Sculptures and Carvings
to
625
2,062
1,460
3,795
203
95
101
73
69
19
18
15
8
6
3
2
2
2
1
1
1
1
770
1,243
1,782
298
615
513
176
55
7
38
24
21
45
53
43
16
12
1,764
1,150
933
805
311
3,339
1,632
1,219
970
774
4,093
3,993
4,015
37
14
14
14
11
Sculptures and Carvings For Sale
18th century antique and a very special Tibetan bronze Chakrasambhara statue
Located in DEVENTER, NL
The antique Tibetan bronze Chakrasambhara statue is a truly exceptional and sacred artifact originating from Tibet. Crafted from bronze and fire...
Category
18th Century Tibetan Antique Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Bronze
Chinese Hand Carved Gilt Fragment
Located in Houston, TX
Early 19th Century Chinese hand-carved giltwood fragment featuring a nature scene depicting tree branches, foliage and birds.
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood, Giltwood
Large Contemporary Japanese Woven Bamboo Sculpture Mimura Chikuho
By Mimura Chikuho
Located in Atlanta, GA
A contemporary hand-woven bamboo sculpture in an organic form by Japanese bamboo artist Mimura Chikuho (1973-). Named "Cloud on the Peak", the piece was made as one of his series in 2004. Entirely hand-woven in irregular plaiting, the artist challenged the traditional bamboo basket making and elevated it into modern abstract sculpture. The minimalist donut form resembles the hat-shaped cloud formed around the peak of the mountain (often seen on Fujisan in Japanese art). It displays a wonderful subtle undulation and irregularity in its organic shape, achieved by a mastery of the traditional technique. The irregular plaiting appears chaotic in its busy crossing patterns yet as a whole, the piece strangely quiet and introverted, demanding contemplation from the viewer. Signed "Chikuho" underneath in Kanji. The piece comes with its original storage paper box and a silk bag.
Provenance: Purchased from Tai Gallery/Textile Arts now (Tai Modern) in Santa Fe.
Mimura Chikuho was born in 1973 in Tokyo. He studied under Yufu Shohaku...
Category
Early 2000s Japanese Organic Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Bamboo
Chinese Carved Boxwood Immortal Holding Child
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A fine quality antique Chinese late Qing boxwood carved figure of an Immortal holding a child and dating from around 1900. The figure, an elderly man, is dressed in a full length rob...
Category
Early 1900s Chinese Qing Antique Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Boxwood
C1920s Bust of a Woman, Alabaster Carving
Located in London, GB
Lovely Hand Carved Alabaster Bust of a Woman
Very Finely Crafted.
Dates Circa 1900
Artist Unknown
Category
1920s Unknown Art Nouveau Vintage Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Alabaster
-Large Wooden Contemporary Thai Buddha on Stand
Located in Austin, TX
"In the quietude of this sacred space, the contemporary Thai Buddha sculpture stands as a silent messenger, bridging ancient wisdom with modern sensibilities. Carved from a single pi...
Category
20th Century Thai Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Chinese Pair Sancai Glazed Mounted Foo Dogs Incense Holder
Located in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire
A very fine pair Chinese Qing sancai glazed pottery dog of Foo incense holder figures dating from the 18/19th century. The figures stand raised on hollow rectangular pierced pedestal altar shaped bases with a draped cloth to the front and back. The figures are well detailed and are modeled, one resting a paw on a ball and the other with a puppy dog. The dogs have their customary open mouths revealing teeth with pierced nostrils and bulging black eyes. The figures support a tall column formed incense stick holder...
Category
18th Century Chinese Qing Antique Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Pottery
Thai Bronze Buddha, Phra Phuttha Chinnarat, Early 20th century, Thailand
Located in Austin, TX
A well cast smaller scale bronze reproduction of the famous golden Buddha known as Para Puttha Chinnarat, housed at Wat Phra Si Rattana Mahathat, mid 20th century, Thailand.
A faith...
Category
1920s Thai Vintage Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Bronze
Japan Mid Century "Wave" Hardwood Garden Bench
Located in South Burlington, VT
Extraordinary mid century design
Bench #2 one of a pair currently available
This is a handsome Japanese mid century heavy hardwood bench han...
Category
Mid-20th Century Indonesian Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Hardwood
Tibetan Ceremonial Sash with Thirteen Ornamental Bronze Heads, 18th Century
Located in Studio City, CA
A spectacular and truly unique work made from embroidered fabric with 13 ornamental metal (likely copper) heads representing various Tibetan figures attached (these heads appear to be from the khatvanga ritual staff - the Buddhist ceremonial staff...
Category
18th Century Tibetan Tibetan Antique Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Metal
20th Century Vintage Jewelry Storage Mahogany Tansu Chest with Original Lock
Located in Lomita, CA
This is slightly larger than many so-called "tansu" chests, which were originally traditional Japanese mobile storage units, often made of wood, featuring intricate joinery and iron ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Brass
Antique Chinese Carved Wooden Figural Pillow or Headrest, Qianlong?
Located in Philadelphia, PA
A fine antique Chinese wooden head rest.
Carved in the form of a recumbent or resting man.
Decorated in polychrome decoration. The body painted in a silver tone with his hair and eyes in black with red undertones. There is further scroll work painted in stylized clouds and sun to the red and green.
There appears to be a carved ruyi in between the feet.
Simply a wonderful carved Chinese head...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Large Jade-Inset Wood Ruyi Scepter, 20th Century
Located in Ottawa, Ontario
A large Jade-Inset wood Ruyi scepter, 20th century, The dark wood scepter is inset with three shaped gray and russet jade plaques the largest carved in hi...
Category
20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Jade
Indonesian 'Wayang Kulit" Shadow Puppet, Java, Indonesia, Early 20th Century
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This flat shadow puppet was crafted on the island of Java by a puppet artist using buffalo hide and mounted on bamboo sticks. It features movable arms, controlled by outer bamboo rods. It was used in Wayang...
Category
Early 20th Century Indonesian Tribal Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Leather, Wood
Large Curtis Jere Metal Clipper Ship 3d Sailboat Mid-Century Modern Sculpture
By Curtis Jeré
Located in Philadelphia, PA
Large Curtis Jere metal clipper ship 3D Sailboat Mid-Century Modern sculpture. Item features is a large impressive size, 3 dimensional design, wire ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Metal
Large Striking Japanese Bamboo Sculpture Honma Hideaki
Located in Atlanta, GA
A tall and striking woven bamboo sculpture by Japanese bamboo artist Honma Hideaki (b. 1959) made in 1996 and originally purchased from Tai Modern, Santa Fe in 2008. The vertical scu...
Category
1990s Japanese Organic Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Bamboo, Rattan
Indra Hindu Tibetan Buddha Statue King of Gods
Located in Somis, CA
A very rare statue of the Tibetan/Hindu Buddha Indra. Indra is the King of Gods who possesses mighty power to destroy evil and deception. He is the most i...
Category
20th Century Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Bronze
China Century Old Dream Stone "Landscape Paintings" with Original Frames, Pair
Located in South Burlington, VT
Rare find
Impressive wall display of two (2) Chinese dream stone "Landscape Paintings" with original period frames these wonderful
round natura...
Category
1920s Chinese Qing Vintage Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Stone
Tranquil Chinese Stone Bodhisattva Head
Located in Chicago, IL
Exuding an energy of calm and tranquility, this larger-than-life stone bust depicts a Buddhist bodhisattva in serene meditation. A disciple of the Buddha, a bodhisattva is a compassi...
Category
20th Century Chinese Qing Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Limestone
20th Century Italian Bronzo Di Riace Head - Vintage Terra Cotta Sculpture, Décor
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
This vintage Italian detailed head is made of hand crafted terracotta clay, in good condition. Wear consistent with age and use. circa 1918, Italy.
Bronzo di Riace was one of the ...
Category
Early 20th Century Italian Art Deco Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Clay, Terracotta
Quality antique Chinese carved hardwood figure
Located in Ipswich, GB
Quality antique Chinese carved hardwood figure of a shoulou with a staff, attendant child and a stork standing on a carved base
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Hardwood
China Pair Hand Carved "Long Swords" with Custom Presentation Case
Located in South Burlington, VT
An opportunity to acquire a handsomely cased duo (2) of monumental hand carved stone swords or sabers from China. These are no ordinary swords. These unusual swords were probably int...
Category
20th Century Chinese Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Limestone
Indian Bronze Buddha in a Classic Form, 7605
Located in Ukiah, CA
Very beautiful Indian bronze Buddha in a classic form that goes back a thousand years, this one is t least 18/19th, and likely earlier. 6.25 inches tall, height on custom stand is 8....
Category
Late 18th Century Indian Antique Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Bronze
Decorative Naruko Kokeshi Doll Sculpture from Northern Japan, Hand-Painted
Located in Vienna, AT
A beautiful and exceptionally 18 inches tall classic traditional Naruko Kokeshi doll from Northern Japan. Handcrafted of wood and hand-painted in t...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Edo Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
18th century Antique marble Burmese Buddha statue from Burma
Located in DEVENTER, NL
Experience the serenity of this antique marble Burmese Buddha statue, a rare 17th-18th century artifact crafted in the Shan (Tai Yai) style. Car...
Category
18th Century Burmese Antique Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Marble
Sculpture / Phrygian Helmet on a Halberd with Crossed Horns
Located in Dallas, TX
a French sculpture, paint and parcel gilt metal, of a Phrygian helmet (with gilt details) including gilt feather trim, on a halberd, with crossed horn and a gold trumpet, a gilt ribb...
Category
19th Century English Antique Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Iron
4 Foot Tall Vintage Happy Buddha Sculpture, Hand Carved & Painted
Located in Las Vegas, NV
Very large hand carved and painted wood Happy Buddha sculpture.
Hand painted Buddha stands 45". Comes with 30in foot tall orange pedestal(as found).
C...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinoiserie Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Hardwood
Japanese Bronze Edo Period Buddhist Temple Shrine Buddha Statue Amulet Sculpture
Located in Studio City, CA
A gorgeous Japanese bronze temple shrine Buddha. The small piece has a beautiful aged patina and a wonderful, surprisingly hefty feel to it when held in...
Category
Early 19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Bronze
Antique French Bronze Cast Sculpture of a Female Torso (manner of Aristide Maill
Located in Queens, NY
Antique French bronze cast sculpture of a female torso. (posthumous casting, stamped Aristide Maillol).
Category
20th Century French Other Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Metal, Bronze
Vintage Burmese Thai Carved Gilded Figural Buddha Monk Statues 25"
Located in Dayton, OH
Three vintage carved Burmese / Thai buddha / monk statues. Carved of wood featuring figures dressed in traditional attire holding bowls or prayer offerings and standing on lotus flo...
Category
Late 20th Century Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Hardwood
Vintage Iron Asian Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva buddha Sitting on Lotus Statue
Located in 景德镇市, CN
Vintage Iron Asian Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva Sitting on Lotus Statue – A Symbol of Compassion, Protection, and Enlightenment
This Vintage Iron Asian Kṣitigarbha Bodhisattva Sitting on...
Category
19th Century Antique Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Iron
Japanese New Style White Birch Kokeshi Doll 1980s
Located in Paris, FR
This is a kokeshi doll made with a white birch. It was made around 1980s in Showa era. This kokeshi is with new style.
Dimension: H21 x 6.5 x 6.5 cm
Betula platyphylla, the Asian ...
Category
1970s Japanese Showa Vintage Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Birch
19th Century, Mandalay, Antique Burmese Wood Carving Panel
Located in Sampantawong, TH
Burmese wood carving panel.
Age: Burma, Mandalay Period, 19th Century
Size: Length 56.8 C.M. / Width 44.7 C.M. / Thickness 3.2 C.M.
Condition: Nice condi...
Category
19th Century Burmese Antique Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
René Lalique: "Coq Houdan" Mascot
Located in SAINT-OUEN-SUR-SEINE, FR
signed R. Lalique France, in moulded-pressed white glass,
Height: 20 cm
Perfect condition
Created in 1929 and discontinued in 1937.
Félix Marcilhac, René Lalique - Catalogue Raisonné de l'Œuvre de Verre, Les Éditions de l'Amateur, Paris, 2011, N°1161
SHIPPING :
ALEXIA SAY...
Category
Early 20th Century Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Glass
Antique Wooden Burmese Monk from Burma
Located in DEVENTER, NL
Material: wood
13 cm high
7,9 cm wide and 4,4 cm deep
Weight: 0.097 kgs
Gilded with 24 krt. gold
Bhumisparsha mudra
Originating from Burma
19th century
Category
19th Century Burmese Antique Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Early 20th century Antique bronze Nepali Aparmita Buddha statue
Located in DEVENTER, NL
Antique bronze Nepali Aparmita Buddha statue
Material : bronze
37,4 cm high
24,4 cm wide and 19 cm deep
Fire gilded with 24 krt. gold
Dhyana mudra
Late 19th / early 20th century
Inl...
Category
Early 20th Century Burmese Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Bronze
Sculpture by HF, 1964
Located in Sagaponack, NY
Brutalist tabletop sculpture being a linear assemblage of bronze twig like rods of varying lengths stacked on a square aluminum base. Letters 'HF' and '64' etched in to the base in a...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary American Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Metal
Japanese Antique Small Wooden Netsuke 'Sitting wild boar' 1960s
Located in Paris, FR
This is an antique netsuke made in Japan around Showa period 1960s.
Dimensions: 1.5 x 2.3 x H2.5cm
Sculpture: Wild Boar
Era: 1960s (Showa)
Netsuke is a miniature sculpture, origin...
Category
Late 20th Century Japanese Showa Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Vintage Burmese Seated Buddha, Carve and Gilt Wood, 1970's, Burma
Located in Austin, TX
A large and serene vintage sculpture of the historical Buddha, Shakyamuni, carved of teak wood, gilt, and embellished with glass "gems", circa 1970's, Burma.
The sculpture depicts t...
Category
1970s Burmese Vintage Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Glass, Teak, Lacquer
Antique Japanese Bronze Meditating Daruma
Located in Chonburi, TH
This 19th-century Japanese bronze Daruma statue is a striking and contemplative representation of Bodhidharma, the revered founder of Zen Buddhism. Cast in bronze with exceptional de...
Category
19th Century Japanese Antique Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Bronze
Medieval Stone Bust of an Angel, Germany
Located in Washington, DC
Early 15th Century Gothic Volcanic Stone Bust of a Youth or Angel. Germany, circa 1400 from the “Weckshapp” of a medieval wall surrounding the city of Cologne (built in 1400). Hand-...
Category
15th Century and Earlier German Antique Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Stone
Chinese Scholar Stone Mountain Form with Display Stand
Located in Atlanta, GA
A small desk top Chinese scholar stones (also known as Gong Shi, meditation stone and spirit rock) on a fitted display wood stand circa 19th century. This is likely a grey Lingbi type stone with subtle arch mimics a horizontal mountain range. The wrinkles and folds on the greyish black surface were perfectly weathered by elements for millenniums. Smooth and rugged at the same time, the mountain range shows a poetic formation that was often depicted in the ink scroll...
Category
19th Century Chinese Chinese Export Antique Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Stone
Large Japanese Chinese Asian Signed Bronze Buddha Hand Sculpture Incense Censer
Located in Studio City, CA
A quite fantastic, rather unique, and unusual bronze Buddha Deiety hand sculpture ( making the mudra hand gesture) that also serves as an incense censer. W...
Category
Early 20th Century Asian Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Bronze
Japanese Carved Wood Sculpture 19th Century
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
1310 Japanese carved wood sculpture.Early 19th century
Category
1820s Antique Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Harewood
One-of-a-kind Carved Chinese Style Tableaux, 19th Century
Located in Isle Sur La Sorgue, Vaucluse
Gorgeous and unusual pair of wood carvings in the Chinese taste, set in beautiful, gold-colored, faux-bamboo frames.
Category
19th Century Unknown Chinese Export Antique Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Beech
Japanese Important Tall Bronze Rabbit Girl Of Wonderland
Located in South Burlington, VT
"Rabbit Girl of Wonderland"
Japan, an important tall 35" hand cast bronze effigy of a young woman clutching a prize rabbit, by important national artisan ...
Category
20th Century Japanese Mid-Century Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Bronze
Vintage Chinese Green & Brown Jadeite Serpentine Foo Dog Chop Seal
Located in Dallas, TX
PRESENTING A RARE Vintage Chinese Green & Brown Jadeite Serpentine Foo Dog Chop Seal.
Hong Kong/Chinese, circa 1950.
A fantastically carved Foo Dog in a co...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Meiji Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Serpentine, Jade
Antique Asian Rattan Hat, circa 1950
Located in Barcelona, ES
Asian hat, circa 1950. By unknown manufacturer, from Asia. In original condition, with some visible signs of previous use and age, preserving a beautiful patina. Materials: R...
Category
1950s Asian Mid-Century Modern Vintage Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Rattan
A Magnificent Antique Chinese Natural Nephrite Jade Plaque . 19th C
Located in London, GB
A Magnificent Antique Chinese Natural Nephrite Jade Plaque . 19th C
A CHINESE CELADON NEPHRITE JADE PLAQUE
Late 19th /early 20th Century
The foliate plaque incised with various...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Antique Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Jade
Japanese Gilt Carved Wood Seated Buddha
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
1492 Japanese gilt carved wood seated Buddha with hidden compartment in back
Category
1940s Vintage Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Hardwood
Architectural Carved Wood Temple Fragment Wall Bracket from India
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Antique architectural carved wood temple truss fragment from Rajasthan, India.
19th century Hindu temple fragment. This antique fragment were elements...
Category
Late 18th Century Indian Anglo Raj Antique Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
China Natural Stone "Painting" Restless Sea and Waves
Located in South Burlington, VT
Chinese extraordinary natural stone painting "Restless Sea and Waves" #6 unique painting
This Chinese extraordinary natural stone "painting" of sea and waves in action in white and gray colors is called a dream stone Shih-hua. They are cut from historic Dali marble found in the Cangshan mountains of western China. These mysterious mountains, unique in the world, are known for yielding incredible and fantastic natural landscaped works of art created over tens of millions of years from mineral inclusions that affected the process of ancient organic material which transformed into limestone and finally resulted in marble- a metamorphic hard stone.
This art form is centuries of years old since the Ming dynasty. Dream stones became favored art in the west particularly since the 19th century when French collectors named them Pierres de reve.
This thin marble stone "painting" is approximately 1/4" thick and is cut from a large slab of rough material revealing incredible patterns in soft white and gray colors. Its weight is surprisingly modest- easily hung with standard hardware.
On occasion, private collectors would invite an artisan to inscribe a poetic description onto their more important dream stones and in this case the artists' seal mark and calligraphy translation reads:
Beautiful Action of sea and waves
Framed under glass
Dimensions:
Frame: 13 inches high and 17.5 inches wide.
Site: 6.5 inches high and 11 inches wide.
Provenance: Private Chinese collection, Yunnan, China.
History of "White and Gray" dream stone paintings:
“White and Gray” dream stone paintings known in China as Shui Mo or Chinese painting stone, were cut from stone found on Shuang Yang mountain in Dali mountains Captivating compositions, they might remind us of a long string of rugged mountain caps from a distance. These dream stones are cut from a scarce regional stone yielding notoriously “fuzzy” detailed paintings. To find examples possessing clear, contrasting detail like this one is indeed a rare find. Fine stone paintings like this example are rare as access to and availability of resource material diminishes. After a thin coating of wax is carefully applied to its surface to protect and reveal its beautiful subtle colors, this stone painting is signed upper right position with poetic verse and seal of an artisan who describes its majestic beauty.
Reference: Dreaming of Dreamstones China’s Extraordinary Natural Stone Paintings, Schneible Fine Arts. Dreaming of Dreamstones – World’s first comprehensive English text publication covers China’s extraordinary natural Stone Paintings, by author and dream stone lecturer Douglas Schneible, 35 pages, softcover, ISBN 978-0-578. See photos.
We have have been dealing in authentic Chinese natural stone paintings...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Marble
19th Century Taoist Master Wood Statue
Located in Somis, CA
Very old solid wood statue depicts the Taoist Zen Master. He wears typical Tao robe and hat, with two fingers pointing up, and the left hand on his knee. Su...
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Antique Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Rare Indian Islamic Carved Calligraphic Marble Tile, circa 1860
Located in New York, NY
A rare Indian Islamic carved calligraphic marble tile, circa 1860
Hand carved with a cusped cartouche containing lines of dense thuluth calligraphy. Sitti...
Category
19th Century Indian Islamic Antique Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Marble
Old Bronze Nepali Singing Bowl from Nepal
Located in DEVENTER, NL
Material: bronze
8,8 cm high
16,7 cm diameter
Weight: 0.759 kgs
Originating from Nepal
Middle 20th century.
Category
Mid-20th Century Nepalese Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Bronze
Bone series no.5 - Bones collection raku ceramic pottery sculpture by Adil Ghani
By RAAQUU
Located in Petaling Jaya, MY
Measurement: H19" x W7.5" x L19"
BONES - A series of raku fired ceramic sculptures that explores the intricacies of humankind by digging deep into one’s core.
This series explores...
Category
2010s Malaysian Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Copper
China Important Carved Stone "Penjing" Garden Table, Qing Dynasty ‘1644-1911’
Located in South Burlington, VT
China, a carved antique stone Penjing or painting form garden table, late ming to middle Qing dynasty (1500-1900), limestone, three pieces
Dimensions: 34 inches high and 55 inches l...
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Limestone
Bone series no.4 - Bones collection raku ceramic pottery sculpture by Adil Ghani
By RAAQUU
Located in Petaling Jaya, MY
Measurement: H22" x W10" x L9"
BONES - A series of raku fired ceramic sculptures that explores the intricacies of humankind by digging deep into one’s core.
This series explores t...
Category
2010s Malaysian Modern Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Copper
Asian Sculptures and Carvings for Your Home Decor
Asian sculptors have worked in materials including wood, bronze and jade. Artists and artisans have used traditional techniques to depict deities, scenes from culture and more, and today, antique Asian sculptures and carvings are a popular choice for provocative and sophisticated home decor.
In China, the Qing dynasty, from the mid-17th century to the early 20th century, brought about significant changes in art while preserving traditional culture. Many emperors during this period were patrons of the arts, such as painting, calligraphy and decorative arts. This era saw the building of new Buddhist temples, which were decorated with statues. Some of these sculptures were adorned with colorful cloisonné decoration, in which tiny compartments, or cloisons, made by soldering copper filaments to a metal surface were filled with vibrantly hued enamel.
From the 17th to mid-19th century in Japan, kimonos were worn across classes and often fastened with a netsuke, a type of small carved toggle. Artists carved these from ivory, wood, shells and coral, creating animals, flowers and mythical creatures. During the Japanese Meiji period, spanning from 1868–1912, the country began trading internationally after centuries of isolation, allowing artists to sell their work overseas. Bronze sculpture flourished around this time for creating teapots, vases and incense burners.
Asian sculpture continued to evolve in the 20th century. During the Japanese Shōwa era, from 1926–89, art was influenced by international modernist movements like abstraction, Futurism and Surrealism. Contemporary Asian sculptures and carvings continue to combine global influences and a rich heritage of technique.
Decorating a space with Asian sculptures and carvings is a great way to add interest to any corner of your home. Explore by material, period or style on 1stDibs.
Read More
12 Calming Spaces Inspired by Japanese Design
From cherry-blossom-adorned walls paired with glamorous lighting to wood-paneled ceilings above checkerboard-patterned chairs, these 12 spaces seamlessly blend Eastern and Western aesthetics.
Rodrigo Rivero Lake’s Mexico City Showroom Is a Museum-Worthy Trove of Spanish Colonial and Asian Antiques
The dealer and curator has spent the past 50 years amassing a collection of exceptional art, furniture and architectural elements that trace the cultural influence of the Spanish empire from Europe to the Americas and beyond.