Carnival Art
1950s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Canvas
Mid-20th Century Canadian Mid-Century Modern Carnival Art
Fiberglass
1950s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Canvas
1930s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Canvas
Mid-20th Century Industrial Carnival Art
1960s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Canvas
1880s French Country Antique Carnival Art
Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century French Industrial Carnival Art
Brass
Early 19th Century European Louis XVI Antique Carnival Art
Sandstone
Early 1900s American Charles II Antique Carnival Art
Leather, Maple
1970s Vintage Carnival Art
Fiberglass
Early 20th Century German Folk Art Carnival Art
Metal
Late 18th Century Antique Carnival Art
Clay
Mid-20th Century European Mid-Century Modern Carnival Art
Wood
Early 20th Century Belgian Edwardian Carnival Art
Leather
20th Century French Carnival Art
Concrete
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Carnival Art
Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century American Industrial Carnival Art
Iron
1940s English Industrial Vintage Carnival Art
Metal
1940s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
1980s American Vintage Carnival Art
Fabric
1950s American Vintage Carnival Art
Wood
1950s American Vintage Carnival Art
Steel
1960s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Canvas, Paint
1940s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Canvas
1930s American Vintage Carnival Art
Canvas
1940s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Wood
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.