Carnival Clown
Mid-20th Century Canadian Mid-Century Modern Carnival Art
Fiberglass
Early 20th Century Belgian Edwardian Carnival Art
Leather
Vintage 1950s American Folk Art Carnival Art
Concrete, Wire
Vintage 1920s English Folk Art Carnival Art
Metal
Vintage 1970s American Folk Art Carnival Art
Paper
Vintage 1970s Folk Art Carnival Art
Paper
20th Century European Other Carnival Art
Wood
Antique Early 1900s Unknown Folk Art Carnival Art
Brass
Vintage 1970s American Folk Art Carnival Art
Paper
Vintage 1970s American Folk Art Carnival Art
Paper
Mid-20th Century German Art Deco Figurative Sculptures
Marble, Bronze
Mid-20th Century English Art Deco Posters
Paper
Vintage 1910s German Posters
Paper
20th Century Figurative Sculptures
Other
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Historical Memorabilia
Silk
Vintage 1960s German Expressionist Paintings
Paper
Vintage 1940s American Art Deco Paintings
Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Animal Sculptures
Alabaster, Bronze, Enamel
Early 20th Century American Posters
Paper
Antique 1890s American Victorian Toys
Iron
People Also Browsed
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Table Lamps
Resin
2010s Danish Scandinavian Modern Dining Room Chairs
Oak
2010s Canadian Post-Modern Chairs
Rattan, Maple
2010s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
Oil, Canvas
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Art Deco Table Lamps
Marble, Statuary Marble, Brass, Stainless Steel
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Armchairs
Brass
2010s Contemporary Landscape Photography
C Print
20th Century Polish Mid-Century Modern Armchairs
Textile, Beech
Mid-20th Century European Carnival Art
Iron
Antique 1880s English High Victorian Animal Sculptures
Pine
Vintage 1960s American Hollywood Regency Table Lamps
Brass, Metal
Vintage 1970s Italian Mid-Century Modern Wardrobes and Armoires
Steel, Chrome
Antique Early 1900s Chinese Qing Metalwork
Brass, Copper, Enamel
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Armchairs
Brass
Vintage 1970s Italian Post-Modern Dining Room Tables
Carrara Marble
21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Dining Room Chairs
Brass, Metal
Recent Sales
Vintage 1960s Carnival Art
Vintage 1950s American Folk Art Carnival Art
Metal
20th Century American Carnival Art
Vintage 1960s American Carnival Art
Metal
Vintage 1930s American Carnival Art
Vintage 1930s American Carnival Art
Wood
Vintage 1950s Japanese Toys
Tin
21st Century and Contemporary American Paintings
Canvas
Vintage 1950s American Carnival Art
Vintage 1950s Belgian Folk Art Carnival Art
Cotton, Wood
Vintage 1930s British Folk Art Carnival Art
Leather
Early 20th Century American Carnival Art
Leather
Vintage 1940s American Carnival Art
Wood
Vintage 1950s American Carnival Art
Leather
Antique Late 19th Century American Primitive Carnival Art
Fabric
Vintage 1930s American Carnival Art
Vintage 1930s British Folk Art Carnival Art
Leather
Vintage 1930s American Carnival Art
Vintage 1930s American Carnival Art
Early 20th Century French Carnival Art
Wood
Vintage 1960s Carnival Art
Leather
Vintage 1930s Belgian Folk Art Carnival Art
Leather
Vintage 1930s English Folk Art Carnival Art
Leather
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Carnival Art
Iron
Early 20th Century Central American Folk Art Carnival Art
Leather, Canvas
Vintage 1930s European Folk Art Carnival Art
Pine
Antique 1890s French Folk Art Carnival Art
Pine
Mid-20th Century European Folk Art Decorative Art
Composition
Vintage 1930s Austrian Posters
Paper
Early 20th Century American Collectibles and Curiosities
Pine
Vintage 1970s Sicilian Mid-Century Modern Vases
Ceramic, Pottery
Early 20th Century Unknown Carnival Art
Terracotta, Wood
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Carnival Art
Iron
Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Carnival Art
Vintage 1930s American Carnival Art
Wood
20th Century American Folk Art Carnival Art
Paint, Wood
Early 20th Century American Folk Art Carnival Art
Steel
Vintage 1940s American Folk Art Carnival Art
Wood
Vintage 1950s American Carnival Art
Wood
Vintage 1910s French Folk Art Carnival Art
Composition
Vintage 1930s American Folk Art Carnival Art
Wood
Vintage 1930s American Folk Art Carnival Art
Canvas
Mid-20th Century American Carnival Art
Tin
Vintage 1940s American Carnival Art
Wood
Antique 1890s Games
Wood
Vintage 1930s American Carnival Art
Metal
Vintage 1950s American Primitive Carnival Art
Fur, Wood
20th Century American Carnival Art
Wood, Paint
Vintage 1950s American Carnival Art
Leather
Vintage 1960s American Carnival Art
Vintage 1950s French Carnival Art
20th Century American Carnival Art
Leather
20th Century American Carnival Art
Wood
Vintage 1960s American Carnival Art
Metal
Early 20th Century North American Folk Art Carnival Art
Leather
20th Century American Carnival Art
Leather
Vintage 1950s American Carnival Art
Leather
20th Century American Carnival Art
Vintage 1930s American Carnival Art
Iron
Vintage 1950s American Carnival Art
Carnival Clown For Sale on 1stDibs
How Much is a Carnival Clown?
Finding the Right carnival-art for You
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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