Ecuador Wood Carvings
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Mid-20th Century Ecuadorean Sculptures and Carvings
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Finding the Right Figurative-sculptures for You
Figurative sculpture is a modern art form in which artists create work that is typically representative of the visible world. However, sculptures that are considered to be figurative in style can definitely be inclusive of abstract elements. A wide range of antique, new and vintage figurative sculptures has been made over the years by both well-known and emerging artists, and these pieces can prove striking and provocative as part of your home decor.
Realistic representation in visual art has a very long history. And while figurative artists, whether figurative painters or sculptors, find inspiration in humans, animals and real-life objects, good figurative sculptures can make us think differently about how the real world should look. Just as figurative paintings might include Photorealistic human likenesses, they can also include elements of Surrealism and can suggest a creative and alternative reality. Figurative sculptures aren’t always realistic impressions of our world — depictions of the human form in classical Greek sculpture, for example, might emphasize beauty and physical perfection.
There are a variety of figurative sculptures on 1stDibs created by artists working in a number of styles, including Art Deco, Art Nouveau, mid-century modern and more. A large figurative sculpture can introduce an excellent focal point in a guest bedroom, while smaller works might draw the eye to spaces such as wall shelving or a bookcase that people may otherwise overlook.
When decorating your living room, dining room, home office and study areas with figurative sculptures, don’t be afraid to choose bold colors to inject brightness into neutral spaces. Texture is another factor to consider when purchasing figurative sculptures. A highly textural work of ceramics or wood will catch the eye in a sleek modern space, whereas a smooth, flat glass sculpture can offer an often much-needed contrast in a room that already has many textures.
On 1stDibs, find antique, new or vintage figurative sculpture or other kinds of sculpture for your home decor today.
- What is Japanese wood carving?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Japanese 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.
- What is Chinese wood carving?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022A 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 a Paete wood carving?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023A 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 Jepara wood carving?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Jepara 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertNovember 4, 2024To 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022There 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Antique 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertJune 15, 2023To 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022In 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertMarch 31, 2023What 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 is carved wood art called?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMarch 3, 2023What 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertOctober 19, 2021The 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022In 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.
- 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022Carved 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.
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