Tin Folk Art

Absolutely unique very large creole 'Penca De Balangandan' from Brazil from around 1960. Tin base, possibly silver plated. Traditional slave amule...

Fabulous friction helicopter from Japan C 1960. Toy works great, push copter and the blades start spinning. Does not fly, nor was it intended to. Great graph...

A truly American Southern piece, this rustic wooden pie safe features pierced tin inserts in the double doors and on the sides. Other features include two ...

"Dancing Bear" and "Dancing Pig" wind up toys were made by the Chein Toy Company, of New York City, circa 1938, about the same time as "Dancing Rabbit" (a...

Fabulous tin litho car toy from Louis Marx, circa 1930. Fabulous paint with some paint chips and scrapes but no rust or dents. Clockwork mechanism works ...

A set of four contemporary Mexican racy / risque / taboo ex-voto / retablos attributed to Alfredo Vilchis, circa 2010. A captivating and humorous collection of Mexican ex-votos (retablos), attributed to the renowned "neighborhood artist" of Mexico City, Alfredo Vilchis Roque. Each piece represents a modern, secular, and "racy" evolution of the traditional 19th-century devotional art form. Each piece is in a "deliberate distressed condition" to mimic the weathered look of 19th-century antiques, and each measure approximately 9"W x 7"H. Unlike classic retablos that thank saints for surviving illnesses or accidents, these "new" ex-votos depict the gritty, scandalous, and often hilarious realities of modern urban life. The collection includes: -The Piercing Penance: A woman thanking Saint Rita for her successful (and painful) nipple piercings...

A Retablo is a devotional painting, especially a small popular or folk art one using iconography derived from traditional Catholic church art. Depicting a Saint and a child painted o...

The "Milton Berle" car is one of a series of "Crazy Cars" manufactured by the Louis Marx Toy Company of New York City; this one being one of the more prolific examples, owing to the ...

This is a later (1950's), albeit often overlooked and important mechanical bank that is quite rare, and highly sought after by collectors. Iconic bank collector F.H. Griffith wrote a...

Wonderful toleware chest Not sure what the original function was. No evidence to suggest it was a coal bin. Cream painted with gilt decoration in neoclassical style. Original paint...

This brightly lithographed tin wind-up toy in colors of red, yellow, and blue, with a driver dressed in appropriate motorcycle clothing, depicts a young man driving a delivery cart with "Speed Boy Delivery" printed on each side of the wagon. The manufacturers logo is clearly marked on both sides of the stake wagon and on the right shoulder of the driver "MAR" with a circle around it and "Made in The United States of America, New York, N.Y." around the circumference (see images). The license plate number is "268", which, along with the red painted inside of the drivers arms (as it should be!) indicates this earlier version and authenticity. Nearly 100 years old, it still operates fine and, upon winding the attached wind-up key a few times and placing the toy on the ground, the motorcycle and driver move across the floor on the way to their deliveries; do not over wind. (see video attached to this listing). The toy is completely original and in very good condition, with no repairs or restorations of any kind and no touch up or repaint. The arms and steering handle bars are also original (sometimes replaced) and they have the appropriate paint and markings. This would make a welcome addition to a collection of pre-war Americana. Dimensions: 9 7/8" long x 5 7/8" wide x 5 3/4" high After 40 plus years of dealing and collecting toys, I am justly qualified to guarantee and present the authenticity of antique and vintage toys...

This collection of three hand blown jars all have the original tin lids. The condition is very good. It is very hard to find these storage canisters...

A cool set of four risque / taboo / humorous "Underworld" ex-votos / retablos attributed to Alfredo Vilchis, circa 2010. A provocative and vibrantly transgressive collectio of contemporary Mexican ex-votos (retablos), attributed to the legendary "neighborhood artist" of Mexico City, Alfredo Vilchis Roque. This quartet serves as a masterclass in the "New Retablo" movement, where the centuries-old tradition of Catholic gratitude is subverted to document the gritty, scandalous, and darkly comedic "miracles" of the urban fringe. Each piece is in a "deliberate distressed condition" to mimic the weathered look of 19th-century antiques, and each measure approximately 9.5"W x 6"H. Moving far beyond traditional prayers for health, these works depict the raw and often taboo intersections of desire, mishaps, and divine intervention. The collection features: -The Courtesan’s Epiphany: A dramatic scene of a sex worker who, after surviving a life-threatening allergic reaction to a client's semen, offers infinite thanks to Saint Martha and vows to leave her trade forever. -The Forbidden Cousin: A man named S.F. who celebrates his persistent (and successful) pursuit of his cousin into the bedroom, thanking Saint Jude Thaddeus for their ultimate "happiness." -The Strawberry Jam Incident: A near-fatal mishap involving José Ramos...

A nice set of five risque / taboo Ex-Votos (Retablos) attributed to Alfredo Vilchis, circa 2010. A daringly transgressive and humorous collection of contemporary Mexican ex-votos (re...

This is one of the more popular "crazy car" toys and was designed by the iconic New York City Louis Marx Toy Company, Circa 1935, with the fascination of the American West and the st...

A beautiful 19th-century Spanish Colonial Catholic Mexican Folk Art ex-voto retablo lámina painting featuring the Arch Angel Michael (San Miguel), sword in one hand, the scales of ju...

A cool set of five Mexican ex-votos (retablos) ("Neighborhood Miracles") attributed to Alfredo Vilchis, circa 2010. An exceptionally rare and provocative collection attributed to the...

Vintage wind-up motorcycle tin toy by Marx Toy Company, circa late 1930s. This rare piece is in good vintage working condition with good lithography and minimal rust; it measures 8....

A beautiful and decorative large vintage tin channel letter “A” made of sheet metal, painted in a vibrant yellow with red sides. It is dated around the 1960s, though it may be older....

1910s-20s; Fulton Meat Market district - Chicago, IL The property at the northeast corner of Peoria and Fulton streets in Chicago was most recently a burger joint, but in the late 1...

Rare 100 year old French toy in it's original box depicting two acrobats attached to a wire frame with brown barrel weights, cascading down a green metal ladder. Once assembled (loop...

A Retablo is a devotional painting, especially a small popular or folk art one using iconography derived from traditional Catholic church art. Depicting a Saint and a child painted o...

A beautiful 19th-century Spanish Colonial Mexican Folk Art ex-voto retablo lámina painting featuring an unknown Spanish Roman Catholic Saint. The work is hand-painted on metal (li...

"Dancing Sailor" by Ernest Paul Lehman of Brandenburg, Germany; patented in 1903 (see image of marking) appears in post turn of the century Lehman Toy catalogues as item #535. After ...

About An original 19th century Mexican folk retablo "Veronica's Veil" or "El Divono Rostro" in Spain . Oil paint on tin. The Veil of Veronica, known in Italian as the Volto Santo o...

c. 1950s/1960s; Kids Korral, Inc. - Lakeville, IN and Tex-Tan Western Leather Co. - Yoakum, TX Vintage painted tin children's western wear sign. This sign advertises Tex Tan leathe...

c. 1920s-1930s; San Luis Cigar Company - Tampa, FL Colorful lithographed tin advertising sign promoting "Tampa Straights" cigars, featuring a bold graphic of an open cigar box with ...

Outstanding example of this iconic and highly sought after tin advertising sign made by the Shonk Company, Chicago, Illinois, circa 1906. The subject matter depicts a farm scene with...

Vintage Folk Art doll with tin drum body (oil can) and articulating arms, circa 1950s. The piece is handmade with a doll head and arms and a tin...

Fabulous addition to the "crazy car" examples made famous by the iconic and "Louis Marx Toy Company" manufacturers of fine quality toys and established in New York City in 1919. This...

This amazing folk art tole ware box is in original red painted back round with floral decoration & a embossed bird popping out.

"Sentry" tin mechanical bank is very difficult to find, having been made in Germany by the company Saalheimer & Strauss for the British market. The rif...

For the mechanical bank and toy enthusiast, listed is a tin, lithographed and painted, all original 1960s mechanical bank made by the Yone Company of Japan (see image of logo on side panel). The company was founded in 1950 and is typical of the post war companies who produced outstanding children's toys. The action is unique, clever, and encourages saving money. With the bank wound (attached key wind on the underneath (see image); place a penny on the spot provided on top of the bank. The mouse dashes out of the grey shoe...

"Barnacle Bill" was a very popular cartoon character for whom this toy was named after and was made in the 1930's by the J. Chein Toy Company of New York City. There is some evidence...

The theme of this "crazy car" by the Louis Marx Toy Company located in New York City, is that of a jalopy, often referred to as a "flivver" car (a car that fails) "Funny Flivver top ...

Collection of 12 vintage tin lithograph lithograph toys. The price is $350 for the entire collection/set, The set includes a German Ferris Wheel by Joseph Wagner...

ANTIQUE PAINTED SHOP DISPLAY STORAGE TIN On a larger-than-average scale, a dusky orange painted storage canister with gilt lettering. Inscribed ‘Brand & Zoon, Tiel, Koffee, Th...

About An original 19th century Mexican folk retablo "Veronica's Veil" or "El Divono Rostro" in Spain . Oil paint on tin. The Veil of Veronica, known in Italian as the Volto Santo o...

In near mint and all original condition this vintage mechanical bank appeals to both sailing enthusiasts and bank collectors; perhaps a collector of "cat" memorabelia as well. The theme depicts two sailors riding their boat in full sail. It is quite substantial in both size and weight. To operate, (with the lever pushed all the way in from the left); place a coin vertically above the left arm of the sailor in red; from the right; push the lever all the way in. The sail and Boom hits the sailor, knocking him over as the coin drops into the bank. The other sailor moves forward while manning the tiller. The bank is named "Cat Boat...

An early 20th century beer cooler in original mustard paint from Switzerland. Large and very solid construction with Three doors all having the original Ir...

Beautiful semi-nude woman with translucent negligee, holding a bottle of "Brookfield Rye" whiskey is the focal point of this chromolithographic tin advertising sign, used to promote ...

This seldom seen bank is technically a mechanical bank but basically it is a still bank with a slight mechanical function, that being; once it is full of coins, it opens up automatic...

This is both a still bank and a biscuit tin. It would originally have been sold, filled with biscuits. After all of the cookies would have been consumed, the tin (rather than been thrown away) would have been used as a bank to save money. There is a slot for deposits at the back of the neck at the top (see image). Coins would have been removed by lifting or twisting the snug fitting lid. Toby is nicely hand-painted in pleasing colors of green, blue, gold, and white, with realistic flesh tones to the hands and face. The total height is 6 1/2" while the total width is 6" (includes handle). Diameter at the base is 5". This Toby figured tin was manufactured circa 1911 by the biscuit tin company of Hudson Scott located in Carlisle, England. It is marked at the bottom "Hudson Scott & Sons Ltd. Carlisle, England." It has crossover appeal into three categories of collectors. It would be a welcome addition to both the still bank collector and the biscuit tin collector...

“Where thers muck thers money” Early 20th century English scratch built toleware horse and cart model A wonderful example of a unique Folk Art scratch-built horse and cart model. This item is made from metal sheets, toleware and old enamel advertising signs. It would likely have been placed on a shop counter to obtain donations from customers. The carts cover...

This is a very rare toy that I have not seen an example of before, and judging by it's action and appearance, I would venture to say it is post war, probably made in Japan for the American market (boy looks very American). I have called it "Smiling Boy Polishing Boots" which resembles the clockwork movement. To operate: hold the toy in the left hand with thumb on chest and then; wind up attached original key with the right hand several times; and release. With a smiling face, the boy will roll his head back and forth, while diligently shining his black boots, using an up and down motion with his right hand. The toy works quite well and will go on for some time. It is made up of several materials. The head, hands, and shoes are made of composition; it has a tin body; the clothes jersey, hat, and "falling" trousers" are made of fabric. The toy is in good original condition; some wear to boy's hat and jersey in back (see images), a slight "bend" to tinplate in the rear; but for the most part, the toy is very sturdy, works well, has a nice appearance, and wonderful charisma. This is a charming rare toy that operates as it should, and is a "must have" for collectors of post-war vintage wind up toys...

Hand Painted Indian Folk Art Stand or Low Table A Lovely Decorative piece painted in an orange pallet with Flowers This little metal table is very stable ...

Collection of Handmade Mexican Folk Art Tin Masks, Mexican, circa 1950s. Each mask is unique and extremely detailed. The largest mask measures 21"...

c. 1940s-1950s; Brookside Distilling Products Corporation - Scranton, PA Colorful tin lithograph advertising sign promoting Overbrook Straight Rye Whiskey, featuring bold white lett...

Hand Painted Indian Folk Art Stand or Low Table A Lovely Decorative piece painted in a green pallet with small Flowers This little metal table is very sta...

Antique figural painted tin trade sign. This piece takes the form of an antique mortar and pestle, one of the most important tools used by practitioners of medicine for centuries. T...

c. 1930s/1940s; Iroquois Brewing Company - Buffalo, NY Painted advertising sign featuring bold "Three Aces" header with playing card motifs above the flowing Iroquois script logo, f...

This large, extremely rare backlit sign is a bona fide piece of American history. It was produced by The Buckeye Brewing Co. of Toledo, OH, which was founded in 1886, but which has o...

Antique figural copper and tin trade sign. This piece takes the form of an antique mortar and pestle, one of the most important tools used by practitioners of medicine for centuries...

Large collection of tin 1900s Edwardian miniature toy figures. A few tin houses a shed, gazebo's, flower arches, lots of trees and shrubs. Dovecote, pretty fences, a bench, a parrot tree, a birdcage, a plant Stand, a fountain, farm animals and lots of human figures in Edwardian clothing about: 29 trees (trees shrubs, palmtrees) 11 decorative fences 2 arches 18 figures (girl with dog, a couple, lady with...

Fabulous working tin Litho toy skier by the Chein toy co. C1945. In excellent vintage condition with minimal wear.

c. 1880s-1890s; mfd. by F. Tuchfarber & Co. for Lovell & Buffington Co. - Covington, KY Painted tin lithograph advertising sign for Fountain Tobacco, produced for Lovell &am...

Antique American general store revolving bolt and nut cabinet. Original paint.

c. 1910s; The J.B. Moos Cigar Manufacturing Co. - Cincinnati, OH Antique embossed tin cigar advertising sign with self-framing. This sign advertises Sidney Dillon cigars, a brand n...

Extremely sweet tin pull toy in the form of a sheep on wheels. Incredible original patina with good wear. Wheels are a bit wonky but in the best way possible.

c. 1930s-1940s; Stewart-Warner Corp. - Chicago, IL Double-sided painted metal dealership advertising sign promoting Stewart-Warner's South Wind automobile heater line. Each side fea...