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Carnival Art For Sale
Early 20th century papier Mache carnival mask of a German soldier
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century papier Mache carnival mask of a German soldier An early example of a French carnival mask in the form of a German soldier. With hand crafted detail included pain...
Category

1930s French Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Paper

Beatles Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band Golden Record Carat Rec 011/100
Located in Nuernberg, DE
1970s The Beatles 24-karat gold-plated record, unframed. Limited edition of 100, 11/100 with “Certificate of Authenticity” included. Golden Record on a red Velvet wooden plate. Nice ...
Category

1970s German Modern Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Wood, Velvet

Antique Folk Art Carnival Attraction Hand Painted Sign circa 1940 s
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
1677 Hand painted carnival sign world's tallest man and Tom tump In a pediment frame
Category

1940s Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Hardwood, Paint

Rustic Carnival Wheel of Fortune Circa 1940s Folk Art Americana
Located in Oakland, CA
Rustic carnival "Wheel of Fortune" circa 1940s, constructed of various solid woods both solid and plywood, the wheel is painted in weathered hues of red and yellow with images of dom...
Category

1940s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Metal

Folk Art Carnival Sign Winged Scarab and Pyramid "Elixer of Life" Circa 1900
Located in Stamford, CT
Carnival sign with Ancient Egyptian winged scarab and pyramid, hand carved and painted advertisement for "Elixer of Life", circa 1900. This wonderful piece, a personal favorite, has ...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Carnival Art

Materials

Wood

Batman Returns Large Barbell Movie Prop - Seen on Film
Located in Forney, TX
Own a piece of Hollywood history, this Batman Returns (Warner Bros., 1992), circus strongman barbell movie prop is sure to start a conversation while ma...
Category

Late 20th Century American Folk Art Carnival Art

Materials

Resin, Fiberglass, Paint

1940s/1950s Carnival Ride Panel - Monumental Hand Painted Metal Carousel Salvage
Located in Forney, TX
A rare, whimsical, and most impressive monumental scale midcentury American traveling carnival hand painted metal ride panel! United States, circa 1940s/1950s, almost certainly fro...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Carnival Art

Materials

Metal

1940s Coney Island Amusement Park Kiddie Car Fire Engine in Original Condition
By Pinto Brothers Mfg.
Located in Savannah, GA
Produced by Pinto Bros Mfg of Coney Island, New York, this all-original 1940s firetruck was part of a circular ride at the famed Coney Island Amusement Park. Featuring lucky Number 4...
Category

1940s American Industrial Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Metal

Rare 19th century fairground Bayol carousel horse
Located in London, GB
Rare 19th century fairground Bayol carousel horse Dimensions: H 47” x W 29” x D 9” Weight: 20kg Date: Late 19th Century Origin: EU Material: Pine and metal Info: This item does no...
Category

Early 1900s German Victorian Antique Carnival Art

Materials

Wood

Vintage Painted Wood Carnival Game Wheel
Located in Troy, MI
Found in the US, this painted wood carnival game wheel dates from the late 1940s/early 1950s. Wood wheel has colorful painted details and numbers separated by nails. The original lea...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Carnival Art

Materials

Metal

Folk Art Carnival Motorized Ferris Wheel
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
1838 Custom made Carnival Folk Art motorized ferris wheel . Rotates with small lights added set on a wood base
Category

1950s Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Metal

Colorful Painted Carousel Style Rocking Horse
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A remarkable large scale painted rocking horse decorated in the manner of a carousel horse. The white horse with brown mane and tail wears a red saddle on a blue blanket. The rump is decorated with a blond female mask flanked by pink and white dogwood flowers, the breast with the same flowers. With inset plastic colored faceted stones overall. With two brass twisted rods mounted on the white rocker...
Category

20th Century Hollywood Regency Carnival Art

Materials

Wood

Strike ‘Em Out’ Carnival Toss Sign, 1940s USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique vintage, mid-20th century “Strike ‘Em Out” game sign. 6.5 feet tall and 4 feet wide. Hand painted on 0.75 inch thick plywood. Strike Out originated as a baseball-like street game but also became a popular carnival attraction, where a pitcher hurtled a rubber baseball at a batter in front of the sign with the aim to get the ball in the hole. The game originated in the Chicago area...
Category

1940s American Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Plywood, Paint

Antique French Limonaire Frères Signed Carved Painted Wood Carousel Donkey Ride
Located in Forney, TX
A rare, important and most charming French carousel amusement ride by important Parisian craftsmen Limonaire Frères / Limonaire Brothers (France; 1839-1932) Hand-crafted in Paris, France in the late 19th century, exceptionally executed near life-size form depicting a standing donkey figure with the rare unique feature of a nodding head. Finished in country fair taste, hand-carved solid wood construction, the menagerie merry-go-round ride presents splendidly, with the original layered polychrome paint finish, enhanced by beautifully aged heavily worn patina acquired over many years of carnival use. Signed, retaining the original manufacturer's brass plaque that reads: "Sculptures Pour Forains, Chevaux De Bois Etc, Limonaire Freres, Paris, 166 Avenue Daumesnil" The extremely rare, museum quality example is one of the very few surviving Limonaire Frères wooden carousel fixtures, one of only a handful imported to the United States, and quite possibly the last surviving donkey! DIMENSIONS: (approx) 44" High, 52" Wide, 10" Deep PROVENANCE / ACQUISITION: Acquired from the highly reputable auction house, Schultz Auctioneers, Clarence, New York. Important Antiques & Decorative Arts catalog HISTORY: Limonaire Frères were an amusement ride and later street organ...
Category

19th Century French Folk Art Antique Carnival Art

Materials

Wood, Paint

Antique American Carousel Horse Carnival Ride Attrib Charles Dare
Located in Forney, TX
A charming antique, circa 1920, American track machine carousel horse amusement ride attributed to legendary carver Charles W. Dare Company (United States), now mounted on a custom r...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Carnival Art

Materials

Wood, Paint

Antique American Amusement Park Motorcycle Painted Carousel Carnival Ride 1940s
Located in Portland, OR
Antique American carnival amusement park, carousel motorcycle ride, from the late 1940s. A fabulous late 1940s motorcycle carousel ride, the motorcycle body is made of wood and is ha...
Category

1940s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Steel, Iron

Large 20th C. Americana Folk Art Carousel with Painted Farm Animals
Located in Morristown, NJ
20th c., Large Folk Art carousel with animals on a rotating base.Made of wood and canvas construction, with leather and other accent materials unsigned. The animals depicted are a ho...
Category

1940s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Canvas, Wood, Paint

Antique Carnival Prize Chalkware Bulldog Statue / Figure
Located in Cordova, SC
**Historical Background** American carnival chalkware flourished from 1900-1950, with bulldogs being among the most popular prizes. These pieces were mass-produced as affordable carn...
Category

1930s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Plaster, Paint

Set of Eight Folk Art Carnival Punks / Knockdown Dolls
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Folk Art carnival punks / knockdown dolls composed of canvas forms lined with cotton fur supported by carved wood bases for added stability / weight, c...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Carnival Art

Materials

Canvas, Cotton, Wood

Rare Antique Distressed Carousel Horse on Iron Stand Sculpture
Located in Hopewell, NJ
Fantastic antique found unpainted carousel horse form having distressed wood, amazing character, and handsome custom iron stand. Makes a stunning folk art sculpture with monochromat...
Category

1930s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Wood

1930s Amusement / Carnival Motorcycle Ride, Carousal, Merry-go-round
Located in Buffalo, NY
1930s Antique midway amusement park wooden motorcycle ride is one of the earliest produced for carousels and merry-go-rounds. Wonderful aged patina, ...
Category

1930s American Art Deco Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Metal

1920s American Carousel Horse
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
A decorative 1920s carved wood American carousel horse, in original paint. Rests on a later made stand.
Category

20th Century American Carnival Art

Materials

Wood

Rare 1950s Childs Size Carousel Motorcycle
Located in Peekskill, NY
This item is a lot smaller than it looks in the pictures. The handlebars are less that 2 foot tall. Its sized for a small child but has the proportions of a full size motorcycle. Tha...
Category

Mid-20th Century German Folk Art Carnival Art

Materials

Metal

Pair of Handcrafted Venetian Jester Masks with Opera Sticks, Commedia dell’Arte
Located in Miami, FL
A striking pair of handcrafted Venetian jester masks, created in Italy circa 2000 and inspired by the rich theatrical traditions of Commedia dell’Arte. These original Venetian folk a...
Category

Late 20th Century Italian Folk Art Carnival Art

Materials

Gold, Brass, Metallic Thread

Early 20th Century scratch built fairground roulette wheel
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century scratch built fairground roulette wheel A unique example of an early 20th Century scratch built fairground roulette wheel. With a solid brass central weighted nob ...
Category

1920s British Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Pine

Two Sided Carnival Fun House Glass Mirror
Located in San Mateo, CA
This two sided fun house mirror likely came from a carnival. There are small wheels under the base so it can be moved easily. It also had plywood covers than enclosed the mirrors for...
Category

Mid-20th Century American Carnival Art

Materials

Glass, Mirror, Plywood

Monumental Fiberglass Lion Sculpture Drinking Fountain mFG. by F.A.S.T Corp
Located in Buffalo, NY
Monumental Fiberglass Lion Sculpture Drinking Fountain mFG. by F.A.S.T Corp..Salvaged from Crystal Beech ,famed amusement park in Ontario Canada,, Amazing Cartoon Lion ,complete with...
Category

1970s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Chrome

1950 s Papier mâché french theatre head
Located in Diest, BE
A 1950's rare original James Ensor style papier mâché theatre head. This item was obtained via a private collection (France).
Category

1950s French Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Paper

Early 20th century pair of Fairground Figures
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century pair of Fairground Figures Dimensions: H 63” x W 19” x D 1” Weight: 8kg the pair Date: Circa 1920 - 1940 Origin: Unknown Material: Pine Info: These figures do n...
Category

1920s British Late Victorian Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Pine

19thc Wooden Folk Art Gaming Wheel with Original Red Paint Cardinal Design
Located in Savannah, GA
19th Folk Art gaming wheel featuring four cardinals and hand painted numbers, it retains the original red and yellow paint. A charming piece of Americana that would make a colorful w...
Category

1890s American Folk Art Antique Carnival Art

Materials

Metal

Wood Carved Folk Art Girl and Dog Carousel Chariot Original Paint Surface
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Fantastic girl and her dog Folk Art carved carousel chariot panel. Superb original paint surface. Great three dimensional surface. Excellent wall hang...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Carnival Art

Materials

Wood

Glass and Wood Fun House Mirror, 1950s USA
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Super unique set of carnival mirrors from a retired New York City carnival. 6 wood mirrors all with original glass. Different shape, patina and aging to each mirror. Some mirrors are...
Category

1950s American Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Glass, Wood

1960s English Carnival Sign
Located in High Point, NC
1960s carnival art sign from England. It is advertising a cake walk on one side of the sign, and on the back has a charming message "Have a nice Victorian day". Great sign for any co...
Category

1960s English Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Wood

Antique Atlantic City Souvenir Penny Game from Boardwalk Empire
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A Historical artifact once used in the HBO series Boardwalk Empire. Maple cabinet with brass plaques and painted iron mechanism. Costing two quarters and a penny to play. Not tested ...
Category

20th Century American Industrial Carnival Art

Materials

Metal

Pair of Vintage Carnival Mirrors
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Very cool pair of vintage carnival fun house mirrors. Both are convex mirrors in a black wood frame. Mirrors are made of Lucite not glass. So...
Category

1960s English Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Wood

Circus Poster by Ringling Bros., circa 1971, "Clown Standing over Tents"
Located in Incline Village, NV
This highly animated, bright and colorful circus poster portrays a fabulous looking clown in white frilled garb with red stripes, welcoming everyone to see the "Greatest Show on Earth...
Category

1970s Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Paper

Lion Carved Wooden Carousel Figure: Antique
Located in Mortsel, BE
Behold this majestic antique carousel figure featuring a regal lion. Meticulously hand-carved from wood and mounted on a sturdy metal base, this vint...
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Carnival Art

Materials

Metal

19th Century Original Painted Juggling Pins
Located in Los Angeles, CA
These original painted red and cranberry monumental juggling pins are in fantastic condition and very large scale. The patina is the very best.
Category

19th Century American Adirondack Antique Carnival Art

Materials

Wood

Circa 1900 American Ringling Brothers Circus Fairground Cart Panels Tiger Lion
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A rare survivor, fantastically decorative pair of plaster and hand painted animal cart panels used by the Ringling Brothers Circus Show circa 1900 The two panels would have hung ov...
Category

Early 1900s American Antique Carnival Art

Materials

Plaster, Pine

Hand Painted Midcentury Resin White Jumper Carousel Horse by C.W. Parker
By Charles Looff Or 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 Carnival Art

Materials

Brass

Unusual Vintage Paper Mache Folk Art, Parade "Carnival" Mask
Located in Buffalo, NY
Unusual vintage papier mâché Folk Art..parade "carnival" theater mask.
Category

1960s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Paper

Antique Early Gambling Folk Art Gaming Device, Holtz
Located in Forney, TX
An exceptionally scarce antique American Folk Art gambling triple stacked wooden arrow spindle spinning wheel gaming device from the late 19th / early 20th century. Believed to be a prototype or for a similar lesser known model of the important, very rare and unusual T. F. HOLTZ made "Three Arrow Trade Stimulator" circa 1896, (displayed in the American Antique Museum, reference L2016.2501.010) Theodore Holtz of San Francisco and early slot machine pioneer Charles Fey's partner in 1894, forming their first partnership as Holtz and Fey Electric Works. For this particular game, upon depositing your nickel and pressing the lever, three arrows will spin on the front dial and if all three stop on the same marker you win. Trade stimulators were countertop or freestanding amusement gaming machines widely used to encourage shoppers to indulge in a game of chance. They became popular in American saloon bar...
Category

19th Century Folk Art Antique Carnival Art

Materials

Metal, Iron

1960s Dutch Papier Mache Extra Large Sea Devil Carnival Parade Head
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century unique and wonderfully fun large painted papier mache carnival head. This extra large "Sea Devil" head with a seahorse sticking out of the top and an eel going through th...
Category

1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Paper

Antique Hand-Painted Wooden Carousel Horse with Saddle - Multicolored
Located in Mortsel, BE
This antique hand-painted wooden carousel horse is a beautiful piece of fairground history, expertly crafted with attention to detail. The multicolored design features a classic sadd...
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Carnival Art

Materials

Metal

Rare Antique Early American Carnival Coin Toss Game Table
Located in Forney, TX
A scarce American carnival coin toss game. The rare and unusual antique hand carved and painted solid wood amusement park / county fair / mid-way gaming tabl...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Carnival Art

Materials

Wood, Paint

Collection of Three Carnival Shooting Gallery Target Knockover Birds
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Nice collection of three carnival midway knockover shooting gallery targets. Nice chunky pieces. Great original layers of white paint surface.
Category

1930s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Iron

Vintage Huckley Barrel Carnival Game
By St. Louis Carnival Co.
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Vintage carnival game made by the Saint Louis Carnival company. We also have the original paper game rules signs with these. Please note that not all crates are painted St. Louis Car...
Category

1940s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Clay, Wood

Iron Shooting Target of a Pig
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Unique shooting target made from cut steel and iron in the shape of a pig. The piece is quite rusty and weathered from all it's years in use.
Category

Early 20th Century North American Folk Art Carnival Art

Materials

Steel

Iron Shooting Target of a Pig
Iron Shooting Target of a Pig
$900 Sale Price
50% Off
Early 20th Century Rare Chicken Fairground Target Panel from Paris
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century Rare Chicken Fairground Target Panel from Paris Made from pine and papier Mache with hand painted detail. Known as a Passé Boule in France these fairground amusem...
Category

1920s French Victorian Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Pine, Paper

Carved American Carnival Head, circa 1890s
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Finely featured carved man's head found in the southern United States. Most likely a late 19th century carnival head featured in a ball or ring toss game.
Category

19th Century American Folk Art Antique Carnival Art

Materials

Wood

Large Collection of Carousel Figures, Popeye, Donald Duck, Mickey Mouse...
Located in Mortsel, BE
Large private collection of carousel animals, please send message when questions.
Category

Early 20th Century Carnival Art

Materials

Wood

Early 20th Century Hand Carved English Fairground Carousel Panel
Located in London, GB
Early 20th Century Hand Carved English Fairground Carousel Panel A rare piece of traditional English fairground art attributed to Orton and spooner. All carved from sections piece ...
Category

1910s British Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Pine

Early 20th century hand carved pine fairground figure
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century hand carved pine fairground figure A rare piece of fairground art, in the form of a hand carved, painted polychrome Jeu de massacre fairground knock- down figure. ...
Category

1920s French Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Pine

Rare Early 20th Century Hand Carved Fairground Dragon Ride Fragment
Located in London, GB
Rare Early 20th Century Hand Carved Fairground Dragon Ride Fragment A highly decorative and delightful object of an early 20th Century fairground dragon ride fragment panel. Would l...
Category

1920s Unknown Victorian Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Pine

Equestrian Circus Poster by Ringling Bros Ca. 1971 Featuring "Miss Helen Girard"
Located in Incline Village, NV
There is a lot going on in this equestrian themed, bright and colorful circus poster portraying famous early 20th century circus performer "Miss Helen Girard". She is in a horse drawn cart in one image, while two men ride horses in two other images, and Helen Girard in full portrait is featured on the left. Her claim to fame is stated at the bottom "Empress of the Equestrian World" and "Side Saddle Queen". This is a reissued poster by Ringling Brothers from 1971 of one of their original, very early, 1903 promotional circus posters. To commemorate their 100th anniversary, in 1971, Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey, produced reissues of some of their select and most famous authentic posters...
Category

1970s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Paper

Early 20th century English fairground carousel central fragment
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century English fairground carousel central fragment A hand carved example of a vibrant and highly decorative fairground carousel central mirror panel. With its original...
Category

1920s British Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Pine

Antique Fairground Ride Circa 1930 Reindeer
Located in Hastings, GB
Large 1930's Antique English fairground wooden Reindeer carousel ride. Wonderful aged patina, two sided original paint. Faux leather padded seat. Has been fitted with cast iron brack...
Category

Early 20th Century English Folk Art Carnival Art

Materials

Pine

Matched pair of Early 20th Century English Hand Crafted Fairground Fragment
Located in London, GB
Matched pair of Early 20th Century English Hand Crafted Fairground Fragment These historic hand carved early 20th century English fairground ride decorative fragments have stood the...
Category

Early 20th Century British Folk Art Carnival Art

Materials

Pine

1960s Dutch Papier Mache Green Monster Carnival Parade Head
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century unique and wonderfully fun large painted papier mache carnival head. This "Green Monster" head resembles a sea creature or swamp monster, he originally had a smoking pipe...
Category

1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Paper

Exquisite Vintage Venetian “Medico della Peste” Mask in Gilt and Black Lacquer
Located in TEYJAT, FR
Exquisite Vintage Venetian “Medico della Peste” Mask in Gilt and Black Lacquer This stunning Venetian full face mask is a beautiful work of craftsmanship, perfect for collectors or as a decorative piece. This striking vintage Venetian mask...
Category

20th Century Italian Baroque Revival Carnival Art

Materials

Paper

Antique and Vintage Carnival Art

The collection of original antique and vintage carnival art on 1stDibs includes paintings and posters that promoted traveling carnivals and circuses of years past as well as masks, sculptures and other works of folk art associated with widespread public celebrations that mark the start of harvest season or are rooted in religion.

The concept of “Carnival” is linked to an event that precedes Lent, the season of preparation before Easter for Christians (it may also have roots in Ancient Rome’s pagan Saturnalian festival), while the modern traveling carnival that we know — i.e., amusement fairs — existed during the 19th century in North America. The Chicago World’s Fair in 1893 was pivotal to these traveling amusement fairs.

Some of the most famous celebrations of Carnival around the world include Karneval in Germany, Carnival in Brazil and Mardi Gras in the United States. Carnival in Barbados is a traditional harvest festival. The bright colors, the caricatured masks and floats and the over-the-top nature of Carnival continue to enthrall millions across the globe.

Carnivals have always given way to impressive displays of creativity and folk art. Folk art is art created by people who are not classically trained for either utilitarian or decorative purposes. With respect to visual art in folk art, it refers to work that is reflective of a community’s culture and usually handmade by craftspeople working within a popular tradition.

Carnival art reflects the way different cultures celebrate or mark an important community event. Some examples of Carnival art include fabric dolls and marionettes that are used to tell stories and capture your imagination. Antique dolls make for striking collectibles positioned for display on any shelf in your home, while carnival masks make a bold statement as wall art. A collection of masks could create an elevated accent wall in a living room or dining room.

Browse 1stDibs to find unique antique and vintage carnival art for your space today.

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