What is the origin of the three wise monkeys?

The origin of the three wise monkeys comes from a Japanese saying that translates to "speak no evil, see no evil and hear no evil." A carving over the door of the Tōshō-gū shrine in Nikkō, Japan, produced during the 17th century is one of the earliest known visual representations of the concept. On 1stDibs, find a selection of art and decorative objects depicting the three wise monkeys.

What do the three wise monkeys mean?

The three wise monkeys represent the idea that a person should see no evil, hear no evil and speak no evil. This imagery comes from a Japanese saying and grew in popularity during the 17th century. On 1stDibs, find a variety of art and decorative objects depicting the three wise monkeys.

Three Wise Men - 66 For Sale on 1stDibs | the three wise men drawing, three wise men oil, bertha watches

Wilson BigaudModern Colorful Abstract Figurative Christian Nativity Scene Haitian Painting, 20th Century

Price Upon Request

H 30.13 in W 30.25 in D 1.5 in

Modern Colorful Abstract Figurative Christian Nativity Scene Haitian Painting

By Wilson Bigaud

Located in Houston, TX

The work feature a central baby Jesus figure in a manger surrounded by Mary, Joseph, the Three Wise Men, and various farm animals. Through the back window the star of Bethlehem can b...

Category

20th Century Abstract Figurative Paintings

Materials

Oil

Faience Bowl by Stig Lindberg for Gustavsberg Studio, Sweden, 1950s

$816

H 1.78 in Dm 8.67 in

Faience Bowl by Stig Lindberg for Gustavsberg Studio, Sweden, 1950s

By Stig Lindberg, Gustavsberg

Located in Malmö, SE

They were humorously described as the "three wise men" in the press. Stig stepped into the 1950s as the newly appointed artistic leader of Gustavsberg.

Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Ceramic, Earthenware

Set of 3 Faience Dishes by Stig Lindberg for Gustavsberg Studio, Sweden, 1950s

$1,174 / set

H 0.99 in Dm 3.35 in

Set of 3 Faience Dishes by Stig Lindberg for Gustavsberg Studio, Sweden, 1950s

By Stig Lindberg, Gustavsberg

Located in Malmö, SE

They were humorously described as the "three wise men" in the press. Stig stepped into the 1950s as the newly appointed artistic leader of Gustavsberg.

Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Ceramic, Earthenware

Faience Bowl by Stig Lindberg for Gustavsberg Studio, Sweden, 1950s

$467

H 2.17 in W 7.29 in D 8.08 in

Faience Bowl by Stig Lindberg for Gustavsberg Studio, Sweden, 1950s

By Stig Lindberg, Gustavsberg

Located in Malmö, SE

They were humorously described as the "three wise men" in the press. Stig stepped into the 1950s as the newly appointed artistic leader of Gustavsberg.

Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Materials

Ceramic, Earthenware

Faience Vase by Stig Lindberg for Gustavsberg Studio, Sweden, 1950s

$575

H 10.63 in Dm 4.73 in

Faience Vase by Stig Lindberg for Gustavsberg Studio, Sweden, 1950s

By Stig Lindberg, Gustavsberg

Located in Malmö, SE

They were humorously described as the "three wise men" in the press. Stig stepped into the 1950s as the newly appointed artistic leader of Gustavsberg.

Category

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vases

Materials

Ceramic, Earthenware, Faience

Vintage Illustrated Book of Anglo-American Folk Songs — Full Piano 2C180

$152

H 11.82 in W 9.06 in D 0.79 in

Vintage Illustrated Book of Anglo-American Folk Songs — Full Piano 2C180

Located in Bordeaux, FR

The illustrations are exceptional — dark, expressionist compositions that match the emotional weight of the songs: a broken violin and thorned branches for Wildwood Flower; a ship di...

Category

20th Century Toys and Dolls

Materials

Paper

Judith BledsoeThree Kings, Framed Folk Art Lithograph by Judith Bledsoe, 1970

$850

H 26.75 in W 20.75 in

Three Kings, Framed Folk Art Lithograph by Judith Bledsoe

By Judith Bledsoe

Located in Long Island City, NY

Featuring the three kings or wise men from the Nativity story in the bible, this print uses bright primary colors and a child-like style.

Category

1970s Folk Art Prints and Multiples

Materials

Lithograph

Limited Artist Glass Wall Plaque Theophany by Bjørn Wiinblad for Rosenthal

$440

H 0.99 in Dm 11.42 in

Limited Artist Glass Wall Plaque Theophany by Bjørn Wiinblad for Rosenthal

By Bjørn Wiinblad

Located in Esbjerg, DK

A large decorative wall plaque or dish designed by Bjorn Wiinblad in 1978 and made by Rosenthal in Germany in a limited run. It is titled The Three Holy King/Wise Men/Theophany and w...

Category

Vintage 1970s European Scandinavian Modern Prints

Materials

Glass

19th Century Chinese Temple Architectural Corbel Carved Sculpture Pair

$6,500 / set

H 32.5 in W 19 in D 7.25 in

19th Century Chinese Temple Architectural Corbel Carved Sculpture Pair

Located in Forney, TX

Please note, the objects were sourced and transported both legally and ethically, retaining partial original red wax export seal to top. Display the three Sanxing, in their iconic...

Category

Antique 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Architectural Elements

Materials

Wood, Paint

Three Wise Men For Sale on 1stDibs

There is a range of three wise men for sale on 1stDibs. Each of these unique three wise men was constructed with extraordinary care, often using metal, silver and sterling silver. Three wise men have been produced for many years, with earlier versions available from the 18th Century and newer variations made as recently as the 20th Century. Mid-Century Modern and Victorian three wise men are consistently popular styles. There have been many well-made three wise men over the years, but those made by Gorham, Lunt Silver and Margot Kempe are often thought to be among the most beautiful.

Three Wise Men

Wilson BigaudModern Colorful Abstract Figurative Christian Nativity Scene Haitian Painting, 20th Century

20th Century Abstract Figurative Paintings

Faience Bowl by Stig Lindberg for Gustavsberg Studio, Sweden, 1950s

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Set of 3 Faience Dishes by Stig Lindberg for Gustavsberg Studio, Sweden, 1950s

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Faience Bowl by Stig Lindberg for Gustavsberg Studio, Sweden, 1950s

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Decorative Bowls

Faience Vase by Stig Lindberg for Gustavsberg Studio, Sweden, 1950s

Mid-20th Century Swedish Mid-Century Modern Vases

Vintage Illustrated Book of Anglo-American Folk Songs — Full Piano 2C180

20th Century Toys and Dolls

Judith BledsoeThree Kings, Framed Folk Art Lithograph by Judith Bledsoe, 1970

1970s Folk Art Prints and Multiples

Limited Artist Glass Wall Plaque Theophany by Bjørn Wiinblad for Rosenthal

Vintage 1970s European Scandinavian Modern Prints

19th Century Chinese Temple Architectural Corbel Carved Sculpture Pair

Antique 19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Architectural Elements

Three Wise Men For Sale on 1stDibs

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