Toys
1880s American Folk Art Antique Toys
Iron
1950s Japanese Folk Art Vintage Toys
Metal
1940s Japanese Folk Art Vintage Toys
Wood
1940s Mid-Century Modern Vintage Toys
Iron
Late 20th Century American Country Toys
Wood
1950s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Toys
Metal
1960s Vintage Toys
Plastic
Early 20th Century Swedish Country Toys
Leather, Pine, Paint
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Toys
Canvas, Cotton, Wood
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Toys
Oak
19th Century Italian Early Victorian Antique Toys
Pine
1990s Japanese Showa Toys
Porcelain, Silk, Plastic
1870s English Antique Toys
Brass, Steel
1960s Japanese Industrial Vintage Toys
Metal
Early 20th Century English Toys
Wood
Late 20th Century Spanish Toys
Iron
Late 19th Century French Late Victorian Antique Toys
Brass, Steel
20th Century Toys
Wrought Iron
1920s American Other Vintage Toys
Iron
1960s French Vintage Toys
Animal Skin
1920s British Folk Art Vintage Toys
Pine
19th Century English Country Antique Toys
Pine
1920s British Folk Art Vintage Toys
Pine
1930s Mexican Industrial Vintage Toys
Wood
2010s Indian Modern Toys
Brass, Nickel
1950s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Toys
Metal
1980s Italian Vintage Toys
Metal
1890s Japanese Folk Art Antique Toys
Ebony
2010s Mexican Folk Art Toys
Ceramic, Clay
1880s American American Classical Antique Toys
Iron
1950s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Toys
Bentwood
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Toys
Rope, Wood
Mid-20th Century Indian Moorish Toys
Cotton
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Toys
Ceramic
Early 1900s German Baroque Antique Toys
Quartz
Mid-20th Century Indian Toys
Metal
Late 19th Century English High Victorian Antique Toys
Wood
1890s British Victorian Antique Toys
Leather, Pine, Paint
19th Century Italian Antique Toys
Wood, Paint
1950s French Vintage Toys
Metal, Sheet Metal
19th Century Belgian Antique Toys
Wood
Early 20th Century Italian Toys
Metal
1890s American Folk Art Antique Toys
Wood
Early 20th Century Indian Toys
Brass, Bronze
Mid-20th Century German Toys
Metal
1970s American Vintage Toys
Plastic, Rubber
Early 20th Century American Streamlined Moderne Toys
Aluminum
Late 19th Century American Folk Art Antique Toys
Wood
Early 2000s Toys
Wood
Mid-20th Century German Mid-Century Modern Toys
Wood
1910s American Vintage Toys
Steel
Late 20th Century Toys
Wood
Early 1900s Antique Toys
Wood
Late 19th Century American Folk Art Antique Toys
Wood
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Toys
Ceramic, Fabric
1820s French Folk Art Antique Toys
Bone
Early 1900s German Baroque Antique Toys
Quartz
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Toys
Hardwood, Walnut
1920s German Folk Art Vintage Toys
Cotton, Pine
Early 20th Century German Victorian Toys
Wood, Paper
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.