Toys
Early 20th Century Belgian Art Nouveau Toys
Metal
Mid-20th Century European Toys
Metal
1970s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Toys
Textile
Mid-20th Century Chinese Toys
Metal
1940s American Folk Art Vintage Toys
Steel
Late 20th Century German Toys
Metal
Late 20th Century French Toys
Metal
Early 20th Century German Toys
Metal
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Toys
Bamboo, Wicker
Mid-20th Century French Toys
Metal
Late 20th Century Indian Mid-Century Modern Toys
Leather
1980s Philippine Vintage Toys
Acrylic
Mid-20th Century Indian Anglo Raj Toys
Textile
Early 20th Century English Toys
Lead
Mid-20th Century European Toys
Metal
1920s British Folk Art Vintage Toys
Metal
Mid-20th Century European Toys
Metal
Early 20th Century Folk Art Toys
Fabric
1910s American Folk Art Vintage Toys
Iron
1950s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Toys
Paper
Mid-20th Century French Toys
Metal
1950s German Modern Vintage Toys
Metal
19th Century British Early Victorian Antique Toys
Glass, Paint
20th Century American Folk Art Toys
Metal
Late 19th Century American Adirondack Antique Toys
Iron
Early 20th Century English Toys
Metal
19th Century German Adirondack Antique Toys
Cotton, Linen, Velvet
1880s British Victorian Antique Toys
Glass
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Toys
Beech
Mid-19th Century American Adirondack Antique Toys
Iron
Early 1900s Victorian Antique Toys
Ceramic, Leather, Plastic
Early 2000s American Folk Art Toys
Aluminum
1920s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Toys
Fabric
Mid-20th Century European Toys
Metal
Early 20th Century Italian Toys
Metal
Early 20th Century Folk Art Toys
Canvas
1920s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Toys
Fabric
1920s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Toys
Fabric
1950s Vintage Toys
Tin, Metal, Iron
1980s Slovak Modern Vintage Toys
Metal
Early 20th Century French Toys
Metal
1910s German Folk Art Vintage Toys
Tin
Late 20th Century French Toys
Metal
1950s Austrian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Toys
Chrome
1880s American Folk Art Antique Toys
Iron
19th Century American Folk Art Antique Toys
Iron
20th Century Israeli Toys
Sterling Silver
Mid-20th Century Indian Toys
Metal
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Toys
Bakelite
Late 20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Toys
Wood
1920s German Folk Art Vintage Toys
Spelter
Mid-20th Century German Toys
Metal
20th Century American Folk Art Toys
Steel, Iron
Early 1900s German Folk Art Antique Toys
Spelter
Early 20th Century American Toys
Metal
Late 19th Century American Country Antique Toys
Metal
19th Century Swedish Gustavian Antique Toys
Wood
Early 20th Century American Toys
Iron
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.