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 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
"Saint Lucia" Early 19th Century Santos Figure Polychromed Mexico
Located in Wiscasset, ME
She is depicted holding a tray aloft with her eyes, which she gouged out in order to keep from being married off to a Pagan. Polychromed gesso with gilding. Some small bits of polyc...
Category
1830s Mexican Antique Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Large Folk Art Driftwood Horse Head Sculpture
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This large and substantial sculpture of a horse's head is unsigned, but believed to have been made in Canada in circa 1980. The sculpture is made completely of pieces of driftwood...
Category
Late 20th Century Canadian Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Driftwood
Early 20th Century Self Taught Hand Carved Bird Figure
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century self taught hand carved bird figure
We are proud to offer a wonderfully hand carved sculptural self-taught figure of a bird. This ...
Category
1920s British Vintage 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
American Cast Iron Doorstop in the Form of a Boston Terrier
Located in Downingtown, PA
The Boston Terrier was made in cast iron by Bradley and Hubbard Co. Meriden CT in the 1920s
Model #7294-N.
A finely modeled hollow half round cast form with natural brindle paint.
See:
The Doorstop Book, John and Nancy Smith...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Iron
Antique Scandinavian Folk Art Carved Wooden Double Handled Pitcher
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique hand-carved wooden folk art pitcher is unsigned, but presumed to have been made in Scandinavia, likely Denmark, is approximately 1890 in a period Folk Art style. The pit...
Category
Late 19th Century Danish Antique Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Softwood
1950s Folk Art Sculpture Group Of Drunk Swedes At Bar Scene
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
1950s Folk Art wood carving of a group of drunk Swedes at a bar scene with fish and alcohol fermentation.
Category
Mid-20th Century Swedish 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
Mexican Burnished Clay Romance Torso Heart Couple Statue Contemporary Oaxaca
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
Lovers Torso, a contemporary rustic Mexican sculpture by Manuel David Reyes. This soft piece is one-of-a-kind, made with clay and natural pigments from ...
Category
2010s Mexican Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Clay, Ceramic
19th Century Carved Walnut Effeminacy Male Figure
Located in London, GB
19th century carved walnut effeminacy male figure
We are proud to offer a unique and highly decorative 19th century hand carved walnut figure of an effeminacy male form. Unusual in its figurative posture and detail. This includes the figure standing in a side on pose with flirtatious gesture, a loosely draped over shoulder silk sheet, female form breasts and overly masculine facial details. This item is heavily patinated due to its age. This figure may have at some point in its lifetime have been part for a larger wall carving...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Walnut
Guatemalan Carved Column Pedestal
Located in Chicago, IL
The Maya peoples of Guatemala created incredible works of art through columnar woodworking and stone shaping. The base carvings on this column emulate ferns and other low-lying folia...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Guatemalan Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Antique Folk Art Wire/Wood Birdcage
Located in Sheffield, MA
The antique bird house is composed of wire and wood framing and floor. The front facade has an arched center section and side "towers." There are th...
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
19th Century Dutch Carved Monumental Wood Eagle Figure Seated on a Pedestal
Located in New York, NY
Continental 19th century Dutch life-sized carved wooden eagle figure with open mouth on square pedestal.
Category
19th Century Dutch Antique Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Mexican Folk Art Wood Carving Traditional Dance Handmade Alebrije One of a Kind
By Ruby Fabian, Manuel Cruz Prudencio
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
The young dancers wear an armor of threads over their bodies, showing off an ancient indigenous art form. Colorful thread combinations characterize the huipil dress, a rectangle of cloth handwoven on a backstrap loom that dates back thousands of years in used in Zapotec culture. Through symbols in their dresses, Zapotec women wear their identity, history, culture, power, social and marital status, religion, personality, and power.
In this folkloric dance, “Flor de Piña” (Pineapple Flower), innocence surrounds young girls as they dance and hold pineapples on their shoulders as an offering. Their long braids represent purity and their bare feet symbolize their connection to the Earth.
This folkloric dance is part of the “Guelaguetza” (name in the indigenous Zapotec language) Festival Celebration. Since pre-hispanic times, the indigenous people of Oaxaca have honored the goddess of maize with this festival, performing and offering gifts to ensure a good harvest.
Husband and wife, master woodcarver Manuel Cruz and wood painter...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Mexican Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood, Acrylic
Vintage South Seas Carved Teak Mermaid
Located in Nantucket, MA
Early vintage or antique South Seas carved teak Mermaid, circa 1920s or perhaps earlier, a hand carved upright figure holding a carved shell, with deeply carved flowers in grooved hair flowing down back, shell necklace, and scale pattern throughout her tail. The statue is weathered, has a few age cracks, and the end of the tail is broken. Mounted long ago on a late Victorian brass lamp...
Category
Early 20th Century Pacific Islands Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Teak
Inuit Soapstone Seal
Located in Mexico City, MX
An Inuit green seal. The piece has a signature: "Kilabuk".
Category
Mid-20th Century Canadian Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Soapstone
Folk Art Hand Carved Spruce Whimsy Chain
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Nice, whimsical Folk Art chain whittled from one continuous piece of wood (spruce, in this case). One end features a hook, the other a clasp. The wood h...
Category
1950s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Spruce
20th Century Hand Carved Wood Folk Art Sculpture by Duane Hansen
Located in Philadelphia, PA
This distinguished and very plump fellow has a regal face with large jowls, smooth skin and a wonderful patina. This remarkable work was hand carved from one solid piece of wood. Sculpture is unsigned, but was purchased along with two other Duane Hansen...
Category
1980s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Figurines by Dr. Harley Niblack
Located in South Charleston, WV
This grouping of 3 figurines and 9 sculpture head figures were obtained directly from Dr. Harley Niblack by the consignor's father (who was also a woodt...
Category
1950s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Bush Plane Model on Custom Mount
Located in Chicago, IL
A wonderful and charming early 20th century American bush plane model constructed with painted canvas stretched over a wooden skeleton, and mounted on a custom steel mount.
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Canvas, Wood
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
2D Plywood Marionette Mannequin
Located in Hanover, MA
Peculiar Folk Art two-dimensional marionette or mannequin comprised of ten elements of cutout half inch plywood, connected with bolts and wing nuts, permitting the limbs to be moved ...
Category
1970s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Plywood
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
Vintage Southern Folk Art Figure
By Craft and Folk Art Museum
Located in San Francisco, CA
Very kool piece of folk art. I am not exactly sure how old, but from bottom of base I would guess 1st quarter of 20th century. It is all wood and depicts what ...
Category
1920s North American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Leather Horse Equine Animal Sculpture in the Folk Art Style
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful all leather horse equine animal sculpture, circa late-20th century. This hand-crafted piece is clad in a light brown leather with glass eyes. For size perspective, please...
Category
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Leather
Tall Teak Wood Asian Folk Art Sculpture of Elderly Man
Located in Evergreen, CO
An elderly, bearded, Asian man carries a bowl of food, possibly noodles, with two mats tied to his back. Carved from a substantial piece of teak, this somber carving stands at almost...
Category
Early 20th Century Asian Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Teak
Vintage Handmade Wooden Whirligig Officer, European Folk Art, 1950s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Large figural standing officer or Policeman whirligig. Its hand-carved from Pine and handprinted black and white. The face is plain yet skillfully carved with painted facial features...
Category
1950s European Vintage Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Pine
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Birdhouse
Located in Chicago, IL
A whimsical early 20th century American Folk Art purple Martin pine birdhouse with two levels, eight entrances, and a wonderfully shingled roof and weath...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Pine
19th Century Bronze Sheep Handcrafted Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th century handmade bronze sheep sculpture. No signature or makers mark.
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Bronze
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
Large Carved Bust of African Man
Located in Pasadena, CA
This is an exceptionally well-carved portrait bust of an African man dating to the mid-20th century. The bust is carved from a single piece of mahogany; th...
Category
Early 20th Century African Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Mahogany
Long Folk Art Hand Carved Pine Whimsy Chain
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Wonderful, whimsical folk art chain whittled from one continuous piece of wood (pine, in this case). One end features what resembles an arrow fletching,...
Category
1950s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Pine
Mid-20th Century Folk Art English Acrobat Toy
Located in London, GB
Mid-20th century Folk Art English acrobat toy
We are proud to offer a rare example of a mid-20th century English folk-art acrobat toy. Handmade from scrat...
Category
1940s British Vintage Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Carved African Figural Urns, Mid-20th Century
Located in Pasadena, CA
These cups are highly decorative reproductions of Kuba Royal cups. They do not exhibit any sign of true age or use through traditional wear patterns. These w...
Category
Mid-20th Century African Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Industrial Metal Brutalist Geometric Sculpture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Three dimensional steel sculpture by unknown artist. Perfect for collectors of art, metal, and shapes. Please confirm item pickup location (Brooklyn or NJ) with seller.
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Steel, Metal
Ship Carved Figure
Located in Nantucket, MA
Carved figure of a woman standing upright on a scrolled base. Carved from Pine with in service paint, American, circa 1850.
Category
Mid-19th Century North American Antique Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Pine
Vintage Men's Club Bar Plaque / Sculpture
By Craft and Folk Art Museum
Located in Cincinnati, OH
A large vintage plaque / sculpture of a women breast cast in aluminum and mounted to a thickly carved satin black wooden plaque, from a private men's club...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Aluminum
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
English Folk Art Church Model
Located in London, GB
Folk Art Church Model
We are proud to offer a wonderful example of a mid-20th Century folk-art church model. Built from scratch using various material...
Category
1940s British Vintage Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Antique Folk Art Carved Wooden Sculpture of the 'Old Grand Dad' Whiskey Logo
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique Folk Art carved wooden sculpture is initialed on the base, but the artist is unknown. It is presumed this carving was done in the United States in 1945 in a Folk Art sty...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Hardwood
Pair of Scottish Ram in Polychrome Wood, 19 Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb pair of rams in polychrome carved wood from Scotland-19th century
Very elegant and unique pair of rams which are almost carved at life size which come from a Manor in Scotl...
Category
19th Century Scottish Antique Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Hardwood
American Folk Art Large Carved Wood Elephant or Donkey
Located in New York, NY
Large American Folk Art carved pine wood sculpture of an elephant or donkey with raised ears. Measures: 37.75" H x 31.5" W x 30.5" D.
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Early 19th Century Monumental Pottery Eagle Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
This amazing Folk Art sculpture of 19th century sewer tile or pottery eagle was from a private collection in New England. This item is on a custom made cast...
Category
Mid-19th Century American Antique Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Pottery
Amazing English Architects Model, circa 1920
Located in London, GB
Architects Model circa 1920
We are proud to offer a unique circa 1920s architects model of a timber-clad colonial style house in original paint. An a...
Category
1920s British Vintage Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
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 Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Sheet Metal
Antique Styled Folk Art Carved and Painted Wood Figure Hanging Sheriff Study
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Dating from possibly the Victorian period, this Folk Art styled carved and hand painted wooden sculpture depicts an effigy of a Wild West Sheriff hanging with his hands behind his ba...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Hardwood, Paint
19th Century Cobbler Trade Sign
Located in Nantucket, MA
A carved cobbler's boot-form trade sign, in old gold paint.
Carved in two pieces of pine, capped with lead,
circa 1870
Very good condition, measures: 14" x 9 ½”.
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Lead
Early 20th Century Americana Uncle Sam Lumberjack Whirligig
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Charming whirligig depicting a figure resembling Uncle Sam sawing a log mounted to a wooden base. Hand carved, painted, and assembled with applied facial details. When manually turne...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Sergio Bustamante Early Lion Papier-mâché Sculpture Hand-painted, 1975
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Sergio Bustamante (20th century, Mexican) life sized paper mache lion from the early years of his Family Workshop Studio in Tlequepaque, Jalisco, Mexi...
Category
Late 20th Century Mexican Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Paper
A Set of Black Americana Baseball Memorabilia Folk Art Figures, Circa 1930s-40s
Located in Atlanta, GA
This collection of three Black Americana baseball figures, circa 1930s-1940s, are attributed to the San Antonio folk artist, Control Valadez. The set of Black memorabilia, sometimes called Black Americana, includes a pitcher, catcher & batter, each having been set and raised onto a custom iron base. They are all quite chippy with losses, nice patina and showing of age, still retaining much of their original paint colors. Likely once outdoor ornaments, we would suggest, due to their delicate condition, that these pieces remain indoors. Though historically, much black memorabilia portrayed racist and offensive ideas, there was also art, such as this collection, which reflects a more positive connotation, commemorating athletic achievements within the black community. These nicely sized baseball sculptures...
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Iron
Wooden Guatemalan Horse Marijuana 420 Pipe on Stand
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fully functional wooden Guatemalan horse pipe on Stand. Use as a decorative piece or show as a piece of art, ready for that free range tobacco or 420. What's your pleasure!?.
Category
20th Century Guatemalan Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Late 19th Century American Pine Folk Art Frame, circa 1890
Located in San Francisco, CA
Late 19th century American pine folk art frame, circa 1890.
A double portrait frame with a recessed back to accept glass and two mounted portraits.
Very elaborate and precise deepl...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Pine
Memphis Style Abstract Free-Standing Welded Steel Sculpture by Jerry Dodd
By Mike Dodd
Located in Buffalo, NY
Memphis style abstract free-standing Welded steel sculpture by Jerry Dodd, his sculptural pieces are painted with enamels and are suitable for display indoors or protected areas outd...
Category
1970s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Steel
French Zinc Horse Head, circa 1930
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
French zinc horse head, circa 1930
Category
Early 20th Century European Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Zinc
Vintage Hand-Carved Folk Art Dog Head
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Folky hand-carved dog head found in the midwest.
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Rare Italian Hand Carved Folk Art Santos Doll, circa 1840
Located in London, GB
We are proud to offer a mid-19th century hand carved figure of a Santos doll. The figure is made using pine wood and section constructed with pinned wooden...
Category
1840s Italian Antique Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Pine
Mid-Century American Large Scale Wood Carved C-133A Plane
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Mid-century large-scale wood carved Folk Art Cargomaster C-133A. An actual barn find discovered in Washington State farm country. Hand-carved and painted. Two pieces: wing piece atta...
Category
Mid-20th Century American 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.
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