Toys
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Toys
Fabric, Plexiglass
1880s American Folk Art Antique Toys
Pottery
1980s Italian Vintage Toys
Metal
Mid-19th Century Victorian Antique Toys
Porcelain, Fabric, Paint
Early 20th Century Native American Toys
Wool, Paint
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Toys
Ceramic
Late 19th Century American Country Antique Toys
Iron
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Toys
Porcelain
Late 19th Century Victorian Antique Toys
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Japanese Folk Art Toys
Tin
1970s American Folk Art Vintage Toys
Iron
Early 1900s French Folk Art Antique Toys
Ceramic, Faience
1960s American Folk Art Vintage Toys
Aluminum, Iron, Tin
1960s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Toys
Metal, Sheet Metal
1970s American Folk Art Vintage Toys
Iron
1930s American Vintage Toys
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Toys
Wood
Mid-20th Century Hollywood Regency Toys
Metal
1940s Swiss Vintage Toys
Aluminum, Metal
18th Century and Earlier Antique Toys
19th Century Romanian Folk Art Antique Toys
Wood, Lacquer
Early 20th Century American Toys
Willow
Early 20th Century German Folk Art Toys
Metal
20th Century American Native American Toys
Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century North American Toys
Natural Fiber
1960s Swedish Folk Art Vintage Toys
Wood
20th Century American Native American Toys
Wood, Paint
Early 20th Century American Native American Toys
Natural Fiber, Willow
20th Century North American Native American Toys
Wool
Mid-20th Century Taiwanese Folk Art Toys
Iron
20th Century American Native American Toys
Leather, Wood, Paint
Late 19th Century Spanish Antique Toys
Wood, Paper
1950s German Industrial Vintage Toys
Metal
1880s Victorian Antique Toys
Leather, Porcelain, Fabric
1950s Mexican Mid-Century Modern Vintage Toys
Fiberglass
1930s American Folk Art Vintage Toys
Metal
1850s Victorian Antique Toys
Leather, Porcelain, Fabric
20th Century Canadian Primitive Toys
Bone
1980s American Vintage Toys
Paper
1870s American American Craftsman Antique Toys
Steel
1950s Japanese Folk Art Vintage Toys
Tin
1930s American Folk Art Vintage Toys
Iron
1890s American Folk Art Antique Toys
Iron, Nickel
Early 1900s French Folk Art Antique Toys
Ceramic, Faience
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.