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Toys and Dolls For Sale
Period: Mid-20th Century
Period: Early 20th Century
Vintage Pre-War Wind-Up Toy "Boy on Motorcycle Delivery Truck" by Marx
Located in Incline Village, NV
This brightly lithographed tin wind-up toy in colors of red, yellow, and blue, with a driver dressed in appropriate motorcycle clothing, depicts a young man driving a delivery cart with "Speed Boy Delivery" printed on each side of the wagon. The manufacturers logo is clearly marked on both sides of the stake wagon and on the right shoulder of the driver "MAR" with a circle around it and "Made in The United States of America, New York, N.Y." around the circumference (see images). The license plate number is "268", which, along with the red painted inside of the drivers arms (as it should be!) indicates this earlier version and authenticity.
Nearly 100 years old, it still operates fine and, upon winding the attached wind-up key a few times and placing the toy on the ground, the motorcycle and driver move across the floor on the way to their deliveries; do not over wind. (see video attached to this listing).
The toy is completely original and in very good condition, with no repairs or restorations of any kind and no touch up or repaint. The arms and steering handle bars are also original (sometimes replaced) and they have the appropriate paint and markings.
This would make a welcome addition to a collection of pre-war Americana.
Dimensions: 9 7/8" long x 5 7/8" wide x 5 3/4" high
After 40 plus years of dealing and collecting toys, I am justly qualified to guarantee and present the authenticity of antique and vintage toys...
Category
1930s Folk Art Vintage Toys and Dolls
Materials
Tin
Mid-20th Century Papier Mache German Toy
Located in London, GB
Mid-20th Century Papier Mache German Toy
Every now and again an item comes along that is very special, this is one of those items. Of museum quality this m...
Category
1940s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Toys and Dolls
Materials
Paper
1960s Mid Century Danish Modern Carved Teak Viking Figurine
Located in Ferndale, MI
Sallingboe Denmark 1960s teak viking figurine with lance in one hand, a shield in the other. Adorned with a leather cape and horned helmet with brass d...
Category
1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Toys and Dolls
Materials
Fur, Leather, Teak
Ado Ko Verzuu decorative toy skully for ADO ca 1950s
Located in EINDHOVEN, NL
Very rare and toy designed by Ko Verzuu for Ado Holland in the 1950s. Ado means ‘Arbeid door onvolwaardigen’, translated; labor by incapacitated. Very nice colorful skully, handmade ...
Category
1950s Dutch De Stijl Vintage Toys and Dolls
Materials
Iron
House Altar Accessories Early 20th Century Pewter Tin Dollhouse Doll Toys, 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Here I have to offer a fine antique classic early 20th century selection of House Altar Christianity miniatures and accessories. A wonderful decorative appeal! Each was made in Germa...
Category
Early 20th Century German Folk Art Toys and Dolls
Materials
Pewter
Tin Toy Bread Box Doll House Kitchen Accessory Antique German Marklin, 1900s
By Märklin
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This rare antique dollhouse miniature is for sale. This was purchased at an exceptional collectors Estate Sale Vienna, Austria, but this beautiful piece originally comes from Germany.
This is a rare enameled metal dollhouse lunch box or bread box made by Marklin in Germany. This is in very good condition with minor loss of enamel and is designed to fit in a larger dolls house or kitchen. Translated, the script means “give us this day...
Category
Early 1900s German Art Nouveau Antique Toys and Dolls
Materials
Metal
Late 1940s Penny Toy Wind-Up Train, Attributed Japan
Located in Incline Village, NV
Diminutive late 1940s "penny toy like" wind-up tin toy platform train modern and sleek looking for that era; it is hand painted and lithographed in bright co...
Category
1940s Japanese Folk Art Vintage Toys and Dolls
Materials
Tin
Eastlake Carved Wooden Rocking Horse
Located in Bradenton, FL
An Eastlake period carved rocking horse made of fruitwood. Beautifully carved throughout with attentive backward facing ears, round eyes and a cur...
Category
Early 20th Century American Eastlake Toys and Dolls
Materials
Fruitwood, Paint
Stunning handmade circa 1930 Childrens Rocking Horse of a Dachshund Sausage Dog
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this one of a kind hand made in England rocking horse in the form of a Sausage dog.
What a charming period piece of children’s folk art...
Category
1930s English Art Deco Vintage Toys and Dolls
Materials
Wood
Rare 911 Porsche Friction Tin Toy by Bandai Toy Co. Made in Japan Circa 1960's
Located in Incline Village, NV
Offered here is a whitish/cream colored friction tin toy 911 Porsche circa 1960's, marked at the bottom; "Porsche" in addition to the Bandai Toy Company logo embossed, along with "Made in Japan" designation being noted.
The Bandai Toy Company is a post war toy company established in Taito, Japan circa 1950 and is still conducting business today, albeit, it has shifted from toy manufacturing to video toy accessories.
This is a very rare toy and is coveted by collectors of both toys and fast cars. Except for the odd and minor scratch here and there, the toy is in very nice, all original condition with absolutely no restoration or touch up to the paint or mechanism (see images).
The action and friction functionality works well (see video).
Motor and engine mechanics and nomenclature are colorfully displayed through the plastic rear trunk window (see image); while the colorful interior can be seen through the side window.
Car is all tin, with rubber tires and plastic windows.
Dimensions: 10 1/4" long x 4" wide x 3 1/4" high.
Priced competitively; note that this toy doesn't become available very often and the few that have turned up in recent years , don't work and are several hundred dollars more than mine.
Note: After 40 plus years of dealing and collecting toys, I am justly qualified to guarantee and present the authenticity of antique and vintage toys; important considering fakes and reproductions in the marketplace
it would behoove an enterprising collector, dealer, or decorator to take advantage of the opportunity to buy as many of the vintage tin...
Category
1960s Japanese Folk Art Vintage Toys and Dolls
Materials
Tin
Midcentury Painted Ventriloquist Dummy, circa 1960
Located in San Francisco, CA
About
An original ventriloquist dummy. Painted composite head with movable mouth. Hole in the back for your hand to manipulate the mouth and rotate the head. Fabric clothes, woode...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls
Materials
Composition
1930s Austrian Horse Toy
By Craft and Folk Art Museum
Located in Sag Harbor, NY
Beautiful 1930s Austrian horse toy. Wonderful patina.
Category
1920s Austrian Folk Art Vintage Toys and Dolls
Materials
Bentwood
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 Folk Art Vintage Toys and Dolls
Materials
Tin
Hen on Nest Tureen Doll House Accessory Antique German, 1910s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A petite antique German doll or doll house accessory. Made of depression glass. Nice for every decoration in your dollhouse or doll kitchen.
It is in ver...
Category
1910s German Art Nouveau Vintage Toys and Dolls
Materials
Glass
Mid-Century Coca Cola Delivery Truck by Buddy L, C1960
By Buddy L. 1
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous buddy L Coca Cola delivery truck with aluminum hand truck from the late fifties early sixties. One rear tire is smaller by not much, it's a little dif...
Category
1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Toys and Dolls
Materials
Aluminum, Steel
Beautiful Children's Sewing Machine Toy Bear Cat Motive by Carl Sieper Germany
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A beautiful Children Toy sewing machine. Made of metal. Was made in the years right after WWII and is marked "Made Germany, British Zone". Made by C...
Category
1940s German Folk Art Vintage Toys and Dolls
Materials
Metal
"Komikal Kop" Tin Wind-Up Toy by Louis Marx Co., circa 1930
Located in Incline Village, NV
This is the more rare and desirable variation of this toy, with the dog riding "shotgun", sitting on the running board of the auto. The tin lithographed and hand painted wind-up toy by the Louis Marx Company of New York City, circa 1930, was undoubtedly influenced by Mack Sennett's Keystone Kops series featured in silent films.
The toy portrays a New York City policeman, seated behind the steering wheel of a car with his dog by his side on the running board; driving erratically; forward and backwards, left and right; doing "popping wheelies", while spinning his head around in utter confusion attempting to negotiate traffic.
The toy works great; just as it did when new, (see the attached 40 second movie with the listing). Simply wind up the fixed clockwork key in place a few times (do not over-wind) and watch the action described above.
This "Komikal Kop...
Category
1930s Folk Art Vintage Toys and Dolls
Materials
Tin
Mechanical Bank "Fishing Bears" Battery Operated with Original Box, circa 1950s
Located in Incline Village, NV
This is a later (1950's), albeit often overlooked and important mechanical bank that is quite rare, and highly sought after by collectors. Iconic bank collector F.H. Griffith wrote a...
Category
1950s Japanese Folk Art Vintage Toys and Dolls
Materials
Tin
Antique Vintage Wood Cribbage Game Board Hughes Manufacturing Co Los Angeles
By Milton Bradley Co.
Located in Chula Vista, CA
Antique Vintage Wood Cribbage Game Board
Hughes Manufacturing Company Los Angeles
Original vintage unrestored condition. Game board only.
Some wo...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls
Materials
Wood
Vintage Chihuahua Pull Toy by Mario Lopez Torres, Rare
Located in San Diego, CA
A very rare and fun vintage Chihuahua pull toy / sculpture by Mario Lopez Torres, circa 1974. The piece is in great vintage condition and measures 8"...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls
Materials
Metal
20th Century Belgium Wooden Hand Carved and Hand Painted Child's Rocking Horse
Located in Sofia, BG
Charming wooden rocking horse beautifully painted in nice colours in very good condition. There are few cracks but they do not affect the stability of the piece.
Belgium, circa 1920.
Category
Early 20th Century Belgian Toys and Dolls
Materials
Wood
Colorful Waldorf School Tractor with Movable Front Axle, 1950s Germany
Located in Nürnberg, Bayern
Old painted Waldorf school wooden toy tractor with movable front axle from Germany. 1950s / 1960s.
Category
1950s German Mid-Century Modern Vintage Toys and Dolls
Materials
Metal
Antique German Christmas Scene Doll in Sled, with Music Box, 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This beautiful Bisque Head doll, with a smaller baby doll, is seated in a metal sled. The doll has brown glass eyes, blonde hair and teeth. The coat is made of pressed cotton. The sl...
Category
Early 20th Century German Folk Art Toys and Dolls
Materials
Metal
"Lady Seated in Chair Reading" Money Box/ Still Bank by a. Biagioni, Circa 1925
Located in Incline Village, NV
Penny bank made by Italian Angelo Biagioni for the French market (see image with marking on the back of the chair), circa 1910. Biagioni, born in 1870, was a well known sculptor who crafted objects for resale to the European market. Money boxes (or still banks as they are called in America) were one of the more unique and more difficult items to find by this artist as most objects were basic uni-dimensional sculptered pieces. What makes it more rare is the unfortunate requirement to break and smash the bank open to get the coins out, as there was no mechanism to remove the money. The subject matter of the bank is that of a nicely dressed older lady seated in a chair reading a book.
The bank is in all original condition and paint with no restoration or touch-up of any kind.
This is a nice addition to any bank or toy collection, or simply to have as a "stand alone" unique item.
Dimensions : 4 1/4" deep x 3 3/8" wide x 8 5/8" high.
Note: After 40 plus years of dealing and collecting toys and banks, I am justly qualified to guarantee and present the authenticity of antique and vintage still banks...
Category
1910s French Folk Art Vintage Toys and Dolls
Materials
Pottery
1950s Iron Ferris wheel seats with Facing Seats
Located in Marbella, ES
1950s Iron Ferris wheel seats with Facing Seats
Category
Mid-20th Century European Toys and Dolls
Materials
Iron
Mid Century Japanese Tin Litho Toy Car Replicas Fords 1908 & 1925 Touring Cars
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Japanese tin toy touring cars from the late 50s. In excellent antique condition, these toys were never played with. Friction cars, Near mint condition...
Category
1950s Japanese Industrial Vintage Toys and Dolls
Materials
Metal
Collection of Die Cast Toys Made in England C.1950s
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
Die Cast Woody Wagon C.1950 Made in England.Die cast metal woody wagon by Dinky Toys, England. Woody Wagon: H 1.25 in. W 4 in. D 1.5 in.
Die Cast Rol...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls
Materials
Metal
Kay Bojesen, Toy or Decorative Sculpture, Teak, Denmark, 1950s
By Kay Bojesen
Located in High Point, NC
A teak toy or animal sculpture designed by Kay Bojesen, Denmark, 1950s.
Dimensions variable, measured as illustrated in first image.
Category
1950s Danish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Toys and Dolls
Materials
Teak
Mechanical Bank "Child's Clock Bank" Japan, circa 1950s
By Marusan
Located in Incline Village, NV
A unique and quite scarce bank, made in Japan by the Marusan Company for the American market in the 1950's; this all tin bank is known as (according to the gr...
Category
1950s Japanese Folk Art Vintage Toys and Dolls
Materials
Tin
Unusually Oversized Folk art Spinning Top
Located in London, GB
Unusually Oversized Folk art Spinning Top
An unusually oversized late 19th Century hand carved folk art spinning top. Detailed with Welsh style geometric ...
Category
Early 1900s British Folk Art Antique Toys and Dolls
Materials
Wood
Antique Miniature Bamboo & Pine Wardrobe Armoire Mirror Dollhouse Furniture 12"
Located in Dayton, OH
Early 20th century doll furniture miniature wardrobe featuring a bamboo frame, mirrored door and lower drawer for accessories.
Category
Early 20th Century Toys and Dolls
Materials
Bamboo, Mirror, Pine
Collection 1900s Edwardian Miniature Tin Toys Farm Animals People and Park Trees
Located in Haarlem, NL
Large collection of tin 1900s Edwardian miniature toy figures.
A few tin houses a shed, gazebo's, flower arches, lots of trees and shrubs. Dovecote, pretty fences, a bench, a parrot tree, a birdcage, a plant Stand, a fountain, farm animals and lots of human figures in Edwardian clothing
about:
29 trees (trees shrubs, palmtrees)
11 decorative fences
2 arches
18 figures (girl with dog, a couple, lady with...
Category
Early 20th Century British Edwardian Toys and Dolls
Materials
Metal, Tin
Swedish Folk Wooden Dala Pig Toy, circa 1960
By Nils Olsson
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Handpainted Swedish wooden traditional Dala pig toy.
Designed by Nils Olsson in Sweden, circa 1960.
Materials:
Wood
In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age...
Category
1960s Swedish Folk Art Vintage Toys and Dolls
Materials
Wood
Vintage Italian Hollywood Regency Iron Tassel Frame Pet Cat Dog Bed or Doll Bed
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Italian Hollywood Regency Iron Tassel Frame Pet Cat Dog Bed or Doll Bed. Item featured is a nice size for small pets or doll display, gold leaf gi...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Hollywood Regency Toys and Dolls
Materials
Iron
Antique Oak Wood Child Baby Doll Size High Chair W Swing Tray
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique wooden doll sized high chair with foot rest and swing arm tray. Measure: 26"
Category
Early 20th Century Victorian Toys and Dolls
Materials
Oak
Early 20th Century Keystone Pressed Steel Toy Steam Shovel
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous and a survivor of almost 100 years old. A very decorative piece to lighten a room and inject some fun. Very chic. In excellent antique condition with lots of patina. Door fo...
Category
1920s American Industrial Vintage Toys and Dolls
Materials
Steel
Large Devil or Krampus Marionette by a Master Puppet Maker, Antique Austria
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This is a wonderful depiction of Krampus or the devil puppet. The item is approximately 32 inches tall and has a skeleton, arms and legs made of wood. Height was measured from foot t...
Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Folk Art Toys and Dolls
Materials
Composition, Metal, Brass
Mid-Century Danish Viking Figure
Located in San Diego, CA
A very cool and well made mid-century Danish viking figure made of mixed woods, leather and faux fur, circa 1950s. The figure is in very good vintage co...
Category
Mid-20th Century Danish Scandinavian Modern Toys and Dolls
Materials
Faux Fur, Wood, Teak, Walnut
Britains Ltd Artillery Carriage & Lead Soldiers
Located in New York, NY
Britain's Ltd. miniature artillery carrriage and group of painted lead soldiers, 33, likley 1970's, each marked variously "Britains Ltd." "London" "Made ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls
Materials
Lead
Antique Chinese Mahjong Game Set in Fitted Carved & Polychrome Painted Wood Box
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This antique Mahjong set is unsigned and documentation shows it to have originated from China and date to approximately 1900 and done in the Chines...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Toys and Dolls
Materials
Softwood, Bakelite
Antique Pinocchio Doll by Knickerbocker Toy Co.
Located in San Diego, CA
A vintage composition Pinocchio doll by Knickerbocker Toy company, likely from the 1930s. The doll’s back is embossed with “Pinocchio - W.D. PR KNT CO -...
Category
Early 20th Century American Toys and Dolls
Materials
Composition
Grouping of 1940s Toy Robot Molds
Located in Pawtucket, RI
Graphic collection of assorted steel spacemen and robot molds from the 1940s.
Category
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Toys and Dolls
Materials
Steel
Adorable and Therapeutic Musical Clown Automaton Figure Toy
Located in Miami, FL
A fine quality therapeutic musical automaton clown toy in wonderful vintage condition.
Features porcelain head, hands and feet.
Made in France during the ...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls
Materials
Metal
Anthony Bros. Convert-O Bike Cast Aluminum Convertible Tricycle / Bicycle
Located in Nantucket, MA
1950s convert-O bike cast aluminum tricycle with rubber wheels. Industrial era / Jet age design. Manufactured by Anthony Bros. - Designed by Ton...
Category
1950s American Machine Age Vintage Toys and Dolls
Materials
Aluminum
1900s Antique Terracotta Horse San Luis Potosi Mexico
Located in Chula Vista, CA
1900s Antique Terracotta Majestic Horse on Wheeled Platform San Luis Potosí Mexico
Collectible Toy Sculpture
9 long x 8 h x 3 w
Terracotta horse. Mounte...
Category
Early 20th Century Toys and Dolls
Materials
Terracotta, Wood
Pinocchio Toys Attributed Tonna Giocattoli, Italy, 1950s
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Pinocchio toy figure. As good as new. The legs, arms and head can be moved.
Measure: Height 25 cm.
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls
Materials
Wood
Solid Figural Elephant Puzzle / Sculpture in Walnut by Deborah D. Bump
By Deborah Bump
Located in San Diego, CA
Incredible craftsmanship on this very hard to find solid staved walnut elephant puzzle / paperweight / sculpture designed and handcrafted by artist Deborah Bump, circa 1978. The piec...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Toys and Dolls
Materials
Walnut
Antique Portugese Topazio Sterling Silver Baby Rattle Teether Rooster 19g
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Topazio sterling silver 925 baby rattle in the shape of a chicken / rooster / farm animal on a stick; made in Portugal.
Measures: 2” x 0.75” x 4.25” / 19.3 g (Width x Dept...
Category
Early 20th Century Toys and Dolls
Materials
Sterling Silver
Antique German Papier Mâché Roly Poly Clown Toy by Schoenhut
Located in London, GB
Schoenhut clown
Antique German papier mâché roly poly clown toy by Schoenhut. Dated to the first quarter of the 20th century this item still works when pu...
Category
Early 20th Century German Late Victorian Toys and Dolls
Materials
Paper
Franco Albini Midcentury Rocking Horse
Located in Southampton, NJ
Franco Albini Midcentury Rattan & Wicker Rocking Horse/Sculpture. Italy, circa 1960. Dimensions: H 24 in. x W 30 in. x D 18 in.
Category
1960s Italian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Toys and Dolls
Materials
Bamboo, Reed
Vintage Mr. Peanuts Dispenser, USA, Mid-20th Century
Located in Roma, IT
Vintage Mr. Peanuts Dispenser is an original decorative object realized in the mid-20th century.
This vintage object was realized by Tarco Company and it was used as a real peanut...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Toys and Dolls
Materials
Plastic
Vintage Handcrafted Stuffed Cotton Embroidered Ceremonial Elephant Toy Raj India
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage Raj hand-crafted stuffed cotton embroidered elephant, India, 1950.
Collectible, one of a kind, Anglo Raj vintage hand-crafted stuffed cotton embroidered elephant.
Handmade in Rajasthan, India using recycled colorful vintage fabric to make this beautiful elephant toy.
Vintage small elephant stuffed cotton embroidered and decorated with small mirrors, great collector piece.
Anglo Raj, small stuffed elephant...
Category
Mid-20th Century Indian Anglo Raj Toys and Dolls
Materials
Textile
Borzoi Dog Companion for French German Doll Jumeau Kestner, Antique German
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A salon dog from Germany for your french fashion doll. Glass amber eyes with black pupils, black nose and wooden sticky legs. Lots of clean fluffy ...
Category
1910s German Art Nouveau Vintage Toys and Dolls
Materials
Fabric, Fur, Wool, Glass, Wood
Collection of Antique Tin Litho Sand Toys
Located in Peekskill, NY
This is a collection of 5 early sand toys. The look is very graphic. The are makers are McDowell, Chein, Wolverine and Ohio Art. They date from the 1920s. Con...
Category
Early 20th Century Unknown Industrial Toys and Dolls
Materials
Metal
Rocking Horse and Pull Toy, Antique, German, 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
An amazing rocking horse made of wood covered in cow hide. Its saddle and reins and tack are all leather while the bit and stirrups are metal. The horse has inset glass eyes and rest...
Category
Early 20th Century German Toys and Dolls
Materials
Hide, Wood
Original Danish Kay Bojesen Toy Wagon "Family Trip", Colorful Beech Wood, 1950s
By Kay Bojesen
Located in Aarhus C, DK
Kay Bojesen´s "Family Trip" is one of his most loved wooden toy designs.
This set is original vintage. It consists of wagon and 4 family members: mother, father and two children.
...
Category
1950s Danish Scandinavian Modern Vintage Toys and Dolls
Materials
Wood, Beech, Paint
Antique Hand Carved Turkish Wood Camel Rocker with Leather Cushion Seat
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique Hand Carved Turkish Wood Camel Rocker with Leather Cushion Seat
One of a kind and unique carved wood rocking camel. It’s a child’s size, hand made and very cool and very o...
Category
1930s Turkish Islamic Vintage Toys and Dolls
Materials
Leather, Wood
French Children's Toy Sink, 1930's
Located in Antwerp, BE
French children's toy sink.
This pedestal sink or lavabo dates from the 1930s.
A child's toy sink made in France.
An Art Deco toy made from metal and after lots of years still in his original and beautiful blue color. A toy which could be used with real water. This old bathroom sink toy for children is still complete with the mirror, stopper, tap en jug or can.
For his age still in very beautiful condition.
A beautiful piece to display with mannequin doll...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Art Deco Toys and Dolls
Materials
Metal
Antique, New and Vintage Toys and Dolls
Antique, new and vintage toys and dolls 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.
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. 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 and dolls 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, new and vintage toys and dolls as well as folk-art toys on 1stDibs.