Mid-20th Century Carnival Art

Hand carved wood sculpture of carousel ostrich.

An antique American track machine carousel horse attributed to legendary carver Charles W. Dare Company, now mounted as a rocking horse. Hand-crafted in the early 20th century, circa 1920, born during the Golden Age of carousels in America (circa 1860-1930), exceptionally executed hand carved design with rich detailing, and warm polychrome painted white and gray dapple, featuring inset glass eyes, natural horsehair tail, saddle with carved cantle, blue painted saddle blanket and bridle, rising on a later blue and red painted wooden rocker base Stand, marked with letter "D" underneath in grey paint, most likely indicative of Dare, metal mounting plate marked AA PAT APLD FOR Carved in a galloping or jumper position, this whimsical yet Primitive country-fair style equine exhibits all the hallmarks of Dare’s design, such as the forward-facing ears, the perfectly combed asymmetrical mane with a wind-blown effect, the tail made of realistic hair, and the distinctive “bird” saddle, which was carved separately and attached. Among carousel antiques...

Old juvenile wooden carousel horse in the style of Charles I D Loof and Gustav Denzil 1911. Loof built carousels in Coney Island in 18...

Carved wooden juvenile carousel horse adorned with roses. A similar horse is in operation on the Bushnell Park carousel. Carved in the style of Charles Carmel who immigrated to the U...

Mid-20th Century English Papier Mache Giraffe Puppet Head A charming example of a mid-20th Century English Papier Mache giraffe puppet head. M...

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...

This example is not one of the chairs produced as part of the limited edition series of 100 in the 1980's. This example is one of the original prototype and is embossed with the Ranc...

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...

2 American Carousel style carved and decorated figures of horse with iron support (20th Cent) (PRICED EACH)

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...

Finely featured carved man's head found in the southern United States. Most likely a late 19th century carnival head featured in a ball or ring toss game.

A candleholder in the form of a cow by Walter Bosse and manufactured by Hertha Baller, Austria, Vienna, in midcentury, circa 1960 (late 1950s or early 1960s). The candleholder is made of blackened and polished brass. It can be used for small ball shaped candles. This piece is an eyecatchers in every room. About Walter Bosse and Hertha Baller: Walter Bosse (November 13, 1904-December 13, 1979) was a Viennese artist, designer, ceramist, potter, metalworker, and craftsman noted for his modernist bronze animal...