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Folk Art Toys and Dolls

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
Color:  Beige
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

Bicentennial Cast Iron Still Bank, American, Circa 1976
Located in Incline Village, NV
Shaped like a pyramid this cast iron penny bank was made to commemorate the 200 year anniversary of America; thus inscribed at the top (see image) 1776-1976. It is painted in white (...
Category

1970s American Vintage Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Iron

Vintage Cast Iron Book of Knowledge Mechanical Bank, Punch & Judy, 20th Century
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Hand-painted cast iron mechanical bank "Punch and Judy Bank." A vintage book of knowledge Punch & Judy mechanical bank offers polychrome cast cons...
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Early 20th Century Taiwanese Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Iron

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Antique Real Skull of a Crow or Magpie, Germany ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Real Skull of a Crow or Magpie, Germany ca. 1900s An antique taxidermied skull of the crow (Corvidae) mounted on an ebonized wooden turned bas...
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Late 19th Century Swiss Antique Folk Art Toys and Dolls

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Antique Trade Scale Brass and Painted Cast Iron, France, circa 1880
Located in Labrit, Landes
This trade scale was made in the late 19th century in France. It was a scale used by traders for retail. Brass and painted cast-iron Patina and signs of use which make this antique o...
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Antique Bavarian Hunting Antler Walking Stick, 1900s, Germany
Located in Biebergemund, Hessen
Unique Bavarian hunting walking cane from the early 20th century - the walking cane is handmade of blackthorn wood, featuring an engraved deer antler handle with silver chiselled col...
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1910s German Vintage Folk Art Toys and Dolls

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German 1900s Antique Ear Trumpet medical instrument Made of Ebonite and Rubber
Located in Milan, IT
Ear trumpet, bell and earphone of ebonite and extension of rubber, German medical instrument, manufacture of the early 1900s. Measures: Length 10 cm, 3.9 i...
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Early 20th Century German Folk Art Toys and Dolls

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Antique Red Fox Skull Taxidermy, Germany ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Red Fox Skull Taxidermy, Germany ca. 1900s An antique taxidermied skull of the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) mounted on an ebonized wooden turned ba...
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Early 1900s Humpty Dumpty Circus Clown Cast Iron Mechanical Bank
Located in Cathedral City, CA
1900S Hand painted Pierrot the cast iron mechanical penny bank clown. Very colorful mechanical bank known as the Humpty Dumpty Bank and shows a clow...
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Antique Cast Iron Bank, Which is a Bank Building, ca. 1900
By Kenton
Located in Petaluma, CA
A very nice original cast iron bank, which is a bank building. Not repainted, or touched up. That is most important to any collector. A neat little e...
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Early 20th Century American Folk Art Toys and Dolls

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19th Century Cast Iron Book Press by Army and Navy Csl
Located in Debenham, Suffolk
19th century cast iron book press by army and navy csl circa 1890. Fine quality book press by army & navy c.S.L .  Army and navy co-operative soci...
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Late 19th Century English Antique Folk Art Toys and Dolls

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Antique Real Skull of a Badger, Germany ca. 1900s
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Antique Real Skull of a Badger, Germany ca. 1900s An antique taxidermied skull of the badger (Meles meles) mounted on an ebonized wooden turned base. ...
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Vintage Book of Knowledge Home Town Battery Mechanical Bank, 20th Century
Located in Big Flats, NY
A vintage Book of Knowledge Home Town Battery mechanical bank offers polychrome cast construction with pitcher, batter and catcher on base with embos...
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Late 19th Century Cast Iron Owl Bank with a Turning Head and Glass Eyes, 1880
By Shepard Hardware Company
Located in Port Jervis, NY
Fabulous cast iron Owl bank with a turning head coin lever and glass eyes. Lot of the original paint still intact. Missing the lock on the underside, not visi...
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1880s American Antique Folk Art Toys and Dolls

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Vintage Mechanical Wind Up Tin Toy Motorcycle 1970' Collectible Toy
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Vintage mechanical hand-painted wind up tin toy motorcycle 1970's . Vintage motorbike mechanical toy in good working order with the original paint, Wi...
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Three Piece Child's Circus Train Toys
Located in Palm Beach, FL
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Vintage Japanese Tin Space Toy Mechanical Bank, Circa 1950's Rare
Located in Incline Village, NV
Japanese tin mechanical bank features a rocket launcher mounted on the top surface of the body which fires a missile (penny or coin) into outer space, as represented by a globe like sphere. The graphics to the base and sphere are quite bright, colorful, and imaginative, especially considering the date of the toy (1950's); with rockets, flying saucers, launchers, and a radar tower. The globe is grey with planet like rings and images depicting outer space. The bank operates by pulling back on the spring like launcher until it locks into place; place a penny in the basket; press down on the lever at the base of the launcher. (I have provided a video to observe the operation and action----see below). Coins are removed via the key lock trap with the original key. "Made in Japan" is stamped on the base, albeit of an unknown manufacturer (see image). The toy bank is in completely original and excellent condition, with no paint touch up, and no repairs. This toy is from my own collection and I have had it for over 35 years and have not seen another example. Dimensions: 7 1/4" long x 3 7/8" wide x 5" high I am a leading specialist in the field of antique mechanical coin banks...
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1950s Japanese Vintage Folk Art Toys and Dolls

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Alphabet Block Set 'Bird Theme' "Around The World Trunk" R.Bliss American C 1895
Located in Incline Village, NV
Lithographed paper covered wooden box; late Victorian era entitled "Around The World Trunk" Circa 1890's, manufactured by The R. Bliss Company...
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1890s American Antique Folk Art Toys and Dolls

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"Bear Reading A Book" Japanese Clockwork Toy with Original Box, circa 1950s
Located in Incline Village, NV
From my own collection is this "Bear Reading a Book" known as "Cubby" and "Made in Japan" wind-up toy. This is a great learning and teaching device for children; in excellent and nea...
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1950s Japanese Vintage Folk Art Toys and Dolls

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"Roll Over Cat" Mechanical Wind-Up Toy by Kohler, Germany 'U.S. Zone' circa 1950
Located in Incline Village, NV
Made in Western Germany U.S. Zone during the occupation between 1945 and 1955, this is a fabulous and brightly colorful toy with terrific action---sure to please. To operate; wind up the toy (shank on side of cat) with the metal key wind provided; release the cat on the floor and it goes around in a circle and rolls over every two seconds. The toy was manufactured by the Kohler company as noted by the "GKN" logo in a triangle seen on the box, and "Kohler" stamped on the toy. The company was founded in 1932 by George Kohler and they were known for making Fine quality toys. The condition of this toy is about as good as it gets---in "store bought" condition, in addition to the box which is in similar near mint condition. The paint on the cat is immaculate in tan, beige, white with a red collar, and grey eyes. The lithography on the box is full of "cat" scenes in bright colors with a yellow backdrop. The toy is all tin except for the plastic orange...
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Mid-20th Century German Folk Art Toys and Dolls

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Santa Claus in a Sleigh Wind Up Toy Japan, circa 1953
Located in Incline Village, NV
Entitled "Mechanical Santa Claus with Bell", this charming all tin toy is lithographed in Christmas colors of red, white, green, yellow, and flesh tones. The toy has fabulous action;...
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1950s Japanese Vintage Folk Art Toys and Dolls

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"Santa Claus Cycle" Wind Up Toy with Original Box, Japan, circa 1955
Located in Incline Village, NV
The celluloid Santa and tin tricycle indicate a mid-1950s manufacture for this charming Japanese wind up toy which comes with the original box in which it was shipped. Unlike most ex...
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1950s Japanese Vintage Folk Art Toys and Dolls

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Tin

Large Cast Iron "Hook and Ladder" by Dent, American, circa 1910
Located in Incline Village, NV
Nicely painted large cast iron, horse drawn fire toys are much sought after by collectors. The piece becomes special when it is all original, because of the abuse that might have occurred from the rough play. Over the years the cast iron figures would typically become separated from the toy. This "Hook and Ladder" by the Dent Hardware Company, Fullerton, Pennsylvania was manufactured in 1910 and is completely original. It was listed in their 1910 catalogue as "No. 147-3 Hook and Ladder". This example has the original two figures; the brightly colored paint all-over is authentic with no touch up; the red painted wheels (which are often replaced) are original and in original paint; as are the three horses (two black and middle white horse) pulling the hook and ladder. All three ladders are also original to the piece. There are no repairs or restoration of any kind. This is all worth mentioning because most horse drawn pieces usually have something "wrong" with them. It even retains some of the thin red stenciling to the predominantly white body. This is the three horse version which is more desirable than the two horse example. The four wheels to the main chassis and the two wheels under the three horses facilitate pushing or pulling the piece along the ground. When this is done, the horses start in motion and the articulation gives the appearance of horses galloping. This toy is in excellent all original condition and would make a nice mantel piece, fitting in nicely at all levels of collections and horse drawn aficionados. Dimensions: 27 1/4" long x 7" wide x 8 1/4" high Provenance: it has been in my own collection for 30 years having been acquired in an estate sale in Oceanside, California where it resided since its original purchase. I am a leading specialist in the field of antique cast iron toys...
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1910s American Vintage Folk Art Toys and Dolls

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Iron

Santa in the Sleigh with Two Reindeer by Hubley, circa 1900
Located in Incline Village, NV
This is a very difficult to find cast iron Christmas toy made just after the turn of the century by the Hubley Manufacturing Company, Lancaster, Pennsylvania, featuring Santa Claus in a sleigh being pulled by two reindeer. It is is the double reindeer version versus the single reindeer. The reindeer are articulated, so that as the toy is pulled along the floor, they rise up and down. Santa fits in his seat loosely albeit, secured with an attached pin. It is almost impossible to find this toy in all original condition as often the wheels are replaced (both the reindeer wheels and the small sleigh wheels); often the reindeer antlers...
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Early 1900s American Antique Folk Art Toys and Dolls

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Iron

American Stacking Blocks Depicting Children's Nursery Rhymes, circa 1939
By Sam'l Gabriel Sons & Co. 1
Located in Incline Village, NV
Not usually found in this complete and excellent all original condition with bright graphics, no fading, no loose paper and no tape repairs. Wear to some of the edges (see images). C...
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1930s American Vintage Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Paper

Folk Art toys and dolls for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique folk art toys and dolls for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Mid-20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage toys and dolls created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles, decorative objects, folk art and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art toys and dolls made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. 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 and dolls differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $475 and tops out at $2,800 while the average work can sell for $1,388.

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