Carnival Art
Early 20th Century German Folk Art Carnival Art
Metal
Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Carnival Art
Leather
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Carnival Art
Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century European Carnival Art
Iron
19th Century Belgian Antique Carnival Art
Oak
Early 20th Century Carnival Art
Wood
Early 20th Century Carnival Art
Wood
Early 20th Century Carnival Art
Wood
1980s Vintage Carnival Art
Wood
Early 20th Century English Carnival Art
Pine
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Carnival Art
Wood, Paint
19th Century French Folk Art Antique Carnival Art
Wood
1950s British Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Paper
Mid-20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Carnival Art
Metal
20th Century Mexican Folk Art Carnival Art
Wood
1950s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carnival Art
Paper
Early 20th Century American Carnival Art
Iron
1920s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Wood
1990s Mexican Country Carnival Art
Ceramic, Clay, Paint
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Carnival Art
Metal
20th Century English Carnival Art
Glass, Wood
1920s British Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Mirror, Wood
1990s Mexican Country Carnival Art
Ceramic, Clay, Paint
Late 20th Century North American Carnival Art
Metal
1920s British Edwardian Vintage Carnival Art
Wood, Paint
Late 19th Century French Folk Art Antique Carnival Art
Iron
1930s French Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Wood, Paint
19th Century Folk Art Antique Carnival Art
Wood
1910s French Arts and Crafts Vintage Carnival Art
Wood
1950s British Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Metal
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Carnival Art
Wood
19th Century Folk Art Antique Carnival Art
Metal, Iron
19th Century Dutch Folk Art Antique Carnival Art
Iron
1940s American Industrial Vintage Carnival Art
Metal
Early 20th Century French Provincial Carnival Art
Oak, Paint
Early 20th Century Folk Art Carnival Art
Wood
20th Century Italian Sporting Art Carnival Art
Wood, Paint
Late 19th Century Folk Art Antique Carnival Art
Wood
1970s American Vintage Carnival Art
Acrylic, Wood
1980s Mexican Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Ceramic
1950s North American Primitive Vintage Carnival Art
Mirror, Wood
Mid-20th Century American Carnival Art
Glass, Mirror, Plywood
Late 19th Century Unknown Antique Carnival Art
Zinc
20th Century Hollywood Regency Carnival Art
Wood
20th Century Carnival Art
Silver Plate
Early 20th Century British Mid-Century Modern Carnival Art
Wood
1950s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Iron
Mid-20th Century Folk Art Carnival Art
Composition
Late 20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Carnival Art
Metal
Late 19th Century American Country Antique Carnival Art
Wool, Linen
1980s Indonesian Vintage Carnival Art
Wood
1940s French Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carnival Art
Fabric, Foam, Wood, Paper
20th Century American Carnival Art
Wood
1970s American Vintage Carnival Art
Acrylic, Wood
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Carnival Art
Canvas, Cotton, Wood
19th Century Italian Antique Carnival Art
Textile, Pine
20th Century American Folk Art Carnival Art
Wood
19th Century Folk Art Antique Carnival Art
Hardwood
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.