Folk Art Carnival Art
FOLK ART STYLE
Folk art is a genre of art that shares the creator’s traditions, offering not just an artistic display but an opportunity to learn about a culture. Antique, new and vintage folk art typically reflects a heritage or location. It can include utilitarian objects and handmade art as diverse as weather vanes, duck decoys, portraiture and paintings, carnival art and quilts.
Quilts are a quintessential part of American folk art but their roots are international, with quilting dating back to Ancient Egypt. The practice spread to Europe and was especially prominent in the Middle Ages, with one of the oldest surviving examples being the Tristan quilt made in Sicily in the 14th century. They were made as bedcovers and clothing, including as a layer for knights to wear beneath their armor. Native American folk art includes functional objects reflecting their heritage, such as baskets, textiles and wooden pieces.
Elsewhere, the vast range of work associated with Mexican folk art includes masks made by Mexican craftspeople for traditional celebrations and ceremonial dances. Mexican masks are part of the country’s folk-art traditions that go back thousands of years and play a role in festivals and theater.
Works in the folk art tradition are valuable because of the skills involved, like weaving, hand-carving wood and even stonework. Many folk artists are self-taught, while some train as apprentices within their community. By using available materials and taking a personal approach to their creations, artists ensure each piece is unique and conveys a story.
During the Great Depression, artistic materials in America were hard to come by, so artisans used discarded wood from cigar boxes and shipping crates to make highly stylized, notched pieces — most often picture frames and boxes — that are today sought after by collectors. This folk art style is called tramp art and was popular from roughly 1870 until the 1940s.
Folk art brings vibrant culture and traditions into your home. Browse an extensive collection of antique, new and vintage folk art on 1stDibs.
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Style: Folk Art
Period: 20th Century
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 Vintage Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Pine
Early 20th century fairground figure
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century fairground figure
In the form of Benito Mussolini this early 20th century hand carved French fairground knockdown figure is in original untouched condition. With ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Pine
19th Century hand carved wood and polychromed Jeu de massacre fairground figure
Located in London, GB
19th Century hand carved wood and polychromed Jeu de massacre fairground figure
A rare piece of fairground art, in the form of an oversized hand carved painted polychromed Jeu de ma...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Pine
Early 20th Century Fairground Roulette Wheel
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century Fairground Roulette Wheel
French in its origin, this early 20th century hand crafted pine roulette wheel is in full working order. With its original metal wheel ...
Category
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Pine
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 Vintage Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Canvas
Rare Folk Art Iron Shooting Gallery Carnival Ram Sculpture
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Fabulous folk art freestanding animal sculpture made from found carnival art shooting gallery iron ram. Rich with authentic character, the brown patinated surface is pocked with bul...
Category
Early 1900s American Antique Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Iron
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 Vintage Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Wood
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 Vintage Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Canvas, Wood, Paint
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 Vintage Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Concrete, Wire
Late 19th Century Folk Art Bumbass instrument
Located in London, GB
Late 19th Century Folk Art Bumbass instrument
A rare example of a late 19th Century folk art Bumbass instrument form, we have only ever uncovered one other example in the past 10 ...
Category
Early 1900s Unknown Antique Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Brass
Vintage Folk Art Carved Wood Juvenile Size Carousel Figure of a Standing Lion
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Vintage half-scale carved wood carousel figure by Robert Demechko (1938-1923). Called "Leo" a carved and bleached or limed wood figure of a standing male lion with glass eyes and dec...
Category
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Wood
Equestrian Circus Poster by Ringling Bros Ca. 1971 Featuring "Miss Helen Girard"
Located in Incline Village, NV
There is a lot going on in this equestrian themed, bright and colorful circus poster portraying famous early 20th century circus performer "Miss Helen Girard". She is in a horse draw...
Category
1970s American Vintage Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Paper
J. Hübner Carved Wood Carousel Horse, Early 20th Century, Germany
Located in Antwerp, BE
Antique Carousel horse by J.Hübner.
A hand-carved wooden carousel horse made by Atelier Hübner Germany - Josef Hübner - Joseph Hubner.
This piece of Carnival Art - funfair roundabout horse - Merry-go-round Horse
dates circa 1910 and has sulfide eyes, a real tale and stirrups.
It's a European Springer Horse - Jumping Horse - Galopping Horse
on a metal base.
During his life, already more then 110 years !! it does have some old restorations
and old repainting but that gives this antique horse the charm of his history: making people and children happy and offer them a ride.
Antique carved horses - Antique German Carousel Horses - Hübner horses...
Category
Early 20th Century German Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Metal
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 Vintage Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
Circus Poster by Ringling Bros., circa 1971, "Clown Standing over Tents"
Located in Incline Village, NV
This highly animated, bright and colorful circus poster portrays a fabulous looking clown in white frilled garb with red stripes, welcoming everyone to see the "Greatest Show on Earth...
Category
1970s Vintage Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Paper
Vintage Pair of Venetian Masquerade Masks on Opera Sticks
Located in Miami, FL
A pair of Folk Art jester masks that are original Venetian creations, entirely hand-drawn and handcrafted, circa 2000. Italian Artists have realized these pieces with respect of craf...
Category
20th Century Italian Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Gold, Brass, Metallic Thread
Circus Poster by Ringling Bros., circa 1971, Portraying Six Seated Clowns
Located in Incline Village, NV
This bright and colorful circus poster depicts six seated clowns with their backs to the audience and an alphabet letter on their back spelling out the word "Circus". It is a reissued poster by Ringling Brothers from 1971 of one of their original 1936 promotional circus posters.
To commemorate their 100th anniversary, in 1971, Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey, produced reissues of some of their select and most famous authentic posters dating from 1883 until the 1930's. There were 30 different posters, and they were advertised as "The only antique posters authorized by the greatest show on...
Category
1970s American Vintage Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Paper
Circus Poster by Ringling Bros, circa 1971 "Buffalo Bill’s Wild West"
Located in Incline Village, NV
This bright and colorful, action packed circus poster portrays the quintessential Buffalo Bill images with Indians and western scenes, characters in full regalia that were used in his wild west shows...
Category
1970s American Vintage Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Paper
Monumental Fiberglass Lion Sculpture Drinking Fountain mFG. by F.A.S.T Corp
Located in Buffalo, NY
Monumental Fiberglass Lion Sculpture Drinking Fountain mFG. by F.A.S.T Corp..Salvaged from Crystal Beech ,famed amusement park in Ontario Canada,, Amazing Cartoon Lion ,complete with...
Category
1970s American Vintage Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Chrome
Vintage Shooting Club Lodge Target Plaque German 1900s, Carnival Folk Art
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Vintage Shooting Lodge Target Plaque 1900s. A rare and beautiful wooden shooting target plaque with inscriptions. This rare kings plaque was issued by a ...
Category
Early 1900s German Antique Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Wood, 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
Iron Shooting Target of a Pig
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique shooting target made from cut steel and iron in the shape of a pig. The piece is quite rusty and weathered from all it's years in use.
Category
Early 20th Century North American Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Steel
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 Vintage Folk Art 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 Vintage Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
Rare to Find Folk Art Jaguar Mask Found in Zitlala, Guerrero, Mid-20th Century
By G. None
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
Original Wood Carved SHOW Majorette Letterpress Triangle Poster Company
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Large hand carved circus or carnival SHOW letterpress with wonderful and graphic carved majorette. This wood cut was made by the Triangle Poster Compan...
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Wood
Antique Primitive Rustic Wooden Octagonal Sledge Hammer Carpenter Mallet
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique primitive / rustic hand crafted heavy wooden mallet with octagonal shaped head and rounded handle. Measures: 14".
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Hardwood
Set of Eight Folk Art Carnival Punks / Knockdown Dolls
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Folk Art carnival punks / knockdown dolls composed of canvas forms lined with cotton fur supported by carved wood bases for added stability / weight, c...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Canvas, Cotton, 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 Vintage Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Canvas
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 Vintage Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Paper
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 Vintage Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Metal
1920s Bulbous Folk Art Painted Spanish Lamp and Shade
Located in Chillerton, Isle of Wight
1920s Bulbous Folk Art painted Spanish lamp and shade
This an attractive painted lamp, the lamp has a hand carved bulbous Fair Ground Twisted column which is painted in Gold, Green and Red, the paint has now aged in colour and developed a charming aged finish, the lamp has its own oversized lamp...
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Wood
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 Vintage Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Wood
Antique American Dapple Jumper Track Carousel Horse, Charles W Dare Attributed
Located in Forney, TX
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...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
Hanging Mexican Wooden Cupid with Bow
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rosy-cheeked wooden cupid to bring love into your life. This is a unique, hand-carved, hand-painted wooden cupid with a wire suspension and removable wooden bow...
Category
20th Century Mexican Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Wood
1950s "Prince Buddah" Circus Sideshow Banner
Located in Chicago, IL
1950s "Prince Buddah" circus sideshow banner.
Category
1950s American Vintage Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Iron
Rare Antique Early American Carnival Coin Toss Game Table
Located in Forney, TX
A scarce American carnival coin toss game. The rare and unusual antique hand carved and painted solid wood amusement park / county fair / mid-way gaming tabl...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
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 Vintage Folk Art 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 Vintage Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Fabric, Canvas
Ceramic Hen Whistle from Mexico, 1980s
Located in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato
Painted ceramic hen whistle from Morelos, Mexico, 1980s. These figure were available in the traveling carnivals in the early 1980s.
Category
1980s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Ceramic
Set of Ceramic Carnival Animal Figures from Mexico, Circa 1980´s and 1990´s
Located in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato
Set of 3 ceramic carnival animal figures from Morelos, Mexico. These colorful figures were hand crafted and hand painted using paint glaze. The lively pieces were prominent in the 19...
Category
1990s Mexican Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Ceramic, Clay
Herschell Spillman Cast Iron Vintage Carousel Heads
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Fantastic set of three Herschell Spillman carousel rounding board heads. Cast iron faces with wood board backs. All in original park paint. Each face/bo...
Category
1910s American Vintage Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Iron
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 Vintage Folk Art 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 Vintage Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Metal
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 Vintage Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Canvas
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 Vintage Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Paper
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
Len Norman, American 20th Century the Prestidigitator Whirligig
Located in Buchanan, MI
Len Norman, American 20th century) the prestidigitator. Assembled and painted whirligig depicting a magician and body sawing act
Measures: 23" x 27" x 12".
Category
20th Century Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Wood
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 Vintage Folk Art 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 Vintage Folk Art 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 Vintage Folk Art 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 Vintage Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Canvas
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 Vintage Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Sheet Metal
Wood Carved Folk Art Girl and Dog Carousel Chariot Original Paint Surface
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Fantastic girl and her dog Folk Art carved carousel chariot panel. Superb original paint surface. Great three dimensional surface. Excellent wall hang...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Wood
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 Vintage Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Wood
Early Carnival Midway 7.5 Foot Tall Game Wheel Monterey with Gooseneck Light
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Fantastic giant carnival game wheel with applied scenic Monterey theme. All original surface paint. Chunky turned stand. Measures: 7 foot . Really unique gooseneck lamp for illuminat...
Category
1920s American Vintage Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Wood
Large-Scale American Folk Art Carnival Game Board, Very Graphic
Located in Atlanta, GA
Large-scale Folk Art Carnival game board, American, circa 1940s. This painted carnival game board came from Texas and combines wonderfully patinate...
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Wood, Cork
Folk Art carnival art for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique folk art carnival art for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Late 20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage carnival art created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include folk art, decorative objects, wall decorations and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art carnival art made in a specific country, there are North America, United States, and Europe pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original carnival art, popular names associated with this style include Architectural Fiberglass, Dentzel Carousel Company, French Game & Novelty Company, and Johnny Meah. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for carnival art differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $75 and tops out at $49,500 while the average work can sell for $2,700.
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