What is bone carving called?

Bone carving is called scrimshaw, which means any engravings or carvings done in ivory or bone. Traditionally a hobby for whalers, designs featured could be very simple, and as techniques advanced, so did the artwork. Engravings depicted detailed scenes with engraving work done with pigments for color. On 1stDibs, find a collection of authentic bone carvings from some of the world’s top sellers.

Oriental Bone Carving

Recent Sales

Fine William IV Cabinet Attributed to Town and Emanuel

Located in London, GB

of bone and green malachite, to the designs of Jean Berain with a bucolic scene of dancing figures

Category

Antique Mid-19th Century English Cabinets

Fine William IV Cabinet Attributed to Town and Emanuel

H 49.02 in W 35.83 in D 14.28 in

Japanese Carved Antique Okimono Samurai Warrior

Located in Hele, Devon, GB

This is a Japanese okimono, oriental art carving dating from the early 20th century. A rare bone

Category

Early 20th Century Japanese Anglo-Japanese Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Bone

Japanese Carved Antique Okimono Samurai Warrior

H 21.07 in W 13 in D 7.09 in

Life Style Collection of Objects from the Estate of Paul & Bunny Mellon

Located in Hudson, NY

decoupaged & reverse painted set of glass shell coasters. The collection also includes a number of oriental

Category

Antique Late 19th Century Historical Memorabilia

Materials

Carrara Marble, Soapstone, Bronze, Copper

Life Style Collection of Objects from the Estate of Paul & Bunny Mellon

H 14 in W 6 in D 3 in

Large Oriental Arm Chair with Foo Dogs

Located in Culver City, CA

This is a bold and impressive carved arm chair. The ebonized wood, which is pierced by carving in

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Armchairs

Materials

Wood

Large Oriental Arm Chair with Foo Dogs

H 46 in W 31 in D 30 in

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Questions About Oriental Bone Carving

What is bone carving called?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Bone carving is called scrimshaw, which means any engravings or carvings done in ivory or bone. Traditionally a hobby for whalers, designs featured could be very simple, and as techniques advanced, so did the artwork. Engravings depicted detailed scenes with engraving work done with pigments for color. On 1stDibs, find a collection of authentic bone carvings from some of the world’s top sellers.