Toys
1920s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Toys
Fabric
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Toys
Metal, Tin
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Toys
Fabric, Plexiglass
Early 20th Century Native American Toys
Wool, Paint
1920s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Toys
Fabric
Early 20th Century French Toys
Lead
Early 1900s French Folk Art Antique Toys
Ceramic, Faience
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Toys
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary American Modern Toys
Wood, Hardwood, Walnut
1960s Swedish Folk Art Vintage Toys
Wood
Early 20th Century North American Toys
Natural Fiber
20th Century American Native American Toys
Wood, Paint
Mid-20th Century Japanese Folk Art Toys
Tin
Early 1900s Japanese Folk Art Antique Toys
Ebony
20th Century American Native American Toys
Leather, Wood, Paint
20th Century American Native American Toys
Wood, Paint
20th Century North American Native American Toys
Wool
Early 20th Century American Toys
Willow
Early 1900s British Early Victorian Antique Toys
Natural Fiber
1920s French Folk Art Vintage Toys
Tin
Early 20th Century French Art Nouveau Toys
Iron
1920s French Victorian Vintage Toys
Paper
Early 20th Century German Art Deco Toys
Fabric, Straw, Glass
1920s Unknown Victorian Vintage Toys
Paper
Early 1900s Italian Victorian Antique Toys
Silk
Early 1900s French Folk Art Antique Toys
Ceramic, Faience
Early 1900s English Victorian Antique Toys
Aluminum
Early 20th Century Folk Art Toys
Metal
1920s American American Craftsman Vintage Toys
Steel
Early 1900s Swedish Antique Toys
Pine
Early 20th Century American Folk Art 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.