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Carnival Art

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Carnival Art For Sale
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

Soldier Carnival Shooting Gallery Targets
By King
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Early examples of 'King' soldier shooting gallery targets. Rare shape and extremely thick. King manufactured shooting galleries and targets thr...
Category

Early 20th Century American Carnival Art

Materials

Iron

Circus Poster by Ringling Bros, circa 1971 "Buffalo Bill’s Wild West"
Located in Incline Village, NV
This bright and colorful, action packed circus poster portrays the quintessential Buffalo Bill images with Indians and western scenes, characters in full regalia that were used in his wild west shows...
Category

1970s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Paper

Early 20th Century Carnival Carousel Funhouse Architectural Columns
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Fun antique architectural elements from carnival carousel or funhouse ride. Layers of beautiful original park paint. Great scale for wall art or to act as a frame for something else. Unique and original fairground art!
Category

1890s American Folk Art Antique Carnival Art

Materials

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

Carousel Ostrich Sculpture
Located in Hamilton, Ontario
Hand carved wood sculpture of carousel ostrich.
Category

1980s Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Wood

Breitschwerdt German Puppet Folk Art
Located in Dallas, TX
Breitschwerot German Puppet Folk Art.
Category

20th Century German Carnival Art

Materials

Wood

Old Castelet Or Guignol Theater, Period: Early 20th Century
Located in CRÉTEIL, FR
Old castelet or theater Guignol of parquet floor or living room Lyonnais. Its structure is in painted wood, the bottom represents a clown, the Auguste giving food to his playmate, a...
Category

20th Century European Other Carnival Art

Materials

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

Large Hand Painted Early Carnival Rounding Board
Located in Norwalk, CT
Bring an unusual piece of folk history into your home with this stunning early 20th century rounding board salvaged from a carnival. With hand-painted designs of putti and harp motif...
Category

Early 20th Century Carnival Art

Materials

Wood

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

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

Vintage Pair of Venetian Masquerade Masks on Opera Sticks
Located in Miami, FL
A pair of Folk Art jester masks that are original Venetian creations, entirely hand-drawn and handcrafted, circa 2000. Italian Artists have realized these pieces with respect of craf...
Category

20th Century Italian Folk Art Carnival Art

Materials

Gold, Brass, Metallic Thread

Vintage Shooting Club Lodge Target Plaque German 1900s, Carnival Folk Art
Located in Nuernberg, DE
Vintage Shooting Lodge Target Plaque 1900s. A rare and beautiful wooden shooting target plaque with inscriptions. This rare kings plaque was issued by a ...
Category

Early 1900s German Folk Art Antique Carnival Art

Materials

Wood, Paper

'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

Nice Rare Set of 19th C Oak Hand Carved Belgian Carousel Wooden Panels / Mirrors
Located in Southampton, GB
Nice rare set of 19th c oak hand carved Belgian Carousel wooden panels . These have been salvaged and pinned together on the reverse ( see photos of t...
Category

19th Century Belgian Antique Carnival Art

Materials

Oak

Hand Painted Midcentury Resin White Jumper Carousel Horse by C.W. Parker
By Charles Looff Or C.W. Parker
Located in Chattanooga, TN
Horse is embossed with the makers mark on one of its hooves. Made by Charles Looff and stamped C.W. Parker. Perfectly captured in all it’s glory, this vintage carousel horse...
Category

Mid-20th Century Unknown Hollywood Regency Carnival Art

Materials

Brass

Pair of Hand Painted Early Carnival Rounding Boards
Located in Norwalk, CT
Bring an unusual piece of folk history into your home with this stunning pair of early 20th century rounding boards salvaged from a carnival. With hand painted designs and gold leaf ...
Category

Early 20th Century Carnival Art

Materials

Wood

Pair of Hand Painted Early Carnival Rounding Boards
Located in Norwalk, CT
Bring an unusual piece of folk history into your home with this stunning pair of early 20th century rounding boards salvaged from a carnival. With hand painted designs and gold leaf ...
Category

Early 20th Century Carnival Art

Materials

Wood

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

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

Early 20th C Robert Lakin & Co Fairground Carnival Circus Pillars Edwin Hall
Located in Lowestoft, GB
A truly fantastic group of totally original untouched decorative fairground pillars by the infamous Robert J Lakin Company of 67 Besley Street, Streatham, London The pillars are h...
Category

Early 20th Century English Carnival Art

Materials

Pine

O'Henry Fred Johnson Salem Witch Trials Sideshow Spider Girl Banner
Located in Santa Monica, CA
O'Henry Tent and Awning sideshow banner with original shipping tag. Unusual subject matter and fantastic story from the Salem witch trails to Spider Girl. ...
Category

1940s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Canvas

Vintage Carnival or Casino Neptune's Trident Lighted Trade Sign Americana
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Unique lighted Neptune's trident carnival ride or casino trade sign. Really nice graphic piece. Original layers of golden yellow and red park paint. Provides a nice amount of warm li...
Category

1930s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Metal

Folk Art Bag, Made by Coca Cola Crown Caps, Burkina Faso, Late 80’s
Located in Milan, IT
A small funny and unusual folk Art bag, made by Coca Cola crown caps wired together. Burkina Faso, late 80s.
Category

Late 20th Century Burkinabe Carnival Art

Materials

Metal

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

Antique Primitive Rustic Burl Wood Sledge Hammer Carpenter Mallet
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique hand crafted primitive / rustic wooden mallet with heavily distressed round burl wood head and handle. Measure: 14".
Category

Late 19th Century Folk Art Antique Carnival Art

Materials

Hardwood, Burl

Early 20th Century English Fairground Carousel Panel
Located in London, GB
English Fairground Carousel panel We are proud to offer a wonderful example of an early 20th century English fairground panel. From a fairground carou...
Category

1920s British Edwardian Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Wood, Paint

Antique Primitive Rustic Wooden Octagonal Sledge Hammer Carpenter Mallet
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique primitive / rustic hand crafted heavy wooden mallet with octagonal shaped head and rounded handle. Measures: 14".
Category

Early 20th Century Folk Art Carnival Art

Materials

Hardwood

Two French Folk Art Wooden Carnival Knock Down Targets
Located in Bradenton, FL
A very rare pair of late 19th century folk art carved wooden carnival knock down gallery targets. Both are of males in long coats, trousers, shoes, and hats...
Category

19th Century French Folk Art Antique Carnival Art

Materials

Wood

Antique American Dapple Jumper Track Carousel Horse, Charles W Dare Attributed
Located in Forney, TX
An antique American track machine carousel horse attributed to legendary carver Charles W. Dare Company, now mounted as a rocking horse. Hand-crafted in the early 20th century, circa 1920, born during the Golden Age of carousels in America (circa 1860-1930), exceptionally executed hand carved design with rich detailing, and warm polychrome painted white and gray dapple, featuring inset glass eyes, natural horsehair tail, saddle with carved cantle, blue painted saddle blanket and bridle, rising on a later blue and red painted wooden rocker base Stand, marked with letter "D" underneath in grey paint, most likely indicative of Dare, metal mounting plate marked AA PAT APLD FOR Carved in a galloping or jumper position, this whimsical yet Primitive country-fair style equine exhibits all the hallmarks of Dare’s design, such as the forward-facing ears, the perfectly combed asymmetrical mane with a wind-blown effect, the tail made of realistic hair, and the distinctive “bird” saddle, which was carved separately and attached. Among carousel antiques...
Category

Early 20th Century American Folk Art Carnival Art

Materials

Wood, Paint

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

Antique Carnival Party Box with Original Objects, circa 1940
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Antique vintage party box with all the original objects. Manufacturer by El Ingenio, Barcelona. Spain, circa 1940. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and ...
Category

1940s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Metal

Mid-20th Century English Papier Mache Giraffe Puppet Head
Located in London, GB
Mid-20th Century English Papier Mache Giraffe Puppet Head A charming example of a mid-20th Century English Papier Mache giraffe puppet head. M...
Category

1950s British Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Paper

Mid-Century Coin Operated Horse Ride
Located in Round Top, TX
Mid-century coin operated horse ride for kids (of all ages).
Category

1980s Italian Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Metal

Carousel Cow Bernard Kindt, 1960s
By Bernard Kindt
Located in Antwerp, BE
Smiling carousel cow by Bernard Kindt, a Belgian sculptor who was specialised in making wood carousel animals and animated cartoon characters. ...
Category

Mid-20th Century Belgian Mid-Century Modern Carnival Art

Materials

Metal

Hotel Du Bon Repos, French Game
Located in Stamford, CT
An old French game, hand painted wood and papier mache with five figure in the windows and a detailed papier mache "tiled" roof. This game makes a charming and curious object.
Category

1950s French Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Wood

19th Century French Carousel Pig
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Fantastic 19th century carousel pig. Super whimsical carnival piece from a bygone era. Carved wood with cast iron curly tail and handle. Original layers o...
Category

Late 19th Century French Folk Art Antique Carnival Art

Materials

Iron

Hand Painted Early Americana Folk Art Wall Mount Game Wheel
Located in Wallkill, NY
What a great addition this would make to your home Folk Art game wheel, measuring 31 in x 34.5 in height x 5 in deep.
Category

1920s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Wood

Antique Carnival Party Box with Original Objects, circa 1940
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Antique vintage party box with all the original objects. Manufacturer by El Ingenio, Barcelona, Spain, circa 1940. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use...
Category

1940s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Metal

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

Antique Hand Painted Paperboard Trumpet, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, Barcelona
Antique hand painted paperboard trumpet. By unknown manufacturer from Spain, circa 1950. In original condition, with minor wear consistent with age and use, preserving a beautifu...
Category

1950s Spanish Mid-Century Modern Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Paper

Rare to Find Folk Art Jaguar Mask Found in Zitlala, Guerrero, Mid-20th Century
Located in Guadalajra, Jal
This style of Tigre (Mexican colloquial for Jaguar) mask is from Zitlala, Guerrero, they are used on the feast day of the Holy Cross on May 3rd, 4th, and 5th. As part of the activit...
Category

Mid-20th Century Mexican Folk Art Carnival Art

Materials

Leather

Space Age Carousel Car, Sartori, Italy
Located in Antwerp, BE
Space age fairground car - futuristic carousel car by Sartori Claudio Italy, an Italian company since the Early 50s who is specialised in cars for child...
Category

Mid-20th Century Italian Space Age Carnival Art

Materials

Metal

Giraffe Carousel Ride, England, circa 1920
Located in Culver City, CA
56 Inch tall Giraffe carousel ride. England, circa 1920. Carved wooden giraffe in original hand painted finish with large glass eyes. Measure...
Category

20th Century English Carnival Art

Materials

Glass, Wood

Set of 3 Ceramic Animal Figures from Mexico, Circa 1980s and 1990s
Located in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato
Set of 3 ceramic carnival animal figures / whistles from Morelos, Mexico. These colorful figures were hand crafted and hand painted using paint glaze. The lively pieces were prominent in the 1980´s and 1990´s. Some of the whistles...
Category

1990s Mexican Country Carnival Art

Materials

Ceramic, Clay, Paint

Collector's Carousel Tin, Mari Pritchard, 1982
Located in Antwerp, BE
Large tin with carousel horses and animals. A tin designed by Mari Pritchard in 1982 and made by Bertels Can Company in 1987. A collector’s Carousel tin with a Dentzel Tiger sculpture and black and white Carousel Horses. The carousel horses are a War Horse by Zalar, King Horse by C.Carmel, Jumpers by Caretta and Muller. This round storage tin - collectable tin has a lid and two handles. A great decorative box for the carnival art collector. As this tin is not small it can be used as a storage tin or storage box. Carousel horses - carousel animal...
Category

Late 20th Century North American Carnival Art

Materials

Metal

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

Scratch Built Fairground Wheel
Located in London, GB
Scratch built fairground wheel Mounted on a bespoke cast iron detachable support stand, this unique, folk art, scratch-built fairground roulette wheel is still in fully working order. We would say dated from the mid-20th Century the wheel is made from an old bicycle...
Category

1950s British Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Metal

Herschell Spillman Cast Iron Vintage Carousel Heads
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Fantastic set of three Herschell Spillman carousel rounding board heads. Cast iron faces with wood board backs. All in original park paint. Each face/bo...
Category

1910s American Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Iron

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

Hanging Mexican Wooden Cupid with Bow
Located in Los Angeles, CA
A rosy-cheeked wooden cupid to bring love into your life. This is a unique, hand-carved, hand-painted wooden cupid with a wire suspension and removable wooden bow...
Category

20th Century Mexican Folk Art Carnival Art

Materials

Wood

Old Merry-go-round Car
Located in WARNETON, FR
This car can accommodate 4 children Its patina is superb For a unique decoration!  
Category

1950s Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Acrylic

Set of 3 Ceramic Animal Figures from Mexico, circa 1980's and 1990's
Located in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato
Set of 3 ceramic carnival animal figures / whistles from Morelos, Mexico. These colorful figures were hand crafted and hand painted using paint glaze. The lively pieces were prominen...
Category

1990s Mexican Country Carnival Art

Materials

Ceramic, Clay, Paint

Set of Ceramic Carnival Animal Figures from Mexico, Circa 1980´s and 1990´s
Located in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato
Set of 3 ceramic carnival animal figures from Morelos, Mexico. These colorful figures were hand crafted and hand painted using paint glaze. The lively pieces were prominent in the 19...
Category

1990s Mexican Folk Art Carnival Art

Materials

Ceramic, Clay

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

Circa 1950s French Childs Carnival/Circus Prop Chair
Located in San Francisco, CA
A wonderful whimsical circa 1950s French Childs Carnival and/or Circus prop chair. Carved parts, feet, hands and head with big blue eyes and top it off a ...
Category

1930s French Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Wood, Paint

Ceramic Hen Whistle from Mexico, 1980s
Located in San Miguel de Allende, Guanajuato
Painted ceramic hen whistle from Morelos, Mexico, 1980s. These figure were available in the traveling carnivals in the early 1980s.
Category

1980s Mexican Folk Art Vintage Carnival Art

Materials

Ceramic

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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