Toys
1880s American Folk Art Antique Toys
Iron
19th Century American Folk Art Antique Toys
Iron
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Toys
Hardwood, Walnut
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Toys
Wood
1920s German Folk Art Vintage Toys
Pine
Early 20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Toys
Paper
Early 20th Century German Victorian Toys
Leather, Wood
Early 20th Century German Victorian Toys
Terracotta
Early 20th Century German Victorian Toys
Terracotta
1960s Japanese Industrial Vintage Toys
Metal
1950s Japanese Folk Art Vintage Toys
Metal
20th Century Indian Folk Art Toys
Bone, Paint
1950s Japanese Industrial Vintage Toys
Metal
Early 20th Century German Victorian Toys
Wood, Paper
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Toys
Wood, Hardwood, Walnut
Early 20th Century German Victorian Toys
Wood
1960s Japanese Industrial Vintage Toys
Metal
Early 20th Century German Victorian Toys
Wood, Leather
20th Century Indian Folk Art Toys
Bone, Paint
1970s American Folk Art Vintage Toys
Suede, Nylon, Yarn, Plastic
1930s American Streamlined Moderne Vintage Toys
Aluminum, Metal
Late 20th Century French Toys
Resin
20th Century Toys
Wrought Iron
Late 19th Century American Folk Art Antique Toys
Wood
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Toys
Pine
1920s Unknown Late Victorian Vintage Toys
Pine
19th Century American Native American Antique Toys
Leather, Beads
1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Toys
Textile
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Toys
Bamboo, Cane
1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Toys
Textile
1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Toys
Textile
1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Toys
Textile
1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Toys
Textile
1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Toys
Textile
19th Century Romanian Folk Art Antique Toys
Wood, Lacquer
1920s European Early Victorian Vintage Toys
Linen, Cut Glass, Pine, Paper
Mid-20th Century British Industrial Toys
Metal
Mid-20th Century Swiss Bauhaus Toys
Plywood
Early 20th Century Swedish Country Toys
Leather, Wood, Paint
1970s Dutch Brutalist Vintage Toys
Pine
Mid-20th Century Russian Folk Art Toys
Pine
Early 20th Century American Toys
Cotton, Pine
19th Century English Victorian Antique Toys
Leather, Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century French Industrial Toys
Metal
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Toys
Wood
1910s Folk Art Vintage Toys
Wood
20th Century American Toys
Fabric, Wool, Cotton, Velvet
20th Century American Toys
Fabric, Wool, Cotton
20th Century American Toys
Fabric, Wool, Cotton, String
1920s American Victorian Vintage Toys
Pine
Early 1900s Antique Toys
Wood
1930s Swiss Scandinavian Modern Vintage Toys
Wood
1920s British Folk Art Vintage Toys
Faux Leather
1890s British Folk Art Antique Toys
Fruitwood
Mid-20th Century Taiwanese Folk Art Toys
Iron
Mid-20th Century European Toys
Metal
1880s Italian Folk Art Antique Toys
Brass
Early 20th Century Dutch Modern Toys
Wood, Paint
Antique, New and Vintage Toys
Children as well as nostalgic grown-ups are still finding pleasure in toys and objects designed specifically for playtime that are, in comparison to today’s digital device-oriented distractions, far more modest in nature. Indeed, antique, new and vintage toys of years past — handmade folk-art toys such as wooden train sets, dolls, rocking horses and more — can be enjoyed by the young and old alike. In contemporary interiors, gently aging toys are wonderfully uncomplicated decorative objects primed for display in a cabinet or other case piece.
With their romantic appeal and frequent incorporation of natural materials, some vintage toys and folk-art toys are treasured collectibles, showcasing the beauty of handmade craftsmanship. Alongside other works characterized as folk art — in this case, visual art, typically reflective of a community’s culture and usually handmade by craftspeople working within a popular tradition — handcrafted vintage toys are historical works of art worthy of any collector’s mantel. These are toys that tell a story of the time in which they were produced and the people who produced them.
Like any artifact, toys provide a window into the past. The ornamental dolls of the Victorian era, for example, produced in Germany and England, made of ceramics such as porcelain and dressed in textured fabrics, speak to the fashion of the era and will add a pop of color and a decorative flourish to the neutral corners of your home.
Mid-century modern toys are as sophisticated as the widely cherished furniture of the era. As much as they thought good design for the home should be available for all, iconic American design duo Charles and Ray Eames believed in making durable and interesting products for kids too. Today, their Eames Elephant is available from Vitra and Herman Miller, and it doesn’t even require a digital screen.
Explore a unique collection of antique and vintage toys as well as folk-art toys on 1stDibs.