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Carnival Art For Sale
1960s Dutch Papier Mache Curious Grandpa Carnival Parade Head
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century unique and wonderfully fun large painted papier mache carnival head. This "Curious Grandpa" head resembles a man with white hair and curious facial expression, sadly the ...
Category
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Paper
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
$900 Sale Price
50% Off
19th Century hand carved wood and polychromed Jeu de massacre fairground figure
Located in London, GB
19th Century hand carved wood and polychromed Jeu de massacre fairground figure
A rare piece of fairground art, in the form of an oversized hand carved painted polychromed Jeu de massacre fairground knock- down figure. Made from sectioned wooden and dressed in hand made clothing. A larger than normal example which makes this quite rare and highly collectable in its quirky and characteristics look.
A fairground game from France, the jeu de massacre was a common game in French fairgrounds...
Category
Early 1900s French Folk Art Antique Carnival Art
Materials
Pine
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
Antique French Birdhouse
Located in Los Angeles, CA
French antique birdhouse find it in Paris. We painted the base only the dome is in original condition and it is beautiful. Dimension of the dome
heig...
Category
1910s French Arts and Crafts Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Wood
$3,800
Venetian Grand Tour Carnival Figure of a Young Girl, Paint Decorated Metal c1770
Located in valatie, NY
Rare Venetian First Grand Tour Carnival Figure of a Young Girl, Paint Decorated Metal, Late 18th c. The Carnival in Venice traces its origins to 1162, when Venetians celebrated a mil...
Category
Late 18th Century Italian Neoclassical Antique Carnival Art
Materials
Metal
1960s Dutch Papier Mache Extra Large Jovial Rasta Woman Carnival Parade Head
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century unique and wonderfully fun large painted papier mache carnival head. This extra large Jovial Rasta Woman head has an infectiously happy yet devious face. Traditionally wo...
Category
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Paper
Early 20th century fairground figure Pierre Jean Marie Laval
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century fairground figure
An early 20th century hand carved French fairground knockdown figure in the form of Pierre Jean Marie Laval , i...
Category
1920s French Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Pine
Circus Poster by Ringling Bros., circa 1971, Portraying Six Seated Clowns
Located in Incline Village, NV
This bright and colorful circus poster depicts six seated clowns with their backs to the audience and an alphabet letter on their back spelling out the word "Circus". It is a reissued poster by Ringling Brothers from 1971 of one of their original 1936 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 dating from 1883 until the 1930's. There were 30 different posters, and they were advertised as "The only antique posters authorized by the greatest show on...
Category
1970s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Paper
Nice Carved and Painted Tyrolian Carnival Fasnet Mask
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Nice Carved and Painted Tyrolian Carnival Fasnet Mask
A handcarved pine wood, hand painted, antique wooden carved carnival mask from the region of South Tyrol. Excecuted in the firs...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Carnival Art
Materials
Wood
Rare Early Childrens Carousel Ride Bird Figure Antique Carnival Folk Art
Located in Forney, TX
Acquired from the nationally known Fort Worth Museum of Science & History (originally opened in 1945 as the Fort Worth Children's Museum), this remarkable very early carousel ride is the last we have available from the original menagerie group we aquired (the stag deer, parrot, and fox rides from the same carousel already sold)
Lynx Hollow Antiques is proud to present this scarce one-of-a-kind antique European early dobby platform flat...
Category
19th Century Dutch Folk Art Antique Carnival Art
Materials
Iron
Early 20th Century, Circus Balancing Balls
Located in London, GB
Early 20th century circus balancing balls.
We share what we love, and we love these rare early 20th century hand crafted wood and glass mirror English circus balancing balls. Each section is hand crafted using pins...
Category
1920s British Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Mirror, Wood
Antique 1930s Judge Theatre Papier Mâché Head from Paris
Located in London, GB
Antique 1930s judge theatre papier mâché head from Paris
This lot is a rare original 1930s papier mâché French theatre heads. This item was obtain...
Category
1930s French Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Paper
Pair Carved Wood Carousel Pigs, mid 20th century , France
Located in Buffalo, NY
Add a touch of whimsy to your space with these charming antique carousel figure's.. featuring a carved wooden pigs. Crafted with precision and mounted on a sturdy vintage industrial ...
Category
Mid-20th Century French Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Wood
Vardo Wagon Panels, circa 1880
Located in London, GB
Carved wooden gypsy vardo wagon panels, circa 1880
This lot is a very rare and unique set of 6 hand carved wooden gypsy Vardo travelling wagon panel strips. The wooden panels wou...
Category
1890s British Folk Art Antique Carnival Art
Materials
Wood
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
Vintage Carousel Horse
Located in Napa, CA
Vintage Carousel Horse believed to be from the 18th century with wonderful worn distress finish.
Category
18th Century and Earlier Antique Carnival Art
$7,500
Folksy Hand Carved Tyrolian Carnival Fasnet Mask
Located in Berghuelen, DE
Folksy Hand Carved Tyrolian Carnival Fasnet Mask
A folksy wooden carved carnival mask from the region of South Tyrol. These masks are used in Austria, South Germany and Italy at the...
Category
Early 20th Century German Black Forest Carnival Art
Materials
Wood
HBO Prop "Huber
s Palace Museum" Souvenir Pennant Cart
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Colorful stage prop cart from an HBO production. Painted wood on wheels, along with two painted barrels with sticks for the pennants. This is an artist made...
Category
20th Century American Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Wood
Antique New Old Stock Dixey Spool of Twine c.1920
Located in San Francisco, CA
ABOUT
New old stock Dixey spool of twine with vivid graphics. Manufactured in Brooklyn, NY circa 1920.
Shown with life size hand model for scale.
CREATOR Dixey Twine Co., Bro...
Category
Early 20th Century American Industrial Carnival Art
Materials
Twine, Paper
Vintage Folk Art Carved Wood Juvenile Size Carousel Figure of a Standing Lion
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Vintage half-scale carved wood carousel figure by Robert Demechko (1938-1923). Called "Leo" a carved and bleached or limed wood figure of a standing male lion with glass eyes and dec...
Category
Late 20th Century American Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Wood
Large 19th Century Painted Game Wheel
Located in Nantucket, MA
Large 19th century wooden gaming wheel with hand-painted face including numbers and central nautical star design. In black, maroon, yellow, and orange paints, with metal dowels sepa...
Category
Late 19th Century North American Antique Carnival Art
Materials
Metal
Late 1940s American Amusement Park Car, "Little Red Convertible"
Located in San Francisco, CA
American amusement park car, "Little Red Convertible." A late 1940s streamline design similar to a Packard or Hudson of this post war era. Solid rub...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Streamlined Moderne Carnival Art
Materials
Aluminum, Steel
Parker Carousel Company Wood Carved Chariot Side
By John Adams Parker
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Carved wood Parker Carousel chariot side. Fantastic carved dragon with the original jewel eye.
Category
Early 20th Century American Steampunk Carnival Art
Materials
Wood
1950 to 60s Wall Hanging Tapestry, Hand Executed Art, "CASINO" Jane Ashley
By Jane Ashley
Located in Buffalo, NY
Large, unusual, handmade wall hanging titled "CASINO" signed Jane Ashley, all hand executed depicting casino gaming table, featuring hand painted leather.....
Category
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Carnival Art
Materials
Fabric, Leather, Velvet
Group of Three Vintage Decorative Ball Top Pegs
Located in Palm Beach, FL
Intriguing group of three vintage decorative markers crafted in wood and painted with primary colors, now distressed.
Category
20th Century Italian Sporting Art Carnival Art
Materials
Wood, Paint
$2,250 / set
1960s Dutch Papier Mache Blue Monster Carnival Parade Head
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century unique and wonderfully fun large painted papier mache carnival head. This "Blue Monster" head resembles a grumpy blue demon monster with red h...
Category
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Paper
1960s Dutch Papier Mache Green Monster with Pipe 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 who enjoys smoking from his tobac...
Category
1960s Dutch Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Paper
1960s Dutch Papier Mache Poodle Face Carnival Parade Head
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Mid-Century unique and wonderfully fun large painted papier mache carnival head. This "Poodle Face" head resembles a poodle with a brown fur collar. Traditionally worn in the souther...
Category
1960s Dutch Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Paper
19th Century Folk Art Carved Polychrome Scotsman Carousel Kilt Figure
Located in Queens, NY
19th century Scotsman (Highlander) Carousel large carved and painted standing figure wearing kilt with plume hat on large round base.
Category
Late 19th Century Folk Art Antique Carnival Art
Materials
Wood
3 Leather Italian Carnival Masks
Located in Tarrytown, NY
3 leather Italian carnival masks.
Category
1990s Carnival Art
Materials
Leather
$175 / set
Original Wood Carved SHOW Majorette Letterpress Triangle Poster Company
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Large hand carved circus or carnival SHOW letterpress with wonderful and graphic carved majorette. This wood cut was made by the Triangle Poster Compan...
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Wood
Charming Pair of Vintage Metal Carnival Ladies
Located in Hopewell, NJ
A matching pair of silver metal female figures in a striking pose with hair caught in the wind. Probably carnival art. Makes unexpectedly charming wall art with a folk art feel. They...
Category
1930s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Metal
$2,200 / set
Vintage Carnival Midway Wood Ring Toss Game
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Great vintage carnival midway ring toss game. Perfect wall art. Wood with original park paint surface. These appear to be one of a kind carnie made pieces fo...
Category
1950s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Wood
American Carnival Wagon or Band Organ Carved Female Head
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Late 19th century American carnival wagon or band organ female head carving. Very detailed wood carving with great old white painted surface. Presented on a...
Category
19th Century American Folk Art Antique Carnival Art
Materials
Wood
19th Century Sicilian Italian Marionette Folk Art Puppet
Opera dei Pupi
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A oversized late 19th century Marionette in original untouched condition, originating from Palmero Italy.
The figure is missing both arms, its original clothing is heavily fad...
Category
19th Century Italian Antique Carnival Art
Materials
Textile, Pine
Pair of Quirky Plaster Figures, Signed E. Siegl
Located in Brecht, BE
A quirky pair of plaster figures, 19th century Folk Art, signed E. Siegl,
in very good vintage condition. man is 40 cm high x 43 cm wide and 24 cm deep,
woman is 40 cm high x 39 cm...
Category
Late 19th Century German Antique Carnival Art
Materials
Plaster
$3,322 / set
Early Antique Collection of Eight Bone Glove Stretchers Made in France
Located in Manhasset, NY
Collection of eight antique spring action bone glove stretchers made in France. The large ones measure 8 inches, the smaller at 6 inches.
Category
Mid-20th Century Industrial Carnival Art
Circa 1940s English Showman
s Mini Rollercoaster Travelling Fairground Circus
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A wonderful period showman's mini rollercoaster, constructed in pine with its original steps and single ride on cart. Typical of the travelling fairground community, the coaster has ...
Category
Mid-20th Century English Carnival Art
Materials
Pine
Unusual Hand Carved Clown Motif Umbrella, Paragon, S. Fox
Co
By S. Fox
Co.
Located in Buffalo, NY
Unusual Hand Carved Clown Motif Umbrella, Paragon, S. Fox & Co
Category
1920s English Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art
Materials
Metal
Len Norman, American 20th Century the Prestidigitator Whirligig
Located in Buchanan, MI
Len Norman, American 20th century) the prestidigitator. Assembled and painted whirligig depicting a magician and body sawing act
Measures: 23" x 27" x 12".
Category
20th Century Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Wood
1920s Bulbous Folk Art Painted Spanish Lamp and Shade
Located in Godshill, Isle of Wight
1920s Bulbous Folk Art painted Spanish lamp and shade
This an attractive painted lamp, the lamp has a hand carved bulbous Fair Ground Twisted column which is painted in Gold, Green and Red, the paint has now aged in colour and developed a charming aged finish, the lamp has its own oversized lamp...
Category
Early 20th Century Folk Art Carnival Art
Materials
Wood
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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Antique Carnival Wheel
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Carnival Shooting
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Iron Target
Toss Game
Vintage Carnival Sideshow
Vintage Fairground
Antique Game Wheel
Antique Juggling Pins
Black Carousel Horse
Carnival Shooting Targets
Circus Banners
Midway Carnival Game
Sicilian Marionettes
1930s Circus Art
Antique Carnival Signs