German Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Sheet Metal
1950s French Vintage Carnival Art
Wood
1950s American Vintage Carnival Art
Wood
1960s Dutch Vintage Carnival Art
Paper
Early 20th Century American Steampunk Carnival Art
Wood
Late 19th Century American Antique Carnival Art
Pine
1940s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Canvas
1920s English Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Metal
1990s Carnival Art
Leather
19th Century Folk Art Antique Carnival Art
Hardwood
Mid-20th Century English Carnival Art
Pine
Early 20th Century Unknown Carnival Art
Wood
Early 20th Century Carnival Art
Wood
1950s American Vintage Carnival Art
Glass, Wood
19th Century American Folk Art Antique Carnival Art
Wood
1930s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Metal
20th Century Italian Sporting Art Carnival Art
Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century Carnival Art
Metal
Late 20th Century Burkinabe Carnival Art
Metal
1940s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Wood
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Carnival Art
Fabric, Leather, Velvet
20th Century Folk Art Carnival Art
Wood
Late 19th Century German Antique Carnival Art
Plaster
Mid-20th Century Industrial 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.