Toys
1880s American Folk Art Antique Toys
Iron
19th Century American Folk Art Antique Toys
Iron
1880s German Folk Art Antique Toys
Wood
Mid-20th Century Japanese Folk Art Toys
Tin
1930s American Folk Art Vintage Toys
Tin
1950s American Folk Art Vintage Toys
Tin
1890s American Victorian Antique Toys
Wood
1940s Japanese Folk Art Vintage Toys
Wood
1930s Folk Art Vintage Toys
Tin
1930s Folk Art Vintage Toys
Tin
1950s Japanese Folk Art Vintage Toys
Tin
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Toys
Ceramic
1940s Japanese Folk Art Vintage Toys
Tin
1910s American Folk Art Vintage Toys
Paper
1890s American Folk Art Antique Toys
Wood
1880s American Folk Art Antique Toys
Pottery
1890s American Folk Art Antique Toys
Wood
21st Century and Contemporary Italian Toys
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century American Toys
Paper
1910s American Folk Art Vintage Toys
Iron
1970s American Folk Art Vintage Toys
Iron
20th Century French Mission Toys
Wicker
Late 19th Century English Victorian Antique Toys
Porcelain
Early 1900s American Folk Art Antique Toys
Iron
1950s Japanese Folk Art Vintage Toys
Composition, Tin
1890s American Victorian Antique Toys
Iron
1920s French Folk Art Vintage Toys
Tin
Mid-20th Century Japanese Folk Art Toys
Tin
Early 1900s Japanese Folk Art Antique Toys
Ebony
Early 20th Century German Folk Art Toys
Wood
1970s American Folk Art Vintage Toys
Iron
1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Toys
Tin
Early 2000s American Folk Art Toys
Aluminum
20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Toys
Paper
1910s German Folk Art Vintage Toys
Tin
1890s American Victorian Antique Toys
Oak
1910s German Folk Art Vintage Toys
Tin
1960s American Folk Art Vintage Toys
Aluminum, Iron, Tin
Late 19th Century American Folk Art Antique Toys
Tin
1920s American Folk Art Vintage Toys
Iron
1930s American Art Deco Vintage Toys
Bakelite
1890s American Folk Art Antique Toys
Wood
1970s American Folk Art Vintage Toys
Iron
Early 1900s German Folk Art Antique Toys
Spelter
1940s American Folk Art Vintage Toys
Metal
1910s English Folk Art Vintage Toys
Tin
1910s German Folk Art Vintage Toys
Wood
19th Century Swedish Folk Art Antique Toys
Iron
1940s American Folk Art Vintage Toys
Composition
20th Century American Country Toys
Paint, Wood
1920s German Folk Art Vintage Toys
Spelter
19th Century American Native American Antique Toys
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Antique, New and Vintage Toys
Children as well as nostalgic grown-ups are still finding pleasure in toys and objects designed specifically for playtime that are, in comparison to today’s digital device-oriented distractions, far more modest in nature. Indeed, antique, new and vintage toys of years past — handmade folk-art toys such as wooden train sets, dolls, rocking horses and more — can be enjoyed by the young and old alike. In contemporary interiors, gently aging toys are wonderfully uncomplicated decorative objects primed for display in a cabinet or other case piece.
With their romantic appeal and frequent incorporation of natural materials, some vintage toys and folk-art toys are treasured collectibles, showcasing the beauty of handmade craftsmanship. Alongside other works characterized as folk art — in this case, visual art, typically reflective of a community’s culture and usually handmade by craftspeople working within a popular tradition — handcrafted vintage toys are historical works of art worthy of any collector’s mantel. These are toys that tell a story of the time in which they were produced and the people who produced them.
Like any artifact, toys provide a window into the past. The ornamental dolls of the Victorian era, for example, produced in Germany and England, made of ceramics such as porcelain and dressed in textured fabrics, speak to the fashion of the era and will add a pop of color and a decorative flourish to the neutral corners of your home.
Mid-century modern toys are as sophisticated as the widely cherished furniture of the era. As much as they thought good design for the home should be available for all, iconic American design duo Charles and Ray Eames believed in making durable and interesting products for kids too. Today, their Eames Elephant is available from Vitra and Herman Miller, and it doesn’t even require a digital screen.
Explore a unique collection of antique and vintage toys as well as folk-art toys on 1stDibs.