Folk Art Toys
FOLK ART STYLE
Folk art is a genre of art that shares the creator’s traditions, offering not just an artistic display but an opportunity to learn about a culture. Antique, new and vintage folk art typically reflects a heritage or location. It can include utilitarian objects and handmade art as diverse as weather vanes, duck decoys, portraiture and paintings, carnival art and quilts.
Quilts are a quintessential part of American folk art but their roots are international, with quilting dating back to Ancient Egypt. The practice spread to Europe and was especially prominent in the Middle Ages, with one of the oldest surviving examples being the Tristan quilt made in Sicily in the 14th century. They were made as bedcovers and clothing, including as a layer for knights to wear beneath their armor. Native American folk art includes functional objects reflecting their heritage, such as baskets, textiles and wooden pieces.
Elsewhere, the vast range of work associated with Mexican folk art includes masks made by Mexican craftspeople for traditional celebrations and ceremonial dances. Mexican masks are part of the country’s folk-art traditions that go back thousands of years and play a role in festivals and theater.
Works in the folk art tradition are valuable because of the skills involved, like weaving, hand-carving wood and even stonework. Many folk artists are self-taught, while some train as apprentices within their community. By using available materials and taking a personal approach to their creations, artists ensure each piece is unique and conveys a story.
During the Great Depression, artistic materials in America were hard to come by, so artisans used discarded wood from cigar boxes and shipping crates to make highly stylized, notched pieces — most often picture frames and boxes — that are today sought after by collectors. This folk art style is called tramp art and was popular from roughly 1870 until the 1940s.
Folk art brings vibrant culture and traditions into your home. Browse an extensive collection of antique, new and vintage folk art on 1stDibs.
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Style: Folk Art
Antique balance toy Galloping Cowboy Moving , handpainted forged iron, 19th C.
Located in Bilzen, BE
An antique balance toy showing a cowboy on it's horse
when it balance is the head and tale of the horse moving like also the cowboy
This is totale han...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Folk Art Toys
Materials
Wrought Iron
"William Tell" Mechanical Toy Savings Bank. American, Circa 1896 (All Original)
Located in Incline Village, NV
"William Tell" mechanical bank was patented and manufactured in 1896 by the J. & E. Steven's Company in Cromwell, Connecticut (please see image of the underneath with patent informat...
Category
1890s American Antique Folk Art Toys
Materials
Iron
"Uncle Wiggly" Toy Rabbit Wind Up Toy Signed "Gene Rosch" by Chein Toy Co C.1938
Located in Incline Village, NV
Dancing rabbit wind up toy, "Uncle Wiggly", was made by the Chein Toy Company, of New York City, circa 1938. It was designed, and the creation of foremost leading toy inventor Gene ...
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Toys
Materials
Tin
Articulated Cyclist Toy – Belgian Folk Art, Early 20th Century
Located in Bilzen, BE
"Articulated Cyclist Toy – Belgian Folk Art, Early 20th Century"
Early 20th Century Belgian Folk Art Articulated Cyclist Toy
Handcrafted Solid Wood — Rare Colonial-Era Subject — Mechanically Designed Pedaling Motion (Belt Missing)
Description
A rare and remarkable early 20th-century Belgian folk art toy, hand-carved entirely from solid wood, depicting a stylized Black cyclist mounted on a painted green bicycle. The figure is fully articulated and was originally designed with a mechanical belt-drive system (now absent) connecting the foot pedals to the rear wheel. When pushed forward, the toy was engineered to simulate a realistic cycling motion, animating the rider's legs in tandem with the rotation of the wheels.
Materials & Construction
Primary material: Solid wood (no plywood or laminates)
Figure & Bicycle: Fully carved, hand-painted in polychrome (green, red, black, ochre)
Mechanical features:
Jointed limbs designed to move with crankshaft motion
Metal-spoked wheels on rotating axles
Pulley attachment points for original belt-drive (belt now missing)
Dimensions:
Length: 53 cm
Height: 42 cm
Condition: Structurally intact; expected surface wear and patina consistent with age; belt mechanism missing but all original pulley points and joints remain.
Iconography & Cultural Context
The cyclist is depicted as a Black male figure in a red cap and outlined uniform, rendered in a simplified, expressive style typical of early folk toys. The toy likely reflects Belgium's colonial presence in the Congo during the early 20th century (Congo Free State until 1908, Belgian Congo from 1908–1960). Such depictions were common in Belgian visual culture of the time, often appearing in children's media, toys, and public exhibitions.
This toy offers not only mechanical charm but also serves as a historical document, reflecting period attitudes and visual language. It holds curatorial interest for ethnographic, toy history, and colonial-era cultural studies.
Dating & Attribution
Date: Circa 1900–1930
Origin: Likely Belgium
Style: Folk art, with vernacular mechanics and colonial subject matter
Comparison: Closely parallels German kinetic push toys...
Category
Early 20th Century Belgian Folk Art Toys
Materials
Wood
"OO-LA-LA!!" Vintage Wind-Up "Crazy Car" by The Louis Marx Toy Co. N.Y.C Ca 1930
Located in Incline Village, NV
Fabulous addition to the "crazy car" examples made famous by the iconic and "Louis Marx Toy Company" manufacturers of fine quality toys and established in New York City in 1919. This...
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Toys
Materials
Tin
Pair Scottie Dogs Atop Book Theme Japanese Puzzle Bank Occupied Japan Circa 1948
Located in Incline Village, NV
Quite an unusual piece for bank collectors or just for those seeking a unique collectible. This is a coin bank made of all wood; walnut and inlay here and there; simulating a stack and shelf of books; a pair of "Scottie dogs" (terriers) on top of the bank completes the decoration. The slot on top of the bank accommodates the saving of coins. When it is full; the method of opening the bank to remove the coins, exemplifies the ultimate in Japanese ingenuity.
A video attached to the listing displays the foregoing.
With the books facing you; slide the two front bottom panels to the left; slide the bottom right panel forward (tilt forward) exposing the opening; slide out the enclosed loose key; push everything back; slide left half of front panel to the left; the middle book drops down exposing the key hole; insert and turn the key to the right to open; lift the hinged lid; remove coins and reverse the process to start over again. Fantastic item!!!
This bank was made in Japan, right after World War ll, during the occupation, around 1948. It is a further manifestation of a mid to early 19th century tradition of hiding documents and money in boxes with "tricks" and a multiplicity of "moves" to unlock a box or trunk.
With these banks, it is all about condition and completeness, considering the rough play and use it was subject to from trying to figure out how to open it. This particular bank is in excellent and all original, complete condition with no repairs and no replacements, and is from my own personal collection of banks; having been in my possession since 1985. Worth noting is that this example was featured in "Antiquing and Collecting" magazine September 2003 edition in an article on Japanese Puzzle...
Category
1940s Japanese Vintage Folk Art Toys
Materials
Wood
Child' Wind Up Toy "Crawling Beetle" by The Lehman Toy Co. Germany, Circa 1900
Located in Incline Village, NV
Listed as #431 in the Lehman catalogues this wonderful vintage children's wind up toy, manufactured by the prestigious and iconic Lehman Toy Company of Germany; was patented in 1895 (see image--markings under wing ). The toy was made for over 25 years and was quite popular. When wound up using the underside attached clockwork( key (see attached movie) the toy depicts the six legged beetle crawling across the floor by moving it's legs back and forth while flapping it's wings in the air. All the markings "Pat. U.S.A." "D.R.G.M." "Pat April 23, 1895" "Lehman" are clearly marked under the wing (see image). It is lithographed and hand painted in colors of bluish green wings, a red and white head, yellow and black under wings, with red and blackish green legs.
This particular example is completely original ,which is highly unusual for this toy as a search of other examples would reveal that one or several of the legs are typically lacking, or repaired, as are the fragile wings as well. There is no restoration and no touch up paint of any kind. to this toy. It is original in every respect.
The toy is catalogued as "EPL #431" and documented on page 129 of the book "Lehman Toys" by Jurgen & Marianne Cieslik, published in 1982.
Dimensions: 4 1/4" long x 2" high x 4" wide
Provenance: Recently acquired from a highly regarded West Coast collection of antique wind...
Category
Early 1900s German Antique Folk Art Toys
Materials
Tin
19th Century Folk-Art Hand-Crafted Bedpost Doll Figure
Located in London, GB
19th century folk-art hand-crafted bedpost doll figure
A rare and highly artistic example of an English 19th century folk art bedpost doll figure. With hand carved detail including ...
Category
1880s British Antique Folk Art Toys
Materials
Wood
Pair of Reindeer Antique Still Banks, American, circa 1910
Located in Incline Village, NV
These two authentic cast iron antique still banks depict a large reindeer and a smaller one standing nearby. Together, they make a wonderful Christ...
Category
1910s American Vintage Folk Art Toys
Materials
Iron
"Billiken" Cast Iron Still Bank, American, Circa 1909
Located in Incline Village, NV
Original "Billiken" cast iron still bank patented in 1908 by Florence Pretz (patent number on the back in raised letters "NO39BO3". It was manufa...
Category
Early 1900s American Antique Folk Art Toys
Materials
Iron
Two Chein Wind-Up Toys "Dancing Bear" and "Dancing Pig"; American Circa 1938
Located in Incline Village, NV
"Dancing Bear" and "Dancing Pig" wind up toys were made by the Chein Toy Company, of New York City, circa 1938, about the same time as "Dancing Rabbit" (a...
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Toys
Materials
Tin
Vintage "Rolly Dolly" Musical Toy "BoBo The Clown". German, Circa 1927
Located in Incline Village, NV
Vintage hard to find "Rolly Dolly" Musical Toy, of German manufacture, circa 1927; depicts a clown by the nickname of "BoBo"; named after a famous clown during that period ----BoBo ...
Category
1920s German Vintage Folk Art Toys
Materials
Composition
Vintage "Rolly Dolly" Clown Toy Attributed Schoenhut Company, Germany Circa 1920
By Schoenhut
Located in Incline Village, NV
Vintage "Rolly Dolly" Clown Toy possibly by The Schoenhut Toy Company, Germany, circa 1920; capitalizing on the popularity of the circus clown during t...
Category
1920s German Vintage Folk Art Toys
Materials
Composition
Vintage "Dapper Clown" Roly Poly Toy; Scarce. Germany Circa 1915
Located in Incline Village, NV
Vintage hard to find "Rolly Dolly" Toy; unknown German maker, circa 1915; I have named "Dapper Clown"; this is one of the more rare "Rolly Dolly's" (really rare in this condition). Today we call these toys "Roly Poly's". You knock them over and they always "right" themselves and get upright; probably after the 17th C. Japanese "Daruma Dolls" at some level.
I'm not sure of the actual thematic genesis of this character, but the excellent condition, very simply, separates this from any other similar Roly Poly's, Watch the attached video to see how it was played with to better appreciate the condition. 8" high puts it in the "taller" category for this toy.
Made of paper mache, makers of these roly poly's were produced quite prolifically by the same type of German cottage industry that produced Noah...
Category
1910s German Vintage Folk Art Toys
Materials
Composition
Vintage American Wind Up Tin Toy "Milton Berle" Crazy Car by Marx Toy Co C.1952
Located in Incline Village, NV
The "Milton Berle" car is one of a series of "Crazy Cars" manufactured by the Louis Marx Toy Company of New York City; this one being one of the more prolific examples, owing to the ...
Category
1950s American Vintage Folk Art Toys
Materials
Tin
Antique Toy Steamroller C1940 Style of Buddy L
By Buddy L. 1
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Large Steamroller toy from the forties. In the style of Buddy L. Repainted and some hardware replaced. In excellent vintage condition with minimal wear. Can be...
Category
1940s American Vintage Folk Art Toys
Materials
Steel
Japanese Aging Toy Soccer Ball/ Object / 1970-1990s / Wabi-sabi Mingei
Located in Iwate-gun Shizukuishi-cho, Iwate Prefecture
This is an old toy soccer ball.
Over the years, the outer material has peeled off, exposing the inner material. The appearance, which has changed naturally over time, has a beauty th...
Category
Mid-20th Century Japanese Folk Art Toys
Materials
Other
Mexican Wood Toy Day of the Dead Skulls Folk Art Handmade Artisanal Mechanic
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
Discover the charm of traditional Mexican folk art with this handcrafted wooden “Day of the Dead Calaveritas” toy, created by master artisans Sanjuana España Rodríguez and Guillermo ...
Category
2010s Mexican Folk Art Toys
Materials
Acrylic, Wood
$480 Sale Price / item
20% Off
"Dancing Sailor" Antique Wind-Up Toy By "The Lehman Toy Company" Germany C. 1909
Located in Incline Village, NV
"Dancing Sailor" by Ernest Paul Lehman of Brandenburg, Germany; patented in 1903 (see image of marking) appears in post turn of the century Lehman Toy catalogues as item #535. After ...
Category
Early 1900s Antique Folk Art Toys
Materials
Tin
German Tinplate Clockwork Wind Up Toy By Ernest Paul Lehman "Quack Quack" C 1903
Located in Incline Village, NV
This is a very popular Lehman wind up toy; emblematic of "whimsy" typical of Ernest Paul Lehman whose toy company opened in Brandenburg, Germany in 1881.. The action portrays a mama duck walking along with her three baby chicks in tow being carried in a basket from behind. The toy is nicely lithographed with a greenish yellow basket; light and dark green baby chicks, and the mother duck with yellow green features and an orange and white undercoat. The underneath of the basket is filled with markings documenting the genesis of the toy. "Paak Paak" German for "Quack Quack": are clearly spelled out along with "Lehman" "Pat. U.S.A. March 12, 1903". Printed on the side #645 indicating the catalogue number (see image).
To operate:
wind up the attached clockwork key on the right side; release while still in your hand to see what happens; wind up some more and then gently place on the floor to watch the baby chicks bob up and down as mama pulls them forward. Very few examples are intact---legs usually absent and mechanisms broken, and examples are incomplete because of rough play.
This example is completely original with no restoration of any kind and no touch up to the lovely surface.
The toy is catalogued as "EPL #645" and documented on page 197 of the book "Lehman Toys" by Jurgen & Marianne Cieslik, published in 1982.
This would be a wonderful addition for the discerning collector of antiques children...
Category
Early 1900s German Antique Folk Art Toys
Materials
Tin
Six Kobe Toys, Japanese, Meiji Period, circa 1895
By Kobe Toys
Located in Incline Village, NV
Kobe Toys are very mysterious and not much is known about them. They were created and hand made, strictly for tourists and foreigners (never exported) during ...
Category
1890s Japanese Antique Folk Art Toys
Materials
Ebony
Mexican Wood Toy Colorful Wheel of Fortune Folk Art Handmade Artisanal Mechanic
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
By master artisans Sanjuana España Rodríguez and husband Guillermo Trejo Soriano (Guanajuato, México) have been known for hand crafting Mexican traditional toys. Sanjuana's late fath...
Category
2010s Mexican Folk Art Toys
Materials
Acrylic, Wood
Mechanical Bank 'Sentry', circa 1925
Located in Incline Village, NV
"Sentry" tin mechanical bank is very difficult to find, having been made in Germany by the company Saalheimer & Strauss for the British market. The rif...
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Toys
Materials
Tin
Weathered Folk Art Miniature Shop Counter 1950s
Located in Meer, VAN
Weathered Folk Art Miniature Shop Counter, Europe, 1950s.
This miniature shop counter likely started its life as a well loved toy. Now is a very attractive decorative folk art piece...
Category
Mid-20th Century European Folk Art Toys
Materials
Wood
Mid Century Japanese Tin Litho Friction Toy Car Chevrolet Station Wagon C1956
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fantastic Japanese tin litho toy car from the mid to late fifties. A Chevrolet Station Wagon in excellent vintage condition with minimal wear, practi...
Category
1950s Japanese Vintage Folk Art Toys
Materials
Metal
Rare Vintage "Rolly Dolly" Musical Toy; Germany, Circa 1895
Located in Incline Village, NV
Vintage and rare "Rolly Dolly" Musical Toy by unknown German manufacturer; circa 1895; contemporaneous with early Schoenhut toys, it depicts a "Well Dres...
Category
1890s German Antique Folk Art Toys
Materials
Composition
Early 20thC American Stoneware Razor Blade Disposal Piggy Bank Circa 1905
Located in Incline Village, NV
This is a very unique and rare item and quite collectible in that the primary purpose of the bank was to provide a safe method to dispose of used razor blades at the turn of the 19th...
Category
Early 1900s American Antique Folk Art Toys
Materials
Stoneware
Set of 5 Swedish Folk Wooden Dala Horse Toys, circa 1960
By Nils Olsson
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Set of 5 handpainted Swedish wooden traditional Dala horse toy.
Designed by Nils Olsson in Sweden, circa 1960.
Materials:
Wood
In original condition, with...
Category
1960s Swedish Vintage Folk Art Toys
Materials
Wood
Late 19th Century Flat Bottom Toy Noah's Ark with 34 Figures. German Circa 1880
Located in Incline Village, NV
Offered for sale is a very traditional Folk Art item; a handcrafted Noah's Ark toy with 34 hand-painted and hand-carved animals (includes Noah and Naamah). The flat bottom ark indica...
Category
1880s German Antique Folk Art Toys
Materials
Wood
"Lamb" Cast Iron Still Bank, American, Circa 1970
Located in Incline Village, NV
"Lamb" cast Iron still bank is a re-issue of a bank made in 1928. It was made by The John Wright Company in Mount Joy, Pennsylvania in 1970. They...
Category
1970s American Vintage Folk Art Toys
Materials
Iron
"Organ Bank" with Cat and Dog, circa 1882, American
By Kyser & Rex Co.
Located in Incline Village, NV
This American cast iron bank known as "Organ Bank" (Cat and Dog), was manufactured by Kyser & Rex Company, Frankford, Pennsylvania in 1882. It conforms exac...
Category
1880s American Antique Folk Art Toys
Materials
Iron
Napoleonic Prisoner of War Casket Dominoes Set
Located in London, GB
Napoleonic Prisoner of war casket Dominoes set
We share what we love, and we love this early 19th century Napoleonic prisoner of war cask...
Category
1820s French Antique Folk Art Toys
Materials
Bone
Vintage Child's Toy Tin Large Spinning Top by Chein Company, American, Ca. 1950
Located in Incline Village, NV
Highly colorful and completely operational hard to find LARGE tin child's toy spinning top made by the J. Chein Company, Harrison, New Jersey, Circa 1950. It works great and is in co...
Category
1950s American Vintage Folk Art Toys
Materials
Tin
19th C. Stoneware Children's Savings Pig Bank. England, Circa 1880
Located in Incline Village, NV
In the late 19th century the concept of thrift became a principle by which parents encouraged their children to safe money by putting their pennies into a "piggy bank", thus the proliferation of these items by pottery manufacturers, this particular example marked "SS" on the underneath indicating "A Smith Ltd.", Longton, England whose ceramic, china, and pottery business began in 1846 by Sampson Smith.
Nicely molded and in excellent condition, this proverbial pig themed penny bank is painted overall white with a multiplicity of green "spatter" spots, the pig standing on all fours has a twisted tail in back. The original finish is beautifully glazed resulting in a lovely patina to this completely original bank with no restoration or touch up paint of any kind and all of it's original hand paint intact.
Since these type of antique banks typically were made without a coin removal trap, the only way to extract the coins would have been the old "knife in the slot" method and retrieving the pennies one by one; or the more simpler method of smashing and breaking the bank, which is why locating these banks is very difficult, rendering a fine example particularly rare.
This example is a wonderful addition to a collection of authentic still banks, folk art, or for those who accumulate pig items. This recently came from an estate collection of pig still banks. A similar example is referenced as #633 "Two Toned Pig" in Andy Moore's "The Penny Bank Book" written in 1984 when collecting pottery banks...
Category
1880s English Antique Folk Art Toys
Materials
Stoneware
Early 20th Century English Folk Art Jigger Doll Mr Shoes
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century English Folk Art Jigger Doll
A great example of an early 20th century English hand carved folk art articulated jigger doll. With brilliantly shaped shoes, moustache and top hat. Stood on a wire stand...
Category
1920s British Vintage Folk Art Toys
Materials
Pine
Mexican Arbol de la Vida Tree Life Dolls ColorFolk Art Ceramic Clay Candelabra
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
This colorful tree of life (árbol de la vida) with a toy like aspect is a unique piece by Marco Antonio Castillo, son of renowned artist Alfonso Castillo. Hand made with natural clay...
Category
2010s Mexican Folk Art Toys
Materials
Ceramic, Clay
Early 20th Century Toy Noah's Ark, German
Located in Incline Village, NV
Toy Noah’s Arks for children to play with were very popular in the late 19th and early 20th century, and Germany was very prolific in their production. This particular ark is all ori...
Category
Early 20th Century German Folk Art Toys
Materials
Wood
$1,650 / set
Vintage French Toy "Les Acrobates", circa 1920
By G. Doloy
Located in Incline Village, NV
Rare 100 year old French toy in it's original box depicting two acrobats attached to a wire frame with brown barrel weights, cascading down a green metal ladder. Once assembled (loop...
Category
1920s French Vintage Folk Art Toys
Materials
Tin
"Cat Boat" Mechanical Toy Penny Bank, American, circa 1968
By Utexiqual Products
Located in Incline Village, NV
In near mint and all original condition this vintage mechanical bank appeals to both sailing enthusiasts and bank collectors; perhaps a collector of "cat" memorabelia as well. The theme depicts two sailors riding their boat in full sail. It is quite substantial in both size and weight. To operate, (with the lever pushed all the way in from the left); place a coin vertically above the left arm of the sailor in red; from the right; push the lever all the way in. The sail and Boom hits the sailor, knocking him over as the coin drops into the bank. The other sailor moves forward while manning the tiller.
The bank is named "Cat Boat...
Category
1960s American Vintage Folk Art Toys
Materials
Aluminum, Iron, Tin
Mexican Wood Toy Colorful Wheel of Fortune Folk Art Handmade Artisanal Mechanic
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
By master artisans Sanjuana España Rodríguez and husband Guillermo Trejo Soriano (Guanajuato, México) have been known for hand crafting Mexican traditional toys. Sanjuana's late fath...
Category
2010s Mexican Folk Art Toys
Materials
Acrylic, Wood
$320 Sale Price / item
20% Off
Mid-Century 56" Long Vintage Hand-Carved Wooden Chain-Link Game
Located in Winnetka, IL
This 56-inch long chain is composed of interlocking wooden links, each carved from a single piece of wood. The continuous loop design reflects hand-crafted construction techniques. M...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Toys
Materials
Hardwood
Vintage "Barnacle Bill" Tin Windup Toy by The Chein Company, N.Y.C Circa 1930's
Located in Incline Village, NV
"Barnacle Bill" was a very popular cartoon character for whom this toy was named after and was made in the 1930's by the J. Chein Toy Company of New York City. There is some evidence...
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Toys
Materials
Tin
Mid-19th Century Sicilian Marionette Knight with Sheild
Located in London, GB
Mid-19th Century Sicilian Marionette Knight with Sheild
A mid to late 19th Century hand carved Sicilian marionette knight puppet/marionette. Still wearing all in brass armour and si...
Category
1880s Italian Antique Folk Art Toys
Materials
Brass
Early 20th Century English Folk Art Jigger Doll
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century English Folk Art Jigger Doll
A great example of an early 20th century English hand carved folk art articulated jigger doll. With charming hand carved boots, moustache and top hat, metal pins in its joints for articulation purposes. Stood on a metal wire stand...
Category
1920s British Vintage Folk Art Toys
Materials
Pine
Antique Child's Folk Art Sleigh
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Handmade antique child's wood Folk Art sleigh.
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Toys
Materials
Wood
English Jigger Doll
Located in London, GB
English Jigger Doll
We are proud to offer an early 20th century hand carved folk art English jigger doll example. Carved from pine and joined with brass supports. Jig dolls are traditional wooden or tin-plate ‘toys’ for adults or children. Obtained from a private collection in London and untouched in form with all its original featured intact. They are dolls with loose limbs that step dance...
Category
1920s British Vintage Folk Art Toys
Materials
Pine
$1,722
Set of 4 Vintage Mexican Wrestling Fighters Figures
Located in Mexico City, CDMX
We offer this fantastic set of 4 Mexican wrestling fighters, made in plastic and hand painted, circa 1970. Excellent vintage conditions.
Category
1970s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Toys
Materials
Paint, Plastic
Early 20th Century English Folk Art Jigger Doll with Beaded Eyes
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century English Folk Art Jigger Doll with Beaded Eyes
A great example of an early 20th century English hand carved folk art articulated jigger doll. With charming hand ca...
Category
1920s British Vintage Folk Art Toys
Materials
Pine
Mechanical Bank "Saluting Sailor", circa 1920s
Located in Incline Village, NV
This mechanical bank "Saluting Sailor" was manufactured in the 1920s by Saalheimer & Strauss Company in Germany. It is in excellent all original condition and brightly hand painted in colors of red, white, blue, yellow, and grey. There is an ever so slight crease to the left on dial.
The bank operates as follows:
Press down on the lever in front just beneath the steering wheel.
The sailor raises his right arm and lowers his left arm revealing a slot on the right side of the bank where the sailor's left arm was, inviting the deposit of a coin (see image). Release the lever, and the arms return to their original position (see image).
Coins are removed via the original key lock trap.
The bank measures:
6 3/4" high
4 7/8" wide
2" deep
I am a leading specialist in the field of antique mechanical coin banks...
Category
Early 20th Century German Folk Art Toys
Materials
Tin
Old Japanese Anonymous Handicraft Mechanical Wooden Toy Flying Bird with wheel
Located in Chiba, JP
Old Japanese mechanical toy as amateur wooden handicraft from Showa period, 20th century. When wheeled back and forward tightly, head shaking and wings flapping but as barely and awk...
Category
20th Century Japanese Folk Art Toys
Materials
Wood
Folk Art Painted Wood Horse Toys, 2
By Sarried Ltd.
Located in Astoria, NY
Group of Two Folk Art Painted Wood Horse Toys, comprising: pull horse, 1983, one mounted on rectangular base and four metal wheels, marked "Sarr...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Toys
Materials
Metal
$875 / set
Mechanical Bank "Pelican, " Made of Cast Iron, circa 1878
By John Gerrard
Located in Incline Village, NV
The Pelican Mechanical Bank is made of cast iron and was manufactured by The J. & E. Steven's Manufacturing Company, in Cromwell, Connecticut in 1878. It was, however, created by John Gerard of the Trenton Lock & Hardware Company in Trenton, New Jersey. This is probably the best example I've had for sale and is in excellent all original condition and paint. Often times the top beak of the pelican is replaced or repaired this example has the original beak. There were several variations made of the figure in the pelican's mouth. This is the "mammy" example. The bank was finished in both a gold and a dark...
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Toys
Materials
Iron
"Toby" Jug Still Bank and Biscuit Tin, circa 1910
Located in Incline Village, NV
This is both a still bank and a biscuit tin. It would originally have been sold, filled with biscuits. After all of the cookies would have been consumed, the tin (rather than been thrown away) would have been used as a bank to save money. There is a slot for deposits at the back of the neck at the top (see image). Coins would have been removed by lifting or twisting the snug fitting lid. Toby is nicely hand-painted in pleasing colors of green, blue, gold, and white, with realistic flesh tones to the hands and face. The total height is 6 1/2" while the total width is 6" (includes handle). Diameter at the base is 5".
This Toby figured tin was manufactured circa 1911 by the biscuit tin company of Hudson Scott located in Carlisle, England.
It is marked at the bottom "Hudson Scott & Sons Ltd. Carlisle, England."
It has crossover appeal into three categories of collectors. It would be a welcome addition to both the still bank collector and the biscuit tin collector...
Category
1910s English Vintage Folk Art Toys
Materials
Tin
Late 19th Century Napoleonic Prisoner of War Dominos
Located in London, GB
Late 19th century Napoleonic prisoner of war dominos 31
A good example of a late 19th Century Napoleonic prisoner of war (POW) hand carved set of 31 dominos, in a sliding painted ...
Category
1850s French Antique Folk Art Toys
Materials
Bone
Set of Eight Folk Art Carnival Punks / Knockdown Dolls
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Folk Art carnival punks / knockdown dolls composed of canvas forms lined with cotton fur supported by carved wood bases for added stability / weight, c...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Toys
Materials
Canvas, Cotton, Wood
Rare Antique Wooden Child's Ride on Wooden Toy Boat by Nautilus Toy Co. London
Located in Buffalo, NY
Rare antique wooden child's ride on wooden toy boat by Nautilus Toy Co. London wonderful Folk Art object. 1920s ride on toy made by the Nautilus Toy Compan...
Category
1920s English Vintage Folk Art Toys
Materials
Metal
"Lady and Baby by The Wishing Well" Still Bank, German, circa 1910
Located in Incline Village, NV
Very interesting wooden still bank with lots going on. All hand-carved of wood with four small circular risers elevating the base. There is a water pump with a bucket hanging from it and a metal pumper attached to the top. A hand-carved and painted brown pine tree is attached at the opposite corner with a large water well to the other corner. A lady with outstretched arms and a "King Cole" type headdress seems to be reaching out to her baby dressed in green who is lying down on top of the well, next to the coin slot. Perhaps she is about to bathe her. A bird looks on from atop the perch protruding from the pump. Dominant hand painted colors are different shades of brown and all original with no repaint. Very nice all original paint and condition with a small chip missing here and there to this handmade, kind of "folksy", and very well done bank (see images). A round circular key lock trap for releasing the coins is on the underneath, along with "Wishing Well German" handwritten on the opposite corner (see image). Whether written by an earlier collector or maker is not known.
Dimensions: 4" square x 3 5/8" high.
A unique one of a kind piece to add to a collection of still banks and a nice addition to a Folk Art collection (from my own collection).
I am a leading specialist in the field of antique coin...
Category
1910s German Vintage Folk Art Toys
Materials
Wood
Unusual Iron Welded Handmade Folk Art Locomotive, Train
Located in Buffalo, NY
Unusual iron welded handmade folk art locomotive, train, very well executed. Artist /maker unknown.
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Toys
Materials
Steel, Iron
Early 20th Century Folk art English Articulated Toy Dog Form
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century Folk art English Articulated Toy Dog Form
A very unusual and quirky example of an early 20th century English folk art articulated weighted jaw toy dog. Made from ...
Category
1920s British Vintage Folk Art Toys
Materials
Faux Leather
"Peg-Leg Beggar" Mechanical Bank, American, circa 1880
Located in Incline Village, NV
"Peg-leg Beggar" 19th century cast iron mechanical bank was probably inspired by the many disabled Civil War veterans begging for their subsistence. The bank was manufactured by the ...
Category
1880s American Antique Folk Art Toys
Materials
Iron
Folk Art toys for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a broad range of unique folk art toys for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage toys created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include folk art, more furniture and collectibles, decorative objects and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art toys made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original toys, popular names associated with this style include Louis Marx and Company, Nils Olsson, John Wright Company, and A.C. Williams Company. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for toys differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $35 and tops out at $9,500 while the average work can sell for $1,013.
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