Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
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
Early 20th C Large Black Forest Carving with Bird and Nest
Located in Troy, MI
Circa 1920s large hand carved Black Forest piece with an intricately rendered bird and nest. This is just under 16” tall and is 9” wide. Very good antiq...
Category
Early 20th Century German Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
19th Century Carved Oak Folk Art Wall Figurative Plaque.
Located in London, GB
19th Century Carved Oak Folk Art Wall Figurative Plaque.
Just carved for the fun of it, this 19th century hand carved oak plaque illustrates an old ...
Category
1890s British Antique Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Oak
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Model
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century folk art model
'EST-CE UN PIETON OU UNE VOITURE?' (IS IT A PEDESTRIAN OR A CAR?)
An Early 20th century French hand carved folk art model, depicting a police...
Category
Early 20th Century French Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Folk Art Hunter Carving, circa 1930s
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Hand-carved wooden Folk Art hunter with a sheet metal hat. Original red, white and black paint surface.
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Sheet Metal
Collection of Eighteen Vintage Swedish Dala Horses Nils Olsson, Sweden Folk Art
By Nils Olsson
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This offer is for a collection of eighteen Swedish Dala horses by Nils Olsson. These are hand carved painted wood. The largest one is approximate 16...
Category
1970s Swedish Vintage Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood, Paint
Large and Impressive Eastern European Folk Art Carved Panel Mermaid Siren Sun
Located in Ferndale, MI
Large impressive Eastern European Folk Art carved Cedar panel. Large panel feature mythical creatures and symbols. Mermaids, Sirens, anchors,...
Category
Mid-20th Century Ukrainian Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Cedar
Wonderful Folk Art Hand Made Antique Grasshopper Sculpture
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A fantastic folk art antique hand made sculpture of a huge grasshopper having aged patina. One of a kind.
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Reclaimed Wood
Celtic Art Copper Mural from Ireland, Celtic Animals Hand made beaten copper
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Celtic Art Copper Mural from Ireland, Celtic Animals
A hand made beaten copper abstract design of dogs and a stag hunting made in Ireland
A very striking piece with its origin in...
Category
1960s Vintage Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Copper
Tall Teak Wood Asian Folk Art Sculpture of Elderly Man
Located in Evergreen, CO
Carved from a substantial piece of teak, this masterpiece is nearly 3 and a half feet tall. It features an elderly, bearded man carrying a bowl of food, possibly noodles, with two ma...
Category
Early 20th Century Asian Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Teak
19th Century Mexican Folk Art Carved Wood Church Sculpture
Located in San Francisco, CA
An extraordinary one of a kind Mexican folk art carving of a church.
Carved from a soft wood, possibly cactus, and having a beautifully aged patina.
Everything thing about this pie...
Category
19th Century Mexican Antique Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Hand Carved Wood Moroccan Ethnic Large Spoon
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Hand Carved antique African Moroccan burl wood large spoon.
Large Moroccan ethnic folk art hand crafted and carved large cooking spoon.
Great patina, rou...
Category
Early 20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Vintage St. Therese Chalkware Bust
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Large St. Therese chalkware bust found on the east coast of the United States. Great early paint surface with the right amount of ware and age. Depicts ...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Composition
Set Of Three Large Solid Wood Fruits
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Set of three well carved and finished large, solid wood, fruits with a fine polish. Included in the group is a pear, pumpkin and acorn.
Dimensions:
Pear - 12 1/2" x 6 3/4"
Pumpkin ...
Category
20th Century Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Abraham Lincoln Head Folk Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Early 20Thc Hand carved head of Lincoln.This folky head has a black painted shirt.
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
19th Century Folk Art Carved Spanish Love Bird Figure
Located in London, GB
A handmade late 19th century Folk Art carved wooden love bird, with original paint still visible across sections of this item. The bird would like have been placed with the confines ...
Category
1880s Spanish Antique Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
19th Century German Folk Art Bird Cage
Located in Hastings, GB
A charming late 19th century hand crafted primitive folk art bird cage, in the manner of a chateau, painstakingly detailed with hand painted r...
Category
1890s German Antique Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Iron
Early 20th Century English Folk-Art Farmer and His Wife Model
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century folk-art farmer and his wife model
We are proud to offer an unusual hand carved folk-art model of a farmer and his wife sat on a cart pulled by two oxen. This ite...
Category
1940s European Vintage Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Pine
Abstract Folk Art Plywood Bust
Located in Santa Monica, CA
This stacked plywood Folk Art piece showcases the unique vision of its creator. An intriguing sculptural piece from every angle.
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Plywood
1700s Religious Figure with Heavy Patina
Located in Peekskill, NY
The patina and age of this well done carving make a striking display. I'm guessing its 18th century and Italian. It has just the right look.
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Antique Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Early 20th Century Scandinavian Hand Carved and Painted Figural Nutcracker
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Scandinavian Folk Art nutcracker with man in cap decoration, circa 1920-1930s. Fine expressive facial and lovely hand painted details. Very nice, vintage condition with light wear co...
Category
Early 20th Century Scandinavian Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Chinese Polychrome Lucky Fish
Located in Chicago, IL
Hand-carved from reclaimed wood, this rustic koi sculpture recreates early 20th-century Chinese folk art designs. The fish is carved with a squat, rounded body and finished with colo...
Category
20th Century Chinese Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood, Pine
Early 20th Century Hand Carved Pine German Fireman Puppet
Located in London, GB
German Fireman Puppet
We are proud to offer a wonderful example of an early 20th century German fireman puppet / Doll. Hand carved with some lovely naïve Folk Art detail including a...
Category
1920s German Vintage Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Cotton, Pine
19th Century Folk Art Wartime Relationship Commemorative Plaque
Located in London, GB
19th century Folk Art Wartime relationship commemorative plaque
We are proud to offer a rare and unique commemorative wartime relationship plaque...
Category
1880s Antique Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Nautical Folk Art Hand Carved Wooden Whimsy
Located in Brooklyn, NY
American whimsy with traditional 'ball in cage' decoration, all carved and whittled from one continuous piece of wood, circa early 20th century. The bottom tip suggests that this pie...
Category
1910s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Detailed Hand-Carved Wood Fish Sculpture
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A finely crafted Wood Fish Sculpture with fine detail. Deftly carved in a dark and deep Walnut tone wood, there are hundreds of individual scales ...
Category
20th Century Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Folk Art Hand Carved Black Cat Trinket Dish
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Wooden ebonized cat with dish sculpture mounted to a mahogany plinth. Dish can accommodate keys or smaller objects.
Patina / light wear present (paint loss to the tips of ears / edges of green dish...
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Mahogany, Wood
Wooden Decoy Duck on Stand, circa 1910
Located in Hastings, GB
Beautiful early 20th century French decoy duck. Hand carved in wood and hand painted, the decoy has a movable head that can be turned left or right, it is a...
Category
1910s French Vintage Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Iron
Antique Hand-Carved Folk Art Picture or Mirror Frame with Beaver & Leaves
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique hand-carved frame is unsigned, but originated from Canada and dates to approximately 1880 and done in the period Folk Art style. The frame is composed of solid walnut an...
Category
Late 19th Century Canadian Antique Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Walnut
Large Carved Black and Gold-Painted Sunburst
Located in New York, NY
Exuberantly carved sunburst mounted on a black roundel.
Provenance: From the Collection of Mario Buatta, New York, NY.
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Quirky American Folk Art Human Form Chair
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Have a seat! One of a kind human form chair. Wonderfully carved muscles, toes, clenched fists for support. Looks like the chair is ready to go crawling ac...
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Vintage Signed Quebec Folk Art Carved Burlwood Wall Sculpture of a Bearded Man
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This folk art wall sculpture is signed by Noel Guay a Quebec wood carver of Canada and dates to approximately 1960 and done in the Quebec folk art styl...
Category
Mid-20th Century Canadian Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Pine
19th C. German Stag Horn Thermometer and Barometer
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A remarkable German Folk Art Weather Station in the Black Forest Style. Elaborate and sinuous construction with stag horns of various sizes, boar tusk...
Category
19th Century German Antique Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Antler, Horn
Large European Folk Art Carved Wooden Standing Man Carrying a Basket Sculpture
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This large Folk Art wooden sculpture is unsigned, but presumed to have been made in Europe and most likely Italy in circa 1920 in a Folk Art style. This large wooden carved sculpture depicts an elderly bearded man carrying a heavy basket on his back and holding the straps in the front to support the weight. This is quite a tall carving...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Softwood
Antique Carved Wood Swan Preening - Gus Wilson / Frank Finney Style
By Frank Finney
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Acquired on a trip to New Hampshire. Not sure the artist.
Carved out of solid wood. Shows Swan/Goose preening with its head back. Rustic finish with some fading/chipping.
Head...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood, Paint
Early Leo Sewell Assembledge, Sculpture, Seated Male Figure
By Leo Sewell
Located in Buffalo, NY
Early Leo Sewell Assembledge. Sculpture, seated male figure, signed and dated, 1977. A charming array of whimsical found objects, Italian chair incl...
Category
1970s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Metal
Carved Folk Art Eagle and Dog Snuff Box
Located in Branford, CT
A folk art carved figure of a mother eagke overseeing two eaglets and dog. Underneath is a "hidden" sliding door and compartment. American, 19th century. H 7-1/4" W 3-1/4" D 6". Cond...
Category
19th Century Antique Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Mexican Terracotta Articulated Doll Figure, 1920's
Located in Stamford, CT
Amusing Mexican terracotta doll figure with articulated limbs. Since it is solid terracotta it is likely this is a mold from which other dolls were made. As a folk art sculpture it i...
Category
Early 20th Century Mexican Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Terracotta
Folk Art Carved Panel of Two Brothers Titled: "He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother"
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This vintage folk art carved panel is signed in several places by an unknown artist, and presumed to have originated from North America, likely Canada, but possibly the United States...
Category
Mid-20th Century Canadian Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Oak
1900s Scandinavian Wooden Horse
Located in High Point, NC
Like a mysterious inhabitant of a fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen, this wooden quadruped crafted in Scandinavia circa 1900 exudes a gentle melancholy of the North. The whitenes...
Category
Early 1900s Scandinavian Antique Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Vintage Hand Forged Peacock Garden Folk Art Statue On Wood Base
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Hand Forged Peacock Garden Folk Art Statue on Wood Base
This vintage hand-forged peacock garden folk art statue is a stunning addition to any outdoor space. The statue showc...
Category
Mid-20th Century Unknown Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Iron
Folk Art Metal & Wire Rooster Chair
Located in Hanover, MA
It is impossible not to smile when sitting on the back of this vintage metal craft rooster. Constructed of scrolled metal wire loops it is strong ...
Category
1950s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Steel
Wood Carving Penis Figurine Wabi Sabi Object Vintage Asia 1950s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Adorable unique wood carved figurine statue. we don't know anything about the item, but believe it was made in Japan in the 1960s. Ideal decoratio...
Category
1950s Japanese Vintage Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Boston Terrier Heavy Cast Iron Doorstop
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sweet faced Boston Terrier cast iron doorstop. This doorstop is very heavy with great patina. The Boston Terrier hasa very soft look due to the wear.
Category
20th Century North American Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Iron
Majestic Benin King Oba, Finely Carved Ebony Bust, Nigeria West Africa C1930s
Located in Rothley, Leicestershire
Truly a majestic Benin Oba. Beautifully and finely hand carved in Ebony hardwood from the 1930's
A piece of this quality and stature holds enormous presence...
Category
1930s Beninese Vintage Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Ebony
19th Century French Walnut Butler with Tray
Located in High Point, NC
19th century unique folk art statue of a French soldier holding a tray. The statue is hand carved from walnut and is such a friendly little guy! His smile lights up the room, as he...
Category
19th Century French Antique Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Walnut
A Statue of Saint Martín de Porres Velázquez OP A Statue of Saint Martín
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
A Statue of Saint Martín de Porres Velázquez OP
A Statue of Saint Martín de Porres Velázquez OP was a Peruvian lay brother of the Dominican Order who was beatified in 1837 by Pope G...
Category
1930s Vintage Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Plaster
Beaded Ndebele Ceremonial Doll
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare imported commodity, glass beads have been a symbol of wealth and importance in south African cultures for centuries, and were exclusively distributed by the region's oba (king). As beads become gradually more accessible throughout the 19th century, they began to displace the organic materials used in traditional art and attire.
This colorful example of African beadwork is a ceremonial doll...
Category
Mid-20th Century South African Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Cotton, Wood
Wood Carved Folk Art American Muscle Car
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Hand-carved Folk Art pink and white midcentury car. Fun display piece. Quite a heavy piece.
Category
1960s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Folk Art, Handcarved wooden wall decoration
Located in Herentals, BE
Beautiful hand-carved wooden work in high relief by Belgian woodcarver Lucien Janssens (1933-2024). This unique piece from 1989 shows an atmospheric rural scene, with a shepherd, his...
Category
Late 20th Century Belgian Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Oak
Wooden Folk Art Plane, circa 1930s
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Large, handcrafted wooden Folk Art plane with articulated pilot and original paint surface. Great hand carved folk art pilot.
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Sheet Metal
Naive Folk Art Sculpture, France, 1950s
Located in Antwerp, BE
Naive sculpture from the 1950s, embodying the essence of Folk Art with its intricately carved vine. This anonymous masterpiece from Auvergne, France, s...
Category
1950s French Vintage Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Monumental 80" Figurative Hand Carved Sculpture by Robert Brady
By Robert Brady 2
Located in Buffalo, NY
Robert Brady was born and raised in Reno, Nevada. Upon graduation from high school he attended the California College of The Arts in Oakland, Ca. receiving his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 1969. Later he attended University of California, Davis, receiving a Masters of Fine art in 1975. Recently retired Emeritus, he served as Professor of Art from 1975-2013 at California State University, Sacramento.
Trained as a potter, Brady’s interest quickly steered toward a path of ceramic object making and sculpture, ultimately gaining national and international recognition. Approximately 24 years later, Brady, fortuitously discovered the beauty and merits of wood as a sculptural medium. Since then, Robert has produced work in both clay and wood, with an emphasis on wood. Mixed media, bronzes, works on paper and functional pottery are also part of his output.
Brady has had over 50 solo exhibits and participated in many group exhibitions throughout the United States, and Europe, both in private galleries and public Museums. His works can be found in permanent collections in galleries and museums such as The Smithsonian (Renwick), The Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art, the Arkansas Art Center, Little Rock, and the Stedelijik Museum in Amsterdam, Holland, as well as others. Lastly, his work is found in private collections too numerous to mention.
He has received three National Endowment Individual Artist...
Category
1990s American Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Inuit Soapstone Sea Lion
Located in Mexico City, MX
A big Inuit soapstone sculpture depicting a sea lion. The sculpture is signed on the bottom by an unidentified artist and numbered 202266. With Canada Eskimo Art...
Category
1970s Canadian Vintage Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Soapstone
Silver Handmade Corn on the Cob
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This sterling silver handmade heavy corn on the cob is unmarked and has gilded kernel's. This is a handmade item.
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Silver
Beaded Ndebele Ceremonial Doll
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare imported commodity, glass beads have been a symbol of wealth and importance in south African cultures for centuries, and were exclusively distributed by the region's oba (king). As beads become gradually more accessible throughout the 19th century, they began to displace the organic materials used in traditional art and attire.
This colorful example of African beadwork is a ceremonial doll...
Category
Mid-20th Century South African Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Twine, Cotton, Wood
Pair Hand Carved African Women Busts Wood Sculptures 24 Inches
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Pair of hand carved African female busts. Each figure is carved with exquisite craftsmanship. The elaborate head dress is emblematic of the women’s pride and beauty. These pieces are...
Category
1960s African Vintage Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood, Hardwood
Antique French Folk Art Carved Woman Figure, Wooden Carving Sculpture, 19th C.
Located in Bristol, GB
ANTIQUE FRENCH WOOD CARVING
A hugely decorative and charming piece depicting a woman in traditional clothing.
Carved in a fairly naive a...
Category
19th Century French Antique Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Vintage hand carved and hand painted wooden Frog Figurine
Located in Seattle, WA
This vintage Figurine depicts an intricately carved and painted frog. It is gold toned and engraved on the bottom. This Piece has nice patina and character. Possibly folk art. Vintag...
Category
1970s Vintage Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Folk Art sculptures and carvings for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique folk art sculptures and carvings for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage sculptures and carvings created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include folk art, decorative objects, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art sculptures and carvings made in a specific country, there are North America, Europe, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original sculptures and carvings, popular names associated with this style include Mosche Bianche, Jim Rose, Nils Olsson, and Benin People. 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 sculptures and carvings differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $95 and tops out at $38,000 while the average work can sell for $1,340.