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Folk Art Toys and Dolls

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
"Lady and Baby by The Wishing Well" Still Bank, German, circa 1910
Located in Incline Village, NV
Very interesting wooden still bank with lots going on. All hand-carved of wood with four small circular risers elevating the base. There is a water pump with a bucket hanging from it and a metal pumper attached to the top. A hand-carved and painted brown pine tree is attached at the opposite corner with a large water well to the other corner. A lady with outstretched arms and a "King Cole" type headdress seems to be reaching out to her baby dressed in green who is lying down on top of the well, next to the coin slot. Perhaps she is about to bathe her. A bird looks on from atop the perch protruding from the pump. Dominant hand painted colors are different shades of brown and all original with no repaint. Very nice all original paint and condition with a small chip missing here and there to this handmade, kind of "folksy", and very well done bank (see images). A round circular key lock trap for releasing the coins is on the underneath, along with "Wishing Well German" handwritten on the opposite corner (see image). Whether written by an earlier collector or maker is not known. Dimensions: 4" square x 3 5/8" high. A unique one of a kind piece to add to a collection of still banks and a nice addition to a Folk Art collection (from my own collection). I am a leading specialist in the field of antique coin...
Category

1910s German Vintage Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Wood

Swedish Folk Wooden Dala Pig Toy, circa 1960
Located in Barcelona, ES
Handpainted Swedish wooden traditional Dala pig toy. Designed by Nils Olsson in Sweden, circa 1960. Materials: Wood In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age...
Category

1960s Swedish Vintage Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Wood

"Organ Bank" with Cat and Dog, circa 1882, American
By Kyser Rex Co.
Located in Incline Village, NV
This American cast iron bank known as "Organ Bank" (Cat and Dog), was manufactured by Kyser & Rex Company, Frankford, Pennsylvania in 1882. It conforms exac...
Category

1880s American Antique Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Iron

Tin Penny Toy Bi-Plane Horn, Germany, circa 1910
Located in Incline Village, NV
Penny Toys were just that; toys made to sell for a penny or very inexpensively. This particular toy was manufactured in Germany (probably Nuremberg) for the ...
Category

1910s German Vintage Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Tin

Toy Cast Iron Truck Car Carrier; Three Cars by A.C. Williams American Circa 1930
Located in Incline Village, NV
Founded in 1886, the A.C. Williams Toy Company in Ravenna, Ohio, manufactured this toy circa 1930. This cast iron truck car carrier loaded with three blue "Austin" sedans ("Austin" embossed on the side of each car) is completely original with no restoration of any kind, and is in original paint with no touch-up or repaint. I have black lighted everything to insure originality of paint. A red Mack truck hitched to a green trailer pulls the car carrier with it's three original cars; all nickel plated wheels on all vehicles are original. Other markings include #5, #11, and #1 on the inside of each car by rear axle; and #5 on the green trailer; #5 on the red truck. Wonderful piece of Americana in very nice condition; one or several of the cars usually are missing and/or typically repainted due to rough floor play. See my other listings of over 100+ vintage toys and antique children's toy savings banks from which to chose. Dimensions: 12 1/2" long x 2" wide x 4 1/4" high. Each cast iron car...
Category

1920s American Vintage Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Iron

American Salesman Sample Late 19th Century Wooden Flat Bed Cargo Wagon
Located in Incline Village, NV
Salesman Sample : Late 19th century. American (4) wheeled hand carved all wooden horse drawn flat bed cargo wagon, in excellent condition with original red st...
Category

1890s American Antique Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Wood

Antique Child s Pedal Toy Car
Located in Oakville, CT
American vintage, antique child's pedal tricycle metal toy car in great working condition.
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Metal

Vintage Free Wheeling Green Lithographed All Tin Racing Car. French, Circa 1930
Located in Incline Village, NV
Circa 1930's free wheeling green lithographed all tin racing car, with attached pressed steel driver; it is probably of French manufacturer (the only time I have seen for sale was from a French toy dealer). This scarce toy has markings resembling early racing cars with the streamlined style graphics in yellow and green; standard grill; exhaust four manifolds to each side, and a spare tire attached to the rear; looks like an early Le Mans type car with the spare (see images). Other markings include the number "3:" on each side; "510 x 1" on the rear tire"; and probably the makers mark and logo, which I can't identify, on the top right behind the driver (see images). Not being a wind-up or a friction toy, this racing car was pushed across the floor by hand or/and used as an accessory in a toy train layout...
Category

1930s French Vintage Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Tin

Miniature Flower Stand Basket Erhard Söhne Antique German Dollhouse Toy 1900s
Located in Nuernberg, DE
This rare and exquisite miniature antique German Flower Stand Basket is a must-have for Dollhouse and Doll collectors and enthusiasts alike. With its beautiful intricate design, it is suitable for any room and adds a touch of elegance to your Dollhouse. The set includes also a bouquet of flowers and the stand, all in very good condition. Made of high-quality gold-plated metal and handmade by skilled craftsmen, this original piece is a testament to the rich history of German toys. Whether you're a fan of entertainment or vintage items, this Erhard & Söhne dollhouse toy...
Category

Early 1900s German Antique Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Metal, Gold Plate

American Tin Toy Trolley, circa 1880
By George W. Brown Co.
Located in Incline Village, NV
Horse drawn trolleys or "horse buses" were the main source of "mass transit", along with trains in the late 1800s in America. Thus they were ubiquitous subject matter for toy makers to exploit as toys for young children. While many tin toy...
Category

Late 19th Century American Antique Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Tin

Handmade Rajasthani Kathputli Dancing Puppet Couple Jaipur India 1950s
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Large pair of vintage 1950s string marionettes, these magnificent Rajasthani Kathputli puppets came from the vibrant state of Rajasthan in northwestern India. Meticulously handcrafte...
Category

Mid-20th Century Indian Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Textile, Silk, Wood

19th C Checkerboard Game Board
Located in Los Angeles, CA
19th C original painted checkerboard game board.
Category

19th Century American Antique Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Wood

19th C Checkerboard Game Board
19th C Checkerboard Game Board
$780 Sale Price
20% Off
Five Mechanical Bank Trade Cards in Frame, circa 1880s
Located in Incline Village, NV
Five mechanical bank trade cards are displayed in two separate frames. In one frame are three polychrome trade cards, which the salesmen typically carrie...
Category

19th Century American Antique Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Paper

(4) Early Vintage All Original Toy Cars. Porsche, Limo, Lehman Sedan, Race Car
Located in Incline Village, NV
All four toys cars are being sold for one price; as a lot. Please see descriptions below. Videos available on request (they display operation). 1) Early Vintage Chein Company All Tin Toy Wind-Up Limousine, American, Circa 1930 This is one of the earlier, New York City based, J. Chein Company, tin toy pieces. They started doing lithography in 1930. This toy wind-up sedan was made circa 1930 and is brightly lithographed and painted in red and yellow, with grey and red balloon wheels. All tin, this car is quite scarce and well proportioned and stream lined with a visor over the windshield, a fancy checkered, red and yellow running board, and three cut out windows to each side of the car; very luxurious and cool looking. Markings consist of "N.J.-44"; the word "Stop" in a logo of some kind; and Chein logo attesting to "Made in U.S.A." manufacture. (see image). Also "marked" and of note are the tires "Chein Balloon Cord" "U.S.A." and "33 x 6 00.6 Ply" Car is from my own collection and is in very good and all original condition with no touch-up paint or repaint, and no restoration of any kind; fabulous colors and presence. The car works fine; see video for operation of the limousine (on request).. Dimensions: 7 1/4" long x 3 1/2" wide x 3" high 2) Rare 911 Porsche Friction Tin Toy by Bandai Toy Co. Made in Japan Circa 1960's Offered here is a whitish/cream colored friction tin toy 911 Porsche circa 1960's, marked at the bottom; "Porsche" in addition to the Bandai Toy Company logo embossed, along with "Made in Japan" designation being noted. The Bandai Toy Company is a post war toy company established in Taito, Japan circa 1950 and is still conducting business today, albeit, it has shifted from toy manufacturing to video toy accessories. This is a very rare toy and is coveted by collectors of both toys and fast cars. Except for the odd and minor scratch here and there, the toy is in very nice, all original condition with absolutely no restoration or touch up to the paint or mechanism (see images). The action and friction functionality works well (see video on request). Motor and engine mechanics and nomenclature are colorfully displayed through the plastic rear trunk window (see image); while the colorful interior can be seen through the side window. Car is all tin, with rubber tires and plastic windows. Dimensions: 10 1/4" long x 4" wide x 3 1/4" high. Note that this toy doesn't become available very often and the few that have turned up in recent years , don't work. 3) Vintage Free Wheeling Green Lithographed All Tin Racing Car. French, Circa 1930 Circa 1930's free wheeling green lithographed all tin racing car, with attached pressed steel driver; it is probably of French manufacturer (the only time I have seen for sale was from a French toy dealer). This scarce toy has markings resembling early racing cars with the streamlined style graphics in yellow and green; standard grill; exhaust four manifolds to each side, and a spare tire attached to the rear; looks like an early Le Mans type car with the spare (see images). Other markings include the number "3:" on each side; "510 x 1" on the rear tire"; and probably the makers mark and logo, which I can't identify, on the top right behind the driver (see images). Not being a wind-up or a friction toy, this racing car was pushed across the floor by hand or/and used as an accessory in a toy train layout setup. The car is in excellent and all original condition (remarkable for a nearly 100 year old floor toy), with no dents, no touch-up paint and absolutely no restoration.. Provenance: From my own collection of toys and banks, having been purchased 33 years ago in 1990. Dimensions: 8 1/4" long x 2 1/2" wide x 2 1/2" high 4) Lehman Auto "Ito" Sedan, Germany, circa 1913 This hand-painted German tin toy was manufactured by the "Lehman Toy Company" in Brandenburg, Germany beginning in 1913. It was made for a number of years after that, enjoying about a 20 year run. Entitled "Ito" it operates by winding up the attached key wind mechanism, placing it on the floor, and watching it go. The car is in very good all original condition with no repairs and no repaint. It runs well. There are a number of markings on the car including "Lehman" with the corresponding logo and the number 679 on the rear. The side of the has the patent information "Pat'd 12 May 1903; 13 Sept. 1904; and U.S.A. 2 Dec. 1913". Hand-painted nicely in red and black with black and gold trim; the hand-painted driver is in blue with flesh tones to the face. Dimensions: 7" long x 3" wide x 3 1/2" high. Note: After 40 plus years of dealing and collecting toys, I am justly qualified to guarantee and present the authenticity of antique and vintage toys and banks; important considering the fakes and reproductions in the marketplace it would behoove an enterprising collector, dealer, or decorator to take advantage of the opportunity to buy as many of the vintage tin...
Category

Early 20th Century Unknown Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Tin

Original Painted Game Board, Signed and Dated
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Original painted game board - signed and Dated 1935.
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Wool, Paint

Vintage Handmade Peruvian Couple Folk Art Dolls
Located in Moreno Valley, CA
Vintage Handcrafted Peruvian Couple Folk Art Collectible Dolls. Handmade vintage collectible Cusco Peruvian dolls feature stuffed bodies, sewn-on faces, and braided black yarn hair. ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Peruvian Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Fabric

Playful Set of Ron Lee Clowns
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Playful Set of Ron Lee Clowns Collectible Set, each piece is signed Dimensions range from: Height 6" (shortest) - 12" (tallest) Base 3" x 3" (smallest)-...
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Wood

American Mechanical Bank "Melody-Bank, " circa 1946
Located in Incline Village, NV
"Melody-Bank" is a rare bank and was manufactured by "Electric Coding Machine Co., N.Y.C." in 1946. American made, this is a genuine and authentic vintage mechanical bank, albeit somewhat later, having been manufactured in 1946. It maintains all of the elements of a collectible antique mechanical bank; pleasing shelf appeal and wonderful musical action. The metal faux textured, green painted casing on five sides is fronted by cardboard on wood, filled with delightful images of "children at play with money" lithography. To operate: Wind up the mechanism by turning the brass dial in front clockwise; then put a nickel, dime, or quarter in the appropriate slot at the top. Music will play as additional lithography depicting children's nursery rhymes rotate on the interior circular dial ("Little Boy Blue", "Mary Had A Little Lamb", etc.). Coins are removed by unscrewing the metal plate at the rear bottom. Bank is in excellent all original condition with fully operable musical mechanism. Dimensions: 7" high x 4 9/16" wide x 3" deep. I am a leading specialist in the field of antique mechanical coin banks...
Category

1940s American Vintage Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Metal

"Toby" Jug Still Bank and Biscuit Tin, circa 1910
Located in Incline Village, NV
This is both a still bank and a biscuit tin. It would originally have been sold, filled with biscuits. After all of the cookies would have been consumed, the tin (rather than been thrown away) would have been used as a bank to save money. There is a slot for deposits at the back of the neck at the top (see image). Coins would have been removed by lifting or twisting the snug fitting lid. Toby is nicely hand-painted in pleasing colors of green, blue, gold, and white, with realistic flesh tones to the hands and face. The total height is 6 1/2" while the total width is 6" (includes handle). Diameter at the base is 5". This Toby figured tin was manufactured circa 1911 by the biscuit tin company of Hudson Scott located in Carlisle, England. It is marked at the bottom "Hudson Scott & Sons Ltd. Carlisle, England." It has crossover appeal into three categories of collectors. It would be a welcome addition to both the still bank collector and the biscuit tin collector...
Category

1910s English Vintage Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Tin

Vintage Pre-War Wind-Up Toy "Boy on Motorcycle Delivery Truck" by Marx
Located in Incline Village, NV
This brightly lithographed tin wind-up toy in colors of red, yellow, and blue, with a driver dressed in appropriate motorcycle clothing, depicts a young man driving a delivery cart with "Speed Boy Delivery" printed on each side of the wagon. The manufacturers logo is clearly marked on both sides of the stake wagon and on the right shoulder of the driver "MAR" with a circle around it and "Made in The United States of America, New York, N.Y." around the circumference (see images). The license plate number is "268", which, along with the red painted inside of the drivers arms (as it should be!) indicates this earlier version and authenticity. Nearly 100 years old, it still operates fine and, upon winding the attached wind-up key a few times and placing the toy on the ground, the motorcycle and driver move across the floor on the way to their deliveries; do not over wind. (see video attached to this listing). The toy is completely original and in very good condition, with no repairs or restorations of any kind and no touch up or repaint. The arms and steering handle bars are also original (sometimes replaced) and they have the appropriate paint and markings. This would make a welcome addition to a collection of pre-war Americana. Dimensions: 9 7/8" long x 5 7/8" wide x 5 3/4" high After 40 plus years of dealing and collecting toys, I am justly qualified to guarantee and present the authenticity of antique and vintage toys...
Category

1930s Vintage Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Tin

Mechanical Bank "Fishing Bears" Battery Operated with Original Box, circa 1950s
Located in Incline Village, NV
This is a later (1950's), albeit often overlooked and important mechanical bank that is quite rare, and highly sought after by collectors. Iconic bank collector F.H. Griffith wrote a...
Category

1950s Japanese Vintage Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Tin

Prototype Late 19th Century Hand Carved Toy Horse Drawn Hansom Cab, American
Located in Incline Village, NV
This is a hand carved wood prototype for a toy that would have been the model for a 19th century cast iron or tin horse drawn hansom cab. It precedes the mol...
Category

1890s American Antique Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Wood

Vintage Children s Toy Savings Bank "U.S. Mail". American, Circa 1920
Located in Incline Village, NV
Children's Savings Coin Bank "U.S. Mail" bank , also known as a "still bank"; was American made, circa 1920. This is well made, sturdy, and all original. It is made of cast iron and hand painted in original green paint with gold highlighting. There is no repaint and no restoration. The coins were deposited through the "letter depository"; lift the lever and drop in a coin (see image). When the bank is full, coins are removed by undoing the original square nut in back and the screw in front. Cast into two parts and now separated, the coins are easily collected. Put back together again to insure parts don't go missing (which happened often) and original screw and nut are maintained. This bank was manufactured circa 1920 by the A.C. Williams Company, Chagrin Falls, Ohio. They made many cast iron toys, banks and other products during their time of operation until World War II. The "U.S. Mail" bank is referenced on page 102 #853 in "The Penny Bank Book" by Andy and Susan Moore...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Iron

Beaded Ndebele Initiation 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...
Category

Mid-20th Century South African Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Fabric, Cotton, Wood

Four Piece Furniture Doll Set. All Tin. Circa 1950 s
Located in Incline Village, NV
All tin; circa 1950's four piece doll furniture set, scaled to fit and accommodate all of your 8" or so dolls from that era, e.g. "Muffie, Ginnette, etc". Display your dolls around this ensemble consisting of a clothing wardrobe...
Category

1950s American Vintage Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Tin

Seated "Cat with a Bow" Still Bank, American, circa 1922
By Grey Iron Casting Company
Located in Incline Village, NV
"Cat with a Bow Seated" cast iron still bank is a difficult bank to acquire and is listed in Andy Moore's "The Penny Bank Book" as #364 and rated a "D" (A to F rarity scale--A most c...
Category

1920s American Vintage Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Iron

Vintage Toy by Lindstrom Dancing Dutch Boy Playing Accordion American Circa 1930
Located in Incline Village, NV
Very difficult antique toy to come by, especially to find with the original box, as this example. In excellent and all original condition and paint in bright blue, white, and yellow paint and lithography with no touch up; there is zero restoration, and the toy is in outstanding operating condition; just wind up the attached wind up key on the back of the boy and the he dances around in a circular motion for quite some time while seemingly playing his accordion (see the video attached). "Dancing Dutch Boy" is an all tin wind up toy...
Category

1930s American Vintage Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Tin

32 Inch Tall Wooden Articulated Mannequin with Carved Face and Hair
Located in Milford, NH
A wonderful and rare articulated wooden mannequin with rare carved face and hair, with fingernail detail, with moveable joints in the head, waist, knees, elbows, wrists, ankles, shou...
Category

20th Century American Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Wood

Vintage Wind-Up Toy, Circa 1950 "Smiling Boy Polishing Boots" Rare
Located in Incline Village, NV
This is a very rare toy that I have not seen an example of before, and judging by it's action and appearance, I would venture to say it is post war, probably made in Japan for the American market (boy looks very American). I have called it "Smiling Boy Polishing Boots" which resembles the clockwork movement. To operate: hold the toy in the left hand with thumb on chest and then; wind up attached original key with the right hand several times; and release. With a smiling face, the boy will roll his head back and forth, while diligently shining his black boots, using an up and down motion with his right hand. The toy works quite well and will go on for some time. It is made up of several materials. The head, hands, and shoes are made of composition; it has a tin body; the clothes jersey, hat, and "falling" trousers" are made of fabric. The toy is in good original condition; some wear to boy's hat and jersey in back (see images), a slight "bend" to tinplate in the rear; but for the most part, the toy is very sturdy, works well, has a nice appearance, and wonderful charisma. This is a charming rare toy that operates as it should, and is a "must have" for collectors of post-war vintage wind up toys...
Category

1950s Japanese Vintage Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Composition, Tin

Vintage Wind Up Tin Toy "Monkey Riding A Horse" by Haji Co., Japan, Circa 1958
Located in Incline Village, NV
Made in Tokyo, Japan by The Haji Company (see image for mark/logo), this all tin vintage wind up toy, circa 1958, depicts a "Monkey Riding A Horse". It ...
Category

1950s Japanese Vintage Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Tin

"Lady Seated in Chair Reading" Money Box/ Still Bank by A. Biagioni, Circa 1925
Located in Incline Village, NV
Penny bank made by Italian Angelo Biagioni for the French market (see image with marking on the back of the chair), circa 1910. Biagioni, born in 1870, was a well known sculptor who crafted objects for resale to the European market. Money boxes (or still banks as they are called in America) were one of the more unique and more difficult items to find by this artist as most objects were basic uni-dimensional sculptered pieces. What makes it more rare is the unfortunate requirement to break and smash the bank open to get the coins out, as there was no mechanism to remove the money. The subject matter of the bank is that of a nicely dressed older lady seated in a chair reading a book. The bank is in all original condition and paint with no restoration or touch-up of any kind. This is a nice addition to any bank or toy collection, or simply to have as a "stand alone" unique item. Dimensions : 4 1/4" deep x 3 3/8" wide x 8 5/8" high. Note: After 40 plus years of dealing and collecting toys and banks, I am justly qualified to guarantee and present the authenticity of antique and vintage still banks...
Category

1910s French Vintage Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Pottery

Mechanical Bank "Child s Clock Bank" Japan, circa 1950s
By Marusan
Located in Incline Village, NV
A unique and quite scarce bank, made in Japan by the Marusan Company for the American market in the 1950's; this all tin bank is known as (according to the gr...
Category

1950s Japanese Vintage Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Tin

Mechanical Bank "Saluting Sailor", circa 1920s
Located in Incline Village, NV
This mechanical bank "Saluting Sailor" was manufactured in the 1920s by Saalheimer & Strauss Company in Germany. It is in excellent all original condition and brightly hand painted in colors of red, white, blue, yellow, and grey. There is an ever so slight crease to the left on dial. The bank operates as follows: Press down on the lever in front just beneath the steering wheel. The sailor raises his right arm and lowers his left arm revealing a slot on the right side of the bank where the sailor's left arm was, inviting the deposit of a coin (see image). Release the lever, and the arms return to their original position (see image). Coins are removed via the original key lock trap. The bank measures: 6 3/4" high 4 7/8" wide 2" deep I am a leading specialist in the field of antique mechanical coin banks...
Category

Early 20th Century German Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Tin

Elvis Presley Commemorative Mechanical Bank "Cleveland Rock and Roll" circa 2006
By Reynolds Toys
Located in Incline Village, NV
Made to commemorate the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame located in Cleveland, Ohio, this cast aluminum mechanical bank depicts Elvis Presley in full gala attire, typical of Elvis, with wh...
Category

Early 2000s American Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Aluminum

Mechanical Bank "Pelican, " Made of Cast Iron, circa 1878
By John Gerrard
Located in Incline Village, NV
The Pelican Mechanical Bank is made of cast iron and was manufactured by The J. & E. Steven's Manufacturing Company, in Cromwell, Connecticut in 1878. It was, however, created by John Gerard of the Trenton Lock & Hardware Company in Trenton, New Jersey. This is probably the best example I've had for sale and is in excellent all original condition and paint. Often times the top beak of the pelican is replaced or repaired this example has the original beak. There were several variations made of the figure in the pelican's mouth. This is the "mammy" example. The bank was finished in both a gold and a dark...
Category

19th Century American Antique Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Iron

Vintage Tin Wind Up Toy by Lindstrom, "Dancing Katinka" American, Circa 1930
Located in Incline Village, NV
Antique toys like this (wind ups) are difficult to find in outstanding operating condition as this one (see the video attached) because of the rough play they would have received from the children who owned them. In very good and all original condition and paint in green, white, yellow, and flesh tone; the paint and lithography has no touch up or repaint of any kind; there is zero restoration. To operate, just turn clockwise the attached clockwork wind up key on the back of the girl and the she dances around in a circular motion for quite some time. "Dancing Katinka" is an all tin wind up toy...
Category

1930s American Vintage Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Tin

"B.O. Plenty" Vintage Wind-Up Tin Toy by Marx Original Box. American, Circa 1935
Located in Incline Village, NV
"B.O. Plenty (printed on the back) is the name of this American made tin wind-up toy; named after the classic Dick Tracy comic book and radio character of the 1930's. In his hand he is holding his daughter, Baby Sparkle. Markings include the Marx logo to the rear "Made in The United States of America" in logo as well as location of manufacture, "New York, N,Y.". Vertically in small print on back of pants "By Permission of Famous Artists Syndicated Copyright By Chicago Tribune" (see images for markings), Markings on the box contribute to validating the genesis and name of the toy, and 200 fifth Avenue, New York address of the Marx Company, which was founded in 1919. Highly lithographed (comes with the very hard to find nice condition original box as well) this example is in excellent and all original condition with no restoration or touch up of any kind.Colors include; yellow shirt and hat. blue vest, brown striped pants, white and flesh tones to face and baby. The toy features B.O. Plenty with a "wise guy" look on his face, while holding his baby. When wound up he waddles back and forth, with his hat flying up in the air and back down again (see movie attached to this listing). The toy works great! Dimensions: 8 1/2" high x 2 3/4" wide x 2 1/2" deep. Provenance: From a recently acquired West Coast collection of fine quality tin toys. See my other listings of over 100+ vintage toys and antique children's toy savings banks from which to chose. Note: After 40 plus years of dealing and collecting toys, I am justly qualified to guarantee and present the authenticity of antique and vintage toys and children's playthings; important considering the fakes and reproductions in the marketplace. My toys operate properly and are as stated and accurately described. it would behoove an enterprising collector, dealer, or decorator to take advantage of the opportunity to buy as many of the vintage tin toys...
Category

1930s American Vintage Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Tin

Lehman Auto "Ito" Sedan, Germany, circa 1913
Located in Incline Village, NV
This hand-painted German tin toy was manufactured by the "Lehman Toy Company" in Brandenburg, Germany beginning in 1913. It was made for a number of ye...
Category

1910s German Vintage Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Tin

Kokeshi Doushin or Child s Mind, by Takeda Masashi, 1960-70s, Japan
Located in Lyon, FR
Kokeshi "Doushin" aka "Esprit d'enfant", années 1960-1970, par Takeda Masashi. Une kokeshi que l'on adore pour ses formes rondes et sa simplicité presque rustique. Place belle est la...
Category

1960s Japanese Vintage Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Wood

Doorstop "Golfer" by Hubley, circa 1920
Located in Incline Village, NV
This doorstop, also known as "Overhead Swinging Golfer," is more difficult to find than it's "Putting Golfer" counterpart doorstop; which is also made by Hubley. Manufactured by the Hubley Manufacturing Company of Lancaster, Pennsylvania in 1920, this cast iron doorstop is in outstanding all original bright paint with no touch up or restoration of any kind, and in wonderful patina. It depicts an older, grey haired man, with typical knicker golf garb, taking a wild swing at a golf ball resting on the grass. It has a semi "hollow" rear with a "238" factory marking, indicating that it is, in fact, by Hubley and original. It is noted in Jeanne Bertoia's 1985 book on doorstops page 60; and referenced on page 211 of the Smith book on doorstops. A must for the doorstop or golfing memorabilia...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Iron

Uncle Sam Still Bank Composition, circa 1940
Located in Incline Village, NV
American manufacture; this colorful hand-painted still bank depicting Uncle Sam is all original with no repairs and no repaint. Fabulous crazing throughout indicative of original pai...
Category

1940s American Vintage Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Composition

Spelter Still Bank "Girl By A Barrel", German, circa 1908
Located in Incline Village, NV
The term "spelter" refers to a zinc/lead metal compound used to pour and make castings. Because of the thinness of the castings there is great detail to the subject matter of these banks. Spelter banks...
Category

Early 1900s German Antique Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Spelter

Beaded Ndebele Initiation 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...
Category

Mid-20th Century South African Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Fabric, Cotton, 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...
Category

Mid-20th Century South African Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Fabric, Cotton, Wood

Beaded Ndebele Initiation 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...
Category

Mid-20th Century South African Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Fabric, Cotton, Wood

Danish 19th Century Faience Money Bank In The Shape Of A Clogs
Located in Copenhagen, K
Danish 19th Century Faience Money Bank In The Shape Of A Clogs
Category

Late 19th Century Danish Antique Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Earthenware

Antique English Rocking Horse
Located in Calgary, Alberta
Charming 19th-century English rocking horse of provincial construction, crafted in pine with original black-painted rockers. The stylised form fe...
Category

19th Century Antique Folk Art Toys and Dolls

Materials

Pine

Folk Art toys and dolls for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique folk art toys and dolls for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the Mid-20th Century, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage toys and dolls created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include more furniture and collectibles, decorative objects, folk art and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, metal and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Folk Art toys and dolls made in a specific country, there are Europe, North America, and United States pieces for sale on 1stDibs. 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 toys and dolls differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $475 and tops out at $2,800 while the average work can sell for $1,388.