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
Vintage Mexican Tonala Pottery Hand Painted Bird
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Mexican Tonala hand painted pottery bird Folk Art.
Flora de la Cruz Acapulco Gro Mexico hand painted bird dove ceramic.
Warm earth tone polych...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic, Pottery
19th Century Carved Bull Sign
Located in Coeur d
Alene, ID
Carved and painted wood bull sign. Life size head with carved and painted details, real horns fitted to the head by lead sleeves. The top of the head fashioned from a thick sheath of...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Metal, Iron
Shell Encrusted Cat Figurine
Located in Oklahoma City, OK
A whimsical shell-covered cat figurine. Delicately applied seashells cover this feline figurine in an array of browns. Great for the kitten lover, or for ...
Category
20th Century Philippine Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Shell
$262 Sale Price
25% Off
Early 20th Century Folk Art Fairground Elephant
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century Folk Art Fairground Elephant
We share what we love, and we love this charming and naively formed early 20th century hand craved fairground ride figure. With a de...
Category
1920s British Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
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 Sculptures
Materials
Wood
$144 Sale Price
20% Off
Salt-Glazed Solid Agateware Cat Carrying a Mouse England Mid 18th C. 1745-1760
By Thomas Whieldon Pottery
Located in Katonah, NY
Date / Origin: Staffordshire, England, circa 1745 – 1760
A seated cat with upright ears and grounded paws, holding a small brown mouse in its mouth.
The figure is formed from two pre...
Category
Mid-18th Century English Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Stoneware
Grønlandica, Figure of a Wild Duck Made of Soapstone, Approximately 1960/1970s.
Located in København, Copenhagen
Grønlandica, figure of a wild duck made of soapstone.
Approximately 1960/1970s.
In good condition, signs of use.
Marked.
Dimensions: L 7.5 x D 3.0 x H 5.0 cm.
Category
1960s Greenlandic Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Soapstone
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 Sculptures
Materials
Soapstone
Pair of Hand Carved Wooden African Folk Art Figure Lamps and Custom Woven Shades
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Folk Art lamps - Hand carved African Figures on a black base - A decorative brass rod extend to the top with two custom made Lamp Shades...
Category
20th Century Central African Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Pair of Hand Carved Wooden Folk Art Masks
Located in San Diego, CA
A very fun pair of hand carved wooden folk art masks circa 1940s. The set is in very good vintage condition and has a hanger on the reverse side; the larger mask...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood, Paint
$280 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Mexican Burnished Clay Chicken Kitchen Vessel Hen Egg Basket Decoration Birds
Located in Queretaro, Queretaro
This Mexican ceramic hen is an egg basket, perfect to keep eggs fresh -- a utilitarian kitchen piece by artist Manuel Reyes. Made with clay from Oaxaca and Zacatecas, painted with oxides from the region. Done with the hand-modeled technique and cooked in traditional wood-fired oven. Reyes has been constantly innovating with his hen collection, making this one of his most iconic works.
Ceramic artist, sculptor and painter, Manuel Reyes (Mexico City, 1972) atended the Escuela Nacional de Artes Plásticas in Xochimilco, México. He was later mentored by Royer Von Guten, Joy Laville...
Category
2010s Mexican Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic, Clay
Monumental Figurative Wire Iron Sculpture, Female Figure Titled "DOMINATRIX
Located in Buffalo, NY
Monumental figurative wire iron sculpture, female figure titled "DOMINATRIX, amazing skilled artist, great sense of the human female form. Hand delivery avail to New York City or any...
Category
1970s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Iron, Wrought Iron
Vintage Boho Carved Wooden Bust of Woman
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Imbue your interiors with the soulful elegance and artisanal warmth of this vintage hand-carved wooden bust. Sculpted from a single block of rich, honey-toned hardwood, this striking...
Category
Late 20th Century Indonesian Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Vintage Boho Kinetic Metal Owl Sculpture
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Discover the whimsical charm of this Vintage Boho Kinetic Owl Sculpture, a delightful piece of folk art that brings movement and character to any space. Crafted from distressed metal...
Category
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Rare Early 18th century Irish Carved Folk Art Talbot
Located in Greenwich, CT
Very rare carved and painted wood talbot, a now extinct breed of dog often found in heraldic devices in both England and Ireland, this example in original painted surface and possess...
Category
18th Century and Earlier Irish Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Pine
Beautiful Hand Turned Exotic Wood Bowl
Located in Palm Springs, CA
Out of an estate collection of hand turned bowls including some by Edward Moulthrop comes this unique beautiful hand turned bowl out of some exotic wood. ...
Category
1970s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Horse Head Trade Sign, Last Quarter of the 19th Century
Located in York County, PA
An exceptional, painted American trade sign made from carved wood in the full-bodied form of a race horse’s head. Wonderful movement, tremendous f...
Category
19th Century American Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Antique Wood Bust Sculpture
Located in New York, NY
An antique wood figurative head bust sculpture, circa late-19th century to early-20th century. Piece is hand-carved and decorated (polychromed.) Piece may have been from a game, orna...
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Important Antique Folk Art Carnival Figure of a Macaque
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A hollow finely carved wood macaque figure dressed as a human with short green hair, a blue jacket and yellow slacks. He stands and holds a walking stick in his left hand and crosses...
Category
19th Century Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Hardwood
18th Century Carved Wooden Angel
Located in Houston, TX
Carved wooden angel from Private Chapel in Provence. Wonderful detail in Angel's hair and draped dress. Figure is mounted on an iron stand.
Category
18th Century French Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Iron
Antique Mythical Tiger Finial Bronze Palanquin Handle 18-19th Century
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Antique 18th 19th Century Palanquin Mythical Lion or Tiger Finial Bronze Handle.
Large heavy Indian Mythological bronze palanquin fitting cast via the lost wax technique, beautifully stylized and crafted in the form of protective mythological creature.
Palanquin finials were used to adorn the pole ends of the palanquin or palki.
A fine and massive example of a palanquin pole finial with good detail and fine patina.
India, circa: 18th/19thc.
The Palanquin handle...
Category
19th Century Indian Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Large Cast Bronze Buddha Hand Sculpture on Stand
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Oversized cast bronze Buddhist hand mounted on a black wooden stand and is covered with a great patina.
A vintage oversized Thai bronze sculpture...
Category
Mid-20th Century South Asian Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Hand Made Folk Art Pottery Sculpture of a Mans Head
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A wonderful sculpture of a mans head... reminiscent of an Italian icon, the piece is unique and a wonderful stand alone decorative piece or can be used as a paper weight or bookend. ...
Category
20th Century Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Pottery
3.5ft African Tribal Art Large Bronze Baule Ancestor Sitting King Figure Statue
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Origin: Ivory Coast, Baule Peoples
Dimensions: 14” W x 14” D x 43” H
Discover the elegance and spiritual depth of African tribal artistry with this Large Bronze Seated Ancestor Figur...
Category
Early 20th Century African Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Bronze
Latin American Santos de Palos Wood Carved St. Michael Sculpture
Located in Guaynabo, PR
A renown tradition in Latin America the making of Santos de Palos by masters carvers since the 19th century. They hand carved and painted the saints inspired in their personal religi...
Category
20th Century Unknown Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Turuza Wauja. Two-headed bird Sculpture-Bench, 2024 Brazilian wood
Located in PARIS, FR
Turuza Wauja – Two-headed Bird Sculpture-Bench, 2024
Hand-carved by Indigenous Wauja artisans from the Xingu region in Brazil, this remarkable sculpture-bench represents a two-heade...
Category
2010s Brazilian Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Hardwood, Shell, Paint
Folk Art Heavy Carved Log Bench Rhinoceros Sculpture
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Folk Art heavy carved log wood bench in form of sculpture.
Category
20th Century Unknown Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Teak
Full Size 1950s Model Divers Helmet, Shop Display Piece
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
Full Size 1950s Model Divers helmet, shop display piece
The Helmet is a Rare Piece of Chandlery Shop Display, the helmet is a full size piece made in...
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Brass
Greenlandica. Hand Painted Unique Stoneware Figure, Inuit in Traditional Clothes
Located in København, Copenhagen
Greenlandica. Hand painted unique stoneware figure.
Inuit in traditional hunting clothes.
circa. 1970s.
In perfect condition.
Signed illegibly.
Dimensions: W 9.0 x H 20.5 cm.
Category
1970s Greenlandic Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Stoneware
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 Sculptures
Materials
Pine
1900s Scandinavian Wooden Horse
Located in High Point, NC
Like a mysterious inhabitant of a fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen, this wooden quadruped crafted in Scandinavia circa 1900 exudes a gentle melancholy of the North. The whitenes...
Category
Early 1900s Scandinavian Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
$1,557 Sale Price
40% Off
American Gilt Copper
Cast Iron Full Bodied Rooster Weathervane, circa 1880
Located in Charleston, SC
American gilt copper and cast iron full bodied rooster weathervane mounted on stand, Late 19th Century
Category
1880s American Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Copper, Iron
Hand-Carved and Painted 19th Century Cigar Store Figure
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Hand-Carved and Painted 19th Century Cigar Store Figure.
The man is hand carved from one piece of wood. He is probably late 19th century and over pa...
Category
Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
$10,000 Sale Price
20% Off
Possibly Hand-Turned Solid Wood Mushroom Sculpture, Mid-Century Modern Folk Art
Located in Seattle, WA
Studio-made decorative mushroom turned from solid hardwoods: a warm, honey-brown cap married to a lighter natural stem.Skillful lathe work highlights the cap's flowing cathedral grai...
Category
1970s Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Set of 10 Mid-20th Century Hand-Painted Folk Art Mostly Wooden Bird Silhouettes
Located in Seattle, WA
Charming collection of 10 vintage folk art bird silhouettes, 8 of which are hand-cut from wood and painted in vibrant, stylized representations of various North American species. The remaining 2 are made of thin sheet metal with hardware for a rod to be placed. 7 are mounted on a metal rod for easy display, suggesting their original use as lawn ornaments, garden markers...
Category
1970s Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Metal
Antique terracotta sculpture Boy "Como Papá", Spain, 1900-1930s
Located in Miklavž Pri Taboru, SI
Antique terracotta sculpture Boy "Como Papá", Spain, 1900-1930s.
A charming early 1900s hand-painted terracotta figurine of a little boy dressed like his father - oversized boots, c...
Category
Early 20th Century Spanish Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
Large Antique Papier Maché Carnival Masks, 1900s
Located in Leuven, Vlaams Gewest
For sale are these rare, large early 20th century carnival masks made from wood and painted papier maché.
Although looking a little creepy and intriguing they have a great decorat...
Category
Early 1900s French Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood, Paper
$2,335 / set
19th Century Dutch Carved Monumental Wood Eagle Figure Seated on a Pedestal
Located in Queens, NY
Continental 19th century Dutch life-sized carved wooden eagle figure with open mouth on square pedestal.
Category
19th Century Dutch Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Greenlandica, soapstone sculpture on a marble base. Mid-20th C.
Located in København, Copenhagen
Greenlandica, soapstone sculpture on a marble base. Greenland.
Mid-20th century.
In excellent condition.
Dimensions: L 20.0 cm x H 13.0 cm x W 7.0 cm.
Soapstone - also known as Steat...
Category
Mid-20th Century Greenlandic Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Soapstone
Pair of Carved and Painted Horn Birds
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Pair of Chinese vintage carved and painted horn eagles or hawks with an alluring, stylized interpretation of these majestic birds of prey.
Category
20th Century Chinese Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Horn
$855 / set
Signed Vintage Mud Century Modern Mexican Folk Art Pottery Cat Hand painted.
Located in Seattle, WA
This charming vintage cat figurine is a lovely example of Mexican folk pottery. Hand-painted with whimsical facial features and colorful accents, this ceramic sculpture captures play...
Category
1970s Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Vintage Scandinavian Scrap Art Viking Warrior in Painted Steel, 1980s
Located in Esbjerg, DK
Viking warrior partially made from repurposed/recycled knobs and bolts. It is a heavy piece and it is black painted. Un-known Danish scrap artist circa 1970s-80s. Measurements: 15x10...
Category
1980s Scandinavian Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Steel
Australian Aboriginal Painted Totem Pole from Elcho Island
Located in Atlanta, GA
A hollow log painted with Ocher with a clan-based design.
Title: Djirrididi Log
Artist: James Patrick Lamuta
DOB: 01/04/1984
Medium: Ocher pigment on wood
Provenance: COA from Elcho Island Art...
Category
Early 2000s Australian Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Beaded Ndebele Ceremonial Doll
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare imported commodity, glass beads have been a symbol of wealth and importance in south African cultures for centuries, and were exclusively distributed by the region's oba (king). As beads become gradually more accessible throughout the 19th century, they began to displace the organic materials used in traditional art and attire.
This colorful example of African beadwork is a ceremonial doll...
Category
Mid-20th Century South African Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Cotton, 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 Sculptures
Materials
Gesso, Pine, Paint
Staffordshire Pearlware Musicians and Sheep Bocage Group
Located in Chelmsford, Essex
Staffordshire Pottery pearlware bocage figure with a musical theme which features a couple seated before a tree, playing musical instruments. Sheep and dogs around them, seated on a ...
Category
1820s English Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Pottery
Vintage Boho Santos Crèche Cage Doll
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
A striking piece of devotional folk art, this vintage Santos cage doll is a study in beautiful contrasts. The figure is hand-carved from wood, featuring ar...
Category
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Gesso, Wood
Antique Adjustable Dressmaker Skinny Mannequin , Austria, 1890s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
A great looking originally used by Austrian tailors and dressmakers for draping, alterations, and creating the latest fashion, this vintage dressmaker mannequin...
Category
1890s Austrian Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Midcentury Brass and Copper Pelican Sculpture
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Amusing mixed metal pelican sculpture crafted in brass, copper, and silvered metal in a distinctive and captivating composition that combines technique ...
Category
20th Century Mexican Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Copper
Vintage Leather Carousel Horse Signed By Teresa Corning
Located in Chicago, IL
Vintage Leather Carousel Horse Signed By Teresa Corning
This Antique Carousel Horse is made of leather and the pole is made of metal. The sculpture is fa...
Category
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Metal
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 Sculptures
Materials
Terracotta
$4,700 / set
Folk Art Hunter Carving, circa 1930s
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Hand-carved wooden Folk Art hunter with a sheet metal hat. Original red, white and black paint surface.
Category
1930s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Sheet Metal
Ayyanar India carved and polychrome wood horse - 20th
Located in Linkebeek, BE
Ayyanar India carved and polychrome wood horse
Measures:100cmx23cm H117cm
Material:Wood
Wear Consistent with age and use
Category
20th Century Indian Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Italian majolica pottery figure of traditional Pulcinella, hand modelled in clay
Located in Central England, GB
This superb, large, and highly decorative late 19th-century Italian naïve majolica pottery figure is hand modelled in clay, which is painted and glazed in bold colours.
It depicts t...
Category
Late 19th Century Italian Antique Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Clay
The Virgin Mary Bust Virgin Mary House Replica Compressed Marble Powder No:II
By LAGU
Located in İSTANBUL, TR
This sculpture depicts the Virgin Mary, who is known as the mother of Jesus in Christian mythology. Weighing 1.5 kg, this sculpture is produced from pressed marble powder and made us...
Category
2010s Turkish Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Statuary Marble
Large Mexican Folk Art Pottery Sculpture of a Female Depicting Life
Death
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
This large and striking Folk Art pottery sculpture is unsigned, but believed to have been done in Mexico or South America in a contemporary Folk Art style. The sculpture is a study of a young woman of color wearing a brightly printed dress and accessorized with large deep red rose earrings...
Category
Late 20th Century Mexican Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Pottery
Beaded Ndebele Ceremonial Doll
Located in Chicago, IL
A rare imported commodity, glass beads have been a symbol of wealth and importance in south African cultures for centuries, and were exclusively distributed by the region's oba (king). As beads become gradually more accessible throughout the 19th century, they began to displace the organic materials used in traditional art and attire.
This colorful example of African beadwork...
Category
Mid-20th Century South African Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Cotton, Wood, Fabric
Vintage Boho Carved Wood Cuban Man Sculpture
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This Vintage Boho Carved Wood Cuban Man sculpture brings whimsical personality and cultural charm to any space. Standing over four feet tall, this hand-carved and hand-painted figure...
Category
1970s American Vintage Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Wood, Paint
Vintage Boho Terracotta Pig
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This charming vintage terracotta pig sculpture embodies a whimsical folk art aesthetic, perfect for adding character to any indoor or outdoor space. Cra...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Clay, Terracotta
Wet-Cut Mosaic Wall Decoration
Located in Rockaway, NJ
One of a kind original piece of earthenware ceramic featuring several custom and proprietary glaze chemistries, including luster glazing.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Folk Art Sculptures
Materials
Earthenware, Wood
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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