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Folk Art Animal Sculptures

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
Vintage Coastal Shell Encrusted Toucan
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Capture the essence of coastal charm and tropical whimsy with this delightful vintage toucan sculpture. Expertly handcrafted, this unique piece features a vibrant toucan figure metic...
Category

Late 20th Century American Folk Art Animal Sculptures

Materials

Metal

French Zinc Horse Head, circa 1930
Located in Saint-Ouen, FR
French zinc horse head, circa 1930
Category

Early 20th Century European Folk Art Animal Sculptures

Materials

Zinc

Greenlandica, Ortôrak, large sculpture of a lying seal made of soapstone.
Located in København, Copenhagen
Greenlandica, Ortôrak, large sculpture of a lying seal made of soapstone. In good condition with signs of use. Signed and dated 82. Dimensions: Length 30.0 x Hight 10.0 cm x depth 10...
Category

1980s Greenlandic Vintage Folk Art Animal Sculptures

Materials

Soapstone

Mexican Hand Painted Colorful Tonala Pottery Ducks Set of Three
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Mexican Tonala hand painted pottery birds Folk Art with brass decoration in the style of Sergio Bustamante. Vintage Mexican ceramic and brass hand painted Tonala pottery duc...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Animal Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Large Vintage Hand-Carved Crocodile in Dark Wood
Located in Esbjerg, DK
85 cm long and lean crocodile in hand-carved wood. We have been told that it was brought home from Africa during the 1980s by a Danish Tourist. It has a screw to its back - allowing ...
Category

1980s Vintage Folk Art Animal Sculptures

Materials

Hardwood

Polychrome Lucky Fish Sculpture
Located in Chicago, IL
Hand-carved from reclaimed wood, this colorful koi fish is a traditional symbol of harmony, wealth and luck. The rustic fish is carved with a squat, rounded body, the scales and fins...
Category

20th Century Chinese Folk Art Animal Sculptures

Materials

Pine

Large Antique Cast Iron Seated Frog Door Stop
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Large Antique cast iron seated frog door stop. USA, Circa 1920s. A rare and unusual model, of large size, depicts a seated green frog on a r...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Animal Sculptures

Materials

Iron

Large 1970s Hand Carved Wooden Elephant - Side, Occasional Table or Stool
Located in St. Louis, MO
Circa 1970s large vintage elephant sculpture carved from a solid piece of wood, has many uses as a side, end or occasional table, plant stan...
Category

1970s Vintage Folk Art Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

American Folk Art Carved Sleeping Cat Sculpture
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage Folk Art sleeping cat figurine was hand-carved from a solid piece of rare Amaranth (or Paduk) wood. Beautiful wood grain is accentuated by the wax finish. The cat has elonga...
Category

Mid-20th Century Folk Art Animal Sculptures

Materials

Padouk

Set of 2 Vintage Handmade Ceramic Riekko Bird Whistles from Finland, 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Set of 2 Vintage Handmade Ceramic Riekko Bird Whistles from Punainen Paja and Lintupaja, Finland, 1970s
Category

20th Century Finnish Folk Art Animal Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage Handmade Ceramic Fish Whistle from Finland, 1970s
Located in Hamburg, DE
Vintage Handmade Ceramic Fish Whistle from Finland, 1970s
Category

20th Century Finnish Folk Art Animal Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Early English Cast Iron Black Terrier Dog Door Stop
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Cast iron sculpture of a terrier door stop with original paint. Fantastic patina on the doorstop with great age and wear. Wonderful addition to an existing collection of these vintag...
Category

Early 20th Century English Folk Art Animal Sculptures

Materials

Iron

Early 20th Century French Folk Art Sculpture of a Bear in Leather
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
A hand-made folk art sculpture of a bear from the first part of the 20th Century. This papier mâché bear is wrapped in leather, presented in its authentic old patina. This art work r...
Category

Early 20th Century French Folk Art Animal Sculptures

Materials

Leather, Paper

Two Chinese Zodiac Statues - Serpent, Rooster and Goat
Located in Pasadena, CA
A charming trio of hand-painted ceramic figures, each representing an animal from the Chinese zodiac: the Serpent, Rooster, and Goat. Rendered in expressive blue-and-white glaze, the...
Category

Early 20th Century Chinese Folk Art Animal Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Guerrero Pottery Bull Bank
Located in Fairfield, CA
A vintage Mexican folk art pottery bank. Hand made in Guerrero, Mexico. The bank is in the shape of bull with a rider, featuring beautiful hand painted te...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Animal Sculptures

Materials

Pottery

Antônio Julião. Wood Sculpture
Located in Sao Paulo, SP
Exceptional sculpture made by artist Antônio Julião, one of the great exponents of Brazilian popular art. This piece of museological importance was made in the 1970's and is one of the richest sculptures made by said artist, where he generously sculptured several tropical animals...
Category

1970s Brazilian Vintage Folk Art Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Polychrome Lucky Fish Sculpture
Located in Chicago, IL
Hand-carved from reclaimed wood, this colorful koi fish is a traditional symbol of harmony, wealth and luck. The rustic fish is carved with a squat, rounded body, the scales and fins...
Category

20th Century Chinese Folk Art Animal Sculptures

Materials

Pine

Antique English Pottery Horse with Sponged Decoration Circa 1800
Located in Katonah, NY
This pottery figure of a horse is sponge decorated in shades of pink and brown. It was made at St. Anthony’s Pottery, located in Newcastle Upon Tyne, England, between 1800 and 1810. ...
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Folk Art Animal Sculptures

Materials

Pottery

Pair of Life Size Antique Carved and Painted Swan Figures
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A large and impressive pair of hand carved Swans which may have at one time been decoys having fine form and presence. In newer white paint with black beaks and eyes. The unpainted interiors clearly showing the marks of hand-carving. Measures: Length 37", depth 12", height 22" Condition: Please see detail photos. The Pair with stable age cracks with one neck repaired, bubbled paint...
Category

19th Century Antique Folk Art Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Boston Terrier Heavy Cast Iron Doorstop
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Sweet faced Boston Terrier cast iron doorstop. This doorstop is very heavy with great patina. The Boston Terrier hasa very soft look due to the wear.
Category

20th Century North American Folk Art Animal Sculptures

Materials

Iron

Bronze Sculpture of a Water Buffalo with Ox-Pecker Birds, 1960s, Benin Style
Located in London, GB
A fantastic bronze sculpture of a water buffalo, hosting her friendly ox-pecker birds. Benin style art and she is fabulous! Please take a look at all our pictures to see the detai...
Category

1960s Beninese Vintage Folk Art Animal Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

19th C Bronze German Sheppard Doorstop
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th C bronze German sheppard doorstop. Great condition.
Category

19th Century American Antique Folk Art Animal Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

Hand Carved Painted Tall Canadian Geese - Pair
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These amazing signed and dated large Canadian geese are dated 1980 and signed by the carver.They are truely amazing and in fine condition.They are both carved out of one piece of wo...
Category

1980s American Vintage Folk Art Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Hand Carved Folk Art Wooden Duck
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Folk Art hand carved wooden duck - a wonderful piece! One of our favorite pieces, the life size shape and graceful angle of the neck give the p...
Category

20th Century Folk Art Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Vintage Boho Glazed Ceramic Polar Bear
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Introduce a captivating element of wildlife charm to your interior with this substantial vintage ceramic polar bear sculpture. Rendered in a sleek, stylized silhouette that emphasize...
Category

Late 20th Century American Folk Art Animal Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

Carved Wood Lion Sculpture by Hector Rascon
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Cool 1990’s hand carved and painted wood lion by renowned New Mexico folk artist Hector Rascon. Pencil sign on the underside. In original vintage construction show’s minor wear co...
Category

1990s American Folk Art Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Vintage large Tonala Mexican Stretching Cat Ceramic and Brass Figurine
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage large Tonala Mexican Stretching Cat Ceramic and Brass Folk Art Figurine. Vintage handcrafted Tonala pottery cat with brass overlay in Sergi0...
Category

Mid-20th Century Folk Art Animal Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Large Antique Southeast Asian Thai Carved Polychrome Rabbit Folk Art Sculpture
Located in Forney, TX
A large whimsical hand carved and painted antique Southeast Asian wooden hare sculpture with incised detailing, polychrome decoration and beautifully aged patina. Hand-crafted in th...
Category

Early 20th Century Asian Folk Art Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood, Paint

Art Glass Rooster Set, circa 1970s
Located in New York, NY
A beautiful handmade art glass rooster family sculpture set (4), circa 1970s. Four (4) roosters in set, blown glass, hand-crafted. Art glass colors i...
Category

1970s American Vintage Folk Art Animal Sculptures

Materials

Art Glass

Art Glass Rooster Set, circa 1970s
Art Glass Rooster Set, circa 1970s
$195 Sale Price / set
29% Off
Pair of 1920s Cast Iron Duck Figures with Folk Charm and Patinated Finish
Located in Atlanta, GA
With their gently stylized forms and expressive, contrasting gestures, this pair of early 20th-century cast iron ducks embodies the quiet charm of vernacular folk design. One duck bo...
Category

Early 20th Century Folk Art Animal Sculptures

Materials

Iron

Late 19th Century Patinated Bronze Eagle on Black Marble Stand
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Large French Eagle on a Belgian Black Marble Stand, circa 1880-1900. This amazing Eagle sculpture is made in a solid bronze that still has the original patina, with a unbeatable age-...
Category

Late 19th Century French Antique Folk Art Animal Sculptures

Materials

Belgian Black Marble, Bronze

Handcrafted Wood Whale Puzzle Sculpture Signed
Located in San Diego, CA
Handcrafted what sculpture made of solid wood. Amazing design an workmanship. Signed and dated.
Category

1990s American Folk Art Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Midcentury Pair of Italian Terracotta Lions
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of midcentury Italian lions, male and female crafted in terracotta with a white glaze and painted details looking quite friendly.
Category

20th Century Italian Folk Art Animal Sculptures

Materials

Terracotta

Vintage Leather Parrot by Federico Mexico
Located in Miami, FL
Leather parrot from Mexico. Sitting on a brass perch. Marked Federico Made in Mexico. A-600-335
Category

1970s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Animal Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Large Elephant Stone sculpture hand made and signed under the foot, Circa 1920
Located in Lincoln, Lincolnshire
This is a large stone sculpture of an elephant, made from a cast or stone / composite stone all hand painted and signed. We date this piece to the early 20th Century , Circa 1920. T...
Category

Early 20th Century British Folk Art Animal Sculptures

Materials

Stone

American Folk Art Carved Painted Wood Cat Sculpture
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage whimsical and playful American Folk Art carved wood sculpture features a hand carved and hand-painted seated cat with large expressive eyes and surprised look on its face. Th...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Australian Aboriginal Wood Sculpture with Ochre Echidna Bob Burruwal
Located in Atlanta, GA
An echidna sculpture carved from wood, supplemented with found branches and splash painted with ocher pigment by Australian Aboriginal artist Bob Burruwal (Born 1952-). Bob Burruwal ...
Category

Early 2000s Australian Folk Art Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Folk Art Seated Dog Polychrome Painted Sculpture
Located in Astoria, NY
Folk Art Seated Dog Carved and Polychrome Painted Sculpture, signed "Peer" to underside. 31" H x 27" W x 18" D. Provenance: From an East Village Estate.
Category

Late 20th Century Folk Art Animal Sculptures

Materials

Composition

Vintage Folk Art Set of 3 Carved Sitting Cat Sculptures
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage set of Folk Art sitting cat figurines was hand-carved from solid pieces of wood. The cats have elongated, minimal features, accentuated with hand-painted details on the face...
Category

20th Century Folk Art Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Antique Carved Wood Wooden Black and White 13" Mallard Duck Decoy w/ Glass Eyes
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Antique Folk Art Carved Wood Black and White 13" Mallard Duck Decoy with Glass Eyes. Circa Early 20th Century. Measurements: 6" H x 13" W x 6" D
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Folk Art Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Folk Art Studio Pottery Bunny
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Folk Art Studio Pottery Bunny - We shop a lot and this bunny is one of our favorite finds. A precious little thing with a great spirit and energy. A compl...
Category

20th Century Folk Art Animal Sculptures

Materials

Pottery

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Rooster Weathervane
Located in Chicago, IL
A charming early 20th American Folk Art carved pine rooster weathervane with a wonderful silhouette with a large tail, applied wings, and copper legs all supported by an iron rod wit...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Animal Sculptures

Materials

Pine

Brass Kondh Sculpture of a Tribal Warrior Riding a Beast
By Konda Tribe
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Wonderful decorative and heavy cast brass of a warrior horse or beast rider. The horse and warrior are very modern tribal elongated form. The tribal ho...
Category

Early 20th Century Indian Folk Art Animal Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Antique Himachal Pradesh Zoomorphic Wooden Squeezer, India 1900s.
Located in Asaa, DK
Antique Himachal Pradesh Zoomorphic Wooden Squeezer, India 1900s. Amazing hand carved tribal wooden animal with piston. Originate from the Himalayan part of India where these Folk A...
Category

Mid-20th Century Indian Folk Art Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Primitive Horse Carving
Located in Nantucket, MA
A Folk Art carved wood and gesso painted standing horse with painted cloth saddle and horse hair tail Mounted on a later made black painted platform.               
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Animal Sculptures

Materials

Gesso, Pine, Paint

Cast Iron Green Painted Rooster Sculpture Door Stop
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Very sturdy cast iron sculpture of a rooster. Could be used on a console or kitchen counter as a decorative centerpiece display or functional as a door stop.
Category

Early 20th Century European Folk Art Animal Sculptures

Materials

Iron

Thomas Kloss Whimsical Bird Sculpture Carved Wood and Hand Painted Folk Art
Located in Hanover, MA
Thomas Kloss folk art bird sculpture painted wood on enameled steel legs and feet mounted on a square base. 27.5” high x 11” wide X 22.5” deep Base only 11x11x3 Lancaster, PA artist ...
Category

1980s American Vintage Folk Art Animal Sculptures

Materials

Cut Steel

Carved Wood Falcon Sculpture 1960s
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Handmade carved wood Falcon sculpture 1960s. Vintage Seri Ironwood Animal Hand-Carved Sculpture of a American Eagle or Falcon. Vintage Hand carved walnut wooden beautiful design decorative bird falcon sculpture. Carved wood figure of an Eagle sculpture from the 1960s. Eagle figure perched on a wooden trunk would be a great eye-catcher in any room or interior. Excellent condition. Natural dark brown color. Dimensions: 9.5" H x 4.5". Vintage hand carved Ironwood Southwestern seri sculpture of an eagle or falcon. Ironwood hand carved falcon sculpture. Hand crafted in amazing detail from one of earth's hardest natural ironwood. This is an authentic art piece crafted in the Sonoran Desert from native Olneya ironwood. Found almost exclusively in the desert of Arizona, this tree is truly one of nature's wonders. North American Southwestern desert ironwood gets its name from its amazing hardness and heavy weight (similar to petrified wood). Though this wood is very difficult to work, it is meticulously carved and etched to reveal incredible detail, in very nice polished heavy dark wood, no dents with a smooth finish over all excellent condition with beautiful visible wood grains. circa 1970. From Wikipedia: "Mexican ironwood carvings...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Pair of Tonala Mexico Modernist Horse Figurines, Planters or Ashtrays
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
A pair of modernist horse figurines were hand made in Tonala, Mexico, in modernist style with short legs, long bodies, and expressive heads, and are hand painted in typical Tonala s...
Category

20th Century Mexican Folk Art Animal Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic, Pottery

Greenlandica, Figure of a Walrus Made of Soapstone, Approximately 1960/1970s.
Located in København, Copenhagen
Greenlandica, figure of a walrus made of soapstone. Approximately 1960/1970s. In good condition, signs of use. Dimensions: L 12.5 x D 4.0 x H 8.0 cm.
Category

1960s Greenlandic Vintage Folk Art Animal Sculptures

Materials

Soapstone

American Papier-Mache Camel Figure
Located in Queens, NY
American life size camel figure standing on a platform base with hollow construction (attr: Luke Saunders Carnival Show, Michigan, Circa 1930)
Category

1930s American Vintage Folk Art Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood, Paint

Contemporary indigenous art. Turuza Wauja. Sculptural Bench Kamalu Hai, 2021
Located in PARIS, FR
Turuza Wauja Sculptural Bench Kamalu Hai, 2021 Brazilian wood Magono natural pigment based on "jenipapo" and "urucum" and snail shell. Carved from solid Piranheira wood and adorned ...
Category

2010s Brazilian Folk Art Animal Sculptures

Materials

Hardwood, Paint

24" Tall Antique Swedish Large Wooden Horse Carved Hand-Painted 19th Century
Located in Silkeborg, Silkeborg
Tall antique Swedish horse in carved wood with original patinated paint in off-white color with blue dots. Made circa end of the 19th century. Th...
Category

1890s Swedish Antique Folk Art Animal Sculptures

Materials

Leather, Wood

Lomonosov Porcelain Grouse Bird Figurine, Handpainted, 1986-1992
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Charming standing grouse bird figurine is made of porcelain. Highly detailed hand-painted decoration in organic brown and beige palette complements complex, realistic shape of the p...
Category

1980s Russian Vintage Folk Art Animal Sculptures

Materials

Porcelain, Ceramic

Eight Curlews by Guy Taplin
Located in Basildon, GB
An original piece of English folk-art sculpture by the acclaimed British sculptor Guy Taplin (b. 1939). Eight individual wooden birds carved and painted, th...
Category

1990s British Folk Art Animal Sculptures

Materials

Driftwood

Eight Curlews by Guy Taplin
Eight Curlews by Guy Taplin
$11,471 Sale Price
30% Off
Small Antique Swedish Red-painted Horse in Wood, 1900th
Located in Stockholm, SE
A peasant sculpture in the form of a small working, red-painted horse with a bushy mane and tail on a painted pedestal, beautifully carved and painted wood. On the underside, a text...
Category

Early 1900s Swedish Antique Folk Art Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Sculptural Shell and Metal Bettle Figures (Pair)
Located in San Diego, CA
Beautiful pair of sculptural bettle figures. These figures are constructed of shell and carefully crafted metal details. Legs and whiskers in raw metal shine with vitality and ligh...
Category

1990s Singaporean Folk Art Animal Sculptures

Materials

Metal

American Folk Art Hand-Carved Rosewood Snake
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Folk Art hand-carved rosewood snake (ca. 1940s, USA). Attractive two-tone rosewood variations (rich brown tones throughout with two contrasting light patches). Very good, vintage con...
Category

1940s American Vintage Folk Art Animal Sculptures

Materials

Rosewood

Piggy Bank for Charity
Located in Copenhagen, K
Lovely piggy bank with inscription aiming to collect money for the society for children’s footwear. This union was established in 1889 and was still active ...
Category

1910s Danish Vintage Folk Art Animal Sculptures

Materials

Iron

19th Century French Carousel Ride, Carved Wood Sparrow with Metal Body
Located in New York, NY
19th C. painted wood French Carousel ride, with the "body" made of iron rods. The bird figure has only one wing, as originally the other side had a spoke which connected to the cente...
Category

19th Century French Antique Folk Art Animal Sculptures

Materials

Metal

Folk Art animal sculptures for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique folk art animal sculptures 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 animal sculptures created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, folk art, asian art and furniture and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art animal sculptures made in a specific country, there are North America, Europe, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original animal sculptures, popular names associated with this style include Tonala Pottery, Victor Anicet, Sergio Bustamante, and Nils Olsson. 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 animal sculptures differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $38 and tops out at $55,000 while the average work can sell for $1,516.