What is Chinese wood carving?

A Chinese wood carving is a decorative object carved by hand by Chinese artisans out of local wood, such as nanmu, zitan, bomu or yinxing. This form of sculpture is sometimes called mudiao. On 1stDibs, find a range of Chinese wood carvings.

What is Jepara wood carving?

Jepara wood carving is the intricate wood carving art that comes from the city of Jepara in Indonesia. Artisans typically work with teak wood to create beautiful carved detail and scenes in a piece of furniture. Shop a collection of Jepara wood carvings on 1stDibs.

What is a Paete wood carving?

A Paete wood carving is a decorative wooden object produced by artisans in Paete, Philippines. In 2005, the village was officially dubbed the Woodcarving Capital of the Philippines due to the intricate sculptures and statues produced there. Shop a variety of wood art from some of the world’s top galleries on 1stDibs.

What is Japanese wood carving?

Japanese wood carving is an art form in which artists produce intricate figurines and other objects by cutting and shaping blocks of zelkova, camphor or paulownia wood. In Japanese, the artwork is known as inami. Find a selection of Japanese wood carvings on 1stDibs.

How do you identify wood carvings?

To identify wood carvings, get a magnifying glass and inspect your items. Some artisans marked their carvings with symbols or signed them. Researching any markings found on your carving may allow you to identify the maker who produced it and potentially learn more about the piece from there. If you're unable to find a maker's mark, the best approach is likely to use the services of a certified appraiser or other knowledgeable expert. On 1stDibs, explore a selection of wood carvings.

What are the types of wood carving?

There are many methods and types of wood carving, including chip, relief, Scandinavian flat-plane, lovespoon, whittling and florentine. Each type uses different tools and can create decorative carvings on both display pieces and furniture. Browse a wide range of carved wood pieces on 1stDibs.

What is the difference between wood carving and sculpture?

The difference between carving and sculpture is that carving is a carved object, whereas sculpture is the art of shaping figures or designs — because sculpture can involve adding material (i.e., working with plaster, creating a mold to be cast in bronze), it is considered “additive” versus the “subtractive” act of carving.

What wood is used for carving in Bali?

In Bali, many different types of woods are used for carving. Some examples include albesia, crocodile wood, rain tree, hibiscus, jackfruit, teak, mahogany and sandalwood. On 1stDibs, you can shop a range of Balinese wood art, furniture and decorative objects.

How can I tell if carved wood is antique?

Antique carved wood can be identified by how it is made. Antique carvings were done by hand, so nicks and cuts will indicate carvings completed with a plane or knife. In addition, hand-carved wood will not be uniform or have perfect symmetry. Always works with a certified appraiser to determine the exact date and value of an item. Find a variety of antique carved wood furniture and decor on 1stDibs.

How can you tell if wood is hand-carved?

To tell if wood is hand-carved, first look for small marks in the wood that indicate hand tools were used to cut and shape the material. Hand-carved pieces may also have small irregularities, particularly along curved areas. However, it may be very difficult to tell the difference between machine-worked and hand-carved pieces in some cases. On 1stDibs, shop a range of wood furniture and decorative objects.

What is carved wood art called?

What carved wood art is called depends on the type of piece. Three-dimensional pieces created by hand-carving wood are whittlings, while carvings into a flat piece of wood are reliefs. Shop a collection of wood art from some of the world's top galleries on 1stDibs.

What wood is used for carving in Indonesia?

In Bali, Indonesia, Jackfruit is considered the best wood when it comes to carving. Jackfruit is a medium hardwood, resistant to termite attacks and is easy to polish. You’ll find a variety of Indonesian carvings from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.

What wood is used for African carvings?

What wood is used for African wood carvings varies. Iroko, mahogany and ebony are frequently chosen materials, but artisans may choose to work with whatever wood is available in their local areas. Shop a variety of African wood art from some of the world's top galleries on 1stDibs.

What are carved wood figures in African art?

Carved African wood figurines were typically spiritual in nature and were primarily in human form. The wood figurines were carved using ebony, teak, mahogany and iron wood. On 1stDibs, find a collection of authentic African wood figurines from some of the world’s top sellers.

Folkart Wood Carving

Jointed Wooden Figure

Horse Sculpture Folk Art

Farm Sculpture

Horse Carving

Folk Art Carved Wooden Animal

The Dentist

Wall Hanging Sculptures

Fairground Art

Mid-20th Century folkart carved wood outsider art figures

$3,895

H 34 in W 11 in D 27 in

Mid-20th Century folkart carved wood outsider art figures

Located in London, GB

Mid-20th Century folkart carved wood outsider art figures Dimensions in inches: H 34” x W 11” x D

Category

Vintage 1960s Dutch Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Pine, Paper

FolkArt Hand Made Horse Wall Sculpture

$450

H 17.5 in W 27 in D 1.5 in

FolkArt Hand Made Horse Wall Sculpture

Located in Douglas Manor, NY

1536 Hand made Folk Art horse wall hanging sculpture

Category

Vintage 1950s Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

German Policeman Handcarved Folkart Midcentury Fairground Figure

$1,940

H 22 in W 16 in D 7 in

German Policeman Handcarved Folkart Midcentury Fairground Figure

Located in London, GB

figure is made from sectioned wood and metal still with all its original paint. Showing a lovely folk-art

Category

Vintage 1950s German Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Sheet Metal

Folkart Hand Carved Oversized Wooden Toothbrush with Rope

$750

H 32.5 in W 4.25 in D 2 in

Folkart Hand Carved Oversized Wooden Toothbrush with Rope

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Hand-Carved Wooden Oversized toothbrush. The piece is signed and dated 1978. The carving is very

Category

20th Century Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Straw, Rope, Wood

Recent Sales

Wood Folkart Modern Geometric Sculpture

Sold

H 34 in W 8.5 in D 8 in

Wood Folkart Modern Geometric Sculpture

By Don S. Shoemaker

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Wood geometric sculpture in the manner of Don Shoemaker. Inlay.

Category

20th Century Mid-Century Modern Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Austrian Hand Carved Folkart Set Farm Animals in Original Wooden Box, circa 1870

Sold

H 4.5 in W 6 in D 2 in

Austrian Hand Carved Folkart Set Farm Animals in Original Wooden Box, circa 1870

Located in London, GB

We are proud to offer a rare late 19th Century hand carved linden wood set of 20 figures depicting

Category

Antique 1870s Austrian Folk Art Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

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Antique English Figurative Fireback with Matching Fireplace Surround

$2,200

H 1 in W 30.5 in D 30.5 in

Antique English Figurative Fireback with Matching Fireplace Surround

Located in Douglas Manor, NY

3-996 Figurative fire back with matching surround.

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Early 20th Century Fireplaces and Mantels

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Iron

1 BANGA space age micro architecture prefab house bungalow by Carlo Zappa, 1971

$169,091

H 110.24 in W 127.56 in D 127.56 in

1 BANGA space age micro architecture prefab house bungalow by Carlo Zappa, 1971

By Carlo Zappa

Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE

here we offer one of 2 bangas, with black interior. the second one with light grey interior is offered in another listing. a banga shows ways in which we could live more sustainably...

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Vintage 1970s Italian Space Age Architectural Elements

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Fiberglass

Large Italian Gilt wood Frames

$575Sale Price|41% Off

H 40 in W 34 in D 1 in

Large Italian Gilt wood Frames

Located in Douglas Manor, NY

1-128 large Italian frames with elaborate cast detailing. Overall size 40 x 34 x 1" Inside rabbit 30 x 24"

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Vintage 1940s Italian Picture Frames

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Resin, Hardwood

19th Century Spanish Pottery

Sold|~~$395~~

H 11.5 in W 11.25 in D 9.25 in

19th Century Spanish Pottery

Located in Atlanta, GA

This 19th-century Spanish terracotta jar features an elegant, amphora-inspired silhouette adorned with dual looped handles. Its distinctive green glaze, applied with precision, gives...

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Antique 19th Century Rustic Vases

Materials

Terracotta

Chinese Carved Soap Stone Sculpture of a Wise Ancient with Dragon

$1,548

H 15 in W 4.5 in D 3.25 in

Chinese Carved Soap Stone Sculpture of a Wise Ancient with Dragon

Located in Frankfurt am Main, DE

A finely carved soap stone sculpture of a wise ancient with a dragon on his shoulder standing on a braun soap stone base. In fine original condition. Measures: Height 15" / 38 cm.

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Early 20th Century Chinese Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Stone

Hermes Riding Crop

$1,500

H 0.75 in W 19 in D 5 in

Hermes Riding Crop

By Hermès

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Vintage Hermes riding crop with deer antler handle. The shaft is covered in a beautifully braided leather and finished at the bottom with twine. The stag antler is fastened at the to...

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Vintage 1960s English Sports Equipment and Memorabilia

Materials

Silver

French Pireced Brass Flush Mount

$1,650

H 8.5 in Dm 9.5 in

French Pireced Brass Flush Mount

Located in Douglas Manor, NY

1520 Pierced brass French flush mount Wired takes 2 40 watt Edison bulbs

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Vintage 1960s Flush Mount

Materials

Brass

Early 20th Century French Folk Art Shellwork Table

$1,600

H 12.5 in W 30 in D 24 in

Early 20th Century French Folk Art Shellwork Table

Located in Milford, NH

A wonderful folk art rectangular shellwork table featuring a top with foliate polychrome sand design around shells under glass, with the entire surface of the sides and legs covered ...

Category

Early 20th Century French Folk Art Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Shell, Glass, Wood

Early 20th century fairground figure

$1,943

H 10 in W 6.5 in D 4.5 in

Early 20th century fairground figure

Located in London, GB

Early 20th century fairground figure In the form of Benito Mussolini this early 20th century hand carved French fairground knockdown figure is in original untouched condition. With ...

Category

Early 20th Century French Folk Art Carnival Art

Materials

Pine

Teak Detailed Carved Three Panel Room Screen

$763Sale Price|56% Off

H 67 in W 46 in D 0.75 in

Teak Detailed Carved Three Panel Room Screen

Located in Douglas Manor, NY

3-987 Detailed carved teak room divider screen.

Category

Vintage 1950s Screens and Room Dividers

Materials

Hardwood

Hermes Silver Cube Lighter, 1960s France

$3,800

H 2.5 in W 2.32 in D 2.32 in

Hermes Silver Cube Lighter, 1960s France

By Hermès

Located in Los Angeles, CA

Magnificent cube lighter by Hermes, Paris. In cast metal with silver plating, this piece is meticulously handcrafted. The letter 'H' emerges from the structural silhouettes, echoing ...

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Vintage 1960s French Mid-Century Modern Tobacco Accessories

Materials

Metal, Silver

Concrete Barchan Planter by OPIARY (L58", W32", H14")

$1,852 / item

H 28 in W 32 in D 58 in

Concrete Barchan Planter by OPIARY (L58", W32", H14")

By Robert Remer

Located in Brooklyn, NY

Opiary is a Brooklyn-based biophilic design and production studio. We integrate nature in each of our designs, incorporating live greenery and organic shapes into bespoke furniture, ...

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21st Century and Contemporary Modern Planters and Jardinieres

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Cement

Marble and Iron Garden Table

$985Sale Price|53% Off

H 21 in W 25.5 in D 15 in

Marble and Iron Garden Table

Located in Douglas Manor, NY

Grey and white marble top garden table.

Category

Early 20th Century Coffee and Cocktail Tables

Materials

Marble, Iron

Sculptural lounge ' Etcetera ' chair By Jan Ekselius Sweden 1970S

$6,038

H 26.78 in W 25.2 in D 29.14 in

Sculptural lounge ' Etcetera ' chair By Jan Ekselius Sweden 1970S

By Jan Ekselius

Located in Antwerpen, Antwerp

Swedish designer Jan Ekselius studied at the art academy in Stockholm and later at the Royal College of Art in London. He made his international breakthrough in the early 1970s with ...

Category

Vintage 1970s Swedish Space Age Lounge Chairs

Materials

Fabric

French Majolica Pink Daisy Plate Orchies, circa 1890

$350

H 1 in Dm 8.7 in

French Majolica Pink Daisy Plate Orchies, circa 1890

By Orchies

Located in Austin, TX

French Majolica pink daisy plate Orchies, circa 1890.

Category

Antique 1890s French Art Nouveau Dinner Plates

Materials

Ceramic

Vintage Painted Wood Carnival Game Wheel

$995

H 33 in W 29.25 in D 3 in

Vintage Painted Wood Carnival Game Wheel

Located in Troy, MI

Found in the US, this painted wood carnival game wheel dates from the late 1940s/early 1950s. Wood wheel has colorful painted details and numbers separated by nails. The original lea...

Category

Mid-20th Century American Folk Art Carnival Art

Materials

Metal

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Folkart Wood Carving For Sale on 1stDibs

Choose from an assortment of styles, material and more with respect to the folkart wood carving you’re looking for at 1stDibs. Each folkart wood carving for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, paint and metal. Your living room may not be complete without a folkart wood carving — find older editions for sale from the 19th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 20th Century. Each folkart wood carving bearing folk art hallmarks is very popular.

How Much is a Folkart Wood Carving?

A folkart wood carving can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $240, while the lowest priced sells for $180 and the highest can go for as much as $1,793.

Finding the Right Folk-art for You

Folk art refers to a genre of art that shares the creator’s traditions, offering not just an artistic display but an opportunity to learn about a culture. Vintage, new and antique folk art typically reflects a heritage or location. It can include utilitarian objects and handmade art as diverse as weather vanes, portraiture and paintings, carnival art, quilts and duck decoys.

American folk art is frequently valued because of the traditional 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. Native American folk art includes functional objects reflecting their heritage, such as baskets, textiles and wooden pieces.

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 folk art on 1stDibs.

Questions About Folkart Wood Carving

What is Chinese wood carving?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
A Chinese wood carving is a decorative object carved by hand by Chinese artisans out of local wood, such as nanmu, zitan, bomu or yinxing. This form of sculpture is sometimes called mudiao. On 1stDibs, find a range of Chinese wood carvings.
What is Jepara wood carving?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Jepara wood carving is the intricate wood carving art that comes from the city of Jepara in Indonesia. Artisans typically work with teak wood to create beautiful carved detail and scenes in a piece of furniture. Shop a collection of Jepara wood carvings on 1stDibs.
What is a Paete wood carving?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023
A Paete wood carving is a decorative wooden object produced by artisans in Paete, Philippines. In 2005, the village was officially dubbed the Woodcarving Capital of the Philippines due to the intricate sculptures and statues produced there. Shop a variety of wood art from some of the world’s top galleries on 1stDibs.
What is Japanese wood carving?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Japanese wood carving is an art form in which artists produce intricate figurines and other objects by cutting and shaping blocks of zelkova, camphor or paulownia wood. In Japanese, the artwork is known as inami. Find a selection of Japanese wood carvings on 1stDibs.
How do you identify wood carvings?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertNovember 4, 2024
To identify wood carvings, get a magnifying glass and inspect your items. Some artisans marked their carvings with symbols or signed them. Researching any markings found on your carving may allow you to identify the maker who produced it and potentially learn more about the piece from there. If you're unable to find a maker's mark, the best approach is likely to use the services of a certified appraiser or other knowledgeable expert. On 1stDibs, explore a selection of wood carvings.
What are the types of wood carving?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
There are many methods and types of wood carving, including chip, relief, Scandinavian flat-plane, lovespoon, whittling and florentine. Each type uses different tools and can create decorative carvings on both display pieces and furniture. Browse a wide range of carved wood pieces on 1stDibs.
What is the difference between wood carving and sculpture?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertOctober 19, 2021
The difference between carving and sculpture is that carving is a carved object, whereas sculpture is the art of shaping figures or designs — because sculpture can involve adding material (i.e., working with plaster, creating a mold to be cast in bronze), it is considered “additive” versus the “subtractive” act of carving.
What wood is used for carving in Bali?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
In Bali, many different types of woods are used for carving. Some examples include albesia, crocodile wood, rain tree, hibiscus, jackfruit, teak, mahogany and sandalwood. On 1stDibs, you can shop a range of Balinese wood art, furniture and decorative objects.
How can I tell if carved wood is antique?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Antique carved wood can be identified by how it is made. Antique carvings were done by hand, so nicks and cuts will indicate carvings completed with a plane or knife. In addition, hand-carved wood will not be uniform or have perfect symmetry. Always works with a certified appraiser to determine the exact date and value of an item. Find a variety of antique carved wood furniture and decor on 1stDibs.
How can you tell if wood is hand-carved?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023
To tell if wood is hand-carved, first look for small marks in the wood that indicate hand tools were used to cut and shape the material. Hand-carved pieces may also have small irregularities, particularly along curved areas. However, it may be very difficult to tell the difference between machine-worked and hand-carved pieces in some cases. On 1stDibs, shop a range of wood furniture and decorative objects.
What is carved wood art called?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023
What carved wood art is called depends on the type of piece. Three-dimensional pieces created by hand-carving wood are whittlings, while carvings into a flat piece of wood are reliefs. Shop a collection of wood art from some of the world's top galleries on 1stDibs.
What wood is used for carving in Indonesia?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
In Bali, Indonesia, Jackfruit is considered the best wood when it comes to carving. Jackfruit is a medium hardwood, resistant to termite attacks and is easy to polish. You’ll find a variety of Indonesian carvings from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
What wood is used for African carvings?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertMarch 31, 2023
What wood is used for African wood carvings varies. Iroko, mahogany and ebony are frequently chosen materials, but artisans may choose to work with whatever wood is available in their local areas. Shop a variety of African wood art from some of the world's top galleries on 1stDibs.
What are carved wood figures in African art?
1 Answer
1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
Carved African wood figurines were typically spiritual in nature and were primarily in human form. The wood figurines were carved using ebony, teak, mahogany and iron wood. On 1stDibs, find a collection of authentic African wood figurines from some of the world’s top sellers.

A Giant Wedding Cake Has Us Looking at Portuguese Tiles in a New Light

At Waddesdon Manor, artist Joana Vasconcelos has installed a three-tiered patisserie inspired by the narrative tile work of her homeland. We take a look at the cake sculpture and how Portuguese tiles have been used in architecture from the 17th century to today.

Why Jules Chéret Was the King of the Modern Poster

The streets of fin-de-siècle Paris were set aglow with colorful poster ads, thanks to the printing techniques invented by Jules Chéret. Now, the Milwaukee Art Museum is celebrating this undersung talent in America's first solo show dedicated his exuberant works.

Why the American Flag Has Had So Many Different Star Patterns

Expert Jeff Bridgman explains the history and meaning behind the twinkling constellations that have graced Old Glory.

Peggy Guggenheim Loved Modernism, but She Also Collected Tribal Art

The iconoclastic style setter displayed African and Oceanic art, as well as works by indigenous peoples of the Americas, alongside pieces by such major modernists as Pablo Picasso and Jackson Pollock.