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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
Creator: Hubley Manufacturing Company
Doorstop "Golfer" by Hubley, circa 1920
Located in Incline Village, NV
This doorstop, also known as "Overhead Swinging Golfer," is more difficult to find than it's "Putting Golfer" counterpart doorstop; which is also made by Hubley. Manufactured by the Hubley Manufacturing Company of Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 1920, this cast iron doorstop is in outstanding all original bright paint with no touch up or restoration of any kind, and in wonderful patina. It depicts an older, grey haired man, with typical knicker golf garb, taking a wild swing at a golf ball resting on the grass. It has a semi "hollow" rear with a "238" factory marking, indicating that it is, in fact, by Hubley and original. It is noted in Jeanne Bertoia's 1985 book on doorstops page 60; and referenced on page 211 of the Smith book on doorstops. A must for the doorstop or golfing memorabilia...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Iron

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Golf Print, St Andrews Royal and Ancient Golf Club
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1967 Alcan Golfer of the Year Championship By Arthur Weaver. A colourful golf lithograph signed by the artist, Arthur Weaver, of the 18th green at St Andrews. The picture depicting Gay Brewer putting on the 18th green at St Andrews (Royal and Ancient Golf Club) in the 1967 Alcan Tournament. Gay Brewer beat Bill Casper by four strokes in a playoff to earn the biggest jackpot ever given to a tournament winner at that time. Title of the print, 18th Green, Royal & Ancient, Alcan Tournament, October 1967, Winner Gay Brewer, U.S.A. 'Putting'. Published in 1968 by Frost & Reed Limited of Bristol and London, England. Copyright in all countries, including the U.S.A. Foreign. Image size, H. 51 cm W. 64 cm Size with border, H. 59 cm W. 70 cm The Alcan Golfer of the Year Championship, also known as the Alcan Open, was an international golf tournament played from 1967 to 1970. It was sponsored by Alcan Aluminum Ltd. of Canada, a long-time corporate sponsor of professional golf on international circuits. The tournament was dreamed up by a Montreal magazine publisher named Hilles Pickens and a Montreal radio broadcaster named Doug Smith. The idea was to use four tournaments in the U.S. and four in Great Britain to qualify for a tournament at St Andrews. They sold the idea to Aluminium Ltd. of Canada, which was at the time changing its name to Alcan. Alcan thought the tournament would be a fine way to promote the new title with both the public and big buyers all over the world. Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus had qualified to play in the tournament but sent their regrets, as did top U.S. money winners Dan Sikes and Julius Boros. For big-name attractions the tournament had to rely on Casper, Brewer and Doug Sanders. Casper and Brewer played fine golf at the windy St Andrews course and after three rounds they were tied with England's 22-year-old Brian Barnes, at four under par. On Sunday Barnes fell back and come the 18th hole Casper and Brewer were tied at 283. The playoff was played on the Monday over the full 18 holes. St Andrews "The Home of Golf" is on the Fife Coast of eastern Scotland and is considered the oldest and most iconic golf course in the world. The Old Course is 6721 yards with a par of 72. It is famous for the 'Swilcan Bridge' spanning the first and 18th holes and 'Hell Bunker'. Everyone who plays the 18th hole walks over the 700-year-old bridge, with it featuring in many iconic pictures of St Andrews. The Old Course remains a public golf course, open to all and apart from the clubhouse for the Royal and Ancient, there are clubhouses overlooking the links for The St Andrews Golf Club...
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Charming Vintage Cast Brass Ship Doorstop
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Vintage Golf Ball, the 'Why Not' Bramble Golf Ball.
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Handmade Miniature Travelling Chess Set Game walnut Inlaid box, circa 1920
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
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Brass

Previously Available Items
American Cast Iron Toy, Oxen Drawn Log on Carriage with Rider by Hubley
Located in Incline Village, NV
This charismatic turn of the century American cast iron floor toy (children rolled it around on the floor by hand) made by the Hubley Manufacturing Company in Lancaster, Pennsylvania...
Category

Early 1900s American Antique Folk Art Toys and Dolls

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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...
Category

Early 1900s American Antique Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Iron

"The Wise Pig" Still Bank, circa 1930
Located in Incline Village, NV
Manufactured by the Hubley Manufacturing Company in Lancaster, Pennsylvania between 1930-1936, "The Wise Pig" still bank was quite ubiquitous and was a symbol of saving money (the piggy bank.) It is unusual though, to find it in this near mint condition and all original paint (see images.) Made out of cast iron "The Wise Pig" is painted predominantly white with pink ears...
Category

1930s American Vintage Folk Art Toys and Dolls

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Iron

"The Wise Pig" Still Bank, circa 1930
"The Wise Pig" Still Bank, circa 1930
H 6.63 in W 2.75 in D 2.88 in
Mechanical Bank "Monkey Bank", circa 1925
Located in Incline Village, NV
This bank, sometimes referred to as "Monkey and Organ Grinder" (which is actually a different bank) is one of the later cast iron mechanical banks made in the United States. "Monkey Bank" was manufactured by the Hubley Manufacturing Company in Lancaster, Pennsylvania during the 1920s through 1935. It had quite a long run and was quite prolific. One of the more common banks, it has quite an enticing and aggressive action, much like, the later, "Trick Dog...
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1920s American Vintage Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Iron

Mechanical Bank "Monkey Bank", circa 1925
Mechanical Bank "Monkey Bank", circa 1925
H 7.75 in W 3.19 in D 8.88 in

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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