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Folk Art 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
Figurative Hand Carved Wood Sculpture - Juneau, Alaska 1984
Located in Soquel, CA
Figurative Hand Carved Wood Sculpture - Juneau, Alaska 1984 Hand carved wooden sculpture, presented on a dark wooden base. The sculpture is somewhat figural, but rather abstract. Th...
Category

1980s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Antique Creamware Horse Hand Painted English Folk Art Animal c.1800
Located in Katonah, NY
This antique English creamware horse was hand-painted at St. Anthony’s Pottery in Newcastle around the year 1800. This charming figure is modeled in a standing position on a green-gl...
Category

Early 19th Century English Antique Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Creamware

Vintage Boho Carved Marlin
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This impressive vintage marlin sculpture is a testament to skilled folk artistry, meticulously carved from rich, warm-toned tropical wood. The carving captures the swift, powerful mo...
Category

Late 20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Wood

French Hand-Painted Lady Sculpture Door Stop in Solid Cast Iron
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Late 19th century door stop, France, circa 1880. This lady sculpture is made in heavy solid cast iron and is in it original hand-painted colors.
Category

19th Century English Antique Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Iron

Found and Salvaged Steel House Structure, Modern and Minimalist Sculpture
Located in Chicago, IL
Jim Rose, known primarily for his steel furniture, was an avid collector and scoured salvage yards for unique and interesting items. Here, a collection of found steel is reworked, pr...
Category

2010s American Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Metal, Steel

Carved Cigar Store Native American Indian, Shop Trade Sign
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Carved Cigar Store Native American Indian, Shop Trade Sign This is a very rare find, he is an almost full size American Indian Chief, he is carved from one piece of wood ( a tree tr...
Category

1930s Vintage Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Pair of Mid Century Scandinavian Giraffes
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Stand out pair of mid century giraffes one standing and one grazing with a unique construction of shaved reed bundles and having carved wood heads,...
Category

20th Century Danish Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Reed

Rare 19th Century Cast Iron Court Jester Folk Art Hanging Sculpture
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Fantastic 19th century wall hanging folk sculpture of the English court jester, looks like the joker. This folky cast sculpture looks like it was somethi...
Category

19th Century American Antique Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Iron

Hand Painted Midcentury Resin White Jumper Carousel Horse by C.W. Parker
Located in Chattanooga, TN
A sculptural icon of American carousel artistry, this hand-carved C.W. Parker horse exemplifies the craftsmanship, motion, and whimsy that define the golden age of amusement carving....
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Early 19th Century Scandinavian Folk Art Mangle Board
Located in Greenwich, CT
Charming early 19th Century Swedish folk art mangle board having a stylized horse handle, the body with geometric carving and traces of original polychrom...
Category

19th Century Swedish Antique Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Vintage Boho Hand Carved Fish
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This exquisite wooden sculpture features a mythological or highly stylized sea creature, possibly a dolphin or fish, rendered with remarkable detail and movement. Hand-carved from na...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Mexican Vintage Ken Edwards Tonala Pottery Hand Painted Quail Bird
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Ken Edwards Mexican ceramic quail bird form Tonala Pottery. Beautiful vintage Mexican hand made and hand painted TONALA Art Pottery. Deco...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Pottery

American Copper Spread Winged Eagle Weathervane with Sphere and Arrow, C. 1880
Located in Charleston, SC
American molded copper spread winged eagle weathervane with circular sphere, arrow, and mounted on cast iron squared base. Weathervane has a fine natural verdigris patina in the orig...
Category

1880s American Antique Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Copper, Iron

Beakhorn Stump Blacksmith Anvil
Located in Hanover, MA
SATURDAY SALE The first thing I thought upon seeing this was Constantin Brancusi's bird sculptures and the questions about the nature of abstract art it asked. This is an early 20t...
Category

Early 20th Century Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Iron

Beakhorn Stump Blacksmith Anvil
Beakhorn Stump Blacksmith Anvil
$1,650 Sale Price
50% Off
Large Modern Owl Sculpture on Hanging Perch by Sergio Bustamante
Located in Pasadena, CA
Perched on a thin crossbar, this owl sculpture made by Sergio Bustamande stares at the viewer with painted eyes, their spiraling, hypnotic contours. The green and gold of its gaze su...
Category

1970s Mexican Vintage Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Metal, Brass, Copper

Large Sculpture Made of Handwoven Palm Leaves
Located in West Hollywood, CA
These large hand-woven palm sculptures are made from natural palm and provide rustic, organic modern, contemporary design for any home decor. Their unique w...
Category

2010s Mexican Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Palmwood

Abstract Modernist Wood Inlay / Wooden Marquetry Figure Wall Plaque
Located in Buffalo, NY
Abstract Modernist Wood Inlay / Marquetry Figure wall plaque. Hand executed..Art Deco , African influenced.Several mixed species of exotic woods.
Category

1940s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Blue Glazed Redware Character Jug Signed, 19th Century
Located in Bishop s Stortford, Hertfordshire
An antique folk art blue glazed redware pottery pottery jug or flask modelled as a man wears a night gown and night cap with a spout behind the man’s head wi...
Category

Late 19th Century European Antique Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Pottery

19th Century Carved Pine Articulated Artists Lay Figure or Mannequin
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
13" Carved pine artists articulated mannequin or lay figure of a male with carved facial features.
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Pine

Early 19th Century Rectangular Delft Tile with Rabbit
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Charming delft blue and white tile featuring a running rabbit. We see this piece displayed on a table or shelf and would make a wonderful addition to any collector of these desirabl...
Category

Early 19th Century Dutch Antique Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Delft, Paint

Greenlandica, Five Figures, Polar Bear, Seal and Three Inuits, Mid-20th Century
Located in København, Copenhagen
Greenlandica, five figures. Polar bear, seal and three Inuits. Four figurines in soapstone and a ceramic piggy bank (polar bear). Mid-20th century. I...
Category

Mid-20th Century Greenlandic Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Soapstone

African Folk Art Hand Carved Sculpture Fork and Spoon
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Hand carved African tribal wood carved sculpture of a men and women, Africa tribal Art Decor. Kenyan tribal sculpture featuring an elongated standing man and women with a crown and metal choker. Very simple modern look carved ethnic sculpture...
Category

20th Century Kenyan Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Wood

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 Sculptures

Materials

Leather, Wood

Beetle Cast Iron Shoe Horn or Boot Jack, Powder Coated Chartreuse, circa 1920 s
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Vintage boot jack in cast iron freshly powder coated in bright chartreuse. The cast iron object is as functional as it is decorative. This bright and fun ...
Category

1920s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Iron

Figurines by Dr. Harley Niblack
Located in South Charleston, WV
This grouping of 3 figurines and 9 sculpture head figures were obtained directly from Dr. Harley Niblack by the consignor's father (who was also a woodt...
Category

1950s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Vintage Bronze Gilt Thai Teppanom Temple Guard Dancing Statue Sculpture
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage statue in gilt bronze metal of Thai Teppanom Temple Guard Dancing statue sculpture. Vintage Handcrafted Gilded Thai Teppanom Temple Guard Dancer...
Category

Mid-20th Century Thai Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Bronze

19th Century American Hand Carved Wood Horse Head
Located in Stamford, CT
American late 19th century hand carved wood head of a horse, stained black, shown wearing a bridal and bit, with mouth open as if in a full gallop. A very handsome piece of sculpture, likely a fragment from a larger piece, now mounted on a custom iron base. Great decoration for the equestrian or lover of horses. Great for mantel...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Mid-Century American Folk Art Wood Articulated Man Figure
Located in Farmington Hills, MI
We are very pleased to offer a Folk Art wooden articulated man, circa the 1950s. This nearly 5-foot tall, handcrafted piece, epitomizing Mid-century American craftsmanship, is made ...
Category

1950s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Hardwood

Hand Carved Wood Figural Bull Statue
Located in Cincinnati, OH
This skillfully executed hand carved figural bull is fully dimensional and has a rich brown color. The bull is depicted in a standing position atop a shaped wooden plinth. The muscular animal has been finished with realistic detail with particular attention given to the bull's facial features and folds of skin. The plinth itself is slightly domed at the center and bears carved elements which include a large rock and stylized plants. The bull measures 8" tall and the base is 10.75" x 4.125". It weighs 1lb 15oz. The carved bull is in very good vintage condition with no cracks or signs of wear. This early 20th century hand carved bull statue...
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Pair of American Folk Art Tin Clad Pug Dog Bookends
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Pair of American Folk Art Tin Clad Pug dog bookends USA, circa 1940s A great pair of hand-crafted, possibly one of kind American Folk Art Tin Clad pug d...
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Tin

19th Century Tobacconist’s Trade Sign
Located in Greenwich, CT
English carved and polychrome decorated wood tobacconist’s trade sign in the form of a “Turk” wearing a distinctive headdress and dressed in a long robe, this advertising figure rela...
Category

19th Century British Antique Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Tall African Papier-mâché Giraffe with Leather Ears
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A tall paper mache giraffe in black and brown with leather ears and glass eyes. We see this fun piece in a nursery or in a foyer. Measures: 17....
Category

20th Century Central African Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Leather, Glass, Paint, Paper

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 Vintage Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Bentwood

Moroccan Decorative Fish Sculpture Handbuilt and Handpainted by Potter Houda
Located in Marseille, FR
- Hand built decorative fish sculpture - made of clay collected from the potter's surroundings. - decorative motifs painted with a goat hair brush made by the potter to apply natur...
Category

2010s Moroccan Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Clay, Earthenware

Vintage Folk Art Matchstick Prison Tramp Art Crucifix Jesus Christ Sculpture
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Vintage Folk Art Matchstick Prison Tramp Art Crucifix Jesus Christ Sculpture. Item featured is hand crafted of matchsticks, crucifix with figures, very nice antique item, quality Ame...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Wood

collection of antique wig heads from late 18th - 19th century
Located in Saarbrücken, SL
- rare collection of 3 wide heads from 18th century to 19th century - antiques from the period 1980-1910 - beautiful patina with traces of old craftsmanship
Category

Early 1900s Antique Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Wood

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 Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Moroccan Antique Brass Sugar Hammer
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Set of two Moroccan brass Berber tribal sugar hammer. Moroccan Collectible Brass Berber Sugar Hammer,Brass Berber Tribal Sugar Hammer. Authentic old Tuare...
Category

Early 20th Century Moroccan Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Brass

Found and Salvaged Steel Industrial Objects on Wooden Base
Located in Chicago, IL
Jim Rose, known primarily for his steel furniture, was an avid collector and scoured salvage yards for unique, interesting items. Here, a beautifully rusted tobacco box, a steel egg...
Category

2010s American Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Metal, Steel

Folk Art Carved and Painted Owl Decoy, USA, 1900 s
Located in Buenos Aires, Olivos
Folk Art carved and painted owl decoy, USA 1900's A decorative barn owl carving decoy Original paint with even wear. Mounted over a new iron stand. We have...
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Jim Rose Barn House Structure, Welded Steel Sculpture Made with Salvaged Steel
Located in Chicago, IL
This is a welded steel sculpture made by furniture creator Jim Rose. It is sustainable design created from salvaged and recycled steel panels left over from his larger projects. Thes...
Category

2010s American Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Steel

Found and Salvaged Steel House Structure, Modern and Minimalist Sculpture
Located in Chicago, IL
Jim Rose, known primarily for his steel furniture, was an avid collector and scoured salvage yards for unique and interesting items. Here, a collection of found steel is reworked, pr...
Category

2010s American Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Metal, Steel

19th Century Austrian Carved Pine Folk Art Farmer and His Oxen Model
Located in London, GB
19th century carved pine folk art farmer and his oxen model We are proud to offer a unique example of a late 19th century hand carved pine folk art model of a farmer and his oxen. R...
Category

Early 1900s Austrian Antique Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Pine

Puerto Rican Santos De Palos/Wood Carved Sculpture of Our Lady of Mount Carmel
Located in Guaynabo, PR
A renown tradition in Puerto Rico is the making of Santos de Palos by Masters Carvers since the 19th century. They hand carved and hand painted the saints inspired in their personal ...
Category

19th Century American Antique Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Long Folk Art Articulated Flexible Carved and Hand-Painted Snake Sculpture
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Charming folk art carved articulated snake sculpture crafted to mimic realistic snake motion (ca. 1980s, likely South American). Hand-painted body and facial details present. Unusual...
Category

1980s South American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Wood

19th Century Carved Walnut Effeminacy Male Figure
Located in London, GB
19th century carved walnut effeminacy male figure We are proud to offer a unique and highly decorative 19th century hand carved walnut figure of an effeminacy male form. Unusual in its figurative posture and detail. This includes the figure standing in a side on pose with flirtatious gesture, a loosely draped over shoulder silk sheet, female form breasts and overly masculine facial details. This item is heavily patinated due to its age. This figure may have at some point in its lifetime have been part for a larger wall carving...
Category

19th Century Italian Antique Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Walnut

Moroccan Decorative Horse Sculpture Handbuilt and Handpainted by Potter Houda
Located in Marseille, FR
- Hand built decorative horse sculpture - made of clay collected from the potter's surroundings. - decorative motifs painted with a goat hair brush made by the potter to apply natu...
Category

2010s Moroccan Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Clay, Earthenware

American Gilt Copper Full Bodied Horse Directional Weathervane, Fiske, C. 1870
Located in Charleston, SC
American gilt copper full bodied running horse directional weathervane with two gilt circular spheres resting on squared iron stand, J.W. Fiske, late 19th century.
Category

1870s American Antique Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Copper, Iron, Zinc, Gold Leaf

Large Oversize Asian Round Decorative Figural Head with Chinese Calligraphy
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
Large oversize round Asian decorative head in red and gold. This piece is perfect for a bookshelf, or as a statement piece for a side table. Painting i...
Category

Mid-20th Century Hong Kong Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Plastic, Plaster

20th Century Native American Painted Totem Pole A painted animal totem
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
20th Century Native American Painted Totem Pole A painted animal totem. Animal totems are believed to have spiritual significance, watching over Pacific Northwest Indian tribes and...
Category

1960s Vintage Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Beech, Birdseye Maple

19th Century Life Sized Horse Trade Sign from a Tack Shop in Pennsylvania
Located in Richmond, VA
19th century life sized horse trade sign from a tack shop in Pottsville, PA. Horse is made of cast iron, wood, and papier mâché. The tail and cast iron e...
Category

19th Century American Antique Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Iron

Two 19th Century Ceramic Parrot Money Banks, Bornholm Denmark
Located in Haddonfield, NJ
Fantastic 19th Century ceramic parrot money banks, Bornholm Denmark. We see this sitting atop books on a coffee or side table as well as foyer or dresser for loose coins. Wonderful ...
Category

Late 19th Century Danish Antique Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Ceramic

After Jean Louis Grégoire Spelter Figure "Boy Playing Pipe"
Located in Los Angeles, CA
After Jean Louis Grégoire (France, 1840-1890) A Charming French 19th-20th Century Patinated Spelter Figure of "The Animal Charmer", depicting a sta...
Category

Early 1900s French Antique Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Marble, Spelter

Westmoore Pottery Lion, Signed 2005
Located in High Point, NC
Large pottery lion of clear yellow glaze having applied curly clay mane, tail, and whiskers, pencil hole eyes, grinning expression, signed on the bottom "2005 WESTMOORE POTTERY...
Category

Early 2000s American Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Pottery

Vintage Carved Wood Pinocchio Sculpture
Located in Houston, TX
Vintage carved wood Pinocchio sculpture. Charming vintage carved wood Pinocchio sculpture. This interesting bust of Pinocchio is well made with a m...
Category

20th Century Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Birch

Contemporary Brazilian indigenous art. Turuza Wauja. Sculpture Tamanduá, 2022.
Located in PARIS, FR
Turuza Wauja Sculpture Tamanduá, 2022 Mogno wood, graphics in natural pigments and snail shell 15 x 72 x 11 cm 5 91/100 x 28 7/20 x 4 33/100 in Carved from solid Piranheira wood and...
Category

2010s Brazilian Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Hardwood, Paint

Vintage White Marble Mughal Jeweled Elephant Sculpture Paper Weight
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage white marble Mughal Jeweled elephant sculpture paper weight. Finely hand painted animal sculpture of an elephant with colorful gold, pink and red color paint. Collectible ceremonial hand...
Category

Mid-20th Century Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Marble

Old Florida Antique Bronze and Copper Palm Tree Sculpture
Located in San Francisco, CA
Incredibly detailed one of a kind Palm Tree sculpture. It is made from bronze and copper. Magnificent patina. It stands 34 inches high. The base is 9 inches wide and the trunk of tree measures 2 1/2 inches wide. In over 40 years of buying and collecting we have never seen another one. Most palm tree sculptures don't do justice to the actual palm tree. This captures the sway and curves of tree and the rungs. This came out of a 110 year old house in central Florida that still had no air condition. Could be considered a piece of Florida folk art.
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Bronze, Copper

19th Century Tramp Art Box with Chip-Carved Decoration, Date and Velvet Inside
Located in Atlanta, GA
A 19th century Tramp Art rectangular wooden box featuring elaborate chip-carved decoration. Each side of this box is adorned with hand-carved tiered frames of four-layered notches, characteristic of the traditional chip-carving technique of Tramp Art, a 19th century form Folk Art that transforms salvaged materials into furniture and art. The lid, attached to the base with hinges, is covered with a burgundy velvet pad bordered by a chip-carved trim centered around a carved lion head. The lid, which lifts by a ring pull, opens to reveal a velvety green storage...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Wood

French Tailor s Mannequin, early 20th Century
Located in Berghuelen, DE
French Tailor's Mannequin, early 20th Century French 20th century tailor's mannequin. Made of paper, fabric and metal. It features a mechanism inside which allows the tailor to adju...
Category

Early 20th Century French Folk Art Sculptures

Materials

Metal

Folk Art sculptures for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique folk art 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 sculptures created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include decorative objects, folk art, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art 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 sculptures, popular names associated with this style include Jim Rose, Tonala Pottery, Victor Anicet, and Royal Doulton. 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 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 $225,000 while the average work can sell for $1,404.

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