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Carnival Art

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Carnival Art For Sale
Period: Mid-20th Century
Period: 1920s
Vintage French Blue Tones Paper Garland Sculpture circa 1930 Antique Decor
Located in Barcelona, ES
Embrace the allure of vintage charm with this exquisite antique paper garland sculpture in mesmerizing blue tones. Crafted in France circa 1930, this piece is a testament to timeless...
Category

1930s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Paper

Elegant French Antique Color Paper Garland Sculpture circa 1930 Vintage Deco
Located in Barcelona, ES
Enhance your space with a captivating antique color paper garland sculpture. This exquisite piece, crafted in France circa 1930, showcases the timeless artistry of yesteryear. Metic...
Category

1930s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Paper

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 , in original untouched condition. W...
Category

1920s French Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Pine

Early 20th century set of four Fairground knock down figures.
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century set of four Fairground knock down figures. The best examples of fairground are we have uncovered. An amazing set of 4 early 20th century hand crafted lead weighte...
Category

1920s French Late Victorian Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Metal

Child’s Wood Carousel Horse with Polychrome, Mohair, and Horse Hair, c. 1920
Located in San Francisco, CA
A very charming and colorful circa 1920 antique child’s wood carousel horse with polychrome finish, mohair saddle, and horse hair tail. Putting the “merry” in “merry-go-round”, this...
Category

1920s American American Craftsman Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Brass, Metal

Carousel Motorcycle - Motorbike by Fonlupt, France, 1950s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Carousel Motorcycle - Motorbike - Motor Bike by Fonlupt France. A French vintage child's motorbike used on the roundabout - merry-go-round - fairground - funfair. A 1950s metal r...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Industrial Carnival Art

Materials

Metal

1920s Mills 1 cent Wizard Fortune Teller, Chicago, Mills Novelty Co.
Located in Buffalo, NY
1920s Mills 1 cent Wizard Fortune Teller, Chicago, Mills Novelty Co..Tabletop fortune telling machine in a wooden cabinet. window with working ...
Category

1920s American Art Deco Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Aluminum

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

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

Elephant Carved Wooden Carousel Figure: Antique, Bernard Kindt
By Bernard Kindt
Located in Mortsel, BE
Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of antique carousels with this carved wooden elephant figure. Mounted on a metal base for stability, this carousel piece is a testament to in...
Category

Mid-20th Century Carnival Art

Materials

Metal

Large Folk Art Wooden Merry-Go-Round Model
Located in Antwerp, BE
Awesome large Folk Art wooden merry-go-round model. This large scale model of a Carousel or Roundabout has been handmade. Great example of Carnival Art - Folk Art with miniature handmade wooden sculptures of horses, jeep cars and sleigh. All very detailed. The roof of the entertainment ride is made of patent leather and the bottom roof in draped fabric. This antique toy - Antique fun fair scale model has a handle to turn the carousel around. At this point the handle is stuck due age. As we don't want to damage the aged patina, we didn't make it loose. The new owner can decide if he wants to undo it by removing the old rust in between. If we would do that in front, there is no way back. The carousel can be turned around by hand without using the handle. This Table Model of a Carousel is a Collectable Object - Collectable Antique Toy...
Category

Mid-20th Century European Carnival Art

Materials

Iron

Vintage Postmodern Art Glass Apple
Located in west palm beach, FL
A beautiful blown glass apple in such a gorgeous vibrant red. Acquired at a Palm Beach estate.
Category

Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Carnival Art

Materials

Blown Glass

Vintage Wood Carousel Rabbit with Carrots, France, 1950s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Vintage wood carousel rabbit with carrots. This French vintage wooden carousel animal - carousel decoration animal dates circa 1950 - 1960. It's a hand-carved / hand-crafted carousel figure with a great looking aged patina in the meantime. This cute fairground rabbit with beautiful eyes had a succesfull hunt and is carrying two large carrots on his shoulders. Large rabbit sculpture...
Category

Mid-20th Century French Folk Art Carnival Art

Materials

Wood

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

Black Carousel Horse, Wood Horse Sculpture on Metal Base, 1960s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Wooden Carousel Horse - Fairground horse - Merry-go-round Horse. Smaller model, so easy to be placed. This Mid-20th century hand carved Animal Sculptu...
Category

Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Carnival Art

Materials

Wood

Hand Painted Midcentury Resin White Jumper Carousel Horse by C.W. Parker
By Charles Looff Or C.W. Parker
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Horse is embossed with the makers mark on one of its hooves. Made by Charles Looff and stamped C.W. Parker. Perfectly captured in all it’s glory, this vintage carousel horse...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Hollywood Regency Carnival Art

Materials

Brass

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

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

Litho Circus Poster, Clown and Circus Scenes, Willsons Leicester
Located in Antwerp, BE
Litho circus poster with clown and lots of circus scenes. A colorful Art Deco lithographic circus Poster - circus affiche printed by Willsons Show Printers Leicester ( England - UK ...
Category

Mid-20th Century English Art Deco Carnival Art

Materials

Paper

Rare 1950s Childs Size Carousel Motorcycle
Located in Peekskill, NY
This item is a lot smaller than it looks in the pictures. The handlebars are less that 2 foot tall. Its sized for a small child but has the proportions of a full size motorcycle. Tha...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Folk Art Carnival Art

Materials

Metal

'Strike ‘Em Out’ Carnival Toss Sign, 1940s USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique vintage, mid-20th century “Strike ‘Em Out” game sign. 6.5 feet tall and 4 feet wide. Hand painted on 0.75 inch thick plywood. Strike Out originated as a baseball-like street game but also became a popular carnival attraction, where a pitcher hurtled a rubber baseball at a batter in front of the sign with the aim to get the ball in the hole. The game originated in the Chicago area...
Category

1940s American Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Plywood, Paint

1960s English Carnival Sign
Located in High Point, NC
1960s carnival art sign from England. It is advertising a cake walk on one side of the sign, and on the back has a charming message "Have a nice Victorian day". Great sign for any co...
Category

1960s English Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Wood

Circa 1950s French Childs Carnival/Circus Prop Chair
Located in San Francisco, CA
A wonderful whimsical circa 1950s French Childs Carnival and/or Circus prop chair. Carved parts, feet, hands and head with big blue eyes and top it off a ...
Category

1930s French Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Wood, Paint

Carousel Cow Bernard Kindt, 1960s
By Bernard Kindt
Located in Antwerp, BE
Smiling carousel cow by Bernard Kindt, a Belgian sculptor who was specialised in making wood carousel animals and animated cartoon characters. ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Carnival Art

Materials

Metal

Rare to Find Folk Art Jaguar Mask Found in Zitlala, Guerrero, Mid-20th Century
Located in Guadalajra, Jal
This style of Tigre (Mexican colloquial for Jaguar) mask is from Zitlala, Guerrero, they are used on the feast day of the Holy Cross on May 3rd, 4th, and 5th. As part of the activit...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Carnival Art

Materials

Leather

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

Hotel Du Bon Repos, French Game
Located in Stamford, CT
An old French game, hand painted wood and papier mache with five figure in the windows and a detailed papier mache "tiled" roof. This game makes a charming and curious object.
Category

1950s French Vintage 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 Carnival or Casino Neptune's Trident Lighted Trade Sign Americana
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Unique lighted Neptune's trident carnival ride or casino trade sign. Really nice graphic piece. Original layers of golden yellow and red park paint. Provides a nice amount of warm li...
Category

1930s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Metal

Mid-20th Century English Papier Mache Giraffe Puppet Head
Located in London, GB
Mid-20th Century English Papier Mache Giraffe Puppet Head A charming example of a mid-20th Century English Papier Mache giraffe puppet head. M...
Category

1950s British Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Paper

Antique Carnival Party Box with Original Objects, circa 1940
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Antique vintage party box with all the original objects. Manufacturer by El Ingenio, Barcelona. Spain, circa 1940. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and ...
Category

1940s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Metal

Space Age Carousel Car, Sartori, Italy
Located in Antwerp, BE
Space age fairground car - futuristic carousel car by Sartori Claudio Italy, an Italian company since the Early 50s who is specialised in cars for child...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Space Age Carnival Art

Materials

Metal

Hand Painted Early Americana Folk Art Wall Mount Game Wheel
Located in Wallkill, NY
What a great addition this would make to your home Folk Art game wheel, measuring 31 in x 34.5 in height x 5 in deep.
Category

1920s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Wood

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

Antique Carnival Party Box with Original Objects, circa 1940
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Antique vintage party box with all the original objects. Manufacturer by El Ingenio, Barcelona, Spain, circa 1940. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use...
Category

1940s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Metal

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

Antique Hand Painted Paperboard Trumpet, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Antique hand painted paperboard trumpet. By unknown manufacturer from Spain, circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautifu...
Category

1950s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Paper

Old Merry-go-round Car
Located in WARNETON, FR
This car can accommodate 4 children Its patina is superb For a unique decoration!  
Category

1950s Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Acrylic

1930s Amusement / Carnival Motorcycle Ride, Carousal, Merry-go-round
Located in Buffalo, NY
1930s Antique midway amusement park wooden motorcycle ride is one of the earliest produced for carousels and merry-go-rounds. Wonderful aged patina, ...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Metal

Early 20th Century, Circus Balancing Balls
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century circus balancing balls. We share what we love, and we love these rare early 20th century hand crafted wood and glass mirror English circus balancing balls. Each section is hand crafted using pins...
Category

1920s British Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Mirror, Wood

Vintage Magician Magic Suitcase Hand Painted Folk Art
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Fantastic Magician's suitcase. Hand painted and lettered. Vintage Folk Art rabbit trick and card paintings. Great bookshelf display.
Category

1940s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Fabric, Canvas

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 is composed of a molded fiber...
Category

Mid-20th Century Canadian Mid-Century Modern Carnival Art

Materials

Fiberglass

Charming Pair of Vintage Metal Carnival Ladies
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A matching pair of silver metal female figures in a striking pose with hair caught in the wind. Probably carnival art. Makes unexpectedly charming wall art with a folk art feel. They...
Category

1930s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Metal

Scratch Built Fairground Wheel
Located in London, GB
Scratch built fairground wheel Mounted on a bespoke cast iron detachable support stand, this unique, folk art, scratch-built fairground roulette wheel is still in fully working order. We would say dated from the mid-20th Century the wheel is made from an old bicycle...
Category

1950s British Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Metal

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

1940s Coney Island Amusement Park Kiddie Car Fire Engine in Original Condition
By Pinto Brothers Mfg.
Located in Savannah, GA
Produced by Pinto Bros Mfg of Coney Island, New York, this all-original 1940s firetruck was part of a circular ride at the famed Coney Island Amusement Park. Featuring lucky Number 4...
Category

1940s American Industrial Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Metal

Two Sided Carnival Fun House Glass Mirror
Located in San Mateo, CA
This two sided fun house mirror likely came from a carnival. There are small wheels under the base so it can be moved easily. It also had plywood covers than enclosed the mirrors for...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Carnival Art

Materials

Glass, Mirror, Plywood

Motor Bike Carousel Galloper or Fair Ground Ride
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
Motor Bike Carousel Galloper or fair ground ride An original fair ground ride, the paint is getting a bit worn now, our ride has iron brackets to fix it ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Folk Art Carnival Art

Materials

Composition

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

Pair of Vintage Carnival Mirrors
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very cool pair of vintage carnival fun house mirrors. Both are convex mirrors in a black wood frame. Mirrors are made of Lucite not glass. So...
Category

1960s English Vintage 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

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 Century American Jumping Jack Figure
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century American jumping jack figure We are proud to offer an original early 20th century carved wood and hand painted American Jumping Jack f...
Category

1920s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Wood

Collection of Three Carnival Shooting Gallery Target Knockover Birds
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Nice collection of three carnival midway knockover shooting gallery targets. Nice chunky pieces. Great original layers of white paint surface.
Category

1930s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Iron

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

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

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

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

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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